Lou?Lou?

[inthisopinion]

That is pure hogwash! A bust? Two years running? The team lost one (1) game two years in a row. Lou was far from the only weapon and certainly was not the featured player. Her teammates rarely set picks for her, and almost never got her the ball when openly cutting through the key. Kia for example almost never passed her the ball when she was in a position to score. That situation existed for three (3) years. If you truly knew how to analyze the game, you would have realized that the ball was equally distributed to all five better than any team in the country. Whoever had the hot hand was generally delivered the ball ... just as it should be.

 

[Twolf]

I posted this a couple of years ago. Could it be that she is not the player she is made out to be? She is at her best when she can stand on the perimeter and shoot. Not rushed, not contested- just free to shoot. Back then I didn't like that 2-3+ screens were set just to give her shots. This was at the expense of other players production and marked a very unbalanced offense. It bit us in the butt now two years in a row.

Her game has improved immensely. She plays defense a bit now, she rebounds more etc. The offense is still unbalanced. The motion sets are run with looks for anyone else as tertiary at best. There are legitimately 5 weapons on the floor. Effort is only really given to get one gun loaded. Everyone else is an after thought.

Geno for the last 2 years has went with KLS or bust strategy and it has been bust. We won't make the FF this year.

Huh? So, 36-1, 36-1, and 19-2 to date is a bust? Do you realize that 100% of the coaches who are involved on a day to day basis in working with young people just rolled their eyes and wondered if 91-4 is considered a bust, just exactly what am I? The remarkable level of excellence this program has exhibited for many years has obviously spoiled many “fans” and has led to unrealistic expectations of perfection. I do know that there are a multitude of AD’s who would sell their soul in a NY minute to get GA’s signature on a contract and pray for a “bust” like that. Just try to enjoy what you have- it won’t last forever, nor will you always get to watch players like KLS, flaws and all.

 

[Lynx23]

Correct! Presumably they didn't because when you're winning a don't fix it attitude naturally exists.

And yet, somehow, KLS flourished when Kia was the floor general and even managed a few AA's. As did every other starter Kia played with. Everyone except Kia. Hey, you're entitled to your opinion. I just don't agree with you.

 

[CajunHusky]

Is it a problem with Lou? or is it a problem with her teammates?

She's working hard. She posts up but her teammates don't pass to her. Her teammates don't kick the ball out to her. Her teammates really don't work too hard to help her get open.

One of the problems last year was if you passed the ball to Azura she did not kick it out.

 

[DefenseBB]

I will try to stay measured in my comments to aid the uninitiated with some of their really bizarre and “entitled fan” comments.
1. KLS is our tallest player and has been asked to rebound significantly more.
2. KLS is now our second best play maker and has to involve (or wants to involve) more of her teammates
3. KLS IS getting hit more this year by teams being extremely physical. This happened to both Stewie and Diana AND it affected them similarly until they got used to it (see both DT and Stewie’s Junior/Soph years).
4. The team has played an absurd amount of away games with constant travel unfamiliar rims/background/lighting and atmosphere. AKA the “circus in town”
5. The pressure to perform at UConn is already very high and given the past 6 year run, it has to be even higher now, and she knows it. She is pressing.
6. The Top 20 Wooden award list is listed and Lou is better than 10 other players on it so saying she’s 3rd team is just illogical.
Yes, she has struggled at times this year, however there is still 15+ games left so...

My goodness we’re 19-2, KLS averages 18.3 pmts, 6.9 reb, 73-29 A/to ratio and people want to go negative?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I will try to stay measured in my comments to aid the uninitiated with some of their really bizarre and “entitled fan” comments.
1. KLS is our tallest player and has been asked to rebound significantly more.
2. KLS is now our second best play maker and has to involve (or wants to involve) more of her teammates
3. KLS IS getting hit more this year by teams being extremely physical. This happened to both Stewie and Diana AND it affected them similarly until they got used to it (see both DT and Stewie’s Junior/Soph years).
4. The team has played an absurd amount of away games with constant travel unfamiliar rims/background/lighting and atmosphere. AKA the “circus in town”
5. The pressure to perform at UConn is already very high and given the past 6 year run, it has to be even higher now, and she knows it. She is pressing.
6. The Top 20 Wooden award list is listed and Lou is better than 10 other players on it so saying she’s 3rd team is just illogical.
Yes, she has struggled at times this year, however there is still 15+ games left so...

