In Geno's Defense

[browns]

Unnoticed was the great job Nika did on Mikesell..she held her to 9 points and only 1 3pointer when Nika was knocked down and no foul was called ..I was kind of surprised Geno didn't have Nika guard Sheldon who had 17 points and ran their offense

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Unnoticed was the great job Nika did on Mikesell..she held her to 9 points and only 1 3pointer when Nika was knocked down and no foul was called ..I was kind of surprised Geno didn't have Nika guard Sheldon who had 17 points and ran their offense

I was shocked by the move to have Nika guard Mikesell instead of Sheldon and instead leave Lou, our worst defender, to guard Sheldon. To me that was the coaching decision I have the most questions about - Sheldon is much more important to that team that Mikesell. I do wonder how much Nika' ankles played a roll in that decision though.

 

[LarryLegend]

I'm one who also cautions about Paige curing the problems when she is cleared to play. Injuries have taken away two years of playing. She is going to be coming back from an ACL injury/ surgery. That is not an easy or quick recovery. We have no idea how she will be able to play. What is her durability going to be.

For that matter, the same question could be asked about Fudd and Ducharme as well.

 

[HopJim]

Yeah cuz having the BE defensive player of the year and having PG that broke Sue Bird's assist records by a mile isnt quite good enough. Get serious!

Upgrading the point guard position can refer to the subs. The past game would have been a good example of when to sit 1-2 of the starters, let them observe the Ohio State press, then quickly put them back in. We were just not deep enough this year, particularly at the PG position.

 

[TCC Kid]

This was a tough game to coach. We can all talk about what could have been done and I mentioned this in another post. There were some coaching issues but they were put in a bind in this game by the following:

1. If you call a time out, you allow them to set up that press: Geno knows calling a timeout allows them to adjust the press given the length of the court. He tried to let them play through because the 'made basket press' is different than the 'out of timeout press' and they couldn't handle the former.
2. Azzi has trouble with presses. It distorts her and she gets unnerved. Remember the Stanford 2022 game. She couldn't help Nika. Nika even couldn't help herself and Geno couldn't trust his starting backcourt.
3. UConn was without a system post player: Think about Gabby Williams. Dolson, Ododa, and hopefully Amari Deberry. Geno puts them in the middle of the floor to beat the press. They're either 6'5 or quick tweeners. With Aaliyah on the bench, Dorka had to score, rebound, screen, block and pass. She was gassed.
4. Backcourt fatigue: Azzi had on a knee brace, Lou had an injured knee and/or foot, Caroline is coming off concussion protocols, Nika couldn't stop grimacing. Geno couldn't yell at them. They were doing the best and that would have exacerbated it. He knew it and had to accept it.

We can talk all day about what coaching a Sweet Sixteen game is like but we'll never know. Burn some sage on this year, thank the ladies for having an INCREDIBLE season and doing their best despite the tough hand they were dealt. And watch the MBB rout teams like the women have for once

If we take the EMOTIONS out of the conversation it saves a lot of negatives.
This team--doesn't have the time together the Kenny Brooke's team VT had. That's a factor--Chemistry. Then too they are a tough bunch of kids on Ohio State and VT--not crude or rude, just tough, mentally tough.
If you look at the past year and a half--you've got to appreciate what they accomplished and under what circumstances. If they could have played with the same 7 players for the whole year--they'd know where the next pass was going --before they got the ball. Then too VT had Georgia Amoore, a terrific ball handler. Uconn's best ball handler was sitting on the bench. Nick is tough, Nika is determined, Nika is great at feeding others--NIKA isn't great in traffic, Paige is, Azzi isn't (yet)-
How do you blame Geno for medical issues, lack of chemistry, in-ability to break the press?
All faults of any team belongs on the coaching staff--EXCEPT --when medical issues destroy the team.

 

[TCC Kid]

Again, I remind you Paige will have played only 17 games in the past 31 months. A lot factors will affect her game. I hope for the best, but still have guarded optimism.

AZZI's return points up the RUST factor and Paige shall be RUSTY. Will the injury hamper her physically or MENTALLY. People tend tofor get Basketball is 60 percent MENTAL and 40 percent physical. That's what happens when PRESSED--the mental side fades--rush rush rush -So I agree, don't expect too much too fast from Paige or the new kids or even ICE. Don't plan on an NC right away.

 

[VaConnFan11]

I hope the coaching staff watched the VA Tech / Ohio St game last night and took notes on how to break the 2-2-1 press.

 

[uconnfan68]

We lost. We didn't look good at all.

Except for Lou, everyone had probably their worst game of the season. It happens. Unfortunately, we are UConn and these things do not happen to UConn teams. Well they do.

As to a lot of this other "stuff" that people are so concerned about, I could care less. Geno and company will go thru and evaluation and what is next.

I'm one who also cautions about Paige curing the problems when she is cleared to play. Injuries have taken away two years of playing. She is going to be coming back from an ACL injury/ surgery. That is not an easy or quick recovery. We have no idea how she will be able to play. What is her durability going to be.

It’s true that no one knows how Paige will be after her recovery, but Sue Bird had a pretty solid career after tearing her ACL in freshman year at UConn.

 

[JBK]

I think they’ll deal with it adequately, Amoore is a great point guard.

She showed it. The press was eliminated in a few minutes. I hope Paige will be that difference maker