Fun V. The Weight Of Expectations | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Fun V. The Weight Of Expectations

Centerstream said:
Any games that we have lost, I will not watch the replay if one is available and if I DVRed it and didn't watch live, I normally won't watch it. Except last year I did watch the USC loss that I didn't get to watch live. I only watched it after reading posts in the Postgame thread and it "sounded" like it was an exciting 4th quarter.
Expand ...
I count that one as a "moral" victory, rather like the one we lost to SC three years ago.
 
YKCornelius said:
Charlie, I don't get this type of thinking. ... (jump to final paragraph)

... My love for this program has always been about the journey, not so much the destination: player development, coming together as a team, beautiful offensive and defensive coordination, constant improvement in the pursuit of perfection, and overcoming the challenges of playing in the greatest WCBB program of all-time. National championships, Final Fours, Conference championships, undefeated seasons, streaks, and individual player accolades are all simply by-products.
Expand ...
love this post.

what's in bf suggests to me a problem for the fans:

will geno steal the source of pleasure you relish from the fans? will these many developing players get a chance to provide it? if we don't see them playing, if they're glued to the bench, how do we enjoy their development?

since uconn this season can destroy many foes from nov. through late march -- and i suspect it often will be the case -- i hope the newbies and recovering players will have ample time to entertain us. the entire roster of 15 would intrigue me in their appearances. hell, i would love gandy to show us where she starts her journey and watch her progress, not to mention allie, blanca and the rest. with this season's schedule and the starters (whoever they be) including multiple star players it shouldn't be tough to get everyone good minutes and still win.

maybe geno won't comply. he wants players to "earn" court exposure and to reinforce the chemistry and cohesiveness of a core group. he's also aware that failure to excel, especially in front of the huge uconn fanbase, could set back some players. and their improvement seems to be the prime directive, after all

that seems to make sense in creating the most unbeatable team possible.

would fans rather have the enjoyment of watching all players perform, though? if storrs is the broadway of wcbb, as geno has postulated, will he produce an epic hit musical or a sleep-inducing drama?

geno maybe should go for the hit this season -- try to excite the audience, which has many boring games to endure upcoming (BYers will watch anyway). he might not fashion a juggernaut, but does he need one? he's already won 12 NC, and it looks good for #13. in the past, he's proved he can lose some games and still sweep april. perfection is not the goal.
 
PacoSwede said:
love this post.

what's in bf suggests to me a problem for the fans:

will geno steal the source of pleasure you relish from the fans? will these many developing players get a chance to provide it? if we don't see them playing, if they're glued to the bench, how do we enjoy their development?

since uconn this season can destroy many foes from nov. through late march -- and i suspect it often will be the case -- i hope the newbies and recovering players will have ample time to entertain us. the entire roster of 15 would intrigue me in their appearances. hell, i would love gandy to show us where she starts her journey and watch her progress, not to mention allie, blanca and the rest. with this season's schedule and the starters (whoever they be) including multiple star players it shouldn't be tough to get everyone good minutes and still win.

maybe geno won't comply. he wants players to "earn" court exposure and to reinforce the chemistry and cohesiveness of a core group. he's also aware that failure to excel, especially in front of the huge uconn fanbase, could set back some players. and their improvement seems to be the prime directive, after all

that seems to make sense in creating the most unbeatable team possible.

would fans rather have the enjoyment of watching all players perform, though? if storrs is the broadway of wcbb, as geno has postulated, will he produce an epic hit musical or a sleep-inducing drama?

geno maybe should go for the hit this season -- try to excite the audience, which has many boring games to endure upcoming (BYers will watch anyway). he might not fashion a juggernaut, but does he need one? he's already won 12 NC, and it looks good for #13. in the past, he's proved he can lose some games and still sweep april. perfection is not the goal.
Expand ...
I think the "earning" idea is overblown in general. It means to me just being good, taking smart chances, having an impact, getter better, learning. I see it as a pecking order. I would argue, that's how life is if you're going to succeed at a good organization. (if you're not Sarah) Since I've been following, I don't think he messes it up too much. Kids development in different ways and at different rates. Too bad it's so rushed- 4 years.
You're right, we like to see everyone play. I don't think it's possible and be the best team you can be. Is it worth it? What a thrill to be a part of the level of last year's team (and 2024 IMO). Life changing. It's about priorities
 
WiseWillie said:
Rocky, you are a long time Boneyard contributor and a keen b-ball analyst. Now you say you have butterflies because of the chance that UConn might have a loss or two? Really? You have got to be pulling a fast one here but to help you in times of worry have you tried deep breathing? 😄 Come on, snap out of it, Rocky. You're a professional fan and observer. You need to set the example for all of us. Just sit back, analyze and enjoy the ride. It should be pretty darn good. Now breathe deeply and relax.
Expand ...
Shucks, couldn't fool you @WiseWillie . I do feel a change of expectation, which brings the occasional tension of the chase. I was trying to gage some sentiment engendered by the bullish expectations of the sports' media.
 
For those who experience a high degree of stress watching actual games, I recommend watching the game cast feed on ESPN. Little colored dots magically appear from time to time without any warning. It's fun and exciting and they allow it on the ward floor I'm kept in...uh oh, gotta go...
 
