***********************************************
Still feeling like crap.
Not as bad as last night, but not great.
Blech!!!
************************************************************
Happy Birthday to my big sister!!!!!
************************************************************
What you saw in the first half against St. John's was a championship performance. Great offense, great defense. You couldn't ask for a better performance. Hey, getting some rest and good practice time really helps.
The big three, and yes, it's the big three and not the big ONE, were terrific in this game.
The two juniors, Christyn Williams and Olivia Nelson-Ododa answered the question on who will be the scorers after Paige Bueckers.
Williams was 8-11 from the field, 3-4 on threes, 2-2 from the foul line for 21 points. She just looked really comfortable in the offensive flow. And her defense was outstanding. Geno couldn't say enough good things in the post game interview. He said it was the best she has played all year and her defense on Correro was just outstanding.
Nelson-Ododa was also 8-11 from the field and she hit her only three pointer for her 17 points. She added 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals. A real solid performance.
And finally the one and only Paige Bueckers. She was just her usual amazing self. 8-10 from the field, 2-3 on threes, 2-2 from the foul line for her 20 points. And she added 9 assists and only 1 turnover. Wow.
Freshman Aaliyah Edwards was also in double figures with 10 points going 5-7 from the floor. She just looks so good running the court.
And it wasn't like the others didn't contribute, even if they didn't score much.
Muhl had 5 assists and only 1 turnover.
Westbrook had 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.
Griffin had 4 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
This was just a total team effort. They shot 64% from the field and 50% on threes. And they handed out 26 assists on 33 baskets. Amazing.
And I didn't even mention the defense. Let me do that now.
I never give the UGGY trophy to a team that plays UConn. I just don't think it's fair because we know how good the UConn defense is most games.
But I'm going to make an exception. It wasn't that St. John's is such a bad offensive team, but UConn played some hellacious defense. The help defense was as good as I've seen all season and better than what I've seen in a few years. This team is getting it.
They held the Johnnies to 32 points. They held them to 29.2% from the floor, 2-13 on threes, and forced 21 turnovers. UConn also outrebounded them 34-21.
Just a great job the the ladies on both sides of the ball.
************************************************************
You never want to play against UConn twice. If you do well the first time, they will shut you down the second time.
Seton Hall's Park-Lane scorched the Huskies for 29 points in the first outing. The Huskies held her to 1-12 shooting and only 5 points in the second outing.
DePaul's Rogers had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the first outing. The Huskies held her to 1-8 shooting and 5 points and 3 rebounds in the second outing.
St. John's Correa had 33 points in the first outing. The Huskies held her to 1-10 shooting and 2 points in the second outing.
See a pattern here?
I know some fans would be worried if UConn played Arkansas again. But do you really think Dungee would score 37 points again?
************************************************************
INTERVIEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
If you listen to the interviews, make sure you hear Geno talking about Saylor Poffenbarger. He had a long talk with her about playing like a college kid and not a HS kid. It seemed to make an impression on her and then she made an impression on the coaching staff. She looked like she knew what she was doing in her 5 minutes. Geno's best line? "She will probably set the NCAA record for most shots put up in the fewest minutes". Geno is a killer.
********************************************************
Competition Narrowed to Five Players and Five Coaches Seeking Top Honor
2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Trophy Girls Player of the Year Finalists
Despite her high school playing only two games this season, Azzi Fudd made the list!! I believe she played several AAU games. Enjoy this great video!!!
********************************************************
No Top 25 Games impacted by Covid
**************************************************
The game against St John’s was over by halftime. UConn used hot shooting and a smothering defense to build a 46-15 lead. Game over. The stats were ugly in favor of the Huskies.
1. St John’s had 11 turnovers and just 7 baskets.
2. UConn held Correa, who torched the Huskies for 33 pts last game, to 2 points.
3. The Red Storm missed all 8 three point shots in that half.
4. The also missed 2 of 3 free throws.
It got worse for St John’s in the 2nd half. After scoring 6 and 9 points in the first two periods, they managed just 3 points in the final 15 minutes. Correa ended the night 1-10 with 2 points. The Red Tide finished with 21 turnovers and 29% shooting from the floor.
Great win for the rested and energetic Huskies..!
***************************************************
No. 12 South Florida 69 Cincinnati 65
UCONN LINKS
Sorry if some links need a subscription
********************************************
Message Boards
UConn Territory - The best UConn women's message board ever!!!
College Fans Only - WCBB board where no holds are barred
Vol Nation - Tennessee women's basketball board
ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board
Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else
I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:
Great post, as usual. Only glitch: you link to the highlights from the first game, not last night's game.
ReplyDeleteUnable to watch games this season. Glad to read UConn famous D beginning to round into tournament shape
ReplyDelete