The NCAA tournament is all about matchups. This is something that Geno Auriemma has always believed and will continue to believe. There is no doubt that the Huskies will be the favorites to win the tournament, which will begin at Gampel Pavilion March 22 at noon or 2:30 p.m. But it will be matchups that predicate whether or not Kaili McLaren will be a factor at all as they chase their sixth national championship.
McLaren was not a factor against Villanova Wednesday. She did not play at all for the first time this season and for the first time since missing back-to-back games against Seton Hall and Georgetown last Feb. 9 and 12 due to her poor performance in practice.
“Kaili is Kaili,’’ Geno said. “No, no, no. Her knee is fine. I just didn’t see any way, shape or form that she could be out there guarding anybody that they had on the floor.’’
In the last 10 games, McLaren has one DNP, played just eight minutes against Louisville Jan. 26 and five each at Cincinnati Jan. 24 and at St. John’s Feb. 11. A player with so much talent needs to be more than a matchups-type of player. But it all falls on her shoulders to mold herself into more than that at this point in her career. That’s the ways it’s been since she joined the program. Geno wants her to mix it up in the lane more often and exploit favorable matchups inside. He also wants to become more than just a post player with remarkable passing ability.
McLaren is averaging 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 15.6 minutes off the bench this season. Her scoring, rebounding and minutes are all down slightly from last season when she averaged 4.9, 4.1 and 17.0, respectively, in 35 games (11 starts).
Rich
