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Message: [QUOTE="cferraro04, post: 4800376, member: 267"] Hmmm...interesting game. The first half...UConn was offensively challenged...they couldn't buy a bucket...no threes in the first half. It appears that the harder they work on their defense the less efficient their offense is. The old UConn axiom of "defense leads to offense" isn't paying dividends yet. Of course, we need UConn to continue to focus on their defense...because with the lack of height in the middle and the inability to stop the opposing team's big...we will need a concerted team effort on defense. Jackson is unstoppable for one player...Edwards couldn't do it, Ice isn't ready to do it yet and I am not sure if Amari will ever be able to do it. Last year we had Dorka and Edwards...the two of them were able to stop the other team's bigs... In the absence of Dorka this year and the inexperience of Ice...we need another defensive strategy. Paige is truly incredible and we are blessed to be able to watch her play...I hope she stays healthy because whether we win or lose having her on the court is so incredibly entertaining...she is a generational player. I am not going to hold my breath in expecting another year out of her...if the injuries of the past two years have taught us anything...it brings to light that for players like Paige, you have to take the opportunities presented to them when they come. Azzi's injury pretty much put the damper on my driving desire to see these two young ladies play with each other on the court. By the way, if anyone doubts the authenticity of Paige being a generational player all one has to do is to look at that five-point explosion in the 4th quarter...Paige goes off for 5 points in about 3 seconds of play...crazy. But, with all of Paige's heroics...she can't be expected to do it all herself...she needs help. We are going to need Aaliyah Ewards to snap out of the funk she is in...I mean she quietly fell just short of a double-double but, we all know that she is capable of so much more...in my opinion, Edwards is a 20 / 10 player night after night...we need her to be that player going forward. Ice cannot keep missing those bunnies under the basket...those have to be automatic...we need to be able to depend on her for those...if she starts making them she will start drawing more fouls and get us more "and ones". Amari is a huge disappointment for me...as I don't have high expectations...I just want Amari to be able to give us 5-6 quality minutes per game... And, lastly when it comes to our front court...I can't wait for Patterson to be eligible to play...it gives us another athletic big body...Production-wise I don't expect much but a good quality 7-10 minutes...would be really helpful. Sweet Caroline oh..oh...oh we need you. I hope whatever she is dealing with will benefit from the next 10 days off. I still have visions of her carrying UConn when Paige and Azzi went down last season. I am amazed at the "green light" that Ice, KK, Samuels, and Shade apparently have...I don't remember Geno giving so much freedom and latitude to our freshmen. I think it is a great thing and that it will make us a better basketball team in March...so kudos to Geno and his staff for having the confidence they have in our freshmen class. That being said...I would love to see both Shade and Samuels emerge as dependable three-point shooters...this will take the pressure off our bigs. KK just needs to keep doing what she is doing...she is going to be special! Nika Mulh, even though she stuffed the stats with 6 pts,7 Rebees, and 6 assists, still doesn't shoot enough...she needs to make the defense respect her shot...they will play up on her and give her more opportunities to drive the basket...additionally, when you take[B][COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)] two lay-ups and one 3 point shot[/COLOR][/B] in a game...there is no opportunity to get into an offensive rhythm. We know that she is capable of scoring double figures...she has done it many times...with Azzi out it is all women on deck. I saved Aubrey for last...I love this kid...she has the heart of a lion. It isn't enough to be athletic, you have to be able to deploy that athleticism effectively. When Aubrey is aggressive she does just that and she is a force to be reckoned with...and is one more player that defenses have to shift over to cover making it easier on Paige and others to get open looks. In the absence of Azzi, the medical uncertainty of Ducharme, the inconsistency of Edwards, and the relative inexperience of our freshmen I believe that Aubrey is the key to our success this season. It should be pointed out that Aubrey missed an entire season after having spinal surgery...who could forget those horrific photos of her in the hospital and her rehabbing so she could play again...this kid has come a long way and I am extremely happy for the success that she is having. I think UConn needed this game after the stink bomb they laid in the UCLA game...their response was pretty good, not great but, it will do...they have work to do...they have 10 days off...time to heal, time to work on some things...because we got a lot of season left. Color me optimistic...not at Tonyc levels but nevertheless, I am feeling pretty good about this squad. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach