Did he really say that?

[CocoHusky]

I think in an interview Geno once said his biggest fear is that a player leaves UCONN feeling like they weren't pushed as hard as they could have been. I'm wondering if part of the reason for bringing in Dorka was a calculated move on Geno's part to push ONO to new heights.

Here is some insight into Geno relative to your point from 15 years ago.

" Am I worried how this will affect Charde?" Auriemma said. "I'm not worried about it at all. I hope it affects her badly. You can't keep going around sugar-coating it and keep saying, 'Some day, some day ... Some day was today. Today, the effort and intensity level needed to be there. Today the focus needed to be there. It wasn't there. "Anyone who tries to make it like, 'You know, she's only a sophomore, she'll grow.' That's all well and good and nice for everyone to think that. But the only feeling Charde should have right now should be incredibly disappointed that she let a lot of people down. Not me. Herself. Her teammates. If she feels anything other than that, she just doesn't get it."

GENO HAS NO SYMPATHY FOR CHARDE

The question was meant to point out the serendipity of sport. The question was meant to point out that irony is always one shot away. Do the basketball gods have an odd sense of humor for the ball …

www.courant.com

 

[DEpup]

the addition of DJ clearly makes the front court stronger but it was not an absolute necessity with DeBerry joining the team...........I think the calls for DJ to start over ONO were certainly a bit premature......

It was necessary for tourney time. Deberry is going to be good but underclassmen get nervous and tentative in big games so you need more mature seasoned college players on the team too. Dorka serves that role along with Liv. Aaliyah showed her nerves in the tourney. If I was Geno, I wouldnt want to have to depend on a freshman Deberry to get a championship. I'd want freshman contributions to be a bonus if you get it. Aaliyah is great and will be an anchor next year as a sophomore but her freshman came out in this year's tourney in addition to Liv's drama. I still can't believe why there is still a debate about whether Dorka is a good move. Wake up folks. The new norm with transfer rules just changed the fundamentals of the game moving forward and Geno recognizes it and he is stacking his roster in reaction to it. Smart!

Right now, they will have Liv, Dorka, Aaliyah, and Aubrey in the front court with big game experience which is good and necessary in today's game. Then you have Piath, Mir, and Deberry to provide the bonus icing on the cake but not absolutely necessary in big games. Perfect strategy by Geno and CD if winning a championship is the goal.

 

[diggerfoot]

Azura Stevens "helped our chemistry in the past." It's a shame we only got a year of her service (she marinated on the bench for a year), but she was a big plus. However, most transfers to UConn have not been particularly helpful.
Dorka and Azzi will be newcomers next year, and both, IMO, will have decisive impacts.

???? She was an example of just the opposite! Collier had her second worst season that year (freshman being worst), and Stevens was a major reason why. Stevens joined a roster that exceeded expectations the year before, having just lost the Big Three. Her presence led pundits to consider us heavy favorites, unlike the year before. That roster had five starters besides Stevens that are all doing well in the pros now, yet we lost to a depleted Notre Dame. Stevens was a good talent, but to say she helped the chemistry, the way the team played or did not play to their potential, just does not jive with the evidence.

A better example of a transfer helping chemistry would be Hunter. Yet she was limited by her injuries and, as evidenced in Thomas's book "The Heart of a Husky," there remained issues regardless.

Maybe I should add that by "chemistry" I mean how well a team plays together, anticipates each other's moves, compliment each other's strengths and weaknesses on the court.

 

[Zanzman]

If I'm not mistaken, I could be wrong though, the photo at top of article looks like she wearing the Ohio State logo across the two front teeth.

View attachment 66866

Mouth guard

 

[JordyG]

That is way too much pressure to put on one kid IMO. If this team were to win a national Championship next year several things will have gone right for the team. UCONN is also bringing in the #1 recruiting class and another "generational" player. This team needed better post play -improve post play could just as easily come from an improved AE or ONO or the new additions of Amari of DJ.

