Did everyone hear Meg Culmo re: Paige?

[01Neaggrad02]

No attack @01Neaggrad02 or others that complain about Meg, I just don't understand it. There are many much worse court side announcers out there. Allen Bestwick is the play by play guy, Meg is the analyst / color commentator. She never interferes with his call and it is her job to fill. The term color refers to levity and insight provided by a secondary announcer.

She played for Geno and knows him well therefore an extra barb now and then. She spoke well saying Geno looking quite monochromatic today in all black. We'll have to ask him about it at the half. She used a perfectly proper word and explained what it meant in the same sentence. Something I would think a Neag grad would appreciate. On the other hand I had to look your word for it here up, and I thank you for that. Vocabulary a word a day one way or another.

To quote an amazing person.... Abigail Adams, when speaking to her husband John ( a very much under appreciated and respected president...) she said "You do not have to quote great men to prove that you are one" I may be paraphrasing the quote a little... but When it comes to Meg, to use words to try to show off and not inform the general public is not something I would appreciate...... it is something that turns off the vast majority of the public and makes them think that someone is snooty and uppity. Meg wants us to think that she is an intellect. In the past few years I have heard her use words from, most like a word of the day calendar... incorrectly. While I give her credit for trying to increase the vocabulary of the people of Connecticut I do not respect her for her attempts, because again, they are forced and do not do what real educators are aiming for.... real academic improvement

 

[Littlemin]

JMO folks and no inside information Paige and Azzi will be back in February. I believe we are focused on the NC and we need them both healthy. What happens the rest of this season isnt as important as getting them both back 100% and up to speed. Our quest is to win the NC and imo if both are 100% and ready to go and there are no other injuries or sickness to key players we will win it all

Again, I wonder at the realism of posts like this.
What is 100% for a player who hasn’t played in a couple of years and outside of one game where the opposition essentially let her play H-O-R-S-E has looked like she doesn’t belong on the court? One who had to be shut down on 11/5, a week shy of two months ago and is just now running, not on a court, but on a treadmill? No lateral movement, no stopping and starting, no cutting, no jumping, nothing remotely simulating basketball, never mind fast paced, physical ultra competitive basketball? Especially for one who had problems keeping up with the game when supposedly healthy?
I hope for the young ladies sake she can play in a month, but again, I offer, what is 100% in such a situation, a miraculous return to highlight reel level play from a couple of years ago? D1 high level basketball is not matching shots with Steph Curry.
As for Bueckers, she is still in a brace, just having come off crutches. She has been operated on and has been physically inactive since 12/5; to think she will be ready to play by 2/7 seems a stretch and again what will 100% be for her?
I suppose I am beating a dead horse but optimistic opinions and wishful thinking is certainly your prerogative but Uconn has a team now trying to compete and get better. With all due respect, to say the rest of the season isn’t as important as getting Bueckers and Fudd back seems borderline disrespectful to the current players and a tad unfair, unrealistic expectations to put on both those inactive players.

 

[CTisballers]

We don’t even play on the 8th so must mean 1st practice in that date or a make up game possibly

 

[jchusky]

if she doesn't return by the Tenn game (which she won't) then there's no reason to have her back regular season. It's meaningless games vs low quality big east teams.

 

[jabstep]

Xavier was doing that today (leaving Nika unguarded). If other teams do that, I would take the over on Nika's scoring. I guess no one remembers last year, when (after a very cold start from 3) she started drilling them in about her fifth or sixth game as a starter. She doesn't have to hit 40% from 3, just enough (30%?) so that teams don't feel free to ignore her.

Remember Floor Game Faris? UConn won a lot of games (and some NC's) with Kelly in the starting lineup before she became (in her senior year) a real scoring threat. Nika's current role is very similar to Kelly's in her early years, and I think she will perform it just as well. Have you noticed how many rebounds she is getting from the PG position?

