[mod edit: Removed knock on the board #2. Don't let there be a third. Just state your opinion.] But , since you ask about Stewie ? Stewie was actually having quite a decent freshman season, until Geno decided he didn't like something in practice . At this stage of her freshman season, she was light years ahead of Danger. She was also being physically manhandled . March is a few days away, and I seriously doubt the coaching staff is treating Danger as a " poor little freshman " any longer. Yes, she has missed a couple games because of an injury. I am looking at basketball, and separating it from the " emotional " thing.
During this past summer, I wrote comments regarding Crystal, and the inevitable comparisons to Moriah Jefferson that were sure to be made during the upcoming season. I didn't need any envelopes, crystal balls, or tea leaves to see that one coming. I suggested that any comparison to Moriah was unfair. She was going to be compared to the Moriah Jefferson we saw in her junior and senior year; because those are
the most recent images we have of her. We all know Jefferson was not the player her freshman year that she was during her junior and senior years. Moriah struggled big time during her freshman year. Moriah got progressively better each year, as Dangerfield will. Crystal is much better today than she was back in October.
Dangerfield still has a lot to learn. As another poster commented,
being the point guard at UConn is not easy. So many thoughts come to mind here, I could write a novel, but I'll keep it short. Another poster commented that in the final stages of the Tulane game (at the free throw line), she had the look of a deer in the headlights. She did. This was
the first time she's been in a game at this level with the game possibly riding her making her free throws. How many times have we seen seasoned veterans miss free throws in that situation? I hope I don't sound like I'm making excuses for Crystal, I'm not. I'm just reminding everyone that Crystal is still a work in progress, and it can't be rushed.
Let's not forget, she did make a huge play at the end of the game, she stole the inbound pass and was fouled going to the basket. Which IMHO should have been called an
intentional foul (2 shots and retain possession out of bounds). The player grabbed her
from behind in an attempt to stop her. Most refs don't have the stones to make that call in that situation.
When asked in an interview about being compared to Jefferson, she said that she was not going to try and be like Moriah. She said that she and Moriah were two different players. She can only be who she is, and will try to be the best player that she can be. It was no secret that Dangerfield was brought in to replace Jefferson, so the obvious comparisons are not surprising. I also predicted that the comparisons would continue into her sophomore year. So far, it looks like I was right.
It's not easy playing for Geno because of the expectation of near perfection is always present. Remember what Gabby said at the beginning of her sophomore year? She said that now, she knows what she's doing, and where she is supposed to be on either end of the floor. She said last year, that was not the case. I suspect Crystal will have a similar revelation this fall.
Finally, I completely agree and with, and endorse the responses by
Bags 27, tonehill68 & oldude. As tonehill68 wrote: "My final point is even though she has the accolades from AAU and USA tournament ball,
playing college is a different game and she'll adjust". oldude said "
Let's give Danger a break. She's doing fine and she will be a great player before she's done at UConn".
Bags27 put it best..........."patience".
