Geno and team meet with Media (10/8)- First Practice [merged thread]

[D J B]

The conditioning will come. Remember, she’s played in regulation basketball games since her teammates have. I’m suggesting that the time she spent with the Canadian National Team served her well. She practiced and played against grown women and professionals.

She didn’t spend the summer laying on a beach working on a tan while sipping Long Island iced tea. She was putting in work that helped not only her physical game, but her mental maturity and approach as well.

That's what I did. I don't know that it did anything for me physically either, but it sure helped to develop my mental maturity. I mean, as far as can be reasonably expected.

 

[eebmg]

Based on what Geno said, I think it is pretty clear the returning players who played major minutes and has alot of experience though difficult times including the playoffs has a significant edge regarding who starts but starters will be much more quickly subbed which is a good thing since it forces players to be productive and efficient to make the desired impact with less minutes.


So I think it will be starters

Paige , Evina , CW , Liv , Aaliyah

Major rotation players

Azzi , Nika , Dorka, Caroline and hopefully?? (health / progress) Aubrey

Bench role

Piath. Saylor, Amari, McClean.

 

[D J B]

I was worried the videos of Media Day would not make it to Storrs Central on Youtube before the weekend but they clearly put a rush on . Get the links BY's

View attachment 70231

Thank you. Good work.

 

[Vowelguy]

That was my thought as well. Geno has a good relationship with the Q coach. The counter to that is if you're going to have a private scrimmage against a D1 team you might want that team to provide a bit of a challenge and I'm not sure Q does that.

BC is another possibility though not sure about the relationship with that staff.

Rutgers?

 

[Oracle9]

Rutgers?

That was going to be my next choice after Princeton. I think Geno has a good relationship with C_V_S.

 

[UConnCat]

Remember Geno said Dorka is bigger than he thought, a legit 6-5.

 

[Carnac]

That was going to be my next choice after Princeton. I think Geno has a good relationship with C_V_S.

I remember Geno once saying that he always has a good number of schools that want to play UConn in the preseason. Some of those are smaller programs feel if they could get on the schedule, it would bring them some national attention that they couldn’t otherwise buy. Playing UConn could be used as a recruiting tool.

Don’t forget, there are households across the country that tune in to UConn WBB games on TV. Some of them have up and coming future (hopefuls) female basketball players. So now when (if) these girls receives a letter of interest from that mid-major program, they will have heard of it because they remember seeing them play UConn on TV.

 

[Childhood]

Funny

 

[Bigboote]

I've thought all along that Saylor should be more of a 3-4 type than a 2-3 type. A season under the tutelage of CD and Jamelle should work wonders. Very unlikely, but I'd love to see her take a few sessions with Alex Blazzell.

 

[Biff]

So now when (if) these girls receives a letter of interest from that mid-major program, they will have heard of it because they remember seeing them play UConn on TV.

If UConn plays a D1 program preseason the game will not be televised. It must be closed to outsiders (TV, Radio and spectators per NCAA regs). That's why the preseson games are always vs D2 or D3 teams. So, no one will remember seeing their mid major D1 team play UConn in a preseason game (scrimmage).

 

[D J B]

If UConn plays a D1 program preseason the game will not be televised. It must be closed to outsiders (TV, Radio and spectators per NCAA regs). That's why the preseson games are always vs D2 or D3 teams. So, no one will remember seeing their mid major D1 team play UConn in a preseason game (scrimmage).

Trust me, there is always someone there with a phone or a camera who is going to record it. I have watched many games and sporting practices that were "closed door" in many different sports, most in USWNT practices and NWSL preseason games with simple MPEG videos sent to me by someone with a phone or camera. Young athletes record and share these games among each other, but not necessarily for the rest of us. Kids have networks, and they share things. YouTube, TV and radio don't get a voice.

 

[CTBballfan243]

The conditioning will come. Remember, she’s played in regulation basketball games since her teammates have. I’m suggesting that the time she spent with the Canadian National Team served her well. She practiced and played against grown women and professionals.

She didn’t spend the summer laying on a beach working on a tan while sipping Long Island iced tea. She was putting in work that helped not only her physical game, but her mental maturity and approach as well.

After 2 or 3 Long Island ice tea’s getting up from the beach chair is a lot harder than it looks. It takes effort and perseverance. Trust me I know.

 

[DefenseBB]

A conference foe? Not so sure. I'm guessing a team within driving distance.

I tend to agree with you on both and if I take it a step further, my guess would be Boston College as the scrimmage would benefit both immensely. Nobody else in a reasonable driving distance makes sense.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Most likely Quinnipiac

 

[Carnac]

If UConn plays a D1 program preseason the game will not be televised. It must be closed to outsiders (TV, Radio and spectators per NCAA regs). That's why the preseson games are always vs D2 or D3 teams. So, no one will remember seeing their mid major D1 team play UConn in a preseason game (scrimmage).

I think you misunderstood my comment, or perhaps I didn’t phrase it properly. I understand the dynamics involved when two programs want to play a “scrimmage“, and the restrictions the NCAA puts on them.

My comment regarding Geno saying that there were/are a lot of teams that have made it know to him or to the basketball office, that they would be interested in playing UConn was in a regulation out of conference game with fans and media, not a scrimmage.

I read my post again. I can see were someone could have misunderstood the message I was trying to convey, because it was written behind a post that was referring to scrimmages. I should have made the distinction that I was referring to preseason “games”, not scrimmages.

