Xavier Postgame Thread

[HuskyNan]

I thought this was a good game for the young players' confidence, especially Jana and Allie. In the presser, Geno refers to a player that doesn't play much but has a "I'm ready when you need me, Coach" attitude and I inferred that he meant that about Allie. He likes that a lot.

Re: the shooting was a big positive. The Huskies had been getting wide open shots in previous games but the shots just weren't going in. This game, most went in except for a couple Allie threes that popped out of the basket after going half way down.

I also liked that the Huskies owned all four quarters. No loss of focus due to playing an inferior opponent. It's great to know the UConn freshman class plus a sophomore or two is capable of beating a team all by itself with no letdown in intensity.

 

[marti3td]

Chen needs to do more and a game like this I would have liked to see the bigs get more rebounds.

 

[Rowdy831]

Good to see Azzi step up and lead. Of all the players UConn has on the roster I think Azzi is going to be vital for them to compete with a team like ND at least on the match up. She not only had a good offensive game but her effort on defense has been exceptional as well. I would really like to see Azzi, Paige, Sarah, Jana and one more player that is 6'2 or taller in the line up and maybe that will happen in the next game.

Overall the Huskies looked really good. Xavier on the other hand looked like a D2 school playing UConn, it was ugly.

 

[Rb335]

While Xavier was overmatched, I think this game is exactly what the team needed. A game without Paige where other players could step up and gain confidence, without worry of losing. I loved how Azzi responded after being subbed mid way through the first quarter. It’s like she realized, hey, I need to go out and win this game, so she did. Also a great night for Allie to see some shots fall. Nights like this can be really important for a young players mentality. It proves they can do it.

KK has now hit a 3 in back to back games. Happy to see that. She shot 33% last year so shes definitely capable!

 

[PvP]

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Really appreciate these postgame stats, Nan! Thanks....

 

[Bone Dog]

I would really like to see Azzi, Paige, Sarah, Jana and one more player that is 6'2 or taller in the line up and maybe that will happen in the next game.

Gee, who might that mystery 6’2” player be? I’m totally with you that a tall lineup like that could be potent if Morgan finds her game. 4 big PGs and Jana is a possibility worth developing. If Geno wants that for March, now is the time to get it some experience. Chemistry doesn’t develop overnight.

While Xavier was overmatched, I think this game is exactly what the team needed. ... I loved how Azzi responded after being subbed mid way through the first quarter. It’s like she realized, hey, I need to go out and win this game, so she did.

And the sign of how important this ‘tuneup game’ really was can be seen in their struggles during the first 5 minutes. They felt it too. And now they’ve cleared that hurdle, I can only hope they’ll roll over the rest of the Big East, building a ton of confidence along the way.

 

[Bald Husky]

Forgive me for not overly gushing on Allie's night. Takes more than one game against an overmatched team when we are way ahead to mean much. Her rep is as a great shooter, but we have yet to see that, until tongiht. In contests, etc, she has been great. Need to see more... but still, she would be a big extra piece if she can continue to make shots.... I know she's only a freshman. Fingers crossed!

It's really hard to get into rhythm and show what she can do when you play 5 minutes at the end of a game. When she plays more, it's in and out. Last night she played just about the entire 4th quarter and did knock down some shots. It would be prudent to have her come in earlier against Georgetown and play with the regulars just to see how she would mesh, and most importantly, knock down some 3 pointers playing within their offence.

 

[WiseWillie]

Some thoughts on the Xavier game:

• No Paige = No problem.
• Without his best player Geno didn’t mess around tonight, slapping on the press from the opening tip, as the Huskies came out swarming, forcing the Musketeers into 10 turnovers in both the 1st & 2nd Qtr and 32 turnovers for the game.
• Every time I watch Sarah play basketball she does something to convince me that she is even better than I thought she was the last time I watched her play. Tonight, in the absence of UConn’s superstar, Sarah was UConn’s superstar.
• For UConn, the next man up tonight was Azzi who lead the Huskies with 23 pts and played an exceptional all-around game. For those of us hoping that Azzi would become a “difference maker,” tonight Azzi was a difference maker!
• Ashlynn stepped into a starting role again for the Huskies and it looked like she never missed a beat. It’s not easy for any player to step into the starting lineup seamlessly, but that’s exactly what Ashlynn did today.
• KK's energy off the bench is like pouring gasoline on a fire. While there is no rush to make this change, at some point I think KK assumes the starting PG role.
• Allie had her very own 3-pt shooting contest tonight knocking down 5 treys.
• The Hoyas are up next on the road. GO HUSKIES!!!

