Villanova Postgame Thread

[oldude]

UConn is looking very good against the Big East teams. Their shooting has been great regardless of the quality of defense and they are playing very hard and looking like the have great chemistry. I really hope Creighton can give them a decent game just to give them some credibility as a league if nothing else.

It looks more and more like Tennessee and South Carolina are the only tough game left on the schedule. Tennessee because they can shoot threes and if UConn has a defensive weakness it is defending the three. I can also see them blowing Tennesse out which would only leave South Carolina and they look like they will be an challenge not matter what.

TN’s ability to shoot 3’s depends a lot on their pressure defense. The LV’s force turnovers and hit a lot of 3’s by spotting up, unguarded, in transition.

In their recent loss to Vandy, TN was 6/26 from the arc. Vandy only turned the ball over 12 times. Many of TN’s 3-pt shots were forced.

If UConn takes care of the basketball, I think the Huskies can contain TN’s 3-pt shooters.

As for SC, there’s no doubt that game will be UConn’s ultimate challenge during the remainder of the regular season.

 

[Brown Eyed]

Not true. There are at least four or more teams that put up big numbers and at least three that have four scorers as good as UConn. You should check before you make a statement like that.

Who has 3 scorers like Paige Sarah and azzi

 

[Bills Fan]

I saw one comment saying that Azzi and Morgan had "off-games", presumably based on their low scoring output.

Azzi had 9 points on 4-of-9 shooting and "only" 1-of-3 on 3-pointers. Watching the game live, it appeared to me that in the first half, Villanova's top defensive priority was to avoid giving Azzi 3-point looks, and so they gave up other chances because of that -- so Azzi helped the team even as a silent threat. I didn't see her get an open look for a 3 until the 3rd quarter, and I'm guessing that happened because Geno said something at halftime about running plays to get Azzi open. But the main reason that Azzi didn't score more is that she only took 9 shots (due in part to Villanova's defense on her), and other scorers got a benefit from that.

Morgan (in my opinion) did not have an "off night". Her scoring line was typical for her: 0 points on just one shot attempt, but 2 rebounds and 1 assist (along with good defense) in just 11 minutes on the floor. For some of those minutes, she was the tallest UConn player on the floor. She entered the game well before Ice, a trend that has been noticeable lately. It's looking like the UConn center position is not quite a two-way platoon between Jana (16 minutes tonight) and Ice (10 minutes), but a three-way circulation in which Sarah shifts to the 5 and Morgan plays the 4 for approximately one third of the minutes before garbage time. I also thought it was significant that Morgan did not play much during garbage time (Geno gave her minutes to Aubrey, quite appropriately), indicating Morgan's increasingly high rank in UConn's depth chart.

Bottom line: This was a good game for Azzi and Morgan as well as the other players.

I would just like someone to reply to my question of what is wrong with Morgan's fingers. It seems like she has missed almost every shot from outside since the game when she showed up with the fingers taped, but she has been doing everything else well including blocking out for rebounds.

 

[Brown Eyed]

Let's see how the team plays against Creighton, Tennessee and South Carolina before pronouncing this UConn squad a true juggernaut.....

Juggernaut is such a big word

 

[Brown Eyed]

You are correct

You are not correct

 

[Bone Dog]

Speaking of defending players from the suggestion they’d had an ‘off night,’ I’ll speak up for Ash. I think she played great and did exactly what Geno needs her to do.

Ash ran at top speed for 19 mins of playing time, harried opponents relentlessly on defense, got out front on the break repeatedly, and grabbed 3 tough rebounds. If that’s all she did, I’d be thrilled. She only shot 1-4 from 3. But more importantly, she was 2-3 on her signature midrange jumper. And those two came after a couple of empty possessions, effectively encouraging her teammates and demoralizing Villanova. They work like hell to get a couple stops, and then Ash pops in one of those effortless jump shots and the balance of power on the court shifts. A key part of her arsenal is that drought ending midrange jumper and I love to see it.

Also, on relentlessness, Ash exemplifies it for the freshmen every single game. They haven’t all learned to totally embody it yet, though Morgan is close. The more they get to see it in someone playing next to them, the better.

