What's coming up, none of it good

[tomcat]

Okay, UConn just got through what I'm told is one of the ugliest games ever, an old-fashioned Rutgers game on steroids. During that game, their vaunted sixth player, who had been incredible early in the season, continued to have a hard time scoring. Their best defensive player, who had shown signs of being able to contribute 6-8 points a game on occasion, seems to be in an offensive slump. The guards again seemed to have a hard time getting the ball inside, and the starting center got a little beaten up. What's more, a team that is provably not as talented as UConn forced the #3 team in the country to play its game.

And Georgetown, which plays this way all the time and, Unlike Louisville, actually has some long-range shooters, arrives this weekend.

Does anyone think this is exactly the wrong trend to see at the wrong time of year? I'm not saying we're doooooomed, or anything like that. But the trend has been seriously disturbing. And how do we think Notre Dame will play UConn when they meet again at the end of the season?

I'm hoping that KML will get back to where she was, that Kelly can make a couple of shots and take the pressure off some of the others, and that they get their inside game working again. I'm hoping that never again this year do Bria and Caroline have to save the team, because while it's fun to see, it's not a dependable way to win games. And I'm hoping that the coaching staff can develop a strategy to cope, at least a little, with teams that want to turn the game into roller derby.

But the recent trend is really a worry, because momentum works both ways, and it's been negative for UConn lately. Inconsistency being what it is, they could come out and look wonderful Saturday, but that's not a sure thing. This team is not at all a lock to win the remainder of its regular season games. And the BE tournament? Who knows.

 

[rbny1]

I'm not worried. I thought the team played well last night given the circumstances of an away game against a physical team in an arena filled with rabid, noisy fans. To me it was a great test for our Huskies, and they survived and won. Teams go through cycles, and the Huskies may be in a bit of a down cycle, but that won't last forever.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

As I mentioned in another thread, Georgetown will be playing at our place, so
the refs will be less likely to let their roughhouse tactics go unpunished (if that's
the way they want to play).

 

[JByron21]

We played our C- game, the officiating was terrible, we played in front of a hostile crowd, our shot's were off, Tiff fouled out, and we still won by double digits. Not worried in the least bit.

 

[rington]

I say that it toughened them up. They needed that. The slumps some players are having should take care of themselves.......let's hope so!

 

[Jonathan Husky]

I guess I am inclined to agree with Tomcat. It was a rough game but we did not play well. If we play at this level against ND and Baylor we will lose. We need to shoot much better against good teams.

We will see how they play against Georgetown. Georgetown has a rough and tumble style and much better shooters tha Louisville.

 

[pap49cba]

Measuring stick....

ND beat GT 80-60 at Georgetown.

 

[doggydaddy]

Okay, UConn just got through what I'm told is one of the ugliest games ever, an old-fashioned Rutgers game on steroids. During that game, their vaunted sixth player, who had been incredible early in the season, continued to have a hard time scoring. Their best defensive player, who had shown signs of being able to contribute 6-8 points a game on occasion, seems to be in an offensive slump. The guards again seemed to have a hard time getting the ball inside, and the starting center got a little beaten up. What's more, a team that is provably not as talented as UConn forced the #3 team in the country to play its game.

Wow...offense, offense, offense. Ya know, there IS another part of this game. And they play it better than anyone in the country.

And Georgetown, which plays this way all the time and, Unlike Louisville, actually has some long-range shooters, arrives this weekend.

Really? Who? Rogers? 30.1% on 3's. Wright? 29.1% on 3's. They do have a player shooting 38% but she only makes on average less than 1 per game.

Does anyone think this is exactly the wrong trend to see at the wrong time of year?

No, I see a team that has won 10 in a row, including 3 in a row against top 17 teams, 5 against top 21 teams and all by double digits.

I'm not saying we're doooooomed, or anything like that. But the trend has been seriously disturbing. And how do we think Notre Dame will play UConn when they meet again at the end of the season?

No different than the last time they played. You really think Louisville came up with something new?

I'm hoping that KML will get back to where she was, that Kelly can make a couple of shots and take the pressure off some of the others, and that they get their inside game working again.

Me too. And I expect that to happen, not just hope it will.

I'm hoping that never again this year do Bria and Caroline have to save the team, because while it's fun to see, it's not a dependable way to win games.

They are clutch performers. I LOVED seeing it happen. And there will be other closer games. So, they will be ready.

And I'm hoping that the coaching staff can develop a strategy to cope, at least a little, with teams that want to turn the game into roller derby.

I don't know what else they could have done. Refs let the game get that way. And they did hold on to win.

But the recent trend is really a worry, because momentum works both ways, and it's been negative for UConn lately.

Again, they have won TEN in a row. What negative? Wow.

Inconsistency being what it is, they could come out and look wonderful Saturday, but that's not a sure thing.

They look wonderful way more than than they look lousy. So odds are they player a lot better Saturday.

This team is not at all a lock to win the remainder of its regular season games.

