UConn’s Layup Line vs Marquette

[oldude]

After the game yesterday, Geno pointed out that UConn scored a remarkable 48 of their 81 points in the paint. This morning I rewatched the game highlights and was struck by a UConn scoring sequence spanning the 3rd and 4th qtrs.

After Aubrey buried a 3 from the corner, UConn’s next 12 baskets were layups by 7 different Huskies as follows: Dorka, Lou, Nika, Aaliyah, Aubrey, Azzi, Dorka, Caroline, Nika, Aaliyah, Aaliyah, Aubrey.

When you watch the highlight video, it feels like you’re watching a pregame layup line. The line was finally broken when Azzi spoiled things by hitting a midrange jumper…

 

[CL82]

I noticed this as well. Connecticut is a much more dangerous team when it doesn’t rely on threes. Nika was particularly aggressive and taking it to the hole. It’s good to see her embrace that part of her game.

 

[UConnCat]

Geno in one of the post-game interviews: "we thought we could take them off the dribble and we did that."

 

[JDForever]

Geno in one of the post-game interviews: "we thought we could take them off the dribble and we did that."

Might be why we didn't have a long scoring drought.

 

[Pharos]

Wonder why "we thought we could take them off the dribble?" Another observation: the paint are was less congested than it has been against other teams. More worries for the Marquette defense outside the arc.

 

[oldude]

Wonder why "we thought we could take them off the dribble?" Another observation: the paint are was less congested than it has been against other teams. More worries for the Marquette defense outside the arc.

Scouting. Marquette is a disciplined, well coached team. But they lack the overall team athleticism to stay in front of UConn’s players on defense. Last time out, Marquette beat UConn largely by packing defenders in the paint. With Azzi & Caroline back, Marquette had more outside shooters to defend, causing them to spread the floor on defense, while opening up driving lanes for the Huskies on offense.

 

[npignatjr]

Scouting. Marquette is a disciplined, well coached team. But they lack the overall team athleticism to stay in front of UConn’s players on defense. Last time out, Marquette beat UConn largely by packing defenders in the paint. With Azzi & Caroline back, Marquette had more outside shooters to defend, causing them to spread the floor on defense, while opening up driving lanes for the Huskies on offense.

They were beating them badly without either Azzi or Caroline on the floor, just them being available made them play more relaxed.

 

[huskeynut]

Scouting. Marquette is a disciplined, well coached team. But they lack the overall team athleticism to stay in front of UConn’s players on defense. Last time out, Marquette beat UConn largely by packing defenders in the paint. With Azzi & Caroline back, Marquette had more outside shooters to defend, causing them to spread the floor on defense, while opening up driving lanes for the Huskies on offense.

Exactly.

Marquette had no choice but to defend Azzi and Caroline beyond the arc. Even though both are coming back from injuries, can't take the chance that their shots would be off.

Nova will face the same dilemma tonight.

 

[Tonyc]

Just having Azzi and Caroline is the difference in this team. You have to guard them and unlike the past few weeks when they were both sitting on the bench which allowed defenses to pack it in and guard Lou with Azzi and Caroline you cant do that. Now given they are back and didnt take alot of treys there will be a time when UConn will have to take and hit a good percentage of treys. One of those games will be SC.

We are a different team with Azzi and Caroline in so many ways. Tonites game against Nova could be a surprise to alot of folks. UConn is playing like a run away freight train right that is unstoppable and we will only get better as Azzi and Caroline pique. Selection Sunday is March 12 then 2 games the following weekend at Gampel We've got the time we need to get ready to shock the world of WCBB.

 

[oldude]

They were beating them badly without either Azzi or Caroline on the floor, just them being available made them play more relaxed.

Yes & no. UConn was initially beating Marquette without Azzi & Caroline on the floor. But the Huskies blew the game open with their “layup line” immediately after Aubrey’s 3, and soon thereafter, both Azzi and/or Caroline were on the court along with Lou.

During the run Azzi’s layup came when a Marquette defender closed fast on her at the arc and she put the ball on the floor for a pretty left handed layup. Caroline’s layup came when a Marquette defender was overplaying her at the arc and she made a hard, backdoor cut to the basket.

It’s also worth noting, that at some point during UConn’s onslaught, Marquette became dispirited and all but “threw in the towel.” Let’s hope we see a similar resignation by Nova tonight.

 

[boontonbomber]

I've been waiting for years , hoping that UConn players would go to the basket more aggressively. It is the way the game has developed, but just seems UConn has been late to the table. And hope to see lots more now, including driving and kicking out when they run into defense.

 

[HuskyNan]

Exactly.

Marquette had no choice but to defend Azzi and Caroline beyond the arc. Even though both are coming back from injuries, can't take the chance that their shots would be off.

Nova will face the same dilemma tonight.

Both Caroline and Azzi move a lot on offense, something that didn’t happen as much with the short bench/tired version of the Huskies. Caroline, Azzi, and Lou weaving through the zone puts defenders in scramble mode and opens up the paint

 

[npignatjr]

Yes & no. UConn was initially beating Marquette without Azzi & Caroline on the floor. But the Huskies blew the game open with their “layup line” immediately after Aubrey’s 3, and soon thereafter, both Azzi and/or Caroline were on the court along with Lou.

During the run Azzi’s layup came when a Marquette defender closed fast on her at the arc and she put the ball on the floor for a pretty left handed layup. Caroline’s layup came when a Marquette defender was overplaying her at the arc and she made a hard, backdoor cut to the basket.

It’s also worth noting, that at some point during UConn’s onslaught, Marquette became dispirited and all but “threw in the towel.” Let’s hope we see a similar resignation by Nova tonight.

Halftime lead 13, before Azzi entered the game the lead had grown to 25.

 

[npignatjr]

Still way too many missed layups and dropped passes.

 

[Bone Dog]

In the new mode of our offense, I expect Dalce to get into foul trouble early. This happened last game, and I expect it will happen again, even sooner. This will mean Siegrist will need help from Mullin, Burke, and Olbrys to defend Aaliyah and Dorka. That's not a good formula for them and should create an opening for good minutes for Ayanna...

... and maybe another layup line!

 

[Carnac]

Just having Azzi and Caroline is the difference in this team. You have to guard them and unlike the past few weeks when they were both sitting on the bench which allowed defenses to pack it in and guard Lou with Azzi and Caroline you cant do that. Now given they are back and didnt take alot of treys there will be a time when UConn will have to take and hit a good percentage of treys. One of those games will be SC.

We are a different team with Azzi and Caroline in so many ways. Tonites game against Nova could be a surprise to alot of folks. UConn is playing like a run away freight train right that is unstoppable and we will only get better as Azzi and Caroline pique. Selection Sunday is March 12 then 2 games the following weekend at Gampel We've got the time we need to get ready to shock the world of WCBB.

I hope the team is as pumped and excited as we are about tonight’s game. This is what they wanted…..to win the BE Conference championship. It’s right in front of them. All they have to do is reach out and take it (from Villanova).

 

[NC28604]

Still way too many missed layups and dropped passes.

I stopped counting at 10 missed bunnies!

 

[Carnac]

Still way too many missed layups and dropped passes.

Not to harp on the obvious, but after watching a replay of yesterday’s game, I counted 6 missed layups (bunnies) by Aaliyah. She finished with 20 points. She should have finished with 32. One was a wide open uncontested layup. I hope she concentrates more tonight on finishing her layups. Layups are the easiest baskets she’ll get.