Im sorry but....

[cancontent]

It's amazing that there are people who "dislike this post" with a down sign...

Some people would rather not win if it means not starting the usual 5..

Blanca did play 30 minutes last game though.

I think she should play 38-40 minutes for the last two games...

Why? Because she makes stuff happen both offensively and defensively.. She is also the best pure athlete on the team in my opinion....

S.C. and Texas are both good teams and UCLA is no slouch either...

Regardless of hurt feelings, the goal is to win.. More Blanca..

Or some think having someone who can match the size that will be on the court at the start also makes sense. See Michigan and their struggles dealing with Oldacre and Texas' bigs last night.

Yes, Blanca is a fire cracker, but she gives up 4 inches to Okot. Maybe Jana gets more minutes instead of Serah to help mitigate this? The goal is to win, yes, but match ups are also part of the strategy.

 

[Blond D.]

I think the "DISLIKE" sign is a bit harsh. Should be the "DISAGREE" sign.

Maybe also have a "WTF" sigh. ("WHAT THE FREAK" sign for the kiddies)

 

[Dogstar]

Its much more impactful having Blanca come into the game off the bench than starting her and then bringing in Serah or Jana because she's so explosive.

And to your point on the 3Q; UConn always had the lead and Geno is constantly using these games to see what the team can do when things are not going perfectly. And how demoralizing do you think it is for Notre Dame to claw and fight and be within single digits, and then 6'5" Jana comes in grabbing offensive rebounds and getting shots, and then Geno subs in Blanca, UConn's leading scorer for that game. I can only imagine the mental impact that would have on a team to think "hey, we're actually doing ok" and then here comes Blanca off the bench.

Actually Sarah was the leading scorer in the ND game but I get ur point

 

[Cornell Lt]

I like Blanca coming in off the bench. Geno can insert her into the lineup if/when he thinks he needs her. I think it's wise for Geno to continue to bring her in off the bench. I would assume that SC will alter it's lineup when Blanca enters the game, which would be a plus for UConn.

 

[jeff30189]

Some things will always stay the same here - including couch coaches who think they know more about the game and the team than Geno. Blanca comes in at full strength against an opponent who's already expended some energy in the first 4-5 minutes, giving her an advantage. She can also get her own shot - something that very few players can do (Sarah is another, whereas Azzi is not). Why start her when there's no advantage to it? You only have 1 basketball, you don't put all your ball dominant players on the floor at the same time.

 

[Gael]

Geno has 12 national basketball titles.

True, but the next game is not the national title game, where Geno has a 12-1 record. It's the semi-final game, where Geno has a 13-11 record—losing 46% of the time.

Plus, that semi-final game is against South Carolina, which seems to have both a much stronger defense and offense than Notre Dame (as does Texas).

Four years ago, South Carolina was the only team ever to beat Geno in the title game. The Gamecocks also won the national title in 2024 and were in title game in 2025.

Against such a powerful opponent, what's so "unlikable" or "disagreeable" about a fan preferring to start an exceptional offensive and defensive player averaging 16 ppg, right now in the current tourney, over players averaging 6 ppg or 4 ppg? Such a suggestion seems rational to me even if I, or some other fan, or the coach, might prefer the current or some other lineup.

 

[Centerstream]

I think the "DISLIKE" sign is a bit harsh. Should be the "DISAGREE" sign.

Maybe also have a "WTF" sigh. ("WHAT THE FREAK" sign for the kiddies)

I would like to see the return of the Ignore thread option (not saying that this thread should be ignored). If you disagree with what posters are posting and/or are not interested in the thread, then let us have the option to "remove" it from our list.

 

[Dogstar]

I would like to see the return of the Ignore thread option (not saying that this thread should be ignored). If you disagree with what posters are posting and/or are not interested in the thread, then let us have the option to "remove" it from our list.

If you disagree or ur not interested in a post or thread why not try just scrolling by. If you don't like a tv program don't you change the channel ? Just a suggestion.

 

[1974yankees]

Or some think having someone who can match the size that will be on the court at the start also makes sense. See Michigan and their struggles dealing with Oldacre and Texas' bigs last night.

Yes, Blanca is a fire cracker, but she gives up 4 inches to Okot. Maybe Jana gets more minutes instead of Serah to help mitigate this? The goal is to win, yes, but match ups are also part of the strategy.

Or some think having someone who can match the size that will be on the court at the start also makes sense. See Michigan and their struggles dealing with Oldacre and Texas' bigs last night.

Yes, Blanca is a fire cracker, but she gives up 4 inches to Okot. Maybe Jana gets more minutes instead of Serah to help mitigate this? The goal is to win, yes, but match ups are also part of the strategy.

