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Message: [QUOTE="Surly1, post: 4518045, member: 11599"] Heading into today's game, I was reflecting on the course of this season and all that has transpired. I like to take a philosophical perspective on things and one of my favorite Arthur Schopenhauer quotes is "We seldom think of what we have but always of what we lack. Therefore, rather than grateful, we are bitter. Heading into the season before the onslaught of injuries and illness, the sky was the limit based on the collective talent of this team. Like many, the coaching staff had to be a little deflated as the injuries piled up. What once looked so promising seemed to be crumbling before their eyes. Midway into the season, Geno experienced a personal loss and needed a break to recharge, reevaluate and recover. As Schopenhauer stated, "Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things." Since his return to the sidelines, there is a pronounced change in Geno's outlook. He appears more at peace with the circumstances. Like Schopenhauer opined, "It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else." Being around this collection of young women seems to bring this home. Yes, the perfectionist in him will not suffer the mindless turnovers and faulty execution, but he is prioritizing more of what the team and players are doing well. Regardless if any of the injured players return, the starting five has developed real chemistry and are beginning that late season UConn sprint to the postseason. And who would have expected their collective performances to date. Aaliyah was expected to improve upon her sophomore year, but very few imagined her playing at an All-American level. Aubrey was a question mark given she missed last year. How would she hold up after back surgery? She is only playing the best basketball of her career. Prior to the start, opinions about Nika stretched around the globe and were as varied as the colors in a Crayola box. However, nobody ventured that she would be leading the nation in assists. It is more than happenstance that the team has four starters (5 counting Azzi) scoring in double digits. There were expectations for Dorka as a 5th year grad student, but averaging a double/double fits nicely on the high end. Lastly, preseason opinions about Lou were mostly positive, but few doubted she would have the type of impact she has had. More importantly, she is improving in areas other than her pristine shooting. This isn't the team we expected, but it has become the team we love. Listening to the coaching staff in interviews and pressers, you hear their pride and satisfaction in what these ladies are accomplishing. "To overcome difficulties is to experience the full delight of existence" is another quote by Schopenhauer that encapsulates this team. Instead of bemoaning what has gone wrong or what could have been, the entire team has supported one another on this journey. Of course, a 12th NC would be fantastic, but I would count that as a bonus. This has been a bumpy, but such an enjoyable ride so far. The poet Novalis declared, "A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer." The starting five will continue to do what they are doing for as long as they have to. [/QUOTE]

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