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UConn WBB vs Marquette- Regular Season Finale

KhalidShockedTheWorld

Well-Known Member
Mar 28, 2009
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Hard to believe this regular season ends tonight for the UConn women, against Marquette, a team UConn already beat on the road by 29 early in February.

The team has improved. In particular, freshmen Nika Muhl and Aaliyah Edwards have played their best basketball in recent weeks. Muhl is now starting and contributing and had a recent 19 point game, and Edwards came off the bench for 24 points and 14 boards in the recent game against Butler. Paige Bueckers continues to be the star player on the team, and in her last game she had a program record 14 assists to go with 20 points and 7 boards, this despite an off shooting night.

Christyn Williams, who is slump prone and was mired in a severe shooting slump in the middle of the season, has recently in the last 6 or so games been very consistent. While her outside shooting remains inconsistent and not her greatest strength, she has markedly improved in all other phases and especially her defense and playmaking. She was criticized last year as a one on one player who was out of sync with the rest of the team, but her game has matured and we could see some big games out of her in the postseason.

Evie Westbrook has had an up and down season, and her shooting has been erratic, but she is a big guard who defends and rebounds ferociously and is a very team oriented and unselfish player.

UConn has not gotten as much from their 2 sophomores as hoped. Anna Makurat suffered a stress fracture and hasn't been healthy and has not looked like the same torrid shooting forward we saw at the end of last year when she finished shooting 41% on 3s despite going 0 for her first 20. She might be back for the Big East tournament. Aubrey Griffin is one of the more athletic forwards UConn has ever had and is blessed with great bloodlines, but she hasn't improved her handle and shooting to the point where she is a consistent threat on offense. She is, however, a hellacious defender and rebounder and a player who can get 15 points just on garbage and hustle baskets due to her activity around the basket.

Olivia Nelson Ododa has become less a focus of the offense as the season has worn on and as Edwards has developed. At this point there is little question that Edwards is a better and more efficient low post scorer than Ododa. Ododa has tried to develop her mid range and perimeter game with mixed results. She seems capable at times but after she makes one she then gets enamored with shooting jumpers and I don't really see that as being an ideal first or second or third option in their offense. Ododa is an excellent passer and shot blocker, and needs to focus on those skills especially when Edwards is on the floor with her.

It's been a fun season and fun to watch all of these girls.
 
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