Post? 4? 5?

[Sonny44]

Well it's not like he didn't try.

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm not sure if chiding Geno is permissible here , but here goes. I'd be interested in reactions, either way.

A reasonable shot at another NC in 2016, albeit not with the dominance of our recent run, would have been possible had Geno been the visionary he usually is. I think all the hype led Geno towards a singular goal of riding the Big Three to a monster undefeated season and a record 4th straight NC, needlessly sacrificing, to a sufficient degree, the year ahead.

Geno should have been more aware that post-Stewie/Mo/Tuck, UConn would be less competitive without a legitimate interior starter taller than Napheesa at 6'1", early in the season against ranked OOC teams with bigs....(among other missteps).

Our lone big, Natalie Butler, had all of 12 mpg in 27 games under Geno's tutelage, mostly mopping up against outmatched teams, worse yet, against their second-stringers. She atrophied on the bench instead of being on-court, helping make the blow outs happen. So many such opportunities were wasted, together with the confidence and mental toughness playing with the starters brings. NB wasn't prepped to her potential, and is more a puzzle today; whatever the reason, it falls on Geno .

NB isn't one of our Best 5 or Readiest 5 who should start this November...but NB as a legitimate starter didn't now need to be wishful thinking, save for Geno's oversight. But as reality would have it, she is our default if unready 5th starter. Other teams' bigs will likely own her, hopefully only until weak AAC conference play.

I think UConn will still be a Top 10 team for 2016, and might contend as deep as the EE. Should Kyla prove to be a worthy recruit (more than the other 2), or if Nat this time around is prepped and earns her playing stripes by tournament time, perhaps a FF .

Nah- I don't agree.

I don't think how you make your team better is to play someone that is worse. Plus- why punish the better players by reducing their minutes? Wasn't it great that Collier got minutes so she shined in the finals? And who is to say we aren't going to win a title next year anyways? You should have been on here the last few years in which there was some talk that Stewart should be more of a sf. Yet didn't we see her defend Texas and Oregon centers in the low post this year? Plus haven't we heard for the past two years how pounding UCONN inside was the answer? There was also talk back then wanting Stewart on the outside on offense - yet didn't we see her have a devastating low post game such as vs Md?

**If Natalie is good enough- and she has had two years of practice - imo there is no reason she can't bloom this year. We see freshmen grow into "weapons" or "very very good players" right before our eyes over the course of the season. SO this past year shouldn't affect her for this year. In other words if a freshman can get a lot better why can't Natalie? In practices if she isn't dominating do we really want her out there? I would suspect that if she was dominating in practices Geno would play her.

As you can tell- I'm under the belief that as a general rule size gets overrated. Though this year we will get beat by it from time to time. Even if we played Butler more- if she isn't that good then no matter how many minutes we gave her, imo it wouldn't matter. This year is a new year with different synergies. She could get better individually but I don't think the team will. I'm under the belief that you play your best and I'd like to think recruiting - Geno tells all that he will play his best regardless of position.

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm not sure if chiding Geno is permissible here , but here goes. I'd be interested in reactions, either way.

A reasonable shot at another NC in 2016, albeit not with the dominance of our recent run, would have been possible had Geno been the visionary he usually is. I think all the hype led Geno towards a singular goal of riding the Big Three to a monster undefeated season and a record 4th straight NC, needlessly sacrificing, to a sufficient degree, the year ahead.

Geno should have been more aware that post-Stewie/Mo/Tuck, UConn would be less competitive without a legitimate interior starter taller than Napheesa at 6'1", early in the season against ranked OOC teams with bigs....(among other missteps).

Our lone big, Natalie Butler, had all of 12 mpg in 27 games under Geno's tutelage, mostly mopping up against outmatched teams, worse yet, against their second-stringers. She atrophied on the bench instead of being on-court, helping make the blow outs happen. So many such opportunities were wasted, together with the confidence and mental toughness playing with the starters brings. NB wasn't prepped to her potential, and is more a puzzle today; whatever the reason, it falls on Geno .

NB isn't one of our Best 5 or Readiest 5 who should start this November...but NB as a legitimate starter didn't now need to be wishful thinking, save for Geno's oversight. But as reality would have it, she is our default if unready 5th starter. Other teams' bigs will likely own her, hopefully only until weak AAC conference play.

I think UConn will still be a Top 10 team for 2016, and might contend as deep as the EE. Should Kyla prove to be a worthy recruit (more than the other 2), or if Nat this time around is prepped and earns her playing stripes by tournament time, perhaps a FF .

Nah- I don't agree.

I don't think how you make your team better is to play someone that is worse. Plus- why punish the better players by reducing their minutes? Wasn't it great that Collier got minutes so she shined in the finals? And who is to say we aren't going to win a title next year anyways? You should have been on here the last few years in which there was some talk that Stewart should be more of a sf. Yet didn't we see her defend Texas and Oregon centers in the low post this year? Plus haven't we heard for the past two years how pounding UCONN inside was the answer? There was also talk back then wanting Stewart on the outside on offense - yet didn't we see her have a devastating low post game such as vs Md?

**If Natalie is good enough- and she has had two years of practice - imo there is no reason she can't bloom this year. We see freshmen grow into "weapons" or "very very good players" right before our eyes over the course of the season. SO this past year shouldn't affect her for this year. In other words if a freshman can get a lot better why can't Natalie? In practices if she isn't dominating do we really want her out there? I would suspect that if she was dominating in practices Geno would play her.

As you can tell- I'm under the belief that as a general rule size gets overrated. Though this year we will get beat by it from time to time. Even if we played Butler more- if she isn't that good then no matter how many minutes we gave her, imo it wouldn't matter. This year is a new year with different synergies. She could get better individually if she got more minutes last year but I don't think the team will this year just because she got more minutes last year. Different synergies. I'm under the belief that you play your best and I'd like to think recruiting - Geno tells all that he will play his best regardless of position.

 

[meyers7]

meyers7....I like some of Elton John's music, this one I don't recall listening to, so I turned to my time traveler to the past, my Gramps....he says this is a song with lyrics about a 6'3" Jamaican red light pro plying her trade in the Caribbean. I'm fairly tall, just shy of 6'0", but I'm not Jamaican, my long ago ancestors were from the islands of Hawaii....in the Pacific Ocean. As for the tie-in to a lady-for-sale, intended or otherwise....you might well be surprised ;-) . I do appreciate you trying to connect me to my origins, even if you got the wrong islands, in the wrong pond.

Well there are not that many Island Girl songs out there.

 

[UcMiami]

I'm not sure if chiding Geno is permissible here , but here goes. I'd be interested in reactions, either way.

A reasonable shot at another NC in 2016, albeit not with the dominance of our recent run, would have been possible had Geno been the visionary he usually is. I think all the hype led Geno towards a singular goal of riding the Big Three to a monster undefeated season and a record 4th straight NC, needlessly sacrificing, to a sufficient degree, the year ahead.

Geno should have been more aware that post-Stewie/Mo/Tuck, UConn would be less competitive without a legitimate interior starter taller than Napheesa at 6'1", early in the season against ranked OOC teams with bigs....(among other missteps).

