Why did Maryland lose the Game?

[Rixxx]

OT would have been serious trouble for the Huskies.

 

[BroadwayVa]

You may be right about Slocum's game yesterday but she is way more athletic and a much better all around player then any of the Mabrey sisters could ever dream of being.....and that is coming from a NJ Shore Conference fan....

Credit given where credit was due!!!

 

[BroadwayVa]

This was one of my favorite games in a long time-have watched 3x already. While opinions always vary, don't share your opinions. This game could have gone either way but have to respect Maryland. Without a superhuman effort by KLS and some clutch shots by Chong, they had momentum at end. Their frosh were great and unlikely their upper classmen would be this poor again. While we likely would not have the same issues with fouls and illness, would not want to count on Huskies to shoot this well again.

Call the MD surge at end of game any name you'd like. The fact is : Uconn was in real foul trouble, KLS was very ill, Uconn had 19 points to start the final quarter---Geno told his kids to defend but loosely and avoid fouls--it worked until Collier picked up her 5th--at that point with less than 3 minutes in the game--Brenda fouled to stop the clock and Uconn only had the shooter on the foul line--everryone else was back under the MD shooting basket--
Was this Momentum or just that Geno was protecting his players?? When Uconn doesn't guard a top shooter --she usually scores--and Slocum got the pass. Geno in the final quarter was milking his lead and the clock--who became Geno's new found friend..

 

[Charliebball]

I'd sign up for UConn and Maryland meeting each other again in the Finals

 

[BroadwayVa]

I enjoyed watching Slocum's game more than the Maybrey sisters. She was the real deal at least last night.

I think we UCONN fans should appreciate the solid competition from a gamer. I did wince at some of the reffing but all in all we got everything we could ask for, a tough gutted out win! I am really enjoying watching the team this year because they have to and are earning each victory.

MD is always tough--Jones and Walker and now Slocum make them harder to defend--that's true!!
In the final quarter Geno produced a new modified game plan --called beat the clock and avoid fouls--Slocum is a shooter--when loosely guarded--Geno gave her that in the 4th--
If Uconn meets them again--with healthy players--the outcome shall be very different--with a wider score spread.

 

[TroyHouse66]

BroadVay
<<Geno in the final quarter was milking his lead and the clock...Geno's new found friend..>>

Man!
Ain't that clock-milk tasty, sweet stuff!
Leave it to Il Maestro to have a glass available AND keep it from going sour.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Just one quick serious question, before I strongly dissent. What team has pressed UCONN effectively in the last 2 dacades?
This year's version of the Huskies have 5 quality ball handlers and passers, pressing more than a token would have been suicidal for MD.

Notre Dame with Diggins against the KML / Doty team--they trapped Doty and Moriah. They pressed and trapped and darn it won.

 

[msf22b]

I actually thought she was a better coach, I'm learning more that she is not... Only time will tell, but this team will not go far this year unless they get better at half court offense

My dear
Time has told.

 

[BroadwayVa]

BroadVay
<<Geno in the final quarter was milking his lead and the clock...Geno's new found friend..>>

Man!
Ain't that clock-milk tasty, sweet stuff!
Leave it to Il Maestro to have a glass available AND keep it from going sour.

Many think MD scored easily in the Fourth Quarter because they developed "momentum" --they scored because Geno Milked the clock and told his kids to avoid fouls to the point of letting them score--smart coaching--but what else would you expect with Geno///

 

[hoophuskee]

This was one of my favorite games in a long time-have watched 3x already. While opinions always vary, don't share your opinions. This game could have gone either way but have to respect Maryland. Without a superhuman effort by KLS and some clutch shots by Chong, they had momentum at end. Their frosh were great and unlikely their upper classmen would be this poor again. While we likely would not have the same issues with fouls and illness, would not want to count on Huskies to shoot this well again.

\

Huh?

How do you propose they can stop Gabby from driving? Or will they put Jones on Collier? You think Jones can defend either?

Why would you think Lou couldn't do better than 8-17 from the floor and 4-11 from 3? What is that they did in this game that affected her shot so much and with her being so sick, why do you think they can do better n her when she is healthy?

