EricLA
Cronus
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2011
- Messages
- 15,114
- Reaction Score
- 82,696
First, Dayton seems to play a rotation of 8. Some decent size - Two at 6'2", two at 6'1", then two at 5'6" and one at 5'10". They account for the majority of scoring and minutes. They were always well coached when Jim Jabir was there, but now the HC is Shauna Green. He stepped down in 2016 for personal reasons.
They take almost 20 3-pointers per game and make about 6.5 on average - we've had problems giving up open 3-point shots to other teams. I expect Dayton to try to exploit this and get us out of position on defense. But they only average 68 PPG and have losses to South Carolina by 26 and Central Michigan by 1. SC blitzed them in the 1st quarter by a 16 point margin and then it was "fairly" close the rest of the game (SC won the last 3 quarters by a total of 10).
I'd like to see UCONN score over 80. I'd like our offense to get on track better. So many missed layups - we've often poked fun at other teams who miss bunnies left and right, and this is the first UCONN team I can remember in a long time that has struggled so much to finish around the rim.
Anna had a really nice game vs Virginia, taking several steps forward, but was a mess vs. OSU so it felt like 3 steps back. I'd like to see something closer to Virginia. Score 8-10 points, dish out 5-6 assists, grab some boards and contribute to the flow of the offense.
Kyla has been a bit of a revelation this season, right? I mean this as a positive - I no longer cringe when she comes off the bench. I know she's going to do good things out on the court INCLUDING score the basketball. I think her confidence has soared as she realized she needs to stick to doing what she does well, and not try to do too much. I really hope this continues because not only does she totally deserve every good thing, but she's a vocal leader out there and a steadying influence.
I didn't think Megan was great vs. OSU - I thought she was great in every other game this season. I'd settle for "just" very good tonight!
Christyn has had moments of incredible greatness punctuated by long stretches of disappearing. I'd like to see more involvement and good stuff, even if it's not great, and less of the MIA. I thought she looked improved vs. OSU so keep it moving forward please!!
Crystal - not sure if it's still injuries or what - but she's struggling IMHO as the team leader. I don't feel like she has total control of the offense, even tho she does some really good things. There is so much more pressure on her this year because aside from Megan (and Kyla), the rest of the core group is filled with underclassmen. Maybe I am expecting too much from her because I don't think Geno has ever criticized her, so maybe she's performing at 100% of what she's capable of...
Olivia - please do not bring the ball down so far, or shoot from your hip. You will be blocked or stripped. Please keep the ball high and use your height as a weapon. OSU was big and strong and it bothered her. In fairness, 38 minutes on the floor vs. OSU and 4 fouls. That was solid.
It also felt like Aubrey took a small step backwards vs. OSU. I just didn't notice her out on the court, but she only played 7 minutes so let's hope that improves.
Bottom line - I'd like to see our starters play less than 35 minutes each (Crystal, Christyn and Megan played 40 vs OSU while Olivia was out there for 38). I'd like to see small improvements in the motion offense. I'd like to see more layups actually go in. I'd like to see us clamp down on the 3-point shooting and not let Dayton go off. I'd like to see a 25-30 point win. Go UCONN!
They take almost 20 3-pointers per game and make about 6.5 on average - we've had problems giving up open 3-point shots to other teams. I expect Dayton to try to exploit this and get us out of position on defense. But they only average 68 PPG and have losses to South Carolina by 26 and Central Michigan by 1. SC blitzed them in the 1st quarter by a 16 point margin and then it was "fairly" close the rest of the game (SC won the last 3 quarters by a total of 10).
I'd like to see UCONN score over 80. I'd like our offense to get on track better. So many missed layups - we've often poked fun at other teams who miss bunnies left and right, and this is the first UCONN team I can remember in a long time that has struggled so much to finish around the rim.
Anna had a really nice game vs Virginia, taking several steps forward, but was a mess vs. OSU so it felt like 3 steps back. I'd like to see something closer to Virginia. Score 8-10 points, dish out 5-6 assists, grab some boards and contribute to the flow of the offense.
Kyla has been a bit of a revelation this season, right? I mean this as a positive - I no longer cringe when she comes off the bench. I know she's going to do good things out on the court INCLUDING score the basketball. I think her confidence has soared as she realized she needs to stick to doing what she does well, and not try to do too much. I really hope this continues because not only does she totally deserve every good thing, but she's a vocal leader out there and a steadying influence.
I didn't think Megan was great vs. OSU - I thought she was great in every other game this season. I'd settle for "just" very good tonight!
Christyn has had moments of incredible greatness punctuated by long stretches of disappearing. I'd like to see more involvement and good stuff, even if it's not great, and less of the MIA. I thought she looked improved vs. OSU so keep it moving forward please!!
Crystal - not sure if it's still injuries or what - but she's struggling IMHO as the team leader. I don't feel like she has total control of the offense, even tho she does some really good things. There is so much more pressure on her this year because aside from Megan (and Kyla), the rest of the core group is filled with underclassmen. Maybe I am expecting too much from her because I don't think Geno has ever criticized her, so maybe she's performing at 100% of what she's capable of...
Olivia - please do not bring the ball down so far, or shoot from your hip. You will be blocked or stripped. Please keep the ball high and use your height as a weapon. OSU was big and strong and it bothered her. In fairness, 38 minutes on the floor vs. OSU and 4 fouls. That was solid.
It also felt like Aubrey took a small step backwards vs. OSU. I just didn't notice her out on the court, but she only played 7 minutes so let's hope that improves.
Bottom line - I'd like to see our starters play less than 35 minutes each (Crystal, Christyn and Megan played 40 vs OSU while Olivia was out there for 38). I'd like to see small improvements in the motion offense. I'd like to see more layups actually go in. I'd like to see us clamp down on the 3-point shooting and not let Dayton go off. I'd like to see a 25-30 point win. Go UCONN!
