Meg Culmo and The Game

[hoophuskee]

I guess Culmo does an OK job for the casual and less knowledgeable fans but if you really know the game, you don't really need to listen to her. She doesn't really add anything to the game for you. Kara Lawson is the only analyst I keep the sound on for. Lawson is being wasted sitting in a studio. I wish she was doing most of the men's games as well.

I see the arrogance shining right through. Can I say as a reply that only the arrogant and delusional fan only believes that one analyst can do the job? Thanks for hijacking the thread.

Man--- you talk about a thread that has been hijacked this is certainly one. Might as well have mods block this now.

For those of you that ignored the thread and hijacked it with your personal thought of Meg and calling us that like her "less knowledgeable" - thank you.

 

[CocoHusky]

1-- If you have the Cinci game at end of 1st half - 2:25 left- MoJeff came down the court without passing and took a three and nailed it. I didn't hear anything about "making the extra pass. Only praise for MoJeff. My issue at times with Meg is that she will criticize a three like that when it misses. But when it goes in-- nothing. I think one time this year she criticized a three that went in.

2-- Meg often criticizes one or two passes then a quick 3. As you suggest she prefers the team make "the extra pass." But right after the play above, the very next play, MoJeff comes down the court, comes off a pick from Stewie, passes it to Stewie at the 3pt line and Stewie hits the 3. That was ONE pass and a shot. Meg said "How can you leave Stewie that wide open?" So she was okay with Stewie taking the shot. Why? This is one pass and a shot. Where is the "extra pass" in this instance? If being wide open is the parameter, then why criticize others when they are wide open as much as she does after one pass and a shot?

3-- IMO if MoJeff missed her shot and or Stewie did, she would have beat the drum about making "the extra pass." UCONN wants to push pace. On a fastbreak when is it okay to fire up a 3 on a fastbreak or delayed fastbreak? How many passes should there be? For example, MoJeff is flying upcourt, she passes to Nurse or KLS at the three point line, they are open, is it okay for either to shoot the 3? If you say yes it is okay, then what does "make the extra pass" mean in this scenario? It is one pass and shoot. If it is such a bad shot to take the 3, then why doesn't Geno immediately pull the player after "not making the extra pass?"

Like Wally I am confused by what we are critiquing. Reference your number 2 above the MO /Stewie Pick and Roll is a set play (called by Geno) specifically designed for Stewie to take a shot. That side of the floor is usually cleared out. It would not make sense to pass the ball away from your best two players. A shot taken by KLS is also not the same as the same as a shot taken by Stewie (or anybody else) regardless of how many passes proceeded.

 

[BigBird]

OK, who does a "perfect" job as a game commentator for women's college basketball? Who analyzes and assesses team strategy and particular plays during live play (without, of course, intruding themselves too far into the action)? Who does a complete and timely reporting on play and events (fouls-- which, who, why) and substitutions (who, why). Could any of us do it?-- self-nominations encouraged.

What are the most common and irritating lapses: being slanted toward teams or conferences, nattering and chattering about off-court matters, reiterating-- ad nauseum-- widely repeated clichés about players, omitting on-court plays and events, etc. Should we be grateful to those who manages to avoid excesses in any of those areas of sin?

Spot on! Good PBP is difficult in one way; good color commentary is difficult in quite another way. Doing either one is actually a humbling experience. You'll learn very quickly just how talented you aren't.

 

[Adesmar123]

Like Wally I am confused by what we are critiquing. Reference your number 2 above the MO /Stewie Pick and Roll is a set play (called by Geno) specifically designed for Stewie to take a shot. That side of the floor is usually cleared out. It would not make sense to pass the ball away from your best two players. A shot taken by KLS is also not the same as the same as a shot taken by Stewie (or anybody else) regardless of how many passes proceeded.

Good comments....maybe that is what I am looking for from Meg - that kind of analysis. But I can see where some viewers might want something less technical. Its tough to provide commentary for all levels. But I still say "that was a bad pass" doesn't really help anyone.

 

[Adesmar123]

Spot on! Good PBP is difficult in one way; good color commentary is difficult in quite another way. Doing either one is actually a humbling experience. You'll learn very quickly just how talented you aren't.

Agreed. I have done soccer and basketball local cable tv analysis and found myself being repetitive and boring. So I started a thread criticizing myself.

 

[BigBird]

Unless I am mistaken, UConn's offense is a variant on the Tex Winters "triangle" that the Chicago Bulls ran with MJ (and after MJ). Unless you are on the break, or unless you ARE MJ, a shot is "quick" if the entire offense isn't set. In this instance, and especially from the arc, you are rather unlikely to get the rebound.

The so-called "extra" pass isn't really extra at all. It just means that the ball movement was so good that eventually someone gave up a good shot opportunity so that a team mate could get a better one. This is something UConn does with a flourish. Meghan knows this, and I'd suppose that informs her comments.

 

[BigBird]

Agreed. I have done soccer and basketball local cable tv analysis and found myself being repetitive and boring. So I started a thread criticizing myself.

Same here. Broadcast radio and cable TV productions. Soccer, basketball, softball (favorite), and volleyball. Forty years worth. But I never felt that I had arrived at a place where I couldn't learn something new and do my craft better. Like I said, it teaches one both professionalism and humility at the same time. I never mastered it, but boy did I love the pursuit!

 

[Carnac]

I've always enjoyed Megan Culmo's commentary, and lament the loss of her fascinating discussions with the coach on CPTV's Geno Auriemma Show. I enjoy her enthusiasm and enjoyment of the game. She isn't one of these commentators who feel compelled to spew out useless factoids on every player who has just made a basket. And I enjoy her ability to point out fine play by other teams' players, and her admiration for opposing players and teams that fight hard, even when falling behind. She's a down-home type of unaffected commentator who, IMO, adds immensely to the game.

Is she biased towards centers? Perhaps. But I'll let that slip a bit, and just keep in mind that, as a former center, she's, well, biased towards post play.

