A Glimmer of Hope

[LCConnFan]

A nice article in Rep-Am this morning, titled: "Amid Uncertainty, Auriemma Enthusiastic":
“EVERYTHING IS SET UP FOR IT BEING AN UNBELIEVABLE YEAR.” Assuming they play as normal, Huskies could have epic season
BY ROGER CLEAVELAND
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
Normally, this past week would have been full of excitement around the UConn women’s basketball practice facility at the Werth Champions Center, because all the players would have been on campus for the first summer session of classes.
Unfortunately the coronavirus pandemic has tempered some of the excitement – or maybe it has simply delayed it a couple of weeks and potentially intensified the anticipation of what is expected to be a very strong year for the Huskies.
“I think people are excited to get a chance to watch basketball again,” said coach Geno Auriemma. “For our team, people are excited about the possibilities and the new players we have coming in. There’s tremendous excitement going back to the Big East. Everything is set up for it being an unbelievable year.”
The question of when all the excitement can begin – when the players can be brought to campus – has yet to be answered.
“The best-case scenario for us is to get them here in the middle of June and try to get them working together and on the court and give them an idea of what school will be like,” Auriemma said. “The worstcase scenario is nobody comes this summer and we all keep our fingers crossed and hope that school opens in September.”
In a normal year, this week would mark the first chance everyone gets to see how far along the expected team leader for this coming season, Evina Westbrook, has come after a year on the sidelines due to NCAA transfer rules and microfracture surgery on her knee.
It would be a chance to see Christyn Williams
and Olivia Nelson- Ododa for the first time as upperclassmen, as both will be expected to make major contributions as juniors with All-America potential.
Every year with the Huskies, one of the most exciting times is the opportunity to see if there is a player ready to make that huge sophomore jump into prominence, and this year the team should have two in Anna Makurat and Aubrey Griffin. Both showed glimpses of outstanding play as freshmen, but where are they now after the strangest, most trying offseason in NCAA basketball history?
Then, of course, this week would usher in the arrival of a celebrated freshman class highlighted by a 5foot-11 potential superstar in point guard Paige Bueckers, but also including highly regarded 6-2 wing Aaliyah Edwards, 5-11 wing Mir McLean, 6-5 forward Piath Gabriel and 5-10 point guard Nika Muhl.
“We’re doing our best and we’re hoping that we can get them here this summer,” Auriemma said.
“Can we get them here? Can we get our freshmen and our returning players back on campus and give them a semblance of normal, whatever that is? Right now we don’t have any definitive plans. Nothing’s finalized. The university is working on it.”
The NCAA is working on it, too, because it has never had to deal with such a complex situation. Every state, every university has some say in how ready they are to safely allow students back on campus and then back to practice in close proximity for the players.
“This is all something new for the NCAA to deal with,” Auriemma said. “It’s crazy dealing with how many hoops you jump through to see what you can do and what you can’t do.
“(Athletic trainer) Amanda Kimball has been in touch with them and is threading a needle with what we’re allowed to do and what has to be voluntary. These kids want to get started. They want to get to work.
They want to be here. There are just a lot of obstacles in their way.”
Auriemma said his staff has worked diligently to stay in touch with the freshmen through Zoom calls and text messages. He wants them connected as much as they can be with the program and with each other before they arrive.
While he doesn’t know exactly how well the freshmen look or are coming along, he’s really excited where Westbrook is.
She stayed on campus to finish up her rehab, and Auriemma said she’s done phenomenally well having to be there by herself under tough circumstances.
“She’s been working her butt off and I’m really proud of her and the incredible job she’s done,” Auriemma said. “Evina’s taken on a huge challenge and she’s been terrific. She’s done a great job staying in touch with our incoming freshman and with our returning players. Everything that she’s accomplished has been spectacular and I could not be happier for her.”
He said he’s not sure exactly how ready she is to play, but he’s encouraged.
“There’s being cleared, and then there’s being able to play basketball,” Auriemma said. “We haven’t had practice, and I’ve not been on the floor to see her with my own eyes. Under normal circumstances, I would have a good idea where she stands.
Under the circumstances we have now, I have no idea.
“Evina hasn’t played in so long, and then you throw in the injury and the surgeries ... But everything she’s done, we could not ask for any more from her. It’s been so impressive. I hope she finds that it’s all worth it and that she sees the results on the floor.”

