Mir? Any idea why so little playing time?

[GRIFFBIFF20]

 

[uconnever]

Can she shoot 3s better than Saylor? If no, then Saylor has more potential to help the team this March.

Who says?

There’s no way Saylor can help us more than Mir can this year. Have you watched Saylor play when she got in there. I’m sure she is gonna be a great player for us, but I have not seen anything to suggest that she can help us AT ALL this year. Mir on the other hand, I wouldn’t put it past her to come up with a HUGE offensive or defensive rebound to help us win number 12. It might only be because she got here late, but still. I believe that Mir deserves more playing time than those two, because anyone should be able to see by her playing time that she is far and away better than both Saylor and Piath. Mir I believe can actually help us now if Geno gave her the chance. I think the other two would be more of a liability than Mir because she has her flaws also.

 

[JRRRJ]

... She would rank (rough estimate) 5th on the team in points scored per minute, trailing only Paige, Cristyn, Edwards, and ONO....

No need to estimate -- confirmation of your guess will be found in the per-40 spreadsheet.

 

[Go/huskies]

I see Caroline Ducharme going in for Paige and CW next year and then starting her second year along with Paige and Azzi.

I agree, you don’t go from that low in the rankings then skyrocket like Ducharme did, she’s a hard worker, and will definitely get some minutes next year, also who was the last top 10 recruit that didn’t get minutes at UConn?
About Mir I think Geno is set on his rotation of 7, idk if Anna will even get time once she makes it back. Mir is a skilled player but she’s undersized with not a lot of confidence in her outside shot, I know people are saying Saylor is a better shooter, but I believe they have both only made 1 3pointer in college. When Mir committed to UConn Edwards was still uncommitted, I think Mir would see time more if Edwards wasn’t here, because we would still be lacking depth in the post. I like Mir and I thought she could have been similar to Gabby Williams, but I often think to myself would Gabby have turned into the player she became if UConn had signed Cox in the 2016 class? I also say no because Cox would have likely been our starting center.

 

[Vowelguy]

There’s no way Saylor can help us more than Mir can this year. Have you watched Saylor play when she got in there. I’m sure she is gonna be a great player for us, but I have not seen anything to suggest that she can help us AT ALL this year. Mir on the other hand, I wouldn’t put it past her to come up with a HUGE offensive or defensive rebound to help us win number 12. It might only be because she got here late, but still. I believe that Mir deserves more playing time than those two, because anyone should be able to see by her playing time that she is far and away better than both Saylor and Piath. Mir I believe can actually help us now if Geno gave her the chance. I think the other two would be more of a liability than Mir because she has her flaws also.

I did not say Saylor was better.
I said the team could use outside shooters.

If Saylor were a great 3 point shooter, then she has potential to help the team in March.

I do not expect that to happen.

 

[BBallF]

I am arriving late to this party but Geno is a self- professed student of Wooden and the mantra is "you play as you practice". We don't know how Mir is doing there. Does she know the plays? Does she perform well on defense in practice? Does she switch well? She can be a very valuable player for us, some other BYers notwithstanding, but only the coaching staff knows whether we are seeing a set pattern or just a temporary chateau de bow wow.

 

[Zinethar]

OK first I love watching Mir be Mir. But Geno determines who plays and as far as I see does it well. He praised Mir earlier this season and she started to get more minutes. Then she seemed to hit a wall and all that evaporated. She fouls too much and flops too much. Flopping leaves her man unguarded and slows others in the area. In one press conference Geno referred to it. Not a good look. She still does not seem to have the concept of the offense - like Aubrey last year. It takes longer for some people. If she shows the growth Geno is looking for she will play.

 

[Bajan Best]

Giving "15 players enough minutes" is not HIS challenge. Nor is it "to keep everyone happy."

His challenge is coach his team to win as many games as possible including the title game.

And here I was thinking his Challenge was to develop All his players to become the best versions of themselves while learning how to work together as a team to achieve that elusive goal of excellence.. Silly me

 

[Carnac]

Oh boy another one that thinks Geno is God !

