December 14th, 2008: Penn State at UConn (Maggie Dixon Classic)

Connecticut Huskies 77, Penn State Lady Lions 63

Penn State is tenacious, but Tina Charles is powerful and Maya Moore is amazing.


Round 2 begin!

The ceremony between games was touching, but I didn't cry this year. I did cry last year, though. Thought it was interesting that Coach Stringer was connecting with one of the folks in the ceremony- but then, she's got an emotional stake in heart health (as does Coach Auriemma, if I recall correctly).

I think Coquese needs another year under her belt and a good crop of freshmen before she can start making some real noise in the Big Numerically Challenged. O'Rourke's got the talent, but I don't know if she's got the sense. I think Coach Washington kept her in too long in the first half- she was starting to turn interesting colors that should not be seen on a human being. She started off hot and kept her teammates involved. Tyra Grant just went off all over the place- midrange, three-point land, drives in the lane- I like her a lot. Mashea Williams also impressed me. She seemed to be good at being at the right place at the right time. I'm going to work under the assumption that Janessa Wolff is normally a starter, because she played a lot of minutes and played decently on the offensive end and very well on the defensive. No one else really stood out- but again, I think Coach Washington needs another year to really put her mark on this team.

JesusfuckingChrist, Tina Charles. We'll get to Maya Moore in a moment, but JesusfuckingChrist, Tina Charles. She looked like a woman among girls in that game. Big, strong, accurate, and dominant in the paint at both ends. Three of her blocks were spectacular enough for me to note down as amazing. As a St. John's fan, I'm not looking forward to seeing her beat our valiant but small and slight frontcourt to hell and back again. Maya Moore- wow. I don't think I've ever seen such a highly touted player be so dominant on the defensive side of the floor. Not that she didn't get involved in the offense, but usually the players that get the kind of worship she has get that attention by being incredible scorers or passers. At halftime, I turned to the UConn fan sitting next to me and said, "She's going to have to share the awesome. I'm running out of room to note down the amazing plays for her." I stopped after the third steal and the second block. And what I really liked was that her defensive plays helped set her team up on offense- a steal led to a bucket by Montgomery, a block led to a layup by Charles. That's the kind of player I'd want on my team the most- exceptionally well-rounded and makes a mark on the game even if she doesn't hit for a high percentage. It also seems to me that she makes Montgomery a better player, though I can't put my finger on why. Montgomery just seems to move better and be more on the ball when Moore's in. Doty was unremarkable, but she's only a freshman, I'll allow her that. ;) (By the way, Penn State? Leaving a bun-wearing Husky #5 open is made of fail. You're just asking for someone to go Maria Conlon on your asses.) Greene didn't play all that much- is her knee still bothering her? Hayes has brass ones, and I guess this proves that no number is sacred at UConn- she seems to be a different kind of player, bigger and more defensive, than her #3-wearing predecessor, since the big plays I have down for her are a block and a fierce rebound, but that still takes a bit of moxie. I really don't like McLaren- points for not being afraid to use her body, the way it seems a lot of posts are in the women's game, but I really don't like her 'tude.

Some inexplicable calls in the game, but fewer than in the previous. Then again, if Denise Brooks and Dee Kantner couldn't call a good game, I don't know who in the women's officiating pool could. And fewer bad calls than the UConn fans thought- seriously, yes, the hack by Greene was obvious, and even if it wasn't, you're up eleven with less than two to play, would you please stop booing the call?

Penn State kept it a lot more interesting than I think a lot of people expected, especially early in the game and for a couple of stretches in the second half. But at least in the second half, I also got the impression that UConn had let up a little bit and Penn State took that opportunity to pounce. These Huskies are good, no doubt about that. And while the triumphant cry of "St. Louis!" a few rows in front of us might be premature, and I have no doubt that they’ll be there, and I wouldn't be surprised if they won the whole enchilada, I don’t think they'll go undefeated. They'll trip up somewhere.

We were sitting right by one of the radio booths. I'm not used to doing the whole "isn't that... *whips head around* holy shit, that IS!" routine in the 200s, but we had the opportunity to do so because Kara Wolters was handling radio duties for UConn. I also spotted a tall blonde in the audience somewhere in the purple seats, but I didn't recognize her. She looked like Schuey, but, um, how to put this politely? She looked like Schuey if Schuey had gotten a nose job.

In conclusion, the event was a success. More, plz.