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Message: [QUOTE="Carnac, post: 2611522, member: 5798"] Anyone that watched her last year and this one, can see the difference in her play. It takes a while to learn (understand) and be able to physically be able to play defense the way Geno wants it done. It involves an understanding of how to anticipate a player's movements, the ability to take an angle (an option) away from them, and to move your legs and feet fast enough to stay in front of them [U]all the way through their drive[/U], [U]and NOT give up on them towards the end of the drive. [/U][B] Kia Nurse[/B] has perfected this ability. She'll keep her hands up, and run along side of her man the entire time, cutting her off, and eliminating any passing or continued driving options. Crystal had to learn this. She can do it now, but couldn't last year. It's like learning how to drive a car. When you first get your license, you can operate the car, but you're not as good as you will be a year later with the additional experience under your belt, and much much better 2 years going forward. An experienced driver's "decision making" is much better that a newly licensed driver for obvious reasons. Remember, most offensive players (which she was) in high school don't arrive at the next level with the ability to play "shut you down defense" on day 1. Many of the players they encounter are in some cases that 1st year are faster, older, wiser and more intense. I can see a freshman coming in and attempting to stop Kelsey Mitchell, Kitija Laksa, A'ja Wilson or Kalani Brown. It's not going to happen. Remember A'ja Wilson's freshman year and the very first time she played against UConn? Stewie took her to school. Fast forward, A'ja is a much better and more experienced player now, as Dangerfield will be next year. If you have any hopes of stopping Mitchell or any of these other ladies, you put your best defender on her, not a freshman. And if a freshman [U]is[/U] your best defender, you're in lots of trouble. :eek: [B]I'm not bashing Mo. Let me be clear on this.........[/B]I admire and respect everything she did while she was there. I'm NOT discounting or minimizing anything she did while she was there. She was a great player. She and Stokes were my favorites while they were there. I'll be at the Aces inaugural home game in Las Vegas (already have my tickets) in May just to see her. I'll be wearing some UConn gear to show support for her. That game should be sold out. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach