DePaul Postgame Thread

[CocoHusky]

I know exactly the body language you’re talking about and the part where you think she gave Geno a dirty look. She didn’t. Watch it again. You’re overthinking. Evina is a leader, Megan was not.
Not sure the point of your post. All we’ve seen from Evina so far is that she works hard, leads the team and has a GOOD attitude. Not sure why you’re trying to drag her down.

(Even if she did give a dirty look, watch the past games Paige jaws at all the players, they all do. It makes them tough and is apart of their competitive edge)

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I am surprised no mention was made that Crystal Dangerfield was at the UConn game and announced the starting roster. Apparently this has been done with prior UConn players. I think Naphessa did one. Any more info? Any interview material??

 

[JordyG]

Great post. I wonder if Geno wanted to only show enough of the AE and Liv offense to practice it but not give Kim too much film to strategize on.

Let's hope so. But only Geno and crew see what I don't see in practice.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Just a short statement a day after the game. I watched it live and on replay. The shooting, including from the FT line, was decidedly off. Here's the biggest positive for me: DePaul shot 25% and scored their fewest points in over 4 years. That's impressive.

 

[cbraarj]

Olivia should have more than 16 pts against a small team like Depaul. When is she going to learn how to keep her hands up on rebounds. She drops the ball down to her chest and when she shoots it is from the chest. Depaul was getting their hands on the ball alot. Also the passing in their half court sets need to be quicker. To much of letting the defense adjust. They have done a lot better than last year. I watched Gonzaga Men the other day and that ball was a thing of beauty! If you get a chance watch them.

 

[LCConnFan]

To answer @Longtime fan, Nika averaged between 10-11 ppg in Croatia. To answer a question about her speed:

Love this clip! Thanks Rocky. This is the same type of 'crisp pass' MoJeff used to make. When Nika finds her niche with the team, she's going to be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[Littlemin]

Do ya al remember Gabby’s freshman year?
My opinion is if Mir continues to work hard in practice she will get more minutes and possibly be 2nd off the bench. I like what I saw in her brief minutes......Time will tell. Wish we had another game before Baylor.

Gabby Williams played guard before coming to Uconn and was damn good prior to being injured; she understood the game from that perspective and had the associated “feel“ for the game. I am sorry but IMO comparisons to her and McLean and Griffin start and end with all three are athletic. But Williams was a very athletic basketball player and more than capable of exhibiting that at this level. McLean and Griffin are athletes playing basketball and it more than shows. I am not knocking either of them, they both play very hard but are also limited to what they can do right now. That does not mean they can’t learn and improve, they certainly could. But Williams came in light years ahead of both of them from a basketball, not athletic, point of view.

 

[oldude]

Gabby Williams played guard before coming to Uconn and was damn good prior to being injured; she understood the game from that perspective and had the associated “feel“ for the game. I am sorry but IMO comparisons to her and McLean and Griffin start and end with all three are athletic. But Williams was a very athletic basketball player and more than capable of exhibiting that at this level. McLean and Griffin are athletes playing basketball and it more than shows. I am not knocking either of them, they both play very hard but are also limited to what they can do right now. That does not mean they can’t learn and improve, they certainly could. But Williams came in light years ahead of both of them from a basketball, not athletic, point of view.

For what it’s worth, Aubrey also played guard at Ossining HS, leading her team in both assists and 3-pt scoring. So go figure?

 

[HopJim]

I’m as frustrated with Anna’s play as everyone else, but I try to remind myself that she’s learning a new position. Last year it took her a while to get the hang of the system, but she did - a lot faster than most freshmen - and then she played really well and her shooting got really good. I sort of expect (hope for?) the same this year.

I am a big Anna supporter, but would have no issue with her sitting if other's could offset her issues. Edwards has been great down low, but has shown no outside shot. Against a hot shooting team like DePaul with 3-4 guards, may not be a great matchup. We also need her to give ONO a rest. Evina should keep getting better, but at times has had periods of poor defense and inconsistent shooting. Audrey is an easy one today-great energy but defense against small, quick guards poor and her lack of movement and shooting bogs down the offense. If we had someone who scored around 10 a game, got 7 rebounds and 4 assists, I think Geno would put her in. On wait, that described Anna.

 

[DEpup]

Gabby Williams played guard before coming to Uconn and was damn good prior to being injured; she understood the game from that perspective and had the associated “feel“ for the game. I am sorry but IMO comparisons to her and McLean and Griffin start and end with all three are athletic. But Williams was a very athletic basketball player and more than capable of exhibiting that at this level. McLean and Griffin are athletes playing basketball and it more than shows. I am not knocking either of them, they both play very hard but are also limited to what they can do right now. That does not mean they can’t learn and improve, they certainly could. But Williams came in light years ahead of both of them from a basketball, not athletic, point of view.

I love Gabby and she became a great UConn basketball player but I think we may be doing that rose colored glasses thing again where we picture senior Gabby and not freshman Gabby.

Gabby as a freshman played garbage minutes and really only had two moves which were head to the basket for 2 pts or get a rebound. She tired quickly because although athletic but lacked conditioning. She has talked about herself as a freshman in that way. She also couldn't hit a free throw constantly. Mir has her already there.