Our lone big, Natalie Butler, had all of 12 mpg in 27 games under Geno's tutelage, mostly mopping up against outmatched teams, worse yet, against their second-stringers. She atrophied on the bench instead of being on-court, helping make the blow outs happen. So many such opportunities were wasted, together with the confidence and mental toughness playing with the starters brings. NB wasn't prepped to her potential, and is more a puzzle today; whatever the reason, it falls on Geno .

NB isn't one of our Best 5 or Readiest 5 who should start this November...but NB as a legitimate starter didn't now need to be wishful thinking, save for Geno's oversight. But as reality would have it, she is our default if unready 5th starter. Other teams' bigs will likely own her, hopefully only until weak AAC conference play.

I think UConn will still be a Top 10 team for 2016, and might contend as deep as the EE. Should Kyla prove to be a worthy recruit (more than the other 2), or if Nat this time around is prepped and earns her playing stripes by tournament time, perhaps a FF .

I think Geno was very aware of the post Stewart (and Stokes, and Stef) situation and has certainly been trying to recruit post players that fit uconn's 'profile' but it has been a really dry spell for NE post players - Stewart is probably the last NY/NJ high quality post player, and the ones from the south, TX, and West coast have chosen other schools - you can't just go out and 'draft' players. Boykin transferring out this last year was a blow to the post as well.

There is a reason the Uconn has accepted three transfers in the last three years and there is a reason they are all post players!

On Butler - I wrote this sort of thing quite a while ago - I am sure in the month of practice before the season began, the coaches were working on offensive sets and defensive sets to play to Natalie's strengths and to cover her weakness, but then she got injured and was out for the last ten days of practice and for most of the first two months of the season, and the team moved on from all of those sets because Natalie was unique in terms of the team and without her playing none of them made sense. On defense they worked on and perfected the 'switch on everything' defense, and on offense they went away from the power low post game and perfected the slashing, multiple post up player offense where no one was ever anchored in the paint, but was constantly switching in and out to the arc. By the time Natalie got back she also had to work herself back into game shape and hadn't developed the game chemistry with the rest of the team. She had been 'left behind' and by late December it was two months since the team had worked on any of the sets that involved her unique skills - you could see that no one really knew what to do or where to move when she was on the court - the offense looked bad and the defense looked bad. It wasn't anyone's fault and certainly not Natalie's but it was a situation not dissimilar to Fowles showing up in MN in mid-season - they didn't know how to play with her, but they knew they really needed her for the playoffs so they worked hard on it and it finally gelled by the end of the championship run. Unfortunately for Natalie, Uconn didn't really need her last year, and integrating her back into the team was less important than perfecting everything else they were already doing - the age/experience between college and seasoned pros was also a huge factor with the ability and familiarity of players playing in different systems every year between WNBA and overseas.
I expect a very different looking Natalie this coming year (as long as she remains healthy) because the team will develop around her skill set and the coaches will integrate that into the core capabilities of the team - everyone will comment on how great an improvement she has made in her game, but the reality will be that the improvement will be with how she is integrated into the team and the systems on offense and defense that are designed around her.

We have seen the same sort of issue with other players like Kiah Stokes - who had nagging injuries her first two years in Storrs and struggled mightily because when she did get on the floor she was replacing a player (Stef) who was completely different than her. Her last two years she was much more productive primarily because she was healthy from the beginning and the sets run when she was on the floor matched her skills. Banks also struggled with injury her sophomore year and when she returned couldn't get back in the flow because her teammates had forgotten how to play with her and to her strengths.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think Geno was very aware of the post Stewart (and Stokes, and Stef) situation and has certainly been trying to recruit post players that fit uconn's 'profile' but it has been a really dry spell for NE post players - Stewart is probably the last NY/NJ high quality post player, and the ones from the south, TX, and West coast have chosen other schools - you can't just go out and 'draft' players. Boykin transferring out this last year was a blow to the post as well.

There is a reason the Uconn has accepted three transfers in the last three years and there is a reason they are all post players!

On Butler - I wrote this sort of thing quite a while ago - I am sure in the month of practice before the season began, the coaches were working on offensive sets and defensive sets to play to Natalie's strengths and to cover her weakness, but then she got injured and was out for the last ten days of practice and for most of the first two months of the season, and the team moved on from all of those sets because Natalie was unique in terms of the team and without her playing none of them made sense. On defense they worked on and perfected the 'switch on everything' defense, and on offense they went away from the power low post game and perfected the slashing, multiple post up player offense where no one was ever anchored in the paint, but was constantly switching in and out to the arc. By the time Natalie got back she also had to work herself back into game shape and hadn't developed the game chemistry with the rest of the team. She had been 'left behind' and by late December it was two months since the team had worked on any of the sets that involved her unique skills - you could see that no one really knew what to do or where to move when she was on the court - the offense looked bad and the defense looked bad. It wasn't anyone's fault and certainly not Natalie's but it was a situation not dissimilar to Fowles showing up in MN in mid-season - they didn't know how to play with her, but they knew they really needed her for the playoffs so they worked hard on it and it finally gelled by the end of the championship run. Unfortunately for Natalie, Uconn didn't really need her last year, and integrating her back into the team was less important than perfecting everything else they were already doing - the age/experience between college and seasoned pros was also a huge factor with the ability and familiarity of players playing in different systems every year between WNBA and overseas.
I expect a very different looking Natalie this coming year (as long as she remains healthy) because the team will develop around her skill set and the coaches will integrate that into the core capabilities of the team - everyone will comment on how great an improvement she has made in her game, but the reality will be that the improvement will be with how she is integrated into the team and the systems on offense and defense that are designed around her.

We have seen the same sort of issue with other players like Kiah Stokes - who had nagging injuries her first two years in Storrs and struggled mightily because when she did get on the floor she was replacing a player (Stef) who was completely different than her. Her last two years she was much more productive primarily because she was healthy from the beginning and the sets run when she was on the floor matched her skills. Banks also struggled with injury her sophomore year and when she returned couldn't get back in the flow because her teammates had forgotten how to play with her and to her strengths.

UC Impeccable analysis. The specific Natalie strengths I expect the staff to include in the offense is the strong outlet pass to trigger the break, mid range jumper and high on ball screens. On defense Natalie is very good at making herself big at the rim so defender has to finish over her, expect to almost pre-rotate to the rim to make a one man wall. If she needs to improve on one are is getting better feet.

 

[victor64]

Coco answered some but I would still like Uc to address the following

Questions because I think she is really important next year.

Is Butler a good enough passer to do Dolson-like stuff at the high post?
Can she defend the basket well enough?
It seemed to me that last year, even in the multitude of blowouts that she was late getting into games. Makes me wonder if the staff lost confidence in her.
Can she defend the perimeter? Run the break? Exclusively and only a 5? Does she need to in order to be effective?

I love your optimism but the lack of playing time has me wondering.

 

[UcMiami]

Uc,

Questions because I think she is really important next year.

Is Butler a good enough passer to do Dolson-like stuff at the high post?
Can she defend the basket well enough?
It seemed to me that last year, even in the multitude of blowouts that she was late getting into games. Makes me wonder if the staff lost confidence in her.
Can she defend the perimeter? Run the break? Exclusively and only a 5? Does she need to in order to be effective?

I love your optimism but the lack of playing time has me wondering.

