Geno - This one was on you

[cohenzone]

@UConnCat - Let me school you, just a little.

With ONO in the game: we have a rebounder, a shot blocker and a post player that forced Cox and Smith to defend in the blocks regardless of whether her shot was falling or not. That effectively keeps them off the perimeter, preventing them for providing help defense....We create open shots via ball movement.

With Irwin in the game: when UCONN is on defense, whom on Baylor is she going to guard. And, when Baylor was on defense, they payed absolutely no attention to her as she was never going to make a shot, always passing off.

With Griffin in the game: we have an athletic player that is going to get rebounds and can actually play defense.

And finally, with both Liv and Griffin in the game: we now have 5 players on the floor that have to be guarder; we have post play; we have interior defense; and, we can actually win the ball back instead of after a Baylor made basket.

That 4th quarter proves my point.

We have post play? We have someone in the post who can defend but can't make a basket when guarded hard by someone her size and doesn’t get herself fouled. Actually we defended better with ONO in the game but were horrible on O because we had no threat in the middle.

Kyla is what she is. I think Anna was a better option. More mobile, can score a bit and never heard of Baylor.

 

[the Q]

Same story as the losses to NDx2 and miss st

too many missed layups and not enough boxing out on the defensive end. Fix those 2 and you can win that game..and probably do.

 

[Ct Dog]

Anna should be starting for no other reason than she will improve every game she plays from now until our last game in March...Irwin will always be Irwin and that is a big problem...

You just won the internet!

 

[veryolddog]

The banner statement - ridiculous! Geno did not miss 49 out of 69 shots taken. Especially all of those layups. Baylor beat UConn fair and square. Why all the missed opportunities, I do not know. Nerves, intimidation, fear, whatever, but that is the final score and that is that.

 

[oldude]

I wish a loss would not entail recriminations as in, “Who’s to blame?” But I guess it’s just one of the frailties of human nature that we all have to deal with here on the BY.

Here’s my “glass half full” take. UConnCat has it right with the assessment that this is more about Geno’s recruiting misses. We were all terribly spoiled with 4 straight championships by teams that were loaded with frontcourt size and strength. Subsequently, UConn came down to the wire for A’ja Wilson, Lauren Cox, Charlie Collier and Aliyah Boston before losing out to SC, Baylor, TX & SC respectively. Some combination of those players alone could have maintained UConn’s championship streak to a ridiculous level. That’s all water under the bridge now.

Recruiting has not been very good for 4 years running. Geno has stated that in order to sustain a top level program his goal is to bring in two college AA quality players each year. A generous assessment for each class would be that Geno has 1 (Crystal), 1 (Megan), 2 (Christyn & Liv) and 1? (Aubrey). He also has 1 more on the bench currently redshirting.

Despite all the recruiting misses, UConn has made it to the last 3 FF’s and will undoubtedly end up as a top 10 team this season, whether or not they make it to yet another FF. More exciting is that the cavalry is coming in the form of 5 signed players next season with 3 really good players verbally committed in the following seasons and more to be announced.

UConn’s continued success in the face of recruiting misses is unbelievable. Every other team in the country hits a rough patch. We need only look to the situation in South Bend to grasp what can happen to even one of the very best programs in the country, coached by one of the very best coaches in the country. After 2 straight trips to the national finals, ND is at 6-10, the team is currently reeling, with all of its tough conference games still ahead. The Irish could lose 20 games this year.

Geno and UConn WBB are a treasure. Some day when he finally hangs up his coaching whistle, we may all truly learn just how hard what he does year in and year out actually is. Quoting Tom Hanks character from A League of Their Own. “It’s supposed to be hard. It’s the hard that makes it great.”

 

[Calbysdad]

@UConnCat - Let me school you, just a little.

With ONO in the game: we have a rebounder, a shot blocker and a post player that forced Cox and Smith to defend in the blocks regardless of whether her shot was falling or not. That effectively keeps them off the perimeter, preventing them for providing help defense....We create open shots via ball movement.

With Irwin in the game: when UCONN is on defense, whom on Baylor is she going to guard. And, when Baylor was on defense, they payed absolutely no attention to her as she was never going to make a shot, always passing off.

With Griffin in the game: we have an athletic player that is going to get rebounds and can actually play defense.

