What is it going to take to beat UCONN this season?

[huskeynut]

Guard play and defense is the key for UConn and its opponents.

Outside of ND, Maryland and maybe Baylor - teams do not have guards that pass the ball. They dribble around the top of the key looking for a lane to drive or a lane to pass. This plays into UConn's defense and makes like easier.

Any team UConn plays does not have 5 players that are capable of scoring double digit every night. The vast majority of teams have 2 scorers, maybe three. Defensive help and controlling the passing lanes will be key for UConn.

As to Natalie, we really do not know what we are going to see and neither does anyone else. Well maybe Geno and CD do. If she can hold her own defensively, rebound the ball and score between 8 to 10 points per game we will be fine in the post.

 

[HopJim]

A common opinion is that UCONN WBB will lose multiple regular season games this year.
What is it going to take to beat UCONN?
1) Stolen from Doris Burke: Excellent guard play.
2) Away game for UCONN
3) Excellent 3 Point Shooting
4) Excellent coaching
What else?

A subset of these is the conditioning of the competition. Living in Texas now and watched UConn physically wear down some talented but out of shape (at least compared to UConn's) guards last year at SMU. Saw the same thing on the many TV games I watched. By the 3rd Q, the competition was gassed. While I expect that there will be 3-4 teams with the same or better talent, few can keep up with this team physically. Having watched the Huskies for many years, Geno's conditioning always is good for 3-5 points in a tight game.

 

[CocoHusky]

A subset of these is the conditioning of the competition. Living in Texas now and watched UConn physically wear down some talented but out of shape (at least compared to UConn's) guards last year at SMU. Saw the same thing on the many TV games I watched. By the 3rd Q, the competition was gassed. While I expect that there will be 3-4 teams with the same or better talent, few can keep up with this team physically. Having watched the Huskies for many years, Geno's conditioning always is good for 3-5 points in a tight game.

Excellent point. At the 6:23 point of the last South Carolina game, SC had to call a time out because they were gassed.

 

[alexrgct]

What will it take? Being more seasoned and deeper than this incarnation of the uconn Huskies. The wrath of God also wouldn't help our cause...

 

[HuskiesU]

Post play

 

[Bajan Best]

I can't think of a single dominant big that Geno has ever doubled let alone tripled at UCONN or USA basketball. Can you?

Ruth Riley, Sylvia Fowles, Michelle Snow are just a few bigs I have seen him Double teamed selectively over the years, he has also employed the same tactics to some elite guards as well in the form of traps to make other players handle the ball and take shots...

 

[JordyG]

That is where we will have to agree to disagree. I don't think they overplayed the passing lanes at all... I think they just actually play them unlike so many other teams that think they are playing them but actually are not. In fact UConn played more zone last year than I have ever seen them play. I wager it was largely in part to prepare the returning players for instances this year where they will need to play zone. The first game I saw them play zone I though man Geno is one smart guy. He admits he isn't great at teaching it so he prepares his team & staff a year in advance.

Even if you are in man to man if you get beat going to the basket in a half court set there should be a help defender because most teams in WCBB don't have 5 scorers on the floor at the same time... some will be able to help 95% of the time. I don't anticipate their defense to be any less aggressive. It may look different in terms of personnel and there may be more charges taken and less blocks but the intricacies that make their defense so good will be the same. Some of them are so good and detailed I smile when I see it. I'll give you a clue. Go watch a replay of a team we played that was suppose to be very good on defense and look at the position of their feet.

For the most part UConn played man to man. They would play zone maybe 30% of the time after made baskets, always M2M after misses.
But the UConn didn't merely play man, they played a switching man defense. Most teams in WCBB don't because it causes match up problems. UConn's size and versatility with Tuck last year allowed them to do this. More, I thought they overplayed a lot in the half court. Often daring teams to dribble inside knowing they had Stewie as an eraser. The year before as well with Stokes. When playing a zone they alternated between a 2/3 and a box and one depending on whether the other team, usually a guard, had a hot hand. or if they wanted to limit a players looks. Geno mainly used zone to switch things up, confuse the players, or to give the other coach something to think about.

