Geno Comes Clean: We Have Needs Everywhere

[RockyMTblue2]

There's a difference between tall and big.

The one on the right is big, the one on the left is tall.

Guess who rules the stable? Just sayin'... I have high hopes for ONO...a que to another song.

Post script: Jake on the left holds the guiness World Record as the tallest horse. His nose buddy who appears to be snarling at him is Thumbelina, a rather typical minature.

 

[nwhoopfan]

The one on the right is big, the one on the left is tall.

Guess who rules the stable? Just sayin'... I have high hopes for ONO...a que to another song.

I'm not a horse guy, but the one on the left appears to be both big and tall to me. The picture is hilarious. I didn't know they make horses that small.

 

[Reypl21]

unless Camara has made a full recovery, Geno really has no choice but to give ONO minutes this season if UConn is going to be competitive on the boards.....I've seen enough of ONO to know that even as a freshman she should be a fairly effective rebounder and shot blocker, two areas that seem to come more naturally to her then they did to AZ...

Well her offensive output isn't going to be close to AZ's, and I doubt her rebounding or blocking are going to outweigh that in her first year. Serious question to most posters here not just you CBball. What is with all the UConn fans and AZ? Seriously? She slighty hindered Napheesa's numbers, but I believe not her progression. Sidetracking, Napheesa is a 3 in the W. She will probably have plays set for her to post up other 3's which will be an advantage for her. But she is most likely going to have 2 other good post players to work around, and not just Z. So I feel like last season will help her in the W. Her numbers were down, but she learned how to play the 3 more. Her, Williams, and KLS were interchangeable at the 2-4 positions based on matchups (yes KLS did post up some), when Z was in. Z honestly interchanged with Napheesa and Williams too. What I'm trying to say is see the silver-lining in having Z. Napheesa will have to learn how to play with other bigs who aren't as mobile and against post better defenders who have size and savvy.

Back the original point, I don't get the animosity towards Z. She is the main reason why you guys won against ND and Texas in the regular season. She was the main reason why there was a 24 point swing in the first half of the national semi-final. She should have played more in the second half, even though she did give up a layup to Shepard in overtime (UConn fans tend to forgot their beloved players making turnovers at the end of regulation, plus Nurses 4 step travel to tie the game). If it wasn't for her, you might have met a different team in the NCAA (some might have liked that better). She was integral to having another perfect regular season. She hindered some other players stats, but it isn't like she didn't bring her own terrific stats? People act like she just stood there and gave up every point scored in a game. I don't get it.
Napheesa is my favorite player on the roster. I love her post game and now her ability to step out. I think tlnext year she will go back down to the paint a lot, but I hope she continues to expand her perimeter game. It is only going to help her.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I'm not a horse guy, but the one on the left appears to be both big and tall to me. The picture is hilarious. I didn't know they make horses that small.

In the horse world we call that combo Humungus. The little guys are like little dogs ... they are:

 

[hoopsfan22]

The one on the right is big, the one on the left is tall.

Guess who rules the stable? Just sayin'... I have high hopes for ONO...a que to another song.

Why is the horse on the right so small?

 

[DEpup]

There's a difference between tall and big.

There is also a difference between being tall and comfortable down low. ONO is and Z was not.... I also was upfront that ONO needed to grow into her body...

 

[Alydar]

There is also a difference between being tall and comfortable down low. ONO is and Z was not.... I also was upfront that ONO needed to grow into her body...

I just don't see the comparison between Dolson and ONO as far as body type. ONO is tall. Dolson was big and tall. Now admittedly I am not familiar with ONO's game but she seems to be a lithe stretch 4 while Dolson was a wide body low post player who moved people in the block as a freshman and then learned to play outside as she streamlined her body so maybe ONO will make a similar but opposite transformation.

I'm hopeful that Boston will choose UConn. I'd see her as the first big freshman since Dolson.

 

[DEpup]

I just don't see the comparison between Dolson and ONO as far as body type. ONO is tall. Dolson was big and tall. Now admittedly I am not familiar with ONO's game but she seems to be a lithe stretch 4 while Dolson was a wide body low post player who moved people in the block as a freshman and then learned to play outside as she streamlined her body so maybe ONO will make a similar but opposite transformation.