I think she is a good passer, not as good as Stef, but can be effective in the high post with folks cutting off her.
I think everyone on the team was so well integrated into the offense and defense that was being played for the first two months that it was more important to work Chong, Collier and Ekmark within that offense/defense so they tended to get the earlier substitutions. As soon as Natalie entered the game it was 'all change' - on defense every screen with her involved required 'hedge and recover' something that the team almost never did when she wasn't on the floor - on offense it was all about power post (high and low) again something that wasn't being run when she wasn't playing. If you think about it - she was 'replacing' either Stewart or Tuck in an offense that was design with their three point capabilities and slashing strengths, and a defense design around their skill defending in space out to the three point line. Just a completely different system. Go back three years and have Natalie come in to spell Dolson and it would be a much more seamless transition for the rest of the team - big body screens at the free throw line, and power post play, and hedged screens on defense. Again, I think they started practice working on those concepts, but dropped them out while she was injured.

She actually moves up and down court pretty well for a big, but she does not have the foot speed to defend on the perimeter - again very similar to Stef. Yes, exclusively a 5 - doubt we every see her playing much at either end further than 15' from the basket.

If you want to see what offense and defense with Natalie playing significant minutes would be like, check out the games from Dolson's junior and senior years. (and if you want to see a comparison to what was happening last year - watch what happens at both ends in those games when Stokes replaces Stef (not pretty!), Kiah had no clue how to play Stef's game and the team wasn't ready to adjust for her skills.

 

[victor64]

Thanks UC

If they switched everything with Katie Lou last year, then Natalie is the only one coming back that they have to hedge with. As I think about what you said, they may have to have more than one style next year. They could really put a good "small" ball team on the floor and play 5 out. (CD, Collier, KLS, Nourse, Williams).

With only one pure 5 on the roster, it will be interesting to see how they handle the rotation.

 

[islandgurl]

Well there are not that many Island Girl songs out there.

Brief personals....I created this expansive world I live in where I often have more tasks and obligations than there are hours in a day. I get overwhelmed from time to time, I typically don't get much more than 4 - 5 hours of sleep, wherein I crash every few weeks or so , I have to put my social life on hold all too often....etc, etc. In fact, I have a 16 yo niece who is a UConn fan helping me out with this site. But if don't reply to posts quickly enough, please understand.
----------------------


I know many here are a little older than me, but I think a few might like this song, or at least not hate it ....it's called Jowenna (My Sweet Hawaiian Girl) by Fiji....4:01, click on "show more" for lyrics.


Some might recognize this favorite classic, Sweet Leilani, 2:58.

 

[islandgurl]

Nah- I don't agree.

I don't think how you make your team better is to play someone that is worse. Plus- why punish the better players by reducing their minutes? Wasn't it great that Collier got minutes so she shined in the finals? And who is to say we aren't going to win a title next year anyways? You should have been on here the last few years in which there was some talk that Stewart should be more of a sf. Yet didn't we see her defend Texas and Oregon centers in the low post this year? Plus haven't we heard for the past two years how pounding UCONN inside was the answer? There was also talk back then wanting Stewart on the outside on offense - yet didn't we see her have a devastating low post game such as vs Md?

**If Natalie is good enough- and she has had two years of practice - imo there is no reason she can't bloom this year. We see freshmen grow into "weapons" or "very very good players" right before our eyes over the course of the season. SO this past year shouldn't affect her for this year. In other words if a freshman can get a lot better why can't Natalie? In practices if she isn't dominating do we really want her out there? I would suspect that if she was dominating in practices Geno would play her.

As you can tell- I'm under the belief that as a general rule size gets overrated. Though this year we will get beat by it from time to time. Even if we played Butler more- if she isn't that good then no matter how many minutes we gave her, imo it wouldn't matter. This year is a new year with different synergies. She could get better individually if she got more minutes last year but I don't think the team will this year just because she got more minutes last year. Different synergies. I'm under the belief that you play your best and I'd like to think recruiting - Geno tells all that he will play his best regardless of position.

hoophuskee - Thanks for sharing your thoughts....your perspective certainly differs from mine. Some in the membership may support your various arguments, in whole or in part, while others may differ from both yours and mine. I'll briefly address the essence of your overall narrative, but strictly against the issues I narrowly defined....everything else is extraneous.

As great a coach as Geno is, he isn't infallible, nor beyond criticism. Permit me to point out that in the entirety of your response, you declined to place blame of any kind on Geno, which leaves the preponderance of blame on NB. There is a clear inadequacy of fairness here . I'll explain briefly.

Everything (reasonable) that transpires under his watch---all the passes and the fails---is Geno's responsibility. He accepted NB, if she didn't cut it, that's on Geno, keeping in mind she was a relatively accomplished transferee, not a touted but untested high school recruit.

(To illustrate that many decisions have varying degrees of collateral damage, or unintended consequences, accepting NB came with the risk that other big recruits may pass on UConn, which had a 2-year period without such a recruit. Coincidence? Perhaps).

Furthermore, Geno knows he needs to manage a rolling 100% player turnover rate every 4 years. The current season is important....next season and succeeding ones will come soon enough and be just as important. When you have a Big Three of seniors, in particular, finding/developing their replacements is as imperative as letting them bask in the glory of raining terror on the opposition with 40-point margins of victory. Geno didn't find the right balance this year.

You mentioned that "as a general rule size gets overrated". As a general rule, I'd rather have a good/decent 6'5" center with bulk than not .

I'd even settle for a Big East Rookie of the Year. NB had a strong foundation to begin with, but which clearly hasn't been built upon. I can't imagine what NB did to so badly regress, from winning accolades as Freshman of the Year in a strong basketball conference (certainly much tougher than the AAC), to a 12 mpg mopper-upper under Geno's guidance. I obviously don't know exactly why, but I certainly wouldn't let Geno off the hook .

 

[baggerbob]

hoophuskee - Thanks for sharing your thoughts....your perspective certainly differs from mine. Some in the membership may support your various arguments, in whole or in part, while others may differ from both yours and mine. I'll briefly address the essence of your overall narrative, but strictly against the issues I narrowly defined....everything else is extraneous.

As great a coach as Geno is, he isn't infallible, nor beyond criticism. Permit me to point out that in the entirety of your response, you declined to place blame of any kind on Geno, which leaves the preponderance of blame on NB. There is a clear inadequacy of fairness here . I'll explain briefly.

Everything (reasonable) that transpires under his watch---all the passes and the fails---is Geno's responsibility. He accepted NB, if she didn't cut it, that's on Geno, keeping in mind she was a relatively accomplished transferee, not a touted but untested high school recruit.

(To illustrate that many decisions have varying degrees of collateral damage, or unintended consequences, accepting NB came with the risk that other big recruits may pass on UConn, which had a 2-year period without such a recruit. Coincidence? Perhaps).

Furthermore, Geno knows he needs to manage a rolling 100% player turnover rate every 4 years. The current season is important....next season and succeeding ones will come soon enough and be just as important. When you have a Big Three of seniors, in particular, finding/developing their replacements is as imperative as letting them bask in the glory of raining terror on the opposition with 40-point margins of victory. Geno didn't find the right balance this year.

You mentioned that "as a general rule size gets overrated". As a general rule, I'd rather have a good/decent 6'5" center with bulk than not .

