Villanova Postgame Thread

[my2cents]

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.

 

[Next 12]

Villanova's best showing in quite a while. Bascoe and Carter kept them in the game almost to the end. But, we are UCONN and we are NO.1 and don't forget it. 11 more games to go and HELLO NO 13. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!

 

[Puppy Love]

I think I’m just spoiled. I’ve gotten so used to the easy wins that tougher games feel like a letdown. Just going to remind myself that UConn beat a pretty good team and that a win is a win. Go Huskies!

 

[Cornell Lt]

Underwhelming performance by UConn, but in the end they still had too much talent against a mediocre opponent. Play that way in the tournament and the season ends.

 

[topogigio]

I'm feeling some of the Huskies are suffering from "Ilia Malinin Syndrome". Everyone tells you that you are invincible and unbeatable, and you start to believe it, and slack off. That first half was eye opening in a bad way! Villanova played very well (I think the ashes did help) and the Huskies were just floundering. Shook it off in the 2nd half, but still some defensive lapses. Get it out of the system now!

 

[AzzisBraids]

When it came down to it Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong made sure this was a win, with strong contributions from Shade, Sarah W and others. That's what matters.

But this was a mess. Not just the game, the commentating, the officiating, this was just a spectacle.

KK has got to be more of an offensive threat, see the floor better or make her free throws. One of those three has to happen before March.

Blanca back was great, there’s rust but she’s needed.

Our post play is suspicious without Strong in the line-up. Williams and Jana are 6’5 and 6’4. You wouldn’t know that in this game.

The refs contributed and called the game so differently from quarter to quarter, both teams never figured that out.

The commentators were obviously Villanova fans and these games are getting tougher to listen to. They talked about everything but the game in moments and you'd think this was coffee date between friends. Even bringing up the Kim Caldwell - Coach Yo handshake debacle. Just messy. Also saying Azzi Fudd had 25, but it wasn’t a dominant 25 points. 25 points is 25 points. 10/18 4/6 from 3.

 

[hussybulldog]

First half was a head scratcher. Lackluster play the last few games. Geno has time to figure it all out. Go Huskies!

i suspect that the players are feeling bored with cap cake walk overs and trying to tease and motivate Geno to actually do some coaching works.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Sarah Strong - (hoarse and coughing)

Debbie - about the fourth foul

Sarah: It was out of a hustle play, but I've gotta be a smarter player defensively.

Physical game. First time down at half. How feel?

Sarah: We just weren't locked in. We have to do better as a team. Start off the game right. Lock in.

3rd quarter click/planned?

Sarah: We played our two man game/azzi-strong - she knows what I want, I know what she wants. Played a horrible first half. Stay calm and push through it.

Nova environment was hostile. Not the norm.

Sarah: Something we're not used to. It will push us for March.

Get to go home. How does that feel?

Sarah: Yah, I guess... gotta watch film.....

 

[cleobel60]

It was sure Ash Wednesday. As always she did just about everything.

Ash plays 100% at all times in my opinion. So happy to see that her shooting touch seems to be coming back at the right time.We will definitely need her tenacity and scoring when defenses stack up on Azzi and Sarah.

 

[AmeriConn]

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.

How did Serah average 19 points a game while she was at Wisconsin and struggle here at UConn. Maybe she is better coming off the bench. Geno seems to pull her out early anyway.

 

[HuskyNan]

Villanova is 21-6 after tonight’s loss - It’s not like the Huskies were playing a cellar dweller. This was a Quad 1 win for the resume, a second consecutive double-digit win on the road.

Hopefully it’s also a wake-up call to begin game with energy and effort. Azzi and Sarah both mentioned that in the postgame interviews

 

[uconnfan68]

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.

Neither Serah or Jana looked good, imo. They need to go up strong. Both shot foulshots better though, and Serah had a nice block.

 

[cleobel60]

Williams should have dominated in the post. DON'T understand.

I agree. I also with that she would just go up with the ball and shoot it. She gets in trouble when she brings the ball down rather than keeping it up. She is taller than most, and should not let smaller players out perform her. Puzzled?

 

[Bills Fan]

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, to put your post thoughts into a short summary, at this point our team is not as good as we thought---look at the projected score thread. I'm not saying that we wouldn't win the 13th NC but we won't win it if this is the way we play in the tournament. I do hold out hope!

 

[Hayven]

Question, Azzi is just below averaging 50% FGs to get 50/40/90 with Sara. When does it the tally end? At the end of the regular season (with the conference tournament) or at the end of the season (UConn winning their 13th natty)?

