Courtney Moving Ahead of Saniya in Depth Chart?

[JoePgh]

Very unfair. She was a freshman one year. And this year she's suffered through a very painful, chronic leg injury. Come on! I don't know whether you've been listening to Coach Geno very closely, or following UConn very closely. But the coach has been very complementary of Saniya, and he has backed that up by giving her lots of playing time. But sometimes she is in so much pain, she can't handle much time. And the coach has been very upfront about how she's trying to deal with that IT band injury. Let's stop piling on. She doesn't deserve it.

As in the case that I cited previously (in Saturday's game, where she loses her defender and gives up an uncontested layup on her first defensive possession when she gets in the game), not all of her problems can be attributed to her injury. In the SNY footage, a lot of Geno's complaints about her in practice were similar ("Saniya, how could you lose her?"). The injury cannot become an all-purpose excuse for anything that she does wrong.

Saniya is extremely talented, and she has on some occasions (like the end of the Maryland game) made a critical contribution to the team's success. But she hasn't done it often enough to be relied upon in those situations. When Kiah Stokes finally demonstrated that while she would never be a big scorer (regardless of her ability to do that), but would CONSISTENTLY be an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, she got major minutes. Until her senior year, she wasn't even doing those things other than in spurts.

I'm sure that there are some UConn alumnae (not to mention those who transferred) who did not benefit from Geno's style, and found it to be painful with no compensating benefit. But obviously they are not in the majority, or the program would not be as successful as it has been. Geno doesn't treat everyone the same (remember how Nykesha Sales and Asjha Jones were "precious"), but it would be silly to think that he can tune his style so that absolutely every player gets the optimal inputs for her personality. If his style works for 90% of those who come to UConn, that is all that can be expected. If some talented recruits (maybe Diamond Deshields or Kelsey Bone) avoid UConn because they don't like the style that they see, that is probably a good thing for all concerned.

 

[Kibitzer]

Focusing only on Courtney for a moment, is it blasphemous of me to suggest a very strong similarity between her skills and Maria Conlon's? As you think about my suggestion -- and before you banish me to Knoxville -- I ask only that you be reminded that Courtney is now a sophomore. Two more years as a Husky.

 

[JoePgh]

Focusing only on Courtney for a moment, is it blasphemous of me to suggest a very strong similarity between her skills and Maria Conlon's? As you think about my suggestion -- and before you banish me to Knoxville -- I ask only that you be reminded that Courtney is now a sophomore. Two more years as a Husky.

A good analogy. I will raise you one -- how about Mel Thomas? (Yes, I've suggested that previously.)

 

[Vowelguy]

Focusing only on Courtney for a moment, is it blasphemous of me to suggest a very strong similarity between her skills and Maria Conlon's?

Conlon got a LOT more playing time her first 2 years than Ekmark.

 

[Kibitzer]

Conlon got a LOT more playing time her first 2 years than Ekmark.

True. I believe that a freshman injury, then Moriah, Kia and (until recently) Saniya all playing well limited her PT. Next year could be different. We'll see.

 

[Vowelguy]

True. I believe that a freshman injury, then Moriah, Kia and (until recently) Saniya all playing well limited her PT. Next year could be different. We'll see.

Conlon was the 4th guard behind Sue, Diana, and KJ. And yet she still played her frosh year - even getting minutes in the 1st half of the National Semifinal.
It was only later that a Husky myth developed that she was a low-talent Rudy-like figure.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Very unfair. She was a freshman one year. And this year she's suffered through a very painful, chronic leg injury. Come on! I don't know whether you've been listening to Coach Geno very closely, or following UConn very closely. But the coach has been very complementary of Saniya, and he has backed that up by giving her lots of playing time. But sometimes she is in so much pain, she can't handle much time. And the coach has been very upfront about how she's trying to deal with that IT band injury. Let's stop piling on. She doesn't deserve it.

First off - nobody is piling on anyone. Just relating the facts. While Auriemma was very complimentary at the start of the season relating how hard she was practicing and commenting on how much she had progressed, he seems to have changed his tune. 'Cause that ain't what he's saying now. He was downright, flat out, no tact, critical during either the Geno Show or the All Access show. I actually felt sorry for her. You must have dozed off for that part.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Saniya isn't inconsistent, she's in pain. The young lady is hurting- a lot. Give her time to heal, and then we'll see. Do you remember how Coach Geno has praised her work ethic? How much change he said he saw in her? He understands that it's day-to-day in terms of what her painful leg can take. Coach cuts her slack, and so should BY.