Yeah, M2M means you're going to get beat. Last year and every year however, UConn's rotations are spot on and timely. The problem this year is going to be mismatches. Stewie could cover on the perimeter and inside. Tuck as well. Uconn could switch with size. This year KLS will have to step up here. So will Collier. Last year however when Stewie sat Tuck moved over. That luxury doesn't exist this year which amplifies mismatch problems.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Two important ways to try to defeat UCONN are:
1. Run an offense similar to UCONN where there are no set plays but players read and react and adjust accordingly! ND does this somewhat and that is one reason ND has had some success vs UCONN!
Geno is a genius at 1/2 time adjusting to the plays the opponents are running successfully!
2. On defense opponents must be able to get ALL players to sell out for ALL 40 minutes! You have to attack defensively for the whole game and for whatever reason no-one has or is incapable of doing that!
And also teams are going to have to OUTWORK THE HUSKIES, in practice and in games and so far no-one has shown they can do that!

 

[mdakota]

Call me simple minded, but the way to beat UConn is to avoid the things that UConn did to its opponents in winning the last four trophies:

1) Hit the boards. Stewie and Tuck obviously got a lot of boards, but not as obvious was that they got a ton of highly contested or "difficult" rebounds. The 2016 Huskies won't be as effective on the glass, methinks.

2) Make shots. You can't shoot 30% and beat a bad team, let alone UConn.

3) Drive the ball to the rim. Stanford beat UConn (anyone remember?) because nobody could or would step up and stop the ball.

4) Beat UConn by getting to every loose ball first. Mo was great at this.

5) Don't miss free throws. A typical Geno team doesn't foul much anyway, but you can't give back points by shooting FT's badly.

6) Guard the passes out of the post or low block. This one is critical. Until Natalie becomes a reliable scorer in the post, and that might occur sooner than later, our posts will have to decline some shots and (a la Stef) get the ball back out to the arc cleanly.

Simple, right?

Great Points, Simple Minded....

 

[JordyG]

Ruth Riley, Sylvia Fowles, Michelle Snow are just a few bigs I have seen him Double teamed selectively over the years, he has also employed the same tactics to some elite guards as well in the form of traps to make other players handle the ball and take shots...

For bigs I wouldn't say double team so much as rotate help in the paint. If the player moved from the lane that help would fall off. With guards traps are usually situational, such as in corners or presses. Usually Geno likes to face guard or use the box and one to limit a guards looks.

 

[Tonyc]

Right now we dont know because we havent seen UConn play in a real game. @ FL St and Baylor at home will be 2 tuff games. The difference this season is opponents think they can beat UConn. UConn has alot of talent it remains to be seen how they play together and who they look for when they need a basket.

 

[stwainfan]

Nell Fortner said South Carolina will beat Uconn.

 

[wallman]

Who?

JK, but didn't she predict them to be in the final last year also?

 

[Kaizen]

Bribes all the referees ....LOL

 

[cbraarj]

Nell Fortner said South Carolina will beat Uconn.

Since Gampel opened about 27 years ago. Uconn Womens basketball has lost 18 games total. That averages out to .67 games a year. Good Luck South Carolina! You will need it!

 

[huskeynut]

Nell Fortner said South Carolina will beat Uconn.

Fortner will not be the last to predict a UConn defeat. Predictions mean nothing.

Play it on the court Nell. SC at Gampel. My money is on UConn all the way!

 

[rugbymate]

Our offense will be very good this year and while it may not be quite as good as last year , it should be good enough to contend with any team we play. However, IMO , the defense will not be nearly as strong as last year and will be the biggest factor in the gap closing between UCONN and other top 10 teams. I'm not worried about our perimeter defense. It will be good. However, I'm particularly concerned about our ability to defend the athletic power forwards( Turner, Wilson et al). Stewie could take any competitors game away from them but we don't have that player this year. Even Tuck was effective against the power forwards as her lower body strength was exceptional. Williams , as gifted an athlete as she is, will have trouble against the bigs. KLS is not there yet. Collier has the best chance but she still needs work. Double team won't work against high quality teams that have great shooting options( think ND). The defense will get better as the year progresses but its not clear to me that it will get us through April.

 

[JellyBean]

What is it going to take to beat UConn this season? Having our ladies playing below UConn standards and expectations on both sides of the floor.

 

[Bajan Best]

For bigs I wouldn't say double team so much as rotate help in the paint. If the player moved from the lane that help would fall off. With guards traps are usually situational, such as in corners or presses. Usually Geno likes to face guard or use the box and one to limit a guards looks.