I'm hopeful that Boston will choose UConn. I'd see her as the first big freshman since Dolson.

I watched ONO playing USA basketball and she was down low playing the 5 and could stretch out. She played very comfortably down low. Like I said, I bet her body will look a lot different in 4 years.

 

[Charliebball]

Well her offensive output isn't going to be close to AZ's, and I doubt her rebounding or blocking are going to outweigh that in her first year. Serious question to most posters here not just you CBball. What is with all the UConn fans and AZ? Seriously? She slighty hindered Napheesa's numbers, but I believe not her progression. Sidetracking, Napheesa is a 3 in the W. She will probably have plays set for her to post up other 3's which will be an advantage for her. But she is most likely going to have 2 other good post players to work around, and not just Z. So I feel like last season will help her in the W. Her numbers were down, but she learned how to play the 3 more. Her, Williams, and KLS were interchangeable at the 2-4 positions based on matchups (yes KLS did post up some), when Z was in. Z honestly interchanged with Napheesa and Williams too. What I'm trying to say is see the silver-lining in having Z. Napheesa will have to learn how to play with other bigs who aren't as mobile and against post better defenders who have size and savvy.

Back the original point, I don't get the animosity towards Z. She is the main reason why you guys won against ND and Texas in the regular season. She was the main reason why there was a 24 point swing in the first half of the national semi-final. She should have played more in the second half, even though she did give up a layup to Shepard in overtime (UConn fans tend to forgot their beloved players making turnovers at the end of regulation, plus Nurses 4 step travel to tie the game). If it wasn't for her, you might have met a different team in the NCAA (some might have liked that better). She was integral to having another perfect regular season. She hindered some other players stats, but it isn't like she didn't bring her own terrific stats? People act like she just stood there and gave up every point scored in a game. I don't get it.
Napheesa is my favorite player on the roster. I love her post game and now her ability to step out. I think tlnext year she will go back down to the paint a lot, but I hope she continues to expand her perimeter game. It is only going to help her.

I think that AS was good but somewhat inconsistent and perhaps understandably never seemed to be comfortable with her inside role..........many here were disappointed that she left early believing that she would improve markedly in her second full season under Geno's tutelage.............instead she decided to go pro which was certainly her right but in doing so she left the team a bit shorthanded in the paint............the bottom line is that if she had returned UConn would be in a much stronger position then they are today........

 

[Alydar]

I watched ONO playing USA basketball and she was down low playing the 5 and could stretch out. She played very comfortably down low. Like I said, I bet her body will look a lot different in 4 years.

Don't get me wrong, I have high hopes for her. But the U18 FIBA Americas didn't present anything near the size she will face in college. She was literally and figuratively head and shoulders better than the opposition.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Why is the horse on the right so small?

Has to fit in an Economy Class seat.

PS. Seriously.

Some airlines allow them as personal therapy animals, most don't. When this little guy breaks wind it brings a new meaning to breaking wind for the uninitiated in the equine arts. Miniature Horses as Therapy Animals | Equitrekking

 

[Alydar]

I think that AS was good but somewhat inconsistent and perhaps understandably never seemed to be comfortable with her inside role.....many here were disappointed that she left early believing that she would improve markedly in her second full season under Geno's tutelage...instead she decided to go pro which was certainly her right but in doing so she left the team a bit shorthanded in the paint..the bottom line is that if she had returned UConn would be in a much stronger position then they are today...

I noticed that although her stats appear on the UConn site for last season she is not listed on the 2017/18 roster. An oversight or something else?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Don't get me wrong, I have high hopes for her. But the U18 FIBA Americas didn't present anything near the size she will face in college. She was literally and figuratively head and shoulders better than the opposition.

Her body type may be similar to Stewie's. Lean but tough and milk shakes and pizzas will get you Courtney Paris if you are a different type. I suspect the best deit and conditioning program with UConn's trainer stuffing protein shakes down her will still produce a Stewie or Azura type. But heck, maybe Twizzlers and tofu will be the magic combination. Maybe Sue Bird should put out a nutrition and conditioning book or video series or both.

