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Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,124
WBB: UCLA will play UConn in the Final Four; Fri 6pm PT
Posted Mon, Mar 31 8:13 pm (Edited Mon, Mar 31 8:20 pm)
UConn beat Southern Cal in tonight’s regional final to advance to Friday’s Final Four matchup against UCLA. Paige Bueckers had yet another 30+ game, and Sarah Strong added 22-17.

Southern Cal made a game of it until the 4th quarter when UConn pulled away for good. Kiki Iriafen was contained but Rayah Marshall had 23-15 against UConn’s bigs. Can only imagine what Betts would do.

It could all come down to how well the Bruins fare with their 3-pointers shots. If the Bruin outside shooters keep UConn honest, Betts can dominate.

Another X factor will be the officiating. Bueckers will get the benefit of the doubt. Betts probably won’t against UConn. She gets away with a lot of contact with her forearms and elbows. The refs were calling those close against LSU. They might call it even closer against UConn.

Early foul trouble for Betts could be bigger trouble for UCLA. UCLA was able to win the backcourt matchup against LSU and stretch out a lead. But, UConn is a better backcourt team.

UConn will be the favorite because of Coach Geno and Bueckers. But the Bruins have been silencing doubters all season. The opportunity is now in front of them. Time to embrace the underdog role and slay the dragon.

This will be a high profile matchup in what could be Bueckers’ last college game. 6pm tip-off Friday night on ESPN.
uclanman
Joined: 9/23/12 Posts: 1,853
If that first non-foul on Bueckers was any indication
Posted Tue, Apr 01 3:53 am
In response to WBB: UCLA will play UConn in the Final Four; Fri 6pm PT (Woochifer)
there could be some eyebrow raising favoritism going on. Agree this game could come down to another successful perimeter shooting night and if they let Betts play.

Jacquez went crazy offensively after two tourney games and hopefully Kiki could do the same.

Look for Auriemma to try to exploit the Bruins propensity for turning it over.

UCONN being favored by 8.5 over the #1 overall seed in the tournament should be emphasized by Close.



Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,124
Ball security and fouls
Posted Tue, Apr 01 8:44 am
In response to If that first non-foul on Bueckers was any indication (uclanman)
Against LSU, the Bruins took good care of the ball until the 4th quarter when LSU got desperate and more physical.

Bueckers gets a lot of steals, and does a lot of reaching in to get those steals. The refs will probably give her a lot of leeway before they call a foul. UConn doesn't have LSU's athleticism and length, but Bueckers will be the best scoring threat on the floor and freshman Sarah Strong will be another matchup issue for the Bruins.

Ball movement will be key. Even though Rice had an off night offensively against LSU, she was still effectively distributing the ball and finding open shooters.

Southern Cal's center Rayah Marshall had a 23-15 night against UConn, with the Huskies effectively neutralizing All-American Kiki Iriafen. Betts is a more dominant force in the paint than Marshall, so it remains to be seen what tradeoffs UConn will try to slow Betts down.
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,656
when lsu got desperate, they were doubling the ball
Posted Today 10:26 am
In response to Ball security and fouls (Woochifer)
ucla doesn't seem to have good in game adjustments,

but we have a gap till the ff, so i think we will be prepared.

the slow adjustments is because ccc is not the x & o coach. it's the male assistant coach so there is a delay.
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,656
she looks skinny, but long arms, can
Posted Today 10:11 am
In response to If that first non-foul on Bueckers was any indication (uclanman)
change directions very quickly, and can hit three threes in a row.

problem is can create getting open on her own so she will score.
lakershen
Joined: 1/08/25 Posts: 202
On top of everything, this game will be determined by
Posted Tue, Apr 01 3:59 am
In response to WBB: UCLA will play UConn in the Final Four; Fri 6pm PT (Woochifer)
Kiki Rice.

She will show up and UCLA will win.Go Bruins!
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,656
oh, just complimented your mbb post
Posted Today 9:57 am (Edited Today 10:06 am)
In response to On top of everything, this game will be determined by (lakershen)
and was not familiar with you and you show up her at wbb!!!

yes, rice seemed not to be feeling well last game. i think kiki will be fine again soon also.

i lived in northern china part time for 7 years,
shen.

in china i was lexus parts and service guild supplier and wal mart global procurement supplier section 10 automotive.

i received professional designation in international business from UCLA extension.

i went UCLA undergraduate back in the bb mens dynasties but thought winning national championships was normal.

i think woochifer went UCLA and embraced bb and was a super fan but i just studied and was a weekend bruin fan, but could be mistaken about him.

i played bb frat league at pailey pavillion for the Christian frat.

glad you like bruin wbb!!!

root beer!!!
david toyoda
AND ROOTY!!!

