How Jana El Alfy is adapting to new role as starter

[Charliebball]

To think that UCONN is going to turn their offense into having Jana being a 20 ppg scorer in the Big East is what is crazy. To think that she is going ot be a focal point while she is shooting 50% from the floor and about a 50% free throw shooter is crazy.

UCONN has 3 superstars on their team and to go away from them for a 50% efficiency shooter makes no sense. And when you have her take 15 shots to believe that won't take opportunties away from others is wrong. She is currently averaging 5 shots per game. Adding another 10 won't affect others?

And to give her those 15 shots the pace has to slow. Which means overall less shots for others.

So far this season what has UConn done when they're not hitting their three-point shots? (which is fairly often) They get the ball to Paige or Sara and let them try to figure out how to get to the basket for an "easy" bucket.........having another option, especially in the low post is vital in those moments when the threes simply aren't falling and should be encouraged......

 

[mainerhuski]

What was not mentioned and what limits her besides "that consistency thing" as Geno calls it, is merely trying to avoid fouls.

When officials are aware before the game is played who they will be paying attention to (And don't tell me they don't because its no big secret. I have had enough friends and family who have been officials at the high school and Div I and II college level tell me that they know and will be sure they concentrate on those players who have had previous foul trouble. And if they don't which is unlikely the opposing coaches will be sure to fill them in on the sideline.) So Jana's reputation precedes her which makes it doubly hard for her as she tries to be aggressive under the basket but without the kind of fouls she's been getting (ie arms straight up but called for lower body contact.)

Besides her shooting consistency how she prepares to be in the correct position using the right footwork and not foul is a skill she must learn and surely will if she is given enough minutes on the floor in these upcoming BE games to work on it.

I agree, the refs seem to be primed to call fouls on Jana, sometimes blowing the whistle before contact. It must be very difficult as a ref at this level to be well-prepared without being anticipatory.

 

[hoophuskee]

I was referring to twenty point production coming from Jana and Ice together, not Jana alone.......I don't think that's unreasonable, nor do I think that it would take away from UConn's overall offensive flow.........a well balanced offense with contributions from long range, mid range, and the low post is the kind of offense that wins National Championships......to place all your bets on 35% - 40% three-point shooting in every game is a risky proposition against stifling defenses and one that rarely works in the end....

You said Jana. You referred to her only. I don't want to be hostile here. If you want to say both then okay by me - I'll back off. That gives two opportunites for 2 players to score up to near 20. Thanks for the discussion.

 

[hoophuskee]

So far this season what has UConn done when they're not hitting their three-point shots? (which is fairly often) They get the ball to Paige or Sara and let them try to figure out how to get to the basket for an "easy" bucket.........having another option, especially in the low post is vital in those moments when the threes simply aren't falling and should be encouraged......

Okay this isn't directly about Jana/Ice--

Not saying you are but the way you phrased the question - why assume once Azzi gets healthy they will miss as often as they have been? If any team misses most or all of their shots there is a good chance the other team is going to lose just as Iowa could have lost at any point if Clark had a terrible shooting game. Anyhow, historically Paige and Azzi when healthy were over 40% from 3. And all 3 of Azzi, Paige and Sarah are more than just 3 pt shooters.

And if they have one explosive game vs a team in the NCAA's say in S16, if you believe as the opposing team that they haven't been and are not a very good 3pt shooting team, then are you going to defend them normal in the e8 game thinking that S16 game was an anomaly? There's a reason why Paige is thought to be among the best in wcbb. There's a reason why Azzi is projected as a high a WNBA draft pick as she has been despite not playing much relatively speaking the past 7 years. There's a reason why Sarah is thought to be an excellent shooter. In the E8 game before the game starts, you as the opposing coach, are you going to design a game plan that you feel that they can't keep shooting well from the outside? If Azzi, Paige and Sarah show at end of the season they are hot, you think that isn't much worry for the opposing team? If it is much to worry about, then doesn't it stand to reason that that the Offense UCONN employs could be explosive no matter who the opponent and something special might be needed by the defense to slow them down rather than just assume they "might" miss a lot?

 

[Charliebball]

You said Jana. You referred to her only. I don't want to be hostile here. If you want to say both then okay by me - I'll back off. That gives two opportunites for 2 players to score up to near 20. Thanks for the discussion.

from my earlier post.......

"...there's no reason that Jana and Ice shouldn't be combining for twenty points and twelve rebounds a game in the Big East...."

there's no reason for UConn to stop shooting threes when they are making them but as we've already seen in numerous games, the offense can get bogged down when they aren't......having a capable low post presence simply gives them another scoring option to consider......

 

[hoophuskee]

from my earlier post.......

