Villanova Postgame Thread

[Cornell Lt]

In my opinion, KK is a very good defensive player, but needs to work harder, harder on learning to shoot. She would be awesome. A point guard needs to be a good quarterback to manage overall team play. K Chen from last year did an excellent job. Jana & Serah
W. needs to learn to keep the ball up high to pass or shoot. They get in trouble when they lower it. This is my opinion. I am a little afraid that we might be in trouble come March Madness.

KK got smoked several times on the defensive end, very unusual for her

 

[ME Husky Fan]

I will take the W and move on. Geno is really not happy with Serah.
First three minutes of the game, 1-3 shooting, 1 turnover and 1 foul. Barely played the remainder of the half.
Second half, she gets an offensive rebound and throws up an ugly shot at the rim. Out of the game again.

Your has to wonder if she’ll ever come around and be a contributor that the team can relay on, game over game. The trend is telling us to play Jana more or go small for longer stretches of the game.

 

[sun]

UConn is not peaking...they have BigEastitis!
If they overperformed earilier in the season, now their MOV's are averaging out.
(49 point MOV + 14 point MOV = 31.5 point average MOV against Villanova)

When they play teams that actually know how to dribble and pass without as many turnovers, UConn will need to execute better offense.

 

[msf22b]

A word about Sarah’s illness…all comparative experience and conjecture…no Holiday Inn Express analysis.

My wife and I returned from Italy just prior to the 1st of the month in perfect health
after 3 weeks of skiing in the Dolomites...

Just two days after arriving in NY, was in bed with Covid (my wife a day later)…Actually a pretty mild version…no temp and clear lungs

It’s now the 19th…and I’m officially virus free...I’m still hacking, limited energy, sleeping much of the afternoon and though up in Vermont, not skiing…I put it off every day…maybe tomorrow

This season’s trio (?) of virus’ are tricky and long lasting.

I’m not surprised with Sarah’s issues…same as mine…Hopefully they will dissipate…for both of us; my doctor says a month isn’t unusual.

 

[donalddoowop]

In my opinion, KK is a very good defensive player, but needs to work harder, harder on learning to shoot. She would be awesome. A point guard needs to be a good quarterback to manage overall team play. K Chen from last year did an excellent job. Jana & Serah
W. needs to learn to keep the ball up high to pass or shoot. They get in trouble when they lower it. This is my opinion. I am a little afraid that we might be in trouble come March Madness.

KK and Heckel could both be liabilities in close games because their free throw averages are not good. The point guard position has to have players who are accurate free throw shooters. As far as the team is concerned, at this time last season the team was on an upward projection. This season it seems, when they should be peaking, they may be on a downward spiral. Fudd, Strong, and Shade are still playing well but the others, who were playing well, need to start playing like they previously did.

 

[Bone Dog]

A word about Sarah’s illness…all comparative experience and conjecture…no Holiday Inn Express analysis.

My wife and I returned from Italy just prior to the 1st of the month in perfect health
after 3 weeks of skiing in the Dolomites...

Just two days after arriving in NY, was in bed with Covid (my wife a day later)…Actually a pretty mild version…no temp and clear lungs

It’s now the 19th…and I’m officially virus free...I’m still hacking, limited energy, sleeping much of the afternoon and though up in Vermont, not skiing…I put it off every day…maybe tomorrow

This season’s trio (?) of virus’ are tricky and long lasting.

I’m not surprised with Sarah’s issues…same as mine…Hopefully they will dissipate…for both of us; my doctor says a month isn’t unusual.

I teach at a residential college and for the last month and a half, campus has been awash in various plagues. I always get every possible vaccine in early January to prepare myself for it. At any time, 10-15% of the students are sick. This happens pretty much every year, though since the advent of COVID it seems to last a bit longer.

 

[Fore!]

A solid 2nd half - the team woke up, but again, another lackluster game overall. Poor first half against Tennessee, played sleepy for about 30 minutes vs. Marquette, and down at halftime vs. Villanova. I've said it many times now. This team is NOT head and shoulders better than every other team out there. They struggle for stretches far too long against teams they should beat handily.

But let me say this - I rarely complain about the refs, but that was as poorly reffed game as I've seen in quite some time.

Great games by Sarah, Azzi, and Ash. Serah had a strong 2nd half. Both our PG's were below average, altho KK had some highlight moments in the 2nd half. And some nice moments from Allie.

Per Azzi, Geno told the team to settle in the 2nd half. They came out not ready to start the game. Not playing at UConn's pace. The team got nervous and Azzi worked to help calm them down. She said the offense just wasn't flowing. Nova was super aggressive and "we didn't match their energy".

Something is off with the team and fortunately it's not March Madness yet. They have time to figure it out. Nova is going to be GOOD - they have a young team and are on the right trajectory.

