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Ohio State Game Thread

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noirwestern said:
I'm a little confused here. Geno says his team need to get it's collective ass beat, and soon and we all nod our heads in agreement. Has a certain coach-y logic to it. Yet earlier today we hear that his dazzling freshmen (and I know you all remember the praise heaped onto them by no less than Geno himself) can't play until he has absolute trust in them - which sounds a whole lot like someone who is more interested in the win column than not. Something isn't in alignment here. I hear about how these games don't matter until tournament time rolls around.. but we can't risk resting the 'stars' because the rest of the team can't be trusted?
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You are confused. Absolute trust is and has always been the standard for a UCONN player to get on the floor regardless of the size of the team. This is a binary calculation you are either trusted (playing) or not trusted (not playing). All players are conditioned to play beyond the required 40 minutes.
 
johnnyc said:
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Stewart took the same pounding. I don't remember her being taken out of big games for such concerns. That's how she got tougher. She got her rest against weaker opponents as most likely the current starters will get their rest also.
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How often did Stewie take that pounding for 35-40 minutes? How many games in a row? How often was Stewie taken off the the big 5 and placed on the smaller 4 or 3 while Dolson or Tuck took the big 5? Not an option for Geno this time around.
 
JordyG said:
Well, we seldom disagree but here I say to-maa-to. This is an undersized team and the forwards are taking a terrific pounding underneath. If this was a bigger team I'd perhaps say okay, but not when these ladies are giving up 20-40 pounds night in and night out. Yeah, injuries are random given equal circumstances. Here, I don't see those circumstances as equal.
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Yet the two players that have been injured this year and missed games due to concussions are both Guards. Sounds pretty random to me.
 
CocoHusky said:
Yet the two players that have been injured this year and missed games due to concussions are both Guards. Sounds pretty random to me.
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Yep, random injuries also occur.
 
CocoHusky said:
Yet the two players that have been injured this year and missed games due to concussions are both Guards. Sounds pretty random to me.
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And this sounds like someone watching someone taking a pounding. About half the posts in here on the subject of what disasters lurk around the corner revolve around injuries. As for the "randomness" of it, again, easily said when it's not your body in the process of being broken while playing a game.
 
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BobbyJ said:
OSU has to be the most undisciplined, unfocused, poorly coached team that is somehow in the top 15 that I've seen in a long time. I'd have to say the highlight of their half baked AAU offense came with them down 18 with a few minutes left when 4 players stood around and watched their superstar dribble about 20 feet with her head down and forearm out and run over her defender. A lot of talent being wasted out there.
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I beg to differ the offense that Mitchell ran in AAU was much better than the offense that Kevin rolled out tonight. For one thing Kelsey in AAU did occasionally pass the ball. See the video. Smartest person in the world was her AAU teammate Westbeld who decided to go to ND instead of joining the circus at tOSU.
 
CocoHusky said:
You are confused. Absolute trust is and has always been the standard for a UCONN player to get on the floor regardless of the size of the team. This is a binary calculation you are either trusted (playing) or not trusted (not playing). All players are conditioned to play beyond the required 40 minutes.
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This is kind of a specious argument. Yes, players practice to play 40 minutes. But how many athletes across basketball, men or women average 35-40 for a full season? How many of those day in and day out have had to take that kind of pounding? Allen Iverson, and undersized guard certainly is an exception at his position, but even he never averaged 35-40. Yeah, we're talking about an 80 game season. But we're also talking about a grown man taking that pounding verses young women who are still developing. Look, no need to belabor this. I'll admit I may be wrong, but I honestly don't think so.
 
noirwestern said:
And this sounds like someone watching someone taking a pounding. About half the posts in here on the subject of what disasters lurk around the corner revolve around injuries. As for the "randomness" of it, again, easily said when it's not your body in the process of being broken while playing a game.
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I not sure what my broken down body has to do with this. :D Disasters always lurk around the corner depending on what neighborhood you live in. Head bang
 
JordyG said:
This is kind of a specious argument. Yes, players practice to play 40 minutes. But how many athletes across basketball, men or women average 35-40 for a full season? How many of those day in and day out have had to take that kind of pounding? Allen Iverson, and undersized guard certainly is an exception at his position, but even he never averaged 35-40. Yeah, we're talking about an 80 game season. But we're also talking about a grown man taking that pounding verses young women who are still developing. Look, no need to belabor this. I'll admit I may be wrong, but I honestly don't think so.
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We are only 10 games into the season, so far we only have 1 player (Kia) averaging more than 35 minutes per game - stop exaggerating.
 
