Development of incoming freshman

[Stinger92860]

You don't learn from practicing all day. You learn from playing the sport 5 on 5 vs. real competition.

Are you saying there is no competition for them in practice?

 

[Charliebball]

It's not Geno decision if they can play or not? The medical staff and players are the ones determining if they can play. The players also want to play.

The fact that Crystal sat out kind of refutes your own argument. Why wasn't Geno forcing her to play?

Saying "KLS is one stepped on foot or twisted ankle away from missing multiple games" doesn't have much meaning. It could happen, but it could also not happen.

I get it though. You think Geno is wrong to play them to prevent injuries. I think since he is closer to the program, has experienced professionals on his staff to evaluate injuries and knows the level the team needs to reach to win an NC.

At no time did I ever say Geno was forcing injured kids to play..............knowing how competitive these kids are I think they'd drag themselves out there with broken legs given the opportunity...............I'm simply pointing out that he plays them more then he needs to in games that are long over..............I agree in KLS's case it's a bit more problematic but I would think every minute she doesn't need to be out there against a team like UCF for instance is a good thing...........I don't know this for a fact but it seems the less talented the opponent the more likely one of our players is to get injured..............regarding Crystal, I was refuting the view that she had a "nagging injury"...................you know how important Geno views practices............for Crystal to miss every practice tells me she's got a pretty serious issue that can only be cured with rest...............I'd certainly keep her out of the UCF game and see how she feels for Louisville..............it seems to me some folks here view any variance from Geno's doctrine as a sacrilege.............on rare occasion I think there may be a slightly different path so I guess I'll just have to deal with that.............

 

[Charliebball]

View attachment 28373

You got that right!!!!

 

[HoopsFan21]

No, and I scoff at them, too.

Their particular mania is Muffet's supposed inability to recruit posts. Somehow, Achonwa, Turner, Westbeld, and Shepard (as a transfer) don't count.

In this scenario, we see it year after year. Geno gives the freshman tough love and they either shape up or ship out. Most of them shape up and do so quite nicely.

Actually, ND are in a similar situation with Danielle Patterson. She is not playing much despite ND's short bench. She's just not ready yet. She will play when she is.

So... just like Geno? UConn hasn't recruited a true post since Dolson in 2010 and Kiah in 2011.

 

[Charliebball]

So... just like Geno? UConn hasn't recruited a true post since Dolson in 2010 and Kiah in 2011.

there's a pretty good 6'4"-6'5" recruit coming in next year and he just lost another one to mother nature................even Geno can't fool with her.................

 

[HoopsFan21]

there's a pretty good 6'4"-6'5" recruit coming in next year and he just lost another one to mother nature......even Geno can't fool with her.......

Yeah I know, but that's a long drought between Stef and ONO (8 years) while the Texas teams seem to grow them on trees.

 

[CocoHusky]

Yeah I know, but that's a long drought between Stef and ONO (8 years) while the Texas teams seem to grow them on trees.

But in those 8 years isn't UCONN "undefeated" against all the post players that UCONN lost out on? Unless you are including Griner in the bunch?

 

[HoopsFan21]

But in those 8 years isn't UCONN "undefeated" against all the post players that UCONN lost out on? Unless you are including Griner in the bunch?

I really wasn't thinking about it in terms of losses, just a comment on how like Muffet, Geno has had a hard time recruiting posts. I suppose you would have to count Griner because she graduated in 2013 I believe.

 

[meyers7]

I don't remember saying any of that

Well you did.

.first the fact that Crystal can't even practice during the week and had to skip a game tells me that it's far more then a "nagging" injury....

So you are now saying Geno IS handling the minutes/injuries. ??? Make up your mind.

AND

That Nagging Shin Pain…The Good, The Bad and The Ugly | Orthopedic One
Shin Splints: A Guide to that Nagging Leg Pain
Shin splints, a nagging injury that doesn't have to sideline exercise

Kinda seems to be considered a "nagging" injury, huh?

