A look back at Friday’s UConn-Holy Cross game:
UConn 87, Holy Cross 34
TURNING POINT – The Huskies utilized full- and half-court pressure and a 2-3 zone at the start to completely disrupt the Crusaders. They forced seven of Holy Cross’ 17 first-half turnovers in the opening 5:45.
UConn had 12 steals in the half. And it scored 21 points off of turnovers to mount a 52-22 lead at halftime.
“It’s always great to get rewarded for your effort and for your hustle,’’ junior Maya Moore said. “With a roster of 10 people right now healthy and able to go, you’ve got to make sure that you get something out of your press because you can’t stay in it too long. It feels good to get the steals and the convert at the other end because it builds momentum and gives you more confidence in your pressing skills.’’
UNSUNG HERO – There is nothing about Moore that is unsung. But she does so much more than score, and that sometimes goes unnoticed. She finished with a game-high 21 points. However, she also had seven rebounds, four assists and a game-high four steals in 23 minutes.
BEST ‘X’ AND/OR ‘O’ – The Huskies caught Holy Cross off guard with their half-court pressure. It created numerous turnovers, including a combined 13 by the Crusaders’ guards in the first half. Afterward, Holy Cross coach Bill Gibbons said that this is likely Geno Auriemma’s best defensive team.
“They’re so long and athletic and they play so darn hard no matter what defense they’re in,’’ Gibbons said. “They threw that half-court trap … We hadn’t seen that. He hasn’t shown that all. We weren’t kind of ready for it.’’
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS – Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault and assistant coach Scott Hawk made the trip to scout UConn All-American center Tina Charles. The Sun own the No. 3 pick in the 2010 WNBA draft… Former Huskies post player Brittany Hunter was also in attendance, sitting in the first row behind the Huskies’ bench. … Auriemma did not take his sport coat off during the game. Gibbons had his off less than four minutes in. … The next two games in the series will be played in Connecticut. Gibbons is hopeful that when the Huskies return to Worcester in 2012-13 the game will be held on campus at the Hart Center for the first time since Jan. 20, 2000 when a sellout crowd of 4,000 was on hand.
“We’re hoping that we can talk to our administration to get the game back at the Hart Center and get the 4,000, 4,200 in the Hart Center and have the students,’’ Gibbons said. “And Geno’s fine with it.’’
LOOKING AHEAD – The Huskies were given Saturday and today off before reconvening Monday night. They will host Hofstra in the first round of the WBCA Classic at Gampel Pavilion Friday at 7:30 p.m. Auriemma will look to become the fastest coach in history to reach 700 wins (699-122). The event will see UConn play three games in three days.
BY THE NUMBERS
3 – Turnovers for Caroline Doty in 83 minutes this season
23.0 – Rebounding margin through three games
49.3 – Margin of victory through three games
58 – Points in the paint Friday (54 by UConn)
Rich
Rich, is it only me or do you also notice how neither Coach Auriemma, nor any of his players hardly ever have anything positive to say recgarding the opponents they steamroll? I’m sorry, but they come across as awfully arrogant and disrespectful when all they have to talk about is themselves. I think Auriemma and his players would do better to show some class and give some credit to their opponents for at least working their tails off and giving it their all, despite being at a disadvantage. I’m a Connecticut (men’s basketball) fan, but I’ll tell you the truth- I’m looking forward to the lady Huskies getting knocked off their high horses. They seriously need it.
Comment by Richie P. — November 21st, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
Richie P. – Goodness, but you’re uninformed. Clearly you don’t follow the women’s team. If you did, you’d know there’s no such thing as the “lady” Huskies.
If you did, you’d know that your comment about “never saying anything positive” is nothing but troll talk.
Did you not listen to CD at half time? Of course you didn’t, because you don’t follow this team.
Did you not hear Maya post-game? Of course you didn’t, because you don’t follow this team.
You, sir, need to get off your troll-horse and pay attention before you toss out your silly nonsense.
Comment by NYWNBAfan — November 22nd, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
Richie P-
I think your statement is ridiculous!! These girls deserve all the credit in the world. I’m proud to say that I’m a UCONN women’s bball fan. I love to see the men’s team lose. They are nothing but delinquents (not all of them). The men’s program is bringing bad publicity to UCONN. Just to give you a little education on the women’s team, I believe all but just a few girls made dean’s list. When has the men’s team ever done that.
RICHIE YOU ARE A FOOL
Comment by KevinCT — November 25th, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
KevinCT-
Now you are looking like the ignoramous. The men’s team is not a bunch of deliquents. They’ve graduated some of the finest upstanding individuals to ever come out of UConn. Okafor, Thabeet, and Ray Allen (for starters) are all widely known as model professionals and human beings.
Occasionally they have some bad apples, and those kids generally don’t make it through the program. Some kids make mistakes, and they pay the price. Calhoun has made men out of more boys than I can remember (some who came in immature — AJ Price comes to mind).
Late Teen girls are much more mature than boys anyway, so of course there would be more problems with the guys.
Comment by G — November 27th, 2009 @ 2:29 am