Courant gives me 10/month (?). Anyway I'm over my limit, but this always works: Copy the live link (name of article) from the BY post, paste it (or just type it) into your search engine, and search. Courant article will generally be the first search result. Click and read. I have never been blocked by the Courant using this method.
An even easier way is just right click on the article and use incognito mode. has never failed me yet.
Carnac, obviously you can see the future better than I can.Nothing has changed since the beginning of the season, and won't during the season. Geno lamented: "How fast can you play when everybody you're putting in, when [the starters] get tired or in foul trouble, has no experience whatsoever? So what are we going to do? How are we going to minimize the damage of the fact that we're not that big, and yet at the same time we can't afford to have any of those guys on the bench for long stretches at a time? So it's going to have to be a trial and error kind of thing until we feel comfortable that we've got seven or eight and right now we're not at that comfort level yet". It could be awhile before the coaches find that comfort level.
Aahhh, there's the rub. That dynamic manifested itself right after the BIG 3 graduated, and will remain in existence throughout the duration of the season. Geno has a short bench. Everyone knows that. The staff saw this coming back in April, so they no doubt have been working on, and formulating contingency plans. This is not their first rodeo. They've seen this before.
Until the bench players can come up to speed (and experience), and be able to go into the game, and give the starters a blow, or sub for them for extended periods of time in case of injury or foul trouble without any drop off, the starters are going to have to play smart, and play under control. This means they must play without fouling, and play for long periods of time without fatigue.
I commented in an earlier post over the summer regarding this scenario, that in MY humble opinion (some may disagree) Saniya Chong & Natalie Butler are the keys to the team's success this year. They MUST play at a high level, and do it successfully all year, or the team falters. The Core 4 cannot carry this team alone. If Chong & Butler falter, Geno will have no other choice than to turn to his freshmen.
I think the "Core 4" will play and produce as expected. We pretty much know what they will do. Everyone else is a question mark until they prove other wise. This year's freshmen class won't have the luxury of taking their time to ripen, mature and come along slowly. Their services are going to be needed almost immediately. The team's fortunes rest solely on how fast they can come up to speed, and play within the system effectively.
We know the team is eager to begin the season, we all are. I look for them to impress early on. The good thing is the other teams the Huskies we'll be playing are still trying to fine tune their game plans (starting units) as well. I doubt UConn will encounter any team early in the season that is already clicking on all cylinders. Most will still be trying to fine the right mix of players, that work best together, and trying to execute their offensive and defensive assignments and game plans.
One thing we know, teams that play UConn, generally do not play a lot of players. Opposing coaches generally don't play more than 7-8 players. Even though they may boast a hearty 14-15 player roster, only 2-3 of them will see the floor. They know if they find themselves down early, most bench players won't help bring them back.
Based on what I saw from the freshmen in the exhibition games, I think we're going to be OK. I was extremely impressed with all three, with their aggressiveness and their no non sense approach. As the season goes forward, we know the more comfortable and experienced they will become.
When this happens, Geno will be less apprehensive to put them on the floor while the game is still in doubt. Today is the last day without UConn women's (regular season) basketball until April. The wait is finally over. It was a looooong, but very rewarding summer. Geno and staff did an outstanding job in bring in six new coveted (and much needed) players. It's time to break the seal on another new and exciting season of women's college basketball, UConn style. Enjoy the season everyone.
Cool - didn't know about that. Just tried it, and...VIOLA!!
Will you stop fiddling around and get back to WBB???Voila or viola?
Till someone puts a bow on it.
I have to keep it up at least until I find the G string!
Carnac, obviously you can see the future better than I can.
I agree about the importance of Natalie and Saniya, but I have a more optimistic view. I think, if they play well, we are really, really good. Channeling my inner Tony, I haven't conceded ANY games this year, though playing at ND will be very tough. If Natalie and Saniya are inconsistent, I think our other players are good enough to get us to the Final Four with only 2-3 losses at most. If Saniya plays like senior Ketia and Natalie plays like freshman/sophomore Stefanie, I think we are the team to beat.
Milford, check back with me in 10 days. I'll know then the level of my optimism for the next couple of months. Right now, tonight, I'm as optimistic as you are. I said I think we'll be OK. I have to see the team in some intense battles under fire, against teams that are a worthy (top10) opponent.
IF UConn is 2-0 after the Baylor game, of course my optimism will grow appreciably. We're drinking the same kool-aid with respect to conceding any games. I only predict UConn wins, not losses. Predicting losses for your team is bad Mojo. I stay away from that. Far away!!! I am predicting a UConn victory tomorrow.
The envelope sez...UConn 70 FSU 55. Go Huskies.
Darn--that's where it is---I'll just have to wait until /if its returned by the pawn shop. Poor thing getting lonesome for other G strings.