And finally, with both Liv and Griffin in the game: we now have 5 players on the floor that have to be guarder; we have post play; we have interior defense; and, we can actually win the ball back instead of after a Baylor made basket.

That 4th quarter proves my point.

I agree with this completely. My thoughts watching the game were very simple. If Griffin can improve and learn where she needs to be at what times - UConn can compete with teams like Baylor and USC. Her athleticism is unique and I am always impressed seeing her get a rebound or get in the passing lane while being a out of position or matched up against a bigger player. To me, she's the key. Nobody else on the bench has her ability.

 

[chrissaran]

It was close after 3 quarters. Then it all fell apart.

 

[Argonaut]

Kayla was terrible. She is not ready for this type game. Too slow doesn't jump, They were shooting over her at will. At least Griffin would get us some rebounds. Geno you screwed up.

Kayla was so bad she didn't even make the roster. But there is a Kayla playing for Carson-Newman and averaging 12 rebounds per game. Talking about her?

 

[LouS]

OMG...How quick we "BLEED-BLUE" fans turn on our YOUNG team and our Hall of Fame Coach.
Just face these facts..1. We are young. 2. Baylor was better. 3. We have enjoyed quite a ride..

 

[Bigpetunia]

Those cigars that the OP is smoking must be filled with tumbleweed soaked in LSD! Clearly, I am not one of the "astute" analysts on our forum to whom he refers, but am one of those that the self-described "all knowing" one needs to take to "school," so as to be better educated on the underpinnings of this rare UConn loss. No, this defeat is not "on" Geno because of his decision to play Kyla in the manner that he did. UConn lost to a clearly better, more experienced, more aggressive and deeper team than its own at this point in time. Putting this on the Kyla decision suggests, of course, that the coach had a better option off the bench who would, if only she were put in there instead, would have been the savior who would have reversed the team's fortunes if only Geno had enough sense to see the obvious. Alas, no evidence emerges that suggests that there exists any credibility for this folly.
Had Geno relied more on one of his Freshmen, one could argue that at the very least such a player would be picking up experience in a tough situation, but to intimate that doing so would have altered the outcome? Sorry, I don't think I wish to attend any school in which you are The Professor!
Geno obviously made a pre-game decision to place more emphasis on defending the paint than the perimeter, one of those decisions that coaches are routinely forced to make. Baylor was too effective in both areas for that decision to bear fruit in a meaningful way. They were the better team last night...accordingly, they won...no single player who might have been afforded additional minutes at Kyla's expense would have altered that reality!

 

[driver]

Aubrey will be a good player but, no, she isn’t there yet. Too many mistakes, Everyone wants to anoint her now. She’ll get there. Just not now.

With Anna we get no points in any game. We have given her plenty of time to let it go. Time to give someone else a chance. Griffin is raw but not afraid to put it up and there's 12 to 20 points a game in that girl somewhere.

 

[HuskylnSC]

The concept of anyone who posts on this board telling Geno Auriemma that he doesn't know what he is doing is the height of hubris. The basis for your comment is what you saw as a SPECTATOR. You were not involved in the practice. You were not involved in the pregame shootaround or walk through. You were not involved in the coaches meeting. In other words your assessment is based in ignorance. Your lack of information is only exceeded by your arrogance. Please do not tell me how much you know about basketball or what a great coach you are. You are not privy to the inner workings of the team and as such your opinion is unqualified. Thank you

 

[Gamecockfan77]

T. Cooper is going to have big games. She had 20 points and 4 assists on 80% shooting in 20 minutes vs UCONN last year. Foul trouble was the issue as she ended up fouling out.

 

[ScottCT]

Why are people this upset I thought this was supposed to be a rebuilding year?

 

[Waquoit]

What about all the times Kyla was wide open at the top of the key after passing/screening and instead whoever she gave the ball to went one-on-one?

Did she even draw iron on any of her jump shots?

 

[Buzzyboy]

With Anna we get no points in any game. We have given her plenty of time to let it go. Time to give someone else a chance. Griffin is raw but not afraid to put it up and there's 12 to 20 points a game in that girl somewhere.

It's pretty silly to diminish Anna because she contributes in so many things besides points and yet, she has the capacity to score which you'll see at some point .... she's an amazing passer who has consistently set up others for easy baskets, she's a solid rebounder and has shown previously that she has a pretty good three point shot

 

[trisailin]

I'd like to remind people: If your sense of well-being or self worth is dependent upon how some 18 to 22 year old women who you've never met play a game, you need to seek help.

