Reeling Geno Auriemma not sure issues with UConn women’s basketball team can be ‘fixed’ after 57-44 loss at Georgia Tech

[Geesworld]

what makes Paige special is that she's the best player in college basketball and probably in the top five in all of women's basketball.......her abilities have simply masked the facts that the rest of the team are complimentary players who can't or won't play to their individual abilities on a consistent basis........put five players on the court that are all question marks and last night is what you get.....

How about put 5 question marks on the court and have a plan. AE, ONO and Dorka on the court made no sense when none of them are threats outside and putting the ball on the floor. Negates what Evina and CW are good at and that's getting to the basket.

 

[Geesworld]

Last evening was NOT one of Geno's finest moments as a "COACH" at UCONN. In fact, it may well have been Geno's WORST moment as a Coach, both ON and OFF the court. Not only was his managemetn of his players on the court considered to be poor (and yes, the players need to execute, BUT Geno is responsible to prepare them best to be able to properly execute on the court, when called upon, and Geno, in my opinion, gets an "F" for that (that what he gets for playing his starters too long in games, as the bench doesn't get enough PT to help them out whenever they might be called upon to help. And NO ONE CARES that he say's Paige is a Pain in the Ass and doesn't want to come off the court, no matter what the score may be. "WHOSE THE COACH? GENO or PAIGE ??" - Then there is Geno's handling of the PRESS before and after the game. He needs to step up and tell the press and media that the team is going to put tonight's performance behind them, and they all have a positive outlook that "THE TEAM" will be more than capable of overcoming any loss of players and will execute plays on the court, to the best of everyone's ability and that HE and his coaching staff will be there 200% to ensure that each and every player get everything they need to properly execute when called upon, on the court AND that this team, NO MATTER WHO IS OUT ON THE COURT, is more than capable of capturing a National Championship. This team does NOT run through PAIGE BUECKERS. It runs thru GENO AURIEMMA and the Coaches and that this is a TEAM game, comprised of a great deal of Top 25 High School Selections. Every part should be easily inter-changable, and to say that they were down 5 players (6 if you want to count Saylor Poffenbarger transferring out), is just a LAME EXECUSE. Sorry folks, but GENO AURIEMMA IS "NOT" GOD !!!!

And that is the adjustments that UCONN needs the most.

 

[Geesworld]

Well that was a rather obtuse, tough-minded critique but you make some sound observations--poignant, but sound... It's always a delicate balance of playing your bench and developing them. One observation that I've made that fits with your critique of him is his "Captain Hook" approach to players who make mistakes--one and you're done--doesn't seem to be compatible with his players. I contrast his pulling of CW for that bad shot and Olivia Miles of ND when she put up two or three circus shots against us---her coach was calming and reassuring, while Geno comes across as non-negotiable and excoriating. It has come to pass that perhaps his team is not responding very well to his directives... As a coach, I think you either have to change your methodology to fit your players or change players to fit your methodology...

Thank you for plucking my thoughts and writing them down.

 

[Geesworld]

This is troubling in so many ways. Either Geno and the staff have lost their ability to coach or he's recruiting the wrong players. If he's speaking in hyperbole, it send the wrong message to future recruits, etc. Is this the beginning of the end for UCONN basketball? Or is he just being a drama queen? Can you imagine what opposing coaches will say to recruits???

"In Geno's own words, he no longer can coach players to get to where they need to be. Why on earth would you ever want to go to that mess of a coaching system? Come here and we will help you get to where you want to be."... or some variation of that.

I frankly can't believe those words came out of Geno's mouth. Somehow other coaches are able to "affect their players to make sure they are in a better place mentally and physically to play the kind of basketball they need to play". Have the players of this generation passed him by? Is it time for him to go?

You may think my comments are overly dramatic, but those words actually came out of Geno's mouth. Is he really that out of touch? Good grief what a mess.

