Agree. LSU elected to single-cover her due to her passing once she penetrated. So the defender kind of laid off of her which allowed her to get her shot off. Putting a defender in her face will cut down on her set shots but will expose them to the pass once the bigs leave their assignment to pick her up in the paint. Paige Bueckners is about the same size as Caitlin and is UConn's star. Geno will have a better game plan than LSU had, with a week to prepare, so that will be fun to watch. Also, using your star to defend can lessen her offensive energy and output.
As I said before, she's really only 6 feet tall and doesn't have a jump shot. She shoots as she jumps. She doesn't shoot at the top of her jump the way the men do. That means her shot is easier to block and defend. I'd have someone in her face from half court in. That will make the defender play defense while on offense. In other words, she won't be able to penetrate and go low. She'll have to stay in the backcourt on offense in order to pick up Caitlin as she crosses half court after the change of possession. Then I'd be in her face to do two things. The first is to make her expend energy and be focused on just getting open. If she beats the defender, the defense will have to sag to pick her up. they'll end up playing a zone but this is confusing depending upon where the defenders are when Caitlin first breaks down her defender. And that is where Geno's superior coaching will have an effect.
UConn's calling card, beyond Geno's coaching, is depth as they recruit really well. we may see Geno throw bodies at Caitlin all game to try and wear her out.
Will be a fun game to watch just for the strategy. The best coach in the history of women's BBall versus the GOAT player.
