Newest Husky Ines Bettencourt [Merged thread]

[Zarathustra]

I think Nika is really important to the team, and her voice in huddles is undoubtedly important. I love seeing her wreak havoc on opposing teams. It's a thing of beauty. But, the person who held the team together when Paige first went down was Evina, not Nika. Check out the UCLA game for visual evidence. And check out the Ga Tech game for evidence that the team was in need of a calming hand. Or check out her clutch 3 pt shooting against Stanford, and her rebounding even playing the 4 against Belibi. In fact, she often had to play the 4 during the season agains much larger players because that's what we needed her to do.

Don't get me wrong or tag me as a Nika-hater or some other baloney. I'm a huge fan of hers. But I also recognize her weaknesses. I often cite the Tennessee game as evidence of how great she can be for us, and in ways that don't necessarily show up in the box score. She has the voice of a leader. But she is not who held the team together emotionally and in the stats. That was Evina, and I hate (see, there, I said it) to see her immense contributions dismissed or undervalued. We have no one like her on this year's team. I hope Nika can become that leader, the emotional glue Momma E was for the last two seasons.

Paige called Evina "her MVP" in '21-22, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear her repeat that assessment about last season, too.

I agree with the EVINA sentiments. "E" is class, smoothness, and unselfishness. Those attributes are
excellent ones for a "Mom". I loved Nika from the start, but....... "E" gets my vote!

 

[Conndog]

I spent a week on the island Bettencourt came from in the Azores. Everyone I talked to had relatives in the US and very few relatives in the Euro mainland. Very nice people. 90% spoke English. The place wasn't a huge tourist destination, or wasn't 15 years ago. 2 great golf courses that were empty in February. Temp 65-75. Six hour flight from Boston. I considered it as a retirement location.

My wife talks about retiring there too. Temperature is moderate year round, easy to get to from US or to go elsewhere in Portugal or Europe. Went to Portugal itself last May and it was the best vacation trip I’ve taken- beautiful, historic and affordable.

 

[#12in21]

The point that is being made by virtually every post about Nika (those that are not simply gushing adulation) is not that she is unworthy of respect, or that she is not an important part of this team, but rather that she would be a better player, a more important and impactful part of this team, if she were more of a threat to score! It’s really just that simple.
I don’t believe for a second that there is a single regular poster on this site that disrespects her or who is not happy that she is a Husky! We simply want and hope that she can make herself into an actual scoring threat that the opposing team will have to guard diligently. We hope for this because we know that if she does become a threat, it will benefit not only her, but the entire team (probably most specifically Azzi)!

Speaking for myself, and possibly most posters who have cited Nika's impact and importance on the team, I have never claimed Nika to be the most talented or important player on the team. I have acknowledged and noted in posts Nika's need to become effective enough on offense to make her defender stay on her. This would require developing a more efficient mid-range game and ability to finish at the basket, complimenting maintaining a decent 3pt percentage. I haven't heard anyone suggesting that they expect or desire for her to become one of the leading scorers.

I have said this before and will repeat one more time. Nika self professed, more than once over her first two years that she didn't see her role as a scorer. She felt there were much better options , several great shooters/scorers among her teammates. Again, I have said this before but I will repeat it, clearly Geno did not share this opinion, as many have eluded to ad nauseam, she needs to be an effective enough threat to keep the defense honest.

So far I assume I haven't stated anything that anyone will dispute. Where the omission by those who continually restate Nika's deficiencies exists, is that she has acknowledged this herself prior to heading home this summer. She has stated in essence that she gets it, she has had a change in perspective, she understands and agrees with what Geno has challenged her to do and that is/has been her current focus. So before others post again that she hasn't been that player in the two years she has been here so we shouldn't expect her to change, let's take her at her word. She is coming back with a different mindset. She has stated that she still intends to be the player she has been for the team, she will still look to pass first if that is the best option but - and this is the change - she will also look for her own shot, being quite cognizant of the fact that is necessary for the best flow of the team offense.

So how about we take her at her word and see what she comes back with this season rather than pigeon hole her into what she has been in the past. She is a very focused and intense individual so I for one am expecting to see these changes on the offense end.

