Obviously The Nattie Is A Lock

[RockyMTblue2]

The Mirror article in Nan's Oct. 31 list quotes Geno as saying he has never coached anyone at UConn better than Jana.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has admitted he has never coached "anybody better at Connecticut" than Jana El Alfy as the highly-tipped center prepares to make her Huskies debut.

Geno Auriemma ready to unleash 'best player he's ever coached at UConn'

After missing her freshman campaign, one UConn prodigy is determined to put her injury woes behind her after receiving a major vote of confidence from Huskies coach Geno Auriemma

www.themirror.com

It may turn out to be true, but it might have been better to let her play a couple three games in a UConn uniform before appearing to anoint her. Did he give consideration to the fact that the former NPOY is expected to lead this team as far as it will go; a player that just might earn as much as he does. To me it is weird and unnecessary, bordering on gratuitous.

We all know he's given to saying things, typically in press conferences, which are messages to one player or another and occasionally the team. What is this statement meant to accomplish? If you were the player what would you be thinking? Would you feel more or less pressure as your first Husky game approaches? Is this an effort to build her up so she will not press and foul as much? It's a total puzzzle to me.

 

[DefenseBB]

Should we just start calling Geno “Bluto”…and when the Germans bombed Pearl Habor…” Germans?” “Leave him alone, he’s on a roll”….

 

[DefenseBB]

Onto the 12th National Title…who’s with me?

 

[jdote33]

The Mirror article in Nan's Oct. 31 list quotes Geno as saying he has never coached anyone at UConn better than Jana.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has admitted he has never coached "anybody better at Connecticut" than Jana El Alfy as the highly-tipped center prepares to make her Huskies debut.

Geno Auriemma ready to unleash 'best player he's ever coached at UConn'

After missing her freshman campaign, one UConn prodigy is determined to put her injury woes behind her after receiving a major vote of confidence from Huskies coach Geno Auriemma

www.themirror.com

It may turn out to be true, but it might have been better to let her play a couple three games in a UConn uniform before appearing to anoint her. Did he give consideration to the fact that the former NPOY is expected to lead this team as far as it will go; a player that just might earn as much as he does. To me it is weird and unnecessary, bordering on gratuitous.

We all know he's given to saying things, typically in press conferences, which are messages to one player or another and occasionally the team. What is this statement meant to accomplish? If you were the player what would you be thinking? Would you feel more or less pressure as your first Husky game approaches? Is this an effort to build her up so she will not press and foul as much? It's a total puzzzle to me.

I think the statement was more about her attitude and character. She seemed to have a sort of aura or indelible spirit that I think everyone appreciated. He said similar things about Lou. Unfortunately though, I don't think the comment has much to do with hoops.

Interestingly enough though, I don't think there have been bigs all that comparable to her. Stewie of course is a unicorn. Phee seems to have the versatility but is 4 inches shorter. I feel like Lobo may be the best comp/type player she could be. Just in terms of being a big who is fluid and can move but also able to score in the post. I'm eager to see how she plays in the exhibition then of course against UNC, who have plenty of good bigs.

 

[BobbyJ]

The Mirror article in Nan's Oct. 31 list quotes Geno as saying he has never coached anyone at UConn better than Jana.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has admitted he has never coached "anybody better at Connecticut" than Jana El Alfy as the highly-tipped center prepares to make her Huskies debut.

Geno Auriemma ready to unleash 'best player he's ever coached at UConn'

After missing her freshman campaign, one UConn prodigy is determined to put her injury woes behind her after receiving a major vote of confidence from Huskies coach Geno Auriemma

www.themirror.com

It may turn out to be true, but it might have been better to let her play a couple three games in a UConn uniform before appearing to anoint her. Did he give consideration to the fact that the former NPOY is expected to lead this team as far as it will go; a player that just might earn as much as he does. To me it is weird and unnecessary, bordering on gratuitous.

We all know he's given to saying things, typically in press conferences, which are messages to one player or another and occasionally the team. What is this statement meant to accomplish? If you were the player what would you be thinking? Would you feel more or less pressure as your first Husky game approaches? Is this an effort to build her up so she will not press and foul as much? It's a total puzzzle to me.

You've obviously made the same mistake this guy and others have made. You didn't read Auriemma's first quote. "I can't say enough about her as a person". He didn't say "as a player". He's speaking about her personality, attitude, and coachability. Not her talent level. To think that GA, with his experience and the players he's coached, would be foolish enough to make that assessment of a kid that he's never seen play a college game is ridiculous. You and the writer should've waited for the 'We have Jana and you don't' line. That would've been the big reveal.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

One of Geno's jobs is to speak with clarity. " I've never coached anybody better at Connecticut." Seems to be talking about his observations of her on the court. So we can agree to disagree. He's coached her and no one has been better. Did he mean that? Who knows, but he sure as heck said it.

 

[Ozimoto]

Based on the title of this thread, we are doomed....

 

[hoopsdiva]

Based on the title of this thread, we are doomed....

Agreed, this is extremely bad mojo.

 

[huskeynut]

We will start to see on Sunday against Fort Hayes.

 

[meyers7]

One of Geno's jobs is to speak with clarity. " I've never coached anybody better at Connecticut." Seems to be talking about his observations of her on the court. So we can agree to disagree. He's coached her and no one has been better. Did he mean that? Who knows, but he sure as heck said it.

Not in that instance, he's talking about her as a person. Notice the she came into our lives part.

