KML

[Bigpetunia]

The gal's loaded with talent...no doubt about it. But we're beginning to see the downside of having to rely too heavily upon a freshman to excel in any area of the game. For us to be serious final Four contenders this year, KML's scoring output is going to have to become more consistent. Shooting is all about confidence, and right now she's lost it. She still contributes well on defense and in rebounding, but our fantastic defensive effort notwithstanding, we're going to need much better offensive numbers, especially from her, to beat the very top teams. When her stroke from the perimeter is off, as it has been for a while now, we are struggling to put up the kind of numbers we'll need in March. I have no doubt about her long-term success, but she's playing very much like an underconfident Freshman now. Yes, we held a pretty tough opponent to under 50 on their own floor, and that's great, but we failed to crack 60 ourselves. I think Geno's going to have to swallow hard and just let her (and encourage her) to shoot her way out of this, which she will ultimately succeed in doing, but our hopes, at least for this season, depend on WHEN.

 

[Buzzyboy]

The gal's loaded with talent...no doubt about it. But we're beginning to see the downside of having to rely too heavily upon a freshman to excel in any area of the game. For us to be serious final Four contenders this year, KML's scoring output is going to have to become more consistent. Shooting is all about confidence, and right now she's lost it. She still contributes well on defense and in rebounding, but our fantastic defensive effort notwithstanding, we're going to need much better offensive numbers, especially from her, to beat the very top teams. When her stroke from the perimeter is off, as it has been for a while now, we are struggling to put up the kind of numbers we'll need in March. I have no doubt about her long-term success, but she's playing very much like an underconfident Freshman now. Yes, we held a pretty tough opponent to under 50 on their own floor, and that's great, but we failed to crack 60 ourselves. I think Geno's going to have to swallow hard and just let her (and encourage her) to shoot her way out of this, which she will ultimately succeed in doing, but our hopes, at least for this season, depend on WHEN.

I am at a loss with the very end of your post. I don't think Geno restricts KML's shooting in any way and actually encourages it unless it's a really dumb shot or far too early in the shot clock with no offense run. That doesn't appear to be what's happening so whether KML is shooting or how often she's shooting is probably more based on her confidence level. I still think Geno feels that she is the best shooter he's ever recruited and why would he discourage her shooting her way out of a slump????????????

 

[cferraro04]

I think the only one stopping KML from shooting is KML. After she goes 1 for 8 she starts to lose confidence and doesn't want to be responsible for giving UConn a loss so she starts passing up shots. That is where I loved DT...she could care less how many shots she missed she just kept shooting...she knew sooner or later they were going to start falling. Here's to hoping that KML starts channeling DT.

 

[Dawson]

Now I may be losing it at the tender age of 23, but i'm pretty sure I just saw the girl shoot 5 for 7 from 3 just 10 days ago against Depaul. Let's not lose faith, she's a freshman doing the best she can.

 

[HuskyNan]

Guys, she hit the freshman wall. She'll either push through it and be OK or she won't. Considering how competitive she is, I'm thinking she'll push through sooner than later.

 

[huskeynut]

She will be fine.

 

[Icebear]

She will be fine.

Amen.

 

[connboy77]

Guys, she hit the freshman wall. She'll either push through it and be OK or she won't. Considering how competitive she is, I'm thinking she'll push through sooner than later.

I also agree that KML will be just fine. As you said she has hit the freshman wall but will push through it sooner then later.

 

[VAUConnFan]

I think the only one stopping KML from shooting is KML. After she goes 1 for 8 she starts to lose confidence and doesn't want to be responsible for giving UConn a loss so she starts passing up shots. That is where I loved DT...she could care less how many shots she missed she just kept shooting...she knew sooner or later they were going to start falling. Here's to hoping that KML starts channeling DT.

I could not agree with you more.

 

[Icebear]

One thing that I noticed last night is that KML's shot is a little flat compared to early in the year. Flat and hot vs high and landing soft. That can be a sign of leg weary and the wall.

 

[alexrgct]

Freshman wall seems to be it. Bria wasn't so hot at this stage last season either, albeit she was also visibly banged up.