Everything stated is all so right and reasonable. I really don't see the negatives of bringing in DJ. She'll have negative impact on the guards and wings. The impact she'll have, and that's over the course of 2 years if she stays that long, is on the posts Liv, AE, Amari, and Piath. From what everyone can see, Piath is still a project, so that leaves just AE, Liv, and Amari. Liv and Amari seem to be (and with Amari that really is seem to be) high post players that will work better as passers and screeners. DJ works really well under the basket and in the high post, as well as shooting as the opposite in the triangle. Now who here hasn't noted that both Liv and AE have trouble staying on the court because of fouls? With DJ Geno has just purchased insurance, keeping two bigs in the game when Liv or AE sits, and he'll always have a post presence in the game and loads of flexibility. Amari is a freshman, and we've yet to know how raw or how well she adapts to Geno's system. What's the down side in this?

 

[Longtime fan]

Who said it? That might help put the comment in perspective

Often, podcasters and journalists need to be outrageous in order to attract any readers. That has to be the case here. There is no argument against acquiring the Ohio State talent that makes sense.,

 

[UcMiami]

I think, all things considered, Evina is the second best transfer ever at Uconn. She has been a mature leader for a very young team, and contributed a lot on the basketball court as well as off. I think she has been a very big positive for team chemistry.

The #1 transfer I think is Rita Williams who transferred in from JC and took over from Jen becoming the next starting PG.
#3 is probably the hobbled Hunter (still have nightmares about bounce ball races at Opening Nights!)
There have been other good transfers, some good chemistry moderate basketball, some good basketball and less chemistry - where I place Azura - just seemed a struggle to integrate into the flow and definitely slowed Collier's efficiency.

 

[BobbyJ]

I think in an interview Geno once said his biggest fear is that a player leaves UCONN feeling like they weren't pushed as hard as they could have been. I'm wondering if part of the reason for bringing in Dorka was a calculated move on Geno's part to push ONO to new heights.

I’d say it’s a big part of the reason. For the last two years GA’s had no experienced inside depth and there’s been no threat to Ono’s PT other than foul trouble. She’s been at least 80% of his interior defense and he knew without her they weren’t getting past the 2nd round of the tournament. All he could do was encourage her and hope she’d improve. Now he’s got depth and he’s ready to go, with or without her. I don’t see her changing much at all before this fall but at least GA has alternatives now with DJ and Edwards’ development plus possibly some help from DeBerry.

 

[chrissaran]

It doesn't matter who's on the roster, you earn your playing time. If Dorka earns playing time, she'll be on the court. It would not be the first time, Anna most recently, that a player or players transferred because of playing time. No one likes sitting on the bench.

 

[LoboDays]

I think in an interview Geno once said his biggest fear is that a player leaves UCONN feeling like they weren't pushed as hard as they could have been. I'm wondering if part of the reason for bringing in Dorka was a calculated move on Geno's part to push ONO to new heights.

Geno may hope that a byproduct of bringing in DJ is a motivating factor for certain players but that’s not why she’s here. And, it doesn’t say much of a coach who would need to do it.

 

[Bama fan]

Per the winning/ loser debate. I have a winning personality, does not mean you guys have losing ones.

Do you know "those guys" ?

 

[eebmg]

Wasn't that Copernicus?

I believe that he championed Heliocentric theory (Sun at center of solar system). Earth as round was well appreciated among the academic class from Greek antiquity but may have been degraded during the Dark Ages.

 

[Fishbone]

When Einstein articulated "Relativity" who was the loser?

Sir Isaac Newton

 

[Blacketh’D]

I have not been here very long(basically just this season), but wow you guys make up more fabricated controversy than Shaq, Lebron, or MJ. If it is the podcast I'm thinking of, they had no problem with her transfer, only that it was a surprise considering how loaded the roster is (you know, that thing the boneyard has been talking about for like the past week). You couldn't even name the podcast or give a quote. Maybe because nothing controversial was said.

 

[MD#12Fan]

I believe that he championed Heliocentric theory (Sun at center of solar system). Earth as round was well appreciated among the academic class from Greek antiquity but may have been degraded during the Dark Ages.

Dude named Galileo. Sentenced to the dungeon due to the intolerance of the new view by the Church. Play about it by Bertolt Brecht.

 

[MD#12Fan]

I believe that he championed Heliocentric theory (Sun at center of solar system). Earth as round was well appreciated among the academic class from Greek antiquity but may have been degraded during the Dark Ages.

