Geno Gives People His Team Assessment

[RockyMTblue2]

“Early on [the offense is] not going to look spectacular because we’re trying to incorporate some new people in there with different skills so there are some things that we do this year that are a little bit different and a little bit better than last year… It’ll look a little different,” Auriemma said. “There are still a lot of similarities. We may end up shooting quicker, we may end up getting a lot more transition baskets than last year… It’ll be interesting to see how everyone adapts to their new roles.”

Geno Auriemma breaks down the UConn women's basketball roster

He gives statements about 4-5 players. Coombs being pretty interesting:

“She’s been practicing and she’s improved a whole lot. She’s the most non-confident kid — non-confident and really good athlete — that I’ve been around. She doesn’t even know what it is that she has so we have to constantly get her... and say ‘Hey listen, when you get the ball run straight down there to the rim’ because when she does that no one can stop her… And then when the shot goes up she probably gets her hands on more offensive rebounds than anybody. She has a knack for it.”

 

[Vowelguy]

Also interesting:

Christyn Williams​

“... We’re going to try to work real hard to make sure she doesn’t get caught up in ‘What play are we running? What does coach want us to do?’ .”​

​

One repeated criticism* we've heard over the years is of players who "have no idea what play we're running." So very strange to hear GA say he's not gonna worry about that with her.

* Sometimes sarcastic.

 

[Charliebball]

Also interesting:

Christyn Williams​

“... We’re going to try to work real hard to make sure she doesn’t get caught up in ‘What play are we running? What does coach want us to do?’ .”​

​

One repeated criticism* we've heard over the years is of players who "have no idea what play we're running." So very strange to hear GA say he's not gonna worry about that with her.

* Sometimes sarcastic.

that's because she's one of the few players UConn has had in quite awhile who can generate her own offense without a great pass or a screen.............she's got two equally good hands, can beat any defender off the dribble to the rim or use her pull up jump shot, and she is streaky but often deadly from three.............so if the offense is stagnant give her the ball and get the hell out of the way!!.....

 

[Vowelguy]

that's because she's one of the few players UConn has had in quite awhile who can ....

UConn has had lots of great players and he still wanted them to conform to his offense.

Charde was one who get regularly criticized for not knowing the offense or defense. And he only gave her free reign when he had nothing else.

Dont know what it means. Just notable.

 

[Charliebball]

UConn has had lots of great players and he still wanted them to conform to his offense.

Charde was one who get regularly criticized for not knowing the offense or defense. And he only gave her free reign when he had nothing else.

Dont know what it means. Just notable.

me either.............all I know is UConn had no answer for Arike last year but they do now........

 

[BroadwayVa]

“Early on [the offense is] not going to look spectacular because we’re trying to incorporate some new people in there with different skills so there are some things that we do this year that are a little bit different and a little bit better than last year… It’ll look a little different,” Auriemma said. “There are still a lot of similarities. We may end up shooting quicker, we may end up getting a lot more transition baskets than last year… It’ll be interesting to see how everyone adapts to their new roles.”

Geno Auriemma breaks down the UConn women's basketball roster

He gives statements about 4-5 players. Coombs being pretty interesting:

“She’s been practicing and she’s improved a whole lot. She’s the most non-confident kid — non-confident and really good athlete — that I’ve been around. She doesn’t even know what it is that she has so we have to constantly get her... and say ‘Hey listen, when you get the ball run straight down there to the rim’ because when she does that no one can stop her… And then when the shot goes up she probably gets her hands on more offensive rebounds than anybody. She has a knack for it.”

ONE More Big thanks Rocky..
Oldude and JoeP jumped on her (Coomb's) bandwagon last year. The way to build confidence is to tell her every play how great she performed it, Napheesa, KLS, Danger, need to keep pounding on her good plays and excusing all but the terrible plays. Geno won't stop being Geno. Others too saw her potential; it took me nearly a year to take a back seat on their wagon!! Some people are slow learners, am I not?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

ONE More Big thanks Rocky..
Oldude and JoeP jumped on her (Coomb's) bandwagon last year. The way to build confidence is to tell her every play how great she performed it, Napheesa, KLS, Danger, need to keep pounding on her good plays and excusing all but the terrible plays. Geno won't stop being Geno. Others too saw her potential; it took me nearly a year to take a back seat on their wagon!! Some people are slow learners, am I not?

Yes.

 

[BroadwayVa]

me either...all I know is UConn had no answer for Arike last year but they do now...

Get the hell out of the way!! Love it. Charde was on a team with nearly NO offense and as much as Geno wanted to sit her--he had few (that is optimistic) who could score. Too she was one heck of a point on the Zone press her hands and agility made up for bad practices, not knowing which way or who. Poor Charde had to sit out the first half on her homecoming game at USDS.
I doubt Coombs is hung up in Charde's "I dunno closet" So, Charlie, you believe Mikayla is that quick, fast, defensive-oriented?? Again, I love it..

 

[Go/huskies]

Still nothing said about Lexi who is being recruited over, I think she could be a good shooter off the bench.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Mikayla has very quick hands and feet, maybe close to Moriah. If she can use them effectively, she can be a real asset. I hope she has improved her shot and continues to work on it.

 

[Bama fan]

Still nothing said about Lexi who is being recruited over, I think she could be a good shooter off the bench.

I like her, but she is lost for some reason. It is a shame.

 

[BobbyJ]

that's because she's one of the few players UConn has had in quite awhile who can generate her own offense without a great pass or a screen...she's got two equally good hands, can beat any defender off the dribble to the rim or use her pull up jump shot, and she is streaky but often deadly from three...so if the offense is stagnant give her the ball and get the hell out of the way!!.....

