Geno Calls Out Paige for Poor Play | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Geno Calls Out Paige for Poor Play

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BobbyJ said:
Auriemma has recruited all the top bigs in the country for 30 odd years. Your memory must not be long, he got Lobo, Wolters, Charles, Stewart, Stokes etc. You weren't complaining when they were winning everything in sight. What should he have done to get the ones that decided to go elsewhere? Should he have kidnapped Boston? Brink wanted the Stanford education and to be near her family. What more should he have done to get A'ja Wilson to leave her hometown? Who else do you think he should have gotten?
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Stokes was class of 2011 and Stewart 2012. That was 1/3 of Geno's UConn career ago. Obviously Geno can't force anyone to come to Storrs.
 
WHAT do they do in all the daily Practice Sessions? AND, years ago there was ONE coach; NOW, I see 5 sitting on the bench!
 
BobbyJ said:
Auriemma has recruited all the top bigs in the country for 30 odd years. Your memory must not be long, he got Lobo, Wolters, Charles, Stewart, Stokes etc. You weren't complaining when they were winning everything in sight. What should he have done to get the ones that decided to go elsewhere? Should he have kidnapped Boston? Brink wanted the Stanford education and to be near her family. What more should he have done to get A'ja Wilson to leave her hometown? Who else do you think he should have gotten?
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Gotta check your watch or @hoopsfan22. I've wondered from time to time when we lose a recruiting battle for the big or 2 of the year whether it is Connecticut's guard centric system that sends them packing. Then there were the years where only 1 big appeared to be getting the press and when we lost that was it. Then there were the careers when Geno forced a big role on a small forward because the cupboard was bare. Look, I love him, but he's not perfect and this is one big dent in the king's armor.

And I took a swipe for his picking on my girl.
 
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RockyMTblue2 said:
I'd like to call out Geno for the big girl hole in his recruiting for longer than I can remember.
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Agreed. Has it occurred to any one else that Geno might be becoming the Bill Belichick of women’s college basketball? His recruiting doesn’t seem to keep up with other schools, and he doesn’t seem able to get the players he does have to play up to their potential.
 
What Paige and the team needs is a HOME game. On the road, neutral sites, they need the support and warmth of Gampel. They will get that Wednesday night, and after that UNC at Mohegan Sun. The latter isn't a home game technically, but most of the fans will be ours. Play Shade more, she only played 11 minutes last night, and I thought she would start. Starting line-up- Paige, Aaliyah, Nika, Ash, and Ice. Ice has to stay away from the 3 pt shots and just get open for the midrange. Ash just has to be not afraid to look for her shot. Shes great at the midrange and can knock down the 3. It's time to look at what the team will be in March, and if the freshmen have to push someone aside, Geno has to do what is best for the team.
 
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RockyMTblue2 said:
Gotta check your watch or @hoopsfan22. I've wondered from time to time when we lose a recruiting battle for the big or 2 of the year whether it is Connecticut's guard centric system that sends them packing. Then there were the years where only 1 big appeared to be getting the press and when we lost that was it. Then there were the careers when Geno forced a big role on a small forward because the cupboard was bare. Look, I love him, but he's not perfect and this is one big dent in the king's armor.
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But you're not answering the questions. Do you mean the guard centric system he's used forever that got him all the top bigs that I listed? If he's recruiting them all and they choose elsewhere, why do you want to "call him out"? How is that a failure? He didn't lose them because he never had them. So what should he have done differently?
 
BobbyJ said:
Answer the questions. What should he have done? I listed three since 2017.
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Kiah Stokes graduated in 2015 and Breanna Stewart graduated in 2016. All of the others you listed well pre-date 2017.
 
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I think it’s time to put the ball back in Paige’s hands at the point. Nika is great when she has Azzi, Lou, & Caroline to pass to. They will score enough to where her low scoring output and high turnover rate doesn’t matter that much! Now we are faced with no one for her to pass the ball to that is likely to bury a three. Let’s face it, Paige is now our only true three point threat. I think Geno should bite the bullet and start Paige, KK, Ashlynn, Aaliyah, and Ice! Then you’ve got three “shock troops“ in Nika, Aubrey, and Q to bring in for a change of pace. We don’t know when/if Yanna will be available but obviously she would be slotted in as soon as Geno sees what she brings to the table.
 
boscolino said:
To me, Paige looks sad or upset in most of her statements. Please, light your smile up!
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After a loss, it hits different. That is why I am hoping the players are getting help mental health help or breaks. I had to cringe when Coach called out Paige for poor play. With so much going on, who knows what could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Hopefully we have a nice game against Ball State (7-1) so that those smiles can come back. A win changes a lot.
 
BobbyJ said:
But you're not answering the questions. Do you mean the guard centric system he's used forever that got him all the top bigs that I listed? If he's recruiting them all and they choose elsewhere, why do you want to "call him out"? How is that a failure? He didn't lose them because he never had them. So what should he have done differently?
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Sometimes having a really good big is not success . Being down to one junior big who can't play is not success. Jana's Achilles is unfortunate, but were we looking to her, a freshman, to be "the big"? Being analytical, the Gold Standard in WCBB has struggled in the bigs department. What should he have done differently? I don't have a clue, if for no other reason than I don't know what he has done.

