Can we use our bench, please?!

[RedStickHusky]

If only there was a way to pay somebody to make those decisions... Pay them a lot... and then get lucky and hire someone who's really really good at it. Wouldn't that be cool.

 

[Littlemin]

Has anyone suggested losing on purpose? Why is that even being imputed?

A coupe of weeks ago I suggested playing Amari and Ines in blowout games both to enhance their skills under game conditions, but especially to give starters breathers avoid tired legs, and fatigue. Posters opined mostly that a) it was more important to work on team chemistry; b) these are young players who weren't or don't get fatigued; c) Ines and Amari are lost/a liability when on the court. i believe I lost that argument back then and would probably lose it again now.

The fact remains the team is tired and Geno acknowledged it in today's post game presser. In the current circumstances, what is the solution? To be sure "Trust in Geno" but if that's the only response, why do we bother to have these Boneyard discussions?

I for one, would never fall back on “Trust in Geno”. I just think the tired factor, while real, does not necessitate playing unproven reserves in a game like today. Nova was very well rested coming in, played more players less minutes, yet Uconn outplayed them down the stretch.
As for blowouts, I think Auriemma is sticking to his “you earn minutes, they are not given” philosophy, which one may disagree with but that certainly is his prerogative.

 

[maple]

Has anyone suggested losing on purpose? Why is that even being imputed?

You're all but losing on purpose if you sit the starters for the bench in a close game when there's a very obvious talent drop-off right now.

Although occasionally the bench has given moments of brilliance, unfortunately they have not been consistent enough. And honestly they would get ripped to shreds by fans for it if they were put in the game and UConn ended up losing.

 

[maple]

It may be DII but you are playing, competing and not watching someone else win the championships. To me competing is way more important than winning. But I never won but always competed and that was fine with me.

And I played DIII field hockey and never won but always competed and that was fine for me too. But not everyone wants to do that. If I was good enough to play on UConn's field hockey team (even as a backup) and get a chance to maybe win a title I would have jumped at that. Competing is fun. Winning at the highest college level is also fun. Different strokes.

 

[Centerstream]

Maybe the question should not be can we use our bench please, but can our bench give us some consistent quality minutes please. I was hoping for better from Ayanna and Amari by this point in the season.

I think that this is what many of us really want. I like every single player, want to see everyone contribute but it isn't happening yet.

 

[DEpup]

If I remember correctly, Ines did some crucial work in the Princeton game and in the MD game so I think Geno could have started the second quarter with a couple minutes for Lou to think about things and talk strategy with a coach. Then when Lou comes back give a couple minutes to Patterson for Aubrey. I think I might have tried some high post to post passing for Amari to get over the scrappy guard crap clogging the paint. There are options for a minute here or there in my opinion. That could have given Aaliyah a minute to watch and regroup. If anything, a new body to take a foul or two.

He is too nervous to give them a chance and thinks the starters need to work it out.... I think it would be interesting if CD had the subbing power and Geno had the on court strategy power.....he would just have to work with what CD put on the floor for him.

 

[donalddoowop]

Give this bench line a rest.

Why?

 

[cabbie191]

What's your choice? Sub in a nail-biter of a game against a tough opponent or win the game. Which way do you want it it. They weren't playing a team they were beating by 30-40 today.

I’m not a coach and have never pretended that I am one. And I really have trouble double guessing Geno’s decision making. But in this case, I generally agree with Rings’ perspective.

Against Tennessee we had a 16 point 1st quarter lead that just about vanished in the 2nd quarter. Sure, the 180 degree turnaround in how the game was officiated played a part, but if I’m not mistaken, didn’t Geno also attribute fatigue throughout the 2nd quarter as a factor?

He’s also talked about the gauntlet of 5 games in 11 days. And it’s more than just games to be played. It’s the back and forth between home and away games and the toll travel takes. And yeah, they still have to study.

Okay, I’ll just take my licks now!

 

[NY Fan]

You're all but losing on purpose if you sit the starters for the bench in a close game when there's a very obvious talent drop-off right now.

