An embarrassment of riches

[Sicilian]

Watching this team grow is like watching baby chicks in the nest with playing time substituting for food. I wouldn’t want to be the one that makes the decision about playing time.

 

[psconn]

Watching this team grow is like watching baby chicks in the nest with playing time substituting for food. I wouldn’t want to be the one that makes the decision about playing time.

If you think those decisions are tough now, wait 'til next year.

 

[msf22b]

One way to look at it...certainly open to dispute...

In the last 4 or 5 years, Geno recruited three #1's that collectively, failed to achieve that special quality that makes for champion teams.
Dangerfield, Walker, Williams...(Napheesa was a six)

To date, with different coaching, only Crystal has moved into the elite status.

Is it possible that Geno lost his touch in developing potential superstars?
Or to put it more kindly, there are ups and downs in virtually all extended careers...Mozart and a few others excepted.

He now faces a Renaissance moment...a chance to re-make his image of inevitability...and based on last night, its his kiddie corps that will do it + first-year, Mama E.
And next year...good lord, what a further talent explosion.

Next year's junior and two seniors, from whom so much was expected will be hard pressed to be relevant. They all have immense ability, but adjustments are required...a combination of technique, attitude, consistency, and competitiveness. And boy will they have to compete; the kids are breathing down their necks

But, Paige and her Merry band, plus Grandma gave us a preview of UConn BB past and future, last night...Geno liked what he saw...and understood...
This bunch gets it...

And its been a while.

 

[Tonyc]

Its almost not fair with our current roster and our roster next season and the following season
HS # 1's Christyn Paige Azzi
HS #2 Evina
HS top 10 Griff Caroline Amari
HS top 25 Mir Saylor
Out of the country tops Edwards Anna Nika

When we get to where we wanna be...we're gonna be where we wanna to be.

 

[CocoHusky]

One way to look at it...certainly open to dispute...
Is it possible that Geno lost his touch in developing potential superstars?

Actually it is not open to dispute.
No.

 

[CL82]

I think this group of frosh have that "X" factor of competitiveness and not being afraid of big moments. They are something special individually but collectively....


(We're are still doomed though.)

 

[ScottCT]

One way to look at it...certainly open to dispute...

In the last 4 or 5 years, Geno recruited three #1's that collectively, failed to achieve that special quality that makes for champion teams.
Dangerfield, Walker, Williams...(Napheesa was a six)

To date, with different coaching, only Crystal has moved into the elite status.

Is it possible that Geno lost his touch in developing potential superstars?
Or to put it more kindly, there are ups and downs in virtually all extended careers...Mozart and a few others excepted.

He now faces a Renaissance moment...a chance to re-make his image of inevitability...and based on last night, its his kiddie corps that will do it + first-year, Mama E.
And next year...good lord, what a further talent explosion.

Next year's junior and two seniors, from whom so much was expected will be hard pressed to be relevant. They all have immense ability, but adjustments are required...a combination of technique, attitude, consistency, and competitiveness. And boy will they have to compete; the kids are breathing down their necks

But, Paige and her Merry band, plus Grandma gave us a preview of UConn BB past and future, last night...Geno liked what he saw...and understood...
This bunch gets it...

And its been a while.

Crystal Dangerfield wasn't a #1 recruit, Katie Lou Samuelson was.

 

[BostonCanuck]

Crystal Dangerfield wasn't a #1 recruit, Katie Lou Samuelson was.

Essentially the same result, though. In the biggest of big games, Lou and her compadres from that recent era unfortunately just couldn't get it done.

One of the defining things about Paige and the four or so mega-stars that have come through UConn is that they make the players around them better. Geno has said that a couple of times this year, and the more I watch as the season progresses, the more I'm really understanding that attribute and how invaluable is.

Other tier 1 players like Walker, Dangerfield, Lou and Pheesa didn't really have that particular X-factor. Paige has it in spades.

 

[msf22b]

Crystal Dangerfield wasn't a #1 recruit, Katie Lou Samuelson was.

Thank you for the correction, Crystal was #3 overall, #1 position.
I didn't include Katie-Lou because she was a part of the Stewie championship era.

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

One way to look at it...certainly open to dispute...

In the last 4 or 5 years, Geno recruited three #1's that collectively, failed to achieve that special quality that makes for champion teams.
Dangerfield, Walker, Williams...(Napheesa was a six)

To date, with different coaching, only Crystal has moved into the elite status.