I am starting to see Nika have better court vision on the break after rebounding the ball. Pushing it up court and Christyn and Caroline have been doing it as well. We even have had Dorka and Liv dribbling up the court now. The whole mindset of the team is changing without Paige for the way UConn plays best which is fast with energy. No one is as good as Paige on the break but others have been filling out that role. Nika has also come back towards the rim from the perimeter as Paige does for rebounds. If the bigs box out it should be a clear path to the short rebound. She has been watching Paige or Paige has been working with her.
One weakness we have to correct is the long rebound that the perimeter players don't seem to box out because maybe they want to get out on the break but we lose a lot of those rebounds. Our perimeter shooters don't ever seem to follow their shot and just watch the launch and hope it goes in and on some the ball bounces back almost to where they shot from.
The cupcakes have provided the good feeling for players and fans Oregon will be a great test. I hope we continue will the same energy we have played the last two games. Paopao is a very good PG lets put slime dog on her. Who do you think will guard Serbally. With her and Prince they could test our Bigs depth. Go Huskies

 

[Skeets]

Again, I wonder at the realism of posts like this.
What is 100% for a player who hasn’t played in a couple of years and outside of one game where the opposition essentially let her play H-O-R-S-E has looked like she doesn’t belong on the court? One who had to be shut down on 11/5, a week shy of two months ago and is just now running, not on a court, but on a treadmill? No lateral movement, no stopping and starting, no cutting, no jumping, nothing remotely simulating basketball, never mind fast paced, physical ultra competitive basketball? Especially for one who had problems keeping up with the game when supposedly healthy?
I hope for the young ladies sake she can play in a month, but again, I offer, what is 100% in such a situation, a miraculous return to highlight reel level play from a couple of years ago? D1 high level basketball is not matching shots with Steph Curry.
As for Bueckers, she is still in a brace, just having come off crutches. She has been operated on and has been physically inactive since 12/5; to think she will be ready to play by 2/7 seems a stretch and again what will 100% be for her?
I suppose I am beating a dead horse but optimistic opinions and wishful thinking is certainly your prerogative but Uconn has a team now trying to compete and get better. With all due respect, to say the rest of the season isn’t as important as getting Bueckers and Fudd back seems borderline disrespectful to the current players and a tad unfair, unrealistic expectations to put on both those inactive players.

Both Azzi and Paige will practice before they play. One would think that Geno would have a handle on how ready they are and determine their minutes/situations accordingly. I doubt either plays major minutes the first game back.

 

[mbr33ct]

Did everyone notice that Meg got the Word of the day calendar again and is using whenever she is on the air????? There are times when you use a 50 cent word and sound intellectual and then there are the times you use a 50 cent word and everyone knows you are forcing it and it makes you look sad. I think with Meg it is the second and not the first....

What word would you have chosen for "monochromatic"?

 

[Stymie]

What word would you have chosen for "monochromatic"?

“Channeling Johnny Cash?”

 

[Veteran]

Lot's of "interesting" comments about Meg Culmo. To paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld, "You go into the broadcast with the Meg you have, not the Meg you wish you have". I, for one, like the Meg we have.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

My main point is that when the Team is fully healthy, Ducharme is not going to the bench. Her play has locked that in stone.

Agree 100% on Ducharme, but then you should have said that instead of saying “would like to see a lineup of Paige, Azzi, Ducharme, Williams, and Ono”. Playing three short guards, even if they are three great players, against physically big teams like South Carolina or Stanford is a gamble, especially if the UConn guards are not hitting their three’s with only Ono near the basket. We need more of a post presence to keep teams like that honest. It’s better to have two guards on the floor (not three), Ducharme, Ono, and Edwards or Dorka. If South Carolina’s bigs get into foul trouble, yes only then would Geno load the floor with talented jackrabbit guards to try to run then out of the gym.

 

[Littlemin]

Both Azzi and Paige will practice before they play. One would think that Geno would have a handle on how ready they are and determine their minutes/situations accordingly. I doubt either plays major minutes the first game back.

You think? Come on, that was not the point of my post at all.
My point is that the idea of “waiting” for them to return and “save the day” is unrealistic IMO. Of course disagree if you feel differently but then give me your opinion as to when and why you think they will get to 100% prior to the NCAA’s. With no real info as to either situation, I could certainly be wrong but I just don’t see it.

