Dolson at G'town not doing the job

[meyers7]

Stefanie Dolson...is good enough to play the low post against most teams in the Big East... Yes, having a center who can go out and make the foul line extended shot is a plus...but, given the make-up of ND, I believe Stefanie would be more effective for UConn's offense to play the low post and Breanna given her inexperience, thin body and lack of familiarity with the physicality of the college game, her ability to put the ball on the floor and take it to the hole, coupled with her ability to knock down the foul-line extended jumper is a natural for the high post. Now, we can split hairs all day about versatility...but in that one game against a team whose best post player is 6'2", I have to go with Stef in the low post and Breanna in the high post...

In a perfect world. However presently, Dolson is a much better passer than Stewart. And a lot of the offense (which Dolson knows better right now too) runs through that high post. As some have probably noticed, when the ball goes into Stewart either in the high or low post, that's pretty much were it stays. Which presently I don't find such a bad thing. As Stewart learns the offense more that may change some. Which will make UCONN even more dangerous.

 

[EricLA]

I taped the game and watched it later. Meghan said several times that Stef needs to spend less time in the high post and perimeter, and more time on the low block looking to score. I think she mentioned it at least 3 times and maybe more. I wonder if Geno actually listens to announcers like that and if he sees the same things that everyone else does. Stef is indeed a terrific passer and has a ton of assists for a post player, but when you play a team who can't stop your center, you need to go to her over and over and over again.

Not sure what the answer is but the team talked about how disappointed they were with the effort, etc, in the ND game, and it was really not much better in the Georgetown game (at least that's what the announcers said several times). Lots of talent on this team, but they have a lot of work to do.

Moriah had a terrific game tho, in every aspect. i know she didn't lead the team in scoring, but she seemed to me to be the best player on the court. And it was great to see Kiah back too. The defense was really pretty good. A nice win, but certainly not an impressive win, and not what everyone expected to see after the ND loss...

 

[slimmer56]

Stop the Presses ! Stef Dolson has bad hands ! Did I read that correctly ? Stef may not be perfect, but she has wonderful, strong hands. Look, one of the great things about this UCONN team is our choice of weapons. If the opposition wants to pack in a tight zone, Stef can kick it out for the 3. All she has to do is catch it first, eh !

There is nothing wrong with taking a bunch of 3's. We have the best 3 pt shooter in the country in Kaleena. If she is cold someone else will step up. The point is to shoot it before you turn it over. Besides, I like our chances getting a long rebound and most 50/50 balls.

I loved the way Kelly came out and took the blame for the loss to ND. She said Kayla Mcbride did what she wanted, whenever she wanted. She said it was a wake up call for all, and the Jrs. & Srs.
need to take ownership.
Ido not think the loss was a bad thing. We just need to keep getting better. Get back to the basics and get our swag back ! We WILL be fine !
GO UCONN GO !

 

[huskybill]

I think Geno should clean house and get rid of all the underperformers and whiners who loaf around on the bench. No room for deadwood at UConn.

I agree completely Nan, but even Kelly will have trouble defending 5 players and winning games all by herself.

 

[huskybill]

A nice win, but certainly not an impressive win, and not what everyone expected to see after the ND loss...

I don't understand why after a team does not play/shoot well in a game, everybody expects they'll play/shoot so much better next game out. After a frantic first half, I thought we were impressive in the second half.

 

[RadyLady]

After watching tonight's game I am extremely disappointed in Stef's rebounding and overall post play. She has consistently failed to play aggressively since Stanford. I didn't see her box out one player or out rebound the G'town post one on one. She is a great passer but she has terrible hands and she can't judge where to go to grab a rebound. I personally expected more from her this year. It seems she is back sliding. I hope the coaches can figure it out and get her to consistently play up to her potential.

WOW....just wow...

 

[EricLA]

I don't understand why after a team does not play/shoot well in a game, everybody expects they'll play/shoot so much better next game out. After a frantic first half, I thought we were impressive in the second half.

Well even the players expected it. Kelly and Stef both talked about learning a lesson, or receiving a wake up call, from the ND game so I'm guessing the players expected it too.

