Villanova Postgame Thread | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Villanova Postgame Thread

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JoePgh said:
I have just recently come around to the view that KK should start in place of Kaitlyn, and I think that Geno will reach that conclusion very soon, judging by his comments.

However, have you noticed how FAST Kaitlyn is when running up the floor, with or without the ball? She appears to me to be as fast as KK. Maybe that is the reason why Geno has delayed pulling the plug on her as a starter.
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Maybe Geno has not pulled the plug because she is doing a really good job. I don't understand why people are complaining about Chen's play.
 
uconnfan68 said:
They outlawed that in football, but it’s ok in basketball?
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Football isn’t basketball. This injury during an NBA game happened the other night. The injured player is Jaden Ivey, Coach Neile Ivey’s son

 
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donalddoowop said:
Maybe Geno has not pulled the plug because she is doing a really good job. I don't understand why people are complaining about Chen's play.
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Chen is really doing a very good job. If Paige can't go, maybe KK will start, but I think Morgan may get the nod instead. Geno likes KK coming off the bench to change the pace, the way Nika did before she became a starter. Whether she starts or not, she will still get increased minutes based on how she has been playing lately. I like the way she plays with Ash, getting the opportunity to gel with her last year. Just because some people really like KKs game, they seem blind to the fact that Kaitlyn is blending in well with Sarah and Paige. The line-up should stay the same for now.
 
uconnfan68 said:
Should be flagrant foul.
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Initially it did look a bit flagrant, but after watching it a few times it just looked like she was going for the ball. She rolled on her leg as she was attempting to pull the ball away from where Paige could get it.

In football its illegal for a player to hit another in that way, however when going for a loose ball its not. That is unless its done on purpose.

I also hope they submit her to an MRI to be be sure their is no serious damage done.
 
  • Chen played a pretty good floor game today.
  • This was the 2nd consecutive game in which KK came off the bench and made an impact. That's her role and it appears as if she's settling in to it and doing exactly what Geno wants her to do. The last thing Geno would want to do now is change her role and put Chen in a role she's not accustomed to. That makes little sense and is not how Geno tends to do things.
  • Azzi still doesn't look right. Her movement doesn't seem hampered but she's not playing with a lot of confidence.
  • Paige looked to be walking fine when she returned to the bench from the locker room. The ice (to prevent any swelling) was put on once it was clear she wasn't returning to the game. Post-game social media posts suggest she is okay.
 
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Bigboote said:
Yeah, I noticed that too. I thought each had her moments and they were pretty good. Most of Ice’s time was without Paige. We know that things, uhmm, don’t flow as well without Paige in the game, but they did get it together eventually.

I love wathing Shade play. In spirit, she’s very Muhl-esque. Boxes out on EVERY shot that goes up on the defensive end. I was glad to see her get some rebounds today, as last game other UConn players got rebounds becausee of Shade’s boxouts. And as someone pointed out above, her defensive stance is fierce.

I’ll hop onto the Strong bandwagon. She’s a breath of fresh air on a team that misses so many bunnies.

I hate seeing a player with ice packs on her knee. And ankle. I was glad to see there wasn’t one on her calf.
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Agreed. I thought about posting about this earlier in the season. My point would have been that while other players have trouble making bunnies, Sarah's often don't even touch the rim. There was some game early on where out of maybe six close-in shots, she only touched the rim once. She's missed a few of those wide, sweeping scoop shots but otherwise she is gold.
 
HuskyNan said:
Just stop. The Villanova player turned to get the ball. It was not a dirty play

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Having watch this play "many" times, I must say that I initially
believed that Bascoe's play was excessive, but in my last analysis, I'll
give it to the refs... Perhaps they attributed the Wildcat's "roll" to her
momentum of going for the ball. Just hope Paige weathers another
stormy incident.
 
For the BONEYARDERS who were watching the +/-
minus scores and the efficiency ratings:
First the +/- ratings:
Paige +26, K.CHEN +30, Sarah +21, and Ash +31
Now the Efficiency ratings:
Paige 27 , Sarah 27 , KK 15, and Jana 11
So: You look at "different" things you get a
different "mix" of players. But
some things never seem to change: BUCKETS and "soft
hands" Sarah!!
 
