Villanova Postgame Thread

[HuskyNan]

3 cheers for our Huskies!
Everyone contributed without any drop off in intensity
A special shout out to Blanca’s parents who looked so thrilled to see their daughter play. May be my new favorite Husky Mom and Dad.

 

[oldude]

We need to see this (stellar) version of KK the rest of the season and far more consistently next year.

KK is 2nd in the nation in A/TO. You don’t achieve that level of excellence if you are not consistent.

 

[#1Genofan]

Dillon was hardly effusive in her praise of UConn in her presser. Understandable after a drubbing. But doesn't she realize that Geno didn't want to embarrass her team further. No press in the second half, KK played 19 minutes, Sarah 22,
Leave our big guns in we win by 70.

I agree. She sounded as if Villanova lost by 2 at the buzzer after being victimized all game by bad foul calls. Uncharacteristically ungracious.

 

[Majic Hands]

Quiet tournament for Shade. That’s okay. More opportunities in the big tournament.

Scoring wasn’t needed, to say the least. Having said that she was everywhere doing the dirty work.

There is a reason she starts.

 

[oldude]

I agree. She sounded as if Villanova lost by 2 at the buzzer after being victimized all game by bad foul calls. Uncharacteristically ungracious.

I’m sorry, but Denise Dillon is a class act. I listened to Dillon’s postgame and I really don’t believe she was ungracious or sounded like her team lost by 2. What I do believe is that after playing UConn so well in Philadelphia recently, she was really bummed that her team was beaten so badly last night. Other than that, she said all the right things about UConn as well as her team.

 

[DemonDeac22]

The Huskies are trying to win the National Championship. Geno needed/wanted something from his players and needed to play people as long as he did. I figure after 40 years, he knows what he needs. And Azzi played 27 minutes, Sarah 22

I have no issue with the late three. The kid was probably excited to get an open look

My comment was regarding the Villanova coach leaving her starters in for the entire game. I have no issue with Geno’s decisions on UConn playing time nor have I ever commented on it.

 

[my2cents]

I’m sorry, but Denise Dillon is a class act. I listened to Dillon’s postgame and I really don’t believe she was ungracious or sounded like her team lost by 2. What I do believe is that after playing UConn so well in Philadelphia recently, she was really bummed that her team was beaten so badly last night. Other than that, she said all the right things about UConn as well as her team.

Nobody said she wasn't a class act, which she is. Geno heaped tons of praise on her and her team. Her entire comment on UConn , was "Congratulations on winning the BE Tournament". Compare that to Jim Flannery's comments the night before.
She obviously doesn't feel her team gets the respect it deserves, and I think that's the chip on her shoulder we observe.

 

[oldude]

Nobody said she wasn't a class act, which she is. Geno heaped tons of praise on her and her team. Her entire comment on UConn , was "Congratulations on winning the BE Tournament". Compare that to Jim Flannery's comments the night before.
She obviously doesn't feel her team gets the respect it deserves, and I think that's the chip on her shoulder we observe.

“Nobody said she wasn’t a class act?” I was responding to a post that referred to Dillon as “uncharacteristically ungracious.” That doesn’t sound very “classy” to me. There was another post by a BY’er that suggested she complained about the refs which was also untrue.

 

[Brewski]

I agree wirh @oldude. Coach Dillon certainly is a class act. And she clearly knows her team gets respect from the big east and beyond. Both her and Geno referenced the wide open threes her team missed during the game, especially in the first half.

At the end of the press conference, she was asked what her team was going to work on before the big tourney, and she said they were going to work on shooting skills, and after that's done, they were going to work on their shooting skills. Missing all those threes is what she was frustrated about.

 

[huskeynut]

“Nobody said she wasn’t a class act?” I was responding to a post that referred to Dillon as “uncharacteristically ungracious.” That doesn’t sound very “classy” to me. There was another post by a BY’er that suggested she complained about the refs which was also untrue.

It was Bascoe who said the play was chippy and they played thru it. Dillon was disappointed and justifiably so. Their 3 point shooting was 19%. And they rely on the 3. They missed shots but UConn's defense had something to do with that.

 

[oldude]

It was Bascoe who said the play was chippy and they played thru it. Dillon was disappointed and justifiably so. Their 3 point shooting was 19%. And they rely on the 3. They missed shots but UConn's defense had something to do with that.

Correct.

 

[donalddoowop]

Scoring wasn’t needed, to say the least. Having said that she was everywhere doing the dirty work.

There is a reason she starts.

I believe her scoring is going to be needed from here on out. When she scores against the better teams it seems to spark the rest of the UConn players.

 

[donalddoowop]

I agree wirh @oldude. Coach Dillon certainly is a class act. And she clearly knows her team gets respect from the big east and beyond. Both her and Geno referenced the wide open threes her team missed during the game, especially in the first half.

At the end of the press conference, she was asked what her team was going to work on before the big tourney, and she said they were going to work on shooting skills, and after that's done, they were going to work on their shooting skills. Missing all those threes is what she was frustrated about.

The announcers said Villanova missed a great number of threes in the game they won before playing UConn. It seems they have a lot of work to do.

 

[ec33]

KK is 2nd in the nation in A/TO. You don’t achieve that level of excellence if you are not consistent.

You think she has been playing at her current level all season?

To me, she has consistently played in a lower gear (offensively). But sure, it was consistent.

Her defense has been stellar, but offensively she had been playing "mistake free" (hence the A/TO with Azzi and Sarah doing a lot of lifting). But now she is playing aggressively on the offensively end as well as the defense end. Scoring more and creating more.

