We had an off shooting nite

[BBallF]

I don’t disagree. But I also believe that your pg has to be able to shoot the basketball or it negates the effectiveness of the pg. Nika was not a great shooter, but she worked at it to the point where she shot over 40% from the arc as a senior.

Totally. Neither KC nor KK are strong outside shooters which is why they always try to force the drives. You want a PG who is a scoring threat from the outside, and can also drive, but you don't want that PG taking 25% of the shots when we have who we have on this team. Part of this also is Paige not being as assertive as she should but I think as we move on down the schedule the sense of urgency by the sheer passage of games and time will take over her will. I think if we get to a Paige with her current physical form and skills but with a true senior mentality we will get to the NC game. We just need to get the ball to her.....all the time.

 

[fomalhaut]

Another fun fact is the type of net used. Teams that like to go fast usually have nets that don’t impede the ball. Others like the net to hold the ball briefly.

This is true. I remember reading as a kid that the dynasty Celtics had very fast nets at the old Boston Garden.

 

[Blond D.]

Not sure what plan B is when you dont have an inside game and you're not a great 3-point shooting team.

3-pt % against the 5 best opponents (UNC, Ole Miss, ND, USC, Crei): 24, 21, 19, 26, 20.

Plan B is the stop and pop 15 footers but we have to use our picks and screens more wisely.

 

[fomalhaut]

All I know is that the sound of the ball hitting the rim on misses at Creighton made a different sound from all the other games that I have watched them play.

I thought so too, and the ball bounced off a little funny. Of course, if you swish your threes the rim doesn't matter. I also felt they passed up a lot of open threes, maybe gunshy from the early misses.

 

[Forego]

Here’s an idea: why don’t we just say the team is used to a Spaulding ball, and the game was played with a Wilson, so that’s why they didn’t play better.

Uh-oh. We’re in big trouble when the team plays an away game at South Carolina. They use Wilson basketballs. I think UConn uses Nike basketballs.

 

[Longtime fan]

Creighton is a tough out and will be more so when they are at full strength. Lots of experienced players. Tough environment, tight rims, and little warmup probably affected the scoring, but they will be a challenge when we meet later on, good thing it is at home. While as Geno said, they should be ranked, their lack of size will relegate them to bottom 20 at best. While this game was a good test, it was BE style basketball (disciplined, tight marking, well coached) whereas I see the TN game to be much different with their full press, athletic, wide open style baskeball. If we can get by them, we should know our team, the good and bad, before the big matchup with SC.

I believe you are over-rating the quality of the Creighton team. "Tight rims?" C'mon guys. This game showed a lot of flaws in the UCONN team. They will become less obvious when Geno settles on a fixed rotation for the Big Dance. But we have two stars, not three.

 

[hookshot]

I don’t disagree. But I also believe that your pg has to be able to shoot the basketball or it negates the effectiveness of the pg. Nika was not a great shooter, but she worked at it to the point where she shot over 40% from the arc as a senior.

What do we know about KCs career percent from the arc at Princeton, was it over or under 40% ? Muhl had solid mechanics but a very slow delivery, so she could only make shots at 40% when she was wide, wide open (which is OK). Chen was Princeton's primary offensive threat and likely (like Paige) didn't see many wide open opportunities

 

[ERWUC65]

I believe you are over-rating the quality of the Creighton team. "Tight rims?" C'mon guys. This game showed a lot of flaws in the UCONN team. They will become less obvious when Geno settles on a fixed rotation for the Big Dance. But we have two stars, not three.

I believe it was Geno who was exhorting the quality of the Creighton team. If you read his presser, he mentions they should be in the top 25 and how well their team veterans play together. I will look forward to hearing more from him regarding the status quo.

 

[Ralph]

What do we know about KCs career percent from the arc at Princeton, was it over or under 40% ? Muhl had solid mechanics but a very slow delivery, so she could only make shots at 40% when she was wide, wide open (which is OK). Chen was Princeton's primary offensive threat and likely (like Paige) didn't see many wide open opportunities

she shot 33% as a senior, around 26 or 28% as a junior. Overall shot around 48% as a senior, and I think around 42% as a junior. She knew she had to work on her shot when she came here. She has, but you can only improve so much in one year.

 

[oldude]

What do we know about KCs career percent from the arc at Princeton, was it over or under 40% ? Muhl had solid mechanics but a very slow delivery, so she could only make shots at 40% when she was wide, wide open (which is OK). Chen was Princeton's primary offensive threat and likely (like Paige) didn't see many wide open opportunities

As I’ve said in another thread, Kaitlyn was an average 3-pt shooter at Princeton, at best. Her strength on offense was getting to the midrange or all the way to the basket where she was very effective.

If the defense isn’t going to guard you, then having slow, solid shooting mechanics is not a problem. If both Kaitlyn and KK can shoot a reasonable % on open 3’s, that forces defenders to come out to defend them, opening up opportunities for UConn’s Big 3.

 

[Ron and Vida]

UConn seems to often have "off" shooting nights against better competition.........that's a function of better defense, better athletes etc.........it's up to UConn's defense to respond in kind........that's the difference between winning and losing......

I’m watching the SC and TN game. The size speed and athleticism on the floor is amazing.
I don’t think it would hard to have an off shooting night against them

 

[Longtime fan]

I believe it was Geno who was exhorting the quality of the Creighton team. If you read his presser, he mentions they should be in the top 25 and how well their team veterans play together. I will look forward to hearing more from him regarding the status quo.

I think he is over rating them as well. We'll know more after the Tennessee game. If we win by 20, I'll have a lot more faith in the quality of our team and, by deduction, the quality of Creighton. I think Tennessee will be a 2 point game.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think he is over rating them as well. We'll know more after the Tennessee game. If we win by 20, I'll have a lot more faith in the quality of our team and, by deduction, the quality of Creighton. I think Tennessee will be a 2 point game.

I'm hoping for 20. But Tennessee seems to catch up in the 4th quarter in tough games. SC had a big lead and almost lost it in the 4th. They had 4 conference losses by 2 points or less and a 4 point loss to Texas before losing to SC by 7. I expect the starters will have to be on the court in the 4th, which probably means subbing earlier to avoid fatigue.

 

[ERWUC65]

I think he is over rating them as well. We'll know more after the Tennessee game. If we win by 20, I'll have a lot more faith in the quality of our team and, by deduction, the quality of Creighton. I think Tennessee will be a 2 point game.

I think Geno was referring to Creighton at full strength. They were missing Kiani Lockett, one of their best players, in the game against us.

 

[Tonyc]

UConn has great scorers who shoot at a very high percentage. The key to them scoring is a patient offense they gets them their shot. I dont believe any team has a Paige Azzi and Sarah. They need to get open whether its screens, pics or dribble drives. Opponents defenses will key on them. Therefore we will need everybody else to step up with confidence and make shots. Playing a Tenn or SC the everybody elses will be Shade Chen KK Morgan Ice and Jana. Those 2 games will be a measuring stick showing where we are.