DoggyDaddy's UConn/Florida State Post Game Report




 

 

 

No. 1 UConn Huskies                                    No. 11 Florida State

73                                                                   49  

 

 Post Game report

 

Video Highlights from UConn Huskies

 

The tone was set on the very first possession when UConn forced Florida State into a 30 second clock violation. On the very next possession, Florida State was forced into another turnover. Than another one.  And another one. I believe it was five turnovers in five possessions. UConn had really turned up the heat in the Sun arena.

 

UConn looks good on offense as well. Great cuts to the hoop, taking good shots. Right from the beginning UConn just looked on their game.

 

It was clear that the players had gotten Geno's message on their unacceptable defensive play. Now, I don't think it was that bad. They played two great offensive teams in Notre Dame and DePaul. And they were extremely hot from beyond the arc hitting several contested threes. But the staff used those games to really push the players buttons.

 

UConn slowly took a double digit lead in the second quarter never letting the lead get under 8 points before settling in at the half leading 37-23. UConn's defense held FSU to 33% shooting and 1-6 on threes. More importantly, UConn forced FSU into 11 turnovers that UConn turned into 13 points. FSU had exactly ZERO points off turnovers. UConn was so efficient they shot 73% in the first quarter.  

 

I don't know which was the prettier play. Tucks perfect back door pass to Nurse for a layup or Jefferson's cross court bounce pass on the break to a streaking Collier. Both were really amazing. How about Jefferson's big time elevation pull up jumper to beat the 1st quarter buzzer?   

 

The third quarter started with a Kia Nurse layup for a 16 point lead. The rest of the quarter was spent with FSU cutting the lead and UConn pushing it back out. After Brown hit a jumper for FSU to cut the lead to 13, Tuck hit her second three of the game and after two turnovers each by UConn and FSU, Stewart used her "inspector gadget" arms to hit a layup to give UConn a 55-37 lead after 3 quarters.

 

UConn pushed the lead to 19 early in the fourth quarter and aided by six Florida State turnovers slowly pulled away, stretching the lead to 26 before winning 73-49.

 

For the game, FSU was able to increase their final shooting percentage with a much better shooting second half. But that was overwhelmed by the terrible time FSU had with turnovers. UConn tough defense took it's toll as they forced FSU into 15 second half turnovers.                   



 

  

 Game Stats and Box Score 

 

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  Game Quotes From Geno 

 

"We knew that this game was going to be different for us. We were not going to be able to play like we did against Notre Dame: it was a defensive game. With the amount of stress that we have been in, with hurt players and other challenges, this was a very important game for us. We forced a lot of turnovers but we made it tough for Florida State to complete their shots."

 

"We have played eight games so I am not going to say that we are ready for the tournament. But we have accomplished a great deal in these game and faced may experiences, so I am happy with where we are as a team."

 

"You always want to have options. I always think that your bench has to be dynamic in whichever form that takes. I like the way it went tonight with Napheesa playing, so if it keeps going like this in practice I am going to stay with it."

 

"This was a good game for us. We accomplished a lot of things. Florida State is one of the better defensive teams in the country, certainly in their league. We knew this wasn't going to be a run-up-and-down game and try to score 100. I didn't think any of that was going to happen. They are going to make you play defense for the entire shot clock and you are going to work hard for what shots you get."

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Game Quotes from Coach Semrau 

 

"First of all, what an honor to play here at the Hall of Fame Classic. I was glad we got the opportunity to play against a tremendous basketball team, UConn. I love their three seniors and I've had the opportunity to coach Morgan (Tuck) and Brenna (Stewart) with USA basketball. They are not [just] special players, but they are also special people. Our team will get better from this loss and we will learn and move forward again."

 

"The turnovers cost us everything. It was a relatively even game in the first half, except for the fact they had thirteen points off turnovers. I have to credit the UConn defense, I think they did a great job."

"I love that kid, Stewart. I think she is one of the best players on the planet." 

 

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Player Evaluations 

 

  Breanna Stewart 

Either offensively or defensively, Stewart has a huge impact of the game. I say this game after game, but she is so confident that the games seems easy. And maybe it is right now. She played 34 minutes and had a terrific line with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and 6 blocks.

  

  Moriah Jefferson

 

 

Jefferson played a terrific 38 minutes, scoring 15 points and handing out 4 assists and 4 steals. She played tough defense on Romero holding her to 9 points on 4-12 shooting. Her pull up jumper looked fantastic and her passing was spot on. The height on her jumper as shown above is remarkable.     

 

"I thought I did a pretty good job running them off their game. I think for the most part we did a pretty good job defending against the three and forcing them to drive to the basket." 

 

"It hasn't been very easy and we've been traveling a lot. It has been a tough stretch. For the most part I think we have played pretty well, but there is still a lot we need to work on."  

  Morgan Tuck

 

Morgan continued her great play from the last game with another sparkling effort against FSU. In 37 minutes she scored 18 points on 8-12 shooting and going 2-3 on threes. Her defense was terrific as well. She is now 18 for her last 23 shots. Amazing.

 "That has been our focus the last few days. The coaches were really upset that we kept allowing so many threes. Today we tried to make sure they weren't getting their first option and made them work a little harder to score."

"Well, I think after the first eight we have ended on a very good note. The last three games weren't the most positive for us. The coaches weren't very happy with us and we weren't happy how we were performing. I think this game marked a turnaround for us."  

 

Kia Nurse

It was good to see Kiah had a good shooting game. She really needed it for her confidence. She played 33 minutes scoring 14 points and adding 4 assists. She shot 2-4 on threes. I loved the sequence when she hit a three and then next time down the court hit one of her bank shot jumpers. Great to see.      

Napheesa Collier

 

Napheesa got the start against FSU and with so many players on the bench, she garnered 32 minutes of play. She acquitted herself very well with 6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists and 2 blocks. I think Geno said he wanted Williams to come off the bench to add offense. But I think he likes the way Napheesa has been playing and wanted to reward her.  

 

  Gabby Williams 

 

Williams only played 16 minutes in this game. It looks to me that she is pressing a little and I think Geno is trying to help that by moving her the first player off the bench. She had her moments, like blocking Thomas jumper, but overall, a tough game for Gabby. I'm looking for a rebound game from her after the long layoff.   

 

 

Tierney Lawlor, Brianna Pulido, Courtney Ekmark and Katie Lou Samuelson

 

This group played a total of 8 minutes in game grabbing one rebound and doling out one assists between the 4 players. And Ekmark owned them both. I'm sure Samuelson was under the weather and Geno still doesn't trust Ekmark. Lawlor is perfect from the field for the year as she didn't take a shot.

 

 

Sanyia Chong, Natalie Butler, De'Janae Boyton

 

 Sadly, all three were not available for this game due to their continuing injury issues. Chong and Butler were in street clothes and Boykin did not make the trip to Uncasville. I wish I had more information than that about when we will see any of these three players going forward. After ten days between this game and the next game we will hopefully get better news.  

    

 

Final Thoughts

 The coaches weren't happy about the recent defensive play and the players knew it. This is how they responded.

 

Finally, Geno had this to say. ''This comes at the perfect time. I don't ever remember a group of players getting excited about exams coming up. They know practice is really short next week. They get a chance to rehab, there's no travel, they get to sleep in their own bed. It's coming at a perfect time.''  

 

Perfect time for a team with a perfect record. 45 consecutive wins and counting. After exams they come back and play LSU and then No. 5 Maryland before starting their conference schedule. They can use the break, and honestly, so can I. These short turnarounds between games pushes my blogging to the limit.