IMO, you're not being overly dramatic. That's how I heard it immediately and those are some of the thoughts that ran thru my mind.

 

[Charliebball]

How about put 5 question marks on the court and have a plan. AE, ONO and Dorka on the court made no sense when none of them are threats outside and putting the ball on the floor. Negates what Evina and CW are good at and that's getting to the basket.

not a whole lot of bench choices in that game........let's see if things improve after the Winter break when some reinforcements are available....

 

[pacific 44]

Headline in the Courant: "Eric of L.A. unhappy with Geno's coaching style."

 

[CONN78SEJ]

How about put 5 question marks on the court and have a plan. AE, ONO and Dorka on the court made no sense when none of them are threats outside and putting the ball on the floor. Negates what Evina and CW are good at and that's getting to the basket.

I’ll cut Geno some slack here and just say that his team had way too many injuries that kept key (mostly guards and shooters) players out of the game. It was like the 2003 team playing an away game against a hungry team on national tv without Diana, Ann, and Barbara Turner.

 

[Surly1]

Exactly. And I will add that in his post game press conference he said going from five guards to two makes practice not very good. He was giving an honest answer to a question. People hear what they want to hear but I disagree with those calling his a defeatist attitude.

It always amazed me when I was coaching how people in the bleachers would see a reaction I made or hear me tell a player something and then make a judgment, never considering all the behind the scenes things involved - conversations I had with the team in the locker room or what we had worked on in practice. I just figured they must be brilliant people to know so much with so little information.

I did not hear a defeatist attitude at all. Maybe, in the moment, frustration. Geno has a vision for this team on how to play commensurate with other successful versions. Prior to Paige going down and having other injured players, we all could see that UConn wasn’t in sync. In press conferences, he inferred and sometimes emphatically stated that only Paige was playing in the style he wanted. With the injuries, and especially without her presence, it‘s exacerbated.

Now, the sky is falling. Does anybody question if Bill Bellichick is a coaching genius? No, in fact, he is currently lauded for the success the team is enjoying this season. However, let’s not forget that the Pats & Tom Brady went 10 years between Super Bowl victories.

The sky isn’t falling. UConn has been gut punched. Usually, it takes time to gather your wind and composure. Before everyone reaches conclusions, let’s sort out the next few weeks or month to see if the current play is the new norm or to quote the Roman poet Horace, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.”

 

[Ardenque]

By proving him wrong

How about rallying the troops.
Did Churchill tell his people to prove him wrong?

 

[uconnever]

It’s not him, it’s certain players on this team. I love them, but the seniors remind of the Charde Houston teams. They are good players, but they can’t take it to that next level. We may get there this year because of our younger players but I know who he’s talking about.

 

[Zonepress]

Regarding coach GA post game comments
Perhaps the wisdom of Vito Corleone should be heeded
“Never let someone outside the family know what you’re thinking”

 

[JBK]

GA Tech controlled the tempo because UConn was playing without a true point guard. Paige was missed as much for her ability to control pace as her scoring.

Evina can run as well.

 

[Geesworld]

I’ll cut Geno some slack here and just say that his team had way too many injuries that kept key (mostly guards and shooters) players out of the game. It was like the 2003 team playing an away game against a hungry team on national tv without Diana, Ann, and Barbara Turner.

You are definitely right.

 

[LarryLegend]

This is troubling in so many ways. Either Geno and the staff have lost their ability to coach or he's recruiting the wrong players. If he's speaking in hyperbole, it send the wrong message to future recruits, etc. Is this the beginning of the end for UCONN basketball? Or is he just being a drama queen? Can you imagine what opposing coaches will say to recruits???

"In Geno's own words, he no longer can coach players to get to where they need to be. Why on earth would you ever want to go to that mess of a coaching system? Come here and we will help you get to where you want to be."... or some variation of that.

I frankly can't believe those words came out of Geno's mouth. Somehow other coaches are able to "affect their players to make sure they are in a better place mentally and physically to play the kind of basketball they need to play". Have the players of this generation passed him by? Is it time for him to go?