This is the official UConn Women’s Basketball Think Tank. Geno is our coach, and thus sits on a very high roost here. Geno is not God, more like a Demigod, and we‘re proud and glad he’s our coach.

 

[Carnac]

OK, me being over 65, I guess my knowledge of the time per quarter is a bit off 🙂 . No matter who player plays FRONT COURT or BACK COURT or BOTH, this Coaching Staff will certainly be challenged to get enough playing minutes for "15 Total Players" to A) be effective and extremely competitive, B) to come up with the BEST overall combinations, game in and game out, and C) to keep everyone happy. It will NO DOUBT be the most challenging season that Geno and his Coaching Staff will face in all of his years at UCONN.

I doubt there is a coach in HS or college basketball that has 15 players on his/her roster, and can/is keeping all of them happy with an acceptable amount of playing time.

 

[CTisballers]

I did not say Saylor was better.
I said the team could use outside shooters.

If Saylor were a great 3 point shooter, then she has potential to help the team in March.

I do not expect that to happen.

But she’s like 1-10 right now while Mir hit a 3 too. I’m not seeing that outside shot from her yet. What I like about Mir is her heart she battles and plays hard every time she’s in there. I think Geno should put these girls in earlier than 3 and 4 minutes when we up by 40. The big East seem as weak as the AAC so our freshman’s now should be able to compete with teams alone.

 

[dragon]

Saylor is not afraid to shoot and has a nice quick shot. Once she starts making them she will put up points quickly.

 

[HiDribble]

Great athelete, shooting not so much.

 

[Husky pride]

Any idea why so little playing time?

There very well be key coach reasons to which we are not privy to, that factor into her limited minutes. Short of that being the case, it would be great if she could gain some valuable experience— at least toward the end of blow-out games.

 

[Cuango]

I would request that you and I NOT have any more back and forths about short benches vs long benches. You disagree with me and I disagree with you. Besides neither of us is 100% correct. Too many examples on either side. Do me a favor and don't just sluff off Dean's "Blue Team" approach. Dean is way up on one of the top branches of the history of college basketball tree. He was just a branch below Naismith himself, having begun his illustrious career at Kansas. His career is so much more than NC's. He was a preeminent innovator.
I tried to pose a couple of kind of nuanced points, but you went straight to your short bench argument.
One reason for teams, even great teams having short benches is that they don't have a full bench of players that can contribute. I believe deeply in the idea that if you have players on your team that are capable of contributing to the team's success, then you should play them. There are multiple benefits to doing that, and a large one is the maximum development of each player in your charge. Nika IMO is the perfect example. IMO we're better with Nika. If Anna's healthy in this short bench world, maybe Nika never plays. Maybe PB never gets to play off the ball.
In addition to winning NC's, Geno has a responsibility to each young woman put in his charge. If these top recruits develop there is going to be a logjam for playing time. What's going to happen? He doesn't graduate anybody. Players even get another year of eligibility. E should stay. She has the best coaching and best training staff she will ever have. She can prove herself to be 100% healthy before entering the draft. And another monster recruiting class coming in. What's he gunna do HoopHuskie? I contend he has a responsibility to every player recruited at UConn to help them be the best players they can be. Priority #1. Did you bother looking at Wooden's pyramid?
You ever heard of Sven Nater? We're gunna have 3, 4, or 5 Naters next year.

You are right that Geno has a responsibility to each player. However, that does not mean he has a responsibility to play them if he does not feel they are meeting his requirements for playing time. His responsibility is to teach them and if they meet his standards, then they get the opportunity to play. If not, it is on them. He owes them opportunity, not an outcome.

 

[Cuango]

There’s no way Saylor can help us more than Mir can this year. Have you watched Saylor play when she got in there. I’m sure she is gonna be a great player for us, but I have not seen anything to suggest that she can help us AT ALL this year. Mir on the other hand, I wouldn’t put it past her to come up with a HUGE offensive or defensive rebound to help us win number 12. It might only be because she got here late, but still. I believe that Mir deserves more playing time than those two, because anyone should be able to see by her playing time that she is far and away better than both Saylor and Piath. Mir I believe can actually help us now if Geno gave her the chance. I think the other two would be more of a liability than Mir because she has her flaws also.