I had to read your post several times before it clicked. All of UConn’s preseason games this season are against D1 programs, will have spectators and will be televised. You wrote “preseason.” Didn’t you mean “scrimmage“? I understand the gist of your comment.

 

[UcMiami]

I tend to agree with you on both and if I take it a step further, my guess would be Boston College as the scrimmage would benefit both immensely. Nobody else in a reasonable driving distance makes sense.

I am curious about the secrecy of this D1 opponent. I do not believe there is an NCAA rule that a D1 v D1 preseason scrimmage cannot be disclosed beforehand. My understanding was that it simply had to be closed and without TV and maybe without score keeping. But keeping the opponent secret is odd and makes me think it might be something a little more special than just another NE college.

 

[DEpup]

Somehow I don't think the secret will last for long....

 

[UConnCat]

I am curious about the secrecy of this D1 opponent. I do not believe there is an NCAA rule that a D1 v D1 preseason scrimmage cannot be disclosed beforehand. My understanding was that it simply had to be closed and without TV and maybe without score keeping. But keeping the opponent secret is odd and makes me think it might be something a little more special than just another NE college.

Geno taking the "without publicity" part seriously.

"According to NCAA rules passed in 2005, Division I members can trade one or both of their allotted exhibition games against non-D-I opponents for a scrimmage “provided they are conducted in privacy without publicity or official scoring. Individuals other than athletics department staff members and those necessary to conduct a basketball scrimmage against outside competition may not be present during such a scrimmage.”

 

[UConnCat]

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[CL82]

 

[CL82]

If you look in the video you get a shot of sailor working on moves just under the basket.

That surprises me, but who am I to question Geno. It reminds me of the move Gabby Williams to the front Court. I thought to myself, well that’s probably not gonna work.

 

[CL82]

Quse?

QuMass?

 

[CL82]

Aubrey's back as well.

Of course she’s back, you didn’t think she would leave did you?

 

[CocoHusky]

If you look in the video you get a shot of sailor working on moves just under the basket.
That surprises me, but who am I to question Geno. It reminds me of the move Gabby Williams to the front Court. I thought to myself, well that’s probably not gonna work.

Saylor playing in the post is surprising to me because of the addition of Dorka and Amari and the two post players arriving next season. Very much like Gabby though Saylor could bring a lot to the post position. For starters Saylor is a legit 6'2" and is a terrific passer and if she ever gets her back right could be a reliable deep shooter. BTW since no one else has mentioned this that is a very bad start for Amari-who appears to have failed her conditioning test upon her arrival on campus. Last player to struggle with conditioning upon her arrival to UCONN never recovered.

 

[eebmg]

BTW since no one else has mentioned this that is a very bad start for Amari-who appears to have failed her conditioning test upon her arrival on campus. Last player to struggle with conditioning upon her arrival to UCONN never recovered.

Amari's teammates and especially her incoming class mates will help her out.

 

[CL82]

(53) Geno Auriemma: UConn Women's Basketball Practice Availability - 10/8/21 - YouTube

The Yin Yang between Geno and Paige is really remarkable.

Hardest worker, wins all competitions but is still as annoying as ever. I could see Geno and Azzi agreeing on that.

Caroline will have a “prominent” role on the team. Sneaky good and efficient.

Paige is more efficient but she hasn’t grown up. Gotten a little bigger, a little more comfortable. Hardest worker on the team… at everything.

Azzi will show her skills a little at a time.

Evina wants to see what she can do on this team with a full healthy season.

Something to be said with having the same kids out there for a long period of time, but having quality on the bench makes players up their game.

Competition in the post head pushed Liv to up her game, particularly away from the basket. Bringing Dorka in helps Liv and Edwards. Dorka is skilled, long but still has nervous energy. She could be the difference that takes them to the next level.

Freedman will be in for a treat coming out into a packed Gampel. CD will be dressing up again.

Scrimmage is a D1 game.

 

[Zanzman]

Caroline will have a “prominent” role on the team. Sneaky good and efficient.

Paige is more efficient but she hasn’t grown up. Gotten a little bigger, a little more comfortable. Hardest worker on the team… at everything.

Azzi will show her skills a little at a time.

Evina wants to see what she can do on this team with a full healthy season.

Something to be said with having the same kids out there for a long period of time, but having quality on the bench makes players up their game.

Competition in the post head pushed Liv to up her game, particularly away from the basket. Bringing Dorka in helps Liv and Edwards. Dorka is skilled, long but still has nervous energy. She could be the difference that takes them to the next level.

Freedman will be in for a treat coming out into a packed Gampel. CD will be dressing up again.

Scrimmage is a D1 game.

Freedman?

 

[Blakeon18]

I'm guessing the scrimmage will be against Q.
A few years back Q made it to the sweet 16. I think they were a 12 seed and went out and knocked off a 4 and a 5.
One of their opponents was Miami. Geno was all into those upsets...he wore a Q t-shirt at one point and was quick to publicly root for them. If it is the same coach there [not sure about that] I bet it is them. A different coach might lower the odds.

 

[DEpup]

Saylor playing in the post is surprising to me because of the addition of Dorka and Amari and the two post players arriving next season. Very much like Gabby though Saylor could bring a lot to the post position. For starters Saylor is a legit 6'2" and is a terrific passer and if she ever gets her back right could be a reliable deep shooter. BTW since no one else has mentioned this that is a very bad start for Amari-who appears to have failed her conditioning test upon her arrival on campus. Last player to struggle with conditioning upon her arrival to UCONN never recovered.

Somehow I bet Dolson didn't pass her first conditioning test either and look at what she managed to do over 4 years.