KLS is one stepped on foot or twisted ankle away from missing multiple games .

So are all the freshmen.

I'm a UConn fan that has a fundamental disagreement with how these kids are being handled

So you are saying...
Geno and Co. have no idea what they are doing. And you honestly think Geno is trying to injure a player in order to spite another.

So really we can either trust Geno and Co. (Asst. coaches, trainers, medical personnel) who've been handling players for 30+ years while dealing with injuries and minutes, OR we can believe you know what you're talking about? Hmmmm, decisions, decisions.

 

[Charliebball]

I really wasn't thinking about it in terms of losses, just a comment on how like Muffet, Geno has had a hard time recruiting posts. I suppose you would have to count Griner because she graduated in 2013 I believe.

I think in Geno's case even the posts have to be capable of handling multiple positions on the floor and there aren't many big posts that can do that.............I wonder whether Geno would be happy to have Brown from Baylor or McCowan from Miss State on his team or would they just slow down the works?

 

[Centerstream]

Can't wait to see if this thread reaches page 10 (and beyond???? ).

 

[Orangutan]

I think in Geno's case even the posts have to be capable of handling multiple positions on the floor and there aren't many big posts that can do that...I wonder whether Geno would be happy to have Brown from Baylor or McCowan from Miss State on his team or would they just slow down the works?

Brown was a UConn target at one point. If I'm not mistaken, there was a photo of her and Geno on a home visit. Don't know who dropped whom.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I'm kind of with Charlieball on this one. If it were my team, I'd start sitting some kids big time. Obviously it depends on the opponent, but in most of these AAC games, the opponent is never going to beat UConn even in their dreams, so I think if you can avoid playing Crystal and Gabby you do it, and limit Lou to 20 minutes, and no Collier beyond the 3rd quarter TV TO. We should really use our built-in advantage of playing in the AAC. If we're stuck in this conference and accused of being able to do what P5 teams can't (rest their starters), we might as well actually do it. What if next time Lou gets decked in the eye, her eyeball pops out and she's done for the season?

 

[meyers7]

@HoopsFan21 and @Charliebball 's uni's for UCONN for the rest of the season.

 

[HoopsFan21]

@HoopsFan21 and @Charliebball 's uni's for UCONN for the rest of the season.

Could work, but I'm concerned about restricting mobility of the player.

 

[meyers7]

Could work, but I'm concerned about restricting mobility of the player.

Yea, but just try getting around them in the post.

 

[CocoHusky]

I really wasn't thinking about it in terms of losses, just a comment on how like Muffet, Geno has had a hard time recruiting posts. I suppose you would have to count Griner because she graduated in 2013 I believe.

Looking back it's not nearly as bad as it sounds. Some good -great players UCONN missed out on but none on this list (maybe Griner) was an obstacle to a UCONN title so far.

 

[MSGRET]

I don't remember saying any of that.......first the fact that Crystal can't even practice during the week and had to skip a game tells me that it's far more then a "nagging" injury...Gabby spent a whole lot of time grimacing the past couple of games and has clearly lost a bit of her mobility.....if she wasn't a fantastically gifted athlete and tough as nails she'd probably be sitting games out too.......KLS is one stepped on foot or twisted ankle away from missing multiple games which has already happened this season......these aren't your typical bumps and bruises..I don't give a darn about how banged up other teams are.....I'm a UConn fan that has a fundamental disagreement with how these kids are being handled.....when injured players are on the court with a 30-40 point lead in in the last minutes of the third quarter I think that's down right crazy.....I know most here worship at the altar of Geno as do I but in my ever so humble opinion he's got to get these kids some rest before the real season starts...

Geno has already said the Lou is going to have the ankle injury for the rest of the season and until they have surgery on it. Lou wants to play and the medical staff has said that nothing can be done about it without surgery and if it happens she will not be ready until after the season is over with. Does that mean you want her to sit the rest of the season.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

I agree when it is something important. These are college sports discussions. Hardly earth shattering. Geno is not a God. A very talent and successful coach who is not infallible which he, himself, has pointed out on numerous occasions. How serious he was on those occasions I don't know.

