End the grand experiment - Please?

[diggerfoot]

Anyway, in contested games (Baylor, Tennessee, S Car, NCAA Tournament) Kyla Irwin will get walk on minutes, that's a given. Although, possibly not in the big OOC games vs S. Car and Tennessee.

Sans neither of those happening, goodbye even elite 8....

? We already played Baylor and Irwin already played starter's minutes in that game. Am I missing something?

Something you are overlooking (if already pointed out I missed it) is how Irwin has taken over Samuelson's role of pointing and telling her teammates where to go. Presumably if she did not do this they would stand around even more than they currently do. I find it disturbing that Irwin needs to do that, but no way can Makurat or Griffin assume that role as freshmen.

I do not know what the +/- are for the three players in question, but if you live in Connecticut I offer you one of my usual pizza bets, with something added. If we find out that, since she has been starting, Irwin's +/- is higher than the other two, you refrain from your dismissal of Irwin for the rest of the season, plus you pay for the pizza we split. If Makurat's or Griffin's is higher I won't question any of your posts again and pay for the pizza.

I see us as one of the best eight teams and making the Elite Eight no matter what happens here on out. Based on what data do you think we are not one of the eight best teams?

 

[UConn2SF]

Do we not remember what Anna looked like as a starter? Here's a refresher:

Anna - 4 starts - 21% fg, 12% 3fg, 3ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.5 apg OR
Kyla - 11 starts - 44% fg, 42% 3fg, 2.7ppg, 3.18 rpg, 2.54 apg

Right now, theres is no better alternative.

 

[BobbyJ]

All this worrying about stats and starters is great for conversation but ultimately isn't going to matter at all. This team has shown what they are and change will be minimal. They can't run offense against tough, physical defense and they're undersized and soft in the paint with no interior defense other than ONO. Auriemma knows it and that's why he's so frustrated.

 

[Zorro]

My opinion is that if Meyers and Geno both agree on something, the case is closed.

 

[tower1]

Geno, in one post game interview said, it's not fair that Kyla has to play 30 minutes. She is not a 30 minute player. But Geno believes no one else is stepping up. I thought that was kinda a left handed compliment for Kyla. She is trying as hard as she can. Any way, this is how Geno sees it, and he is around his players a lot more than we are. Plus he has input from his assistants, who I'm sure would offer their advice if they felt someone else should be playing instead of Kyla.

You really believe what you just said.

 

[Shaffer0011]

Anna should start but Geno has stated that he likes her off the bench and some players do respond to that role. Kyla gets the nod until Griffin finds her grove. She hasn’t yet, but I think she will. Then Kyla will lose minutes.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I haven't watched any of AAC games, Irwin might be fine in those. Against Baylor and Tennessee she just looked completely outmatched and ineffective. Griifin turned the tide of the Tenn. game with her energy. What do I know, but I think the future is now and Griffin and Makurat should both be getting more minutes and Irwin less.

 

[EricSD]

I haven't watched any of AAC games, Irwin might be fine in those. Against Baylor and Tennessee she just looked completely outmatched and ineffective. Griifin turned the tide of the Tenn. game with her energy. What do I know, but I think the future is now and Griffin and Makurat should both be getting more minutes and Irwin less.

Aubrey has been slow to develop and makes mistakes on the court. Don't get me wrong - she's improving in bunches. Anna is much more consistent, even if her shot is off, and it's been on lately. But I think Geno likes Kyla's experience and steadying influence.

Not saying I agree necessarily, with him, but I'm not sure I see it changing this year... We will see... He surprised me with his starters for the 2nd half so who knows?!!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Not saying I agree necessarily, with him, but I'm not sure I see it changing this year... We will see... He surprised me with his starters for the 2nd half so who knows?!!

And look what happened, Q3 was all UConn.

 

[HuskyNan]

And look what happened, Q3 was all UConn.

Go to the chat room

 

[Zorro]

I think Geno has a pretty good grip on how to bring young players along. I, for one, will defer to his judgement.

 

[HuskyNan]

Kyla starting wasn’t an experiment. No one stepped up early in the season and Geno needed someone with size to start alongside his sophomore center. Kyla has limitations, yes, but she played really well in several games and did the best she could. Is it time to start one of the freshmen? Maybe, but Kyla deserves credit for doing whatever she could to the best of her ability. She was the lead cheerleader on the bench at tonight’s game and I feel that shows how much she values the team first

Well done, Kyla, well done!

 

[Martin]

My opinion is that if Meyers and Geno both agree on something, the case is closed.