Hey, I was going to let it go, but you posted it twice! Twice. And got two different sets of likes! Saniya was inconsistent long before the IT Band Syndrome showed up. We all come to feel a real kinship for these young people who commit to give their all to UConn WCBB, but we should be reasonably objective about their development and capability, otherwise it turns into this participation trophy kind of thing, and that does a disservice to those who truly excel.

 

[Roundball fan]

So are we saying that Geno hasn't been able to develop Chong?

They're some former players that have bitter memories of there time in the program but the program continues to roll on.

Almost sounds like the Tennessee fans here.

 

[hoophuskee]

So are we saying that Geno hasn't been able to develop Chong?

They're some former players that have bitter memories of there time in the program but the program continues to roll on.

Some might say Chong didn't develop/may never develop under Geno's HOF coaching.

 

[UcMiami]

Just to set the record straight - Maria as a freshman got a glorious 83 minutes in total, which clearly overwhelms Courtney's 272 minutes as a freshman!
Maria's sophomore season she increased dramatically to 691 minutes as she became the first guard off the bench with Johnson gone. The only other guards were freshman Ashley Valley and walk-on Stacey Marrron. So far this year Courtney has 239 minutes with hopefully 10 more games to play, both Chong and Samuelson.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Hey, I was going to let it go, but you posted it twice! Twice. And got two different sets of likes! Saniya was inconsistent long before the IT Band Syndrome showed up. We all come to feel a real kinship for these young people who commit to give their all to UConn WCBB, but we should be reasonably objective about their development and capability, otherwise it turns into this participation trophy kind of thing, and that does a disservice to those who truly excel.

The two postings came from an odd computer notice. Not sure exactly what happened there.

I've got to say that this kid could be amazing. Freshman year is freshman year. She's been shooting close to 40% from 3. I'm gonna make you a gentlemen's bet that this kid, with proper rest, will really surprise next year.

Courtney and Maria: In my opinion Courtney Ekmark has far better tools than Maria Conlon had. Ekmark is big, strong, a great outside shooter, and with rising confidence, she could be a real surprise. Keep in mind that Ekmark was highly rated in high school, or at least until she got homeschooled her senior year (good idea, not?). She is 6'0" in height, can rebound, handle the ball, and shoot 3's. And she's not slow. And keep in mind the miracles that Coach Geno and his staff work over four years with virtually every guard who comes through. Remember Ketia Swanier? She was utterly hopeless as a freshman, not much better as a sophomore. But as a senior, she was an All American.

Next year is going to be a completely different world. Lots of kids are going to get a lot more playing time, and will be called to rise to the challenge. You'll see.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The two postings came from an odd computer notice. Not sure exactly what happened there.

Don't think you meant it. We've all been in the double post "triangle" mystery. Just my pathetic effort for a yuck. And I'll not bet against Saniya and it would be a really long lasting good feeling for me to see her come on and shine. Just the odds are against it. Oh, and your inference that Freshman Year doesn't count: well we have a couple of freshman counting this year and both of them were held to account big time as I recall.

 

[vtcwbuff]

The two postings came from an odd computer notice. Not sure exactly what happened there.

I've got to say that this kid could be amazing. Freshman year is freshman year. She's been shooting close to 40% from 3. I'm gonna make you a gentlemen's bet that this kid, with proper rest, will really surprise next year.

Courtney and Maria: In my opinion Courtney Ekmark has far better tools than Maria Conlon had. Ekmark is big, strong, a great outside shooter, and with rising confidence, she could be a real surprise. Keep in mind that Ekmark was highly rated in high school, or at least until she got homeschooled her senior year (good idea, not?). She is 6'0" in height, can rebound, handle the ball, and shoot 3's. And she's not slow. And keep in mind the miracles that Coach Geno and his staff work over four years with virtually every guard who comes through. Remember Ketia Swanier? She was utterly hopeless as a freshman, not much better as a sophomore. But as a senior, she was an All American.

Next year is going to be a completely different world. Lots of kids are going to get a lot more playing time, and will be called to rise to the challenge. You'll see.

