Coombs and Gordon

[DICKG]

They did not make the trip to Chicago. According to the paper, they stayed back to prepare for exams. This seems unusual. Does anyone know if there is more to it?

 

[Stinger92860]

If I recall correctly, Geno has said something about not being ready or keeping up. He could be referencing academics. College transition and course load can be difficult, even more so when you are a d1 athlete. Hopefully, they can make the transition and leverage the academic side of the scholarship. I also like that Geno places such importance on academics. Not every coach will (or can).

 

[Bonpland]

In the past missing an away game generally means that there is more going on than just staying behind to study for exams.

 

[HoopsFan21]

In the past missing an away game generally means that there is more going on than just staying behind to study for exams.

How many players that were left behind for a game finished their college careers in a UConn uniform? Pulido is one.

 

[bags27]

According to UConn's calendar (below), exams start Monday. If you do have a Monday exam and you're not getting much playing time anyway and maybe (or maybe not!) you're struggling a little academically, this is the wise decision. Not sure we should draw conclusions publicly about the future of anyone on the team based on vague recollections.

Calendar for Fall Semester 2017 | Office of the Registrar

 

[sarals24]

Didn't this happen to Lorin Dixon her freshman year? She was a contributor the rest of her career.

 

[MilfordHusky]

According to UConn's calendar (below), exams start Monday. If you do have a Monday exam and you're not getting much playing time anyway and maybe (or maybe not!) you're struggling a little academically, this is the wise decision. Not sure we should draw conclusions publicly about the future of anyone on the team based on vague recollections.

Calendar for Fall Semester 2017 | Office of the Registrar

I recall a few other players who were left behind on road trips. This is obviously not a good sign for Mikayla and Lexi, but it may have been a prudent move academically. Looking at the box score, it’s clear that Mikayla may have played about 4 minutes ands Lexi would have played maybe 2 minutes. That’s not very much. In terms of basketball, both need to hang in there and step it up. Both Stewie and Stefanie stepped up their games during their first seasons. Other players made big sophomore leaps. Mikayla and Lexi will need to do one or the other to play meaningful minutes this year or next.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Didn't this happen to Lorin Dixon her freshman year? She was a contributor the rest of her career.

It happened early in her career, though I forget which year. I believe that De’Janae was left behind one game last year, but was injured and wouldn’t have played anyway.

 

[Kaizen]

I think it also depends on what is your majoring. If your majoring is having 2 exams in Monday morning you may be asked to stay (unless Geno knows you will get all A, ).

 

[Charliebball]

I wouldn't make a big deal about it this time, if it becomes a pattern then perhaps there's a problem

 

[augustaTC]

Totally off the wall, but I've rarely seen Lexi look like she's having fun, except maybe in Italy. Granted, all freshman go thru the same grind, but she just looks so unhappy to me.

 

[Jaybird65]

It will play out as it plays out. Many, many adjustments for high profile kids coming to high profile programs; some kids handle it fine; some kids take a little longer to find their way; some kids need to move on. I'm just glad I'm not scrutinized/critiqued at work everyday like we do to some of these kids....

 

[BigBird]

It may have something to do with the particular course or courses involved. For example, in a freshman chemistry course, a titration or similar lab process may be involved as part of the exam. Make-up exams (or early exams) are, in such cases, an additional significant burden for the students and the faculty, and are to be avoided if possible.

Actually, freshman/sophomore courses outside the major are usually far more challenging than major courses.

And...talk about potential transfers is verboten on the BY and uncalled for.

 

[CL82]

In the past missing an away game generally means that there is more going on than just staying behind to study for exams.

Not necessarily, Heather Buck and Polly missed a few IIRC.

 

[Huskee11]

First semester freshman year can be overwhelming. Having the extra time to prepare for exams versus playing a couple of minutes at the end of the game - this is not that complicated.

 

[JoePgh]

I suspect that the only reason this thread still exists is that the mods haven't read it yet. Everything here seems to fall under the category of "harmful speculation", which is not allowed. Not to mention the hypothetical reference to transfers.

 

[BroadwayVa]

They did not make the trip to Chicago. According to the paper, they stayed back to prepare for exams. This seems unusual. Does anyone know if there is more to it?

Not unusual for Frosh--lots of pressure, whole new schooling--good move on Geno's part. He can win without them.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Not necessarily, Heather Buck and Polly missed a few IIRC.

It must be noted : Those two were tops in Academics and had really important exams coming up.

 

[BroadwayVa]

According to UConn's calendar (below), exams start Monday. If you do have a Monday exam and you're not getting much playing time anyway and maybe (or maybe not!) you're struggling a little academically, this is the wise decision. Not sure we should draw conclusions publicly about the future of anyone on the team based on vague recollections.

Calendar for Fall Semester 2017 | Office of the Registrar

Using my Crystal Ball---all players will be here in April. Nothing unusual in players staying behind (some request it) this time of the year. To read anything into this--is just wasting memory cells.

 

[pacific 44]

At some point these kids just have to learn that this isn't North Carolina.

 

[Dabber]

It happened early in her career, though I forget which year. I believe that De’Janae was left behind one game last year, but was injured and wouldn’t have played anyway.

Right, and then she transferred to Penn State!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Right, and then she transferred to Penn State!

Correct. I'm going to try to abide by the rules and not engage in speculation. It's obvious that about 4 players, including 2 of the freshmen, do not have Geno's trust. For them to play, they need to keep working at it. All of them are young, so they have time on their side.

Most of the players at UConn do finally get it. Stewie took a lot of dissing from Geno as a freshman and became All-World. Lou was practically reduced to tears, and now may be the best overall player in the country. Rebecca was the "worst post player in America" and is now in the Hall of Fame.

College can be hard. Playing basketball at UConn is very, very hard. Geno makes mistakes in recruiting, but obviously he saw something in all the recruits. I want to see all of them succeed to the best of their abilities. None of the four is anywhere near her ceiling, but continued effort will get them all closer and closer.

 

[Carnac]

I recall a few other players who were left behind on road trips. This is obviously not a good sign for Mikayla and Lexi, but it may have been a prudent move academically. Looking at the box score, it’s clear that Mikayla may have played about 4 minutes ands Lexi would have played maybe 2 minutes. That’s not very much. In terms of basketball, both need to hang in there and step it up. Both Stewie and Stefanie stepped up their games during their first seasons. Other players made big sophomore leaps. Mikayla and Lexi will need to do one or the other to play meaningful minutes this year or next.

Speaking just for ME. I'm not going to read anything into this. There are too many reasons why they did not make the trip. Most of the time it's for academic reasons. Whatever the reason, we probably will not be told why, so I'm going to let his play out and see how these two finish the academic and athletic year. Recently, De'Janae Boykin had some academic challenges during her freshman year at UConn recently (and missed some road games), and transferred to Penn State where she is now a junior, and seems to be doing OK. We must remember that all of these ladies are not on the same academic plane. For some, the academics come easy, while others have to put in more effort and study much harder, and need a little more time to adjust to college life and it's demands. It has been said that the freshman year is generally the hardest of the four.