Heart check game, with the good guys almost squandering another close one in regulation but...
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Uconn - St Johns
- Thread starter the Blades
- Start date
14 blocked shots was fun..........I can't remember the last time they had that many. I did not understand how at the end of the game UConn ended up with Cole on Champagnie, who easily shot over Cole for a 3 that almost won the game. Can someone explain how UConn ends up with Cole, who is around 10 inches shorter, on St. John's best player in a game winning situation?
Not sure, I was at Gampel. I thought that completed St John's comeback for sure and sent us to a long miserable ride home. It had to be on a screen & forced switch like how Kemba ended up on the famous McGhee ankle breaker, but I'd have see it again.
Biggest break for Uconn was that full court pass by AJ with 4 secs left in reg.. It was a break away lay-up by Cole without the deflection into the stands by the Johnnies. But Uconn got the next best thing, advancing the ball to the front court for a more manageable possession and quick cut to the hoop by Martin, since they didn't have a TO to try that from the other end. Naturally Sanogo missed 1 of 2 FT's on the putback, which Uconn was doing all night, but it did get em' to OT and they finally got some offense from fast breaks and other stuff. Even though their half court offense struggled again down the stretch, allowing St. Johns back in it once Uconn went up 11.
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From the other side with Mike Anderson interview....
Historically, big teams at UConn have been bothered by small ball teams causing matchup problems going back to 2006 Elite 8 vs. George Mason. It also can't be forgotten that St. John's did beat UConn in Storrs last year in a game that was similar. However last night UConn did retaliate appropriately with Sanogo bullying St. John's inside for 26 points, 18 boards and 6 blocks of the 14. And as DH mentioned in the presser it's no coincidence that the 3 point shooting stats improve as they have the last 2 games when defenses are trying to collapse on Sanogo. But despite those offensive advantages and the block party, UConn still needed OT to win due to the problems stopping the spread out offense of SJU.
The last play of regulation was well designed. You hope that Martin is fouled, scores, or passes to Sanogo, or Sanogo offensive boards his miss, which is what happened. Was a lot better than the last game where Martin was momentarily indecisive and the result was a trap, a turnover and no drive or shot at the basket.
The one other problem in this game was AJ being a little too loose with his passes and his handle in traffic. He really needs to tighten up his game and button down some of the wildness because he had too many unnecessary TOs. The cup dunks and the flying around the Court are great but his ball security needs to be better. He is progressing, but needs to focus on being smarter with his passes and and ball handling. He seems to get excited in the open court, but needs to relax and and see the defense better and make winning plays rather than spectacular plays.
The last play of regulation was well designed. You hope that Martin is fouled, scores, or passes to Sanogo, or Sanogo offensive boards his miss, which is what happened. Was a lot better than the last game where Martin was momentarily indecisive and the result was a trap, a turnover and no drive or shot at the basket.
The one other problem in this game was AJ being a little too loose with his passes and his handle in traffic. He really needs to tighten up his game and button down some of the wildness because he had too many unnecessary TOs. The cup dunks and the flying around the Court are great but his ball security needs to be better. He is progressing, but needs to focus on being smarter with his passes and and ball handling. He seems to get excited in the open court, but needs to relax and and see the defense better and make winning plays rather than spectacular plays.
It seems like every game we go up 10-11 points, but never separate and always end up having to sweat one out. Because of unforced sloppy turnovers and porous defense when we have the lead. Regardless of the opponent.
this team has final four potential, but at this point a first round exit against an inferior gritty tram seems more likely.
this team has final four potential, but at this point a first round exit against an inferior gritty tram seems more likely.
Before the last 2 games, I had been wondering why Sanogo was not a better rebounder than he was (just looking at his body) and why he was not leading the team in rebounds by a mile, and now we have a 2 game 32 rebound explosion. This is exactly what was needed against St. John's. Congratulations and keep it up!