Midseason thoughts and observations

[Bone Dog]

Yes, most teams with certain centers are formidable playing iterations of basically the same game. I like UConn’s chances with our varied games (and yes, Jana is a key part of that);

Well said, @NycUcWbbFan. I'm particularly struck by this remark. You've really put your finger on something. The sameness of how so many teams -- including top 10 teams -- play. It suggests that they are unable to motivate kids in practices... which in turn says something about how they recruit. To have a more dynamically variable style of play requires substantial commitment to intense practices.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

Well said, @NycUcWbbFan. I'm particularly struck by this remark. You've really put your finger on something. The sameness of how so many teams -- including top 10 teams -- play. It suggests that they are unable to motivate kids in practices... which in turn says something about how they recruit. To have a more dynamically variable style of play requires substantial commitment to intense practices.

I have said something similar in responding to the recurring zombie claims that playing in a stronger conference so close to the NCAAT is somehow some magic talisman that will make UConn win more than their current 12 championships:

• “The “metamorphosis” that always happens during conference schedule would probably be hindered by having Geno and CD sequentially prepare for a parade of talented teams that frequently play the same style”;
• “The hindrance is due to Geno and CD having less bandwidth to teach these still-developing players “proper basketball” to play honed intuitive “basketball player” team basketball that can win against any opponent, rather than win the nth iteration of player match-ups against the same types of opponents”.

Funny, that you honed in on that paragraph where I used the word “most” as UCLA is a team among the contenders with a high-caliber center that is emulating UConn in having a varied game this year, from the games I have watched (not many). No more just “joy and struggle” practices (her words in the Final Four) under the same game.

 

[Bone Dog]

Funny, that you honed in on that paragraph where I used the word “most” as UCLA is a team among the contenders with a high-caliber center that is emulating UConn in having a varied game this year, from the games I have watched (not many). No more just “joy and struggle” practices (her words in the Final Four) under the same game.

I remember being struck by Cori's remark on the sideline during that final four game, that they weren't prepared to play at UConn's pace. That was honest and obvious to anyone watching. Then she said, "that's on us." I don't think she's really capable of changing her coaching style, but she wants to. If she's really developed a different sort of commitment from her team in practices -- not just "joy and struggle" -- they may do better in this tournament. Though I'm still skeptical.

I have also noticed Lauren making an effort to expand her game in the first quarter, to take elbow jumpers, to sprinting up the court on offense, to challenging guards on the perimeter. She seems to settle back into the usual "low post denizen" after the first quarter. I expect Cori has been urging this and advising its importance in terms of draft status. But it also looks like they (not just Lauren) don't yet have the conditioning or the chemistry to sustain this for a full game. On the other hand, Gabriela has really raised her game significantly.

Addendum: in the post game interview Cori said she was at least happy that all her players were returning for this season. That didn't age well.

 

[Longtime fan]

We are about halfway through the season. Things I am thinking about as we enjoy a great team.

1. Azzi, Sarah and KK could be named on the Big East first team defensive team. One of these three should be the defensive player of the year but I could not pick. Williams and Ash will make second or third team if there is such a thing. Maybe even K9.
2. A decision has to made soon about whether Morgan plays this year or not. Geno has said that he does not plan to redshirt her. But now, this late in the year, is it worth it? The staff will probably leave it up to her.
3. I have more than 100 posts explaining why Gandy is not playing. Reliable, informed posters have indicated that she can’t redshirt. I understand nearly 100% of how this staff runs their program. If Gandy can’t redshirt, the decision to not play her a couple of minutes in blowouts baffles me. i read posts defending the move but I respectfully don’t see it.
4. Geno, in recent years, has not pressed against good teams during the NCAA. He makes the other team beat him in the half court. I wonder if he changes his philosophy this year.
5. Geno’s rotation shrinks during the tournament. Typically he goes to 7. Allie is number 8. She has played really well but will it earn her quality minutes in the tournament? I would guess it depends on the matchup.
6. I think Geno has a small lineup that he likes. I think he would like to have a “big” lineup. He has experimented with some but I don’t he has settled on one yet.
7. Various teams have tried to zone the Huskies but did not have the success Michigan did. I think zone offense will be a big part of tournament game prep.
8. In both games that I have listened to Renee, she mentioned the pressure of being undefeated heading into the tournament. I don’t see a loss on the remaining schedule. I remember after the Tennessee loss last year, the team played with a freed up sense of urgency. Geno has had multiple undefeated seasons and knows how to handle it, of course, but I thought Renee’s comment was interesting.
9. Chris Dailey’s off court value has been documented. I love watching her dynamics on the bench during the games. Geno rarely sits on the bench anymore to talk to players about mistakes. The subbed player always sits next to CD and she takes care of it. I know this has been the case for years. Geno and CD tease each other but the respect and trust he has for her is obvious.
10. When was the last time Geno got a technical? Maybe he has mellowed because the quality of the officiating has certainly not gotten better.

Like many, I enjoy every second I get to watch this team play. Even when they struggle.

