Geno has something to say to the Caroline doubters

[RadyLady]

This is not going to be one of my more popular posts, but I'm going to say it anyway.

If "idiots" are questioning whether she should be starting, does Geno lump himself in that category? After all, he made a decision to bring Caroline off the bench. Yes, he reversed the decision, but that seemed to be more about how Breanna played and what he thought she needed than Caroline's play earning her the right to start again. In fact, I think both players responded poorly; Caroline was simply not a factor against UMD or Penn State.

It's great that Caroline played at such a high level against Oregon, but her numbers against quality opposition have been less-than-stellar:

A&M- 5 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 TOs
Purdue- 3 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 TOs
Maryland- 0 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 TOs
Penn State- 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 TOs
Stanford- 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 TO
______________________________________
Total- 1.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.2 TOs

That is not filling up a stat sheet.

Now, to be fair, a lot of what she brings to the table is maturity, steadiness, and an ability to get the offense set at points when it's being pressured. Those things don't necessarily show up on a stat sheet. That being said, she is going to have to step it up against more athletic backcourts such as Baylor, Notre Dame, and Duke. Certainly, everyone who roots for UConn hopes she does and would be very happy for her if she did. And it's quite possible that UConn's national championship hopes depend on it.

This is the same point as was made about Kelly last year. Folks look at the scoring, and maybe some of the other stats, but they do not look at intangibles. In Caroline's case, the offense obviously runs more smoothly when she is out there and this certainly is so key. Leadership and effort seem not to be as important to some folks as a well stocked stat sheet.

Points win games....why, yes they do...but plays have to be set up, and experience on the floor helps get the points in the bucket and keeps the team focused.

 

[boontonbomber]

This is not going to be one of my more popular posts, but I'm going to say it anyway.

If "idiots" are questioning whether she should be starting, does Geno lump himself in that category? After all, he made a decision to bring Caroline off the bench. Yes, he reversed the decision, but that seemed to be more about how Breanna played and what he thought she needed than Caroline's play earning her the right to start again. In fact, I think both players responded poorly; Caroline was simply not a factor against UMD or Penn State.

It's great that Caroline played at such a high level against Oregon, but her numbers against quality opposition have been less-than-stellar:

A&M- 5 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 TOs
Purdue- 3 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 TOs
Maryland- 0 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 TOs
Penn State- 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 TOs
Stanford- 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 TO
______________________________________
Total- 1.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.2 TOs

That is not filling up a stat sheet.

Now, to be fair, a lot of what she brings to the table is maturity, steadiness, and an ability to get the offense set at points when it's being pressured. Those things don't necessarily show up on a stat sheet. That being said, she is going to have to step it up against more athletic backcourts such as Baylor, Notre Dame, and Duke. Certainly, everyone who roots for UConn hopes she does and would be very happy for her if she did. And it's quite possible that UConn's national championship hopes depend on it.

very well expressed. i was thinking a bit of the same re geno and he not starting her.

 

[blackbird]

Caroline plays on a team with Breanna Stewart, KML, Bria Hartley, and Stefanie Dolson, and now Kelly is starting to look for her shot. Caroline knows her place in the offense. She doesn't force things, she just does her part to run the machine. She's been playing well even if her stats don't show it against the top teams.

 

[rwdinsalem]

I was at the game and CD played an outstanding game. It wasn't just her points, but the way the team clicked when she was in.

 

[Replicant]

I'm not sure what Geno is so ticked off about - he's the one whose had her playing out of position.

It's pretty clear that with 12 boards and 2 blocks, CD is a true power forward and not a guard!

 

[Buzzyboy]

I don't think I've seen a lot of thoughts on what would happen if Caroline started playing somewhere near her old standard. To me, she's been moving so much better than last year. The shots just didn't seem to be falling like they used to fall. Caroline was definitely one of those players that when she shot the ball you just thought it was going in. If she can start hitting shots in addition to her other contributions, that would be huge.