With ND being the last game, that is obvious. The other games? Wanna bet?

And the BE tournament? Who knows.

And same for the BE tournament. Round 3 with ND. Who knows?

 

[HuskyNan]

Does anyone think this is exactly the wrong trend to see at the wrong time of year? I'm not saying we're doooooomed, or anything like that. But the trend has been seriously disturbing. And how do we think Notre Dame will play UConn when they meet again at the end of the season?

Which trend is that, the one where UConn beat three ranked teams in a row, two on the road? Or the one where UConn beat teams by double digits in every win this season? Folks that watch only UConn may not be aware that it's considered an impressive feat to beat all comers by double digits. They may also have forgotten that 5 of UConn's 8 players in the regular rotation are freshmen or sophomores and they're trying to replace one of the best women's basketball players on the planet.

Geez, Louise.

 

[doggydaddy]

I guess I am inclined to agree with Tomcat. It was a rough game but we did not play well. If we play at this level against ND and Baylor we will lose. We need to shoot much better against good teams.

We will see how they play against Georgetown. Georgetown has a rough and tumble style and much better shooters tha Louisville.

See my post in response to Tomcat. Gtown is a TERRIBLE shooting team. Where did you get this from?

 

[Ctpaul0825]

This is a young team that is learning how to win regardless of it's opposition's talents or style of play. As ugly as the LV game was they gutted it out, earlier in the year they would have lost. I am confident the scoring slumps will turn around, one constant has been their defense which is key for this teams success. Stokes and Banks are adding depth which we lacked last year.

 

[doggydaddy]

Which trend is that, the one where UConn beat three ranked teams in a row, two on the road? Or the one where UConn where UConn beat teams by double digits in every win this season? Folks that watch only UConn may not be aware that it's considered an impressive feat to beat all comers by double digits. They may also have forgotten that 5 of UConn's 8 players in the regular rotation are freshmen or sophomores and they're trying to replace one of the best women's basketball players on the planet.

Geez, Louise.

Beat you by 4 minutes.

 

[cferraro04]

Measuring stick....

ND beat GT 80-60 at Georgetown.

No the measuring stick was UConn lost to ND at Notre Dame. Measuring common opponents has limited value. Each night is different...different players have a good night or a bad night. Personal health of players varies from one game to another. Different referees... Maybe on a given night a player has an inspired evening, maybe the team clicks on a given evening but not on another....just hard to control all the variables.

 

[Kibitzer]

Good grief! All day long I thought UConn won that game last night!

 

[doggydaddy]

Measuring stick....

ND beat GT 80-60 at Georgetown.

More measuring sticks.

GT lost to DePaul by 9.

 

[HuskyNan]

See my post in response to Tomcat. Gtown is a TERRIBLE shooting team. Where did you get this from?

Just looked at the stats - Sugar averages 19.2 points, Tia Magee averages 12.2 then Rubylee Wright at 7.2. No one else averages more than 5.3 ppg. As a team, Georgetown averages 62.8 points and shoots 36.3% on field goals; the Hoyas are 29.7% on threes.

No, not a good shooting team.

 

[doggydaddy]

Just looked at the stats - Suger averages 19.2 points, Tia Magee averages 12.2 then Rubylee Wright at 7.2. No one else averages more than 5.3 ppg. As a team, Georgetown averages 62.8 points and shoots 36.3% on field goals; the Hoyas 29.7% on threes.

No, not a good shooting team.

Took a closer look at Suger's stats. She is the definition of volumn shooter.

 

[FairView]

I'm watching the game and UConn is up by 12 and the announcers are saying UConn is in trouble. UConn's rep is such that a 12-point lead is almost losing. They would love the excitement of the dynasty losing. And we shouldn't buy into the hype. Is this an NC team? I don't know. I guess the odds are against it. But it is a darn good team. I think yesterday's game will be a positive for the team. Remember those years where there were close games more often?

Regarding Georgetown, unless Patrick Ewing discovered he had a game of eligibility left and he decided to use it playing for the women's team against UConn, I'm not worried.

 

[JS]

As I mentioned in another thread, Georgetown will be playing at our place, so
the refs will be less likely to let their roughhouse tactics go unpunished (if that's the way they want to play).

And so will Louisville be playing next at UConn (if they meet in the BE tourney), and again at UConn next year when it'll be lights out for both them and G'town in any event. So I don't see this scenario repeating in the foreseeable future, and you can throw in 'Cuse and RU too as other teams that have been known to like this type of game. It just won't avail them.

But one does have to be wary of things getting out of control and players getting hurt. It was bordering on that last night, and roughhouse both ways, in accordance with the Ville's preference (for understandable reasons). Low scoring, sludge-like movement, if any, through a clogged-up halfcourt.

Chippiness on the verge of trouble at times. Stef admirably faulted her own lack of self-control, but I'm left with the image of her getting hooked, not on the body but head-high. She briefly grabbed that arm coming across her face from behind and looked for a second like she was contemplating breaking it over her shoulder.

