Amari Playing Time

[JBK]

I don’t know the answer to this question. But this game reminded me of Georgia Tech last year. She was thrown into the game in somewhat of a desperate situation, and hit one or two shots. The board was calling for her to get playing time, and she didn’t really do anything in her limited action the rest of the season.

What I saw was her hit two field goals, and get scored on once in the post. Not sure there’s much data to draw any conclusion from. The only takeaway for me is that she has the potential to shoot the ball.

What do we know - but from a fan perspective it would be nice to see what she can do in 20 minutes not 2 . Caroline did not perform last year in the 2 minute role but we were all presently surprised at her 20 minute performance. In fairness to Aubrey -
She is a guard and not a center and Ayanna does not seem to have an offensive “game yet”
I have to imagine Amari could have beat EBO up the court for some easy hoops.
Who knows.

 

[Conndog]

Well, when we lost key parts of our outside game, Amari might have given us some decent replacement shooting, drawn out a ND big and opened up the inside for more drives. Three bigs with Edwards, Patterson and Amari might work for some good minutes against the big front lines of the top teams like Stamford, ND, SC etc. Who would sit is the question and what defense would you give up?

I'm not sure about having these 3 bigs in the game together or any 3 bigs we have. Unless we play either Caroline (she will rebound into the great player she can be) or Lou as a big, I feel that we would give up too much shooting/scoring.

But I do hope Amari starts to enjoy scoring, which can only happen if she is playing, and will do whatever it takes to earn the opportunity to play more & more, especially if she is being productive.

 

[CocoHusky]

Aubrey is just fine. Having a solid season and playing to her strengths. Some folks expect every player to develop into these 3 level scorers. I don't. Take your talents and add them to the puzzle. Heck, Dennis Rodman could barely make an open layup, but his talents, rebounding, and defense, were essential to team success. GO AUBREY.

The Aubrey who played in the first 6 games of this season was absolutely stellar defensively and offensively=her best stretch in a UCONN uniform. The version of Aubrey that played in the ND game was painful to watch= perhaps her worse game in a UCONN uniform. Aubrey is capably of playing much better and there is no doubt she will.

 

[ccwarrior]

Look, what's the point? Posts about Amari are never ending. True, she looks slow, she looks not engaged at times, but when she is in the last couple of games she has gotten rebounds and has made a few shots. Right now, she is a bench warmer. I know Geno knows what he is doing, but gee whiz, just give the girl a shot in the game with the other starters. Mop up time does little to help the team. If she does suck, she will show it, but until she gets to play with the other good players we will never know. Screw practice, sometimes you have to take a chance, especially when things are not going well on the court.
I think he needs to insert Amari in the line up early, sometime in the first half. We all know, only game experience will give the player confidence going forward, and no matter what is happening in practice, this team needs to know if she can help us or remain on the bench and be a cheerleader without the uniform.
I just say, let's find out, it is clear we could really use her.

It seems like people who have never played or coached don’t get it, a player’s attitude in practice is important and tells a coach all they need to know about them. If a player is serious and works hard when “it doesn’t matter” then they can be counted on to do so when it does. I will be nice and not say it, but I think it is clear that Amari is a certain type of player (at least from what she has shown). I have rarely seen this type change.

 

[Tufkas]

I played, and then coached in various incarnations, from ages 6 to high school.

I, like most on here, have not seen this student-athlete practice, and so can only judge what we see, in the very limited moments she appears in games, on TV or at Gampel / Hartford. I've seen a big with a nice stroke from outside, quite decent ball and rebounding skills, but who appears to be moving casually transitioning from offense to defense and vice versa. As the saying goes, though, appearances can be deceiving.

I saw positive impact (rebounding, +/-) in the National Championship game, and, as we just witnessed, and the box score attests, positive impact on Sunday. Would absolutely like to see more, especially given this team's challenges.

As for "this type" changing - disagree. That is what a coaching staff does, especially at the college level, and especially in the women's game, where students stay 3 to 4 years. They engender growth, improvement, change and perspective in all aspects of life. Something with which this particular coach, and his assistants have proven extraordinarily gifted over these many decades.

This student has time, and potential. Hoping, for her sake, and the team's, she gets there.

 

[cgshuskie]

So bigs are not ragin cagin. They can bring value, they are just not the intense, dominant type personality. They need to be worked with and trusted. They become value added with support and can become winners. Amari doesn't fit Geno's mold and this could hurt the team. She could bring a different kind of dominance if approached properly. Some bigs slam dunk others shoot fade aways. The question is, does it go in?

 

[TCC Kid]

Posters complained about Aubrey her first two seasons as if she would not improve and as soon as she showed improvement this season some of those same posters changed their opinions. Some said the same thing about Muhl. Give the young lady some time. Some players need more time than others. She has not played enough to form a true judgment of her talent or how good she will be.

Yes Donald, I was one who had words (complaints?) about Aubreys out of control, bouncing the ball off the backboard with shots. Yep, I did that!
Nika NEVER. I love tough kids, tough physically and mentally and darn good PG's to boot! Emotions get us in trouble, but emotions drive us to great heights--don't discount their value.

