Creighton Post Game Report

As I'm sure everyone knows by now, Courtney Ekmark will be out 4-6 weeks with a stress reaction of her right foot. Certainly not a season ending injury and certainly not a reason to think Redshirt. But it will set her back in her development and she will have to work extra hard to keep herself in shape.

Also, we found out before the game that KML would not play because of the flu. Who knows? Maybe it impacted some of her performance in the Stanford game? More concern is if any of her teammates will catch the flu from her. Let's hope not.

KML And Courtney!!!!!!!

Well, today was a lot better. The players looked more focused and Geno was clearly happy about their play.

At the half he said "At times defense was really really good. We were pressuring more than the Stanford game. It seems like every time you make a defensive mistake Creighton makes you pay. But we played way better defense."  Two "really"s. Excellent. He seemed pretty happy.

Going forward, adding KML back into the mix gives UConn a solid 8 player rotation. Geno has some thinking to do about who starts. Clearly Nurse earned her starting position. But does he bring Stokes off the bench when KML is back and continue to start Tuck? I don't think so, even though it's not a bad idea. But I have a feeling he wants to start with the traditional center in Stokes and bring Tuck off the bench.

But what we will see is a lot of Tuck and Stewart in at the same time. Here is what Geno said on how those two play together. "Having Tuck out there with Stewart helps Stewart. Because if that Stewart was very active. She wanted the ball today and Morgan and the team helped her."

Overall, it was a great effort after a tough loss. Geno will continue to drive the team hard and the team appears to respond to his prodding. Hopefully KML is all set by the end of the week. 3 games in 3 days is never easy.
    

Player by Player

 

Moriah Jefferson - Minutes - 21, Points- 10, Assists - 6, TO - 3, Steals - 2

Moriah was incredibly aggressive today. Her strong drives to the hoop was something missing against Stanford and she responded well to that tough outing. I love her off handed layups. She is so natural with that hand.

She again led the team in assists with 6 and she was all over the court defensively. I'm sure her play against Stanford spurred on her effort today.

 

Kiah Stokes - Minutes - 24, Points - 8, Rebounds - 10,  Assists -4, TO - 3, Steals - 1, Blocks - 2?

The ESPN box score only had her with 2 blocks. I counted at least 4. There were times she was too timid again, but as the game went on Stokes started to be more aggressive. There was one play that she set a Dolson like (probably illegal) screen to free Stewart for a foul line jumper. She needs to do more of that.

Stokes made a great up-fake for a basket and then a missed foul line jumper and then a tough foul on her trying to guard a perimeter player. But she needs to stay aggressive. She hit a late long jumper and that was great to see. She should be taking those shots when open.    

 

Breanna Stewart - Minutes - 16, Points - 25, Rebounds - 10, Assists - 4, TO - 2

 

An All-American game for an All-American. She didn't miss a shot, she was vocal, she worked hard on defense (although a little too aggressive at times). Her high-low passes are excellent. She just is seeing the floor so much better. Another 4 assists. 

 

Consecutive double doubles and these will be much more commonplace this year. She dove for the loose ball several times in this game hitting the floor. I think she was saying to the team "jump on my back, I'll carry you".    

 

   

 

 

Saniya Chong - Minutes - 20, Points -0, Assists - 3, TO - 2

 

Wow...talk about struggling. I think we are all hopeful that this isn't her reaction to the removal from the starting role. She had some good looks though and she didn't see to be forcing it. But 0-6 and 0-5 on threes is what it is. A lousy game.

 

Her defense did look better. She pushed harder through screens and worked much harder to stay with her man. Hopefully she will hit a few shots early in the next game and that will help regain some confidence.

 

 

Morgan Tuck - Minutes - 27, Points - 15, Rebounds - 7,Assists - 5, TO - 1

If this is the Morgan Tuck we are going to be seeing the rest of the year, UConn is in great shape. She hit a couple of threes, but it was her passing that stood out to me. She found Stewart a few times for easy buckets and played a really really (Geno scale) great game.

