It just seems that Geno does it every year. Some years, like this one, you worry that the team is underperforming, hasn't established an identity, doesn't have a true leader, has too many weaknesses or can't win a big game. Then yesterday happens. As Azzi said in her post game interview with Holly Rowe, things have been different since the loss at Tennessee. Intense, energetic, enthusiastic, focused practices by the whole team getting stacked one upon the other. A different mind set. Is it unique to this team? Nope.
It's the February Metamorphosis brought to you courtesy of the Geno Group. We all remember the caterpillar changing into the butterfly, an amazing feat of nature. When the term is applied to humans, it refers also to a change in character. That is exactly what we saw at South Carolina. Azzi didn't suddenly become a great scorer, Ash didn't suddenly becoming a light them up three point shooter, Sarah didn't suddenly become a double-double menace and Jana didn't suddenly become a force under the boards. Or did they? No, the change was on the inside and it manifested itself on the outside. They played yesterday like the team they always could be and it was a change of mind, of spirit and of character.
Geno does the rebirth thing every year. He brings the team along. They take their lumps, they go through ups and downs, and then he retools. Sure, there's 11 titles but there are also 23 Final Fours and only 1 missed year there when they had a Final Four since 2008, the year Paige didn't play. So this change isn't a unique event by any means. Most of the time it's about the defense, and it was pretty incredible Sunday. The very idea of out rebounding SC on their home court by a large margin is a "no way" concept. We disrupted, out hustled, had active hands and were in their faces all the time. It took place on offense too. We played freely, to win, not to not lose, and didn't get tight when the inevitable mistakes or misses occurred. It was, in short, beautiful basketball.
We are at Seton Hall on Wednesday. I will be there with my family and hopefully my 3 year old granddaughter gets to meet Paige after the game. Paige has always been so extraordinarily generous with her fame and persona. It will also be Aubrey's last time playing on her father's college home court, where she has always played so well. Above and beyond all of this, I am going to watch a great team play. A new team, a reborn team, and one that we have all been waiting for.
It's the February Metamorphosis brought to you courtesy of the Geno Group. We all remember the caterpillar changing into the butterfly, an amazing feat of nature. When the term is applied to humans, it refers also to a change in character. That is exactly what we saw at South Carolina. Azzi didn't suddenly become a great scorer, Ash didn't suddenly becoming a light them up three point shooter, Sarah didn't suddenly become a double-double menace and Jana didn't suddenly become a force under the boards. Or did they? No, the change was on the inside and it manifested itself on the outside. They played yesterday like the team they always could be and it was a change of mind, of spirit and of character.
Geno does the rebirth thing every year. He brings the team along. They take their lumps, they go through ups and downs, and then he retools. Sure, there's 11 titles but there are also 23 Final Fours and only 1 missed year there when they had a Final Four since 2008, the year Paige didn't play. So this change isn't a unique event by any means. Most of the time it's about the defense, and it was pretty incredible Sunday. The very idea of out rebounding SC on their home court by a large margin is a "no way" concept. We disrupted, out hustled, had active hands and were in their faces all the time. It took place on offense too. We played freely, to win, not to not lose, and didn't get tight when the inevitable mistakes or misses occurred. It was, in short, beautiful basketball.
We are at Seton Hall on Wednesday. I will be there with my family and hopefully my 3 year old granddaughter gets to meet Paige after the game. Paige has always been so extraordinarily generous with her fame and persona. It will also be Aubrey's last time playing on her father's college home court, where she has always played so well. Above and beyond all of this, I am going to watch a great team play. A new team, a reborn team, and one that we have all been waiting for.