Disturbing tendencies

[oldude]

View attachment 26537

Many thanks.

 

[donalddoowop]

UConn WBB does have an undeniable problem, and with each successful season the problem gets worse and worse.

In the words of Walter Kelly, one of my all time favorite cartoonists (Pogo), “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Hopefully, someone with better technical ability will post the actual cartoon from Pogo.

If you had printed "Walt" instead of "Walter", I would have known who you meant.

 

[huskyd]

Thanks to UN for (1) hosting Gabby's homecoming; (2) playing really, really hard and right to the end; (3) requiring Geno to use his starters for 4 quarters. I suspect the virtual whole game play of the starters will help emulate the need for a full game effort against the likes of ND. Good to push the envelope. Also, when some of us read that the arena in Reno was called "Lawlor," we got a chuckle thinking of that cheerleader extraordinaire Tierney. Well, wouldn't you know it--CBSS advertised a talk show during the game called "Tiki & Tierney." Wonders never cease.
PS/Don't worry about the Irish; they have become an annual sacrifice. No one beats this team.

 

[CocoHusky]

I, 100% agree.
Gabby Williams brought it up in her post game interview.
"We are a team that turns it on and off" That's why we lost last year to Miss St" Coach is working with us to keep it on"
The starters remain in because he wants to see them turn the focus, effort and execution back on.
Our bench is non existent, as they play like "deer in the headlights" and do more kicking the ball around then a soccer team.

Not true!
UCONN has gotten a solid contribution of bench points in EVERY game from 4 different players this year the MINIMUM being 5 points in any game (Azura (8 Stanford, 11 Cal), Megan (12 MD, 13 UCLA ), AEH ( 6 MD & 8 MSU), and Kyla (5 Nevada).

 

[GiladKatzDeli]

It's not surprising that Geno and company have things to work on. It's November! We're missing a first team all American. I'm encouraged by the play of Nurse and Dangerfield. Azura gives us an element we haven't had for a few years. Walker will make large strides between now and March. A good, meaningful game against Notre Dame might be just what the doctor ordered.

 

[bags27]

We all could have predicted this thread. I bet it happens every year at least once, and with pre-Notre Dame anxieties, this is as good a time as any.

Coco pointed out that this is an extremely difficult team offense to learn (almost certainly the most difficult team offense to learn). It takes time. Folks always panic about the Patriots in Sept and Oct, and Belichick is always saying wait until after Thanksgiving. He means: Patriots have the most complex offense and defense and it takes around 2/3 of the season for everyone to be in sync.

But there's a deeper psychological issue here. Everyone wants UConn to be a sure bet: best recruits + best coaching + toughest practices = perfect play + undefeated season + national championship. But basketball is an easy game to play poorly but an extremely difficult game to play well. There are 5 players on the other side trying to prevent you from doing what they want to do, too. Give them some credit. The game moves quickly; margins of error are tiny: a fraction more weight on the index finger and a 23' jumper is off to the left. It's a performance art, and always imperfect. Live with it; enjoy it for the marvelous athletes--and individuals--who participate. Was last season not a lot of fun and inspiration even though it didn't end with a NC? Would it had been more fun if (say) Morgan had stayed an extra year, UConn was favored in every game and rolled over everyone, and did win the NC? Not for me! I absolutely loved last year's team and even the loss at the end reminded us of how fragile success is. In the history of American sports, UConn WCBB has absolutely nothing left to prove. Focus on the small improvements; have as much fun as the players are having. R-E-L-A-X.

 

[Orangutan]

R-E-L-A-X.

Whatever you say Mr. Rodgers.

 

[EricSD]

I, 100% agree.
Gabby Williams brought it up in her post game interview.
"We are a team that turns it on and off" That's why we lost last year to Miss St" Coach is working with us to keep it on"
The starters remain in because he wants to see them turn the focus, effort and execution back on.
Our bench is non existent, as they play like "deer in the headlights" and do more kicking the ball around then a soccer team.

Exactly. Just because we have a great team filled with depth and talent does not mean there is not lots of room for improvement. Nevada played us even for most of the 2nd half. If that's not a concern, I don't know what is. Also a concern is that Geno barely trusts the reserves. Irwin got 11 minutes and Walker got 8. Bent and Coombs got the obligatory 4 minutes at the end of the game, and AEH, Gordon, and Camara didn't even get in at all.

Does that mean panic? Absolutely not. But if fans can't come on here and play couch potato coach, like Geno is/does, then what's the point? Lots of very fine hoops minds on here with great insights, and LOTS of room for improvement for the team.

Am I concerned? Absolutely not. Actually, from my perspective, I'm glad the team is not steamrolling 4 quarters in every game. That gives Geno and the staff plenty of coaching moments/points when the team gets back to the practice court.

 

[EricSD]

Sorry - didn't mean to imply that Geno is a couch potato coach. It came across wrong and I noticed it after I posted. He's the coach mastermind for sure!!

