Caroline Conundrum

[JordyG]

As I've said before, all you need do is watch Caroline and you can see her mechanics are off across the board. She doesn't raise, turn, or lower her head well. She doesn't cut and turn well. She pushes the ball toward the rim instead of shooting it. That long down court pass she was making last year isn't there. She doesn't seem to raise her hands above her head well. Her dribble up court is mechanical. After her drive to the basket when she tries to extend her arms she over extends and doesn't raise her head enough. For a young woman that was noted for getting the ball on the rim as a freshman she continues to not even get rim on layups. When she gets the ball at the arc or on the block the pump fake isn't there. All this seems to be physical problems and not conditioning problems to me.

 

[VA Huskie]

As I've said before, all you need do is watch Caroline and you can see her mechanics are off across the board. She doesn't raise, turn, or lower her head well. She doesn't cut and turn well. She pushes the ball toward the rim instead of shooting it. That long down court pass she was making last year isn't there. She doesn't seem to raise her hands above her head well. Her dribble up court is mechanical. After her drive to the basket when she tries to extend her arms she over extends and doesn't raise her head enough. For a young woman that was noted for getting the ball on the rim as a freshman she continues to not even get rim on layups. When she gets the ball at the arc or on the block the pump fake isn't there. All this seems to be physical problems and not conditioning problems to me.

Hey Jordy. Were, or are, you a coach? Your observations are quite impressive. Definitely a level of understanding way beyond mine. I appreciate it.

 

[JordyG]

Hey Jordy. Were, or are, you a coach? Your observations are quite impressive. Definitely a level of understanding way beyond mine. I appreciate it.

I'm going to make a confession, and I've said this before: I cheat. I watch games multiple times specifically looking for certain things every time. With Caroline it was easy. I record every game on my computer (and predictably, my media computer was acting up last game), although I appreciate MJL243's work immensely. I've said it before, but that guy deserves a GoFundMe. Geno likes to work out of certain offensive sets, (it is required viewing for every UConn fan to watch his 5 episodes of "X's and O"s with Geno Auriemma on YouTube) and I like to see how different players work those sets. If you know the actions he's running then you can see how effectively each player works off those actions and/or which variations individual player work best. Basketball and comedy may be funny games, but both are very serious business.

 

[TCC Kid]

No question Caroline is going through a rough scoring drought and we don't know why. Every time she takes a shot, I'm praying that it goes in and it propels her to get back on track. Having said that she does so many more things defensively that helps this team, not to mention the assists she provides. I for one have been in her corner from the beginning. She has been through so much. I am looking forward to her getting back to her last year scoring frenzy.

Caroline is in a funk. Why, I could list 20 possibilities, none would be correct.
I agree she defended, better than ok, she fed the ball to LOU often. She, as others were, was beat up under the boards and later in the corners was hit with flailing hands and arms of 3 or 4 defenders. (Where were the 3 or 4 Uconn that were Open then ??) It was Berube's plan to attack/swarm, immediately, the guard getting the input pass, it worked.
I'm a unapologetic Caroline fan. Im hope she recovers and plays well, if that never happens---I'll be Carolines FAN.

 

[TCC Kid]

I'm going to make a confession, and I've said this before: I cheat. I watch games multiple times specifically looking for certain things every time. With Caroline it was easy. I record every game on my computer (and predictably, my media computer was acting up last game), although I appreciate MJL243's work immensely. I've said it before, but that guy deserves a GoFundMe. Geno likes to work out of certain offensive sets, (it is required viewing for every UConn fan to watch his 5 episodes of "X's and O"s with Geno Auriemma on YouTube) and I like to see how different players work those sets. If you know the actions he's running then you can see how effectively each player works off those actions and/or which variations individual player work best. Basketball and comedy may be funny games, but both are very serious business.

Are you fiddling, with the fiddle as you rewatch the game?
I to am Impressed with your observations, especially during the ND game. You should be writing the ESSENTIAL Game analysis aft ther games.

 

[AmeriConn]

The way things are going with this team, she will get quite a lot of court time. She needs to be offensively productive. Right now, many shots aren’t even close. With Azzi out, teams can focus on stopping Lou. We need CD to start knocking down shots. We squeaked by Princeton but more point production will be needed going forward.

It’s going to happen. Sooner than later I hope. She sure is trying to make it happen.

 

[Bone Dog]

I watched the replay and those times when Caroline “dribbled into corners” may not have been entirely her fault. In one of them, she crossed the half court line and picked up her dribble expecting to pass right away. But Inês came too close and brought her defender over.

