Geno's Frustration

[oldude]

Reluctance?

Natalie, Azura, Batouly, Evelyn, Evina, Dorka, Lou??????

So over 7 seasons (2015-2022) UConn brought in 7 transfers who played a combined total of 12 seasons. Coming into this season UConn had the preseason #2 team in the nation and a total roster of 14 players including returning players and freshmen. That left only one available scholarship for a transfer, assuming Geno was so inclined.

 

[meyers7]

So over 7 seasons (2015-2022) UConn brought in 7 transfers who played a combined total of 12 seasons. Coming into this season UConn had the preseason #2 team in the nation and a total roster of 14 players including returning players and freshmen. That left only one available scholarship for a transfer, assuming Geno was so inclined.

Not only would Geno have to be so inclined, but the players in the portal would also have to be so inclined. Most, (most), of Portal players are looking for more (or at least as much) playing time. Looking at UCONN when the portal was open, I doubt very many saw much playing time available. So I doubt there was a whole mess of kids looking at UCONN as a destination. Let alone if Geno would want/need them or not.

 

[Florida Fan]

Reluctance?

Natalie, Azura, Batouly, Evelyn, Evina, Dorka, Lou??????

LSU and SOUTH CAROLINA, LOADED WITH ALL AMERICAN TRANSFERS, HELLO.

So over 7 seasons (2015-2022) UConn brought in 7 transfers who played a combined total of 12 seasons. Coming into this season UConn had the preseason #2 team in the nation and a total roster of 14 players including returning players and freshmen. That left only one available scholarship for a transfer, assuming Geno was so inclined.

 

[my2cents]

My opinion of what's going on with WCB. Is that the physical part of the game is getting out of hand. I would let the coaches tell us if it leads to the plethora of injuries, but it has to be one factor.
The pushing, blocking, impairment of movement, which never seems to be called is making it impossible for the true skill of players to come thru.
Lou last year and Paige this year get knocked to the ground 4/5 times a game with no call.
Things have to change.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Not only would Geno have to be so inclined, but the players in the portal would also have to be so inclined. Most, (most), of Portal players are looking for more (or at least as much) playing time. Looking at UCONN when the portal was open, I doubt very many saw much playing time available. So I doubt there was a whole mess of kids looking at UCONN as a destination. Let alone if Geno would want/need them or not.

I keep hearing on BY that "Connecticut is not for everyone" as the excuse for why first-rate front court players are not inclined to come here. Now we're hearing it about the lack of transfers. Yes, we got seven transfers in seven years. But look who we didn't get. Start with Cardoso. She is quite possibly the number 2 player in the WNBA draft, and also possibly the upcoming MVP of the championship game. She bailed out of a miserable Syracuse program. But did she come to UConn? No. Did she even consider coming here? And how about Betts' transfer? We have simply not been a factor in the transfer portal for top-rate talent. As Coach Geno once remarked, he is not proactive, although it appears that a lot of coaches at a lot of programs are. The world has changed. Time for us to get more active in that new world.

 

[Boreifs]

They lost "one starter" and that equates to what UCONN has gone through?

In no way, shape or form was that post meant to equate. Shame on you

 

[Gordo]

LSU and SOUTH CAROLINA, LOADED WITH ALL AMERICAN TRANSFERS, HELLO.

So. Carolina presently has no All American's in it's lineup. LSU has two: Reese and Morrow. Van Lith was an honorable mention, those don't count.

So, loaded with All American's would only apply to LSU. However, had you read the post of @meyers7 directly above yours, you would have known that we had no room on our roster for any transfer portal players. And, based on the team's personnel we expected pre-season, we were considered the #2 team in the nation.


So. Carolina transfers on roster:
Kamilla Cardoso, Te-Hina Paopao, and Sakima Walker (sees very limited minutes).

LSU transfers on roster:
Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith, Aneesah Morrow, Last-Tear Poa, and Kateri Poole (still listed on the roster???)

 

[oldude]

LSU and SOUTH CAROLINA, LOADED WITH ALL AMERICAN TRANSFERS, HELLO.

So I’m not quite certain what your point is. As I point out in my first post, Geno is not reluctant to bring in transfers provided there is a need and the transfer fits in at UConn. In my second post I point out that a UConn team that was presumed to be loaded had 14 players on scholarship with only one roster spot open this season.

Before the injury to Azzi and the ongoing issues with Caroline, UConn was clearly “guard heavy.” Some BY’ers talked about bringing in another BIG as insurance with UConn’s one remaining scholarship. There was only one true Big that fit the bill imo, and that was Lauren Betts, who UConn had previously lost to Stanford and clearly was looking for a starting role, which she found on the West Coast at UCLA.

As others point out, we have no idea if UConn went after any other transfer this past season for the one remaining roster spot. If they did, it was always going to be a very hard sell, given the perceived depth of the Husky roster.

 

[Boreifs]

So I’m not quite certain what your point is. As I point out in my first post, Geno is not reluctant to bring in transfers provided there is a need and the transfer fits in at UConn. In my second post I point out that a UConn team that was presumed to be loaded had 14 players on scholarship with only one roster spot open this season.