 

[Bigpetunia]

I 100% concur with many of the sentiments heretofore expressed on this thread. Being a fan of UConn WBB is even beginning to exact a toll on my personal life. For example, for the first 54 years of my marriage, my wife and I never had so much as an argument...not one! Now, with all this sloppy second half play, though she usually dozes off at halftime with another victory long-since secured, whenever I jostle her awake to express my justifiable frustration that the lead has slipped to under thirty, she, uncharacteristically, snaps at me. I mainly blame Megan Walker for this, though there are others who bear culpability. This must be cleaned up, and pronto!!

 

[bags27]

I 100% cany of the sentiments heretofore expressed on this thread. Being a fan of UConn WBB is even beginning to exact a toll on my personal life. For example, for the first 54 years of my marriage, my wife and I never had so much as an argument...not one! Now, with all this sloppy second half play, though she usually dozes off at halftime with another victory long-since secured, whenever I jostle her awake to express my justifiable frustration that the lead has slipped to under thirty, she, uncharacteristically, snaps at me. I mainly blame Megan Walker for this, though there are others who bear culpability. This must be cleaned up, and pronto!!

I nominate this as: POST OF THE YEAR! Very funny (at least I hope it was intended as such; around here one never knows! )

 

[Florida Fan]

Clearly the team and coaches are still trying to figure things out. And missing a First Team AA that averaged 20ppg last year is having it's effect as well. But I think they are well ahead of where they were last year at this time... having easily handled the 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th ranked teams thus far.

Up by 25 or more points, does a team still make the extra pass, waiting out the shot clock until the defense makes a down-low coverage mistake/ OR is that the time somebody goes one on one and drives to the basket?

 

[meyers7]

I guess I must have missed the part where this team was: " thrown off-stride" , "off track" and began "searching for above average".
What I see is a superior talented "TEAM" working very hard to master a new offense and incorporate some new players.
The mastery of this new offense (4 out) will take some more time and ironically all the things you are anxious about speak to the weakness of this offense.
Here is a great article about the 4 out offense and note that the primary weakness of the offense is that it is difficult to learn.
4-Out 1-In Motion Offense - Complete Coaching Guide
Defensively I do not share your anxiety for this team. To score a basket against this team in the half court set requires almost perfect execution and I actually see more perimeter activity (deflections and steals) and rim protection that I did from last years team.
Lastly, please have a little more faith in this coaching staff-they have earned it.

New offense? Where you getting that????

 

[bags27]

New offense? Where you getting that????

I think you've interpreted Coco one way; another is that the offense is certainly new for Z and the other recruits, and that Crystal still obviously had much to learn about it. Virtually no one else (Villanova men, I think) plays it, so no one comes prepared for it. That's the way I took Coco's remark, at least.

 

[Stinger92860]

The sky is falling.

I stopped reading after this: Unlike past UConn teams, this is not a team that is searching for perfection.

 

[meyers7]

I suspect the virtual whole game play of the starters will help emulate the need for a full game effort against the likes of ND.

That was kind of my thought too.

Also, not sure if anyone else noticed it, but UCONN only took 2 3pt shots in the 3rd quarter. It would seem they were under orders coming out of halftime to work the ball inside. Which is a lot more difficult to do.

 

[Orangutan]

The sky is falling.

I stopped reading after this: Unlike past UConn teams, this is not a team that is searching for perfection.

Imagine someone telling Geno that!

 

[CocoHusky]

New offense? Where you getting that????

From Geno's show or might have been All Access. Something like: "We are running the offense differently this year" During the game when Geno's calling out the set it's 4 fingers out-universal for 4 out or 41.
4 out is not new to UCONN is new for this team. Last year the majority of sets started with Gabby and Pheesa both inside the 3 point line. This year at the start at least 4 players are outside the three point line.

 

[bags27]

From Geno's show or might have been All Access. Something like: "We are running the offense differently this year" During the game when Geno's calling out the set it's 4 fingers out-universal for 4 out or 41.
4 out is not new to UCONN is new for this team. Last year the majority of sets started with Gabby and Pheesa both inside the 3 point line. This year at the start at least 4 players are outside the three point line.

Then it is a bit new. Of course, classically speaking, there is motion 5-0 and 4-1; the difference is that the post doesn't motion through. I don't know how that correlates to what Geno's/you're saying here. It may be that Geno is trying to force Z down to fight her tendencies to initiate her own offense from the key.

 

[meyers7]

Whatever you say Mr. Rodgers.

Mr. Rodgers??? I think you meant Frankie.

 

[EricSD]

I, 100% agree.
Gabby Williams brought it up in her post game interview.
"We are a team that turns it on and off" That's why we lost last year to Miss St" Coach is working with us to keep it on"
The starters remain in because he wants to see them turn the focus, effort and execution back on.
Our bench is non existent, as they play like "deer in the headlights" and do more kicking the ball around then a soccer team.

