Morgan and Allie

[Stagnant]

i never expected Allie to crack the rotation this year. To me, she is exclusively a 2. And that is probably the position on the team with the most depth. Shade, Chen, Paige, Azzi, Morgan, KK, Q, Aubrey, and Allie. They can all play there.

Morgan is a different case imo. Morgan is getting some minutes because of her versatility. Paige said it. She can play any position. She isn’t getting enough minutes though imo. I have been calling for Morgan to get more minutes for a while. I think she would start at 95% of the schools in the country. And if she were, I think she would look something like Olivia Olson productivity wise. I know she will be down in the pecking order when Aubrey and Azzi come back. But Geno has to find a way to keep her in the mix. She is too good to ignore.

 

[Centerstream]

I’d like to see Allie more in real games. Should have a few blow-outs in league play; bench players need real game minutes to get up to speed. Rest the starters more in these games!

And this same post has been posted many times, for many players, in many different threads every season since the Stewie years (that's as far back that comes to mind...).

 

[packwrap]

---

I appreciate the vowel content here

Vivian Iwuchukwu

That last name looks like she wunts to chuk up 3's.

 

[JellyBean]

It pretty much comes down to how each coach wants to run their program and trust. Not to highjack this thread but folks forget that Caroline Durcharme was our Morgan, Allie, and Q at one point. Caroline could not crack the rotation and when she did get on the court, as a freshman, a turnover or a quick foul got her sent to the bench and we would not see her for the rest of a game or several games. It took several injuries to major players before Caroline's shortcomings were overlooked and she got major minutes and became one of our favorite UConn players, sadly it is like that with Morgan, Allie, and Q,

Their time will come. They just have to hang in there and embrace their current role on the team, but if I was Q, I would create my so-called "hit list" and be going at Morgan and Allie like a lion going after a gazelle. Like an attack dog going after a burglar. Heck I would not settle for going after those two, I would set my sights on cracking the starting 5! I know Paige and Sarah are locks. I would make it my mission in going at Ash, Kaitlin, or Ice's spot. Dang! I wish that I could attend practice.

 

[Bone Dog]

As far as Geno is concerned I think he is comfortable with an 8 player rotation so that is what he is going to play if the game is in question and I think that is actually a reasonable way to think. Of the players they recruit they will always have several that will only see the court when the game is in hand but his expectations of them will be close to what he expects of any player wearing a UConn jersey. Right now I don't think he is comfortable with the 8 he wants to play and is being forced (by player execution) to keep is rotation open longer than he might want but in the end you have to trust history.

I agree with some of this, maybe all of it.

I’ve probably typed the sentence “Geno likes an 8 player rotation” or “a 7 player rotation” or some other variation of it on the BY about 100 times. And I use the word ‘rotation’ the same way you do: who plays when the game is in question. By the way, I think this is true of most D1 coaches, especially as the season wears on. Anyone can see that the rotation contracts to 7 or 8 on most teams by March, as if by some sort of law of nature. For example, the tOSU team that ran a high energy and knocked us out of the Sweet 16 two years ago played 7. Really 6 since Mikulasikova only played 4 mins. Ordinarily one might think a high energy pressing team would need a lot of depth to sustain that defense. I say this for the benefit of anyone who assumes a 10-deep rotation is necessary to run a pressing defense — a group of which I am frequently a member.

Is he uncomfortable with the 8 he wants to play? This is an interesting thought (even though it feels self-contradictory) and I assume it grows out of the way he’s been using Ice and Jana, but has also reverted more and more to the shorter lineup with Sarah as the only post player. I think your idea must be that he’d like to be able to have two bigs in at once, but hasn’t had uniform success with this lineup yet. And against the background of this thought is the chorus of folks who think he can’t win without a “super-big” who’s 6’7”, and therefore Ice and Jana may have to play together with Sarah at the wing. I don’t know what to think of any of this, but if you’re right that the result is he “keep his rotation open longer” and this means a better shot for Morgan, I’m hopeful for her.

 

[JellyBean]

i never expected Allie to crack the rotation this year. To me, she is exclusively a 2. And that is probably the position on the team with the most depth. Shade, Chen, Paige, Azzi, Morgan, KK, Q, Aubrey, and Allie. They can all play there.

