Midseason thoughts and observations | Page 2 | The Boneyard
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Midseason thoughts and observations

Regarding rotations in the tournament, I believe Allie is a permanent member of a usual rotation of 9, with Jana being the only variable. Yes Geno has gone smaller rotations but largely because he had to. Those shorter rotations also took away his ability to press which is part of this team's identity.

He needs to have more in the rotation to press, and if he goes small and doesn't use Jana, he needs to press. We are a good but not great rebounding team. Against the top contenders it could be considered a weakness. We compensate somewhat for it by getting more possessions from turnovers to make up for fewer from rebounds, but if we go small ball and don't press that would be a bad combination resulting in too few possessions.

Another factor in Jana's usage is her fasting due to her religious beliefs. If I remember right that affected her for a couple of games in the tournament last year, but that period was over by the Final Four when she performed well. When that period hits this year, the rotation could be 8 instead of 9.

Regarding Morgan I obviously don't know her details, but I could see the logic in not committing to her playing or not playing until the season plays out far more. She could be rotation injury insurance, but unlikely to make a difference if we remain healthy. If she was ready to play and a current rotation player was injured, would Geno just shrink the rotation by one, or would someone from the next tier be added.

If Ice was healthy then, I suspect he would add her, if his choice was say Caroline or Ayanna, I think he would shorten the rotation, but Morgan due to ability and versatility might be the #10 player in rank, and the best option to keep the rotation size the same if a player goes down.

So if Morgan was healthy right now, that doesn't mean the decision to activate or red-shirt has to be made now. If the team doesn't lose anyone else from the rotation, why activate her? She would likely be out of the rotation, so save a year of eligibility. If we do have an injury to a rotation player, then maybe she does play because she might be in the rotation and allow us to continue to press with the bigger rotation.

May not be the case, but I'm saying even If Geno and Morgan were leaning toward red-shirt, why not wait until much later in the season to commit to it, saying if we remain healthy you red-shirt, but if you would be in the rotation due to injury you play now?
 
I’ll try to add to the great points above via a different framework: TY’s team vs LY’s team.

LY’s team had a stratospheric Big 3 that could outscore most teams by themselves and stupendous small ball winning time rotations which were equally good in full court and half court.
  • The traditional lineups with Jana/ Ice were adequate to battle the contender teams to a standstill, but it was the small ball rotations that put the game away;
  • There were only 3 small ball winning time rotations LY (the combinations where a function of getting two guards to complete the Big 3);
  • In terms of giving breathers, one can give a breather to Azzi and Paige much more readily than to Sarah as Aubrey was the only one who can spell Sarah in small ball, and Aubrey was just cleared to play; Aubrey also played a critical role in the USC game as USC was attacking the (4) position in small ball.
TY’s team has a more solid Top 8/9/10 &1 /11 &2
  • Geno has used 19 (out of the possible 20) Winning Time Rotations (Azzi+Sarah+ 3 others of the Top 8);
  • The Winning Time Rotations (with max spurtability) encompasses traditional and small ball, which means TY’s team distances itself from other teams potentially from the jump;
  • Giving pocket breathers to any one player while keeping the offensive and defensive onslaught is far easier this year in Pocket Bridge Rotations; or Geno and CD could use another Winning Time Rotation;
  • When Geno “shrinks” the rotation this year, he can still use his Top 9/ 10&1 / 11&2 where he will give Azzi and Sarah a lot of minutes but give them pocket breathers, say with Allie and Blanca (who will also play big minutes)/ Ice &2;
  • Because this team is advanced in so many respects from other UConn teams at this point in time, Geno and CD have a lot of bandwidth to use to maximize the team’s potential by March/ April, not all of it will be apparent during Big East games;
  • And there’s so much untapped potential in Blanca, Serah, Kayleigh, Allie, Jana and Caroline; yes there are some obvious work-in-progress moments in there (which prior UConn team didn’t have those at this time? and those growing-pains minutes (a window into Geno’s stress-test practices) pays dividends in March/April and in future years) but this team is already super entertaining to watch.
I am 50/50 on who would win.

As for other quick points:
  • 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);
  • I am far less concerned about UConn’s usual Achilles Heels this year (as does JellyBean with this post);
  • Geno and CD likes to pound teams with the same things until they can prove that they can counter them (see zone press); so much of the metamorphosis of this team will remain a mystery (and hard to scout) until deep into the NCAAT;
  • Bonedog raised the important feature of punch something orange mindset à la Diana, Nika and flex Paige; while this team’s cool hand Luke (à la Stewie teams) may work, Geno is sure to test them in practice so they can be mad at him in order to come out blazes firing;
  • Morgan should probably redshirt if she is thinking about being prepared the most for the next level and if the team doesn’t really need her; There is enough recent history on trying to come back too soon;
  • &1 I know it is a small sample, but there are some flashes of the old Caroline; that’s great to see and if she keeps it up, it further obviates the need to have Morgan this year;
  • &2 Ice would be another rotation player if she is cleared to play; I know there are more capable players at each of the positions she can play, but there are certain things she does very well.
 