Gus Mahler said:
Morgan is also very impressive. She is way better than I thought she would be. Today, pre-injury, she held her own as the '5' in the small lineup. And I like that Allie drives confidently to the basket. This is quite a good class.
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Agree it's a great class. The for sure core group for next year of Morgan, Allie, KK, Ash and Sarah offers amazing options for the famous positionless baketball.

All 5 have amazing fundamentals and are not 'flawed' players in any way. Morgan and Allie even offer size and skills in the post and all 5 can shoot. (KKs 3pointer was fine as a freshman, it will come around).

Just play this group, or sprinkle in our bigs, recruits and perhaps returnees and we again are in a good place.:D
 
I think KK is perfect off the bench as a change of pace player. When Aubrey is back and they check in together, we become exponentially more athletic and dynamic on defense. I like the maturity and game experience of Chen and think she does a good job.
 
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RoadWarrior said:
A winter storm with between 5-9 inches of snow heading to the Mid-Atlantic region this evening. Perhaps the team was trying to make a quick exit from the Philadelphia area.
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Geno said in the pre game presser that they were going to play and get the busses out of there before the football game was over.
 
donalddoowop said:
Maybe Geno has not pulled the plug because she is doing a really good job. I don't understand why people are complaining about Chen's play.
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There is a group on the board that believes having Chen impedes a year of KK's development (and we really needed a big)...and they are right...

...but, she is here now and playing fine. She was an easy add for Geno, as he knows her former coach:rolleyes: , and Princeton practically runs UConn offense. Given our recent injury challenges, a little insurance with little risk was pretty useful.

She will keep playing because she is good. The transfer market also watches and future potential transfer recruits want to see that Geno will play you if you come in to UConn and do the job.

Both Ash and KK now seem to be better adjusted to platooning. KK suddenly even better on defense, with assists and confidence/leadership. If her outside shot starts to drop, she's a national level guard! (not shocking)

Most importantly, team chemistry really good right now!
 
Hist-teacher said:
I define the contact with PB as recklessly aggressive.
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I think you have the operative word, recklessly. There is hustle but then there is recklessly going at an opponent with no body control. For me, that is when it becomes flagrant.

I feel like UConn opponents go into all out desperation mode which is reckless and dangerous. Refs need to send a message that the reckless out of control desperation to stay in the game is unacceptable and dangerous.
 
oldude said:
Some thoughts on the Villanova game;
  • UConn and Nova have had their battles through the years. But this year’s Nova team reflects the cruel mathematics of the Portal & NIL for any non-p4 team, not named UConn. The Wildcats lost 6 players to the transfer portal, 4 to P4 conferences, including 2 of last year’s stars: Olsen & Dalce. Nova brought in 4 transfers, only 1 of which came from a P4 program, a reserve wing from Vandy who grew up in nearby Warminster, PA.
  • As for the game itself, UConn ran a bunch of textbook pick and rolls, particularly with Paige and Sarah involved. Paige dropped a season-high 9 dimes today in sadly, limited activity.
  • As for Sarah, she scored an extremely efficient 21 points on just 12 shots. :cool:
  • Paige got her knee rolled-up on by a freshman who had no idea what she was doing. It was clearly a dumb foul, and now we can all hold our breath once again until the results of yet another MRI on Paige are determined….Ugh….:(:(:(:(:(
  • Jana continues to be a work in progress with some good and some not so good. I’m not certain what to make of Ice right now. She appears to have had her PT cut as Geno seems more comfortable going small. That’s fine vs an undersized Villanova team. But it’s difficult to envision in March.
  • KK with another really nice game. I'm sure that everyone was thrilled to see her confidently bury a 3 from the top of the key. :)
  • Next up the Musketeers at XL on Wednesday. Go Huskies!!!
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I saw Jana twice and Ice once refuse to close out on the open Nova forward and she hit 3 short jump shots. Does the scout say they don't shoot open jump shots. They really have to improve or I'd rather play small and aggressive.
 
