Megan Walker suggestion

[FanHam]

Megan Walker is a very talented basketball player who is improving as her college career progresses. I can't help noticing she seems lost for extended periods of time, though, especially when rebounding.

If you watch her under the boards, you'll notice that she rarely establishes position, instead she relies on her jumping ability and, because she doesn't have position established, she gets a lot of "reach over" fouls or, more often, she just gets out-dueled by an opponent with better position. Sometimes she'll inexplicably step away from a position she's established, then try to out-jump everyone for the rebound.

Maybe Geno has directed her to keep moving on defense rather than establish a position, in which case I'm wrong, but I think she would do a lot for her rebounding numbers - and her overall confidence - by learning how to use her size and strength to command a prime rebounding position, then use her leaping ability and jump straight up for the rebound.

She gets one or two ticky-tack fouls reaching over people for rebounds every game, it seems. She's 6'1", strong and can jump over the moon. She should learn some post positioning basics and claim her territory under the boards. Given her assets and savvy, that territory should be large.

Just a thought.

 

[JoePgh]

I think that you have identified an issue that she has had since she arrived in Storrs. Probably she has had it since high school and never needed to address it because of the light competition that she faced then. I certainly don't think it is anything that the coaches are encouraging -- more likely they are trying to break her of that habit.

I remember the game against Louisville last year when, after getting in the game in the second quarter and setting some nice screens for Lou's shots, she failed to box out an opponent and gave up a second-chance basket. Geno pulled her from the game soon afterwards, which some people here saw as more evidence of his unfairness to her.

It was just another instance of tough love. I think her play this year is light years beyond her play last year. I notice steals and hustle plays this year that we never saw last year. But you can't expect her to vanquish all of her bad habits in half a season.

Geno has said that all he really wants to see is consistent improvement from game to game, and I think he means that. I also think that Megan is delivering that.

 

[JustinesGuy]

Megan Walker is a very talented basketball player who is improving as her college career progresses. I can't help noticing she seems lost for extended periods of time, though, especially when rebounding.

If you watch her under the boards, you'll notice that she rarely establishes position, instead she relies on her jumping ability and, because she doesn't have position established, she gets a lot of "reach over" fouls or, more often, she just gets out-dueled by an opponent with better position. Sometimes she'll inexplicably step away from a position she's established, then try to out-jump everyone for the rebound.

Maybe Geno has directed her to keep moving on defense rather than establish a position, in which case I'm wrong, but I think she would do a lot for her rebounding numbers - and her overall confidence - by learning how to use her size and strength to command a prime rebounding position, then use her leaping ability and jump straight up for the rebound.

She gets one or two ticky-tack fouls reaching over people for rebounds every game, it seems. She's 6'1", strong and can jump over the moon. She should learn some post positioning basics and claim her territory under the boards. Given her assets and savvy, that territory should be large.

Just a thought.

Good post. You hit the nail on the head. MW was faster, taller, stronger or more talented than the competition she faced in HS. MW is not a fleet footed guard with a pretty stroke. She’s an undersized forward with a line drive jumper.
It’s tsking her longer to adjust to the speed and height of the college game. She’s better this year but by no means a dominant force.
Remember she should have been six man this year.

 

[ME Husky Fan]

All very valid points. I think there's a least a hint of subservience with Megan. She seems to want to follow more often then lead, giving in to Lou and Phessa. I think if she took a more offensive mindset into her play, presuming Geno would permit it, she'd add more to the bottom-line. I think she is the best one-on-one player we have, with moves I see all too infrequently, but when she chooses to 'show off', I'm impressed.

 

[uconnever]

Funny that this conversation came up today. I've been recently thinking about how much improved she has looked. I was a little disappointed in what I had been seeing from her. But lately for me, it seems she feels like the team needs her and I am starting to see why she was the number one player in high school. She has a ways to go, but I can now see it, like she knows how she has to play in college to be successful.

 

[JordyG]

Megan Walker is a very talented basketball player who is improving as her college career progresses. I can't help noticing she seems lost for extended periods of time, though, especially when rebounding.

If you watch her under the boards, you'll notice that she rarely establishes position, instead she relies on her jumping ability and, because she doesn't have position established, she gets a lot of "reach over" fouls or, more often, she just gets out-dueled by an opponent with better position. Sometimes she'll inexplicably step away from a position she's established, then try to out-jump everyone for the rebound.

Maybe Geno has directed her to keep moving on defense rather than establish a position, in which case I'm wrong, but I think she would do a lot for her rebounding numbers - and her overall confidence - by learning how to use her size and strength to command a prime rebounding position, then use her leaping ability and jump straight up for the rebound.

She gets one or two ticky-tack fouls reaching over people for rebounds every game, it seems. She's 6'1", strong and can jump over the moon. She should learn some post positioning basics and claim her territory under the boards. Given her assets and savvy, that territory should be large.

Just a thought.

I almost thought your entire post was about ONO who has this self same issue: Not establishing position and relying on her jumping ability to get rebounds. Then getting ticky tack fouls because she's out of position or (really just in ONO's case) attempting to block shots when just contesting them with her size is enough.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I think that you have identified an issue that she has had since she arrived in Storrs. Probably she has had it since high school and never needed to address it because of the light competition that she faced then. I certainly don't think it is anything that the coaches are encouraging -- more likely they are trying to break her of that habit.

I remember the game against Louisville last year when, after getting in the game in the second quarter and setting some nice screens for Lou's shots, she failed to box out an opponent and gave up a second-chance basket. Geno pulled her from the game soon afterwards, which some people here saw as more evidence of his unfairness to her.

