Article on Ice’s slow start

[HuskyNan]

It should be a free article - scroll down a bit for it

Behind Ice Brady's slow start

Despite high expectations for Brady during the preseason, she's looked like a typical freshman through the first six games.

www.uconnwbbweekly.com

 

[Bald Husky]

Everything they say is true. She has to get going for us to be successful.

 

[boontonbomber]

Don't understand why people thought Brady, really a freshman who had never played college ball, would be a major contributor this season. On top of that, returning from a rather serious injury. Big players are the slowest to adjust to the college game. Calm down; give her a year, or maybe even 2. She's just a big, big kid at this point.

 

[Topsail]

We were basing the hype on Geno s previous comments.

 

[boontonbomber]

We were basing the hype on Geno s previous comments.

Wishful thinking.

 

[fireford]

It is to be expected that Ice is "playing like a freshman" because she essentially is. Every reasonable person somewhat expected that.

I think the part that troubles people is the fact that when El-Alfy went down there no real attempt to get some insurance in the post via the portal. Paige went down in the summer last year and UConn managed to get Bettencourt for depth purposes.

When El-Alfy went down the battle cries were 1) she (El-Alfy) wasn't going to be a key rotational player anyway and 2) we already have plenty at the post (i.e., Brady, Patterson and DeBerry).

So here we are and we're getting what most reasonable people thought what we were getting. Brady = A Freshman, DeBerry = DeBerry, and Patterson is hurt and the jury is still out on her as a key rotational player.

Who knows how integral El-Alfy would have been. I tend to think she would have been given her share of chances based on what we've seen from the other post players and could have contributed AT LEAST as much.

Knowing that Brady, Patterson and DeBerry were big question marks as to what we'd be getting there should have been an attempt to get some kind of depth in the front court via the portal after El-Alfy went down and perhaps even before that knowing you're relying on four unproven players (and Patterson was coming off major surgery).

No, you're not going to get an AA in the middle of the summer, but I'm sure a front court player capable of giving good minutes off the bench could have been found if the same effort were applied when UConn went out and got Bettencourt last year.

 

[Stinger92860]

It’s going to take minutes. Once the BE season starts I would expect her to more the 14 minutes a game.

 

[Centerstream]

And people are going to expect the same fast start from Ayanna if/when she returns from her injury, even though she wasn't a consistent contributer during her freshman season. But hopefully the both of them will be consistent enough to spell Aaliyah and Aubrey as we get further down the road.

 

[boontonbomber]

It is to be expected that Ice is "playing like a freshman" because she essentially is. Every reasonable person somewhat expected that.

I think the part that troubles people is the fact that when El-Alfy went down there no real attempt to get some insurance in the post via the portal. Paige went down in the summer last year and UConn managed to get Bettencourt for depth purposes.

When El-Alfy went down the battle cries were 1) she (El-Alfy) wasn't going to be a key rotational player anyway and 2) we already have plenty at the post (i.e., Brady, Patterson and DeBerry).

So here we are and we're getting what most reasonable people thought what we were getting. Brady = A Freshman, DeBerry = DeBerry, and Patterson is hurt and the jury is still out on her as a key rotational player.

Who knows how integral El-Alfy would have been. I tend to think she would have been given her share of chances based on what we've seen from the other post players and could have contributed AT LEAST as much.

Knowing that Brady, Patterson and DeBerry were big question marks as to what we'd be getting there should have been an attempt to get some kind of depth in the front court via the portal after El-Alfy went down and perhaps even before that knowing you're relying on four unproven players (and Patterson was coming off major surgery).

No, you're not going to get an AA in the middle of the summer, but I'm sure a front court player capable of giving good minutes off the bench could have been found if the same effort were applied when UConn went out and got Bettencourt last year.

And you know that there was no attempt to get someone in the portal how??

 

[donalddoowop]

There are a number of freshmen playing well this season. Being a freshman is a weak excuse, imo. I believe Brady will show a big improvement before the season is over.

 

[JoePgh]

It is to be expected that Ice is "playing like a freshman" because she essentially is. Every reasonable person somewhat expected that.

I think the part that troubles people is the fact that when El-Alfy went down there no real attempt to get some insurance in the post via the portal. Paige went down in the summer last year and UConn managed to get Bettencourt for depth purposes.

When El-Alfy went down the battle cries were 1) she (El-Alfy) wasn't going to be a key rotational player anyway and 2) we already have plenty at the post (i.e., Brady, Patterson and DeBerry).

So here we are and we're getting what most reasonable people thought what we were getting. Brady = A Freshman, DeBerry = DeBerry, and Patterson is hurt and the jury is still out on her as a key rotational player.

Who knows how integral El-Alfy would have been. I tend to think she would have been given her share of chances based on what we've seen from the other post players and could have contributed AT LEAST as much.

Knowing that Brady, Patterson and DeBerry were big question marks as to what we'd be getting there should have been an attempt to get some kind of depth in the front court via the portal after El-Alfy went down and perhaps even before that knowing you're relying on four unproven players (and Patterson was coming off major surgery).

