What's up with MoJeff?

[UcMiami]

I disagree. She really doesn't. She's well into her junior campaign and unless things change soon, yeah she will be remembered as a top 10 player, but won't be in the same club as Maya or D.

Let see ... as a freshman she was the Final Four MVP and won her first National Championship. As I recall neither Maya nor DT accomplished quite so much their freshman years. Then she repeated the feat her sophomore year and was won her first NPOY award. And spent her summer playing for the national team in the WC to add to her haul of gold medals with USA teams - more than either Maya or DT had at similar times of their careers.
Obviously she is falling far short of previously fabulous Uconn players.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Let see ... as a freshman she was the Final Four MVP and won her first National Championship. As I recall neither Maya nor DT accomplished quite so much their freshman years. Then she repeated the feat her sophomore year and was won her first NPOY award. And spent her summer playing for the national team in the WC to add to her haul of gold medals with USA teams - more than either Maya or DT had at similar times of their careers.
Obviously she is falling far short of previously fabulous Uconn players.

DT3 is the GOAT in my opinion. Maya is a close #2. Do you disagree? Where does Stewie match up with either of these two legends of women's basketball?

 

[Vowelguy]

Where does Stewie match up with either of these two legends of women's basketball?

Ask me in 16 months and I'll have answer.

 

[meyers7]

I disagree. She really doesn't. She's well into her junior campaign and unless things change soon, yeah she will be remembered as a top 10 player, but won't be in the same club as Maya or D.

Interesting, based on what? She isn't "well" into her Jr year, actually just kinda starting it.

Anyway, she already has 2 NC's, 2 FF MVP's, already AA, already NPOY. Scored more points as a Soph than any other UCONN player ever. Actually if things DON'T change, just stay the same, she'll be a 3 time NPOY, 4 time NC, 2500+ points, 1000+ rebounds, one of the top shot blockers in UCONN history.

Not sure how that doesn't put one in the conversation with Moore and Taurasi. (Besides she's already ahead of them from a USA Basketball perspective.)

 

[MilfordHusky]

MoJett played hard on defense. Jewell Loyd is a load.

Moriah had a poor game on the offensive end, but Maybrey was also 0-fer.

MoJett will be fine.

 

[Vowelguy]

MoJett played hard on defense. Jewell Loyd is a load.

I thought she played well on D in the 2nd half. But not in the 1st half.

 

[RadyLady]

What have you learned on the show tonight Craig!

Well the observant eye would see that if you dare to have a bad game even if you don't dare, if it just happens suddenly all your previous accomplishments will be wiped out and nullified for some who either can't or don't want to see the whole picture.

Losing 2 all Americans is no small thing and adjustments have to be made - the rhythm has to be sorted and the chemistry has to be re-established.. UConn is coming along fine and people are going to have bad games. that doesn't mean they're no good or they have lost a step or their menses isinterrupting everything and I told you not to go there...
Or that a player that has been dubbed by many to be greater than Diana and Maya suddenly becomes on the equivalent of well I don't know I don't even know where you guys are going with that and I don't care you are a tough room. Heaven forbid someone comes up short in your world.

UConn won.

Decisively.

Somebody put her name out there as a huge impact player, somebody who's been dealing with injuries since she came to UConn. She was awesome. Why aren't you focusing on her instead of things that didn't appear to go well.

Someone else came into the game and made an immediate impact and just owned the paint.

A freshman and a JR played lockdown defense on their best player who by definition of being the best player was still able to get some shots off but certainly not what she was capable of doing.

There is a lot of stuff that doesn't get into the stat line - a lot - there is all of the defensive work, the switching the sets, the screens the spacing the passing.. I am not in the least bit disappointed and anything that I thought tonight of course there's always room for improvement but we won we destroyed Notre Dame can we just sit back and say yeah baby that was really cool.

and stop focusing on the negative stuff.

 

[Hongster]

Arh!!!!!!! Come on! Give the kid a break. How many time have you seen her changed the momentum of the game from her pick pockets? She's at her best when she's at the PG and her job is to disrupt the other team's PG from executing their plan.

To assign her to guard the best player from the other team is big mistake, that job should be Tuck or Gabby Williams.

 

[Rob Signor]

Mo Jeff is just struggling on offense. Here is my opinion. She is still playing great defense. I just think she is in a bit of a funk. She plays hard. Her team is improving around her and the pressure on her is being diminished by the increased cohesiveness. I don't think it is bad that she is working through this right now. it will only get better. If she was on her game today it would not have been a fair contest.