Really fun post to read. As to one of the unanswered questions, I think coach is leaving it up to Morgan. It is likely he has offered to red shirt her, and Morgan has said "no thanks." She must believe she is really close to competing. Does anyone know the NCAA rules which apply to that designation? Gandy is more mysterious. I have read a piece in which Geno praises everything about her; character, skill set, work ethic, attitude, etc. Nonetheless, she gets no court time even when it is practically impossible for her to embarrass herself or UCONN. Her two years of HS ball in New Jersey ( winning championship at some level, I think ) must show some readiness. I don't think she is at a level of low basketball IQ where she thinks a soccer ball is the same as a basketball. WE do need a clever journalist to find out what is going on and break the story.

 

[Vowelguy]

I was stunned by that decision. Yes, Harmon was not playing particularly well. But considering that she was leading the nation in A/TO ratio, maybe you sit her for a minute or so to clear her head, then you get her back in to finish the game.

Based on my years of following Geno, I think he would say: if someone is in the wrong frame of mind that day, then there is no point in playing them more.
And the good coaches are playing the long game. He wanted her to stew. He wanted her to sit there and be pissed off at her performance and that she was not able to contribute. He wanted her to feel that they probably lost because she didn't play to her potential.

 

[Cornell Lt]

My thoughts on this midseason:

Sarah is what she is - a generational player with few if any weaknesses
Azzi has been super for the most part. She see's the finish line of her career and she will excel in the 2nd half of the season
Ashlyn has taken a step back in her contributions, but still an important piece moving forward
Sereh has now become comfortable on the court and is turning into a real difference maker
KK is a beast and you can count on her each and every game to bring her best effort
Allie is now a part of the rotation and has been a valuable asset
Blanca is the best athlete on the team and is an energizer bunny when she's on the court
I thought Jana had turned the corner. Hoping her recent medical issue does not interfere with her progression
K9 has been producing recently, so I hope that continues
Morgan, Ice, Ayanna and Kelis will continue to get mop up minutes when healthy

 

[Bills Fan]

I remember being struck by Cori's remark on the sideline during that final four game, that they weren't prepared to play at UConn's pace. That was honest and obvious to anyone watching. Then she said, "that's on us." I don't think she's really capable of changing her coaching style, but she wants to. If she's really developed a different sort of commitment from her team in practices -- not just "joy and struggle" -- they may do better in this tournament. Though I'm still skeptical.

I have also noticed Lauren making an effort to expand her game in the first quarter, to take elbow jumpers, to sprinting up the court on offense, to challenging guards on the perimeter. She seems to settle back into the usual "low post denizen" after the first quarter. I expect Cori has been urging this and advising its importance in terms of draft status. But it also looks like they (not just Lauren) don't yet have the conditioning or the chemistry to sustain this for a full game. On the other hand, Gabriela has really raised her game significantly.

Addendum: in the post game interview Cori said she was at least happy that all her players were returning for this season. That didn't age well.

I think UCLA will be our main competitor. Loads of balance down to 6 spots. I seem to recall seeing that their entire starting lineup, plus one sub, all scored in dbl figures last game.

 

[choochoo]

No doubt the team is flawed but so are the other chasers. Texas sat Rori Harmon the whole fourth quarter yesterday.

I watched the texas game and Harmon was off from what i saw. on some plays she jogged down court and basicaly played no defense. did not look like the player i saw a couple of weeks ago when they beat UCLA.

 

[oldude]

I think UCLA will be our main competitor. Loads of balance down to 6 spots. I seem to recall seeing that their entire starting lineup, plus one sub, all scored in dbl figures last game.

UCLA does not have the athleticism to stay with UConn, same as last year in the national semifinals.

 

[DefenseBB]

I see what you did there...Nice!

DO NOT ENCOURAGE HIM....

 

[ABCDFE]

You are forgetting the other weak point of a zone - the foul line area.

With UConn's motion you can have Azzi, Sarah, KK, Sade, K9, Blanca flash through the middle for a jumper.

I also think Jana (albeit a small sample size) is capable of hitting foul line jumpers if she's in there playing against the zone

 

[Vowelguy]

I watched the texas game and Harmon was off from what i saw. on some plays she jogged down court and basicaly played no defense. did not look like the player i saw a couple of weeks ago when they beat UCLA.

Choochoo, any relation to ChitChat?

https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/wbball/roster/player/chazadi-chit-chat-wright

 

[Vowelguy]

3. The Gandy situation is mystifying. I wish someone in the media would ask him specifically about the questions you are asking.

.

David Ubben

The FBS head coaches voted unanimously to expand the eligibility for redshirt years from four games to nine. This is just a recommendation that will be put forth to the Division I committees.

It's gonna be hard to allow FB players to redshirt after playing 75% of games, and keep it at 0% for other sports. I think it's pretty clear that UConn expects this change to happen in the next few years, thereby allowing Gandy to count this year as a redshirt. It is a bit of a risk, but consider the options:

A: Put her out there for a couple of minutes of super mop up time.
B: NCAA makes change and she gets extra year.

I would say there's barely any value in A, so even if B had a 25% probability, I'd bet on that.

 

[Jonathan14]

Thought about a separate thread for Blanca, but, since you mentioned it….is there a “big” or front court player you’ve seen in WCBB with a handle better than hers? How about finishing around the basket? How about the use of her left hand?

There's only one I can think of: Sarah Strong. 🤓