 

[meyers7]

Yes, we held a pretty tough opponent to under 50 on their own floor, and that's great, but we failed to crack 60 ourselves.

Well actually we did crack 60. But I do agree we are going to need her to score. And I agree with the other posters, she's hitting the wall, and hopefully she will push through it.

 

[pap49cba]

From Rich Elliot's article:

“I’m always telling her, `You should never be worried about taking a shot,’’’ Auriemma said. “She passed up a couple shots (Monday) too. And that’s what happens. Young kids start missing and they go, `OK, I’m not going to shoot it.’ And I let her know about it at halftime and on the bench. I said, `You’re out there for a reason.’ So hopefully she doesn’t let it bother her. But when you’re a young kid and you know people are counting on you to make shots and you’re not it’s easy to just say, `OK, well I don’t want to hurt the team anymore so I’ll stop shooting.’ But those two she made were huge. No question about it. They were really, really huge.’’

 

[Olde Coach]

One thing that I noticed last night is that KML's shot is a little flat compared to early in the year. Flat and hot vs high and landing soft. That can be a sign of leg weary and the wall.

+1 You are right on Ice.

I have gone back and watched some of her early games when her shot was dead on. Her trajectory was higher. And her tempo was slower. The "hard" or "soft"
shot comes from tempo and rhythm.

i.e. KML is hurrying her shot just a little bit -- which is probably the result of a little doubt (loss of confidence)in her inner self.

It is easier for us to see this than it is for Kaleena to fix it.

 

[Icebear]

+1 You are right on Ice.

I have gone back and watched some of her early games when her shot was dead on. Her trajectory was higher. And her tempo was slower. The "hard" or "soft"
shot comes from tempo and rhythm.

i.e. KML is hurrying her shot just a little bit -- which is probably the result of a little doubt (loss of confidence)in her inner self.

It is easier for us to see this than it is for Kaleena to fix it.

Absolutely, OC, seeing is the first step to correction but it is, also, the easiest. Doubt can be the hardest to erase because it only goes away with success.

 

[alexrgct]

From Rich Elliot's article:

“I’m always telling her, `You should never be worried about taking a shot,’’’ Auriemma said. “She passed up a couple shots (Monday) too. And that’s what happens. Young kids start missing and they go, `OK, I’m not going to shoot it.’ And I let her know about it at halftime and on the bench. I said, `You’re out there for a reason.’ So hopefully she doesn’t let it bother her. But when you’re a young kid and you know people are counting on you to make shots and you’re not it’s easy to just say, `OK, well I don’t want to hurt the team anymore so I’ll stop shooting.’ But those two she made were huge. No question about it. They were really, really huge.’’

Gotta love Geno. That was exactly what she needed to hear. She was taking good shots, but they weren't falling. You don't want to discourage her from taking them. If UConn is going to be a championship team this year, she's going to have to take them (and make them), in fact.

 

[Bigpetunia]

Oops, correct, we did manage to crack 60, sorry...but the point is the same. I never suggested that Geno discourages her from trying to shoot her way out of the confidence slump, but I know there are times he needs to suck it up to remain patient. I have no qualms whatsoever about KML's long-term prospects, but this Freshman Wall thing, or whatever it is, is challenging to watch now, and will be more challenging to watch in March if she doesn't pull out of it by then. Just shows that Freshmen named anything but Maya Moore are inevitably destined to be Freshmen, their prodigious talent notwithstanding, a warning for all of us who are salivating (as I am) over the anticipated arrival of Breanna.

 

[pap49cba]

She'll figure it out. Sometimes a quick release becomes a too quick release.

Interestingly, Doty told Kara during a post-game interview that she was focused on taking her time and making sure she squared up to the basket.

 

[HuskyNan]

Kaleena has a reputation as a great scorer but what I especially like about her is that when her shot isn't falling, she does other things to help the team. She had 7 rebounds, 2 steals and played good defense; no pouting from KML.

 

[alexrgct]

Kaleena has a reputation as a great scorer but what I especially like about her is that when her shot isn't falling, she does other things to help the team. She had 7 rebounds, 2 steals and played good defense; no pouting from KML.

