Is this even the same Anna?

[pvdoggy]

I came across this again last night and watched a little of it. I know the competition is a little different but I wish this Anna would start to show up in Storrs soon.

 

[HopJim]

You could ask the same question about many players when comparing their experiences prior to UConn. Example, how did Megan Walker compare two years ago as frosh to her Player of the Year performance in high school.

 

[Argonaut]

If you just compiled her highlights (steals, passes, and rebound, too, not just FGs) so far this year, she’d look pretty darn good for a freshman.

Many of the mistakes she’s made aren’t mistakes according to FIBA rules, so there are going to be some of those growing pains. She’s getting there.

Go through the official social media pages and watch the top 5 plays from every game and pay attention to how many Anna has a hand in. She’s holding her own.

 

[pvdoggy]

If you just compiled her highlights (steals, passes, and rebound, too, not just FGs) so far this year, she’d look pretty darn good for a freshman.

Many of the mistakes she’s made aren’t mistakes according to FIBA rules, so there are going to be some of those growing pains. She’s getting there.

Go through the official social media pages and watch the top 5 plays from every game and pay attention to how many Anna has a hand in. She’s holding her own.

That could be it. She just seems more assertive in that video.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

In yesterday's pregame interview she said that the Euro game was slower and less physical. Those are rather fundamental things to adjust to. Luckily Anna can take the rough stuff quite well.

 

[Dooooooomed]

It usually takes time for European players to adjust to the American game, and I think her early season struggles got into her head.

 

[Dooooooomed]

LOL @RockyMTblue2 beat me to it.

 

[oldude]

I came across this again last night and watched a little of it. I know the competition is a little different but I wish this Anna would start to show up in Storrs soon.

Beware of highlight videos.....

 

[Dokey]

If you just compiled her highlights (steals, passes, and rebound, too, not just FGs) so far this year, she’d look pretty darn good for a freshman.

Many of the mistakes she’s made aren’t mistakes according to FIBA rules, so there are going to be some of those growing pains. She’s getting there.

Go through the official social media pages and watch the top 5 plays from every game and pay attention to how many Anna has a hand in. She’s holding her own.

Yes, I commented under another theme that Anna is a frequent major participant in Top Five play videos. Highlight videos are just that, they don’t often make low light videos.

 

[Bronxjeff]

Yes, I commented under another theme that Anna is a frequent major participant in Top Five play videos. Highlight videos are just that, they don’t often make low light videos.

I don't think Anna has had too many lowlight moments, sometimes a little too slow but never goofy/wrongheaded. To me she seems like a slow and steady player - Maria Conlon with more moves to the hoop and incredibly good court sense / passing.

 

[CL82]

I look at that video and I see exactly the same player playing at exactly the same pace. The difference is the players around her. Keep in mind she also has to learn a new system and the capabilities and expectations of the players around, all while adjusting to a new country.

I think she will be fine, but for those who expected her to come in and dominate, your disappointment is due to your unrealistic expectation, not Anna’s performance.

 

[Dokey]

I just watched highlights from an earlier video of a 16 year old Anna. Highlights can give a false sense when taken as a whole but when you see someone making multiple great passes, as well as the form in sinking threes, you see why she was heavily recruited by U.S. college teams. You can also see why she was inspired by watching DT to come to UConn and why an Ionesco-led Oregon also pursued her. Those lightning, accurate full court passes reminded me of Lou. All this just suggests to me that she is a freshman trying to find her role at UConn. Geno knows it is there, hence his comment that she needs to play like a one and done male player. Many of her plays came as a point guard, others as a shooting guard, which makes me think she is deferring to her older teammates Of course, when you see highlight films of young stars like her you have to take into consideration that she is playing against other young players who aren’t in her class. Still, if there is a missing ingredient to Anna’s game, it is a lack of greed, not speed.

 

[cohenzone]

I think she is doing fine and improving on a team that is relying more on freshmen performing than most past UConn teams, given that the two seniors are pretty limited and that Westbrook wasn't available. Her shot is coming along well and she isn't afraid to shoot anymore. Once she adjusts fully to the speed of the game I believe the turnovers will reduce.

 

[Huskie02]

During preseason Anna was really hyped as to her performance In practice. There was lots of talk initially of her being the fifth starter. That’s a lot of pressure to put on an 18 year old. Makes me wonder if we aren’t doing the same thing with next years class. There already seems to be that same pressure being applied to Paige. We’ve already anointed her the second coming of Sue Bird. Most of Ann’s offensive turnovers are for traveling. If the coaching staff could just get her to stop shuffling her feet, it could make a big difference in terms of her play.

 

[Sonny44]

We're just getting to know her.

 

[BobbyJ]

I just watched highlights from an earlier video of a 16 year old Anna. Highlights can give a false sense when taken as a whole but when you see someone making multiple great passes, as well as the form in sinking threes, you see why she was heavily recruited by U.S. college teams. You can also see why she was inspired by watching DT to come to UConn and why an Ionesco-led Oregon also pursued her. Those lightning, accurate full court passes reminded me of Lou. All this just suggests to me that she is a freshman trying to find her role at UConn. Geno knows it is there, hence his comment that she needs to play like a one and done male player. Many of her plays came as a point guard, others as a shooting guard, which makes me think she is deferring to her older teammates Of course, when you see highlight films of young stars like her you have to take into consideration that she is playing against other young players who aren’t in her class. Still, if there is a missing ingredient to Anna’s game, it is a lack of greed, not speed.

Heavily recruited? Could you link to this information? Nika Muhl was recruited by Oregon, L'ville, Ohio St, and So.Fla. I find nothing about Makurat being heavily recruited.

 

[Argonaut]

Heavily recruited? Could you link to this information? Nika Muhl was recruited by Oregon, L'ville, Ohio St, and So.Fla. I find nothing about Makurat being heavily recruited.

Polish Guard Anna Makurat Excited to Play for ‘Rock Star’ Geno Auriemma at UConn

It mentions some her options being second choice Oregon, Ohio State, USF, and Utah (with her sister).

 

[Lucelab113]

You could ask the same question about many players when comparing their experiences prior to UConn. Example, how did Megan Walker compare two years ago as frosh to her Player of the Year performance in high school.

Exactly! She is 16 games into her career!

 

[Dooooooomed]

Will the real Anna Makarut please stand up, please stand up, please stand up??

 

[Dokey]

Will the real Anna Makarut please stand up, please stand up, please stand up??

I think you saw the real Anna today.

 

[chrissaran]

Anna did everything she can do today. If Anna and Aubrey play like they did today, we have a good chance to go the Final Four.

 

[pvdoggy]

What a timely response to my post by Anna today

 

[HopJim]

Not overreacting to Anna's game today, but what a great signing by Geno! Who would ever expect Geno to reach into Poland, but Anna is the only solid sub we have this year. Fun to watch.

 

[heavyhusky]

Anna was 2 for 19 from behind the arc in the first 5 games of the season. Since then she is 23 for 46 (50%)! Those are KML-like numbers. "Gunner" Makurat!