 

[Tonyc]

IMO first of all Nika has to be a threat to score and shes gonna have to shoot a little more. That takes the pressure off everybody else being double teamed. Watching Nika and her attitude she will do what Geno wants her to do. Shes a spark plug for the team. We have alot of scorers and shooters. Nika needs to be the leader at the point guard position and she will. I welcome Ines to the team. She will take alot of pressure off the team. We dont know how Ines will fair until we see her play against UConn opponents.

As a team we still dont know where we're at with our injuries. The most important thing is to get everybody up to speed and in condition to play their minutes. Getting Ines tells me Geno wants Azzi as his number one shooter along with Lou and Caroline as scorers. We have the height and that needs to be developed. We are in a good place right now. We filled a void for another guard. Its more important to look ahead they in the rear view mirror meaning what Nika did last season verus what she needs to do this season. Last year we had Paige and Azzi. Without Paige this season Nika will play a different role. I read a post somewhere on this board where the coaching staff is working with Nika on her pull up jumper and her outside shot. Last season before Paige went down and the injuries happened we werent dependent on Nika to score. This year we need her to score and more importantly be a threat especially when shes open. I am confident eno will make that happen

 

[Bone Dog]

My prediction — yes, it’s turban time again — is that the lineup in the 4th quarter on close games will be Azzi Caroline Lou Aaliyah Dorka. At least until the freshmen and Aubrey come into their own, that is.

If Nika’s offense has evolved, she’ll take Lou’s place in the 4th quarters, and not just on an offense-defense platoon. It would be awesome to have her energy and mayhem on the floor in such moments. And her scrappy rebounding.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Isn’t there a large Portuguese population in the CT-MA area? Perhaps Ines has family here?

Don't think so. Connecticut features the largest Italian-American population of any American state. But you have to move one state to the east, Rhode Island, to see the big Portuguese population.

 

[CocoHusky]

Speaking for myself, and possibly most posters who have cited Nika's impact and importance on the team, I have never claimed Nika to be the most talented or important player on the team. I have acknowledged and noted in posts Nika's need to become effective enough on offense to make her defender stay on her. This would require developing a more efficient mid-range game and ability to finish at the basket, complimenting maintaining a decent 3pt percentage. I haven't heard anyone suggesting that they expect or desire for her to become one of the leading scorers.
I have said this before and will repeat one more time. Nika self professed, more than once over her first two years that she didn't see her role as a scorer. She felt there were much better options , several great shooters/scorers among her teammates. Again, I have said this before but I will repeat it, clearly Geno did not share this opinion, as many have eluded to ad nauseam, she needs to be an effective enough threat to keep the defense honest.
So far I assume I haven't stated anything that anyone will dispute. Where the omission by those who continually restate Nika's deficiencies exists, is that she has acknowledged this herself prior to heading home this summer. She has stated in essence that she gets it, she has had a change in perspective, she understands and agrees with what Geno has challenged her to do and that is/has been her current focus. So before others post again that she hasn't been that player in the two years she has been here so we shouldn't expect her to change, let's take her at her word. She is coming back with a different mindset. She has stated that she still intends to be the player she has been for the team, she will still look to pass first if that is the best option but - and this is the change - she will also look for her own shot, being quite cognizant of the fact that is necessary for the best flow of the team offense.
So how about we take her at her word and see what she comes back with this season rather than pigeon hole her into what she has been in the past. She is a very focused and intense individual so I for one am expecting to see these changes on the offense end.

When Nika next takes the court for UCONN she will be the most experienced players with the most starts and a Junior. While we all cling to the hope that Nika now finally gets it and does improve her shooting accuracy and volume what I will point out is it should not have taken this long. The calls for Nika to become a better shooter began within her first few practices at UCONN.

"There is this moment I’ll never forget,” Muhl said this week. “It was the beginning of the year, maybe October or something, and we were in practice. I shot the ball maybe two times and I missed both. He completely stopped practice and in front of my face said, ‘You’re the worst shooter that UConn has ever seen.’ He told me, ‘You’re never going to be a shooter.’ "

For Muhl, high energy is a feature, not a bug

Believe it or not this is a kinder gentler but classic Geno. Geno does not throw out that kind of challenge unless her knows that the player has the ability to deliver and as I have written before he does not go to the press to throw out the challenge until he has done so with the player privately.

So what I will actively dispute and continue to harp on is the notion that being surrounded by greater shooters was what has enabled Nika to not individual improve her shooting. The challenge for Nika to become a better shooter was laid down on day 1- that almost two full years ago.

