Back 2 Sports: Class of 21 and 22 are a disaster

[Zinethar]

She didn't play vs Stanford. It was SC. She played 4 minutes 0-1 from the floor no rebounds, 1 personal foul. 1 turnover.

I stand corrected on which game she played. The old memory isn't what it used to be so I should have looked it up but that was a bit irrelevant to the rest of my points. People can disagree if they wish as I just wanted to add some context to the discussion. I watched that game. A player can add good minutes to a game without stuffing a stat sheet. For example if a coach sends you into a game to deny a player the chance to get the ball and you do that it does not show anywhere but your impact could be great.

 

[HuskyNan]

She didn't play vs Stanford. It was SC. She played 4 minutes 0-1 from the floor no rebounds, 1 personal foul. 1 turnover.

Despite the box score, Amari played well in that game. Geno was hoping she could build on that experience but injuries and the fact she’s just too nice of a person to play ”nasty” have limited her time.

UConn WBB Weekly: Amari DeBerry staying ready for her opportunity

The sophomore hasn’t let limited playing time slow her progress this season.

www.theuconnblog.com

 

[Cheddie]

You can't predict the future. Geno has recruited well, but circumstances have thwarted his plans. Certainly due in part to perceived opportunity, he lost Saylor Poffenbarger and Mir McLean. At 6'2", Saylor is averaging a double-double for Arkansas. Mir at Virginia is a hair way from averaging a double-double, at 9.6 rebounds per game. Both would be strong additions to the current roster and logging good minutes.

You also recruit on potential, and you can't predict how everyone will grow and mature. Piath Gabriel's brother was a top 15 recruit and played in the NBA. She's now at her 3rd school and playing only a few minutes per game.

 

[visitingcock]

2021 UConn and SCar both claimed superclasses and the recruits of those schools dominated the top rankings.

Azzi
Raven
Rivers
Feagin
Carolyn
Bree
Amari
Saylor

The top two both suffered injuries their first year. Azzi continues to be injured. Raven had not fully recovered her second year but seems to have done so this year. Rivers flopped (offensively) as a frosh backup but, now a junior at NC States, she is starting to live up to the hype. Feagin is a junior backup who can give good minutes - not just mop up. Carolyn was great when able to play! Carolyn may have been the best of the bunch as a frosh.Amari - well - an outsider should reserve judgment. Bre Hall has been our most solid contributor throughout her first two years and appears to be blossoming this year. Saylor transferred early but is excelling as a top 5 rebounder (who saw that coming?) at Arkansas.

We still have hope that this class can live up to its potential. Good luck to the gals in your class. Azzi is a lovely person and Carolyn such potential as a frosh.

 

[Martinj481]

She is what she is. I don't think you are going to get any more from her.

Exactly! She is never going to contribute! Rankings can be inflated in high school! I think it really hurt when we didn't win the Betts lottery when she was in the portal! Watching her play for UCLA today! Wow!

 

[JBK]

That insinuates that Ines is also a slacker which doesn't mesh with her improved physiquie this year, or her performance in the FIBA finals in August.

Agreed. Has anyone heard Geno state why she does not play. I am very surprised Janielle could not develop her.

 

[hoophuskee]

I stand corrected on which game she played. The old memory isn't what it used to be so I should have looked it up but that was a bit irrelevant to the rest of my points. People can disagree if they wish as I just wanted to add some context to the discussion. I watched that game. A player can add good minutes to a game without stuffing a stat sheet. For example if a coach sends you into a game to deny a player the chance to get the ball and you do that it does not show anywhere but your impact could be great.

I can't recall her having a postive impact. I might have to recheck. But this also goes the other way. Just because you aren't "terrrible" doesn't mean you played "well." And because she might have defended Boston better than Evina Westbrook did defending Boston doesn't mean you played well.

I still recall with dread that 1st quarter UCONN having to have Evina defend Boston in the paint for a time (not just one play etc). And to add to Evina though this is off-topic- just as Lombardi spoke to explain his comment "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." He later explained that it was taken a bit out of context He was talking about effort and a will to win. Evina was that for sure.

 

[hoophuskee]

My issue with the playing time is that when we are beating teams by 30+ points, why not put her in for the 4th quarter, instead of the last 30 seconds? So UConn only wins by 25 instead of 40?

Because the other players need as much time as they can get. UCONN hasn't had a fiull roster play together in several years. Their chemistry is way behind many, many. many teams. Why do you want to take the opportunity for the better player's from getting as much time together as possible when they have played so infrequently together? Especially in blowouts (which aren't as frequent anymore.), it can keep, for exmaple, the freshmens confidence high.

There's always a mention of "get the freshmen more minutes." Now all of a sudden it's "take the minutes away" because on that given day they are playing well? And maybe one or two on that day were't playing well. while others were super. So the answer is not to continue to give them minutes for those better younger players that might have struggled yet the game is a blowout? And they have to learn to play with Paige and Aliyah etc.