I'd even settle for a Big East Rookie of the Year. NB had a strong foundation to begin with, but which clearly hasn't been built upon. I can't imagine what NB did to so badly regress, from winning accolades as Freshman of the Year in a strong basketball conference (certainly much tougher than the AAC), to a 12 mpg mopper-upper under Geno's guidance. I obviously don't know exactly why, but I certainly wouldn't let Geno off the hook .

Geno mentioned in one of the shows on SNY, that the one thing, he was afraid of was screwing up the run for the 4 in a row. Natalie's injury, and all the time it took for her to get healthy, made it impossible for Geno to do anything else. By the time she came back the rotations had been set, the players were used to the new offense, and defense sets, no need to change at that point. You don't jeopardize everything Stewie. Moriah, and Morgan worked for to incorporate Natalie into the rotation.

 

[Kibitzer]

Geno mentioned in one of the shows on SNY, that the one thing, he was afraid of was screwing up the run for the 4 in a row. Natalie's injury, and all the time it took for her to get healthy, made it impossible for Geno to do anything else.

The circumstances you cited are valid. To rephrase an old adage: "If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it."

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I really believe Natalie's injury and the timing of it ruined her whole season!
From all reports from coaches & players was how good Natalie looked offensively & defensively, conditioning rounding her body into great shape through weight loss, her hustling up & down the court.
She worked tremendously hard in her RS year.
Then boom, the thumb injury for approximately 3 months after the surgery put her back on square one and she never recovered! There is not a worse time for an injury (besides one in February ending your season), to destroy everything a player does off-season into pre!
I believe she'll work hard again this off season and get back to where she was pre-injury and show her real talent!

 

[hoophuskee]

hoophuskee - Thanks for sharing your thoughts....your perspective certainly differs from mine. Some in the membership may support your various arguments, in whole or in part, while others may differ from both yours and mine. I'll briefly address the essence of your overall narrative, but strictly against the issues I narrowly defined....everything else is extraneous.

As great a coach as Geno is, he isn't infallible, nor beyond criticism. Permit me to point out that in the entirety of your response, you declined to place blame of any kind on Geno, which leaves the preponderance of blame on NB. There is a clear inadequacy of fairness here . I'll explain briefly.

Everything (reasonable) that transpires under his watch---all the passes and the fails---is Geno's responsibility. He accepted NB, if she didn't cut it, that's on Geno, keeping in mind she was a relatively accomplished transferee, not a touted but untested high school recruit.

(To illustrate that many decisions have varying degrees of collateral damage, or unintended consequences, accepting NB came with the risk that other big recruits may pass on UConn, which had a 2-year period without such a recruit. Coincidence? Perhaps).

Furthermore, Geno knows he needs to manage a rolling 100% player turnover rate every 4 years. The current season is important....next season and succeeding ones will come soon enough and be just as important. When you have a Big Three of seniors, in particular, finding/developing their replacements is as imperative as letting them bask in the glory of raining terror on the opposition with 40-point margins of victory. Geno didn't find the right balance this year.

You mentioned that "as a general rule size gets overrated". As a general rule, I'd rather have a good/decent 6'5" center with bulk than not .

I'd even settle for a Big East Rookie of the Year. NB had a strong foundation to begin with, but which clearly hasn't been built upon. I can't imagine what NB did to so badly regress, from winning accolades as Freshman of the Year in a strong basketball conference (certainly much tougher than the AAC), to a 12 mpg mopper-upper under Geno's guidance. I obviously don't know exactly why, but I certainly wouldn't let Geno off the hook .

I have to say -- you disagree with such style. A pleasure to go back and forth.

You're right- I do place no blame because I see no blame that needs to be placed. I don't agree with the philosophy that a coach fails if some fo his recruits don't pan out. the obligation should be more to the team. And for that I believe it is right to play the best players. that imo is most fair in addition to giving the team not only the best chance to win (while being the most fair_ but also perpetuates great - consistent recruiting especially of the star players.

When I speak of "most fair" -- I'm also talking about the kids like KLS and Collier and Gabby for example. For example -- can't we agree that KLS and Napheesa need to get tougher? And KLS needs to be more aggressive? So for 2016-2017 wouldn't it also help them to play more last year? they are not going to be power players this upcoming year regardless but doesn't it help them to learn to keep playing? What about Geno's "obligation and sense of fairness" to them?

Sure you could blame Gneo this year of whatever because most likely he won't win a title-- but if Natalie comes to play this year -- and dominate practices like she should thus gets minutes-- it would mean she had BOTH deserved the minutes this year and imo when you add a good player to your team - usually you have better chance of winning too (unless they affect synergy- BOTH on offense and defense). I think patience is best virtue here. Let's see what Natalie brings THIS YEAR.

I'm not ready to write her off. And as for blame---- he Geno has won 4 straight titles. I think UCONN is ranked in the top 5 this upcoming year then imo we are among the top two looking out into the future. Boykin left him- so one year we aren't in the top two and all the wins we've accumulated and championships- how much time do I want put "on blame" when I prefer better basketball players over size? I agree we need some bulk and this year without MB we don't have it-- BUT SHE HAS HER CHANCE THIS YEAR. I am excited to see what she can bring.

But imo the other players also deserved minutes and them playing together last year for as many minutes as they did (KLS/Collier/Gabby/Nurse) also helps for this year. PLUS imo it helps in recruiting. For example Meg Walker must know if she commits to UCONN - if the post play is weak - she'll still have an opportunity to get big minutes because Geno won't be afraid to play small.

 

[islandgurl]

(hoophuskee....I owe you a reply from a previous post and your most recent one....I'll catch up)

Interesting replies to my criticism of Geno in mishandling NB and adversely impacting the team's 2016 prospects. I have to stand by my contentions....explanations, justifications and rationalizations notwithstanding .

I was expecting a spirited defense of Geno, but am quite surprised at his wholesale acquittal. Plausible deniability would have been a nebulous but more acceptable cover, but I sensed instead a unified front exempting Geno from answerability, thus culpability. UConn in November will not be what it should be, and it's not "not anyone's fault"....providence isn't at play here . In all, it leaves an impression that is too cavalierly exculpatory. Sorry, guys .

Briefly, I'm sure Geno has a playbook with more dynamic play sets than an exclusionary all-must--fit-or-sit allusion. I'm also certain that the Stewie/Mo/Tuck legacy would not have been "jeopardized" had Geno settled for 20-pt wins instead of 40, wasting so many golden opportunities to produce greater team equilibrium, with a better prepared big in particular, ahead of the "rude awakening" scenario Geno himself created, then accurately prophesied. An 8-man rotation was the most effective for Geno to deliver on a better prepared and sufficiently ready starting 5, post Trinity Ascension and Geno Coronation....it didn't happen. I'm confident that Geno and staff can walk and chew gum at the same time,...they just got caught up with the transcendence of the season, and laid an egg for tomorrow .

 

[Kibitzer]

@islandgurl:

Ahem. You are a darn good writer.

 

[JRRRJ]

(hoophuskee....I owe you a reply from a previous post and your most recent one....I'll catch up)

Interesting replies to my criticism of Geno in mishandling NB and adversely impacting the team's 2016 prospects. I have to stand by my contentions....explanations, justifications and rationalizations notwithstanding .

