Mikayla Coombs is looking better

[UConn82]

OK, she doesn't shoot (yet?), but 6 rebounds and 2 steals. To my eye, she seemed more aggressive, more in the flow.

I like this. Maybe, just maybe, she can progress enough to get in the rotation.

She is plenty good enough of an athlete. I think she needs to continue to relax and just play hard (and smart).

 

[Gus Mahler]

Agree. I think this team really needs her as a backup guard.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Liked the hustle that Mikayla showed in today's game. Even when she made mistakes on defense, she hustled to make up for it. Needs to take some of her open looks instead of driving to the basket.

 

[Sonny44]

Yea, the bench looked pretty sparse today.

 

[Carnac]

Liked the hustle that Mikayla showed in today's game. Even when she made mistakes on defense, she hustled to make up for it. Needs to take some of her open looks instead of driving to the basket.

She was the only UConn player not to score today. She only took 1 shot.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Some thought CW played like Naketa (sp) Sales; I'd say Coombs plays like her, without the confidence. Her leaping while attacking the basket is pure Sales, Bloomfields Best.

C

 

[Gus Mahler]

I thought Mikayla showed well. Not long ago Geno said she was good at getting her hands on the ball in an offensive rebound situation. That was certainly evident today. Plus she tipped a pass, made a steal, got a rebound or two. I can imagine her being a lot better by the end of February.

 

[Longtime fan]

Liked the hustle that Mikayla showed in today's game. Even when she made mistakes on defense, she hustled to make up for it. Needs to take some of her open looks instead of driving to the basket.

The problem is that Mikayla cannot convert a three with any consistency. Her shot is defective...because she " flicks " the ball from hip level, and does not line up the ball, the basket, her eyes and her hands. She has made one three at UCONN ( I thought it was none ). It seemed obvious today ( because she had a few " open looks" from three point range ) that she has no confidence in her shot, either. Instead, she drives toward the hoop, into traffic, and loses the ball. Not worth it. She is all the things you mention ( speed, passing, defense, rebounding ) but on offense, she either has to forget about it or find a "plan B).

 

[SVCBeercats]

OK, she doesn't shoot (yet?), but 6 rebounds and 2 steals. To my eye, she seemed more aggressive, more in the flow. I like this. Maybe, just maybe, she can progress enough to get in the rotation. She is plenty good enough of an athlete. I think she needs to continue to relax and just play hard (and smart).

I think with more successful playing time her confidence should increase. Of course she will need a few good shows against the tough teams to be considered for the rotation. She will have to continue to earn playing time through stellar practices. After all she is not 6'5" tall. Therefore she gets no "Advance to Go" or "Get out of Geno's Doghouse Free" cards. About Coombs I don't believe Geno will ever say "perhaps she is just a player who plays better than she practices."

 

[UConn82]

I do hope that she works all summer on her shot, and comes back next year with a reasonably solid mid-range game. With her athleticism, she could be quite good.

We shall see.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I do hope that she works all summer on her shot, and comes back next year with a reasonably solid mid-range game. With her athleticism, she could be quite good.

We shall see.

Yes. We always have to keep in mind that she was constrained this past summer regarding what she could do. Hard to work on a jump shot if you can't jump.

 

[UConn82]

Yes, good point Gus.

She seems like a really good kid. Lots of upside. My comment was meant to focus on her upside, not her not working hard. Maybe I didn't make that clear.

 

[hoophuskee]

She can't shoot. Until/unless she can -- that's not a good thing unless other positions can shoot.

 

[RogueDave]

Hopefully we will see her raise her BB IQ, that is the only thing keeping her on the bench, struggles to make good decisions on both ends of the floor, as athletic as you can get, ever figures out what she is doing out there will absolutely smoke opponents...

 

[Bama fan]

Some thought CW played like Naketa (sp) Sales; I'd say Coombs plays like her, without the confidence. Her leaping while attacking the basket is pure Sales, Bloomfields Best.

C

She played some good minutes today. Defending, rebounding ,blocks, steals. But when it comes to shooting she resembles Soupy Sales more than Nykesha Sales!

 

[Longtime fan]

Yes. We always have to keep in mind that she was constrained this past summer regarding what she could do. Hard to work on a jump shot if you can't jump.

Its is also easy to forget ( put me first in one ) that last year was essentially " lost " to Mikayla. Even early in the season, I imagine she was feeling the effects of the illness which, eventually, set her down. So she is not much different than a freshman player, although she knows the system somewhat better.

 

[Charliebball]

The problem is that Mikayla cannot convert a three with any consistency. Her shot is defective...because she " flicks " the ball from hip level, and does not line up the ball, the basket, her eyes and her hands. She has made one three at UCONN ( I thought it was none ). It seemed obvious today ( because she had a few " open looks" from three point range ) that she has no confidence in her shot, either. Instead, she drives toward the hoop, into traffic, and loses the ball. Not worth it. She is all the things you mention ( speed, passing, defense, rebounding ) but on offense, she either has to forget about it or find a "plan B).

since she's quick enough to get around her defender I'd like to see her shoot some pull up jump shots from 10-12 feet..............if nothing else she will draw some defenders her way leading to open looks for others............I believe she has that shot in her repertoire..........

 

[BroadwayVa]

She played some good minutes today. Defending, rebounding ,blocks, steals. But when it comes to shooting she resembles Soupy Sales more than Nykesha Sales!

