Why the DePaul game was great for Uconn

[Jronp]

1. Katie Lou has arrived! Under that pressure she didn't blink. Saw this coming from her after last game. You can see it in her eyes.
2. They were tired and flat, physically and mentally and played poorly, but pulled it together.
3. DePaul played great. Brilliant game plan.....but so much luck. They hit almost everything they threw up.
4. Showed that with this team they can adjust to almost anything with their versatility.
5. Got to work against a aggressive pressure trapping defense and finally figured out how to execute in the latter stages.
6. Now knows what to do when team plays small ball against them.
7.Closed it out strong when they had too.
*Saniya c'mon dear! You are a junior...lets go!

 

[mrmojack]

I think DePaul played great. They gave the Huskies a good tough game. Everything they threw
up in the first half went in. I have to give them credit, they are a tough out. Once their transfers get
in the mix, they will be a really good team.

Notre Dame also had to tough out a close win against OSU tonight.

 

[donalddoowop]

Saniya played fine. There were a number of UCONN players who did not play well tonight; a number who missed layups, including Stewart. No one player should be pointed out as not playing good ball tonight.

 

[Jronp]

1. Katie Lou has arrived! Under that pressure she didn't blink. Saw this coming from her after last game. You can see it in her eyes.
2. They were tired and flat, physically and mentally and played poorly, but pulled it together.
3. DePaul played great. Brilliant game plan.....but so much luck. They hit almost everything they threw up.
4. Showed that with this team they can adjust to almost anything with their versatility.
5. Got to work against a aggressive pressure trapping defense and finally figured out how to execute in the latter stages.
6. Now knows what to do when team plays small ball against them.
7.Closed it out strong when they had too.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Kudos to DePaul and to Coach Bruno..... good game plan

 

[Jronp]

Saniya played fine. There were a number of UCONN players who did not play well tonight; a number who missed layups, including Stewart. No one player should be pointed out as not playing good ball tonight.

Not really calling her out. Would like to see more poise out of a junior guard. Than a freshman. She was pulled for Katie Lou down the stretch. But didn't mean it harshly.

 

[Aluminny69]

Just as the Stanford game last year served to focus UConn players to pay attention to details, this game should serve the same purpose. I have UConn's record now at 89-1 in the last 90 games.

 

[alexrgct]

Competitive games are nice wake-up calls. UConn won't waltz in to every game and win by 40+. As is, the Huskes got a 16-point win, or still ahead of Uconn's 11-point victory over Baylor in 2014,

Good team effort despite the uncharacteristic missed bunnies. Nice to see so many double digit scorers, including KLS.

UConn could always use an identity. By getting the wakeup call and prevailing, Geno probably has his team's identity. Meanwhile, the Irish must be struggling to find theirs what with ND's unfortunate injuries...

 

[Kaizen]

Remember KLS only played 12 mins ===> 10 pts, no TO

 

[Carnac]

The 5 posters above pretty much said what I was going to say. They beat me to the punch. I have just a few observations:

1. This was by far the best (and fun to watch) game the huskies have played thus far. They were challenged tonight. DePaul pushed the pace, and ran with them most of the night. Its the kind of game you watch again several more times.

2. Lots of lay ups and shots under the basket were missed by UConn.

3. What a timely precursor to Saturday's game against Notre Dame (who squeaked by Ohio State tonight 75-72). This was just the kind of 40 minute workout the huskies needed before facing the Irish.

4. Both coaches stuck with their game plans. As usual, UConn began to pull away in the second half.

5. DePaul can shoot 3's (13/29 - 44.8%). Most of the 3's they shot in the 1st half went in, not so much in the 2d half. Only 3 teams scored 70 points last year against UConn (Stanford (88), Dayton & USF).

6. Another 40+ point blowout would have not been as beneficial to the team as this one. I loved the back and forth scoring in the first half. Geno only went 8 deep tonight, but those 8 got a great workout.

7. One thing I do know, ND can not / will not replicate the kind of speed and ball pressure for 40 minutes like DePaul did tonight. They don't have the personnel, and its not their style. Whatever the Irish throw at UConn Saturday will be a relief from what they saw tonight. Go Huskies.

 

[UcMiami]

I thought Lou actually replaced Williams/Collier neither of who were that effective in the second half. Thought Chong gave good cover for Kia who also wasn't having a brilliant game.

Also, just a minor thought - when you hit nothing but net, I don't think you can term the shots 'chucks' or 'throws' - they were uncharacteristically accurate, but they were balanced shots taken in the flow, and I don't remember any of the makes hitting iron or the backboard. great shooting, lucky shooting, whatever, but definitely shooting.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Just as the Stanford game last year served to focus UConn players to pay attention to details, this game should serve the same purpose. I have UConn's record now at 89-1 in the last 90 games.

Yup. And that's 89 games where the lowest MOV is 11.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Reposting this as it fits here also:

This was a great lead-in for the ND game! Tough, fast pace, close till the end, young kids Samuelson & Collier got valuable time in, Saniya did well, our vets played like vets! Too fast paced for Natalie to get first action!

 

[DaddyChoc]

Not really calling her out. Would like to see more poise out of a junior guard. Than a freshman. She was pulled for Katie Lou down the stretch. But didn't mean it harshly.

