Wow Christyn Williams (Putting in work work)

[BBallF]

How does that help her play basketball?

She shoots a pure pull up jumper and releases the ball while at the top of her jump off the drive. It takes a lot of strength to do that. It also helps her to finish on layups and drives, to avoid injury due to muscle development, and not be pushed out of position. Finally, it will help her 3s because of the strength factor especially in the third and fourth quarters. A little more physical toughness in general wouldn't hurt her either. To me the most important thing is that she is doing this which means she isn't satisfied and wants to improve.

 

[Woof 101]

How does that help her play basketball?

Like UFO's a lot of things are kept secret, it is no secret the police budget in CT is hurting. My guess is she will escort Geno on and off the floor for each game and possibly get an additional credit.

That or one will realize most but not all basketball players are as well conditioned as those of any other sport.

 

[willtalk]

She is creating a new physical ceiling. She pretty much reached her old one some years ago. She recognizes that if she wants to up her game she has to do this. Perhaps this is her transitioning to a 3.

 

[MilfordHusky]

She reminds me of a running back, with all that muscle!

Maybe it will help her run back on defense.

 

[JordyG]

Maybe it will help her run back on defense.

Strength will help her around the basket, powering the ball up in traffic, working through screens, and rebounding. However I just want her to consistently hit her jump shot.

 

[Purduke]

I don't weigh 300 pounds, but I dead-lifted by body off the bed this morning, so I feel pretty good about that too! LOL...

Yea, but you only did the "downward (gravity assisted)" part of the lift this morning -- the "lift" part was last night and you were probably so tired after that one that you fell asleep.

 

[Purduke]

Seems pretty obvious but... being stronger and fitter helps in any sport. Christyn is a rebounder and finisher around the hoop, definitely skills that are enhanced by strength. We are only seeing a glimpse of the weight training part of her routine. Presumably she'd be working on her dribbling and shooting skills also because she's a passionate hooper and IT'S THE FUN PART. In general, I'd rather see pictures of my players getting buff in the weight room over the summer than see them slamming burgers at a beach party. If nothing else, it exhibits dedication to the goal of getting better every day.

I agree with everything that you say, which is sad. When we have to take a SG and have her concentrate on SF skills, and a SF and have her focus on a PF's game, and a PF and have her try to excel as an undersized C, it just acts as a three year reminder of the consequences of falling in love with recruiting wings and forgetting that size really matters too.

 

[eebmg]

Not mentioned is how reaching the best physical condition improves a players confidence and thus their game. Geno mentions this correlation all the time. Most recent examples were Meg and Crystal

 

[BBallF]

I agree with everything that you say, which is sad. When we have to take a SG and have her concentrate on SF skills, and a SF and have her focus on a PF's game, and a PF and have her try to excel as an undersized C, it just acts as a three year reminder of the consequences of falling in love with recruiting wings and forgetting that size really matters too.

Very good point. Clearly that focus in recruiting, if it was intentional as opposed to happenstance, is over as evidenced by this new class and the partial next one. So interesting that this year's class has a full team of the 5 positions on the court. I don't think Geno made a decision in the past to not go after quality bigs. After all the 1995 team had Lobo and Wolters and other great teams had size as well. I just think there aren't that many UCONN quality bigs out there and he didn't get them and the same is not true for guards and small forwards.

Either way, that position swapping which you point out requires contrary skill development and is counter productive appears to be a thing of the past. We have enough different pieces to fit into all the spaces in the puzzle. What I like about these recruits and add in Evina as a new player is the variation in the skill sets and ability to play different roles, not necessarily positions, on the court. Evina, Paige, Nika and even Anna secondarily can be the PG/offense initiator. Mir, Edwards and Aubrey can be pressers(3 great defensive players) and interior players who can rebound. Mir is 5'10" with the highest vertical leap of ANYONE EVER at UCONN. That includes Gabby! You need a guard to score? It can be Evina, Paige, Anna, CW. You need to give Liv a rest and not give up size, let Piath get some experience or move Edwards there.

If you get solid team chemistry, which is a UCONN trademark, at an early stage of the season, this team can roll right away and the passing and unselfishness will be a beautiful thing to behold. To your point, there will be depth this year at the positions, not juxtapositions.

 

[willtalk]

What is still unknown is how the added muscle will affect her speed and quickness. Sometimes the weight room can help increase those abilities, but often it diminishes it. It all depends on the individual's body chemistry. One thing about Williams she always recognized her abilities and limitations and played within them. Fans should start respecting this type of smarts.

 

[Scud49]

Like UFO's a lot of things are kept secret, it is no secret the police budget in CT is hurting.

Speaking of that topic. I just watched the new Unsolved Mysteries segment on the Berkshires UFO incident in 1969 last night. Very compelling and a well done show. At one point the UFO drifted down into North Canaan, Ct.