I did not come to bury Caesar, but to praise him. Ahem.......I guess I'm been listening to Megan so long, I've gotten use to her. I like her. I've been playing, coaching and watching basketball long enough to know what I'm looking at. I don't need an analyst to tell me. I also like Doris Burke. She knows the game. Doris and Megan can call a game for me anytime.

What I don't like is the play-by-play, and color analysts that work UConn games on Fox and CBS (like tonight).
They're outsiders. To me, they don't have any investment in the team. They're just working an assignment. We've all seen more UConn games than they have. I'm really not interested in someone's opinion of UConn that's only seen them once or twice this year. Give me Megan and Eric..........please!!

 

[CocoHusky]

Unless I am mistaken, UConn's offense is a variant on the Tex Winters "triangle" that the Chicago Bulls ran with MJ (and after MJ). Unless you are on the break, or unless you ARE MJ, a shot is "quick" if the entire offense isn't set. In this instance, and especially from the arc, you are rather unlikely to get the rebound.

UCONN runs a motion offense which is not a variation of the Triangle. Motion and Triangle have two major overlapping principles which are ball movement and floor spacing. But as the name motion implies there is significantly more player movement. In Motion offense player movement players is dictated by how the defense plays where as in the triangle the player movement is the same every time making the triangle easier to defend.
You are also incorrect in this statement “a shot is "quick" if the entire offense isn't set.” The objective of the transition offensive (yes the offense is actually called transition) is to take the best available shot before the defense has a chance to recover setup and match up. In Transition a post player “rim runs” -sprint from the defense basket to front of offensive basket and 2 wing players fan out to corners, the other post players trails the play and the PG aggressively looks for the first available good shot. At no time you do not wait for the “entire” offense to be set because that would negate your advantage.

 

[CocoHusky]

I did not come to bury Caesar, but to praise him. Ahem..I guess I'm been listening to Megan so long, I've gotten use to her. I like her. I've been playing, coaching and watching basketball long enough to know what I'm looking at. I don't need an analyst to tell me. I also like Doris Burke. She knows the game. Doris and Megan can call a game for me anytime.

What I don't like is the play-by-play, and color analysts that work UConn games on Fox and CBS (like tonight).
They're outsiders. To me, they don't have any investment in the team. They're just working an assignment. We've all seen more UConn games than they have. I'm really not interested in someone's opinion of UConn that's only seen them once or twice this year. Give me Megan and Eric.....please!!

I also like Meg & Doris and for those that do not I have always advocated the mute button. But I have to disagree with you about this "outsider not invested in the team thing from two different angles. If your assignment is to do color for the game and with that assignment comes a pay check and you are dependent on that paycheck to feed your family aren't you the most invested of all? If you are speaking of an emotional investment in the well being or welfare on "my" team then I still disagree and no thanks. I get the most out of the commentary when they point out something I did not think off (even if I disagree). How is a person as emotional invested in my team as me going to enhance my experience? Laphonso Ellis called the UCONN vs Rutgers NCAA game last year and for a ND guy I though he did a very nice job of preparation-he actually addressed the Rutgers players and go to know them a little bit which came off well in the broadcast.

 

[BigBird]

UCONN runs a motion offense which is not a variation of the Triangle. Motion and Triangle have two major overlapping principles which are ball movement and floor spacing. But as the name motion implies there is significantly more player movement. In Motion offense player movement players is dictated by how the defense plays where as in the triangle the player movement is the same every time making the triangle easier to defend.
You are also incorrect in this statement “a shot is "quick" if the entire offense isn't set.” The objective of the transition offensive (yes the offense is actually called transition) is to take the best available shot before the defense has a chance to recover setup and match up. In Transition a post player “rim runs” -sprint from the defense basket to front of offensive basket and 2 wing players fan out to corners, the other post players trails the play and the PG aggressively looks for the first available good shot. At no time you do not wait for the “entire” offense to be set because that would negate your advantage.

Yeah. But other than that I had it right.

 

[UConn79]

I really enjoy listening to Meg. She is obviously has great first hand knowledge about the history of our program and is a " UConn Homer ", like Phil Rizzuto used to be on Yankee telecasts.

As far as quick shots, when you have great inside players like Stewie and Tuck, why would you want to jack up a quick three before first moving the ball around and giving them a chance to establish position for a better shot.

 

[chrissaran]

Could you haters do better?

 

[boontonbomber]

I really enjoy listening to Meg. She is obviously has great first hand knowledge about the history of our program and is a " UConn Homer ", like Phil Rizzuto used to be on Yankee telecasts.

As far as quick shots, when you have great inside players like Stewie and Tuck, why would you want to jack up a quick three before first moving the ball around and giving them a chance to establish position for a better shot.

Maybe because you're wide open, you're pretty good at making wide-open threes, and because inside baskets are only worth 2 points.

 

[FairView]

Without Meg, we may not have gotten Rebecca to commit (she was her host during her visit), and without Rebecca we probably don't have a single NC, let alone 10. And if you ever saw her play, you'd appreciate her even more.

What does that have to do with the fact that many people feel she is not good at her job? Is your logic that she deserves her job because she helped snag Lobo and that Meg was also a good player in her own right? If that's the case, let's make her the new Athletic Director.

 

[Adesmar123]

Could you haters do better?

And what does that have to do with anything?

 

[hoophuskee]

Like Wally I am confused by what we are critiquing. Reference your number 2 above the MO /Stewie Pick and Roll is a set play (called by Geno) specifically designed for Stewie to take a shot. That side of the floor is usually cleared out. It would not make sense to pass the ball away from your best two players. A shot taken by KLS is also not the same as the same as a shot taken by Stewie (or anybody else) regardless of how many passes proceeded.

I don't agree that play was called Geno first off. As a pg in my feeble days of playing I was allowed to call pick-and-rolls and I was a bum. MoJeff can't especially vs an overmatched opponent?