I can't take back words written, I was right then. Now a transformed Aubrey is a Uconn different player---and I don't enjoy the crow I'm eating. I do however enjoy every minute Aubrey, the controlled, yet flash quick, player I am delighted to watch.

 

[cferraro04]

Let's face it...Geno is the master of distraction. He is sandbagging with Amari...his plan is to pull out the secret weapon come playoff time...no one will see it coming.

 

[cancontent]

Yes Donald, I was one who had words (complaints?) about Aubreys out of control, bouncing the ball off the backboard with shots. Yep, I did that!
Nika NEVER. I love tough kids, tough physically and mentally and darn good PG's to boot! Emotions get us in trouble, but emotions drive us to great heights--don't discount their value.

I can't take back words written, I was right then. Now a transformed Aubrey is a Uconn different player---and I don't enjoy the crow I'm eating. I do however enjoy every minute Aubrey, the controlled, yet flash quick, player I am delighted to watch.

Why would you consider it eating crow? Had she moved on to a different team, I'd get it. However this is benefitting UConn, and her improvement comes at a time where she's needed to help while others are unavailable.

It sounds like you're punishing yourself for no reason. This happens in sports. For example, fans in Toronto were blasting the Kyle Lowry trade deal years ago. Wanted him traded, etc. Now he will get first class treatment whenever he's back, even when he plays for a rival team.

 

[TCC Kid]

I played, and then coached in various incarnations, from ages 6 to high school.

I, like most on here, have not seen this student-athlete practice, and so can only judge what we see, in the very limited moments she appears in games, on TV or at Gampel / Hartford. I've seen a big with a nice stroke from outside, quite decent ball and rebounding skills, but who appears to be moving casually transitioning from offense to defense and vice versa. As the saying goes, though, appearances can be deceiving.

I saw positive impact (rebounding, +/-) in the National Championship game, and, as we just witnessed, and the box score attests, positive impact on Sunday. Would absolutely like to see more, especially given this team's challenges.

As for "this type" changing - disagree. That is what a coaching staff does, especially at the college level, and especially in the women's game, where students stay 3 to 4 years. They engender growth, improvement, change and perspective in all aspects of life. Something with which this particular coach, and his assistants have proven extraordinarily gifted over these many decades.

This student has time, and potential. Hoping, for her sake, and the team's, she gets there.

I'm not certain what you mean by "this type". Care to expand that comment?
This Student, every Uconn recruited STUDENT has potential. for 3 years, often they have TIME. But time comes with ---what you give ME, I give back--if determination and effort AND potential is seen, Time is allowed,. Time is our most wasted, and most valuable commodity !

 

[Tufkas]

I'm not certain what you mean by "this type". Care to expand that comment?
This Student, every Uconn recruited STUDENT has potential. for 3 years, often they have TIME. But time comes with ---what you give ME, I give back--if determination and effort AND potential is seen, Time is allowed,. Time is our most wasted, and most valuable commodity !

Re: "This type." Asking the wrong poster - refer to the last words of the post above mine. The last paragraph in my post, was to rebut it.

 

[TCC Kid]

True. Amari has a better outside shot than Griffin. Griffin is good in short stints when speeded up she rushes her shot. Amari plays at her own pace which I think is why Geno hasn't played her a lot. He mistakes lack intensity with effort.

CD/Geno will tell Players--Uconn is setting them up for LIFE and life demands intensity. A fire to succeed if you want to rise above the average.

Not every post is Dolson, Tina, Kiah, or PG's Sue, Dt, Rene
But I fairly certain all players that lasted beyond 2 years --practiced with intensity, their pace was the PACE Geno set. A few had medical issues that precluded long moments of intensity, they left.

As an employer, why should I keep them? Geno is the employer. Daily and in games he evaluates them--for desire, talent, attitude, "wanting it".
If what you say is true of Number 42, DeBerry, it's a wonder she is still here. So, frankly, I doubt that.

 

[TCC Kid]

Let's face it...Geno is the master of distraction. He is sandbagging with Amari...his plan is to pull out the secret weapon come playoff time...no one will see it coming.

I like the thought.
YET, the last time I saw "Distraction from Geno' was with DT at Duke. DT always played with effort, intensity and beat the Best or the Best.
If your tongue is firmly in your cheek, I apologize.

 

[hoopsfan22]

She's gonna get all the time she wants now.

 

[ccwarrior]

I'm not certain what you mean by "this type". Care to expand that comment?
This Student, every Uconn recruited STUDENT has potential. for 3 years, often they have TIME. But time comes with ---what you give ME, I give back--if determination and effort AND potential is seen, Time is allowed,. Time is our most wasted, and most valuable commodity !

I am not going to say it, but people who have played/coached at a high level know what I mean. You can teach many things, but effort and drive - no, that has to come from the player. The things Nika has

 

[maple]

I don’t know what Amari is like in practice. In games I see potential, but that’s all. If she starts playing exceptionally well on both ends of the floor in games, then she should definitely get more playing time. If not …

If I were her, I would be thinking this was my breakout chance and would be busting my ass to do whatever I could do to take advantage of it. I hope Amari feels the same. I truly would love to see her be very successful here.

