Villanova Postgame Thread

[oldude]

How many held balls did UConn cause tonight - 7? 8?

I actually thought the refs blew the whistle too quickly on several occasions where UConn players were in process of ripping the ball out of a Villanova player’s hands.

 

[boontonbomber]

Some thoughts on the Villanova game:

• UConn royalty was in the house tonight as the 2015 & 2016 national champions were honored. Someone should ask Geno which team was better: 2015, 2016 or the one he has right now? 🧐
• Denise Dillon is another outstanding coach. Villanova has been the 2nd best team in the BE and they are likely heading to the Big Dance. Some might suggest that UConn’s 49-point win over Villanova demonstrates how weak the conference is. I would suggest it demonstrates just how strong the Huskies are.
• Bascoe is probably the best player in the BE who’s not a Husky. Tonight, against KK (a.k.a. Batgirl) and her UConn teammates Bascoe had a really tough night. For the game, Bascoe was 3/13 with only 8 points.
• Last season, Ash & KK came off the bench to give the Huskies a jolt of energy. This season it’s Blanca & Kayleigh who supercharge the Huskies off the bench, particularly on defense. To Paraphrase Jim Flannery, "Every team in WBB wishes they had Blanca and Kayleigh coming off the bench."
• Sarah is so good, so versatile and so effortless with her play that she racks up stats like she’s in a video game.
• Let’s talk DEFENSE! The Huskies swarm opposing teams like angry bees, doubling whenever an opponent picks up the ball, getting their hands on the ball countless times, diving on the floor for loose balls and locking up opponents who make the mistake of picking up the ball in traffic. The Huskies held the Wildcats to 28% from the floor while forcing 26 turnovers.
• The Huskies were a little better taking care of the ball tonight. But they still committed 14 turnovers, typically when they attempt to force passes through small windows. With that said, KK continues to be 3rd in the nation with an amazing 4.76 A/TO ratio.
• I really appreciate Caroline's steady play as well as her ability to settle down the youngsters when she's on the floor, typically in the 4th qtr.
• Everybody eats tonight!!!! 🤩
• The Irish pay a visit to Gampel on Monday in what is surely MUST-SEE TV!

Regarding Caroline: somehow I just wish that Caroline's courage and determination were rewarded by letting her start a game. She might give up a bit on the defensive end, but so what. Offensively, she might even be an upgrade, depending who she started in place of. She seems to be getting stronger, and she just knows how to play the game. She would be thrilled! But , you know it won't happen.

 

[huskeynut]

As expected, UConn's defense was superb. They give you no room to breathe. Nova, like others we have played, have great difficulty running the offensive sets.

KK with her all black mask, is the perfect leader to run the show. She was all over the floor.

The offense flowed well. K9 is a perfect compliment to KK. She getting the feel for the game.

Next up ND who lost to Louisville tonight.

 

[ccwarrior]

Think about it - we score about 130 points by making lay-ins.

 

[oldude]

Regarding Caroline: somehow I just wish that Caroline's courage and determination were rewarded by letting her start a game. She might give up a bit on the defensive end, but so what. Offensively, she might even be an upgrade, depending who she started in place of. She seems to be getting stronger, and she just knows how to play the game. She would be thrilled! But , you know it won't happen.

Caroline will start on senior day at Gampel

 

[boontonbomber]

Caroline will start on senior day at Gampel

Of course, but that's nothing more than a tradition, not really anything special. And I think she deserves something special.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Kk has been playing incredible basketball.

 

[and one]

Sarah is just such a fine basketball player. It's amazing that we have gone from Paige to Sarah back to back. Both of those two have, in addition to extraordinary skill levels, things that can't be taught. Whether on defense or offence they see and understand better than everyone else where everyone is on the court, where they will likely be in five seconds and position themselves accordingly. Both also have not only great body control but also an inate sense of where they are in space. What would be a difficult and awkward shot around the basket for most anyone is for Sarah controlled and effortless.

All the nice things already posted about the game....ditto. I was more than a little annoyed that the interview with Pheesa turned into a bloody podcast that ate up most of a quarter. Not only way too long but also nothing but obvious questions eliciting stock answers. Not Pheesa's fault. She was probably ready to get back to watching the game long before she could.

 

[oldude]

Sorry, that's tradition, not a reward.

I think the world of Caroline. Players earn starting spots. You are suggesting a gift. That’s not the way Geno coaches.