If he and the staff have not been analysing this Bigs situation for the last decade and trying to adjust I would find that troubling.
 
Surly1 said:
In the presser after the Texas game, Geno stated that Paige played poorly. The question is was that fair? I believe he did so because he wanted to send a message to her.

Let me preface my comments by saying that Paige is my all-time favorite player. I am not critiquing her play. She has performed admirably after missing last season and the better part of the season prior. Expectations of what she is capable of are high, and maybe it's too much to expect a return to form so soon. I think it is reasonable to state that she hasn't reached her comfort level on the court yet, and the injuries to Azzi & Caroline appear to have had impact on her and the role she needs to assume.

Paige looks like she is carrying so much weight on her shoulders. I haven't seen much joy in her. Of course, playing for UConn and losing 3 times in the first 7 games won't produce a happy camper. I won't speculate how she feels physically, although for a superstar, she is roughed up and not protected by the refs. My concern is I think she is struggling with her role mentally. The dream of playing alongside Azzi was dashed, and now she's expected to pick up her lost production as well as Caroline's. I haven't seen the exuberance yet of her freshman season. Paige prefers to be a distributor, getting everyone involved and choosing to pick her spots to take over, but that has to change.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I felt she was subdued in the game against Minnesota. She started the game yesterday tentatively and didn't really look to be aggressive offensively. For this team to succeed, she has to take close to 20 shots, particularly against the top teams. She has to lead by example and then get her teammates to follow. There are too many first-year players and the only other reliable option is Aaliyah. The freshmen will be good, but it's a lot of pressure to carry, as Paige knows all to well. She can do it and handle it, and that is why Geno called her out yesterday.

I don't care if she shoots 1-20 in a game, as long as she is aggressive. At least 10 of them should be deadly pull-up jumper, which so far is missing in action. I realize Paige seldom takes bad shots, but I can live with some forced ones, if only to draw more attention from the defense, thus opening space for other players, particularly Samuels & Shade when they are in the game.

Paige has always stated she will do what's necessary for the team to win. Well, this year it's necessary that she shoot more. The sooner she embraces her role, the sooner UConn as a team can begin to jell, and the sooner the joy comes back to her game.
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Can you provide a link to his post-game press conference or the relevant quotes? I’d like to see what words he used and the context. Thanks.
 
Most of the season, the team has looked like it did two years ago after Paige came back from her tibia injury. Geno said then, "Too many guys stand around and wait for Paige to do something." Last year that didn't happen. Yes, the team leaned on Dorka, Lou, and Aaliyah, but nobody just stood around.

Here's an idea (just throwing it out there, not saying it's a good one): Play Paige for no more than 20 minutes for several games. With any luck, the others will learn not to lean so much on her. UConn has some really good players in addition to Paige, Azzi, and Caroline, it's time they stepped up, not now and then, but at least a couple of them every game.
 
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MilfordHusky said:
In the context of stars being called out, does anyone remember the great Stewie getting benched along with Tuck?
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They got benched about 6 minutes into that game, so it's not like they didn't play. Geno also said it was a dumb thing to do, so perhaps if he had a redo that would have never happened?
 
UConnCat said:
Can you provide a link to his post-game press conference or the relevant quotes? I’d like to see what words he used and the context. Thanks.
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The reporter asked a question about Paige that I couldn't quite hear. Geno said...

"Paige...<pause>... um... I dunno. Maybe she's still rusty you know - maybe she's just not in game mode because she hasn't played in so long. Ah... I thought she was lousy today. Quite honestly, I thought she was BAD <emphasized the word>. And um... uh... I told her that. You know, Paige isn't good when it takes 7 dribbles to get her shot off. Paige isn't good when she's gotta take on guys 1 against 2... 1 against 3... going in the lane, you know. Forcing things hoping to get to the free throw line. That's not her game. That's not who she is. So, yeah, I'm chalking it up to she's still rusty. But yeah... no.... no she was not good."
 
I would tell those being ignored by the defense that they are being disrespected. More than anything, and there's not better time...this dog needs a bite. Enough of the nice girl show. Get some technicals for all I care. Time to stop mourning our losses (players and games) as fans and get behind these ladies that show up.
 
mordecai said:
Of all the things that Geno could have been said about that game.. That has to be about the most stupid..

Personally i think the problem goes a little higher on the food chain..
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Geno's could have been more diplomatic with the way he worded his comment.
Or he could have made the comment to Paige personally in a private setting without exposing her to public humiliation.
I rarely hear other coaches making such personal criticisms because it seems like it singles out a player for a loss.
I think that players don't need that kind of media drama because it can make them want to diappear from the program or for others to not want to go to UConn to begin with.