One thing I meant to add to my original post is that I think it's too critical to say the bench is non existent as they play like "deer in the headlights". The freshmen are playing like... well... freshmen. That's because they are. Kyla and Molly are doing the absolute best they can and contribute to the best of their abilities, including being great teammates and mentors to the younger kids. UCONN has pretty much played a murder's row schedule thus far (Nevada was the only unranked team thus far - I thought MSU was ranked at the time we played them)... That's a brutal schedule against really good quality so it's not surprising the bench/freshmen saw limited time... I fully expect to see much more of them as the season progresses... giving them a chance to shine and our main players a chance to rest.

 

[Orangutan]

Mr. Rodgers??? I think you meant Frankie.

Frankie has been usurped

 

[meyers7]

From Geno's show or might have been All Access. Something like: "We are running the offense differently this year" During the game when Geno's calling out the set it's 4 fingers out-universal for 4 out or 41.
4 out is not new to UCONN is new for this team. Last year the majority of sets started with Gabby and Pheesa both inside the 3 point line. This year at the start at least 4 players are outside the three point line.

They've been running the 4-1 and 3-2 for many years. If they went to a 5-0, that would be different.

He makes a lot of variations to it (adds in wrinkles) but it's pretty much the same offense they've been running for years.

 

[ASweet3781]

I have to agree. After the Mississippi State loss I was expecting a team coming back with a chip on their shoulders ala 2002 when they came back after the 2001 ND loss. But right now I feel we are winning because of our overwhelming talent not because of great play.

I thought of the reason this could be and I think it's because right now we have 3 separate teams trying to play as one. We have the 5 players who are used to playing with one another (Gabby, Kia, Napheesa, Lou, and Crystal). 2 talented players trying to mesh with them (Azura and Megan). And 5 other players who are getting thrown into this dynamic during the later stages of the 2nd and 3rd quarters of games (Kyla, Molly, Hunter, Coombs, Lexi). Each group is not on the same page and skill level which leads to disjointed play which leads to some of the shocking stretches we are seeing. The good news? Our talent and depth may be so strong it may not matter. But hopefully the gap between the 3 factions starts to diminish.

 

[HuskyNan]

UConn WBB does have an undeniable problem, and with each successful season the problem gets worse and worse.

In the words of Walter Kelly, one of my all time favorite cartoonists (Pogo), “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Hopefully, someone with better technical ability will post the actual cartoon from Pogo.

Yes, after all, the team only has four out of the last five national championships. Horrors!

In the lack of real drama, UConn fans never fail to manufacture some. It's NOVEMBER people; get a grip.

 

[msf22b]

Yes, after all, the team only has four out of the last five national championships. Horrors!

In the lack of real drama, UConn fans never fail to manufacture some. It's NOVEMBER people; get a grip.

I'm (relatively) sure that Geno would hold a contrary view.

 

[Stinger92860]

Imagine someone telling Geno that!

I was thinking the same thing

 

[Sven18]

Yes, after all, the team only has four out of the last five national championships. Horrors!

In the lack of real drama, UConn fans never fail to manufacture some. It's NOVEMBER people; get a grip.

Geno surely doesn't share your complacency. The slight worry is that 3 starters had to play 34 to 36 minutes(Z played 31 b/c of fouls) against a team like Nevada. Geno currently has little belief in his bench. Walker came in and was defensively poor and was at fault on several lay ups. Irwin is the only big on the bench currently available thus was in early. Bent again in her minutes had some absolutely shake your head turnovers and seems to not have progressed at all. Frosh to Soph is suppose o be the jump year, as we are seeing it with Dangerfield now and in many others in the past.

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno surely doesn't share your complacency. The slight worry is that 3 starters had to play 34 to 36 minutes(Z played 31 b/c of fouls) against a team like Nevada. Geno currently has little belief in his bench. Walker came in and was defensively poor and was at fault on several lay ups. Irwin is the only big on the bench currently available thus was in early. Bent again in her minutes had some absolutely shake your head turnovers and seems to not have progressed at all. Frosh to Soph is suppose o be the jump year, as we are seeing it with Dangerfield now and in many others in the past.

Complacency? I see what others see, just the way I’ve seen it every early season for the last 20-some years.

Please tell me this near hysteria isn’t going to last all season. If it is, I’m running out for some Xanax

 

[bags27]

I just don't understand how people know so well what Geno's thinking. Most of the time, I don't even know what I'm thinking. Sure, Geno might have been pissed and kept the starters in as "punishment," or because of some irrational uncertainty about the score, or because he has little "faith" in his bench, or because he knows they don't play again until Sunday and wanted to give them all the playing time he could, or because he was thinking of something else and lost track of time (that does happen to Geno, actually, and CD does prompt him). Try as I might, I just can't read minds, that's why I prefer to talk basketball.