You may think my comments are overly dramatic, but those words actually came out of Geno's mouth. Is he really that out of touch? Good grief what a mess.

on the contrary, IMO you are spot on.
Possibly he is thinking that he doesn’t want to do it any more. Look at all the former coaches who have gone into broadcasting

 

[TCC Kid]

Truth be told UCONN has lost the ability to control pace even when Paige was healthy. The Arkansas, USF and South Carolina games were also played at the opponent's pace. Having a quality PG such as Paige is very important to controlling pace don't get me wrong, but not nearly as important as having the ability to speed up the execution of the other team and the ability to rebound more than your share of misses=extra possessions. Typically UCONN is not playing defense until the other team crosses half court with the ball.

I suggest your assessment was correct and true for the past 2 years. Which player, excluding Paige, was your idea of a Uconn quality Point guard. Once who could and would control the tempo.
Excuse my ignorance, but if a team has one, two, or 3 effective big players, in my opinion they will control the board and the tempo. Then too if you have 2 or 3 guards that can hit 4o percent of their 3's, that too helps the tempo. Uconn, has player that can hit the 3, but few have proven they can do it on a consistent basis or 40 percent regularly. Tempo is usually determined by the opponent and your ability to beat them at their game, i.e. with a zone, shoot 3's, man for man, fast break/ boards. Everything I've mentioned is a factor of Coaching and personnel. Just my lack of BB knowledge speaking..
If a team is lacking a true point guard or has only one. It is bad practice to wait until your Pg is injured to have a known true point guard on call. The coach has options, teach, train, those with the qualifications/abilities, OR recruit PROVEN PG's. If Nika, Fudd isn't one or Evina isn't one, or Griffin---make them one. (I know all injured) Geno loves guards that's his forte'. I'm still one that believes in blow outs that is an excellent time to see how your PG's (trainees) are doing. Teach based on game errors of trainees, in Practice. I.E. Teach in practice, hone skills in games.

 

[Mirmir]

I suggest your assessment was correct and true for the past 2 years. Which player, excluding Paige, was your idea of a Uconn quality Point guard. Once who could and would control the tempo.
Excuse my ignorance, but if a team has one, two, or 3 effective big players, in my opinion they will control the board and the tempo. Then too if you have 2 or 3 guards that can hit 4o percent of their 3's, that too helps the tempo. Uconn, has player that can hit the 3, but few have proven they can do it on a consistent basis or 40 percent regularly. Tempo is usually determined by the opponent and your ability to beat them at their game, i.e. with a zone, shoot 3's, man for man, fast break/ boards. Everything I've mentioned is a factor of Coaching and personnel. Just my lack of BB knowledge speaking..
If a team is lacking a true point guard or has only one. It is bad practice to wait until your Pg is injured to have a known true point guard on call. The coach has options, teach, train, those with the qualifications/abilities, OR recruit PROVEN PG's. If Nika, Fudd isn't one or Evina isn't one, or Griffin---make them one. (I know all injured) Geno loves guards that's his forte'. I'm still one that believes in blow outs that is an excellent time to see how your PG's (trainees) are doing. Teach based on game errors of trainees, in Practice. I.E. Teach in practice, hone skills in games.

COACHING = TEACHING (and teaching includes providing practical in game expereince. Especially when you are up more that 15 points with plenty of time left in the 4th quarter to get some of these bench players some valuable experience, rather than allowing your All American Point Guard to give you any type of impression, because she is "A Pain In The Ass" and complains if she is pulled out of games. Whose the teacher? Whose the coach? Paige or Geno? (if it is Paige, then why not give her all of Geno's salary and let her Coach the team the way she wants it run, since she 'Allegedly' WHINES if the coach pulls her out of game. This way, since she apparently dictates how the team is run, and the Head Coach won't put is foot down and say "Enough is Enough" you are coming out the game and I don't want to hear a peep, she can do whatever she wants to do (since apparently she already does). - (then let's see how many of her teammates will put up with that stuff)