 

[veryolddog]

I certainly hope so. Evina shows that she has mental strength to perform and the dedication to develop her physical capability. After this past week, I do not see any reason why students cannot return to the campus and normal activities resume. I do hope that our overseas players can make their way to the campus and begin classes and practice.

Geno sounds like he is very excited and chomping at the bit to get started with this new crop of players and blending them with the current players. I would too knowing the quality of young people waiting to attend school. It seems that all these athletes, along with students are anxious to resume a normal life.

 

[donalddoowop]

I believe it will be awhile before students can resume a normal life.

 

[veryolddog]

I believe it will be awhile before students can resume a normal life.

I do not know where you live, but it really does matter.

I go where I want. I purchase what I want either delivered or at the store. When I am in Texas, nothing has changed and it is normal. That is what I see and that is what I experience. I guess it all depends upon where you live. From my perspective, there does not seem to be any reason to resume normal activity. Be that as it may, some one, whomever that may be, is controlling the decision on how people may resume their lives in a particular piece of geography. From what I see, people are ready to explode in order to pursue a normal life. It is time to come out of hibernation. However, do whatever you want.

I personally am planning an RV trip to Ruidoso and Big Bend before it gets too hot.

 

[Steelerone]

I believe it will be awhile before students can resume a normal life.

Donald, you are one hundred per cent correct. However, the changes to come, no matter how drastic, will, after a period of time wind up being a new normal. It appears that in the State Of Ct. the proper procedures were put in place early enough to minimize some of the damage and, hopefully, we are learning more each day to solidify those changes necessary to stabilize a "new" normal. I do know that Geno and his staff are working their tails off to get the girls back onto the campus and attempting to make things as "normal" as possible in an abnormal situation. And I think it will be easier for them knowing they have a lot of fans cheering for them right now.

 

[Steelerone]

I do not know where you live, but it really does matter.

I go where I want. I purchase what I want either delivered or at the store. When I am in Texas, nothing has changed and it is normal. That is what I see and that is what I experience. I guess it all depends upon where you live. From my perspective, there does not seem to be any reason to resume normal activity. Be that as it may, some one, whomever that may be, is controlling the decision on how people may resume their lives in a particular piece of geography. From what I see, people are ready to explode in order to pursue a normal life. It is time to come out of hibernation. However, do whatever you want.

I personally am planning an RV trip to Ruidoso and Big Bend before it gets too hot.

So you're not taking any of the herd with you?

 

[Charliebball]

I simply have no idea how things will work out for the students this fall............my daughter is an incoming freshman at Monmouth University and they will not be making any decisions if they will be on campus until sometime in July.............in the meantime multiple football players at Ohio State, Marshall, Alabama and Arkansas State among other schools have tested positive for the virus and need to be isolated along with some of their teammates...............somebody half jokingly brought up the idea of having all the students report to school in July where they would all catch the virus, stay isolated in their dorms for two weeks and then problem solved..............sounds great as long as nobody gets really ill.......

 

[LCConnFan]

I simply have no idea how things will work out for the students this fall............my daughter is an incoming freshman at Monmouth University and they will not be making any decisions if they will be on campus until sometime in July.............in the meantime multiple football players at Ohio State, Marshall, Alabama and Arkansas State among other schools have tested positive for the virus and need to be isolated along with some of their teammates...............somebody half jokingly brought up the idea of having all the students report to school in July where they would all catch the virus, stay isolated in their dorms for two weeks and then problem solved..............sounds great as long as nobody gets really ill.......

I think you've got something here. If I remember correctly (and THAT's ALWAYS up for discussion), parents back in my day as a kid used to expose the other sibling to chicken pox with this same exact thought! Hate to say it, but it's not that bad of an idea! Sadly, today, there would be more lawsuits than cases of covid19.

 

[garddog]

I simply have no idea how things will work out for the students this fall............my daughter is an incoming freshman at Monmouth University and they will not be making any decisions if they will be on campus until sometime in July.............in the meantime multiple football players at Ohio State, Marshall, Alabama and Arkansas State among other schools have tested positive for the virus and need to be isolated along with some of their teammates...............somebody half jokingly brought up the idea of having all the students report to school in July where they would all catch the virus, stay isolated in their dorms for two weeks and then problem solved..............sounds great as long as nobody gets really ill.......