Is it possible that Geno lost his touch in developing potential superstars?
Or to put it more kindly, there are ups and downs in virtually all extended careers...Mozart and a few others excepted.

Some years, the #1 recruit is a "generational" talent (not really the right word, but the one that is commonly used). Stewie, Maya, Aja Wilson, Candace Parker, Britany Griner, Elena Delle Donne.... Coaching matters, of course, but it's hard to see how the aforementioned wouldn't have been superstars for most coaches.

Other years, the #1 recruit is merely a very, very good player. Katie Lou, Kalena Mosqueda Lewis. And sometimes, unfortunately, just a very good player. Megan, CW. Coaching helps all of them improve, but cannot make them superstars.

Just sayin'

 

[CocoHusky]

Some years, the #1 recruit is a "generational" talent (not really the right word, but the one that is commonly used). Stewie, Maya, Aja Wilson, Candace Parker, Britany Griner, Elena Delle Donne.... Coaching matters, of course, but it's hard to see how the aforementioned wouldn't have been superstars for most coaches.

Other years, the #1 recruit is merely a very, very good player. Katie Lou, Kalena Mosqueda Lewis. And sometimes, unfortunately, just a very good player. Megan, CW. Coaching helps all of them improve, but cannot make them superstars.

Just sayin'

Exactly. Additionally in those years where you don't have a generational talent @#1 it is easier for superstar players to emerge as Rhyne Howard has done and Sabrina Ionescu.

 

[Centerstream]

Essentially the same result, though. In the biggest of big games, Lou and her compadres from that recent era unfortunately just couldn't get it done.

One of the defining things about Paige and the four or so mega-stars that have come through UConn is that they make the players around them better. Geno has said that a couple of times this year, and the more I watch as the season progresses, the more I'm really understanding that attribute and how invaluable is.

Other tier 1 players like Walker, Dangerfield, Lou and Pheesa didn't really have that particular X-factor. Paige has it in spades.

Seriously, couldn't get it done????
Exactly how many games did Lou's teams lose???

 

[Ron and Vida]

I think this group of frosh have that "X" factor of competitiveness and not being afraid of big moments. They are something special individually but collectively....


(We're are still doomed though.)

Thanks for the doomed warning
Haven’t heard it in quite a while
Hope it came in time

 

[Fairfield Fan]

It's a matter of bigs. The deficiency on defense stems from the lack of a stopper underneath. During the DePaul game, I watched ONO just stand there and let the DePaul player blow past her for a layup three times in a row in the third quarter (?). And far too often, she's out of position for a rebound. AE is a hope, but she's not playing that Dolson/Stokes/Stewart role of "nothing gets past us- nothing!"

Let's hope that DeBerry's arrival, when paired with Edwards, leads to that big defensive intimidation factor underneath that also turns defense into fast-break offense. But right now, we don't have that factor underneath.

 

[MooseJaw]

It's a matter of bigs. The deficiency on defense stems from the lack of a stopper underneath. During the DePaul game, I watched ONO just stand there and let the DePaul player blow past her for a layup three times in a row in the third quarter (?). And far too often, she's out of position for a rebound. AE is a hope, but she's not playing that Dolson/Stokes/Stewart role of "nothing gets past us- nothing!"

Let's hope that DeBerry's arrival, when paired with Edwards, leads to that big defensive intimidation factor underneath that also turns defense into fast-break offense. But right now, we don't have that factor underneath.

Sad but true, Liv is good against most below and average post players. Against stronger & athletic posts she seems to disappear, she is what she is and it's Genos job to get the most he can from her. Next year is a long time away, an off season in the weight room my make a big difference for Liv, we can only hope.

 

[Zanzman]

Thank you for the correction, Crystal was #3 overall, #1 position.
I didn't include Katie-Lou because she was a part of the Stewie championship era.

Lou and pheasant were the same year but yet you mentioned pheasant do your homework please

 

[hoopsfan22]

The upperclassmen next season need to step up big time or they will find themselves spending more time on the bench than the floor. For the first time in a while, Geno has options, and lots of good ones.

 

[ChinoREMa]

Seriously, couldn't get it done????
Exactly how many games did Lou's teams lose???

BostonCanuck is absolutely right. Lou and her classmates couldn't get it done when it mattered most. Lou and Napheesa won a national championship as freshmen riding Stewie's immense coattails. But once Stewie left, the NCAA championship well went dry.

