Bench non-strength!

[Centerstream]

I kinda believe that Geno would like to give his bench players more on court meaningful minutes but most of them have yet done anything really, really productive, game in and game out. So what choice does he have? Nobody seems to want to really perform once all of the starters have been taken out. They run the offense, milk the clock until someone puts up a shot. But every once in a while almost every one of them will show that they are capable but, again, not consistently. I use to post about how bad our bench players were but now I try not to because usually they are playing against the other team's starters for the majority of the time that they are out there. But I would still like to see more consistency from them.

 

[Centerstream]

I would like to know how Ms Gordon felt sitting during a blowout? Does she say: I know what's wrong and I'll fix it? I hope she knows or was told to fix . I doubt she doesn't want to fix whatever is the problem because if that should be the case---well!

She feels the same way that she felt last year...so I just wonder how she feels during the practices. She does seem engaged on the bench, so that's a good sign I think but I gotta believe that there is just something about her practice performance that is hindering her. I would really, really like to see her, or any other reserve, to come into a game and just play lights out...consistently.

 

[BroadwayVa]

if he continues that kind of coaching on the go with the freshmen and then gets the players back in the game, I think it will be really valuable down the road....

Maybe the crap that happened from the coaching box that was within our views or audible from an illegal taping was a fluke??
Regardless, what Geno is doing this year with the bench and his top 5 is very visible and to me really great. I love a top level coach teaching as he takes a player from the floor. Teaching, and by all reports Geno is a teacher, teaching gains more benefits than screech, grabbing, shaking, swearing at a player as he or she departs the playing floor.
There is no greater satisfaction for a teacher than to see one or more of his lesser students succeed. Anyone can look good teaching great students. True success is when a Gordon type kid "gets it" and contributes significantly.
I will still be saying I really like the new approach Geno is using with this team; I'll be saying it in April with or without an Elite 8, FF, or NC that is only a part of being a great coach.

 

[BroadwayVa]

She feels the same way that she felt last year...so I just wonder how she feels during the practices. She does seem engaged on the bench, so that's a good sign I think but I gotta believe that there is just something about her practice performance that is hindering her. I would really, really like to see her, or any other reserve, to come into a game and just play lights out...consistently.

I can second guess and speculate because as Geno often told me: "You are not at practices". And he was right. I don't have to be at practices to have empathy for Gordon or Walker last year. My last NC or FF or Elite 8 that I won was--never. Still I wonder if a bigger bone wasn't thrown Gordons way that it may spark a spark within her. Her High School record shows she can and did score and she played a lot of BB. She has needed size--look at her compared to everyone else it appears only ONO and KLS are taller, optical illusion?

 

[shizam]

One point not mentioned is that a bench also can minimize the constant physical stress of playing at 110% speed. Would we have won two years ago if Kia had not hurt her foot/ankle and had issues playing? What about last year when Crystal had a stress fracture and was a step slower in NCAA's? We all know the KLS story. You can win with 6 if they stay healthy but UConn has not proven it can play and practice at light speed and keep everyone on the court. While I think UConn's performance was wonderful the past few years, I would have loved to see everyone at full speed when it counted versus playing maximum minutes when up by 30+ early in the year.

What is the KLS story? Is she chronically hampered? I’m obviously ignorant on her issues.

 

[shizam]

Not saying she does not change things, but she swats at shots and ends up fouling. And she gets pushed around a bit. Needs more stamina and strength. She will be fine , but expectations are too high around the Yard. I believe it is harder for post players to adjust to college level action.

Geno says post players take more time to develop

 

[shizam]

Camara was so good at KY. What a shame she got hurt. As a fan of a rival of KY she was going to be a handful.

 

[Centerstream]

I can second guess and speculate because as Geno often told me: "You are not at practices". And he was right. I don't have to be at practices to have empathy for Gordon or Walker last year. My last NC or FF or Elite 8 that I won was--never. Still I wonder if a bigger bone wasn't thrown Gordons way that it may spark a spark within her. Her High School record shows she can and did score and she played a lot of BB. She has needed size--look at her compared to everyone else it appears only ONO and KLS are taller, optical illusion?

I guess that was the point I was trying to make. She must be capable, she came in with high expectations and still in her short time on the court, for whatever reason, she just can't seem to light it up - which is also true for the other "reserves". But maybe I am being too critical and keep expecting too much. It's just that her lack of on court time and her on court performance (or lack thereof) is just plain confusing.

 

[donalddoowop]

I wish I know what someone like Lexi Gordon thinks when she gets less than 3min at the end of a 46 points blowout game.

Geno made a statement this season that the freshmen would have to play because they did not come here to sit and watch. No player comes to the team to sit and watch. All players want to play.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I guess that was the point I was trying to make. She must be capable, she came in with high expectations and still in her short time on the court, for whatever reason, she just can't seem to light it up - which is also true for the other "reserves". But maybe I am being too critical and keep expecting too much. It's just that her lack of on court time and her on court performance (or lack thereof) is just plain confusing.

Center---You are not being critical. Like me and some others we read Bio's, see her size, and HS record and wonder. Neither you nor I have been critical of her (that I can think of). Keep up being her fan she needs as many as will have her. Thanks.

 

[Centerstream]

Center---You are not being critical. Like me and some others we read Bio's, see her size, and HS record and wonder. Neither you nor I have been critical of her (that I can think of). Keep up being her fan she needs as many as will have her. Thanks.

I am a fan of every single one of these players but have a special place for #33, because of who her idol is.

 

[Bama fan]

I am a fan of every single one of these players but have a special place for #33, because of who her idol is.

She's got it on lock!

