Geno hints at more roster additions

[hoophuskee]

She's not likely to get anywhere near the minutes coming off the bench. If she's not playing well enough to start why would she get 25+ MPG as a reserve? If she's going to log big minutes it's because she's playing well enough to start.

I have no idea how many games they'd lose with ONO relegated to the bench. I just know that they'd be even more vulnerable without her size and length on the floor against their toughest opponents.

Relegated to the bench????????????? You're missing the entire point. Players that come off the bench can play more than 25+ minutes. Doty was a starter and she stopped being one of the top guards on the team. KML came off the bench and averaged over 25 minutes as a frosh, didn;t she? Geno had Maya come off the bench her frosh year to start the season and until injuries had come to play. HE had Tina Charles come off the bench to start the NCAA Tourney even though she was on the all-tourney team and that year she wound up being 3rd team a/a. I'm sure she averaged more than 25 minutes.

I understand that I asked a "fantasy question" of "what if she didn;t start every game" it wasn't meant that I think she would come off the bench every game. It was a fantasy question that even if she did - UCONN would still be successful. You';re taking it to another level of "if she comes off the bench it means she isn't playing well." I disagree with that but I don't think we want to to go back-and-forth on value of 6th player off-the-bench, do we? I somehow remember the mods don't want us going back and forth a lot and overall I think your point overall is right - At least I think your point-- and that is ONO will start many if not all games.

I could continue the posts back-and-forth as to why I think it "possible" to have her come off the bench but I think other posters on here and maybe even you would get frustrated with me which for one I don;t want - but secondly I do think she will start. So I'm not sure it's worth going on why I think a player can come off the bench consistently and play 25+ minutes and i've given examples above. And I do have to leave for work. The original point I made to carnac was that I think Geno will not let her start at least for one game. She's going to upset him enough to cause him to have her not start at least once.

 

[Argonaut]

The original point I made to carnac was that I think Geno will not let her start at least for one game. She's going to upset him enough to cause him to have her not start at least once.

Then it may be two games. Senior night starters will be Dangerfield, Bent, Irwin, Camara, and Adebayo.

 

[hoophuskee]

The idea that Liv might come off the bench next year is not realistic other than as you suggest.

I'm hoping you didn't think that was my point if you are assuming that I thought so. I was just trying to make a point that starters vs bench players the bench player can play lots of minutes. But secondly and more importantly I started this off by the comment carnac made that ONO will start the rest of her career. As Meyers said -- there could be a "doghouse game" -- I expect Geno to ride ONO hard.


I think we all can agree ONO is one of the major keys to the season - and I think we all heard Geno say she isn't much of a practice player. I predict that will drive him nuts at some point. That's the context of point. IMO he'll use minutes and starting as motivation tools with her. He values practices too and she isn't great at that. But she'll definitely start a lot of games imo. I'm on board with that. Don’t want my message getting drowned out by why I think a player coming off the bench getting 30+ minutes can be just as valuable as starting and getting 30+ minutes.

Off to work!

 

[hoophuskee]

Then it may be two games. Senior night starters will be Dangerfield, Bent, Irwin, Camara, and Adebayo.

The context of my post was that there will be a doghouse game or two. In other words performance driven not because she is sick, or hurt and sr night.

 

[mbr33ct]

Sure, ONO may not start "every" game. She might miss a game for the flu. Or Abdominal strain. Maybe a game in Geno's doghouse. But independent of stuff like that, she's starting. If not, then UCONN's gonna be in trouble.

If I read between the lines, you saying UConn needs "bigs"?

 

[Argonaut]

The context of my post was that there will be a doghouse game or two. In other words performance driven not because she is sick, or hurt and sr night.

*sigh* I know, I guess I needed a or two.

 

[Bama fan]

My Italian isn't very good.

According to Reverso.net the phrase would be "lei gioca pallacanestro". That should get you started, and then you can fall back on the hand thing as per @EricLA .

 

[Bama fan]

Sansa Stark is still available (but, sadly, not to marry).

Sansa is lovely, but for this thread Brienne better fits our "needs"

 

[Carnac]

I just wonder if we're on the same page? And maybe we aren't that different?

I just don't think she is going to start"every" game. I'd be stunned -especially how Geno has spoken about how she looks in practices. But you didn't think I meant she won't start at all, did you?

The only reason why I brought "what if she didn't start? . . ." was that I brought up a pure hypothetical that even if she never started in a make believe fantasy view and she still played a lot of minutes coming off the bench - UCONN is still going to win a lot of games whether she starts or doesn't. Is this "our difference of opinion?"