Although occasionally the bench has given moments of brilliance, unfortunately they have not been consistent enough. And honestly they would get ripped to shreds by fans for it if they were put in the game and UConn ended up losing.

"You're all but losing on purpose if you sit the starters for the bench in a close game when there's a very obvious talent drop-off right now." Let's at least agree that's a personal definition, to which others - myself included - do not subscribe!

 

[JoePgh]

I think Geno's postgame comments after the Tennessee game are relevant here. What he said was roughly as follows: "Our starters got tired in the second quarter, and TN took advantage. In normal conditions, as coach you would substitute in some bench players so that the starters could get some rest. But we can't do that now with our injuries. So we didn't start playing well again until the third quarter, after the starters got rest at halftime."

When he had Azzi and Caroline available on the bench, they got in quickly and played a lot of minutes. But clearly Patterson / DeBerry / Bettencourt are not at the same level as Azzi and Caroline, so he doesn't think he can use them in a high-stakes situation. That is not necessarily a permanent condition for them (Nika didn't get too many minutes as a freshman and neither did Aubrey), but it is true as of now.

I am also disappointed with Patterson's performance at this point in the season. (Who was the poster who thought she would be the top performer on the team by now?) I attribute it to poor competition (and possibly poor coaching) in high school, immaturity, and her own concussion issue a few weeks ago. It's still possible that she will blossom before the tournament seasons begin. There is even a chance that will happen for Amari, but the odds are against it.

I’m not a coach and have never pretended that I am one. And I really have trouble double guessing Geno’s decision making. But in this case, I generally agree with Rings’ perspective.

Against Tennessee we had a 16 point 1st quarter lead that just about vanished in the 2nd quarter. Sure, the 180 degree turnaround in how the game was officiated played a part, but if I’m not mistaken, didn’t Geno also attribute fatigue throughout the 2nd quarter as a factor?

He’s also talked about the gauntlet of 5 games in 11 days. And it’s more than just games to be played. It’s the back and forth between home and away games and the toll travel takes. And yeah, they still have to study.

Okay, I’ll just take my licks now!

@cabbie191 , you're not wrong. Geno did attribute the second-quarter swoon against TN to fatigue, but added that he would normally bring in bench players, but couldn't because of injuries. He did give Patterson some minutes in the second quarter (without much tangible contribution from her), but basically he doesn't have confidence in the healthy players on his bench right now. As always, they have to demonstrate in practice that they are ready for the minutes before they get minutes in a close and critical game.

 

[Alydar]

Can we use our bench, please?!​

We used it. I mean more than half the team was on it for a whole game. How much more use do you want?

You forget. We are using our bench. Muhl, Senechal and Griffin were all slated to sub in for Bueckers, Fudd and Ducharme. With Brady UConn was going to have a 9 man rotation. But for the 2nd year in a row things didn't work out that way.
And now you expect Geno to wave a magic wand and turn the end of benchers into valued members of the rotation simply by playing them a lot in games? Geno never uses actual games as training. Players train and prove themselves at practice and earn game time.

 

[DEpup]

Not sure I agree with all of that.... I love Caroline as much as anyone but Lou would be starting regardless of Caroline's health.....She is 100 times better then I thought she'd be before the season started.

 

[AJay11]

You're all but losing on purpose if you sit the starters for the bench in a close game when there's a very obvious talent drop-off right now.

Although occasionally the bench has given moments of brilliance, unfortunately they have not been consistent enough. And honestly they would get ripped to shreds by fans for it if they were put in the game and UConn ended up losing.

I agree inside and outside the fanbase there's a lot of harsh critiques. Also based on the semi-biased rankings and polls, could Uconn risk losing this game? The starting 5 were able to fight back when down, but barely. If the bench came in a made more crucial mistakes, we would have lost.

 

[Alydar]

Not sure I agree with all of that.... I love Caroline as much as anyone but Lou would be starting regardless of Caroline's health.....She is 100 times better then I thought she'd be before the season started.

Exactly. I was talking about June and back then Senechal was thought of as insurance at the guard position. Bueckers and Fudd were the starters with Muhl and Senechal backing them up.

