Early Season Lou Critics

[Carnac]

Early on, Lou's 3-point shot was off and she needed to learn to defend better and play harder. Right now, I think she's a top-20 player nationally. She'll be pre-season (and probably post-season) AA next year.

I like what Kaizen says: A combo of Stewie and KML. She is on her way. Remember that Kaleena had a slump and "pouting" as a frosh and Stewie had a slump and a dismal game against Baylor. Even the greats (other than maybe Maya) struggled early on. Lou is working her way up the learning curve.

We've ALL been through this a thousand times. A highly touted freshman comes in, and we (UConn Nation) expect them to perform at a high level ASAP. We're willing to give them time to make the adjustment from high school to college, just don't take too long in doing it.

I think we can ALL agree that Lou has made that adjustment. She has arrived. She's very comfortable out there now. With success comes confidence. When she emerges on the other side of the up coming tournaments, her confidence will be through the roof. She was recruited to replace KLM. She has officially graduated from "boot camp". She is now our official designated 3 point shooter.

We understand that the time frame for making said adjustment is different for each player. Some make it in a month or two, some take the entire year. We no longer have to concern ourselves about Lou. She will be fine. She still needs to tighten up her defense just a bit, but that will come. She will be part of the BIG 3 (along with Gabby and Kia) for next season. She will be consistent and dependable all year.

Now we can ALL turn our attention to other players, as we help Geno get next year's team ready for the season that lies ahead. It's our job. That's what we do. Geno depends on us, we can't let him down.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

See, I told you a 1 inch piece of paper would be more than adequate. I'm glad no one can remember the volume of shtick that was leveled - usually as a preface to advocating for another player. It will recycle next fall with 3 new freshman with a sprinkling of Saniya and a dash of Natalie.

 

[Carnac]

Early on, Lou's 3-point shot was off and she needed to learn to defend better and play harder. Right now, I think she's a top-20 player nationally. She'll be pre-season (and probably post-season) AA next year.

I like what Kaizen says: A combo of Stewie and KML. She is on her way. Remember that Kaleena had a slump and "pouting" as a frosh and Stewie had a slump and a dismal game against Baylor. Even the greats (other than maybe Maya) struggled early on. Lou is working her way up the learning curve.

We've ALL been through this a thousand times. A highly touted freshman comes in, and we (UConn Nation) expect them to perform at a high level ASAP. We're willing to give them time to make the adjustment from high school to college, just don't take too long in doing it.

I think we can ALL agree that Lou has made that adjustment. She has arrived. She's very comfortable out there now. With success comes confidence. When she emerges on the other side of the up coming tournaments, her confidence will be through the roof. She is going to be counted on to play within the scope of the offense, and to be our 3 point sniper.

We understand that the time frame for making said adjustment is different for each player. Some make it in a month or two, some take the entire year. We no longer have to concern ourselves about Lou. She will be fine. She will be part of the BIG 3 (along with Gabby and Kia) for next season. She will be consistent and dependable all year.

Now we can ALL turn our attention to other players, as we help Geno get next year's team ready for the season that lies ahead. It's our job. That's what we do.

 

[Mdoggie]

The big 4. I am on the NC bandwagon!

 

[rugbymate]

Earlier in the season, playing against USF, Lou had a marginal game and was being compared to another USF player in less than a complimentary way. I think her name was Laska and she was lighting it up from 3-point land. That was then and now USF/Laska are coming to town on Monday. My money is on Lou!!!

 

[Kaizen]

I think in BY we are OK. Even there are some bashes for the players but they are not as bad as other boards. I have constantly seen posts called the coach or players bxxxh in other boards.

 

[bags27]

Lou after nailing the buzzer-beater. Sorry it's fuzzy. Only thing better than this was the huge grin on Napheesa's face as Lou ran to the bench. Magic moments....

 

[Huskies Rule]

I apologize for the careless word choice: it was an exaggeration born from frustration. I teach college kids and appreciate how hard the transition is for freshmen; I can't imagine what it's like for someone coming to UConn basketball, especially this year on the precipice of history. Of course, it is--to paraphrase Lee Strasberg in Godfather II--the life they choose. But still, it's hard for me to hear criticism of an 18 year old, doing her best. My bad, as they say, for word choice.

Say it ain't so, Bags. You are aiding and abetting the use of that god-awful "my bad." And a teacher no less.