Secondly Geno has said that he wants to push pace. Pushing pace means more than just giving the ball to the three seniors or only shoot if you are within 5 feet. If taking quick shots weren't allowed other thna for the 3 seniors, then when we see someone like KLS take as many 3s's as she has during fastbreaks or lots of time left on shot clock, how come Geno doesn't pull her right away after taking the ill-advised 3 point shot? Because overall it isn't an ill-advised shot.

Third- wouldn't it be better over the course of the game to have five (or more) players that can score vs just two or three? Can't some of the shooters be outside shooters? If they are, why make it so difficult for them ot not be able to take a quick shot on occasion when they are wide open on a break and only able to take in halfcourt sets which is generally harder to get open? KLS is a three point shooter. Does anyone think it is bad to take away a wide open three on a fastbreak from her unless maybe she has missed 2 or 3 in a row?

Four - for you coco- IMO Meg does NOT differentiate between the seniors and KLS. I just can't recall/ didn't put it down here before. But if I were to give a future example(s) of her criticizing the seniors taking a quick 3, would you then agree she has a bias and she is wrong? I don't (the seniors don't . . .) have much time for her to say this though.

For anyone thinking taking a quick 3 point shot is bad please look at the last game. Within the 8th second of the game KLS takes a quick 3 and drills it. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At the 5:01 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 4:54. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At 1:42 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 1:31. Still lots of time on the shot clock. These are quick 3's. Are these bad shots for a heralded shooter like KLS?

For anyone thinking KLS taking quick 3's is bad- IMO you want FIVE players on the court able to score preferably from anywhere. KLS was brought in in part because she was known/heralded as a 3 point shooter. We're winning all of our games by double digits and many by 30 or more. Why wouldn't you want to encourage her to keep taking 3's not only in halfcourt but also during fastbreaks? Isn't it best to only have her shoot during fastbreaks and not just in grind out halfcourt sets? How much is a heralded 3 pt shooter going to improve if she is only taking one or 2 3's a game? Maybe she will. But if she is taking 4 or 5. And starts to get accustomed to knocking them down at a high % like she was recruited to do, isn't that a good thing? The three point shot is a potential weapon. Don't be scared to embrace it to some degree. Why does it only have to be only used in halfcourt sets and not on fastbreaks?

 

[hoophuskee]

The so-called "extra" pass isn't really extra at all. It just means that the ball movement was so good that eventually someone gave up a good shot opportunity so that a team mate could get a better one. This is something UConn does with a flourish. Meghan knows this, and I'd suppose that informs her comments.

Within the 8th second of the game KLS takes a quick 3 and drills it. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At the 5:01 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 4:54. Still lots of time on the shot clock.

I doubt these three's were taken before "an extra pass" was made (i.e. someone gave up a good shot opportunity so that a team mate could get a better one.) . IMO these were quick strikes. So were they bad shots? Or only considered "good shots" because they went in?

 

[ocoandasoc]

No one who was close to the team the years Meg played, and certainly not the coaches, would ever say a bad word about Meg. She may still be the fiercest competitor to ever wear a UConn uniform. (Ask Geno!) Is she the best WCBB color commentator or analyst ever? No. But she is way far from being the worst. And if some think that she is to the Huskies what Phil Rizzuto was to the Yankees... what's wrong with that?

 

[meyers7]

Unless I am mistaken, UConn's offense is a variant on the Tex Winters "triangle" that the Chicago Bulls ran with MJ (and after MJ). Unless you are on the break, or unless you ARE MJ, a shot is "quick" if the entire offense isn't set. In this instance, and especially from the arc, you are rather unlikely to get the rebound.

The so-called "extra" pass isn't really extra at all. It just means that the ball movement was so good that eventually someone gave up a good shot opportunity so that a team mate could get a better one. This is something UConn does with a flourish. Meghan knows this, and I'd suppose that informs her comments.

A little mistaken. UCONN runs a motion offense from the Frank Iba tree. Usually a 4-1 or 3-2 version. Bobby Knight ran this at Indiana too. Both Knight and Geno have of course made modifications to it to make it their own. Geno and Knight ran a clinic on the motion offense a few years ago. I think you can get it on DVD.

Or this from Geno

 

[Adesmar123]

Is she the best WCBB color commentator or analyst ever? No. But she is way far from being the worst. And if some think that she is to the Huskies what Phil Rizzuto was to the Yankees... what's wrong with that?

Good analogy..... Rizzuto would yak on about his wife Clara while there was major activity happening on the field. He would get caught up in a sometimes boring story in the third inning and finish it in the fifth inning. If you weren't a Yankee fan you thought he was one of the worst ever. If you were a Yankee fan, it didn't get any better.

I'm just a UConn fan who wants more from their color analyst. And again don't equate a discussion of her on-air work with an ad hominem attack. Phil Rizzuto wasn't a bad person, he was just an awful color guy - unless you were a Yankee fan.

 

[CocoHusky]

I don't agree that play was called Geno first off.

Secondly Geno has said that he wants to push pace. Pushing pace means more than just giving the ball to the three seniors or only shoot if you are within 5 feet. If taking quick shots weren't allowed other thna for the 3 seniors, then when we see someone like KLS take as many 3s's as she has during fastbreaks or lots of time left on shot clock, how come Geno doesn't pull her right away after taking the ill-advised 3 point shot? Because overall it isn't an ill-advised shot.

Third- wouldn't it be better over the course of the game to have five (or more) players that can score vs just two or three? Can't some of the shooters be outside shooters? If they are, why make it so difficult for them ot not be able to take a quick shot on occasion when they are wide open on a break and only able to take in halfcourt sets which is generally harder to get open? KLS is a three point shooter. Does anyone think it is bad to take away a wide open three on a fastbreak from her unless maybe she has missed 2 or 3 in a row?