 

[AmeriConn]

Don't think so. Connecticut features the largest Italian-American population of any American state. But you have to move one state to the east, Rhode Island, to see the big Portuguese population.

The state of New York has the largest population of Italian Americans, at 3.1 million people. The majority of Italian Americans in New York City originated from southern parts of Italy.

 

[Golden Husky]

In case you were wondering:

If she's a good defender she can be Nedge the Nudge.

Sorry.

 

[AmeriConn]

If she's a good defender she can be Nedge the Nudge.

Sorry.

To go with Gnika the Gnat!

 

[bantamlaker]

Isn’t there a large Portuguese population in the CT-MA area? Perhaps Ines has family here?

Don't think so. Connecticut features the largest Italian-American population of any American state. But you have to move one state to the east, Rhode Island, to see the big Portuguese population.

I remember from my working days there being a large Portuguese population in Naugatuck and the surrounding valley towns In CT. There still is a Portuguese consulate office in Naugatuck so I assume there still must be a significant population in the area. Hopefully they show up for Ines.

Portuguese Consulates in the United States​

The Portuguese Consulate in Naugatuck is not the only Portuguese consular office in the region. For your convenience we also listed below all other consulates of Portugal located in the United States. A Portuguese consulate can be found in the city of: Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Naugatuck, New Bedford, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Phoenix, Providence, San Diego, San Francisco and Tulare

 

[Petero]

I remember from my working days there being a large Portuguese population in Naugatuck and the surrounding valley towns In CT. There still is a Portuguese consulate office in Naugatuck so I assume there still must be a significant population in the area. Hopefully they show up for Ines.

Portuguese Consulates in the United States​

The Portuguese Consulate in Naugatuck is not the only Portuguese consular office in the region. For your convenience we also listed below all other consulates of Portugal located in the United States. A Portuguese consulate can be found in the city of: Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Naugatuck, New Bedford, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Phoenix, Providence, San Diego, San Francisco and Tulare

My wife and just spent a week on Sao Miguel in June. A stunningly beautiful island and the temps were 70 and 63 just perfect. Two great golf courses and really cool volcanic hot springs. Very very affordable. The euro is at par with the dollar. First night I ordered a 8.50 glass of wine. That was for the whole bottle!!!! I drank it...hey I was on vacation!!! Overall a beautiful spot that produces point guards of note! Go Inez go Huskies.

 

[MooseJaw]

It will be interesting to see her future. Because, while UCONN is now desperate to have a back-up at the point, that won't be true when KK arrives next season.

I hope you are right, however IMO it's darn near impossible to predict if or what injuries will rear their ugly heads between now and then. Earlier this year we were all ecstatic with the performance Paige put on in the tourney. We all expected her to regain or exceed the brilliance she displayed before her first injury. Tough enough to come back from one major injury much less two. I for one am very glad Geno brought Ines into the fold. I desperately want Paige back next year. I also want Ines to play "UCONN" ball this season and the three after that. We will be better off having her hopefully not desperate just fortunate.

 

[eebmg]

When Nika next takes the court for UCONN she will be the most experienced players with the most starts and a Junior. While we all cling to the hope that Nika now finally gets it and does improve her shooting accuracy and volume what I will point out is it should not have taken this long. The calls for Nika to become a better shooter began within her first few practices at UCONN.

"There is this moment I’ll never forget,” Muhl said this week. “It was the beginning of the year, maybe October or something, and we were in practice. I shot the ball maybe two times and I missed both. He completely stopped practice and in front of my face said, ‘You’re the worst shooter that UConn has ever seen.’ He told me, ‘You’re never going to be a shooter.’ "

For Muhl, high energy is a feature, not a bug

Believe it or not this is a kinder gentler but classic Geno. Geno does not throw out that kind of challenge unless her knows that the player has the ability to deliver and as I have written before he does not go to the press to throw out the challenge until he has done so with the player privately.

So what I will actively dispute and continue to harp on is the notion that being surrounded by greater shooters was what has enabled Nika to not individual improve her shooting. The challenge for Nika to become a better shooter was laid down on day 1- that almost two full years ago.

The last sentence is Nika's

“I let him put pressure on me so I could grow my confidence. It was definitely worth it. There’s still a long way to go, don’t get me wrong. But it’s been rewarding to see my progress.”

