Attending Practice

[vballcoach]

I was at Gampel to watch practice for the first time ever today, and it was more exciting and fun than most games. The level of focus for almost 3 hours was amazing, and it was splendid to watch it all happen. Some takeaways:

1. Saniya almost never misses. Whether she shoots or not in games, she can SHOOT.
2. Azura is having a really good time, always. Also, she's going to be so so so good. Batouly too. UCONN might get every rebound next season.
3. Watching Gabby run the floor during fast break drills was the highlight of the day. She soars.
4. Molly and Kyla are good. We can't tell on TV, and it sometimes looks messy when they're in, but they're really good. Natalie too. The practice players guarding Natalie needed to ice after practice, I'm sure.
5. Tierney never gives up, and her defense (with the male practice players as her teammates) against the starters was just what you'd expect from her.
6. Lou and Napheesa can do everything. Lou was impressive inside, while Napheesa hit about 8 threes in a row while warming up.
7. Crystal can break down a defense. She drove to the basket like she did against Baylor again and again.
8. Kia works hard. Very hard. If she's got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.

This is an easy team to like.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Thanks for the report. It is all very reassuring.

Can all season ticket holders attend practice, or do you have to be a
"contributor" at some level as well?

 

[veryolddog]

I was at Gampel to watch practice for the first time ever today, and it was more exciting and fun than most games. The level of focus for almost 3 hours was amazing, and it was splendid to watch it all happen. Some takeaways:

1. Saniya almost never misses. Whether she shoots or not in games, she can SHOOT.
2. Azura is having a really good time, always. Also, she's going to be so so so good. Batouly too. UCONN might get every rebound next season.
3. Watching Gabby run the floor during fast break drills was the highlight of the day. She soars.
4. Molly and Kyla are good. We can't tell on TV, and it sometimes looks messy when they're in, but they're really good. Natalie too. The practice players guarding Natalie needed to ice after practice, I'm sure.
5. Tierney never gives up, and her defense (with the male practice players as her teammates) against the starters was just what you'd expect from her.
6. Lou and Napheesa can do everything. Lou was impressive inside, while Napheesa hit about 8 threes in a row while warming up.
7. Crystal can break down a defense. She drove to the basket like she did against Baylor again and again.
8. Kia works hard. Very hard. If she's got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.

This is an easy team to like.

You are a lucky dog. I wish that I could watch one of those practices, but New Mexico is a little too far to travel on these old bones. Just real games via Direct TV

 

[vballcoach]

Thanks for the report. It is all very reassuring.

Can all season ticket holders attend practice, or do you have to be a
"contributor" at some level as well?

I'm sure it wasn't just season ticket holders or contributors (I'm neither), and there were plenty of youth basketball teams there as well: girls who were certainly inspired by what they saw.

 

[bags27]

I was at Gampel to watch practice for the first time ever today, and it was more exciting and fun than most games. The level of focus for almost 3 hours was amazing, and it was splendid to watch it all happen. Some takeaways:

1. Saniya almost never misses. Whether she shoots or not in games, she can SHOOT.
2. Azura is having a really good time, always. Also, she's going to be so so so good. Batouly too. UCONN might get every rebound next season.
3. Watching Gabby run the floor during fast break drills was the highlight of the day. She soars.
4. Molly and Kyla are good. We can't tell on TV, and it sometimes looks messy when they're in, but they're really good. Natalie too. The practice players guarding Natalie needed to ice after practice, I'm sure.
5. Tierney never gives up, and her defense (with the male practice players as her teammates) against the starters was just what you'd expect from her.
6. Lou and Napheesa can do everything. Lou was impressive inside, while Napheesa hit about 8 threes in a row while warming up.
7. Crystal can break down a defense. She drove to the basket like she did against Baylor again and again.
8. Kia works hard. Very hard. If she's got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.

This is an easy team to like.

So, why isn't UConn winning every game 150-0?

Seriously, all very interesting and encouraging. The word on Z is growing that she will be truly astonishing next year. It seems amazing to me that the day BEFORE a game, they put in 3 hard hours. I wonder how many other teams do that?