 

[oldude]

Kk has been playing incredible basketball.

I said this before and I will say it again. KK is the 2nd best pure pg in the nation to Rori Harmon and it’s close.

 

[boontonbomber]

Again, a TOTAL team effort. 60 points for the starters and 39 points for the BENCH That's teamwork. To single out a player doesn't do justice to the team except Caroline, 4 points / 6 rebounds and 1 assist. Anything positive from her is a positive. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!

You sound surprised

 

[Gael]

Gee, I was only 31 points off the MOV.

I sort of expected Villanova to play tough defense, rarely turn the ball over, walk the ball up court with the point guard chatting with the coach on the sideline for 20 seconds, and then making lots of threes in the last five seconds of the shot clock.

What! Harry is gone?

In a blowout this big, it's too easy to say/repeat positive things about UConn's juggernaut performance. So, I'll just admit that perfection expectations are such that the 16 muffed layups miffed me (26-42).

 

[boontonbomber]

I think the world of Caroline. Players earn starting spots. You are suggesting a gift. That’s not the way Geno coaches.

No, I'm suggesting that she's earned it. And, actually, I think she's steadily earning more minutes. To suggest that playing her would be a gift really sells her short. You surprise me. The only players on that team who understand the game as well as Caroline does are Azzi and Sarah.
But you're right, that's not Geno's style. He is a bit of a savant, he is stuck on that starting group, and that's the way it's gonna be.

 

[Huskee11]

Large crowd, a fun night at Gampel, the pregame ceremony was well done. Sad to see Napheesa on crutches, and happy to see that there is apparently another Pulido on the way. It is always loud there but the sound system seemed especially loud tonight.

All of Notre Dame’s starters played at least 37 minutes and the one sub played nine minutes. So no big secret what UConn will do next Monday, and this was a great game to get that mojo going. The way UConn played Bascoe is undoubtedly what UConn will throw at Hidalgo.

And KK gets the primary credit for keeping Bascoe in check, but it was a team effort. Bascoe got in the lane a few times and tried spin moves, but was always met with another UConn player taking that away. She got a lot of attention and had very little room to operate. Dillon took her out fairly early in the third quarter and she sat for a long time.

Henry is a good player for them, long and quick.

I thought that was the best double teaming on defense that UConn has done all season. That was one reason why we had so many held balls. Heckel is really good at that.

I’d like to see a 30 point game from Azzi one of these nights. As in Monday night.

 

[Dugway]

That is a really good Villanova team, and the Huskies basically doubled their score, a +49 pt. MOV.

Sure would be nice to see them do up the Irish in the same manner! Just smother Hidalgo every time she touches the ball!

 

[DemonDeac22]

Great comments by all.

That bounce pass by Blanca to K9, which was from over half the court, was absolutely crazy. It’s at the 1:28 mark in the 3rd quarter for those interested. Blanca found a new way to amaze us tonight.

 

[ec33]

Great comments by all.

That bounce pass by Blanca to K9, which was from over half the court, was absolutely crazy. It’s at the 1:28 mark in the 3rd quarter for those interested. Blanca found a new way to amaze us tonight.

They work quite well together and it does extend to Allie at times. Lots of good stuff coming our way the next few years.

 

[Basingstoke]

I was kind of shocked at the utter domination of a talented, well-coached team in Villanova; especially when you factor in UCONN having a subpar game from 3 and also with layups.
Team defense tonight was outstanding as was the level of effort from each player.
Sarah was an utter monster out there, and I think she may have gotten a little angry when she was "blocked" (read mugged?) on several occasions.
The transformation/maturation of KK is a joy to behold: whether or not she is the best point guard in college, to me she is absolutely the best possible point guard for this team (I wouldn't trade her for anyone else currently playing).
It is also an utter joy to see KK, Kayleigh, Blanca & Kelis slash and finish in a blur at the basket.
How good is it to see Caroline moving well, rebounding and making great decisions and (finally) having the 4th quarter gang play true UCONN basketball.
Bravi, tutti!

 

[Gus Mahler]

Is it me, or does Allie always start her drives going left (and often finish with her left hand)?

 

[Bone Dog]

Is it me, or does Allie always start her drives going left (and often finish with her left hand)?

Nope. I see it too. I don’t know if she’s left handed, but she seems to like that left side.

 

[dcheng021]

Sometimes watching UConn it feels like are playing 6 on 5 against their opponent, amazing!