Agree with all except KK as starting PG. I think KK is fitting perfectly into her role coming off the bench to create and also switching the 1 and 2 with Kaitlin on the floor at same time in one of the offensive schemes Geno runs. When KK comes in, the defense gets a boost with the energy she brings. I too once thought she should replace Kaitlin starting at PG but have since changed my mind. Keeping KK where she is works so why change. But open to other opinions.

 

[Bone Dog]

It would be prudent to have her come in earlier against Georgetown and play with the regulars just to see how she would mesh,

I have this same thought. Of course, meshing is more complicated than this. It has to be prepared for in practice and I wouldn’t be surprised if Geno has her working with the starters this week with this in mind.

 

[oldude]

Agree with all except KK as starting PG. I think KK is fitting perfectly into her role coming off the bench to create and also switching the 1 and 2 with Kaitlin on the floor at same time in one of the offensive schemes Geno runs. When KK comes in, the defense gets a boost with the energy she brings. I too once thought she should replace Kaitlin starting at PG but have since changed my mind. Keeping KK where she is works so why change. But open to other opinions.

As I said, there’s no rush in starting KK at pg. My thoughts on the subject involve getting off to slow starts in Big Games and having to play from behind, as we did vs ND & USC. I just feel that KK gives UConn more juice when she’s on the floor, whether she starts or comes in off the bench.

So I’m focused on the games at TN & SC as well as the Big Dance in March. In those games I feel that KK starting at pg gives the Huskies a better opportunity to win.

 

[WiseWillie]

Speaking of rebounding, just want to bring up again that height isn't everything when it comes to rebounding. Take a look at the box score for the USC-UMd game last night. Former Husky 6' 2" Saylor Poffenbarger (who transferred to Arkansas after her freshman season here) had 17 - yes, 17! - rebounds vs USC. So height is certainly nice but it takes boxing out and knowing how to position yourself under the basket to be a great rebounder.

 

[WiseWillie]

Speaking of rebounding, just want to bring up again that height isn't everything when it comes to rebounding. Take a look at the box score for the USC-UMd game last night. Former Husky 6' 2" Saylor Poffenbarger (who transferred to Arkansas after her freshman season here) had 17 - yes, 17! - rebounds vs USC. So height is certainly nice but it takes boxing out and knowing how to position yourself under the basket to be a great rebounder.

But now the stat crunchers will look and slice and dice the reasons why she was able to accomplish that. No matter. 17 is 17.

 

[WiseWillie]

As I said, there’s no rush in starting KK at pg. My thoughts on the subject involve getting off to slow starts in Big Games and having to play from behind, as we did vs ND & USC. I just feel that KK gives UConn more juice when she’s on the floor, whether she starts or comes in off the bench.

So I’m focused on the games at TN & SC as well as the Big Dance in March. In those games I feel that KK starting at pg gives the Huskies a better opportunity to win.

I hear you. The big games coming up are important and we can't afford a slow start for sure.

 

[PvP]

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I have never seen the defensive analytics page before and, if I am reading it correctly, Sarah is simply off the chart defensively even more than I had ever imagined, at least for this game. I have remarked before that her hand position on defense is unlike what I understood Geno to have taught his players. She keeps her hands low, at roughly waist level, as opposed to keeping "hands up". This makes sense to me as the ball spends much more time at player's waist level than over their heads. And when she has her hands at waist level she can use her lightning-fast hands to get steals that she could not have if her hands were raised.

Speaking of her lightning-fast hands, if she is ever looking for a new career after basketball, I think she needs to consider pickpocketing--she would be unstoppable!!!

 

[PacoSwede]

As I said, there’s no rush in starting KK at pg. My thoughts on the subject involve getting off to slow starts in Big Games and having to play from behind, as we did vs ND & USC. I just feel that KK gives UConn more juice when she’s on the floor, whether she starts or comes in off the bench.

So I’m focused on the games at TN & SC as well as the Big Dance in March. In those games I feel that KK starting at pg gives the Huskies a better opportunity to win.

i don't think kaitlyn or kk have anything to do with slow starts, which happen too often even in the 'Small Games.' the cause is the failure of the team's most capable players -- paige and sarah and azzi (if she can ever break through her persistent funk, which she shed after the first several minutes last night). they all have a tendency to not fully show their brilliance -- to not be the stars of the team.
each has their own unique excuse for this attitude. it hurts the team when its stars hold back, for whatever reason -- especially when to game's tone is being established at the start. they should be leading the way, rather than 'letting the game come to them.'