 

[BroadwayVa]

You press for two reasons.

1-- Is to speed up the game
2-- You press so you can force the other team ot take several seconds more off the shot clock hoping it takes them a little longer to set up the half court offense.

Brenda did the 2nd option above.

In your opinion your strategy might work depending on how sick the UCONN players were. But imo it wouldn't work and is way too much of a risk. IMO you are way overrating "depth" and underrating "quality." UCONN has multiple ball handlers so the chance they got worn down significantly is minimal. Plus BJones is too slow. In the back of the press she's not going to pick off any passes. UCONN would always have an easy outlet. If the ball ever got to the top of the key or foul line, BJones would be at the mercy of multiple players attacking her at the back of a zone. You are putting her on an island/ high risk. Unless you don't think it that important BJones is in the game?

And secondly I'm sure UCONN would have loved Md to play their halfcourt sets without Slocum. That's what you'd be doing because if MD goes full court press trying to utilize "pressure." Slocum would have to be out for quite a while in order to keep up the intensity of the press. If you have a bunch of second stringers in there without their pg. I believe UConn would welcome that option. How are they going to run their offense effectively when they have most of their bench in without their top pg?

Plus you are inviting UCONN to beat the press with the 3ball. What did they say last night about UCONN's shooting the 3? Is it 4th in the nation? The press opens the 3 ball plus it opens the opportunity for the many passers/ ball handlers on UCONN to put potential foul trouble on BJones now that a she is left alone in the back on an island.

Uconn tends to use option 3 of the press---to get them to play faster, and thus create turnovers for easy scores. Muffet uses it to shake up the weaker (usually Frosh) players and tie them up or steal the ball . (is that option 4?)

 

[tomcat]

OT would have been serious trouble for the Huskies.

OT would have made it the Stanford game, all over again.

 

[CocoHusky]

The game yesterday was a game of survival . UConn had 7 players, two were in foul trouble, and at least one was sick. Maryland played a few minutes of up tempo ball and scored easily. They have several athletic guards... Charles,Walker Kimbrough, Watson, and Slocum. A man to man press did not have to force turnovers, it could have worn the guards down, and gotten a charge or two. Watson got a key steal at the end of the second quarter pressing.... it might have been a 4 or 5 point swing in the halftime score.

Don't think so. Watson got a steal and a layup from a UCONN side out of bounds on a poor pass by Kia she was not pressing because she was behind KLS in the UCONN half of the court when the play started. The swing was 2 points.

 

[CocoHusky]

When Maryland was going up-tempo ( fast breaking on made baskets) and running every chance they could the UConn guards were dead tired and did not get back. Frazier can run, Jones did not need to play 40 minutes.
I know UConn does not commit many charges (or foul), however the officials yesterday were whistle happy... to MD's benifit

Let me tell you something about Ms Fraser-she is defensively indifferent, a major buzz kill, and a poor teammate. when the replay video gets posted you will see why I say this. At the 2:38 mark of the fourth quarter the lead was 7 and MD had two consecutive stops and and opportunity to cut into the lead. When UCONN got possession you need to watch Fraser closely because she literally takes herself out of the play and gives up a layup to Napheesa. Fraser was not screened on the play Napheesa just cut the basket. Fraser recovered in time but did nothing to prevent the layup. Fraser then turned around and started yelling at her teammate (Charles?) like it was her fault. Brenda correctly call a timeout and promptly yanked Fraser out of the game. I'm not advocating violence or any players getting hurt, but if you are trying to win that game Napheesa ends up on her butt and has to go to the foul line to earn those two points.

 

[Bajan Best]

This system worked for years for Tennessee - only the LVs played better defense. I'm talking vintage Lady Vols, not the current edition.

You are absolutely correct...
It wont have much success against the current leader of the pack though..

 

[Bajan Best]

Slocum played this game the same way Danger played against Baylor. Uconn fans had no problem with Danger hitting the 3s now did they? Slocum player great especially for a freshman.