ONO is going to play. I just don't believe she is an a/a caliber player yet in her soph year, and with that type of talent she has -- Gneo isn't going to let up. Some game(s) imo he will not start her.

***He didn't start Tina Charles going into the NCAA Tourney-- and yet Tina was on the ALL-Tourney team and 3rd team all-american. Geno didn't start Maya Moore early on. He wanted a "game-changer" on the bench before injuries. For me -- this year --I dont think is matters how much ONO starts -- but i think she'll get very good minutes and help the team win a lot of games. And some games they'll win because she makes some big plays. Is that considered an "impact player" even though she isn't an a/a?

That's why I asked the question. We're still in May. It's 5 months before official practice begins, and another 3 weeks after that before their 1st exhibition game. A lot can happen between now and then. For clarification purposes, I’ll rephrase my comment: ONO will have “starter’s status” the remainder of her time in Storrs. Once you’re a starter, you start.

The last time Geno pulled a starter was the 2014-2015 season when he pulled Chong and Stokes and replaced them with Nurse and Tuck 2 games into the season (after the road loss to Stanford).

I'm suggesting that ONO will start because she was the 6th man last year, as Walker was her freshman year. Walker started every game her sophomore year, and she’ll remain a starter this coming season.

Granted, Geno did not have the influx of players coming in this past year as he does THIS year. That may make a difference. Geno will have more options to begin the season that he didn’t have a month ago. So while It’s possible ONO could start the season coming off the bench, I don't think so.

I expect her to look so good in early practice sessions and prove that she has made the leap, that Geno will be forced to start her. I also expect Williams to make a similar leap. All we can go on is Geno's past behavior and tendencies. Who knows how true to form he'll remain. If ONO does not start, who does? There are two openings. I'm guessing she'll get one.

We’ll all be able to make a more intelligent assessment of the team by November 1st, after the roster is set (right now its's not, Geno has hinted there may be more to come), and the team has 2 weeks of practice under their belts. We'll know which one of the new players (if any) have stood out in practice, and who Geno likes at that point. Right now, we're guessing. I'm sure the beat writers will keep us up to date on the team's progress during that time.

Geno will have options he didn't have last year. Everyone will be auditioning for those two spots. Right now, we're just having fun going back and forth and feeling each other out. Geno is the only one that has any idea, and even he doesn't know at this time with the fianl roster incomplete. Even Carnac the great has no clue on May 24th, it's way too early. In May we're ALL guessing. By November, we'll know.

 

[Carnac]

The idea that Liv might come off the bench next year is not realistic other than as you suggest. Liv is not spending the entire summer in Storrs lifting weights and working on her game so that she can be a reserve next season.

After throwing some shade at Liv early on over her work level, Geno was extremely complementary of her down the stretch this past season. While I expect Liv to improve her ability to finish around the basket on offense, her rebounding and athleticism protecting the rim will be the key to UConn making a run at a 12th championship next season.

Liv’s size and athleticism as a big time rim protector will allow UConn to pressure the ball on defense all over the court. As a result UConn will force a lot more turnovers next year resulting in a lot more easy transition (Showtime) baskets.

Assuming that Evina is eligible, the additional depth that Geno has added, particularly Evelyn as an experienced forward, allows UConn to absorb some foul trouble without worrying about a “short bench.”

Great post OD,

 

[HuskyNan]

How well does a 6'2" player defend a 6'7" player, nevermind a 6'9" player?

You body them up and push them away from the basket. Megan is very good at this; Asjha Jones was fantastic

 

[oldude]

You body them up and push them away from the basket. Megan is very good at this; Asjha Jones was fantastic

And Tuck was absolutely the best. Alaina Coates was a non-factor vs UConn & Tuck.

 

[MilfordHusky]

You body them up and push them away from the basket. Megan is very good at this; Asjha Jones was fantastic

Asjha Jones did a great job on Liz Cambage in the 2012 London Olympics. Otherwise, we may have been Bronze Medalists.

Morgan Tuck neutralized Alaina Coates and others. When she came to UConn, Morgan was reportedly the only player in her class who could effectively guard Stewie. Tuck combines strength, footwork, intelligence, and technique.

 

[oldude]

One additional point on forwards like Tuck & Megan vs bigger “traditional” posts. The ability of Tuck & Megan to shoot the ball from the arc forces traditional Bigs to come out and guard them, where they are like fish out of water, or more accurately, like posts out of the paint.

