Utah Postgame Thread | The Boneyard

Utah Postgame Thread

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oldude

oldude

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Some thoughts on the Utah game:
  • After Friday’s nailbiter, UConn fans needed an old-fashioned blowout. The Huskies delivered with a 52 point romp over the Utes.
  • One of the very best things about this UConn team is that they are loaded with outstanding on-ball defenders, who can switch 1-5 and pressure opponents. KK, Sarah, Azzi, Ash, Kayleigh, Blanca, and even Serah are all quick-handed ball hawks. Today UConn forced 24 turnovers.
  • Sarah & Azzi both with brilliant, stat-stuffing games today worthy of 1st-team AA and NPOY candidates, with both stars playing under 30 minutes
  • If Blanca keeps knocking down 3’s, we are going to have to reevaluate our initial assumptions about her game!!! 🤩
  • Geno spread out PT today, as the bench provided some meaningful minutes. He’s still experimenting with his rotation. Blanca & Kayleigh seem to be set. But after that, it’s a work in progress. Nice to see both Kelis & Caroline get some early minutes today.
  • I'm guessing that Allie felt the weight of the world was off her shoulders once she dropped a couple 3's.
  • Anytime UConn plays 2 games in 3 days, as they did Friday & today, they have the benefit of simulating the preparation and competition of the Big Dance.
  • UConn powered through their first 6 games against a relatively strong group of OOC opponents. After Thanksgiving, the BE schedule begins along with 5 remaining OOC games mixed in: USF, USC, Iowa, ND & TN. The Huskies still have a lot of work to do to be firing on all cylinders. But so far, so good.
  • Grandkids next weekend, so I will thank another BY’er in advance for initiating the Xavier postgame thread.
 
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Really enjoyable game - aside from a bit of a mystifying 2nd quarter. I do love that 5 bench players got over 10 minutes, but the 2nd quarter shows that when you have a team as fundamentally sound as Utah, who has their starters playing, certain bench players just are not a good mix.
  • Another uber impressive game by Blanca. Azzi may have been POG, but Blanca was terrific. Sure she makes some mistakes, but she's a budding superstar for sure.
  • Even tho KK picked up 2 quick fouls, her defense was tenacious. Love that she drained a 3
  • I wish Sarah got more shots - I'd love to see her score over 20 on a more regular basis. She's soooo good.
  • Ash really does a lot of very good things out there.
  • Allie continues to impress. Love her growth and improvements. She really looks like she belongs out there.
  • I continue to be confused by the time Serah is getting. She's long and athletic and a good defender and rebounder, but her offense is just a mess and she's not fitting in at this time.
Loved seeing a lot of bench time and Q4 was surprisingly better than Q2. Great overall game. Meant to add on edit - Utah plays a really solid form of offense and it took a LOT of effort for UConn to play such lock down defense. That was VERY impressive.
 
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This was their best game by far.

-Azzi and Sarah makes the staff’s job so much easier.

=Geno used the same plan he has used for all the games so far (Michigan’s zone and talent altered it): The brilliance of Azzi and Sarah, a fast start and stifling defense. It allowed him to explore some more lineup combinations.

-You could tell what he was trying to do today. He gave Ash lots of time to work through her shooting woes. It is sometimes hard to watch but he is being patient with Serah. He cut KKs minutes a little. 37 was probably more than he wanted from her on Friday.

-Geno is a long way from having his rotation figured. Allie has been ok. She played well in the second half. K9 continues to struggle from 3. Jana is not replacing Serah early in the game yet.

-Blanca is starting to force fewer passes. Even with missing a breakaway layup,I think this was best game. Love seeing her knock down threes.

-I feel bad for Ice Brady. She just can’t stay healthy for an extended time.

-Is it just me or does this team miss an unusually high number of layups?

-Michigan pushing them did this team a world of good.
 
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Okay! Time to have a little break and enjoy some fellowship! Come back refreshed.
 
I am encouraged by Blanca. She has been really good in two of the last three games. In fact, I am so encouraged… that I wonder if it is time to tinker with the starting 5.

I was really discouraged by Allie’s first half. Especially when she overshot and airballed a wide open three. But she looked a lot better in the second half.
 
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A tale of 2 Quarters, First and Second, Perfect basketball and execution. Third and Forth Acceptable but will improve. Balnca was fantastic and Allie is starting to hit her shots. Still waiting for Ashlynn to break out with her 3's. Enjoyed the game and 6 down and 31 more to go. With League games coming up, the games will be easier and defence is outstanding. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!
 
Lots of positives come out of a blow out.
Serah Williams needs to slow down a bit with the ball, her offense seems way off. She did have 8 rebounds today though.
Allie getting more minutes will get her more comfortable. A comfortable Allie can be a great 3 point shooter.
Blanca needs to put the spin move away as she spins herself into a turnover. But her scoring can be the 3rd option for us.
Jana, stop moving on your picks.
 
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There are suggestions for Blanca to be a starter. But I think Geno likes a scoring threat off the bench when the offense bogs down.
She will still get her share of playing time and she adds to UCONN's depth.
 
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I'm really glad Blanca was able to come back swinging after looking like a freshman against Michigan.

I also walked away just amazed by their conditioning. Michigan clearly looked tired in their game against Syracuse but you couldn't tell at all that UConn had a tough game Friday night.

I felt just a tiny bit sorry for Utah. I think quite a few UConn players came out with something to prove after Friday night and it was great to see. Bodes well for the season even though my blood pressure could have done without that 3rd quarter Friday night.

BTW-KK totally reminded me of Renee today and I loved it. She was a menace on D.
 
Also, I don’t know how other people feel about it. But I thought the commentary was just horrendous today. The commentators made claims or statements that are just easily disproven by anyone that watches UConn on the regular.
 
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Few Thoughts:
*Fun game to watch especially after the nerve recking game against Michigan
*IMO Blanca is the key for UConn's ability to repeat as she is clearly the best option to be that 3rd scorer on this team. Great game today (aside than that 1 missed layup) and should give her a lot of confidence going forward and she can hit the open 3 which is very much needed for this team success against the top teams.
*The player who was supposed to be that 3rd scorer (Serah) is mystifying in her futility under the basket on offence especially considering her track record at Wisconsin.
*Azzi and Sarah were amazing as usual. Smart, fundamental, great basketball players.
*Concerned about Ash and Kayleigh Heckel inability to hit 3's and Allie's struggles in the first half hitting the 3's. It was good to see her hitting the 3's in the second half.
*Really liked the way the bench played in the second half. Disciplined on offense and tight defense.
*As was mentioned Geno seemed to be very patient with Serah and have to wonder when he will make changes ot the starting 5 if she continues to not find her game.
*A feel-good game for the team and the fans!
 
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