Mir

[MooseJaw]

I think oldude made the correct diagnosis about why Mir was benched. Shortly after the contested rebound, she was (supposedly) defending Park-Lane when LPL made a move that Mir made no attempt to cover, thereby getting an uncontested short jump shot and a score. Given that Mir knew Park-Lane from high school and presumably knew her moves and tendences, that was an especially significant defensive failure. It appeared to be due to lack of concentration. Certainly there was a lack of effort to recover after being faked out by the initial move.

At that point, there was only one minute left in the first half. Geno could easily have left her in for that last minute. Taking her out early was definitely sending a message.

Yes and this is part of what makes Geno such a great coach.

 

[donalddoowop]

She may be like Gabby was her freshman season, not really knowing what to do. There is a chance she may be overwhelmed and that makes her lose focus. If she hangs in there and learns the system ,she will be a valuable part of UConn's success. She is not alone in having trouble learning UConn's system as a freshman, both defense and offense.

 

[jazz]

She may be like Gabby was her freshman season, not really knowing what to do. There is a chance she may be overwhelmed and that makes her lose focus. If she hangs in there and learns the system ,she will be a valuable part of UConn's success. She is not alone in having trouble learning UConn's system as a freshman, both defense and offense.

It's also only her second game, with far less practice than normal, interrupted by 10+ days of isolation, away from home for the first time, etc. These are different times with Covid. Players may not be as tough minded given what they have had to endure over the last 8 months.... I just think a softer touch is needed over the first month or so of the season. I'm inclined to cut her some slack but Geno is not and he is the boss!

 

[Longtime fan]

I noticed Mir never entered the game after playing in the first half. Anybody hear if their was an issue? She scored five points in her limited playing time in the 1st half and I didn't notice anything happing that would limit her playing time. This girl can jump and would give Gabby a rebounding challenge.

I wondered the same thing, because she is great to watch play. She is, likely, a more well-rounded player than Aubrey because Aubrey has shown no ability (or is it inclination?) to shoot anything but a lay-up, a put back or a foul shot. I suspect Mir is a fine outside shooter.

 

[jazz]

I wondered the same thing, because she is great to watch play. She is, likely, a more well-rounded player than Aubrey because Aubrey has shown no ability (or is it inclination?) to shoot anything but a lay-up, a put back or a foul shot. I suspect Mir is a fine outside shooter.

Aubrey does shoot jumpers when she is wide open. She has good form too but just hasn't taken many and made even fewer.

 

[Longtime fan]

Yes and this is part of what makes Geno such a great coach.

All excellent points. But I might add...no one was able to contain Park-Lane.

 

[Littlemin]

Personally, I think it was several things compounded; the lack of movement on offense culminating in the 3 second call, the lack of defensive effort on the play mentioned but I think the last straw was the over the head flippant tossing of the ball after the jump ball call. Geno is a self confessed “ body language” guy and I think that rubbed him the wrong way and was kind of a “that‘s it for today” thing.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Mir speaks multiple languages. By next year, one of them will be Offense.

 

[eebmg]

Mir speaks multiple languages. By next year, one of them will be Offense.

If one of them is Italian, that would help.

 

[donalddoowop]

It's also only her second game, with far less practice than normal, interrupted by 10+ days of isolation, away from home for the first time, etc. These are different times with Covid. Players may not be as tough minded given what they have had to endure over the last 8 months.... I just think a softer touch is needed over the first month or so of the season. I'm inclined to cut her some slack but Geno is not and he is the boss!

I agree with your thinking. You probably need to talk to Geno about his handling of her.

 

[Cuango]

Again, the rebound you’re focused on had nothing to do with Mir being pulled from the game. As I and several others have pointed out, Mir was not dialed in. She was frequently out of position, getting an absent minded 3 second call that cost Christyn a 3 and then inexplicably stopped guarding an opponent, allowing her to get an uncontested basket.

It’s not the rebound I am referring to, it is her action and demeanor right after when she threw the ball in ( my interpretation) a disgusted manner over her shoulder without caring if it hit someone; a player or ref. That is what I think prompted the hook! Obviously, I may be completely wrong but am just going by what I saw on the replay.

 

[Ron and Vida]

If one of them is Italian, that would help.

Hmm Maybe not.....