 

[DEpup]

Don't get me wrong, I have high hopes for her. But the U18 FIBA Americas didn't present anything near the size she will face in college. She was literally and figuratively head and shoulders better than the opposition.

Did you watch her run the floor though? If she gets to the other end and gets position before the other lumbering big then she's got two points or maybe a block or charge on defense. I think she may end up being a lot like Turner at ND minus the injuries hopefully. Not the biggest 5 but really effective.

 

[oldude]

The ideal situation for UConn would be to have both ONO and Boston on the court at the same time. To some degree they could be used interchangeably, playing off each other in the high and low posts. While traditional posts are becoming a thing of the past, I see ONO primarily as a 4 and Boston as a 5.

As far as defense and rebounding go, ONO and Boston would be an intimidating combination for opposing teams to deal with. Add in Horston and UConn would have a fearsome group of shutdown defenders for years to come.

 

[ctkaiser]

Hogwash. Dangerfield is a Junior. And by all accounts Bent and Irwin are hard workers and great teammates. Come off the ledge.

I forgot Crystal was a junior.

 

[DEpup]

The ideal situation for UConn would be to have both ONO and Boston on the court at the same time. To some degree they could be used interchangeably, playing off each other in the high and low posts. While traditional posts are becoming a thing of the past, I see ONO primarily as a 4 and Boston as a 5.

As far as defense and rebounding go, ONO and Boston would be an intimidating combination for opposing teams to deal with. Add in Horston and UConn would have a fearsome group of shutdown defenders for years to come.

I completely agree with you. I think UConn can be unbeatable if they can get a few bigs so they can maintain the press by giving eachbother breaks and switch between big and small line ups whenever they want. I remember when they would put Stewie, Stokes, and KML on the floor together and they were lethal.

 

[Alydar]

Did you watch her run the floor though? If she gets to the other end and gets position before the other lumbering big then she's got two points or maybe a block or charge on defense. I think she may end up being a lot like Turner at ND minus the injuries hopefully. Not the biggest 5 but really effective.

Her ability to dunk (real dunks) says she is able to get rebounds above the rim, a place very few women can get to. That's nice because there have been 6'5" players who couldn't (Russell being one) and a lot of "big" players who have a vertical in single digits, like Dolson, Brown, Shepard, et al. What ONO needs are big strong hands so she can keep a hold on those boards when she descends to earth. I thought Butler's biggest flaw was her inability to hold on to her rebounds.

I really want Boston to sign. She has the body to take the punishment inside. That would allow ONO to concentrate on rebounding and rejecting shots.

I was browsing in the USA site and looked at the U17 stats from July. I'd be real happy with the top 5 scorers. Boston, Bueckers, Horston, Jones & Fudd. I'd take that for 19/20/21 and let the rest go where they want. I'd see 3 titles for that group (2 with Fudd).

 

[Scrutineer]

I just think it’s crazy that getting the #1 and #5 player in one recruiting class is considered a poor recruiting year... I mean, sheesh.. did you want #2-4 and #6-10 as well?

If there is one thing UConn fans never need to stress over while Geno is there it is recruiting. He has proven time and time again that more often than not he gets who he wants. For you guys, it’s not a matter of “will we get somebody”.. it’s more like “who will we get”.. that is not the case for most other programs. Geno has his pick of elite players every year, this year won’t be any different. Sandbagging indeed.

The only problem with your argument is he hasn't been able to recruit a great "big" since Tina Charles. None of us will probably ever know why, but look at the size Baylor, Texas and others have and many of those recruits were on UConn's radar.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

If Geno had not lost

I suspect it was far from your intent, the notion Geno somehow made her turn a two playing years commitment into 1. As discussed here there are a lot of factors which may have gone into her decision. It's fun to guess and discuss, but I wouldn't put it on Geno. Duke used her, didn't develope her. She ran to UConn because she wanted to stretch and grow her game, be the best she could be, yadda yadda (short of joining the Marines) and Geno gave her as much as she could handle.

Had she stayed this year may have been something pretty terrific and different. Would have loved to see Ollie and Z making people's heads spin, with Phee pushing the insiders for the other team into madness.

