GENO is the master at deflecting whatever he thinks is a problem to the public with his team. He is also the master at motivating his team. His successful and winning coaching strategy is undeniable. I will wait and see what he has in mind after the Texas game, as that should be enough time to show what direction we will be going in. Anything else is pure opinion and equally biased in one form or another.GO HUSKIES!!!
Defense lagging
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Bigboote
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Didn’t Geno also say that last year’s team had the worst offense he’d ever seen? Their offense was top-20. I’m taking the defense comment with a similar grain of salt.
One thing I’m sure of is that he’s having to work a lot harder to design defensive schemes for this particular group of players. I think in the end they’ll have several different looks depending on who’s in the game, how they’re playing, and the opponent.
One thing I’m sure of is that he’s having to work a lot harder to design defensive schemes for this particular group of players. I think in the end they’ll have several different looks depending on who’s in the game, how they’re playing, and the opponent.
eebmg
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No Ambiguity in Geno's meaning
Other than Nika and Aubrey, we don't have any defenisve ball hawks and both of those players have potential issues
1) Nika probably can't play as aggressively as she and Coach would like since she cant lbe off the court as our premier (get the players where they need to be) PG due to over zealous fouls.
2) Aubrey may have some injury residue affecting minutes and even with the most rosy scenario, her minutes will depend on how well she flows in the offense.
Without a few ball hawks, we need to be top notch as a team defense which requires alot of communication and they are no where near that currently. Geno has said he is putting more time into offense first and then with that side stabilized, incrementally try to get better defensively.
Other than Nika and Aubrey, we don't have any defenisve ball hawks and both of those players have potential issues
1) Nika probably can't play as aggressively as she and Coach would like since she cant lbe off the court as our premier (get the players where they need to be) PG due to over zealous fouls.
2) Aubrey may have some injury residue affecting minutes and even with the most rosy scenario, her minutes will depend on how well she flows in the offense.
Without a few ball hawks, we need to be top notch as a team defense which requires alot of communication and they are no where near that currently. Geno has said he is putting more time into offense first and then with that side stabilized, incrementally try to get better defensively.
UConnCat
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Some notes from what Geno once said at a coach's clinic. Several years ago I think but I bet still relevant today. Probably less important now with practice players but he stresses offense first. The defense always seems to improve as the season progresses.
He used to take the first two weeks of practice and do only defense because that is the way it was done when he played. Then he would install his offense and it would look terrible against a defense that was 2 weeks ahead of it and they players would then doubt his offense. Now he takes the first two weeks and does nothing but offense. Players are then confident that they can score on anyone, and defense has to play against really good offense so it gets better in a hurry.
He used to take the first two weeks of practice and do only defense because that is the way it was done when he played. Then he would install his offense and it would look terrible against a defense that was 2 weeks ahead of it and they players would then doubt his offense. Now he takes the first two weeks and does nothing but offense. Players are then confident that they can score on anyone, and defense has to play against really good offense so it gets better in a hurry.
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In what game, regulation, scrimmage,practice,international, alternative dimension, interplanatery has DeBerry been a "proven rim protector"?The answer ,wait for it / none .
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Amari blocked 4 shots in 5 minutes playing against Xavier on 1/15/22.
1 block was in the restricted zone, 1 block was a step outside the restricted zone, 1 block was in the paint and1 block was just outside the paint.
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I've been following UConn since the early 90's. I can't recall Geno EVER being happy about the team defense. So, I take any comments like that with a boulder of salt. Remember when Lobo was the worst center in the country? And how many very good UConn players couldn't guard a chair?
eebmg
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I don't understand why so many want to read some hidden meaning in his words. He is very forth right on team development. Yes, he will embellish for effect and use tons of sarcasm but he always gives praise when earned. Otherwise, Geno would not be praising the shooting ability of the current team.
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The blocked shots came in garbage time . playing against bench dwellers. That hardly qualifies her as a rim protector.
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The first block that Amari made was an attempt by 6'6" center Megan Harkey, a sophomore at the time.
Harkey's HS team had a record of 81-10 over 3 years, won 2 state championships and 3 conference championships.
Of course Amari's blocks came during garbage time, that's when she was allowed to play.
Would you rather see a UConn starter get injured playing during garbage time?
At 6'5", Amari didn't need to be a McDonald's All American to be a rim protector but she was one in 2021.
Megan Harkey - Women's Basketball - Xavier University Athletics
Megan Harkey (31) Forward/Center - CAREER STATS AWARDS AND ACCOLADES 2020-21 All-BIG EAST Academic Team SOPHOMORE (2021-22) Played in 22 ...
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Carnac
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I’ve read every comment in this thread. Some very legitimate concerns have been expressed. IMO, I think before we continue any serious talk about winning a championship this year, we can’t get ahead of ourselves.
We know this team can score. The big question is can/will this team play defense well enough against the elite teams to seriously contend for a championship?
Let’s start by winning our games in November first. We play enough top-ranked teams to know how good we are, or need to be going forward after playing them. Some of the teams we play in the next two months are teams we may see again in March. First things first. Win some games against ranked teams before putting us in the final four. There are still too many unknowns about who can be depended on to do what.