Geno's right, I'm back on the bandwagon. Yes, that's also an admission that I'm one of the idiots that questioned why she was starting and playing so many minutes.

Bravo for you!!!!!!!! I've been known to make mistakes and sometimes put my foot in my mouth but to own up to it is quite impressive! Thanks for your admission.

 

[Scotter]

And one of those sources is e-mail. One of the perks of having a publicly available e-mail address. In the past has he has referred to some of the e-mails he gets.

He doesn't admit to it, but the world is full of idiots....they're everywhere! It's hard to stand out when there's so much quality competition. I'll bet Geno has heard many idiotic comments from various sources during his tenure.

 

[Scotter]

Geno returned Breanna to the bench when both Kiah and Morgan were injured. Geno may not spoken about it in this way, but he went from having too many posts players to too few, which pretty much made the Breanna and Caroline swap the obvious solution for a team with suddenly far more guard depth than post depth. It didn't really have much to do with how either player's play leading up to the switch. Just like when Caroline was swapped out of the starting lineup earlier it didn't have anything to do with her play or Geno's confidence in her. It was a numbers game.

This is not going to be one of my more popular posts, but I'm going to say it anyway. If "idiots" are questioning whether she should be starting, does Geno lump himself in that category? After all, he made a decision to bring Caroline off the bench. Yes, he reversed the decision, but that seemed to be more about how Breanna played and what he thought she needed than Caroline's play earning her the right to start again. In fact, I think both players responded poorly; Caroline was simply not a factor against UMD or Penn State.

 

[easttexastrash]

I am not sure if one good game against a lesser opponent is going to change the minds of many. Mulkey's daughter hit 7 of 8 three pointers against Hawai'i and finished the game with 23 points, but that didn't impact my opinion about her abilities. She had one of those games where she was in the zone and couldn't miss.

No, I am not comparing Doty to Robertson, as Doty is a much better player, but I am just saying that one good game is not going to suddenly convince people that they are idiots. Plus, most idiots will never admits that they are idiots...that's was makes us...I mean them, idiots.

 

[HuskyNan]

I am not sure if one good game against a lesser opponent is going to change the minds of many. Mulkey's daughter hit 7 of 8 three pointers against Hawai'i and finished the game with 23 points, but that didn't impact my opinion about her abilities. She had one of those games where she was in the zone and couldn't miss.

No, I am not comparing Doty to Robertson, as Doty is a much better player, but I am just saying that one good game is not going to suddenly convince people that the are idiots. Plus, most idiots will never admits that they are idiots...that's was makes us...I mean them, idiots.

It's not one good game. She plays well every game but the things she does won't show up in the box score, things like making the offense flow more smoothly and keeping the young players calm. She's capable of doing what she did against Oregon every game but with younger players like Bria, Kaleena, Breanna, et al, she hasn't had to. But when the other players didn't have it against Oregon, she cranked it up and filled up the box score.

 

[easttexastrash]

It's not one good game. She plays well every game but the things she does won't show up in the box score, things like making the offense flow more smoothly and keeping the young players calm. She's capable of doing what she did often but with younger players like Bria, Kaleena Breanna, et al, she hasn't had to. But when the other players didn't have it, she ramped up her game and filled up the box score.

My apologies...I should have said one good offensive game.

 

[magical2]

John Altavilla ‏@jaltavilla
Geno says he's never seen Caroline Doty ever play a better game - 14 pts, 12 rebounds, seven assists in 26 minutes #UConnwomen

I absolutely agree with Geno's comments and posts supporting CD! I was so happy with CD's dominating performance against Oregon. Those who have watched her performances know what she has been
contributing. The ST game may have been a prelude for Carolyn to her play against OR! She had 14PTS,12RBS,7ASSTS,/2TOS,4STS,2BLS WOW Her play against ST, if you watched the game
4 times as I have,showed why she is one of the 6 "starters" ! Her stats did not adequeately show how
well she played!