Four - for you coco- IMO Meg does NOT differentiate between the seniors and KLS. I just can't recall/ didn't put it down here before. But if I were to give a future example(s) of her criticizing the seniors taking a quick 3, would you then agree she has a bias and she is wrong? I don't (the seniors don't . . .) have much time for her to say this though.

For anyone thinking taking a quick 3 point shot is bad please look at the last game. Within the 8th second of the game KLS takes a quick 3 and drills it. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At the 5:01 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 4:54. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At 1:42 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 1:31. Still lots of time on the shot clock. These are quick 3's. Are these bad shots for a heralded shooter like KLS?

For anyone thinking KLS taking quick 3's is bad- IMO you want FIVE players on the court able to score preferably from anywhere. KLS was brought in in part because she was known/heralded as a 3 point shooter. We're winning all of our games by double digits and many by 30 or more. Why wouldn't you want to encourage her to keep taking 3's not only in halfcourt but also during fastbreaks? Isn't it best to only have her shoot during fastbreaks and not just in grind out halfcourt sets? How much is a heralded 3 pt shooter going to improve if she is only taking one or 2 3's a game? Maybe she will. But if she is taking 4 or 5. And starts to get accustomed to knocking them down at a high % like she was recruited to do, isn't that a good thing? The three point shot is a potential weapon. Don't be scared to embrace it to some degree. Why does it only have to be only used in halfcourt sets and not on fastbreaks?

C: I don't agree that play was called Geno first off.

R: First of all Geno calls every play in the half court set and the team runs transition offense outside of half court, that is not to be disputed. Geno calls the two man, clear a side pick and roll at least twice per game and it is not always with Moriah and Stewie. KLS and Natalie ran this same play with Natalie rolling to the basket for a layup. I will go back and look at the hand signal that Moriah uses to initiate the play and get you a clip of the same play being run against MD, SC, ND, KSU, OSU…

C: Paraphrasing: We recruited KLS to shoot the three, let her shoot.

R: KLS is not going to be all she can be by being what we recruited her to be and what you are advocating-a 3pt specialist with the green light to shoot the three at any time. She must become an all around player and part of that is to understand the UCONN offense better in order to become a more discriminating (deadly) shooter. Why? If KLS remains just a specialist then UCONN has 5 players (Stewie, Kia, Moriah, Saniya, & Courtney) that are at the moment statistically better at shooting the 3Pt ball. KLS understands and is well on her way to be more that just a 3 ball launcher. KLS is shooting almost 70% for 2 point range. Do you see why a 3PT all the time green light and obsession might be bad idea?

Q: Are these bad shots for a heralded shooter like KLS?
A: Yes those are potentially bad shot (too quick) not based on whether she makes the shots or not, but more dependent on what other options were available & the game situation. It also maybe a bad shot if you go back and look at KLS shooting percentage when her first shot attempt is a 3Pt attempt- something which I have written about before.

 

[hoophuskee]

C: I don't agree that play was called Geno first off.

R: First of all Geno calls every play in the half court set and the team runs transition offense outside of half court, that is not to be disputed. Geno calls the two man, clear a side pick and roll at least twice per game and it is not always with Moriah and Stewie. KLS and Natalie ran this same play with Natalie rolling to the basket for a layup. I will go back and look at the hand signal that Moriah uses to initiate the play and get you a clip of the same play being run against MD, SC, ND, KSU, OSU…

C: Paraphrasing: We recruited KLS to shoot the three, let her shoot.

R: KLS is not going to be all she can be by being what we recruited her to be and what you are advocating-a 3pt specialist with the green light to shoot the three at any time. She must become an all around player and part of that is to understand the UCONN offense better in order to become a more discriminating (deadly) shooter. Why? If KLS remains just a specialist then UCONN has 5 players (Stewie, Kia, Moriah, Saniya, & Courtney) that are at the moment statistically better at shooting the 3Pt ball. KLS understands and is well on her way to be more that just a 3 ball launcher. KLS is shooting almost 70% for 2 point range. Do you see why a 3PT all the time green light and obsession might be bad idea?

Q: Are these bad shots for a heralded shooter like KLS?
A: Yes those are potentially bad shot (too quick) not based on whether she makes the shots or not, but more dependent on what other options were available & the game situation. It also maybe a bad shot if you go back and look at KLS shooting percentage when her first shot attempt is a 3Pt attempt- something which I have written about before.

1-- Everything you said here I don't agree with. First off I don't believe Geno calls everything inside a halfcourt set. Provide a link or somewhere Geno is quoted to saying this. I seriously doubt arguably the greatest pg in history isn't allowed to run any halfcourt sets in which she calls the play on her own.

2-- Nobody said "all she can be." We're talking about Meg Culmo here criticizing the quick shot and making the extra pass. THAT is the subject. Nowhere did I say EVERY shot needs to be a 3 from KLS. I AM advocating if a three point shooter IS open on a fastbreak it is okay to take the quick 3 point shot. Not ALL THETIME but no defense is perfect either. If you are running fastbreaks and you hit a couple of three's in a few shots - then there is no way that doesn't set things up vs an inferior team to get other easier shots too. But I am criticizing SPECIFC instances of shots that I know are good shots which I wonder if Meg thinks are good. And in these cases that I say "I know" they are good - Geno backs up my opinion by his actions by leaving a player like KLS on the floor. And imo it is so obvious these are good shots, and I love Meg, but in this case imo she is wrong. Therefore I wonder how she can miss the obvious and I'm assuming it is because of her low post bias. I gave instances of when KLS took a quick three and the ball went in and asked "is that a bad shot?"

3-- My question to you and others was specific. I specifically gave examples on a priro post and now again below. Your reply was Yes those are potentially bad shots. "Potentially" means NOTHING pertaining to the specific examples I gave. The examples happened. So you using the word "potentially" is totally irrelevant. Per the examples in italics and bold below from KLS were they bad shots; yes or no?

Within the 8th second of the game KLS takes a quick 3 and drills it. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At the 5:01 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 4:54. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At 1:42 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 1:31. Still lots of time on the shot clock.

