WBB vs LSU continued

I thought Renee, Maya Moore and Kaili McLaren got the ball rolling for UConn. Those 3 gave UConn the momentum they needed in the win over LSU.

Maya Moore seemed to get a lot of rebounds today, and that is a good thing. Maya is so talented that she is going to have to help UConn win in ways that don’t involve scoring. Teams may not let Maya beat them. When they do try to stop Maya someone else usually gets hot. Caroline will be left open or Renee might be left open, or Tina might get an advantage. Then that player will kill the other team. UConn players are so unselfish that they don’t mind doing other things to win. Whether its through defense, hustle, rebounding or extra passing. Their philosophy is to never take a play off and to get the ball to the open hot hand. Often times that hand is of Maya, Renee or Tina. It seems to me that in games each one of those players usually has a hot stretch when they score.

But Renee Montgomery really really was the most important player today. Renee is the team leader and really steps up when she has too. She has that senior leadership. It’s hard to describe but she really is the leader, the captain, the quarterback. She’s turned into a great scorer and really steps up in clutch games and moments. Look how well she played against Oklahoma. (I still don’t get how she wasn’t on one of the covers of the Daily Campus after that game) I seem to remember her hitting some big 3’s vs UNC last year too. She is the leader of the team. How wasn’t she a unanimous All Big-East selection? She routinely takes the game into her own hands and knocks down 3’s from all over the place. People need to talk about Renee as much as they do everyone else on the team. I don’t feel like she gets the recognition that everyone else does. She doesn’t care but I do.

Lorin Dixon was tremendous on defense. That’s something that most people won’t notice. I also liked that she had 3 boards in just 3 first half minutes of play. Oh and I loved that block. Lorin told me she could dunk a tennis ball. She has MAD HOPS. She just can’t dunk a basketball because she can’t palm the ball. Lorin is making great strides this year. She is becoming more consistent. She looks more confident and comfortable to me.

Speaking of comfort and confidence, UConn fans need to look at Tiffany Hayes. I’m telling you she can knock down 3’s. I’ve seen her be the best shooter in practice before. What I really like about Tiffany is her confidence and aggressiveness. Even if she’s missing shots she doesn’t just stop playing or pass up on shots that she should take. She attacked the rim impressively several times today. She may have missed them, and I’m sure she’s not pleased about that but don’t be concerned. Those will fall soon. It’s a good sign that she continues to go after it even if things aren’t breaking her way. That confidence will serve her well.

Kalana Greene also looked a lot more like the Kalana Greene of last year. Let me tell you that is a great sign for UConn. If Kalana can consistently give efforts like today’s, UConn will be unstoppable. She is great at slashing to the basket and getting rebounds. She just has a knack for doing that.

Kaili McLaren continues to dominate against LSU. She had a double double in Baton Rouge last year and scored in double figures again today. I liked seeing her making Low Post moves in the game today.

Team Manager of the Game….The guy in the suit and red shirt. I’m sure he has a name. Too bad I don’t know it.