Jim Fuller: Geno not concerned about 11 player roster

"We need a lot of guys to get a lot of minutes," Auriemma said. "Unfortunately or fortunately, for Michala and Lauren not to be here is kind of a blessing for them and blessing for us because they weren't going to play. Now we have 11 players who for the most part are going to play and in some way, shape or form are going to be deserving to play. I think that makes practices even better and even more competitive. I am looking forward to that. We haven't had that in a while."

LINK

Similar story by John A:

http://courantblogs.com/uconn-women/geno-talks-about-departures-of-johnson-and-engeln/

It seems he feels it's really a blessing in disguise. I think a roster of 11, with Buck being "#11", is about perfect. In a big blowout, the starters could get just over 20 MPG and that would leave just under 20 MPG for the rest of the team. Some in other posts were questioning how Geno would "keep everyone happy". I never thought it was an issue, and apparently Geno doesn't either.

Geno throws Michala and Lauren under the bus by saying they were a drain on the team during practices and calls it a blessing that they left. ouch! kinda uncalled for don't you think? so no love loss between them i see and no nice words for them on their way out plus no nice words from Michala and Lauren for Geno. another sign of disfunction or does Geno always say f' you to those that leave?

Another sign of disfunction [sic]? What are the others? Surely it can't be 5 straight final fours, right? Geno says what he thinks to the players directly and to the media. Nothing new here; it's always been that way. UConn and Geno are not for the faint of heart. Players know that yet keep coming to play for him.

Geno previously talked about both of them as persons and students-athletes. This is about basketball and playing time on this team.

Do come back, 1fan, when UConn plays Maryland this season.

Hardly. Where did you get that they were being thrown under the bus? You take a chance on a kid and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. Sign of "disfunction"? Fans of other schools are generally welcome here unless they are complete morons. Another post like that and you will earn a spot in that sad group. Lauren and Michala, by all accounts, left on very good terms. I assume you are referring to this quote...

"You take a chance on kids when you are recruiting them. They are not all Jamelle Elliotts or Meghan Pattysons or Jessica Moores. Some kids who take a chance on and they get here and it doesn't work out. While they are here and it is not working out, it is a drain. I know everybody loves to see them in the last two minutes 'oh aren't they cute and why aren't they playing more?' They don't realize it is a drain because they can't keep up with everybody at practice and it makes it difficult, so going into the season feeling like it is going to be more competitive than ever."

It's a drain because time, energy, effort and resources all go into teaching these kids. If they simply aren't getting better and have no chance of cracking the top 10 on the team in terms of depth chart, even in blowouts their time will be limited to the last 4 minutes of a game.

Thank you for your post. While I do not agree with a single word you said..... I would like to say Thank You for posting and have a nice day.

Geno doesn't mince his words finely enough for everyone...you'll learn to appreciate that eventually...or not.

I can tell you that Michala and Lauren were both really well liked by the coaches, the team and everyone on this board. We all hoped they'd do better and earn more time, but it was easy to see the mounting frustration...particularly with Lauren. I was surprised to see Michala leave first, but with her sister playing for Wisconsin it made perfect sense. It was no surprise to see Lauren leave...she's been telegraphing it for awhile.

I guess you kinda missed the part where Geno said it was going to be a blessing for the young ladies, too...I think he was sincere and I think we all feel the same way about them.

Geno tells it like it is. Always. There is no reading between the lines. Now he has the same size roster he had at the Olympics and the players are pretty evenly talented. With this talent, Uconn will outlast every team, maybe with the exception of Baylor. He won't have a couple of people with lesser talent sitting on the bench, craving for playing time. I think a roster of 10 or 11 is ideal for Geno the way he coaches. Should be fun to watch this year.

Two key parts of that quote, in my view:

"You take a chance on kids when you are recruiting them." He mentions Jamelle, Meghan, and Jessica, but the fact is that there are risks with everyone, even the Dianas, Mayas, and Breannas. The risks may be different, but the bottom line is that there are no guarantees.

"It is a drain because they can't keep up with everybody at practice." It's like a classroom with geniuses and average kids. The geniuses may not get enough of a challenge or individual attention to reach their full potential.

Heather and Brianna are now the end of the bench. Both have shown inconsistency, but both have made contributions. BBanks apparently made some major changes for the better in May and she still has 3 years to go. I think she has WNBA potential.

Brianna Banks and Kiah Stokes, IMO, will be the biggest surprises this season potentially.

I think everyone already agree's that the freshman are gonna be special!

I cant wait for the season to start.

Exactly. Sometimes I wish people could see Geno or hear the voice inflection when things are said. He was by no means being mean about the specific kids involved, he was talking about the pace and speed of practice for a team like UConn.

Thanks for providing context. Words in print are often misinterpreted.

This.

And if UCONN is dysfunctional as the poster claimed.... I sure as heck would love for my team to be equally dysfunctional

I dink dis guy meant dis functional aspect of UConn is simply incomparable da most a dees programs. And if youse don't get dis it don't matter how many of dem 5 star atletes youse get lettin' dem all articulate to and from yur place ain't gonna help. Kabeesh.

Me and me friends will be convincing dis guy dat dat is certoinly is what he meant no matta what no doitle dinks. I ope dis helps youse. OK. Danks.

the other sign was all these folks leaving in the first place. Dysfunction (thanks to all you spelling police...) is claimed when players from other teams leave, but not when they leave uconn. also dysfunction is claimed when no happy words are passed back and forth between player and coach when said person leaves, but not when that happens at uconn. ever feel like a hypocrite? IMHO, calling someone a drain on your practices was uncalled for and yes, throwing those girls under the bus.

I'll take the word of someone who was actually at the press gathering over an envious Terp fan any day. Thanks, and do come back when UConn and Maryland meet up this year. We're all looking forward to that one.

Players leave every program. But I guess that was your point since months ago, some posters here called Maryland disfunctional and it bothered you, being a Maryland fan.

But this is a UConn board and many folks here aren't fond of Brenda and your program. So, I would suggest you suck it up, deal with it and not act like a baby because we hurt your feelings.

Will Maryland keep UConn under 100? Doubtful.

+1

Never tried turtle soup. Should be interesting

Wait...... a Maryland fan calling UCONN dysfunctional because of players leaving and the coach's comments??? A MARYLAND FAN ???