Geno hints at more roster additions

[Zorro]

My Italian isn't very good.

Just point to your UConn hat and make dribbling motions with your hands. She will either get the message or think you are offering her the hat to go home with you for bouncy-bouncy. Either way it might work out ok.

 

[uconnell]

Svelt or thin? He looks like he's ridden the devil and barely won. Standing on a repaired knee is required, but not always painless. Give the guy MUCHO credit, out on the circuit.
I like his assessment of Ania, if she proves all he believes I will be on happy camper. She is coming to CT where the population of Polish speaking peoples may impress her, she may find a few Ania Grandma's as Sveta did.

Geno’s mother loved Svet and often chastised Geno for yelling at her.

 

[chrissaran]

So many of you are fixated on the players' height? Morgan Tuck is 6'2". I hear she was a decent player at UConn.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Geno’s mother loved Svet and often chastised Geno for yelling at her.

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.'

 

[MilfordHusky]

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.'

And Geno is thinking, "Thanks a lot, Mom!"

 

[Zorro]

Geno; "I'm not recruiting any more damn foreigners!" Mama; "Geno, you are a damn foreigner!" (Or something a lot like that. Quoted from shaky memory.)

 

[Biff]

Speaking of speaking Italian, anyone remember when Geno was interviewed in Italian back when UConn did their euro tour in 2011?

 

[Gus Mahler]

Yeah that... and living Dailey's world. Dress, comportment, social media use, etc.

Good point. She will learn to comport herself well, as a refined and sophisticated young adult.

 

[DefenseBB]

Euros.

Technically, I guess Kitiji Laksa is a Euro...

 

[hoophuskee]

ONO will be starting the remainder of her time at UConn. Anyone here think otherwise?

I do. I highly doubt she will. On a minor note Geno has benched Stewie and Tuck and Tina Charles (though I'm not sure if it was to start a game.). But imo ONO is a non-aggressive player at times and because Geno will want her to become more of an aggressive player -- there will be practices he'll get disgusted with her and she won;t start. Nor did he start Stevens despite the fact the year before I believe Miss State blitzed UCONN on the glass at least for a half. IMO ONO is the type of player Geno is going to have to be a very hard coach with and I'd guess she certainly expects it.

If ONO didn't start one regular season game throughout next year (I don;t expect that to happen just giving a hypothetical) and UCONN gets Westbrook accepted, and ONO comes off the bench, how many games you think UCONN loses as a maximum?

ONO can still get very, very, very, very good minutes without starting -- though I would expect she'd start a lot. But I'd be shocked if it was every game.

 

[Gus Mahler]

It's unfathomable that Liv would not be a starter next year. I expect her to be a dramatically improved player next year, one who should not merely make an impact on UConn BB, but on the national scene of all of WCBB.

 

[meyers7]

Geno stirs the pot. Vol nation goes to defcon 3.

Did they get SAC on the line?

 

[uconnfan68]

Yeah that... and living Dailey's world. Dress, comportment, social media use, etc.

She and Megan are very close, so I’m 100% sure she knows exactly what she’s getting into.

 

[UConnNick]

Yeah that... and living Dailey's world. Dress, comportment, social media use, etc.

I think she has already aptly demonstrated that she knows how to use social media for effect. That may not be a skill that Chris Dailey appreciates.

 

[Charliebball]

Eric
Will be actively following your advice, tomorrow at Taormina.
Recruiting time!
(Hope I don't get arrested)

Love that place.................some of the best views and best gelato in existence.......................the only bad part is waiting in long lines to catch the funicular down to the beach.........

 

[jaundicedeye]

Thank you, your posts are

Exactly what does HEALTHY LOOK LIKE?

I assume your question is intended to be humorous. But if it is sincere and you do not know then you might consider that being overweight is considered unhealthy. Therefore if one loses weight and achieves a more optimal weight it is considered a shift toward better health. In Geno's case, his reduced waistline coupled with his not looking tired has him "looking healthy."
Are you good with that Bellemare?

 

[Carnac]

I do. I highly doubt she will. On a minor note Geno has benched Stewie and Tuck and Tina Charles (though I'm not sure if it was to start a game.). But imo ONO is a non-aggressive player at times and because Geno will want her to become more of an aggressive player -- there will be practices he'll get disgusted with her and she won;t start. Nor did he start Stevens despite the fact the year before I believe Miss State blitzed UCONN on the glass at least for a half. IMO ONO is the type of player Geno is going to have to be a very hard coach with and I'd guess she certainly expects it.

