Disagree. I know what "real" minutes are! People know things. People can offer insight into what they see.
Which he did when he replaced Amari with Liv late in the game. Amari did a couple of things wrong on offense even though she had a couple of good blocks on defense. I think it was a good move, he has some good things to talk to her about but needs to stress the bad even more.
Okie dokie
I agree re the offense. I was grasping for straws.I can't imagine running your half-court offense would cause an issue, particularly when UConn could have had a number of easy transition baskets in the last few minutes, but chose instead to slow it down. As for Nika, she annoys everybody she plays against.....
Thank you!
She has a stress reaction in her foot. Essentially it is a stress fracture before the actual fracture occurs. Ironically, it’s incredibly common amongst marathon runners, except most ignore it until the fracture occurs. When we heard the news I figured 6-8 weeks, as that’s been my own experience with the injury…twice!
Azzi’s problem has been described as a “stress reaction” in her foot. She has been resting it for several weeks so it doesn’t turn into a stress fracture. The latest news we have is that Azzi has been running on a treadmill.
Thanks for your input!Nika - Yea verily!!!!!!
CW - Maybe she's feeding off Nika's demonstrative energy - not sure, but what ever it is, Perhaps Geno not starting a senior got CW attention. Or it is just Nika's energy!
Dorka - sub par game from her today. She needs velcro on her hands. So many rebounds and bobbles when she received a pass that led to missed opportunities ... she can do better. Absolutely!
Evina - coming off the bench suits her. If Azzi comes off the bench delivering better results and greater energy, Evina's minutes may shrink even more.
Piath and Amari need game experience to improve.
Bottom line a nice game from start to finish. Bring on Oregon - that will be a great test to see where we are at... A test it will be!
Your comment on Caroline: She had great training. Of all the Freshmen, AZZI excluded (cuz I don't know but one game from her), Caroline is my idea of a Basketball player. Yes, she can score but the total game from her, from the moment the ball goes up until she leaves the floors she is moving, defending, passing, and scoring. I won't say she's thinking because some of Basketball is rote, some in thinking, some is conditioning, and some is coaching. I believe Caroline has it all. Geno's words about Caroline sums it up: he'd like 6 more of her. (not an exact quote).Some thoughts on the Xavier game:
- I really like UConn coming out with a pressure defense that leads to turnovers, while speeding up the tempo of the game. Xavier had 6 TO’s in the first 5 minutes of the game as UConn raced out to a double-digit lead and never looked back.
- Liv has played two of her very best games back-to-back. More importantly, she is making really good decisions and then executing like you expect from a senior: when to help on defense, when to go after a shot block and not swinging down in the process, getting the break started off a defensive rebound, flashing into the lane for a strong position in the low blocks at the right time for her teammates to execute the entry pass. I love what Liv is giving this Husky team right now.
- Nika’s energy and effort is relentless. She caused all kinds of problems for Xavier today. If Nika can only find her outside shooting stroke again, it will take UConn to another level.
- I sincerely hope that Caroline never, ever develops a conscience when it comes to hoisting up shots. She is just one of those players like KML or Lou that could miss 4 or 5 in a row and then starts lighting it up.
- OK. Who had Piath & Amari making their first 5 shots after going 1 for 11 against Creighton?
- A few weeks back, following Paige’s injury, I wasn’t particularly hopeful about UConn’s ability to win tough OOC games. There are still some rough edges, but with each and every game this team gets a little better. I am now officially excited about Evina’s homecoming game in Eugene on Monday. Bring on the Ducks!!!
Thanks for your insights!Some thoughts on the Xavier game:
- I really like UConn coming out with a pressure defense that leads to turnovers, while speeding up the tempo of the game. Xavier had 6 TO’s in the first 5 minutes of the game as UConn raced out to a double-digit lead and never looked back.
- Liv has played two of her very best games back-to-back. More importantly, she is making really good decisions and then executing like you expect from a senior: when to help on defense, when to go after a shot block and not swinging down in the process, getting the break started off a defensive rebound, flashing into the lane for a strong position in the low blocks at the right time for her teammates to execute the entry pass. I love what Liv is giving this Husky team right now.
- Nika’s energy and effort is relentless. She caused all kinds of problems for Xavier today. If Nika can only find her outside shooting stroke again, it will take UConn to another level.
- I sincerely hope that Caroline never, ever develops a conscience when it comes to hoisting up shots. She is just one of those players like KML or Lou that could miss 4 or 5 in a row and then starts lighting it up.
- OK. Who had Piath & Amari making their first 5 shots after going 1 for 11 against Creighton?
- A few weeks back, following Paige’s injury, I wasn’t particularly hopeful about UConn’s ability to win tough OOC games. There are still some rough edges, but with each and every game this team gets a little better. I am now officially excited about Evina’s homecoming game in Eugene on Monday. Bring on the Ducks!!!
I understand your comment is about THIS game only. The defense against the X team isn't going to be as effective against an Arizona, Louisville, SC, we'll see Oregon, others in the top 20. They deserve our praise for the distance they have come since Georgia Tech but I'm more reserved about where they stand against the best. Geno's teams for most of the past 30 years have been the Standard for the Best. I accept these past 2 games are steps forward but Uconn just isn't there yet, wherever "there" is? For me, along with effective size, I thought Uconn W was missing 3 point shooting. If the rebounding is working if only a bit, I'd be pleased if Geno's ladies hit this many 3's against Louisville or SC, These past 3 games have shown Geno has a couple of kids that can keep a zone honest.
great job! Thanks
It goes without saying--so I'll say it anyway: It was apparent to me the 2 you mentioned had intense one on one practices for this game. Comparing recent game time both were weeks away from their previous "game" skill application levels. I'm impressed with Geno's apparent success with both of them, and how different they played today. Yes, winning by 30 has some benefits for the entire team.