I believe essentially Rotate help is the same as Double teaming, just a different way of saying it.. Unless the help comes in the form of switching which is a totally different defensive strategy all together
No one keeps two defenders attached to the hips of one player throughout the entire possession.. So yes they do eventually fall off and recover as the pass out of the double team is made..

 

[Dove]

A common opinion is that UCONN WBB will lose multiple regular season games this year.
What is it going to take to beat UCONN?
1) Stolen from Doris Burke: Excellent guard play.
2) Away game for UCONN
3) Excellent 3 Point Shooting
4) Excellent coaching
What else?

Without a doubt...scoring more points than us.

 

[JordyG]

I believe essentially Rotate help is the same as Double teaming, just a different way of saying it.. Unless the help comes in the form of switching which is a totally different defensive strategy all together
No one keeps two defenders attached to the hips of one player throughout the entire possession.. So yes they do eventually fall off and recover as the pass out of the double team is made..

But again, no coach will say they double teamed an opposing player. Also help in the paint against an opposing player doesn't happen every time down the floor. That means this rotation is a tactic that will occur during specific times in specific areas against specific players with a specific intention in mind.

 

[easttexastrash]

What is it going to take to beat UConn this season? Having our ladies playing below UConn standards and expectations on both sides of the floor.

That was true last year but does not apply to this team...yet. This team may win a championship but don't forget that you just lost the greatest class in WCBB history.

 

[Shorty Dee]

Offense and Conditioning. The teams might have a lead, but after halftime UConn will eat them up, because they are not able to play longer than 20 minutes. Also, I am a firm believer.....if you live by the 3, you will die by the 3. Perfect example: Dayton, Final Four 2015.
Coaching. Geno Auriemma; Christine Daley; Shae Ralph and Marissa Mosely are Great coaches.
Team. So many teams do not know how to spell TEAM. They think there is an I in TEAM.

I am hearing so many people say "UConn is rebuilding this year"....UConn isn't rebuilding, they are reloading.

 

[hoophuskee]

Our offense will be very good this year and while it may not be quite as good as last year , it should be good enough to contend with any team we play. However, IMO , the defense will not be nearly as strong as last year and will be the biggest factor in the gap closing between UCONN and other top 10 teams. I'm not worried about our perimeter defense. It will be good. However, I'm particularly concerned about our ability to defend the athletic power forwards( Turner, Wilson et al). Stewie could take any competitors game away from them but we don't have that player this year. Even Tuck was effective against the power forwards as her lower body strength was exceptional. Williams , as gifted an athlete as she is, will have trouble against the bigs. KLS is not there yet. Collier has the best chance but she still needs work. Double team won't work against high quality teams that have great shooting options( think ND). The defense will get better as the year progresses but its not clear to me that it will get us through April.

For me "the backboard" is more vulnerable than "the low post." Guard play is key for the opposing team either shooting lights out or opening the paint enough for UCONN to get crushed on the glass. A team with really good perimeter defense at 1-5 positions - or 1-4 positions if a player or two is off will be tough. The UCONN players are not pros and won't get as many easy baskets as they had vs the top teams.

On the flip side, UCONN isn't playing against pros either.

 

[rugbymate]

For me "the backboard" is more vulnerable than "the low post." Guard play is key for the opposing team either shooting lights out or opening the paint enough for UCONN to get crushed on the glass. A team with really good perimeter defense at 1-5 positions - or 1-4 positions if a player or two is off will be tough. The UCONN players are not pros and won't get as many easy baskets as they had vs the top teams.

On the flip side, UCONN isn't playing against pros either.

Time will tell...however, I'm not as worried about rebounding as I am about our opponents having a higher shooting percentage against us. Stewies blocks, altered shots and mere presence took power forwards out of their game. As to rebounding, Gabby, Collier and Butler all had more rebounds per 40 minutes of play than either Stewie or Tuck. Granted some of that was garbage time but with their increased minutes I really don't see rebounding as a problem.

 

[CocoHusky]

I believe essentially Rotate help is the same as Double teaming, just a different way of saying it.. Unless the help comes in the form of switching which is a totally different defensive strategy all together
..

Then you really don't understand it. Rotate is a reaction to the ball. A double team is pre-determined decision to put two defender on one offensive player.

 

[SCspur]

Nell Fortner said South Carolina will beat Uconn.