 

[tomcat]

I guess today I was disappointed that on top of some of the careless things we saw from her, we also saw her (twice, if I recall correctly) really rush the ball down the court. Great shades of Rita Williams! That was something I really didn't expect.

 

[geneticrex]

Jefferson has taken a step backward so far the season.

It is blatantly obvious.

 

[hoophuskee]

What have you learned on the show tonight Craig!

Well the observant eye would see that if you dare to have a bad game even if you don't dare, if it just happens suddenly all your previous accomplishments will be wiped out and nullified for some who either can't or don't want to see the whole picture.

Losing 2 all Americans is no small thing and adjustments have to be made - the rhythm has to be sorted and the chemistry has to be re-established.. UConn is coming along fine and people are going to have bad games. that doesn't mean they're no good or they have lost a step or their menses isinterrupting everything and I told you not to go there...
Or that a player that has been dubbed by many to be greater than Diana and Maya suddenly becomes on the equivalent of well I don't know I don't even know where you guys are going with that and I don't care you are a tough room. Heaven forbid someone comes up short in your world.

UConn won.

Decisively.

Somebody put her name out there as a huge impact player, somebody who's been dealing with injuries since she came to UConn. She was awesome. Why aren't you focusing on her instead of things that didn't appear to go well.

Someone else came into the game and made an immediate impact and just owned the paint.

A freshman and a JR played lockdown defense on their best player who by definition of being the best player was still able to get some shots off but certainly not what she was capable of doing.

There is a lot of stuff that doesn't get into the stat line - a lot - there is all of the defensive work, the switching the sets, the screens the spacing the passing.. I am not in the least bit disappointed and anything that I thought tonight of course there's always room for improvement but we won we destroyed Notre Dame can we just sit back and say yeah baby that was really cool.

and stop focusing on the negative stuff.

Why not talk abotu stuff we can improve on?

As a fan part of the joy I have is watching players grow. In my heart I KNOW MoJeff can become a 1stteam all-american. As a fan, I WANT her name on the Wall of Honor. Maybe someone like a former coach can talk of her form or someone else can speak of how Ralph is working on her stop-and-pop. I'd like to hear more of that. If others don't keep a discussion going, we may never hear about these things.

 

[hoophuskee]

Arh!!!!!!! Come on! Give the kid a break. How many time have you seen her changed the momentum of the game from her pick pockets? She's at her best when she's at the PG and her job is to disrupt the other team's PG from executing their plan.

To assign her to guard the best player from the other team is big mistake, that job should be Tuck or Gabby Williams.

I don't agree with any of this other than no need to be too hard on her but imo it's okay to be disappointed.

 

[UcMiami]

Currently Moriah is:
Scoring 9.6 ppg compared to 10.0 for last year (before today she was at 11.2)
Assists per game are at 4.7 vs. last year at 4.9 (before today she was at 5.2)
A/TO is 1.8 vs. 2.95 (before today she was at 2.4)
Field goal percentage is at .463/.350 vs. .575/.418 (before today .543/.411)
It is early in the season and she had a statistically bad game against one of the best teams in the country. The team is replacing two AA seniors and one expects some struggles early in a season with both turnovers and offensive efficiency.
(And if I remember correctly it wasn't until Moriah went on a tear after Christmas last year that her shooting percentage climbed rapidly into the stratosphere - as I recall in November last year her 3 point shooting was around .300 and field goal shooting barely above .400.)

 

[hoophuskee]

Currently Moriah is:
Scoring 9.6 ppg compared to 10.0 for last year (before today she was at 11.2)
Assists per game are at 4.7 vs. last year at 4.9 (before today she was at 5.2)
A/TO is 1.8 vs. 2.95 (before today she was at 2.4)
Field goal percentage is at .463/.350 vs. .575/.418 (before today .543/.411)
It is early in the season and she had a statistically bad game against one of the best teams in the country. The team is replacing two AA seniors and one expects some struggles early in a season with both turnovers and offensive efficiency.
(And if I remember correctly it wasn't until Moriah went on a tear after Christmas last year that her shooting percentage climbed rapidly into the stratosphere - as I recall in November last year her 3 point shooting was around .300 and field goal shooting barely above .400.)

