Some thoughts on the Oregon game:
- Not quite sure how to evaluate this game. Without Paige, Christyn, Azzi and Aubrey, this UConn team was incredibly shorthanded.
- Great 10-0 start to the game by the Huskies, but unfortunately it couldn't last as UConn missed 11 of their last 12 shots in the first qtr, struggling to score for much of the rest of the game.
- Liv absolutely played her heart out today. She filled up the stat sheet once more and worked to exhaustion getting position in the low blocks over and over again, frequently without receiving an entry pass.
- With Oregon packing it in on D and UConn struggling to feed the post, the Huskies really needed someone to step up today and make outside shots. 3 for 17 from the arc was just not going to get it done.
- Like many UConn WBB fans, I’ve had to alter my goals for this season. Now, most of all, I want to see everyone back and healthy. I want to win the BE tournament. Then I want to shock some folks during the Big Dance.
- On MLK Day, perhaps one of his quotes has some relevance for UConn WBB. “We must accept finite disappointment. But we must never lose infinite hope.”
I guess coach wanted the six players to know how it feels to lose, in front of a hostile crowd. And for each player to acknowledge their role in that loss. And to be on the court against a quality team for forty minutes, rather than Xavier or Butler. He has the rings, so I won't question his motivation.
Here is what I saw;
1. Olivia is battling and working 100%. But that hot shooting we saw from 12-14 feet against Xavier went away. So Oregon could ignore her outside the paint.
2. Dorka is not at Olivia's level. She can be fine against Butler, but she has bad hands and her shot is not dependable.
3. Edwards is a more limited player than any of us imagined. She has no shot. Her contribution is hustle and defense. A decent substitute for limited periods of time. She has few qualities of a true BIG, and fewer still as a wing.
4. Westbrook. I keep thinking " she has lost her passion for the game." Sloppy, slow and not taking charge at all. At her " homecoming."
5. Muhl. She was over-used in this game. Physically not ready to go 100% that long. Not for lack of trying. Hopefully, she'll get her shooting touch back. Because Oregon knew they almost didn't have to guard anyone against a three.
6. Caroline had her worst day on offense. And she wasn't that great with the ball in her hands either. Couldn't buy a shot. But she did not give up and still made plays. A good sign ( if we needed one ). And I know someone is going to tell me she scored 20 or so. Doesn't matter. She was throwing up bricks all day.
7. Coach. I wanted to see Gabriel and DeBerry again, in meaningful minutes. My view was; why not? Maybe their size and fight could shake Oregon up a bit. And it would be good for them to compete against a real team for once. So, I was disappointed. Again, I defer to Geno. His reasons are better than mine.
I can't imagine playing South Carolina in a week of so.