 

[LarryLegend]

COACHING = TEACHING (and teaching includes providing practical in game expereince. Especially when you are up more that 15 points with plenty of time left in the 4th quarter to get some of these bench players some valuable experience, rather than allowing your All American Point Guard to give you any type of impression, because she is "A Pain In The Ass" and complains if she is pulled out of games. Whose the teacher? Whose the coach? Paige or Geno? (if it is Paige, then why not give her all of Geno's salary and let her Coach the team the way she wants it run, since she 'Allegedly' WHINES if the coach pulls her out of game. This way, since she apparently dictates how the team is run, and the Head Coach won't put is foot down and say "Enough is Enough" you are coming out the game and I don't want to hear a peep, she can do whatever she wants to do (since apparently she already does). - (then let's see how many of her teammates will put up with that stuff)

most likely Geno is embellishing but agree that just by saying it he is opening the player up for criticism

 

[Jc718]

I don't think the whole presser was doom and gloom from Geno. He was obviously disappointed and frustrated but he did also say that he hopes he can go in tomorrow and tell them that this thing can still be turned around.

 

[Littlemin]

How about rallying the troops.
Did Churchill tell his people to prove him wrong?

I was answering a specific question on Auriemna’s comments at the press conference, not offering what I thought Auriemma should have said.

 

[FairView]

Actually, Nika is very good at forcing uptempo games on opponents. She was missed as well

Nika plays and UConn wins this game.

Hoping for a good game Sunday.

I felt for Geno after the game. He didn't want it to go this way.

What I can't believe is how quickly so many people turn on Coach and his players.
True, they are not executing like we are accustomed to seeing. Even before injuries, the team was still figuring it out.
Rather that acting so much like the men's board, perhaps we can be a bit more supportive and positive.
I think we can rest assured that coaches, players and everyone associated with the program is thinking about how they can help improve the situation.
Rather than be so down, let's deal with the sting of losing a winnable game and look forward to watching the team and the players grow and gel.
Wishing I hadn't decided against heading to NY for the double header tomorrow. Looking for both teams to move forward. It's a long time until March.

 

[FairView]

COACHING = TEACHING (and teaching includes providing practical in game expereince. Especially when you are up more that 15 points with plenty of time left in the 4th quarter to get some of these bench players some valuable experience, rather than allowing your All American Point Guard to give you any type of impression, because she is "A Pain In The Ass" and complains if she is pulled out of games. Whose the teacher? Whose the coach? Paige or Geno? (if it is Paige, then why not give her all of Geno's salary and let her Coach the team the way she wants it run, since she 'Allegedly' WHINES if the coach pulls her out of game. This way, since she apparently dictates how the team is run, and the Head Coach won't put is foot down and say "Enough is Enough" you are coming out the game and I don't want to hear a peep, she can do whatever she wants to do (since apparently she already does). - (then let's see how many of her teammates will put up with that stuff)

Hmmm, new to UConn Women's Basketball and interpreting Geno, are ya?
I suggest you spend the next few years studying the program.

 

[CocoHusky]

I suggest your assessment was correct and true for the past 2 years. Which player, excluding Paige, was your idea of a Uconn quality Point guard. Once who could and would control the tempo.
Excuse my ignorance, but if a team has one, two, or 3 effective big players, in my opinion they will control the board and the tempo. Then too if you have 2 or 3 guards that can hit 4o percent of their 3's, that too helps the tempo. Uconn, has player that can hit the 3, but few have proven they can do it on a consistent basis or 40 percent regularly. Tempo is usually determined by the opponent and your ability to beat them at their game, i.e. with a zone, shoot 3's, man for man, fast break/ boards. Everything I've mentioned is a factor of Coaching and personnel. Just my lack of BB knowledge speaking..
If a team is lacking a true point guard or has only one. It is bad practice to wait until your Pg is injured to have a known true point guard on call. The coach has options, teach, train, those with the qualifications/abilities, OR recruit PROVEN PG's. If Nika, Fudd isn't one or Evina isn't one, or Griffin---make them one. (I know all injured) Geno loves guards that's his forte'. I'm still one that believes in blow outs that is an excellent time to see how your PG's (trainees) are doing. Teach based on game errors of trainees, in Practice. I.E. Teach in practice, hone skills in games.

