A Confident Walker

[Carnac]

I saw Megan Walker as I was entering the arena at the Aces game today.

 

[j66kicker]

Bumped into Meg going into the Aces game today.

Wonder if she’s out there watching NBA Summer League. Training?

 

[oldude]

While discussion on the BY of MW’s up and down play on the court as a freshman was certainly warranted, far too much speculation as to her “state of mind” was also made.

The speculation that MW might transfer was completely out of bounds and frankly was a great disservice to a young lady that appears to have a strong work ethic and a deep competitive drive.

We are now hearing some similar comments about MW as we heard prior to last season relative to Crystal. I for one can’t wait to see the 2018-2019 version of MW.

 

[BostonCanuck]

I always felt that the root cause of Megan's challenges last season was primarily one of a mindset that, for whatever reason, was creating certain problems of fit within Geno's system. By all accounts, that's now been overcome, and I think we're going to see the full extent of her talent unleashed this year. I also think the time she spent with Napheesa and her skills trainer this summer are going to make a world of difference. Can't wait to see Megan in games come November.

 

[Charliebball]

We can only hope. I do think CW will have a better frosh year than MW did.

she better and she will because she's a more consistent shooter and she's going to most likely get big minutes...........I complained all of last season that MW wasn't getting enough playing time to become a more consistent player.............Geno viewed it the opposite way .............next season he has no choice but to play her and in turn she's working hard in anticipation of that..........I expect 12-15 points per game and 5-7 rebounds per game from Walker next season which at least statistically should help to ease the loss of Kia or Gabby.......

 

[meyers7]

Bumped into Megan Walker going into the Aces game today.

Hope you didn't hurt her. Geez, can't figure out why walking is so hard.

 

[meyers7]

In terms of Stewie taking A’ja Wilson’s lunch money, I can’t understand how Breanna is still so thin, because she took a lot of lunch money over her career.

Here's where all the lunch money went.

 

[JustinesGuy]

she better and she will because she's a more consistent shooter and she's going to most likely get big minutes......I complained all of last season that MW wasn't getting enough playing time to become a more consistent player...Geno viewed it the opposite way ...next season he has no choice but to play her and in turn she's working hard in anticipation of that.....I expect 12-15 points per game and 5-7 rebounds per game from Walker next season which at least statistically should help to ease the loss of Kia or Gabby..

Sounds reasonable.

Expect KLS to be a more dominate player and actually take it to other teams attacking. She must impose her will and be the first and second option. The rest of the team can fit how they fit.

We are winning this year with the KLS show.

 

[BobbyJ]

Here's where all the lunch money went.

Should have gotten a Toyota. They don’t break down and leave you sitting in the road like that.

 

[LasVegasYank]

1984 Maserati Bi-turbo coupe, identical to the one I owned for three years. Loved it but it didn't love me back. Put 3,000 miles on it and spent $5,500 on repairs. The newer ones are much, much better mechanically.

 

[CL82]

Should have gotten a Toyota. They don’t break down and leave you sitting in the road like that.

I figured it was a police stop.

"My Maserati does 185. I lost my license, now I don't drive..."

 

[meyers7]

I figured it was a police stop.

"My Maserati does 185. I lost my license, now it don't drive..."

But Life's Been Good (to me so far).

 

[EricSD]

I'm not going to classify anyone as a true fan, troll, or whatever, but there were posters who said Megan would or should transfer. I was not one of them. I was disappointed in her freshman year, but Meg admits that she was too. She may not be Maya or Stewie, but she has more potential than she showed. I look for a big leap this year and continued growth from Meg. I'm very happy that she chose UConn.

Agree. More than that, there were NUMEROUS posters on here (and I'm sure even more posts were deleted) going ON and ON and ON about how "Geno treated the freshmen". As if his M.O. was something new...

I'll be curious how each of them does this year (Meghan and Mikayla - no one seemed to complain about how Geno treated Lexi). From all we've read, Meghan is poised for a major sophomore leap. Mikayla is still working her way back from the health issue (DVT) and while she may be "ready" to go in October, we should temper our expectations. After all, look how long it took one of the greatest PG's ever at UCONN to recover from her injuries (Moriah). Gotta give Mikayla some time.

My point is, neither left. Not only goes Geno "apparently" know what he's doing, but both kids seem to be in a great place moving forward, and I think we can expect good to great things from them.

I, for one, will remember this whole scenario to help remind anyone who has a brain lapse the next time a similar mass-hysteria/meltdown situation regarding one of our talented freshmen arises.

 

[Carnac]

Maybe.... let’s see a few game minutes before we crown anyone.

Remember what Denny Green said about "crowning 'em". They are who we thought they were.

 

[Replicant]

Meg is gonna be awesome! Was never a case of IF, only WHEN.

 

[donalddoowop]

Sounds reasonable.

Expect KLS to be a more dominate player and actually take it to other teams attacking. She must impose her will and be the first and second option. The rest of the team can fit how they fit.

We are winning this year with the KLS show.

