Mir is a freshman!! Geno sez every year that
it takes most freshmen coming into the program a FULL YEAR to learn the system and to become comfortable playing at the "elite" level UConn plays on. Some freshmen are able to come in and adapt all most immediately. Paige and Aaliyah are examples of that dynamic. They have shown the ability to raise their level of play and understanding which allows them to be functional in Geno's system NOW!!
Where would this team be today without Paige and Aaliyah? Be happy we have them. Let Mir learn at her own pace. The coaches know how to bring freshmen along. I'm anticipating on her making that sophomore leap next year, and really helping the team then. Whatever we get from her now is gravy because she does not know the system yet, similar to Aubrey last year.
Everyone IS NOT the same. Some students can do trigonometry and calculus in their sleep, while others struggle with it.
I follow Geno's line of thinking. If HE says it usually takes a year, that's what I go with. Everyone does not come in with the same BB IQ. Some players had better coaching and development than others. Mir will be fine if given time to develop.
We've only played 6 games. As Geno also said, you really can't tell what you have based on practices. You really don't know until you play games. That's where the rubber meets the road. Even though some freshmen may come in with a boat load of awards and accolades, I don't expect anything from them their freshman year. Most of the time, Geno does not depend on true freshmen coming in and needing to play them right away. Lately he has because of player defections and recruiting slumps, he's had to throw some freshmen into the fire right away.
Christyn and ONO had to start as freshmen and Paige this year. The slump is over, and it appears the ship has been righted.
I really think we go in to Waco next Thursday and leave with a win. Last year was last year. Kim has a good team this year, but it's not as dominate as last year's. It won't be easy, it never is. We're not looking for "easy", just personal and team growth and development and a better understanding of Geno's system. It will be 40 minutes of intense basketball you won't want to miss. It will be played with a very short bench, 3 deep (Nika, Aaliyah and Aubrey) at best. Baylor can be beaten, and UConn can do it. This game will be the best team the other has played, even though
Baylor has already lost a game to Arkansas 83-78 on Dec 6. I think we're better than Arkansas who is currently ranked 10th nationally.
