For sure. We also had McQueen at full strength. Hopeful Kennedy is close to 100%.
Crazy 2nd half, but I"ll take the win
Phewā¦that was a close one.
Gianna is just on another level right now. 29 points, 8 boards over the last 4 games.
Boy Howdy!! What more can you say. I will point out a couple of weak spots. She has trouble finishing drives with someone on her and with ball handling under pressure. Scoring 28 pts will do a lot to damper those weaknesses.
I watched the game with a lot of anxiety for the Utes. That press really got them messed up, and that #2 for Arizona is quick. That said, AZās success with the full court press really covered up how poorly Arizona played offense. They needed all those extra possessions to even be in the game. If the Utes handle that press a bit better, it is a blowout.
Through parts of the 3rd quarter through the 4th quarter, AZ outscored the Utes 26-4. Thank god they sucked at offense when it really mattered.
That full-court press (for the whole damn game) really wore AZ out and caused them a lot of foul trouble. That press was very physical and the refs probably could have called a foul on somebody on most of the Utah turnovers in backcourt, rather than just some.
Once we get a bit of a lead in the 4th quarter, it was about free throws, and with Kneepkens taking most of them, Arizona had to do a lot to keep up. The AZ players looked totally gassed at the end of the game, which allowed that 9-0 Ute streak to seal the game.
Frosh Watch: Walker played a bit and actually showed some decent ball-handling against the press. However, neither she nor Wilke could stop #2 on her drives. No one else played.
Crispe off the bench did some good things in her short time.
Johnson had another really good game scoring when needed and on the boards and led the team in assists. That three ball at the end was one of those āoh no! oh yes!ā types. What a dagger to the heart of AZ.
Ross played sparingly as she canāt handle the ball as well as Johnson can in the back court. Wilke looked more aggressive in taking shots. However, she passed up at least two good 3 pt opportunities. She needs to look for her shot more.
McQueen had a very nice game, not shooting, but her defense really makes a difference, and she has a handle when pressed. She made one 3 just after a whistle for an O-foul and you could tell she was, āof course I make it when it wonāt countā look on her face.
Next up, Texas Tech in Lubbock on Wednesday then home on Saturday against UCF.
TT has a 2 game losing streak with a bad loss to a very mediocre Kansas team last Wednesday. TT plays in Boulder tomorrow, then home for Utah, so, they have to travel as well. UCF is dreadful and it should be an easy win.
Great win, let out that big sigh, and thank your chosen deity that you are a Ute.
I watched a little bit of the Texas Tech vs. Colorado game from Sunday. Colorado won pretty comfortably, but I did notice that Texas Tech pressed. Whether that was because they went down big early or if that is part of what they do, I am not sure.
One thing I am sure of is that after the Arizona game, more teams will press us. The Utes need to be prepared and do two things they have had trouble doing all year, get off the starting blocks on time and limit turnovers. This is a road game and this team is tough overcoming many problems so far this season.
TT is beatable at home by this team.
Just finished watching the TT game. First, good to see Johnson having a nice game. Without her offense tonight, Utah would have lost. Kneepkens was in a funk, couldnāt hit anything. Our bigs have very loose handles on the ball. When Ross has the ball in her hand, sheās either scoring or turning it over.
Love Viera and love McQueen. McQueen, besides her 3-pt shooting prowess (4/8 tonight), she plays a tough defense, and she has the handle and the ability to drive with her quick feet. Conversely, Kneepkens actually does not have quick feet, but her craftiness and smart compensate for that.
Overall, it was an ok game. Again, when we get pressed, itās almost as though the team loses all its senses. Hey, a win is a win, especially away. Iāll take it.
p.s. McQueen will be a big loss for next year. And, Iām still concerned with our bigs next year.
Johnson and McQueen were the heroes of the game. I had a hunch that Johnson would have a good game, because in the game against Colorado, TT didnāt have much interior defense. I also like what Johnson did in breaking the press by having a decent handle up the court.
The game was won in the 2nd half when McQueen hit those three 3ās in succession, that gave the Utes the cushion they needed to get the game to the end.
You are right about Ross, but I would add, she is good rebounder, especially in traffic. Wilke had a decent game, with no glaring errors.
Frosh Watch: Walker played a couple of minutes and was invisible other than a good handle up the court against the press one time. No one else saw the court.
As you said, Kneepkens didnāt have a good game, seemed to have trouble with the rhythm of the game generally. Seemed just a bit off and she had 6 turnovers!
Defensively, the team performed much better in the 2nd half. In the first two quarters, TT was 7-11 on threeās but only 2-6 in the 2nd half. Good job not letting them just fire away at will like they did in the first.
The stats donāt show a great game by the team, but, as always, they tough it out and just know how to win.
It seems the team is down to basically a seven player rotation because of no reasonable depth and shows the concern you have talked about a few times for next year. Those recruits need to not only make it here, but contribute. Peterson needs to hit the portal hard to get us that depth.
On to play UCF at home on Saturday at 1:30. It is the 50th anniversary celebration of the program and a lot of former players will be there. So, get out to the game.
One positive was to see others pick up the slack when Kneepkins was off.
Yes indeed, it was fun to see the fully operational McQueen again, for example.