 

[Hist-teacher]

I too was expecting Caroline to step up these past few games, especially following the Iowa game where she came alive offensively. But watching her last night I'm truly concerned. Her efforts from 3 were not even close. She had one good post move but otherwise looked quite pedestrian. Otherwise she looked completely out of sync. I hope she comes around soon because we desprately need her and she's been one of my favorite players. Should be interesting Sunday.

 

[Ron and Vida]

I have no idea why she is struggling but she was there last year when we desperately needed her so hope she can recover soon for her sake

 

[JordyG]

Are you fiddling, with the fiddle as you rewatch the game?
I to am Impressed with your observations, especially during the ND game. You should be writing the ESSENTIAL Game analysis aft ther games.

Nah. I'll leave that stuff for others, who do a good job of it. I say spit when I have something to say, rather than talk (write) just to see my own words. I also like to occasionally keep it light, though some find my humor annoying, out of place, or even condescending. I love the Husky's and I love the BY, but in the long run it's only a game, not life and death. Not when I have the rent coming the end of every month.

 

[Stinger92860]

Her form is way off. Her 3-point shot looks more like shot put than basketball. Sad to see.

This. She is playing well, but not shooting well. Two different things. Her timing and shot will return, but it takes time.

 

[Woof 101]

Or covering a neck tattoo.

Really that is where you want to go ??? With all due respect any knowledge of the team or injuries and recovery time?

We’re now in December. I’m not sure that her current level of play is a result of any physical issues.

This comment deserves a ton of thumbs down for lack of knowledge of the game. I don't go there. That and understanding of recovery time from multiple medical procedures. Caroline has played under duress, neck, back, hip, with players going down to injury. She still gets on the floor giving it her all.
Just because it's December does not replace physical issues. As for myself I am hoping for some of the walking wounded to be ready to tune up in February.... That to prepare for March....

 

[BostonCanuck]

I wish I could understand why her conditioning remains so poor into December. Clearly not in game shape. Understandably difficult to recover from the kind of concussion she suffered last year under the best of circumstances. But I would need to see a level of physical fitness at least approaching that of her teammates as a first step towards believing she can once again be the player she was in the earlier stages of last season.

 

[Conndog]

Even though she had some mistakes and missed on most of her shots, she also did some things well at times. I saw her play decent defense (she still got beat at times), and I didn't see her huffing and puffing like others described, and the Princeton game was by far the most she's played in a game this year. She's cutting to the basket as before (sometimes fouling and getting called for the charge), and she did make the nice move to the basket for the one score she did get.

So, I'm optimistic that she will be contributing more this next game against Maryland. I'm predicting she will get ten points or more. Princeton is a decent squad despite their record and played their A game against UConn, and getting tested like that will pay off in the future for us and also benefit Caroline in the games ahead.

 

[PacoSwede]

... She doesn't raise, turn, or lower her head well. She doesn't cut and turn well. .... She doesn't seem to raise her hands above her head well. Her dribble up court is mechanical. After her drive to the basket when she tries to extend her arms she over extends and doesn't raise her head enough. For a young woman that was noted for getting the ball on the rim as a freshman she continues to not even get rim on layups. ... All this seems to be physical problems and not conditioning problems to me.

symptoms you cite here seem to indicate neurological trouble, which gibes well with the multiple head blows that had her sitting out a string of games last january (or february or march). when caroline finally returned, she didn't play like herself, and she hasn't since.

i've dealt with neurological difficulties and they are hard to pin down sometimes. the folks at storrs perhaps have not even considered this as a possible cause for caroline's woes. if she is suffering from this, it easily could manifest as changes in coordination, balance, vision, reaction time and the like which clearly would be horrible on the basketball court but not necessarily noticeable in day-to-day activities. basketball skills could be affected while caroline appears to be fine physically. conditioning could be a non-issue and lack of practice also could be beside the point.

it's worth considering in this situation. i don't believe it has been, at least not in the BY.

but of course maybe an injection of confidence, or better conditioning, or more practice time -- or simply more time to recover from surgery -- are the paths to renewal of the 'old' caroline.

 

[TeamFirst!]

It would make sense that she would lack some explosiveness after not using her leg muscles for maybe months after the surgery. That's a big part of her game. I'm sure she's doing her rehab but it's going to take more time. I have faith in her but we may not see her best this year.

 

[Husky fanatic]

I don’t think being out of shape and poor decision making are synonymous with one another. Last game was all about”what were you thinking Caroline “. As Rosanne Rosanna Danna said “If it’s not one thing it’s another “.

 

[Zarathustra]

Duly noted.

So are we all.... some more than a little.. It's nice to be unique! sui generis, Go Boneyarders!

 

[Zarathustra]

Really that is where you want to go ??? With all due respect any knowledge of the team or injuries and recovery time?