"...there's no reason that Jana and Ice shouldn't be combining for twenty points and twelve rebounds a game in the Big East...."

there's no reason for UConn to stop shooting threes when they are making them but as we've already seen in numerous games, the offense can get bogged down when they aren't......having a capable low post presence simply gives them another scoring option to consider......

The below in bold were the prior posts you made that I replied to. I see though you did initially make mention to both players which I missed but then in bold I suppose because the way I phrased the questions, we were speaking specifcially of Jana at least the bold in which you replied to me states Jana only. Not Ice. As I said now,-- I see from the start that you did iniitally include Ice which i missed- I feel Ice could have a game then Jana could have a game etc. And Ice is easier to get her type of shots and easier to play for pace. But that's beside the point. I’m fine with adding both as a combined 2 but they need the Big 3 to create for them vs the top teams other than very few baskets on their own.

My point about Paige/Sarah and Azzi is that they aren't just 3point shooters. Once they get comfortable playing with each other and once the defense improves with the addition of Aubrey, the offense shouldn't get bogged down enough so that UCONN needs to focus on Jana/Ice to score. More time together with the Big 3, why wouldn't their chemistry improve? Why plan for them bogging down at such a level rather than planning for them to beat the defense enough? The top 3 players are top tier players for a reason. They should be feeding Jana/Ice to score in tough games only if they feel she/they has/have the easiest opportunity to score at a high efficiency because of the situation they created against the defense. The opposing team which is supposedly elite isn't going to so easily let Jana/Ice get position 3-5 feet from the basket very often. There is a reason why they are good. It's because they won't let “the Jana's” get layups and/or bury them on their own in the post. The best way Jana is getting layups and easy shots at the rim would be because of the situation UCONN's super 3 put the opposing team’s defense in.



the more effective Jana becomes offensively down low, the more wide-open shots will be available for the rest of the team......

That may be true but why should UConn ignore their inside game if Jana shows she can be a legit scoring threat?

 

[ERWUC65]

He said 20 points. You are moving the bar if you are replying to my post. I was replying to 20 points or near,. Twenty points is an illogical stretch. It’s not even close to being realistic. Eighteen points is illogical too. You call it a stretch, respectfully I respect you and Charlie a lot; it's a pipedream. Much more than "just a stretch.” UCONN has to change their entire offense for her to be averaging 18-20 ppg. You must slow the pace down for this to happen. And by him stating as few as 10 shots; it's not like she is going to go to the Free Throw line 8 times. Thus 10--11 shots, she'd have to be shooting 70% or higher while she gets some free throws in which she ups her free throw % a great deal. Again taking so few shots and averaging near 20 - it's a pipedream.

Also, how many points do you think it realistic that she should be relied upon scoring vs South Carolina or UCLA?

If you think she should be averaging double-digits vs these high quality inside teams then I think that crazy-far-fetched. She can get 10 in a random game but averaging double-digits vs these teams shows little respect for the other teams capabilities imo.

She is only shooting 50% right now and she isn't even being double-teamed. She is magically going to take it against these other elite inside teams? Is it that easy for a freshman after 14 games to turn from being 50% EFG% to all of a sudden a double-digit threat big-time threat? This is what I meant by just because she is wearing a UCONN jersey doesn’t turn her into Wonder Woman.

There has to be respect for the other teams. Thinking that the ball is going to be dumped into Jana and she is going to take it to them in terms of double digits multiple games shows no respect to these other teams. She isn't Stewie. And she isn't what Tina was as a frosh. Bottomline is that you don't go limit the ball from your superstars hands for such an unknown at this point in the season.

I just want to say again I have a ton of respect for you and charlie. A ton. Along with that you are both gentleman (I think you’re a dude?). My bark is not meant to be mean here. Please don’t take it that way.

It is not necessary to take up the entire thread to make your point. I think we heard you the first time. I suspect you are not even in the majority with your opinion. Geno knows there is strength in numbers and is trying to get to March with a healthy roster and that means playing everyone and developing any and all options in the process. Right now I don't see Paige playing like the top player in the nation, Sarah, in spite of her prowess, is still a freshman and we are all holding our breath on Azzi - so much for total dependence on the big three.

 

[Blond D.]

Jana needs to work on her footwork, her shooting and her timing. Once she gets that down (that includes free throws) she could get 8 or 9 shots a game. Thats only like 2 per quarter. Once she gets it down on a good night she could get 18 points. On a bad night not so many.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Just because Jana has a UCONN jersey on doesn't turn her into Wonder Woman.

Well, not yet anyway.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

For Jana and/or Ice to be truly helpful offensively this season, they must score their points from getting offensive rebounds. If they can do that rather than being a focal point, then UConn will be a much stronger team. I believe that is what @hoophuskee is saying in a nutshell.

