Adamec: Auriemma, Stewart searching for Answers

[UConnCat]

Some candid observations from Geno and KML:

“I’m as confused and as flabbergasted as anyone else,” Auriemma said. “I don’t have any experience with this. I’ve seen it happen but not to this extent. I wish I had all the answers and I could help her with it. Right now, we’re going to have to work really, really hard with her to get her back to where she can be productive.

“We can’t win without everyone on this team,” Mosqueda-Lewis said. “We need Stewie to go in there and be confident and know what she’s doing and go in there and rebound and score. She’s a way better player than what she went out there and did today. She can be more productive for our team. Once she is we’re going to be that much better.”

Geno:

“We obviously have to find another reliable scorer from the perimeter other than Kaleena. Bria Hartley didn’t shot the ball well tonight. Kelly Faris … I think we can take more advantage in the next month of Morgan’s talents because you won’t be able to guard her and Stefanie together. And you have to hope in the next month that Breanna Stewart develops into somebody she used to be.”

http://snyuconn.com/uconn/auriemma-stewart-searching-for-answers/#more-5355

 

[MilfordHusky]

"Somebody she used to be."

Breanna's head appears to be a mess. Not sure if she needs to focus more or relax more. She has the ability to have been an impact player last night.

Let's see what the best coaches and teammates in America can do to help her.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Not sure it's related, but about 30 years ago, Los Angeles Dodger second baseman, Steve Sax, went through a spell where he had trouble making the routine throw to first base. Jose Guerrero, a teammate experiencing fielding issues of his own joked, "When I'm out there I'm praying, 'Please don't hit it to me.' Then on second thought, I hope theuy don't hit it to Sax either." Tommy LaSorda stayed patient with Sax and eventually the issue resolved itself.
Chuck Knoblach experienced similar problems playing for the Yankees in the 90's. He was moved to the outfield.
Rick Ankeil of the Cardinals was an excellent pitcher with a blazing fastball. suddenly, though, he had problems finding the strike zone; Oftentimes problems finding his catcher. He was moved to the outfield where he has thrived.
Tiger Woods, as great a golfer as he is, often goes through long spells of horrendous golf. Yet, he is never worse than the third best golfer in the world.

Patience, levity, faith, a change of position? If one has the tools and good fundamentals, a solution will eventually surface. Even the best hitters go through slumps. They are always, with rare exceptions, allowed to work their way through it. A guy like Pete Rose, might resort to laying down a bunt just to get the feel of being a baserunner. An easy layup or two might provide similar relief. The remainder of UConn's schedule will provide great opportunities to work through this.

 

[UConnCat]

"Somebody she used to be."

Breanna's head appears to be a mess. Not sure if she needs to focus more or relax more. She has the ability to have been an impact player last night.

Let's see what the best coaches and teammates in America can do to help her.

Relaxing often can lead to more focus. Just the look on Breanna's face when she came in the game said she wasn't ready. Morgan -- her fellow freshman -- had to push her toward the player she was supposed to guard.

 

[EricLA]

"Somebody she used to be."

Breanna's head appears to be a mess. Not sure if she needs to focus more or relax more. She has the ability to have been an impact player last night.

Let's see what the best coaches and teammates in America can do to help her.

No matter how ready a kid seems to be for college, this is a situation where the whole experience seems to be overwhelming her. Whatever the reason, she was actually a detriment when she was on the floor last night. Unfortunately, perhaps her expectations were similar to everyone elses coming out of HS - challenge Maya's scoring record and become the next "great" one a-la Maya and Diana.

There's not really anything the fans can do except continue to be supportive, and hope the coaches and her teammates can help her figure out the mess inside her head. One thing I have to imagine the coaches are suggesting is to give her small goals when out on the court. Don't try to do everything. just focus on playing defense and setting screens on offense. Start with small stuff that she can succeed at and then help her build confidence that way. Just a thought. I'm sure the coaches know better than I do...

