Who is going to step up for us in our Quest for 12?

[jabstep]

We have the players to take us all the way this year. We are the healthiest we have been in years. Will it be Paige, Sara, Azzi, or our smothering defensive pressure?
I think it will be a combination of all of the above What do you think?

 

[Dugway]

I think those three will certainly do their part, but the bench will be the key to it.

The games will be played basically every other day, and UConn will want to play fast paced, high pressure defense, with run-outs in a transition game. Fatiguing style of play for both the opponent but UConn as well.

We are not just a team of six or seven players this year. The bench will continue to get a bunch of play time. High pressure defense, gathering up rebounds, taking care of the ball, and playing consistent controlled offense; that all is accomplished at a much higher level if the players are not so fatigued. Or certainly less fatigued than the opponents players!

 

[Husky fanatic]

Ash has to score and Jana has to play smart foul free defense.

 

[Kaizen]

Paige is always great but Sarah will step-up for the quest of 12.

 

[bantamlaker]

I don’t know about the early rounds but I expect when the going gets tough it will be Paige and Sarah that will lead this team to the promised land.

 

[Conndog]

Ash has to score and Jana has to play smart foul free defense.

Ash is super important- if she is shooting well, then a sharpshooter is always going to be open- could be Ash or Azzi or Paige or Sarah, but they will light it up. Rebounding as always will be key too

 

[Bone Dog]

I think those three will certainly do their part, but the bench will be the key to it.

The games will be played basically every other day, and UConn will want to play fast paced, high pressure defense, with run-outs in a transition game. Fatiguing style of play for both the opponent but UConn as well.

We are not just a team of six or seven players this year. The bench will continue to get a bunch of play time. High pressure defense, gathering up rebounds, taking care of the ball, and playing consistent controlled offense; that all is accomplished at a much higher level if the players are not so fatigued. Or certainly less fatigued than the opponents players!

So true! I rewatched the Sweet Sixteen game against Duke from last season yesterday. By the 4th quarter both teams were exhausted, and UConn was maybe even more tired. It was almost difficult to watch, especially with the sense of foreboding about what would happen in the final four game against Iowa in my mind. I’m even more amazed that they were able to hold off USC, given how tired they seemed against Duke. I have high hopes for the team this time around if they can avoid having to wear themselves out again.

 

[boontonbomber]

I'm expecting Azzi to get serious now. Hopefully she will stop playing so much second fiddle to Paige, and take more shots. And hopefully the team (Geno, Paige) looks to get her much more involved. Paige, Sarah will continue to do their thing. I don't think that the others have much more than they've shown this season. We all know we haven't yet seen Azzi. If we do, they win.
Yikes! Of course , Aubrey is the other difference maker. Oh that she is healthy.

 

[Bigboote]

There are two overall keys: 1) the team can't all (or most) go cold in the same game. 2) Aubrey. If she can stay healthy for 2+weeks, the combination of her, Shade, and Arnold off the bench will be hard for an opponent to handle.

We know what to expect from Paige and have a very good idea what to expect from Sarah.

Azzi, KK, and Ashlynn have all been consistent on defense. Kaitlyn has greatly improved on defense. UConn needs two of them to be shooting well each game.

On defense, Jana and Ice need to keep the opposing post far enough from the basket to allow help to come while it's still effective. Jana needs to keep hold of the ball when going for a rebound. If Ice can sink a couple of 10-15 footers, that's always a good sign. She's shown flashes of using both hands near the basket; let's hope she makes a shot over each shoulder.

 

[Inthepaint]

Our guards are as good or better than anybody’s , and the whole WBB world knows what Paige is capable of when the chips are down.
The key thing to watch ( IMHO) is our post play on offense AND defense.
Will the combo of Jana, Ice, Aubrey & Sarah control the paint & the glass?
If so, look for Geno to cut down the nets once more

 

[Rowdy831]

In my opinion you have three solid players (consistent) and you have a bunch of capable players that aren't so consistent. In a tournament like this you don't need much help from the three if they do their thing but in certain matchups you will. When they play UCLA they will need the post players to play really good defense and stay on the court. Against teams like ND they will need the support players to come in and be able to contain the guard play.

UConn has a great roster and they have all had sufficient time on the floor this season to be contributers. I think you may see Geno go more with the hot hand as they go deeper in the tournament, at least the bench players. Paige has already decided she is going to play at a different level, now Azzi needs to do the same thing and Sarah needs to be Sarah.

I really think this tournament is UConn's to lose. I like the team and I think they got a tough draw but a draw that they match up with very evenly.