It was just another instance of tough love. I think her play this year is light years beyond her play last year. I notice steals and hustle plays this year that we never saw last year. But you can't expect her to vanquish all of her bad habits in half a season.

Geno has said that all he really wants to see is consistent improvement from game to game, and I think he means that. I also think that Megan is delivering that.

@Joe: Not Every number one recruit is DT or CW. 2 that arrived with outstanding self confidence. She had some confidence battered last year with the bench sitting sequences, that is hard on the ego. It may even be hard enough to defeat any positive moves forward with confidence. I call her a Freshman and a Half because of the bench time. A lot of Freshmen arrive at Uconn and take 2 plus years to show who they really are. MW is doing well, give her her due, she has given Geno some very good minutes. Yes she may defer, that's what 1.5
froshes do. As your tough love moving her forward comment; this too by me is pure speculation, I'm not a therapist, psychologist or mental health specialist just a speculator..

 

[HopJim]

I almost thought your entire post was about ONO who has this self same issue: Not establishing position and relying on her jumping ability to get rebounds. Then getting ticky tack fouls because she's out of position or (really just in ONO's case) attempting to block shots when just contesting them with her size is enough.

Funny, was thinking the same thing that this applies to ONO. I am less worried about MW since I believe her main issue is having to play underneath and often getting overpowered by much bigger, stronger players. Hopefully help underneath will come. ONO appears to be thinking about every play, every step, etc. Very mechanical which doesn't work at this level.

 

[CL82]

Step 1 in rebounding is to box out. That means making contact with an opposing player. The goal is not only to get the ball but to stop the other player from getting it as well. This year's team seems to be relying on athleticism rather than fundamentals.

 

[HopJim]

Step 1 in rebounding is to box out. That means making contact with an opposing player. The goal is not only to get the ball but to stop the other player from getting it as well. This year's team seems to be relying on athleticism rather than fundamentals.

In past years, UConn had the advantage of a Stewie or Gabby who could go over or around competition for rebounds. I have never seen a UConn team with so little height, even in the early years. Unfortunately, when giving up 3+ inches and 20-30 pounds a person, even with perfect boxing out there are going to be times when we are overpowered under the boards. Not sure what the answer is but suspect this is a new issue for Geno to deal with. Benching the starters does not make them taller.

 

[Scud49]

In past years, UConn had the advantage of a Stewie or Gabby who could go over or around competition for rebounds. .

After watching Gabby for 4 years, I guess I just sense a lack of aggression and heart on the behalf of MW when I see her out there. Sure, Gabulous had otherworldly athletic talent, but she also possessed a desire to mix it up with anyone, anytime. Real heart and strong effort can make up for a lot.

 

[bantamlaker]

When we get into discussions about rebounding I always think back to the undefeated national champs of 2001-2002. While it’s great to have some really tall players they proved you can get it done with a “smaller” lineup. The frontcourt of Swin, Asjha and Tamika were each 6’2” compared with KLS 6’3”, Phee 6’2” and MW 6’1”. As others have pointed out and TAS proved it is possible to get it done with technique, strength and determination.

 

[uconnfan68]

When we get into discussions about rebounding I always think back to the undefeated national champs of 2001-2002. While it’s great to have some really tall players they proved you can get it done with a “smaller” lineup. The frontcourt of Swin, Asjha and Tamika were each 6’2” compared with KLS 6’3”, Phee 6’2” and MW 6’1”. As others have pointed out and TAS proved it is possible to get it done with technique, strength and determination.

If Ashja was on this team they would have given Baylor all they could handle. That kid was tough.

 

[wire chief]

If Ashja was on this team they would have given Baylor all they could handle. That kid was tough.

Like Geno said in watching Asjha handle Cambage. that USA would have not won the championship otherwise.

 

[CL82]

. Unfortunately, when giving up 3+ inches and 20-30 pounds a person, even with perfect boxing out there are going to be times when we are overpowered under the boards. Not sure what the answer is but suspect this is a new issue for Geno to deal with. Benching the starters does not make them taller.

No benching a starter doesn't make them taller, but it does remind them to do the little things. Effort, intensity and, yes, boxing out are all things that help you win games when the ball isn't dropping. FWIW, size isn't the only factor in rebounding. A smaller player sitting on the thigh of a big definitely makes it significantly harder to rebound.

 

[Papa33]

No benching a starter doesn't make them taller, but it does remind them to do the little things. Effort, intensity and, yes, boxing out are all things that help you win games when the ball isn't dropping. FWIW, size isn't the only factor in rebounding. A smaller player sitting on the thigh of a big definitely makes it significantly harder to rebound.

Yes yes yes! Were you to ask me, after 30 years of coaching both boys and girls high school basketball, for the most difficult (and simplest) defensive habit to ingrain, it would be to box out . . . correctly. Watch even the best rebounders, and almost all of them make the same mistake: when a shot goes up, they watch the flight of the ball and step to the basket. That's often fatal. Proper actions: look for the player you're defending (or, even better, the opponent closest to the basket) tag him/her with a hand, get a wide, low stance, and plant your butt into his/her thighs, keep the contact, and don't yield an inch toward the basket. Even if you don't get the rebound yourself, your opponent will not, which should be your first priority. Count every instance that you see a player do that in a game; you won't count very high, alas.

 

[boontonbomber]

Step 1 in rebounding is to box out. That means making contact with an opposing player. The goal is not only to get the ball but to stop the other player from getting it as well. This year's team seems to be relying on athleticism rather than fundamentals.

and whose fault is that?

 

[CL82]

and whose fault is that?

Uh, the players? Unless you mean to say that they never been taught that, then I guess every coach/trainer they ever had from the 3rd grade forward.

 

[Bama fan]

and whose fault is that?

According to my wife, probably mine!