 

[cbraarj]

Cooper totally outplayed Dangerfield for most of the game! A senior in college and how many times do you take your jumpshot only to be called for travelling! 3 times! To much one on one in second half and Uconn needs to make more 3s than the other team on a consistent basis. Especially against the Baylors, Oregon and South Carolina.

Boston had 24

The concept of anyone who posts on this board telling Geno Auriemma that he doesn't know what he is doing is the height of hubris. The basis for your comment is what you saw as a SPECTATOR. You were not involved in the practice. You were not involved in the pregame shootaround or walk through. You were not involved in the coaches meeting. In other words your assessment is based in ignorance. Your lack of information is only exceeded by your arrogance. Please do not tell me how much you know about basketball or what a great coach you are. You are not privy to the inner workings of the team and as such your opinion is unqualified. Thank you

Just like you are not qualified To comment about anybody on this board! Yes or No?

 

[southofnorth]

I didn’t see anyone but Kyla set a pick.

And she was the only one consistently moving on offense trying to make plays for her teammates. She was left open after many of her picks and nobody wanted to pass the ball back to her for an open look or to keep moving the ball around.

 

[Geesworld]

There is room for improvement for this young team. CD, MW and CW took bulk of shots for a reason. They are the most experienced in big game situations. I believe we'll get better from this game. Hopefully Liv now knows what it takes to compete and be counted on in big games because she is battle tested. Kyla who I think played her role well last night, will know what more she can do moving forward.
I think the biggest thing missing last night was defensive intensity on the perimeter. Crystal doesn't seem the same on defense and I am sure that is due to her injury. CW and MW seem to play flat footed and tend to lose there player. Liv activity on perimeter defense has to get better. With that said we played a pretty good defensive game.

I still only see Oregon and Baylor being the two teams we will struggle to beat.

 

[Papa33]

This one stat tells most of the story:

===> Irwin: 32 minutes, 0 for 4 shooting, 2 rebounds, 3 personal fouls and ZERO points.

And, how about that 4th quarter:
===> 6 points scored.
===> The reason: No post presence, thus allowing Baylor to defend the perimeter with numbers as there were JUST 3 players on the floor that were ever going to shoot.

Self-styled sports mavens love to reduce issues to misleading simplicity. Reductio ad absurdem, it is called. UConn loses a game, or (you fill out the rest), and it's for a single reason: Geno's a lousy coach (and an utter failure in recruiting), the game strategy was a disaster, a player let the team and fans down, etc., etc. In most cases the single-cause argument simply ignores what most of us saw and almost all of the game statistics.

Case in point. Uconn took 9 more shots than Baylor (69-60), lost the rebound battle by only 1 (43-44), had the same number of turnovers (10). and made one more 3-pointer than Baylor. Looks like, despite our height and esperience disadvantage, we played Baylor fairly even, no? So what— at least statistically— was the problem?

At their best Uconn teams' scoring efficiency (points per possession) has been widely admired and envied. But this 2019-2020 Husky edition has been struggling to score at times, even against inferior opposition. Last night, our starters shot 31%— not nearly well enough against a strong team. Even more troubling, in my view, is the fact that only 8 of the made baskets were assisted. That is not the Uconn norm, and that points to serious problems with our *team* offense. It's not just lapses in individuals' shooting (Walker 5-20, ONO 0-8, Williams 0-5 from outside the arc, Irwin 0-4)); it's a problem with a team still in the process of creating the UConn ideal of coordinated movement of players and passes. Watching this year's team, I see static moments, ball handlers not finding teammates cutting and therefore having to create shots on their own; shots taken under pressure, etc. Might that not result in lower numbers of assists and lower shooting efficiency?

Yes, Kyla's reluctance to shoot does allow her man to sag off and clog cutting lanes, but she did take 4 shots last night; she just didn't make them. But her defense, given her height disadvantage, was actually pretty effective. I don't think her time on the floor was a defining factor of UConn's ineffective offense. Consider, for example, our offensive problems in the game vs. Miss State in 2017: State's strategy was to interrupt and anticipate our movement, and we were constantly looking for teammates who weren't breaking open: cuts, screens, flow all suffered, and we didn't get the open shots we usually created. Much the same last night.