I had dinner with my kids in Manhattan the other day. Since it was on me, I guess they felt like they had to pay me a compliment, so they said my tie was 'on fleek.' Huh??? When I foolishly asked a computer question they laughed hysterically and called me an old 'noob.' A what??? Asked how they've been lately, I was told they were just "chillaxin." What??? None of that bothered me because I had no clue what they were saying and didn't find out until I got home.

But when my daughter spilled some Opus One and apologetically declared "my bad," I almost lost it. Gosh, I hate that phrase.
Now I know to blame bags27 for this massacre of the English language. Thanks, professor .

 

[bags27]

Sorry, Huskies Rule! My baaaaaa. Woops! My wife and I have 3 boys, the last out of the house finally. They helped me massacre the English language. But geez, if I spilled Opus One, I'd use an entirely different expletive!

 

[meyers7]

I thought, and posted it a few times, that KLS is gonna be a good one. Not DT, Moore, Stewart level, but I thought by the time she graduated she could reach the next level (Bird, Charles, Abrosimova, etc.). However I will admit, she has shown a lot more this year (recently) than I though she would.

I really like the fact that even with Stewart, Jefferson, Tuck, Nurse on the floor, she demands the ball when she is open. Pretty impressive.

 

[bags27]

I really like the fact that even with Stewart, Jefferson, Tuck, Nurse on the floor, she demands the ball when she is open. Pretty impressive.

Yup. Greatness is to no small degree a self-fulfilling prophesy. "None but the brave deserve the fair," wrote Dryden.

 

[Carnac]

Hey..........I've got a big pitcher of "Katie Lou" Kool-Aid that I'm drinking if any body wants some.

 

[Kaizen]

I thought, and posted it a few times, that KLS is gonna be a good one. Not DT, Moore, Stewart level, but I thought by the time she graduated she could reach the next level (Bird, Charles, Abrosimova, etc.). However I will admit, she has shown a lot more this year (recently) than I though she would.

I really like the fact that even with Stewart, Jefferson, Tuck, Nurse on the floor, she demands the ball when she is open. Pretty impressive.

Yes, Lou is very confident now. One thing I wish to see is she can go more inside and she has done several times before.

 

[DaddyChoc]

There was no bashing. There were a couple of posters that questioned her shooting ability or if she could replace KML. Unfortunately, there are also some that consider everything that doesn't glow UConn as bashing.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Kaizen
<<Lou is a combination of KML and Stewie.>>

*********************************************
I hardily agree.
We should, perhaps, start referring to her as "Lewie"

(And on nights she has a double-double, we'd then call her "Lewie - Lewie")
[Sorry... just had a flashback to 1967. What was the name of that off campus barn where we had the "shoots" in them-there days?]

The other Huskies.

 

[JordyG]

As coach said. KLS's turnaround came when she started doing other things: Keeping in front of the ball handler, diving for loose balls, knowing when to step in for the steal, being opportunistic on the boards, talking more on defense, not missing on the switch, cutting better on offense, hitting her spots on the floor, stepping around the screen, making the accurate, extra pass Anyone notice how little she turns the ball over now? She's shown she's more than just a spot up shooter. And I've said this before, but when she steps up for the two she is so smooth. With this young lady there's a lot to work with. She's a nightmare for 2 and a puzzle for 3's.

 

[hoophuskee]

As coach said. KLS's turnaround came when she started doing other things: Keeping in front of the ball handler, diving for loose balls, knowing when to step in for the steal, being opportunistic on the boards, talking more on defense, not missing on the switch, cutting better on offense, hitting her spots on the floor, stepping around the screen, making the accurate, extra pass Anyone notice how little she turns the ball over now? She's shown she's more than just a spot up shooter. And I've said this before, but when she steps up for the two she is so smooth. With this young lady there's a lot to work with. She's a nightmare for 2 and a puzzle for 3's.

What do you mean by a puzzle for 3's? In the last 14 games her EFG% is 60.04%. For the season it is 56.49%. She is more than just spot up shooter but this year - this team needs consistent three point shooters so Stewie and Tuck can operate down low.

 

[JordyG]

What do you mean by a puzzle for 3's? In the last 14 games her EFG% is 60.04%. For the season it is 56.49%. She is more than just spot up shooter but this year - this team needs consistent three point shooters so Stewie and Tuck can operate down low.

2 guards and 3 (small) forwards and wings. The oppositions players.

