Villanova post game thread | Page 12 | The Boneyard

Villanova post game thread

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Would I rather see DeBerry and/or Gabriel get some minutes and lose, or keep them on the bench and win, or what actually happened which is keep them on bench and still lose? I'd rather they played some just to see what they have, and not just in end minutes, even if a loss resulted. This is really the only thing I hate about this season and the coaching, this chaining to the bench for these two and not really giving them an opportunity. And I don't buy the "trust Geno, he knows what he's doing" like it's a blanket excuse for everything. If he hadn't needed to play Caroline and Azzi so much due to injuries, he probably wouldn't have. Aren't they better for playing a lot, don't we think now that in any situation that they will produce and conontribute. You can only learn so much in practice. But what do I know- of course, keep a hobbled Djorka in for a long time, and when she's on bench, put Aaliyah up top where she is not effective.
 
At the beginning oif the year, if Remember correctly, the first players off the bench were Azzi, Dorka, Caroline and THEN Nika. I think he has it right. He projected Azzi, Caroline and Dorka as being important to this team from day one.
 
Cuango said:
The key word there is “maybe”!
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Hmmm, I don't think there was a maybe.

Cuango said:
You don’t know what would have happened if Geno had played them (Amari and Piath) for five or six minutes.
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Hmmm, yea I think we know. And I'm sure Geno has a real good idea.

Cuango said:
I’m not going to second guess Geno here because I think there is probably a deeper reason why he didn’t play them,
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Hmmm, there might be other reasons, but I think the obvious reason is they wouldn't have helped. Edwards and Juhasz were having trouble defending at the arc. I'm fairly certain DeBerry and Gabriel weren't going to do a better job.
 
If any other team had 3 of their top 4 players sitting out against a team that had a 7 game conference winning streak, now 8 with their top player averaging 28+ points and 11+ a game and have had the same starting five for over a month, how many of them do you think would win? Take Boston, Cooke, and Henderson out of a line up and have them play any of the top 10 teams in the SEC, do you think they would win? How about Brink, Jones, and Hall of Stanford, what do you think of their chances against the PAC-12. Now lets say that on both teams Boston and Brink were game time decisions and they put in someone that doesn't play the center position and the back-up center has a foot issue and can't play much of the game. What do you think would happen?
 
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UConnCat said:
He seemed more surprised than pissed. Chris said on her post-game show that she learned about it during player intros. Not sure whom Liv told.

Is what it is. I doubt we hear what Geno thinks about it unless Liv says something. It was Stef who told the media (months later) what Geno thought about her not playing in the St John’s game in 2013.
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What happened with Stef in 2013? I don't recall.
 
FridaFriend said:
I give credit to Villanova for playing well. However I would say that the UCONN loss was attributable to two main reasons:

1. LUCK - I have never seen as many shots (by Villanova) in the general direction of the basket that somehow found their way into the basket. And I have not seen so many attempts by UCONN that didn't quite make it in. Such a combination of good luck and bad luck!

2. I disagree with those who saw an absence of effort by UCONN players. I saw players at unfamiliar positions trying, with huge effort, to pass to and defend with people who were not playing tonight. Azzi and Christyn nearly pulled out the game with individual efforts, but the team effort in the Tennessee game was absent, because of the team's unfamiliarity with each other at those particular positions, made worse by the inability to practice with each other.
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I disagree, there was some effort and there were many times (particularly on offense) of our players standing around the 3-point line and waiting for someone else to do something.
 
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Without more than three games in succession with everybody available and playing, without restriction, there is absolutely no way to see what this team is capable of doing. Any other speculation is futile.
 
MSGRET said:
If any other team had 3 of their top 4 players sitting out against a team that had a 7 game conference winning streak, now 8 with their top player averaging 28+ points and 11+ a game and have had the same starting five for over a month, how many of them do you think would win? Take Boston, Cooke, and Henderson out of a line up and have them play any of the top 10 teams in the SEC, do you think they would win? How about Brink, Jones, and Hall of Stanford, what do you think of their chances against the PAC-12. Now lets say that on both teams Boston and Brink were game time decisions and they put in someone that doesn't play the center position and the back-up center has a foot issue and can't play much of the game. What do you think would happen?
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Would they lose by only 3?
 
JBK said:
Question. I know Villanova is not ranked at this point - but was wondering if Nika Muhl would start on Villanova. She started most of the games last year and this season for UCONN.
I do root for her and respect her energy, grit and fire , but other then a steal once in awhile her defense is just okay - offensive is below average and passing is too aggressive.
Ps. I am not questioning anyone’s judgement - it is just my opinion and question as a fan.
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I would say: maybe or no.
 