NycUcWbbFan said:
I’ll try to add to the great points above via a different framework: TY’s team vs LY’s team.

LY’s team had a stratospheric Big 3 that could outscore most teams by themselves and stupendous small ball winning time rotations which were equally good in full court and half court.
  • The traditional lineups with Jana/ Ice were adequate to battle the contender teams to a standstill, but it was the small ball rotations that put the game away;
  • There were only 3 small ball winning time rotations LY (the combinations where a function of getting two guards to complete the Big 3);
  • In terms of giving breathers, one can give a breather to Azzi and Paige much more readily than to Sarah as Aubrey was the only one who can spell Sarah in small ball, and Aubrey was just cleared to play; Aubrey also played a critical role in the USC game as USC was attacking the (4) position in small ball.
TY’s team has a more solid Top 8/9/10 &1 /11 &2
  • Geno has used 19 (out of the possible 20) Winning Time Rotations (Azzi+Sarah+ 3 others of the Top 8);
  • The Winning Time Rotations (with max spurtability) encompasses traditional and small ball, which means TY’s team distances itself from other teams potentially from the jump;
  • Giving pocket breathers to any one player while keeping the offensive and defensive onslaught is far easier this year in Pocket Bridge Rotations; or Geno and CD could use another Winning Time Rotation;
  • When Geno “shrinks” the rotation this year, he can still use his Top 9/ 10&1 / 11&2 where he will give Azzi and Sarah a lot of minutes but give them pocket breathers, say with Allie and Blanca (who will also play big minutes)/ Ice &2;
  • Because this team is advanced in so many respects from other UConn teams at this point in time, Geno and CD have a lot of bandwidth to use to maximize the team’s potential by March/ April, not all of it will be apparent during Big East games;
  • And there’s so much untapped potential in Blanca, Serah, Kayleigh, Allie, Jana and Caroline; yes there are some obvious work-in-progress moments in there (which prior UConn team didn’t have those at this time? and those growing-pains minutes (a window into Geno’s stress-test practices) pays dividends in March/April and in future years) but this team is already super entertaining to watch.
I am 50/50 on who would win.

As for other quick points:
  • 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);
  • I am far less concerned about UConn’s usual Achilles Heels this year (as does JellyBean with this post);
  • Geno and CD likes to pound teams with the same things until they can prove that they can counter them (see zone press); so much of the metamorphosis of this team will remain a mystery (and hard to scout) until deep into the NCAAT;
  • Bonedog raised the important feature of punch something orange mindset à la Diana, Nika and flex Paige; while this team’s cool hand Luke (à la Stewie teams) may work, Geno is sure to test them in practice so they can be mad at him in order to come out blazes firing;
  • Morgan should probably redshirt if she is thinking about being prepared the most for the next level and if the team doesn’t really need her; There is enough recent history on trying to come back too soon;
  • &1 I know it is a small sample, but there are some flashes of the old Caroline; that’s great to see and if she keeps it up, it further obviates the need to have Morgan this year;
  • &2 Ice would be another rotation player if she is cleared to play; I know there are more capable players at each of the positions she can play, but there are certain things she does very well.
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I brought this up in another post---- YES! Not saying it will happen but YES.

  • &1 I know it is a small sample, but there are some flashes of the old Caroline; that’s great to see and if she keeps it up, it further obviates the need to have Morgan this year;
 
oldude said:
While Serah is doing a solid job and will likely get better by tournament time, and UConn can always go small for a change up, there are 3 important reasons why getting Jana back healthy and part of the rotation is critical: Oldacre, Okot & Betts.

There is not another Big in the country that I am particularly worried about, including Crooks or Beers. But I think it’s necessary to matchup with the Bigs from TX, SC & UCLA with someone every bit as physical as they are.
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Agree 100%. Replaying last year's FF games definitely highlights Jana's value in the post. I hope the concussion protocol is successfully concluded because getting more playing time to work out some of the kinks and to get into an offensive and defensive flow from now to March is important.
 
NycUcWbbFan said:
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);
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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.
 
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Bone Dog said:
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.
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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.
 
NycUcWbbFan said:
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.
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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.
 
victor64 said:
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.
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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.
 
oldude said:
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.
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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.
 
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
 
Bone Dog said:
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.
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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.
 
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victor64 said:
No doubt the team is flawed but so are the other chasers. Texas sat Rori Harmon the whole fourth quarter yesterday.
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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.
 
Bills Fan said:
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.
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UCLA does not have the athleticism to stay with UConn, same as last year in the national semifinals.
 
Dogstar said:
I see what you did there...Nice!
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DO NOT ENCOURAGE HIM....
Oh No Oops GIF by Marika Hackman
 
huskeynut said:
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.
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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
 
Huskee11 said:
3. The Gandy situation is mystifying. I wish someone in the media would ask him specifically about the questions you are asking.

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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.
 
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