 

[JoePgh]

The second half of the G-town game was not really much more impressive than the first half, except on first viewing. It's true that the turnovers were far fewer, so I guess that was impressive, but UConn actually outscored G-town by a smaller margin in the second half than in the first (38-23 in the first half vs. 37-25 in the second half). At one point in the second half, UConn was 6-8 on 3-pointers, but that did not last. Breanna Stewart was much better in the second half -- seemingly a pattern for her.

Again, what much of this discussion points to is the importance of Kiah. With Stef in the high post and Kiah down low, UConn would have the best of both worlds -- Stef's passing and mid-range shooting and Kiah's ability to dominate in the paint. I'm not sure where that would leave Breanna's minutes, but at this point, she can't fulfill either role as well as Stef and Kiah respectively. But she certainly can get points and rebounds that one would never expect.

With respect to all the comments about how UConn had to take all those 3's because Georgetown was packing the paint, why couldn't that be addressed by some higher-percentage mid-range jump shots? There weren't many of those last night.

 

[phil sampieri]

I taped the game and watched it later. Meghan said several times that Stef needs to spend less time in the high post and perimeter, and more time on the low block looking to score. I think she mentioned it at least 3 times and maybe more. I wonder if Geno actually listens to announcers like that and if he sees the same things that everyone else does. Stef is indeed a terrific passer and has a ton of assists for a post player, but when you play a team who can't stop your center, you need to go to her over and over and over again.

Not sure what the answer is but the team talked about how disappointed they were with the effort, etc, in the ND game, and it was really not much better in the Georgetown game (at least that's what the announcers said several times). Lots of talent on this team, but they have a lot of work to do.

Moriah had a terrific game tho, in every aspect. i know she didn't lead the team in scoring, but she seemed to me to be the best player on the court. And it was great to see Kiah back too. The defense was really pretty good. A nice win, but certainly not an impressive win, and not what everyone expected to see after the ND loss...

Yes, I'm sure Geno checks with the announcers about strategy right after his #1 priority is getting advice from some of these rediculous posts.Yikes

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Let’s see…Dolson is not doing the job, Bria is passionless and demoralized, Stewart needs reduced minutes on the court…Current BoneYard “Wisdom”.

 

[grizz36]

Let’s see…Dolson is not doing the job, Bria is passionless and demoralized, Stewart needs reduced minutes on the court…Current BoneYard “Wisdom”.

mmmm ... and ... let's see. Brianna Banks hasn't done much for us lately and maybe we should also bench that undersized freshman PG with the presidential name. She will never be anything but a roll player (Tony style).

 

[Bestiarius]

With respect to all the comments about how UConn had to take all those 3's because Georgetown was packing the paint, why couldn't that be addressed by some higher-percentage mid-range jump shots? There weren't many of those last night.

My logic is: If a team can make 50% of it's 3 point shots, to get the equal number of points taking 2 point shots, you'd need to make 75% of the shots. Not likely for a 15 footer, probably contested. Plus, with all the defenders near the basket, the ball will bounce further with a missed 3 pointer, giving a better chance for an O rebound.

 

[UConn Sal]

As Geno said, Georgetown packed 5 players in the paint. There wasn't room for anyone else in there, thus all the 3's. Stef was 6 for 7 (85%). A couple blocks and steals and 5 assists. Plus we won the game by 27 points. Mo Jef had a great game, and I thought Breanna had a breakthrough in the second half when she started playing like we expected her to. I'm thinking that could be the turning point for her. Bria started hitting some shots. Overall, I'm happy, happy, happy.

It still doesn't explain why Stewee once she woke up got more rebounds G'town was still packing it in she is just longer and knows where to be for the rebound opportunity.

 

[UConn Sal]

mmmm ... and ... let's see. Brianna Banks hasn't done much for us lately and maybe we should also bench that undersized freshman PG with the presidential name. She will never be anything but a roll player (Tony style).

