In Reply to: UCLA v Zona rewatch posted by TheHappyBurgermeister on November 22, 2025 at 14:25:58
Hell of a game. UConn looked insaaaaaane for a long time. Michigan, who had been averaging almost 100 ppg, according to the announcers, had 5 points in the first half.
Newsflash, Strong and Fudd are both incredible players. For a while in the first half, UConn was running plays with Strong as the point guard. Not kidding. She'd receive the ball at the top of the three pt line, they'd clear out and she'd take her defender on. Either drive to the basket or drive and kick. This will make people mad, but I don't think we have a player on our roster who is as good at that as Strong. They got away from that, but it was amazing to watch. So, UConn got up by 20. The curious thing is that to my eyes Michigan's comeback started when they put Dudley on Strong. Strong had 12 rebs 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter. Unless my math is off, that's a rebound per minute. Dudley hadn't played at that point. Dudley got most of her 18 minutes in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, Strong hardly had any boards in that time. She picked up a few at the end of the game, when Dudley was back out of the game. Like Strong, Dudley is 6'2" and quick, and she looked wirey-strong out there. If we play UConn in the tourney, maybe we put Jacquez on Strong?
Lot's of other good players out there, but the two obvious ones are Fudd and Michigan's Syla Sword. Fudd can get her shot off in an instant. Almost catching and shooting in the same motion. She shot 43% on 3's last season, and w/o doing the math, about 50% on 2's. Swords is different. She create her own shot, she was incredibly adept at creating a little space with her dribble and elevating for a shot. She must have very strong legs - outstanding at moving laterally, stopping and jumping straight up for her shot. She's never drifting in the air - always straight up, shoulders square.
Side note, SC lost to ND (who got crushed by Michigan). SC's big win was vs. NCSt, who also lost to TCU.