Coaching WBB Geno is as close to God as it gets.

 

[boontonbomber]

I'm kind of with Charlieball on this one. If it were my team, I'd start sitting some kids big time. Obviously it depends on the opponent, but in most of these AAC games, the opponent is never going to beat UConn even in their dreams, so I think if you can avoid playing Crystal and Gabby you do it, and limit Lou to 20 minutes, and no Collier beyond the 3rd quarter TV TO. We should really use our built-in advantage of playing in the AAC. If we're stuck in this conference and accused of being able to do what P5 teams can't (rest their starters), we might as well actually do it. What if next time Lou gets decked in the eye, her eyeball pops out and she's done for the season?

And I'm with you and Charlieball. But even if Geno wanted to rest them, he would have to play Walker and Coombs. And the way he seems to feel about them at the moment, that isn't going to happen. They are not responding the way he wants them to-end of story. So no rest for the weary and/or injured. And no real game experience for Walker and Coombs, in front of thousands of people, which, in my mind , is a whole lot different than practice. There is one thing, though, that even he can't control, and that is foul trouble, against someone like Louisville, but, more importantly, in the tournament. Kyla and Molly are great kids, but........

 

[Rsna]

We have met the enemy and they are us....guess no more second floor rooms either. Forget about crossing the street...only Freshman from now on can walk outside w/o cotton wool since we won’t need them til next year.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Geno has already said the Lou is going to have the ankle injury for the rest of the season and until they have surgery on it. Lou wants to play and the medical staff has said that nothing can be done about it without surgery and if it happens she will not be ready until after the season is over with. Does that mean you want her to sit the rest of the season.

When did Geno say Lou was going to have surgery? Her injury dates back to her high school days, and is a chronic one that doesn't sound like something surgery can fix.

 

[MSGRET]

When did Geno say Lou was going to have surgery? Her injury dates back to her high school days, and is a chronic one that doesn't sound like something surgery can fix.

Geno said that the only way to fix the ankle problem is to have surgery, he didn't say when or if she was going to have it. The ankle surgery would most likely take her out for 2 months.

 

[Twolf]

This thread is the epitome of what Geno has talked about for the last few years. The culture is changing in a direction that does not make coaching fun. Many players have a mindset that is not conducive to Geno's proven methods. (Can you say Old School.) In addition, the general population has been influenced by the PC culture--everybody gets a trophy and everybody should have an equal outcome of playing time. Many on this board know the voices of concern are getting louder and louder about "abusive coaches." If you drive your players too much that could be abuse to some people. How about suicide drills as punishment for a missed play? Geno sees and hears all this and IMHO, that is the number one determining factor for his retirement. It's not fun anymore. Spending time changing a players mindset is a short term thing.

On top of that part of the problem let's add the philosophy that "everybody has a right to an opinion." Big can of worms. Flip side of everyone gets a trophy. YOU DESERVE IT! Why? Because that is the prevailing PC view.
Sorry, I don't agree. Hey, that is my opinion. I could go into thousands of examples that one does not get an opinion. My good friend has a great saying on this--"When you want to learn something about an important topic, go to someone who knows nothing about it." That encapsulates the thought of "we all have an opinion" and I guess the opinions are equal.

Many of the best posters (IMO) are the old school philosophers. Tried, but true. Proven results. Virtual reality is phony. Let's get real. In my old neighborhood, the smart ones would only open their mouths when they had something of value to share. Of course, there were always some empty barrels. IMHO, some opinions should be kept to themselves. But, I guess everyone today has a right to show what they really know. Just my opinion-ha!