I don't think that honest opinions good or bad are a terrible thing. We are predominantly all UConn fans. We have however, been surfing on the huge waves and are accustomed to seeing players develop more quickly than this current bunch. Also although Stef has obviously worked hard on increasing her endurance her strength and jumping ability seem not to be improved.

 

[phil sampieri]

It still doesn't explain why Stewee once she woke up got more rebounds G'town was still packing it in she is just longer and knows where to be for the rebound opportunity.

From 1 Sal to another. Because Dolson at the high post ( because she's a great passer) and Stewie who is the low of the high low tandem is in better position and also she plays bigger because of her wingspan. ^ assiists and 17 points by Dolson
I'll take every game.

 

[CCinCT]

In a perfect world. However presently, Dolson is a much better passer than Stewart. And a lot of the offense (which Dolson knows better right now too) runs through that high post. As some have probably noticed, when the ball goes into Stewart either in the high or low post, that's pretty much were it stays. Which presently I don't find such a bad thing. As Stewart learns the offense more that may change some. Which will make UCONN even more dangerous.

And to this point, I would think that if Stef or Breanna were playing where Geno didn't want them to play, then said individual would be positioning themselves on the bench ?????

 

[UConn Sal]

From 1 Sal to another. Because Dolson at the high post ( because she's a great passer) and Stewie who is the low of the high low tandem is in better position and also she plays bigger because of her wingspan. ^ assiists and 17 points by Dolson
I'll take every game.

I think that Stewie is to light and not strong enough to be in the low post. Also when she gets her shot back she is a better outside shooter and a better dribbler therefore able to drive. Dolson should be the low post and Stewie the high post let's let
Kelly do the passing and the other guards CD, Bria, Mo Jeff and Banks.

 

[doggydaddy]

I don't think that honest opinions good or bad are a terrible thing. We are predominantly all UConn fans. We have however, been surfing on the huge waves and are accustomed to seeing players develop more quickly than this current bunch. Also although Stef has obviously worked hard on increasing her endurance her strength and jumping ability seem not to be improved.

Opinions are fine. Both yours and the ones that have disagreed with you. No one has told you to surpress your views.

What players are you talking about that aren't developing more quickly and what players in the past have developed so quickly??

 

[trisailin]

Has it occurred to the Dolson at the high post detractors that maybe just maybe she's the ONLY player who is good at passing from there. In order to be a good passer, you MUST understand the offense (where everybody else is supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing) and be able to see those players. Maybe Geno, Chris, Marissa, and Shea understand this and that is why Dolson plays at the high post. Stewie might potentially be a great passer but if she doesn't understand the COMPLETE offense yet, having her try to pass from the high post would be a disaster waiting to happen. It might be that it's a very advantageous tradeoff gaining a few points and assists (and hence points) and missing a few rebounds.

 

[UConn Sal]

Opinions are fine. Both yours and the ones that have disagreed with you. No one has told you to surpress your views.

What players are you talking about that aren't developing more quickly and what players in the past have developed so quickly??

Stef, Bria, Stewie vs Abrosimova, Bird, Taurase, and Charles.

 

[trisailin]

Stef, Bria, Stewie vs Abrosimova, Bird, Taurase, and Charles.

Interesting that you included Charles. If I recall, she didn't "come into her own" until 3/4 of the way through her Junior year?

 

[meyers7]

And to this point, I would think that if Stef or Breanna were playing where Geno didn't want them to play, then said individual would be positioning themselves on the bench ?????

Ahhh yep.

 

[meyers7]

Interesting that you included Charles. If I recall, she didn't "come into her own" until 3/4 of the way through her Junior year?

Was just gonna say that.

Also, Dolson has improved into one of the top posts in the country. Hartley was an AA as a Soph. Stewart is only a Freshman, how much does Sal expect her to improve already? Heck we are just figuring out her starting point, let alone calculating improvements.

 

[UConn Sal]

Interesting that you included Charles. If I recall, she didn't "come into her own" until 3/4 of the way through her Junior year?

 

[UConn Sal]

Interesting that you included Charles. If I recall, she didn't "come into her own" until 3/4 of the way through her Junior year?