This comment deserves a ton of thumbs down for lack of knowledge of the game. I don't go there. That and understanding of recovery time from multiple medical procedures. Caroline has played under duress, neck, back, hip, with players going down to injury. She still gets on the floor giving it her all.
Just because it's December does not replace physical issues. As for myself I am hoping for some of the walking wounded to be ready to tune up in February.... That to prepare for March....

I agree... Caroline is " givine it her all". We need to have the team come together in February,
March and April.... Caroline will be will there with her teammates..." whole heartedly". Go Caroline!
It's a process, No?

 

[HopJim]

Caroline appears to be fighting a physical issue - indicators are her inability to elevate when rebounding or going for layups. Would suggest we admire her grit rather criticize. That being said, since she is typically taller than her defender, getting her the ball near the basket has been working to her advantage. Part of the issue the last game was that she only got the ball relatively far away. Rather than just getting the ball to a big at the top of the key and looking for cutters, would love to see a new offensive tactic that had picks down low, isolating Caroline and Edwards. Would work well for DeBerry as well.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Really that is where you want to go ??? With all due respect any knowledge of the team or injuries and recovery time?

Yes because the most common use of kinesiotape on this team is to cover tattoos. Caroline wouldn't be the first to use it to cover a neck tattoo.

 

[JJTB]

I just hope the first shot goes in! Love watching her play when she’s confident and has that “bounce” in her step!

 

[Centerstream]

I wish I could understand why her conditioning remains so poor into December. Clearly not in game shape. Understandably difficult to recover from the kind of concussion she suffered last year under the best of circumstances. But I would need to see a level of physical fitness at least approaching that of her teammates as a first step towards believing she can once again be the player she was in the earlier stages of last season.

As has already been posted, Caroline underwent hip surgery in the summer and wasn't even able to do any kind of practice related work until August. Combine that with the neck issue that she has been battling since last season, I am surprised that she is feeling well enough to even suit up. I watched the replay of the Princeton game and I agree with others that she did look "winded" at times while on the court...but she was on the court, giving her all. I would guess that she is playing many more minutes than the coaching and medical staff would like but she is out there. Imagine if she wasn't. What would be the alternative???

 

[JordyG]

symptoms you cite here seem to indicate neurological trouble, which gibes well with the multiple head blows that had her sitting out a string of games last january (or february or march). when caroline finally returned, she didn't play like herself, and she hasn't since.

i've dealt with neurological difficulties and they are hard to pin down sometimes. the folks at storrs perhaps have not even considered this as a possible cause for caroline's woes. if she is suffering from this, it easily could manifest as changes in coordination, balance, vision, reaction time and the like which clearly would be horrible on the basketball court but not necessarily noticeable in day-to-day activities. basketball skills could be affected while caroline appears to be fine physically. conditioning could be a non-issue and lack of practice also could be beside the point.

it's worth considering in this situation. i don't believe it has been, at least not in the BY.

but of course maybe an injection of confidence, or better conditioning, or more practice time -- or simply more time to recover from surgery -- are the paths to renewal of the 'old' caroline.

I'm sad to hear you've had to deal with neurological problems. I hope all is now well for you. I'm not a doctor, I've never had neurological problems, and I'm not privy to any conversations had between Caroline and her physicians. As a pure layman I too have considered this as the cause of her problems as well as a few other causes, though I will not speculate. All I can do from my trusty keyboard is wish her well and hope that my worse fears are misguided and my best hopes are realized.

 

[Martin]

symptoms you cite here seem to indicate neurological trouble, which gibes well with the multiple head blows that had her sitting out a string of games last january (or february or march). when caroline finally returned, she didn't play like herself, and she hasn't since.

i've dealt with neurological difficulties and they are hard to pin down sometimes. the folks at storrs perhaps have not even considered this as a possible cause for caroline's woes. if she is suffering from this, it easily could manifest as changes in coordination, balance, vision, reaction time and the like which clearly would be horrible on the basketball court but not necessarily noticeable in day-to-day activities. basketball skills could be affected while caroline appears to be fine physically. conditioning could be a non-issue and lack of practice also could be beside the point.

it's worth considering in this situation. i don't believe it has been, at least not in the BY.

but of course maybe an injection of confidence, or better conditioning, or more practice time -- or simply more time to recover from surgery -- are the paths to renewal of the 'old' caroline.

I like how you positioned this Paco. I was trying to make this point in my brain and respond and it really just would have sounded like negative feedback and criticism which I don’t think she deserves.

 

[faithfulfan]

Unfortunately Caroline cannot slowly get back to normal with limited bench minutes until she is ready for a major role again. She has to play significant minutes no matter how close she is to 100% back because of injuries to others. The sooner we get normal production out of Caroline the better.

