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Message: [QUOTE="JellyBean, post: 4519467, member: 1997"] Great thread!! Some great comments by all. In that Villanova game yesterday, no way could coach Auriemma use the bench, at least go deep into the bench, against Villanova. That game was too close and had coach went deep into the bench and the team lost, fans would have lost their dang minds and would have questioned coach's sanity. The players, especially the players on the bench, understand their roles on the team and how much playing time they might get, if they get any at all. They know the standards of the UConn program. Those that stay. They will be champions (borrowing a line from Michigan's old football coach). Those that move on to different programs. I wish them well and have no animosity towards them. But the UConn program isn't for everyone. Players know coming in that if they want some minutes, they will have to compete. Coach Geno said it best years ago, "Make us look like idiots for not playing you more." What he was saying was, when you get in the game, no matter how long you are out there on the court, compete to the best of your ability. Do something that is going to make a positive impact out there on the court that helps the team and yourself. Nobody wants to see Amari or Ines (I will add Ayanna as well) on that court more than me and probably some of the players and that is for them to get a quick rest break. But in that game yesterday, a close game against a pretty darn good team, a team that we were only up three points on at the half and only had a 6- or 8-point lead on at one point, playing the bench would have been hard to do and I am not upset about coach not playing those players. Hopefully they understand as well. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach