Worst Game

[browns]

Most of us seem to agree they should have held the ball until a few seconds remained. They all made mistakes thru the game,but IMO the biggest reason they lost was because of the uncharacteristic play of Napheesa. She has been an absolute joy to watch all year and I doubt Uconn would have gotten to the Final Four without her. Her consistency every game was amazing. Unfortunately her worse all around game had to be this one. If she had played to her usual norm I feel Uconn wins by 8-10 points. Besides her terrible shooting(her strength) she just seemed out of sorts the whole game.

 

[HuskyNan]

Teams win and teams lose, not players. It's just wrong to pin the loss on any one player.

 

[BostonCanuck]

I actually concur, and I hope this doesn't come across like I am blaming her for the loss, because I'm not. There were a lot of factors that went into the outcome, not the least of which was the outstanding game plan and execution of Mississippi State. But in terms of what was controllable by us, and there are many factors, it was Pheesa's failure to perform over the course of the entire game at her previous level that was perhaps the most damaging. Such an essential ingredient to the team's success to that point, suddenly not there.

 

[HuskyNan]

Saniya, senior, played well for 99% of the game
Gabby, junior, amazing, stunning, fantastic, Gabulous
Kia, junior, played OK - ankle still bothering her?
Lou & Napheesa, sophomores, overwhelmed by the moment and the responsibility. Next year they're upperclassmen and it will be a different story
Crystal, freshman, seemed fearless, and good for her, but was also overwhelmed. She'll get mad and take it out on the field next year

Please, except for some otherworldly players that have come through the program (Diana, Maya, Stewie), tell me how sophomores have led the team in a game as big as a Final Four. Oh, sophs have played well, no doubt, but they weren't the Lead Dog.

I think people were just expecting too much from kids that have NEVER had this much responsibility in a game, especially on a stage as big as the Final Four.

 

[VAUConnFan]

1. Give Mississippi State some credit
2. It was a 2 point loss in overtime
3. UConn did not play all that badly.
4. These are college students playing in a national semifinal

 

[BroadwayVa]

Teams win and teams lose, not players. It's just wrong to pin the loss on any one player.

Just think Uconn stats as a team were better most of the game (I watched the teams stats as they played) Uconn had almost 50 percent field goal shooting---rebounding 1 offensive to 11 for Miss (during the game)
Their one two or three Bigs gave them the edge--Uconn all year lived on boards and then quick breaks--Bigs slowed Gabby, nearly stopped Collier--if Uconn had one mobile Big--it would have been a different game.
Yes the TEAM lost--undersized, undermanned, great big hearts the overachieved--99 out of 100 posters believed in Nov after the first game --minimum of 4 losses--and they only had ONE.
I havent a sad bone in my body today---I'm so damn proud of this teams achievements--I could burst.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Saniya, senior, played well for 99% of the game
Gabby, junior, amazing, stunning, fantastic, Gabulous
Kia, junior, played OK - ankle still bothering her?
Lou & Napheesa, sophomores, overwhelmed by the moment and the responsibility. Next year they're upperclassmen and it will be a different story
Crystal, freshman, seemed fearless, and good for her, but was also overwhelmed. She'll get mad and take it out on the field next year

Please, except for some otherworldly players that have come through the program (Diana, Maya, Stewie), tell me how sophomores have led the team in a game as big as a Final Four. Oh, sophs have played well, no doubt, but they weren't the Lead Dog.

I think people were just expecting too much from kids that have NEVER had this much responsibility in a game, especially on a stage as big as the Final Four.

The feelings would have been way way different had this team not been undefeated after playing the schedule they did and the way they've played most of the season. So close to another undefeated season and championship knowing next year reinforcements would arrive in Storrs. That's basically why this one hurts as much as it does despite most of us a year ago were thinking a rebuilding of sorts was upcoming.

 

[jimazee]

Just think Uconn stats as a team were better most of the game (I watched the teams stats as they played) Uconn had almost 50 percent field goal shooting---rebounding 1 offensive to 11 for Miss (during the game)
Their one two or three Bigs gave them the edge--Uconn all year lived on boards and then quick breaks--Bigs slowed Gabby, nearly stopped Collier--if Uconn had one mobile Big--it would have been a different game.
Yes the TEAM lost--undersized, undermanned, great big hearts the overachieved--99 out of 100 posters believed in Nov after the first game --minimum of 4 losses--and they only had ONE.
I havent a sad bone in my body today---I'm so damn proud of this teams achievements--I could burst.

Turnovers, assists, rebounds, steals. FTs. No complaints. Just the facts. Very un-UConn like.