Before the injury to Azzi and the ongoing issues with Caroline, UConn was clearly “guard heavy.” Some BY’ers talked about bringing in another BIG as insurance with UConn’s one remaining scholarship. There was only one true Big that fit the bill imo, and that was Lauren Betts, who UConn had previously lost to Stanford and clearly was looking for a starting role, which she found on the West Coast at UCLA.

As others point out, we have no idea if UConn went after any other transfer this past season for the one remaining roster spot. If they did, it was always going to be a very hard sell, given the perceived depth of the Husky roster.

After her performance this summer, Jana would have been a strong contender for starting at the five as a Freshman, giving Alijah the luxury of playing at the four, her natural position.

 

[Gordo]

Look UConn was once upon a time THEE place to go to play basketball. We were the #1 college team in America! Year after year we made it to the Final Four and have won the National Championship 11 times. Those days are gone! UConn, unfortunately, is no longer the #1 place in the land to play basketball. It's still a highly regarded place to go, and with Geno as the coach always will be. However, there are several other schools now that offer more in every sense of the word. Many talented players would prefer to play closer to home, or to play under a different coach for one reason or another, they prefer the surrounding community (ies) to the campus, etc., etc., etc. Other coaches are having great success! The transfer portal is new as are the NIL opportunties being offered. LSU's windfall of transfer portal players obtained is incredible. However, none of those players would have fit in at UConn (or were needed at the time). And, more importantly, none of them were interested in coming to Storrs. We didn't need them pre-season. Try to take reality into your evaluations and expectations.

 

[Oldschoolbb]

I'm a big fan of Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling. Cael is so far ahead of the coaching curve in a lot of ways, but one of the key ways is keeping his wrestlers rested and ready for the post season. One of the techniques of his coaching style is not overworking his charges. The previous coach was not as successful and the scuttlebutt is that he overworked the team in practice and scheduled a lot more competition dates. Injuries will still occur, but keeping players rested and at peak performances levels may not be helped by overtraining.

As others have pointed out, practicing too hard can be a negative and my opinion that it's one of the reasons UConn has struggled with injuries over the past few years.

 

[oldude]

After her performance this summer, Jana would have been a strong contender for starting at the five as a Freshman, giving Alijah the luxury of playing at the four, her natural position.

I have described Jana as a player with a similar skill set to Stewie. If healthy, she would have certainly cracked the regular rotation and possibly the starting lineup this year……..sigh……..

 

[tower1]

Not only would Geno have to be so inclined, but the players in the portal would also have to be so inclined. Most, (most), of Portal players are looking for more (or at least as much) playing time. Looking at UCONN when the portal was open, I doubt very many saw much playing time available. So I doubt there was a whole mess of kids looking at UCONN as a destination. Let alone if Geno would want/need them or not.

Uconn needs to improve their evaluation of recruits. Like i stated before we need another recruiter to improve our recruiting.

 

[reelfan]

We managed to squeeze in some playing time for Dorka,

 

[meyers7]

I keep hearing on BY that "Connecticut is not for everyone" as the excuse for why first-rate front court players are not inclined to come here. Now we're hearing it about the lack of transfers. Yes, we got seven transfers in seven years. But look who we didn't get. Start with Cardoso. She is quite possibly the number 2 player in the WNBA draft, and also possibly the upcoming MVP of the championship game. She bailed out of a miserable Syracuse program. But did she come to UConn? No. Did she even consider coming here? And how about Betts' transfer? We have simply not been a factor in the transfer portal for top-rate talent. As Coach Geno once remarked, he is not proactive, although it appears that a lot of coaches at a lot of programs are. The world has changed. Time for us to get more active in that new world.

If the kids aren't interested in coming to UCONN, do you really want them here?

And it isn't an excuse, it's just the way it is.

There are lots of reasons kids wouldn't want to come to UCONN.

• It's Connecticut (New England) - it's cold/snowy/dreary, the people are cold, some like warm sunshine
• Some don't want a male coach, some may not want a white coach
• Some don't want to be in a fishbowl. Or have their game picked apart by "experts" on a message board (ahem)
• Some don't want to be pushed that much
• Some want to be "the" player as opposed to a member of the team
• Some may just want to beat UCONN
• Some may want an education (major/program) that UCONN doesn't have
• Some may think they are better in a different offence. Or want a place where they won't have to play much defense

There's lots of reasons, from a players perspective they may not "fit" at UCONN. And there are just as many reasons from UCONN's perspective that a player may not "fit".

 

[reelfan]

For those that scoff at the idea of transfers I have two words ( names ), Lou and Dorka.

 

[TCC Kid]

Misery loves company. As I watched the game between ND & TN a few days ago, I was struck by the fact that both teams have already been devastated by injuries early in the season, just like UConn. The LV’s are playing without two key starters: Key (no pun intended) and Jackson. The Irish are also missing two key starters along with a key reserve: Miles, Citron & Prosper.

Unfortunately, injuries are a part of basketball, and as the game continues to get faster and more physical, injuries to WBB players are reaching epidemic proportions. Teams do what they can to improve overall strength and conditioning. But the female body is just not meant for the kind of physical stress of playing basketball at the highest level.