Look, I don’t have any idea whether Saylor or Mir can make any kind of substantial contributions toward a championship this year. However, I know who does know the answer to that question. Geno! Also, I would just say that if Saylor is learning and understanding the offense and defense better and faster than Mir, then she will get more play. That’s simply the way it goes, not just for Geno, but for almost all coaches. Mir is tremendously athletic and explosive at 5’11” and (apparently) can’t throw it in the ocean from 5+ feet from the basket,while Saylor is less athletic (but not a klutz) 6’2” and has the ability to shoot from everywhere on the court. While I love Mir’s energy and athleticism, if she is constantly making mistakes in where she is supposed to be or go and Saylor is not, then Saylor deserves more time. Not saying that is happening, just trying to show how it could be.

 

[hoophuskee]

I would request that you and I NOT have any more back and forths about short benches vs long benches. You disagree with me and I disagree with you. Besides neither of us is 100% correct. Too many examples on either side. Do me a favor and don't just sluff off Dean's "Blue Team" approach. Dean is way up on one of the top branches of the history of college basketball tree. He was just a branch below Naismith himself, having begun his illustrious career at Kansas. His career is so much more than NC's. He was a preeminent innovator.
I tried to pose a couple of kind of nuanced points, but you went straight to your short bench argument.
One reason for teams, even great teams having short benches is that they don't have a full bench of players that can contribute. I believe deeply in the idea that if you have players on your team that are capable of contributing to the team's success, then you should play them. There are multiple benefits to doing that, and a large one is the maximum development of each player in your charge. Nika IMO is the perfect example. IMO we're better with Nika. If Anna's healthy in this short bench world, maybe Nika never plays. Maybe PB never gets to play off the ball.
In addition to winning NC's, Geno has a responsibility to each young woman put in his charge. If these top recruits develop there is going to be a logjam for playing time. What's going to happen? He doesn't graduate anybody. Players even get another year of eligibility. E should stay. She has the best coaching and best training staff she will ever have. She can prove herself to be 100% healthy before entering the draft. And another monster recruiting class coming in. What's he gunna do HoopHuskie? I contend he has a responsibility to every player recruited at UConn to help them be the best players they can be. Priority #1. Did you bother looking at Wooden's pyramid?
You ever heard of Sven Nater? We're gunna have 3, 4, or 5 Naters next year.

If we say that Dean Smith is to be judged beyond titles then so must Auriemma. You certainly hold Geno in high esteem –but I wonder about others. There certainly have been threads (and posts) here created pointing out that it’s “title or bust.” That’s the context I was replying to with Griff (in which you ultimately replied to me) - whether he meant his post in any manner of Geno failing – I was just reaffirming my point that “Individual Players” is NOT the “big” question. Its winning titles.

Let’s face it, if one were to gamble of taking The Field vs UCONN – the odds would be in favor of The Field. The chances of UCONN winning It All vs THE Field as of this moment is under 50%. Individually ofc it’s different. Yet if they were to lose – the chances of some blaming Auriemma – and not providing the same respect you are suggesting to apply to Dean Smith when he didn’t win it all- is 100% blame to Auriemma in terms of a thread or two --plus many posts blaming coach and individual players for their "FAILURE." Which I never agree with that tone While it’s possible there could be some warranted slight blame - but it’s much more likely there will be much more blame thrown at him. Blame not only with game management. but of his style, and his recruiting, and his overall philosophy all because his team got to FF but didn’t win the last game. If Geno can get blamed in this manner so can Dean Smith.

So – taking this into account—when I think the coach is right about Mir’s playing time—it has to mean I’m in favor of a short bench in this instance. How can we get around that when I’m saying that “Individual Players playing time” is NOT the big challenge for Geno?

So with your reply to me and your request to not get into it about long vs short bench—ofc it’s going to come down to long bench vs short bench in these type of instances. And, to further that, ofc if there is any reference to another coach as a counter to what Geno is doing – I’m 99% of the time going to side with the philosophy of the best coach in wcbb history.

Why wouldn’t I? He’s winning and still recruiting like a giant!!