A home run hitter that hits home runs off bad pitching and hits home runs when game is already won is nice but his hitting is an illusion when it comes to playoff time. The type of team that is going to beat us is a top 10 team --and in those two games so far MoJeff is 2-15 with just 6 points with 8 assists and five turnovers. It's on the thing to be doubled - in a way Stewie is. It's understandable if she was sick. Or if she is being gaurded by an elite player designed to shut her down. But that hasn't been the case.

MoJeff hasn't played like the one of the 11th best players in wcbb which was her projection to start the season and she is still being left wide open by the top-tier teams. The Notre Dame defense was giving her wide open shots as well as Stanford. I expected her to grow during her jr year not remain near stagnant from last year. Notre Dame and Stanford aren't doing anything special with her on the halfcourt sets except they are much more quick/long/athetic to contest her when she gets in the lane. But they are leaving her wide open from the outside and she hasn't converted now vs two top tier teams that have the potential to knock us off in March/April.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I am a huge MoJeff fan, and expect her to be just fine..... The coacing staff will work with her and get the kinks out......

One thing I would like her to change is the baseline drive from the right side, which ends in her picking up her dribble in midair and depending on the pass to KML in left corner to be open..... opponents are frequently looking for this....

 

[HuskiesU]

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

 

[Billybonggg]

Mo-Jeff was fine. "But Billy, her man outscored her 31-0!" There are different components of winning. Jewell hoisted a ton of shots, at a low percentage to get those points and had a large number of turnovers. Mo will score when the situation dictates.

 

[watanabe]

Before we knock stewie, imagine what the game would be like without her. I dare say that our record might not be as good. Just a thought. Same with Mo Jett. Season's early yet.

 

[HuskyNan]

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.

 

[Intpseeker]

It's safe to say that Stewie will not be the GOAT, so can we please stop with all that nonsense? She will never be the reincarnation of Maya and/or D no matter how much we wish it so.

Could you share some of your stock picks, too? My portfolio could use a guaranteed boost.

 

[Stewie Fan]

I disagree. She really doesn't. She's well into her junior campaign and unless things change soon, yeah she will be remembered as a top 10 player, but won't be in the same club as Maya or D.

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

 

[OldAlum]

Re: Moriah
Maybe we need to revisit Bria Hartley's ND game last year. She played poorly. Doesn't change our long-term view of her as a UConn player. It happens. (And Moriah played well)
I thought Moriah played really well in FLA. I agree she needs to work on playing within herself. At this point I am not making any conclusions about her "disappointing junior year".

 

[psconn]

I am extremely disappointed in both Stewart and Jefferson - they have been so completely overhyped and their true natures are finally coming out! Jefferson is a turnover machine and really scoring challenged and Stewart, don't get me started. Add in the fact that KML obviously can't get through a season without getting sick and it just proves how pathetic the women's game is tat Uconn can still be ranked in the top 10. Thank goodness for the freshman!

OK - meds have kicked in and I got that panic out of my system!
I was worried when I first saw Moriah's 0-8 line that she had been jacking threes but most of her shots were blown layups - she had a really cold shooting day - it happens (ask DT.) And ND generally plays really good defense. Stewart was missing bunnies as well.
I think Uconn is still struggling to adapt their offensive this year to Dolson not being there (sort of like they struggled last year when Dolson was not on the floor.) They have trouble getting KML open, Stewart misses the entry passes and screens Dolson set, Moriah is playing with a freshman rather than a senior as her back court mate. Nurse is playing great, but Moriah had two years to develop a rapport with Bria and it will take some time to so the same with Nurse.

I agree that the impact of Dolson's high post play on 'O', and general presence on 'D', to Mo's past successes cannot be overestimated. Stef made Mo "Mo' betta". That said she is a very talented player and she and the coaches will figure it out.

 

[Suebird10fan]

I disagree. She really doesn't. She's well into her junior campaign and unless things change soon, yeah she will be remembered as a top 10 player, but won't be in the same club as Maya or D.

You're joking right?

 

[daisha]

Can anyone really explain the concept of being great all of the time? Once you are as good as your gonna get, you have attained your level of greatness. Perhaps Spitfire has become as good as she is gonna be, a high energy, defensive stalwart whose only threat to score comes from steals and out racing people to the basket... she's a game manager, not a floor general, nothing clutch, not a "go to" player. And on a team with emerging stars and proven performers, she just doesn't have to be any better than we may want her to be for UConn to win number 10...

 

[Sonny44]

You're joking right?

Yes, he is; he just doesn't realize it yet.