4-- If anyone is suggesting taking quick three's by KLS is a bad shot -- then why is she still allowed to take them? He would have stopped this "nonsense" a long time ago. And what we HAVE heard from Geno when it comes to freshmen is that he said to paraphrase "Freshmen sometimes forget to do what they are good at. Do what made you good. That's why we recruited you. . ."

What KLS is good at is shooting the basketball. She hasn't shown to be that good from 3 this year - but is that a message you want to give a heralded 3 point shooter-- when you're open in games we will blow out the other team, the message is -- don't shoot when you're open? Sure she should work on other things-- but that doesn't mean not fire up 3's too. When you play at pushing the pace, it doesn't mean that only the seniors can take quick 3's. Anyone that thinks that - made it up. If you have a heralded 3pt shooter like a KLS and you as a team want to push pace, you then would want KLS the opportunity to be a legit scoring option too. The team is striving to have as many options as possible. THAT would make your team truly invincible. Freshmen can actually improve during a season by improving their shot too. It is not all "JUST" "ONLY" doing "other" things. She can improve in the other things AND improve her 3-ball too. What happens when a heralded 3 point shooter/scorer suddenly finds her shot by the end of the season? Isn't it possible that also can make the team better? If tuck is going 1-9 or 2-8 again or one of the big three is in foul trouble, wouldn't it be nice if someone else had the confidence to score vs a USC caliber team? So if you limit her now from taking 3's what will happen if we are behind and we have a fastbreak - very few chances we have to break? If you didn;t allow her to take quick 3's during the season, why would she take one if we need it?

IMO what makes UCONN so great is that they work their offense so everyone has the opportunity to be a scorer too. IMO that is in part why Geno lands the number 1 recruit often. He doesn't tie them down/hold them back from doing what they are good at. That's why he allows a player like KLS to continue to shoot / why he doesn't pull her from taking the quick 3 unless she is bricking several in a row and doing nothing else. And it is great to see a player like KLS - even though her 3 ball has been a bit off- that she continues to be un-wavering and fire it up when she is open especially vs the weaker teams.

If UCONN is looking to push pace - we want our talented to players to show / work to - not only what they aren't good at but also show what they are good at. KLS's whole hoop life she has been good at shooting 3's. Taking some quick 3's is okay even if she isn't the primary option. The better she works on both her strengths and weaknesses - the easier it will be for UCONN's 3 seniors.

 

[Adesmar123]

1-- Everything you said here I don't agree with. First off I don't believe Geno calls everything inside a halfcourt set. Provide a link or somewhere Geno is quoted to saying this. I seriously doubt arguably the greatest pg in history isn't allowed to run any halfcourt sets in which she calls the play on her own.

2-- Nobody said "all she can be." We're talking about Meg Culmo here criticizing the quick shot and making the extra pass. THAT is the subject. Nowhere did I say EVERY shot needs to be a 3 from KLS. I AM advocating if a three point shooter IS open on a fastbreak it is okay to take the quick 3 point shot. Not ALL THETIME but no defense is perfect either. If you are running fastbreaks and you hit a couple of three's in a few shots - then there is no way that doesn't set things up vs an inferior team to get other easier shots too. But I am criticizing SPECIFC instances of shots that I know are good shots which I wonder if Meg thinks are good. And in these cases that I say "I know" they are good - Geno backs up my opinion by his actions by leaving a player like KLS on the floor. And imo it is so obvious these are good shots, and I love Meg, but in this case imo she is wrong. Therefore I wonder how she can miss the obvious and I'm assuming it is because of her low post bias. I gave instances of when KLS took a quick three and the ball went in and asked "is that a bad shot?"

3-- My question to you and others was specific. I specifically gave examples on a priro post and now again below. Your reply was Yes those are potentially bad shots. "Potentially" means NOTHING pertaining to the specific examples I gave. The examples happened. So you using the word "potentially" is totally irrelevant. Per the examples in italics and bold below from KLS were they bad shots; yes or no?

Within the 8th second of the game KLS takes a quick 3 and drills it. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At the 5:01 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 4:54. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At 1:42 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 1:31. Still lots of time on the shot clock.

4-- If anyone is suggesting taking quick three's by KLS is a bad shot -- then why is she still allowed to take them? He would have stopped this "nonsense" a long time ago. And what we HAVE heard from Geno when it comes to freshmen is that he said to paraphrase "Freshmen sometimes forget to do what they are good at. Do what made you good. That's why we recruited you. . ."

What KLS is good at is shooting the basketball. She hasn't shown to be that good from 3 this year - but is that a message you want to give a heralded 3 point shooter-- when you're open in games we will blow out the other team, the message is -- don't shoot when you're open? Sure she should work on other things-- but that doesn't mean not fire up 3's too. When you play at pushing the pace, it doesn't mean that only the seniors can take quick 3's. Anyone that thinks that - made it up. If you have a heralded 3pt shooter like a KLS and you as a team want to push pace, you then would want KLS the opportunity to be a legit scoring option too. The team is striving to have as many options as possible. THAT would make your team truly invincible. Freshmen can actually improve during a season by improving their shot too. It is not all "JUST" "ONLY" doing "other" things. She can improve in the other things AND improve her 3-ball too. What happens when a heralded 3 point shooter/scorer suddenly finds her shot by the end of the season? Isn't it possible that also can make the team better? If tuck is going 1-9 or 2-8 again or one of the big three is in foul trouble, wouldn't it be nice if someone else had the confidence to score vs a USC caliber team? So if you limit her now from taking 3's what will happen if we are behind and we have a fastbreak - very few chances we have to break? If you didn;t allow her to take quick 3's during the season, why would she take one if we need it?