So I don't think the comparisons between Gabby, Aubrey, and Mir are that off base if you compare them to the same points in their careers. They are the same UConn player archetypes.

Let's give Jamell a little more time to work her magic since she is the original for the type of role they will play at UConn.

 

[Littlemin]

For what it’s worth, Aubrey also played guard at Ossining HS, leading her team in both assists and 3-pt scoring. So go figure?

Aubrey was an athlete that played any and all positions at Ossining. I know her father from his days at Seton Hall and have watched a fair amount of tape of her time in HS. One of her problems assimilating to a structured system at Uconn is that she essentially played without a position or personal structure at Ossining. IMO, a similar, not exactly the same, but similar, unstructured freedom at Ossining is one of the things that held Saniya Chong back until her senior year. Aubrey Griffin was not remotely selfish and amassed tremendous stats at Ossining but her experience there did not translate to college, at least not yet. And for the record, I never said either she or McLean are devoid of basketball skills, I said neither shows a “feel” for the game in a structured but free flowing team oriented environment. If you think otherwise, you are certainly and obviously entitled.

 

[Littlemin]

I love Gabby and she became a great UConn basketball player but I think we may be doing that rose colored glasses thing again where we picture senior Gabby and not freshman Gabby.

Gabby as a freshman played garbage minutes and really only had two moves which were head to the basket for 2 pts or get a rebound. She tired quickly because although athletic but lacked conditioning. She has talked about herself as a freshman in that way. She also couldn't hit a free throw constantly. Mir has her already there.

So I don't think the comparisons between Gabby, Aubrey, and Mir are that off base if you compare them to the same points in their careers. They are the same UConn player archetypes.

Let's give Jamell a little more time to work her magic since she is the original for the type of role they will play at UConn.

I am not talking about minutes played or points scored as freshman or anything of the kind; that is not my point. If you compare “feel” for the game by stats we are miles apart in evaluating players. I am strictly an eye test guy.

 

[BobbyJ]

I am not talking about minutes played or points scored as freshman or anything of the kind; that is not my point. If you compare “feel” for the game by stats we are miles apart in evaluating players. I am strictly an eye test guy.

Nice to see another eye test guy. All the stats yapping wears me out as much as the HS rankings fixation.

 

[GRIFFBIFF20]

Geno is Italian and has been known to speak hyperbole.
Examples of Geno speaking Hyperbole:
"Natalie Butler is going to be a game changer for us".
"Aubrey was 100 times better than she was last year."
"Courtney Ekmark is one of the best shooters I've ever seen, at any level"

The poster that thought Aubrey was going to Average 20/10 was probably hanging out with the poster that thought Aubrey would lead the team in scoring as a freshman. Coincidentally, both of those posters also happen to speak hyperbole.

Coco - looking at your related historical posts on the BY, you must really like former Ossining High School Basketball Players - lol

 

[oldude]

Aubrey was an athlete that played any and all positions at Ossining. I know her father from his days at Seton Hall and have watched a fair amount of tape of her time in HS. One of her problems assimilating to a structured system at Uconn is that she essentially played without a position or personal structure at Ossining. IMO, a similar, not exactly the same, but similar, unstructured freedom at Ossining is one of the things that held Saniya Chong back until her senior year. Aubrey Griffin was not remotely selfish and amassed tremendous stats at Ossining but her experience there did not translate to college, at least not yet. And for the record, I never said either she or McLean are devoid of basketball skills, I said neither shows a “feel” for the game in a structured but free flowing team oriented environment. If you think otherwise, you are certainly and obviously entitled.

I don’t disagree with your point. But I think you could say that about many super-talented HS athletes on the basketball court. Certainly, it was true of both Gabby & Mo to name a few, and yes they both assimilated well to the college game after some early inconsistencies.

The one thing I will credit Aubrey with is that she has a much better feel for the offense this year vs last. Whether it’s setting screens for her teammates, cutting hard to post up in the paint or finding open teammates with assists, she has improved since last year.

Of course, we would all like to see Aubrey get to the point where she could consistently catch the ball at the top of the key and bury a jumper. She’s 6 games into her sophomore year. I’m still hoping there’s more to come from Aubrey.

 

[CocoHusky]

Coco - looking at your related historical posts on the BY, you must really like former Ossining High School Basketball Players - lol

My critique or praise of UCONN WBB players has always been independent of the high school that players attended and will forever remain so. My posting history will also show that I did vehement disagree with some overzealous BY posters representing a certain "pride" in that HS. Among the many erroneously claims: Geno was being “unfair” to and holding back Saniya from greatness: Megan Walker would never amount to anything and should not be starting as a sophomore: Aubrey would never come to UCONN because Coach Ricci disliked Geno: Coach Vic was going to propel AEH to greatness because Geno didn't know how to use her. That is all ancient history though. Specific to Aubrey she is clearly athletically gifted & the best defender (arguably the only game changing defender) on the UCONN roster. Six games into her Sophomore season the prescription for Aubrey's improvement and potentially becoming a starter remains mostly unfilled and her competition for minutes has increased with the addition of AE and MM.