My goodness we’re 19-2, KLS averages 18.3 pmts, 6.9 reb, 73-29 A/to ratio and people want to go negative?

Like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like etc etc ad infinitum (stumped spell checker with that!)

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

I will try to stay measured in my comments to aid the uninitiated with some of their really bizarre and “entitled fan” comments.
1. KLS is our tallest player and has been asked to rebound significantly more.
2. KLS is now our second best play maker and has to involve (or wants to involve) more of her teammates
3. KLS IS getting hit more this year by teams being extremely physical. This happened to both Stewie and Diana AND it affected them similarly until they got used to it (see both DT and Stewie’s Junior/Soph years).
4. The team has played an absurd amount of away games with constant travel unfamiliar rims/background/lighting and atmosphere. AKA the “circus in town”
5. The pressure to perform at UConn is already very high and given the past 6 year run, it has to be even higher now, and she knows it. She is pressing.
6. The Top 20 Wooden award list is listed and Lou is better than 10 other players on it so saying she’s 3rd team is just illogical.
Yes, she has struggled at times this year, however there is still 15+ games left so...

My goodness we’re 19-2, KLS averages 18.3 pmts, 6.9 reb, 73-29 A/to ratio and people want to go negative?

@DefenseBB I think you hit the things that have "impacted" Lou's game this year. Sure she is in a "slump" with the 3 (even TOP Professionals have "slumps"...and "The Mighty Casey did strike out")..., but she continues to contribute TO THE TEAM in many ways. Is she "tired"...maybe. Is she "under pressure"... maybe. Is she still one of the top players in NCAA WBB... I believe she is!!! Her recent slump has put some shade on NPOY chances, but it's possible she can play herself back into contention. BUT to Lou..., doing everything she can to help the Team...and winning the NC are WAY more important than any individual award. Detractors consistently over look her 2 time 1st Team AA and 2 time invitation to the announcement of the NPOY presentation... these awards NOT driven by UCONN or BYers, but chosen by some mysterious group of experts. She was also one of a few College players invited to the Olympic WBB camp, and would have been for this past summer's world cup had she not had ankle surgery right after last season ended.
She will fix the 3...but more importantly, she will continue to bust her butt for the Team and the potential that it has within.

GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[CTBballfan243]

Maybe Lou is just like most college seniors and just wants to be “done” and move on to the next phase of her life.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Maybe Lou is just like most college seniors and just wants to be “done” and move on to the next phase of her life.

 

[dogged1]

Like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like etc etc ad infinitum (stumped spell checker with that!)

What he said. Me too. Ditto. Roger that. Thank you @DefenseBB

 

[Sam.the.Man]

And yet, somehow, KLS flourished when Kia was the floor general and even managed a few AA's. As did every other starter Kia played with. Everyone except Kia. Hey, you're entitled to your opinion. I just don't agree with you.

First of all, Kia was never the "floor general" and the only player she managed was herself. She was a great player and the only thing I've ever had against her is what I've said ... she almost never threw the ball to Lou when Lou was in a position to score. You don't have to agree with me, the facts will speak for themselves. To prove them, go back and truly analyze the games, concentrating on the interaction between Kia and Lou.

 

[trisailin]

I read this thread and I can come to only one conclusion:

WE'RE DOOMED!!!!

 

[Lynx23]

First of all, Kia was never the "floor general" and the only player she managed was herself. She was a great player and the only thing I've ever had against her is what I've said ... she almost never threw the ball to Lou when Lou was in a position to score. You don't have to agree with me, the facts will speak for themselves. To prove them, go back and truly analyze the games, concentrating on the interaction between Kia and Lou.

In my opinion Kia was very much the floor general, constantly directing traffic and pointing to spots on the floor players should move to. I think that's been missing this year. That's my opinion. You are entitled to yours and I respect that. Let's leave it at that. Whether or not Kia passed the ball to Lou is not so important an issue as to warrant my time looking at past games. That's the past. I would probably see something different anyway since perception can be tricky like that. We both want the same thing for this current team going forward so lets just agree to disagree. Great game for Lou last night and I hope her production continues.