And while you say let’s not go back and forth about long bench vs short you are asking me questions about playing time of individual players that are part of the discussion of long bench vs short. I’ll be happy to reply to your questions but the individual players do relate to our past discussions of long bench vs short. I think your questions were rhetorical- so I won’t provide specifics but if you want it- I will. And I’ll reiterate- Geno’s biggest responsibility is to win titles. This is big time athletics where in most cases people get fired for not winning--- and revenue rules. If we want to make everyone happy then let's not keep score.

 

[hoophuskee]

And here I was thinking his Challenge was to develop All his players to become the best versions of themselves while learning how to work together as a team to achieve that elusive goal of excellence.. Silly me

You would be wrong. If his team doesn't win enough (lose many. many of his games. - Never happen though) - eventually he gets fired/retires and the school loses revenue because you're not ever going to achieve enough winning unless you play your best players. How many games do you need links to - to see the minute distribution Auriemma employs for his starters vs his bench in big games which will show that he isn't developing "ALL HIS PLAYERS" in the context I previously spoke of?

The context/ elusive goal I speak of is winning titles. Some teams win titles and do not play excellent yet that title is as much cherished as the superior team playing "excellent." Just because you "win" doesn't mean you played "excellent. "The goal is to win that last game.

 

[MD#12Fan]

If we say that Dean Smith is to be judged beyond titles then so must Auriemma. You certainly hold Geno in high esteem –but I wonder about others. There certainly have been threads (and posts) here created pointing out that it’s “title or bust.” That’s the context I was replying to with Griff (in which you ultimately replied to me) - whether he meant his post in any manner of Geno failing – I was just reaffirming my point that “Individual Players” is NOT the “big” question. Its winning titles.

Let’s face it, if one were to gamble of taking The Field vs UCONN – the odds would be in favor of The Field. The chances of UCONN winning It All vs THE Field as of this moment is under 50%. Individually ofc it’s different. Yet if they were to lose – the chances of some blaming Auriemma – and not providing the same respect you are suggesting to apply to Dean Smith when he didn’t win it all- is 100% blame to Auriemma in terms of a thread or two --plus many posts blaming coach and individual players for their "FAILURE." Which I never agree with that tone While it’s possible there could be some warranted slight blame - but it’s much more likely there will be much more blame thrown at him. Blame not only with game management. but of his style, and his recruiting, and his overall philosophy all because his team got to FF but didn’t win the last game. If Geno can get blamed in this manner so can Dean Smith.

So – taking this into account—when I think the coach is right about Mir’s playing time—it has to mean I’m in favor of a short bench in this instance. How can we get around that when I’m saying that “Individual Players playing time” is NOT the big challenge for Geno?

So with your reply to me and your request to not get into it about long vs short bench—ofc it’s going to come down to long bench vs short bench in these type of instances. And, to further that, ofc if there is any reference to another coach as a counter to what Geno is doing – I’m 99% of the time going to side with the philosophy of the best coach in wcbb history.

Why wouldn’t I? He’s winning and still recruiting like a giant!!

And while you say let’s not go back and forth about long bench vs short you are asking me questions about playing time of individual players that are part of the discussion of long bench vs short. I’ll be happy to reply to your questions but the individual players do relate to our past discussions of long bench vs short. I think your questions were rhetorical- so I won’t provide specifics but if you want it- I will. And I’ll reiterate- Geno’s biggest responsibility is to win titles. This is big time athletics where in most cases people get fired for not winning--- and revenue rules. If we want to make everyone happy then let's not keep score.

What about your theory of what Geno will do next year? Will players be "shortchanged" on opportunities to play? Is it a good enough answer to say to the kids, "I play the best 6 or 7, ok guys let's compete for playing time, play the UConn way and let the chips fall as they may"? He's going to have 15 players expecting to play. These are top recruits mixed in with players looking to advance themselves, maybe even defending NC players.
Can he play 94 feet, thus using players in different ways, providing opportunities for more playing time for more individuals. Can he have a "Blue Team" in order to get meaningful playing time to more individuals"? Come on, let me hear.