JordyG said:
How often did Stewie take that pounding for 35-40 minutes? How many games in a row? How often was Stewie taken off the the big 5 and placed on the smaller 4 or 3 while Dolson or Tuck took the big 5? Not an option for Geno this time around.
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You're so right. Stewart wasn't playing anywhere near the minutes that this team's starters are. How many games have they play in excess of 35 minutes already? No comparisons.
 
I'm a worrier by nature, so no surprise that I'd say this. I agree with those who think these young women cannot play 35 minutes a game, day in and day out. Yes, the Chong problem is causing some of it, but even with her, it's still not a deep rotation at all. I'd feel better if one of the other freshmen (besides Crystal, I mean) could play some minutes here and there. Not likely to happen, but still....

I disagree with the BYer above who suggested the team is "scary good." Last year's team was scary good. This year's is better than most of us thought it would be, granted, but is seriously flawed by a lack of depth and somewhat flawed by a lack of first-team height. Most nights those things won't matter, but let's see how they do against Maryland and later, SC, as well as (as one BYer above mentioned) South Florida. I worry about the conference tournament and especially the Big Dance. Will they have enough left in the tank to carry them through? Sure hope so.
 
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CocoHusky said:
It is. Unfortunately.... she does not stand out in the one category that most people relate to which is scoring. Gabby is leading the #1 team in the country in Rebounds, Steals & assist. The rebounds and steals will get her DPOY consideration but not likely to get her AA consideration. On the other hand if KLS and Napheesa finish the season averaging 20PPG, they will be virtual locks for AA honors.
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But Gabby has got to stop forcing so many passes. Otherwise, her game is top notch and every once in a while she will have big scoring games. The position she plays sometimes hinders her scoring a lot.
 
CocoHusky said:
We are only 10 games into the season, so far we only have 1 player (Kia) averaging more than 35 minutes per game - stop exaggerating.
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If the others aren't averaging 35 points, they're pretty close. Are you suggesting that there's no problem with this group playing the minutes they are???? If so, count yourself as in a very miniscule minority!
 
j66kicker said:
That will happen. Just because Geno may not be able to trust Molly against ranked teams doesn't mean he can't trust her against East Carolina. There's a plan.
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I can tell you that there's no way that the starters are going to be taken out having played 20 minutes and let the bunch take over. That wasn't the case last year or the year before or the year before. I'm hopeful that their minutes can be cut to 25 minutes or so and that'll be more than good enough. I would love to see their minutes capped at a maximum of 30 minutes except for maybe a handful of games that may require our starters to stay in longer.
 
johnnyc said:
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Stewart took the same pounding. I don't remember her being taken out of big games for such concerns. That's how she got tougher. She got her rest against weaker opponents as most likely the current starters will get their rest also.
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Wrong! No way, Jose! Stewart rarely played more than 32 minutes. A couple of minute breather two or three times a game is everything to a player and makes a big difference. If the core 4 players played strictly 25 to 30 minutes, that would be amazing. Those are the kind of minutes that Stewart typically played most of her UConn career. I'm hopeful that eventually we get Bent and Kyla getting some decent minutes both to help make them better but also to save the core guys from burnout.
 
Buzzyboy said:
If the others aren't averaging 35 points, they're pretty close. Are you suggesting that there's no problem with this group playing the minutes they are???? If so, count yourself as in a very miniscule minority!
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We really don't have to guess how many minutes are being played by each player. They are actually published here:
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/2016-2017/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND
There is no problem and I never mind being in a correct very miniscule minority. UCONN committed to a very good schedule in the first 10 games of the season. The minutes played by the starters thus far is mainly a function of that schedule and the inability of some bench players to contribute meaningful minutes THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON. Besides you declaring yourself "The Major" what baffles me is how much you fail to comprehend this simple point-Geno is not going to play players until he thinks they are ready-They are not ready. A more complex issue is the impact on team chemistry, efficiency, & results when even when 1 "unready" player is put on the floor with 4 players that are ready.
 
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noirwestern said:
I'm a little confused here. Geno says his team need to get it's collective ass beat, and soon and we all nod our heads in agreement. Has a certain coach-y logic to it. Yet earlier today we hear that his dazzling freshmen (and I know you all remember the praise heaped onto them by no less than Geno himself) can't play until he has absolute trust in them - which sounds a whole lot like someone who is more interested in the win column than not. Something isn't in alignment here. I hear about how these games don't matter until tournament time rolls around..but we can't risk resting the 'stars' because the rest of the team can't be trusted?
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Don't forget Geno is from Philly, meaning a certain amount of translation might be required for the masses.
The sentence immediately before the one you are hung up on was where he said " I hope these ranked teams are as good as everyone says they are because .... ass beat.
Guess what? These team aren't as good as everyone says they are =UCONN is not going to get their asses beat! Did you see the way Geno strutted into South Bend. Did you see him sweating at halftime of OSU or was he smiling like the cat that just ate the canary. Did a 6 Point lead justify that smile against the # 12 team in the country. Trust he going to walk into MD game same way. He knows what the rest of us haven't figured out yet but since we can't just FF to March he has to keep us entertained.

