B1G Game 11: Gophers visit UCLA (2-2-25)

[Gopheritnow]

I preface this by saying Hart has been playing very well, and never takes a play off.

The Gophers weren’t getting open outside looks because UCLA didn’t have to devote 2 people to Hart. Inversely we had sagged up to 3 on Betts. She is good, and their second is is quicker with more range.

We had a great start, but one player can’t carry a team the whole game offensively. UCLA showed us what ball movement does. In the second half we showed them what dribbling does! I won’t get into all the screens Hart sets that we don’t take advantage of.

I like Johnson, I think she is a pure scorer. But she sits because of things like her sequence today. It was hard to see but it appeared she lost the ball on her first possession. Then she got beat full court on a layup. P has made it clear that she values defense, and Johnson can’t or hasn’t seen the light!

 

[ecoperson]

Johnson seems to have a future but is clearly not ready at the moment. Others have already mentioned her deficiencies on the defensive end so I won't rehash that.

Johnson has a decent shot and likes to drive to the basket which provide some hope that she can contribute. Unfortunately, she has not figured out how to play within the team's offense. She does not move the basketball so she is often attacking 1 on 5 leading to empty possessions. I believe Johnson has the worst shot to assist ratio of all of the guards on the team. She is also the only guard on the roster with more turnovers than assists.

I am not certain if Johnson just doesn't see the court well or if she just hasn't matured enough to see how she can fit in to and enhance the team offense. A coach needs to trust that they're going to get what they need out out of each player on the court. Let's hope that she can put it together as I think that she has something to offer.

 

[drewhaus7]

Johnson seems to have a future but is clearly not ready at the moment. Others have already mentioned her deficiencies on the defensive end so I won't rehash that.

Johnson has a decent shot and likes to drive to the basket which provide some hope that she can contribute. Unfortunately, she has not figured out how to play within the team's offense. She does not move the basketball so she is often attacking 1 on 5 leading to empty possessions. I believe Johnson has the worst shot to assist ratio of all of the guards on the team. She is also the only guard on the roster with more turnovers than assists.

I am not certain if Johnson just doesn't see the court well or if she just hasn't matured enough to see how she can fit in to and enhance the team offense. A coach needs to trust that they're going to get what they need out out of each player on the court. Let's hope that she can put it together as I think that she has something to offer.

Yeah not sure, but she should be able to spell GG at moments to get her rest. Also Johnson has a bit more speed at times. Would help to get Johnson more up to speed to help with the depth of this team. I really think if Johnson came in like Braun did, (not saying be the same) but definitely would have had the chances to be the scorer of the team. Johnson has rebounded well, got some key charges, and can create offense.

As for the team offense, they need to get back to the drawing board, there are a lot of times it seems like we just wait for one to drive and they drive into a trap and we get into trouble too many times or we end up with a wild layup miss. They are finding out against these top rated teams, they are more quick and athletic and more difficult to move the ball around.

These last two games lost on the road against top 1 and 4 rated team was really all lost to the shooting outside the arc with the top teams getting the ball to the open shooter and them making 40% of them. We played tough on D, just need to find that 2nd trigger of offensive efficiency to score the ball! Nobody probably expected us to win either, but we had the chances and it is fun to see. Fun to see more fans want the top W's again as well!

 

[EaganGopher22]

This is the Gophers 3rd overall matchup against UCLA. They split the previous 2, with the first one being a memorable first round victory of the 2004 NCAA tournament. Here’s that game if anyone wants to take a trip down memory lane.

I was driving and was only able to pick up a broadcast of the game by UCLA radio. The announcer recalled that game and how UCLA got the wrong end of the referee call on charge against McCarville (and how terrible the call was).

 

[EaganGopher22]

Jeez, those under the basket misses. Good three quarters by the Gophers though.

Listening to the UCLA radio broadcast. Announcer was impressed with Gophers through 3 quarters and knew they would wear down. He believed they were a NCAA tournament team. He was right about wearing down. Hopefully right on the other account.