Soup Sales??? Harsh. However, to take some of my emotions out of liking the kid--
The N.Sales remark was not accuracy but flying high when attacking the basket.
Mikayla, as far as I know, isn't funny---oops neither was Soupy. I never was one happy viewing old men acting silly; that goes to for old/er Jerry Lewis. At 25/30 he was FUNNY at 60 doing the same routines---well.
Got your meaning, and I get until she can hit her shot accurately her time will be in clean up or there about.

 

[Bama fan]

Soup Sales??? Harsh. However, to take some of my emotions out of liking the kid--
The N.Sales remark was not accuracy but flying high when attacking the basket.
Mikayla, as far as I know, isn't funny---oops neither was Soupy. I never was one happy viewing old men acting silly; that goes to for old/er Jerry Lewis. At 25/30 he was FUNNY at 60 doing the same routines---well.
Got your meaning, and I get until she can hit her shot accurately her time will be in clean up or there about.

I like her too. But she cannot buy a basket . Hoping that changes soon!

 

[Carnac]

I thought Mikayla showed well. Not long ago Geno said she was good at getting her hands on the ball in an offensive rebound situation. That was certainly evident today. Plus she tipped a pass, made a steal, got a rebound or two. I can imagine her being a lot better by the end of February.

Right now, Mikayla's defense is ahead of her offense, which is OK for now. There will be times when they need her defensive prowess on the floor to either keep order, or restore it. Geno has enough people that can put the ball in the basket. There will be times when he's going to need a STOPPER!!! A stopper the likes of Moriah Jefferson and Kia Nurse.

 

[Carnac]

I like her too. But she cannot buy a basket . Hoping that changes soon!

She was averaging 24 ppg as a senior in HS. I don't think she's forgotten how to shoot. Her confidence is gone.
It needs to be restored. Simply run plays for her during the game. Especially against the weaker teams UConn will face.

 

[Bama fan]

She was averaging 24 ppg as a senior in HS. I don't think she's forgotten how to shoot. Her confidence is gone.
It needs to be restored. Simply run plays for her during the game. Especially against the weaker teams UConn will face.

I really hope you are right. It is a shame to have a player no one feels the need to guard. She is athletic and tough.

 

[boontonbomber]

Obviously she hasn't taken a lot of foul shots(6 for 8), and she's not guarded very closely there, but I think she shows a nice soft touch from the line. I guess depends on how much work she puts in, but with that touch don't think her form disqualifies her. With her quickness defenders have to play off her, so might give her enough space to get shots off. You watch her, and it's clear she knows how to play the game. For sure, her ability to rebound, for example, has to do with quickness and jumping ability, but also has to do with her anticipation and instincts; things you can't teach. And she can defend. Pretty obvious, I guess, that I think she can be a player.

 

[Florida Fan]

OK, she doesn't shoot (yet?), but 6 rebounds and 2 steals. To my eye, she seemed more aggressive, more in the flow.

I like this. Maybe, just maybe, she can progress enough to get in the rotation.

She is plenty good enough of an athlete. I think she needs to continue to relax and just play hard (and smart).

On board with all the comments extolling Mikayla's athleticism, how well she runs the floor and keeps her head up. And she's a banger, with quick hands, just needing, as folks have said, more confidence in her shot and that slick drive to the hoop to finish what she's so capably started.

 

[southofnorth]

Can someone explain what’s wrong with her shot? I’ve seen a lot of posts on here saying she has a side windup, but from highlight videos of her all I can tell is that her shot seems to come from down by her hip.

 

[BroadwayVa]

[Q I don't think she's forgotten how to shoot. Her confidence is gone.
It needs to beUOTE="Scoop, post: 2951409, member: 8229"]She was averaging 24 ppg as a senior in HS. restored. Simply run plays for her during the game. Especially against the weaker teams UConn will face.[/QUOTE]
Uconn is a bad place to lose confidence. Everything is at a faster, higher level than most HS kids has ever seen. I am pleased you see her potential. I say this about most kids that can't buy a basket as Frosh/soph--Shooters don't forget how to shoot. Her speed is her asset and the bane to her improvement. As some, could be many, have said: She needs to play quickly but not fast. I like this kid.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Can someone explain what’s wrong with her shot? I’ve seen a lot of posts on here saying she has a side windup, but from highlight videos of her all I can tell is that her shot seems to come from down by her hip.

I'm a believer in: If her shot falls regularly: Don't mess with her style. Others see as you see and say it must be changed because NOW at Uconn she isn't scoring as she did in HS--Geno and others say she has everything except CONFIDENCE, which is something that is harder to obtain once it fades.

w

 

[BroadwayVa]

I really hope you are right. It is a shame to have a player no one feels the need to guard. She is athletic and tough.

She is more of a threat than Irwin. If you watched the S.H game Irwin was open a lot. Coombs; because she slashes to the basket other teams must guard her that close in, even I at 4 ft from the basket may be a threat.. It is easier to not guard someone that is not a long ball offensive threat. Yes Irwin has made some 3's .You don't guard, CW, Danger,Napheesa, KLS past the arc at your peril.

 

[Bama fan]

You may threaten at 4 feet. But she "slashes to the basket" out of control and does not complete the play. I really like her, and appreciate her good qualities, and wish her well in every way. I realize you are fond of her, but until she starts scoring she will not be a scoring threat. Das ist alles.

 

[HopJim]

She was averaging 24 ppg as a senior in HS. I don't think she's forgotten how to shoot. Her confidence is gone.
It needs to be restored. Simply run plays for her during the game. Especially against the weaker teams UConn will face.

Has anyone seen her shot from high school? She is so athletic that I suspect she could get most of the 24 points via drives.