In Reply to: WBB: I watched the Maryland game last night posted by TheHappyBurgermeister on January 20, 2026 at 10:07:23
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but since this is the team that knocked us out last year, it’s worth some speculation. Here’s my take on the Lady Huskies.
The biggest concern is the pace they play at. Last year, the Bruins simply couldn’t adjust. At that frantic speed, we struggled to find matchups, and offensively we were far too reliant on Betts.
Another major issue is their frontcourt. They have two extremely physical post players. There’s no doubt Lauren Betts can handle Williams, but Strong is a different challenge altogether. She’s the complete package. Down the line, S. Betts might be a useful matchup, but right now she’s not ready. We’ve often started with four guards alongside Betts, but that lineup won’t work against UConn. Dugalic will need to play, and we’ll have to provide help when Strong establishes position in the post.
The encouraging sign is that we’re no longer as dependent on Lauren offensively. The bigger question is whether we can generate quality shots against an elite defense—because UConn is going to defend us. The hope is that Kiki and CLW can break down the defense and create opportunities for others, and I believe they’re capable of doing that.
Ultimately, the key question remains: can we defend fast, highly athletic teams like UConn?