Megan Walker | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Megan Walker

Unless your name is Maya Moore, there is no other #1 recruit or any really good recruit that’s going to come in and have an immediate huge impact, start, and score this large amount of points. Even Maya didn’t start freshman year until someone was injured. The only other person I can think of off the top of my head is Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis who lead the team in scoring her freshman year and didn’t start. Freshmen wait in line at UConn unless you are the best option for your position (Bria Hartley, Stefanie Dolson frosh year) and that’s just what it is and always will be. Megan will eventually be an All-American.. right now she’s still figuring it out; so calm down geez.
 
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DeeHusky said:
Unless your name is Maya Moore, there is no other #1 recruit or any really good recruit that’s going to come in and have an immediate huge impact, start, and score this large amount of points. Even Maya didn’t start freshman year until someone was injured. The only person I can think of off the top of my head is Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis who lead the team in scoring her freshman year and didn’t start. Freshmen wait in line at UConn unless you are the best option for your position (Bria Hartley, Stefanie Dolson frosh year) and that’s just what it is and always will be. Megan will eventually be an All-American.. right now she’s still figuring it out; so calm down geez.
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Whose geez?
 
jdubct said:
I'll wait and see and hold off an evaluation until Uconn completes the first three games of the tournament. If Megan demonstrates during those games consistency then I think one could determine whether she'd play much going forward in the tournament. After all, GA didn't play Crystal Dangerfield much against Mississippi State last tournament because he didn't think he could count on her.
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bags27 said:
game-to-game performance and assessment is just noise. My prediction remains: 2020-21 NPOY.
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I've read a lot of these comments about MW and while many of us hope she will meet the expectations of being high school POY, very little that I've seen so points to great success. Yes very few freshmen make significant contributions the first year but other then glimpses or flashes of greatness I don't see it. Her drive yesterday to the basket indicated an explosiveness that I haven't seen from her before.
I too hope and expect that she will make a huge sophomore leap, on the order of CD, but that isn't a given.
At times I wonder based upon her size how she's going to become a dominating force. She's clearly not a guard as she doesn't handle the ball well enough. I believe her shooting from the outside is better than we've mostly seen so far and remember a comment Geno made in practice what a good shooter she is.
I do see quickness and rebounding and scuffling for rebounds that surprised me.
I hope I'm wrong but I only see her as a part of some real good teams but not a lead player.
Bronx23
 
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I agree with those who predict that MW will never be an impact player in this program. Player development is, and has always been, a genuine problem under Geno's tutelage. For Megan to be any good, we'd have to see real evidence of improvement in her performance by next season. But I defy you to point to any other player who has made a big Sophomore leap here. Had Megan chosen some other top program, say Duke, for example, I'd be more confident as to where she's headed...here, nah, I just don't see it. Just another top recruit going to ruin in a consistent "graveyard" for top recruits...on that we can all agree!
 
Bigpetunia said:
I agree with those who predict that MW will never be an impact player in this program. Player development is, and has always been, a genuine problem under Geno's tutelage. For Megan to be any good, we'd have to see real evidence of improvement in her performance by next season. But I defy you to point to any other player who has made a big Sophomore leap here. Had Megan chosen some other top program, say Duke, for example, I'd be more confident as to where she's headed...here, nah, I just don't see it. Just another top recruit going to ruin in a consistent "graveyard" for top recruits...on that we can all agree!
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AH, lets see....Napheesa Collier and Lou became AAs their sophomore years. Geno doesn't develop top players that he recruits is so wrong that it doesn't even deserve a reply.
Megan Walker will be more than a impact player at UCONN.
 