Sorry I Totally disagree...
Dangerfield 3's and scoring were in the flow of running a half-court offense, where as for the most part in Maryland's game Against UCONN Destiny's was primarily an individual effort with little or no ball movement..

 

[Bajan Best]

Post like this give UCONN fans a bad name. No different from a low brow MD fan.

Constructive criticism sir, you don't have to agree with it..
Before the game played I actually thought Maryland was a serious contender, Huskynan said it best Maryland is playing like Tennessee of past years without the good defense..

I would like to ask this question for all of you who don't seem to get where I'm coming from;
Who is the better point Guard and why, Sue Bird or Diana Taurasi ?

 

[Bajan Best]

This was one of my favorite games in a long time-have watched 3x already. While opinions always vary, don't share your opinions. This game could have gone either way but have to respect Maryland. Without a superhuman effort by KLS and some clutch shots by Chong, they had momentum at end. Their frosh were great and unlikely their upper classmen would be this poor again. While we likely would not have the same issues with fouls and illness, would not want to count on Huskies to shoot this well again.

LOL, we are on this fan site, NOT TO SHARE OUR OPINIONS? ..
I will respect players and teams who earn my respect..
As a team Maryland lost my respect in that game and now have to earn it back.. I am not impressed with this years version of Maryland team.. they have talented players individually.. until they prove to me that they can play together as a unit for 30+ mins at both ends of the court i will remain UN-impressed..

 

[HuskiesU]

This was one of my favorite games in a long time-have watched 3x already. While opinions always vary, don't share your opinions. This game could have gone either way but have to respect Maryland. Without a superhuman effort by KLS and some clutch shots by Chong, they had momentum at end. Their frosh were great and unlikely their upper classmen would be this poor again. While we likely would not have the same issues with fouls and illness, would not want to count on Huskies to shoot this well again.

How could this game either way when Uconn was up the whole game and big leads. Uconn shoots good every game. I dont count on charles and Solcum playing like they played. I want to see how they play on the road against a good team because their non confrrnce schedule is weak.
Uconn was never threaten in this game as the biggest leauge was 19 and Maryland couldnt get it under 5. What Maryland didnt do was give up once the lead got larger. Maryland is good but still dont think they are a final 4 team.

 

[HuskiesU]

I'd sign up for UConn and Maryland meeting each other again in the Finals

I want to see Uconn and Baylor again.

 

[Bajan Best]

 

[Bestiarius]

A big factor in UCONN's favor is the coaching staff's ability to diagnose what is wrong and how to fix it. Many of these adjustments are very small and not noticeable, but they result in big benefits. It's probably Geno's doing for the most part, but wouldn't it be wonderful if Shea and Marisa were the source of a high percentage of the observations? That would bode well for the team post Geno & CD.

 

[WiseOne]

Uhhhhhhhh....BECAUSE UCONN WON!!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

Constructive criticism sir, you don't have to agree with it..
Before the game played I actually thought Maryland was a serious contender, Huskynan said it best Maryland is playing like Tennessee of past years without the good defense..

By the way, I don't mean to knock either Tennessee or Maryland. Pat Summitt's strategy worked because she, like Geno, recruited kids whose abilities matched the system or fine-tuned the system to match the abilities. The players also 100% bought into PHS's style of play and worked hard at it, as do the Maryland players. The current problem with Tennessee is that Holly is trying to imprint PHS's style of play on kids whose talents don't suit it and she's too stubborn to adjust.

Anywho, the way Maryland plays isn't "bad", Frese just needs to tinker her players' positioning on defense.

 

[Charliebball]

By the way, I don't mean to knock either Tennessee or Maryland. Pat Summitt's strategy worked because she, like Geno, recruited kids whose abilities matched the system or fine-tuned the system to match the abilities. The players also 100% bought into PHS's style of play and worked hard at it, as do the Maryland players. The current problem with Tennessee is that Holly is trying to imprint PHS's style of play on kids whose talents don't suit it and she's too stubborn to adjust.

Anywho, the way Maryland plays isn't "bad", Frese just needs to tinker her players' positioning on defense.

