Post UConn thoughts

BabHorn

BabHorn

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Well, the main disappointment was the shooting, not the loss. With better shooting, this would have been a nailbiter. I think that the Horns, while not yet at UConn’s level, can give them a tough game. But the shots have to go in. Given the poor shooting at UTSA, it’s hard to say the UConn defense was entirely responsible for the Horns’ shooting woes. It certainly didn’t help as the Huskies are just simply awesome. Their closing speed on shooters is impressive. The Horns didn’t back down from UConn, playing a tough, physical game. Geno will certainly find a lot to have his team work on after this game. Both teams are going to be very sore today and I bet that whirlpool gets major use the next couple of days.
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And may I say that it’s easy to see why Maya Moore and Tina Charles are on the USA national team.

As will Coach G., primarily, the cold shooting to start games. Encouraging signs, the play of Kat, Kristen, Ashley, Brit and Yvonne. Kat had the kind of game that we have become used to seeing from her. Kristen played extensively with Ashley in foul trouble and did a very effective job in her 22 minutes. Very solid contribution from her.
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Ashley got schooled a few times by Charles but also showed she can play at that level. She was limited by foul trouble to 15 minutes. Yvonne may be the backup PG right now, but she played well last night and I expect will push strongly for playing time.

The rest of the team played extremely hard during the game. Except for Kat and Brit, making shots was a problem, not getting some good looks.

Other encouraging signs, TOs 17 for UConn, 15 for Texas; steals, UConn 7, Texas 10; assist % was 60% for UConn and 57% for Texas. The Horns were able to handle the pressure that UConn brought without turning over the ball. They were able to move the ball around to find the open shooter although more shots needed to be made. And they had quick hands in getting steals. Kristen was really good in intercepting passes inside, ending up with 3 steals to lead the team.

I am looking forward to seeing the team play Tenn. That will be another big measuring stick given the way the Lady Vols looked last night.

The ability of the Horns to knock down their shots will be key in their success this season. They can certainly get open looks and they are going to make it difficult for others to score on them. As long as the injury bug stays away, the Horns should be a major factor in the Big 12 race.

For now, North Texas comes to Austin on Friday night (11/20/09). I am looking forward to seeing the Horns bounce back in this game.
 
well said, babhorn. i completely agree...i was definitely disappointed with the shooting. there were times when i felt the horns could make a run and cut into the lead, but the shots just weren't falling....and we weren't hitting the offensive boards. UConn, on the other hand, had way too many second chances. but that just speaks to their aggression...specifically Maya Moore. she's everywhere on offense and defense, and rebounding. amazing player.

i loved the fact that UConn ended up with more turnovers and Texas had more steals...that's very encouraging. we sat across the court from the UConn bench, and Geno was definitely upset with the turnovers. it was fun watching him in action on the sideline...he's intense, no doubt.
 
What I saw was:

1) Our PGs could not penetrate the UConn zone. We seemed to do a lot of dribbling outside the zone, and not enough passing.

2) Ashley Gayle has no business dribbling the ball at the top of the key; result was turnover

3) When the game was still a game, UConn was getting layups due to their great ball movement, and we were settling for jumpshots

4) IMO, we brought the wrong gameplan. We had no business trying to run up and down the court with UConn. Should have tried to slow the game down and make each possession count and get the best shot possible

5) Lots of quick shots by our perimeter players. Didn't give our rebounders a chance to get in position, and then the missed shots resulted in UConn running down the floor

6) Kat was great. She plays her best against the best competition

7) Fontenette and Anderson seemed to lack confidence in their offensive game. UConn's sagging zone defense didnt' give them much room to play their games.

8) Cokie trying to swat Maya's three-point shot was a freshman mistake. Maya makes 3 foul shots, and Reed picks up her 2nd foul in the first half

9) Last season, we seemed to have such great ball movement early in the season, and then went away from that philosophy as the season went on. I was hoping for good ball movement this season, as that's when we end up with the best shot selections.
 
I thought it was a good game, we held our own. I am in agreeance that the shooting was a nightmare. Has anyone else started to cringe when they see Erika try to go for the three?
 
A defensive thought on Maya...face guard her. I know an after thought but Williams and Raven could have handled the defensive assignment of face guarding her. I'm just thinking outloud how do you slow Uconn down.
 
You slow down UConn by controlling the boards and not getting TOs. We did half of that. You aren't going to beat UConn by penetrating, they are too quick and they help too well. Ball movement is important to get open shots.
 
Tina Charles was pulled with 9:35 left in the game...Maya Moore was pulled with 6:07 left in the game when UCONN was up by 35 and Doty was pulled with 4:53 left. You leave those three in for the rest of the game and you easily extend the lead another 10 to 15 points by the end of the game.
 
Pulling some players late in the game doesn't translate into another 25 points had they stayed on the floor. The Horns also had players on the floor late who weren't in the starting lineup. UConn is a great team and they won by 25 points; they have beat some very good squads by a lot more. It's clear that our shooting % is going to have to improve dramatically if we want to be competitive against top programs. And I agree with Babhorn about controlling the boards; pulling down more rebounds is going to make a big difference in games where our shots aren't falling. IMO this is where we need the most work, and also where I expect to see the biggest improvement as the season progresses. UTSA finished equal with the Horns in rebounding and the game leader was their 5'6 guard Franklin. We have two 6'4 posts and return our two rebound leaders from last season Kat and Earnie. With these four on our squad the Horns should be out-rebounding just about everyone this season. If that happens we are going to win a lot of games.
 
Yes we need to improve our rebounding however we need to make shots. We can have 50 rebounds but if we can't convert them into points we're still in trouble. We need OFFENSE!!
 
this game showed the obvious - we are far behind nationally - however we can be good - maybe top 25-30 and we need to - so we can recruit better - we are feeling the effects of our #1 class a few years ago not panning out - if I remember right 3 came in with knee injuries and it kind of went downhill from there, grades, chemisty, not catching on to the college game - that class had 6 players and that is huge when it doesn't work out - it takes a couple of good recruiting years just to catch up - coach g has her work cut out for her and this just magnifies the situation - she is a terrific coach, but i think we may not get a good feel of her and our program until next season
 
I agree with cynt above. Face guarding Moore can be quite effective. Someone did it last year. Was it Rutgers? Obviously, Uconn still won the game, but it threw Uconn a lot. Uconn can make up for anyone being taken out by face guarding, even Moore. But I often wonder why it isn't used more often when teams are being torn up by one player.
 
Moore can fake left to right, right to left, and still hit a shot or get an assist...she's not a two time all-american for no reason!! Face guarding her might limit her scoring, but watch out for the assists.

UConn has not only the two time NPOY, but another all-american with Tina Charles, and a freshman POY in Tiffany Hayes.

The Horns played hard. Shots weren't falling and it's too bad that had to happen against UConn, but we're in for a great season. Hustle on the defensive end was great. This team has something to say Friday night!!!
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