I was expecting a spirited defense of Geno, but am quite surprised at his wholesale acquittal. Plausible deniability would have been a nebulous but more acceptable cover, but I sensed instead a unified front exempting Geno from answerability, thus culpability. UConn in November will not be what it should be, and it's not "not anyone's fault"....providence isn't at play here . In all, it leaves an impression that is too cavalierly exculpatory. Sorry, guys .

Briefly, I'm sure Geno has a playbook with more dynamic play sets than an exclusionary all-must--fit-or-sit allusion. I'm also certain that the Stewie/Mo/Tuck legacy would not have been "jeopardized" had Geno settled for 20-pt wins instead of 40, wasting so many golden opportunities to produce greater team equilibrium, with a better prepared big in particular, ahead of the "rude awakening" scenario Geno himself created, then accurately prophesied. An 8-man rotation was the most effective for Geno to deliver on a better prepared and sufficiently ready starting 5, post Trinity Ascension and Geno Coronation....it didn't happen. I'm confident that Geno and staff can walk and chew gum at the same time,...they just got caught up with the transcendence of the season, and laid an egg for tomorrow .

Are we to assume then you contend the transfer of Ms. Boykin and the injury to Ms. Butler were Geno's fault rather than "providence" (assuming that's an alias for "chance" rather than divine intervention)? Or that the decisions in the last 2 years of desired post players to attend other institutions are uniformly Geno's fault? I would demur.

The entire team knows the goal of the program is to win the conference title and the national championship -- every year. I believe UCMiami has accurately pointed out why it would have been inadvisable to the acquisition of this years goals to spend significant time re-training the team to adjust to playing a different style. An assumption that the players would have been able to perform in 2 very different styles (in all the substitution permutations) on both offense and defense is not obviously true. The acquisition of next year's goals is still well within the sphere of possibility.

Regarding the "rude awakening" as a result of an "unprepared" Natalie: since all observers and participants aver team practices are harder than games, low minutes played in games should have no impact on learning of the system or physical training. She should not have needed additional playing time to gain "college game toughness", as she had--as you pointed out--already demonstrated it during her freshman year. I expect her to be a significant contributor.

Love your writing style--reminds me of someone who my fallible memory refuses to identify.

 

[hoophuskee]

(hoophuskee....I owe you a reply from a previous post and your most recent one....I'll catch up)

Interesting replies to my criticism of Geno in mishandling NB and adversely impacting the team's 2016 prospects. I have to stand by my contentions....explanations, justifications and rationalizations notwithstanding .

I was expecting a spirited defense of Geno, but am quite surprised at his wholesale acquittal. Plausible deniability would have been a nebulous but more acceptable cover, but I sensed instead a unified front exempting Geno from answerability, thus culpability. UConn in November will not be what it should be, and it's not "not anyone's fault"....providence isn't at play here . In all, it leaves an impression that is too cavalierly exculpatory. Sorry, guys .

Briefly, I'm sure Geno has a playbook with more dynamic play sets than an exclusionary all-must--fit-or-sit allusion. I'm also certain that the Stewie/Mo/Tuck legacy would not have been "jeopardized" had Geno settled for 20-pt wins instead of 40, wasting so many golden opportunities to produce greater team equilibrium, with a better prepared big in particular, ahead of the "rude awakening" scenario Geno himself created, then accurately prophesied. An 8-man rotation was the most effective for Geno to deliver on a better prepared and sufficiently ready starting 5, post Trinity Ascension and Geno Coronation....it didn't happen. I'm confident that Geno and staff can walk and chew gum at the same time,...they just got caught up with the transcendence of the season, and laid an egg for tomorrow .

I'm busy too- don't have time to respond other than ask what is your prediction for this year. I'll respond to other stuff when I have a chance and read it through.

 

[hoophuskee]

(hoophuskee....I owe you a reply from a previous post and your most recent one....I'll catch up)

Interesting replies to my criticism of Geno in mishandling NB and adversely impacting the team's 2016 prospects. I have to stand by my contentions....explanations, justifications and rationalizations notwithstanding .

I was expecting a spirited defense of Geno, but am quite surprised at his wholesale acquittal. Plausible deniability would have been a nebulous but more acceptable cover, but I sensed instead a unified front exempting Geno from answerability, thus culpability. UConn in November will not be what it should be, and it's not "not anyone's fault"....providence isn't at play here . In all, it leaves an impression that is too cavalierly exculpatory. Sorry, guys .

Briefly, I'm sure Geno has a playbook with more dynamic play sets than an exclusionary all-must--fit-or-sit allusion. I'm also certain that the Stewie/Mo/Tuck legacy would not have been "jeopardized" had Geno settled for 20-pt wins instead of 40, wasting so many golden opportunities to produce greater team equilibrium, with a better prepared big in particular, ahead of the "rude awakening" scenario Geno himself created, then accurately prophesied. An 8-man rotation was the most effective for Geno to deliver on a better prepared and sufficiently ready starting 5, post Trinity Ascension and Geno Coronation....it didn't happen. I'm confident that Geno and staff can walk and chew gum at the same time,...they just got caught up with the transcendence of the season, and laid an egg for tomorrow .

\

I also meant to ask so you know we aren't going to be any good in November (which I wouldn't necessarily agree)- so what's your prediction for this year? If you think we're going to be good - so what is the issue? That we won't be perfect?

 

[islandgurl]

Kibitzer....appreciate the compliment. I'm still trying to get a handle on the posters here, on just this one thread, as I don't have the time to surf much. I'd like to leave comments on various threads I have interest in, but I would just spread myself thinly.....(um, don't get any ideas, ).
------------------------------------------

JRRRJ.....nice to meet you, thanks for your compliment and for sharing your thoughts. Please don't read more into what I write than is there .

Your first paragraph: Geno's sphere of responsibilities does have its limits, it's why I used "reasonable" as a qualifier for the wiggle room required of my premise .

Your second paragraph: It's the sport of basketball, not academic disciplines within STEM. Millions of former playground kids can fully comprehend widely used basketball terms such as screens, weaves, pick-and-rolls, weak side, backdoor cuts, fakes, switch, etc. Repeating myself, Geno and staff can in fact walk and chew gum at the same time, while play sets within a dynamic playbook aren't designed as exclusionary, wherein all players must fit or they sit. Play sets are nothing more than artful choreography in a sports setting, it can be simple, complex and everything in between, but it's art, not science .

Your third paragraph: Uconn practices may be "harder than games" (or not, in and of itself it's irrelevant)....but no amount of practice sessions can substitute for game experience. It's just not the same thing. Practice tough isn't the equivalent of game tough, never will be. Most importantly, the stakes aren't the same....games are the moments in time athletes strive for, it's where winning and losing takes place, it's why the game is played....there never will be banners reading "practice session national champs"....or trophies for "practice session MVP" .