No, no no no no! With all the talent on the team, why would you want one player to be the first and second option? What happens when she gets shut down or is in foul trouble? First option, maybe, but not first and second. Believe me, KLS may wind up being the third best player on this season's team and not because she does not play extremely well. AA well. However, there may be two who play even better. UConn may very well have four AA this season.

 

[oldude]

I, for one, will remember this whole scenario to help remind anyone who has a brain lapse the next time a similar mass-hysteria/meltdown situation regarding one of our talented freshmen arises.

While I wholeheartedly agree with your view, my experience is that people have short memories. So be prepared to remind the negative Nellies the first time CW or ONO have a hiccup during their freshman season.

 

[Golden Husky]

You guys are burying the lead. Geno believes--and, ultimately, that's the only opinion that matters--a transition is on the horizon: "We have seen a big, big change in Megan, she has taken on a different personality." I think he said similar words regarding Crystal around this time a year ago. A leap, a bound, a hop, a jump, even a sophomore step could make a significant difference in determining the team's fortunes.

 

[Charliebball]

No, no no no no! With all the talent on the team, why would you want one player to be the first and second option? What happens when she gets shut down or is in foul trouble? First option, maybe, but not first and second. Believe me, KLS may wind up being the third best player on this season's team and not because she does not play extremely well. AA well. However, there may be two who play even better. UConn may very well have four AA this season.

I don't care about who's an All American as much as I care about winning championships.........if I'm not mistaken the last two teams that won the NC only had one All American while UConn had multiple AA's and lost........

 

[donalddoowop]

I don't care about who's an All American as much as I care about winning championships....if I'm not mistaken the last two teams that won the NC only had one All American while UConn had multiple AA's and lost...

What does this have to do with my post? I was responding to JustinesGuy post on KLS being the first and second option for next season.

 

[Charliebball]

What does this have to do with my post? I was responding to JustinesGuy post on KLS being the first and second option for next season.

sorry........not trying to be disparaging.......just making reference to the AA in your comment..........in general I think we all have a fascination with UConn players becoming All Americans even when that doesn't guarantee the team's success

 

[oldude]

sorry...not trying to be disparaging..just making reference to the AA in your comment.....in general I think we all have a fascination with UConn players becoming All Americans even when that doesn't guarantee the team's success

While AA’s do not guarantee a championship, I would disagree that they don’t guarantee success. In fact they sure do help a bunch. There isn’t a single 1st, 2nd or 3rd team AA from a losing team.

All played in the Big Dance and no less than 7/8 of 15 AP/USA Today AA’s played in the FF: Ogunbowle, McCowan, Vivians, Durr, Hines-Allen, Lou, Gabby & Pheesa. Add in Wilson, K. Brown, L. Brown, Mitchell, Canada, Ionescu, Gustafson, McPhee & McCarty and every single team with an AA won 20+ games.

While ND had only one, this year’s ND team may well field a starting 5 who will all be worthy of consideration as AA’s. That brings me to a question. Can anyone name a women’s national championship team that did not have at least one AA?

 

[msf22b]

BigBird, if you see something you think violates board rules, please report the post. Every post contains a link to do so. We may or may not agree, but you can be sure the issue won't be missed.

Criticism of a player, including inaccurate criticism, obviously does not automatically equate to a violation. It's up to other board members to refute or agree with opinions.

For there to be a violation (described in the board rules as "trashing" the player) there has to be something more, such as:

• A disrespectful tone. Mocking the player, making snide comments about her ability or effort or supposed mindset.
• Any comments at all, direct or implied, about a possible transfer that should or might occur. That's also its own category of violation.
• Piling on the criticism. This refers to harping on a particular player. Enough can be enough, even when the criticism is otherwise acceptable.

Related topics to which you may be referring, but aren't dealt with as rules violations, include:

• General critics. People who just have to exude negativity and can't seem to say anything positive. These are pretty unpopular people here and probably elsewhere, but they seem to delight in their chosen (or compulsive) role. Peer pressure and/or a private talk can sometimes have at least a temporary effect. Note the qualifiers.
• Game thread ogres. People who don't react well to the stress of game situations, particularly adverse events, and have to lash out stridently or repeatedly at particular players. Their numbers may be small but the irritation and embarrassment they generate are enough to spur ameliorating board changes.

Certainly not a violation, but an every day phenomenon that irks me to tears.

Is the discussion ender: "how many championships have you won? ...in response to any criticism or disagreement, large or small with the actions of the staff and most especially Geno.

Geno (and all other senior coaches) are struggling with the culture change inherent in the rise in popularity of woman's BB (that he had a whole lot to so with). See Rocky's post today.

It's even possible that in sticking to his approach and carefully calibrated standards, that he may lose out on some possible recruits that in other times would be automatic.
And that the game might even pass him by...(unlikely but possible).

I must say, that I still think he erred in not hiring a specialist coach for the bigs, despite his reasonable explanation that every big wants to play like a guard or wing...I'm not fond of the concept of our aging staff taking on added responsibilities.

Hoping for a great season and quite optimistic.

This group is going to scare a whole lot of people.

 

[Charliebball]

While AA’s do not guarantee a championship, I would disagree that they don’t guarantee success. In fact they sure do help a bunch. There isn’t a single 1st, 2nd or 3rd team AA from a losing team.