I will take the best athlete (ie: Blanca) vs the "size of the athlete" every single day of the year.

Give me Hannah Hildago (at 5ft 7 inches) over any player in America (other than Strong) size means nothing.

I have been watching this game for a long time and I will be the first to say that Hildago is one of the best players I have ever seen. It might be sacrilegious to say that about a Notre Dame player too but its the truth.

 

[Rings R Us]

If you disagree or ur not interested in a post or thread why not try just scrolling by. If you don't like a tv program don't you change the channel ? Just a suggestion.

Thank you, the fact that people would hate this thread so much it would have to be removed is ridiculous. Just sharing my thoughts about how I felt with the competition ramping up this weekend.

People can disagree with me, didnt think it would need an ignore or remove button. Just stop reading it. Good grief.

 

[Veteran]

We have the greatest head coach and staff in the history of the game. It's safe to assume that he knows what's he's doing.

 

[AzzisBraids]

She's best off the bench. It allows Geno to test the first unit, If Sarah or Ashlynn goes off a bit it only adds to what Blanca can bring when she subs in. Having a game changer off the bench is crucial.

 

[Woof 101]

Fortunately we have Geno making these decisions and not some of the 'coaches' here who seem to feel that they have a better understanding of both the game and team than he does. In Geno we trust (or should, anyway).

But.... But..... Are all here not former / longtime / coaches? Or I just have bought into the hype?
Not to slander anyone but Geno has a clue along with a staff to advise if he is messing things up.
GO DOGS !!!

 

[BobbyJ]

I never used the word "hate" and specially excluded this thread as a candidate to ignore. And the thread is not actually removed, it just disappears from my thread list so I don't have to read any part of it.
I'm only questioning why functionality that was available just disappeared. The other posters or the person who started the thread wouldn't even be aware that I ignored the thread.
There could be another way but I don't know how.

It's not difficult. You can ignore it by not clicking on it.

 

[1974yankees]

It seems to me that Ash, Serah and KK are more defensive minded players whereas Blanca, K9 and Allie are more offensive minded players.
By defensve or offensive minded, I'm refering to what their basketball skillsets allow them to do more of verses less of on a regular basis.
Maybe it's because Geno is a "defense first" minded coach which means that at the worst UConn could fall behind early in the game but there would still be plenty of time for UConn to make a comeback after the offensive subs are inserted into the game.
IMO this is also why UConn generally has so many points scored off the bench.
Maybe Geno feels that he gets better scoring efficiency by the offensive minded players when they don't start, or he doesn't care as much if UConn falls behind early.
Most teams have a lot of scoring jitters at the beginning of the NCAAT games anyway.
And there's always the possibility that the defensiive minded players can work enough magic to put UConn in the lead.
If a coach wants defense to be the priority then the defensive minded players are going to be the starters.

"Blanca and K9 are more offensive minded"

I am sorry to disagree with that. Both Blanca and K9 are excellent on defense and offense. Allie is better on just O...

Blanca is one of the rare players who is not only athletic but she is a very skilled player too.

K9 is very skilled too.

 

[Cuango]

Some things will always stay the same here - including couch coaches who think they know more about the game and the team than Geno. Blanca comes in at full strength against an opponent who's already expended some energy in the first 4-5 minutes, giving her an advantage. She can also get her own shot - something that very few players can do (Sarah is another, whereas Azzi is not). Why start her when there's no advantage to it? You only have 1 basketball, you don't put all your ball dominant players on the floor at the same time.

Not sure why Azzi can’t get her own shot? I agree she doesn’t do it as often as she should but I have to disagree on that.

 

[Rings R Us]

True, but the next game is not the national title game, where Geno has a 12-1 record. It's the semi-final game, where Geno has a 13-11 record—losing 46% of the time.

Plus, that semi-final game is against South Carolina, which seems to have both a much stronger defense and offense than Notre Dame (as does Texas).

Four years ago, South Carolina was the only team ever to beat Geno in the title game. The Gamecocks also won the national title in 2024 and were in title game in 2025.

Against such a powerful opponent, what's so "unlikable" or "disagreeable" about a fan preferring to start an exceptional offensive and defensive player averaging 16 ppg, right now in the current tourney, over players averaging 6 ppg or 4 ppg? Such a suggestion seems rational to me even if I, or some other fan, or the coach, might prefer the current or some other lineup.

Thank you! Cant understand the uproar against this thought process.

 

[1974yankees]

True, but the next game is not the national title game, where Geno has a 12-1 record. It's the semi-final game, where Geno has a 13-11 record—losing 46% of the time.

Plus, that semi-final game is against South Carolina, which seems to have both a much stronger defense and offense than Notre Dame (as does Texas).