I love it. I get so tired of the arm chair couches who doubt and judge these kids. Last year it was Kelly...and all summer it was this about Caroline. I am glad that he said it. She's terrific.

Those of us who have been posting and praising Kelly since she was a FR absolutely agree!!
The 2 SRS< excluding HB who contributes in her own way> CD*and Kelis Fisher along with JRS Steff and Bria are 4 of the
6 starters SO KML a future AA and Stewie FR future AA and player of the year are the other 2!

Watch what happens on SAT It is going to be an opportunity for the players/team to
show Chiney,and a National Audience on CBS that the #5 Team is going down in the same manner as ST did!!!
As great as the perfomance was SAT,we can play even better and we will.
Ira

 

[VAUConnFan]

Actually, the only negative criticism Caroline receives here is in reference her performance in the big games in which she has been, quite frankly, overmatched. The criticisms, specualtion about her starting, etc.. does not necessarily make us idiots. Critical fans? Converned fans? But, we all want nothing but success for Ms Doty. Success, at least, for me, is just being on the floor contributing. Or even on the bench contributing.

It is great that Coach Auriemma comes out in defense of his 5th year senior; It is what a coach is supposed to do. This time next week, let's hope that we are continuing along this vein. Let's face it, Notre Dame is a little better than Oregon. In 30 years, Oregon has had three honorable mention all americans, 2 Pac 10 Players of the Year, and 12 NCAA Tournament appearances; their last one coming in 2005. In other words, let's not get too carried away. Some of us here were very critical of her recently graduate roommate for similar performances.

 

[pap49cba]

Big games? How about the 2010 NC game? Played the 2nd most minutes after Maya and hit two killer 3's at the end of the game. Give me a break. Girl has had THREE major knee surgeries but she just doesn't measure up to some to some.

 

[Aluminny69]

Okay, here are the facts from the Stanford game: Doty started and played until the first media timeout, or 4:27. At that time, the score was 5-5, every starter had taken a shot, except Doty. In that time, Doty had one assist, one def. rebound, and one foul. By the time Doty came back in, five minutes later, the score was 20-7, led by Stewart, Doty's replacement.

So, that's what happened, take it for what its worth.

I, for one, am thrilled that Doty had a great game against Oregon. The more offensive contributors the better. She deserves a chance to play up to her potential, given all that she has been through.

 

[Icebear]

Okay, here are the facts from the Stanford game: Doty started and played until the first media timeout, or 4:27. At that time, the score was 5-5, every starter had taken a shot, except Doty. In that time, Doty had one assist, one def. rebound, and one foul. By the time Doty came back in, five minutes later, the score was 20-7, led by Stewart, Doty's replacement.

So, that's what happened, take it for what its worth.

I, for one, am thrilled that Doty had a great game against Oregon. The more offensive contributors the better. She deserves a chance to play up to her potential, given all that she has been through.

As was said the stat line of the Stanford game caught nothing of what Caroline did. Breanna was awesome but she and Caroline had different roles and the transition of those roles on the court is a game dynamic that may well have occurred, specifically, because both were played and performed the roles they did. Geno, specifically, commented on Caroline's excellent game.

 

[meyers7]

As was said the stat line of the Stanford game caught nothing of what Caroline did. Breanna was awesome but she and Caroline had different roles and the transition of those roles on the court is a game dynamic that may well have occurred, specifically, because both were played and performed the roles they did. Geno, specifically, commented on Caroline's excellent game.

Irrelevant to what Alum posted.

 

[ChicagoGG]

Big games? How about the 2010 NC game? Played the 2nd most minutes after Maya and hit two killer 3's at the end of the game. Give me a break. Girl has had THREE major knee surgeries but she just doesn't measure up to some to some.