 

[LCConnFan]

Very good point. Clearly that focus in recruiting, if it was intentional as opposed to happenstance, is over as evidenced by this new class and the partial next one. So interesting that this year's class has a full team of the 5 positions on the court. I don't think Geno made a decision in the past to not go after quality bigs. After all the 1995 team had Lobo and Wolters and other great teams had size as well. I just think there aren't that many UCONN quality bigs out there and he didn't get them and the same is not true for guards and small forwards.

Either way, that position swapping which you point out requires contrary skill development and is counter productive appears to be a thing of the past. We have enough different pieces to fit into all the spaces in the puzzle. What I like about these recruits and add in Evina as a new player is the variation in the skill sets and ability to play different roles, not necessarily positions, on the court. Evina, Paige, Nika and even Anna secondarily can be the PG/offense initiator. Mir, Edwards and Aubrey can be pressers(3 great defensive players) and interior players who can rebound. Mir is 5'10" with the highest vertical leap of ANYONE EVER at UCONN. That includes Gabby! You need a guard to score? It can be Evina, Paige, Anna, CW. You need to give Liv a rest and not give up size, let Piath get some experience or move Edwards there.

If you get solid team chemistry, which is a UCONN trademark, at an early stage of the season, this team can roll right away and the passing and unselfishness will be a beautiful thing to behold. To your point, there will be depth this year at the positions, not juxtapositions.

You couldn't have said it better! Team chemistry is probably the most likely scenario to win games. We see this in many pro teams with free agency. You have a ton of talent, but they've never played together! If a "team" stays together for years they have the ability to win more, because they know just how their teammates react or require in a given situation. That's also why it will be so crucial to get a team of newbies to practice together as much as possible. Our Olympic WBB team is a good example. So much talent....so little time to practice. (Its just good that most are UCONN players and already know what to expect)!

 

[BostonBay]

How does that help her play basketball?

Geno criticized the team at times for not being aggressive enough, losing a lot of the 50-50 balls, etc. Getting stronger will help significantly with that...

 

[DEpup]

Very good point. Clearly that focus in recruiting, if it was intentional as opposed to happenstance, is over as evidenced by this new class and the partial next one. So interesting that this year's class has a full team of the 5 positions on the court. I don't think Geno made a decision in the past to not go after quality bigs. After all the 1995 team had Lobo and Wolters and other great teams had size as well. I just think there aren't that many UCONN quality bigs out there and he didn't get them and the same is not true for guards and small forwards.

Either way, that position swapping which you point out requires contrary skill development and is counter productive appears to be a thing of the past. We have enough different pieces to fit into all the spaces in the puzzle. What I like about these recruits and add in Evina as a new player is the variation in the skill sets and ability to play different roles, not necessarily positions, on the court. Evina, Paige, Nika and even Anna secondarily can be the PG/offense initiator. Mir, Edwards and Aubrey can be pressers(3 great defensive players) and interior players who can rebound. Mir is 5'10" with the highest vertical leap of ANYONE EVER at UCONN. That includes Gabby! You need a guard to score? It can be Evina, Paige, Anna, CW. You need to give Liv a rest and not give up size, let Piath get some experience or move Edwards there.

If you get solid team chemistry, which is a UCONN trademark, at an early stage of the season, this team can roll right away and the passing and unselfishness will be a beautiful thing to behold. To your point, there will be depth this year at the positions, not juxtapositions.

What I really like is it looks like we are getting back to the early 2000s where we had options to change the game for periods of time and keep an opponent guessing. I remember when we could play a big game and then switch it up with a smaller pressing game. Play defense and just keep bringing in fresh pain in the ass defenders. I'd love Mir to be able to do a young Willnet Crocket and be able to come in a be a different kind of G/F offense and defense look.

The last few years with not enough elite players, there was just plan A and if plan A couldn't get it done we were screwed since there was no plan B.

I'm looking forward to having a plan A, B, and C to get it done against a variety of opponents.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Strength without flexibility doesn't amount to much

 

[CocoHusky]

Strength without flexibility doesn't amount to much

True but that is one picture from her workout. I’m certain Amanda Kimball has plenty of flexibility built in to the off season workout program.

 

[hoophuskee]

I agree with everything that you say, which is sad. When we have to take a SG and have her concentrate on SF skills, and a SF and have her focus on a PF's game, and a PF and have her try to excel as an undersized C, it just acts as a three year reminder of the consequences of falling in love with recruiting wings and forgetting that size really matters too.

I don';t understand your point. What are "sf" skills in this case?

Secondly, what was the difference between UCONN not having size in 16-17 when they lost to Miss State vs the following year having size and losing to Notre Dame?

And sure size matters but also elite players matter too, right? For example you speak of size while downgrading "wings" and I guess guards. First off- UCONN got to the Final Four-- so how "sad" overall is that?