Morgan is a different case imo. Morgan is getting some minutes because of her versatility. Paige said it. She can play any position. She isn’t getting enough minutes though imo. I have been calling for Morgan to get more minutes for a while. I think she would start at 95% of the schools in the country. And if she were, I think she would look something like Olivia Olson productivity wise. I know she will be down in the pecking order when Aubrey and Azzi come back. But Geno has to find a way to keep her in the mix. She is too good to ignore.

I kind of thought that Allie would get some playing time because of her shooting. We always hear "I need scorers out there on the floor". We have scorers just not shot makers. Allie is a shot maker and I thought that she would get some minutes out there. Morgan, I am still on the fence about. She is a wonderful talent and will be a huge plus down the road for the success of the program but when I watch her play and I see and hear folks being critical of Q for her lack of this or that but praise Morgan for pretty much doing the same thing Q gets criticized for, I cringe at the double standard. But I do wish all of these players well and that they continue to play hard, get better each practice and game, and enjoy their UConn experience.

 

[Zonepress]

I kind of thought that Allie would get some playing time because of her shooting. We always hear "I need scorers out there on the floor". We have scorers just not shot makers. Allie is a shot maker and I thought that she would get some minutes out there. Morgan, I am still on the fence about. She is a wonderful talent and will be a huge plus down the road for the success of the program but when I watch her play and I see and hear folks being critical of Q for her lack of this or that but praise Morgan for pretty much doing the same thing Q gets criticized for, I cringe at the double standard. But I do wish all of these players well and that they continue to play hard, get better each practice and game, and enjoy their UConn experience

If you’re on the fence about Morgan then you obviously didn’t watch the second half

 

[MooseJaw]

No minute breakdown here, just a thought or 2. Replace Ice and Jana with Morgan, replace Chen with KK or Sarah they can all play the position, right.


Replace Sarah with Morgan or Griff, oh wait what about Q. Lets replace Paige with Allie or Sarah or Azzi, dang I forgot about Ash.

Are we having fun yet? Reads like we have 50 different coaches, with 50 different ideas, bending lineups every which way.

We finally have a number of reserves who have talent and some an abundance of talent, no mathematician here but I know I have no idea how many combinations of a lineup Geno can put on the floor at any given time.

Let's give the coach a chance to see who plays better with who else, oh remember today one player excels, and next game she doesn't.

So, what's the best lineup for today and what is the best sub pattern for the game. I don't know, I have an opinion, just that, an opinion.

Fun for me but I just get to sit back cheer, cringe, yell at the officials and wait for the call from Geno. Asking what changes he should make in the lineup.

Perhaps he calls you instead, have fun with your opinions and wait for that call have your lineups and subs ready, Geno does need your help.

 

[cgshuskie]

Time to move Morgan us to the top of the rotation and sit Caitlyn. Paige and Azzi should bring the ball up.
Play Jana so that she gets more time in game. I think that we will be better off with this squad on O and D.

 

[ERWUC65]

I kind of thought that Allie would get some playing time because of her shooting. We always hear "I need scorers out there on the floor". We have scorers just not shot makers. Allie is a shot maker and I thought that she would get some minutes out there. Morgan, I am still on the fence about. She is a wonderful talent and will be a huge plus down the road for the success of the program but when I watch her play and I see and hear folks being critical of Q for her lack of this or that but praise Morgan for pretty much doing the same thing Q gets criticized for, I cringe at the double standard. But I do wish all of these players well and that they continue to play hard, get better each practice and game, and enjoy their UConn experience.

A definite difference in basketball IQ (no pun intended).

 

[freshler40]

I agree with some of this, maybe all of it.