Going to post my thoughts before this thread gets inevitably locked -

Sarah Strong is UConn's swiss army knife and they haven't had a player this versatile since Morgan Tuck, but Sarah has a better shot and mobility early on. I'd be shocked if she wasn't Freshman and or/Player of the Year. She's just so good at everything.

Paige had her mid-range going and Im optimistic she will be fine.

Azzi is focusing on her defense and her shot is looking better and better, a breakout game is inevitable.

KK is a stud. Her confidence is building and against elite teams Geno is going to have to play her early and often.

Jana has some solid buckets. Her and Ice are two halves of a really good player, Jana on offense and Ice on Defense but they cannot be on the floor at the same time and, now, I see why Geno hasn't went to that. The high-to-low with them is off no matter who is either or.

If you think Chen had a great game then you're not familiar with her game, she went scoreless and she is a scorer. Some very silly fouls and if she doesn't become an offensive threat, UConn is vulnerable. She's putting on her best Nika Muhl impression and I hope she realizes that being Kaitlyn Chen is more than enough.

All in all - a win is a win.
 
I agree that the play that injured Paige was not a good look. But. . .

Have any of you ever fallen while running? Full bore? Well I have, and you don’t just stop. I’ve run hundreds of miles in the woods, not particularly fast. I tripped over a lot of roots, and most of the time, when I hit the ground, I rolled.
 
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ctkaiser said:
I saw Jana twice and Ice once refuse to close out on the open Nova forward and she hit 3 short jump shots. Does the scout say they don't shoot open jump shots. They really have to improve or I'd rather play small and aggressive.
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I saw the same thing and I agree. On at least one of those occasions, the Nova player picked up their dribble, which should have lead whichever UConn player was guarding them, closing them down like a tidal wave. It didn’t and they made the shot after taking a few seconds to think about it. But I do think that for UConn to win #12, Jana and/or Ice need to be part of the game plan in March.
 
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Gus Mahler said:
Agreed. I thought about posting about this earlier in the season. My point would have been that while other players have trouble making bunnies, Sarah's often don't even touch the rim. There was some game early on where out of maybe six close-in shots, she only touched the rim once. She's missed a few of those wide, sweeping scoop shots but otherwise she is gold.
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Sarah’s game reminds me so much of pheesa an around the basket. But Sarah’s 3 pt range is what separates her.
 
Bascoe’s foul was the result of youthful enthusiasm that led to recklessness. It didn’t look like an ‘intentional’ foul or anything flagrant. I have nothing bad to say about that kid. She’s a significant talent and I look forward to seeing more of her.

That said, I hope coach Dillon uses this incident as a teachable moment for her team about the respect and care due even to opposing players. I’d even add that this has long been a feature of Villanova’s team culture under Dillon and it’s time for them to take stock. Maddie Burke and Katelyn Orihel should also step up and offer some veteran leadership here.
 
Bone Dog said:
Wishing Paige the best.

Sarah was her usual tremendous self.

KK continued her roll with 15.

Jana scored 7 on 3-4 shooting. Ice chipped in another 4.

The starting lineup was Paige Azzi Kaitlyn Sarah Jana, and I was beginning to think this would be the lineup for the rest of the season. But I’m beginning to wonder if KK will crack it and take Kaitlyn’s place.
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I thought at first that KK should start as well but rethinking what Geno and CD want I think it might work out better for KK to come in and pick up the pace and defense as she has done. She brings an energy exactly when Geno sees it is most needed and she fits the role perfectly. I'd let it alone. But that's from my cushy armchair.
 
The team play was the best of the season. Balanced game I thought throughout, from an offensive standpoint they played consistently in all four quarters, including in the fourth after the Bueckers injury. That could have been a real emotional moment with the potential of a major letdown, but the team held it together well! Hoping for the best there!

What was the injury to Morgan?
 
donalddoowop said:
Maybe Geno has not pulled the plug because she is doing a really good job. I don't understand why people are complaining about Chen's play.
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In another post I gave my opinion that while KK has demonstrated her importance her role is established as the spark off the bench to pick up the pace and deliver a different look to the defenders. It is working. Leave it until it doesn't.
 
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