 

[CocoHusky]

@vballcoach curious about "If she's (Kia) got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.
I'm not aware of any injuries to Kia ankle ever, did something in practice or recently?

 

[bags27]

@vballcoach curious about "If she's (Kia) got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.
I'm not aware of any injuries to Kia ankle ever, did something in practice or recently?

I think Geno mentioned it in the post-game interview after the Temple game.

 

[The redhead]

Thanks for the report. It is all very reassuring.

Can all season ticket holders attend practice, or do you have to be a
"contributor" at some level as well?

Practice must have been held on the floor at Gampel. I don't think you can jut walk in to their practice facility. But, I might be wrong.

 

[ballhawk]

I'm envious. I wish California was closer to Storrs. Thanks for the report.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I think Geno mentioned it in the post-game interview after the Temple game.

And she was held out of most of yesterday's practice because of it. I suspect it was a practice injury or a cumulative injury.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

What is killing me in vball's report... #1. Saniya is an offensive juggernaut who demurs. I've lost a lot of tooth enamel over that!

 

[JordyG]

I was at Gampel to watch practice for the first time ever today, and it was more exciting and fun than most games. The level of focus for almost 3 hours was amazing, and it was splendid to watch it all happen. Some takeaways:

1. Saniya almost never misses. Whether she shoots or not in games, she can SHOOT.
2. Azura is having a really good time, always. Also, she's going to be so so so good. Batouly too. UCONN might get every rebound next season.
3. Watching Gabby run the floor during fast break drills was the highlight of the day. She soars.
4. Molly and Kyla are good. We can't tell on TV, and it sometimes looks messy when they're in, but they're really good. Natalie too. The practice players guarding Natalie needed to ice after practice, I'm sure.
5. Tierney never gives up, and her defense (with the male practice players as her teammates) against the starters was just what you'd expect from her.
6. Lou and Napheesa can do everything. Lou was impressive inside, while Napheesa hit about 8 threes in a row while warming up.
7. Crystal can break down a defense. She drove to the basket like she did against Baylor again and again.
8. Kia works hard. Very hard. If she's got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.

This is an easy team to like.

Here's two more likes. Make that three.

 

[Plebe]

I was at Gampel to watch practice for the first time ever today, and it was more exciting and fun than most games. The level of focus for almost 3 hours was amazing, and it was splendid to watch it all happen. Some takeaways:

1. Saniya almost never misses. Whether she shoots or not in games, she can SHOOT.
2. Azura is having a really good time, always. Also, she's going to be so so so good. Batouly too. UCONN might get every rebound next season.
3. Watching Gabby run the floor during fast break drills was the highlight of the day. She soars.
4. Molly and Kyla are good. We can't tell on TV, and it sometimes looks messy when they're in, but they're really good. Natalie too. The practice players guarding Natalie needed to ice after practice, I'm sure.
5. Tierney never gives up, and her defense (with the male practice players as her teammates) against the starters was just what you'd expect from her.
6. Lou and Napheesa can do everything. Lou was impressive inside, while Napheesa hit about 8 threes in a row while warming up.
7. Crystal can break down a defense. She drove to the basket like she did against Baylor again and again.
8. Kia works hard. Very hard. If she's got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.

This is an easy team to like.

What a fantastic report, and so well written. Thanks for sharing.

 

[JordyG]

I'm envious. I wish California was closer to Storrs. Thanks for the report.

Well, right now I wish NY was closer to Cali.

 

[vballcoach]

What a fantastic report, and so well written. Thanks for sharing.

Well, I am an English teacher. Thanks.

 

[WrenchFan69]

The team hosts open practices a couple times a year. These can be visited by anyone and are held in Gampel. The practice facility is private and unless you're pretty well-connected or a high school coach you can't get in for a practice.

 

[NewCorn]

I'm envious. I wish California was closer to Storrs. Thanks for the report.

We'll get to work on that.

 

[JordyG]

We'll get to work on that.

Hurry please.