my2cents said:
AH, lets see....Napheesa Collier and Lou became AAs their sophomore years. Geno doesn't develop top players that he recruits is so wrong that it doesn't even deserve a reply.
Megan Walker will be more than a impact player at UCONN.
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mr2cents - come on! Big Petunia was just funnin. You took the bait.
Anyway, after reading the other post about Z and her turn-around--it became clear to me about Megan and her part on this team. Remember in the beginning of the season when Z went in and it was Keystone Cops. It took almost 30 games for Z to find her role and "blend in" with the flow. Z is at AA level today and she is in her 4th year of playing top ball. Z was not practicing with the starters last year at all and not much at the beginning of the season. Little by little she got her time in with the starters (practice and big games.) It takes time to be in sync and learn each others moves and what they like. She had to understand her new role, try the new role, make mistakes with the new role, accept her new role, and finally "blend in" with her new role. Megan is in the early stages of that process. No time with starters at practice, little time in big games, and --here is the kicker--What the heck is her role? We can all see that she is not comfortable with the new role, she might not understand fully what the new role is, she might not fully accept her new role, and she does not get enough time (practice or games) fine-tuning that new role.
IMHO Geno has determined that Megan had to learn multiple skills this year and that puts extra burdens on her. Remember, Lou had one role as a frosh---stand in the corner and shoot. KML did the same as a frosh--she was the shooter. They did very little defensively, nary a rebound, and rarely, if ever, attacked the rim as frosh. Megan is expected to do all of those today. Geno always pushes the great one more than the rest.

IMO the Sophomore leap comes because of the clarification of a players role. IMO Geno sees Megan as the 5th starter next year and she has to have multiple skills developed by then. Megan has the physical skills to be great. Geno's system has worked well so far and he is the Man. The glass is more than half full.
 
PhillyCoach said:
mr2cents - come on! Big Petunia was just funnin. You took the bait.
Anyway, after reading the other post about Z and her turn-around--it became clear to me about Megan and her part on this team. Remember in the beginning of the season when Z went in and it was Keystone Cops. It took almost 30 games for Z to find her role and "blend in" with the flow. Z is at AA level today and she is in her 4th year of playing top ball. Z was not practicing with the starters last year at all and not much at the beginning of the season. Little by little she got her time in with the starters (practice and big games.) It takes time to be in sync and learn each others moves and what they like. She had to understand her new role, try the new role, make mistakes with the new role, accept her new role, and finally "blend in" with her new role. Megan is in the early stages of that process. No time with starters at practice, little time in big games, and --here is the kicker--What the heck is her role? We can all see that she is not comfortable with the new role, she might not understand fully what the new role is, she might not fully accept her new role, and she does not get enough time (practice or games) fine-tuning that new role.
IMHO Geno has determined that Megan had to learn multiple skills this year and that puts extra burdens on her. Remember, Lou had one role as a frosh---stand in the corner and shoot. KML did the same as a frosh--she was the shooter. They did very little defensively, nary a rebound, and rarely, if ever, attacked the rim as frosh. Megan is expected to do all of those today. Geno always pushes the great one more than the rest.

IMO the Sophomore leap comes because of the clarification of a players role. IMO Geno sees Megan as the 5th starter next year and she has to have multiple skills developed by then. Megan has the physical skills to be great. Geno's system has worked well so far and he is the Man. The glass is more than half full.
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Bravo! Terrific analysis. The learning curve at UConn is vastly steeper than almost anywhere else because of the complexity of both offense and defense and, depending on what your responsibilities are/eventually will be, that curve can be quite steep indeed. There is a lot invested in Megan and she will come through. But you said it a lot better than that.
 
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PhillyCoach said:
mr2cents - come on! Big Petunia was just funnin. You took the bait.
Anyway, after reading the other post about Z and her turn-around--it became clear to me about Megan and her part on this team. Remember in the beginning of the season when Z went in and it was Keystone Cops. It took almost 30 games for Z to find her role and "blend in" with the flow. Z is at AA level today and she is in her 4th year of playing top ball. Z was not practicing with the starters last year at all and not much at the beginning of the season. Little by little she got her time in with the starters (practice and big games.) It takes time to be in sync and learn each others moves and what they like. She had to understand her new role, try the new role, make mistakes with the new role, accept her new role, and finally "blend in" with her new role. Megan is in the early stages of that process. No time with starters at practice, little time in big games, and --here is the kicker--What the heck is her role? We can all see that she is not comfortable with the new role, she might not understand fully what the new role is, she might not fully accept her new role, and she does not get enough time (practice or games) fine-tuning that new role.
IMHO Geno has determined that Megan had to learn multiple skills this year and that puts extra burdens on her. Remember, Lou had one role as a frosh---stand in the corner and shoot. KML did the same as a frosh--she was the shooter. They did very little defensively, nary a rebound, and rarely, if ever, attacked the rim as frosh. Megan is expected to do all of those today. Geno always pushes the great one more than the rest.