Yep, she works her butt off regardless of whether her shot is falling. If Breanna can do the same, UConn will be getting what it needs from her as a frosh.

 

[boontonbomber]

early on i was very impressed with kaleena's passing. she showed great court sense, and showed no fear in making entry passes into the post, or cross-courting it when someone was open. and they were sharp, confident passes. i don't see much of that anymore. she seems to have gotten very tentative with the ball. she had 34 assists thru the first 15 games, but only 9 in the last 7. she's a great passer, so i don't know why she would go away from such a strong part of her game. she's making the mechanical passes, not the creative ones. she should not be worried about the bad pass any more than worried about the missed shot. she is a very rare talent, one who complements a great skill set with a great work ethic. hopefully she'll go back to playing loose and free , as she seemed to early in the season.

 

[HGN]

Yep, she works her butt off regardless of whether her shot is falling. If Breanna can do the same, UConn will be getting what it needs from her as a frosh.

I agree Alex, KML is a hard worker.....She does other things to help us win (rebound , hustle , and play good D). Her shot will come around. Missing a few does seem to make her hesitate and lose some confidence. But she will overcome that as well. But she has to keep shooting. Also , keep in mind the other teams are glueing a body to her as soon as she comes in the game. Defenders trail her around almost back to the UCONN huddle. She rarely gets a wide open look anymore.

 

[magic]

I agree Alex, KML is a hard worker.....She does other things to help us win (rebound , hustle , and play good D). Her shot will come around. Missing a few does seem to make her hesitate and lose some confidence. But she will overcome that as well. But she has to keep shooting. Also , keep in mind the other teams are glueing a body to her as soon as she comes in the game. Defenders trail her around almost back to the UCONN huddle. She rarely gets a wide open look anymore.

I always thought that HUSKY offensive scheme was to make the extra pass for the higher percentage shot? Sometimes KML just puts up treys. She showed a more complete game early in the year. GA used to scream about MM getting to the line more. KML should be striving for the same.

 

[VAMike23]

early on i was very impressed with kaleena's passing. she showed great court sense, and showed no fear in making entry passes into the post, or cross-courting it when someone was open. and they were sharp, confident passes. i don't see much of that anymore. she seems to have gotten very tentative with the ball. she had 34 assists thru the first 15 games, but only 9 in the last 7. she's a great passer, so i don't know why she would go away from such a strong part of her game. she's making the mechanical passes, not the creative ones. she should not be worried about the bad pass any more than worried about the missed shot. she is a very rare talent, one who complements a great skill set with a great work ethic. hopefully she'll go back to playing loose and free , as she seemed to early in the season.

I think Rebecca was right last night when she said it's 'gotten into her head', at least in stretches. KML is of course a great all-around player and scorer, but first and foremost I would bet that she self-identifies as a great shooter. During those times when she goes 0-fer, it probabaly rattles her self confidence more than it would someone else. I remember Kiah saying that KML 'makes shots like it's her job.' KML probably feels that it IS her job, or to be more precise, a big part of it.

The really telling piece of info would be if her outside shooting % and/or her shooting consistency has gone down in practices, or not. I don't recall hearing one way or another in any Geno quotes or from other players in the media writeups.

I still say: "In KML I Trust"

 

[Aluminny69]

I would agree with most of what has been said in this thread. I would describe it as "trying too hard." As a former BB player myself, I know that shooting can definitely be streaky, and for no apparent reason. I have seen virtually all the UConn greats go through shooting droughts, e. g. Maria Conlon and Ann Strother. KMLs shots the first half did not look smooth or comfortable at all. You could tell as soon the ball left her hands it wasn't going in. In contrast, her two shots the second half were very smooth.

I know this has been discussed before. But, my way of dealing with shooting droughts was to drive to the basket, try for layups or closer shots, get some confidence, then work your way back. Nothing is better for your shooting touch and confidence than to get to the foul line, and develop the rhythm of the ball going in the hoop. Unfortunately, KML gave up some easy shots by unselfishly making an extra pass.

That's my two cents worth.