And just for contrast, I’ll praise Allie, too. She was pretty good on defense in her limited minutes. She didn’t shoot much, just the one driving layup, but she was mainly where she was supposed to be, where her teammates expected her to be. But that layup, a contested drive, is exactly what I love to see from her. Yes, when she can get open she’s a human torch from the perimeter. But she’s also a big kid who knows how to get to the rim even without a defensive lapse on the other side. This is a perfect complement to her perimeter game and I expect to see a lot more of it over the next 3 years.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Speaking of Ducharme, will she be playing anytime soon? Having her back, would in my view, make this team tough to beat, by anyone. I know she’s been practicing.

She's played like 25 games in 3 years. Experience wise she's basically a sophomore. Sad to say she's not going to be a difference maker especially given that it's almost February of her senior year.

 

[YoDore]

 

[Ozimoto]

They put on quite a show last evening. Even though the group that played the fourth quarter wasn't as prolific as the starters, they showed that they were moving the ball and there wasn't a lot of standing around. Seemed to me like they needed to spread the floor a little more. Lots of movement across the top of the key, but they weren't "high" enough (too close to the top of the circle) for the movement to spread out the defense and create open passing lanes or shop opportunities off of screens. They will get better.

They have certainly shot the ball the last few games like everyone hoped the would at the beginning of the season, which is great to see. I'm not sure the shooting numbers from last night are sustainable, but if they can consistently hit the benchmark 50/40/90 shooting percentages against the rest of the teams they face they will be in great shape for the tournament run.

 

[cabbie191]

• One element of that simplified offense is to run the hell out of the 2-man game with Sarah & Paige. They play off each other like they have been doing it their entire lives, and they have only played together for 18 games.

I know this is quite likely wishful thinking on my part but deep inside me lurks the wish that Paige wakes up one morning with an "aha" moment and says to herself (and then Geno):

"Why in heavens name would I give up the incredible satisfaction and fun playing with Sarah & Azzi just to wind up in Dallas! I'm staying one more year!"

 

[CONN78SEJ]

She's played like 25 games in 3 years. Experience wise she's basically a sophomore. Sad to say she's not going to be a difference maker especially given that it's almost February of her senior year.

Try 57 games in her first 2 years, and FG percentages of 45% and 42% those two years. She basically carried the team while Paige and Azzi sat on the bench. She only played one game last year. Are you from Mars?

 

[hoopsfan22]

Try 57 games in her first 2 years, and FG percentages of 45% and 42% those two years. She basically carried the team while Paige and Azzi sat on the bench. She only played one game last year. Are you from Mars?

She played zero games this year, 4 games last year, and 23 games in her sophomore season. She's played 27 games in the last three years and not 25 as I claimed thanks for the big correction!

 

[packwrap]

UConn is looking very good against the Big East teams. Their shooting has been great regardless of the quality of defense and they are playing very hard and looking like the have great chemistry. I really hope Creighton can give them a decent game just to give them some credibility as a league if nothing else.

It looks more and more like Tennessee and South Carolina are the only tough game left on the schedule. Tennessee because they can shoot threes and if UConn has a defensive weakness it is defending the three. I can also see them blowing Tennesse out which would only leave South Carolina and they look like they will be an challenge not matter what.

Creighton becomes a useful set of games due their NET quad 1 rating and current polls ranking.

On TN I'm more worried about their press and athletics than their 3. I'm a fan of new coach Caldwell and the commitment she has to "press and 3". Of course the irony this year is they take a lot of 3s, but don't make a lot of 3s.

Still TN a great game for Chen/KK, Jana/Ice and Morgan to see how they perform under pressure against Power4 athletes.

SC of course coming too. They play LSU on Friday in Columbia. After TX and OK consensus is SC will win by 30, but I expect a close one. That game will be a good scout for the Huskies and the Boneyard.

 

[cabbie191]

So much to like about the game but one thing I was really happy about was the body language of Jana & Ice.

Earlier in the season, if they missed a shot or were called for a foul, you almost always saw a pout. Not last night. I am hoping that the incremental improvement in both their games is allowing them to more easily shrug off whatever negatives occur.

