What's up with MoJeff?

[hoophuskee]

Last year, opponents game-planned for Bria, giving Moriah some breathing room to do her thing. Now, teams are trying to affect Moriah's distribution, forcing her to go where she doesn't want to go, and making her shoot from spots she'd rather not shoot from. It's new to her but she's a smart kid and has a great coaching staff to help her - she'll figure it out. The addition of Kia Nurse will definitely help as defenses try to affect her rhythm and give Moriah a bit more space to operate.

I don't agree entirely. In halfcourt sets there is only so much a defense can do vs a superior team. They have to "give" something. You can't shut down everything if you dont't have the talent / aren't good enough. You develop a game plan to minimize the other team's effectiveness. I don't believe they are "forcing" MoJeff into taking bad 3point shots very often. IMO they are giving her wide open 3's.

I want MoJeff to be at least that projected top 11 player that she was preseason. Right now she isn't close to that. The title may come anyways - but I want so much more for her too. I think she has teh potential to become a tremendous pro player. One thing imo she must be able to do is shoot. I don't think anyone can disagree that she is being left wide open at the 3 point line vs Stanford and ND the last two times she played both, right?

She is currently 0-10 from 3 in these last four games (2 vs ND and 2 vs Stanford) vs ND and Stanford in which the defense is all but giving her the open 3. IMO this is 0-10 is a trend not an aberration. And I look forward to when she breaks it. The next time we paly ND (and maybe Stanford) they will give her the open 3again. Are any of us certain at this moment she'll smoke the nets like she has done vs the far inferior teams? I "think" she will "this year."

 

[hoophuskee]

I totally disagree with you on this. She's as good as both of them. This year every time she goes down low she is doubled and tripled up. I said it before she is passing the ball better from the top of the key and Tuck and Stokes will be better for that. I will also say this again, that you can't score if you don't get the ball. Geno had said earlier after or during a game that he wants a fast paced game. That's good if the opportunity presents itself but MoJett and especially Nurse are playing too fast and playing too much one on one when the opportunity isn't there resulting in way too many turnovers. I really think that's been the issue with MoJett she's pressing too fast and not setting up the offense like last year and that's an adjustment her and Nurse both have to work out. Stewie will be just fine this year and by the way she will Have four National Championships before she's done and probably at least 3 POY awards before she's done. Who else can say that? GO UCONN

Stewie is a beast. Her mere presence gives her team open shots. It's underappreciated. She's right there with DT and Maya comparing jr year vs jr year.

 

[HuskyNan]

I don't agree entirely. In halfcourt sets there is only so much a defense can do vs a superior team. They have to "give" something. You can't shut down everything if you dont't have the talent / aren't good enough. You develop a game plan to minimize the other team's effectiveness. I don't believe they are "forcing" MoJeff into taking bad 3point shots very often. IMO they are giving her wide open 3's.

I'm not talking about Moriah's offense; I'm talking about her floor game in general. Defenses always try to control tempo and to make the point guard uncomfortable by forcing her to unfamiliar spots on the floor or taking away her usual passing lanes. Well coached teams, like ND, know an opposing point guard's tendencies and try to make her as uncomfortable as possible. When the floor game is off kilter, it affects the rest of the player's game, including her offense.

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm not talking about Moriah's offense; I'm talking about her floor game in general. Defenses always try to control tempo and to make the point guard uncomfortable by forcing her to unfamiliar spots on the floor or taking away her usual passing lanes. Well coached teams, like ND, know an opposing point guard's tendencies and try to make her as uncomfortable as possible. When the floor game is off kilter, it affects the rest of the player's game, including her offense.

I can see that. I wouldn't be surprsed that would be a continual "struggle" for some time.

 

[HuskyNan]

I can see that. I wouldn't be surprsed that would be a continual "struggle" for some time.

I agree. It's a difficult adjustment.

 

[Striper69]

Saving herself for when we really need her. Giving others the chance to shine. Lulling the opposition into a false sense of security.

Filling in the role Bria played last year...

 

[sawxfan23]

The thing that frustrates me about Stewart is that she sometimes disappears during games. For as talented an offensive player as she is there is no reason that she should go without scoring for prolonged periods. She lacks that killer instinct that D and Maya had in which they would find a way to score at all cost when the team needed it. Stewart needs to develop that "you can't stop me" attitude and when the game is on the line and we need a bucket "just get me the damn ball and get out of the way". I think it is only a matter of time before she will become more consistent and more aggressive and when that happens look out.

