A Question For Arm-Chair coaches.....

[Longtime fan]

Let's imagine that UCONN proceeds to the finals and , on Sunday morning, it appears Nika Muhl has turned the corner and is 100% healthy.

She has, of course, not been practicing or in a game since the injury occurred early in the tournament. And, UCONN has been having success with 6 players and ANNA as a seventh, if necessary.

What do you do?

 

[hoopsfan22]

Put Nika back in her old starting position. Geno says they are a different team with her in the lineup.

 

[DEpup]

Bring her off the bench to cycle through giving the guards a breather. Like 15 or so minutes. That injury won't make her 100% on Sunday.

 

[bluedevil]

She isn't going to be 100 per cent by Sunday so your question is moot. Saying that if she can contribute and can shake off the rust of not playing I would maybe..maybe let her spell E for a few minutes IF we have the lead....

 

[AmeriConn]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Nika off the bench.

 

[LoboDays]

Put Nika back in her old starting position. Geno says they are a different team with her in the lineup.

They became a different team after her injury. Hard to see them winning Baylor game without AE on the floor from the get go. Hope Nika is ready to play...as a 6 or 7.

 

[slepers]

First part of equation does she play tonight. If she does and she plays well then it depends on matchups.

 

[oldhusky]

Bring her off the bench to cycle through giving the guards a breather. Like 15 or so minutes. That injury won't make her 100% on Sunday.

Or even fewer minutes. Main purpose to give Paige, Evina and Christyn a couple of minutes rest each half. They still could play 36 minutes in the game and Nika about 12. Remember all three of those players played 40 minutes against Baylor, and I think faded down the stretch. A repeat of those three playing the whole game could be a reason we come up short. If Nika can't go I think Anna in that minimal role would be better than playing all our wings 40 minutes.

 

[hoopsfan22]

They became a different team after her injury. Hard to see them winning Baylor game without AE on the floor from the get go. Hope Nika is ready to play...as a 6 or 7.

From his presser two days ago Geno seemed to imply that the team with Nika is better because no one else on the team plays defense the way she does which is true. Plus she takes pressure off of our top offensive weapon and adds another outside threat that can spread the defense - things that Edwards can't do. Edwards played as much as Aubrey did in the Baylor game.

 

[LoboDays]

From his presser two days ago Geno seemed to imply that the team with Nika is better because no one else on the team plays defense the way she does which is true. Plus she takes pressure off of our top offensive weapon and adds another outside threat that can spread the defense - things that Edwards can't do. Edwards played as much as Aubrey did in the Baylor game.

No argument with Nika’s abilities. And, Geno may want to start her if she’s ready to go. All I’m saying is that the best this team has played all year is with the starting 5 that we have seen in the last 3 games. If it ain’t broke.........

 

[Alydar]

Arizona isn't Baylor. ONO and Edwards may not both have to be on the court together but it would be great if Müle could spell the other 3 guards for a few minutes each in both halves.

 

[PacoSwede]

From his presser two days ago Geno seemed to imply that the team with Nika is better because no one else on the team plays defense the way she does which is true. Plus she takes pressure off of our top offensive weapon and adds another outside threat that can spread the defense - things that Edwards can't do. Edwards played as much as Aubrey did in the Baylor game.

more importantly, no one else provides focus, intensity and determination like she does. ... of course, it's hard to believe nika's gonna be anywhere near 100% in coming days, certainly not by sunday

 

[browns]

No way she'll be playing...if she could she starts..Geno said how much better they are with her in the lineup

 

[cbraarj]

Nika would start because she brings a better offensive flow to the team. Having 4 players capable of hitting 3s opens up the middle for dribble penetration and more room for the post to operate. It also gives Paige and Evina more options on the offensive end. Defensively the Huskies have great defenders and with Liya the toughness they have been lacking since Nurse. Nika brings in your face toughness with not just her physicality but the emotions this team was lacking! Geno knows what he has with Nika!

 

[JordyG]

That depends on the team First there is no way she's 100%. Second I'd like to see how AE plays against the opposing team's length and on the perimeter. Third if it's SCar she[ll get more minutes. If it's Stanford their length would demand that I play AE more.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Nika is back in the lineup.

 

[Bball244]

Let's imagine that UCONN proceeds to the finals and , on Sunday morning, it appears Nika Muhl has turned the corner and is 100% healthy.

She has, of course, not been practicing or in a game since the injury occurred early in the tournament. And, UCONN has been having success with 6 players and ANNA as a seventh, if necessary.

What do you do?

As an armchair coach LOL.. UConn keeps the player rotation number at 6 (+1). But Nika comes off the bench. Aubrey and Anna see much less playing time.

 

[Longtime fan]

Put Nika back in her old starting position. Geno says they are a different team with her in the lineup.

Not tonight. Muhl was not a factor at all. I don't think she was ready.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Not tonight. Muhl was not a factor at all. I don't think she was ready.

To be fair none of them were.

 

[Dokey]

Anna. She should have gone in by midpoint of first.Given what happened, that is probably the only move Geno could have made to change the outcome. It might well be his biggest coaching mistake.

 

[sno-cat]

How is it even remotely the fault of the coach, that the entire team suddenly could not put the ball into the basket with any consistency?

 

[SJF]

How is it even remotely the fault of the coach, that the entire team suddenly could not put the ball into the basket with any consistency?

Yes games like this is so frustrating to a coach. Yes Arizona played very good D but you gotta score to win. Besides PB and CW just no scoring options. Next year Paige needs to be the true Point and , CD and SP all need court time early. It’s ok to take a loss in Nov or Dec if it gets you better for March. Lots of firepower next year just got to set them free.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Anna. She should have gone in by midpoint of first.Given what happened, that is probably the only move Geno could have made to change the outcome. It might well be his biggest coaching mistake.

I totally agree, best comment in the last 24hrs... thanks