 

[ABCDFE]

I think Geno has a pretty good grip on how to bring young players along. I, for one, will defer to his judgement.

Or defer to Big Micks’. Aren’t we convinced Geno reads the boneyard

 

[ABCDFE]

Kyla starting wasn’t an experiment. No one stepped up early in the season and Geno needed someone with size to start alongside his sophomore center. Kyla has limitations, yes, but she played really well in several games and did the best she could. Is it time to start one of the freshmen? Maybe, but Kyla deserves credit for doing whatever she could to the best of her ability. She was the lead cheerleader on the bench at tonight’s game and I feel that shows how much she values the team first

Well done, Kyla, well done!

I don’t think people who are in the camp that Geno should end the experiment doesn’t see the improvement kyla has made this year and how well she played for a good stretch of the year. Her effort and leadership as a teammate is second to none. What many of us were trying to convey is that there’s a higher ceiling with AG and AM and at some point it’s time to give the reigns to the better player, not the most experienced because to get to the finish line or at least have a shot we all agree we need Aubrey and Anna to be the big contributors. It’s probably true that the timing of this transition can be debated (as the boneyard has already) but it’s getting agonizingly close to that time and Geno probably hinted at such tonight.
As much as I’d love to see Kylas individual success because she serves it, but on the other hand aren’t we supposed wish for what’s best for the team at this point. Best possible potential UCONN team on the court includes more Anna and more AB and little less Kyla.

 

[uconnfan68]

I don’t think people who are in the camp that Geno should end the experiment doesn’t see the improvement kyla has made this year and how well she played for a good stretch of the year. Her effort and leadership as a teammate is second to none. What many of us were trying to convey is that there’s a higher ceiling with AG and AM and at some point it’s time to give the reigns to the better player, not the most experienced because to get to the finish line or at least have a shot we all agree we need Aubrey and Anna to be the big contributors. It’s probably true that the timing of this transition can be debated (as the boneyard has already) but it’s getting agonizingly close to that time and Geno probably hinted at such tonight.
As much as I’d love to see Kylas individual success because she serves it, but on the other hand aren’t we supposed wish for what’s best for the team at this point. Best possible potential UCONN team on the court includes more Anna and more AB and little less Kyla.

17-1, and you’re complaining?

 

[BostonBay]

Irwin shouldnt be starting against good teams. No disrespect, but she was mainly responsible for the team getting in an early 8 point hole in the 1st 5 minutes, which set the tone for the rest of the half. Just too small (against bigs) & slow to compete on both sides of the ball against top competition. Give her the minutes in blowouts and AAC games, but Anna/AG are needed against the good teams.

 

[ABCDFE]

Didn’t meaN for it to be complaining but to provide my opinion on a much talked about topic. And if you’ve read the numerous post-game posts you will see that this topic has been discussed at length with much divisiveness. HuskyNan has been greatly supportive of Kyla, which is great, but there’s also the view that we can support Kyla and still be able to critique her and the team because ultimately many of us LOVE the program. Im sorry that the post offended you but before you reprimand a fellow poster have a more thoughtful response, it would add more value to the discussion.

You can be the nicest, hardest working, and best teammate in the world, but like any sport people look for results and over the last several games Kylas results haven’t been at the level we would like. Therefore if you have options to improve why wouldn’t we discuss here. Ultimately Geno will run his team the way he wants, but we as fans can have our voice here in the boneyard.

 

[Calbysdad]

Didn’t meaN for it to be complaining but to provide my opinion on a much talked about topic. And if you’ve read the numerous post-game posts you will see that this topic has been discussed at length with much divisiveness. HuskyNan has been greatly supportive of Kyla, which is great, but there’s also the view that we can support Kyla and still be able to critique her and the team because ultimately many of us LOVE the program. Im sorry that the post offended you but before you reprimand a fellow poster have a more thoughtful response, it would add more value to the discussion.

You can be the nicest, hardest working, and best teammate in the world, but like any sport people look for results and over the last several games Kylas results haven’t been at the level we would like. Therefore if you have options to improve why wouldn’t we discuss here. Ultimately Geno will run his team the way he wants, but we as fans can have our voice here in the boneyard.

I didn't view your post as a complaint...quite the opposite in fact. I, too, love watching Kyla and I feel that up until tonight, she was the best choice for the overall offense. After the TN game, AG and AM may have the confidence needed to steal that starting role.

 

[maddoggy]

Let me try this "one" last time:

Really? Promise? Oh please, please, please. Let it be so.