No, you're not going to get an AA in the middle of the summer, but I'm sure a front court player capable of giving good minutes off the bench could have been found if the same effort were applied when UConn went out and got Bettencourt last year.

How do you know what level of effort was applied by the UConn coaches to the problem of getting a replacement for Jana??

Another factor is that the coaches apparently thought that Caroline could provide backup minutes at the 4 slot. That may or may not prove to be true.

 

[fireford]

And you know that there was no attempt to get someone in the portal how??

Because 1) if they wanted someone bad enough they would have gotten someone and 2) the narrative was more or less that we have enough already.

 

[boontonbomber]

Because 1) if they wanted someone bad enough they would have gotten someone and 2) the narrative was more or less that we have enough already.

Right, because every player out there is just dying to play for UConn. Sorry, not anymore.

 

[fireford]

Right, because every player out there is just dying to play for UConn. Get serious.

OK, so basically you're telling me you have first hand knowledge that UConn went to hell and back to find someone but everyone hates UConn so no one wanted to come here. Got it. Thanks for the insight.

Rhetorical question: Do you think if Staley or Mulkey had a scholarship available and a need to fill that they would have not found someone?

 

[Rowdy831]

UConn hasn't really been a school that develops good bigs to be immediate contributors. To me Brady is not going to be an inside force at any point based on the game she plays. She is an outside threat that has a great midrange game. I do think Ice will make a huge contribution to the team this year but I do not think it will be a huge impact on the inside game at the level described in this article.

UConn has one player on their roster that can make an impact in the post and that is Amari. She is tall and long but is still a project for the team that they either need to work through or come to the realization that they can't hang with big teams on the inside. If they decide to forfeit the inside to the opponent they better get real good at pressure defense and pushing the ball because that will be the lane available for them to get where they want to be.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

It is to be expected that Ice is "playing like a freshman" because she essentially is. Every reasonable person somewhat expected that.

I think the part that troubles people is the fact that when El-Alfy went down there no real attempt to get some insurance in the post via the portal. Paige went down in the summer last year and UConn managed to get Bettencourt for depth purposes.

When El-Alfy went down the battle cries were 1) she (El-Alfy) wasn't going to be a key rotational player anyway and 2) we already have plenty at the post (i.e., Brady, Patterson and DeBerry).

So here we are and we're getting what most reasonable people thought what we were getting. Brady = A Freshman, DeBerry = DeBerry, and Patterson is hurt and the jury is still out on her as a key rotational player.

Who knows how integral El-Alfy would have been. I tend to think she would have been given her share of chances based on what we've seen from the other post players and could have contributed AT LEAST as much.

Knowing that Brady, Patterson and DeBerry were big question marks as to what we'd be getting there should have been an attempt to get some kind of depth in the front court via the portal after El-Alfy went down and perhaps even before that knowing you're relying on four unproven players (and Patterson was coming off major surgery).

No, you're not going to get an AA in the middle of the summer, but I'm sure a front court player capable of giving good minutes off the bench could have been found if the same effort were applied when UConn went out and got Bettencourt last year.

The portal was already closed when Jana went down. Their only options at that point would have been a soon to be freshman in college that didn’t yet have a team to play after most summer sessions began.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Wonder whether Brady's weak performance is a consequence of her serious knee injury and resulting diminution in her physical abilities. She certainly would not be the first UConn player who came back from a major injury and could not come close to her pre-injury abilities. Think Caroline Doty, Nicole Wolf, Britney Hunter, and more. And of course, her last ACL tear in the semifinals of the NCAA her senior season ended Shea Ralph's basketball career.

 

[boontonbomber]

OK, so basically you're telling me you have first hand knowledge that UConn went to hell and back to find someone but everyone hates UConn so no one wanted to come here. Got it. Thanks for the insight.

Rhetorical question: Do you think if Staley or Mulkey had a scholarship available and a need to fill that they would have not found someone?

If you think that players' desire to play at UConn is the same as it was some years ago, then you're not paying attention to women's basketball. Obviously, I have no first,or second hand,etc knowledge of what UConn coaches' did. Nor do you. That's my insight. You're welcome.

 

[fireford]

If you think that players' desire to play at UConn is the same as it was some years ago, then you're not paying attention to women's basketball. Obviously, I have no first,or second hand,etc knowledge of what UConn coaches' did. Nor do you. That's my insight. You're welcome.

I am well aware of that and never said we could get anyone we wanted. But I'm sure we could have gotten ONE capable post player to come here if we wanted to bad enough. If we ask 100 capable players to come here all 100 don't have to say yes. Only one does. UConn hasn't fallen that far off the grid where they can't manage that.

 

[boontonbomber]

I think SNY should add one more thing to Kara's contract: that she work once a week with UConn's bigs.