 

[DefenseBB]

Talk about silencing her critics with an epic performance, here is her line from last night:
31 point, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks ALL 5 categories led the team.
This was on 9/11 FG, 2-2 3 pt shooting, 11/13 FT ALL accomplished in only 20 minutes of game time!
Add in a highlight reel pass back to Crystal Dangerfield and some nifty shots with us finally being back at home!
You go girl, you go!

 

[pvdoggy]

Talk about silencing her critics with an epic performance, here is her line from last night:
31 point, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks ALL 5 categories led the team.
This was on 9/11 FG, 2-2 3 pt shooting, 11/13 FT ALL accomplished in only 20 minutes of game time!
Add in a highlight reel pass back to Crystal Dangerfield and some nifty shots with us finally being back at home!
You go girl, you go!

Great overall game by Lou, but when asked about Lou's breaking out of her shooting slump, even Geno said that most of Lou's points did not come from actual shooting, most were layups type basket.

 

[HuskyNan]

Great overall game by Lou, but when asked about Lou's breaking out of her shooting slump, even Geno said that most of Lou's points did not come from actual shooting, most were layups type basket.

IDC how she scores as long the ball goes through the hoop

 

[Jaybird65]

IDC how she scores as long the ball goes through the hoop

He also talked about her getting to the free throw line, posting up & her doing things to get in close shots. 31 is 31....

 

[Twolf]

First of all, Kia was never the "floor general" and the only player she managed was herself. She was a great player and the only thing I've ever had against her is what I've said ... she almost never threw the ball to Lou when Lou was in a position to score. You don't have to agree with me, the facts will speak for themselves. To prove them, go back and truly analyze the games, concentrating on the interaction between Kia and Lou.

You are entitled to your opinion, but there are opinions in your post that aren’t backed up by basketball certainty, #1 is that you can never be a great player if you “almost never” throw the ball to an open teammate, and definitely not when that player has the shooting acumen of KLS. #2, if you have a perimeter player who doesn’t pass to an open player, especially a great shooter, it would be an absolute impossibility for the teams they played together on to have a record of 110-2. #3, if your opinion were fact, then Ms Nurse would be defined as a selfish player. If you truly do want to “analyze film” then go back and watch the games where she completely sacrificed her offensive game to face guard an opponent’s outstanding perimeter star because that’s what gave her team the best chance to win. I would contend that Kia Nurse was the consummate team player and teammate, and would be the poster child for those traits.

#4, and most importantly, if your “theory” was indeed fact, then you don’t know how the UConn program was built, and continues under GA. There is ample film out there of his practices, methods, and the demands he places on his players. If Ms Nurse wasn’t passing to KLS, let’s just say the issue would have been solved , and that would have not been just a suggestion, if you catch my drift.

 

[Waquoit]

First of all, Kia was never the "floor general" and the only player she managed was herself.

Nonsense

 

[oldude]

First of all, Kia was never the "floor general" and the only player she managed was herself. She was a great player and the only thing I've ever had against her is what I've said ... she almost never threw the ball to Lou when Lou was in a position to score. You don't have to agree with me, the facts will speak for themselves. To prove them, go back and truly analyze the games, concentrating on the interaction between Kia and Lou.

During the 3 seasons that Kia and Lou played together, Kia totaled 334 assists, among the highest number of any Husky player. Hard to believe that few if any of those assists went to Lou.

 

[Waquoit]

Talk about silencing her critics with an epic performance..

No, just no. That performance emboldens the critics. That as good as KLS is, she's a step below past greats who stepped up against the varsity. ECU isn't even in the Top 200, stats accrued against teams like them are meaningless. Meanwhile, against the varsity she's shooting 14-45, 31%. It's fair to expect more from an All-American senior leader. I think maybe that's the problem, she's more Silvio then Tony.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Talk about silencing her critics with an epic performance, here is her line from last night:
31 point, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks ALL 5 categories led the team.
This was on 9/11 FG, 2-2 3 pt shooting, 11/13 FT ALL accomplished in only 20 minutes of game time!
Add in a highlight reel pass back to Crystal Dangerfield and some nifty shots with us finally being back at home!
You go girl, you go!