 

[maple]

How did Serah average 19 points a game while she was at Wisconsin and struggle here at UConn. Maybe she is better coming off the bench. Geno seems to pull her out early anyway.

She played a different role and different schedule at Wisconsin.

 

[HuskyNan]

Neither Serah or Jana looked good, imo. They need to go up strong. Both shot foulshots better though, and Serah had a nice block.

The Center and PG positions were uncharacteristically off tonight. Sarah was not herself in the first half, either.

 

[Woof]

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.

Was still better than Jana.

 

[dtbtbtb]

some thoughts:
*The refs were horrible.
*The announcers were very hard to listen to. Please talk about what is going on in the game instead of i don't know what...at a certain point I've muted the screen but that made for a strange viewing experience so i put the volume back up...arggg
*Vilanova was very good...they attacked UConn with no fear...Boscoe in the first half was absolutely amazing
*D. Dillon is an excellent coach and i just hope that no P4 team steals her from the BE. Next season this team will be much better with experience.
*Azzi was amazing most of the game but some of those turnovers she had...she did seem as well to rush her shots at time...still, we are so lucky to have her!
*Sarah, was unreal especially after getting back to the game with the 4 fouls.
Unstoppable!
*Shade was great. Hustle and timely shots.
*Both Serah and Jana are so frustrating...i find myself screaming at the screen.: hands hands... i have no idea why they can't catch some simple passes or be able to hold to the ball...
*KK and K9 had a poor game today...couldn't stop Boscoe and were not efficient on offense.
*Carter for Vilanova is a very interesting player who should be very very good in the next few seasons...those endless arms...wow
*The first half was so so disappointing....it seems UConn sent avatars to play in the game while they stayed in CT...it was good to see that the team figured it out in the 3rd quarter and started playing UConn basketball.
*Blanca was clearly rusty but I'm so happy she is back playing...she is needed!
*As the next game is Sunday, i hope Feno gives the team a day off to recharge.

 

[freshler40]

When it came down to it Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong made sure this was a win, with strong contributions from Shade, Sarah W and others. That's what matters.

But this was a mess. Not just the game, the commentating, the officiating, this was just a spectacle.

KK has got to be more of an offensive threat, see the floor better or make her free throws. One of those three has to happen before March.

Blanca back was great, there’s rust but she’s needed.

Our post play is suspicious without Strong in the line-up. Williams and Jana are 6’5 and 6’4. You wouldn’t know that in this game.

The refs contributed and called the game so differently from quarter to quarter, both teams never figured that out.

The commentators were obviously Villanova fans and these games are getting tougher to listen to. They talked about everything but the game in moments and you'd think this was coffee date between friends. Even bringing up the Kim Caldwell - Coach Yo handshake debacle. Just messy. Also saying Azzi Fudd had 25, but it wasn’t a dominant 25 points. 25 points is 25 points. 10/18 4/6 from 3.

Good points all. KK has to be more of an offensive threat. Here finishes need polish and determination, not a hail Mary at this time of year. She started out with strong moves to the hoop then goes unground. Why?

 

[CGK]

Disappointed by the play of our bigs (again). Lots of missed opportunities. We're fortunate to have a team that can shoot >50 FG%, but what happens in the tourney when shooting is off or foult trouble, or (God forbid) illness or injury sidelines a key player. We do have shooters. But it's the poor rebounding, offensive misses and inconsistent rim protection that baffles & worries me when other teams are as big and perhaps bigger around the paint.

 

[Urshurak]

They will be fine. Long stretches of ugly, but lots of teams go through it. Tha being said, skip the first half if you haven’t seen the game yet!

 

[msf22b]

You can’t see much in the box score
but in the first part of the 3rd quarter, especially when Sarah got her 4th,
Blanca made some good plays on both sides and helped steady the ship.

It’s been a few games now that Kayleigh hasn’t been much help; too bad.
And the Serah story continues…if nothing else, reduces her placement in the draft
(if there is one)…perhaps never was going to be a good fit….Surprised me and surely Geno and the staff…And she doesn’t seem very happy.

 

[Gael]

I thought it was an eye-and-brain-catching competition and game flow with interesting performances from both teams.

Carter (8-9, 3-3, 2-3) is either All-Conference or had profoundly lucky game. Bascoe was an entertaining dynamo. Fudd and Strong and Shade did their thing. Other than that . . . .

Williams should have dominated in the post. DON'T understand.

I don't understand if Williams is better than El Alfy or vice versa, and I further don't understand whether I like my lack of understanding.

 

[jaydee602]

Those were three veteran Big East refs who usually allow soft contact. The decided to call ticky tack fouls tonight against both teams & it disrupted the flow of the game.