 

[donalddoowop]

I don't think Geno cares about what someone on the Boneyard thinks about he says or why he says it.

 

[CL82]

Based on the title of this thread, we are doomed....

Thank you! That was just reckless!

 

[DefenseBB]

We will start to see on Sunday against Fort Hayes.

Actually, I think the real interesting test will be against North Carolina on Nov 15 in Greensboro. Jana was the class of 2023 and while not ranked by Hoopgurlz as an international prospect, her comps should be the list of top Posts/Forwards from that list. Of which a former UConn recruit Ciera Toomey 6'3" at #4 who chose UNC and like Jana, had to redshirt her freshman year is a potential matchup. Last year's freshman "Guard" class was really remarkable with Juju, Mykaylah Williams, Hannah Hildago and Madison Booker. The front court listing is still unknown and here is the list that Jana would/will contend with:

2023
#4 Toomey 6'3" UNC medical redshirt-wrist
#7 Del Rosario 6'5" LSU 37games, 11.2 min, 4.7 pts, 3.5 rebs
#8 Dew 6'2" Arizona (elected to quit basketball to focus on undergrad Medical classes)
#14 Cunningham 6'4" Arizona 21. min, 7.7 pts, 4.7 rebs
#16 Prosper 6'2" ND (like Jana, enrolled early in Jan '23 and like Jana suffered a season ending leg injury but did appear in 5 games)
#17 Kitts 6'2" SC also like Jana, enrolled early in Jan '23 but has played and played well -31 starts, 18.6 min, 9.1 pts, 5.9 reb

Jana will see 3 of these players this year so we can get a direct comparison for Toomey, Prosper and Kitts.

 

[DefenseBB]

BTW, has anyone sent a UConn WCBB t-shirt or hat (along with a quart of the Dairy bar Husky tracks-vanilla, fudge swirl, peanut butter cups) to @triaddukefan to wear in Greensboro on Nov 15 to represent our interests?

 

[Stagnant]

I feel like this is the time of the year that you can get a lot of hyperbole out of Geno.

 

[PacoSwede]

One of Geno's jobs is to speak with clarity. " I've never coached anybody better at Connecticut." Seems to be talking about his observations of her on the court. So we can agree to disagree. He's coached her and no one has been better. Did he mean that? Who knows, but he sure as heck said it.

i think the 'journalist' misled you. i didn't hear the exchange live but would imagine BobbyJ got it right (post #5). geno was not talking about jana as player, but as a person.

the writer (or editor) should have been clearer, but wasn't ... probably because he/she knew it would be controversial, thus drawing more readers.

don't blame geno for being the victim of poor journalism.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Not in that instance, he's talking about her as a person. Notice the she came into our lives part.

et tu brute

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I don't think Geno cares about what someone on the Boneyard thinks about he says or why he says it.

Well that is certainly too. His distain for us is legendary.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

OBTW is Geno meant to say what a few of you say he meant why the heck would he say that?

 

[ConnManFan]

I feel like this is the time of the year that you can get a lot of hyperbole out of Geno.

With Geno, you have to hear the actual audio. His inflection can be serious, or he may be making the most sarcastic comment ever. By just reading it on paper you will never know.

 

[PacoSwede]

OBTW is Geno meant to say what a few of you say he meant why the heck would he say that?

he really, really likes jana?

 

[Mandoo]

The Mirror article in Nan's Oct. 31 list quotes Geno as saying he has never coached anyone at UConn better than Jana.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has admitted he has never coached "anybody better at Connecticut" than Jana El Alfy as the highly-tipped center prepares to make her Huskies debut.

Geno Auriemma ready to unleash 'best player he's ever coached at UConn'

After missing her freshman campaign, one UConn prodigy is determined to put her injury woes behind her after receiving a major vote of confidence from Huskies coach Geno Auriemma

www.themirror.com

It may turn out to be true, but it might have been better to let her play a couple three games in a UConn uniform before appearing to anoint her. Did he give consideration to the fact that the former NPOY is expected to lead this team as far as it will go; a player that just might earn as much as he does. To me it is weird and unnecessary, bordering on gratuitous.

We all know he's given to saying things, typically in press conferences, which are messages to one player or another and occasionally the team. What is this statement meant to accomplish? If you were the player what would you be thinking? Would you feel more or less pressure as your first Husky game approaches? Is this an effort to build her up so she will not press and foul as much? It's a total puzzzle to me.

Geno creates tremendous interest in his program via his comments. It's illegal? Rather he listens to you and repeats your wisdoms? Shirley you jest......

 

[BobbyJ]

OBTW is Geno meant to say what a few of you say he meant why the heck would he say that?

It’s not that difficult to understand. He thinks she’s an excellent teammate, not the next Stewart/ Taurasi/ Moore as a player yet.

 

[Bigboote]

i think the 'journalist' misled you. i didn't hear the exchange live but would imagine BobbyJ got it right (post #5). geno was not talking about jana as player, but as a person.

the writer (or editor) should have been clearer, but wasn't ... probably because he/she knew it would be controversial, thus drawing more readers.

don't blame geno for being the victim of poor journalism.

Even more, "I've never coached anybody better" isn't the same as "She's the best player I've ever coached". Geno would never call someone his best player ever before she's played a game.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Geno creates tremendous interest in his program via his comments. It's illegal? Rather he listens to you and repeats your wisdoms? Shirley you jest......

Mandoo- - "don't call me Shirley!"