I am sure most have noticed how Gabby is frequently pointing to opposing players while on defense, appearing to direct teammates to cover that player while she moves in a different direction. She also does this when a less experienced player is in the line up on offense as well, telling a teammate where to be on a particular set or play call. Gabby apparently assumes the responsibility of overseeing the respective defensive and offensive positioning as the play develops. I wonder if this is something that Geno encourages and trusts Gabby to do this or this is Gabby's perfectionist nature . It is hard enough in Geno's system to just know where you have to be let alone be aware of where everyone else is and guide teammates to assure the defense or offensive play go as planned
I'm glad you shared this observation. Many posters are dismayed over their favorite freshman not getting what they feel is "ample" playing time. I'm on record as not expecting anything from freshmen that come to UConn that first year
because Geno doesn't. I'm following his lead. He has said so many many times, they just don't (can't) get it right away. There are a number of things (how to keep their man in from of them, learn the offensive plays, learn how to read and react, how to switch and rotate on defense, how to cut off of screens, cut off the baseline on defense, how to set picks, then roll, how and why YOU MUST keep your hands UP on defense when guarding your man, etc.) a player must master and understand BEFORE Geno will trust them enough to insert then into a game with meaningful minutes while a game is still undecided.
All of these things must be able to be performed quickly and at a high rate of speed. It's natural for fans and boosters to become fans of a certain freshman, and want to see them get a lot of playing time their first year. I get all of that. Players that are slow afoot, slow to react, constantly out of position, lack quickness or cannot /will not shoot and score with any degree of success, and have a propensity to turn the ball over, will be limited to playing during garbage time.
Any long time fan or follower of the program knows Geno's policies and preferences. Until a freshman (or transfer) has a command of the things Geno demands from his starters, reserves and freshmen won't get many minutes. You've mentioned two of the dynamics that must be mastered before a new player can expect to get extended minutes in any game. Especially a preseason game against a team ranked in the top 10. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. We've heard that before.
All 5 of the members of the current starting unit play together as a single unit that is well oiled, and know exactly what each member is supposed to do, and will do.
An example of this dynamic is on display when Lou goes off the floor. The rhythm and flow changes. The unit still functions, but not the same as when Lou is on the floor. The 5 players that are on the floor at any given time are expected to do certain things on offense and defense. When they do, they can hold a team that consistently scores 90+ ppg to less than 50.
All 5 have to know what the goal is at any given time during a game, and what and where they are suppose to be. On several occasions, Ive seen Crystal redirect Megan to a different spot or area of the floor before she began to run a play. There are so many things that new players must learn, for most, it takes a full year, some a little less. I expect to see Megan blossom to full bloom next season as Crystal did this year. I also expect to see Megan be promoted into one of the two vacant starting positions next year.
Another dynamic that is taken for granted is the speed at which UConn plays. A poster that attended the game Saturday made that observation. He commented on his amazement of how fast UConn gets up and down the floor. He also commented on how that does not come across on TV. In time, incoming freshmen do adapt to the increased speed of the game beyond that of high school. A team is only as fast as its slowest player. A team can best run "fast breaks" when all 5 of its players on the floor can run. If their post player is a plodder, then it's 4 on 5, and they're at a slight disadvantage.
Too many UConn players have said (admitted) publicly that they were not ready to play during their freshman year. Gabby admitted that she was not ready to play in the Stanford game in 2014 (her freshman year) that UConn lost. Once they make that sophomore leap (as Crystal did this summer), they gain Geno's trust, and become part of the rotation. Geno and his staff see the light go on, and know when a player is ready. Players prove they're ready in practice, not in games. They prove it in practice, and confirm it in games!!