We know this team can score. The big question is can/will this team play defense well enough against the elite teams to seriously contend for a championship?
Let’s start by winning our games in November first. We play enough top-ranked teams to know how good we are, or need to be going forward after playing them. Some of the teams we play in the next two months are teams we may see again in March. First things first. Win some games against ranked teams before putting us in the final four. There are still too many unknowns about who can be depended on to do what.
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Im afraid if were relying on a freshmen to take us as far as possible we wont be going pretty far.
No more championships ? Sorry i may be confused on what answer you are looking for here ?
Agreed , Boston , Saxton , Cardoso , Beal , Amihere destroyed us in the national title game on the boards. We need more than AP to win that battle i feel.Don't be too sure about that.I'm feeling you on this take. Any team wanting to defeat South Carolina (and THAT is our goal anytime we see them) has got to keep Aliyah Boston (the 2021-22 national POY) off the offensive boards.....PERIOD!!!
She gets way too many cheap and easy offensive rebounds/put backs.
Carnac
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It will have to be a “group” effort. No single UConn player can do it alone.
oldude
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Geno recruited Amari for a reason. Let’s hold off on the “snarkism” until we have an opportunity to see how well she’s progressed after spending the entire summer in Storrs working with Andrea Hudy & Jamelle Elliott.
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Centerstream
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I was referring to the 2016-2017 preseason comments that may have been made by Geno and how they may have been related to the comments in the OP article.
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1) Unlike football, we can’t send one set of 5 out for offense and a different 5 out for defense.
We know that some can be prolific scorers and shooters and some can be lockdown defenders and shot blockers.
Guess Geno & company will have to explain to everyone that they will just have to do both.
At the risk of being repetitive:
Every point we keep the opposition from scoring is as good as one we score ourselves.
As much fun as it would be to see Ayanna dunk, I would prefer she keep quick guards from getting to the rim
If Nika can continue to be the hellhound on “D”, and healthy Azzi & Caroline & Lou2 can put up some extra shots that go in, we’ll be ok.
Let’s see if we can keep Kutztown out of the paint and then worry about the rest when the time comes.
I think we STILL have enough talent to get the job done provided we don’t get out worked.
Much as we want the 38 point romps, let’s see what some of the rookies do when it counts.
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You lost me when you put Amari and proven in the same sentence
Carnac
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1 game at a time, 1 play at a time. Make the play that’s in front of you. Like Sue Bird told her teammates coming out of a time-out as they went back on the floor, “when the ball comes your way, make a play.”
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Is this really that hard to grasp? I was speaking in the hopeful mode with the exuberance that wishes typically require in order to make them come true. Tinkerbell, anyone? Obviously, I realize Amari hasn't proven anything... yet.
Got you sorry
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You are right---that is Geno being Geno! Then too, I believe this close to season beginning, few coaches are ever sure their team is READY. He may tell them they STINK, to get more from them. But inwardly he may have another view. History seems to say--let Geno be Geno and take a pound of salt with his words as the season begins.
CocoHusky
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I don't recall Geno expressing any specific concerns with defense prior to the start of the 2016-17 season. The main concern had to do with experience given that most big situations in the prior 4 years was handled expertly by one of the big three. Defense was also not a major one for that team because it had two players ( Kia Nurse and Gabby Williams) that would win the National Defense player of the year award in consecutive years starting that season. This article contains many of Geno thoughts prior to that season include the concern with experience.
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Only 3 in memory did I believe could "effectively" defend 1 thru 5, Stokes, Dolson (not including Grinder) and Stewie. How would they have done against Boston ????In a video earlier this year that featured Ayanna, it was said that she can defend 1-5. That may be so at the high school level, but I doubt it's the case at THIS level. If she can, great. I'd settle for 3-5. If she can become a "shut-down" defender, even better. At 6'2", she's long and if she's quick enough, could be a nightmare for opponents. I would like to she her develop into a taller version of 5'11" Gabby Williams. Her stock would shoot through the roof if that happens. Every team should have one. IF she and Aubrey could assume that role, great!!! If you can handcuff your opponent's best scorer, that's half the battle right there.
I'd be happy if Ayanna can slow down most Centers exclusive of Boston because I think Boston requires a Committee
oldude
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Gabby
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They would have eaten her lunch. Dolson and Stokes would have outmuscled her, and Stewie would have scored over her, under her, around her all day long.
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Not sure it is worth the energy at this time in the season to:
-Try to interpret what snippits of Geno's comments means. I have been a member of the Boneyard for many years and rarely does anyone have any clue this early.
-Try to project how the defense will perform. With so many new players and injuries, Huskies likely will have a new system versus the past few years when we had a 6"5" shot blocker holding down the middle and seniors on the wings.
-Try to interpret what snippits of Geno's comments means. I have been a member of the Boneyard for many years and rarely does anyone have any clue this early.
-Try to project how the defense will perform. With so many new players and injuries, Huskies likely will have a new system versus the past few years when we had a 6"5" shot blocker holding down the middle and seniors on the wings.
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