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Geno Auriemma pregame call for Butler (12-27-25)
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Huskee11
The Sultan
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Not very forthcoming on injured players. Said that Caroline day to day, confirmed it is a shoulder - apparently got hit there in practice. I think (guess) it is possible but unlikely she will play on Sunday, but probably pretty soon after that.
Re the other two, he said nothing new, but of them "Morgan is making some progress, which is a good sign". Negative inference is that Ice is not making progress but he didn't address her specifically.
Said Gandy is an incredibly hard worker, level headed, mature, getting better every day, couldn't be happier with her, but that she has a lot of catching up to do since she started playing basketball late.
His voice sounded a little gravelly, wonder if he has been battling a cold.
Re the other two, he said nothing new, but of them "Morgan is making some progress, which is a good sign". Negative inference is that Ice is not making progress but he didn't address her specifically.
Said Gandy is an incredibly hard worker, level headed, mature, getting better every day, couldn't be happier with her, but that she has a lot of catching up to do since she started playing basketball late.
His voice sounded a little gravelly, wonder if he has been battling a cold.
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Good synopsis of the interview. And there was his hesitant, less than ringing endorsement of El Alfy’s progress. Two months into the season it’s not a good thing that he only mentions your need of conditioning and defense and that you’re still learning what to do with the ball in the lane. Her lack of PT shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
Seemed pretty clear, ICE not yet making any progress, others are .
Geno, has no obligation or apparent interest in expounding on any speculative or overly neggy info on Ice, that may not be in her best interests. He appears to be being as forth-coming as reasonable to the questioner on her "current": status- that ICE has not "yet" shown any signs of progress. What is to dislike about that ? If he says nothing you are unhappy. If he says something you are unhappy ? How would you have answered the question ?
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Yeah, and I don't get it. Jana was an important part of last year's team and this year she is getting a lot less playing time. I don't think it's Serah stealing her minutes any more than it was Ice stealing her minutes last year. This is on Jana and I hope she snaps out of it.
Didn’t listen to the interview, but I did say to myself during a recent game watching Jana, that she didn’t look like she was in the best shape. Hope it changes because we are definitely going to need her when it counts like last year.
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Yes, this is no surprise to me. I commented last year a couple times about her lack of all around improvement during the season and again this offseason. A couple decent games wrestling with super bigs (Betts, Beers etc.) doesn't constitute serious development in the other areas. Auriemma wants to play fast at both ends and when he knew she wasn't going to be able to provide that, he had to go to the portal to try to find it. Lacking some necessary skills and quickness is somewhat understandable but lack of conditioning isn't to me with all the trainers and facilities they have available. And after a slight preseason calf muscle strain, GA gives no indication of any physical limitations causing it.
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You don't think they can handle the best bigs with Serah, Sarah, Blanca, and the guards blitzing the post from on-top? Serah is going to improve, as there are all indications that she has an upward trajectory. Serah is blocking more shots than Jana ever has. (sorry guys-got to include this: Serah and others have the agility to front the post)
IMO next year is Jana's year if she wants it.
Jana is not a great 5 for the base Chin set (Ice is the best of the three top 5s because she sets great picks, can pass and has a real jump shot from the elbow). That said, Jana is at her best defending against true bigs.
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I'm more sanguine about Jana's hopes, not because of this interview, but just from watching video. But I agree that her conditioning seems to be holding her back. Last March she was regularly trailing the break in transition. Not so much this season. The positive sign I see is that she has finished better than last season, and that she has held onto rebounds better. Too often she would box out and then lose the rebound after she'd initially secured it. Even in March. I noticed a couple of times against tOSU and at least one other game, when she came away with the ball in situations when I was used to seeing her lose it last season. In a recent interview (not this one) he seemed to lower expectations for bigs to rebounding and deterring drives to the rim. At the time, I assumed he was sending a message to Serah. But he may also have meant it for Jana, and she may have heard it.
One reason for the reduced expectations may be that he has returned to a much faster version of the transition game than we've seen prior to last season. In that context, bigs like Jana and Serah can't always play the traditional role of filling up the middle at both ends of the court. They may need to focus more on one end.
One reason for the reduced expectations may be that he has returned to a much faster version of the transition game than we've seen prior to last season. In that context, bigs like Jana and Serah can't always play the traditional role of filling up the middle at both ends of the court. They may need to focus more on one end.
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Yeah he always talks in riddles but I heard loud and clear what he thinks is holding Jana back and he isn't happy about it. FITNESS. She is the only one who can fix that. He can't. I would expect her to stay at 10 minutes or so until she can prove in practice that she is in better shape. At least we now know.
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Suspect Jana is still fighting some medical issues. Not jumping, poor hands, etc. Is it conditioning or still a lingering issue from her summer injuries? In any case, glad we have Serah and look forward to her continued improvement.
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It’s incredible! I was at Barclay’s last game. Unbelievable! Underrated reason kids come to UConn is these experiences.
No I think they can handle them because of Strong’s versatility. Underneath Williams, NO! She will get pushed around by those bigs at Texas and South Carolina. I believe if she doesn’t have Jana’s help, she would foul out quickly. We will definitely need Jana. Williams is obviously an asset, we will be at a disadvantage without Jana. She’s big and strong and can bang with those other bigs.
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