 

[Cuango]

Not a chance. And t would be crazy for UCONN to do this. Take away shots from players like Paige, Azzi and Sarah is not a winning formula. And to think that Jana is going to take it vs a the top tier teams would be wrong as well.

UCONN is a fastbreak team. UCONN's best players are perimeter players. That's their bones. Working on a philosophy with minimal chance of success vs top tier teams and going away from your strength is a massive mistake which Geno won't do.

The top tier teams with very good inside players with a lot more experience work on their Defense too. Just because Jana has a UCONN jersey on doesn't turn her into Wonder Woman.

And yet, the hope must be that, by the end of the season, she will have progressed to be at least in some small way, exactly that! It is clear that since Stewie left, the main impediment (next to injuries) to winning #12 has been our inability to field a competitive big in the middle! Is it possible that we could have won had we been healthy even without a strong presence in the middle? Perhaps so, but it is abundantly clear that even with the ridiculous amount of talent on this roster, we will always be a better team when we have a competitive post to battle the Betts, Watkins, and Iriafens in the middle! Do I expect Jana to be that by the end of the season? You bet I do! Not as “Wonder Woman” but certainly capable to make things difficult for any post we meet in the tournament! Jana does not need to dominate, or even play even! (Although that would be nice) What I am hoping for (what I am convinced she can do) is that she will be able to defend and rebound, with a little opportunistic scoring thrown in as a bonus. That, is what I (and I believe, most UConn fans) are hoping for! I am convinced that Geno too is hoping for this! To not attempt to develop a big with the obvious potential that Jana clearly has, would be coaching malpractice!

 

[AzzisBraids]

She just needs to keep it simple, she's doing so much thinking and dribbling. Catch ball, lay ball up, block shot, run back, hedge, don't foul. That it's, it's easier said than done but I think she needs to focus on defense.

At 6-5, she has 6 blocks for the season, tying Paige and way below Sarah. Elite teams have players averaging close to these totals a night. She's young and will figure it out but if she's going to foul, at least foul on trying to block a shot. After the boneyard hyped her up all summer as the next Stewie, I don't really know what to make of what I'm seeing.

 

[hoophuskee]

And yet, the hope must be that, by the end of the season, she will have progressed to be at least in some small way, exactly that! It is clear that since Stewie left, the main impediment (next to injuries) to winning #12 has been our inability to field a competitive big in the middle! Is it possible that we could have won had we been healthy even without a strong presence in the middle? Perhaps so, but it is abundantly clear that even with the ridiculous amount of talent on this roster, we will always be a better team when we have a competitive post to battle the Betts, Watkins, and Iriafens in the middle! Do I expect Jana to be that by the end of the season? You bet I do! Not as “Wonder Woman” but certainly capable to make things difficult for any post we meet in the tournament! Jana does not need to dominate, or even play even! (Although that would be nice) What I am hoping for (what I am convinced she can do) is that she will be able to defend and rebound, with a little opportunistic scoring thrown in as a bonus. That, is what I (and I believe, most UConn fans) are hoping for! I am convinced that Geno too is hoping for this! To not attempt to develop a big with the obvious potential that Jana clearly has, would be coaching malpractice!

I believe UCONN would have won at least one title if not for the injuties. Period.
Don't believe to add in any other caveats.
Geno said the same thing too that he believes he would have won if not for all the injuries. I don't recall him adding in any caveats other than injuries as well. Though I don't have the quote he said I belive it was 2 years ago. Those can beleive as they wish.
And all UCONN fans hope for a championship(s) too. How they win is of little concern for most fans.

 

[BRS24]

Gifted the article to share with folks that Geno knows what she has to do, Jana knows what she has to do, and it gets turned into another Jana/Ice playing time, points scored argument. I'll leave y'all with this quote:

In her first two months of college ball, El Alfy has learned to keep up with the pace of the game and allow actions to come to her instead of trying to force things to happen. Most importantly, she’s learned to give herself grace and learn from mistakes instead of letting them take up space.​

 

[huskeynut]

I posted this in another thread and I will do it again on this one.

Read and React (mental) and Muscle Memory (physical). The two important parts of any players game.

Jana is still thinking offensively and defensively. She is not at the stage where gets the ball and goes. Let's remember, her career, so far, is 13 D1 games and the highest level. And playing for UConn and Geno is no easy task for anybody.

Jana has the physical skill and the talent to be a force in the low post. The Marquette game showed improvement. The more minutes she gets in games the better she will be.

This also means Chen, Arnold and Bueckers need to feed Jana when she presents herself more often. Again, this team is still a work in progress. If Jana remains a starter, things will improve. The better Jana gets, the better the offense will flow. If Jana becomes that 4th scoring threat, guards won't be able to double down on her defensively because there are 3 others who can burn them.