I have mentioned this before. I inherited my love of UConn WBB from my mother, part of a legion of older Italian-American women in CT, who absolutely adored Geno and the Huskies. Mom never missed a UConn game, curling up in her chair in front of the tv. She wouldn’t even answer the phone if it rang during a game because she was “locked in.”

Mom was always nervous during a game unless and until UConn got up by 20+ points, at which point she would relax and enjoy the game. I never really understood that until mom passed away in 2012 and I started watching “mom’s team” with decidedly more interest and emotion. That season, the first of 4 straight national championships, I was an emotional wreck. To this day, much the same as mom, I need that 20 pt cushion to relax.

As many BY’ers know, a few seasons ago I started writing up postgame comments which I submit in a thread almost immediately after the end of the game. In order to do that I write up and edit comments throughout the game. I have found that putting together postgame comments during the game does relieve some of the stress of a competitive UConn game by creating a useful distraction.
 
Last edited:
@oldude I for one look forward to seeing your Postgame threads knowing how interesting each one will be.
I kinda consider your postgame thread, being posted almost immediately after the clock reaches 00:00, a BY Tradition.
Also, I often refer to it before I watch the replay.
 
I watch every game expecting UConn to win. If they lose I'm disappointed but it's not the end of the world. If the other team outplays them, kudos to the other team. If UConn lost because they didn't play "their" game, then it cheeses me off.

I was an avid Red Sox fan (till they traded Mookie Betts); I stuck with them through Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner Aaron Boone, and all that. If my team losing was a problem, well, I'd have a really big problem.
 
This year is very different for me because I have an almost intellectual curiosity about how this team will turn out. By that I don't mean the ultimate result in April, although every year there is an intensity and expectation about that. The curiosity this year is what the final form of this team will be. Who will it be? What will the "attack" teams be like small ball was last year? Will there be big ball? Will there be more of an outside-inside game? How will Geno handle the substitution patterns? Will this team become a great team? So I am watching the development more this year than any other because I think the possibilities, permutations and combinations are so vast and so fluid with the different players and skills available. While I will probably still live and die with every basket vs turnover I will just try to be a little more detached- until the Tennessee game!
 
“Uneasy is the head that wears the crown” (Willie Shake, Henry IV)…..teams will be more fired up than usual to play us this year….a loss or two before March shouldn’t burden we fans… one can expect us to win it all but that doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps along the way…the key is staying positive
 
One thing that I am really wondering about relates back to last season. Many of the players and coaches consistently have said that the loss to the Lady Vols is what made the players gel and they all realized that they had to give a little bit more every day in order to win the 12th. Mission accomplished.
Is this team going to be able to continue this mindset, relying on the veterans to get the newbies into this (winning) mindset from game #1.
 
BBallF said:
This year is very different for me because I have an almost intellectual curiosity about how this team will turn out. By that I don't mean the ultimate result in April, although every year there is an intensity and expectation about that. The curiosity this year is what the final form of this team will be. Who will it be? What will the "attack" teams be like small ball was last year? Will there be big ball? Will there be more of an outside-inside game? How will Geno handle the substitution patterns? Will this team become a great team? So I am watching the development more this year than any other because I think the possibilities, permutations and combinations are so vast and so fluid with the different players and skills available. While I will probably still live and die with every basket vs turnover I will just try to be a little more detached- until the Tennessee game!
Expand ...
I also like the time to build up to a test (top 10 from preseason rankings), another build to a test, another build to a test (UTenn), time to fine tune the lineup & know substitution options, then the BE Tourney, and then the main event: 6 games that really matter to be at the top of one's game and win each possession.

Last year had many tests and December was ridiculous, and the visit to the Evil Orange Empire rekindled the old rivalry, BUT more importantly caused many of the players to learn to trust (PB said love) each other. Without PB to save the day, I believe the progression to "loving each other" will occur quicker this year, as more will be required of each of the starters and the rotation players. This "love story" is what will make this year's edition to Husky lore worth paying attention.

Go Huskies!!!
 
While reading through these comments some intended to be humorous, others maybe not so much, the picture of some of us peeking at the screen through a blanket overhead is, well, more than a little funny. Come on BY'ers! Time to man - or woman - up.

(As a brief but interesting interlude here, if you want to use someone as an example look at CD during a game. While she's busy taking notes she has an extremely calm demeanor whether we are up by 20 or down by 10. It's the same calm, unruffled look while coach is pacing or has his hands in the air after a flubbed assignment or switch not made and meantime the assistant coaches clapping, standing, shouting encouragement. During all of this CD sits quietly and let's the game unfold from her seat except when she must get up to hold back coach from charging at a ref to complain after a bad or no call. But there's no jumping up and down. No flailing arms. Just a calm professional presence. How she does it is amazing when I'm watching on tv or at Gampel clapping, standing, shouting and high fiveing. It must be a very practiced skill. Besides, of course, Geno, CD over 40 years has been the steady presence that has helped guide 160+ players. Kudos to her.)

OK, now back to the Fun V The Weight of Expectations.
 

Online statistics

Members online
105
Guests online
3,347
Total visitors
3,452
Totals may include hidden visitors.

Forum statistics

Threads
164,661
Messages
4,405,627
Members
10,221
Latest member
abbbb


.
..
Top Bottom