 

[Shenandoah]

Because the other players need as much time as they can get. UCONN hasn't had a fiull roster play together in several years. Their chemistry is way behind many, many. many teams. Why do you want to take the opportunity for the better player's from getting as much time together as possible when they have played so infrequently together? Especially in blowouts (which aren't as frequent anymore.), it can keep, for exmaple, the freshmens confidence high.

There's always a mention of "get the freshmen more minutes." Now all of a sudden it's "take the minutes away" because on that given day they are playing well? And maybe one or two on that day were't playing well. while others were super. So the answer is not to continue to give them minutes for those better younger players that might have struggled yet the game is a blowout? And they have to learn to play with Paige and Aliyah etc.

How about giving Aaliyah a break? She's gotten the crap beat out of her the last year and a half. If she goes down because she's just plain worn down, and Amari has only 1:30 combined playing time, the UConn ship is sunk.

 

[hoophuskee]

How about giving Aaliyah a break? She's gotten the crap beat out of her the last year and a half. If she goes down because she's just plain worn down, and Amari has only 1:30 combined playing time, the UConn ship is sunk.

Give Aaliyah a break? What is Ice there to do?

Secondly, if you were the coach you woudl tell all your player's that the ship has sunk? Do you really believe that the coaching staff and the players believe that they can't be a very good team? If they do think ship has sunk-- what should they do instead? Give up? Should Paige pack her bags because "the ship has sunk?"

Third, if the ship is sunk, then why bother with playing Amari much and not the players that are superior to her anyway? Since when is playing your worst /2nd worst player on the bench a viable alternative vs trying to win? Unless you are okay with the 11 time National Champion coach either telling or "showing" his players that he is not going to coach to win? Because if he is trying to coach to win, how is playing your worst two players a winning strategy?

This isn't the NBA where load-managment is king so they don't care if they lose a few games to rest players. Contrary to the pros - every game has meaning to programs that are accustomed to being elite even if that given year they are not. Uconn is not going to act like a spolied brat with 2.5 months left and pack up their bags because the situatuion has gone against them early.

 

[cferraro04]

The only question I have with regards to Amari is: Does she want to play? The answer to this question makes all the difference in the world.

 

[Performance]

However, if someone were to tell you with advance notice that you had inside information that UCONN wasn't going to go past the 2nd round (granted no one could know that) of the NCAA this year (as an example) would you care to follow them then this year?

If so, --- why?
I am not arguing with you at the moment. Just wondering why you would personally follow them if you 100% knew that they weren't going past 2nd round.

Because no matter what they are my team, I think this is reason enough!!!

 

[LarryLegend]

Agreed. Has anyone heard Geno state why she does not play. I am very surprised Janielle could not develop her.

or Jamelle

 

[LarryLegend]

You can't predict the future. Geno has recruited well, but circumstances have thwarted his plans. Certainly due in part to perceived opportunity, he lost Saylor Poffenbarger and Mir McLean. At 6'2", Saylor is averaging a double-double for Arkansas. Mir at Virginia is a hair way from averaging a double-double, at 9.6 rebounds per game. Both would be strong additions to the current roster and logging good minutes.

You also recruit on potential, and you can't predict how everyone will grow and mature. Piath Gabriel's brother was a top 15 recruit and played in the NBA. She's now at her 3rd school and playing only a few minutes per game.

Ironic, as you say those two arrived and came to the conclusion that they wouldn’t play. On the current team they would be playing lots.

 

[Galaxyshooter]

Because no matter what they are my team, I think this is reason enough!!!

exactly!!!! there are real fans and then there are bandwagon fans, bandwagon fans jump on when things are great and the team is winning real fans stay on when they win and when they lose... Imma a real fan so if I knew they were not gonna make it past the 2nd round I'd be there if I knew they were not gonna make the field of 64 I'm there, If I knew they were gonna lose in the NIT I'm there, If I knew they were gonna not win the BE I'm there If I knew they were gonna lose 20 games this year I'm there...

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Great digging on injuries. I think it's now almost certain that Azzi's career is coming to an end. Same for Caroline, and for Ayanna. The report, if he's in the ballpark, means that Ayanna's knee injuries are devastating, and that her last surgery failed. If they're "trying everything possible before another surgery," it likely means that the next surgery will be very difficult, and possibly have serious consequences for Patterson's health, whatever the outcome.

Not sure what the prognosis is for an athlete who severs her Achilles tendon, but that has to be very difficult to come back from.

Just terrible news.

 

[hoopsdiva]

Not sure what the prognosis is for an athlete who severs her Achilles tendon, but that has to be very difficult to come back from.

If you're talking about Jana, we don't know yet what her prognosis is. If you're talking about Stewie, the prognosis is you rehab for a year and then win WNBA MVP a couple years later.

 

[caseyb7]

Interesting YouTube article:



I never realized how highly rated these two classes were.

Interesting summary & perspective.

There was also Piath Gabriel too who I believe went to UMass.