Credit MSU, pressure, and the law of averages.

Mississippi State vs. Connecticut - Box Score - March 31, 2017 - ESPN

 

[connie]

There are dozens of things that happened during this game that could have changed the outcome: an extra free throw here or there; a bunny that bounced around and came out; a blocked shot that did not go right back into the surprised arms of an opponent for an easy basket (I think I saw two); a questionable call here or there; a banked three by the opponent; etc.

But hey, that's sports. Of course we are going to dwell on the "what might have beens". No harm in that, if it makes you feel better. And no doubt much of what we will be communicating about in the next several days will serve as a form of therapy.

But the outcome of the game cannot be placed at the feet of any one individual, winner or loser.

Cannot say it enough: Mississippi played great and certainly must be congratulated for an epic performance. But that in no way takes away from how pleased and proud of this team I am at this moment. Sometimes, a little rain must fall.

 

[Sonny44]

I actually concur, and I hope this doesn't come across like I am blaming her for the loss, because I'm not. There were a lot of factors that went into the outcome, not the least of which was the outstanding game plan and execution of Mississippi State. But in terms of what was controllable by us, and there are many factors, it was Pheesa's failure to perform over the course of the entire game at her previous level that was perhaps the most damaging. Such an essential ingredient to the team's success to that point, suddenly not there.

Everyone who missed a foul shot cost us the game.

 

[connie]

And while we're at it, how about a thread entitled "worst "?

 

[Florida Fan]

The feelings would have been way way different had this team not been undefeated after playing the schedule they did and the way they've played most of the season. So close to another undefeated season and championship knowing next year reinforcements would arrive in Storrs. That's basically why this one hurts as much as it does despite most of us a year ago were thinking a rebuilding of sorts was upcoming.

Yeah, they had the chance to pull out the inconceivable. Against all odds. What would have made it so sweet, made it so disappointing. HOWEVER, their record this year remains among UCONN'S most majestic seasons.

 

[NHFan]

I have no complaints about this game. The girls gave 100% effort throughout despite a lack of depth which ultimately was their downfall. The slow start, due somewhat to the moment, required them to empty the tank just to catch up. When they went ahead in the 3rd quarter MS fought back, led by an other worldly performance by William and deserved their victory. I do think Nurse was affected by her injury which I'm sure hasn't healed(tough girl) and didn't allow her to help contain William. Who would have thought Saniya would have been the defensive stopper in their biggest game. Big props to Saniya but on to next year

 

[browns]

Everyone who missed a foul shot cost us the game.

My point in the beginning was Pheese just wasn't herself. They've won games when Lou was off n a few when both Lou and Gabby were off. But they haven't won any when Pheese played poorly or was a complete nonfactor. The 2 or 3 point blank layups she missed I'd bet she could make 99 out of 100 with her eyes shut. It just goes to show how important she is to the team. Gabby was unworldly, Lou was o-k, but they needed Pheese just to play her average game at this stage of the year to win that game.

 

[HuskyNan]

And while we're at it, how about a thread entitled "worst "?

 

[VA Huskie]

There are dozens of things that happened during this game that could have changed the outcome: an extra free throw here or there; a bunny that bounced around and came out; a blocked shot that did not go right back into the surprised arms of an opponent for an easy basket (I think I saw two); a questionable call here or there; a banked three by the opponent; etc.

But hey, that's sports. Of course we are going to dwell on the "what might have beens". No harm in that, if it makes you feel better. And no doubt much of what we will be communicating about in the next several days will serve as a form of therapy.

But the outcome of the game cannot be placed at the feet of any one individual, winner or loser.

Cannot say it enough: Mississippi played great and certainly must be congratulated for an epic performance. But that in no way takes away from how pleased and proud of this team I am at this moment. Sometimes, a little rain must fall.

Can I triple like this post?

 

[huskeynut]

Credit Mississippi State and coach Vic Schaefer with a well played game. He has done an amazing job in his five seasons.

Credit UConn with still being the standard all of wcbb wishes to emulate. One loss does not change that.

During the ebb and flow of the game any number of plays could be considered game changers. That is sports. I'm not going to worry about "what could have or should have been." It is what it is. It was an exciting and well as a stressful game. Now we won't be hearing UConn is bad for the game - until next year of course.

I am a UConn women's basketball fan! It is the best program in the land!

 

[Rb335]

A ton of things influenced this game. Two plays that stick out to me:

1. Napheesa missing the first free throw before the end of regulation. Had uconn been up one the pressure is on state to score. They wouldn't have been able to hold for one shot. Who knows the outcome but it would've put pressure on state.