 

[cabbie191]

Creighton becomes a useful set of games due their NET quad 1 rating and current polls ranking.

On TN I'm more worried about their press and athletics than their 3. I'm a fan of new coach Caldwell and the commitment she has to "press and 3". Of course the irony this year is they take a lot of 3s, but don't make a lot of 3s.

Still TN a great game for Chen/KK, Jana/Ice and Morgan to see how they perform under pressure against Power4 athletes.

SC of course coming too. They play LSU on Friday in Columbia. After TX and OK consensus is SC will win by 30, but I expect a close one. That game will be a good scout for the Huskies and the Boneyard.

Gracious but remember just a couple of years ago whether or not having Tennessee on our schedule was a source of heated/emotional argument?

Especially this year, I am grateful we're playing them AND that they are much improved. And willing to play us this late in the season. Win or lose, the games with the Lady Vols and Gamecocks will be important yardsticks for the team, and a reminder for the Huskies that the NCAA matchups will not be like playing our conference games.

 

[Stinger92860]

I did not see the game, no SNY. Did Ice score her buckets in the paint? Also, loved seeing Aubrey with a block. Would have loved to see KK with a three.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

She played zero games this year, 4 games last year, and 23 games in her sophomore season. She's played 27 games in the last three years and not 25 as I claimed thanks for the big correction!

Her stats from her first year well qualify her from an experience standpoint. 303 points, 99 rebounds, 40 assists, 27 steals and 15 blocks. Eat that!!!….and this was mostly after Paige got hurt.

 

[Bigboote]

I did not see the game, no SNY. Did Ice score her buckets in the paint?

Ice scored both inside and out.

My one comment on the game: I would've liked to see Aubrey a little earlier. I hope it's not a bad sign that she only played 9 minutes. In the second half, she only got in with the bench players; I hope she gets some time to develop with the starters.

 

[JoePgh]

Here is one amazing set of stats that no one has noticed, concerning the productivity of our now-established point guard platoon:

KK and Kaitlyn had a combined total of 28 points, on 11-of-13 FG shooting, including 2-of-3 from distance. They only had 4 assists, which is surprisingly below their average, but also 4 rebounds, together with 3 turnovers and 4 fouls. This was all done in 42 minutes. The fact that the minute total is slightly over 40 means that there was some amount of time where they were on the floor together, and that one of them was not the point guard.

I certainly don't think UConn will get 28 points out of the point guard position in very many games going forward, but even half of that would deter opposing coaches from ignoring the PG position in their defensive plans.

 

[Longtime fan]

Some thoughts on the Villanova game:

• The Huskies dismantled yet another conference foe. While some BY’ers may question the level of competition in the BE, it might be time to recognize that this UConn team is deep, talented, exceptionally well-coached and starting to play up to their considerable potential.
• Once again UConn exploded out of the gate as the team appears to be fully embracing Geno’s simplified offense. The Huskies ball and player movement is effortless, efficient and effective…...an absolute thing of beauty.
• One element of that simplified offense is to run the hell out of the 2-man game with Sarah & Paige. They play off each other like they have been doing it their entire lives, and they have only played together for 18 games.
• Paige was on a heat check from the opening tip, scoring 14 pts on 6/7 shooting in the 1st qtr. For the game, the best player in WBB had 21 pts, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals in approximately 25 minutes on the court.
• This was the most aggressive I have seen Kaitlyn on offense since she was at Princeton. She was a BIG-TIME SCORER at Princeton, and when she plays like she did tonight, Kaitlyn adds yet another scorer to UConn’s lethal offense, which must be terrifying to opponents.
• Azzi had an uncharacteristically ordinary shooting game, but my goodness is she tenacious on defense!!!
• Every game Jana does a few more things on the court that makes you feel that she’s starting to get it, and that she’ll become a force by March.
• UConn put up a bunch of ridiculous numbers tonight. Here are my favorites: 26 assists, 8 turnovers, 3.25 A/TO.

But you have to admit that the last offensive unit on the floor ( for about the final 6-7 minutes of the final period) did nothing with the offense. They passed the ball around the perimeter and couldn't find a shot. Good news; they didn't throw up poor shots. They just passed the ball around and ate up the clock. I was happy to see Alli finally decide to drive and score on a left handed lay up. But neither she, nor anyone else, got free for a three in that entire episode.

