Geno's Greatest Coaching Job Ever?

[Wally East]

I think we've reached a transitional point in WBB where any team is going to need 1 and probably 2 or more big, athletic post players to win a national championship.

I think we've been there for a while. Other than 2002, which featured a remarkable trio of players that were all 6'2, UConn has had centers at least as big and as good as Jess Moore on every title team: Rebecca and Kara, Schuey, Jessica Moore, Tina, Steph, Breanna and Mogan.

That said, I think if you left this current team in place and put them out on the floor next season, they could win a title.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Thread of the Day.

Are you saying I sHould get only ONE posting per day??? Others will agree (watch the flood of agreements)

 

[connie]

Are you saying I sHould get only ONE posting per day???

Nope. One question a day. Done.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I think we've been there for a while. Other than 2002, which featured a remarkable trio of players that were all 6'2, UConn has had centers at least as big and as good as Jess Moore on every title team: Rebecca and Kara, Schuey, Jessica Moore, Tina, Steph, Breanna and Mogan.

That said, I think if you left this current team in place and put them out on the floor next season, they could win a title.

If you left this team in place, without transfers, and the recruits coming in---Kyla stepping up, Molly becoming a player, Danger being the Danger recruited , Walker, Alesi, AEH are all they were built up to be--first year out. I think Uconn could take it all without Azura and Batuloy--but with the transfers --I feel more confident--as we have seen nothing in BB is ordained. Even Baylor lost getting to the title even with Griner and sims and Davis--height and top talent --but the BB gods were angry.

 

[Bayareahusky]

On whether this was Geno's best job? I do not know.....

But a constant thought these past couple of days.... of appreciation....

Geno and Chris started this whole thing in the mid 80s..... in 10th year had their first national championship..... they have run a model program with few bumps along the way.... and have produced fine young ladies from their program.... 11 national championships.... highest winning percentage in WCBB history, etc etc etc..... I do not think there is one figure in the women's game that is not owned by UConn (well, yes Pat's 1098 victories).... They have done all of this in only 32 years.... Tara's and Pat's tenures, for instance, were significantly longer than that....

I reflect on this as I look at the other school's message boards, where Geno is not referred to in very polite terms.... Partisanship is one thing, but to refer to him in vile disgusting terms on a personal level and a cheater on professional level is totally out of bounds.... especially absent of fact.... his record speaks for itself.... I think to myself... I have not attacked other coaches as others have gone after us... specifically Geno, but I suppose that is what happens when you win too much.... I really started to think of this on Friday night when the gracious nature of our fans really came out.... one can say it is easy when a program wins so much.... easier to accept a defeat... but i like to think that CT fans are the best and would have responded well no matter the circumstances... .... it showed this weekend after Mississippi State victory.....

Yes I am saying this in appreciation of our wonderful coaching staff and good manners and appreciation on behalf of our fan base.

Another thing i was thinking of relative to our coaching staff ..... we have built a dominant program and run up the numbers relative to all competition in an era when WCBB is really a lot more competitive than it had been.... we are not beating the Old Dominions, Delta States and Immaculatas, we are taking on a much better bevy of teams.... Notre Dame... Baylor, South Carolina, Maryland.... the best!!!! and faring well.... that deserves mention... I am not tearing down other programs with critique (aside from personal disgust at personal attacks and unproven charges against our coach) .... I am just saluting our coaches and thanking them for the wonderful job they have done.....

We did indeed lose Friday to a great Miss State performance.... and Dawn had her day yesterday, but I am so proud of our program, the people in it, and the great staff leading it.....

 

[Geno-ista]

Just an opinion, no facts, observation---I think Maya's final year was great--this team had 4--as it became 5--talented kids 2 Soph, 2 Jr, 1 Sr---some say YOUNG but many successful teams have lineups like this--albeit with as supporting cast--or at least one the Coach would play--Miss St--as running players in and out all game--fouls were not a concern.
In Maya's final game (I believe she made 36 points) she had no help. This year the Talent and at this time of the year--experience--and 6 (or 7) players to use. Maya was nearly alone.
I guess with overall in either case Geno masked the weakness (but nearly everyone knew : no bench, fouls) in either team.

Lorin Dixon was the only sub that yr. Georgetown should have beat us in regionals that yr. Dolson was still very slow still that year.

 

[Geno-ista]

If you left this team in place, without transfers, and the recruits coming in---Kyla stepping up, Molly becoming a player, Danger being the Danger recruited , Walker, Alesi, AEH are all they were built up to be--first year out. I think Uconn could take it all without Azura and Batuloy--but with the transfers --I feel more confident--as we have seen nothing in BB is ordained. Even Baylor lost getting to the title even with Griner and sims and Davis--height and top talent --but the BB gods were angry.