My last post on this - Saniya Chong has played in 100 games in a UConn uniform. Her play over the last 5 games is indicative of why she isn't getting more PT. In 5 games she has played but 49 minutes I don't know if this is due to a nagging injury but after hearing Auriemma's comments my guess would be that it isn't. In the 49 minutes that she has played she has made two baskets on 2 of 11 shooting (18%). She has scored a total of 9 points (1.8 ppg). I will concede your point that she is not inconsistent because it's obvious that she is. I have to believe that if the coaches had more confidence in her play (I don't think they question her ability) she would get a lot more PT.

I also believe that there is not a single UConn fan on this message board that doesn't want Chong to not just succeed but to excel. Certainly no one wants her to struggle the way she has but we all have eyes. I would like to see her fill up the stat sheet but reality is - it's just not happening.

I don't make gentlemen's bets, but I would be up for a high end single malt against your favorite libation that not much is going to change unless she has some sort of basketball epiphany.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Some might say Chong didn't develop/may never develop under Geno's HOF coaching.

She wouldn't be the first.

 

[EricSD]

I hope Saniya was injured for this game because she got barely 1 minute vs. USF. Even Butler and Ekmark got into the game before her. I hate seeing this for Saniya. I'd love for someone to ask Geno what's going on with her because I'm mystified...

 

[Farney]

Just to add some clarity to Courtney's senior year of HS so it stops getting mentioned as a poor decision.... Had she played for her HS team as a senior it would have been as close to a waste as possible. For those who remember, her HS team won the fictional national title her junior year. Every member of the rotation graduated except her. She'd have seen a double or triple team on every possession. I'd safely argue that her playing with her brother's AAU team and getting a personal trainer was a far better option than playing on that team that her father was no longer coaching (he finished after her junior year as well). Oh, and in Arizona you have to sit out a year if you transfer (unless you can prove your family moved as a hardship) so she couldn't have changed HS teams either.

 

[hoophuskee]

I hope Saniya was injured for this game because she got barely 1 minute vs. USF. Even Butler and Ekmark got into the game before her. I hate seeing this for Saniya. I'd love for someone to ask Geno what's going on with her because I'm mystified...

Why are you mystified if he thinks his 2nd best pg is Nurse and he thinks Butler and Ekmark might be better for the team? He pulled Stewie with 2:23 left. He replaced her with a center in Butler. You're mystified that he didn't pull Jefferson at the same time as Stewie so Chong col have gotten the extra one minute and 30 seconds? Chong seems to have moved to 3rd on the pg depth chart and 4th on the sg depth chart (assuming KLS sometimes plays sg - and Gabby can defend sg's).

I thought from past posts -- though we never discussed - I thought you have always been somewhat okay with Courtney? SO why a shock if she is beating out Saniya as the sg?

 

[hoophuskee]

She wouldn't be the first.

Yep! And just like any other coach throughout the history of their careers - they won't be the last. He's even said that he can't turn everyone. No one can while trying to maintain a winning program.

 

[Blue Huskie]

I hope Saniya was injured for this game because she got barely 1 minute vs. USF. Even Butler and Ekmark got into the game before her. I hate seeing this for Saniya. I'd love for someone to ask Geno what's going on with her because I'm mystified...

The special that was on after the game the other night dealt with Saniya a bit. Geno talked about her maturity level and how much she has changed. I got the impression he may be mystified by her on the court performance as much as anyone else. She admitted that there have been games when she feels really good and others where she loses her way. I wouldn't count her out just yet. We have seen some very good games by her. Hoping for more.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I hope Saniya was injured for this game because she got barely 1 minute vs. USF. Even Butler and Ekmark got into the game before her. I hate seeing this for Saniya. I'd love for someone to ask Geno what's going on with her because I'm mystified...

no thanks, he may say something harsh again

 

[HairyDog]

I would agree that if Chong is injured, we have our answer. If not the injury than what is wrong here. I have seen this kid play for years and the talent level is there, she just continues to look tentative and afraid on the court. I would blame that on Geno. Some kids will not succeed at this level constantly afraid that the first missed shot or missed defensive assignment will put you on the bench and in a very vicious dog house. I will say again that she seems to be Geno's whipping girl and if none have you have noticed she obviously does not respond well to the "tough love".
As for her leaving, I would love it, I would have loved to see her leave after last year and go on to be a star in the Big Ten or Big East instead of sitting on a National Championship bench. However I think she is a Husky for life.