What I never, or rarely, seen mentioned about the players is their defense. In last night's game, according to my count, the man or zone, Lou was guarding accounted for one basket against Uconn, while she was on the court. Those stats aren't in the box score, but i am sure the coaches keep track of them.
In the game at Cincy last weekend, her man or zone accounted for 3 baskets against. In that game, where she couldn't hit a 3 point shot, it didn't effect her "D" and she hit 8 of 9 from the free throw line. If she was tired it didn't effect the other aspects of her game. Yet many here and in the chat room that day were asking for her to be put on the bench.
Oh well.

 

[j66kicker]

Talk about silencing her critics with an epic performance, here is her line from last night:
31 point, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks ALL 5 categories led the team.
This was on 9/11 FG, 2-2 3 pt shooting, 11/13 FT ALL accomplished in only 20 minutes of game time!
Add in a highlight reel pass back to Crystal Dangerfield and some nifty shots with us finally being back at home!
You go girl, you go!

Not to nitpick, but Crystal had 12 assists (career high) and Christyn had 6. Anyway, great game by Lou - just wish she would start (resume) doing it against more than just teams with no starters over 6'0".

 

[oldude]

Not to nitpick, but Crystal had 12 assists (career high) and Christyn had 6. Anyway, great game by Lou - just wish she would start (resume) doing it against more than just teams with no starters over 6'0".

While ECU does start 4 guards, just to be clear, the one forward in the starting lineup, Desiree Corbin is listed at 6’2”.

 

[npignatjr]

No, just no. That performance emboldens the critics. That as good as KLS is, she's a step below past greats who stepped up against the varsity. ECU isn't even in the Top 200, stats accrued against teams like them are meaningless. Meanwhile, against the varsity she's shooting 14-45, 31%. It's fair to expect more from an All-American senior leader. I think maybe that's the problem, she's more Silvio then Tony.

This year only, how about for her career, against teams projected to make the tournament she is 44-84. Also she is the coach on the floor.

 

[Twolf]

IDC how she scores as long the ball goes through the hoop

I used to caddy for my Father who loved to play golf with his buddies, and there were many different wagers going on during the course of 18 holes. My Father had a golf swing that looked like he was killing snakes, but at the end he was collecting $$$. When I asked him about this dichotomy he replied: “son, in any sport when you get to the end they never ask you how, just how many”. I never have forgotten that advice.

 

[DefenseBB]

Not to nitpick, but Crystal had 12 assists (career high) and Christyn had 6. Anyway, great game by Lou - just wish she would start (resume) doing it against more than just teams with no starters over 6'0".

Well my congratulations becuz despite your protesting not to, YOU ARE NITPICKING and with what @Waquoit tried to add to the conversation, KLS is in a “no win situation”. KLS played just 20 min, she is the one who put the game away in the 1st Quarter. She was exactly what she was supposed to be-DOMINANT in all aspects, not just scoring. Crystal Dangerfield IS SUPPOSED TO GET ASSISTS, Lou got 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks- all skills she has continued to develop because they need her to do that. What more did you want against this team-so if she struggled with 17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, you and other critics would complain even more. On this team SHE IS TONY!
Some people are just never happy....

 

[Waquoit]

KLS is in a no-win situation as the team leader. If she doesn't play well against the handful of good teams out there, they no win. Filling the box score in a 60-point win is meaningless.

 

[inthisopinion]

This year only, how about for her career, against teams projected to make the tournament she is 44-84. Also she is the coach on the floor.

And that's playing away from the basket the vast majority of the time. When KLS is vs the top opponents she is the main focus of the opponent's defense. As I've stated before she triggers virtually every half court in bound play despite being the team's best all-around scoring force.

 

[MSGRET]

And that's playing away from the basket the vast majority of the time. When KLS is vs the top opponents she is the main focus of the opponent's defense. As I've stated before here she triggers virtually every half court in bound play despite being the team's best all-around scoring force.

Last nights game Geno had CW throw the inbound play under the basket half of the time while Lou was still in the game. I think he may have done this to see if she might be able to do it against SC so they would have to have someone out on the perimeter to cover Lou, opening up the inside for Phees and Meg.