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

------------------------------------------

Your third paragraph: Uconn practices may be "harder than games" (or not, in and of itself it's irrelevant)....but no amount of practice sessions can substitute for game experience. It's just not the same thing. Practice tough isn't the equivalent of game tough, never will be. Most importantly, the stakes aren't the same....games are the moments in time athletes strive for, it's where winning and losing takes place, it's why the game is played....there never will be banners reading "practice session national champs"....or trophies for "practice session MVP" .

islandgurl- - -That's what sets UCONN apart from all the other Div. I teams, that their practices are tougher than their games! Ask any UCONN player, an alum or a player with experience now on the roster, and they'll let you know that Geno and staff make practices so hard, and sometimes impossible to succeed that when they're in a game the pressure the opponents give them is nothing like they had in practice the previous week!
6v3, 8v4, matchups with starters getting the 3 or 4 spots! Throwing in the male practice players, starting a 5 minute drill and starters are 1 or 2 pts. are winning with 5 seconds left, Geno resets the clock +10 minutes, or he'll decide to pick out 1 player, usually a "star" player such as Stewie and run her drill for 30 to 40 minutes over and over and over mean while screaming at her I thought you're an AA? I thought you were the best? Until Stewie is near tears and is so tired by then she can't do the drill!
Alums like DT say from Nov. to Feb. you're a no body, Geno tears you down, but by Tournament time Geno makes you feel like you can do and achieve anything!
That's why ND, Baylor, TX, SoCar, MD, etc. cannot compete with UCONN, no one else pressures their players the way Geno does his!

 

[islandgurl]

I have to say -- you disagree with such style. A pleasure to go back and forth.

You're right- I do place no blame because I see no blame that needs to be placed. I don't agree with the philosophy that a coach fails if some fo his recruits don't pan out. the obligation should be more to the team. And for that I believe it is right to play the best players. that imo is most fair in addition to giving the team not only the best chance to win (while being the most fair_ but also perpetuates great - consistent recruiting especially of the star players.

When I speak of "most fair" -- I'm also talking about the kids like KLS and Collier and Gabby for example. For example -- can't we agree that KLS and Napheesa need to get tougher? And KLS needs to be more aggressive? So for 2016-2017 wouldn't it also help them to play more last year? they are not going to be power players this upcoming year regardless but doesn't it help them to learn to keep playing? What about Geno's "obligation and sense of fairness" to them?

Sure you could blame Gneo this year of whatever because most likely he won't win a title-- but if Natalie comes to play this year -- and dominate practices like she should thus gets minutes-- it would mean she had BOTH deserved the minutes this year and imo when you add a good player to your team - usually you have better chance of winning too (unless they affect synergy- BOTH on offense and defense). I think patience is best virtue here. Let's see what Natalie brings THIS YEAR.

I'm not ready to write her off. And as for blame---- he Geno has won 4 straight titles. I think UCONN is ranked in the top 5 this upcoming year then imo we are among the top two looking out into the future. Boykin left him- so one year we aren't in the top two and all the wins we've accumulated and championships- how much time do I want put "on blame" when I prefer better basketball players over size? I agree we need some bulk and this year without MB we don't have it-- BUT SHE HAS HER CHANCE THIS YEAR. I am excited to see what she can bring.

But imo the other players also deserved minutes and them playing together last year for as many minutes as they did (KLS/Collier/Gabby/Nurse) also helps for this year. PLUS imo it helps in recruiting. For example Meg Walker must know if she commits to UCONN - if the post play is weak - she'll still have an opportunity to get big minutes because Geno won't be afraid to play small.

hoophuskee....it's my pleasure as well swapping impressions with you. I do at times disagree strongly with opposing views, but I realize it works both ways. When at an impasse, I'll leave it be and move on, I just don't have the time to persist. I'm feeling the effects of more holiday celebration than planned...I'll do my best not to come off sassy . I have this personal disclosure I'm soo tempted to blurt out, but i won't....sorry .

I never said we aren't going to be good, but I do think we're going to get beat early on by ranked teams with good big(s). The-Mighty-Huskies-are-beatable is an inevitability which will give a confidence boost to our subsequent opponents. Instead of playing us with trepidation, they will play us hard.

Reiterating how I think this year might go....we're still a Top 10 team, we may go undefeated in conference play. I'm hoping we lose no more than 5 games going into March Madness. If a few factors fall nicely in place, we should contend as deep as the EE....a FF is a long shot.

There is no "issue" other than Geno mishandling Nat, predictably leading to wishful thinking by some that Nat can make up this year what she was held back from last year, No she can't, not in terms of aggregate UConn on-court experience....she'd still be missing out on nearly a year's worth of playing key minutes with starters, acquiring the requisite mental toughness, etc.

Piggy-backing on this topic: targeted player development initiatives improve our chances of reaching greater heights, even if only incrementally, be it SS, EE, FF, a NC.....(given the resources we have, I can't envision a "perfect"---or undefeated---season happening....it would parallel a NC).

If Nat if going to be primed this year, then she's a big I'd still rather have than not. But if she doesn't/didn't have it in her, that should have been settled last year and shouldn't still be debated this year, drawing needless wishful thinking .

 

[Buzzyboy]

Welcome aboard. Very surprised that an "Island" gurl would pick Stef over Tina Charles for a All-UCONN team. Which Island are you reppin?

My thoughts exactly. I like Stef but Tina would make the team better. You don't need flexibility from all supposed five positions. Flex from the others would more be more than enough.

 

[victor64]

Islandgurl's eloquent prose about the staff's handling of Natalie Butler reminded me that as fabulous a coach that Geno is, he is not perfect. No coach is.

In Butler's case, there must be stuff behind the scenes that limited Butler's time once she was healthy. I was struck by how late she got into games even blowouts.

I don't buy the scheme issue. They are faced with the same situation this year with only one big. Why was it not possible for this nearly perfect staff to project ahead a little and experiment with an early Butler rotation against a significant portion of the AAC schedule?

I find it odd that the questions I have about Butler (Pass out of the high post, be effective in transition, not hurt them when they press) were not really addressed in the limited games I saw (I live in Ohio).

Looking forward to many more observations from Islandgurl...

 

[hoophuskee]

hoophuskee....it's my pleasure as well swapping impressions with you. I do at times disagree strongly with opposing views, but I realize it works both ways. When at an impasse, I'll leave it be and move on, I just don't have the time to persist. I'm feeling the effects of more holiday celebration than planned...I'll do my best not to come off sassy . I have this personal disclosure I'm soo tempted to blurt out, but i won't....sorry .

I never said we aren't going to be good, but I do think we're going to get beat early on by ranked teams with good big(s). The-Mighty-Huskies-are-beatable is an inevitability which will give a confidence boost to our subsequent opponents. Instead of playing us with trepidation, they will play us hard.

Reiterating how I think this year might go....we're still a Top 10 team, we may go undefeated in conference play. I'm hoping we lose no more than 5 games going into March Madness. If a few factors fall nicely in place, we should contend as deep as the EE....a FF is a long shot.

There is no "issue" other than Geno mishandling Nat, predictably leading to wishful thinking by some that Nat can make up this year what she was held back from last year, No she can't, not in terms of aggregate UConn on-court experience....she'd still be missing out on nearly a year's worth of playing key minutes with starters, acquiring the requisite mental toughness, etc.

Piggy-backing on this topic: targeted player development initiatives improve our chances of reaching greater heights, even if only incrementally, be it SS, EE, FF, a NC.....(given the resources we have, I can't envision a "perfect"---or undefeated---season happening....it would parallel a NC).

If Nat if going to be primed this year, then she's a big I'd still rather have than not. But if she doesn't/didn't have it in her, that should have been settled last year and shouldn't still be debated this year, drawing needless wishful thinking .