IMO the Sophomore leap comes because of the clarification of a players role. IMO Geno sees Megan as the 5th starter next year and she has to have multiple skills developed by then. Megan has the physical skills to be great. Geno's system has worked well so far and he is the Man. The glass is more than half full.
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You're exactly right. Right now Walker defers to the older players because she feels it's kind of like their team in a way. But next year when her role is more defined, and Auriemma tells her he needs her to do say, Williams' job, she'll take ownership and the skills and instincts will take over. She has the ability to do a lot of what Williams does. And when she learns to consistently shoot OVER the front of the rim instead of AT it, she'll be really good.
 
jdubct said:
I'll wait and see and hold off an evaluation until Uconn completes the first three games of the tournament. If Megan demonstrates during those games consistency then I think one could determine whether she'd play much going forward in the tournament. After all, GA didn't play Crystal Dangerfield much against Mississippi State last tournament because he didn't think he could count on her.
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jdubct, you stole my thunder. I was going to suggest the same exact thing!!! Crystal only played 17 minutes, and Butler 6 minutes against MS. Megan is going to play during the tournament!!! How much she plays remains to be seen. During these last 6 games, the most important games of the season, Geno is going to need Megan. Especially if Gabby can't go. No one looks at her as a freshman now. That does not mean she won't play like one. Megan is capable of playing good solid defense, and as Geno and his staff have/will stress, "focus on what you do well" at this time of the season. Your Crystal reference is spot on. Sometime during the summer, the light came on for her. No one knows the exact time or place, but it did come on!!

I expect the same to happen for Megan. I also expect Megan to start every game next season, and for the remainder of her time at UConn. Geno will have 2 openings in his starting lineup after Gabby and Kia graduate, and move on to the next level. I fully expect Megan and Azure to take their place. They've been the 6th and 7th man all year, and they'll likely be the only two he'll use off the bench during the tournament. It's the most "logical" progression and promotion.

Who else on the bench is playing better than those two right now? As a starter, Megan's mindset and approach will change. To anyone that's even remotely thinking about either of the incoming freshmen starting...........................keep in mind how Geno feels about freshmen. They'll be too busy adjusting to the information overload, and the higher level of physical demands they'll encounter......................forget about it!!! :confused:

PhillyCoach, I agree with your take above: Megan has the physical skills to be great. Geno's system has worked well so far and he is the Man. The glass is more than half full.
 
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Bigpetunia said:
I agree with those who predict that MW will never be an impact player in this program. Player development is, and has always been, a genuine problem under Geno's tutelage. For Megan to be any good, we'd have to see real evidence of improvement in her performance by next season. But I defy you to point to any other player who has made a big Sophomore leap here. Had Megan chosen some other top program, say Duke, for example, I'd be more confident as to where she's headed...here, nah, I just don't see it. Just another top recruit going to ruin in a consistent "graveyard" for top recruits...on that we can all agree!
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Of course we all expect her to improve and contribute.

That said, you can't deny that she has been the least impactful #1 recruit we've ever had as a freshman. This is uncharted territory.
 
Tenspro2002 said:
Of course we all expect her to improve and contribute.

That said, you can't deny that she has been the least impactful #1 recruit we've ever had as a freshman. This is uncharted territory.
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Ann Strother had times as a freshman where she was great, courtesy of playing with Diana, but overall she had a quiet career at UConn. She actually regressed, partly b cause Geno her to play in the post. I was rooting for her but she didn’t have the aggressive mindset to be a dominant player
 
Grad1990 said:
Meagan's combination of quickness, strength, overall athleticism, skills and Geno's system will lead to AA status and the Huskie Wall of Fame. That you are unable to identify this is a reflection of your skills (or lack thereof). Further, you shouldn't be posting your ill-informed rubbish in a Boneyard post. Have you nothing better to do?
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While you are entitled to your opinion Grad 1990, so are others. Please try to disagree without being so damn disagreeable. Your response was a personal affront and hardly buffers your point. I think the MODS can decide who should or should not be posting on the BY. And they just might!
 