If ONO didn't start one regular season game throughout next year (I don;t expect that to happen just giving a hypothetical) and UCONN gets Westbrook accepted, and ONO comes off the bench, how many games you think UCONN loses as a maximum?

ONO can still get very, very, very, very good minutes without starting -- though I would expect she'd start a lot. But I'd be shocked if it was every game.

Thanks for your reply. This is the kind of response I was hoping to get. There may be differences of opinion on this which is fodder we can use for discussing ONO's presence and impact on the team going into the summer.

 

[EricSD]

Speaking of speaking Italian, anyone remember when Geno was interviewed in Italian back when UConn did their euro tour in 2011?

That was awesome! An absolute classic. "Would you consider moderating the Boneyard when you retire?" "Maybe when hell freezes over and I'm relegated to a convalescent home eating yogurt and oatmeal..."

You outdid yourself Biff!!!

 

[Carnac]

Speaking of speaking Italian, anyone remember when Geno was interviewed in Italian back when UConn did their euro tour in 2011?

"When hell freezes over and I've lost my mind". I knew it!! I knew Geno comes to the Boneyard occasionally when he's bored and needs a few laughs. I wonder if he has a burner account, and has responded to some of our posts?

 

[hoophuskee]

It's unfathomable that Liv would not be a starter next year. I expect her to be a dramatically improved player next year, one who should not merely make an impact on UConn BB, but on the national scene of all of WCBB.

WHat's the definition of an impact player? I consider it an all-american/ and for UCONN teh impact player is a "championship contender" type of impact for discussion purposes.

I would be shocked/ stunned if she was "that" as a soph an impact player the caliber I mentioned above for next year.

IMo overall next year she is a "hold the fort" type player.

 

[hoophuskee]

Thanks for your reply. This is the kind of response I was hoping to get. There may be differences of opinion on this which is fodder we can use for discussing ONO's presence and impact on the team going into the summer.

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?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

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.

Who would start if Nelson-Ododa doesn't? One of the freshmen? A lineup with Adebayo replacing N-O is spectacularly undersized.

 

[hoophuskee]

Who would start if Nelson-Ododa doesn't? One of the freshmen? A lineup with Adebayo replacing N-O is spectacularly undersized.

It is-- but I'll ask the below in bold -- how many games you think UCONN loses next year if ONO plays but doesn't start? What's the big deal about starting? At some point ONO has to come out of the game anyways, right?

If ONO didn't start one regular season game throughout next year (I don;t expect that to happen just giving a hypothetical) and UCONN gets Westbrook accepted, and ONO comes off the bench, how many games you think UCONN loses as a maximum?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

It is-- but I'll ask the below in bold -- how many games you think UCONN loses next year if ONO plays but doesn't start? What's the big deal about starting? At some point ONO has to come out of the game anyways, right?

If ONO didn't start one regular season game throughout next year (I don;t expect that to happen just giving a hypothetical) and UCONN gets Westbrook accepted, and ONO comes off the bench, how many games you think UCONN loses as a maximum?

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.

 

[hoophuskee]

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.

But you didn't answer the question. That's okay. And please don''t take my post as I think she won't start. Nor does it mean I think it best she comes off the bench.

As far as upside, I don't see the relevance of starting vs not. Maya Moore and Nykesha Slaes had higher upsides than their counterparts by a lot and they came off the bench. Geno has said he loved the Celtics way of 6th player off the bench.

And if she gets the same minutes whether she starts or doesn't - then how does that limit her upside? I just don't understand your point of "upside."

 

[Sluconn Husky]

And if she gets the same minutes whether she starts or doesn't - then how does that limit her upside? I just don't understand your point of "upside."

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.

 

[Engineer90]

So many of you are fixated on the players' height? Morgan Tuck is 6'2". I hear she was a decent player at UConn.

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

 

[meyers7]

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.

 

[oldude]

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.

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.”

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Geno was extremely complementary of her down the stretch this past season.

That is what Geno does in the stretch. We seem to have two camps on Olivia. I fall in the middle. We need some help for her, but she will grow and surprise critics .