How does Baylor match up?

Texanne

Texanne

5,000+ Posts
I don't watch much women's basketball, so I am asking those of you who do. How does Baylor match up against UConn? Do the Huskies have anyone as tall as Brittany Griner? Will Baylor's defensive strategies have any chance of stopping the UConn juggernaut?

Thanks in advance!
 
No, UCONN does not have anyone as tall as Griner, but they do have a player most would consider as the top college post in the country in Tina Charles. I think she is about 6'4" and has a polished offensive skill set. Charles can step out and hit the mid-range jumper, so Griner may have to step away from the basket to guard her. Once she does that Charles is quick and agile enough to get around her to the basket. Griner will get a few blocks but she won't block everything.

I also expect UCONN to go right at Griner at times to try to get her in foul trouble so she has to sit extended periods on the bench. In addition, Baylor has no one who can match up with Maya Moore. The one, two punch of Charles and Moore should be enough to earn UCONN another national title.
 
Ditto to the above....

Plus NO ONE in the U.S.A. has a post of Griner's height....



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Thanks, y'all. I just hope it's close. No real love for Baylor, but I'd LOVE to see UConn go down.
 
I suspect that if Tina Charles steps away from the basket that Baylor would be thrilled. I've watched Charles play several games and she can hit that mid-range jumper at times but by no means is it a consistent shot for her. I think that Geno will put Charles down on the block and try to get Griner in foul trouble.

Charles is not able to hit a shot far enough away from the basket to get Griner out of the lane on defense. And if she is in the lane she is close enough to block the shots of others who drive to the basket.

I am looking forward to seeing how Geno plays Griner. Does he think that Charles can defend her by herself or does he think that she needs help stopping her. If Charles cannot defend Griner one-on-one is she really the best post player in the nation? I feel pretty certain that Griner can handle Charles one-on-one. IMO Griner is the best post player in the nation. Her defense separates her from the pack.
 
Wonder if Baylor will go with a zone to take advantage of Griner’s ability to protect the paint? It will be difficult for Baylor to match up man to man with Conn. Except for Griner and possibly Jones, they don’t match up well with Conn. Other than Griner, Washington will be the one matchup that could give Conn trouble. The freshman will have to outplay Greene, a senior. A zone makes sense to me if they can cover the 3pt line. Moore is the primary deep ball threat for Conn and is making over 41% of her 3s. Medlock for Baylor will have her hands full trying to cover Moore. The two other primary 3pt shooters, Doty and Hayes, have been average in hitting the 3. Greene is making over 45% of her 3s but has taken only 24 3s all season. For Baylor, Jones, Hayden, and Madden need to hit from outside to keep Conn from collapsing inside on Griner. If they can do that, they have a shot at beating Conn. If they can’t, and Conn excels at taking away the 3pter, Conn will easily win.

Another facet of Conn’s game that Baylor will need to limit is their ability to score off transition. Baylor will need to get back fast whenever Conn gets possession, whether off a rebound, TO, or made shot.

I’m hoping for a Baylor upset but I’m not sure that it will happen. The main advantage that Conn has is that Baylor has no one to match up with Moore.
 
Interesting analysis, Babhorn. I think I might try a box and 1 on Moore. Hope for Griner to do her thing in the middle against Charles, try to do something about Moore, and hope the other UConn players can't take over the game. Rutgers, I believe it was (or maybe some other school) had some pretty good success closing down Moore by faceguarding her last year. And Baylor has to keep turnovers down, because of UConn't great transition game. It ain't going to be easy, but should be fun to watch.
 
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