 

[watanabe]

What's with all the haters? Jeez, you'd think we lost to ND or something.

 

[AboutWeston]

I'm going to say something here that will probably get me a bunch of grief - but it actually comes from my wife who has often mentioned that off games may be the result of a m0nthly cycle.

COULD BE!

 

[HuskyNan]

The thing that frustrates me about Stewart is that she sometimes disappears during games. For as talented an offensive player as she is there is no reason that she should go without scoring for prolonged periods. She lacks that killer instinct that D and Maya had in which they would find a way to score at all cost when the team needed it. Stewart needs to develop that "you can't stop me" attitude and when the game is on the line and we need a bucket "just get me the damn ball and get out of the way". I think it is only a matter of time before she will become more consistent and more aggressive and when that happens look out.

She does not disappear. She's got 2 or 3 defenders literally hanging all over her which is why you'll see players like Moriah WIDE open. When Maya played, she was usually alongside Tina Charles and Kaleena so defenses had to choose their poison and Maya could always make them pay for leaving "only" one defender on her. But this year, teams seem to be willing to leave KML relatively unguarded to triple team Breanna, that's just how good she is.

 

[msf22b]

I'm a strong believer in Moriah's upside and expect to see it on display more regularly soon.

Last year's team was more of a finesse team.
The two (perhaps 3) of the new position players are Bull-in-the China Shop types.
At Notre Dame they dominated the game.
(And please do not take this as a implied criticism in any way; I'm thrilled by the post patterns run by Morgan and Kia).

That means the Stewie, K, and especially Moriah have to adjust to a new set of court side logistics.
Moriah being a principal focal point is struggling a bit
And she may not be 100% physically.
I still recall a boot last month.

But talent and coaching prevails.
UConn has both.
We're well into the season now, talk about Stef and Bria is becoming old hat and irrelevant.

The team hasn't completely discovered its identity yet.

But I pray for the survival of our opponents when it does.

 

[HuskiesU]

Stewie is a beast. Her mere presence gives her team open shots. It's underappreciated. She's right there with DT and Maya comparing jr year vs jr year.

She is a beast but isnt playing like one. Her shot is off at this point I've seen her miss a lot of easy buckets around the rim. Instead of demanding or going to get the ball she wait for it to come to her

 

[ballhawk]

I totally agree with Rad Lady and MilfordHusky. We should be celebrating a great victory not harping on every perceived deficiency. Not so long ago Kaleena was being attacked. Hard to believe. She is only leading the team in minutes and shooting nearly 60%. For years there was constant vilification of Bria. Now that she is gone we only speak highly of her. Be happy with the great team that we have and that will only get better.

 

[DICKG]

On UConn All-Access, I remember CD positing (with coaches concurring) that she thought Moriah was most likely to step up as the leader on this year's team. I think that has put a ton of pressure on Mo, from outside and from within. Maybe she's struggling internally with all the pressure and self-expectations, just as Stewie did for quite a stretch early last year. Plus, when ND plays well off of her and dares Moriah to beat them from the outside, and you miss that first shot or two- that can get inside your head, an opponent saying you can't shoot worth a damn. And there were several ugly misses tonight. Many of her turnovers were the result of playing too fast, trying to do so much and not letting the game come to her. Many turnovers were self-inflicted giveaways. ND didn't take it from her- she gave it to them. And as superb as Nurse is playing, Mo doesn't have that partner with the big outside shot like Hartley- Mo and KNurse are more penetrators and distributors. I think Moriah will become more comfortable and revert to Nancy Lieberman form as the season progresses. She just needs to believe in herself as much as we do.

I think she thought this was her team this year and all the hype about Nurse is bothering her.

 

[Huskies Rule]

I think she thought this was her team this year and all the hype about Nurse is bothering her.

Hmmm. That never occurred to me. That really is an excellent point (though I hope it isn't so)

 

[Zorro]

No way.

 

[Huskies Rule]

No way.