I’ve probably typed the sentence “Geno likes an 8 player rotation” or “a 7 player rotation” or some other variation of it on the BY about 100 times. And I use the word ‘rotation’ the same way you do: who plays when the game is in question. By the way, I think this is true of most D1 coaches, especially as the season wears on. Anyone can see that the rotation contracts to 7 or 8 on most teams by March, as if by some sort of law of nature. For example, the tOSU team that ran a high energy and knocked us out of the Sweet 16 two years ago played 7. Really 6 since Mikulasikova only played 4 mins. Ordinarily one might think a high energy pressing team would need a lot of depth to sustain that defense. I say this for the benefit of anyone who assumes a 10-deep rotation is necessary to run a pressing defense — a group of which I am frequently a member.

Is he uncomfortable with the 8 he wants to play? This is an interesting thought (even though it feels self-contradictory) and I assume it grows out of the way he’s been using Ice and Jana, but has also reverted more and more to the shorter lineup with Sarah as the only post player. I think your idea must be that he’d like to be able to have two bigs in at once, but hasn’t had uniform success with this lineup yet. And against the background of this thought is the chorus of folks who think he can’t win without a “super-big” who’s 6’7”, and therefore Ice and Jana may have to play together with Sarah at the wing. I don’t know what to think of any of this, but if you’re right that the result is he “keep his rotation open longer” and this means a better shot for Morgan, I’m hopeful for her.

The small lineup of the second half of the USC game resulted in a much different outcome in favor of the Huskies. Geno now has that combo in future games for half court defense. A future change would be to offer full court pressure. More bench players would be necessary to affect each of these new defensive schemes. Eight to Ten players are the answer. We do have defensive answers for lots of different teams, except perhaps the post. Hoping our center position develops strong defense, solid rebounding and some shot blocking. Our team drips with great offensive so that is not the current worry.

 

[JellyBean]

If you’re on the fence about Morgan then you obviously didn’t watch the second half

I did and I am still on the fence about Morgan.

 

[JellyBean]

A definite difference in basketball IQ (no pun intended).

Perhaps. We shall see what develops over the season.

 

[Zarathustra]

I did and I am still on the fence about Morgan.

I hope that you will be enjoying the view from up on that fence!
Time will tell, until it "tells", we will all continue to "SPECTATOR-ate".

 

[hoophuskee]

She is a wonderful talent and will be a huge plus down the road for the success of the program but when I watch her play and I see and hear folks being critical of Q for her lack of this or that but praise Morgan for pretty much doing the same thing Q gets criticized for, I cringe at the double standard.

Can I ask what is it it that you think Q has done to deserve as many or more minutes than Morgan? Unless you are all about athletcism?

1--- Cheli's efficiency in terms of scoring is far better than Q. Unless for example you are under the impression that a player that shoots 2-5 from 3 is less efficient than a player that shoots 2-4 from 2?

2--- Cheli is the far better passer. She has a positive assist to turnover ratio heading into this game. Do you realize that Q has just 1 assist this year and 10 turnovers?

3--- The Defensive ratings are about the same. But Cheli seems to be ahead.

****So if a player is more efficient shooting and more efficient passing for your favorite team and their defense is about the same but the advanced stats show Cheli ahead, what is it that you think so imprtant to label other fans as being cringe-worthy in this case Cheli vs Q?

 

[CTBballfan243]

It pretty much comes down to how each coach wants to run their program and trust. Not to highjack this thread but folks forget that Caroline Durcharme was our Morgan, Allie, and Q at one point. Caroline could not crack the rotation and when she did get on the court, as a freshman, a turnover or a quick foul got her sent to the bench and we would not see her for the rest of a game or several games. It took several injuries to major players before Caroline's shortcomings were overlooked and she got major minutes and became one of our favorite UConn players, sadly it is like that with Morgan, Allie, and Q,

Their time will come. They just have to hang in there and embrace their current role on the team, but if I was Q, I would create my so-called "hit list" and be going at Morgan and Allie like a lion going after a gazelle. Like an attack dog going after a burglar. Heck I would not settle for going after those two, I would set my sights on cracking the starting 5! I know Paige and Sarah are locks. I would make it my mission in going at Ash, Kaitlin, or Ice's spot. Dang! I wish that I could attend practice.

If I were Q, I would concentrate my efforts on learning the game of basketball. Where to be on offense, where to be on defense. What is a good shot and what is not. If she did those things she would earn more playing time.