IMO what makes UCONN so great is that they work their offense so everyone has the opportunity to be a scorer too. IMO that is in part why Geno lands the number 1 recruit often. He doesn't tie them down/hold them back from doing what they are good at. That's why he allows a player like KLS to continue to shoot / why he doesn't pull her from taking the quick 3 unless she is bricking several in a row and doing nothing else. And it is great to see a player like KLS - even though her 3 ball has been a bit off- that she continues to be un-wavering and fire it up when she is open especially vs the weaker teams.

If UCONN is looking to push pace - we want our talented to players to show / work to - not only what they aren't good at but also show what they are good at. KLS's whole hoop life she has been good at shooting 3's. Taking some quick 3's is okay even if she isn't the primary option. The better she works on both her strengths and weaknesses - the easier it will be for UCONN's 3 seniors.

You really believe you can find truth here on the Boneyard don't you? Silly Silly goose...

 

[CocoHusky]

1-- Everything you said here I don't agree with. First off I don't believe Geno calls everything inside a halfcourt set. Provide a link or somewhere Geno is quoted to saying this. I seriously doubt arguably the greatest pg in history isn't allowed to run any halfcourt sets in which she calls the play on her own.

2-- Nobody said "all she can be." We're talking about Meg Culmo here criticizing the quick shot and making the extra pass. THAT is the subject. Nowhere did I say EVERY shot needs to be a 3 from KLS. I AM advocating if a three point shooter IS open on a fastbreak it is okay to take the quick 3 point shot. Not ALL THETIME but no defense is perfect either. If you are running fastbreaks and you hit a couple of three's in a few shots - then there is no way that doesn't set things up vs an inferior team to get other easier shots too. But I am criticizing SPECIFC instances of shots that I know are good shots which I wonder if Meg thinks are good. And in these cases that I say "I know" they are good - Geno backs up my opinion by his actions by leaving a player like KLS on the floor. And imo it is so obvious these are good shots, and I love Meg, but in this case imo she is wrong. Therefore I wonder how she can miss the obvious and I'm assuming it is because of her low post bias. I gave instances of when KLS took a quick three and the ball went in and asked "is that a bad shot?"

3-- My question to you and others was specific. I specifically gave examples on a priro post and now again below. Your reply was Yes those are potentially bad shots. "Potentially" means NOTHING pertaining to the specific examples I gave. The examples happened. So you using the word "potentially" is totally irrelevant. Per the examples in italics and bold below from KLS were they bad shots; yes or no?

Within the 8th second of the game KLS takes a quick 3 and drills it. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At the 5:01 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 4:54. Still lots of time on the shot clock. --- At 1:42 mark Stewie pulls down rebound. KSL takes and drills a three at 1:31. Still lots of time on the shot clock.

4-- If anyone is suggesting taking quick three's by KLS is a bad shot -- then why is she still allowed to take them? He would have stopped this "nonsense" a long time ago. And what we HAVE heard from Geno when it comes to freshmen is that he said to paraphrase "Freshmen sometimes forget to do what they are good at. Do what made you good. That's why we recruited you. . ."

What KLS is good at is shooting the basketball. She hasn't shown to be that good from 3 this year - but is that a message you want to give a heralded 3 point shooter-- when you're open in games we will blow out the other team, the message is -- don't shoot when you're open? Sure she should work on other things-- but that doesn't mean not fire up 3's too. When you play at pushing the pace, it doesn't mean that only the seniors can take quick 3's. Anyone that thinks that - made it up. If you have a heralded 3pt shooter like a KLS and you as a team want to push pace, you then would want KLS the opportunity to be a legit scoring option too. The team is striving to have as many options as possible. THAT would make your team truly invincible. Freshmen can actually improve during a season by improving their shot too. It is not all "JUST" "ONLY" doing "other" things. She can improve in the other things AND improve her 3-ball too. What happens when a heralded 3 point shooter/scorer suddenly finds her shot by the end of the season? Isn't it possible that also can make the team better? If tuck is going 1-9 or 2-8 again or one of the big three is in foul trouble, wouldn't it be nice if someone else had the confidence to score vs a USC caliber team? So if you limit her now from taking 3's what will happen if we are behind and we have a fastbreak - very few chances we have to break? If you didn;t allow her to take quick 3's during the season, why would she take one if we need it?

IMO what makes UCONN so great is that they work their offense so everyone has the opportunity to be a scorer too. IMO that is in part why Geno lands the number 1 recruit often. He doesn't tie them down/hold them back from doing what they are good at. That's why he allows a player like KLS to continue to shoot / why he doesn't pull her from taking the quick 3 unless she is bricking several in a row and doing nothing else. And it is great to see a player like KLS - even though her 3 ball has been a bit off- that she continues to be un-wavering and fire it up when she is open especially vs the weaker teams.

If UCONN is looking to push pace - we want our talented to players to show / work to - not only what they aren't good at but also show what they are good at. KLS's whole hoop life she has been good at shooting 3's. Taking some quick 3's is okay even if she isn't the primary option. The better she works on both her strengths and weaknesses - the easier it will be for UCONN's 3 seniors.

The more you write the more I begin to side with Meg.

C: Provide a link or somewhere Geno is quoted to saying this.
R: Watch any UCONN game on replay where Geno is in camera range and you will see Geno calling out the sets-EVERY SINGLE TIME!


C: Per the examples in italics and bold below from KLS were they bad shots; yes or no?
R: I am not going to fall for your strawman, "potentially" is the opposite of Yes or No –which is how you would like me to answer the question but I’m not going to. Even a made shot can be a bad shot.


C: If tuck is going 1-9 or 2-8 again or one of the big three is in foul trouble, wouldn't it be nice if someone else had the confidence to score vs a USC caliber team? So if you limit her now from taking 3's what will happen if we are behind and we have a fastbreak - very few chances we have to break? If you didn;t allow her to take quick 3's during the season, why would she take one if we need it?
R: KLS leads the UCONN team in 3PT FG attempts by a wide margin. She has been given plenty of opportunity. Wake me up when you want to talk about the productivity of her given opportunities. Sometime this year would be nice!

 

[hoophuskee]

The more you write the more I begin to side with Meg.