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Tenspro2002 said:
Of course we all expect her to improve and contribute.

That said, you can't deny that she has been the least impactful #1 recruit we've ever had as a freshman. This is uncharted territory.
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OK, I take your point, and have to sort of begrudgingly agree, but I think the uncharted territory comment is a bridge too far. Over the years, we've seen this phenomenon a lot. Megan has been less impactful as a Freshman than she might have otherwise been because a larger role for her wasn't required. That's a luxury that Geno can afford. He takes a lot of heat on our forum for allegedly tearing down the confidence level of very talented incoming players, but c'mon, how many times do we need to see this movie before we believe the ending is real? Yes, Megan's confidence is kind of shot right now, which is adversely affecting her play in the short-term, but this is happening with a larger ultimate goal in mind. Look, for example, at Azura. Last year, lots of folks here predicted that she'd be a shoo-in for NPOY this season, before she ever played a minute here. Geno tore her down pretty unmercifully. Does anyone currently doubt that the player now emerging, particularly on defense, is a better version of herself than she otherwise would have been? Would we see the same result under the direction of Coach P? Megan is going to be pretty terrific, and these are really not uncharted waters.
 
Junkaroo Jam said:
Hello: Just wondering if my recent post was too critical and therefore removed. thanks
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Wasn't removed by me, but I can see the reason.

You're a new member. Please read the Rules pinned at the top of the board. "Regarding speculation - we don't EVER speculate on possible transfers here."
 
Bigpetunia said:
OK, I take your point, and have to sort of begrudgingly agree, but I think the uncharted territory comment is a bridge too far. Over the years, we've seen this phenomenon a lot. Megan has been less impactful as a Freshman than she might have otherwise been because a larger role for her wasn't required. That's a luxury that Geno can afford. He takes a lot of heat on our forum for allegedly tearing down the confidence level of very talented incoming players, but c'mon, how many times do we need to see this movie before we believe the ending is real? Yes, Megan's confidence is kind of shot right now, which is adversely affecting her play in the short-term, but this is happening with a larger ultimate goal in mind. Look, for example, at Azura. Last year, lots of folks here predicted that she'd be a shoo-in for NPOY this season, before she ever played a minute here. Geno tore her down pretty unmercifully. Does anyone currently doubt that the player now emerging, particularly on defense, is a better version of herself than she otherwise would have been? Would we see the same result under the direction of Coach P? Megan is going to be pretty terrific, and these are really not uncharted waters.
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Yes, my point is simply that even other #1 players who were "torn down" during their freshman season provided much more than Megan Walker has provided.

Perhaps there is no correlation between freshman year impact and career productivity for #1 recruits, but we're well outside the bounds of what we have seen before in terms of lack of contribution as a freshman and therefore can't easily interpolate or project what is likely going forward. That is what I mean by "uncharted".
 
Bigpetunia said:
I agree with those who predict that MW will never be an impact player in this program. Player development is, and has always been, a genuine problem under Geno's tutelage. For Megan to be any good, we'd have to see real evidence of improvement in her performance by next season. But I defy you to point to any other player who has made a big Sophomore leap here. Had Megan chosen some other top program, say Duke, for example, I'd be more confident as to where she's headed...here, nah, I just don't see it. Just another top recruit going to ruin in a consistent "graveyard" for top recruits...on that we can all agree!
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How about Crystal!!!!
 
Junkaroo Jam said:
Hello is speculation same as opinion. Just saying. thanks
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We don't discuss potential transfers. Whether it's speculation, opinion, or prediction, we don't do it.

Discussing announced transfers is fine.
 
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HuskyNan said:
Ann Strother had times as a freshman where she was great, courtesy of playing with Diana, but overall she had a quiet career at UConn. She actually regressed, partly b cause Geno her to play in the post. I was rooting for her but she didn’t have the aggressive mindset to be a dominant player
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Geno also tried turning Charde Houston into a post player, which didn't work well. I remember seeing her as a quick h.s. guard. Suddenly she was bulking up and playing the frontcourt . I never did understand that. But that's awhile ago.
 
