Development of incoming freshman | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Development of incoming freshman

Genos record speaks for itself. He keeps doing what he's doing and keeps gettin what he's gettin and that equates to the number one coach and program in WCBB. Year after year he continues to make his teams better. IMO thats because his is a disciplinarian. Year after year he has players turning Pro. Year after year his teams win and set records. You may not agree with what he's doing but what he's doing is bringing success to his players and his team. We've seen Players come and go, we've seen players get hurt and sit and UConn continues to win. The kids know this. They know the price they will have to pay before they get here. They also know it wont be easy but it will be worth it.

My ole saying....To be successful you must pay a huge price....in advance....and there are no guarantees.

Practice doesnt make perfect however perfect practice with the right teacher does lead to a much better player. To be a great player you have to have a great teacher. A teacher who wont let up on you and who wont let you quit. A tuff teacher and thats what you get at UConn. Ive played alot of sports and am pretty good at all of them and I never stop practicing. For example I hit between 100 and 200 golf balls before a round and I hit a over 50 after a round and during the week I practice and hit depending on what Im working on I hit over 300 balls. People ask me why I do that. I do it to make what I learn reflective so I dont have to think about it... I practice so it happens automatically.

I had a pro give me a lesson hitting wedges from approx 60 yds. I hit over two big green buckets. I took over 2 hours. The asst pro asked me why I was hitting so many balls on such a hot day the temp was 94 degrees I said I have to do it until I cant get it wrong, until it becomes reflexive. I said the difference between me and so many others is when I get a lesson I practice til it becomes reflexive while most people hit a few balls and think theyve got it and when they go out and play they have to think about what theyre doing instead of letting it happen. You cant never play anything well if you have to think about it.
So I would have to disagree with you saying you regarding practice.

I do understand why you may have a fear of kids leaving because its to hard and I do understand where your coming from regarding loosing freshman. The environment at UConn is not like that. Everybody is on the same page or will be on the same page because of the environment. If they arent they will most likely leave and thats ok. UConn isnt for everybody. Those few that do leave imo have their reasons. Some times its they want more playtime sometimes its something else. Geno knows exactly what he's doing and he knows how to build a solid team. He's proven that. So for those its to hard for or for those who are looking for more playtime or something else they leave and are replaced by somebody else. I think the real proof is seeing the kids that transfer in. There are alot of girls who want to come here and there isnt enough room for them. Geno has built a very very successful dynasty and he is attracting more players then most people know. Many other coaches have to work alot harder to recruit those great players.
 
MSGRET said:
I meant that they don't have the pressure on them like freshman do at UConn.
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I was kidding, kind of. But I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think that if a freshmen gets playing time based on practice, that a tweak during the game as opposed to benching doesn’t seem a crazy possibility. Lots of ways to build confidence. Obviously his record speaks for itself.

On the other hand,well past halfway into this season, he only plays one sophomore regularly and one freshman with widely varying significant time, and a transfer by a fairly promising freshman. The two kids benched yesterday were hs AAs and, granting Geno wants kids to play the way he wants, the point about relaxed unheralded freshmen is only that our kids do have talent, but they might be trying too hard to do what he wants. Most of his star players who he has said take a long time to figure out his system did get a lot of time on the floor their first year. From this year we lose two All American type players and maybe Stevens. This year’s freshman class teaches us that we have no idea if the newcomers next year will fit in early nor do we know if this year’s struggling freshmen will make a big sophomore leap. I hope they all stick with us.

This year certainly looks good, but last year Crystal got a good bit more floor time than any of this year’s freshman. One test of his comfort level with players in non-garbage time is Kyla. She looks like she knows what she’s doing. Not star quality, but someone who might be able to rest a starter for a few minutes here and there without blowing a 15-20 first half lead.
 
Pmac923 said:
This freshman class has underwhelmed because of the "lessons" Geno tries to teach. He is making a mistake with how he uses his top recruits. Sure, winning by 30+ ppg is nice, but seeing the development of the players that will carry the torch for your program is more important. We will see more transfers in large bunches if Geno does not relax with this approach. Quite frankly it's obnoxious.

Breaking down your players for your own benefit is dangerous to the long term future of the program. The fans came to see the teamwork, camraderie, and effortless flow. They did not go to watch Geno. Or better yet hear about their deficiencies. Teach them and let them play, who cares if they fail. But let them play basketball and show their natural skillsets over National TV.


Play your Freshman, Geno.
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Amen to that. He has high school all-americans sitting on his bench that he won't play because he says they are not ready. How do you get ready if you don't get game experience? He praised Irwin for her play yesterday. When she gets minutes she plays well, but he determines how long she plays. Walker did not play in the second half because "she wasn't ready to play", according to Geno. What does that even mean?
 