2. Saniya drive: I commend her for trying to be the player to win the game. Takes guts. But results based analysis shows it was simply a poor decision. Can't fault the kid for trying. She played huge for long stretches.

From the coaching staff I saw some Poor rotation management.

1. Butler should've checked in during the first quarter. State was OWNING the glass and we needed a big body to compete. Maybe if butler checked in we could've prevented the 16 point deficit.

2. In the third quarter we erased the 8 point halftime hole and took the lead. Geno elected to sit collier for dangerfield, then put collier in for Chong. Dangerfield played for a long stretch and completely disrupted the flow of the offense that the starting 5 had semi regained. Crystal just looked shell shocked when she couldn't make any passes and was dribbling far too much. Geno seemed to take too long to realize that the offense stalled when the personnel changed.

I just think the adjustments from the bench kept coming a few minutes too late. I'm not the HOF coach so who is to say I'm correct. Just my perspective as a viewer.

Bottom line is that the team came out flat, got out rebounded, out hustled, shot poorly, missed FTs, and turned the ball over. They had one hell of a season and I'm happy we got to watch them. Just can't help but feel like we let this one slip away. We certainly had our chances!

 

[Tenspro2002]

I think people were just expecting too much from kids that have NEVER had this much responsibility in a game, especially on a stage as big as the Final Four.

The difficulty I have is, for 36 games, they didn't shy away from the responsibility or the burden. This was far from the first big game we've played, vs. Baylor, @ND, @Maryland, vs. SC they were an absolute rock -- especially Collier.

It was completely uncharacteristic for them to wilt under pressure like that.

Coming into the year, a game like yesterday wouldn't have been unexpected. But after what we saw all season, it was shocking and disappointing.

 

[oldude]

All season long, Geno has masked UConn's weaknesses, the primary one being that the team was playing with 2 pg's, a 2 guard (Gabby) & 2 wings with no true center or power forward. Last night Vic Schaefer & MS St exposed that weakness and UConn lost.

The idea that any particular player is more or less responsible for the loss is nonsense. If you want to blame someone, blame A'ja Wilson for deciding to go to SC. Next year with Z & Batouly, problem solved.

 

[HoopsFan21]

The difficulty I have is, for 36 games, they didn't shy away from the responsibility or the burden. This was far from the first big game we've played, vs. Baylor, @ND, @Maryland, vs. SC they were an absolute rock -- especially Collier.

It was completely uncharacteristic for them to wilt under pressure like that.

Coming into the year, a game like yesterday wouldn't have been unexpected. But after what we saw all season, it was shocking and disappointing.

Good point. I wonder what the difference was with this game versus say South Carolina last month with all the media attention, stands packed with former players, for win #100.

 

[Waquoit]

I think people were just expecting too much from kids that have NEVER had this much responsibility in a game, especially on a stage as big as the Final Four.

That's the bottom line. Their great season ratcheted up expectations to an almost unfair level. Especially since all of other teams in the FF had more tournament experience on the floor.

 

[Waquoit]

1. Butler should've checked in during the first quarter. State was OWNING the glass and we needed a big body to compete. Maybe if butler checked in we could've prevented the 16 point deficit.

Were you watching when she did get in there?

 

[Plebe]

That's the bottom line. Their great season ratcheted up expectations to an almost unfair level. Especially since all of other teams in the FF had more tournament experience on the floor.

I couldn't help but get the sense that this season, with the combined lack of both depth and experience, was a bit of a highwire act, or like a game of Jenga.

The laws of gravity dictated that UConn should have come back down to earth this season after the previous incredible run of only one loss in three years. But with each win over an elite opponent, UConn kept defying gravity with another step along the highwire, another piece placed on the Jenga structure, right up to the Final Four. Could two more pieces fit atop that Jenga? It just didn't quite happen, but only by the slimmest of margins.

 

[tomcat]

Most of us seem to agree they should have held the ball until a few seconds remained. They all made mistakes thru the game,but IMO the biggest reason they lost was because of the uncharacteristic play of Napheesa. She has been an absolute joy to watch all year and I doubt Uconn would have gotten to the Final Four without her. Her consistency every game was amazing. Unfortunately her worse all around game had to be this one. If she had played to her usual norm I feel Uconn wins by 8-10 points. Besides her terrible shooting(her strength) she just seemed out of sorts the whole game.

I would agree with this. Napheesa looked like she had a case of the yips, so uncharacteristic of her and her temperament. For example and this applies to more than Napheesa, when, before last night did you see them miss three reverse layups? That happened last night.