Z- I'm very uncomfortable even thinking such a thought, but these are young kids, emotionally immature, inexperienced youngsters. Please, this is NOT NOT NOT an indictment of Moriah, just the machinations of an overworked, tired mind. HELL, I LOVE MORIAH JEFFERSON. She is a fantastic player (my favorite) and a wonderful youngster. But anything is possible, and for weeks there has been endless speculation about Moriah's early-season disappointing performance which hasn't matched lofty expectations. I would think it absolutely normal for any kid, especially after the outstanding championship year Moriah was such an integral part of, to be a bit put off by all the celebratory hype the new kid KNurse has received, a player who also just happens to play the point. Moriah is the ultimate competitor, and maybe she's been going out on the court trying to do too much, feeling she has to prove she's great too- which she doesn't have to do because we already know it. Hey, anything is possible. I went through this very same situation with my own kids. It happens, it's life.

 

[Hope]

She's playing to fast. She's needs to slow down and let the game come to her. As a point guard get everybody else involved far as penetrating kicking out to KML and Nurse than drive let the defense collapse and dish to stewie and Morgan kiah. And than the lane will open up for her. Also work on her pull up

Moriah has a pull-up?

 

[sawxfan23]

She does not disappear. She's got 2 or 3 defenders literally hanging all over her which is why you'll see players like Moriah WIDE open. When Maya played, she was usually alongside Tina Charles and Kaleena so defenses had to choose their poison and Maya could always make them pay for leaving "only" one defender on her. But this year, teams seem to be willing to leave KML relatively unguarded to triple team Breanna, that's just how good she is.

Maya or D was never double teamed? Go watch the film and you will that they where double and triple teamed just as much as Stewart.

 

[HuskiesU]

Moriah has a pull-up?

Well she's not hitting or taken them enough because at times she is over penetrating. The bottom line is she has to play better in big games

 

[HuskyNan]

Maya or D was never double teamed? Go watch the film and you will that they where double and triple teamed just as much as Stewart.

Defenders would leave Maya to cover Tina. Morgan had a fantastic day on Saturday and she worked hard to earn her 25 points so I'm not taking anything away from her but did you ever wonder why there were so many open lanes to the basket? Notre Dame is a well-coached team, no way they leave that much open space unless defenders were unwilling to leave Breanna. This is value that Breanna gives to the team, too, she gets her teammates more open just by being on the floor.

Diana also double and triple teamed but usually by guards and she was a big guard. Stewie has forwards and guards on her.

 

[cferraro04]

Hmmm, we are what now 7 and 1? We just beat the number 1/2 team depending on the poll observed by 18 points! Stewie was 14 and 9... Moriah defended what is more than likely the number two player in the country...(at the end of the day Stewie will be the number one player in the land) and Moriah is very close to last year's numbers and off by a smidgen. We are working two freshmen in the regular line-up (Gabby and Kia Nurse), we are working Tuck into the starting line-up after a couple of years of inconsistency due to injuries and recovery, we are converting Kiah Stokes from a bench role player to a starter or first off the bench who impacts the game at the defensive end. We are trying to replace two All American's (Bria Hartley and Stefanie Dolson). Moriah's job is to make everybody better, to run the team, to be another coach on the floor, to provide leadership, to be a defensive stopper, to attack the basket when she can and to knock down the open three. You don't think there is a lot on the kid's plate? Really? It is early we are still in early December, before the Christmas break. By the way this team is averaging more than last years team at this point. As far as the nonsense as to whether or not Breanna Stewart will be talked about in the same sentence with DT and Maya...that what the talk is...nonsense. We have never had a kid like B. Stewart at UConn. Her skill set is unique and believe me we are lucky to have her... What if she went to ND...how many championships would they have. Here's the rub on that talk...Stewart could win 4 national championships...Neither DT, nor Maya, not Chamique Holdsclaw did that...the question could become should we speak of DT, Maya and Holdsclaw in the same sentence as Stewie? Is Stewie in a class all by herself? If she wins four championships (metaphorically speaking...since I know it takes a team) she will be!

 

[HoopsFan21]

Defenders would leave Maya to cover Tina. Morgan had a fantastic day on Saturday and she worked hard to earn her 25 points so I'm not taking anything away from her but did you ever wonder why there were so many open lanes to the basket? Notre Dame is a well-coached team, no way they leave that much open space unless defenders were unwilling to leave Breanna. This is value that Breanna gives to the team, too, she gets her teammates more open just by being on the floor.

Diana also double and triple teamed but usually by guards and she was a big guard. Stewie has forwards and guards on her.