For most of the season the player many Boneyarder's wanted to see have a breakout game was Amari, but now I think because of her importance that wish has been transferred to Caroline. One big all-around game that can convince us she is back, would be a wonderful tonic for the adversity we are going thru now.

she can contribute in many ways if her scoring isn't there, as she has done with rebounding etc, what's troubling is the turnovers!
Geno has always said when your shot is off for a game, find some other way to help!

 

[JoePgh]

For what it's worth, Caroline played 39 minutes in the Maryland game this afternoon, and (apart from 6 turnovers) put up very respectable stats: 5-for-11 shooting including 1-for-3 from the arc, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. The steal was a very alert play, grabbing a guard-to-guard pass near the center of the court.

As others have noted, Caroline seems to rely more than most players on regular major minutes, i.e., a lot of games like the Maryland game. She needs those minutes to tune her 3-point shot, which quickly loses accuracy if she does not attempt it in game conditions regularly. Her turnovers seem to be attributable to slight timing errors and bad anticipation of teammates' movements -- also things that are fixable through more in-game experience.

In the current state of the roster, she will probably get her wish for as much playing time as she wants. Until Azzi comes back, she is UConn's second-best 3-point threat. With more games with 35+ minutes, she should get all the opportunity she needs to tune up her 3-point shot.

 

[2PointGuards]

She does seem rather slow getting up the court. A remnant of her hip surgery?

 

[jdote33]

For what it's worth, Caroline played 39 minutes in the Maryland game this afternoon, and (apart from 6 turnovers) put up very respectable stats: 5-for-11 shooting including 1-for-3 from the arc, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. The steal was a very alert play, grabbing a guard-to-guard pass near the center of the court.

As others have noted, Caroline seems to rely more than most players on regular major minutes, i.e., a lot of games like the Maryland game. She needs those minutes to tune her 3-point shot, which quickly loses accuracy if she does not attempt it in game conditions regularly. Her turnovers seem to be attributable to slight timing errors and bad anticipation of teammates' movements -- also things that are fixable through more in-game experience.

In the current state of the roster, she will probably get her wish for as much playing time as she wants. Until Azzi comes back, she is UConn's second-best 3-point threat. With more games with 35+ minutes, she should get all the opportunity she needs to tune up her 3-point shot.

Yeah, I'm a little all over place in regards to assessing her play today but I am glad she was able to play that many minutes. After her and 1 in the 4th quarter she slapped the stanchion, I think in a bit of frustration (Nika and Paige joking about it on the bench made me chuckle). I think it's telling that in 39 minutes she was only able to get up 11 shots. She let it fly last year, and was able to hunt shots at will. Against top 25 teams like Louisville and Oregon I think she got 20 fgas. Of course she was playing with Evina, Liv and Dorka, which helped her out a lot and allowed her to not be relied upon as a primary facilitator.
Nevertheless, I was one, who thought once Paige went out, that she could be used as a point forward. I feel like she was able to play that role in HS, so I guess I was a bit surprised to see how she struggled handling the ball at times today. To me, it was kinda on her today to take the pressure off Ines. You could see her leading in huddles which I think is great, but I was hoping once Ines brought the ball up, if she got it to Lou of Caroline, they could essentially facilitate the offense. I think my expectations may have been a bit too high and she's still only in her 8th game as a sophomore. These in-game reps are invaluable and shes still getting healthy.
But I think games like this show areas where she needs to improve. Too many offensive fouls with the off arm all season, and she has to be a bit better ballhandling, particularly with her left hand. She had a dousy of a pass to AE off the pick and roll, so she has it in her without a doubt, but it would be great to see her get more comfortable ball handling and creating for others in space. I'll probably re-watch the game and don't want to harp too much on everything.

 

[CocoHusky]

As has been mentioned by Geno numerous times, Caroline is battling a neck issue that is a result of last season's issues. She doesn't get to practice full time and is a starter out of necessity, just like Azzi last season when Azzi had foot issues. If you look at the back of Caroline's neck, especially in previous games, she is wearing kinesio tape. A further indication that she is battling something.

Can you please clarify this. "Caroline is battling a neck issue that is a result of last season's issues."

I have not seen a connection made between Caroline's issues from last season (Hip surgery, Head injury) and Caroline current issue (neck stiffness). Keep in mind that Caroline played 22 minutes in the Championship game 4/3/22 which was well after her head injury on 1/30/22. Caroline's hip surgery was 4/29/22 and although she was expected to miss all of the summer works outs the expectation was for her to be a full participant once full practices began in September.