But we're not even halfway through the season; this team has its work cut out for it. But easy explanations and solutions won't get it done.

 

[southofnorth]

Anna should be starting for no other reason than she will improve every game she plays from now until our last game in March...Irwin will always be Irwin and that is a big problem...

And when Geno feels Anna is in a position to start/play more minutes than Kyla, he will do so. The suggestions that Irwin was the problem really seems like scapegoating. She can make perimeter shots as we have all seen this year, but she's never played in against a team the caliber of Baylor until this game. When she's already considered the fifth scoring option it can't be easy to just step up in a game of that magnitude.

 

[southofnorth]

The concept of anyone who posts on this board telling Geno Auriemma that he doesn't know what he is doing is the height of hubris. The basis for your comment is what you saw as a SPECTATOR. You were not involved in the practice. You were not involved in the pregame shootaround or walk through. You were not involved in the coaches meeting. In other words your assessment is based in ignorance. Your lack of information is only exceeded by your arrogance. Please do not tell me how much you know about basketball or what a great coach you are. You are not privy to the inner workings of the team and as such your opinion is unqualified. Thank you

I agree with the first sentence, but everything after that misses the point of a fan-lead discussion board. Everyone's opinion on here is just as qualified as yours is. Some people know more about basketball/UConn women's basketball than others. Some on this board have been coaches so they can sympathize/criticize Geno because they've been in a similar role. The rest of us can comment as spectators because that's the point of a fan-lead DISCUSSION board. We all see things a little differently and, although we are not "privy to the inner workings of the team", we still see the results in the games they play. The idea that we can't make suggestions or guesses as to what might've worked better or what issues this team will face is bogus. One last time: this is a discussion board.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Ah yes, the modern day twitter / message board over reaction. The Sky is Falling, run for your lives!!!!!!!!

 

[Dokey]

My 2-cents, from afar (saw the replay). What I saw was a Uconn team that was #1 because it was their turn (as with Stanford, etc). With the exception of CW we were outplayed-- they are a much more talented team than US. We do not have post players that are (yet) capable of handling them, both on offense and defense. Hence the collapse. Big and competent bodies do matter, and our inability to attract and hold such players is now playing its tricks on Us (and for a time). At some point you have to play in traffic and we have problems. Remove CW and we are not in the equation, as she is, to my mind, our only big time player.
As for Kyla, there is nothing to come after. She is there and I suspect that one of the Freshmen will be given a starting spot during conf.play. This is not a critique, but a view that we need a different set of skills at that position or re-enforcement elsewhere to compete with teams outside the AAC.

But, I was hardly disappointed and thought we competed well and fell behind when the big and strong showed that they too are fit and skilled. (Look at T'Cooper. She frustrated, a little, Dangerfield all game with here size, skill and experience).

Yes, all this indicated is that UConn was paying for substandard recruiting years, primarily a failure to secure a true big, but that the bones of a great team is in place with the necessary recruits coming in. In the Unbeatens thread I argued that Meg might be the only current UConn player who could crack the Oregon starting line up, though CW is moving up. The time has come to continue preparations for next year by making court savvy Anna the fifth starter while giving Aubrey enough minutes in games against lesser opponents to learn how to play in the UConn system. Neither might start next year but would be reliable coming off the bench.

 

[Triad]

This one stat tells most of the story:

===> Irwin: 32 minutes, 0 for 4 shooting, 2 rebounds, 3 personal fouls and ZERO points.

And, how about that 4th quarter:
===> 6 points scored.
===> The reason: No post presence, thus allowing Baylor to defend the perimeter with numbers as there were JUST 3 players on the floor that were ever going to shoot.

Seriously....

Few will like this but : THE BUCK STARTS AND STOPS WITH THE COACHING STAFF Players for the most part do as they are told or trained to do, with the internal talent available to them.
Having said that: When playing another team that team can and does change how you play or whether you win or lose.
The flaws of this team were apparent from the OKLA game and on. 3 players cannot play 11 and win that's just basic physics and math.
How does Geno fix this? God ONLY knows. I doubt the real fix exists this year.
Everyone forget Olivia is a student learning Div One basketball. and under weight for the position, but most assuredly has talent coming out the kazoo (a musical instrument)
Danger is not up to par physically. The list goes on and on.
All here should remember that 3 guys went against 11 and helf them to within 2 points for nearly 3 plus quarters. Even IRON MEN can't run on rusty legs.

