How come Dorka only played 3 minutes?

[caramel]

You go with the players who are in the zone at this point. Those that are contributing to the flow and success in the game should and do get the minutes. Players go through ups and downs. Dorka and Caroline will get their chance again. The ones that got the minutes did because they are on a mission, and let us be thankful that Paige is starting her lion roar at just the right time!

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[hoophuskee]

Thats fair but not always the case across the board. There are bench players that get as many mins as starters. I dont care if we win because thats always goal number one, I guess one fear is if we lose and didnt tap the folks available to help and could have made the difference.

I was speaking in terms of a philosophy overall. As you say there are bench players that see as many minutes but not bench players getting as many minutes as your healthy superstars. When a team goes 6-7 deep sure that 6th player is getting near the 5th players minutes etc. The thing is- UCONN's strength is their "superstar guards."

For example Jada Boyd for NC State in regulation was -4 (minus 4) in plus-minus. Whose to say it was the coach that should’ve played his starters more? In other words, my fear is different than yours. I fear not playing “Paige Bueckers” as much as you can can negatively impact the team/ be the difference.

This is why I am 100% on board with Geno and have been for many years other than an issue here or there. This philosophy of playing your superstars as much as you can imo is superior than playing a deep bench. Superstars are the ones that win you the big games. The Bench contributes and I have never seen only 5 players win. But superstars overall “win it.” Though I will reiterate you can’t win titles without some bench contribution.

In this latest as an example, UCONN challenged NC State to stop their superstar without fear that their superstar would wear down. My money is always going to be on the superstar vs the bench player. Ofc sometimes the superstar will fall short. But not forcing the opposing team to stop your superstar is imo either over-coaching or coaching in fear. Neither is any good imo.

 

[Los24]

Some are here getting down on the young lady for her 3 mins of play
I would like those same people to show me exactly who played well for the first 3 mins of the game..
Our team had what was it again, 3 Turnovers in the first 3 mins by the starters which allowed IU to go up by as many as six early, Should those players all be benched as well? Only One perfect person walked this earth as far as I know...

Our Coach is a very good coach, but he is also Human and therefore can make mistakes like anyone else...
Some of us forget that Put Summit was also a very good coach and successful as well, then along came an upstart named Geno who got the best of her. It does not matter how many titles you have won before, if you sit on those achievements, then you too will be surpassed by some other Coach who has made adjustments or learn what it takes to beat your style of play...

In my opinion, this is not the time of the year to be giving your players doubt in their abilities, at this stage the teams that move on are the ones who are confident and willing to take the next shot, even when they have missed poorly or are having a bad game..
One of our strengths is suppose to be our depth, which may not yield results in the beginning of a game but can certainly wear a team down in the latter stages of a game and cause them to miss shots they would normally make because they are tired..

Amen!

 

[Los24]

I was speaking in terms of a philosophy overall. As you say there are bench players that see as many minutes but not bench players getting as many minutes as your healthy superstars. When a team goes 6-7 deep sure that 6th player is getting near the 5th players minutes etc. The thing is- UCONN's strength is their "superstar guards."

For example Jada Boyd for NC State in regulation was -4 (minus 4) in plus-minus. Whose to say it was the coach that should’ve played his starters more? In other words, my fear is different than yours. I fear not playing “Paige Bueckers” as much as you can can negatively impact the team/ be the difference.

This is why I am 100% on board with Geno and have been for many years other than an issue here or there. This philosophy of playing your superstars as much as you can imo is superior than playing a deep bench. Superstars are the ones that win you the big games. The Bench contributes and I have never seen only 5 players win. But superstars overall “win it.” Though I will reiterate you can’t win titles without some bench contribution.

In this latest as an example, UCONN challenged NC State to stop their superstar without fear that their superstar would wear down. My money is always going to be on the superstar vs the bench player. Ofc sometimes the superstar will fall short. But not forcing the opposing team to stop your superstar is imo either over-coaching or coaching in fear. Neither is any good imo.

Dont disagree about Paige. But outside her and most likely Fudd I bet CD will be a star more than rest of team.

She showed it already but trust in Geno.