 

[Papa33]

To quote an amazing person.... Abigail Adams, when speaking to her husband John ( a very much under appreciated and respected president...) she said "You do not have to quote great men to prove that you are one" I may be paraphrasing the quote a little... but When it comes to Meg, to use words to try to show off and not inform the general public is not something I would appreciate...... it is something that turns off the vast majority of the public and makes them think that someone is snooty and uppity. Meg wants us to think that she is an intellect. In the past few years I have heard her use words from, most like a word of the day calendar... incorrectly. While I give her credit for trying to increase the vocabulary of the people of Connecticut I do not respect her for her attempts, because again, they are forced and do not do what real educators are aiming for.... real academic improvement

Former English teacher here. Words, like many other things, can be played with . . . just for fun. Why assume that her motives are suspect, meant to demean others or promote herself? That seems harsh.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Have you noticed how many rebounds she is getting from the PG position?

Yes! She's been outstanding there. Also picks up a lot of tipped-around rebounds.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I heard the Croatian diving coach has been asking Geno for game film.

And the Jets.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Did everyone notice that Meg got the Word of the day calendar again and is using whenever she is on the air????? There are times when you use a 50 cent word and sound intellectual and then there are the times you use a 50 cent word and everyone knows you are forcing it and it makes you look sad. I think with Meg it is the second and not the first....

You mean like wise-ily?

 

[caseyb7]

Sorry if I missed it, but will someone please give the concrete answer on Azzi's injury & actual timetable to return.

I read the whole thread and there are lots of references without an answer - at least that I saw.

Similar on Paige - is the February reference hopeful or factual for actual playing time versus we'll wait & see pending additional medical evaluation?

 

[Gus Mahler]

I don't know about a word calendar, but I often get the impression Yoda is posting on this board in disguise.

 

[oldhusky]

Several opinions on who plays at the guard positions (1-3) when everyone is back. I think of it from the standpoint of the most effective combinations, not who are the best players. In addition to tired players in the fourth quarter, when shorthanded we have seen that this team needs a true point guard on the floor at all times, Paige or Nika, but not Evina in that role. For now when Evina and Nika are both in the game with Christyn or Caroline. Nika not Evina should be the point.

When I see Evina running the point and Nika standing in the corner I say why? Evina is the better 3 pt shooter/scorer, and Nika is the better passer, it seems obvious to me and Geno has had Nika more in that role the last game, but initially when she came back he had Nika as a spot up three point shooter in the corner.

Other than a true point guard at all times, at least once Paige returns, the other minimum requirement is at least one great three point shooter, and we should try for two as much as possible. That could be difficult because Evina, Christyn, and Nika are just ok. When they are in the game together, which we have to do occasionally now when Caroline gets a blow. We don't have anybody who scares the defense from outside and then the inside game dries up too.

One great outside shooter is still pretty easy to defend. To get two we would have to have two out of three from Paige, Azzi and Caroline on the floor, with only one from Christyn, Evina and Nika at the same time. That would mess with certain lineup combinations we are used to using, but I think to get back to an offense that is difficult to defend, and allows us to open up the inside, one true point guard and two big time shooters is necessary.

Geno doesn't have those options now, but Caroline has earned his trust, Azzi might do it soon, and when Paige comes back, putting shooters on the floor will be possible. If Christyn and Evina are getting well over 30 minutes a game as we head into the tournament, I fear we may be more pretenders than contenders, because the relative team weakness of outside shooting will still be there, and the bigs won't have room to operate.

 

[Geew1992]

Sorry if I missed it, but will someone please give the concrete answer on Azzi's injury & actual timetable to return.

I read the whole thread and there are lots of references without an answer - at least that I saw.

Similar on Paige - is the February reference hopeful or factual for actual playing time versus we'll wait & see pending additional medical evaluation?

Azzi - no boot. Running on the treadmill.

Paige - no crutches, rehabbing. Feb 8 is an assumption

That’s all there is

 

[browns]

Seems to be a popular mantra. The two “top level” teams Muhl played against last year were Arkansas and South Carolina. Arkansas she played 25 minutes, 4th most on the team and shot 3-5, 2-4 from 3, scored 8 points, also 4th on the team. Against SC she played 35 minutes, 2nd most minutes along with Edwards who played the same amount, went 3-6, 1-3 from 3 for 8 points; also tied with Edwards for 2nd most. I don’t remember in either game her being sagged off of to the point of being an opponents strategic approach. So that seems like a real stretch of a knock.
Having said that, Muhl’s strength is certainly not scoring. What it is is defense and pushing the ball but primarily her ability to energize a team or am I the only one who has noticed the tangible change in the teams approach to the game for the 2nd year in a row when she got healthy enough to start. I will answer my own question, a lot of people have noticed. Her affect is that palpable.