The astounding thing was not the physical play but the lopsided free throw advantage to the home team -- who wanted and had doubled down on that style of play -- in the second half when they literally wrestled their way from a big halftime deficit to within six. Now we know what other teams may feel like in the face of the psychological force of 16,000 fans when they start roaring out their message of momentum.

 

[rbny1]

Let's turn this around and look at it from the viewpoint of Georgetown. They're thinking, "Holy Columbus, Louisville played rough and tumble against UConn, and UConn won anyway. How the hell are we going to beat them?" I'd rather be a UConn fan than a Georgetown fan.

 

[ASweet3781]

I gotta say I am a little stunned at times by the expectations people have for our team. One less than stellar performances and it's non stop worrying.

Personally after losing Maya I had no idea what to expect this year. I didn't expect another year as bad as 2005 but I did think 4-6 losses were possible. Elite 8 at the best.

We are 22-2, clearly one of the top 4 teams in the country and on track to make the Final 4. Our 2 losses were on the road to Baylor and ND, the top 2 teams in the country who returned 4 starters and had their Player of the Year Candidates, in games we held 2nd half leads in. The defense has been incredible. And the team is trying as hard as they can. Do they have weaknesses? Of course. But this is not supposed to be OUR year. Even Geno said this. It's supposed to be Baylor or ND's year. Geno said if they stumble perhaps we will be there to take advantage. Well we have positioned ourselves so far to do just that.

This team so far is surpassing expectations. There are times when some of our fans have to remind themselves that Maya and Tina are not their anymore. Everyone needs to be playing well for us to click and look like a juggernaut. There are going to be times when things look "ugly". But we are still winning. Other teams can't say that.

 

[MarieM]

ND played all their BIG games earlier in the season at home they are not the same team when on the road

 

[MarieM]

I gotta say I am a little stunned at times by the expectations people have for our team. One less than stellar performances and it's non stop worrying.

Personally after losing Maya I had no idea what to expect this year. I didn't expect another year as bad as 2005 but I did think 4-6 losses were possible. Elite 8 at the best.

We are 22-2, clearly one of the top 4 teams in the country and on track to make the Final 4. Our 2 losses were on the road to Baylor and ND, the top 2 teams in the country who returned 4 starters and had their Player of the Year Candidates, in games we held 2nd half leads in. The defense has been incredible. And the team is trying as hard as they can. Do they have weaknesses? Of course. But this is not supposed to be OUR year. Even Geno said this. It's supposed to be Baylor or ND's year. Geno said if they stumble perhaps we will be there to take advantage. Well we our positioned ourselves so far to do just that.

This team so far is surpassing expectations. There are times when some of our fans have to remind themselves that Maya and Tina are not their anymore. There are going to be times when things look "ugly". But we are still winning. Other teams can't say that.

i agree lets see what happens to Baylor when BG leaves whether its after this year nor next year, they aren't going to go undefeated come February when she leaves even with Sims

 

[ASweet3781]

Again this is supposed to be a "transition" year. A down year by our standards. Next year we have Bre, Moriah, and Morgan coming in and only lose Tiffany. We will be a top 2 team with Baylor. And after BG leaves well whose gonna stop what we have?

I don't know about anyone else but I am enjoying the hell out of this "transition" year. I'm not going to let a sluggish game against a borderline dirty team in their home gym send me to worry central. We are on pace to go around 33-4 and make the Final 4 before things get really good next year. And if we catch some breaks perhaps we even steal one this year. The pressure is on Griner and Diggins and Nneka this year to finally crack gold. If they fail we maybe there to grab it a year early. Not bad for a "transition" year. I'll start worrying next year when we will actually have the most talent of anyone in the country. This year on paper we don't so I am not worried about ND/Baylor. They technically should beat us this year. But we have already shown the ability to play them in their home gyms so who knows? In the meantime, I'd sit back and enjoy whatever we get this year.

 

[doggydaddy]

Again this is supposed to be a "transition" year. A down year by our standards. Next year we have Bre, Moriah, and Morgan coming in and only lose Tiffany. We will be a top 2 team with Baylor. And after BG leaves well whose gonna stop what we have?

I don't know about anyone else but I am enjoying the hell out of this "transition" year. I'm not going to let a sluggish game against a borderline dirty team in their home gym send me to worry central. We are on pace to go around 33-4 and make the Final 4 before things get really good next year. And if we catch some breaks perhaps we even steal one this year. The pressure is on Griner and Diggins and Nneka this year to finally crack gold. If they fail we maybe there to grab it a year early. Not bad for a "transition" year. I'll start worrying next year when we will actually have the most talent of anyone in the country. This year on paper we don't so I am not worried about ND/Baylor. They technically should beat us this year. But we have already shown the ability to play them in their home gyms so who knows? In the meantime, I'd sit back and enjoy whatever we get this year.

You need to post more.

"I'm not going to let a sluggish game against a borderline dirty team in their home gym send me to worry central. "

Fantastic.