Pmac923 said:
This freshman class has underwhelmed because of the "lessons" Geno tries to teach. He is making a mistake with how he uses his top recruits. Sure, winning by 30+ ppg is nice, but seeing the development of the players that will carry the torch for your program is more important. We will see more transfers in large bunches if Geno does not relax with this approach. Quite frankly it's obnoxious.

Breaking down your players for your own benefit is dangerous to the long term future of the program. The fans came to see the teamwork, camraderie, and effortless flow. They did not go to watch Geno. Or better yet hear about their deficiencies. Teach them and let them play, who cares if they fail. But let them play basketball and show their natural skillsets over National TV.


Play your Freshman, Geno.
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Scores + Stops = Margin of Victory.
You will not get appreciable court time until Geno sees you can do both.
AAU ball, upon which most of our frosh built their reputations, features plenty of scoring with scant attention to defensive skills.
Kiah Stokes and Kelly Faris are examples of players who were stoppers far more than scorers; showing that, if Geno has to choose one skill set, he will pick defense.
 
PadreM said:
Scores + Stops = Margin of Victory.
You will not get appreciable court time until Geno sees you can do both.
AAU ball, upon which most of our frosh built their reputations, features plenty of scoring with scant attention to defensive skills.
Kiah Stokes and Kelly Faris are examples of players who were stoppers far more than scorers; showing that, if Geno has to choose one skill set, he will pick defense.
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As he did with Kia in her 3rd game as a freshman and she has started every game since then, except for when she was injured.
 
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Pmac923 said:
This freshman class has underwhelmed because of the "lessons" Geno tries to teach. He is making a mistake with how he uses his top recruits. Sure, winning by 30+ ppg is nice, but seeing the development of the players that will carry the torch for your program is more important. We will see more transfers in large bunches if Geno does not relax with this approach. Quite frankly it's obnoxious.

Breaking down your players for your own benefit is dangerous to the long term future of the program. The fans came to see the teamwork, camraderie, and effortless flow. They did not go to watch Geno. Or better yet hear about their deficiencies. Teach them and let them play, who cares if they fail. But let them play basketball and show their natural skillsets over National TV.


Play your Freshman, Geno.
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You do know that Geno has been doing this for 32 years and his former players all revere him. But hey, who am I to suggest you may not know what you’re talking about. Maybe you should give Geno a call to discuss your suggestion. I’m sure he’ll be receptive. :rolleyes:
 
CocoHusky said:
Just curious where you think you have acquired this right?
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Don't worry all is well in Husky Land. He'll win his 35+ games every year and win many more championships. Just a quick thought that maybe when you're up 55+ points against a bottom feeder team maybe it's a good opportunity to use your high school National Player of the Year and teach. [mod edit: transfer speculation]
 
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HuskeyinSC said:
So Pmac, what planet did you just arrive from? And do you need any help getting your foot out of your mouth? I'm sure you've been offered lots of help.
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I hope you're having a nice day too, my friend.
 
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BobbyJ said:
Oh baby! They’re on their way with pitchforks. Put on your hard hat.
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Coaches are for coaching; players are for playing; fans are for fanning. Let's fan.
 
Pmac923 said:
This freshman class has underwhelmed because of the "lessons" Geno tries to teach. He is making a mistake with how he uses his top recruits. Sure, winning by 30+ ppg is nice, but seeing the development of the players that will carry the torch for your program is more important. We will see more transfers in large bunches if Geno does not relax with this approach. Quite frankly it's obnoxious.

Breaking down your players for your own benefit is dangerous to the long term future of the program. The fans came to see the teamwork, camraderie, and effortless flow. They did not go to watch Geno. Or better yet hear about their deficiencies. Teach them and let them play, who cares if they fail. But let them play basketball and show their natural skillsets over National TV.


Play your Freshman, Geno.
Expand ...
I think I'll go with what has worked for Geno and UConn Women's Basketball since 1995. If the recruits can't hack it then transfer, and "don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you" on the way out. If you want to play, then earn your playing time in practice like every player before you did. Geno will find somebody else to take your place. Primadonna's need not apply.
 
Pmac923 said:
This freshman class has underwhelmed because of the "lessons" Geno tries to teach. He is making a mistake with how he uses his top recruits. Sure, winning by 30+ ppg is nice, but seeing the development of the players that will carry the torch for your program is more important. We will see more transfers in large bunches if Geno does not relax with this approach. Quite frankly it's obnoxious.

Breaking down your players for your own benefit is dangerous to the long term future of the program. The fans came to see the teamwork, camraderie, and effortless flow. They did not go to watch Geno. Or better yet hear about their deficiencies. Teach them and let them play, who cares if they fail. But let them play basketball and show their natural skillsets over National TV.