Advice to Ekmark, get out NOW. This kid can play, she has ability, she could be a start on many high level teams. Ekmark will never ever start at Uconn, there is just too much talent. But, maybe she is happy with her roll there, best of luck to her.

In closing, KLS is a true talent and growing, physically and emotionally. She had her hard times early this year but now it is all coming together. Like I said months ago, not to many players can go 2 for12 from 3 and look so damn good doing it. Whatever the coaching staff did with her she has responded in spades, All-American before she is done.

 

[meyers7]

Conlon was the 4th guard behind Sue, Diana, and KJ. And yet she still played her frosh year - even getting minutes in the 1st half of the National Semifinal.
It was only later that a Husky myth developed that she was a low-talent Rudy-like figure.

Conlon got 83 minutes her FR year. Ekmark got 272. Conlon was 5th guard that year until Ralph got hurt.

Her Soph year she was the 3rd guard behind Bird/DT. But there wasn't really too many other options. A Valley was really the only other guard.

(oh I see UCMiami beat me too it)

 

[meyers7]

Remember Ketia Swanier? She was utterly hopeless as a freshman, not much better as a sophomore. But as a senior, she was an All American.

No, Swanier was never an AA. Best awards she ever received were BE 6th Man Award and BE HM. She did get drafted in the 1st round of the WNBA draft and did play a few seasons in the league.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

No, Swanier was never an AA. Best awards she ever received were BE 6th Man Award and BE HM. She did get drafted in the 1st round of the WNBA draft and did play a few seasons in the league.

OK. First round WNBA selection, and several-year veteran of the pros leagues. Not too shabby, and a great tribute to Coach Geno's teaching ability.

 

[UcMiami]

No, Swanier was never an AA. Best awards she ever received were BE 6th Man Award and BE HM. She did get drafted in the 1st round of the WNBA draft and did play a few seasons in the league.

Didn't she get a ring one year with DT in Phoenix? She had a nice little run as a back-up PG in the WNBA but scoring was always her issue.

People always seem to think minutes are the most important part of playing college basketball. I think if you talked to Kiah Stokes you would get a very different answer. Uconn has never, I think, recruited a player for which that would be the most important thing. They have had some players transfer who might cite that as one of their reasons and maybe even their primary reason, but all you have to do is watch Lawlor's reaction to any good play by one of her teammates to see what being a part of a close knit team means to the players that stick around. And for those that have the talent to make it to the next level, like Kiah, learning the game which happens behind closed doors is more important than which minutes you play. Would Kiah have had more fun playing 35 minutes a game at Temple or Cinci, probably, though losing lots of games is not conducive to joyful times. But she would have arrived in the WNBA much less prepared to play with WNBA talent around her, and with less understanding of the game. (and I think both of those coaches are good teachers.) And for someone who may not have the talent to be a WNBA player, but who loves the game and might want to stay involved after college - who better to watch and learn from than the Uconn coaching staff.

There is some gender consideration here as well - male athletes are less team oriented and more selfish in very general terms than women. The social dynamic of being a teammate is more important to women than men. That is commented on frequently by coaches as both a positive and a negative as superior players are less likely to assert themselves on women's teams and have to be pushed to do so. But they are also much more likely to set screens or make passes so someone else can have their moments of glory. And that also means they can truly celebrate team goals like winning games and championships more joyfully even if they have contributed less on the court. As society evolves in the title IX era, and there are more individual prizes to be won for women athletes this may all change, but it is a reality of today.

So I often wonder which gender the posts that advocate a player transfer for playing time come from. (I happen to be male if anyone is curious seeing as i raised the issue.)

 

[hoophuskee]

If not the injury than what is wrong here. I have seen this kid play for years and the talent level is there, she just continues to look tentative and afraid on the court. I would blame that on Geno.

Advice to Ekmark, get out NOW. This kid can play, she has ability, she could be a start on many high level teams. Ekmark will never ever start at Uconn, there is just too much talent. But, maybe she is happy with her roll there, best of luck to her.

In closing, KLS is a true talent and growing, physically and emotionally. She had her hard times early this year but now it is all coming together. Like I said months ago, not to many players can go 2 for12 from 3 and look so damn good doing it. Whatever the coaching staff did with her she has responded in spades, All-American before she is done.