 

[wingsfan055]

Well, with the Azzi injury, the only silver lining might be that Amari will definitely have the opportunity to play & see what she's got. think she will surprise people positively.

 

[LuvBball]

Let's face it...Geno is the master of distraction. He is sandbagging with Amari...his plan is to pull out the secret weapon come playoff time...no one will see it coming.

Saving her for the SC game, perhaps. I see the vision...

 

[HuskyinWRNY]

I've never been impressed with Amari. All I ever hear is how much potential she has. I haven't seen anything yet that tells me she's going to be anything but a mop up player.

 

[Alydar]

I recently saw an old youtube video of Geno and Rene Montgomery. Geno talked about Stewart being stubborn as a freshman. He wanted her to do one thing and she kept doing it her way. He said she would either do what he wanted or she would sit. He said he'd rather lose than tolerate a lack of effort.

Maybe a "come to Jesus" talk between her and CD?

 

[Stinger92860]

There was a need for another big today. ND bigs killed us in scoring and rebounding. And to add insult, they were rough. AE got worn down. Amari could have helped rebound

Just becuase you are 6-5 and were once ranked #15 does not mean you can help us.

 

[boontonbomber]

I've never been impressed with Amari. All I ever hear is how much potential she has. I haven't seen anything yet that tells me she's going to be anything but a mop up player.

I've never been impressed with Amari. All I ever hear is how much potential she has. I haven't seen anything yet that tells me she's going to be anything but a mop up player.

You should check in with the coaches at Baylor,Louisville,Maryland, and ND. , among many others, since they all heavily recruited her.

 

[boontonbomber]

Just becuase you are 6-5 and were once ranked #15 does not mean you can help us.

Doesn't hurt,though.

 

[HuskyinWRNY]

I don’t know the answer to this question. But this game reminded me of Georgia Tech last year. She was thrown into the game in somewhat of a desperate situation, and hit one or two shots. The board was calling for her to get playing time, and she didn’t really do anything in her limited action the rest of the season.

What I saw was her hit two field goals, and get scored on once in the post. Not sure there’s much data to draw any conclusion from. The only takeaway for me is that she has the potential to shoot the ball.

You should check in with the coaches at Baylor,Louisville,Maryland, and ND. , among many others, since they all heavily recruited her.

They would've been disappointed too

 

[boontonbomber]

They would've been disappointed too

Don't know from what experience you speak, but I
have a bit more confidence in the collective knowledge of these coaches. That,of course, includes Geno. We're talking about "potential ", by the way. Your term.

 

[HuskyinWRNY]

Don't know from what experience you speak, but I
have a bit more confidence in the collective knowledge of these coaches. That,of course, includes Geno. We're talking about "potential ", by the way. Your term.

You're entitled, but you're wrong

 

[Husky fanatic]

Amari will play against Princeton. Nobody left but her

 

[Centerstream]

I'm kind of surprised that this thread is still alive. Must be a slow week Husky News wise.

 

[tower1]

Based on Geno's mostly positive comments about Ice, until her injury she was probably ahead of Amari in his plans too. If everyone was healthy this season Amari was likely the 6th option for the bigs, behind Dorka and Ice at the 5, and behind Aaliyah, Aubrey and Ayanna for the 4.

Next year we are probably loaded at every position except the 5. That is one reason why many fans, while critical of what we have seen thus far from Amari, are still very much hoping to see something that indicates she could be an answer to those needs. There is talent in the prospects for that position in Ice, Jana and Amari, but no proven experience in any of them.

We could have the C position handled by two freshmen, one recovering from injury. Yes we could play Aaliyah there quite a bit like we are now with Dorka out, but obviously that is far from ideal, for Aaliyah and the team. I think Ice and Jana will be the real deal and way above average players from day one, but we can't expect them to be as great in their first year as they will be later in their careers.

If there was an immediate fit, with a very good experienced true C in the portal, I think it would be worth a look, but if it wasn't an ideal situation, I think I would go with the youngsters and live with the downside of their inexperience.

Uconn has been doing a terrible job evaluating big bulky recruits for the team. What is going on with our recruiters bringing in some bigs?

 

[#12in21]

I openly admit I haven't read through all five pages of posts in this thread so forgive me if this has been stated. I may also be totally off base, but sometimes I think Amari's issues may relate to not wanting to put herself fully out there - putting it all on the line. She, it would appear is very happy to be part of this team, super supportive of her teammates on and off the court - an enthusiastic cheerleader and friend. She really just loves being 'part of the team'. I just wonder if she holds herself back, consciously or otherwise from putting everything on the line. Maybe she doesn't fully believe in her own potential and/or is afraid to find out what her ceiling is.

She seems to have the natural gifts - height and skills - to be a real contributor and perhaps even more. I think what she is missing, and what frustrates Geno (as he knows only she can make it happen) is the willingness to risk finding her potential. Perhaps her teammates really needed her to step up her game, will be enough to make her risk transitioning from being a 'fun member of the team' to being a real contributor. The importance to her of her relationship with them may just be what it takes to push herself to risk finding her ceiling.