 

[DaddyChoc]

2 guards and 3 (small) forwards and wings. The oppositions players.

exactly... not "from" 2, or "from" 3

 

[JordyG]

exactly... not "from" 2, or "from" 3

Yes. What's interesting is as she moves toward her 3rd and 4th year her game will evolve inside making life miserable for 4's. She's going to be a handful because of her versatility.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Yes. What's interesting is as she moves toward her 3rd and 4th year her game will evolve inside making life miserable for 4's. She's going to be a handful because of her versatility.

they didnt break the "Stewie Mold"

 

[Sonny44]

Yup. Greatness is to no small degree a self-fulfilling prophesy. "None but the brave deserve the fair," wrote Dryden.

What would a hockey goalie know about that?

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

Boy, was she ever sweet vs. Tulane. Shot through her slump, and pulled the team along with her.

The band is the key; anyone have a contact with them?. Early in Doty's career they would play Sweet Caroline; why aren't they playing Louie-Louie? Maybe if they do, we'll hear more Looooouuuuuuu-s from the crowd.

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

In the post-game press conference, Geno gets a question about Lou's progression and he says he wishes she would rebound more, and that if she got one every game he would be happy.

Geno: How many rebounds did Lou have?
CD: 5. Her sister had 12 last night. We did not get the rebounding Samuelson.
Geno: No, no we did not.

That's funny.

Something tells me that if she got twelve, the conversation would change:

Geno: How many blocks did Lou have?
CD: 5. Her sister had 12 last night. We did not get the blocking Samuelson.
Geno: No, no we did not.​

Then later that season...

Geno: How many steals did Lou have?
CD: 5. Her sister had 12 last night. We did not get the stealing Samuelson.
Geno: No, no we did not.​

Ad infinitum, ad astra, ad nauseam...Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

 

[hoophuskee]

Yes. What's interesting is as she moves toward her 3rd and 4th year her game will evolve inside making life miserable for 4's. She's going to be a handful because of her versatility.

You mean as a pf, she will be shooting three's vs team making other power forward's life miserable similar to what Maya would do, right? I can definitely see that.

 

[JordyG]

You mean as a pf, she will be shooting three's vs team making other power forward's life miserable similar to what Maya would do, right? I can definitely see that.

*Yes again. 2 guards who are about 5'10" or so see her as this long armed mountain they can't dribble around or shoot over. Wings see her as this puzzle that seems awkward, yet they can't dribble around and doesn't allow them to get to their shooting position. Offensively she can shoot over 2 guards and when they commit, dribble passed. Wing's who want to linger under the basket in zones are pulled from their comfort areas. In man to man they lose her in screens or she dribbles around to shoot the 2 or drive to the basket. And still she shoots over them. Both a nightmare and a puzzle. When she learns better footwork with her back to the basket she'll be trouble inside.

 

[hoophuskee]

*Yes again. 2 guards who are about 5'10" or so see her as this long armed mountain they can't dribble around or shoot over. Wings see her as this puzzle that seems awkward, yet they can't dribble around and doesn't allow them to get to their shooting position. Offensively she can shoot over 2 guards and when they commit, dribble passed. Wing's who want to linger under the basket in zones are pulled from their comfort areas. In man to man they lose her in screens or she dribbles around to shoot the 2 or drive to the basket. And still she shoots over them. Both a nightmare and a puzzle. When she learns better footwork with her back to the basket she'll be trouble inside.

I agree with what you say but in this explanation you're speaking of the 2/3 position the wing. I was speaking of when you said "her game will evolve inside making life miserable for 4's."

The explanation you just replied to me with was that of KLS as a wing and the problems she can cause. Anyhow, not important.

I would like your opinion on the following--can you give it? Do you foresee at some point in KLS's career that she can defend the post? In particular power forwards and certain type of centers?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I thought, and posted it a few times, that KLS is gonna be a good one. Not DT, Moore, Stewart level, but I thought by the time she graduated she could reach the next level (Bird, Charles, Abrosimova, etc.). However I will admit, she has shown a lot more this year (recently) than I though she would.

I really like the fact that even with Stewart, Jefferson, Tuck, Nurse on the floor, she demands the ball when she is open. Pretty impressive.

You are getting shamefully soft! Please get back into shape in the off season ... OK?

 

[UcMiami]

The poster I am looking for to come on the board and again explain what a mistake Geno made in not offering Gillespie who was going to completely light up WCBB and challenge for player of the year, not just NFOY.
She has put together a nice freshman season for Maryland, but I think I am fine with Collier and Samuelson.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The poster I am looking for to come on the board and again explain what a mistake Geno made in not offering Gillespie who was going to completely light up WCBB and challenge for player of the year, not just NFOY.
She has put together a nice freshman season for Maryland, but I think I am fine with Collier and Samuelson.

Oh, now you've done it!