Geno "We ain't winning this again the next few years"

[Tonyc]

When I look at what the Cuse did this season with a poor offense and a very good defense Geno may be playing next season down a little. I will wait to see how the season starts before I come to any conclusions. There are a lot of questions marks with our youth but we still have great defenders. Geno knows better then anyone, however if Butler is developed and starts and Dangerfield plays unlike a freshman by March we could be there.

 

[vtcwbuff]

"I will wait to see how the season starts before I come to any conclusions."

What a concept. I think the Auriemma quote is a typical Geno throwaway. Come November he will have his team ready to compete and he won't be conceding anything.

 

[ThisJustIn]

How quickly we forget 2003 and the promise of the WNIT....

 

[RockyMTblue2]

When I look at what the Cuse did this season with a poor offense and a very good defense Geno may be playing next season down a little. I will wait to see how the season starts before I come to any conclusions. There are a lot of questions marks with our youth but we still have great defenders. Geno knows better then anyone, however if Butler is developed and starts and Dangerfield plays unlike a freshman by March we could be there.

Given this from you Tonyc, I'd just like to be the first to say: WE'RE DOOMED!!!

 

[bags27]

I agree with all of you that Geno's lowering expectations, but even with this strategy, let's consider what he said: that Lou and Napheesa will not win the National Championship again until they're seniors. And then they will! So, whatever Geno really thinks about the next couple of years, he's confident that UConn will be back on top again. Pause over that, ye prognosticators of doom and/or of Geno's imminent retirement.

 

[Goodgood]

Man, Geno said a couple of words and most everyone is reading between the lines. I think he meant exactly what he said. He really does not think the next couple of UConn teams will win a championship and there is no mind game.
He will try to, but the cards he has on hand will not be invincible. It is what it is.

 

[Philly Kid]

I think we need to start a new chant "Strive for Five" and keep the string intact. If you don't have greater goal why even bother to play.

 

[NHFan]

Maybe this would make Dan Shaughnessy happy I'm looking forward to seeing this coaching staff work its magic!

 

[uconnever]

When I look at what the Cuse did this season with a poor offense and a very good defense Geno may be playing next season down a little. I will wait to see how the season starts before I come to any conclusions. There are a lot of questions marks with our youth but we still have great defenders. Geno knows better then anyone, however if Butler is developed and starts and Dangerfield plays unlike a freshman by March we could be there.

Could not agree with you more regarding Butler....She in my opinion will determine how well our season ends up. However, I expect to lose our first AAC game along the way. But if Butler is good, then we will be at the final 4 at least.

 

[pvdoggy]

Could not agree with you more regarding Butler....She in my opinion will determine how well our season ends up. However, I expect to lose our first AAC game along the way. But if Butler is good, then we will be at the final 4 at least.

Seriously ? You expect UConn to lose an AAC game next season ? I just can't see it.

 

[Blueconn]

Next year's challenges will put a spring in Geno's step.

 

[Blueconn]

I thought that KLS made vast improvements from the beginning to the end of the year. She mixed it up more on offense. She hustled a lot more on defense and became a much better defender. Just her overall demeanor was different and she gained tons of confidence. I think KLS and Nurse will be the driving force next year.

Yes ! Spot on post. During the last 3rd of the season she was a much smarter and happier camper. And the best is yet to come.

 

[TitleTown]

One thing that I'm not sure if most fans realize (I know had core fans know this) is that Geno spends most of the regular season being critical of the players - pushing them, teaching them, pointing out ALL the things they do wrong in trying to get them to be the very best players and team then can be come post season.

BUT... once the NCAA's roll around, he flips a switch. It's all about praising and encouraging and positive reinforcement. I think it was in an interview but he something like ... At that time of the season, there's nothing new we want to teach. We just want them to be as confident as possible and know that we as coaches have done everything we could to prepare them for the big moments.

I think I remember also reading players echo the same things and how odd it was at first to see the different Coach when the NCAA's started...

Absolutely right. That is how he breaks a team down and builds them back up for tournament time. There is a quote by either Taurasi or Lobo in which she says "from October to February Coach tells us we are the worst team in the country and we can't beat anybody, but from February to April he tells we are the best team in the country by far and we can't be beat".

 

[reno tony]

I applaud Geno for his dedication to making WCBB the greatest sport ever by not dominating it every season.

 

[Cuango]

I applaud Geno for his dedication to making WCBB the greatest sport ever by not dominating it every season.

I believe we are going to win a 12th title next year! In my opinion, people are making way too much of the "big three's" departure! Sure, our team will not be as dominant, but we will still be the best team in the country! Our margin of victory will be smaller but remember, a win by 10 or 12 is equal to one by 40!

 

[meyers7]

In my opinion, people are making way too much of the "big three's" departure!

Not possible.

 

[JSB60]

I think I remember Geno once saying years ago that he tells the press how terrible the team is and how much they have lost and then goes in and tells the team that this is Connecticut and we expect to win.

 

[huskeynut]

Geno is doing what he always does - takes the pressure and focus off the team and puts it on his shoulders.

The expectations at UCONN do not change, only the names and faces. UCONN is like a shark, big or small, its bite is still deadly.