 

[Los24]

I was at Gampel to watch practice for the first time ever today, and it was more exciting and fun than most games. The level of focus for almost 3 hours was amazing, and it was splendid to watch it all happen. Some takeaways:

1. Saniya almost never misses. Whether she shoots or not in games, she can SHOOT.
2. Azura is having a really good time, always. Also, she's going to be so so so good. Batouly too. UCONN might get every rebound next season.
3. Watching Gabby run the floor during fast break drills was the highlight of the day. She soars.
4. Molly and Kyla are good. We can't tell on TV, and it sometimes looks messy when they're in, but they're really good. Natalie too. The practice players guarding Natalie needed to ice after practice, I'm sure.
5. Tierney never gives up, and her defense (with the male practice players as her teammates) against the starters was just what you'd expect from her.
6. Lou and Napheesa can do everything. Lou was impressive inside, while Napheesa hit about 8 threes in a row while warming up.
7. Crystal can break down a defense. She drove to the basket like she did against Baylor again and again.
8. Kia works hard. Very hard. If she's got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.

This is an easy team to like.

Great info. I wanted to ask your perspective of how Lou looked on defense in practice? I think it's a bit underrated but obviously she has room to grow.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I was at Gampel to watch practice for the first time ever today, and it was more exciting and fun than most games. The level of focus for almost 3 hours was amazing, and it was splendid to watch it all happen. Some takeaways:

1. Saniya almost never misses. Whether she shoots or not in games, she can SHOOT.
2. Azura is having a really good time, always. Also, she's going to be so so so good. Batouly too. UCONN might get every rebound next season.
3. Watching Gabby run the floor during fast break drills was the highlight of the day. She soars.
4. Molly and Kyla are good. We can't tell on TV, and it sometimes looks messy when they're in, but they're really good. Natalie too. The practice players guarding Natalie needed to ice after practice, I'm sure.
5. Tierney never gives up, and her defense (with the male practice players as her teammates) against the starters was just what you'd expect from her.
6. Lou and Napheesa can do everything. Lou was impressive inside, while Napheesa hit about 8 threes in a row while warming up.
7. Crystal can break down a defense. She drove to the basket like she did against Baylor again and again.
8. Kia works hard. Very hard. If she's got a weak ankle, it sure didn't show.

This is an easy team to like.

Nice report!! I'll second your final comment: This IS an easy team to like.

A few semi-randoms thoughts:

1. Saniya scored 2,988 points in high school. She's an elite shooter who can score from almost anywhere.

2. Some folks think that Z will be strong NPOY candidate. Yikes!

3. Yes, just watching some players run is fun. Moriah, Maya, Gabby, and Megan are among them.

4. That's an encouraging sign.

5. T is INTENSE!

6. Lou posting up and Pheesa hitting treys: versatile and UNGUARDABLE.

7. Crystal is an ankle-breaker in the mold of MoJeff. Record ALL the games she plays.

8. When your father calls you a "Nasty piece of business," you must be a true BADASS! Kia is in the mold of Shea, someone who runs through brick walls and leaves the bricks screaming in pain.

 

[Kibitzer]

When your father calls you a "Nasty piece of business," you must be a true BADASS! Kia is in the mold of Shea, someone who runs through brick walls and leaves the bricks screaming in pain.

You have identified a new badassery standard. As for overall superlative performance, try this:

["She] can walk on water and not scare the fish."
​

(Fill in a name.)

 

[Plebe]

Well, I am an English teacher. Thanks.

Your students are among the fortunate. At least for the hour they're with you.

 

[vballcoach]

Great info. I wanted to ask your perspective of how Lou looked on defense in practice? I think it's a bit underrated but obviously she has room to grow.

That was where Geno seemed to get most involved in the drills: encouraging Lou to maintain a lower stance. He got right out there. From the stands, the defensive drills looked brutal, by the way.

 

[mbr33ct]

Note to Geno: If and when you have these "open practices", how hard would it be to stream this practice to cyber world?

I would bet the event would garner much attention.

 

[OldAlum]

So how did you get the notice of and invite to the practice?