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Message: [QUOTE="GirlBoo1020, post: 5050015, member: 13550"] I agree with a lot of this, disagree with some. Namely that I agree the same penetrating backcourts won't bother us as much this year I just don't agree with why. The addition of Chen and hopefully Jana (alongside a functional front court) will plug holes that caused our problems defensively last year. For as excellent of college defenders Aaliyah and Nika were, Aaliyah wasn't a rim protector or great helpside defender and Nika lacked the foot speed to keep up with quicker guards that want to get in the lane and are a threat to pass. Thats the reason I think she could handle Fair but no other guards similarly built. Personally I think we would have lost to Notre Dame if we had played them again in the tournament, despite the improvements defensively. The reason I think we will still match up poorly with South Carolina this year is their front court is quicker, stronger, more experienced than ours. Last year I think we lose by less if Cardoso is playing because we matched up better with them with her because we relied on neutralizing bigs with speed, can't do that when their frontcourt is too agile. Their backcourt, imo, is superior as well, even with a healthy Azzi. I don't think we have anyone that can stay out Fulwiley and Johnson while still staying out on their shooters (Johnson and PaoPao). My guess is this year the only way you can beat South Carolina by making them go big (which a team like UCLA might be able to do with Betts and crew) to neutralize some of the agility in their frontcourt or by putting their shooters on the bench with guards with speed (also something UCLA can do but potentially a tactic for Notre Dame). The third option is the default option for anyone and kind of what Indiana almost did but a team that can go unconscious from three is a dangerous for everyone, way too early to say if UConn has this potential given all the question marks and of the returning players, only Paige is a threat from three. To make this more inclusive of Non-Uconn fans, I think that USC/Notre Dame match up will tell us a lot. On paper, I think Notre Dame should win by 10+ points. No one on USC should be able to say in front of Notre Dame's backcourt and while Juju and Kiki will be a problem for Notre Dame, Notre Dame has more defenders that will give them trouble than the reverse. I think South Carolina would make quick work of USC so I am happy they are playing UCLA instead, that MIGHT be a game (though, I am skeptical of Close). South Carolina vs Notre Dame will also be really interesting, I don't think South Carolina played a backcourt last year as tough as Miles/Hildago will be this year, I think they might really have to rely on their post scoring that game to win that game. [/QUOTE]

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