Four years ago, South Carolina was the only team ever to beat Geno in the title game. The Gamecocks also won the national title in 2024 and were in title game in 2025.

Against such a powerful opponent, what's so "unlikable" or "disagreeable" about a fan preferring to start an exceptional offensive and defensive player averaging 16 ppg, right now in the current tourney, over players averaging 6 ppg or 4 ppg? Such a suggestion seems rational to me even if I, or some other fan, or the coach, might prefer the current or some other lineup.

I think the "uproar" is because people are worried feelings may get hurt by the two players averaging 6 ppg and 4 ppg.

Especially if Geno plays the superior player (Blanca) more. Who happens to be a freshman too.

One side note:

Yes Geno is a great coach but the truth is, his 12 championships were because he had the absolute best players. Stewart/Diana and Maya were personally responsible for 9 of those 12 championships. And they all played a ton of minutes in the biggest games.

Seriously, would Geno have won those 9 titles without Stewart/Diana and Maya? So maybe the players do have something to do with this. Just a thought.

 

[meyers7]

Blanca should really be starting. I know he won't change things at this point it seems like, but at least put her into the much quicker if we have a slow start. Also, do we really want to risk having a slow start?? She makes an immediate impact when she comes into the game, why not start with that?

I believe in the 3rd quarter against Notre Dame we were struggling to score or do much of anything, and he didn't put her in until almost 5 minutes into the quarter.

That's just not going to cut it against the competition we have going forward.

Hmmmm, we're 38-0, yeah not good enough, let's go change some things around.

Sometimes, people on here.....

 

[meyers7]

Thats MS. Naismith to you, Bub! Truth be told, this should have happened earlier in the year, but I know he obviously won't change it now. We can't get into extended lulls against South Carolina, or if we advance against the next team.

Just my opinion folks, pleeeeeease forgive me for having one! 😉

Well everyone is entitled to an opinion......doesn't mean it's not silly though.

 

[GetReal2day]

not sure why some folks are so touchy about whether other folks can have their own opinions and why push shade on them? Most everyone here has the same hope for a successful outcome over the next two games.

 

[HuskyNan]

not sure why some folks are so touchy about whether other folks can have their own opinions and why push shade on them? Most everyone here has the same hope for a successful outcome over the next two games.

Conversely, this being the Boneyard and all, people posting an opinion, knowing it’s going to have dissenters, shouldn’t try to play victim when they get pushback, either

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I think the "DISLIKE" sign is a bit harsh. Should be the "DISAGREE" sign.

Maybe also have a "WTF" sigh. ("WHAT THE FREAK" sign for the kiddies)

Oh lawd 😂 I would love to be able to add custom emoticons!

 

[Enrique]

When the opposing team begins to get a measure of the UConn team on the floor, Geno puts in Blanca the wrecking ball to shake up the opposing players just as they were starting to settle into a rhythem. It is a great strategy that few other teams can match.

 

[HuskyNan]

Oh lawd 😂 I would love to be able to add custom emoticons!

You can use the emojis on your phone

👀🐾😡😈🤡😵‍💫

 

[Woof 101]

One side note:

Yes Geno is a great coach but the truth is, his 12 championships were because he had the absolute best players. Stewart/Diana and Maya were personally responsible for 9 of those 12 championships. And they all played a ton of minutes in the biggest games.

Seriously, would Geno have won those 9 titles without Stewart/Diana and Maya? So maybe the players do have something to do with this. Just a thought.

Do realize the players you mention came here to play for Geno ; ) The best coaches draw the best players, no difficult math here.
Blanca is doing great coming off the bench and will most likely not be in that position next year.
Twelve rings speaks for itself. Those that doubt that should apply for his job early. Not going to be here forever and a great opportunity for the many armchair coaches to cash in on a top women's basketball coaching position.
Not sure I would want to follow him or the ace at his side. For now we have to enjoy the ride ; )

 

[1974yankees]

"The best coaches draw the best players"

Maybe, but on the flip side of that coin: The best players also make the coach look like the best too.

It's hard to lose when you have Stewart/Diana and Maya.

Those 3 were not only the best 3 players in the country but an argument can be made they were the 3 best who ever lived.

Do realize the players you mention came here to play for Geno ; ) The best coaches draw the best players, no difficult math here.
Blanca is doing great coming off the bench and will most likely not be in that position next year.
Twelve rings speaks for itself. Those that doubt that should apply for his job early. Not going to be here forever and a great opportunity for the many armchair coaches to cash in on a top women's basketball coaching position.
Not sure I would want to follow him or the ace at his side. For now we have to enjoy the ride ; )