Geno/team meet with media on Selection Sunday

[hoopsfan22]

Nika:

 

[hoopsfan22]

Dorka:

 

[hoopsfan22]

Caroline:

 

[hoopsfan22]

CW:

 

[hoopsfan22]

Azzi:

 

[hoopsfan22]

Geno:

 

[LETTERL]

I'm impressed that Geno knew about Mercer's history and who their head coach is! With no prep!

I like Susie Gardner. One of these years, Mercer will get a draw against a team they can compete with...but I don't think it happens this season.

 

[Stinger92860]

Here's the thing: Evina is right. One practice at a time, one game at a time. I love the team's confidence and Geno's observation the Paige Looks really good. UCONN, however, is no longer the team no one can beat. There are a lot of good teams, and several in the Bridgeport bracket ( NC STATE, Indiana, Notre Dame, Kentucky, and I know I forgot someone ). We can lose to anyone. The issue is; can we beat everyone? We will play nine. And if Paige is improving, that is an edge. The beauty is that no one is talking about UCONN. We are just another competitor. Mostly regarded as a tough out, but not an odds on favorite to win it all. If nine players shine for us, we can do it. But don't forget, two those nine are freshman. And one is returning from surgery. I think Olivia will hit a bunch of threes and set us on course. It is wide open. And we are under dogs.

The UConn women are the best team in this bracket with a healthy team, which is what we have now. Several of the teams you listed, we can beat in double digits. The 2 freshmen are not your typical freshmen and don’t need to carry the load. We could still lose, thats why you play the games, but I will not be shocked by any success. These girls are very good and we have 9 of them. Who else is deeper?

 

[LarryLegend]

always enjoy listening to Nika and Dorka. Very polished and seem to be nice young people.

 

[Jmsdawg]

Priotity #1

That is the news I wanted to hear, just hope it continues!

 

[BRS24]

I feel really good about the team and the news about Paige's strength and performance in practice is simply terrific and a wonderful present to all of us.

I take back everything I've ever disliked about the long 2 week break between the BE tourney and the start of the NCAAs. Especially this year ...

 

[Bama fan]

We are the monster under the bed that everyone tells themselves is not really there... But deep down, they know it is.

Nika=nightmares

 

[Surly1]

The UConn women are the best team in this bracket with a healthy team, which is what we have now. Several of the teams you listed, we can beat in double digits. The 2 freshmen are not your typical freshmen and don’t need to carry the load. We could still lose, thats why you play the games, but I will not be shocked by any success. These girls are very good and we have 9 of them. Who else is deeper?

Agreed. There is no way UConn is an underdog and that includes NC St. Regardless of seeding, let’s not forget that this is a team that made the Final Four last year, returned all key players and had an infusion of talent. Essentially, if UConn reaches the Final Four this year, they will have 4 new players, each adding and contributing. (I’m including Nika in the mix as she was hampered).

The tournament is a new season and there are very few coaches that prepare their teams as well as Geno does for what lies ahead. There is no team in this bracket that should beat UConn. Compared to last year, this team has more talent, better outside shooting, more depth, less dependency on Paige, and plays better team defense. Yes, the regular season was a slog, but UConn survived. As a program, UConn is defined by their post season success. Now, this is all that matters.

 

[mbr33ct]

Priotity #1

I was hoping Geno would have kept that under the radar until showtime.

Here's the thing: Evina is right. One practice at a time, one game at a time. I love the team's confidence and Geno's observation the Paige Looks really good. UCONN, however, is no longer the team no one can beat. There are a lot of good teams, and several in the Bridgeport bracket ( NC STATE, Indiana, Notre Dame, Kentucky, and I know I forgot someone ). We can lose to anyone. The issue is; can we beat everyone? We will play nine. And if Paige is improving, that is an edge. The beauty is that no one is talking about UCONN. We are just another competitor. Mostly regarded as a tough out, but not an odds on favorite to win it all. If nine players shine for us, we can do it. But don't forget, two those nine are freshman. And one is returning from surgery. I think Olivia will hit a bunch of threes and set us on course. It is wide open. And we are under dogs.

You haven't been on the official selection show thread yet?

Official Selection Show thread

It’s tonight at 8:00 on ESPN

the-boneyard.com

 

[mbr33ct]

Isn't it great when we have a team as such that people are actually questioning who the reigning NPOY will replace in the lineup? Wow....

Actually people were expecting this before the season even started, you seen all them threads about "who starts" and "who will get the minutes".

 

[Carnac]

At some point, Paige is going to return to her previous level of health and physical fitness. I hope she reaches that level sooner rather than later like sometime this week. How nice would it be to have Paige return to form for this season’s final run?

 

[Nyskier]

My favorite part of these interviews was the players' insistence on not overlooking any opponent and taking it one game at a time. I am sure this was a lesson the upperclassmen learned the hard way last year against Arizona.

 

[HuskyNan]

I'm impressed that Geno knew about Mercer's history and who their head coach is! With no prep!

I like Susie Gardner. One of these years, Mercer will get a draw against a team they can compete with...but I don't think it happens this season.

Geno is a first degree schmoozer . Truthfully, he likes people and likes talking to them. He has friends in the high school ranks up into the NBA and foreign Olympic teams. I hope you get a chance to meet him some time, Geno is very charismatic

 

[RedStickHusky]

Who was the retiring coach Geno was talking about around the 10-minute mark?

 

[jcoton56]

Really pleased to see everybody on the same wavelength in the interviews. The whole choir seems to finally be singing the same psalm. One can sense the focus, intensity and trust that have been built up. Even the choir-master seems to be in an upbeat mood.

 

[uconnfan68]

Who was the retiring coach Geno was talking about around the 10-minute mark?

Joe Frager, Fairfield, according to the paper today.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Joe Frager, Fairfield, according to the paper today.

Thanks... Heard Frazier in the video..

 

[ballerfan]

I think some people forget how good Paige is when she is healthy and the many things she does on the court to make the team better. The question is not whom Paige would replace in the starting lineup but who the other four players would be.

That’s not to diminish anyone else. It’s a team sport, and a single player doesn’t win games by herself. Azzi, Caroline, Nika, and others are playing at a higher level now, and Paige’s role as a pass-first guard and as a floor general will give the others even more opportunities to play their best.

We’ll see if Paige really is like she was before, but if she is, I feel optimistic. Paige’s dream in winning the NC is passing the ball to Azzi for the game-winning shot.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

This might be in another thread but if not....

 

[Aluminny69]

Isn't it great when we have a team as such that people are actually questioning who the reigning NPOY will replace in the lineup? Wow....

Nice dodge of the question. But seriously, who does Geno remove from the starting lineup? Back at the beginning of the season, When Paige was starting, Nika Muhl was not. So, at first glance, that would be the obvious choice. Are you good with that?