Caroline Deserves Tribute For Her Play Against KY

In view of the perennial theme on this forum about how Caroline is not contributing because her scoring is low and her mobility is limited, last night's game should be a case study.

She played 29 minutes, scored 3 points, had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, and 1 steal. Not bad, but many of you would say that's not enough points.

But if you were at the game and were at all observant, you would not say that. What Caroline contributed last night was composure, against as much pressure as UConn has faced all year. Kentucky plays like Georgetown, only better. Caroline kept possession, made good decisions and good passes, and made it possible for the offense and her teammates to execute the scoring plays that they did have. The 21/23 ratio of assists to made baskets would not have been possible if she had blown up possessions with bad passes, bad decisions, or cough-ups of the ball.

Some have said that Brianna Banks should get many of Caroline's minutes. If Geno had done that last night, even for a few minutes, it would have been a good way to lose the game. Brianna, despite her potential, has shown no evidence of being presently able to operate the offense against that kind of pressure.

+1

Caroline played a solid game as did the rest of the team. Last night was truely a "team" win. Everyone that played contributed.

JoePgh - my respectful view: Calm, please - your defensiveness is a little strong and seems inappropriately directed at BB as well as a few BYers. Caroline did a great job and fans recognize that. Celebrating that contribution is the right thing to do, and we all saw the players doing that at the end of the game. I have also been disappointed about some of the comments made about CD, but I just figure those comments are from a fan of another team who has infiltrated the BY to stir things up among the husky fans. Don't let those kinds of comments get under your skin. Do you think GA could really consider starting BB in place of CD next year based on evidence to date? Ain't gonna happen... Deep breath - don't let provocative comments intended to get under the skin of UCONN fans actually do that. Enjoy the moment, we are in the F4 and the commits all looked great tonight.

I don't see JoePgh's comment re Banks to be defensive or inappropriate. I wouldn't expect any freshman to be anything but what Joe indicated. Her time will come. I see no problem with Joe responding to comments objected to even if made by trolls.

so why mention Banks... give Doty her praise without all the comparing to the teammate

Why praise Doty without praising everyone else on the team? Wouldn't not praising the others be a subtle condemnation? Besides, just following Geno's example. Seems to work for him.

Caroline is like the mechanic of an old piece of machinery who understands and sees how everything is supposed to fit together and work. Everything in its place and all the parts in proper time to one another. She has the wisdom and understanding that allows her to arrive at the right place at just the right place at just the right moment to oil the hesitent gear or whack the sticky rod. She is always moving but never rushes in comparison to the young assistant who is still overwhelmed by the whole thing and is rushing everywhere but often often in the wrong directions and is in the wrong place or the right place too soon. Caroline has internalized the whys and not just the whats. She frequently makes the pass before the assist or whacks the opponent at just the right moment to clear her teammate with a pick.

I said yesterday that Caroline's ball handling is very underestimated. She has a great handle. She is constantly shifting rhythms and positions to keep the defender off the ball and to maintain protective space. She goes between her legs or around her back so smoothly it almost goes unnoticed, always in rhythm and seldom rushed.

There will be moments when she isn't perfectly suited to the pace or type of game being played but they are fewer and fewer as her game has strengthened with her rehab and return to the court.

Because mentioning someone, specifically, can give clarity to the reader as to the differences and why one is presently more effective than the other in what ways. Critiquing the strengths and weaknesses leading to the effectiveness or comparable ineffectiveness of individuals is not slamming either as good or bad, just a snapshot of skills and play at one moment in time.

I'll just say this. We were giving up a lot of second chance points in the first half...So our little one legged honey badger mixed it in the paint and rebounded for us. And those were some tough rebounds.

Another example of her knowing where the machine of the team needed a little help.

Doty the "senior" vs Banks the "frosh".... anyone thats been watch UConn all season should know why Doty is in and Banks is out. No need for the "for those who say blah blah blah".

this thread is about "Caroline Doty" and the wonderful job she did in the Elite 8 game against the University of Kentucky on 3/27/2012

Clearly, DC, there are numerous folks on the board for whom it is not obvious given their constant belief that Caroline shouldn't have been starting, is a liability to often, doesn't score enough to be in the line up, etc, etc. Names will not be mentioned to protect ...

oh ok, I missed all of that!

me too

It has been a constant among a few during the season as was noted by the OP. it is, also, often part of the Kelly's scoring cut her minutes threads or KML must start threads.

I like your metaphor about the mechanic, Ice.

I noticed many times during the game that Caroline was in just the right place at just the right time. She does, indeed, keep the Huskies' engine running smoothly.

I suspect that I maybe one of the unnamed "doubters".

That being said, I have never doubted or questioned Caroline's grit or competitive spirits.

But, to me, there is a qualatative difference between bring the ball up the midcourt line and running the offense.

Bria runs the offense! (That isn't a negative against Caroline. It is just a fact.)

If anyone doubts that, I suggest that they take another look at the UK game during the period that Bria was on the bench.

Our offense effectively stalled.

Peace,

John Fryer