IMO you are so wrong on everything. I don't know where to begin. You might be right we only go to E8, but most fans think E8 or FF but no title- but many think that too. Everything else I either disagree with and am stunned with some your comments. Probably has to do with you and I have a completely differ point of view of the game should be played. I still can't believe you referred to Tim Duncan as finesse forward. And while I agree for example I'm not a fan of Shaq - I recognize him as an all-time great among the top 10-12 players ever. I can't recall your posts directly but they weren't overall so flattering of Shaq. Even the fantasy teams we put together - we "disputed" Bird vs MoJeff etc. So are disputes are more than just Geno. It's how we want to see the game played and who we appreciate more in terms of style etc.

Here are eight points to consider:
1--- When has anyone ever known for Geno to play for next year? I can't recall. So if anyone can - let me know. Unless hsi tema isn't that good or underperforms. For anyone that can't bring up an example - then how can they knock Geno's methods when he has been so successful in winning and sustainment? IMO playing for next year is NOT the thing to do unless you aren't that good. On the flip side I thought Brianna Banks should have gotten more minutes. But can I knock Geno for it? He lost one game the next year! And it had to do with defense and penetration. So do I blame teh defeat on Geno? For what purpose- one regular season game? But the year he goes undefeateg while getting two straight years of titles after she left!! Then he keeps recruiting like a wildman!! You have to take this into account similarly with Nat. Being an E8 team which islandgulr thinks-- we're not that good? I'm a fan. I can appreciate an E8 team which has imo a chance to be better too. I'm not that spoiled that I need to see titles every year. I'll still enjoy watching.

2-- Do you think Geno could be hurt at all trying to recruit stars if they know that someone like Stewie even in her Soph, Jr and SR years combined couldn't muster an average over 29 minutes per game? How many minutes should we drop arguably the best ever so we can give minutes Nat?

3-- Many of you have to realize the game has changed. Look at final four. MoJeff, The Cuse Guard, the kid from Washington and the Oregon guard - a lot of what these team did was a lot to do with their guards. Stewie just happens to be GOAT or close to it. There is rarely a Stewie. so guards are crucial. Your bigs don't need to be stars. The NBA is giving us a view as to how the game is going smaller but that doesn't mean bigs aren't needed. If the big isn't that good you don't penalize the ones that are good. You can't just look at it under Nats purview. The other players need synergy too- and if they are better they should get it.

4-- I think it's way wrong/bizarre for you to even suggest that Nat can't makeup the year in terms of being solid for this upcoming year. Unless you don't think she is that good. Then that is understandable. ANd if she isn't that good- she doesn't deserve the minutes.

5-- For those of you that wanted more minutes for Nat- whose minutes do you decline?

6-- Why doe Geno continually get the top recruits? When anyone says he is the best- why is he the best? For example, what is it that he is doing that sustains his ability to get the top recruits?

7--- Anybody that has watched many games - has heard Geno sometimes in rage (sometimes not) say things like "I don't care about the score . . ." or "I don't care about 'this or that'.. . we're going to play this type of style or the kid won't play . . ." I encourage anyone who agrees with islandgurl to look at the following box keep in mind UCONN was playing a tough foe in 06-07 -a ranked team at their building and Charde Houston as a junior was having her best season. As the team's 2nd best player- why didn't Charde play more minutes in this game? Because he expects a certain level of play vs a player's capabilities. If he doesn't get it- which he didn't get from Natalie- that player isn't going to play over the others that are doing better.

6/5 Connecticut vs 16/18 Marquette (02/03/07 at Milwaukee, Wis. (Al McGuire Center))


8-- He uses playing time as his motivation to his players. Islandgurl seems to suggest that because Nat didn't get many minutes this past year she'll somehow be affected in a negative manner -- when she needed to get those minutes in order to "acquiring the requisite mental toughness, etc." So a player under Geno -- it's either one year or that's it? We often call him the best coach in wcbb. So a player with the skills of Nat -and if she is good - we're to believe islandgurl that Geno will be nearly incapable of turning her around because of his blunder the year before? But this is how Geno has coached. He doesn't coach - giving players minutes that don't deserve minutes. He expects a style of play and he uses minutes as his motivational tool for the player to do what he wants. The way islandgurl makes it sound, why should Nat even show up this year? Is Geno wrong with his coaching style? Because he does seem to continue to get the top recruits, right? SO wouldn't it stand to reason that threat of minutes is a good tool? A boneyarder posted Geno has said going into this year the most important player is Gabby. Islandgurl didn't say this but to her it seems so much about Nat. Maybe she is right--

but for me I think you go with the better basketball player. The game is more guard oriented and you can always double the post. We're playing other college teams- not pros. A double team doesn't always mean the other team will make the right passes (many bigs are terrible passers and can't defend outside the lane) and hit the outside shots. And I do think NB can be good this year. And even if she isn't- I do think she can contribute only that she'll get inconsistent minutes. But it is possible that she just isn't that good. Let's not make excuses because oit. The best has always gotten the minutes. The championships and the recruiting over time have clearly shown there is no reason to break this tried-and-true method. The quality and style of play is more important to Geno than what islandgurl mentioned about winning by 40 or 20 points. That point total means nothing to Geno. And until he starts failing - I see no reason to try another way.

 

[islandgurl]

IMO you are so wrong on everything. I don't know where to begin. You might be right we only go to E8, but most fans think E8 or FF but no title- but many think that too. Everything else I either disagree with and am stunned with some your comments. Probably has to do with you and I have a completely differ point of view of the game should be played. I still can't believe you referred to Tim Duncan as finesse forward. And while I agree for example I'm not a fan of Shaq - I recognize him as an all-time great among the top 10-12 players ever. I can't recall your posts directly but they weren't overall so flattering of Shaq. Even the fantasy teams we put together - we "disputed" Bird vs MoJeff etc. So are disputes are more than just Geno. It's how we want to see the game played and who we appreciate more in terms of style etc.

Here are eight points to consider:
1--- When has anyone ever known for Geno to play for next year? I can't recall. So if anyone can - let me know. Unless hsi tema isn't that good or underperforms. For anyone that can't bring up an example - then how can they knock Geno's methods when he has been so successful in winning and sustainment? IMO playing for next year is NOT the thing to do unless you aren't that good. On the flip side I thought Brianna Banks should have gotten more minutes. But can I knock Geno for it? He lost one game the next year! And it had to do with defense and penetration. So do I blame teh defeat on Geno? For what purpose- one regular season game? But the year he goes undefeateg while getting two straight years of titles after she left!! Then he keeps recruiting like a wildman!! You have to take this into account similarly with Nat. Being an E8 team which islandgulr thinks-- we're not that good? I'm a fan. I can appreciate an E8 team which has imo a chance to be better too. I'm not that spoiled that I need to see titles every year. I'll still enjoy watching.

2-- Do you think Geno could be hurt at all trying to recruit stars if they know that someone like Stewie even in her Soph, Jr and SR years combined couldn't muster an average over 29 minutes per game? How many minutes should we drop arguably the best ever so we can give minutes Nat?

3-- Many of you have to realize the game has changed. Look at final four. MoJeff, The Cuse Guard, the kid from Washington and the Oregon guard - a lot of what these team did was a lot to do with their guards. Stewie just happens to be GOAT or close to it. There is rarely a Stewie. so guards are crucial. Your bigs don't need to be stars. The NBA is giving us a view as to how the game is going smaller but that doesn't mean bigs aren't needed. If the big isn't that good you don't penalize the ones that are good. You can't just look at it under Nats purview. The other players need synergy too- and if they are better they should get it.

