Did Tough Love Work With Megan Walker?

[Big Mick]

Tell me we're not buying this rags to riches tale.

OR, to put it another way: From "total crap" last game to "she's turned the corner" this game.

Seriously - COME ON!!!!!!

The facts are the same every year:
1) From day one, Geno tears down the NPOY Freshman.
2) She apparently can't seem to do anything right; can't make a layup; defense NAH; afraid to shoot; rebounding EH; etc..
3) Our NPOY freshman is slowly regressing to the almost breaking point and Geno is particularly scathing in January.
3) Then suddenly, turns the corner and to our great relief - can now be trusted to provide significant contributions ever more.

Surely, we're not buying this.

I predicted this exact scenario two weeks ago and presto the turning point is here. AND now, we have the requisite 7 to make the NC run.

I love Geno and how he has nurtured this mystique that is UCONN Basketball.

As a fan: It can make you nuts; It can make you smile....

 

[HumblePie]

This is a basketball thread but if you really fell you should correct someones spelling. You might want to proof read what you wrote because you clearly dont have A clue!!

Hmm, I really do "fell" (as you put it) it necessary to correct an individual who repeatedly misspells a players name! How can someone comment on a UConn player and not know how to spell her name? Once would be considered a typo, twice (and more) is inexcusable for the reason previously posted.

I'll take that to heart, Humbell...

Very good NoTrickPony, glad you consider it a lesson learned.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Very good NoTrickPony, glad you consider it a lesson learned.

I'm starting to see what's had Nan so depressed of late, Humbert...

 

[BobbyJ]

Tell me we're not buying this rags to riches tale.

OR, to put it another way: From "total crap" last game to "she's turned the corner" this game.

Seriously - COME ON!!!!!!

The facts are the same every year:
1) From day one, Geno tears down the NPOY Freshman.
2) She apparently can't seem to do anything right; can't make a layup; defense NAH; afraid to shoot; rebounding EH; etc..
3) Our NPOY freshman is slowly regressing to the almost breaking point and Geno is particularly scathing in January.
3) Then suddenly, turns the corner and to our great relief - can now be trusted to provide significant contributions ever more.

Surely, we're not buying this.

I predicted this exact scenario two weeks ago and presto the turning point is here. AND now, we have the requisite 7 to make the NC run.

I love Geno and how he has nurtured this mystique that is UCONN Basketball.

As a fan: It can make you nuts; It can make you smile....

What a coincidence. When all the requisite, public “tough love” wasn’t getting the desired results, all it took was a long, private talk with the kid to produce a miraculous turnaround. What took so long?

 

[Bama fan]

Hmm, I really do "fell" (as you put it) it necessary to correct an individual who repeatedly misspells a players name! How can someone comment on a UConn player and not know how to spell her name? Once would be considered a typo, twice (and more) is inexcusable for the reason previously posted.



Very good NoTrickPony, glad you consider it a lesson learned.

This is just getting crazy! Maybe you need to take another bite of that pie and calm down.

 

[cbraarj]

Hmm, I really do "fell" (as you put it) it necessary to correct an individual who repeatedly misspells a players name! How can someone comment on a UConn player and not know how to spell her name? Once would be considered a typo, twice (and more) is inexcusable for the reason previously posted.



Very good NoTrickPony, glad you consider it a lesson learned.

Hmm, I really do "fell" (as you put it) it necessary to correct an individual who repeatedly misspells a players name! How can someone comment on a UConn player and not know how to spell her name? Once would be considered a typo, twice (and more) is inexcusable for the reason previously posted.



Very good NoTrickPony, glad you consider it a lesson learned.

None of it is a big deal because it is a basketball thread. For 2 years I coached 4 girls with the first name Megan spelt 3 different ways. When I had them on the court together at practice scrimmaging. I would call out their first name and they all would stop playing and turn around and look at me, LOL! Until they realized when I said their last names that they knew I was serious. It helped lighten the mood when practice was to tough on them. About 5 people on the BY still call Kyla Irwin, Kayla and everyone knows who they are talking about. It is not a big deal!

 

[Phil]

None of it is a big deal because it is a basketball thread. For 2 years I coached 4 girls with the first name Megan spelt 3 different ways. When I had them on the court together at practice scrimmaging. I would call out their first name and they all would stop playing and turn around and look at me, LOL! Until they realized when I said their last names that they knew I was serious. It helped lighten the mood when practice was to tough on them. About 5 people on the BY still call Kyla Irwin, Kayla and everyone knows who they are talking about. It is not a big deal!

I once saw someone call her Kyra, and it stuck in my head. I still have to watch myself. I have a niece Kayla, so maybe i'll now make that mistake. If I do can I blame you?

 

[cbraarj]

I once saw someone call her Kyra, and it stuck in my head. I still have to watch myself. I have a niece Kayla, so maybe i'll now make that mistake. If I do can I blame you?

It happens, lol!

 

[Charliebball]

Tell me we're not buying this rags to riches tale.

OR, to put it another way: From "total crap" last game to "she's turned the corner" this game.

Seriously - COME ON!!!!!!

The facts are the same every year:
1) From day one, Geno tears down the NPOY Freshman.
2) She apparently can't seem to do anything right; can't make a layup; defense NAH; afraid to shoot; rebounding EH; etc..
3) Our NPOY freshman is slowly regressing to the almost breaking point and Geno is particularly scathing in January.
3) Then suddenly, turns the corner and to our great relief - can now be trusted to provide significant contributions ever more.

