Did he really say that?

[dogged1]

When Einstein articulated "Relativity" who was the loser?

Faster than light space travel?

 

[dogged1]

Well, the “Flat Earth” folks were none too happy.

Wasn't that Copernicus?

 

[eebmg]

When Einstein articulated "Relativity" who was the loser?

Physics Students. Winners were aspirin manufacturers

 

[Boreifs]

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......

Ideally, she starts at the four and Alijah backs up both, with all three getting about equal minutes.

 

[Boreifs]

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......

No one has any idea whether DeBerry is ready to be a major contributor as a Freshman. This gives her another year to develop without any pressure on her to perform at a high level immediately.

 

[HopJim]

you may be one of the folks that consider her a bust but I certainly don't...........she's never going to be a physical low post banger like Charli Collier or Boston but if she played 30 plus minutes per game her numbers would be as good as any post player in the nation..........defensively she has been very good and her passing and screening on the offensive end are first rate.............it's her finishing at the basket against stronger opponents that's her major issue and what the coaches should be working on this summer.........and yes she needs to develop more confidence and aggression but she's come a long way in my opinion..............as I said in an earlier post. UConn shouldn't need her to score all that much next season with Fudd adding 15-20 points per game but I bet we see ONO and Edwards both get more open chances as defenses are stretched against the outside shooting barrage coming their way........BTW I can envision ONO and DJ playing at the same time just as Edwards and ONO did this past season.....

I can picture this Board if we had been torched by Boston and all the other Bigs we played this past year without ONO. Horrid offensive performance in big games but ONO consistently stepped up on defense, passed well and outran her competition. 99% of the country would have loved to have an ONO on their team.

 

[Zinethar]

Adding DJ certainly should put to rest the "we need more bigs". There was a recent time when that was absolutely correct. Ones that were recruited chose to go elsewhere. Happens. I expect now to hear (especially to what happened in the 2 losses) what we really needed was a small, quick guard to defend the super quick ones that torched us. Nika is our shortest non walk on player. When healthy she has the potential to best fill that need but I've already heard voices here lamenting the absence of Crystal Dangerfield. Variety is the spice of life .

 

[UConniki]

For every winner there has to be a loser....

Even if you're talking about minutes played in a basketball game that's patently false. The introduction of a new better player on a team that could negatively impact your time on the court will motivate most if not all players at this level to work harder to improve. I think that's called " win win". It's also true in most occupations.

 

[Hoops01]

It is my sincere desire that Dorka’s addition to UConn’s roster is an unqualified success. But I do have concerns in adding a transfer to UConn’s already loaded team. Specifically, I am concerned about the potential consequences to the roster down the road when a logjam for PT is created, as well as the possibility that the development of talented young players is slowed due to a lack of PT. Hopefully, my concerns are not warranted and everything will work itself out.

Dorka addition is the difference between winning a Natty and not. Looking at their team for next year my thought was the front court will probably cost them the title. Then dorka transfers in, she is the answer not the problem.
The 5 from this year's team hasn't proved she can bring it in the big games

 

[Hoops01]

No one has any idea whether DeBerry is ready to be a major contributor as a Freshman. This gives her another year to develop without any pressure on her to perform at a high level immediately.

You can't count on a freshman to fill that need especially on a team with championship goals.
Ohio St. D is a proven front court player who is definitely ready,tested and proven to be able to compete w any front court in the country

 

[jazz]

I just recently listened to a UConn WBB podcast where the male host said that the acquiring of Dorka Juhasz didn't make any sense to him. Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion but how does acquiring more talent not make sense? How does having the deepest roster you can have not make sense? How does creating intense competition not make sense?
Not to mention the fact when you look over the landscape of wcbb next season the teams that can stand in UConn' way of winning a NC...Stanford, SoCarolina, Baylor just to name 3 all have imposing size... So adding a 6'4 experienced, all conf player actually makes a ton of sense. Good job Geno! I guess anyone can have a podcast these days!

Many BYers said the same and worse BEFORE GA took her on.