 

[Goodgood]

Geno really missed out on Cox. She could really have made a difference and help keep the streak going. But he will do more with a little less next year. Should be fun!

 

[BRS24]

Uconn - The White House Search Results
Try that as a link - first story listed

Oops - nope - no story, just the fact the call took place.

Try this (from UC WBB twitter page):

UConn Women's Hoops (@UConnWBB) | Twitter

 

[huskyd]

Geno has run out of fingers for the NC rings. This often produces post-partum depression (even in male coaches). What he has NOT run out of is talented players and the HOPE that springs eternal.

 

[pacific 44]

Oh well,guess we all get to take next year off.That strange sound that the coaches hear is the echo of a bouncing basketball in an empty gym.That will bring back old memories to them .Everyone can do productive stuff instead of hanging out in a fan forum.Then the following year we all just resume all fanhood activities just as though 2016-2017 never happened.Once again hope will spring eternal and the world will be back to normal.(tongue in cheek),actually i'll be yelling at the tv,and resuming all my other "addicted to huskyette wbb"stuff just like before.They can't get rid of me even if they aren't the best in the land next year because i don't believe it.Pssst,tell ya a little secret.I don't think Geno believes this team will be chopped liver next year either.

 

[pvdoggy]

Lou also said that she came to UConn to win 4 NC, but since Geno said that is not going to happen the next few years, I guess she should try to transfer somewhere else where she can realize her dream

 

[Buzzyboy]

"I will wait to see how the season starts before I come to any conclusions."

What a concept. I think the Auriemma quote is a typical Geno throwaway. Come November he will have his team ready to compete and he won't be conceding anything.

What he probably wants to do is put a fire in the returning players to PROVE HIM WRONG. As has been mentioned, come the Fall he will be pushing everyone seemingly past their limits and inspiring them to do things they didn't know they could do. Inevitably it'll be about growing a cohesive defense with different players and of course this years players growing to play a bigger role next season. I have no doubt that KLS will come back better than ever and that Napheesa Collier will be a much more confident player in the Fall. I feel all the players know that the team will have a different look and know that they can be a big part of that new look if they work hard this summer and maximize their abilities. I feel that Geno is going to be very, very excited at the opportunities he'll have to surprise a lot of people who expect a big dropoff from the Huskies next year.

 

[Carnac]

I agree with all of you that Geno's lowering expectations, but even with this strategy, let's consider what he said: that Lou and Napheesa will not win the National Championship again until they're seniors. And then they will! So, whatever Geno really thinks about the next couple of years, he's confident that UConn will be back on top again. Pause over that, ye prognosticators of doom and/or of Geno's imminent retirement.

Geno habitually pauses when he speaks into a microphone. He thinks BEFORE he speaks (experience has taught him that). He is very calculating in his speech. Geno knew exactly what he was saying when he made that comment. After 31 years of coaching a particular way, do you really think he's going to change now. He nor his team will be conceding anything come next season. Some of his players already let the cat out of the bag when they said they weren't. Their off the cuff comments were "knee-jerk" in nature, derived from a "no-fear" attitude that has been instilled in them by Geno and staff.

You can believe whatever you want, but Geno will have his team ready to play next year, and they are going to be very competitive. They may not win the NC next year. How many NC's in a row do you expect them to win? In spite of losing their core players this year, they will be hard to beat, will surprise a few folks, and will continue to break their opponent's will, spirit and heart. Next year, a new stage will be built. One that will showcase the talents of players that had supporting roles this year.

I don't think UConn will lose more than 4 games next year. They will continue to score lots of points, their defense will remain stellar. They only take away will be the the absence of Stewie's dominance in the middle. NEVER say never. You don't know what the future holds. UConn women's basketball is not dead. Any reports of their demise are false. Instead of lamenting and crying in our beer about what we don't have, let's focus and be optimistic about the things we do have. I see the glass half full, not half empty. UConn may get beat, but they are not going to lose.

I'm optimistic. I see some great things ahead for this team. I see greatness in this team. Is that gap between UConn and the rest of WCBB closing some, yes, but not completely. UConn still remains head and shoulders above most programs. I'll repeat the phrase other posters (Kib) have said, and I completely embrace it's concept,............"NEVER underestimate the heart of a champion". A champion has a completely different perspective than others. A champion has a different level of competitiveness than others. A champion has a different level of resolve (no fear) than others.

There's no quit in a real champion. A champion can ALWAYS find a way to win when things look completely hopeless. A champion can find and make a way out of no way. A champion finds the strength and resolve to fight through fatigue and physical discomfort to attain victory. A champion is a warrior, incapable of harboring thoughts of possible defeat or failure. This concept and philosophy has been drilled into the minds and spirits of Geno's players for the last 31 years. Failure is not an option. UConn is a champion. A mythical sign above the UConn women's locker room reads: "Warriors only - No chicken littles allowed".

"This year, we're not defending anything. The championship you won was last year is yours, nobody can take it from you. This year, we're attacking the rest of the league" ~ Geno Auriemma. Next season, expect the team to take the court every night with that mindset and resolve. I'm expecting nothing less. Go Huskies.