My assessment that UCONN does not have the ability to determine pace it applicable to this season as well.
Paige is a world class PG. PGs "help" to determine pace of play but as I have said there are other more significant factors.
UCONN is at it best when it is creating turnovers and getting out and running. What's preventing UCONN from running are these two other factors;

1) Our wing players CW, Evina, and Paige are all averaging over 30 minutes per game. Paige is over 36MPG. When the starters have to play that many minutes you have to conserve energy and that is usually on the defense end of the floor. For example you can't use these players to press for even a few possessions. The toll on a players legs to get out and run the floor even a few times a game is astounding and we are already seeing the effects on this many minutes on this team in the 4th quarter of games.

2) Paige is second on the team in rebounding and that is not conducive to UCONN going up tempo. When any guard or perimeter player gets that many rebounds they are usually crashing down from the perimeter which means they have to change direction to start the transition. This is not an indictment of page for getting too many rebounds it is an indictment of our front court players for not getting enough. More dominat front court rebounding from UCONN would allow Paige, CW and Evina to get that first step up the court to start the transition and that first step up court could be everything.

3) Our defense is severely lacking in a couple key defensive metrics. For the season our opponents have more FTA (90 to 86). UCONN has committed more turnovers (108 to 91) than the opponent. UCONN is tied 282nd in steal among D1 teams. UCONN is ranked 42nd among Di teams in committing fouls. Historically the best UCONN defensive teams are never below the top 10.
Collectively what these defensive stats are telling you is that UCONN is not dictating the pace of play. How could UCONN be dictating pace when they are committing more turnovers , committing more fouls and and the opponent is getting to the FT line more often?

 

[hoophuskee]

This is troubling in so many ways. Either Geno and the staff have lost their ability to coach or he's recruiting the wrong players. If he's speaking in hyperbole, it send the wrong message to future recruits, etc. Is this the beginning of the end for UCONN basketball? Or is he just being a drama queen? Can you imagine what opposing coaches will say to recruits???

"In Geno's own words, he no longer can coach players to get to where they need to be. Why on earth would you ever want to go to that mess of a coaching system? Come here and we will help you get to where you want to be."... or some variation of that.

I frankly can't believe those words came out of Geno's mouth. Somehow other coaches are able to "affect their players to make sure they are in a better place mentally and physically to play the kind of basketball they need to play". Have the players of this generation passed him by? Is it time for him to go?

You may think my comments are overly dramatic, but those words actually came out of Geno's mouth. Is he really that out of touch? Good grief what a mess.

IMO your comments are overly dramatic.

For example your comment about recruiting. So kids aren't going to come even if once Paige comes back and UCONN is still back in the FF?

Take a breath.

 

[Mirmir]

Nika plays and UConn wins this game.

Hoping for a good game Sunday.

I felt for Geno after the game. He didn't want it to go this way.

What I can't believe is how quickly so many people turn on Coach and his players.
True, they are not executing like we are accustomed to seeing. Even before injuries, the team was still figuring it out.
Rather that acting so much like the men's board, perhaps we can be a bit more supportive and positive.
I think we can rest assured that coaches, players and everyone associated with the program is thinking about how they can help improve the situation.
Rather than be so down, let's deal with the sting of losing a winnable game and look forward to watching the team and the players grow and gel.
Wishing I hadn't decided against heading to NY for the double header tomorrow. Looking for both teams to move forward. It's a long time until March.

