No. 4 UConn Huskies responded to their loss to now-No. 2 Michigan in expected UConn fashion, establishing as much as a 27-point lead over No. 10 Iowa before winning 91-79.
Or, more accurately, Sarah Strong responded.
The reigning National Player of the Year offered an authoritative opening bid to repeat, with 39 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, compiled with 62.5 percent shooting on 2-pointers and 50 percent shooting on 10 3-pointers.
Blanca Quiñonez stepped up as Strong’s co-star, enjoying her best game of the season as she matched her career high with 21 points in her 29 off-the-bench minutes. Going 4-for-5 from 3, the sophomore forward from Ecuador added four assists and five steals. KK Arnold also came along for the ride, contributing an efficient 14 points to go with her five assists. Jovana Popovic had the quietest game of her freshman season, chipping in 10 points and six assists.
But, that was about it for the Huskies. Thus far, usually-dominant UConn has received little dynamic play from the rest of the roster.
This season seems to be setting up as a Strong carry job, reminiscent of 2003 and 2004 Diana Taurasi, when the legend lifted the Huskies to back-to-back championships. However, in contrast to the teams that DT willed to titles, this iteration of the Huskies is not supposed to require such Herculean efforts from Strong.
Head coach Geno Auriemma continues to collect top-ranked recruits and heralded classes, suggesting a singular star shouldn’t have to do it all. Yet, too many Huskies have yet to translate their projected talent into threatening play.
Outside of the trio of Strong, Quiñonez and Popovic, this UConn group has yet to demonstrate compelling offensive creation, with Husky perimeter players limited to spot-up 3-point shooting and posts confined to at-rim putbacks. This absence of offensive juice is reflected in UConn’s incredibly low free throw rate; currently, UConn’s 18.7 free throws per game ranks 313st in the nation. The team’s defensive playmaking numbers are also unimpressive, a further indication of UConn’s dynamism deficit.
Those traits indicate that this team will have trouble generating easy points and extra possessions, which, in turn, leaves the Huskies dependent on Strong, with hoped-for continued consistency from Quiñonez and Popovic as supporting stars.
That’s not a formula for championship No. 13.
The Huskies, however, have plenty of time, and plenty of experience, finding such a formula, with their gauntlet of a schedule demanding as much.
With two games against top-10 teams from the Big Ten already in the books, another one awaits on Thursday evening, as UConn’s off to Columbus, taking on No. 17 Ohio State (6:30 p.m. ET, FS1).
While the Buckeyes’ three blowout wins have yet to reveal much, their reputation suggests they could cause trouble for the Huskies. OSU’s signature aggressive, pressure defensive, in particular, could require UConn to, once again, put the ball in Strong’s steady hands, trusting her excellence, rather than offensive egalitarianism, to will them to a win.
What’s your assessment of the state of the team from Storrs?
Are they too dependent on Strong? Or, do you trust in Popovic and Quiñonez to maintain a high level of play, giving the Huskies a Big 3 who can carry them to big wins? Or, must more supporting players step up?