And all this is based on her extensive D1 college experience? I think I’ll wait until she does this against quality competition before anointing her.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think Lexi looks trimmer this year. She just needs to keep working at things.

 

[eebmg]

that's because she's one of the few players UConn has had in quite awhile who can generate her own offense without a great pass or a screen...she's got two equally good hands, can beat any defender off the dribble to the rim or use her pull up jump shot, and she is streaky but often deadly from three...so if the offense is stagnant give her the ball and get the hell out of the way!!.....

Sounds like his attitude to Nykesha Sales. I would settle for that.

 

[Shorty Dee]

I have been rooting for Mikayla since I seen her last year. She is another special player to me. The speed and athleticism is awesome. I also think Olivia is going to be nice. Christyn is a spark, like Gabby. Even though Geno didn't mention Batouly personally, I think she is nice too. I am loving what I see. BY, sit back and enjoy the ride with me. It's going to be an amazing and fun ride .

 

[Charliebball]

And all this is based on her extensive D1 college experience? I think I’ll wait until she does this against quality competition before anointing her.

that's fair.................I have no doubts that she'll have growing pains like all freshman do but I've been following this player long enough to be extremely confident with my assessment

 

[meyers7]

And all this is based on her extensive D1 college experience? I think I’ll wait until she does this against quality competition before anointing her.

No, but with some players, you can just tell.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Still nothing said about Lexi who is being recruited over, I think she could be a good shooter off the bench.

They recruit over people all the time. Almost everyone on the bench is recruited over every year. I think the bench players know their role, so it's all good.

 

[Florida Fan]

Yes.

Geno has to say that he needs her, because she has the talent to fill a role perhaps unique to her, Like Mo velcroed to Diggins.

 

[Carnac]

So much for the misnomer that UConn gets ALL of the best recruits every year. It's 5 days before the early signing period begins, and UConn does not have a verbal from a single top 30 ranked recruit. Griffin is ranked #33 by Hoopgurlz. When was the last time THAT happened?

 

[Carnac]

Mikayla has very quick hands and feet, maybe close to Moriah. If she can use them effectively, she can be a real asset. I hope she has improved her shot and continues to work on it.

It's way too early to count Mikayla out. UConn has played 1 exhibition game, and people are already counting her out. I'm betting that Coombs will settle down and settle in at some point during the season. Once she strings together a string of 8-10 good games, she'll begin to believe what she hears from her coaches and teammates and sees in the film sessions. BTW, I've been on the Coombs bandwagon since last year also.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

So much for the misnomer that UConn gets ALL of the best recruits every year. It's 5 days before the early signing period begins, and UConn does not have a verbal from a single top 30 ranked recruit. Griffin is ranked #33 by Hoopgurlz. When was the last time THAT happened?

This looks like a highjack attempt to me! Stay strong people!

 

[Geew1992]

So much for the misnomer that UConn gets ALL of the best recruits every year. It's 5 days before the early signing period begins, and UConn does not have a verbal from a single top 30 ranked recruit. Griffin is ranked #33 by Hoopgurlz. When was the last time THAT happened?

Wasn't that last year??

 

[BobbyJ]

So much for the misnomer that UConn gets ALL of the best recruits every year. It's 5 days before the early signing period begins, and UConn does not have a verbal from a single top 30 ranked recruit. Griffin is ranked #33 by Hoopgurlz. When was the last time THAT happened?

Are you sure that Auriemma has no verbals? Because they're not on Twitter or Instagram?

 

[Charliebball]

Are you sure that Auriemma has no verbals? Because they're not on Twitter or Instagram?

I'm not thrilled that UConn only has one committed player at the moment but I'm going to be apoplectic if they are in the same position at the end of the signing period..........

 

[BobbyJ]

I'm not thrilled that UConn only has one committed player at the moment but I'm going to be apoplectic if they are in the same position at the end of the signing period.....

My point is that just because it's not public yet doesn't necessarily mean there are none. I actually like it when people aren't conducting their business in social media. Regardless of what's said after the signing period, Auriemma has a pretty good idea of who he's getting and who he's not.

 

[Charliebball]

My point is that just because it's not public yet doesn't necessarily mean there are none. I actually like it when people aren't conducting their business in social media. Regardless of what's said after the signing period, Auriemma has a pretty good idea of who he's getting and who he's not.

I agree..................Geno may know but he may not..................if I remember correctly, he was very surprised, almost shocked when ONO called to say she was coming to Storrs...................these two have always played it close to the vest so it doesn't surprise me at all that their decisions might go down to the wire.......

 

[DeeHusky]

So much for the misnomer that UConn gets ALL of the best recruits every year. It's 5 days before the early signing period begins, and UConn does not have a verbal from a single top 30 ranked recruit. Griffin is ranked #33 by Hoopgurlz. When was the last time THAT happened?

Saniya Chong’s class...I think she was ranked like 70 something by ESPN’s Hoopgurlz. She was the only recruit in her class.

 

[BobbyJ]

I agree...Geno may know but he may not...if I remember correctly, he was very surprised, almost shocked when ONO called to say she was coming to Storrs....these two have always played it close to the vest so it doesn't surprise me at all that their decisions might go down to the wire..

He SAYS he was very surprised.......... Who knows? Same with Williams.

 

[j66kicker]

I'm not thrilled that UConn only has one committed player at the moment but I'm going to be apoplectic if they are in the same position at the end of the signing period.....

I guess the upside to your incredibly pessimistic outlook is the fantastic rush you’re going to get when Jones & Boston announce they’re coming to UConn!