Secondly, let's look at our guard play in 16-17 and 17-18 - those 2 years in the Final Four and then compare that to past "guard play."

In 17-18 vs ND Kia Nurse and Danger were a combined 7-24 (29%) from the floor scoring 18 pints with 6 assists and 5 turnovers. How does this have anything to do with size? Would you call this guard play championship caliber?

In 16-17 vs Miss State Nurse and Danger were a combined 2-9 (22%) from the floor scoring 7 pints with 2 assists and 5 turnovers. How does this have anything to do with size? Would you call this guard play championship caliber?
----------
Yes these past two years they have been too small. But first off could we have anticipated that at the last minute De'Janae Boykin would leave? Or we knew Stevens wouldn't come back? Or that Camara would never be able contribute? How about Butler? He tried. Did you know for certain that she wouldn't help much? You know there are posters on here saying Geno should have played her more? Yet you make it sound like overall "he forgot."That's just not true,. You know when a player leaves late such as Boykin or whne Stevens notifies you after season is over or when you expect Camara can ulitmately play eventually in her 1st year -- you are not only losing that year of recruiting but possibly the next too, right?

 

[oldude]

Looks to me like two 45-pound plates, four 25s, and two 10s, which would be 255 if that's a 45-pound hex bar.

So I went back and took a closer look at the photo. You may be right. But the equal diameter of all the plates makes me think we are looking at something greater than that. Typically, 25 lb & 10 lb plates have a shorter diameter than 45’s. Either way, Christyn is a very strong young lady.

 

[Plebe]

So I went back and took a closer look at the photo. You may be right. But the equal diameter of all the plates makes me think we are looking at something greater than that. Typically, 25 lb & 10 lb plates have a shorter diameter than 45’s. Either way, Christyn is a very strong young lady.

Not true for Olympic-style "bumper" plates, which are a standard 45 cm diameter for weights of 10 pounds on up. Bumper plates have become commonplace in strength and conditioning facilities as well as CrossFit gyms and other places where the Olympic lifts are taught and practiced.

If you scroll to the pic where she's bench pressing, we can see that those are Sorinex brand bumpers, which can be viewed here:

Bosco Bumpers

The Sorinex Original Bosco Bumpers are made of the highest quality machined steel and urethane, and 100% made in North America to the competition tolerances. These bumper plates blend custom logos, short lead times, and a LIFETIME WARRANTY. Calibration allows for use in Olympics lifting or...

www.sorinex.com

And yes, 255 pounds is a strong deadlift, especially if she's doing that for reps.

 

[chrissaran]

If Christyn plays to her ability, this will be a totally different team. Strong, athletic and all the ability in the world. Now it's up to her.

 

[BBallF]

If Christyn plays to her ability, this will be a totally different team. Strong, athletic and all the ability in the world. Now it's up to her.

She had a bad year and she knew it. That kind of underachievement is often the best motivation in life. The guy GOAT got cut from his high school varsity team.

 

[HopJim]

My hope is that she has employed Walker's trainer. Megan came back stronger AND leaner AND quicker. I normally don't view power lifting as a great exercise for basketball since it doesn't lend itself to the last two.

 

[donalddoowop]

What I really like is it looks like we are getting back to the early 2000s where we had options to change the game for periods of time and keep an opponent guessing. I remember when we could play a big game and then switch it up with a smaller pressing game. Play defense and just keep bringing in fresh pain in the ass defenders. I'd love Mir to be able to do a young Willnet Crocket and be able to come in a be a different kind of G/F offense and defense look.

The last few years with not enough elite players, there was just plan A and if plan A couldn't get it done we were screwed since there was no plan B.

I'm looking forward to having a plan A, B, and C to get it done against a variety of opponents.

Maybe, just maybe, they won't need a plan B or C, just plan A.

 

[oldude]

She had a bad year and she knew it. That kind of underachievement is often the best motivation in life. The guy GOAT got cut from his high school varsity team.

It’s an overstatement to suggest Christyn had a “bad year.” She lead the team in mpg, and her season stats were solid across the board. The vast majority of D1 WBB players would love to have had the season Christyn had.

It’s fair to say that Christyn did not play up to her potential and I’m sure that motivates her as she approaches her junior season.

 

[PacoSwede]

It’s an overstatement to suggest Christyn had a “bad year.” She lead the team in mpg, and her season stats were solid across the board. The vast majority of D1 WBB players would love to have had the season Christyn had.

It’s fair to say that Christyn did not play up to her potential and I’m sure that motivates her as she approaches her junior season.

i think most high-aspiration people would equate not playing up to your potential with a bad year. ... we don't know the reasons for the shortfall, so that may mitigate the 'badness' from the perspective of those who do. it's not necessarily a failing on her part, but still bad in relation to her aspirations, i assume. and i think fans had higher expections. why not? they're fans.