 

[Kibitzer]

To begin, Breanna's role is not clearly defined. Perimeter shooter? Post player? Wing, facing the basket? Post, with back to the basket? On defense, guard itty-bitty guards or defend against tall opposing centers and post-up forwards? I am confused and apparently so are Geno and Breanna.

Often, in the NBA, a player fails to fulfill expectations because he is a "tweener," which is to say he is , for example, neither tall enough to play the "4" (power forward) nor a good enough shooter to play the "3" or "2." It is possible (I don't subscribe) that this categorization suits Breanna?

Finally, it is possible that opposing coaches and players perceive her to lack toughness. That she is a talented but skinny girl that can't take a little (or lot) of banging around. Too genteel.

If there is any truth to these theories, I suggest, Be Like Sue Bird. Or Maya Moore. Face of an angel, attitude of an assassin.

She has the ability to bury opponents. OK, girl, just do it!

 

[Aluminny69]

Baylor is dominated with Seniors, and putting Stewart out there with them is like throwing her into a shark tank. She is not ready, physically or mentally, to compete with well muscled seniors. Hopefully, she can rebuild her confidence against teams like Seton Hall and Pittsburgh. It is up to Geno and staff to be very supportive.

 

[msf22b]

Agree Alluminny

I mentioned in a pre-game discussion, that a key to the game was the upper-class advantage that Baylor brought to the table and that was most evident in the performance of Brooklyn Pope, who had not performed in a sterling manner in previous meetings.

Her scoring, though prolific, was not altogether remarkable last night, she was the principal beneficiary of the double and triple teams on Griner; slipping in to a scoring position near the hoop, often unguarded; a role Morgan looks like she will fill on our team.

But the problem with Sterart may be more profound, we will just have to wait to find out. I'm concerned

 

[vtcwbuff]

Relaxing often can lead to more focus. Just the look on Breanna's face when she came in the game said she wasn't ready. Morgan -- her fellow freshman -- had to push her toward the player she was supposed to guard.

I saw that look. She may be a freshman but I can't believe that she could be so clueless on an inbounds. A couple of years ago UConn had a player that used to get the very same look. Any guesses?

 

[VAUConnFan]

I saw that look. She may be a freshman but I can't believe that she could be so clueless on an inbounds. A couple of years ago UConn had a player that used to get the very same look. Any guesses?

I'll take a shot. There was a play in the second round tournament game against Texas in 2008 when Tina Charles totally botched an assignment on an inbounds play with Meghan Gardler screeming her lungs out from the bench to alert Charles. Tina was immediately yanked.

 

[Alydar]

This is just speculation but my opinion is that Stewart is suffering from a combination of information overload and fear of making a mistake. I know little about the techniques of basketball but I know a bit about golf, learning it and playing it. The hardest thing in learning to play is learning that if you are trying to avoid mistakes you try to consciously control your swing. That is a prescription for disaster because it is impossible to remember and execute the dozens of things you are taught in practice. When you go out to play on a course you need to just swing focused on what you are trying to do. If there is a pond to the left and you start trying to not hit it in the pond your doomed. I see Stewart being a victim of paralysis by analysis, that is too much thinking. From everything I have read about her she is driven to improve and although she must be in her own private h*ll right now, it's only a matter of time before she gets through it.

 

[RoyDodger]

Not sure it's related, but about 30 years ago, Los Angeles Dodger second baseman, Steve Sax, went through a spell where he had trouble making the routine throw to first base. Jose Guerrero, a teammate experiencing fielding issues of his own joked, "When I'm out there I'm praying, 'Please don't hit it to me.' Then on second thought, I hope theuy don't hit it to Sax either." Tommy LaSorda stayed patient with Sax and eventually the issue resolved itself.
Chuck Knoblach experienced similar problems playing for the Yankees in the 90's. He was moved to the outfield.
Rick Ankeil of the Cardinals was an excellent pitcher with a blazing fastball. suddenly, though, he had problems finding the strike zone; Oftentimes problems finding his catcher. He was moved to the outfield where he has thrived.
Tiger Woods, as great a golfer as he is, often goes through long spells of horrendous golf. Yet, he is never worse than the third best golfer in the world.