Oldude, how did that happen? Geno a few years back went through a phase where he realized College Basketball/ WCBB was entertainment more so than a sport. Every season of a top show, requires more and something different from the actors.

If WCBB stayed within the limits of the average ACTORS (player) the players may be safer. This is all determined by the RULES. Pushed by fans that know nothing about anatomies.
I left Men's and pro Basketball because it became physical and run and gun. The strategy of coaches became less--with bigger and bigger replacing it

 

[uconnfan68]

Uconn needs to improve their evaluation of recruits. Like i stated before we need another recruiter to improve our recruiting.

Which part of 11 National Championships did you miss?

 

[Blond D.]

Although everyone is quick to say that these are all just freak injuries, there have been far too many over far too many years to just dismiss them as "freaks". Medical personnel should look very carefully to see if the team is doing anything differently in practice, in weight training, in the off-season. Something is very wrong. Real investigation by medical specialists is warranted.

You think they haven't looked into all the injuries? They are categorizing just about every move the players make, putting it into computers, and seeing if theres any hint as to the problems.

 

[TCC Kid]

If the kids aren't interested in coming to UCONN, do you really want them here?

And it isn't an excuse, it's just the way it is.

There are lots of reasons kids wouldn't want to come to UCONN.

• It's Connecticut (New England) - it's cold/snowy/dreary, the people are cold, some like warm sunshine
• Some don't want a male coach, some may not want a white coach
• Some don't want to be in a fishbowl. Or have their game picked apart by "experts" on a message board (ahem)
• Some don't want to be pushed that much
• Some want to be "the" player as opposed to a member of the team
• Some may just want to beat UCONN
• Some may want an education (major/program) that UCONN doesn't have
• Some may think they are better in a different offence. Or want a place where they won't have to play much defense

There's lots of reasons, from a players perspective they may not "fit" at UCONN. And there are just as many reasons from UCONN's perspective that a player may not "fit".

So why do they go to South Dakota? Utah? You know some of those frigid, windy, states in the West? Texas, is for the most part baron.
Geno--certainly isn't for many. Geno is a great Guard/forward/wing coach. CD, is she still the Post Coach?
Obviously, Big City life is far from Storrs. Academic (one or 2 transfers said) isn't great
But GENO gets guards, wings, forwards--why not EFFECTIVE on day ONE posts? Dawn does, apparently the Texas coach does, UCLA seems to, why not Uconn?
Everyone doesn't need a big city or an academically perfect school--
Beating Uconn is hardly a goal for a post--only 3 or so a year can do that and only in 3 or so schools.
Winning teams must have a strong post presence. That's a fact. Uconn is usually beaten by teams with decent posts. Dorka/ONO saved the day for Uconn--Lou saved a game or 2
Azure', transfer from Duke seemed miserable here. Why?

 

[Blond D.]

Not only would Geno have to be so inclined, but the players in the portal would also have to be so inclined. Most, (most), of Portal players are looking for more (or at least as much) playing time. Looking at UCONN when the portal was open, I doubt very many saw much playing time available. So I doubt there was a whole mess of kids looking at UCONN as a destination. Let alone if Geno would want/need them or not.

RIGHT! Dorka and Lou was looking at UCONN to make them more draft ready, thats the main reason they came here.

 

[TCC Kid]

You think they haven't looked into all the injuries? They are categorizing just about every move the players make, putting it into computers, and seeing if theres any hint as to the problems.

Instead of collecting computer data maybe they should be working to change the Mens game into a Womans Game?

 

[Soxx]

The way Paige is playing so far this year, giving it everything she has for herself and her team, it may be too much. When she drives to the right of the basket for shots she ends up on the floor 80% of the time. You can land and hurt yourself in many ways. She may be better served to shoot pull-up jumpers and 3-pointers. Is she playing too many minutes in back-to-back games this early? I think so. We don't have the talent with all of the injuries we have to Azzi, Caroline, Jana, and Ayanna to play the toughest schedule in WCBB. Play all of our players such as Amari and the freshmen and maybe expect some more losses. The final goal should be March Madness. Just my opinion.

Agree 100% on those drives and Paige then tumbling. I was watching Clark in a game recently with drives and contact by defenders, but she was not ending up on the floor. Different body types.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Uconn always has great players available and the coaches need to figure out how to get their best. So far they lost Azzi who was expected to contribute quite a bit but the losses are more on poor shooting by the stars that are playing. They obviously are short of what they expected but by no means is that an excuse to not be a top 5 team and make a good run in March.

Respectfully, it's the shooters who are missing... Geno and CD maybe able to piece something together but it's not going to be the array of perimeter shooters that had envisioned. It's going to take a little time to figure it out but, hopefully, we can keep our head above water through the BE schedule. FWIW, "a top 5 team" isn't as easy as it used to be, even at full strength.

 

[Gordo]

I left Men's and pro Basketball because it became physical and run and gun. The strategy of coaches became less--with bigger and bigger replacing it

You haven't posted much that I agree with, but this statement I do.