 

[Huskee11]

It was Bascoe who said the play was chippy and they played thru it. Dillon was disappointed and justifiably so. Their 3 point shooting was 19%. And they rely on the 3. They missed shots but UConn's defense had something to do with that.

I got there early and watched Villanova warm up. They shoot a ton of threes in warmups. And they make a ton of threes in warmups. Swish, swish, swish. As a UConn fan, it was making me nervous. So I solved that problem by looking elsewhere.

But not so much once the game started. Contested ones are easy to explain, but the uncontested ones, not so much. Given what I saw in warmups, I was very surprised.

Then again, UConn missed a lot of uncontested threes, finishing only 7 for 22 overall on threes.

Possible explanations for Villanova - bright lights, added pressure, and of course third game in three days. Also, when UConn forces a team to play faster than it would like, even an open three might feel rushed, or the players' legs might not quite be there from all the exertion that playing against UConn requires, especially if you are tired going in.

So when Denise works with her players on three point shooting, the starting point is that her players are very capable of making threes but she will need to try and simulate game type situations in her drills.

 

[oldude]

You think she has been playing at her current level all season?

To me, she has consistently played in a lower gear (offensively). But sure, it was consistent.

Her defense has been stellar, but offensively she had been playing "mistake free" (hence the A/TO with Azzi and Sarah doing a lot of lifting). But now she is playing aggressively on the offensively end as well as the defense end. Scoring more and creating more.

Yes, I think KK has been playing great all season, whether it’s been running UConn’s offense or locking down opponents pg’s on defense, she has had a wonderful season. The BE conference saw fit to name KK to the all~conference 1st team. That honor isn’t bestowed on a player that just plays a few good games at the end of the season.

But don’t take my word for it. Go back and check the box scores. In the very 1st game of the season against a very good Louisville team, KK shot 6/10 with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.

 

[Bigboote]

Quiet tournament for Shade. That’s okay. More opportunities in the big tournament.

I watched Shade for most of a quarter last night. She got one or two touches most trips down the court. She was setting a LOT of screens, many right after handing off to Azzi, Sarah, or Allie, some of them double screens with Serah or Jana leading to nice open shots. I wonder if that's her designated role this postseason.

 

[jaydee602]

The Huskies are trying to win the National Championship. Geno needed/wanted something from his players and needed to play people as long as he did. I figure after 40 years, he knows what he needs. And Azzi played 27 minutes, Sarah 22

I have no issue with the late three. The kid was probably excited to get an open look

I agree about that last three point shot. They were her only points & it allowed her to be entered on the scorecard in a Championship Game.
UCONN fans cheer baskets by Ayanna, Caroline, & Fisher in the last minutes of a lopsided game. That basket meant nothing to anyone but the player. Let her enjoy it!

 

[Geew1992]

You think she has been playing at her current level all season?

To me, she has consistently played in a lower gear (offensively). But sure, it was consistent.

Her defense has been stellar, but offensively she had been playing "mistake free" (hence the A/TO with Azzi and Sarah doing a lot of lifting). But now she is playing aggressively on the offensively end as well as the defense end. Scoring more and creating more.

KK had also been playing with fingers and wrists wrapped for the majority of the season. Like I've said before, some of yall take KK for granted.

 

[WiseWillie]

It's important to note that Nova was giving us all we could handle at Finneran in the first half only a little while ago. You would never know that by the beat down tonight. KK's defense on Bascoe immediately set the tone and shut her down. Geno had Sarah hanging around in the back court too forcing Bascoe to get rid of the ball. Losing their playmaking engine was a mortal blow.

While we talk about KK's defense, I just want to point out one of the most underrated defenders in America. Henry has the ball near half court waiting to run down the clock, she is protecting the ball as she dribbles. Azzi is faking her on defense. Yup, faking her on defense. Henry decides to put the ball between her legs. Done, Azzi pushes it, gets it and is gone. So solid and so overlooked.

We now will have a minimum of 10 days before the next game. I still think there will be some minor tweaking, some new emphasis, some ratcheting down. Geno always does. This team is all about their depth. So many weapons and so much energy.

One more thing. John Fanta's mixed metaphor of the night: "Geno Auriemma, like a fine merlot, these Huskies can't be stopped". Huh?

Glad you mentioned Azzi's defensive prowess. We seem to concentrate on her offensive production which is truly AA level but besides KK, Azzi imo has significantly improved in every defensive assignment throughout the entire season.

 

[husky98]

Scoring wasn’t needed, to say the least. Having said that she was everywhere doing the dirty work.

There is a reason she starts.

Her defense and dirty work will be invaluable in the tournament. She doesn't stop. Underated.

 

[Geew1992]

Her defense and dirty work will be invaluable in the tournament. She doesn't stop. Underated.

Most underrated player on the team

 

[Zarathustra]

That 3 pointer did irk me a bit, especially after we took the shot clock violation in the previous possession

Yes, but, it was just one player who made that shot. I don't blame Villanova
in the least.

 

[husky98]

The Huskies are trying to win the National Championship. Geno needed/wanted something from his players and needed to play people as long as he did. I figure after 40 years, he knows what he needs. And Azzi played 27 minutes, Sarah 22

I have no issue with the late three. The kid was probably excited to get an open look

Agreed that shot didn't bother me at all, good for her.

 

[husky98]

The Huskies are trying to win the National Championship. Geno needed/wanted something from his players and needed to play people as long as he did. I figure after 40 years, he knows what he needs. And Azzi played 27 minutes, Sarah 22

I have no issue with the late three. The kid was probably excited to get an open look

I think they're referring to Nova / Dillon, not Geno.

I have no problem with Dillon playing her starters. The Nova kids are practically pro/semi pro players. They're down by 40. She can play them however she needs to prep them for their next game. This isn't little league.