tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36311952.post7262802070705285442..comments2024-03-06T05:16:27.311-05:00Comments on Elm City to Eagleville: UConn's surprising run ends with stunning Final Four lossJim Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04368670098808413048noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36311952.post-13568305605014978412017-04-06T15:44:02.697-04:002017-04-06T15:44:02.697-04:00UConn beats Mississippi State 9 of 10 times. This ...UConn beats Mississippi State 9 of 10 times. This one game where they were out-hustled doesn't change that. Also might've helped had Geno not allowed the Bulldogs to control tempo by sitting on the ball every possession.JRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36311952.post-83969590154544982872017-04-02T12:18:23.225-04:002017-04-02T12:18:23.225-04:00So you don't regard 6'6" Azure Steven...So you don't regard 6'6" Azure Stevens as a big, mobile post presence?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36311952.post-49092567762864482252017-04-01T12:10:10.670-04:002017-04-01T12:10:10.670-04:00Some in the media and some UConn fans were fooled ...Some in the media and some UConn fans were fooled by UConn's dominance over Oregon. Ducks were s-l-o-w and young. Some of the Huskies might not have been prepared for Mississippi State athleticism, talent, defense, and heart. <br /> <br /> <br />To my eyes, Auriemma seemed more energetic and more animated on the sidelines versus Oregon than versus Mississippi State. UConn is now 0-5 in NCAA March Madness overtime games. If Auriemma gets credit for 11-0 record in NC games and nearly 1000 wins, he should take some blame for that 0-5 record. <br /> <br /> <br />Craziest stat is not the 111 game winning streak, which is now over. But the losses to Mississippi State and Stanford were each by 2 points in overtime. UConn win's streak could have easily been near 160. <br /> <br /> <br />Eerie similarities between the Mississippi State and Stanford losses. <br /> <br /> <br />In the loss to Stanford, UConn shot 19 for 28 at the FT line. UConn's best player Breanna Stewart missed 4 FT. UConn had 13 Turnovers and 14 Assists. Kiah Stokes took an ill advised shot early in the shot clock near the end of the game. <br /> <br /> <br />In the loss to Mississippi State, UConn shot 17 for 25 at the FT line. UConn's best player Gabby Williams missed 4 FT. UConn had 17 Turnovers and 11 Assists. Saniya Chong took an ill advised shot early in the shot clock near the end of the game. <br /> <br /> <br />7 very l-o-n-g months before the regular season starts. Each and every UConn player needs to improve on offense, defense, conditioning, strength, and endurance. Some more than others. Core 4 has 1 more chance together to win a NC "on their own". <br /> <br /> <br />Praying that UConn's core four with 3 AA, 1 key transfer who is touted as a POY candidate, and 4 incoming freshmen, including the HS POY, all remain Injury Free and Healthy. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36311952.post-47155667578977494242017-04-01T11:46:27.830-04:002017-04-01T11:46:27.830-04:003 All-Americans on UConn. 1 honorable mention AA ...3 All-Americans on UConn. 1 honorable mention AA on UConn. Definitely an upset, but not an historic one. Breanna, Moriah, Morgan, KML, and Stokes were not on this team. <br /> <br /> <br />Gabby was the Only one who played like an AA. Gabby carried UConn on her back at times and just would never give up. Heart and soul of the team. But she would be the first to say it was not her best game. <br /> <br /> <br />Tired legs led to Gabby's missed FT at the end. Miss State scouted UConn and knew when to get in the passing lanes. Difficult to pass over or around a 6'7" player. <br /> <br /> <br />Statistic lines for Nurse, Collier, Dangerfield, and Butler prove what our eyes saw. No sugar coating it. <br /> <br /> <br />Next season, UConn will have more options to use in different game situations. But they still will not have a big post who can contribute during meaningful minutes of close games. <br /> <br />Looks like another season of PG by committee, which could get UConn back to the Final Four. But the Huskies still need a PG who can help them win another National Championship. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36311952.post-78602269647528929832017-04-01T10:48:10.302-04:002017-04-01T10:48:10.302-04:00To the UConn women's basketball team: Thank yo...To the UConn women's basketball team: Thank you for a great and entertaining season. I am proud of you guys.John Bnoreply@blogger.com