Surely, we're not buying this.

I predicted this exact scenario two weeks ago and presto the turning point is here. AND now, we have the requisite 7 to make the NC run.

I love Geno and how he has nurtured this mystique that is UCONN Basketball.

As a fan: It can make you nuts; It can make you smile....

Don't think for a minute that the rest of the season will be all sweetness and light for Ms Walker...........she will make her mistakes, she will backslide a bit, in the end she will have had the requisite UConn freshman year..............it's next year when she will really kick ---

 

[JoePgh]

Tell me we're not buying this rags to riches tale.

OR, to put it another way: From "total crap" last game to "she's turned the corner" this game.

Seriously - COME ON!!!!!!

The facts are the same every year:
1) From day one, Geno tears down the NPOY Freshman.
2) She apparently can't seem to do anything right; can't make a layup; defense NAH; afraid to shoot; rebounding EH; etc..
3) Our NPOY freshman is slowly regressing to the almost breaking point and Geno is particularly scathing in January.
3) Then suddenly, turns the corner and to our great relief - can now be trusted to provide significant contributions ever more.

Surely, we're not buying this.

I predicted this exact scenario two weeks ago and presto the turning point is here. AND now, we have the requisite 7 to make the NC run.

I love Geno and how he has nurtured this mystique that is UCONN Basketball.

As a fan: It can make you nuts; It can make you smile....

I agree with your main point, but let's not forget that there are some freshmen in this world who don't need to go through this process before they make a solid contribution to the team. We've named them before: Morgan Tuck, Kia Nurse (differentiating herself from Gabby), Caroline Doty (differentiating herself from Tiffany Hayes), Renee Montgomery (in contrast to the year-older Ketia Swanier), and of course Maya Moore. While all of these people have a lot of physical talent, what really differentiates them (IMHO) is their personal emotional maturity on arrival. Some people are just grown up at age 18.

 

[boontonbomber]

I don't suppose that was intended to elicit a meaningful response, so ....

Yikes! Had no knowledge of Geno's( perhaps grape-inspired) comments re AEH in Philly until just a few minutes ago. My apology.

 

[OldAlum]

Am I the only one that remembers?
A few years ago, Geno was upset at his bench. It was during the Stewie-Tuck_Jefferson era. For weeks he was complaining that they didn't play hard enough, weren't listening. He said they felt they were okay because they only got into games and deferred to the starters, adding nothing, or when the team was up 30+ and the other team was beaten down.
So he started the bench players. I was at the game but dont recall which conference foe it was. Of course their weaknesses showed. Presumably he got their attention.

 

[Wilderness]

I agree with your main point, but let's not forget that there are some freshmen in this world who don't need to go through this process before they make a solid contribution to the team. We've named them before: Morgan Tuck, Kia Nurse (differentiating herself from Gabby), Caroline Doty (differentiating herself from Tiffany Hayes), Renee Montgomery (in contrast to the year-older Ketia Swanier), and of course Maya Moore. While all of these people have a lot of physical talent, what really differentiates them (IMHO) is their personal emotional maturity on arrival. Some people are just grown up at age 18.

I believe Kia didn't because Geno saw she would contribute more than Saniya very early her freshman year. Same would have happened for Megan were Gabby or Napheesa not on the team or not available early in the season. It's more the UConn WBB initiation - as Big Mick observed. Perhaps serves to winnow initiates who don't respond to relentless pressure with grace and renewed effort.

 

[Golden Husky]

Tell me we're not buying this rags to riches tale.

OR, to put it another way: From "total crap" last game to "she's turned the corner" this game.

Seriously - COME ON!!!!!!

The facts are the same every year:
1) From day one, Geno tears down the NPOY Freshman.
2) She apparently can't seem to do anything right; can't make a layup; defense NAH; afraid to shoot; rebounding EH; etc..
3) Our NPOY freshman is slowly regressing to the almost breaking point and Geno is particularly scathing in January.
3) Then suddenly, turns the corner and to our great relief - can now be trusted to provide significant contributions ever more.

Surely, we're not buying this.

I predicted this exact scenario two weeks ago and presto the turning point is here. AND now, we have the requisite 7 to make the NC run.

I love Geno and how he has nurtured this mystique that is UCONN Basketball.

As a fan: It can make you nuts; It can make you smile....

There is a video somewhere--I'm sure one of you tech savvy posters can locate it--of Diana explaining how Geno "builds you up, then tears you down..." It might be useful in bringing some understanding to his process.

 

[HopJim]

And that was the key yesterday. Megan came in and made a couple of mistakes in her first minute or two. Geno kept her on the court and she responded.

Agree with half of your comment. Meagan turned the ball over in the first few minutes but Geno gave her the time needed to be successful.

 

[HopJim]

Hmm, I really do "fell" (as you put it) it necessary to correct an individual who repeatedly misspells a players name! How can someone comment on a UConn player and not know how to spell her name? Once would be considered a typo, twice (and more) is inexcusable for the reason previously posted.



Very good NoTrickPony, glad you consider it a lesson learned.

Touch crowd. Yes, I know I misspelled "tough."

 

[Rixxx]

OldAlum, I remember. I remember because Natalie started.