 

[Charliebball]

The only problem with your argument is he hasn't been able to recruit a great "big" since Tina Charles. None of us will probably ever know why, but look at the size Baylor, Texas and others have and many of those recruits were on UConn's radar.

I'd consider ONO a big.........she has proven she can rebound and she will block shots with the best of them..........she simply is not an "aircraft carrier" post like Boston

 

[SCGamecock]

The only problem with your argument is he hasn't been able to recruit a great "big" since Tina Charles. None of us will probably ever know why, but look at the size Baylor, Texas and others have and many of those recruits were on UConn's radar.

A lot of that is just geographic proximity. UConn may still be winning at the same clip as when Charles was on campus, but they are not recruiting in that same world. There are more good programs in WCBB now, and it’s giving recruits a lot more to think about.

UConn will still get their talent, but I think the days of them just coming into other people’s backyard and stealing their best talent without any questions being asked are gone. Nowadays, questions are being asked... and most importantly, answered. Schools are beginning to catch up to the Huskies in recruiting.

 

[Charliebball]

A lot of that is just geographic proximity. UConn may still be winning at the same clip as when Charles was on campus, but they are not recruiting in that same world. There are more good programs in WCBB now, and it’s giving recruits a lot more to think about.

UConn will still get their talent, but I think the days of them just coming into other people’s backyard and stealing their best talent without any questions being asked are gone. Nowadays, questions are being asked... and most importantly, answered. Schools are beginning to catch up to the Huskies in recruiting.

true but think of all those great players that don't get a chance to learn under the master's tutelage..............kind of sad really............

 

[MilfordHusky]

The “bigs” that Geno went after and missed on decided to stay home. Wilson played for SC, 10 miles down the road. Cox and Collier both decided to stay in Texas. I don’t think there is anything inherently weak in Geno’s recruiting of post players.

 

[Charliebball]

The “bigs” that Geno went after and missed on decided to stay home. Wilson played for SC, 10 miles down the road. Cox and Collier both decided to stay in Texas. I don’t think there is anything inherently weak in Geno’s recruiting of post players.

I don't think there have been that many really skilled post players out there so Geno hasn't had much to choose from that meet his criteria............that said, if UConn wiffs on securing Boston with it's geographic and playing time advantages that's not a very good sign

 

[MilfordHusky]

I don't think there have been that many really skilled post players out there so Geno hasn't had much to choose from that meet his criteria..that said, if UConn wiffs on securing Boston with it's geographic and playing time advantages that's not a very good sign

I agree, but I think he makes solid contact.

 

[Charliebball]

I agree, but I think he makes solid contact.

better be over the fence...............this is not the time to be a singles hitter!!!

 

[Charliebball]

BTW according to our friend Dillon, Boston is visiting Ohio State this weekend..................it's a shame she couldn't have met up with Horston and Griffin this weekend in Storrs

 

[Florida Fan]

A lot of us felt that urge as to Megan. One very encouraging game on the west coast and then wandering in the desert in a way. Tantalizing abilities sporatically on display. But on playing more, I don't know if that would have increased her shakiness and destroyed shaky court confidence. No one, even Geno and Megan, knows and it's water under the bridge now. She better come out roaring this fall for her sake and for ours. Geno's remark last spring about "it's ending" may well be true and history certainly bears him out; however, I'm not ready to see it.

Recruiting classes don't always deliver but looking at the Uconn grads among the WNBA winners and the FIBA team, (Mr. and Mrs. Auriemma in the stands), has to deliver the message that there are long term benefits to playing in Storrs. Granted, Notre Dame has loaded up, but you don't have to look far beyond (sorry) Jaime Nared and the other Oregon center to realize having an orange jersey is no guarantee of future success. When Stewie's heroic team graduated, we were all worrying how a relatively short group would survive among the trees at Baylor, ND and Texas. So we were blown away by the brilliance of those replacements.
This year will be another character builder.

 

[LasVegasYank]

Ideally, two top 10 recruits per year (in positions of need) would do the trick. After four years, you'd have eight top ten players on your roster which would, hopefully, continue unabated for years.