1--- I don't know how long you have been following basketball but I assume a long time. However I think if you have ben watching the women play all these years you seldom rarely ever see a magnificent/brutal "choke." How many times do we see major chokes from teams that have the offense and have the talent yet shockingly go down in flames? I saw to an extent what you saw- matter of fact just a few weeks ago I was telling sluconn that Chong would be primed for next year because she looked like she was scoring "at will." Looking back I always speak of her offense. Always have. And of course after I said that- she has shot terribly. When you speak of "talent," are you also speaking of defense? Because frankly, I have never seen her as a great defender or rebounder for a guard. IMO she is soft. I just think you and I miss a lot what it means to be great player when it comes to defense. In this manner, Saniya has never been talented. Her lateral quickness is highly suspect imo as is her rebounding and toughness. While you suggest "a missed defensive assignment" it probably is MANY missed defensive assignments over the course of games and practices. And because Auriemma doesn't rely solely on offense, you and I have been fortunate as fans to not have to watch very many major meltdowns/chokes over the past 20 years. Not 2 years but 20 years. If UCONN can't shoot - they still are able to defend. Saniya looks like she is just a very good offensive weapon. If she misses her shots how much else does she really do?

2-- As for Ekmark-- are you serious? Do you really believe when she committed to UCONN that her mindset going in was that she was either going to earn the starting job or quit? Is that the type of player you think UCONN recruits? So YOUR belief is "start or bust?" If you were a player and you had that attitude, you either would have had to have been a top 7 or 8 recruit or Geno would never looked your way. Do you agree? Isn't the type of attitude you suggested that CE should follow, the anti-thesis of what Auriemma is looking for? She is now 7th on the depth chart for next year as of right now, right? So after getting her butt kicked for two years she should give it all up as she is rising just to go play somewhere else because she isn't starting? Do you see her playing pro ball beyond college?

3-- As for KLS-- I agree. But what about next year? I say KLS is an all-american. Do you agree? She sort of reminds me of "Larry Bird" - not the ruggedness definitely not that- but she seems one step ahead even though she isn't super athletic. And Bird was a tremendous passer and shooter, especially for his size. That's what KLS is too. She just seems to see things one step ahead and just incredibly fundamental. And she is a 2/3 now but hopefully can be also a 4. Bird being a 3/4.

 

[wbfree]

No, Swanier was never an AA. Best awards she ever received were BE 6th Man Award and BE HM. She did get drafted in the 1st round of the WNBA draft and did play a few seasons in the league.

Swanier is one of my favorite huskys. She was fast!

 

[Kaizen]

I would agree that if Chong is injured, we have our answer. If not the injury than what is wrong here. I have seen this kid play for years and the talent level is there, she just continues to look tentative and afraid on the court. I would blame that on Geno. Some kids will not succeed at this level constantly afraid that the first missed shot or missed defensive assignment will put you on the bench and in a very vicious dog house. I will say again that she seems to be Geno's whipping girl and if none have you have noticed she obviously does not respond well to the "tough love".
As for her leaving, I would love it, I would have loved to see her leave after last year and go on to be a star in the Big Ten or Big East instead of sitting on a National Championship bench. However I think she is a Husky for life.

Nice post.

For a while I thought I was in the LV Nation board. Where are BY UConn fans' generosity and hospitality?

 

[EricSD]

Why are you mystified if he thinks his 2nd best pg is Nurse and he thinks Butler and Ekmark might be better for the team? He pulled Stewie with 2:23 left. He replaced her with a center in Butler. You're mystified that he didn't pull Jefferson at the same time as Stewie so Chong col have gotten the extra one minute and 30 seconds? Chong seems to have moved to 3rd on the pg depth chart and 4th on the sg depth chart (assuming KLS sometimes plays sg - and Gabby can defend sg's).

I thought from past posts -- though we never discussed - I thought you have always been somewhat okay with Courtney? SO why a shock if she is beating out Saniya as the sg?

I didn't mean it as a criticism of Ekmark... But Saniya was a starter at one point for this team, and now she's barely getting 1 minute in a game where both Ekmark and Butler came off the bench before she did. I'm concerned that Saniya is actually somehow regressing.

I'm not sure if it's a confidence thing, the IT band injury, or something else, but Saniya has all the tools - speed, ball handling, shooting, etc. I'm glad Courtney is playing better, but disappointed for Saniya that she seems to be going backwards. If she keeps going in that direction, she won't get any PT at all. Blueballer had some nice comments and explanation for what may be going on with Saniya, which apparently has Geno mystified as well...