Have we heard one question to a player from the media about "why isn't UConn what they used to be"? I can't remember seeing or reading one. Comments here? Sure. But for the most part the hoard tosses softball questions at both the players and Geno.
And Geno has always told us that winning isn't the goal, that perfection is the goal. Unatainable? for sure, but coming close to it is the result of setting it as the goal.
I have watched many good to great teams elsewhere play just to win. With the exception of a couple of runs they look mediocre for 3 periods and then win it in the 4th period. Sound familiar? I always said to myself how do their fans watch that? And why doesn't their coach demand better? If Geno wants nothing but blind support from fans he isn't the coach I have come to admire.
What I do remember him saying about his players in the past is that he "beaks them down" until mid January and then "builds them up" the rest of the season. Looks like the breakdown phase is over.
Further, I think for the most part this board realized that this was going to be a tough year. The complaints I have are about unforced errors, missed layups and a lack of hustle and of energy expenditure. UConn used to get a high percentage of loose balls. Not this year. UConn used to anticipate passes, intercept them and turn them into points. Not this year. Transition points are almost non-existent along with points off turnovers. Those things aren't about talent or experience, their about effort. I remember some of those pre-1995 teams. They hadn't nearly the talent but the effort was way better. I watched some old games from 1999 - 2004 and it wasn't the obvious talent level that impressed me, it was the effort. They were all over the floor on defense. I watch them this year. Rebounding is a good example. The ball hits the rim and most of them never move until the ball hits the floor. It's like they feel it isn't on them unless it comes right at them. Not all the time but often it's the other team that runs down the loose balls while 2 or 4 UConn players have their shoes glued to the floor. Not everyone. Griffin anticipates rebounds well. So does Williams. The rest look as though they are waiting for the ball to come to them.
Transition? Non-existent. I was at the Baylor game and thought the top reason UConn lost was a lack of transition. And it wasn't UConn's fault, Baylor focused on getting back on defense the entire game, taking away what has been a UConn staple for decades. I accept that from Baylor. But not against Houston, UCF and Memphis. Here are some revealing stats from the last 3 games:
1st period scoring:
fg: 14-48 29% 3pt: 4-36 11% ft: 0-6
What those numbers tell me is that no one is driving. (6 fts in 30 minutes of play?) They are settling for 3's and taking bad ones. I understand missing some 3's but 11% against 3 fairly bad teams? That's inexcusable. UConn starts 4 very good 3 pt shooters. No wonder teams are packing the paint. And that's why UConn can't get inside. Instead of ONO setting some high screens and rolling UConn keeps trying to toss it to her down low, the thing she is worst at doing.
You want numbers? Totals for the last 3 entire games> Pts off turnovers: 13/game 2nd chance pts: 8.6/game, fast break pts: 7/game.
I can't list the number of lazy intercepted passes or the times players have not met the pass. But talent and inexperience isn't needed to do those 2 things efficiently.
The reasons? No idea. We don't attend practices, nor do we hear the coaches talking to the players or among themselves. But to me it all adds up to a lack of energy and focus. I suspect that too much attention is being given to figuring out where they are supposed to be at any given moment, and what they should do next. But that's just speculation. Maybe Geno needs to make it simpler. You don't hand a second year piano student, no matter how talented, a Liszt* piano concerto unless you want to hear a messy performance.
I won't start speculating as to what should be done. But I won't deny what I can see with my eyes.
* I know nothing about classical music but I do remember a teacher saying that he wrote music that only he could play (something to do with his finger spread).