 

[WiseWillie]

i don't think kaitlyn or kk have anything to do with slow starts, which happen too often even in the 'Small Games.' the cause is the failure of the team's most capable players -- paige and sarah and azzi (if she can ever break through her persistent funk, which she shed after the first several minutes last night). they all have a tendency to not fully show their brilliance -- to not be the stars of the team.
each has their own unique excuse for this attitude. it hurts the team when its stars hold back, for whatever reason -- especially when to game's tone is being established at the start. they should be leading the way, rather than 'letting the game come to them.'

Are slow starts because the three most capable scorers are reluctant to start fast and instead let the game come to them? Interesting observation. Is it their reluctance to not want to be the "star" and lead hurting the team in some way? Doesn't seem so for majority of our games so far but whenever Geno has a chance he says he always reminds PG that she has to take more shots. I think SS with all of her talent is still a freshman and right now probably would shy away from being the "leader" or "star". As for PG and they are veterans and especially this year should be showing no reluctance to take over scoring right from the git go. But your observation is well taken. The real question is why is that happening.

 

[Martinj481]

Am I the only one that thought the offense looked better without Paige? Azzi and Sarah really compliment each other! I think with Paige playing she's relied on to much!

 

[oldude]

Am I the only one that thought the offense looked better without Paige? Azzi and Sarah really compliment each other! I think with Paige playing she's relied on to much!

It was Xavier

 

[Ozimoto]

Not a lot to add. Some personal observations that may or may not be true. I think Chen was pressing a bit to score and the lid was on the basket for her. Morgan also had a couple of shots that almost went down but didn't quite do it.

When Q gets in she needs to breathe and slow it down just a bit. Just seemed to me she was a little too ramped up last night.

 

[Bigboote]

Speaking of rebounding, just want to bring up again that height isn't everything when it comes to rebounding. Take a look at the box score for the USC-UMd game last night. Former Husky 6' 2" Saylor Poffenbarger (who transferred to Arkansas after her freshman season here) had 17 - yes, 17! - rebounds vs USC. So height is certainly nice but it takes boxing out and knowing how to position yourself under the basket to be a great rebounder.

Aneesah Morrow, listed at 6-1, which may be generous, is leading the nation in rebounding, so yeah, height isn't all and possibly not most of it. Saylor's maybe more impressive than Morrow, because while Morrow spends most of her time around the basket, Saylor spends most of her time on the outside. Some kids have a nose for the ball, read the carom better, and/or have more desire. 5-11 Anriel Howard had all of those characteristics.

 

[ERWUC65]

Not a lot to add. Some personal observations that may or may not be true. I think Chen was pressing a bit to score and the lid was on the basket for her. Morgan also had a couple of shots that almost went down but didn't quite do it.

When Q gets in she needs to breathe and slow it down just a bit. Just seemed to me she was a little too ramped up last night.

Like you, I was rooting for Chen and Morgan and yes they were pressing too much, but I think they will be there for the team when needed later on, too much talent, just need some playing time and patience. As for Q, not helping herself when the opportunity presents. A great athlete with sporadic focus.

 

[Kat]

The announcers mentioned that all of the Xavier players were foreign born. I think it's about NIL. Foreign players can't take it if they are here on a student visa as they are not supposed to be paid to work here. So X gives them an free ride and an opportunity to play in the US.

 

[Zarathustra]

It seemed to me like Qadence had a bit of a smile when she got called for her fifth foul, which was an obvious charge, and was still smiling when she sat down on the bench. Did anyone else see this or am I mistaken about what I observed? Cause I think that would be a big no-no.

Yes, I saw it also, but I considered it more as a type of "RUEFUL" smile... as in mournful or regretful. These things can happen when you try too hard to make
something happen. Could have been a " no-no", but she may have
been reflecting on the irony of the situation as in "I tried to make
an 'impactful ' play and "THIS IS WHAT I GET! " Thus the reflective smile
at the irony... " I can't catch a break!" Ouch!!!

 

[Rb335]

As I said, there’s no rush in starting KK at pg. My thoughts on the subject involve getting off to slow starts in Big Games and having to play from behind, as we did vs ND & USC. I just feel that KK gives UConn more juice when she’s on the floor, whether she starts or comes in off the bench.

So I’m focused on the games at TN & SC as well as the Big Dance in March. In those games I feel that KK starting at pg gives the Huskies a better opportunity to win.

Right now Chen plays about 25 minutes to 21 for KK. Regardless of who starts, I’d like to see that distribution flip. I just feel like KK makes more things happen during her minutes.

I also wouldn’t mind a lineup of Paige, Azzi, Ashlynn, Sarah and Jana. I don’t think Paige needs to be off ball 100% of the time. Azzi and Ashlynn on the wings should provide enough shooting/spacing for Paige and Sarah to work a two man game with ample passing options.