Agreed, something is, and has been, off with this team for a number of weeks now. It’s one thing to wobble on the tightrope during the regular season, quite another to do so during the NCAA tournament when there is no safety net beneath you to catch your fall.

 

[FanSince17]

Where are the pressers?

 

[housekeys]

I rarely complain about the refs, but that was as poorly reffed game as I've seen in quite some time.

Why do you rarely complain? Just kidding.

Per Azzi, Geno told the team to settle in the 2nd half.

Makes sense. When UConn presses on defense, it is like pure chaos at times. When it results in turnovers and easy baskets, you keep doing it. The problem is you do not want the chaos to spill over to your offense. So if the other teams force UConn into executing its offensive sets, UConn needs to settle down on offense, while maintaining the defensive intensity.

 

[romath]

This appears to be the second straight game with no postgame presser posted, while the opposing coach’s is. Any idea what’s going on?

 

[HuskyNan]

This appears to be the second straight game with no postgame presser posted, while the opposing coach’s is. Any idea what’s going on?

It was an away game. The blogs that post the pressers didn’t travel. Maybe they should start charging for subscriptions so they can afford to go to road games

 

[ABCDFE]

KK and Heckel could both be liabilities in close games because their free throw averages are not good. The point guard position has to have players who are accurate free throw shooters. As far as the team is concerned, at this time last season the team was on an upward projection. This season it seems, when they should be peaking, they may be on a downward spiral. Fudd, Strong, and Shade are still playing well but the others, who were playing well, need to start playing like they previously did.

This is a great point about pg free throw shooting

 

[huskyd]

A solid 2nd half - the team woke up, but again, another lackluster game overall. Poor first half against Tennessee, played sleepy for about 30 minutes vs. Marquette, and down at halftime vs. Villanova. I've said it many times now. This team is NOT head and shoulders better than every other team out there. They struggle for stretches far too long against teams they should beat handily.

But let me say this - I rarely complain about the refs, but that was as poorly reffed game as I've seen in quite some time.

Great games by Sarah, Azzi, and Ash. Serah had a strong 2nd half. Both our PG's were below average, altho KK had some highlight moments in the 2nd half. And some nice moments from Allie.

Per Azzi, Geno told the team to settle in the 2nd half. They came out not ready to start the game. Not playing at UConn's pace. The team got nervous and Azzi worked to help calm them down. She said the offense just wasn't flowing. Nova was super aggressive and "we didn't match their energy".

Something is off with the team and fortunately it's not March Madness yet. They have time to figure it out. Nova is going to be GOOD - they have a young team and are on the right trajectory.

Eric, you seem to contradict yourself. First you say that UConn is not head and shoulders above everyone else, then you say there are teams they should beat handily. Fact is, the Huskies are much better than everyone else (so far), but they are also human. Key is that whenever they are threatened, they respond mightily. Sarah, for example, typically gets angry with herself and takes over the game. She will assert herself even if she has to physically demolish her opponent. Azzi, too, can ramp up her game as needed. Problems come from others who make bad passes, miss layups and free throws, commit dumb fouls. Blanca and Ash are the other net positives. Even the best of them are subject to lulls.
On the whole, the team appears to be sleep-walking late in the season after demonstrating that it has the power to overwhelm anyone it wants. I believe they have mesmerized themselves. But a coupla quick slaps upside the head get the key components revved: game over.
I also thought 'Nova played extremely well, especially #11. Good to get some push back.
I meant to add that it is possible Geno's style of play is getting predictable and easier to exploit. Luckily, he brings enough different types of subs to change tempo.

 

[Performance]

These are actually good games for them to have they are a good test and will only help looking forward to the tournament. Being tested and passing is a really good thing, builds confidence and toughness, sometimes you just need a reality check. They will be fine!! Go UCONN

 

[housekeys]

That’s the point. It was her best quarter- that’s literally what he said

Re: Serah W, true. She definitely looked better in that time span. Coincidentally, it was with Sarah on the bench with the 4 fouls, unless I am mistake. Likewise, Sarah performed much better in the 4th, with Serah W on the bench, unless I am mistaken. There may be some overlap between the two S'rah's that takes away from seeing Serah's true potential. IDK, just thinking out loud.

 

[drweo]

ERICSD WROTE: "Something is off with the team..."

I agree...many possible explanations and/or combined explanations, but it has to be fixed soon.

 

[Centerstream]

Serah with only 2 rebounds against a team that plays with 6'1" or less in height. Thank goodness Blanca is back because we will need the small lineup with Sarah at the 5 if we are going to win. Against UCLA, OK, SC or Texas, our bigs are going to get eaten alive.

And you are echoing exactly what was posted last season.

 

[cleobel60]

Tough call for Geno. Does Serah have more upside and shot blocking? Jana has been improving but still is not performing up to last year's level.