EXACTLY !

 

[browns]

No attack @01Neaggrad02 or others that complain about Meg, I just don't understand it. There are many much worse court side announcers out there. Allen Bestwick is the play by play guy, Meg is the analyst / color commentator. She never interferes with his call and it is her job to fill. The term color refers to levity and insight provided by a secondary announcer.

She played for Geno and knows him well therefore an extra barb now and then. She spoke well saying Geno looking quite monochromatic today in all black. We'll have to ask him about it at the half. She used a perfectly proper word and explained what it meant in the same sentence. Something I would think a Neag grad would appreciate. On the other hand I had to look your word for it here up, and I thank you for that. Vocabulary a word a day one way or another.

Also coached under him

 

[npignatjr]

Because you always take someone with high offensive potential over someone with limited potential.

Last played a season 2 years ago. Nika healthy has started, Geno's call for most of UConns games. If you can hit a few threes but allow more, provide no intensity and grit, who do you think Geno plays?

 

[cferraro04]

Again, I wonder at the realism of posts like this.
What is 100% for a player who hasn’t played in a couple of years and outside of one game where the opposition essentially let her play H-O-R-S-E has looked like she doesn’t belong on the court? One who had to be shut down on 11/5, a week shy of two months ago and is just now running, not on a court, but on a treadmill? No lateral movement, no stopping and starting, no cutting, no jumping, nothing remotely simulating basketball, never mind fast paced, physical ultra competitive basketball? Especially for one who had problems keeping up with the game when supposedly healthy?
I hope for the young ladies sake she can play in a month, but again, I offer, what is 100% in such a situation, a miraculous return to highlight reel level play from a couple of years ago? D1 high level basketball is not matching shots with Steph Curry.
As for Bueckers, she is still in a brace, just having come off crutches. She has been operated on and has been physically inactive since 12/5; to think she will be ready to play by 2/7 seems a stretch and again what will 100% be for her?
I suppose I am beating a dead horse but optimistic opinions and wishful thinking is certainly your prerogative but Uconn has a team now trying to compete and get better. With all due respect, to say the rest of the season isn’t as important as getting Bueckers and Fudd back seems borderline disrespectful to the current players and a tad unfair, unrealistic expectations to put on both those inactive players.

Since you mentioned Stephon Curry...I think it is germane to mention Clay Thompson who missed over 900 days with injuries comes back and is driving the hole, shooting threes, pull up jumpers scoring 17 points on his debut return day and 15 points his second game. These are elite athletes, they have their procedure, they rehab and are closely watched when they are cleared to return the only thing standing between them and a 100 percent recovery is the 6 inches between their ears. A lot of the return to form is psychological, their is residual fear of going down again. I don't believe the trainers will clear them unless they believe that at least physically they are ready to return. As a precaution there may very well be some limited minutes in order to observe their body's response to game play. The mental part is an individual thing and varies from player to player. Let's all hope that both Azzi and Paige are in game shape and can help us in March as we will certainly need it.

 

[HuskyNan]

I read your comment with an incredulous smile. I could be mistaken, but wasn't it impressive when Meg was talking about Geno's monochromatic dressing habits today. There are times when she is calling the game where she can be quite sesquipedalian. Some people just want to hear about the game and not vocabulary is all I am getting at. This ties into the original theme of the thread where people were talking about what Meg said...

Monochromatic is a 50 cent word? Must be inflation

Using one word instead of an entire phrase or sentence is just good sense. It was TV, not a chat in Geno’s living room, so Meg has got to speak with some sort of brevity or the segment gets boring.

 

[HuskyNan]

Former English teacher here. Words, like many other things, can be played with . . . just for fun. Why assume that her motives are suspect, meant to demean others or promote herself? That seems harsh.