MSGRET said:
This loss is because UConn had 3 top players not playing, if ONO had played we most likely win. If both ONO and Caroline play we win. If all three had played it's a cake walk.
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brings to my mind -- back in D's day -- the huskies (with a healthy team), losing the BE championship to villanova, and the 'cats players amd bench being soooo overjoyed, elated, beaming and happy that their excitement kinda dulled the disappointment for me, as a uconn fan. it warmed my heart, sort of.

,,,, it was nice that uconn went on to finish the season with six straight wins!:):):)
 
BobbyJ said:
I've said for 2 years that she is basically their whole interior defense. But regarding the drop step, that should have happened 2+ years ago.
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And we don't really have anyone that will take that interior defensive presence next year, unless you think Yanna will be like a Brianna Turner type player as a freshman...
 
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Conndog said:
Would I rather see DeBerry and/or Gabriel get some minutes and lose, or keep them on the bench and win, or what actually happened which is keep them on bench and still lose? I'd rather they played some just to see what they have, and not just in end minutes, even if a loss resulted. This is really the only thing I hate about this season and the coaching, this chaining to the bench for these two and not really giving them an opportunity. And I don't buy the "trust Geno, he knows what he's doing" like it's a blanket excuse for everything. If he hadn't needed to play Caroline and Azzi so much due to injuries, he probably wouldn't have. Aren't they better for playing a lot, don't we think now that in any situation that they will produce and conontribute. You can only learn so much in practice. But what do I know- of course, keep a hobbled Djorka in for a long time, and when she's on bench, put Aaliyah up top where she is not effective.
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I think this is a valid criticism. Especially with the foul trouble compounding it, I kind of wondered "Oh gosh, is he just going to have to put one of those two in at the end?" which wouldn't have been good for anyone. I thought he might take some opportunities to get them a few minutes, especially after realizing that Dorka is clearly still hurting.
 
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meyers7 said:
Hmmm, I don't think there was a maybe.


Hmmm, yea I think we know. And I'm sure Geno has a real good idea.


Hmmm, there might be other reasons, but I think the obvious reason is they wouldn't have helped. Edwards and Juhasz were having trouble defending at the arc. I'm fairly certain DeBerry and Gabriel weren't going to do a better job.
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Pretty hard to believe they could have done worse than 2 rebounds!
 
The thing that shocked me the most was the fact that both team had 10 three pointers. When watching the game it seemed like Nova shad like 15 3's. Nova played a great game and should get the credit they deserve. I still think when all the chess pieces are on the board.... that we could have a team that can go very far.. dare I say Final Four... but we need the pieces in place and healthy...
 
ABCDFE said:
And we don't really have anyone that will take that interior defensive presence next year, unless you think Yanna will be like a Brianna Turner type player as a freshman...
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I would agree with this. They won't have that type of player. I've commented several times about her lack of improvement in a few areas like offensive moves and shots, shot blocking discipline, and occasional loss of focus. But I've never criticized her effort level. That kid plays her ass off every game for her team and regarding last night's situation, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and see if she addresses it. There are very few kids in WBB that affect their whole team's defense in the unique way ONO does.
 
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UC77 said:
He seemed pissed that Liv told him before the game that she couldn't go. Is there something going on that's not injury related.
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We've already got a ton on amateur Doctors on the Boneyard. Are we going to get "Mind Readers" now too? I didn't get the impression he was pissed at all. Just diisapointed. After all they just lost a tough game. Stop trying to create controversy where there isn't any!
 
I will only say this. I don't think we should lambast any players or our team but I also do not think we should make any excuses either. Last night was about effort, hustle, boxing out, defending and playing together and the extent thereof. Suprises, shorthandedness, or setbacks should not effect effort.
 
Longtime fan said:
The Villanova game was over when we went down by 20, despite the intense heroics in the last two minutes, which no one really believed were going to matter.
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GUARANTEED the players thought it mattered and theirs is the only belief that matters. They were still trying their utmost to win the game.
Not aimed at you personally at all, but second guessing after the fact and disparaging any and all opponents are art forms on this board. Nova didn’t care Uconn was short handed, their celebration after the game was evident how much beating the most storied program in WBB meant to them. They brought their A game and hung on, Uconn played less than their best game but showed their tremendous character by never quitting and almost making a miraculous comeback.
Lost in all the “criticism” of Uconn coaches and players is the fact that besides playing short handed, Uconn played from behind the whole game against a team playing very well and hitting their shots. That is extremely taxing mentally; they faced a 15 point deficit in the 1st quarter, came back to get within striking distance only to fall behind by 19 in the 3rd but had the fight and intestinal fortitude to keep fighting and lose by 3.
Many can criticize to their hearts content, I came away admiring the heck out of all 6 players that hit the court.
 