Play your Freshman, Geno.
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I think you're comments have some validity in that's how most or many managers like to develop their players, staff and trainees.
Geno has a very different style and approach then most. He teaches, plays and reinforces excellence.
He is not breaking down anyone for his own benefit. Go watch Rebecca Lobo's acceptance speech especially the very end and you will hopefully see how this high expectations / tough love approach has worked. Yes it surely does cause some, maybe even many recruits to become less confident or more jittery in trying to meet his expectations. The ones that stay and those that excel or at least do well, learn to take it in and use it to make them not just better players but people. Again it's surely not for everyone. Megan at times seems to get it and others regresses. I'm sure it is very difficult for someone who has been a star player (most of their recruits are) to be harped on over and over again or to be sat when they don't perform. Here's how I see a few of the other current players in this regard. Kyla clearly gets it. Her play yesterday was quite good and she's not the most athletically gifted player. She plays with confidence and contributes to team play. Molly who seems to be one of the hardest workers can't seem to balance playing all out and yet being in control of herself. CD who was a top few recruits out of HS really struggled last year. Seemingly over the summer she figured out what she needed to do and was expected of her and now "watch out". KLS was the top rated recruit out of HS and a great shooter. Now she does almost everything above average, when Geno used to joke "has she ever gotten an offensive rebound."
Each and every player and human being respond differently and at their own pace. Most good managers adapt their style and approach to each persons strengths and weaknesses. Not Geno! He has the same expectations for everyone. You play defense and team ball or you sit and watch until you do.
Also your comments about losing recruits doesn't match up with the realities. Thirty years in and looking at the next two to three years out recruits many of the top ones who fit the U Conn style are almost all considering coming and a few each year will commit here. Again we will lose some recruits and occasionally one will transfer out but the sum is way greater than the parts. Also, when you look at the ongoing relationships, respect and those who continually return here for special events be it national championship games or the 100th win, obviously most of his current and former players love him or surely respect and follow his lead.
To end, I just saw a recent presser where he commented on a recent game where Molly hit a three pointer to make it 100 that game and he said why, what do we need that for. The players were all up and cheering her on. His message was you behave and treat your opponents with respect is more important than the basket or what it does for Molly's confidence.
I've studied management and how one excels at this for about 50 years, and Geno is pretty unique and so are their results.
Bronx23
 
Pmac923 said:
Don't worry all is well in Husky Land. He'll win his 35+ games every year and win many more championships. Just a quick thought that maybe when you're up 55+ points against a bottom feeder team maybe it's a good opportunity to use your high school National Player of the Year and teach.
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But that is what separates Geno from the rest. He has a standard that absolutely must be met. If not, you are not playing (or playing very little). I get your point, however, it is those types of small details (not calling out a screen) that make UCONN players ready for the next level.
 
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Pmac923 said:
This freshman class has underwhelmed because of the "lessons" Geno tries to teach. He is making a mistake with how he uses his top recruits. Sure, winning by 30+ ppg is nice, but seeing the development of the players that will carry the torch for your program is more important. We will see more transfers in large bunches if Geno does not relax with this approach. Quite frankly it's obnoxious.

Breaking down your players for your own benefit is dangerous to the long term future of the program. The fans came to see the teamwork, camraderie, and effortless flow. They did not go to watch Geno. Or better yet hear about their deficiencies. Teach them and let them play, who cares if they fail. But let them play basketball and show their natural skillsets over National TV.


Play your Freshman, Geno.
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Every freaking year. Heck every freaking few weeks.

Epic_Facepalm_5452.png
 
HuskeyinSC said:
Dude, I have been following Geno for over 30 years and I have never heard a player make that quote.
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I believe that the poster was saying that they have never heard a player say this: You don't learn from practicing all day. You learn from playing the sport 5 on 5 vs. real competition.
 
CtQuip said:
But that is what separates Geno from the rest. He has a standard that absolutely must be met. If not, you are not playing (or playing very little). I get your point, however, it is those types of small details (not calling out a screen) that make UCONN players ready for the next level.
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What next level?? Playing for low salaries in the WNBA?
 
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Geno seems to be playing more "head" game this year than any that I can remember. A freshman that makes a mistake during a game, gets yanked, yelled at, then doesn't get back into the game? Calhoun would do the same thing , but then would re-insert the player because he didn't want to hurt that players confidence.
Maybe we have too much talent?
 
Pmac923 said:
You don't learn from practicing all day. You learn from playing the sport 5 on 5 vs. real competition.
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If you don't do it in practice , even if it is an all day practice , you won't do it in the game.

Winning 1000+ games is proof evidence enough for most of us....Emphasis on most of us , that his methods and system works effectively.
 
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