Patience, levity, faith, a change of position? If one has the tools and good fundamentals, a solution will eventually surface. Even the best hitters go through slumps. They are always, with rare exceptions, allowed to work their way through it. A guy like Pete Rose, might resort to laying down a bunt just to get the feel of being a baserunner. An easy layup or two might provide similar relief. The remainder of UConn's schedule will provide great opportunities to work through this.

Just a couple of minor clarifications. The Dodger in question was Pedro Guerrero who played for the Dodgers from 1978 to 1988. And I'm not trying to one up VAUConnFan who raised an interesting and funny sports story. But here's the way it's written up in the Baseball Almanac online:


Los Angeles third baseman Pedro Guerrero committed several hard-to-believe fielding errors during one game. This was during the same time that Dodgers' second baseman Steve Sax was undergoing his horrendous and well-publicized fielding slump in which he couldn't throw the most routine ball to first without trouble.
In the post-game meeting, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda was at a loss with Guerrero. "What are you thinking out there," Lasorda asked.
"Two things," Guerrero said.
"What's the first thing?"
"God, don't let them hit the ball to me."
"And what's the other thing," Lasorda said.
"Don't let them hit the ball to (Steve) Sax."

 

[UCONNGIRL]

Breanna will be okay, just like the other two freshman. All freshman have their issues and transition they have to make, unfortunately UCONN's historic freshman class have to do it in the public eye. Breanna is not a super hero, she is a 18 year old that has to learn and grow just like any other college freshman playing division 1 basketball. Morgan and Moriah went through it earlier in the season, and now its' Breanna's turn. Breanna's area of growth is dealing with the physical style of play which is tough to make the adjustment, but trust me she will. She is a tough kid with phenonmenal talent, she will overcome this battle.

Sadly, as fans we crowned Breanna as the "answer" to all our problems, I'm not taking anything a way from her or her game, because she is a phenom, great game, great skills, but she has a long way to go, many college games to play. For crying out loud, let her be a 17/18 year old hooper excited to play for the huskies and let's be excited she's on our team !

Breanna, Morgan, and Moriah, are exceptional freshman, they are all very talented and will definitely contribute to team this year, they will be exciting to watch over the next three years. I pray that we give all three of them room to grow their game and as young women and they we as fan support them enough through it!

 

[VAUConnFan]

Just a couple of minor clarifications. The Dodger in question was Pedro Guerrero who played for the Dodgers from 1978 to 1988. And I'm not trying to one up VAUConnFan who raised an interesting and funny sports story. But here's the way it's written up in the Baseball Almanac online:


Los Angeles third baseman Pedro Guerrero committed several hard-to-believe fielding errors during one game. This was during the same time that Dodgers' second baseman Steve Sax was undergoing his horrendous and well-publicized fielding slump in which he couldn't throw the most routine ball to first without trouble.
In the post-game meeting, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda was at a loss with Guerrero. "What are you thinking out there," Lasorda asked.
"Two things," Guerrero said.
"What's the first thing?"
"God, don't let them hit the ball to me."
"And what's the other thing," Lasorda said.
"Don't let them hit the ball to (Steve) Sax."

OMG, thanx for the correction. It is absolutely Pedro Guerrero. The story is much funnier the way you told it.

 

[reno tony]

OMG, thanx for the correction. It is absolutely Pedro Guerrero. The story is much funnier the way you told it.

When Knobloch was going through his throwing problems I saw the funniest banner at a Yankee game. It said "Knobloch, you wish you threw like a girl." Even the best of us go through stuff and with her teammates and coaching staff she will get through this and come out better for it.

Kelly Faris is Superwoman in disguise!!​