 

[my2cents]

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

 

[mbr33ct]

Dorka article from today

What Dorka Juhász brings to UConn women’s basketball

The Huskies add depth to their frontcourt with an experienced forward.

www.theuconnblog.com

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.

 

[JordyG]

Well, the “Flat Earth” folks were none too happy.

They still aren't.

 

[LoboDays]

This move tells us as much about Geno’s opinion about his bigs as it tells us about his opinion of DJ. This isn’t just “she’s a good player, let’s bring her in.” He filled, what he thought, was a need.

 

[JordyG]

Wasn't that Copernicus?

Who had the courage of his death bed confession.

 

[Biff]

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

 

[oldude]

Dorka addition is the difference between winning a Natty and not. Looking at their team for next year my thought was the front court will probably cost them the title. Then dorka transfers in, she is the answer not the problem.
The 5 from this year's team hasn't proved she can bring it in the big games

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.

 

[mbr33ct]

Dorka addition is the difference between winning a Natty and not. Looking at their team for next year my thought was the front court will probably cost them the title. Then dorka transfers in, she is the answer not the problem.
The 5 from this year's team hasn't proved she can bring it in the big games

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.

 

[UcMiami]

I think it is a valid point of view in a vacuum and from outside a program to question bringing in more bodies to a loaded roster. The negatives:
1. Someone is going to play fewer minutes, whether it is the new body or one of the current roster - that can by itself disrupt team chemistry.
2. The more experience a player has before arriving at Uconn, the more 'bad habits' need to be coached out.
3. The less eligibility a player has, the shorter the coaches have to work with them.
4. The more established players on a roster, the fewer minutes are available for the development of the less established players, likely slowing their development curve.

Geno knows all of the above, and he has actually stated he doesn't really like transfer because of the shorter development time, and the bad habits issue listed above. So, knowing all that, he still reached out to Dorka and recruited her. And he knows what he has on the team, and all the 'negative' aspects listed above of taking a transfer, and yet here she is. So is he a stupid coach making yet another bad decision, or does he maybe know what he is doing?

I would be in Oldude's camp of 'not needed' as a fan and looking from outside. But I am in Geno's corner in thinking him much better informed, much wiser, and much more experienced - so ...

Dorka is just what this team needed! Brilliant move! Coach is a genius! Flags waving, ticker tape parade queued up, fireworks ready for blast off! 😎

 

[CocoHusky]

you may be one of the folks that consider her a bust but I certainly don't...........she's never going to be a physical low post banger like Charli Collier or Boston but if she played 30 plus minutes per game her numbers would be as good as any post player in the nation..........defensively she has been very good and her passing and screening on the offensive end are first rate.............it's her finishing at the basket against stronger opponents that's her major issue and what the coaches should be working on this summer.........and yes she needs to develop more confidence and aggression but she's come a long way in my opinion..............as I said in an earlier post. UConn shouldn't need her to score all that much next season with Fudd adding 15-20 points per game but I bet we see ONO and Edwards both get more open chances as defenses are stretched against the outside shooting barrage coming their way........BTW I can envision ONO and DJ playing at the same time just as Edwards and ONO did this past season.....

I never said "a bust" nor would I. The call have always been for improvement. Specifically for ONO to get stronger, avoid silly perimeter fouls when hedging and setting screens, to stop chopping down when blocking shots, to finish at the basket more consistently through contact, and to be an impact player in meaningful UCONN games. Have you seen an improvement in any of these areas of her game?

 

[CocoHusky]

Dorka addition is the difference between winning a Natty and not. Looking at their team for next year my thought was the front court will probably cost them the title. Then dorka transfers in, she is the answer not the problem.
The 5 from this year's team hasn't proved she can bring it in the big games

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.

 

[Steve UConn72]

Faster than light space travel?

Now you've "trekked" into dangerous space!

 

[huskyd]

The thing that drew me most to the UConn women was not the winning but the beauty of their execution. Many times Auriemma stated that their goal was not winning but perfection. I buy into that.