BBallF said:
I will only say this. I don't think we should lambast any players or our team but I also do not think we should make any excuses either. Last night was about effort, hustle, boxing out, defending and playing together and the extent thereof. Suprises, shorthandedness, or setbacks should not effect effort.
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i could have answered one of many posts citing lack of effort but I just did not see it. I understand you differ and that is OK, but the effort was there IMO, the results were not.
 
For anyone who really remembers our history this information won't surprise anybody.

In 2002-03 and in 2003-04 Villanova beat us twice in consecutive meetings. One of those was in the BIG EAST Tournament.

In 2002-03 and in 2003-04 UCONN did NOT win the Big East Tournament

Diana Taurasi was a Junior and Senior during those years.

Few people remember how bad we looked in those losses - Why? Because we went on to win National Championships BOTH years.
 
Littlemin said:
i could have answered one of many posts citing lack of effort but I just did not see it. I understand you differ and that is OK, but the effort was there IMO, the results were not.
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Question-Was Villanova’s starting 5 superior in talent to UCONN’s starting 5 last night?
If yes, that’s the reason for the outcome.
 
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Stymie said:
Question-Was Villanova’s starting 5 superior in talent to UCONN’s starting 5 last night?
If yes, that’s the reason for the outcome.
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That is a paper analysis that infers the players are robots that should perform equally game in and game out. IMO it shows a decided ignorance of the essence of sports, any given night. Sports would have no allure to me if results were remotely that easy to explain.
 
Blueballer said:
For anyone who really remembers our history this information won't surprise anybody.

In 2002-03 and in 2003-04 Villanova beat us twice in consecutive meetings. One of those was in the BIG EAST Tournament.

In 2002-03 and in 2003-04 UCONN did NOT win the Big East Tournament

Diana Taurasi was a Junior and Senior during those years.

Few people remember how bad we looked in those losses - Why? Because we went on to win National Championships BOTH years.
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Bingo! This right here!
 
ABCDFE said:
And we don't really have anyone that will take that interior defensive presence next year, unless you think Yanna will be like a Brianna Turner type player as a freshman...
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I'm guessing that Geno believes that both Amari and Piath improve so that they can do what Liv has been doing.
 
UConnCat said:
He seemed more surprised than pissed. Chris said on her post-game show that she learned about it during player intros. Not sure whom Liv told.

Is what it is. I doubt we hear what Geno thinks about it unless Liv says something. It was Stef who told the media (months later) what Geno thought about her not playing in the St John’s game in 2013.
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i thought he was not thrilled
 
Many years ago, I watched a game between the US team and a far less talented team in the qualifying round of the Olympics. The US team, which started DT, Sue Bird, Maya, Tina, and Britney Griner, was falling behind, because they were excelling only at turnovers. Geno called timeout and DT addressed the team. She said that we are the best in the world, but we are trying to run all these complicated plays and we stink (DT probably said something more colorful). Let's just do one simple play over and over, until they prove they can stop us. They went on to demolish the opponent. My point is that these were the best players in the world, but they needed to find a way to work as a team. UCONN, last night, had very talented players on the court, but they didn't work well as a team, because they didn't have time to adapt and they didn't have DT.
 
Cuango said:
The key word there is “maybe”! You don’t know what would have happened if Geno had played them (Amari and Piath) for five or six minutes. I’m not going to second guess Geno here because I think there is probably a deeper reason why he didn’t play them, but I do agree that, at least from our (fan) perspective, it’s puzzling why they didn’t get a look in a game where our two bigs managed two total rebounds between them!
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Yes "maybe." Which is why I used it. I answered the question that was posed as to why and gave my opinion.

And I agree with those fans perspectives that felt that it isn't puzzling why they didn't get a look. SO it's nice some other fans mightwant to see it. Well some of us really don't. I'm assuming those thta agreed with me felt there is a good chance things would have been much worse.

Just as you point out "I don't know." Neither does anyone that wanted it. As a result "you don't know that it might have made things worse" also.
 
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