 

[HuskyNan]

I think the part that troubles people is the fact that when El-Alfy went down there no real attempt to get some insurance in the post via the portal. Paige went down in the summer last year and UConn managed to get Bettencourt for depth

No, you're not going to get an AA in the middle of the summer, but I'm sure a front court player capable of giving good minutes off the bench could have been found if the same effort were applied when UConn went out and got Bettencourt last year.

please provide your source of information for the bolded statement

 

[HuskyNan]

There are a number of freshmen playing well this season. Being a freshman is a weak excuse, imo. I believe Brady will show a big improvement before the season is over.

Guards adapt more quickly when moving up a level than post players. The difference in the speed of the game and the strength of opponents is significant

 

[my2cents]

"Terrible" is a rather sweeping judgment to apply after 6 games. I wonder what you would have said about Katie Lou Samuelson or Anna Makurat after 6 games. Or Napheesa Collier, who lost her starting role after about that many games?

I accepted your challenge and looked up Collier's and Samuelson's first 6 games as freshman:
Collier 5.8 pts, 17 minutes, 52% shooting, 69% FT and 5.3 Reb
Samuelson 8.1 Pts, 18.5 minutes, 44% shooting, 67% FT and 2.8 rebounds.

Game wasn't too fast for them from the start.

 

[Charliebball]

There are a number of freshmen playing well this season. Being a freshman is a weak excuse, imo. I believe Brady will show a big improvement before the season is over.

I had and still have very high expectations for Ice............she's way too talented offensively not to contribute to the team this season..........if I had questions, it was about her defensive capabilities............. just looking for that first breakout game...........it sure would be nice to see it against Texas but more likely we'll see her improve as the season goes on.......

 

[Charliebball]

I accepted your challenge and looked up Collier's and Samuelson's first 6 games as freshman:
Collier 5.8 pts, 17 minutes, 52% shooting, 69% FT and 5.3 Reb
Samuelson 8.1 Pts, 18.5 minutes, 44% shooting, 67% FT and 2.8 rebounds.

Game wasn't too fast for them from the start.

Positionally, I'd compare her more to Morgan Tuck who averaged 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a freshman

 

[Blond D.]

Lets not forget Aaliyah wasnt the star she is now her first year. I know we want Ice to develope at hyper speed but it takes time. Once she gets more playing time under her belt I think she'll be a force until then she'll just have to take her lumps.

 

[fireford]

please provide your source of information for the bolded statement

My source of information is that there is an unused scholarship left on the table that could have been filled if they tried hard enough.

What source of information is there that they DID try? I saw no reports of UConn pursuing anyone (and I'm sure even if they were doing it quietly it would have leaked out somehow). Just implications that they were happy with what they had.

The end result (unused scholarship that they could have used if they really, really wanted to) is all the information that's needed.

 

[JellyBean]

Ice is playing as expected given the type of minutes she gets and how she is utilized on offense. Defensively, like the article stated, not her calling card but that wasn't why she was recruited but her defense will get better as she adjusts to the game and depending on the matchups. Coach CD is always positive with her comments, but she is right. Ice will get use to the pace of the game and figure things out. The key is always how she (Ice) is going to be utilized on offense. They want her to post up, which is nice in theory but if you are running sets that don't include her being in the post, how will she get better down low?

Defensive side of the ball. I mean really, not many lock down defenders in college. Not many on ball defenders either. Ice will and does a pretty decent job of getting a wide base, having active hands, and staying in front of her defender. She did a pretty decent job here in Minnesota against the Gophers. Against Maryland she was 50/50. She does a decent job of being in helpside on defense and her rotations will get better each game and practice.

As for the slow start. Again, I think she is doing well given the minutes and how she is being utilized out there on the court. Solid screen setter. Has a nice touch on her shot. Her shots will fall. She looked decent against Minnesota and Maryland. Her footwork on the wing or high post area is awesome. Once there is a matchup where she has the advantage in the post, I am sure there will be games where we will see Ice posted up and showing that footwork on the block. Just have to have those types of games and players trying to feed her the ball down low.

 

[BRS24]

IMHO, not only is Ice a "freshman" from an experience perspective, she also needs to become confident in her knee again, and refine the hoop-related motor skills that were not possible while she was injured. Since she didn't practice or play at a high level for approximately 8 months (a guesstimate), there's a bunch of stuff that will take time. As someone mentioned above, Aaliyah had a modest freshman season. In 29 games, AE started in 6. In 6 games, here are their stats:

The season is young. If we get to the halfway point and there's little progression, then maybe we panic.

 

[rubymae4]

I rarely have high expectations for any freshman, no matter how touted they are by anyone who knows them. It’s a big transition to go from high school to college, and also a big transition to go from a major injury to game shape/full skills. Ice has both of those transitions.

I like Ice’s play so far. She shows a lot of future potential and has some nice skills. No—she isn’t going to save the team in the post this season, but freshman rarely are team savers.

In the long haul, I’m looking forward to seeing how she develops.