Superstar players can just about receive a blank check to go to any school of their choosing & can bring some of their player friends with them.
They should be treated with kid gloves & respect.
Coaches don't expect to be publically criticized by their players so why should players put up with coaches who unfairly criticize them in public?
I mean that with all sincerity because Paige's stats don't show that she played very poorly.
She could have played better, but he should have lept it to himself.
Paige is not Stewie & IMO that tactic doesn't work now days.
And neither does benching a player or mimiting the PT of a player who don't deserve to be.
Every player has their better & worse games & they don't get called out for it & shouldn't be.
 
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Geno calling out players is something he has done his entire career. Its part of is coaching techneque. I do not necessarily disapprove. However, I am glad that posters on this site that do not approve of Geno's actions are not giving him a pass at this point. In the past some would talk up arms against any other coach who would do what Geno does and give Geno a pass. Fairness is important. I personally believe that Geno is a systems coach and it certainly worked for him all these years. The question remain is it can still work today.

Every player is different as well as situation. I do question the timing of his remarks to Paige. Even though she has always been amenable to constructive criticism now might not be the best time for it. Making it public is even worse. If Paige had any thoughts of returning for another year, this might help make up her mind.
 
donalddoowop said:
Stewart and Tuck got benched against a team that everyone knew UConn would beat without them.
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Tuck was never the same after her injury in high school. She was a total beast in high school but due to injuries became highly over rated and over drafted. Conneticut made a big error drafting her. They had two first rounders and could have drafted their top pick and still kept Chelsea Gray instead of trading her for Jonquel Jones They could have used the pick they used on Tuck for Jones. Who never fully recovered.
 
BobbyJ said:
Auriemma has recruited all the top bigs in the country for 30 odd years. Your memory must not be long, he got Lobo, Wolters, Charles, Stewart, Stokes etc. You weren't complaining when they were winning everything in sight. What should he have done to get the ones that decided to go elsewhere? Should he have kidnapped Boston? Brink wanted the Stanford education and to be near her family. What more should he have done to get A'ja Wilson to leave her hometown? Who else do you think he should have gotten?
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You are so correct. Unfortunately UConn isn't the only place to go these days. Dawn Staley is here to stay and she's going to win her share of National Championships. Kim Mulkey is always going to be able to get top players and whether you like her style or not ... she's a winner. UCLA, Duke, USC, Stanford, Texas and I'm sure I'm overlooking a few more. They're all coming for us. We have (had) the talent to compete with anyone (regardless of the lack of a big), but most of them are out for the season or injured. Not much Geno can do about that if anything.
 
CONNCAN said:
Kiah Stokes graduated in 2015 and Breanna Stewart graduated in 2016. All of the others you listed well pre-date 2017.
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He's landed several highly ranked or accomplished forwards and posts:
2018: Azura Stevens, 6-6, (All-ACC Transfer, #6 WNBA pick)
HS Class 2018 : Olivia Nelson Ododa, 6-5, (#5 HS Recruit)
Transfer in 2021 offseason : Dorka Juhasz, 6-4, (All-Big Ten transfer)
2020 HS Class: Aaliyah Edwards, 6-3 (3rd Team AP All American)
2021 HS Class: Amari Deberry, 6-6 (HS #14 Recruit)
2022 HS Class: Ayana Patterson, 6-2 (#4 HS Recruit)
2022 HS Class: Ice Brady, 6-3 (#5 HS Recruit)

He's had good players that are tall, the problem is they just don't stack up to elite bigs at other programs (ex. Aliyah Boston, Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese, Lauren Cox, Lauren Betts). All of these players rebound well, block shots and can score offensively. UCONN hasn't had anyone who can do all 3 since Stevens, and she only played one year and was underutilized.

The 2021/2022 recruits have all been injured or haven't developed, and UCONN didn't land any notable front court players from 2023 or 2024. They did land 6-5 Jana El-Alfy in 2023 who is an unknown, but she's out all year with an injury too. It's been a perfect storm of injuries and missing out on a lot of impact recruits that decided to go elsewhere.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
I'd like to call out Geno for the big girl hole in his recruiting for longer than I can remember.
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Ok, I’ll play.

2018-19 Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Batouley Camara (JUCO transfer)
2019-20 Olivia, Batouley, Evelyn Adebayo (grad student)
2020-21 Olivia, Aaliyah Edwards, Piath Gabriel
2021-22 Olivia, Aaliyah, Piath, Dorka, Amari
2022-23 Aaliyah, Dorka, Amari, Ayanna, Ice
2023-24 Aaliyah, Amari, Ayanna, Ice, Jana
2024-25 Amari, Ayanna, Ice, Jana, ?
2025-26 Ayanna, Ice, Jana, Gandy, ?
 
You win as a team, you lose as a team. When a team wins it is never just one player who is responsible just as in losing. Every player who has ever played on any team has had bad days, good days, and great days. But the defining goal is for a player to have mostly good days. I am going to say something now that will infuriate many boneyarders but what I feel is only the truth. For almost thirty years Geno has more or less had his pick of four and five star players. In many instances they sought him out. This is no longer the norm. With the advent of more women coach's in the game I think these young ladies feel they can relate a little better. Hey, I might be wrong but that's just my opinion.
 
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