Ft Hays State Postgame Thread

[Dancingbear]

Saylor did not play. I am not sure she was even completely suited up. Does anyone have info on her

Saylor and Aubrey are both nursing ankle sprains.

 

[DefenseBB]

If I remember correctly, when UCONN does the feed (vs SNY or ESPN, etc.) they pull it off what is shown on the screen in Gampel (or XL). So the people at game can just watch the live action or the screen. Granted it doesn't work too well for those at home, but that's not really who they are thinking about.

Doesn't make it better, but explains it.

Well, I think when UConn does the game it is the student apprenticeships in the Media department that are gaining hands-on experience particularly in the production room which calls for the switches from shot to shot. This type of work requires practice and I am fine with living with the glitches to get this for free. Just go and see if some of the other programs televise their exhibitions.

 

[jcoton56]

Agree with much of the discussion. I liked that 12 players were involved in 90 possessions and there were only 7 turnovers in 40 minutes. Keep that up and good things will happen.

 

[Bills Fan]

I just watched the replay (which was of good quality) and was more than happy to see the team in action after the long hiatus. I'll not add much to this already long thread except to say that not a single Uconn player looked overwhelmed or out of sync during their time on the court, including Mir, Paith and DeBerry. Granted it was an exhibition game, but against reasonably good competition. Over the last number of years the deeper bench subs have struggled and there was no sign of that.

It has been suggested in other threads that the playing time conundrum might lead to having a dedicated "blue team" all sub in together. This game gave a hint that something along those lines might happen, with ONO, Williams, Evina, Paige and AE starting things off before giving way to Nika, Dorka, Fudd, Crystal Dangerfield and whoever - perhaps Saylor or Aubrie when healthy. Obviously there will be a lot of mixing and matching depending on match-ups and game situations but having a strong second team that play together regularly has its charms.

Except Crystal Dangerfield has left the building ! She graduated a few years ago so she is ineligible to be part of this group. However, I think Caroline Ducharme would fit in pretty well with the other four you listed.

 

[BBallF]

You are 100% correct. This is part of the reason I thought Rice would pick UCONN. All of our players are polished and well-spoken, including those from Europe! Rice would have fit right in.

We will probably never know what the motivating factor(s) was and it really doesn't matter. UCONN ain't for everyone. It takes a lot to put up with it, to thrive in it and to grow in it. Geno ain't for everyone either. There he is before the Ft. Hays game throwing shade on the defensive abilities of his returning POY. Who does that?

For those who get through it though, they become metamorphosed into very confident, self aware, and fearless young women even if they were not stars here and many reach a potential in the sport and beyond that was likely unthinkable to them. I mean really, is Carla Berube Carla Berube without UCONN? What about Treasurer Maria Conlon? There are many even better examples and as you know the list is very long. I don't believe in those kinds of coincidences.

One of the reasons the players are so endearing to us ( we all have our favorites now, don't we?) is because we get to see them suffer, so to speak, (Nika last year comes to mind) and still be unselfish and devote themselves to the greater good of the team. It's obviously highly contagious because it spreads to all of them it seems every year and with it I believe comes this ridiculous poise at so young an age and this shared confidence and sisterhood which is just plain commendable.

 

[jchusky]

We will probably never know what the motivating factor(s) was and it really doesn't matter. UCONN ain't for everyone. It takes a lot to put up with it, to thrive in it and to grow in it. Geno ain't for everyone either. There he is before the Ft. Hays game throwing shade on the defensive abilities of his returning POY. Who does that?

For those who get through it though, they become metamorphosed into very confident, self aware, and fearless young women even if they were not stars here and many reach a potential in the sport and beyond that was likely unthinkable to them. I mean really, is Carla Berube Carla Berube without UCONN? What about Treasurer Maria Conlon? There are many even better examples and as you know the list is very long. I don't believe in those kinds of coincidences.

One of the reasons the players are so endearing to us ( we all have our favorites now, don't we?) is because we get to see them suffer, so to speak, (Nika last year comes to mind) and still be unselfish and devote themselves to the greater good of the team. It's obviously highly contagious because it spreads to all of them it seems every year and with it I believe comes this ridiculous poise at so young an age and this shared confidence and sisterhood which is just plain commendable.

is it shade? Or is he bringing caution that her defense has not improved. There was a play I posted earlier where she was way out of position guarding the player she was assigned. Another player had a fadeaway jumper in her face. Geno comes off as playful, but don't mistake what he is trying to say to his player when it comes to defense.

 

[Dokey]

Must have screwed up something streaming yesterday. Once the game started, just had audio, but enjoyed the narrative. Watched highlights this morning on YT.
I'm content now, to paraphrase Geno, "to let the season come to me"
Everybody looked pretty d__n good. But, will somebody PLEASE show them how to shoot free-throws.
That mental block must be made of cement.
Kinda hard to look too bad when you put up 111 points and win by 64, no matter who you're playing.
Azzi, Caroline, Dorka really impressed. Don't have to guess any more whether they will fit in.
Missed seeing Aubrey come in and shake everything up, but hope her injury is something that will heal soon.
Piath looked mean and lean.
Think Geno and assistants are going to stay on top of them during practices (as usual) so they don't forget to pass around the perimeter and SHOOT when they have a good look.
Let's see what happens next Sunday against the Razorbacks.

There were two forms, one audio only, one a video.

