Once more, Jan & Feb games...

[HuskyNan]

Every year about mid-January I post my reminder that ugly games will typically occur from the beginning of January to about mid-February. The reasons for this:

- Routines are disrupted because the team is living in hotels during the winter shutdown
- Aches and pains from physical games are starting to the their toll
- Young players used to 20-25 high school games a year are starting to hit the wall. They're also trying to balance bball with academics and being away from their families for longer stretches than ever. This is the time a lot of freshmen struggle
- Colds and flu season often strikes at this time

The undefeated team of 2002, an eventual National Champion, struggled to put away Virginia Tech on January 29, 2002.
The 2003 National Champion team beat Seton Hall (Seton Hall!) 53-48 on January 15, 2003.
The 2004 National Championship team also struggled with the Hall, pulling out a 71-63 win on January 24, 2004.
The 2005 team lost twice in three games in Jan-Feb 2005.

and so on. I am not excusing the team, just pointing out that the uneven play isn't unusual.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Thanks for the reminder, Nan. I misremembered the timing. I recalled the Christmas period and semester break, but thought the Dog Days were later in February, when teams are in the homestretch and perhaps looking forward too much. The examples you cite are all earlier than I recalled. The frosh hitting the wall makes sense just about now.

 

[4ontheT]

I understand the' hitting a wall ' part ...what I can't understand is how the national player of the year in H.S. last year could have missed THAT MANY LAYUPS !!!!!!

 

[wire chief]

Ultimately I say Geno was most happy with Morgan, among the posts.

 

[Icebear]

Ultimately I say Geno was most happy with Morgan, among the posts.

Or Kiah down the stretch late with her pursuit of rebounds.

 

[UConnCat]

I understand the' hitting a wall ' part ...what I can't understand is how the national player of the year in H.S. last year could have missed THAT MANY LAYUPS !!!!!!

Spice it up with a few expletives and I'm sure Geno is wondering the same thing. Me too.

 

[pap49cba]

Kiah is an impressive rebounder. When she goes up she looks like a guy going up.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Kiah is an impressive rebounder. When she goes up she looks like a guy going up.

Danny's pic of the opening tip makes Kiah look like Griner. Very impressive.

I think her injury really hurt her so far this year. She needs more time to get comfortable with the offense. On defense, her instincts are quite good.

 

[RadyLady]

i would also add to Nan's fine post that almost all teams get pumped to play UConn and bring their A game to the contest. And especially when there are vulnerabilities such as Stef's illness or SpongeBob's injury (cause she was on a tear until she got hurt), playing a pretty game goes out the window, and they have to grind out the win

Sent from my SGH-T769 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MilfordHusky]

SpongeBob? Is that Brianna's nickname?