 
CocoHusky said:
Don't forget Geno is from Philly, meaning a certain amount of translation might be required for the masses.
The sentence immediately before the one you are hung up on was where he said " I hope these ranked teams are as good as everyone says they are because .... ass beat.
Guess what? These team aren't as good as everyone says they are =UCONN is not going to get their asses beat! Did you see the way Geno strutted into South Bend. Did you see him sweating at halftime of OSU or was he smiling like the cat that just ate the canary. Did a 6 Point lead justify that smile against the # 12 team in the country. Trust he going to walk into MD game same way. He knows what the rest of us haven't figured out yet but since we can't just FF to March he has to keep us entertained.

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cd269d3a2da4d02b7daeaf9994ec8f4f.jpg


Don't look now NCAA, but there's something called a Geno behind you.
 
JordyG said:
How often did Stewie take that pounding for 35-40 minutes? How many games in a row? How often was Stewie taken off the the big 5 and placed on the smaller 4 or 3 while Dolson or Tuck took the big 5? Not an option for Geno this time around.
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You keep saying they can't keep taking the pounding, yet they do and they keep winning. And soon we'll have the AAC. And if we lose a game or two during the reg season, is the season over? Fact is, the style they play has been tremendous success and they'll have few games left before the NCAA's in which they are really challenged. So I don't agree with your overall "fear."

Nor do I think those are right for criticizing Geno's overall strategy this year. You look at the history of what he's done, and see what he is doing this year, then there is criticism he should be doing something different when he is telling us that players like Molly and Kyla aren't ready? We're supposed to know how he is overall looking at the game is wrong when in fact we haven't lost a game for 85 straight? He's making history and yet his overall view of the game and minute distribution is wrong? Huh??????????????????? All because we watched a few minutes of Klya Irwin play? Huh???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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I may be in the minuscule minority but I expect starters to play big (30+) minutes in competitive games (e.g., UMd, SC, USF, etc.) and fewer (>25) against weaker opposition (most of the AAC). Between games (and travel) rigorous 2+ hour practices will continue to be the norm.

Players' health and fitness will be constantly monitored by coaches, trainers, and medical staff. Injuries may still occur despite every precaution. We hope for none, of course.
 
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Buzzyboy said:
If the others aren't averaging 35 points, they're pretty close. Are you suggesting that there's no problem with this group playing the minutes they are???? If so, count yourself as in a very miniscule minority!
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I don't think coco is in a minority at all. I think you are. Because if you think those minutes are going to maintain once we are in the AAC I want what you're smoking. Therefore the overall minutes will go down.
 
CocoHusky said:
We really don't have to guess how many minutes are being played by each player. They are actually published here:
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-baskbl/stats/2016-2017/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND
There is no problem and I never mind being in a correct very miniscule minority. UCONN committed to a very good schedule in the first 10 games of the season. The minutes played by the starters thus far is mainly a function of that schedule and the inability of some bench players to contribute meaningful minutes THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON. Besides you declaring yourself "The Major" what baffles me is how much you fail to comprehend this simple point-Geno is not going to play players until he thinks they are ready-They are not ready. A more complex issue is the impact on team chemistry, efficiency, & results when even when 1 "unready" player is put on the floor with 4 players that are ready.
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I agree 100%- you and Kib - I'm with ya here.

Remember with Stewie we had to hear even beyond her freshman year that there was "fear" she'd get "beat up" by power forwards, as result there was a crowd that suggested she should be used as mostly a small forward.
 
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hoophuskee said:
You keep saying they can't keep taking the pounding, yet they do and they keep winning. And soon we'll have the AAC. And fi we lsoe a game or two during the reg season, is the season over. Fact is, the style they play has been tremendous success and they'll have few games left before the NCAA's in which they are really challenged. SO I don't agree with your overall "fear."

