Was The Tennessee Game The Turning Point For This Team This Season?

[wingsfan055]

This team, more than any other UConn team ive seen, has a really hard time finishing at the hoop. If "missed bunnies" was a stat, this team would be near the top. Its frustrating since the players make a good pass or move, but just can't finish even if there is no/little defensive obstacle. Maybe over-reacting to contact, nerves, fatigue, etc. Not to point anyone out, but Dorka's missed layup at the end of the game against Depaul is a great example. But, most players have been guilty of this even Lou and CD. Why hasnt this been getting better over the course of the season??

 

[huskyharry]

I was thinking SC might be the turning point... we nearly beat them and then everything went downhill after that...

Absolutely right...the quality of play has been significantly degraded since that game...missed lay-ups, defensive lapses, mind-numbingly bad turnovers. Hope that they can turn it around!

 

[Centerstream]

This team, more than any other UConn team ive seen, has a really hard time finishing at the hoop. If "missed bunnies" was a stat, this team would be near the top. Its frustrating since the players make a good pass or move, but just can't finish even if there is no/little defensive obstacle. Maybe over-reacting to contact, nerves, fatigue, etc. Not to point anyone out, but Dorka's missed layup at the end of the game against Depaul is a great example. But, most players have been guilty of this even Lou and CD. Why hasnt this been getting better over the course of the season??

Wasn't "missed bunnies" also a big thread topic last season but with completely different players?????
Just wondering...

 

[90BSEE]

Looking at the Point Differential Spreadsheet below/attached, could one suspect that the game vs. Tennessee was the turning point for this season, for this team, factoring in the days between games. It would be interesting to get everyone's thoughts on this?

Yes, the wheels came off after that game. They have had a couple of decent games in that 10 game stretch but most have been bad to horrific.

Why did the wheels come off after that game? Hard to say but even Geno isn't buying the tired excuse anymore. That may very well be a factor but there is more.

 

[cferraro04]

I'm in the camp that says UConn's play had diminished since the South Carolina game. It was almost as if SC "took the wind out of UConn's sails". I also believe that teams would not be able to apply the strategy of: 1. packing the middle for the triple teams on Edwards and Dorka; 2. sagging off on defense to make sure that they cut-off UConn's transition game; 3. harassing Lou by any means necessary if we had two three points threats on the floor like Azzi and Caroline in addition to Lou... That strategy goes "kaput" as soon as the three ball starts dropping.

 

[TCC Kid]

Really interesting. I'd probably say it was a combination of injuries, opponents adjusting their defensive scheme and a recognition of our weaknesses (TOs in the half-court, poor boxing out) that contributed to the turning point which occurred after the TN game as you have observed.

As the season began Geno talked loudly about the Scoring he had on this team. And he did. With a high degree of accuracy. With firepower the Geno system ran like a top. As the scorers were injured ---coaches aren't dumb--coaches figured out the weakness of the Help Defense, the "back door plays" and where the new scoring would have to come from. Uconn was out rebounded, turnovers. too many. Even with Edwards as a bull in the post this was a precision team. Lou was very effective until teams used the DT defense against her. Tennessee perfected that. DT was tough and the banging, pulling, physical use inspired her to score.

 

[TCC Kid]

Absolutely right...the quality of play has been significantly degraded since that game...missed lay-ups, defensive lapses, mind-numbingly bad turnovers. Hope that they can turn it around!

When a lineup stops working, look inwardly. A change of line up usually helps--where does it come from.

 

[sun]

If there was a single turning point during the season then I think it would be when Azzi got injured during the Notre Dame game.
After that turnover's began to noticeably increase.
Nika was injured during the Princeton game immediately following Notre Dame, and in the next game against Maryland TO's shot up to 27.
Even after Nika returned to action against Florida State the TO's remained high at 20.
When Azzi played she had very few TO's.
I don't believe that the Huskies were ever the same team again after Azzi was injured.
She brought some consistency, precision & a dimension to the team that seems to be lacking since then.

 

[Goodgood]

I agree that it was the turning point. During a timeout, the Tennessee coach said "11 gets nothing!". Subsequently, all opposing coaches did something about No. 11. Our offense hasn't score much since.