Jana's improvement | The Boneyard

Jana's improvement

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Basingstoke

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Among the ways Jana has improved, one of the most quantifiable areas has been her free throw shooting.
She started off (through the Notre Dame game on December 12) shooting a horrible 6 for 17 (35%). Since then she is 17 for 22 (77%) and us up to 59% for the season!
Great work. Jana!
 
Geno said after yesterday's game that it was the best game Jana has played since she has been at UConn. Even though she has been in Storrs for two and a half years, this season is the only one in which she has played, so he really means "this season".

I don't see any reason why she can't use the remaining Big East games, including the BE tournament, to hone the skills that she showed yesterday. If she can play the rest of the season, including the NCAA tournament, at even 90% of the level that she showed yesterday, and if Ice returns to form, UConn will have largely solved its problems with the inside game. And Geno will still have the "small ball" option with Sarah and Aubrey to provide a different game entirely to flummox opponents.
 
Basingstoke said:
Among the ways Jana has improved, one of the most quantifiable areas has been her free throw shooting.
She started off (through the Notre Dame game on December 12) shooting a horrible 6 for 17 (35%). Since then she is 17 for 22 (77%) and us up to 59% for the season!
Great work. Jana!
Expand ...
It was her aggressiveness yesterday that we had only see snipers of before. She was playing with determination, purpose, focus and intent. She actually boxed out and jumped well for rebounds and shots. All she has to do from hereon in is what she did yesterday.
 
I have been high on JANA ever since she signed with Uconn. It broke my heart when she tore her Achilles Tendon and i had to wait until this year to see her play. JANA has all the potential to become a premier 5 in the game. I thought she would blossom quicker than she did and I attributed that to the injury,but now she is making the progress that is paramount to becoming the player I thought and knew she would be. JANA will be a big factor in how far we go. GO FRESHMEN!! GO SOPHOMORES!!! GO HUSKIES!!! GO JANA!!!!
 
Her progress is awesome. That’s is what we need to accomplish our goals. I also liked that everyone was shooting miss or make, if we lost, I’ll take it. Early this year they were not aggressive at all and playing timid. I can live with a loss as long as they dont look scared. I loved it
 
JoePgh said:
Geno said after yesterday's game that it was the best game Jana has played since she has been at UConn. Even though she has been in Storrs for two and a half years, this season is the only one in which she has played, so he really means "this season".

I don't see any reason why she can't use the remaining Big East games, including the BE tournament, to hone the skills that she showed yesterday. If she can play the rest of the season, including the NCAA tournament, at even 90% of the level that she showed yesterday, and if Ice returns to form, UConn will have largely solved its problems with the inside game. And Geno will still have the "small ball" option with Sarah and Aubrey to provide a different game entirely to flummox opponents.
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She also made real Basketball moves ( off the dribble etc ) and left her defender grasping air.
 
She has a scorer's mentality. Loved the crossover move and strong rebounding having only play 21 minutes in this game, she put up impressive numbers. El Alfey will be a nightmare handful for most teams with her rapid growth and determination.
 
Jana has made steady improvement all season. She's basically a freshman since last season she was injured, and i don't recall when she was cleared 100%, but not only did she need to get her head right after the injury (ie. confidence, etc.), she also had to rebuild her strength and endurance.

I'm NOT expecting a double double from her the rest of this season (altho she's capable), and I know that the "small" lineup was surprisingly successful against SC, but I'd still like to see her get more minutes with the starters. In numerous recent big east blowouts, she starts, plays about 6 minutes then sits for most of the rest of the half. She starts the 2nd half and same, then comes in the last 6 minutes with all the subs.

Geno knows way more than I do of course, but I'd still like to see her get more time with most of the starters. She played 22 minutes vs. SJU, 20 vs. PC, 16 vs. Butler, and 20 vs, Depaul. I get that Geno wants to get the subs more minutes in blowouts but it seems the more Jana plays, the more confident she becomes.
 
All about time & effort, plus feeling confident out there for Jana. I am happy for Jana and, this is the perfect time for her (any player really) to show off that improved play. Just around tournament time. Peaking at the right time. Go, Jana. Go!
 
Jana reminds me of Dorka in that at first Dorka wasn't sure of her roll or what to do. It wasnt until just past midseason of her first year with us that she caught on and became a real factor.
Jana is kinda the same. She's in a whole new roll than what she played in Egypt. She had to get the torn Achilles out of her head, learn how to play "Genos" style and learn her position under the basket "American" style"
Thats a lot for a someone playing their first year in a new system.
I see her getting better and better now that she has a grasp on what she needs to do.
 
I hope Geno is getting ready to shorten the rotation about now and begins to feature Jana more. He's been careful to limit Paige Sarah (and now Azzi) to <30 mins/g and kept Jana at 16 mins. This has left him most of the 4th quarter of games for the end to the roster. But it may now be time to get the Big 3 used to playing 35 mins, giving Jana 20+ mins, and restricting the rotation to 8.

Against SC, Jana played 22 mins and the rest of the key players were Paige (35) Azzi (35) Sarah (31) Kaitlyn (18) Ash (24) KK (24) and Aubrey (9). If we don't get Ice back before the end of the BE tournament, I'd expect this to be more or less the distribution for much of the rest of the season. Aubrey's minutes may grow and Jana's shrink in specific games.
 
Jana finally slowed down once she made moves toward the basket with the ball and this was very noticeable. She looked confident and patient and demonstrated touch. In the earlier games she looked like she was rushing her shots and the results were not good and frustrating to watch.

I’ll be looking forward to seeing her build on this performance in the next two weeks before the BE tournament starts.
 
Having watched the earlier tapes of Jana in Egypt she played similar to Stewie's style of play!
Inside and outside, more ball action than just a 5 does!
She showed some of that last Sunday vs SoCar!
Hopefully she's getting her confidence back at just the right time going into the Tournaments!
 
Jana's performance was actually one of my favorite parts of the SC game. I thught she was great. When she "Jelly Legged" the SC player in the paint for a basket, my wife and I both screamed out loud. Awesome!

Still a few "silly" mistakes and fouls, but can't wait to see what she will be like next year at this time. I'm betting she will be a double double machine. Very happy for her.
 
I was very impressed with how Jana played. To be totally honest, I was surprised at the accolades she received prior to arrival. No disrespect (!!!) but Egypt isn't known for its super competitive basketball league, and their national teams play in the African basketball circuit which is also not the most competitive circuit.
That being said, I have complete faith in the recruiting abilities of the Huskies so if they think she fits - it's a no brainer for me. Obviously she needs adjustment time (plus, coming off of a Achilles tear, that's super rough and really affects you mentally and physically).
If she's coming into her own now, that's perfect timing.
 
Jana's development may be the difference in the tournament. She showed signs of poise patience and confidence. She was under control and not rushing. From what Ive read we all saw the player we knew she could be. Jana had one good game and her continued development will make us even tuffer to beat. I cant wait for the Seton Hall. I expect UConn to take another step forward.
 
So often (less Jana) because of the scout that she can actually hit from the foul-line...

Our center's ...Kiah comes to mind...often turned around in the vicinity of the foul-line to find no one guarding them...at least not closely.

I always hoped, begged...for Kiah to just rumble straight to the hoop...which she hardly ever did.

Jana will if given the opportunity.
 
Now Geno just needs to keep playing her through her mistakes. We have a number of weak opponents going forward where she can continue to improve.
 
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