UConn wins ROCK Fight vs Duke - Now A BIG Challenge - USC and their size

We recap UConn's win over Duke and then look at the their upcoming elite 8 game versus the University of Southern Cal. Will Southern Cal be a big problem for UConn as we look at some of the matchups.

[backsports]

At the end of the video I
have the end screen link to the Video of who is more selffish Paige Bueckers or JuJu Watkins. In truth I really don't think either of these players are selfish
but was more trying to take a look at the modern game of how now it is almost more advantageous to go iso ball like the Rockets vs playing like the Warriors. Essentially you do what you do to win.

This Video was very polarizing (will to be fair I think most people were angry at it). But I do think the video was good in terms of information on how Paige and JuJu play in terms of usage and their styles.

Just thought I would give this note to save comments if people do happen to click on it.

thanks for watching. Enjoy the basketball!

[solstice]

Ditto on everything that you said. Whatever happens, it's been a great year for UConn given the circumstances and they'll be loaded next year with or without Sarah Strong. (I hope "with" though.)

[thanep]

I agree, it's all gravy from here. Play hard, fast, and loose U Conn and let the chips fall where they may, it's already a winning season for these great players.

[TheDisruptiveOne]

Paige has carried the team. And the season will likely end at the elite eight.

This team has overachieved though and making it to the elite eight feels like an accomplishment.

Juju is a game UConn needs Aubrey for. And unfortunately they don't have her.

[DT_Brown]

I have to give them credit I had them getting upset by Syracuse so good for them for making it this far with literally half the team injured. Paige has been incredible lately.

[RobertDeMartin]

You can also consider the love which is in the room whenever you talk about the team. I will never forget Aaliyah's 4 teammates rushing full court to her to see how she was while she was on the ground holding her knee. Miraculously, she was okay and continued to play after a short rest. The inner strength of these players is off the charts. The mystique of playing for UCONN? The influence of Paige and the love in her heart? Geno's love for them almost not believing what they are accomplishing in spite of the bumps on the road? The love they receive from their adoring fans? Maybe if they can stretch the playing time to "7" (Brady and Samuels(?) ) it could give them the short rests they will welcome to 'do their thing'.
Note: They can't let JuJu get anyone in foul trouble. Running around screens and switching defenses will keep her occupied and maybe keep her off her game even if just for a few moments here and there. Nika MUST stay out of foul trouble.

[arthurmiller]

Regarding Edward’s proneness to foul. Do you recall what Tara VanDerveer said about Cameron Brink? Something to the effect “…after 4 years you would think she would have figured out how to stay in the game.”. I think this fits Edwards too.

[leanwitrockwit]

Paige has so much heart. Such a special resilient, strong, and humble human being.

[kelvinhardy]

Great content my man!
( Keep doing what your doing).

[Donte.firstseedsports]

I also agree with your take. Very hard fought win. Geno seemed pleasantly surprised with how far they’ve gone. It’s gonna take a Herculean team effort (and some luck) to win. I just hope they get enough rest because they were noticeably tired in the fourth quarter… We need Ice and Q to step up when their # is called…Call me crazy but when I see JuJu lead SC, it reminds me of Carmelo Anthony leading Syracuse as a freshman in 2003. She’s already a “next level” player.

[dominictramonte]

I tend to agree. It took seven miracles, each greater than the last, to get this far. I'm proud of them. If they fall tomorrow-- and like you, I think they will-- it will be fatigue that has done them in. There's only so far a 6 player team can go. Maybe it will happen. With Paige, there's never no hope. But it's going to take a miracle, and Geno may not have any left.

I am less down on Ashlynn than you are. She played 38 minutes. Yes, she only took 4 shots and missed all of them. But she's a catch and shoot 3-point sniper, not a paint player per se. She only took 1 shot after getting the ball in close. She stayed out on the perimeter, occupying a defender and waiting for the ball. That's her job and she performed it well. They didn't sag off of her, or she'd have lit them up. I guarantee you they noticed she could. She had 4 boards and an assist-- averages 3.3 and 1.5-- against only two fouls and a turnover. I really don't think she was as intimidated by the height as you said; she's a master at slipping by with a pump fake and taking a two from deep. She didn't do that once. She was always going in for the boards and she played well in moving the ball, as usual. She just didn't get many opportunities to score last night. That, I think, is more on the people passing the ball than her. I saw no hesitation whatever in shooting when she had the chance. She was up against a great defense, as were the whole team; hell, both teams. The passing lanes weren't there, on either end of the floor. Ashlynn's trick doesn't work unless you can reliably get the ball to her.

As you say, we shall see. Not long to wait now. If they lose, so be it. It was a good run, considering what they've have to deal with.

But maybe they'll win. They've struggled with a lack of height all season. But sometimes they do win anyway, by being faster.

[johrqnm]

MARCH MADNESS ☠️ ANY TEAM CAN GET GOT ???💯💪🏾💯

[chestermicek]

UConn has gone as far as its five player team can go. They schlanged Duke in the first half because Geno makes his girls play world class defense. They were done in after that. Gold stars for Paige who scored more than 20 points despite being double and triple teamed. Same for KK, Ash, Ayliah, & Nikki. KK plays like the cops are scheduled to take her downtown for questioning in 90 if she takes a breather. Ash is so coordinated that it's scary. She played close enough to steal her opponent's panties. Nikki approaches each game as if it's a Banzai charge. Alyiah will be a pro somewhere. Her career will go up or down depending on her mid-range jump shot. If she wants a different career, the CFL could draft her as a tight end or she could become the first girl to make Seal Team 6. Summing it up, Paige is unstoppable and looking like her old self & she's backed up by four girls who won't quit and three who do nothing but sit.

[arthurmiller]

Can you believe it!! UConn 80 USC 73. Who would have guessed this one!

[StoryGordon]

It depends on what you want. Two excellent defensive teams make offense difficult. So many wants big scores, but Geno knows the power of D. So does Kara and Dawn. I saw someone note that Ash was shut down. Really? She was marked most of the game. Very few noticed Nika didn't foul. Forget the score. Watch the play. It was an excellent, tough game by two solid teams.

[winniebrigino]

you’re right. with what’s left of uconn’s roster and considering potential competition, they’re gonna have to play super duper nova from here on out.

[DR]

uconn sent usc packing just like I knew they would. they had a great season tho. Juju is undeniably a great player. she just doesn’t have enough support behind her. hopefully this incoming class can help her out next season. i wish Forbes had another season

[johrqnm]

🙏🏾💯💪🏾💯💪🏾💯 GREAT REPORTING & INFO AS USUAL 💯💪🏾💯

[giftcardbill]

Nice realistic take. Interestingly a large preponderance of the sports sites have UCONN as the favorite much like the Duke odds. I've never watched USC play so have no idea. We see highlights of JuJu but you know highlights don't show a lot. Of course the big concern is a six player rotation, well 5 because Brady is a mess. It really rankles me. Like Amari she just seems lost out there. It will come down to the x factors, Shade and KK. And UCONN's endurance. Hopefully, as things go, Shade will bounce back with about 12 to 16 points, Nika will hit her threes, and Edwards will have a stellar day. Of course Paige will do Paige. And yes, I agree she will need a super star day tomorrow.

[maxwellbrown]

I’m not quite this pessimistic about UCONN’s chances. Juju is very skilled but is a high volume shooter who only shoots 40% from the floor. If she has an off shooting game I think USC will have a hard time finding another big scoring option. And UCONN has been playing excellent defense.