 

[Zarathustra]

Who will step up? === EVERYBODY, in their own way!
I expect to see Jonathan leading the charge! GO HUSKIES!
One Jonathan is worth more than any number of RED WOLVES!
I do not expect a dog fight!

 

[jabstep]

I hope Geno gets all the players some time on the court, especially the freshmen to get their feet wet. We need to have fresh legs as we get deeper into the tournament. Aubrey needs some time to get comfortable again. Boy was she a force just before her latest setback. We got the goods this year. Let's go out and show everyone we are ready. If we play like we did against South Carolina they will start to fear UConn again!!!!!!

 

[baggerbob]

I'm expecting Azzi to get serious now. Hopefully she will stop playing so much second fiddle to Paige, and take more shots. And hopefully the team (Geno, Paige) looks to get her much more involved. Paige, Sarah will continue to do their thing. I don't think that the others have much more than they've shown this season. We all know we haven't yet seen Azzi. If we do, they win.
Yikes! Of course , Aubrey is the other difference maker. Oh that she is healthy.

Azzi and Aubrey will key the run to number 12. Paige will show up as she always does.
Sarah will play well, but she is still a youngster. I don't expect her to pull a Stewie and be the best player in the tournament.
If Paige had played with Stewie's team the entire tournament would have been over before it started.

 

[jabstep]

Well, the defense was amazing, and I think the other teams will realize that Azzi is back. Sarah is an amazing defensive player. Usually, it takes a year or so for offensive high school stars to keep players in front of them and man-to-man switch and anticipate the passing lanes. Sarah had it coming in, and now she is amazing. Our defensive intensity certainly showed up. I think Geno has them ready!!!!

 

[Next 12]

EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!

 

[packwrap]

Agree with all. Azzi, Ash, KK, Chen: what we get from this group in support of Paige/Sarah is most critical element.

Aubrey is the secret difference maker. I was thrilled to see her yesterday. Throughout her whole career her impact tends to come in dramatic
flurries.

ie.
1- amazing catch on fast break saving a turnover, and getting 2 points.
2- block, gets ball herself and makes outlet pass for fast break, 2 points.
3- steal with outlet pass, follows as trailer and gets rebound on missed jumper for putback, 2 points.

Boom, 6-0 run for UConn and start of another good +/- for Aubrey.

Add that she can defend either best opposing guard, or BIG, and she is an amazing tool for Geno. She also can do this against even the top opponents.

Can't wait for Monday and rest of tourney.

 

[astute]

I like your enthusiasm and maybe they will get #12. Just bear in mind they haven't play a team with a pulse in over a month, and their last 6 games have been in the state of Connecticut.
I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist.

 

[baggerbob]

Agree with all. Azzi, Ash, KK, Chen: what we get from this group in support of Paige/Sarah is most critical element.

Aubrey is the secret difference maker. I was thrilled to see her yesterday. Throughout her whole career her impact tends to come in dramatic
flurries.

ie.
1- amazing catch on fast break saving a turnover, and getting 2 points.
2- block, gets ball herself and makes outlet pass for fast break, 2 points.
3- steal with outlet pass, follows as trailer and gets rebound on missed jumper for putback, 2 points.

Boom, 6-0 run for UConn and start of another good +/- for Aubrey.

Add that she can defend either best opposing guard, or BIG, and she is an amazing tool for Geno. She also can do this against even the top opponents.

Can't wait for Monday and rest of tourney.

She is one of those players who can defend 1-5 and do a good job.
Aubrey would be a welcome addition on any team. Her defense sets her apart from most all players.

 

[Javafan]

The title is " Who IS going to be,,,,,,", Its Paige : She got to WANT and ABLE to get 30+ in the FF.
The rest is Sarah, ALWAYS reliable , plus Azzi, and the ALWAYS SOLID defense ! ! !

 

[Skeets]

Our guards are as good or better than anybody’s , and the whole WBB world knows what Paige is capable of when the chips are down.
The key thing to watch ( IMHO) is our post play on offense AND defense.
Will the combo of Jana, Ice, Aubrey & Sarah control the paint & the glass?
If so, look for Geno to cut down the nets once more

If and when it has to be done Paige will do it. We've seen it. Otherwise, everyone eats in excellent team basketball.

 

[BBallF]

Ash. 8-12 points a game off the bench changes everything.

 

[jabstep]

The Big three showed up tonight and I have to give KK a step up because her defense changed the game tonight.
Paige left Gampel in style with her performance tonight. Sara and Azzi Scored and played their usual great defense.
The next game we need Jana and Ice to step up and control Beers and Sara if necessary. I gets a little harder and more competitive each game. GoHuskies!!!!