 

[Bone Dog]

“That consistency thing, that kind of affects pretty much every kid playing college basketball.”

One thing that gets in the way of Jana’s consistency, I suspect, is conditioning. This looks like it’s a work in progress and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her running the court better at the end of January than she is now. Also, and this is trivial but may be indicative, in her two starts she lost both opening tips to smaller players. She barely jumped each time. What I’m getting at is she may not be comfortable jumping yet.

Once Jana is fully comfortable running and jumping we may see much better consistency in her play.

 

[Charliebball]

For Jana and/or Ice to be truly helpful offensively this season, they must score their points from getting offensive rebounds. If they can do that rather than being a focal point, then UConn will be a much stronger team. I believe that is what @hoophuskee is saying in a nutshell.

How about a combination of the two? Not sure why there is such an aversion to getting Jana more touches now to improve her inside game for the end of the season when baskets are so much harder to come by.........getting her the ball a bit more should have almost no impact on the rest of the UConn player's shots.......as a matter of fact, any increased effectiveness down low should benefit the rest of the shooters....

 

[Just.A.Fan]

How about a combination of the two? Not sure why there is such an aversion to getting Jana more touches now to improve her inside game for the end of the season when baskets are so much harder to come by.........getting her the ball a bit more should have almost no impact on the rest of the UConn player's shots.......as a matter of fact, any increased effectiveness down low should benefit the rest of the shooters....

Did you not read the "and/or" in my first sentence? Getting either of them the ball so far this season has had little to no effect on the scoreboard. If and when they prove they can actually score consistently when fed the ball, then I am definitely with you. Until then, as I've said previously, their points need to come from put-backs of offensive rebounds.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

One thing that gets in the way of Jana’s consistency, I suspect, is conditioning. This looks like it’s a work in progress and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her running the court better at the end of January than she is now. Also, and this is trivial but may be indicative, in her two starts she lost both opening tips to smaller players. She barely jumped each time. What I’m getting at is she may not be comfortable jumping yet.

Once Jana is fully comfortable running and jumping we may see much better consistency in her play.

I keep reading about "rust" and "conditioning" as excuses for sub-par performances. These are young, strong, very athletic women. Even returning from injures, they recover very quickly once released from the medical staff. If they are serious about returning to form, they will have worked perhaps even harder than they ever have previously to return to top form. When was Jana, for example, released by the medical staff to return without limitations? Several months before the season started right, so c'mon with the conditioning excuse.

 

[ERWUC65]

I keep reading about "rust" and "conditioning" as excuses for sub-par performances. These are young, strong, very athletic women. Even returning from injures, they recover very quickly once released from the medical staff. If they are serious about returning to form, they will have worked perhaps even harder than they ever have previously to return to top form. When was Jana, for example, released by the medical staff to return without limitations? Several months before the season started right, so c'mon with the conditioning excuse.

First, there is quite a difference between practice/conditioning and actual game intensity. A medical release says nothing about the mind set of the individual. I would use Azzi as an prime example of this. Why is she not 100% right now? I am sure Aubrey has been released as well, but is still not ready mentally or we would see her already. And, finally, Jana is one of the hardest workers in practice and has played in enough games to be fit, but still hesitates on occasion to go full out - perhaps thinking of that achilles tear. Give them a break!

 

[JRRRJ]

Did you not read the "and/or" in my first sentence? Getting either of them the ball so far this season has had little to no effect on the scoreboard. If and when they prove they can actually score consistently when fed the ball, then I am definitely with you. Until then, as I've said previously, their points need to come from put-backs of offensive rebounds.

Between them, Ice and Jana are scoring over 10 points and just under 9 rebounds per game in 34 minutes between them. That's not "little".

 

[Charliebball]

Did you not read the "and/or" in my first sentence? Getting either of them the ball so far this season has had little to no effect on the scoreboard. If and when they prove they can actually score consistently when fed the ball, then I am definitely with you. Until then, as I've said previously, their points need to come from put-backs of offensive rebounds.

Exactly my point..........the only way Jana will improve her offensive prowess is by playing on a consistent basis until she's rolling or until she shows she's not capable.........

 

[WiseWillie]

One thing that gets in the way of Jana’s consistency, I suspect, is conditioning. This looks like it’s a work in progress and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her running the court better at the end of January than she is now. Also, and this is trivial but may be indicative, in her two starts she lost both opening tips to smaller players. She barely jumped each time. What I’m getting at is she may not be comfortable jumping yet.

Once Jana is fully comfortable running and jumping we may see much better consistency in her play.

You may be right about the jumping. Perhaps still some lingering concern of the achilles tear.