If you think Irwin and Bent will be keys to our next NC - I think you need a few aspirin. Butler, Irwin & Bent will never see another important minute of B Ball here. Unfortunately that's the new reality.

 

[BroadwayVa]

If you think Irwin and Bent will be keys to our next NC - I think you need a few aspirin. Butler, Irwin & Bent will never see another important minute of B Ball here. Unfortunately that's the new reality.

You are a GENO ista---I am a Team ista. I never mentioned Butler---I did mention Molly, Kyla, Danger---as for Molly and Kyla I have no knowledge of what the summer may bring---so I have two choices--yours or to take the hopes they shall become the players Geno saw in them when he recruited them. Glass half full---glass half empty. I did not call them Key players---your words.
Will the give good minutes --I don't know and neither do you---you can assume the best or the worst
I assume I know neither.

 

[UcMiami]

On whether this was Geno's best job? I do not know.....

But a constant thought these past couple of days.... of appreciation....

Geno and Chris started this whole thing in the mid 80s..... in 10th year had their first national championship..... they have run a model program with few bumps along the way.... and have produced fine young ladies from their program.... 11 national championships.... highest winning percentage in WCBB history, etc etc etc..... I do not think there is one figure in the women's game that is not owned by UConn (well, yes Pat's 1098 victories).... They have done all of this in only 32 years.... Tara's and Pat's tenures, for instance, were significantly longer than that....

I reflect on this as I look at the other school's message boards, where Geno is not referred to in very polite terms.... Partisanship is one thing, but to refer to him in vile disgusting terms on a personal level and a cheater on professional level is totally out of bounds.... especially absent of fact.... his record speaks for itself.... I think to myself... I have not attacked other coaches as others have gone after us... specifically Geno, but I suppose that is what happens when you win too much.... I really started to think of this on Friday night when the gracious nature of our fans really came out.... one can say it is easy when a program wins so much.... easier to accept a defeat... but i like to think that CT fans are the best and would have responded well no matter the circumstances... .... it showed this weekend after Mississippi State victory.....

Yes I am saying this in appreciation of our wonderful coaching staff and good manners and appreciation on behalf of our fan base.

Another thing i was thinking of relative to our coaching staff ..... we have built a dominant program and run up the numbers relative to all competition in an era when WCBB is really a lot more competitive than it had been.... we are not beating the Old Dominions, Delta States and Immaculatas, we are taking on a much better bevy of teams.... Notre Dame... Baylor, South Carolina, Maryland.... the best!!!! and faring well.... that deserves mention... I am not tearing down other programs with critique (aside from personal disgust at personal attacks and unproven charges against our coach) .... I am just saluting our coaches and thanking them for the wonderful job they have done.....

We did indeed lose Friday to a great Miss State performance.... and Dawn had her day yesterday, but I am so proud of our program, the people in it, and the great staff leading it.....

Thanks for this - very nice.
I do think you over-glorify our treatment of other coaches. There is quite a bit of 'critique' (to put it mildly) of Muffet, Kim, Holly, and previously of Pat and Tara. Most of it that remains and is not deleted is devoted to professional performance (in game, pressers, public statements) but some crosses that line into more personal. I suspect the mods here may have a slightly less rosy view with the knowledge of deleted posts and warnings delivered to posters.
And you also need to be aware that other boards do not have the same levels of control being enforced. Specifically our orange friends are pretty vicious to their own coach, can we really expect better towards Geno, especially given the rather vicious attack against him made by their program's 'God'. The other boards I visit are generally much more respectful of both his coaching and him - and those not cognizant of the NE/Philly character and banter/humor/sarcasm can misread both character and meaning when their own cultures clash with his.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Thanks for this - very nice.
I do think you over-glorify our treatment of other coaches. There is quite a bit of 'critique' (to put it mildly) of Muffet, Kim, Holly, and previously of Pat and Tara. Most of it that remains and is not deleted is devoted to professional performance (in game, pressers, public statements) but some crosses that line into more personal. I suspect the mods here may have a slightly less rosy view with the knowledge of deleted posts and warnings delivered to posters.
And you also need to be aware that other boards do not have the same levels of control being enforced. Specifically our orange friends are pretty vicious to their own coach, can we really expect better towards Geno, especially given the rather vicious attack against him made by their program's 'God'. The other boards I visit are generally much more respectful of both his coaching and him - and those not cognizant of the NE/Philly character and banter/humor/sarcasm can misread both character and meaning when their own cultures clash with his.

Yes Miami thank you.... yes I hear you and agree with what you are saying.... was not trying to lift up other coaches.... just trying to appreciate ours.... and my post just came out of reflection looking at the other boards.... the Orange boards for example of course get a lot of action.... and in very recent time they have softened a bit, but usually go after us hard ... largely with unfounded complaints.... and only in the last couple of years many have turned on their own coach....