Chong got pulled because she made a bad pass... rightfully deserved! and if KLS is playing well, whether she's a freshman or senior, she deserved to be in the game

 

[DaddyChoc]

I thought Lou actually replaced Williams/Collier neither of who were that effective in the second half. Thought Chong gave good cover for Kia who also wasn't having a brilliant game.

Also, just a minor thought - when you hit nothing but net, I don't think you can term the shots 'chucks' or 'throws' - they were uncharacteristically accurate, but they were balanced shots taken in the flow, and I don't remember any of the makes hitting iron or the backboard. great shooting, lucky shooting, whatever, but definitely shooting.

I agree... the purpose is for the ball to go into the hoop, underhand or otherwise, isnt luck. Depaul needs to be given credit

 

[Tonyc]

What was great about this game was as unconscience as DePaul shot the ball, hustled, and never let up playing at a pace in the first half that was like having 5 Mojeffs on the floor UConn never lost their poise didn't play in fear and maintained their chemistry to pull it out. The lesson UConn takes from this is to play at their pace. The outstanding shooting, the high DePaul players were on in the first half caught UConn by surprise. In the future which starts Saturday UConn will maintain their pace a very important lesson learned. I don't think there is another team in WCBB who can shoot like DePaul did last night which imo is tuff for future UConn opponents.

 

[huskeynut]

Well for those who hate blowouts, this game should have been a joy to watch.

Give credit were credit is due. Doug Bruno and DePaul came to play and had a great game plan. Yes, they shot lights out from 3 point range and they may not do that again all year. And some of those shots were from well beyond the arc and hit nothing but net! Doug knows Geno and how he coaches and runs his offense and defense. Only Doug could have put this gameplan together and almost succeed.

And let give equal credit to UCONN and Geno and staff. They didn't wilt under the onslaught. They battled the entire game. Stewie was magnificent and a beast the entire game. Lou came off the bench in the 4th quarter and became the difference maker. Great poise for a freshman in such a game, especially after her earlier performance in the game. Morgan battled under the boards and got valuable points at the right time.

Are there lessons to be learned from this game? Absolutely! Will the lessons be learned? Absolutely. Geno will make sure of that.

Basketball is a team game. On any given night, you don't know what you are going to run into. But we should know that on any given night, UCONN has the talent to rise to the top. Pick your poison if you must. But know teams knows who is going the be the one to torch our opponents.

Now onto ND!

 

[mhshuskies]

Not really calling her out. Would like to see more poise out of a junior guard. Than a freshman. She was pulled for Katie Lou down the stretch. But didn't mean it harshly.

Saniya played well and Lou was in for Gabby.

 

[Jronp]

Saniya played well and Lou was in for Gabby.

She did well until the fourth quarter when she panicked and threw the ball away and that's when Geno subbed for Lou. But I'm for Saniya!

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I don't think there is another team in WCBB who can shoot like DePaul did last night which imo is tuff for future UConn opponents.

DePaul's shooting wasn't THAT great. 13-29 is certainly very good, but not preposterously so. Four seasons ago Purdue was 13-22 from three against UConn and lost by 34. When Louisville upset Baylor the Cardinals were 16-21 from three at one point in the game.

UConn didn't get a lot of free points last night, and committed more mistakes than we are used to seeing. Offensive rebounding made the difference for the Huskies as much as anything.

 

[Beemer]

DePaul had a great game plan and they executed it very well. I'm sure UConn's opponents took a lot of notes last night.

 

[Roundball fan]

Great game to watch, DePaul brought it to us and I give them a lot of credit for their game plan. With all that pressure ( first time this year ) the girls adjusted and finest the job. Stewie was great, she is without a doubt the best player in the country, Morgan was big in stretches and had some big rebounds in the 4th quarter, Mo did a great job controlling pace the second half. I think the girls and the fans learned a lot about the team last night. UConn can adjust to any game plan and we have the players to do that. Collier and KLS were super in a game that was very competitive, welcome to the big time girls. Just a fun game for the team and fans.













9











9

 

[Roundball fan]

Great game to watch, DePaul brought it to us and I give them a lot of credit for their game plan. With all that pressure ( first time this year ) the girls adjusted and finest the job. Stewie was great, she is without a doubt the best player in the country, Morgan was big in stretches and had some big rebounds in the 4th quarter, Mo did a great job controlling pace the second half. I think the girls and the fans learned a lot about the team last night. UConn can adjust to any game plan and we have the players to do that. Collier and KLS were super in a game that was very competitive, welcome to the big time girls. Just a fun game for the team and fans.

























9

 

[WestCoastFan]

The 5 posters above pretty much said what I was going to say. They beat me to the punch. I have just a few observations:

Lots of lay ups and shots under the basket were missed by UConn.

Amen!

My observation:

--UConn is playing against itself. Think CMMI Level 5 (for those of us who worked for or in DoD). Continual improvement is their goal. Doesn't matter if they win by 16 or 60.

This doesn't happen often. Enjoy the ride!

 

[meyers7]

DePaul's shooting wasn't THAT great. 13-29 is certainly very good, but not preposterously so.

It's preposterous enough to tie the most 3 pts given up...ever.

UConn didn't get a lot of free points last night, and committed more mistakes than we are used to seeing. Offensive rebounding made the difference for the Huskies as much as anything.

Free points? You mean 3 pts? or FT's?