Geno had a great bench in June. It bothers me when he is critiqued for not developing a bench when it could be his bench that wins the title.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Has Geno ever played his bench?

If you’re capable of playing at a D1 level then Geno will play you. It’s on the player to up their game to compete at the D1 level. it’s not park and rec league.

 

[CL82]

You forget. We are using our bench. Muhl, Senechal and Griffin were all slated to sub in for Bueckers, Fudd and Ducharme. With Brady UConn was going to have a 9 man rotation. But for the 2nd year in a row things didn't work out that way.
And now you expect Geno to wave a magic wand and turn the end of benchers into valued members of the rotation simply by playing them a lot in games? Geno never uses actual games as training. Players train and prove themselves at practice and earn game time.

I assume you’re “you” is directed at the board rather than me since I certainly never suggested that.

Regardless, I often think of your central point. We often say, our second five is good enough to compete with most teams. This year we’re pretty close to proving that concept.

 

[Woof 101]

I dont care who replaces who..but somebody needs to replace somebody for at least a few mins at a time. If we take a couple losses because of it who cares??

Original thread post.

Like I said before if we take a couple losses who cares. Need our starters rested for the long run.

Post from the OP at #10

Has anyone suggested losing on purpose? Why is that even being imputed?

No attack here or disrespect but this happens a lot here. Folks should read a thread before commenting. With all due respect I love the use of imputed as someone with a weak vocabulary I got a new word!
Most all who follow the team realize going to the bench today would have resulted in a loss. To begin a game Geno is already only 7 deep with two starters on the bench along with another two that would be getting time for sure, all walking wounded.
No team at this level goes deep into the bench or deep into the post season.

 

[#1florida]

Thankfully we won, but I'm sorry we need to use our bench. Not only because we are fatigued....but maybe...just MAYBE someone could provide a spark off the bench that we weren't getting for long stretches of time. Hmmmm?!?!

We need to keep our players fresh (and healthy) for the March run. Running them into the ground for an extra win or 2 along the way is not the way to go. Anyone else losing their mind over this at all??

I think Geno should RETIRE. YES, RETIRE. There are plenty of people on the Boneyard, that can coach the team, way better than he can. Forget his 38 years of coaching, and his 11 National Championships, someone should make application for his job, NOW. If you agree with me, get a life.

 

[SJF]

I want to see Amari get more minutes and there has been games she could have gotten those minutes but there is no one on Villanova’s team she could have guarded.

 

[Rb335]

Geno has always used a short rotation, it’s part of what he does. This year is to the extreme because of injuries. Yes we need to use the bench more to get players rest. But today, using the bench likely puts the game in jeopardy. And this game does mean something, it likely secures the big east regular season title. Worth playing a tight rotation to me.

And the idea that CD uses the bench more liberally needs an asterisk. Yes, she’s willing to sub more frequently, but the games she filled in for this year weren’t remotely close in score. Had we been up 30 at the half, I bet the rotation would have changed.

 

[#1florida]

I think Geno should RETIRE. YES, RETIRE. There are plenty of people on the Boneyard, that can coach the team, way better than he can. Forget his 38 years of coaching, and his 11 National Championships, someone should make application for his job, NOW. If you agree with me, get a life.

CL82, did you even understand my post?

 

[CTrefugee]

Thankfully we won, but I'm sorry we need to use our bench. Not only because we are fatigued....but maybe...just MAYBE someone could provide a spark off the bench that we weren't getting for long stretches of time. Hmmmm?!?!

We need to keep our players fresh (and healthy) for the March run. Running them into the ground for an extra win or 2 along the way is not the way to go. Anyone else losing their mind over this at all??

Bettencourt is not ready for a game like this and Amari is just plain not ready. A brilliant job of coaching an unbelievably gutsy team.

 

[WiseOne]

CL82, did you even understand my post?

I think CL82 likes the fact you said “if you agree with me, get a life”.

 

[oldhusky]

Since everybody is debating tired starters vs. fresh rested bench players, I thought I would bring up another factor I think is being overlooked.