While ND had only one, this year’s ND team may well field a starting 5 who will all be worthy of consideration as AA’s. That brings me to a question. Can anyone name a women’s national championship team that did not have at least one AA?

you're absolutely right.............I should have said having multiple AAs it doesn't guarantee a championship and for all of us that's the ultimate goal

 

[CL82]

Certainly not a violation, but an every day phenomenon that irks me to tears.

Is the discussion ender: "how many championships have you won? ...in response to any criticism or disagreement, large or small with the actions of the staff and most especially Geno.

Geno (and all other senior coaches) are struggling with the culture change inherent in the rise in popularity of woman's BB (that he had a whole lot to so with). See Rocky's post today.

It's even possible that in sticking to his approach and carefully calibrated standards, that he may lose out on some possible recruits that in other times would be automatic.
And that the game might even pass him by...(unlikely but possible).

I must say, that I still think he erred in not hiring a specialist coach for the bigs, despite his reasonable explanation that every big wants to play like a guard or wing...I'm not fond of the concept of our aging staff taking on added responsibilities.

Hoping for a great season and quite optimistic.

This group is going to scare a whole lot of people.

Can't take this post seriously because, as far as I know, you have never coached a team to a national championship.





(Sorry....)

 

[huskeynut]

I'll start by saying we were all spoiled rotten by Stewie and company winning four national championships in a row. The sky has now fallen that we lost two years in a row in the national semis by a buzer beater. We saw last year on this board the hysteria with who was getting playing time, the frosh are not being developed and more. Now we have the question of hiring Jas to replace Marrisa. People wonder if Geno has lost his touch.

To the present - there are no guarantees to win another national championship. Do we have an excellent team? Yes. Will we have at least one AA? Most likely. But there are a few teams catching up to us. ND has always been nipping at our heels. Last year they finally got through. Louisville is playing its best ball since Walz took over. Mississippi State came quietly out of nowhere and caught WCBB by surprise. Baylor is still in the running. They are all going to be ready to run the table.

We are not the favorite for the first time in a few years. This is good. A little bit of the pressure is off. Will it make a difference? No one knows. We have had down years before and we've come back with a fury. We will come back again. It could be this year. But I don't know and neither does anybody else.

So I'm going to sit back, relax and enjoy the anticipation of the season coming and the season itself.

 

[CocoHusky]

Certainly not a violation, but an every day phenomenon that irks me to tears.
Is the discussion ender: "how many championships have you won? ...in response to any criticism or disagreement, large or small with the actions of the staff and most especially Geno.
Geno (and all other senior coaches) are struggling with the culture change inherent in the rise in popularity of woman's BB (that he had a whole lot to so with). See Rocky's post today.
It's even possible that in sticking to his approach and carefully calibrated standards, that he may lose out on some possible recruits that in other times would be automatic.
And that the game might even pass him by...(unlikely but possible).
I must say, that I still think he erred in not hiring a specialist coach for the bigs, despite his reasonable explanation that every big wants to play like a guard or wing...I'm not fond of the concept of our aging staff taking on added responsibilities. Hoping for a great season and quite optimistic.
This group is going to scare a whole lot of people.

I was right with you up until this statement "I'm not fond of the concept of our aging staff taking on added responsibilities."
Jasmine is younger than Marissa so the UCONN WBB staff would be actually getting younger and "probably" better able to relate to today's recruits.
What "added responsibilities"? UCONN WBB players have always been well schooled in all aspects of basketball=same responsibilities. Perhaps the responsibilities will be divided differently among the staff but I definitely don't see added responsibilities.

 

[CocoHusky]

While ND had only one, this year’s ND team may well field a starting 5 who will all be worthy of consideration as AA’s. That brings me to a question. Can anyone name a women’s national championship team that did not have at least one AA?

Off the top of my head: Texas A& M 2011, Maryland 2006, & Baylor 2005-I think.

 

[CL82]

I'll start by saying we were all spoiled rotten by Stewie and company winning four national championships in a row. The sky has now fallen that we lost two years in a row in the national semis by a buzer beater.

It is a reminder of how extraordinarily difficult it is to win a national championship. We have had talented players, along with the same outstanding coaching, the last two seasons but we couldn't quite get over the hump. Making it to the final four but losing by a last second bucket would be the highlight of many players and coaches careers. It would be the moment that waxed eloquently about. The moment that fondly recalled as the their best year. At UConn we despair over those seasons as disappointments.

I want the team to win this year mostly for Lou and Pheesa, like last year I wanted it for Kia and Gabby. We'll see. I like what I'm hearing from ONO and CW. And I like seeing the effort from Megan. Lou being healthy is a huge difference maker. I feel like the stars may just align for us again. But if it does, we should not take it granted. We'll have caught lightening in a bottle once again. We should cherish it. It wouldn't be around forever.

(We're still doomed.)

 

[donalddoowop]

sorry...not trying to be disparaging..just making reference to the AA in your comment.....in general I think we all have a fascination with UConn players becoming All Americans even when that doesn't guarantee the team's success

I'm with you. I don't care about AA nor undefeated seasons if the team wins the NC.