Tenspro2002 said:
Of course we all expect her to improve and contribute.

That said, you can't deny that she has been the least impactful #1 recruit we've ever had as a freshman. This is uncharted territory.
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There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that we (fans) don't know anything about. Natalie Butler was dealing with some "personal" issues during her time here that may or may not have effected her play. We never knew or heard about those challenges, nor should we have. They were personal. I'm not making excuses for Megan or any of the other freshmen. Just reminding everyone that this is 2018. This group of freshmen are coming along in a different time and era then that of their predecessors.

New level, new challenges. Every player responds differently at their own pace. Kia Nurse was able to function as a starter her freshman year after Chong's demotion. Nurse was NOT projected to be a starter as a freshman. She became one out of necessity. Because of her experience with the Canadian National Team, Nurse was able to step up, and step in when Geno needed her to. If you remember, this time last year, the light had not come on for Crystal yet. She was still feeling her way along, not completely sure of what she was doing, or suppose to do.

No doubt these freshmen are experiencing a much different college experience than we did back in our day, or even that of their predecessors of only 15 years ago. The time for experimentation has expired. Geno has identified the 7 players he's going to go with these last 6 games. The rest of the reserves will be cheerleaders.

Let's take a look at where the current freshmen are later in the year (November) at the start of the pre-conference portion of the season. Hopefully we'll all be pleasantly surprised at their growth and development at that point. Then we get to do this all over again with Williams, ONO and hopefully Eziyoda Magbegor.

The tickets are sold, rehearsals are done. The show is about to begin. Let's root long and hard for old UConn. To barrow a phrase from Bill Belichick as we begin our journey, " it's on to Columbus". :cool:
 
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Bigpetunia said:
OK, I take your point, and have to sort of begrudgingly agree, but I think the uncharted territory comment is a bridge too far. Over the years, we've seen this phenomenon a lot. Megan has been less impactful as a Freshman than she might have otherwise been because a larger role for her wasn't required. That's a luxury that Geno can afford. He takes a lot of heat on our forum for allegedly tearing down the confidence level of very talented incoming players, but c'mon, how many times do we need to see this movie before we believe the ending is real? Yes, Megan's confidence is kind of shot right now, which is adversely affecting her play in the short-term, but this is happening with a larger ultimate goal in mind. Look, for example, at Azura. Last year, lots of folks here predicted that she'd be a shoo-in for NPOY this season, before she ever played a minute here. Geno tore her down pretty unmercifully. Does anyone currently doubt that the player now emerging, particularly on defense, is a better version of herself than she otherwise would have been? Would we see the same result under the direction of Coach P? Megan is going to be pretty terrific, and these are really not uncharted waters.
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Big Petunia hit the jackpot. Fact--Kia was needed as a frosh and made a major contribution (mostly defense.) Gabby wasn't needed as much and did not do as much.
Lou was needed as the 5th starter and the shooter. She filled the bill, but not much more. Pheese was not needed and did her small part. Danger had her spot role and did pretty well, but wasn't ready to take over the PG from Chong. Danger had a role that she partly understood. Her Soph leap came when she understood her PG role. She had the physical & mental ability to fill that this year. The freshman impact was determined by what was required by the team/Geno.
The Petunia Point --IMHO, the key point to explain Megan's dilemma is--"Megan has been less impactful as a Freshman than she might have otherwise been because a larger role for her wasn't required. That's a luxury that Geno can afford. Those extraordinary feats were not required since she was the 7th player on this deep team. Geno had that luxury of demanding more and thinking long term.
One more piece of evidence is--other frosh around the country who are tearing up the NCAA. At Baylor, Morris had to step in for the injured PG. The Texas A&M frosh was needed as a scorer/leader and was impactful. Those outstanding frosh were put into a position where they got the game time, practice time, and full support of the coaches and team. It was required and necessary. Not so for Megan. Thanks for that insight Big Petunia!!
 
You nailed it.

I always wondered what it was like for Saniya to come into the program and try to fit in with all those (eventual) multi-year All-Americans. Who among us would not have been intimidated?

I hope MW understands that a starting spot next year is hers to lose, and that starting at UConn as a soph is a pretty big deal.
 
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