She too was a "big", but did little her freshman year.

 

[Rowdy831]

Amari has showed nothing in games, and it’s very clear that she has shown very little in practice. Geno would love to be able to play her but it’s obvious that he can’t.

I’m sure Geno has had a number of sit downs with her, but why should someone have to explain to her the importance of working hard in practice. And why would the reason for working hard be to “appease Geno”?

Your post makes it clear why she does not get playing time.

I don't agree with your assessment of Geno. I think when you get in his doghouse you live there until you graduate. I also know not all people are inspired by the same leadership styles and obviously she isn't inspired by Geno. The reason I have hope is because when Geno was out last year with sickness CD filled in for him and Amari player really well for her.

Amari may not be the savior but she is the only player on the roster with any height at all and UConn needs height on the floor.

 

[CL82]

That insinuates that Ines is also a slacker which doesn't mesh with her improved physiquie this year, or her performance in the FIBA finals in August.

I've been surprised that Ines hasn't gotten much burn this year. She was thrown into the fire, in terms of playing time, last year and handled it fairly well. I think her circumstances may simply be that there are better players at the guard position available ahead of her. In any event, I suspect we will be seeing her on the court more often now that we are in the big east season.

Amari is an enigma, but, as a poster above noted, at this point, she is a known quantity. She seems like a genuinely very nice person and I can't help but root for her, but I'm not sure if it is realistic to expect more than we've already seen from her.

 

[HuskyNan]

…obviously she isn't inspired by Geno. The reason I have hope is because when Geno was out last year with sickness CD filled in for him and Amari player really well for her.

Amari may not be the savior but she is the only player on the roster with any height at all and UConn needs height on the floor.

Did she, though? She had a decent game against Seton Hall but otherwise not so much. CD coached Florida State last year (Amari DNP), Seton Hall, Butler (bottom of the Big East), and Xavier. Here are Amari’s stats. This year’s team needs rebounding and interior defense. In 212 minutes all last season, Amari had 43 TOTAL rebounds. Aubrey has played 209 minutes so far this year and has 59 rebounds - and she’s only 6-1.

As for defense, I would love to see Amari move her feet and put a body on the offensive player but she tends to reach in instead. I would be ecstatic if she morphed into, not necessary Tina but some version of Jess Moore or Schuie. They were pretty fierce on the court. I just don’t see how one person can change that much that quickly.

 

[stamfordhusky]

I don't agree with your assessment of Geno. I think when you get in his doghouse you live there until you graduate.

True for the ones who don't get better in practice, but certainly not true for every player.

 

[stamfordhusky]

Interesting summary & perspective.

There was also Piath Gabriel too who I believe went to UMass.

She too was a "big", but did little her freshman year.

Piath did little during both her freshman and sophomore years. Then she did very little last year at UMass, averaging 4 mpg. She is now at Portland, where she has to sit out this year due to her second transfer. Hopefully she can earn playing time next year and then petition the NCAA to be allowed to play in her sixth season in college.

 

[Longtime fan]

Stamford: I hope you have input from the coaching staff on DeBerry's production/effort in practice. I know she seems lost in games. I often ask, when she is in the game--is that really where Geno wants a 6 ft 5?
You are correct, I assume, after 3 plus years --she is what she is. We can only hope.

Coach has said a million times, he can't coach motivation, commitment and hard work. Those characteristics are assumed for anyone who wanted to play at UCONN. I will tell you right now that the lead gym rat this season is Ash Shade. And her game and minutes are reflecting that. I don't know a thing about DeBerry. But she would not b such a welcomed teammate if she wasn't working hard. I don't think her work ethic is the problem.

 

[Longtime fan]

Piath did little during both her freshman and sophomore years. Then she did very little last year at UMass, averaging 4 mpg. She is now at Portland, where she has to sit out this year due to her second transfer. Hopefully she can earn playing time next year and then petition the NCAA to be allowed to play in her sixth season in college.

Piath was also not a highly regarded recruit. She was a gamble, because UCONN was having little luck attracting players of size. It just didn't;t work out here.

 

[Longtime fan]

Yes, I know that is a consequence of more PT for Amari. But I am concerned about trying to realize more productivity from down low in the paint area. Given the current situation, if there is any hope for March, we have to find out soon....from the few that we have available.

Jana and Ice were the plan.. to help Edwards in the paint. Jana got that injury and Ice is slow to develop. Given that she hasn't played in two years, and is recovering from serious injury, that is not surprising. And the plan was also to have AZZI and Caroline draining threes to spread out the paint area. Ding again. At some point, the well runs dry.

 

[HuskyNan]

Jana and Ice were the plan.. to help Edwards in the paint. Jana got that injury and Ice is slow to develop. Given that she hasn't played in two years, and is recovering from serious injury, that is not surprising. And the plan was also to have AZZI and Caroline draining threes to spread out the paint area. Ding again. At some point, the well runs dry.

And a healthy Ayanna