Aubrey Griffin plays and UCONN wins that game

 

[Mirmir]

Hmmm, new to UConn Women's Basketball and interpreting Geno, are ya?
I suggest you spend the next few years studying the program.

You Don't Say ??

 

[Florida Fan]

Behind paywall. Use Outline.com if you need.

Reeling Geno Auriemma not sure issues with UConn women’s basketball team can be ‘fixed’ after 57-44 loss at Georgia Tech

The first game of the (temporary) Paige Bueckers-less era as she recovers from a tibial plateau fracture that’ll keep her out six to eight weeks spelled — by UConn standards — cat…

www.courant.com

Thinking back to 1995, the joy this team has brought to this school, this state, these players and fans now spread around the country. And the sharp shooters, DT, Mya, Lou, KML, the list goes on and on. Going to college games in Florida, the uconn fans out-numbering the locals. I'm grateful to the coaches and the players for what they delivered to my mental health. We've watched players perform beyond their dreams, and we've seen them go down with horrendous injuries, some career ending. Now is not the time to kick them to the curb. Let's remember the good times and hope for the future.

 

[Huskiegirlz]

A few quotes. It's many, but it's a long article.

“I don’t think it’s gonna get fixed. I really don’t,” he said.

“And what I see is a team that’s somewhat disheveled. And that’s all me. Somehow, someway, I do not have the ability at this point in time to affect my players to make sure that we’re in a better place mentally and physically and play the kind of basketball we need to play.”

“We’re disorganized, that’s the biggest thing I can tell you,” Auriemma said. “We’re disorganized as a group right now, from the coaching on down, everybody. There’s just no sense of we have a plan of how we’re going to execute, how we’re going to get a bucket, who’s going to get it for us.”

“That fourth quarter, we didn’t respond, which has happened before with this team,” Auriemma said. “So you can blame Paige not being here. Yeah, that’s part of it. But that’s not the real story.”

Does anyone know if there were media with any players postgame, I could not find. Curious as to their thoughts.

 

[ConwayGmck]

 

[BobbyJ]

This is troubling in so many ways. Either Geno and the staff have lost their ability to coach or he's recruiting the wrong players. If he's speaking in hyperbole, it send the wrong message to future recruits, etc. Is this the beginning of the end for UCONN basketball? Or is he just being a drama queen? Can you imagine what opposing coaches will say to recruits???

"In Geno's own words, he no longer can coach players to get to where they need to be. Why on earth would you ever want to go to that mess of a coaching system? Come here and we will help you get to where you want to be."... or some variation of that.

I frankly can't believe those words came out of Geno's mouth. Somehow other coaches are able to "affect their players to make sure they are in a better place mentally and physically to play the kind of basketball they need to play". Have the players of this generation passed him by? Is it time for him to go?

You may think my comments are overly dramatic, but those words actually came out of Geno's mouth. Is he really that out of touch? Good grief what a mess.

I can't either. A simple statement in that situation like "we're going through a rough patch right now but we're going to continue to work with the kids to get them to understand what needs to be done to get out of it" would suffice. But no, he just can't go near a microphone without needing to entertain and throw tidbits out to the adoring media who then happily plaster them everywhere for the guaranteed clicks. Just stop talking about everybody's faults in public, including your own, and coach your team. It needs it.

 

[ABCDFE]

I didn't see any UCONN players losing composure last night. I saw frustration and lack of ability. They are also not young there were 4 Seniors in the UCONN starting lineup last night.

Yes I agree. I don’t think they are as bad as they showed in the fourth. But these players certainly are who they are by now. They are very good complimentary pieces, but not the top dawgs that UConn is used to having. HS rankings aside they are good options 3,4,5. Paige/Azzi to me have that ability to be options 1/2. When you lose your best scorer and leader and ask someone who’s really a Complimentary piece to now be the go to scorer, it just rarely happens