Was 5 Guards at the End Really a Mistake?

[JoePgh]

If Geno had left Kiah in, a very plausible outcome is that Mallory would have gotten free for a game-winning 3, and would have drained it just like she did a few minutes later. Preventing a 3 is a higher percentage play. Hindsight is 20-20, but can be misleading.

 

[blackbird]

I'm sure that's what he was thinking. I would have had 4 guards and a post in, but that doesn't really matter either. It was Novosel, a shooting guard, who snuck in from the baseline to get the rebound, something she was doing the entire game regardless of how many bigs had in. If Kaleena had boxed out, we would have gotten the rebound.

 

[bruinbball]

The thing that made the Novosel rebound so easy was that Diggins, Doty and McBride all lay on the floor beside the basket. Coming from the weak side was the only way to get to the ball without running someone over. A missed block out was huge but there is still no guarantee Stokes would have gotten the rebound either.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Five guards was not a mistake. It was the perfect strategy. Not having Kiah Stokes in the game did not cost UConn the game in regulation. There was no blockout on the weak side. It often happens in end of game situations where everyone's eyes are on the ball and one's first reaction is to stop the ball. Novosel, to her credit, made a very nice scoop to the other side of the basket. Very often that shot is short armed or is not given enough spin.
We can all assume, given how well prepared UConn is for these situations that the 5 guard luneup had been preacticed a number of times prior to last night. Coach Auriemma was valiant falling on to the sword, but the strategy could not be faulted.

 

[Scotter]

I'm pretty sure Geno had the St. John's game on his mind where a switch didn't get communicated properly with Kiah on the floor and UConn lost the game on a 3.

Your job as a coach is to second guess yourself, but what Geno did was perfectly reasonable strategy. He wanted to make sure UConn wasn't going to lose the game in the final seconds of regulation.

 

[huskeynut]

And has been said many times - hindsight is 20/20.