Natalie Heavren
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Natalie Heavren
@natalieheavren.bsky.social
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Guth also talked about what she’s learned about her team this season
On what she’s learned about her team this season: I believe we have a team who's gonna fight for 40 minutes, but I realize that our identity to defend, rebound and run has to be more consistent across the board. This is our first game where we really coughed up the ball a lot, and we were prepared to feel the pressure that UConn forces, but we are going to need to learn how to value that possession to get us in good opportunities. And then I think there's a consistency in defending, 'cause when we talk about really half-court defense for UConn tonight, I thought we guarded their pinch actions, their chin, their stuff in the first half, their loop play where they post up and do post ISOs. I thought we guarded that fairly well. UConn was scoring off of turning us over and getting transition buckets. And so we did that for two quarters. But again, just like our ... Green Bay game, we come out in the third quarter, missed assignments get nailed on a couple of those UCLA back screens, and that's just unacceptable. You have to be consistent if you wanna be good. So we're gonna have to defend with some integrity there. And then I really think so much of this — you're coming off a couple games like you have got to score the ball and … assist. And what I thought UConn was outstanding with tonight was the way they cut the floor. We were trying to keep that ball out of the outer third and try to keep it in the middle third for a majority of the game, once we saw the way they were cutting the floor, but were unsuccessful in doing that. And so I think what I'm learning about us is we gotta find a way to get the bucket. We shot 22 threes again. We came off a game shooting 28 threes — only shooting 22% [tonight]. ... They call it basketball for a reason, you gotta make buckets to win.
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Guth also talked about how her team impressed her against UConn
On how her team impressed her against UConn: We thought there was gonna be a really important assignment with defending both Sarah Strong and Azzi [Fudd]. I think Sarah Strong is one of the most gifted and will be one of the most special players that — out of all the lineage of UConn greats, I think she will be one of the greatest of all time. And I think Azzi's on a total mission. And so to hold Sarah Strong to 11 [points] and Azzi to 9 [points] — now, I know they only played ... [about 20] minutes. But similar to what their performances were … [against] Florida State, we were focused on how we could put the ball in other people's hands. So I'm pleased with that effort. I like that we got to the free throw line four more times and were 100% from the free throw line. I love that we forced them into a few more turnovers than Louisville was able to force them into. But in our Tag Up system, you have to make buckets to tag up. And so I thought UConn was tremendous in the way that they defend and turn people over. To get 18 turnovers in just one half alone and 36 — you need those possessions back. But I just thought they were physical, long, smart. And I was worried we wouldn't get the ball over half court, and our turnovers were way more in the front court. So I think we are coming away with a couple areas that we say we locked in on, but there's so much more we have to fix if we wanna be good in the A-10.
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Guth talked about the support from Loyola Chicago fans
On the support from Loyola Chicago fans: I think, for us, this has been a really incredible and special experience when you think about women's basketball in general, and you think about the brand of basketball that UConn basketball is, and what Geno has poured in. What it was in Storrs before he got here, and what it is now. And you look at those student section and the fans that are lined up at 5 before coming to the game, and you're so proud that you get to be a part of such a movement of women's basketball. And going into Year 21 ... of doing this, for me, I've never been here [at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion]. I've had opportunities when ... [I was an assistant coach and director of basketball operations] in the BIG EAST to go against them, but never was here here. And that's crazy, having been at Yale for all those years. And so I think the opportunity, the tremendous amount of respect we have for the program, was really exciting for us to bring our team here, 'cause I think in order to be the best, you have to play the best, and you gotta see what it's about. And so I think you had a lotta friends and family wanna be a part of that moment as well, because it all started the same. Whether you're Sarah Strong or you're Kira Chivers on our team, it started with a basket, a ball, a girl and a dream ... So a night like tonight, until we build this thing to … where we would get to face an opponent like this in March, you gotta schedule it in November to experience it. And so that was really, really a special thing for our families to be a part of and for our players to be a part of that type of history.
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Thank you!!
November 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
natalieheavren.bsky.social
Congrats!! 🎉
September 13, 2025 at 1:46 AM