 

[Huskie02]

Not to pick on Irwin; but, the numbers from these last 3 games
1) Baylor................. Minutes 32 Points 0 Rebounds 2
2) Houston............ Minutes 18 Points 0 Rebounds 3
3) Memphis.......... Minutes 24 Points 0 Rebounds 4

Running around setting picks only disrupts ball movement, which is UCONN's bread and butter.

Were you pondering why everyone seems to be standing around? Well, they they are watching the ball handler trying desperately to use these multiple picks that never seem to quite work and the clock runs down.....

Anyone seriously disagreeing, do tell.

I’ve said it several times already. Irwin could probably for a few of those AAC teams but she doesn’t have the skill set to play against better players on better teams. All she does is set screens and pass the ball off. She seems afraid to shoot against good teams. Aubrey is a much better all around player. Give her the minutes so she can continue to improve.

 

[huskeynut]

Here's the bottom line for all of this - Geno is the head coach and Geno decides.

Now you may not like that statement and that's fine. But its reality. Frankly, Anna and Aubrey coming off the bench to supply the spark and energy makes sense. Last night's game was a perfect example.

Enjoy the win and enjoy how these talented young ladies are growing and developing in all aspects of life.

 

[EricSD]

Irwin shouldnt be starting against good teams. No disrespect, but she was mainly responsible for the team getting in an early 8 point hole in the 1st 5 minutes, which set the tone for the rest of the half. Just too small (against bigs) & slow to compete on both sides of the ball against top competition. Give her the minutes in blowouts and AAC games, but Anna/AG are needed against the good teams.

You make an interesting point. Does having her in make for slow starts even against over-matched teams? Against Tulsa, no one was going to stop the UCONN steamroll, but...

UCONN was tied with UCF at the end of the first quarter. Kyla played for 7-8 minutes there. Granted the entire team struggled, but we won because we had a monster 2nd quarter when Kyla was on the bench.

Against Memphis we got down 8-2. We were actually down 21-15 at the end of Q1 with Kyla in most of the quarter.

But against Houston, we won Q1 25-2.

Not sure there is enough evidence one way or the other. I agree against good teams, she will be a liability. But against everyone else, Aubrey, and especially Anna, have thrived coming off the bench.

I suspect Geno will continue to start Kyla - but who knows? He surprised me by benching Kyla and Olivia in favor of Anna and Aubrey in the 2nd half vs. Tennessee. Geno made some terrific half time adjustments. Wonder what he said in the locker room!!

 

[Zorro]

After last night, anyone want to end the "Christyn experiment"? I thought not.

 

[YankeeTM]

Not to pick on Irwin; but, the numbers from these last 3 games
1) Baylor................. Minutes 32 Points 0 Rebounds 2
2) Houston............ Minutes 18 Points 0 Rebounds 3
3) Memphis.......... Minutes 24 Points 0 Rebounds 4

Running around setting picks only disrupts ball movement, which is UCONN's bread and butter.

Were you pondering why everyone seems to be standing around? Well, they they are watching the ball handler trying desperately to use these multiple picks that never seem to quite work and the clock runs down.....

Anyone seriously disagreeing, do tell.

I'm always amazed at how easy it is to creticize Geno. TRUST TO COACH!. How many all americans do you think are on the team? When one of the freshmen is ready to start Geno will start her.

 

[Dokey]

Look meyers7, you make some valid points. I don't "usually" get into a back and forth - simply giving my take on some aspects of a game or trends.

Anyway, in contested games (Baylor, Tennessee, S Car, NCAA Tournament) Kyla Irwin will get walk on minutes, that's a given. Although, possibly not in the big OOC games vs S. Car and Tennessee.

In this moment, Geno is dangling those non productive Irwin minutes to entice:
1) Anna to win some of those minutes by dropping 7+ points a game.
2) Aubrey to win some of those minutes by either getting put-back points or kicking the ball out, as she has been winning some offensive boards, impressively.

Sans neither of those happening, goodbye even elite 8....

Sooo - it's a waiting/balancing game for Geno....luckily he has all of the remaining AAC games to extract what he can from those two. Either way - come NCAA tournament time there will be big changes in minutes played by Kyla, Anna and Aubrey. Take that to the bank, as it were

Right now Anna has been dishing to Aubrey for twos. When that switches around with kickbacks to Anna for threes...oh, boy! And I note both made an immediate play on entering the game.

 

[Zorro]

They both have very bright futures as Husky Heros!!