 

[HopJim]

Barring a huge surprise such as a miraculous recovery by Aubrey, complete with a newly minted jump shot, I think it's safe to pencil in Caroline as the starting "3" next season. And she will be perfect for that role. My hunch is that Geno is thinking along the same lines.

Agree on Caroline starting but also can see her take on the critical Evina role as first off the bench, replacing either the shooting guard or small forward.

 

[HopJim]

I think that is relatively unfair. I don't think that turnovers are the deciding factor at all. AE leads the team in turnovers, with Liv second and Evina third. AE also commits many unnecessary offensive fouls both on moving screens and simply not being aware of where her opponent is. She also has defensive lapses as evidenced by the last play in the first half. Yet she brings intensity and energy and rebounds and defends and does some important counterbalancing things. I think it is more the eye test. A coach can tell if a player is "ready" or " in the moment" but CD was not against Indiana nor was Dorka and I do think the first NCAA tourney is a factor for both of them. The turnover and bad shot was more a symptom of not being there. Caroline can spell CW at times for a rest and can be an important contributor. After Cunane, NC St is not big and CD can post up, cut, drive and shoot the pull up or 3. She can make the difference in the game if she is "on". Unfortunately, she has been a different player since her injury, more tentative, less engaging. I'm hoping tonight she has a good game for us. She is a very complete and smart basketball player.

I believe the causes of Caroline's issues and playing time are more basic. Early in the year, as with many frosh, CD was the 5th option. With the injuries, she became one of the focal points, helping UConn to develop one of their more creative motion offenses. Since Paige came back, we appear to have evolved, now relying more on 3 pointers and mid-range shots. CD now rarely getting back cut layups, one of the keys to her points. Seems to be working so nothing negative to comment on - just a fact of where we are today.

 

[BBallF]

I believe the causes of Caroline's issues and playing time are more basic. Early in the year, as with many frosh, CD was the 5th option. With the injuries, she became one of the focal points, helping UConn to develop one of their more creative motion offenses. Since Paige came back, we appear to have evolved, now relying more on 3 pointers and mid-range shots. CD now rarely getting back cut layups, one of the keys to her points. Seems to be working so nothing negative to comment on - just a fact of where we are today.

Good analysis. I am hopeful that next year the offense will be a hybrid of both.

 

[hoophuskee]

Dont disagree about Paige. But outside her and most likely Fudd I bet CD will be a star more than rest of team.

She showed it already but trust in Geno.

In future years am excited for CD. This next game and hopefully the game after that this upcoming week she nails some consecutive shots.

Would love to see her nail some 3's in a row.

 

[hoophuskee]

I believe the causes of Caroline's issues and playing time are more basic. Early in the year, as with many frosh, CD was the 5th option. With the injuries, she became one of the focal points, helping UConn to develop one of their more creative motion offenses. Since Paige came back, we appear to have evolved, now relying more on 3 pointers and mid-range shots. CD now rarely getting back cut layups, one of the keys to her points. Seems to be working so nothing negative to comment on - just a fact of where we are today.

IMO the Offense was "forced" in search of an all-around scorer when she stepped up. I think now that the offense is flowing more, CD isn't as efficient as PB or . Isn't the passer either. SO if she isn't hitting her shots, she isn't helping PB or that much. Instead she is taking away shots from them.

She did get layup chances vs UCF but she missed them both. Had the same type of 2 layup attempts vs Indiana. These are quality teams and in 8 minutes she was able to maneuver for 2 layups. That’s pretty good. But then she went against NC State had a wide open 3 and she didn't come close. Then I think she made a beauty drive and was expecting she'd get it up on the rim which she has such a great knack of doing with a touch but NC Sate seemed to sniff out exactly what she was trying to do and easily swatted her shot out of bounds. I think it was NC State. And I just attribute this to experience. The better defensive teams are going to sniff out what she likes to do. Because overall their team defense is why they are that good.

I just think if her shot isn't falling, you can't play her significant minutes in hopes that she "might" get hot. There are two players on the floor that are more efficient than her that need the ball. So it comes down to her vs CW and CW has a ton more experience and is a projected 1st round WNBA pick. And Evina and Nika can pass better setting up the guards. So when she comes in, she better hit her shots. UCONN can’t afford to wait like they were forced to do earlier in the year. Next year things will be much different for her provided she is more efficient shooting which we expect.