I expect different boards to be partisan, but i also do not want - in an ideal world - any other board to misrepresent what our program has done and its character achieved while doing it all.

 

[Geno-ista]

You are a GENO ista---I am a Team ista. I never mentioned Butler---I did mention Molly, Kyla, Danger---as for Molly and Kyla I have no knowledge of what the summer may bring---so I have two choices--yours or to take the hopes they shall become the players Geno saw in them when he recruited them. Glass half full---glass half empty. I did not call them Key players---your words.
Will the give good minutes --I don't know and neither do you---you can assume the best or the worst
I assume I know neither.

Br Va- I'm sorry , you stated they could "take care of it"- winning the NC, without our transfers. In My opinion- If we are depending on, or thinking Kyla and Molly will play important minutes, We'd be in big trouble again. Every post- I always thought was our opinions. I'm not sure if everyone understands how much phenomenal raw talent is on the top 10-15 teams. And how phenomenal we did with very few options to deal with match up issues, fouls, etc... some of the better coaches are getting to programs with big futures.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Br Va- I'm sorry , you stated they could "take care of it"- winning the NC, without our transfers. In My opinion- If we are depending on, or thinking Kyla and Molly will play important minutes, We'd be in big trouble again. Every post- I always thought was our opinions. I'm not sure if everyone understands how much phenomenal raw talent is on the top 10-15 teams. And how phenomenal we did with very few options to deal with match up issues, fouls, etc... some of the better coaches are getting to programs with big futures.

We could drag this on until Molly graduates--0r not. I never said they'd be significant or key to an NC--but it they are used ONLY to provide relief for starter--they will be doing their job--and helping. Both maybe complete duds or both or either may take off --ala Gabby.
I believe if : the new recruits HALF live up to all reports--they shall provide a big boost to Kia, Collier, Gabby, KLS, Danger--two things Uconn lacked was a wing of Walkers abilities to score and experience ---if you wanted you could add size. cComing inches away from the NC this year--with some additions to the bench or playing minutes in every game---why is it inconceivable to think they cannot go all the way even without Azura and Butuloy ?? With them it isn't a given , nothing is--but much more believable.
I can agree on fundamentally the Transfers should make a difference---Your Opinion's are yours --all have some validity--and I don't dispute your right to post them. Have at it!!Is Uconn getting a new coach--"the better coaches are getting to programs with big futures"

 

[Geno-ista]

We could drag this on until Molly graduates--0r not. I never said they'd be significant or key to an NC--but it they are used ONLY to provide relief for starter--they will be doing their job--and helping. Both maybe complete duds or both or either may take off --ala Gabby.
I believe if : the new recruits HALF live up to all reports--they shall provide a big boost to Kia, Collier, Gabby, KLS, Danger--two things Uconn lacked was a wing of Walkers abilities to score and experience ---if you wanted you could add size. cComing inches away from the NC this year--with some additions to the bench or playing minutes in every game---why is it inconceivable to think they cannot go all the way even without Azura and Butuloy ?? With them it isn't a given , nothing is--but much more believable.
I can agree on fundamentally the Transfers should make a difference---Your Opinion's are yours --all have some validity--and I don't dispute your right to post them. Have at it!!Is Uconn getting a new coach--"the better coaches are getting to programs with big futures"

The last line was meant to say, there is much more parity in the women's game. Some great men's BB universities are finding/hiring great coaches like Oregon. Schaefer proved himself by winning NC at A & M- with defense. And I think a lot of teams that we beat, have more talent than us, or were built better to win the NC than we were. Our heart, effort and bb iq carried us to a great season. I'll kept Geno. I think he deserves another season. We'll be much better next yr even without the transfers. 4 returning starters. A much more veteran team - which is totally overlooked by many people. I think next yr we'll be as good as any of the Stewie teams.

 

[BroadwayVa]

The last line was meant to say, there is much more parity in the women's game. Some great men's BB universities are finding/hiring great coaches like Oregon. Schaefer proved himself by winning NC at A & M- with defense. And I think a lot of teams that we beat, have more talent than us, or were built better to win the NC than we were. Our heart, effort and bb iq carried us to a great season. I'll kept Geno. I think he deserves another season. We'll be much better next yr even without the transfers. 4 returning starters. A much more veteran team - which is totally overlooked by many people. I think next yr we'll be as good as any of the Stewie teams.

I agree----and I agree with the transfers they could be (could be) as good as any Stewie team. The unknown (to me at least) is Batuloy--if she can fill the "tuck" role. Collier could but Collier is more that beats you with skill than with physical banging--Tuck could do both. Thanks nice post.