There are trade-offs with most things, that includes roster size. Of course there are many factors to consider that make any comparison complicated but a large roster size is not a pure positive as many are assuming. A large, diverse roster size provides more strategies to win, overcoming problems like foul trouble, injuries or opponents that present diverse problems. However, a smaller roster provides a greater possibility for good chemistry and more repetitions per player. Chemistry and repetitions are necessary ingredients for chasing perfection.

Notre Dame won a recent championship despite being plagued with injuries. They had two “chemistry magnets” in Westbeld and Shepherd and a very small roster that received abundant repetitions practicing together over the course of the year. Many on the BY grudgingly praised the Domers for playing a style much like our Huskies. We did not similarly praise SC or Baylor.

Adding DJ at this point increases the ways by which we might win a championship, but decreases the flawlessness of that pursuit. Transfers have less time to be nurtured into the team style and chemistry. 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. Perhaps more are on the way. Will that be enough to play the beautiful basketball of the small Notre Dame roster or many of our past teams? Only time will tell.

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.

 

[Charliebball]

I never said "a bust" nor would I. The call have always been for improvement. Specifically for ONO to get stronger, avoid silly perimeter fouls when hedging and setting screens, to stop chopping down when blocking shots, to finish at the basket more consistently through contact, and to be an impact player in meaningful UCONN games. Have you seen an improvement in any of these areas of her game?

she's greatly improved as a high post passer/screener, her fouling on attempted shot blocks is somewhat better, and her mid range shot which she really only showcased this season is improving though not consistent.........the one area where everybody agrees she needs to step up is in those big games.........so I guess the coach has two choices, he can bench her in those games and loose her going forward or preferably he shows confidence in her and she pulls a Christyn Williams and snaps out of it.........I think she has all the talent necessary to play in the WNBA......... now if she'd only agree with me then perhaps we'll see it next season........BTW the addition of DJ may in fact help ONO as a motivating factor in practice which hopefully will lead to additional improvement in games.....

 

[MD#12Fan]

It is my sincere desire that Dorka’s addition to UConn’s roster is an unqualified success. But I do have concerns in adding a transfer to UConn’s already loaded team. Specifically, I am concerned about the potential consequences to the roster down the road when a logjam for PT is created, as well as the possibility that the development of talented young players is slowed due to a lack of PT. Hopefully, my concerns are not warranted and everything will work itself out.

Thank you for your voice of reason.
Sharing different points of view IMO is the reason to have a blog. Even one of the moderators of the BY found it necessary to shoot down the podcast host. I've listened to the podcast twice so far and found it pretty decent.
We have ALL experienced something akin to a transfer sometime in our lives. A new kid moves up the block and takes your best friend's attention. Your company hires from without rather than from within. You were bucking for that promotion. If you actually played college ball, you may have actually experienced a transfer into your program. There is "politics" in this. What are Liv, AE, Piath, and the freshman DeBerry thinking the last couple of days? What did you think when a stranger took the job you were working toward? How long did it take you to adjust to the fact that your best friend had another friend too?

 

[CocoHusky]

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.

Natalie Butler, Batouly Camara and Evina Westbrook buy all accounts were great "chemistry" additions to UCONN. In fact I struggle to think of any UCONN recruit or transfer that has had "chemistry" issues because it is such an integral part of the vetting process for the program. I anticipate ZERO chemistry issues for DJ.

 

[MooseJaw]

It is my sincere desire that Dorka’s addition to UConn’s roster is an unqualified success. But I do have concerns in adding a transfer to UConn’s already loaded team. Specifically, I am concerned about the potential consequences to the roster down the road when a logjam for PT is created, as well as the possibility that the development of talented young players is slowed due to a lack of PT. Hopefully, my concerns are not warranted and everything will work itself out.

One thing we know for sure, the addition of Dorka will work itself out, it may not work out the way members of the BY, fans or all team members want it to. I trust that what is best for the team is what Geno will provide. We know that talent will prevail, the most gifted team players will get the most pt. I believe Geno will be fair and as always let the players talent dictate who starts, rotations and ultimately playing time.

 

[dcheng021]

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.

 

[Waquoit]

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.

That would be a positive byproduct but it's Occam's Razor. He brought in Dorka because the status quo down low wasn't good enough.