It would probably work if anyone with a serious condition was kept away during the first few weeks.

 

[Charliebball]

I think you've got something here. If I remember correctly (and THAT's ALWAYS up for discussion), parents back in my day as a kid used to expose the other sibling to chicken pox with this same exact thought! Hate to say it, but it's not that bad of an idea! Sadly, today, there would be more lawsuits than cases of covid19.

yes I've heard that for chicken pox and the anti vaccine people have been dangerously doing it with measles instead of getting the vaccine............what I find really strange is that after 3-4 months of identifying and studying this virus, researchers have yet to determine if people with the covid antibodies that have been exposed have developed immunity......I would think if you took a recovered covid patient and exposed them to the virus again they either would get another full on case, a partial case or none at all.................they may need more time to know how long the immunity would last but at least let us know something.......

 

[Old Jim]

This isn't like a professional sport where you can isolate everybody. It's a university with students going to classes. Some of those students may have underlying conditions or just may be the unusual case that can't fight the virus. To think everything is fine and people can do whatever they want is just not a risk worth taking. I hope that it all works out that students can go back to campus safely and college sports can resume but the health of all the students must be the primary consideration.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Among all the problems of safety, it is obvious that in order to have a season, it's not
enough for us to put a team on the floor. The schools we are scheduled to compete
against have to put a team on the floor too.

Perhaps only some of the Big East schools will be ready to compete in November and
others not till January or perhaps not at all.

It could get real complicated.

 

[LCConnFan]

yes I've heard that for chicken pox and the anti vaccine people have been dangerously doing it with measles instead of getting the vaccine............what I find really strange is that after 3-4 months of identifying and studying this virus, researchers have yet to determine if people with the covid antibodies that have been exposed have developed immunity......I would think if you took a recovered covid patient and exposed them to the virus again they either would get another full on case, a partial case or none at all.................they may need more time to know how long the immunity would last but at least let us know something.......

I don't know if this would be politically correct, but could we volunteer ND to give it a try? Just sayin'

 

[Monte]

At this time of the year, this doesn't sound like the "real Geno." He usually is more reserved, and reluctant to relate how good his team might be.
Of course, these are "unprecedented" times, and things DO change. I like his present talk, and it should give hope to the many fans and players.

 

[baggerbob]

This isn't like a professional sport where you can isolate everybody. It's a university with students going to classes. Some of those students may have underlying conditions or just may be the unusual case that can't fight the virus. To think everything is fine and people can do whatever they want is just not a risk worth taking. I hope that it all works out that students can go back to campus safely and college sports can resume but the health of all the students must be the primary consideration.

It's having professors which is the biggest problem. They are older, and more at risk then the students they are teaching.

 

[Charliebball]

It's having professors which is the biggest problem. They are older, and more at risk then the students they are teaching.

yes that's a major issue...............from what I have heard some schools may have their older professors teach their classes on line while the younger ones may teach live and in person with social distancing and masks....

 

[EdSaid]

I personally am planning an RV trip to Ruidoso and Big Bend before it gets too hot.

Get there before the heat. We drove through a couple of summers ago and the campgrounds were empty. We'll go back during a cooler period.

We headed north into the hills to the McDonald Observatory (Univ of Texas Observatory). It was a good take. Starts after dark and goes well into the night. Be careful of cows sleeping in the middle of the road (I think its cooler for them???). Almost hit a couple of them. They look like trash bags when your lights hit them.

 

[Dokey]

I think you've got something here. If I remember correctly (and THAT's ALWAYS up for discussion), parents back in my day as a kid used to expose the other sibling to chicken pox with this same exact thought! Hate to say it, but it's not that bad of an idea! Sadly, today, there would be more lawsuits than cases of covid19.

I too remember measles play dates but Covid-19 is little like a burning building. You might get everyone out but fireman are still in danger of losing their lives and fires spread, threatening people in other buildings. 20,000 kids returning to campus have grandparents, parents with medical problems. If a handful of people entering the U.S. has resulted in 108,000 deaths in 90 days, how many more will die with hundreds of thousands infected?