You're right about the open lanes, and to be honest that's great strategy on coach's part. I was thinking about this the other day. If they're going to focus defensive efforts on Stewie and KML, make it difficult and keep them on the perimeter on opposite sides and the defense will have some rather large holes in the middle.

 

[Zorro]

Consider this; MoJet and Bria had played together for two years and had come to know just about exactly what each other would do and where they would go. Now Mo is working with one new and one semi-new partners, with whom she has hot yet established that rapport. They will be a well-synchronized team by March. Not to worry.

 

[OldAlum]

What I liked about Stewie in the ND game is that she didn't get frustrated and force things. There were a few times where she did demand the ball as she got position, but I liked how she kept herself under control. I think the double-teaming and banging has thrown off her rhythm and lowered her shot %. I also think that her teammates will get better about getting her the ball in the right position when she is open. I think they have been missing a number of opportunities due to not yet being completely in sync. I also think that opposing teams may have to change their strategy a bit if the rest of the team steps up and beats them big-time if they concentrate on stopping only two players.
I suspect that Moriah is trying to "step up" and "take control" since there is so much talk about that. Unfortunately she has pressed too hard and been out of control at times. I too, would really like to see more of a pull up jumper!

 

[Hope]

Well she's not hitting or taken them enough because at times she is over penetrating. The bottom line is she has to play better in big games

When I envision a pull-up jumper I see Renee Montgomery flying down the court then stopping on a dime and taking a true jump shot. Of course as Dennis Miller would say, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

 

[HuskiesU]

BurE="Huskies Rule, post: 1160735, member: 5245"]Hmmm. That never occurred to me. That really is an excellent point (though I hope it isn't so)[/QUOTE]
Nurse is out playing je

When I envision a pull-up jumper I see Renee Montgomery flying down the court then stopping on a dime and taking a true jump shot. Of course as Dennis Miller would say, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

Or sue bird. I dont ever see Mojeff stop on a dime and knock it down consistanly.

 

[WildEagle]

It is simple, all this all Nurse all the time is grating on her just like it is any other sane person. See used to be number 1 now geno has a new love.

 

[hoophuskee]

1---- I have always loved Dt and MM's games in part because they were so damn hard to double-team. They were seldom "triple-teamed." IMO MM's half-court game was/is superior to Angel M's. Angel has to drive in traffic. She winds getting "triple-teamed." Maya is better.

2--- DT - how the heck can you triple-team her other than a rare occasion. She - like Maya - played a ton on the perimter. And Maria and Ann could shoot.

3--- Stewie when she goes in the paint is really getting both double and sometimes triple teamed. She'll get better throughout her career handling it. It would be benfical to her if MoJeff could shoot vs the "Stanford's and Notre Dame's." Stewie's mere presnece makes everyone much better. While Dt and Maya were better shooters and their presence also was benefical to teammates, Stewie imo her presence is "more." Not saying who is better - irrelevant so early -- but Stewie really does consistently draw double/triple teams when she goes in the post which is why UCONN can get off an open 3 anytime they want whenever Stewie goes to the post.

4---- MoJeff has many jobs/responsisbilities because she can handle it. Someone brought up about all the food she has on her plate. Well imo she will eventually handle it all- but right now she is allergic to some of her food (shooting for one thing) on certain days when she plays a top tier team. Just because she shoots extremely well vs sub-tier teams and it bumps her average - it shouldn't excuse (When I say the word "excuse" -- all I mean is that she is capable of doing a megaton better) so far two poor shooting performances vs Stanford and ND which they leave her wide open. On offense MoJeff owes it to herself and her teammates to be more than just direct traffic and pass on offense. She has to knock down shots when she is wide open at least at a decent level. THAT also makes her teammates "better" (the ability to hit shots and make other teams pay for sagging so extremely on Stewie). Shooting is a basketball fundamental. For a small guard with her potential - at least for me - I don't think she should just relegate herself to be known as "can do all other things but can't shoot." Faris was able to shoot her sr year. I want to see MoJeff do it her jr year.

 

[msf22b]

When I envision a pull-up jumper I see Renee Montgomery flying down the court then stopping on a dime and taking a true jump shot. Of course as Dennis Miller would say, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

Moriah's been working on that shot (as per earlier reports),
and actually took one or two in Florida (unfortunately, they didn't go in).
It's a true pull-up jumper…a legit one Ice!