As Geno has said a few times this season, there isn't anyone coming off the bench to take your place, whether you are playing bad, or make mistakes, so this actually frees up the frosh to just play.
Yes, and although one of the goals is to win the BET, it's more important for Liya to be healthy and available for the NCAAT. And after today's result, I have a lot of faith in our team tomorrow.
Now hold on just one second. Geno’s said this a few times since Jana arrived in Storrs, and I’ve said similar things too. And every time I do people jump down my throat about how we don’t know, and the competition in Egypt was weak, and she’s just a freshman, yada yada yada.
Totally concur. And a game like that will elevate th confidence of Brady. KK had a biota a down game, but she was brilliant the day before. Ash was steady. And her defense is amazing. Q made a few nice plays and. lost the ball (possibly twice) on freshman indecisiveness. But I love coach saying how much confidence he has in how good Q can become. I do agree that Edwards will not get Dr. clearance to play in the final. I notice that Georgetown, unfortunately, lost a fine player to injury near the end of their win. So there is a bit of balance on the downside for each team. See you at the Casino.A couple thoughts on tonight’s game:
- In my 30 years as a passionate fan of UConn WBB, I have never been prouder of any Husky team than I was today.
- Against a talented and experienced Marquette team, UConn suited up just 7 healthy players, 4 of whom were basically freshmen, with a 5th a seldom used sophomore. Add in that UConn had almost no size and there should have been no reasonable expectation that the Huskies could prevail……unless you measure the size of their hearts.
- UConn has played strong defense all season. But to win the game today, the Huskies had to take their defensive effort to a whole new level, which they did holding Marquette to only 29 pts on 22% shooting.
- With Paige getting doubled all over the court, other players had to pick up the scoring, and the Huskies got just enough from Paige’s supporting cast to get the win.
- Yesterday Geno was asked about relying so much on the freshmen. He was philosophical, suggesting, “When you know you’re not going to get pulled after a mistake, because there’s nobody else to put in, you tend to just go out and play.”
- Ice had the weight of the world on her shoulders today. I was concerned she would be gassed playing so many minutes in place of Aaliyah. During her 40 minutes of PT
, Ice never once slacked off, giving everything she had in her best effort of the year.
- Yes, we have Paige and they don’t!!! Paige has now played pretty much every position on the floor, including jumping center for the 1st time in her college career, even winning the opening tip. When she hit that highlight reel shot at the end of the 3rd qtr, it was basically GAME OVER!!! It sounds impossible, but Paige played two games today: her game and Aaliyah's game. Paige's unbelievable stat line today: 27 points (11/16), 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks, 0 turnovers, 0 fouls.
- I suspect that we won’t see Aaliyah on the court again tomorrow, and I’m sure the UConn players are exhausted after an incredible effort today. But I would never bet against this team!
The top line shows tremendous sinus rhythm [True Heart], and the bottom line shows what suffocating defense does to the opponents' offensive heart [flatlined for the last 15-ish minutes]. Never have I seen a short handed team give everything they had on defense for fifteen consecutive minutes.
I for one will praise God for all of them being healthy and staying healthy. Got to believe for it before it happens!
Not arguing -- just a question -- doesn't even need to be answered but Marquette full-knowing they are on the bubble, why would they come out flat knowing UCONN was shorthanded while fighting for their NCAA lives, while having more players available to play?
This is so true. I am a believer. Who knows what the future holds. But I will not waste an instant of my time worrying about worst case scenarios.
I hope that if the old mask was burned in effigy, that AE will be fitted for a new one once the swelling goes down (somewhat) on Tuesday, so she will be ready to rock for the NCAA tourney. It appears that ICE "has got this" vs. G-Town.
It’s an excellent question. I can only say that the human heart can be mysterious. Geno recruits for talent, of course, but he also focuses on heart. It’s a rare commodity and hard to judge, and not many coaches know how to recognize it. Who’d’a thunk that Olive Oyl would be the toughest player coming out of high school 4 years ago. Everyone knew she was talented. But the heart of lion was not so obvious.
I never count out this edition (always stay in the present) as they continually show the Heart(s) of a Champion! It was awesome to see Paige smiling throughout the game.
Total Freshmen time for the Huskies: 122 minutes 50 seconds. Got to be a record for the Huskies in a win.
. It is such a pleasure to watch her play. A generational player with the personality to boot. An absolutely masterpiece of a game by her. That 3-pointer to finish the 3rd quarter with 0.2 on the clock with Carlin's hand in her face was beyond ridicules. 
