Who Guards Aari McDonald or What Defense does Geno Come Up With.

[blackbird]

If Nika can play, Nika.
If she isn’t playing, Williams mostly with Evina spelling her at times.

 

[Bald Husky]

We can't be overconfident!! Don't forget Mississippi State. The present team didn't experience that loss, so lets just chill and hope that Geno can keep them grounded.

 

[Gurleyman]

McDonald is a much different player that Clark. Smaller and shiftier, but needs more space to get shots off. The strategy should be a little different. I don’t think anyone we have can necessarily stay with her off the bounce, so the key will be to funnel her where we want her to go and into help defense. I don’t think she’s going to make many runners over ONO and AE, so take away the step back where she creates space and force her to see multiple defenders. She was effective driving and finding three-point shooters against Indiana, so knowing who to sag off of outside is also important - and keeping high and wide hands in the passing lanes for deflections.

She’s been shooting well lately, but I’d still consider forcing her to make one or two before selling out running her off the line - she’s been inconsistent behind the arc this year, and Final Four pressure could be a thing. But if she hits one or two, you have to make her a driver - and our help defenders need to challenge without fouling.

 

[Fossil]

What! I completely disagree with that. Clark clearly is better than McDonald and I doubt Az would have an advantage at any other position either.

While I agree that Clark is better then McDonald the AP and coaches polls have Arizona highly ranked and Iowa is not top 25. They are very good but Az. Was better this year.

 

[Gurleyman]

While I agree that Clark is better then McDonald the AP and coaches polls have Arizona highly ranked and Iowa is not top 25. They are very good but Az. Was better this year.

Defense is why. Arizona defends very well (they’ve only given up more than 60 points twice in the last 15 games - one went OT and one was 62 to Stanford), and Iowa is the worst in the country at it. If McDonald scores 30 and they hold their opponent to 60, games become pretty winnable. If Clark scores 30 and Iowa gives up 90, they need a lot more.

 

[DEpup]

What about pulling out some tricks from the South Florida Courtney Williams years.... I'm sure Geno can build on some strategies they used to slow her down just a few years ago.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Arizona can't guard UCONN's bigs, won't be able to stop Bueckers or Williams, 30 plus point win with UCONN scoring in the 90's!

As an Arizona fan I'm more willing to concede the possibility of a 30 point loss than the possibility of allowing 90.

Arizona is a good defensive team. Largely, it is a defensive team, the offense is variable and inconsistent at best.

If - and it is a big if - Arizona can stay out of foul trouble - then Connecticut - if they indeed win big and they can - would be because of the Connecticut defense, which is no slouch either.

 

[HopJim]

I wonder if the NCAA said anything to Paige and Caitlin on the hugging after the game?

They were guarding each other closely during the game. Does a post game hug really matter?

 

[Artifact]

I am surprised to hear that Arizona player 'McDonald' is a 6th year graduate playing student ! At this stage, should she not be playing in the women's 'pro league' ?

 

[nwhoopfan]

I am surprised to hear that Arizona player 'McDonald' is a 6th year graduate playing student ! At this stage, should she not be playing in the women's 'pro league' ?

She's not. This is her 5th year, she sat out one season after transferring following her Fr. season.

You're gonna be disappointed next season, there are gonna be a bunch of 6th year players, and even at least one 7th year player (at Indiana).

 

[Charliebball]

While I don't really expect it to be close, Baptiste is not the only threat. While no one compares to Aari, the truth of the matter from someone who has seen Arizona every national TV game - and last year frequently live - Thomas, Puello and especially Reese are capable of being threats. One of the reasons that Arizona was a 3 seed is that they are not consistent and rarely firing on all cylinders. Aari is not consistent, either.

But those 3 can all hit unexpected timely shots.

right you are...............if their streaky shooters get hot they can keep the game close and possibly even pull out a win.............if they're cold UConn by 15 pts easy.............