Just kidding: Is there a "Geno-centric theory of the Solar System"?

 

[Hoops01]

Hope you’re right, but that’s a pretty big stretch imo. I suggest we temper our expectations for Dorka as well as the incoming freshmen until we see just how well they all mesh with the returning players.

Nothing is a sure thing, but evaluating everything it is obvious what is the greatest area of need for their championship aspirations, the front court.
The coaching staff obviously also feels this way and addressed it with getting a tested and proven big time quality front court transfer player.
Quotes from the coach after the transfer also confirms the need and how they felt was the best way to deal with it

 

[oldude]

Nothing is a sure thing, but evaluating everything it is obvious what is the greatest area of need for their championship aspirations, the front court.
The coaching staff obviously also feels this way and addressed it with getting a tested and proven big time quality front court transfer player.
Quotes from the coach after the transfer also confirms the need and how they felt was the best way to deal with it

I have no problem with the coaching staff filling a perceived need. I just think stating that a player who has yet to play a minute in a UConn uniform is the difference in whether or not the Huskies win a championship next season, is a lot to place on Dorka’s shoulders at the present time. I would simply be happy with some quality minutes from her next year.

 

[JordyG]

I believe that he championed Heliocentric theory (Sun at center of solar system). Earth as round was well appreciated among the academic class from Greek antiquity but may have been degraded during the Dark Ages.

The problem was Copernicus was at best not as strong willed as Galileo, or at worse, a frightened hypocrite. During his life he repeatedly championed the geocentric theory, but wrote a detailed exegesis on how in reality, the solar system was heliocentric. He feared, and perhaps (?) rightly so, the wrath of the Vatican. I believe on his death bed he allowed his heliocentric theory to be published. Galileo on the other hand, and with the support of the scientific community, stood his heliocentric ground, and suffered the consequences. Fortunately for him Urban VIII was a believer in the heliocentric model and denied the chorus of Cardinals howling for Galileo's head.

Yes, not only did the Greeks understand that the earth is a sphere, but Eratosthenes proved it by putting a stick in the ground. I would advise all of the flat earthers in the world to get off their intellectually lazy butts and try it.

 

[eebmg]

The problem was Copernicus was at best not as strong willed as Galileo, or at worse, a frightened hypocrite. During his life he repeatedly championed the geocentric theory, but wrote a detailed exegesis on how in reality, the solar system was heliocentric. He feared, and perhaps (?) rightly so, the wrath of the Vatican. I believe on his death bed he allowed his heliocentric theory to be published. Galileo on the other hand, and with the support of the scientific community, stood his heliocentric ground, and suffered the consequences. Fortunately for him Urban VIII was a believer in the heliocentric model and denied the chorus of Cardinals howling for Galileo's head.

Yes, not only did the Greeks understand that the earth is a sphere, but Eratosthenes proved it by putting a stick in the ground.

I forgot who said that it is foolish to fight to the death scientific truths against Dogma since it will always be proven in the end.

 

[JordyG]

I forgot who said that it is foolish to fight to the death scientific truths against Dogma since it will always be proven in the end.

Ya got me.

 

[Bajan Best]

I think a lot of people here are forgetting one important thing in all this..
it is not easy to play basketball at Connecticut.. Though it would really be nice if the Young lady exceeds all expectations next year, Not everyone can handle the pressure of playing at our storied program, where attention to detail is expected.

Don't forget We've been here before, The addition of Azura Stevens, a big that could shoot the three, all of a sudden couldn't hit anything from that distance... Plus it's not like she's coming to us trending in the right direction with her outside shot, her 3pt shooting percentage took a big drop this year. Let's wait and see how it plays out.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think a lot of people here are forgetting one important thing in all this..
it is not easy to play basketball at Connecticut.. Though it would really be nice if the Young lady exceeds all expectations next year, Not everyone can handle the pressure of playing at our storied program, where attention to detail is expected.

Don't forget We've been here before, The addition of Azura Stevens, a big that could shoot the three, all of a sudden couldn't hit anything from that distance... Plus it's not like she's coming to us trending in the right direction with her outside shot, her 3pt shooting percentage took a big drop this year. Let's wait and see how it plays out.