4-- I think it's way wrong/bizarre for you to even suggest that Nat can't makeup the year in terms of being solid for this upcoming year. Unless you don't think she is that good. Then that is understandable. ANd if she isn't that good- she doesn't deserve the minutes.

5-- For those of you that wanted more minutes for Nat- whose minutes do you decline?

6-- Why doe Geno continually get the top recruits? When anyone says he is the best- why is he the best? For example, what is it that he is doing that sustains his ability to get the top recruits?

7--- Anybody that has watched many games - has heard Geno sometimes in rage (sometimes not) say things like "I don't care about the score . . ." or "I don't care about 'this or that'.. . we're going to play this type of style or the kid won't play . . ." I encourage anyone who agrees with islandgurl to look at the following box keep in mind UCONN was playing a tough foe in 06-07 -a ranked team at their building and Charde Houston as a junior was having her best season. As the team's 2nd best player- why didn't Charde play more minutes in this game? Because he expects a certain level of play vs a player's capabilities. If he doesn't get it- which he didn't get from Natalie- that player isn't going to play over the others that are doing better.

6/5 Connecticut vs 16/18 Marquette (02/03/07 at Milwaukee, Wis. (Al McGuire Center))


8-- He uses playing time as his motivation to his players. Islandgurl seems to suggest that because Nat didn't get many minutes this past year she'll somehow be affected in a negative manner -- when she needed to get those minutes in order to "acquiring the requisite mental toughness, etc." So a player under Geno -- it's either one year or that's it? We often call him the best coach in wcbb. So a player with the skills of Nat -and if she is good - we're to believe islandgurl that Geno will be nearly incapable of turning her around because of his blunder the year before? But this is how Geno has coached. He doesn't coach - giving players minutes that don't deserve minutes. He expects a style of play and he uses minutes as his motivational tool for the player to do what he wants. The way islandgurl makes it sound, why should Nat even show up this year? Is Geno wrong with his coaching style? Because he does seem to continue to get the top recruits, right? SO wouldn't it stand to reason that threat of minutes is a good tool? A boneyarder posted Geno has said going into this year the most important player is Gabby. Islandgurl didn't say this but to her it seems so much about Nat. Maybe she is right--

but for me I think you go with the better basketball player. The game is more guard oriented and you can always double the post. We're playing other college teams- not pros. A double team doesn't always mean the other team will make the right passes (many bigs are terrible passers and can't defend outside the lane) and hit the outside shots. And I do think NB can be good this year. And even if she isn't- I do think she can contribute only that she'll get inconsistent minutes. But it is possible that she just isn't that good. Let's not make excuses because oit. The best has always gotten the minutes. The championships and the recruiting over time have clearly shown there is no reason to break this tried-and-true method. The quality and style of play is more important to Geno than what islandgurl mentioned about winning by 40 or 20 points. That point total means nothing to Geno. And until he starts failing - I see no reason to try another way.

Hi hoophuskee.....

You went from...."I have to say -- you disagree with such style. A pleasure to go back and forth.".....to "IMO you are so wrong on everything. I don't know where to begin."....to putting me down as "way wrong/bizarre", with a litany of unwarranted criticism .

Is how I think of Tim Duncan and Shaq that objectionable?

I haven't a clue what exactly set you off....perhaps being zealously protective of Geno....and reading far more into what I wrote than is there .

There's no need to get so upset, let's just agree to disagree, we'll stay out of each other's way, and we'll keep the peace. Fair enough? Take care of yourself .

 

[islandgurl]

Islandgurl's eloquent prose about the staff's handling of Natalie Butler reminded me that as fabulous a coach that Geno is, he is not perfect. No coach is.

In Butler's case, there must be stuff behind the scenes that limited Butler's time once she was healthy. I was struck by how late she got into games even blowouts.

I don't buy the scheme issue. They are faced with the same situation this year with only one big. Why was it not possible for this nearly perfect staff to project ahead a little and experiment with an early Butler rotation against a significant portion of the AAC schedule?

I find it odd that the questions I have about Butler (Pass out of the high post, be effective in transition, not hurt them when they press) were not really addressed in the limited games I saw (I live in Ohio).

Looking forward to many more observations from Islandgurl...

RSHERMVIKES.....I stand by my position. Sorry .
What "sets UConn apart" isn't its hard practices. It's winning games, consistently.
Thing is, you have to have players sufficiently talented to make that happen on game days....plus, of course, all the other nice things like great coaching, player coachability, synergy, a dynamic playbook....and yes, hard practices .
The most brutal practice sessions doesn't mean a thing if you don't/can't win games consistently.
Practice is practice....games are games....you don't win practices, but you gotta win games.

The entirety of your practices-tougher-than-games logic also suggests that UConn-style strenuous practice sessions would, or would have, "set apart" last year's iteration of RMU, MSSU, Duquesne, etc. Given such a basis, were we to re-play the games, we would have blown them out just the same .
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Bussyboy....it's nice to meet you. Thanks for your input. I'm still good with Stef .
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victor64....it's nice to meet you. Thanks for your support on my issue with Geno's handling of Nat. Contrastingly, someone felt my head ought to be handed to me for such irreverence .
Observations for another time....I'll offer a brief thought instead about the coming season.
I'm confident that Kia, KLS, Gabby and Napheesa are a lock as 4 of the starters for 2016....it's theirs to lose.
For November and for about the first 3rd of the season, unprepared as Nat might be, Geno may not have much of a choice using her as his 5th starter. If Nat starts, hopefully she'll exceed expectations.

I had the intent of following up on this in the "What about 2016" thread, but I just noticed it has been effectively hijacked by posts on baseball. It's no longer a viable thread about its original topic. I then came across an old "UConn 2016-2017 starters" thread, but it's pretty much dated, last post was April 23.
So, I'm kind of homeless with what should be a relevant discussion topic, if observed and administered as intended.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

RSHERMVIKES.....I stand by my position. Sorry .
What "sets UConn apart" isn't its hard practices. It's winning games, consistently.
Thing is, you have to have players sufficiently talented to make that happen on game days....plus, of course, all the other nice things like great coaching, player coachability, synergy, a dynamic playbook....and yes, hard practices .
The most brutal practice sessions doesn't mean a thing if you don't/can't win games consistently.
Practice is practice....games are games....you don't win practices, but you gotta win games.

The entirety of your practices-tougher-than-games logic also suggests that UConn-style strenuous practice sessions would, or would have, "set apart" last year's iteration of RMU, MSSU, Duquesne, etc. Given such a basis, were we to re-play the games, we would have blown them out just the same .
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islandgurl- - - You can believe whatever YOU want but all that matters is the UCONN players believe the reason they play with so few errors and so hard and win so often is their practices eliminate the mistakes by working on perfecting what they run! The players say "no-one is perfect but we practice as close to perfect as we can get every day and that gives us the edge in our games, nobody outworks us!"
It's cause and effect one causes the other the to happen! Doris Burke swears by UCONN's work ethic causing their outstanding won/loss record!

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Please CLICK TO EXPAND on my reply to islandgurl above to see my full comments.