 

[tomcat]

when your bench includes an athletic 6'4" freshman with long arms don't you think that she could help with the rebounding and defensive issues you mentioned?

.Not this one, not right now. Down the road, sure

 

[DEpup]

BYer's have been writing about the weakness of our bench.

Well, ND got 0 points, that is nothing, from their bench last night.

Just saying.

I'm not sure we ever had a strong bench. I can't remember the last time if ever the bench could run offense and consistently build leads. I think it is just something for this board to whine about. If anyone can share stats from a year when there was a strong bench, please do.

 

[Charliebball]

.Not this one, not right now. Down the road, sure

what's the down side to playing her with the starters from time to time, especially when UConn is comfortably ahead? It will be interesting to see who gets playing time against a really savvy Notre Dame team.........I'd love to see ONO in there for a few minutes fighting it out with Turner and Shepard............playing against great competition reveals where you're at........it might be humbling, it might be surprisingly good..............either way it's a great learning experience.......

 

[JRRRJ]

I think she could help with rebounding and defensive issues, but as yet she has not done what some think she should. She is but a freshman. She will get better though, and hopefully will get in better condition. I think she is a solid recruit who will be very good in the coming years.

Olivia is first in blocks per 40 minutes at 2.4 (defense)
She is first in FTA per 40 at 7.6 (offense)
She if first by far in offensive RB per 40 at 6.0 (offense)
She is second in total rebounds per 40 at 12.8 (6.8 defense - 3rd on team)
She is fourth in points per 40 at 17.6 (offense)
She only averages one turnover every 20 minutes of play (offense)

What more were you expecting a freshman post to do at this point in the season?

 

[Centerstream]

What more were you expecting a freshman post to do at this point in the season?

Play more minutes?

 

[Charliebball]

Olivia is first in blocks per 40 minutes at 2.4 (defense)
She is first in FTA per 40 at 7.6 (offense)
She if first by far in offensive RB per 40 at 6.0 (offense)
She is second in total rebounds per 40 at 12.8 (6.8 defense - 3rd on team)
She is fourth in points per 40 at 17.6 (offense)
She only averages one turnover every 20 minutes of play (offense)

What more were you expecting a freshman post to do at this point in the season?

and she hasn't even scratched the surface yet.........she needs consistent minutes.............yes she will make plenty of mistakes but that's what young players who are willing to try do...........she should be averaging 8-12 points, 4-6 rebounds and 1-2 blocks in twenty minutes of play, maybe not against the top teams but those are few and far between

 

[MilfordHusky]

The bench didn't get much of a chance against St. John's, but I thought they looked improved against Mississippi and Purdue. They got more PT last night and put up 16 points (7 for Liv, 5 for Kyla, and 4 for Touly). They also made several nice passes.

 

[FridaFriend]

I think that another reason for leaving the starters in, especially against St. Johns, is to give them experience in a pressure situation. In spite of the players saying that they play every minute of every game, there is something special about being in a place where the other team is playing you even and they look like they, too, think they can win the game; a situation where things aren't going right and you have to dig deeper to win. Geno wants to put his starters in that situation whenever he can. He knows it will come up again, come tournament time.

 

[Yorkeez4]

If you look at UConn since Geno has been there I believe you will find he is pretty consistent in his approach. I do not recall Geno going beyond 7 deep in most years. Occasionally 8. What I do see is a group of players that respect what he has done for them and that certainly has not been limited to basketball. His players appear to appreciate the life lessons that he and his staff give them.

Even players that you would think had good reason to leave stayed. How many thought Kiah or Saniya would transfer? But they did not. I was always surprised Charde did not leave.

I truly believe that the players know what is expected of them and they know it is up to them to prove to Geno they are ready to contribute. None of us are at practices so we really do not know what conversations take place.

Is it possible that other coaches would have more championships, and subsequently UConn fewer, if they set the high standards to get playing time that Geno does?

 

[huskeynut]

We are seeing the development of the bench. Olivia, Irwin, Coombs and Touly are getting minutes and contributing. These are the four who will contribute during the season.

Olivia is making progress, and yes she has a ways to go. Geno is showing patience with her. When she came out of the game, Geno had a teachable moment that was shown on the screen. You could see Olivia was listening. This is all good. A little bit each game she is improving.

 

[Bama fan]

Olivia is first in blocks per 40 minutes at 2.4 (defense)
She is first in FTA per 40 at 7.6 (offense)
She if first by far in offensive RB per 40 at 6.0 (offense)
She is second in total rebounds per 40 at 12.8 (6.8 defense - 3rd on team)
She is fourth in points per 40 at 17.6 (offense)
She only averages one turnover every 20 minutes of play (offense)

What more were you expecting a freshman post to do at this point in the season?

I was not expecting any more of her, and if you read what I said you would know it. The gist of my post is that she is young, needs to develop stamina , and will only get better; and yet "some" expect more. Please read what I write before lecturing me. I agree with you , for .

 

[JRRRJ]

and she hasn't even scratched the surface yet....she needs consistent minutes...yes she will make plenty of mistakes but that's what young players who are willing to try do......she should be averaging 8-12 points, 4-6 rebounds and 1-2 blocks in twenty minutes of play, maybe not against the top teams but those are few and far between

Olivia is averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per 20 minutes of play.

 

[Charliebball]

Olivia is averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per 20 minutes of play.

that's very cool..............so I guess I'm not exaggerating her impact.............now if she would only actually be given 20-25 minutes a game.............

 

[bbballfan23]

Olivia is averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per 20 minutes of play.

That’s great. Only thing I don’t like is the 38% FG. At 6’5” she shouldn’t be under 55% let alone 40%. However, I’m seeing improvement every game & she can certainly help with her length & rebounding in big games I think.