 

[Boreifs]

This isn't like a professional sport where you can isolate everybody. It's a university with students going to classes. Some of those students may have underlying conditions or just may be the unusual case that can't fight the virus. To think everything is fine and people can do whatever they want is just not a risk worth taking. I hope that it all works out that students can go back to campus safely and college sports can resume but the health of all the students must be the primary consideration.

How about faculty and staff?! Are they not also primary on a college campus?!

 

[LCConnFan]

I too remember measles play dates but Covid-19 is little like a burning building. You might get everyone out but fireman are still in danger of losing their lives and fires spread, threatening people in other buildings. 20,000 kids returning to campus have grandparents, parents with medical problems. If a handful of people entering the U.S. has resulted in 108,000 deaths in 90 days, how many more will die with hundreds of thousands infected?

I understand. However, the point being made by Charliebball was "having all the students report to school in July where they would all catch the virus, then stay isolated in their dorms for two weeks". THAT would avoid infecting others.

 

[bluedevil]

I too remember measles play dates but Covid-19 is little like a burning building. You might get everyone out but fireman are still in danger of losing their lives and fires spread, threatening people in other buildings. 20,000 kids returning to campus have grandparents, parents with medical problems. If a handful of people entering the U.S. has resulted in 108,000 deaths in 90 days, how many more will die with hundreds of thousands infected?

I think it was more than just a handful..but I see your point.

 

[eebmg]

How about faculty and staff?! Are they not also primary on a college campus?!

As a moderately high risk faculty member at an Urban (NYC) university in a high risk neighborhood, I would still feel pretty confident I can protect myself by maintaining social distancing, maintain proper sanitary conditions and habits in my office and in the lecture halls.

My university will probably offer a dual distribution of lectures where student who want to come to campus can but those scared to do so can get their lectures online. Unfortunately, the online mechanism makes the proctoring of exams impossible and I am knee deep tracking at least 5 students who have electronically cheated

I think (but the school probably will not force this) the only thing to do is to have students come to campus and have exams in rooms with big enough capacity to ensure social distancing (even if we need to split the test taking into multiple sections at different times)

Bottom line, faculty and staff are the least of the problems. Students in dorm situations acting young and invulnerable are the biggest problem. NYC has the added problem of public transportation but that is a special issue

 

[CL82]

I too remember measles play dates but Covid-19 is little like a burning building. You might get everyone out but fireman are still in danger of losing their lives and fires spread, threatening people in other buildings. 20,000 kids returning to campus have grandparents, parents with medical problems. If a handful of people entering the U.S. has resulted in 108,000 deaths in 90 days, how many more will die with hundreds of thousands infected?

There was a reason why the original argument put forth for lockdown was “flattening the curve.“ Primarily it was to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed with patients, but there is also the benefit of the experience curve. Early on in the epidemic treatment protocol, PPE protocol, supply chain management and general familiarity were things many, if not all, hospitals struggled with. Now those things are all known quantities. The experience of being a COVID-19 patient now is dramatically different than being one just a few months ago. That isn’t to say that social distancing protocol should be ignored, but it does acknowledge that we’ve come along way since the early days of the outbreak in the US.

 

[Alydar]

I think you've got something here. If I remember correctly (and THAT's ALWAYS up for discussion), parents back in my day as a kid used to expose the other sibling to chicken pox with this same exact thought! Hate to say it, but it's not that bad of an idea! Sadly, today, there would be more lawsuits than cases of covid19.

I remember being 6 or 7 in public school and being herded into buses, driven to a central hall in town and standing in long lines to get polio vaccine. Nobody asked me or my parents and I don't remember anyone complaining. Of course the very public depictions of kids in iron lungs made any reservations my parents may have had disappear.

 

[Dokey]

I remember being 6 or 7 in public school and being herded into buses, driven to a central hall in town and standing in long lines to get polio vaccine. Nobody asked me or my parents and I don't remember anyone complaining. Of course the very public depictions of kids in iron lungs made any reservations my parents may have had disappear.

My mom didn’t wait for mass vaccinations, Colorado being a polio hotspot, but had me vaccinated the day it was available. Later I watched long lines at my junior high getting vaccine.