Can we use our bench, please?!

[boontonbomber]

Well I'm sure you got your fair share of participation trophies.

I think they're much better than non-participation trophies, which many a UConn player has gotten over the years.

 

[Longtime fan]

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??

The "sparks" on the bench are as follows; Ines - she races about and is pretty fearless. We all saw her hit two threes once. But she has only made lay-ups since. And very few. Amari - Pretty difficult to imagine her turning on the juice. Not trustworthy with the ball, unless unguarded. Then, she distributes well and, if embarrassed ( by not being covered), can hit a three. Patterson - trained, apparently, to be a large strong body under the bucket, but never to shoot. Did Patterson actually " have game" in high school, or did she just have 13 put backs per game? Usually, this threesome generates zero points. Show us you can generate zero +, please. In other words, using our bench as a " spark" is likely, against a good team, to give up leads.

 

[mbr33ct]

They had fewer points in the 2nd and 3rd combined than they did in the first quarter. This team is very good but they won't beat SC with 5 players and they won't make a Final Four either. It is clear the Geno isn't about playing reserves, frankly he never has been and this year his bench is much weaker than usual. Even if it is for a minute before the end of a quarter he needs to at least get his bigs a little rest.

Before the season started, IMO the "bench" was going to be strong and deep then things went awry. That "deep bench" at beginning of season now had to become starters, so yeah this current bench you could say is much weaker than usual...for obvious reasons.

 

[Kevin G]

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 am with you!

 

[#1florida]

I get it, but sarcasm is very often misunderstood on the BY. You some sprinkle in smiley faces or something to diffuse those who are combustible.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

UCONN is between a rock and a hard place!
If they lose a conference game because of playing less talented players they'll hurt their seeding in the NCAA Tournament they have to win as many games and the conference tournament as possible to stay eligible for a number 1 seed!
I'd like them to substitute more but there is such a huge difference between the 5 starters and the 3 bench players that you give up the chance to win to rest players!
If Azzi and/or Caroline Ducharme were available that would be a horse of a different color! Those 2 (when healthy) are starter type players, they would help rest the 5 other starters!
But until they are close to back to form, major minutes from our present bench is impossible!

 

[socal613ws]

always find it funny when ppl worry about seeds, last year this team was 2 seed and beat #1 Nc st, #1 Stanford. And had 2 tough rd of 32 and rd of 16 matchups in UCF and Indiana and somehow they won all those but now there is worry about a seed? Don't understand the doubt, I think aside SC Uconn is going to be favorite vs anyone in the country.

 

[meyers7]

I think they're much better than non-participation trophies, which many a UConn player has gotten over the years.

Highly doubtful.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

always find it funny when ppl worry about seeds, last year this team was 2 seed and beat #1 Nc st, #1 Stanford. And had 2 tough rd of 32 and rd of 16 matchups in UCF and Indiana and somehow they won all those but now there is worry about a seed? Don't understand the doubt, I think aside SC Uconn is going to be favorite vs anyone in the country.

socal613ws:- - - -I agree in theory but the reality is the lower the seed the faster after the first round you play some of the better teams seeded above you!
Yes UCONN has enough talent to beat almost anyone but there is always a chance of playing a game like we just did vs Villanova in the early rounds and being knocked out! Without Azzi and/or Caroline Ducharme we're "pushing the edge of the envelope!"
The tougher the competition, the more physical & mental effort they have to put out.
I want to face really tough competition in the Sweet 16 or the Elite 8 to get us to the Final Four where it becomes a crap shoot and anyone who's hot & healthy can win the Championship!

 

[TexRon]

Nope. None of the three players currently on the bench have consistently shown they can positively impact the game against a good team. There is a significant gap between the five starters and the bench players right now. Azzi and Caroline coming back will be crucial.

Geno historically hasn't gone deeper than 7 in the rotation, especially in big games..and generally 6 and 7 were just as productive...Be careful what you wish for....If Caroline and Azzi get back healthy there won't be enough basketballs for all of them...Then who do you rotate out?---Aubrey?...She's been the most under-rated all year....So much like Gabby Williams was....defense, rebounding, but more scoring,,,

 

[#12in21]

Just rewatched the BE season opener game with Providence. Fun game, everybody (except Dorka) played and everybody ate! When we have all our players back at some point this season you'll see subs in and out. With Caroline and Azzi back you have no drop-off at all through whatever combination of the top seven players are on the floor and one or two of the last three can be out there in the mix and do some great things. For Ines, Ayanna and Amari to be in the mix on the floor when we are playing with a good flow will be way more meaningful in their development that just putting them out there in the current conditions.

These guys have worked their butts off this season and every single one of them has upped their games since preseason. I really hope they get the chance very soon to see just how good they can be with all hands on deck to finish off the season. They really deserve that and I have no doubt if it comes to pass they will make the most of it - thinking #12 here!

 

[pk1234]

Geno historically hasn't gone deeper than 7 in the rotation, especially in big games..and generally 6 and 7 were just as productive...Be careful what you wish for....If Caroline and Azzi get back healthy there won't be enough basketballs for all of them...Then who do you rotate out?---Aubrey?...She's been the most under-rated all year....So much like Gabby Williams was....defense, rebounding, but more scoring,,,

That's a "problem" you worry about when you get there. Azzi's not coming back and playing 40 minutes any time soon. Will just be nice to have viable options off the bench, whoever they are.

 

[darkstar1]

For two or three minutes in each half? Absolutely! Tell me Amari wouldn’t have been just as productive as the lousiest version of Lou we’ve ever seen? Nika did nothing Ines couldn’t have doe for a small stretch yesterday. She wasn’t defending well, dishing assists, or scoring. Ines could have also played like that while Nika recharged for a couple minutes. AE wasnt rebounding or defending. Ayanna could have easily spelled her for a couple minutes. Allowing the starters to rest would have recharged them and made them more effective.

I understand what you are saying, in hindsight. You may know your best players need a rest, but you can’t predict that the subs will do as well as the tired yet tried and true starters will do, especially in a close and competitive game.