 

[ERWUC65]

If I were Q, I would concentrate my efforts on learning the game of basketball. Where to be on offense, where to be on defense. What is a good shot and what is not. If she did those things she would earn more playing time.

Q is an Aubrey style player, long, quick and athletic. Unfortunately Aubrey will be back in a couple of weeks and being older and more experienced in all of the above, will take up significant playing time, leaving less for Q, perhaps only at the end of blowouts.

 

[and one]

From what I can see Q is a long ways from being a player that can be counted on to be a consistent contributor getting 15 minutes per game. I have no doubt that next year Morgan will be getting 20+ minutes a game and be a starter quality player.

 

[Bone Dog]

Q is an Aubrey style player, long, quick and athletic. Unfortunately Aubrey will be back in a couple of weeks and being older and more experienced in all of the above, will take up significant playing time, leaving less for Q, perhaps only at the end of blowouts.

I don't like dumping on Q. She had some good moments today, a few tough rebounds and a steal-and-rounout. But she still looks a bit lost on defense. As I was watching today, it seemed to me at times like she didn't really know if they were running a man-to-man or a zone defense. I think she could be a good man-defender. Geno doesn't need to hide her in a zone. But she needs to learn what her responsibilities better.

 

[NEforceUConn]

P says take it easy on Q, R agrees.

 

[hookshot]

If I were Q, I would concentrate my efforts on learning the game of basketball. Where to be on offense, where to be on defense. What is a good shot and what is not. If she did those things she would earn more playing time.

A simplistic rule of thumb is any shot that goes in is a good shot. Maybe Q could just show up where the ball is shot and lead the team in rebounds in her limited minutes played, but she already did that one, and nobody seemed to notice

 

[Zarathustra]

If I were Q, I would concentrate my efforts on learning the game of basketball. Where to be on offense, where to be on defense. What is a good shot and what is not. If she did those things she would earn more playing time.

To her credit: Q with four rebounds in 8 minutes in the Fourth Quarter
vs Providence.

 

[JellyBean]

Can I ask what is it it that you think Q has done to deserve as many or more minutes than Morgan? Unless you are all about athletcism?

1--- Cheli's efficiency in terms of scoring is far better than Q. Unless for example you are under the impression that a player that shoots 2-5 from 3 is less efficient than a player that shoots 2-4 from 2?

2--- Cheli is the far better passer. She has a positive assist to turnover ratio heading into this game. Do you realize that Q has just 1 assist this year and 10 turnovers?

3--- The Defensive ratings are about the same. But Cheli seems to be ahead.

****So if a player is more efficient shooting and more efficient passing for your favorite team and their defense is about the same but the advanced stats show Cheli ahead, what is it that you think so imprtant to label other fans as being cringe-worthy in this case Cheli vs Q?

Finally got a chance to respond. Great that you brought in the "efficiency" talk. Nothing wrong with that and sometimes those "numbers" or analytics matter and sometimes they don't. In this case, it just comes down to just playing the game of basketball.

I never said Q deserve more time. All I said was, if I am Q, I am looking at Morgan and Allie getting more minutes and I'm coming at them in practice. Making sure the coaching staff realize that they will have a tough choice on their hands about minutes. Then I said, "I am still on the fence about Morgan". Nothing wrong with that. For folks that are critical of Q going to the "corner" on offense or "all she does is shoot" or "looking" lost on defense, the same can be said for Morgan or Allie. I just don't like the double standards. Don't dump on one player to boost another player up.

I don't ever try to dump on a player. The narrative around here lately is to dump on players, in this case Q and it is annoying. I get it we all have our opinions and see the game with a different lens but to keep dumping on a player because they aren't doing X is getting old. We don't know what the game plan is for these players. We don't know what is happening at practice. We just see (or don't see) what is happening during the game and on the bench.

 

[JellyBean]

To her credit: Q with four rebounds in 8 minutes in the Fourth Quarter
vs Providence.

Q did well out there in the minutes she got. With such a deep roster, minutes are going to be tough to get and all Q can do is just give her best effort out there and have a great attitude. At the end of the day, she just has to know if she gave her best effort out there. That is all that matters in the end.