I loved how she ran the court. One thing I'll say, I'd like to see her put away the baby hook for a little while. She seemed to really struggle with it. I'm sure she will make all them next game after I wrote this.. 

 

Kia Nurse - Minutes - 18, Points - 22, Rebounds - 4, Assists - 2, TO - 0, Steals - 2

 

As bad as Chong was coming off the bench, Nurse was that good starting. She set a career high with 22 points. The startling thing was her 4-4 on 3's. Her reputation coming in was a fair 3 point shooter. But looking at her form, you can see she should be pretty good. Today she was really really "pretty" good. She set herself before each shot and her release was perfect.

More than her offense, she really helped set the tone defensively. She had responsibility for Janning, the BE player for the year last season. Nurse forced her into some tough shots and 6-21 shooting and 2-7 on 3's.

In addition to the 3 point shooting and the great defense, Nurse consistently drove hard to the basket. She is going to live at the foul line.

Great game for the freshman Nurse and as John A tweeted, Nurse will start every game for the rest of her career. 2 years with Jefferson and two years with Dangerfield is my prediction.       

 



 

 

Gabby Williams - Minutes - 6, Points - 11, Rebounds - 5, Assists - 0, TO - 1, 4 steals, 1 block

 

Gabby just need minutes. She is embracing her post position with strong post ups and great off handed finishes. She is strong on the boards with her unearthly hops and her quick hands created a team leading 4 steals. I know Geno didn't think she was ready for Stanford. 

“She’s a great kid, but she’s still really learning about basketball,” Auriemma said. “But by the time she’s a senior, you will be able to throw her the ball and know you are getting a basket. She’s going to be great.”

 

Stewart hits and early three as if to say, jump on my back.

Stokes made a great up fake for a basket and then missed the foul line jumper, and then gets a tough foul called on her while trying to guard a perimeter player.
Williams came in for Stokes in the first half  as UConn tried to match up with the smaller Blue Jays.

What a great sequence. Tuck with a beautiful three pointer, then Jefferson makes a great steal on the inbounds and finds Stewart for a nice lefty drive for two.

Tuck with a quick and long 3 pointer. IF this is what we can expect from her, wow.

Geno is really active on the sidelines, pushing the team.

Stewart with a nice foul line jumper off a 'Dolson-like' screen (barely legal) set by Stokes. Excellent.

Nurse and Jefferson go flying on one play. Not good for this old man's heart.

Janning, while struggling against UConn is so good. I'm partial to lefties. I think she will make some WNBA team roster.

Tuck is so tough. Long arms and a strong lower body.

Lazy pass by Stokes. Lucky she wasn't called for a foul.

And at 3:42 in the first half  I hear DannyK with the UConn Cheer.....UCONN....HUSKIESS....UCONN...

Here is a link to his Facebook album from today's game




Williams really working hard on D. This will get her playing time.

What a great play by Stewart. Inspector gadget arms for Stewart snags a high pass and scores 2.

Creighton's Sammy Jenson was a walk on, and is now a starter and captain of the team as a senior. And she's only 5' nothing. No fear and hit 3-7 on 3's

Jefferson does the Mickey Rivers shuffle off the court.

Williams is tough down low. Nice High Low pass from Stewart to Williams.

UConn stopped the pressure defense early in the 2nd half.

Stokes with a long 2 pointer great for her confidence.

Creighton tied a mark for 3 pointers made against UConn with 13 on 30 attempts.

UConn had another great three point shooting game going 11-21. They are shooting an incredible 40-79 on the season. 

The Huskies head to Estero, Fla., to play three games in the Gulf Coast Showcase beginning Friday at 8:30 p.m. against the College of Charleston. UConn will play the winner of Friday’s Minnesota-Vanderbilt game on Saturday, also likely at 8:30. Sunday’s opponent and time are to be determined. All three games are on SNY.

I need to rest up. Three games in three days. My fingers are already tired.