Thanks, Pap - you beat me to the same point! Without Caroline backing up Maya, there wouldn't have been a championship ring that year! I think some people have to find a perceived weakness on this team or they are not happy.
I also think there are too many who look too far ahead, and don't appreciate our team right now. The future may be bright, but we are in the middle of the 2012-13 season now. (Live in the present is what I'm saying...)

I am thrilled for Caroline that she is having a great Senior year. We will miss her and Kelly more than we realize!

 

[Icebear]

Irrelevant to what Alum posted.

Not really, as I read it I thought he passed over Caroline's excellent play against Stanford too quickly.

 

[NoelAustin]

Thanks, Pap - you beat me to the same point! Without Caroline backing up Maya, there wouldn't have been a championship ring that year! I think some people have to find a perceived weakness on this team or they are not happy.

---- It was Maya, and not Caroline, who saved UConn in the 2010 NC game. Maya scored 23 points on 9/18 shooting. She was the only UConn player in double figures. Caroline, on the other hand, was 3/11 (2/8 from three) from the field for
eight points. Caroline's three field goals in the NC game are as follows: At 12:03 in the second half Caroline made a layup. Before the shot, UConn led by 3. At 5:24 Caroline made a 3-pointer; before that shot UConn led by 12. At 2:40 Caroline made another 3-pointer, which extended UConn's lead to 16. After that, UConn played not-to-lose, and Stanford was able to reduce the lead to 6 as time expired. To say that Caroline rescued UConn from the jaws of defeat is nothing short of nonsense.

It is really nice to see CD playing well and making a contribution, especially given the adversity she has endured. I don't think she would want anyone to resort to fiction to improve her legacy.

 

[boontonbomber]

it was great to see caroline's performance against oregon. she has been moving so much better as the season's progressed, and looks like she'll be a bigger factor in this season than we might have expected. this discussion would never have occured, or taken on the tone it has, if geno had not made his "idiots" comment. too bad he didn't just gush about caroline, and let it go at that. but that's not his style.

 

[ChicagoGG]

I didn't say she rescued UConn from the jaws of defeat. I said she backed up Maya. My memory of that game is that until Caroline started to make shots, Maya was the only one scoring. Perhaps my memory is faulty,per you, but one thing I will always remember is the joy on Caroline's face as the confetti dropped. (IIRC, someone on the board used to use that shot as their avatar.)

If you wish to take my observations as projections that do not meet your standards, enjoy!

 

[meyers7]

Not really, as I read it I thought he passed over Caroline's excellent play against Stanford too quickly.

Yea, really.

 

[Aluminny69]

Not really, as I read it I thought he passed over Caroline's excellent play against Stanford too quickly.

I didn't want to get too far into this, for fear of offending someone, but let me try to clarify. Based on the first 10 minutes of the Stanford game, one could understand the reason why some people believe that Stewart should start over Doty. The stats are quite clear. Now, you claim that the stats don't tell the whole story. So, basically, you rely on stats when they support your position, but dismiss stats when they don't? How does that work, exactly? Doty's overall stats for the game weren't that great, as I remember, without looking them up. She may very well have made contributions that don't show up on the stat sheet, but that's very subjective.

I did not get to see the Oregon game (blacked out in our area), but it appears she finally got some confidence in her shot, which is terrific. I am really happy for her. The last thing I want to do is Doty bashing, I really really hope she keeps her confidence high going forward. She clearly has Geno's full support. (I highly doubt that she really cares what I think.)

 

[blackbird]

Doty, IMO, didn't have a terrific game against Stanford. That would imply that she played close to what she's capable of playing, and I don't think she did. That's not to say that she played poorly (although, she was the worst of the main rotation.)

And that's not Doty bashing. I think Dolson played a terrific game against Stanford. I thought pretty much everyone else had some good moments but was essentially subpar. Which makes this team scary, because they won by over 25 against the then #1.

