So, every year I say to myself before the exhibition games, "don't get too excited about the performances, they are playing midgets" and every year I get too excited about the performances. So, please take whatever I say with a grain of salt. They played a team totally overmatched, out-talented but not out worked. I was very impressed with the effort the West Chester team showed. They were pressing late into the game and I'm sure Geno appreciated it.
Every superlative can be amended with "yes, but they played a terrible team". So feel free to do that.
Moriah Jefferson - Minutes - 26, Points- 19, Assists - 3, TO - 3, Steals - 5
So, I'm watching the game and early on Jefferson makes a steal and is in for the score. At least I think that's what happened. All I saw was a blur. How is it possible that Jefferson is even faster? I do love her new look with the pony tail. I'm not sure if this will be similar to Diggins and her hairband going on and off every game. I hope not. Jefferson was all over the court, wreaking havoc with her incredibly quick hands. I feel sorry for the opposing guards that she covers.
Kiah seems even longer. She is so buff, I heard that most of the opposing centers in future games are planning on calling in sick. Offensively I really liked her use of the left hand with her post moves. I know she can go to her right as well, so if she can get her footwork down, she will be unstoppable when she gets the ball in deep. She also got to the line taking 9 foul shots. Hopefully she can shoot in the 70-75% range. Not so good today. Defensively, she was a monster (add your line about midgets here) with 12 rebounds and 7 blocked shots. Kiah really looked like she will intimidate a lot of offenses this season. She played like a senior, making very few mistakes. Stokes has had a lot of right place right time plays. Those are not just luck.
And when the defenses try to avoid Stokes, they run into Stewart. How frustrating must that be?? She only had 3 blocks but impacted many more than that. What I really liked is how she let the game come to her. She took 12 shots, but they were almost all excellent shots. Her 3 pointer looked great, going 2-3 and she led the team in assists with 6. There was one sequence where she outworked a defender at mid-court for the ball and put in a tough contested layup while getting hammered. Last year she would have missed that shot. She is noticeably stronger coming into this season. Then on the ensuing West Chester possession, she sent a jump shot out of bounds with authority.
Chong gets it. Confidence is oozing. It looks like Geno wants her to take off when the opposition shoots, hoping for a fast break basket. And she sure did make that work in the early part of the game. The fast break was working to perfection. Chong was not shooting well but she did a fine job running the offense when Jefferson was out. She looked much more aggressive on defense. I think it helps when you know where you are supposed to be. I'm sure she will be starting the next game as well. She did just fine. And the good news is she can and will play better.
KML picked up where she left off in the Final Four. She was strong under the boards and used her great footwork to stay with her opponent, even when it was a small guard. She showed all facets of her game with a solid 3-7 three point shot, a nice post up move or two and a mid-range jumper just for kicks. West Chester was playing some tough zone defense and KML just stepped back to 3 feet behind the line, received a pass and hit nothing but net. Her 3 pointer is such a thing of beauty.
The most important thing I can say about Morgan is that she looked healthy. No knee brace. No limp. She ran the court well and never looked fatigued. That being said, lots of rust on her offensive game. She did use her best asset to carve out space in the lane, leaving defenders behind her. And if you are reading this, Morgan, I meant nothing by it in a derogatory way (just covering my bases). Morgan played her usual inside out game and when she starts hitting shots, she will be a strong offensive player for UConn.
Kia came in at the same time as Tuck and I can see this being how Geno subs for much of the season. Right away you could see how mature her game is. She is constantly moving, screening, looking to help facilitate the offense. You can see how quickly she has picked up the offense. She ran the court well and with the other guards, can run a fast break. We knew this but Kia Nurse is a defensive pest. she was constantly barking out defensive orders to her teammates. It's only one game against a weak opponent but she plays like an upper classman and I really believe that Nurse will see 20+ minutes per game right from the start.
A lot of folks are worried about the lack of post players. I can tell you that Williams plays much bigger than her listed 6' height. I could watch her jump for rebounds all day. She looks like she can play in that 4 slot on occasion. Now, was she nervous in her first game for UConn? You bet. She banked in her first free throw and clanged her second off the back rim. She went 3-6 on her FT's and I'm hoping that is not her norm. She also had a couple of freshman fouls on back to back defensive possessions. As with Tuck, she looked fine running the court. No limp. No brace. When she ran, she really did look like Moore.
Courtney came in later in the first half for Williams after Gabby picked up those two fouls. She is clearly not the quickest player in the world. So I watched her run her defender through picks, always looking to get open to take her deadly 3 point shot. She must have the green light from Geno as she put up 7 three's in only 14 minutes and Geno didn't seem upset about any of them. Her form is perfect and we will see a lot of it.
Sadie saw the fewest minutes of the freshman class. Not much to report. We'll see if she plays more next Sunday.
Tierney Lawler - Minutes - 3, Points - 3
Of course she hit a three. It's what she does.
Briana banked in a three and then gave it the Tiger Woods fist pump. It was absolutely my favorite sequence of the game.
Random Thoughts
You have to be incredibly negative to even think Tuck and Williams aren't 100%.
Marissa looks great. Highlighted her hair.
Love the new Bongo cam. You had to be there.
Great tick tack toe passing. KML to Jefferson to Stewart. Beautiful.
Every starter in double digits at the 17 minute mark.
In the second half, Geno changed things up with the first substitution of the 2nd half. Tuck, Nurse and Williams came in for Stewart, Chong and Stokes. Going small at the 15 minute mark.
Ekmark makes her first 3 at the 10 minute mark. First of many.
No matter who is on the court, they all pass so well.
103-26 and Geno has a disgusted look on his face after a bad play. It's one reason he is so great. Never satisfied.
Did I say I love watching Williams jump?
Looking forward to next weeks exhibition game to see their improvement on a solid performance.
One more thing. If you look in the stands at this picture, check out the good looking guy with the blue sweatshirt with white UCONN lettering and the UConn hat with the white back round above the brim.
Doggy - well done my friend. Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteReading this was almost as good as being at the game.
ReplyDeleteExcellent recap, DD. Thanks! I will get to see the game at XL next week. After reading this, I am more excited than ever.
ReplyDeleteAwesome DD...its almost as if you placed a game webcam in my head.
ReplyDelete