The stats show that Mir has hit 49% of her shots, good for 5th highest on the team. She's scored 20 FG's, which is more than Muhl has scored, who has played two and a half times more minutes. She would rank (rough estimate) 5th on the team in points scored per minute, trailing only Paige, Cristyn, Edwards, and ONO. She's second on the team in FT%, having hit 11 of 14 FT's. She's 7th on the team in FT attempts, though she's 9th in minutes played. She's 6th on the team in blocked shots with 5, just one behind Cristyn Williams. She's tied with Aaliyah Edwards for 7th place in assists with 9. And let's keep in mind that Muhl and Evina have only scored (?) 49 points together in the past five games, and were shut out against St Johns. Yet Mir has remained virtually nailed to the bench.
So what in the world is going on? Of course, not second-guessing Coach Geno. But there must be a back story here.....
Don't take this the wrong way. We're just disagreeing. You have to recognize sometimes each of us have biases. I prefer ball movement with stronger guard play. Over the years with your posts-- imo - let's face it you prefer low post play. Your posts seem to always have a huge concern of the next big player they are going ot get. Then it means you are always going to ask the same questions regarding players who have higher fg%'s because they score more inside. FG% is not as important for guard play when you compare an inside scorer vs a perimeter guard. Style of play also impt. As well as EFG% and TS%. You're referencing the stat that is bias for post players without context.
The post you made here shows that imo. The individual stats you are referencing can’t take one bit into account ball movement, effectiveness in a passing offense, and running fastbreaks. In half court sets the best option (ofc not the only) is Paige for example. You saw the SC game in which SC contests many of the passes. The passes needed consistently to be thrown toward the outside hand. The 2nd and 3rd pass leading up to the 4th and 5th pass are important in order to free a player. Guards aren't just important because they can shoot 3's. It's clear here that's your bias - you're looking to quote fg% - and not the difference between what a guard does vs an inside scoring forward. You're not even looking at efg% or TS% while comparing a guard vs low post type of forward.
Even if her individual stats are better than Mir's - which they probably are-- it doesn't take into account not only competition but more importantly how the offense runs. Guard play usually lends itself to better ball movement which is super important for this team. They don’t have a dynamic post player but they do have an unreal perimeter player. In the 3 tough games vs SC, Tenn, and Ark. - scoring by the guards was critical.
And-in terms of 2pt fg%-- Mir is behind UCONN's 3 other post type of players- Liv, Edwards, and Griff. And how much of a scoring option were UCONN's "big 3" vs South Carolina, Tenn and Ark? So how much are you expecting from Mir in a more perimeter type of offense? She is going to struggle more than the big 3 (she's not shooting as well as them) and she isn't going to play defense as well as the big 3 either.
Unless you want to play Mir or Griffin at sf? But that's "Baylor Basketball." You've heard before how Geno wants his teams to emulate The old Edmonton Hockey Team led by Gretzky. He wants a fast-paced offense. Not just with fastbreaks but quick moving through passing in half court.
And a pass is faster moving than a player can run. Nika can lead fastbreaks and make very good passes in half court sets which leads to opening up the floor and playing at a fast pace. Your questions are more addressed to old-time basketball which Geno doesn't want to play. .For me -I'm thankful for the style Geno wants UCONN to play.