 

[BRS24]

This is what I enjoyed:
65.6% from the field
52.9% 3 pt
73.3% FT
4 players in double figures
Only 1 player with 3 fouls
Only 9 TOs

 

[Longtime fan]

ICE was 3/3 with 6 points and had a +/- of + 24 while playing only 11 minutes.
Another example of a Huskie "coming into her own" at a great time. Keep it
up ICE! I loved the two-pointer from the corner and soft touch in the paint.
Very Poised on defense.

I agree. She played efficiently and aggressively in the minutes she was given. And if Katlyn can maintain the level of confidence she showed tonight, then we have a new threat. She played as though it was Princeton v Harvard in the IVY finals and she had to take over the game and win it....just like the league MVP she was. A very positive sign. Not only did the shoot well, but her assists were wonderful to watch. Let's see if it continues vs Creighton.

 

[Bone Dog]

Here is one amazing set of stats that no one has noticed, concerning the productivity of our now-established point guard platoon:

KK and Kaitlyn had a combined total of 28 points, on 11-of-13 FG shooting, including 2-of-3 from distance. They only had 4 assists, which is surprisingly below their average, but also 4 rebounds, together with 3 turnovers and 4 fouls. This was all done in 42 minutes. The fact that the minute total is slightly over 40 means that there was some amount of time where they were on the floor together, and that one of them was not the point guard.

I certainly don't think UConn will get 28 points out of the point guard position in very many games going forward, but even half of that would deter opposing coaches from ignoring the PG position in their defensive plans.

Excellent observation!

I suspect we’re seeing the beginning of a trend here. They may not get 28 pts, but I suspect they’ll be in double figures and even approaching 20 pts in almost all games going forward. The thing is, Kaitlyn is a smoother scorer than KK, who is a little more of a ‘blunt instrument’ when she drives into the lane, creating contact as part of her drive.

Your main point is especially well taken. If the Kaitlyn/KK platoon is a consistent scoring threat, it gets that much harder to focus on the ‘Big Three.’ This is the very logic of having multiple scoring threats — they reinforce each other — and we now have a bunch of them. It doesn’t matter if any one of them doesn’t get 20 pts in a game, because the others will pick up the slack.

 

[JoePgh]

Excellent observation!

I suspect we’re seeing the beginning of a trend here. They may not get 28 pts, but I suspect they’ll be in double figures and even approaching 20 pts in almost all games going forward. The thing is, Kaitlyn is a smoother scorer than KK, who is a little more of a ‘blunt instrument’ when she drives into the lane, creating contact as part of her drive.

Your main point is especially well taken. If the Kaitlyn/KK platoon is a consistent scoring threat, it gets that much harder to focus on the ‘Big Three.’ This is the very logic of having multiple scoring threats — they reinforce each other — and we now have a bunch of them. It doesn’t matter if any one of them doesn’t get 20 pts in a game, because the others will pick up the slack.

This also has an effect on the requirements for the center position, which now is either a 2-way or 3-way platoon among Jana, Ice, and Sarah.

UConn needs (and probably will get) consistent points from Sarah, but it doesn't really need Jana or Ice to score in double figures against good teams. As Meghan Culmo said on the broadcast last night (talking about Jana but it applies to Ice as well), "all she needs to do is make open layups, rebound, and not foul." Of those, the most important is rebounding. If Jana/Ice can prevent top-level opponents from owning the backboards and getting extra possessions that way, they have done the only job that is really important for them this year. Any other contributions are, as they say, "gravy". In other words, a Tamika Williams role on this team.

 

[uconnfan68]

They put on quite a show last evening. Even though the group that played the fourth quarter wasn't as prolific as the starters, they showed that they were moving the ball and there wasn't a lot of standing around. Seemed to me like they needed to spread the floor a little more. Lots of movement across the top of the key, but they weren't "high" enough (too close to the top of the circle) for the movement to spread out the defense and create open passing lanes or shop opportunities off of screens. They will get better.