At least SC name is getting mention with UCONN....Tennessee has to worry about not losing to Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas for the consecutive year lol

 

[Bajan Best]

Then you really don't understand it. Rotate is a reaction to the ball. A double team is pre-determined decision to put two defender on one offensive player.

Okay guys allow me too ask this question please.. Not trying to be difficult here but..

If as a result of "reacting to the ball" two defensive players end up covering one offensive post player at the same time is that considered to be single coverage..?

two players on one player is a double team no matter how you achieved it.. (zone, Box&1, Man to man, reacting, collapsing) all can result in a player being doubled.. To-ma-toes, To-mat-oes = Tomatoes.. The objective there is to take away space/freedom of movement from the offensive player when they catch the ball in the paint, forcing them to pass or shoot over the crowded space.. or daring someone else to make shots from other areas of the floor or force a shot clock violation..

 

[JordyG]

Okay guys allow me too ask this question please.. Not trying to be difficult here but..

If as a result of "reacting to the ball" two defensive players end up covering one offensive post player at the same time is that considered to be single coverage..?

two players on one player is a double team no matter how you achieved it.. (zone, Box&1, Man to man, reacting, collapsing) all can result in a player being doubled.. To-ma-toes, To-mat-oes = Tomatoes.. The objective there is to take away space/freedom of movement from the offensive player when they catch the ball in the paint, forcing them to pass or shoot over the crowded space.. or daring someone else to make shots from other areas of the floor or force a shot clock violation..

Again, for the majority of the game that help won't exist. In football a double team on a wide out happens as soon as the ball is snapped. Two SPECIFIC players are assigned to cover that player either in a zone or M2M where ever that player goes. In basketball two specific players will not be assigned to cover any player at any time, and certainly not all over the court. Generally help won't rotate full court, or when the player is in the corner, on the perimeter, at the elbow, top of the key. Or it may depending on the situation or the play called by the coach. That help also may not rotate when the player is in the paint as well. Specific times, different players, specific areas, specific situations, specific play calling does not denote a double team. That's why coaches are so demanding of their players to be precise, quick and reactive in their rotations.

 

[hoophuskee]

Time will tell...however, I'm not as worried about rebounding as I am about our opponents having a higher shooting percentage against us. Stewies blocks, altered shots and mere presence took power forwards out of their game. As to rebounding, Gabby, Collier and Butler all had more rebounds per 40 minutes of play than either Stewie or Tuck. Granted some of that was garbage time but with their increased minutes I really don't see rebounding as a problem.

Overall I'm okay with our rebounding but for the games we lose I think it will be a good chance that we get whacked there amongst other things. We'll be a tough team to beat but when we go down I think that will be an issue at times.

I don't think NB gets big minutes overall. She'll get minutes but not big minutes. And I didn't think she is that good of a rebounder. I think a lot of Gabby/Collier/Butter's rebounding had to do with as you say - their competition and even when they played with the 1st string, the defense of the other team wasn't worried of Gabby or Collier's offensive rebounding as much as defending Stewie and Tuck everywhere on the floor. Now they'll have the top inside more physical player's guarding them (KLS will be defended by more of a quick player. In some cases it will be tall, but not a rebounding type bulkier defender.). The good teams that are capable of beating us- it's not like all of their big player's can't defend at all outside of 10 feet.

And on defense, Tuck would guard the wide, bulky post and Stewie would guard anyone very long. Gabby or Collier weren't guarding as tough of an offensive threat around the basket overall as Tuck would, or as you say Stewie would rover around and at least alter shots or Stewie's ability to help-and-recover-and-compete for rebounds was 2nd to none . When Stewie altered shots, she wasn't in as good rebounding position so to compare them vs her while also adding up the competition, I wouldn't give them much for the rebounding per minute. Her ability to help and recover and compete for rebounds, now with her gone, anytime one of our backline does that, we'll be much more exposed in terms of rebounding too.

Overall I don't believe NB is that good of a rebounder. I hope I'm wrong. Overall I think KLS is soft as a rebounder. I hope I'm wrong. As far as KLS/NC/GW - last year if they committed quick fouls, so what? Now - they can't commit 2 fouls early or if they are in foul trouble 2nd half can't be as aggressive. They haven't had to live with that in their college careers. Now they do. Much more they have to pace themselves and realize their presence is very important too.