Some postgame thoughts on the USF game.
- I suspect Jose was happy to watch the game from the stands tonight. ☺️
- There may not be a team in the country who can run their offense effectively against UConn. Tonight, the Husky defense was absolutely suffocating, forcing USF into 20 turnovers, while holding the Bulls to just 51 points on 37% shooting.
- When you lose two outstanding pg’s to the W, you might expect to stumble out of the gate next season. But the Huskies have barely missed a beat with their ball and player movement on offense, as KK, Sarah, Azzi & Ash orchestrate the offense with the newbies, youngsters and transfers all getting up to speed quickly. UConn is currently 2nd in the nation in assists per game, 3rd in A/TO ratio while averaging almost 90 ppg.
- For the 2nd game in a row, the Husky 3-pt marksmen lit it up from downtown as UConn went 9/23 with Azzi, amazingly, going 0-4 😮.
- It’s difficult to overstate just how important KK is to UConn’s strong 1st qtr starts this season, whether she is terrorizing the opposing pg on defense or pushing the ball up in transition and dropping dimes on offense. If she gets into foul trouble, the Huskies don’t lose much in Kayleigh.
- Everyone tends to focus on Azzi’s offense. Can you blame them? But Azzi has become a relentless on-ball defender, who’s strength, quickness and footwork are as good as any guard in WBB.
- Serah worked much harder tonight to establish low post position, before the ball arrived. As a result, when the ball arrived, she just had to turn and score. I sense Jamelle, the post whisperer, at work. 😎
- Blanca continues to impress whether she’s knocking down 3’s, driving to the basket like a freight train or locking down opponents on D.
- I really like the minutes that Allie is giving the Huskies off the bench.
- Sarah with 14 pts, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers.....ho hum.......
- Next up the Blue Demons at Gampel on a very special day when Sue's #10 will be retired.
Great review. I was lucky to be at the game last night having flown down from Jersey and had floor seats. It is a great venue to watch a game.
Our defense up close is almost terrifying. KK actually fakes her man on defense repeatedly as though she is going to try to deflect the ball and makes it impossible for the offense to get started. We do not lose very much at that position when Kayleigh comes in either, she is a very opportunistic player both on defense and offense.
In the pre-game warm ups, USF was deadly from the arc at one point making 12 in a row by various players. Once the game started, it was a different story and it had to do with the defense.
Azzi is an extraordinary defender and very underrated. She shuts down whoever she guards. She is smart, quick and strong. Sarah is just so impressive on defense. Her timing on deflections and steals is precise and merciless. Her diving onto the floor when we were up 35 is just so telling of who she is and how we play.
Jana tried out the floor also and our bench went crazy when she did. I thought she had a solid game last night. As many BYers have stopped mentioning her I will say this. She is much improved over last year. More athletic, better footwork, but still has to learn to set the pick and not move. When she does do it right and allows the dribbler or cutter to do the work, it is a dream pick because of its width and strength.
I was so impressed with how much we communicate with each other as a team. KK and Kayleigh direct traffic mostly on offense but so does Azzi and Sarah. On defense, I heard "switch" all the time an they execute it perfectly.
Blanca is something else. She is long, physically powerful, hugely talented and almost seems to be going at half speed. If you noticed, she reduced her speed on her patented spin move by about 50%, no doubt through coaching. It was under control and that move and the nifty drop pass by Sarah, were probably the best looking plays of the night.
Talk about the effects of coaching, Serah used her left hand and went to her left better than she has all year so far and looked really comfortable out there asking for the ball.
Very sad seeing both Morgan and Ice in warm ups and knowing how frustrating it must be. I was struck with how tall Morgan is. I just didn't think of her that way while seeing her from a distance or on TV. I also really feel for Caroline. She had a good "floor and glue" game and tries to get everyone involved, especially Ay last night, but her shot is just not dropping and she passed up an 8 foot pull up. As for the 0-4 from Azzi from the arc, it looked like she was just trying to aim her shot instead of just letting it fly. I have seen. that at times in the past with her so it is just a temporary thing.
Lots more thoughts and observations but it is was just an incredibly enjoyable experience. One last item. We had our UCONN tops on but for floor seats you can't wear opponents gear. Good idea as one of our most illustrious alums noted. When UCONN came out of the tunnel right before the game began, I thought I was at Gampel it was so loud! We are everywhere and in droves.
I didn't think that I could ever like any team better than last year's but I have to say after watching them up close, I honestly love this team. They are a sheer joy to watch. They are focused, workmanlike, fearless, and so supportive of each other that you just are in awe. We are up by 30 and we play like we are down by 5. Yup, that's UCONN.