 

[sarals24]

The good thing about starting Doty is that it allows Breanna to see the flow of the game and then come in and make an impact. Geno has always done this with freshmen when he has the luxury. If Doty is in there, the team is steady, things aren't crashing and burning, Geno can put in Stewart at the first timeout and she doesn't have the pressure she would as a starter. When she does have a good shooting game, it's a bonus. But Geno isn't counting on her for offense. I think if Faris hadn't stepped up this year with her shooting we might be looking at a different situation. But she has, so this is where we are. And Doty plays a very valuable role. She is always talking to the younger players, she always calls out what defense they are in, who has which player, etc. She is the first to start a huddle after a dead ball. This is a great way to start off a game, and Geno knows that.

 

[Icebear]

I didn't want to get too far into this, for fear of offending someone, but let me try to clarify. Based on the first 10 minutes of the Stanford game, one could understand the reason why some people believe that Stewart should start over Doty. The stats are quite clear. Now, you claim that the stats don't tell the whole story. So, basically, you rely on stats when they support your position, but dismiss stats when they don't? How does that work, exactly? Doty's overall stats for the game weren't that great, as I remember, without looking them up. She may very well have made contributions that don't show up on the stat sheet, but that's very subjective.

I did not get to see the Oregon game (blacked out in our area), but it appears she finally got some confidence in her shot, which is terrific. I am really happy for her. The last thing I want to do is Doty bashing, I really really hope she keeps her confidence high going forward. She clearly has Geno's full support. (I highly doubt that she really cares what I think.)

Stats can tell a story and there is information there that can be helpful. they can help us understand how well a player or a team shoot from distance. But stats only measure what they are designed to measure and they do not measure all aspects of the game. Among things stats presently do not measure is the number of screens or picks set. Directing of players into positions on the court. Controlling and establishing a desired pace of play. Players turned to help defenders. Plays disrupted on defense, including balls poked away resulting in a steal by others. Rebounds tipped out. Plus more.

I agree it is understandable why some people might think Caroline didn't have a good game based on simply the stats you cite but watching the game it was quite clear she was doing many things very well. Geno himself affirmed that very fact after the game commending Caroline's play as excellent. Geno is hardly afraid to criticize players (see Bria) when he isn't getting from them what he wants or expects.

Caroline has had confidence in her shot this year. It might surprise many but she is second on the team in 3pt shots attempted (38) in only 17.4 minutes a game at almost shooting 40% on 3s (.395). I consider that confident and solid.

I did not think you were Doty bashing.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Thanks, Pap - you beat me to the same point! Without Caroline backing up Maya, there wouldn't have been a championship ring that year! I think some people have to find a perceived weakness on this team or they are not happy.
I also think there are too many who look too far ahead, and don't appreciate our team right now. The future may be bright, but we are in the middle of the 2012-13 season now. (Live in the present is what I'm saying...)

I am thrilled for Caroline that she is having a great Senior year. We will miss her and Kelly more than we realize!

Of Caroline's three field goals, all in the second half of that 2010 National Championship game, only the drive to the hoop late in the shot clock was of any significance. She scored on the drive to the lane at 12:30 to make it 29-22, hit a three pointer at 5:25 to make it 44-29, then hit her final three pointer at 2:39 to make it 47-31.
Prior to the Doty layup:
Kalana Greene made one of two free throws, 13-20
Maya Moore hit the jumper from the left elbow after rebounding a Tiffany Hayesa miss, 15-20
Maya Moore hit the jumper off glass from the right side, 17-20
Kalana Greene hit the layup and one, 20-22
Maya Moore hit hit the three from the top of the key left side, 23-22
Maya Moore hits a jumper from the elbow right side, 25-22
Maya Moore hits the layup in transition 27-22.

Prior to the Doty three pointers:
Tina Charles jumper from the free throw line, 31-25
Maya Moore layup on the putback, 33-25
Tina Charles jumper and one, 36-27
Tina Charles powers up a layup 38-27
Maya Moore three pointer, 41-29