 

[daisha]

Even in the uC Davis game, she seemed different -- more passive, less explosive.
Then there was the Stanford debacle and the first half today. Really not effective at all, and pushing things too much on offense and making bad decisions.
She at least played better defense in the 2nd half, but still she was 0-8 with 5 turnovers.

I thought she'd be 2nd team AA this year. So far not even close. Odd and disconcerting.

Perhaps it's the hair?

Can anyone really explain the concept of being great all of the time? Once you are as good as your gonna get, you have attained your level of greatness. Perhaps Spitfire has become as good as she is gonna be, a high energy, defensive stalwart whose only threat to score comes from steals and out racing people to the basket... she's a game manager, not a floor general, nothing clutch, not a "go to" player. And on a team with emerging stars and proven performers, she just doesn't have to be any better than we may want her to be for UConn to win number 10..

 

[UcMiami]

A home run hitter that hits home runs off bad pitching and hits home runs when game is already won is nice but his hitting is an illusion when it comes to playoff time. The type of team that is going to beat us is a top 10 team --and in those two games so far MoJeff is 2-15 with just 6 points with 8 assists and five turnovers. It's on the thing to be doubled - in a way Stewie is. It's understandable if she was sick. Or if she is being gaurded by an elite player designed to shut her down. But that hasn't been the case.

MoJeff hasn't played like the one of the 11th best players in wcbb which was her projection to start the season and she is still being left wide open by the top-tier teams. The Notre Dame defense was giving her wide open shots as well as Stanford. I expected her to grow during her jr year not remain near stagnant from last year. Notre Dame and Stanford aren't doing anything special with her on the halfcourt sets except they are much more quick/long/athetic to contest her when she gets in the lane. But they are leaving her wide open from the outside and she hasn't converted now vs two top tier teams that have the potential to knock us off in March/April.

I total agree that Uconn is terrible against 'top ten' teams (the two they have played) - against everyone else they average 92.6 ppg and in regulation against top 10 teams their average is a measly 76.5. They average around 44% shooting against top 10 teams vs. their 55% against all others. I could go on and on to prove that Uconn against good teams is a statistical nightmare, sort of like home run hitters that strike out against and have fewer home runs against the best pitchers every year and seldom does the best offensive team win a world series, unless they also have exceptional defense and pitching.
The season is under 20% complete and the team is in transition as it is every year - but this year is a much more fundamental transition because of the specific players that have graduated. The team is still learning its identity on defense and offense. I just think this line of inquiry is way to early in the year and based on a very small sample size.

 

[hoophuskee]

I total agree that Uconn is terrible against 'top ten' teams (the two they have played) - against everyone else they average 92.6 ppg and in regulation against top 10 teams their average is a measly 76.5. They average around 44% shooting against top 10 teams vs. their 55% against all others. I could go on and on to prove that Uconn against good teams is a statistical nightmare, sort of like home run hitters that strike out against and have fewer home runs against the best pitchers every year and seldom does the best offensive team win a world series, unless they also have exceptional defense and pitching.
The season is under 20% complete and the team is in transition as it is every year - but this year is a much more fundamental transition because of the specific players that have graduated. The team is still learning its identity on defense and offense. I just think this line of inquiry is way to early in the year and based on a very small sample size.

1--- UCONN played well enough compartively vs the ND teams we've played in the past- so we aren't terrible vs top ten teams. I'm sure if there was an overall average of how much UCONN's overall individual stats for each player dropped from other teams other than ND vs ND in the last several years we'd see that MoJeff'ss offensive performnace was probably among the worst ever yet she is still being left wide open in halfcourt sets. At least for example Bria Hartley had an excuse between her injuries and being guarded by Diggins etc.

2--- While overall individual stats may drop vs top ten teams the degree they have dropped for one particular player on this team (vs the other 5) is horrific.

3--- We all look at stats differently. You can look at the stats you want - and I'll look at the stats I want and we can agree to disagree which stats to use - thta's no big deal. It's the beauty of the game-- just as "who is better DT or Maya etc." - which stats to use or what is beauty (eye test) in the eye of the beholder.

3A--- For me to further draw upon my analogy -- The home run hitter last year couldn't hit good pitching at the end of the season because it was found out that he couldn't hit curveball (i.e MoJeff vs these top teir teams is being left wide open because they don't think she can shoot.). To start the season thus far they are telling her the curveball is coming (and she had an entrie summer to work on it) and so far she can't hit it again.

IMO it is okay to bring this up. She still isn't hitting the curve. I have confidence she will break through too. But I don't see any problem talking about it on this board until she does.