Blanca Checked UConn Out Before She Came

[JoePgh]

CT Insider recently published an article describing Geno's comments on Blanca Quinonez after the exhibition game. He said she was a "unique" player, in case you missed it.

What I hadn't heard until I read the CT Insider article was this:

"Before arriving in Storrs, [Blanca] also spoke to former Huskies Dorka Juhasz and Anna Makurat (Quinonez played against both during the 2024-25 Italian League regular season) about their experiences to learn more about the UConn program.

'They also told me a lot of beautiful things, and that it will be a good experience, and obviously get my game better,' Quinonez said."

This shows how thorough and careful Blanca was, and it also shows that both Dorka and Anna were ready to give her positive feedback about the UConn program. I'm sure that made a difference when she choose UConn over rival programs.

The article is behind a paywall, so I probably shouldn't link it, but hopefully the above quote provides the essential info.

 

[BRS24]

Here you go - gift article here

 

[ec33]

"Before arriving in Storrs, [Blanca] also spoke to former Huskies Dorka Juhasz and Anna Makurat (Quinonez played against both during the 2024-25 Italian League regular season) about their experiences to learn more about the UConn program.

"Before arriving" but I am guessing "after committing."

 

[FormerCTrez]

Here you go - gift article here

Thanks for sharing. It’s much appreciated.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

In a nail biter her errors could be decisive, so I'm hopeful her slopiness will fade away.

 

[msf22b]

In a nail biter her errors could be decisive, so I'm hopeful her sloppiness will fade awa

Rocky
I truly think her positives will so far outshine her perceived “sloppiness"
Geno and the staff will quickly cure her of her excesses.
An occasional miscue will be of no concern as we’re speaking of one of the top players in the Italian PRO league
By the end of her Freshman campaign I expect to see a “W” ready performer.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Rocky
I truly think her positives will so far outshine her perceived “sloppiness"
Geno and the staff will quickly cure her of her excesses.
An occasional miscue will be of no concern as we’re speaking of one of the top players in the Italian PRO league
By the end of her Freshman campaign I expect to see a “W” ready performer.

I know she's all that and a bag of chips, but that doesn't mean she can keep these flaws.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Blanca reminds me of Nika in terms of throwing low percentage passes on occasion. She’ll learn. BTW, Nika is now recovered and excelling in Europe!

 

[sun]

For having played what must have been her whole life on a FIBA court, Blanca is way ahead of the pack in basketball maturity compared to most every US WCBB freshman.
She's only been playing on an NCAA court for perhaps a few weeks now.
Even though it's a whole new game, she's ready to contribute by bringing along a lot of high level skills in her tool kit to work some magic with.
She's highly entertaining and sure to please UConn fans, her teammates and all of the coaches.
With her I don't see much of any downside, only lots of upside.
UConn fans are blessed to be able to watch such a talent perform & develop.

 

[YKCornelius]

I know she's all that and a bag of chips, but that doesn't mean she can keep these flaws.

Okay, Rocky, I'll bite: What "flaws" are you speaking about? I presume you are referring to things that you saw during her 19 minute exhibition stint.

I saw the game, and then the three-quarter replay several times. There was nothing I could see that I would characterize as a "flaw". Does she have areas to continue to improve upon? Sure. Who doesn't? Did she commit three fouls and have five turnovers of various kinds? Yep. Were any of those fouls or turnovers indicative of "flaws" in her game? Not from my vantage point, so I am curious about what you consider to be a flaw.

I agree wholeheartedly with sun's assessment in post #9. I would also add there were over 6,000 fans in attendance, which, for Blanca, could very well be the largest crowd she has ever played in front of. I am pretty sure that Italy's Serie A crowds were never that large. Certainly not during her FIBA tournaments with the Ecuador youth national teams.

Welcome to WCBB in the United States, Blanca! Very glad you are here!

 

[Dugway]

Okay, Rocky, I'll bite: What "flaws" are you speaking about? I presume you are referring to things that you saw during her 19 minute exhibition stint.

I saw the game, and then the three-quarter replay several times. There was nothing I could see that I would characterize as a "flaw". Does she have areas to continue to improve upon? Sure. Who doesn't? Did she commit three fouls and have five turnovers of various kinds? Yep. Were any of those fouls or turnovers indicative of "flaws" in her game? Not from my vantage point, so I am curious about what you consider to be a flaw.

I agree wholeheartedly with sun's assessment in post #9. I would also add there were over 6,000 fans in attendance, which, for Blanca, could very well be the largest crowd she has ever played in front of. I am pretty sure that Italy's Serie A crowds were never that large. Certainly not during her FIBA tournaments with the Ecuador youth national teams.

Welcome to WCBB in the United States, Blanca! Very glad you are here!

In fairness, Geno did playfully indicate that she leads not just one but three (3) different countries in turnovers. She leads Ecuador in turnovers, she leads Italy in turnovers, and now she’s leading the USA in turnovers.

Also in fairness, he mentioned that he was not concerned with that at this point as it was an indication of her not being demure as many Freshmen might be. But he was definitely poking around at her.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Flaw was a bad word. Errors. Game errors. Geno's word: turnovers.

 

[Skeets]

OK, it was only an exhibition game, and this is what these games are for. But if you get in your time machine and go back 25 years I cannot imagine a younger Geno taking a "that's OK" attitude no matter what the situation. I got to believe he's mellowing.

 

[BRS24]

IMHO, Blanca is having a Nika "welcome to WCBB" moment.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

OK, it was only an exhibition game, and this is what these games are for. But if you get in your time machine and go back 25 years I cannot imagine a younger Geno taking a "that's OK" attitude no matter what the situation. I got to believe he's mellowing.

I vacillate on that, but undeniably Geno's calling her the Turnover Queen in a lighthearted way for 5 turnovers in 17 minutes was Geno giving the new kid in town a break and a reminder.

 

[DEpup]

Well there was also 0 for America. He has his sayings.