Unless your criteria for "getting it done," Centerstream, is winning the AAC title, in which case Lou and Co. were world beaters. She, Napheesa and Crystal were outstanding in their own unique ways, but when it came time to win the biggest games, they came up short, as BostonCanuck states.

 

[freshler40]

Recent UConn women's teams have been excellent but that is relative to whom you play. Yes, we have had a number of #1 chosen players but it's also a function of who you play, who's injured and lots of other factors at any given time. ND beat us with a wild last second shot, that can happen any time in a close game. Your competition has a lot to do with how good you look in any single game.
In the women's game the center continues to be very important, not so much in the men's game where speed and jumping ability are key and depth of fields is much greater. The women's game has grown a lot, crossover dribbles, double picks like the pros etc. Just look at the freshmen class for the Huskies. WOW! In many earlier years it would take two years of college play to reach their current level of ability if that! They are a pleasure to watch, great winter/covid entertainment.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Its almost not fair with our current roster and our roster next season and the following season
HS # 1's Christyn Paige Azzi
HS #2 Evina
HS top 10 Griff Caroline Amari
HS top 25 Mir Saylor
Out of the country tops Edwards Anna Nika

When we get to where we wanna be...we're gonna be where we wanna to be.

The recruit rankings are useless B.S.

 

[Bama fan]

Lou and pheasant were the same year but yet you mentioned pheasant do your homework please

More of a pheasant off the glass than under glass though, eh?

 

[Zanzman]

Got to love auto correct yet I spelled pheesa correct

 

[Cuango]

One way to look at it...certainly open to dispute...

In the last 4 or 5 years, Geno recruited three #1's that collectively, failed to achieve that special quality that makes for champion teams.
Dangerfield, Walker, Williams...(Napheesa was a six)

To date, with different coaching, only Crystal has moved into the elite status.

Is it possible that Geno lost his touch in developing potential superstars?
Or to put it more kindly, there are ups and downs in virtually all extended careers...Mozart and a few others excepted.

He now faces a Renaissance moment...a chance to re-make his image of inevitability...and based on last night, its his kiddie corps that will do it + first-year, Mama E.
And next year...good lord, what a further talent explosion.

Next year's junior and two seniors, from whom so much was expected will be hard pressed to be relevant. They all have immense ability, but adjustments are required...a combination of technique, attitude, consistency, and competitiveness. And boy will they have to compete; the kids are breathing down their necks

But, Paige and her Merry band, plus Grandma gave us a preview of UConn BB past and future, last night...Geno liked what he saw...and understood...
This bunch gets it...

And its been a while.

I think what some are missing in their rush to proclaim that Geno has lost his ability to recruit the true “alpha” is this. First of course, Paige Bueckers! Second is the fact that they don’t come along every year. Third, and perhaps most important, is that Geno will not recruit a player (even a player others claim is an alpha) unless she fits into his mold of a UConn player. I’m reasonably sure that there have been players that were “alphas” in terms of their playing abilities but would not, in his opinion, be a good fit at UConn. Finally, fourth, not every player is going to want to come here. Some, even ones who meet with his criteria, just don’t see this as what they are looking for. Hard to believe, but there it is. I also think that it is getting harder to find players who are truly great yet are willing and eager to fit in and be coached hard. I don’t think he has lost anything! PS Even Geno is allowed to simply be wrong occasionally.

 

[BostonBay]

Its now how many #1s you have, but rather can they mesh well & complement each other - sum is greater than the parts. Before Paige, I'm not sure if that was the case. MW, CW, Katie Lou basically all played the same wing position & didnt really have a physical presence. Thus, no titles for the past few years.

 

[UcMiami]

It is just so depressing to keep losing in the final four - what a waste of all that talent to fail so consistently!
It is so depressing 12 FF in a row and only 6 titles.

The reality is that it is a team game and even multiple highly ranked HS players do not guarantee anything, and the HS ranking is a pretty feeble attempt to assess talent - a Candice Parker or Breanna Stewart or Brittany Griner separate from their peers, but most of the time it is a crap shoot and players like DT while obviously talented do not. Sue Bird the best PG ever in WBB was not even the best PG recruited in her class at Uconn and was I think ranked lower than three (or four?)of the other TASSK force class.

I would say that Walker Williams and Samuelson were three of those crap shoot #1s. Very good players but with contemporaries who could easily have been rated higher than them. And they were (are) not chopped liver as college players either. And if you look at those classes 2015, 2017, 2018 it is hard to pick out anyone in the top of those classes who actually separated themselves from their mates as college players.