 

[Triad]

My 2-cents, from afar (saw the replay). What I saw was a Uconn team that was #1 because it was their turn (as with Stanford, etc). With the exception of CW we were outplayed-- they are a much more talented team than US. We do not have post players that are (yet) capable of handling them, both on offense and defense. Hence the collapse. Big and competent bodies do matter, and our inability to attract and hold such players is now playing its tricks on Us (and for a time). At some point you have to play in traffic and we have problems. Remove CW and we are not in the equation, as she is, to my mind, our only big time player.
As for Kyla, there is nothing to come after. She is there and I suspect that one of the Freshmen will be given a starting spot during conf.play. This is not a critique, but a view that we need a different set of skills at that position or re-enforcement elsewhere to compete with teams outside the AAC.

But, I was hardly disappointed and thought we competed well and fell behind when the big and strong showed that they too are fit and skilled. (Look at T'Cooper. She frustrated, a little, Dangerfield all game with here size, skill and experience).

I would have posted most of what you say and much has credibility. But if you continue to look at the replay--see that this "less talent" (not so) undersided (true) team with only 3 REAL effective STARTERS played against 11 talented taller Baylor players for 30 minutes and stayed within 3 points plus or minus. For those 30 minutes the game was anyones to win or lose.
Some believed Uconns conditioning would over come Baylor. Not so. The best conditioned players are no match for FRESH off the Bench player. I believe the talent for the FF is on this team. But that doesn't help when 4 top teams have 9,10,11, 13 players of high quality an Uconn has 3 or 4 or even 5.

 

[Longtime fan]

This one stat tells most of the story:

===> Irwin: 32 minutes, 0 for 4 shooting, 2 rebounds, 3 personal fouls and ZERO points.

And, how about that 4th quarter:
===> 6 points scored.
===> The reason: No post presence, thus allowing Baylor to defend the perimeter with numbers as there were JUST 3 players on the floor that were ever going to shoot.

Seriously....

Kyla is Kyla. If she were a more high level athlete and basketball player, she could have driven to the hoop on Cox, who was clearly still hobbling and not fully recovered from her surgery. The lane to the basket was clear. But Kyla ( and others ) often misses open lay-ups, and she doesn't have the moves or speed to execute this idea. It is a limitation of the players we have. A person like Aubrey could do that in a flash, but she
can't ( presently) do the larger job that Kyla is doing....distributing the ball, getting people in the right places and creating movement. Aubrey is still a freshman and very much learning what to do and where to be. The fact is; we had three quality players on the court who, due to the lack of contribution from everyone else, resorted to a type of freelancing...or so it appeared to me. And that didn't work; they couldn't convert three point shots, and there was chaos when they tried to drive to the hoop, due to Baylor's size and athleticism. As many have said; Baylor is bigger, deeper, faster and better. They have some great athletes everywhere. We did well to hang close for three periods, but we had no one who was reliable all game. Danger was way off on her shooting, Megan was cold, then hot, and Williams was hot then cold. No one else was useful. Olivia requires a separate discussion.

 

[Centerstream]

Why are people this upset I thought this was supposed to be a rebuilding year?

And according to the Preseason Polls, the #2 team is supposed to beat the #5 team.
The haters on this forum keep saying that we weren't a #1 team so maybe you have proven to be right, in January. And of course everyone of you can coach and recruit better than Geno and his coaches.
I don't believe in rebuilding years because when March and April arrive, the cream rises to the top and I believe that we will be there because that is what Geno is working towards.

 

[Steelerone]

Ladies and gentlemen can we take a step back. To begin with this wasn't The University of Pennsylvania at New Kensington we were playing.. The last time I looked we were playing the current Ncaa champions. And rather than firing our coach maybe we can give him a second chance. Part of the problem is two of our less than successful recruiting classes but this appears to have be rectified in the future. We are not going to get the top five in the Hoopgurlz every year and, if you have been following the women's college basketball programs for the past few years you will see that teams like Mississippi State, Oregon, South Carolina and Texas A&M have upgraded their recruiting and hired coaches who have built excellent programs. This game was nip and tuck until the fourth quarter and that is when, unfortunately, (and I think we all realized this) the weakness of our bench came into play. Can we rectify that this year. If Geno can't no one can.