 

[Engineer90]

You body them up and push them away from the basket. Megan is very good at this; Asjha Jones was fantastic

That works if the 6'7"-6'9" player is lanky. Have you seen some of the girls vic and others have landed?

 

[BroadwayVa]

That works if the 6'7"-6'9" player is lanky. Have you seen some of the girls vic and others have landed?

Phonetically AV wa du Pwa, i.e weight. Yet strong legs can move mountainous personages

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Megan Gustafson was waived by the Dallas Wings. Megan Gustafson waived by Dallas Wings

Just thought I'd throw that out. Don't know that it adds to the discussion.

 

[HuskyNan]

That works if the 6'7"-6'9" player is lanky. Have you seen some of the girls vic and others have landed?

So? Can they guard all of UConn’s perimeter shooters and slashers? They have to play both ends of the court

 

[CL82]

That works if the 6'7"-6'9" player is lanky. Have you seen some of the girls vic and others have landed?

Little guys can effectively box out a big by "sitting on their thigh."

 

[Engineer90]

So? Can they guard all of UConn’s perimeter shooters and slashers? They have to play both ends of the court

Yes, better than how well a guard can defend them. It is why tall people play basketball.

 

[Magy Cannon]

Cambage is not lanky!!!

 

[HuskylnSC]

Part of the technique is to get low enough to push back on the thighs. This locks the taller player into a straight leg and they cannot jump and therefore are limited to reaching for a ball. The small player in a crouch is able to elevate and intercept the ball. I played at 6'4" and 185 pounds and it continually worked for me against guys 4-8 inches taller.

 

[huskeynut]

Part of the technique is to get low enough to push back on the thighs. This locks the taller player into a straight leg and they cannot jump and therefore are limited to reaching for a ball. The small player in a crouch is able to elevate and intercept the ball. I played at 6'4" and 185 pounds and it continually worked for me against guys 4-8 inches taller.

This!!! Height is important but defensive and rebounding technique is the great equalizer.

 

[HopJim]

This!!! Height is important but defensive and rebounding technique is the great equalizer.

Until the past few years, UConn had both. Looking at Geno's recruit list, suspect he is not looking to compromise in future and wants both.

 

[huskeynut]

Until the past few years, UConn had both. Looking at Geno's recruit list, suspect he is not looking to compromise in future and wants both.

I'm sure Geno wants both and he will probably get both. At least we have Olivia. My statement still stands and who is a better post coach than CD. Evelyn could be one of those 6' 2" players who can defended a taller player. Heck, Jamelle Elliot at 5' 11" could out rebound almost anybody. Rebounding is also about desire to grab every one that comes off the glass or rim.

Too many coaches see big girls in terms of easy buckets in the paint and then "fly swatters" on defense. There is not a lot of coaching defense and rebounding. Its just reach up and jump a little. Griner did not really develop as a post player until she left Baylor.

 

[cbraarj]

I do recall Geno recounting one that went pretty much like this: 'She come all this way to play for you and you yell at her! No wonder people don't like you.'

His Mom had a life size poster of Svet in her house and no pictures of him! Geno said

 

[Vowelguy]

I am still trying to interpret this statement of Jeff's

Westbrook, the No. 2 rated player in the nation in 2017 behind Walker, evidently wanted to know why UConn hadn’t pushed harder to get her the first time around. She was dragging out her recruiting, so UConn took their chances on a couple of players that wanted to come. It didn’t work out. And now? Well, now they are fixing it. Evina is Ms. Fix-It.

My best interpretation is ???

UConn had an open offer to Evina but did not fawn (give promises?) over her to the level she felt she deserved. She took too long to decide and Geno had to change direction?

Is this comment of Jeff's based on well known facts or deduction?

Different interpretation:
UConn showed interest but other schools were gaga. She interpreted that, perhaps not unreasonably, as the other schools wanting her more.

 

[Vowelguy]

How well does a 6'2" player defend a 6'7" player, nevermind a 6'9" player?

With Mccowan, Kalani, and shepherd graduating there are fewer bigs to worry about, I think.

That said, 95% chance that ONO is a starter.
5th starter is more open.

 

[Carnac]

If she's not starting presumably the reason is she isn't developing enough. If that's the case then her minutes would potentially be limited until she shows she deserves them. Considering she's their only height at the moment, we'd better hope she's capable of starting. Needless to say, her upside is greater than just about anyone else's on the team.

This was my thought as well when I made that comment.

 

[Tonyc]

From what Ive heard about her development she's already alot better with WNBA moves. She needs to work with Tina too. That comes from some AAU coaches who watched her.