It in not as if ONO is trending in the right direction in any aspect of her game either.

 

[nomdoux]

I cannot think of a transfer that has helped our chemistry in the past, though I would say that happened with Shepherd and Notre Dame. Fortunately we already have “chemistry magnets” in Bueckers and Westbrook

Strong post holistically, diggerfoot, though you contradicted yourself re: UConn transfer Evina Westbrook

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Physics Students. Winners were aspirin manufacturers

Losers were inhabitants of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Japan, as the Special relativity piece was that "matter was just congealed energy..." mass defect = strong nuclear force, etc. Winners were those who were able to build the cleanest energy on the planet: nuclear power plants!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

They still aren't.

THe Flat Earthers should never be happy. Their average IQ is south of Broccoli....

 

[UcMiami]

I have not been here very long(basically just this season), but wow you guys make up more fabricated controversy than Shaq, Lebron, or MJ.

Please tell me it didn't take you a whole season to come to this conclusion. I would have thought a week, two at the outside, would be enough.

After a full year you must realize every ref looks at Uconn crossways, every other team's coach uses secret words and eye blinks to throw shade at Uconn, there isn't an honest columnist or podcaster around who actually gives Uconn and Geno the reverence they deserve, and ESPN hates whatever conference Uconn is affiliated with (you have noticed that their logo which many see as red (read Cardinal) also has a suspicious orange tint to it - wink, wink), and most of the moderators on this board actually live south of the Mason Dixon line. 😎

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I think a lot of people here are forgetting one important thing in all this..
it is not easy to play basketball at Connecticut.. Though it would really be nice if the Young lady exceeds all expectations next year, Not everyone can handle the pressure of playing at our storied program, where attention to detail is expected.

Don't forget We've been here before, The addition of Azura Stevens, a big that could shoot the three, all of a sudden couldn't hit anything from that distance... Plus it's not like she's coming to us trending in the right direction with her outside shot, her 3pt shooting percentage took a big drop this year. Let's wait and see how it plays out.

Please keep in mind that DJ was positive for COVID-19 in the middle of the season, which could fully explain the drop in her accuracy. No telling what the mental anguish combined with physical lingering effects were when she returned.
In MHO, please "cut her some slack" and provide positive encouragement. She is a Huskie that is willing to work hard, and was impressed by Geno being the front man on her recruiting after she entered the transfer portal.

If you are interested in reverse psychology, "WE'RE DOOMED!!!" Happy now? ; )

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm running out of "That's a Stretch" meme's. Correct me if I'm wrong, hasn't this team reached the final four? From what I hear there's another great recruiting class coming in also. I also have to believe everyone returning "should improve" from this past season. Dorka is a good pickup for Geno, for sure it will bolster the post position but to say she's the difference of winning a Natty and not...to me is a stretch.

I agree in that there is no assurances in basketball to start a season that a team is a lock to win it all. Also, I'm with you 100% on getting to a FF is a terrific accomplishment.

However, unless you're speaking of posters absolute assurances of winning it all- I don't understand why you would think it's a stretch that this move couldn't help UCONN win it all. They were close this year, weren't they? And you think Dorka is a good player, so why couldn't this move help them win it all?

By the way, in another thread I had mentioned in 18-19 Jorka was more efficient shooting 3's than 2's. You replied to me that Jorka shot over 51% from 2 and 39.6% from three. Well the 39.6% is more efficient. When a player shoots 5-10 from the floor shooting only 2's. that player scores 10 points. When a player shoots 4-10 but only takes 3's that's 12 points. So the player that took all the 3's took the same number of shots as the player who took all the 2's but scored two more points. When she takes the same number of shots as the other player but scores more- it means she is a more efficient scorer.

I don't understand why anyone would question this move UCONN has made (not saying you are). And if there was podcast in which someone is saying this move "doesn't make sense," I don't feel this person is should be talking basketball and needs to follow a new sport. It may not work out - which you and maybe other suggest sure-- but specifically regarding what the OP heard - to me it's mind-boggling how anyone can say this move "doesn't make sense."

 

[JordyG]

THe Flat Earthers should never be happy. Their average IQ is south of Broccoli....

Don't get me started.