They have certainly shot the ball the last few games like everyone hoped the would at the beginning of the season, which is great to see. I'm not sure the shooting numbers from last night are sustainable, but if they can consistently hit the benchmark 50/40/90 shooting percentages against the rest of the teams they face they will be in great shape for the tournament run.

The play in the 4th quarter was exactly what Geno wanted, except that they scored 1point more than he would have liked. You can absolutely tell that they are trying to waste time and not score. He wants to see movement in games that he harps on in practice.

 

[ERWUC65]

Excellent observation!

I suspect we’re seeing the beginning of a trend here. They may not get 28 pts, but I suspect they’ll be in double figures and even approaching 20 pts in almost all games going forward. The thing is, Kaitlyn is a smoother scorer than KK, who is a little more of a ‘blunt instrument’ when she drives into the lane, creating contact as part of her drive.

Your main point is especially well taken. If the Kaitlyn/KK platoon is a consistent scoring threat, it gets that much harder to focus on the ‘Big Three.’ This is the very logic of having multiple scoring threats — they reinforce each other — and we now have a bunch of them. It doesn’t matter if any one of them doesn’t get 20 pts in a game, because the others will pick up the slack.

This dual PG success and having Jana play a true 5 is why our half court worked so well in the last 2 games. He has simplified the sets and most likely will sub Morgan, Aubrey and Ash in the more challenging games. If this works as well against Creighton, this might be the lineup for the rest of the season - perfect timing for TN and SC.

 

[hookshot]

This also has an effect on the requirements for the center position, which now is either a 2-way or 3-way platoon among Jana, Ice, and Sarah.

UConn needs (and probably will get) consistent points from Sarah, but it doesn't really need Jana or Ice to score in double figures against good teams. As Meghan Culmo said on the broadcast last night (talking about Jana but it applies to Ice as well), "all she needs to do is make open layups, rebound, and not foul." Of those, the most important is rebounding. If Jana/Ice can prevent top-level opponents from owning the backboards and getting extra possessions that way, they have done the only job that is really important for them this year. Any other contributions are, as they say, "gravy". In other words, a Tamika Williams role on this team.

Agree on the role, but nothing that we have seen so far would suggest Ice / Jana can be described in the same breath with Tamika Williams, one of the most efficient and underrated players in Uconn history. 50% of Tamika Williams would be a high bar, but may be enough

 

[ABCDFE]

Excellent observation!

I suspect we’re seeing the beginning of a trend here. They may not get 28 pts, but I suspect they’ll be in double figures and even approaching 20 pts in almost all games going forward. The thing is, Kaitlyn is a smoother scorer than KK, who is a little more of a ‘blunt instrument’ when she drives into the lane, creating contact as part of her drive.

Your main point is especially well taken. If the Kaitlyn/KK platoon is a consistent scoring threat, it gets that much harder to focus on the ‘Big Three.’ This is the very logic of having multiple scoring threats — they reinforce each other — and we now have a bunch of them. It doesn’t matter if any one of them doesn’t get 20 pts in a game, because the others will pick up the slack.

Bone Dog, they can certainly get 20 points between the two of them. But there has not been a real good track record of that happening on a consistent basis. Lets see how it shapes out as we are in the meat of February, but at this moment I think 20 points on a consistent basis is a stretch. I believe it will be more in the 12-14ppg range. I am hopeful to be proven dead wrong

 

[Plebe]

Creighton becomes a useful set of games due their NET quad 1 rating and current polls ranking.

The quad designation is for games, not teams. Based on their current NET ranking (32), only the road game at Creighton would be Quad 1. The home game will be Quad 2 unless Creighton can rise into the top 25.

Unfortunately, while Creighton is clearly the best of the rest in the Big East, they're similarly guard-oriented and not really the type of team that will test us in the areas where we've been exposed in our losses.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Agree on the role, but nothing that we have seen so far would suggest Ice / Jana can be described in the same breath with Tamika Williams, one of the most efficient and underrated players in Uconn history. 50% of Tamika Williams would be a high bar, but may be enough

My thoughts exactly. Tamika Williams holds the NCAA women’s collegiate record for career FG percentage at 70.1%. She was truly one UConn’s greats.