A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,656
understand the uconn wbb team
Posted Today 10:33 am (Edited Today 10:35 am)
In response to WBB: UCLA will play UConn in the Final Four; Fri 6pm PT (Woochifer)
first, they have a 6 5 center from cairo Egypt as a starter.

this is a illusion because she only plays 10 minutes. and she doesn't score.

uconn reserve forward are iirc 6 2 and under and do not score.

the exception is 6 1 national freshman of the year?? #21 sarah strong

A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,656
uconn on offense
Posted Today 10:55 am (Edited Today 10:56 am)
In response to WBB: UCLA will play UConn in the Final Four; Fri 6pm PT (Woochifer)
has 4 scores on the floor

1 bruekers v jusquez or kiki dudley??

2 chen 5 9 g vs jones

3.fudd 3 point shooter

4. non scoring forward

5. high scoring 6 1 forward sarah strong

and sometimes they play 4 guard.

so they have the ability to take betts outside the paint.
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,656
at the start of the game. they will try
Posted Today 11:00 am (Edited Today 11:11 am)
In response to uconn on offense (A W Root Beer Bear)
to get betts in foul trouble

so we should start barker for 2 minutes to throw then off

but it's not going to happen.

*****

this is a game between a small high scoring team

versus

a defensive team with size.

it will be won on strategy of the matchups.

intruiguing.

*******

uconn has not lost since 3 point shooter fund came back

except in a close game vs
tennesse at tenessee.

it is good our coaching staff have a week to think about how to approach this.

*******

pls post your ideas. this one is for the marbles!!!

root beer!!!
DrKahanamoku
Joined: 11/08/09 Posts: 1,817
Like your insights.
Posted Today 11:07 am
In response to at the start of the game. they will try (A W Root Beer Bear)
Betts is a smart lady. My guess is she is forewarned and thus forearmed.

The tacticians I hope got it figured out.

Duke
Mero mero
Joined: 2/06/24 Posts: 206
That’s been every teams approach
Posted Today 6:08 pm
In response to at the start of the game. they will try (A W Root Beer Bear)
So Far Betts has been able to overcome that tactic.LSU started by flopping then got a really bad call against her early in 2 nd qtr.If the refs let them play I think BRUINs win. Rice and Dusilic need to play better
VB
Joined: 8/18/05 Posts: 1,573

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Ucla has a big size advantage in the frontcourt.
Posted Today 11:38 am
In response to uconn on offense (A W Root Beer Bear)
Hopefully we can exploit our size advantage by getting the ball to Betts down low.
Hope to see Betts get Strong in foul trouble by attacking her. If Betts can get Strong in foul trouble, with her 5-6inch height advantage, UConn becomes UCan't.

When the double comes, I hope Betts makes the right pass to the open shooter.
Jones, Jaquez, Rice, Gardiner should be able to get some good open shots in rhythm. I think Gardiner puts up 15points. She has a size advantage and such a pure shot with a quick release. Rice can control tempo and also is money at the FT line. Hopefully, we minimize turnovers against the UConn pressure.

We have to win the rebounding battle, starting at the defensive end. Limit possessions for UConn to one and done. Barker has been doing a great job on the boards. Dugalic can also be an Xfactor with her size and experience. I'm looking for Jaquez to guard Bueckers, maybe Barker or Dudley can disrupt her with their length.
uclanman
Joined: 9/23/12 Posts: 1,853
Utilize similar strategy in 3rd gm vs usc?
Posted Today 12:25 pm
In response to Ucla has a big size advantage in the frontcourt. (VB)
Both have a player that is by far their leading scorer, they both have a power forward that can score & board.

Juju - Bueckers

Strong - Iriafen

No on using Dudley. She absolutely cannot score - bringing doubles to someone else.

A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,656
THEN WHO DOES BETTS GUARD??
Posted Today 1:56 pm
In response to Utilize similar strategy in 3rd gm vs usc? (uclanman)
THEN WHO DOES BETTS GUARD??

I THINK SHE GUARD THE NON SCORING FORWARD. THAT IS THE THE FOWARD NOT NAMED 21 SARAH STRONG.

SO COACH GENO GOES 4 GUARD AND SARAH STRONG,

THEN WHO DOES BETTS GUARD??

WHATS THE DEFENSE AGAINST 4 GUARDS??
A W Root Beer Bear
Joined: 9/22/06 Posts: 9,656
If Betts can get Strong in foul trouble, with her 5-6inch
Posted Today 1:49 pm (Edited Today 2:02 pm)
In response to Ucla has a big size advantage in the frontcourt. (VB)
UConn becomes UCan't."

Posted by VB

"If Betts can get Strong in foul trouble, with her 5-6inch height advantage, UConn becomes UCan't."

*******

be watching for this!!!

going to screaming yes everytime betts gets fouled and double loud if it's strong.

thanks,

root beer