C: Provide a link or somewhere Geno is quoted to saying this.
R: Watch any UCONN game on replay where Geno is in camera range and you will see Geno calling out the sets-EVERY SINGLE TIME!


C: Per the examples in italics and bold below from KLS were they bad shots; yes or no?
R: I am not going to fall for your strawman, "potentially" is the opposite of Yes or No –which is how you would like me to answer the question but I’m not going to. Even a made shot can be a bad shot.


C: If tuck is going 1-9 or 2-8 again or one of the big three is in foul trouble, wouldn't it be nice if someone else had the confidence to score vs a USC caliber team? So if you limit her now from taking 3's what will happen if we are behind and we have a fastbreak - very few chances we have to break? If you didn;t allow her to take quick 3's during the season, why would she take one if we need it?
R: KLS leads the UCONN team in 3PT FG attempts by a wide margin. She has been given plenty of opportunity. Wake me up when you want to talk about the productivity of her given opportunities. Sometime this year would be nice!

1-- You already did side with Meg with your 2 posts to me - so your comment that you are beginning to side with Meg is BS.

2-- I think you're making up everytime Geno calls the play.

3-- You deliberately aren't answering the question. Stop the politics answer please. OFC a made shot can be a bad shot. But you deliberately don't answer the specific question. You're trying to change the subject of my thread and my comments. There was no dispute a made shot can be a bad shot. The point I have made is--- those shots were not bad shots. Even Geno recognizes it. Call it any strawman argument you want by ignoring a heralded three point shooter is taking wide shots. My opinion is certainly better than those who think Gneo is wrong for not having her take 3's. I want her to keep taking three's just like Geno is having her doing. You call it strawman. I call it logic.

4-- KLS CONTINUES to lead in 3pt shooting attempts because she is being left wide open. Taking wide open shots and trying to improve and not being scared talking them is a good thing. Now you want to talk about efficiency for a freshmen. I guess Collier shouldn't take any shots then, okay? I'm sure you were beating the drum when Stewart was "so productive" shooting 3's n her frosh year.

You want me to wake you up when the ball starts to go in. Exactly my point with Meg - and why no surprise this type of comment you make. When the ball goes in- the quiet. I love Meg. I love your posts too on other subjects. But on this point, it is evident when you speak of efficiency from a freshmen - that is in other words- "when the ball goes in then she becomes efficient then you want to be TOLD."

 

[CocoHusky]

1-- You already did side with Meg with your 2 posts to me - so your comment that you are beginning to side with Meg is BS.

2-- I think you're making up everytime Geno calls the play.

3-- You deliberately aren't answering the question. Stop the politics answer please. OFC a made shot can be a bad shot. But you deliberately don't answer the specific question. You're trying to change the subject of my thread and my comments. There was no dispute a made shot can be a bad shot. The point I have made is--- those shots were not bad shots. Even Geno recognizes it. Call it any strawman argument you want by ignoring a heralded three point shooter is taking wide shots. My opinion is certainly better than those who think Gneo is wrong for not having her take 3's. I want her to keep taking three's just like Geno is having her doing. You call it strawman. I call it logic.

4-- KLS CONTINUES to lead in 3pt shooting attempts because she is being left wide open. Taking wide open shots and trying to improve and not being scared talking them is a good thing. Now you want to talk about efficiency for a freshmen. I guess Collier shouldn't take any shots then, okay? I'm sure you were beating the drum when Stewart was "so productive" shooting 3's n her frosh year.

You want me to wake you up when the ball starts to go in. Exactly my point with Meg - and why no surprise this type of comment you make. When the ball goes in- the quiet. I love Meg. I love your posts too on other subjects. But on this point, it is evident when you speak of efficiency from a freshmen - that is in other words- "when the ball goes in then she becomes efficient then you want to be TOLD."

No exactly, not even close. KLS is being left open because of the design of the UCONN offense and the defense concentration on her teammates. Until her efficiency improves (and it will) there are greater UCONN offensive threats that the defense has to worry about. That Geno calls every offensive set is easily verifiable.
There was nothing political about my first answer which was: " Yes those are potentially bad shot (too quick) not based..."
Just to be clear I'll restate a position I have had all year long and this has nothing to do with KLS (per se) or your current quandary about Meg. I am concerned about the UCONN's over reliance on the 3Pt shot. I am not in favor of giving anyone (including KLS) on the current roster more 3Pt. shot attempts. We are shooting the 3 ball at~ the same % of total shot attempts that we did in the past 2 season when we had the luxury of the best to ever do it on the UCONN roster in KML. Stewie (Thank God) has increased her 3Pt shooting %. Geno version of things is that " if Stewie becomes our best 3Pt shooter we might be in trouble." Think of efficiency and how KLS can best help this team-guarantee you KLS is thinking of it that way.

 

[hoophuskee]

No exactly, not even close. KLS is being left open because of the design of the UCONN offense and the defense concentration on her teammates. Until her efficiency improves (and it will) there are greater UCONN offensive threats that the defense has to worry about. That Geno calls every offensive set is easily verifiable.
There was nothing political about my first answer which was: " Yes those are potentially bad shot (too quick) not based..."
Just to be clear I'll restate a position I have had all year long and this has nothing to do with KLS (per se) or your current quandary about Meg. I am concerned about the UCONN's over reliance on the 3Pt shot. I am not in favor of giving anyone (including KLS) on the current roster more 3Pt. shot attempts. We are shooting the 3 ball at~ the same % of total shot attempts that we did in the past 2 season when we had the luxury of the best to ever do it on the UCONN roster in KML. Stewie (Thank God) has increased her 3Pt shooting %. Geno version of things is that " if Stewie becomes our best 3Pt shooter we might be in trouble." Think of efficiency and how KLS can best help this team-guarantee you KLS is thinking of it that way.