 

[BBallF]

is it shade? Or is he bringing caution that her defense has not improved. There was a play I posted earlier where she was way out of position guarding the player she was assigned. Another player had a fadeaway jumper in her face. Geno comes off as playful, but don't mistake what he is trying to say to his player when it comes to defense.

It was intentional shade. He doesn't say anything without a motive. He threw shade on Diana all the time even after she graduated. The point was what other coach would do that publicly to a POY? That other coach would be afraid he was hurting her chances of repeating. If he does it to Paige what about a lowly starter or role player? It's tough to be there and go through it with him but the process is not destructive, it's not even properly denominated as constructive, it's beyond that. It's transformative. Along the way maybe you play on an NC team or two, maybe not. Either way when you come out, you're different and I think sought after. Wouldn't you want to have a former Huskie or two working for or with you? I would.

 

[D J B]

It was intentional shade. He doesn't say anything without a motive. He threw shade on Diana all the time even after she graduated. The point was what other coach would do that publicly to a POY? That other coach would be afraid he was hurting her chances of repeating. If he does it to Paige what about a lowly starter or role player? It's tough to be there and go through it with him but the process is not destructive, it's not even properly denominated as constructive, it's beyond that. It's transformative. Along the way maybe you play on an NC team or two, maybe not. Either way when you come out, you're different and I think sought after. Wouldn't you want to have a former Huskie or two working for or with you? I would.

Agree completely.

Geno's talk about Paige's defensive play have done nothing but inspire her to be a better defensive player. She even said in a very recent interview when asked about what she has been working on to improve that her defensive game is a high priority for her. Makes sense. She has a ton of respect for Geno, and it shows whenever she talks about him, or when she gives the sass back to him in spades. He's not slapping her, he's nudging her, and they both know it. Geno doesn't recruit thin skinned crybabies. He recruits exceptional tough kids who want to grow and get better. And he also only recruits kids who have character to spare. Everybody knows what the rules are when they commit to UConn.

I have certainly seen a tremendous improvement in her defensive play between now and when she first came to Storrs.

Some folks just like to get their nose out of joint over anything, likely because it's been broken so many times in the past and it's easy.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Geno's "criticism" of Paige's defense was clearly a joke. Couldn't you see him look across the room and smile? She led the team in steals last year and got 5 more yesterday. It was a joke!

 

[Heytherego]

Geno's "criticism" of Paige's defense was clearly a joke. Couldn't you see him look across the room and smile? She led the team in steals last year and got 5 more yesterday. It was a joke!

Really? I think his statement was jokey because he was saying how a highlight for the D2 players was scoring over PB, but I genuinely think he feels Paige needs to play better on ball defense. Off the ball, she’s pretty good, that’s where she’s getting the steals.

 

[D J B]

Really? I think his statement was jokey because he was saying how a highlight for the D2 players was scoring over PB, but I genuinely think he feels Paige needs to play better on ball defense. Off the ball, she’s pretty good, that’s where she’s getting the steals.

I hear what you're saying here. Geno often uses a 'joking' point to help a player focus on a dead serious particular point. I too think that Geno wants Paige to play better on ball defense, because I truly feel that he wants her to be the best she can possibly be, and if he works with her and helps her reach that goal, then he will once again have achieved the only goal a head coach can expect, and that is to maximize the potential of a truly sensational talent. Geno is really good at this. Paige will be the latest recipient of his talent, and we get to watch. Isn't life grand?

 

[DEpup]

I think he just wants her hands up when she's defending....

 

[eebmg]

It does feel a little bit like Geno is pulling every Azzi card to get under Paige's skin.

Azzi's Mechanics perfect, Paige's footwork sloppy
Azzi is a good defender Paige is more hit and miss although he did say last year that her defense has improved alot.

Best way to make sure Paige does not let the foot of the pedal.

I also think this somewhat different treatment is a symptom of their personalities

Paige want people to diss her so she can show them how good she is
Azzi seems like a personality that is better suited to positive reinforcement.

 

[jchusky]

Really? I think his statement was jokey because he was saying how a highlight for the D2 players was scoring over PB, but I genuinely think he feels Paige needs to play better on ball defense. Off the ball, she’s pretty good, that’s where she’s getting the steals.

definitely does. I think he wants to send a message that just because you're the best player on the team, doesn't mean you can get away with bad defense. The concern for Bueckers is after Williams who is the best defender on the team, she won't be getting a player who is 2nd or 3rd best on the team. She will have to be guarding the opposing team's best player.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Or he could be just telling a joke while Paige is right there with them. He smiled at someone across the room. I'm autistic and even I got that joke. It was good natured ribbing. She does similar things to him. Could there be a subliminal meaning, intended even? Sure but it was mainly a joke.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

The Game. If it is up above somewhere ... sue me.

Just watched the Fort Hays video.

Juhasz- WOW!
Ducharmes- WOW!
Edwards- WOW! Is she even better at the beginning of this season than she was at the end of last?

I think UConn's best front court players are without a doubt:

1) Edwards
2) Juhasz
3) Ducharmes

After that, is Gabriel now better than ONO? Gabriel showed a lot of grit and aggressiveness. DeBerry? Didn't see much. But I didn't see much improvement by ONO from last year. Still shooting that 20-foot shot. And missing. Wouldn't be surprised if she were supplanted by the three players above, and one or more of Gabriel and DeBerry by mid-season, if not sooner.