 

[BBallF]

I can't imagine that if Geno has 15 players next year with at least 10 good enough to play at UCONN by usual standards right away that he will play 7 players. I think the 7 right now is reflective of all the players he has and their development so far. Remember the 2015 Kentucky men's team that lost to Wisconsin in the Final Four which had 2 separate groups of 5? That platooning system was by necessity. Calipari couldn't sit players who were so talented with no playing time. Pick your best 5 at times or your best 7 at times if you need to but you are hurting your team by not allowing playing time to those who have truly earned it. You don't keep moving the bar higher so only 7 can jump over it, if you have 8, 9 or 10 who qualify, they play. You figure out how. You have to coach the team you have, with the strengths and weaknesses you have, not artificially shrink or expand playing time. That is Geno's greatest attribute, his ability to make excellence out of very diverse teams and get to the Final Four. If he has an embarrassment of riches next year, he ain't keeping those riches in a locked chest. They are going to be shown everyday and all the way to the NC.

 

[hoophuskee]

What about your theory of what Geno will do next year? Will players be "shortchanged" on opportunities to play? Is it a good enough answer to say to the kids, "I play the best 6 or 7, ok guys let's compete for playing time, play the UConn way and let the chips fall as they may"? He's going to have 15 players expecting to play. These are top recruits mixed in with players looking to advance themselves, maybe even defending NC players.
Can he play 94 feet, thus using players in different ways, providing opportunities for more playing time for more individuals. Can he have a "Blue Team" in order to get meaningful playing time to more individuals"? Come on, let me hear.

You want me to answer next year's lineup in terms of minute distribution - and this year isn't even over yet? How am I supposed to do that when UCON is so young and still so many questions for this year?

If you want me to wild guess I need 8 parameter questions answered than so I can give you a wild, wild, wild guess off the top of my head. It's a complete wild guess.

1-- What happened this year? How far did we go and who was excellent? Who was good? Who was average? And who was bad?

2- Is there any other teams other than SC and Stanford that could stay within a dozen points of next years club if Azzi is the real deal too? If so, how many others on the schedule? You see, imo if Azzi is the real deal then this team potentially is rivalling the greatest teams ever. As a result, many annihilations early. Paige doesn't play 36.5 minutes. So question one above relates to question 2.

3- I need to know how Anna Is. Is she back to heathy, athletic enough, and hitting over 40% of her 3's this year 2021 once she comes back? How is she looking in 2021-2022 practices and scrimmage games?

4- How well did Evina play down the stretch? Especially the big games.

5- Is CWill playing at a higher/consistent level? Especially the big games.

6- How well is Nika able to shoot her 3's?

7-- How many/ if any of the Big 3 of Liv, Edwards, and Griff are able to hit their ft's along with hitting their perimeter shots?

8-- What do I get if I'm right? A trip to Storrs hanging out by the pond in the dead of winter?

If they are all excellent then we have a dream team. I'd love a dream team of 10+ players all playing excellent and UCONN destroys everyone by 15 or more- then great. But that's not realistic imo.

There's more than likely a minute disrtibutuion in reg games vs big games.

 

[hoophuskee]

I can't imagine that if Geno has 15 players next year with at least 10 good enough to play at UCONN by usual standards right away that he will play 7 players. I think the 7 right now is reflective of all the players he has and their development so far. Remember the 2015 Kentucky men's team that lost to Wisconsin in the Final Four which had 2 separate groups of 5? That platooning system was by necessity. Calipari couldn't sit players who were so talented with no playing time. Pick your best 5 at times or your best 7 at times if you need to but you are hurting your team by not allowing playing time to those who have truly earned it. You don't keep moving the bar higher so only 7 can jump over it, if you have 8, 9 or 10 who qualify, they play. You figure out how. You have to coach the team you have, with the strengths and weaknesses you have, not artificially shrink or expand playing time. That is Geno's greatest attribute, his ability to make excellence out of very diverse teams and get to the Final Four. If he has an embarrassment of riches next year, he ain't keeping those riches in a locked chest. They are going to be shown everyday and all the way to the NC.

We heard the same thing at the end of last year/ the start of this year.