I love this!!
1-- When you say -- No exactly, not even close. KLS is being left open because of the design of the UCONN offense and the defense concentration on her teammates. That is exactly my implication when I said "she is being left wide open." I can think of no other reason to purposely leave a player wide open if not for the fact that the player either can't shoot or the defense is more concerned with others.

2-- The point you say Geno calls every offense as easily verifiable-- I say "balderdash."

2-- As for KLS - her shooting HAS BEEN IMPROVING. It is now 34.8% for the season and 39.6% in the conference (2nd for the team in the conference excluding Tierney) from 3. That is exactly why Geno allows her to continue to shoot 3's both quick and deep into the clock. He expects (as you and I do. You said "she will" above.) that it WILL improve which is why Meg is WRONG. KLS RIGHT NOW IS shooting better. And much better than Tuck from 3 and as Geno has said "do what you are good at." She IS a shooter and it IS starting to show.

3-- I don't agree one iota with your continued use of the word "potentially." YOU have replied to MY POST. The specific question I asked you had NOTHING to do with potential. I asked you what you thought of specific plays. Were they good or bad? You can't reply to me by changing the meaning of my question. It appears to me you think they were bad shots-- so come out and say it .

What I love about this - is that we can differ- and I think both you and Meg ARE wrong and likewise you think I am. I have my bias - I like guard/wing play. I like bigs that can stretch the floor and pass. I love seeing KLS on the perimeter and not being scared to shoot. I love how Geno allows her to keep shooting from 3 because that is exactly what I would do. Yes she should do other things- but it doesn't mean go away from what she was most heralded doing. I believe Geno is playing the style I just mentioned here and KLS continuing to shoot 3's is just a further example of the style he employs.

4-- When you say-- Geno version of things is that " if Stewie becomes our best 3Pt shooter we might be in trouble." What you saying here is NO LONGER the case. MoJeff is the best 3pt shooter. Look at th last 12 games, even the season and especially in the conference, MoJeff has surpassed Stewie.

********In fact the lst 12 games KLS has outshot Stewie from 3 - 37.5% vs 38.5%.

5--- When you say -- Think of efficiency and how KLS can best help this team-guarantee you KLS is thinking of it that way.
And I agree!! I guarantee you that she is EXACTLY thinking this way!! Which is why she continues to shoot 3's at a high rate and Geno continues to allow her to shoot them. Why are they doing it? Because it is HIGHLY efficient. If you look at KLS's numbers- she is shooting 27-70 in her last 12 games from 3. That is an EFG% of 57.33%. Give me fastbreak style any day of the week,. Players looking to spread the floor and shooting 3's whether they be quick sometimes and others play some grind ball. But quick shots are a thing of beauty if you have the talent and UCONN should and does use it over and over and over and over. UCONN has it and is not shying away from trying to exploit it. People who have a low post bias shy way from this style. Overall then they won't get the number 1 recruits.

 

[Kibitzer]

@hoophuskee. Just a suggestion. Consider what W.C. Fields said:

"If at first you don't succeed -- try, try again. If that doesn't work, quit! No use being a damn fool."​

Just a suggestion.

 

[Adesmar123]

I love this!!
1-- When you say -- No exactly, not even close. KLS is being left open because of the design of the UCONN offense and the defense concentration on her teammates. That is exactly my implication when I said "she is being left wide open." I can think of no other reason to purposely leave a player wide open if not for the fact that the player either can't shoot or the defense is more concerned with others.

2-- The point you say Geno calls every offense as easily verifiable-- I say "balderdash."

2-- As for KLS - her shooting HAS BEEN IMPROVING. It is now 34.8% for the season and 39.6% in the conference (2nd for the team in the conference excluding Tierney) from 3. That is exactly why Geno allows her to continue to shoot 3's both quick and deep into the clock. He expects (as you and I do. You said "she will" above.) that it WILL improve which is why Meg is WRONG. KLS RIGHT NOW IS shooting better. And much better than Tuck from 3 and as Geno has said "do what you are good at." She IS a shooter and it IS starting to show.

3-- I don't agree one iota with your continued use of the word "potentially." YOU have replied to MY POST. The specific question I asked you had NOTHING to do with potential. I asked you what you thought of specific plays. Were they good or bad? You can't reply to me by changing the meaning of my question. It appears to me you think they were bad shots-- so come out and say it .

What I love about this - is that we can differ- and I think both you and Meg ARE wrong and likewise you think I am. I have my bias - I like guard/wing play. I like bigs that can stretch the floor and pass. I love seeing KLS on the perimeter and not being scared to shoot. I love how Geno allows her to keep shooting from 3 because that is exactly what I would do. Yes she should do other things- but it doesn't mean go away from what she was most heralded doing. I believe Geno is playing the style I just mentioned here and KLS continuing to shoot 3's is just a further example of the style he employs.

4-- When you say-- Geno version of things is that " if Stewie becomes our best 3Pt shooter we might be in trouble." What you saying here is NO LONGER the case. MoJeff is the best 3pt shooter. Look at th last 12 games, even the season and especially in the conference, MoJeff has surpassed Stewie.

********In fact the lst 12 games KLS has outshot Stewie from 3 - 37.5% vs 38.5%.

5--- When you say -- Think of efficiency and how KLS can best help this team-guarantee you KLS is thinking of it that way.
And I agree!! I guarantee you that she is EXACTLY thinking this way!! Which is why she continues to shoot 3's at a high rate and Geno continues to allow her to shoot them. Why are they doing it? Because it is HIGHLY efficient. If you look at KLS's numbers- she is shooting 27-70 in her last 12 games from 3. That is an EFG% of 57.33%. Give me fastbreak style any day of the week,. Players looking to spread the floor and shooting 3's whether they be quick sometimes and others play some grind ball. But quick shots are a thing of beauty if you have the talent and UCONN should and does use it over and over and over and over. UCONN has it and is not shying away from trying to exploit it. People who have a low post bias shy way from this style. Overall then they won't get the number 1 recruits.

Why don't you guys get a room.