I enjoyed reading your thoughts on coaching philosophy and abusive coaches. Every coach, from day 1 establishes what they will accept, and what they won’t- players read the coach much the same as you read your parents when they said be home by midnight. You knew whether that meant midnight or
1:00 am. and whether the consequences were severe enough not to take the chance of making the wrong choice. There are different types of mistakes in basketball- physical mistakes which every player makes (missing shots, bad passes, etc.) which are part of the game, and most coaches, Geno included, don’t sub players out for unless they are repetitive. The other mistakes are mental mistakes or “heart”mistakes, which are not part of the game and will usually land you a spot on the “motivator” (bench) in a rapid fashion. For most players one or two applications of that is enough to clearly know where the line is, and decide it’s not worth crossing, since these mistakes are within their control.

You asked if “suicides” might be considered abusive. Had an athlete once show up late to practice because of a disciplinary issue- when the assistants explained why (a definite heart mistake) we sat them on a chair in the center circle, gave them a water, and let all their teammates exercise with sprints. That player faced a great deal of peer pressure to never let it happen again, & it didn’t. Haven’t had to use that since, and maybe that would be considered abuse now. Maybe your world is different, but the biggest factors changing coaching in my world are social media, AAU basketball, and just the changes in overall society you referenced. I’m probably not entitled to my opinion either, and it’s only worth what it’s costing you to get it.

 

[Charliebball]

Geno has already said the Lou is going to have the ankle injury for the rest of the season and until they have surgery on it. Lou wants to play and the medical staff has said that nothing can be done about it without surgery and if it happens she will not be ready until after the season is over with. Does that mean you want her to sit the rest of the season.

I understand that she may never be 100% this year................in fact she may never be 100% for the rest of her career but just like a starting pitcher in baseball has a pitch count even when uninjured, I want her to play meaningful minutes and then get the hell off of the court...............seems like common sense to me but apparently others disagree which is OK...........

 

[Charliebball]

Coaching WBB Geno is as close to God as it gets.

or is that as close to God as you'll get?......

 

[Charliebball]

Yeah I know, but that's a long drought between Stef and ONO (8 years) while the Texas teams seem to grow them on trees.

that's an unfortunate geographic anomaly which may change in the next few years if you look at the '19-21' classes............ironically Tennessee seems to be one of the next big hot spots for WBB talent............go figure.......

 

[Charliebball]

Well you did.

So you are now saying Geno IS handling the minutes/injuries. ??? Make up your mind.

AND

That Nagging Shin Pain…The Good, The Bad and The Ugly | Orthopedic One
Shin Splints: A Guide to that Nagging Leg Pain
Shin splints, a nagging injury that doesn't have to sideline exercise

Kinda seems to be considered a "nagging" injury, huh?


So are all the freshmen.

So you are saying...
Geno and Co. have no idea what they are doing. And you honestly think Geno is trying to injure a player in order to spite another.

So really we can either trust Geno and Co. (Asst. coaches, trainers, medical personnel) who've been handling players for 30+ years while dealing with injuries and minutes, OR we can believe you know what you're talking about? Hmmmm, decisions, decisions.

I'm going to take the gentleman's route and step out of this particular thread before things get out of hand............I bow to your perseverance and your loyalty to the UConn cause...............I may be wrong but think we want the same thing in the end............another national championship, I'm just taking a slightly different tack to get there...............

 

[DEpup]

I think it's really tricky for bigs and UConn. There aren't many good bigs to begin with and UConn plays a brand of basketball where the bigs have to be quite mobile, get in a stance for defense, switch on defense, and have a serviceable 3 pt shot. Oh and be a good passer, student, and teammate. That is how you get an 8 year drought....the criteria is tough.

 

[oldude]

I think it's really tricky for bigs and UConn. There aren't many good bigs to begin with and UConn plays a brand of basketball where the bigs have to be quite mobile, get in a stance for defense, switch on defense, and have a serviceable 3 pt shot. Oh and be a good passer, student, and teammate. That is how you get an 8 year drought....the criteria is tough.

Agree with just about all the requirements you list, with the possible exception of the ability to shoot 3's. Relative to the 8 year drought, are you not counting Kiah and Stewie as BIGS?