Yep +1,000

 

[Littlemin]

Since you mentioned Stephon Curry...I think it is germane to mention Clay Thompson who missed over 900 days with injuries comes back and is driving the hole, shooting threes, pull up jumpers scoring 17 points on his debut return day and 15 points his second game. These are elite athletes, they have their procedure, they rehab and are closely watched when they are cleared to return the only thing standing between them and a 100 percent recovery is the 6 inches between their ears. A lot of the return to form is psychological, their is residual fear of going down again. I don't believe the trainers will clear them unless they believe that at least physically they are ready to return. As a precaution there may very well be some limited minutes in order to observe their body's response to game play. The mental part is an individual thing and varies from player to player. Let's all hope that both Azzi and Paige are in game shape and can help us in March as we will certainly need it.

And how long was Clay Thompson out, 900 days? Well you prove my point, I NEVER said I thought Bueckers and Fudd COULDN’T come back, I posted the time frame and expectations posters had for their play upon return was overly optimistic IMO but I guess that point got lost in translation.
Let’s just get back to posting how great they are, and just wait for them to come charging in to save the day, Mighty Mouse style, my bad.

 

[genzhusk]

Last played a season 2 years ago. Nika healthy has started, Geno's call for most of UConns games. If you can hit a few threes but allow more, provide no intensity and grit, who do you think Geno plays?

Yikes. CD provides no intensity or grit? (Or are you talking about someone else?)

 

[npignatjr]

And how long was Clay Thompson out, 900 days? Well you prove my point, I NEVER said I thought Bueckers and Fudd COULDN’T come back, I posted the time frame and expectations posters had for their play upon return was overly optimistic IMO but I guess that point got lost in translation.
Let’s just get back to posting how great they are, and just wait for them to come charging in to save the day, Mighty Mouse style, my bad.

Yikes. CD provides no intensity or grit? (Or are you talking about someone else?)

Who last played a full season 2 years ago?

 

[genzhusk]

Who last played a full season 2 years ago?

idk that’s why i asked…
who are you talking about provides no intensity and grit?

 

[cferraro04]

And how long was Clay Thompson out, 900 days? Well you prove my point, I NEVER said I thought Bueckers and Fudd COULDN’T come back, I posted the time frame and expectations posters had for their play upon return was overly optimistic IMO but I guess that point got lost in translation.
Let’s just get back to posting how great they are, and just wait for them to come charging in to save the day, Mighty Mouse style, my bad.

So let's see now...Clay Thompson's injuries were a torn ACL in 2019 which caused him to miss the entirety of the 2019 - 2020 season and then he suffered a torn Achilles tendon and missed the entirety of the 2020 - 2021 season...a total of 31 months. A recovery that was well within the prognosis for an elite athlete to return.

Paige's injury on the other hand, was much less severe...in fact, The college basketball world breathed a collective sigh of relief after UConn finally revealed the extend of Paige Bueckers’ knee injury. It was revealed that the injury was a tibial plateau fracture, which was the reason people were a bit relieved. "Basically what happened is the two leg bones clunked together.. when you hyperextend [your knee], those bones knock together. The plateau is just the flat top of that bone, & so it cracks" During he surgery to repair the Tibial Plateau fracture it was found that there was a slight tear in the medial meniscus. Her medical team put her return following surgery at 8 weeks which is the beginning of February. And, according to recent reports there is no reason to change the prognosis.

So frankly Littlemin, I don't think anything got lost in the translation...since we both speak English. I don't think I proved any point yours or otherwise. I was simply offering some hope that given the extent of her injuries that an early February return and a healthy, productive Paige Bueckers in March is not out of the question.

On another note, I think there is a silver lining for this team. There was too much dependence on Paige...people standing around and letting her shoulder the load. Paige's injury along with Azzi Fudd's and Nika Muhl's has given the rest of the team a sense of urgency...a sort of "if it is meant to be it is up to me" attitude. Something that I think was sorely missing and will pay dividends in March when the team is healthy again. Caroline's emergence as a 2nd, 3rd option scorer and descent defender was needed. Dorka has found her sea legs...Olivia Nelson-Ododa is showing that she is as good as the hype and Williams has decided to play aggressively. Edwards is slowly coming back into form...maybe she was suffering from the Sophomore slump. Evina is Evina...provides leadership and hitting shots when needed...I am still worried about her defense as players seem to blow by her. Geno is able to give DeBerry and Gabriel more minutes which are crucial if they are going to develop and lastly, UConn just seems to play better when Nika is on the floor.

When the Floor general (Paige) returns and Madame Automatic is back on the court...I think there won't be a team in the nation who wants to be in UConn's brackett.