When you try to get 35-40 minutes out of your players some of your strategy options are also taken away. If you are using just one substitute like today, your hands are tied for a couple of minutes. Regardless of what is happening in the game, you have to wait until the player you just took out is rested enough to go back in before you can make any move.

At that point you are also limited regarding strategic moves depending on the game situation. Rather your substitution pattern is dependent on minutes management, not game strategy, you can only make one substitution at a time, and have to wait a couple of minutes for the next one.

Timeouts for strategic purposes probably get sacrificed as well, because you need to time your timeouts for giving a little rest, without having to take players out. The whole approach shifts from game strategy substitutions and timeouts, to a role of minute manager.

I'm just saying when your bench plays this little, it limits Geno' options as a coach as well. Now clearly he trusts his current starting 5, and doesn't really trust any of the currently available bench options, but he pretty much has to leave his starters on their own, figure it out for yourself because I can't blow a timeout for teaching or correcting, I need to plan them for your rest.

I presume Ayanna will someday achieve a playable status that has Geno wanting to use her more, but she seems to be wrestling with being too aggressive, and then too passive when she tries to avoid fouls. Also she seems to rush things and doesn't let the game slow down for her. Finding the proper balance and trade offs is a work in progress that is taking a lot longer than I thought, but the talent is clearly there.

If Geno could at least trust her for 15-20 minutes as the sole substitute, it would buy us some time until Azzi and Caroline return.

 

[Dublin]

Like I said before if we take a couple losses who cares. Need our starters rested for the long run.

We are so fortunate that we have a coach who plays to win the game. He and the staff have adjusted the practice schedule to give the players the rest they need between wins. They all will be ready for Providence in 3 days and then SC in 4 more days.

The bench, if all were healthy, could be a Top 20 team themselves.

 

[Forego]

When Geno has a long bench he has made wholesale substitutions. Okay, it has been a while, but I can still hear Bob Picozzi saying (on several occasions) that Geno has just tied the NCAA record for most substitutions following a play stoppage (5).

This thread is the latest in a series of discussions on the pros and cons of giving bench players more game and resting the starters. I do not see resolution to this matter until we have a longer bench.

 

[diggerfoot]

Geno has always used a short rotation, it’s part of what he does. This year is to the extreme because of injuries. Yes we need to use the bench more to get players rest. But today, using the bench likely puts the game in jeopardy. And this game does mean something, it likely secures the big east regular season title. Worth playing a tight rotation to me.

And the idea that CD uses the bench more liberally needs an asterisk. Yes, she’s willing to sub more frequently, but the games she filled in for this year weren’t remotely close in score. Had we been up 30 at the half, I bet the rotation would have changed.

I suppose it depends upon how you define a short rotation, but five out of eleven championship years had a rotation greater than eight (‘00, ‘09, ‘10, ‘13, ‘14), three of these were ten or more. All the others had a rotation of eight.

I consider part of the rotation as getting at least 5 minutes in all games, including against the best competition. Having said that, I’m not certain that Rose, Better or Hunt got many minutes in the ‘95 championship game, though Sales and Berube certainly did.

This is not to argue against short rotations, I often refer to the 2018 Notre Dame team, just to assert that a variety of factors determines the length of the rotation and keeping it short is not as primary to Auriemma’s strategy as many has made it out to be.

 

[mudblood]

We are so fortunate that we have a coach who plays to win the game. He and the staff have adjusted the practice schedule to give the players the rest they need between wins. They all will be ready for Providence in 3 days and then SC in 4 more days.

The bench, if all were healthy, could be a Top 20 team themselves.

I disagree. The current (injured) bench, if all healthy, would be top 3, not top 20

 

[DennieEddy]

During the fourth quarter I was hoping that Azzi would stand up, throw down her crutches, and say put me in coach!

I'm ready to play, today!

 

[DennieEddy]

If only there was a way to pay somebody to make those decisions... Pay them a lot... and then get lucky and hire someone who's really really good at it. Wouldn't that be cool.

Can't think of anybody who would even want to do that?

Second thought, Boneyard is full of them.