Nor do I think those are right for criticizing Geno's overall strategy this year. You look at the history of what he's done, and see what he is doing this year, then there is criticism he should be doing something different when he is telling us that players like Molly and Kyla aren't ready? We're supposed to know how he is overall looking at the game is wrong when in fact we haven't lost a game for 85 straight? He's making history and yet his overall view of the game and minute distribution is wrong? Huh??????????????????? All because we watched a few minutes of Klya Irwin play? Huh???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Expand ...
hoophuskee said:
You keep saying they can't keep taking the pounding, yet they do and they keep winning. And soon we'll have the AAC. And fi we lsoe a game or two during the reg season, is the season over. Fact is, the style they play has been tremendous success and they'll have few games left before the NCAA's in which they are really challenged. SO I don't agree with your overall "fear."

Nor do I think those are right for criticizing Geno's overall strategy this year. You look at the history of what he's done, and see what he is doing this year, then there is criticism he should be doing something different when he is telling us that players like Molly and Kyla aren't ready? We're supposed to know how he is overall looking at the game is wrong when in fact we haven't lost a game for 85 straight? He's making history and yet his overall view of the game and minute distribution is wrong? Huh??????????????????? All because we watched a few minutes of Klya Irwin play? Huh???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Ten games does not even half a season make. Keep your enthusiasm and your good karma. And who is questioning Geno's strategy? This is the team he has, and in reality he has no choice. As I've said before, it is my hope that Kyla and Molly step up, not for the team to take a step down.
Kibitzer said:
I may be in the minuscule minority but I expect starters to play big (30+) minutes in competitive games (e.g., UMd, SC, USF, etc.) and fewer (>25) against weaker opposition (most of the AAC). Between games (and travel) rigorous 2+ hour practices will be the norm.
Players' health and fitness will be constantly monitored by coaches, trainers, and medical staff. Injuries may still occur despite every precaution. We hope for none, of course.
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Yes, during the big games and during the NCAA's, but not every game during the regular season.
 
tomcat said:
I'm a worrier by nature, so no surprise that I'd say this. I agree with those who think these young women cannot play 35 minutes a game, day in and day out. Yes, the Chong problem is causing some of it, but even with her, it's still not a deep rotation at all. I'd feel better if one of the other freshmen (besides Crystal, I mean) could play some minutes here and there. Not likely to happen, but still....

I disagree with the BYer above who suggested the team is "scary good." Last year's team was scary good. This year's is better than most of us thought it would be, granted, but is seriously flawed by a lack of depth and somewhat flawed by a lack of first-team height. Most nights those things won't matter, but let's see how they do against Maryland and later, SC, as well as (as one BYer above mentioned) South Florida. I worry about the conference tournament and especially the Big Dance. Will they have enough left in the tank to carry them through? Sure hope so.
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By beating ND and Baylor this team has already proven more than they can possibly prove by beating MD and SC-a simple look at the rankings would tell you that.
South Florida??? Really ???? You are right, you do worry a lot/ too much perhaps.
 
hoophuskee said:
I agree 100%- you and Kib - I'm with ya here.

Remember with Stewie we had to hear even beyond her freshman year that there was "fear" she'd get "beat up" by power forwards, as result there was a crowd that suggested she should be used as mostly a small forward.
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Another specious argument. And how many minutes did Stewie average during her career? Year after year she averaged about 20 minutes a game. These girls are averaging close to 80% more than that.
 
JordyG said:
Another specious argument. And how many minutes did Stewie average during her career? Year after year she averaged about 20 minutes a game. These girls are averaging close to 80% more than that.
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No. No and Hell No.
Stewie Mins per game.

15-16 Season 29.1 Mins
14-15 Season 28.3
13-14 Season 30.5
12-13 Season 23.7
 
CocoHusky said:
No. No and Hell No.
Stewie Mins per game.

15-16 Season 29.1 Mins
14-15 Season 28.3
13-14 Season 30.5
12-13 Season 23.7
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Yes clearly here you are right and I am wrong. I however stand by my argument about these players on this team at this time are playing more minutes and are under greater risk. Again, during her first three years she avoided the pounding big 5/s would hand her because of Dolson and occasionally Stokes. The last season she was older and her body was more mature. Still, when there was a big 5 that job would often go to Tuck and/or they would switch off. Where is that luxury this year? Stewie would average far less during games against teams like Chattanooga or LSU and Geno would play her during games against ND skewing that average. Geno hasn't that advantage this year.
 
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CocoHusky said:
No. No and Hell No.
Stewie Mins per game.

15-16 Season 29.1 Mins
14-15 Season 28.3
13-14 Season 30.5
12-13 Season 23.7
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Another advantage that Stewie had was the ability to avoid the fray, stand behind the players and the banging and simply leap over her opponent. Although Gabby is a great leaper that was no advantage against K-State, Florida State, Baylor and Texas.
 
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