Tinkering may help but defense is as much about the desire to work hard at it as anything else.........if even one player on the floor is less then 100% committed you'll see easy baskets if the opposing team is as offensively gifted as UConn.........if nothing else this season has shown that it will take more then sheer physical ability to take down the Huskies

 

[dwalks93]

Ok, let me start off by saying I was impressed with Maryland. I was at the game and the crowd was crazy. Maryland is a very solid talented team and legitimate Final 4 team. All that said, Maryland had everything lined up to beat UConn and could not get it done. If they play again, UConn will beat them even more significantly.

So let's look at how Maryland had UConn set up...
1. A crazy, loud arena filled with Terp fans.
2. A sickened UConn team which was less than 100%. The most obvious was KLS but Collier looked sick as well
3. Maryland was able to get both UConn low post players in 1st half foul trouble. UConn is small but Gabby and Collier are a formidable low post tandem. But it requires both of them in the game to control the glass....
4. A phenomenal game out of Slocum and Charles. No doubt they are both great players but getting 40+ points out of your Freshman will not happen every night.
5. A usually exceptional free throw shooting team in UConn having an off night and missing a lot of free throws.

Yet, in spite of all these advantage, UConn lead the whole game and won by at least 2 possessions. It won't get any better than the above for Maryland.

If I was a Maryland fan I'd be worried about the effect of this game. IMO too many Maryland players, fans and sportswriters are looking at this competitive loss like it was a win. Playing close should not be the standard if you want to be a champion. There is no "victorious loss" in this world....a loss should make a team hungrier and I'm not hearing that in Maryland's comments.

 

[PhillyCoach]

Many think MD scored easily in the Fourth Quarter because they developed "momentum" --they scored because Geno Milked the clock and told his kids to avoid fouls to the point of letting them score--smart coaching--but what else would you expect with Geno///

Hey Broadway - Happy New Year! I totally agree with your post. Geno "let them have the opportunity to score" and Maryland (Slocum) took advantage of it. Yes, milking the clock was a nice move. IMO Geno was very conscious of the possibility that Maryland could score more, but he KNEW that Maryland had a porous defense and UConn could match score for score. So, no fouls, kill the clock, and tit for tat---UConn wins. When a team has a great offense (5 double figure scorers) and a great defense (the best switch defense by far) and the best coaching staff ( CD, Shea, Marisa, and Cloe included) --- How the heck do you beat them?

 

[BroadwayVa]

Hey Broadway - Happy New Year! I totally agree with your post. Geno "let them have the opportunity to score" and Maryland (Slocum) took advantage of it. Yes, milking the clock was a nice move. IMO Geno was very conscious of the possibility that Maryland could score more, but he KNEW that Maryland had a porous defense and UConn could match score for score. So, no fouls, kill the clock, and tit for tat---UConn wins. When a team has a great offense (5 double figure scorers) and a great defense (the best switch defense by far) and the best coaching staff ( CD, Shea, Marisa, and Cloe included) --- How the heck do you beat them?

Thanks Coach--your agreement means a lot.
Happy New Year---May you and your loved ones be safe and happy the whole year through!!

 

[Zanzman]

I love how the boneyarders always know what Geno and the coaches are thinking and saying to the players .

 

[Bajan Best]

Hey Broadway - Happy New Year! I totally agree with your post. Geno "let them have the opportunity to score" and Maryland (Slocum) took advantage of it. Yes, milking the clock was a nice move. IMO Geno was very conscious of the possibility that Maryland could score more, but he KNEW that Maryland had a porous defense and UConn could match score for score. So, no fouls, kill the clock, and tit for tat---UConn wins. When a team has a great offense (5 double figure scorers) and a great defense (the best switch defense by far) and the best coaching staff ( CD, Shea, Marisa, and Cloe included) --- How the heck do you beat them?

You are the coach, thought you were going to provide the answer
If you are fortunate to have the talent that Maryland had, you beat them by making them work extremely hard on defense for the entire shot clock by moving the ball , so that their legs aren't fresh enough to score on offense.. and hit a ton of threes on offense.. A ploy Villanova use to try every year with some limited success..
easier said than done though...