I think Geno was targeting her 3pt shooting and in particular under open conditions. There was no way around it, she had to be a respectable outside threat and I think she worked her self into that. Then there was the fouling she had to get under control and I think she has also improved alot in that category

Now come the harder issues and deficits in her game, overcoming her enormous desire to pass to players she views as better equipped to score. Mock the idea but this is part of her makeup and it takes alot of work. Unfortunately, it took paige being out to probably make this realistic since if Paige (and in a lesser sense the Senior guards) were playing, she would still defer.

Finally, I want to point out that this is pretty close to how she played in Europe so it should not have been a surprise that her game needed to evolve dramatically . She was never a good 3pt shooter and she always wanted to pass first. True she was a much more explosive driver and finisher but I dont recall any mid range game.

So I say we need to be patient and I expect to be pleasantly surprised by how she takes charge this season.

 

[CocoHusky]

Just in case anyone is wondering about that Geno comment about Ines being really good at 2 and 3 man game those sets and action are already heavily featured in the UCONN offense therefore Ines is not going to be starting from scratch. Generally speaking 2 and 3 man game means that 2 or three players are primarily involved in the offensive action while the remaining offensive players are primarily used space the floor and usually on the opposite side of the court from the ball. In the UCONN offense these sequences go by many different names but there are generally a couple of features used to initiate the action.

These actions usually start with a high ball screen from one of the bigs and an entry pass into the high post.
Once the entry pass is made the post player can initiate a Dribble handoff (DHO) where the ball is handed off to one of the wing players while the big sets a screen on the wing defender.

The next action off this might be a GET and that is literally what it says- the wing player making the entry pass into the high post literally goes into the post player to get the ball while the post player set a back screen on the wing defender.

Another feature is what is called a pin down which is basically a player from the wing going down to the low post to set a screen to free up a "designated" wing shooter.

Don't get too confused by the terminology especially for those posters like myself who will be tempted to say-"back in my day we used to call this pick and roll."

This episode of Geno's X's and O's diagrams a few of the sequences.

 

[#12in21]

When Nika next takes the court for UCONN she will be the most experienced players with the most starts and a Junior. While we all cling to the hope that Nika now finally gets it and does improve her shooting accuracy and volume what I will point out is it should not have taken this long. The calls for Nika to become a better shooter began within her first few practices at UCONN.

"There is this moment I’ll never forget,” Muhl said this week. “It was the beginning of the year, maybe October or something, and we were in practice. I shot the ball maybe two times and I missed both. He completely stopped practice and in front of my face said, ‘You’re the worst shooter that UConn has ever seen.’ He told me, ‘You’re never going to be a shooter.’ "

For Muhl, high energy is a feature, not a bug

Believe it or not this is a kinder gentler but classic Geno. Geno does not throw out that kind of challenge unless her knows that the player has the ability to deliver and as I have written before he does not go to the press to throw out the challenge until he has done so with the player privately.

So what I will actively dispute and continue to harp on is the notion that being surrounded by greater shooters was what has enabled Nika to not individual improve her shooting. The challenge for Nika to become a better shooter was laid down on day 1- that almost two full years ago.

CocoHusky, I doubt there is anyone on this board who is not clear on the fact that you feel Nika should have, much earlier in her career at Uconn, made the adjustments you once again repeated above. She didn't. She has indicated that she has a different mindset and understanding of her role for this upcoming season and will do her best to implement those changes. I take her at her word. You seem to expect she is likely not to do so based on the fact that she has not done so over the last two seasons. We disagree on either what she said, what she will do to address the needed changes or both. The past can't be changed, so the question is will Nika's game this season implement an improvement in shot selection, volume and accuracy?

 

[Bone Dog]

so the question is will Nika's game this season implement an improvement in shot selection, volume and accuracy?

I’m in the camp of those who hope Kelly, er… I mean Nika will increase her offensive production once Maya, er… I mean Paige… whatever.

Nika’s situation is different after “The Injury.” It may not be fair to her, but the team needs something different from her. I hope she can do it. Fingers crossed. Go Nika!!!!!

 

[Fairfield Fan]

The state of New York has the largest population of Italian Americans, at 3.1 million people. The majority of Italian Americans in New York City originated from southern parts of Italy.

In terms of percentage of the population.