Next year they could become among the best ever. As a result more minutes could be spread around due to blowouts but if Azzi is like Paige next year -- those two aren't coming out in big games other than a minute or 2 unless in a big game they are whipping a team- but close games - two players right off the bat aren't coming out for more than a couple of minutes unless injured or foul trouble.

Reg season games a lot of players - but close games the bench will get considerably shortened more than likely.

 

[BBallF]

There definitely is that freshman learning curve that may move some players to the back of the line and I think that has happened to Mir. I agree as to Paige and Azzi. This year though we had 3 returning players, next year we should have 11 assuming Evina stays. You play the players you need to win the game no doubt but I don't see many close games next year. Geno will always be developing the team during the season for March and a FF and beyond. I just think there will be more than 7 moving parts to it when we get there, most likely 9 or 10. Just too much multifaceted talent that can contribute in significant ways with a lot of players from this year knowing exactly what their role is. Just Azzi added to this year's core 7 makes 8 and you have to figure on Saylor or Caroline for a 3 point shooter off the bench for 9 and more interior help as well. That makes 10.

 

[hoophuskee]

There definitely is that freshman learning curve that may move some players to the back of the line and I think that has happened to Mir. I agree as to Paige and Azzi. This year though we had 3 returning players, next year we should have 11 assuming Evina stays. You play the players you need to win the game no doubt but I don't see many close games next year. Geno will always be developing the team during the season for March and a FF and beyond. I just think there will be more than 7 moving parts to it when we get there, most likely 9 or 10. Just too much multifaceted talent that can contribute in significant ways with a lot of players from this year knowing exactly what their role is. Just Azzi added to this year's core 7 makes 8 and you have to figure on Saylor or Caroline for a 3 point shooter off the bench for 9 and more interior help as well. That makes 10.

Reg season - blowouts- definitely more minutes dispersed.

 

[Skeets]

And here I was thinking his Challenge was to develop All his players to become the best versions of themselves while learning how to work together as a team to achieve that elusive goal of excellence.. Silly me

His challenge is to win NCs.

 

[cbraarj]

What states still use only two refs in high school? Maybe if Mir played more she would stop fouling so much. It happened with Edwards. She used to foul too much but, playing time has helped her to learn to avoid so many fouls. The same can be said of Muhl. As some has stated, maybe her practices have not pleased Geno.

Connecticut only uses two.

 

[cbraarj]

OK, me being over 65, I guess my knowledge of the time per quarter is a bit off 🙂 . No matter who player plays FRONT COURT or BACK COURT or BOTH, this Coaching Staff will certainly be challenged to get enough playing minutes for "15 Total Players" to A) be effective and extremely competitive, B) to come up with the BEST overall combinations, game in and game out, and C) to keep everyone happy. It will NO DOUBT be the most challenging season that Geno and his Coaching Staff will face in all of his years at UCONN.

Genos 2001 team was better than this and he got 10 players minutes in most games with a full roster. 2001 was his most talented team ever and he often says it.

 

[freshler40]

OK, me being over 65, I guess my knowledge of the time per quarter is a bit off 🙂 . No matter who player plays FRONT COURT or BACK COURT or BOTH, this Coaching Staff will certainly be challenged to get enough playing minutes for "15 Total Players" to A) be effective and extremely competitive, B) to come up with the BEST overall combinations, game in and game out, and C) to keep everyone happy. It will NO DOUBT be the most challenging season that Geno and his Coaching Staff will face in all of his years at UCONN.

Maybe these are stretch minutes like fabric. In some minutes you can pack in a lot of basketball or not like garbage time. In any case, the problem to too much talent is a good one to have. We'll live with it and enjoy the outcome.

 

[Bajan Best]

His challenge is to win NCs.

Is it really?
Tell me, what is the difference between goals and challenges?

Does Geno
1) Give his players Challenges throughout a game or Season to reach a specific goal?
2) Give his players goals throughout a game or season to reach a specific challenge?

I believe His Goal or objective is to win the NC's
His Challenge is to develop his players to accomplish that goal.

 

[GG]

I have no idea why she is not playing more, but I love her game. She brought so much energy to the Arkansas game. Hit a three, took a couple of charges. I would certainly like her to see more PT.