Jana should be dominating at her position by now. She has size, height, and potential. However, she hasn't done the necessary work to overcome her weakness like fouling, defense, passing, and shooting. No improvement at all since last year; she was really beginning to look good during championship games 2025. My concern is that good teams will figure out how to reduce and SS offensive production. What then?

 

[victor64]

Though certainly still a weapon, the press seems to be less effective against well coached teams the second time they see them.

UConn presses every game. They change the looks some but there is plenty of video out there to scout and prepare for the pressure.

The old adage "if ain't broke don't fix it" still applies but I wonder if parts of these remaining games could be used to give future opponents new looks to think about.

 

[maple]

I said it last game and I'll say it again - winter doldrums! It used to be a thing where Uconn would go 2-4 games playing really lackluster games, usually the first or second week of January - Christmas was over, classes hadn't starter, cold, bad weather and the energy just wasn't there.

Exactly this. Every team in every sport has a stretch of games where they don't look as good as before. And UConn WBB is not immune to this and it's something we see with every season. The goal is to play through it and get to good form. I have faith in the players and coaching staff. They know what the problems are, clearly. Just need to clean things up.

Watching the men's game last night and the announcers said something to the effect of, "games like this [for UConn] are a reminder that the season isn't over and you have to keep playing hard and stay mentally focused". I feel like that is also applicable for the women's game last night.

 

[Bigboote]

One thing I noticed last night that I've seen before but not as often as last night: Many of the turnovers were trying to get the ball to the bigs. Some were ill-advised passes, but more often the problem was the big not catching the pass. And this was due to two different things. At least once each, Serah and Jana caught the ball over the head but brought it down to the waist, and either lost it or got tied up. But what I noticed happening more often is that they didn't meet the ball. Just stood there, didn't even stretch the arms out toward the ball. That's what allowed players 3-6 inches shorter to catch or deflect the passes. Meeting the ball is something so basic, I'm not sure how they haven't internalized it by now.

I agree with several others that KK should put the mask back on. IIRC after Aaliyah broke her nose, she tried going maskless for one game a few weeks later and put it back on for the rest of the season. And I really like the black Batman mask.

 

[GetReal2day]

And you are echoing exactly what was posted last season.

I think there is a difference this year in that SC, UCLA and Texas all got better. I will stop barking about Serah at this point in the season and I will hope that she and Jana start putting something together that resembles decent post play.

 

[Forego]

When did this thread go from talking about the Villanova game to being one that is specializing in backhanded comments about Jana and Sera? I would rather know who is bringing Jana breakfast for the next several weeks than reading all the negative comments.

 

[hoophuskee]

As usual – the analysis on here overall is way too harsh.

I couldn’t watch the game live. So I taped it and read comments before I watched,. After watching, I’m just adding my take; I hate to sound like a downer on here (for those than enojoy being a downer.) but I enjoyed watching the game. Maybe in part I knew what to expect rather than watching it in the moment but I enjoyed watching.

I’m not a coach so for example Azzi with many turnovers, I’ll get over it. Nor am I a psychologist in which I can read which players are happy or not which some state. What I do know is – is that UCONN is who I thought they are.

They are led by 2 superstars. Their 3rd best player imo is Blanca and because she has been out, upon her return she will be rust for a few games being the freshman that she is. And why this team is so great is they have other players who can step up and have a very good impact in the game. Last game KK Arnold played well. This game Ashlynn. A past game it was K9 and Serah. Having 3 players that you can count on to score is a good thing. Tonight it was Ash. The point is that someone always steps up other than the big 2. That’s exactly what I thought they were.

And as far as the Defense, the way UCONN presses at times its to trap and further gamble in order to push pace. The very idea of doing this is that they acnowledge that they will give up open looks on the pressure in order to push pace. If you want a full court pressing defense, sometimes some games teams will do a decent enough or better job against it. It’s a risk to some degree. The other teams have scholarship players too. And in this game Nova’s turnovers were more dead ball, and they also ended up shooting over 46% from 3. That shooting is going to happen on occasion when you are a press press team. Think about it; you’re leaving someone open when you press while trapping.

 

[Ralph]

Not to panic. Villanova played over their heads in some respects. Looks as though Carter was 2 for 8 for her 4 year career shooting 3's. she went off 3 for 3. Basco was shooting 27.5% for 3's this year. She shot 4 for 7. and there may be something to the story about the flu hitting the team. Sarah we know about, with the bucket during the game earlier this month. Today K9 and Arnold both seemed a little off. K9 especially. Only 10 minutes, no points, a bunch of turnovers. If Geno keeps her to 10 minutes that seems to say he knows something is wrong. And yeah, KK misses her mask. Put it back on, you look ferocious with it, you scare people.