Anyone feeling better about this UCONN?

[jsloanjr]

It's hard to watch early season games against inferior opponents. Jump in early December after the play ND...…..ND might be 15 point favorites at home. This UCONN team will be very tough come March, if the get some bench players to show up and contribute...

 

[JustinesGuy]

I feel great about this team if we stay healthy( really the starting 5), and if MW and CW have solid seasons.
I don’t worry about other teams in November.

 

[Grad1990]

One of the characteristics of UConn WBB is that they “hit the ground running” at the start of the season...

Unlike the previous five years, UConn did not hit the ground running in its first game against OSU. The uncharacteristic lack of defense was noticeable. Definitely something to keep our eyes on as the season progresses.

 

[oldude]

Unlike the previous five years, UConn did not hit the ground running in its first game against OSU. The uncharacteristic lack of defense was noticeable. Definitely something to keep our eyes on as the season progresses.

Really? UConn was up 30 in the 1st half. tOSU shot 29% for the game, scoring only 53 pts. I’ll take that every game.

 

[Grad1990]

Really? UConn was up 30 in the 1st half. tOSU shot 29% for the game, scoring only 53 pts. I’ll take that every game.

Yup...….on paper I'll give you that.

 

[NewCorn]

Wow! I can't believe you are drawing all those conclusions after watching one game. At least wait until December.

Waiting until December would be sensible, but there is much more fun in popping off right now. Our Huskies will be to quick for the bigs of ND, Baylor, and Texas.

 

[j66kicker]

It's hard to watch early season games against inferior opponents. Jump in early December after the play ND...…..ND might be 15 point favorites at home. This UCONN team will be very tough come March, if the get some bench players to show up and contribute...

NWIH ND is a 15-point favorite. Even right now it would be single digits or even-up. By December 2 (less than 3 weeks from now) they might not even be the favorite. The WCBB world is fully aware that UConn has 3 #1 HS players starting, along with the best coach, and is just waiting for UConn to do their usual, "Ooops - we're the best team this year after all" schtick. Our Ohio State game along with Baylor's and Oregon's recent performances haven't done anything to dispell that notion. I don't think we'll disappoint.

Expectations are very high (no pressure tho )

 

[Grad1990]

Unlike the previous five years, UConn did not hit the ground running in its first game against OSU. The uncharacteristic lack of defense was noticeable. Definitely something to keep our eyes on as the season progresses.

Really? UConn was up 30 in the 1st half. tOSU shot 29% for the game, scoring only 53 pts. I’ll take that every game.

The game with St Johns is not yet over...but UConn's issues on defense manifested materially tonight.

 

[oldude]

Unlike the previous five years, UConn did not hit the ground running in its first game against OSU. The uncharacteristic lack of defense was noticeable. Definitely something to keep our eyes on as the season progresses.



The game with St Johns is not yet over...but UConn's issues on defense manifested materially tonight.

So tell me something. Have you been waiting for two weeks to quote my post following the tOSU game so you could tell me, “I told you so?” I already have a wife. I’m not looking for a second one.

 

[HoopsHoppy]

St Johns out rebounded them (by one) and had more assists.

 

[CTOldSchool]

A couple of quick fouls on any of the starters will make the unbeatable quite vulnerable. I'll bet that will be a big part of the game plan for opposing coaches, and I certainly would not want to get into a war of attrition with a team like ND.

What is UConn gonna do when these big teams pound the ball inside? Play zone? Give them layups? Foul? Walker may need to come off the bench against big teams and allow ONO or Camara to start.

 

[CTOldSchool]

Always nice to hear from the opponents side .

Buckeyes left Storrs impressed with UConn women's team

“The thing I love about their team is their versatility,” McGuff said. “They are going to be incredibly hard to guard. They’ve got five people on the court who can make threes and handle the ball. They know how to play the game. And that is what’s going to be really special about them.”


Also, I think Pheesa is on a personal mission to give Megan some tough love and a kick in the tuchus if needed.

“Katie Lou and I were in that same situation our sophomore year,” Collier said. “When you are forced to be a playmaker and you know you have to contribute on the team, you have no choice but to do it or fail. I think she is realizing she has to contribute, and she did a great job of setting an example of that. She had to step up to the plate, and she did.”

IMO THAT (above) is what Geno is striving for. 5 players that are interchangeable on the floor. They can all play 1-4. He is happy outscoring your 2's w/his 3's. Nothing else explains his aversion to recruiting bigs. Before you say ONO her game in HS was like Stewie's (inside/outside).

 

[BroadwayVa]

Way too early to feel anything but worry, it seems to me. We've seen some good things, but as was said above, give it some time.

Many wrote about the Bench or lack thereof. ANY coach has to trust those he puts in to not make things worse; Geno has varying levels of trust on his players and sometimes it varys in games, I would.
If Geno had players some are Sophs some are Jr's that even some poorly versed fans know can't handle Div one good teams, he'd play anyone that made a difference. Geno is a lot of things but he is no fool and he hates to lose more than any fan. Some things I'd have done differently. I don't have to face jeering fans for my mistakes.
Geno this year so far has used much more of his bench in bigger games than in the past. He has put them in earlier than in the past. He teaches more in games. Talent is very important and confidence with that talent makes a better player.
Also teams, platoons, Companies, all look to the leaders. If they see them afraid it puts fear in themselves. It becomes contagious, leaders (KLS, Phee) have to lead and show confidence--Geno can't do that it's a team factor.

 

[BroadwayVa]

So tell me something. Have you been waiting for two weeks to quote my post following the tOSU game so you could tell me, “I told you so?” I already have a wife. I’m not looking for a second one.

Wife or no wife, right or wrong. This team will get better. Some games are struggles, so be it, they can be fun too. Geno will kick some butt, pat some backs, teach more, and fix those issues he can; but talent is with the player or it isn't and so if confidence. I wondered for years why Geno placed so much emphasis on confidence--I see it.

 

[Blue Huskie]

*Elliott is one of only four players in UConn history to have more than 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. The others are Maya Moore, Tina Charles and Rebecca Lobo.

There have been SIX Huskies with at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Tina Charles, Rebecca Lobo, Maya Moore, Stefanie Dolson, Jamelle Elliott, and Gabby Williams.

 

[shinobimono]

Cosgrove was suspended for a game but played last night. Patterson played as well. Only Mabrey did not play but she’s obviously an important piece.

Shepard, another important piece of the team, also did not play.

 

[kenja]

Interesting contrast between this thread and the one looking desperately for silver linings in UConn's struggle with St. John's. ND hasn't played with their projected starting lineup all years and basically rested Sheppard vs. Drake. Fans gonna be fans.

 

[Carnac]

Interesting contrast between this thread and the one looking desperately for silver linings in UConn's struggle with St. John's. ND hasn't played with their projected starting lineup all years and basically rested Sheppard vs. Drake. Fans gonna be fans.

Yes, fans will be fans. I’m not being critical of any posts or comments, but without looking, I’d bet that there are at least two posts expressing concern in UConn’s 40 point win over Vanderbilt.

 

[MainefanSC]

It appears that St John's was one to "tough out". As Geno has said many times over the years, you play some games that just aren't pretty and they (our women) find out the type of guts they have, to win regardless of situation. I remember well those Big East games against Geno's good pal at Villanova, Harry Perretta. Harry's style ALWAYS frustrated Geno and our kids. Knowing what's coming doesn't make it any easier and when you don't know you're about to have a tough game makes it even more difficult. So, I say it's a good win and we all know the fodder Geno will have going forward, during practice. These kids will be working even harder, in practice, if that's possible.