No doubt that the staff will address the problems that were exposed last night. My concern is how the players respond to those issues. For instance, if the Huskies have a small lead late in the game on Wed night, I can guarantee you that Temple will foul Danger. Will she bury her foul shots or react to the pressure and miss?
Three thoughts here.....
1. Temple is a much better team than Tulane (better overall W-L record ranked #2 in the AAC), and may be able to duplicate Tulane's efforts in trying to disrupt UConn's ebb & flow during the game.
2. How will UConn respond to that "Wake up" call Saturday? Do they return to their old form, and look /play like the team that beat Baylor, or do they stand fast, and reprise their efforts in Saturday's game? In the last few seconds of a game, If UConn is winning, Geno will put his hand up, signifying that no more plays be run. If he didn't raise his hand, then Crystal runs a play.
3. I remember Gabby's horrendous FT shooting pct her freshman year. She improved her FT shooting over the following summer. I suspect Dangerfield will do the same. Crystal will shoot a lot of free throws before, during and after practice between now and Wednesday's game. No doubt Crystal was a little nervous. Under a minute to go, and the game is still in question. The "ice water" has not begun to flow through her veins yet. Crystal so much wants to help her team win games. This is not as easy as she perhaps thought it would be. I'm reminded of a statement she made in an interview earlier this season. She said "
nothing she did or experienced during high school, AAU or Olympic play, prepared her for the practice sessions, and what she's expected to do at UConn.
It appears that Crystal has not
completely made the transition to D-1 collegiate women's basketball yet (though she is close). Crystal will be fine next year. I'll be shocked and surprised if she is not the starting PG next season, with a game that is devoid of the mistakes and errors in judgement she has now.
