Solution to Bench Situation

[HuskyNan]

In past years Geno perhaps could have used the bench more at times, but I don't really understand the criticism this season? For many games he has had 2 players on the bench, one of which was meant to be going to JuCo, and only recently got an 8th player back. Even if all 3 of them are in at the same time you still need 2 starters in there and given the positions of those bench players, you are always going to need one of Lou or Nika in there realistically.
The team is tired and whilst more minutes from the bench tomorrow would be helpful, I don't think that can solve the fatigue issue on it's own - the physical fatigue yes, but the mental fatigue of consistently facing adversity is also a factor and 10 more bench minutes won't solve that unfortunately.

This team (and coaching staff) are doing an unbelievable job this year!

Holy cow, a commonsensical response about the bench! Well done!

 

[HuskyNan]

Great another bench thread.

Pick your poison:

1. injuries, especially Caroline
2. use of the bench players/starting lineup
3. dissecting the play/worthiness/skills of Amari and Nika
4. referees
5. polls/Bracketology

At least the play of Dorka, Aaliyah, Aubrey and the addition of Ayanna, Ice, and Jana has spiked the “we need bigs” for a while

 

[Zanzman]

Pick your poison:

1. injuries, especially Caroline
2. use of the bench players/starting lineup
3. dissecting the play/worthiness/skills of Amari and Nika
4. referees
5. polls/Bracketology

At least the play of Dorka, Aaliyah, Aubrey and the addition of Ayanna, Ice, and Jana has spiked the “we need bigs” for a while

Who is going to start next year

 

[Surly1]

I hesitate to chime in on this thread, but as so many posters say their truth, a contemporary Shakespeare might declare it's much ado about nothing. With Caroline and Azzi unavailable, Geno has no bench in a tight game. As much as people wish it to be, here are my reasons why:

Take Lou out of the game, the only 3-pt shooter (not reluctant) is our 6'5 center. Dorka has been hitting the three lately, but I wouldn't confuse her with Ashton Prechtel of Stanford. Take Lou out of the game and you effectively take Aaliyah out of the half court offense. Take Lou out and effectively take away Aubrey's preferred weapon in the half court - attacking the basket. Teams will pack the paint and dare Aubrey and Nika to shoot from the outside. No offense to either, but opposing coaches would trade shots from Aubrey and Nika from the outside over shots by Lou & Aaliyah, regardless if they are missing.

Lou is a 5th year senior and people wanted her to be replaced by a freshman who came in at the last second. One has played started minutes for the majority of her career and the other is relative greenhorn. No matter how off Lou is, this is not an equitable trade-off.

In the game against Villanova, it was obvious to all that the team was running on tired legs. I submit the tiredness was more emotional/mental than strictly physical. It's games like these that determine whether a team can win without their "best" game. Imagine a tennis player who primarily relies on a big serve to win, struggling with his first serve. They have to find other ways to win. Sunday wasn't pretty, but the team gutted their way to win. It will serve them well down the road in similar, tight contests. Hopefully, by that time, two reinforcements will have arrived.

Lastly, I didn't read too many comments about the starters playing too many minutes in the game against UT. For all the "coaches," I suggest accepting there is no "bench" until either Caroline or Azzi return. I predict the team will look more refreshed against Providence and the issue of using the "bench" against SC should be moot.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Quickly add five walk ons... then have them lose the opening tip and have the opponent score within 5 seconds, call a time out then put in our original starting five from the bench. Would totally change the discussion of our bench like the original poster was trying to mention...

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Pick your poison:

1. injuries, especially Caroline
2. use of the bench players/starting lineup
3. dissecting the play/worthiness/skills of Amari and Nika
4. referees
5. polls/Bracketology

At least the play of Dorka, Aaliyah, Aubrey and the addition of Ayanna, Ice, and Jana has spiked the “we need bigs” for a while

Sorry Nan, but I will continue to preach that we need to have one ball handler per grade and one center per grade and a third player that can be either. My ideal class would have a shooter, a person 6'3" or taller, and a third person who ideally could shoot and be tall. If each recruiting class had at least three players coming in.... that would be 12 players... so in some years if the class is better than the other he can go for four... or go crazy and get 5.
SO to reiterate my point, I would love to see another 6"3" + player coming in with the class of 24. Anyone know of any 7 footers? How would Donovan look in a wig????

 

[meyers7]

Sorry Nan, but I will continue to preach that we need to have one ball handler per grade and one center per grade and a third player that can be either. My ideal class would have a shooter, a person 6'3" or taller, and a third person who ideally could shoot and be tall. If each recruiting class had at least three players coming in.... that would be 12 players... so in some years if the class is better than the other he can go for four... or go crazy and get 5.
SO to reiterate my point, I would love to see another 6"3" + player coming in with the class of 24. Anyone know of any 7 footers? How would Donovan look in a wig????

Pretty close to what we have.
Fr - Bettencourt (BH), Brady (C), Patterson (O)
So - Fudd (BH), DeBerry (C), Ducharme (O)
Jr - Muhl (BH), Edwards (C), Bueckers (0)
Sr - Senechal (BH), Juhasz (C), Griffen (0) (we'll move her up a grade)

Next year we have
Arnold/Shade (BH), El-Afly (C), Samuels (0)

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Pretty close to what we have.
Fr - Bettencourt (BH), Brady (C), Patterson (O)
So - Fudd (BH), DeBerry (C), Ducharme (O)
Jr - Muhl (BH), Edwards (C), Bueckers (0)
Sr - Senechal (BH), Juhasz (C), Griffen (0) (we'll move her up a grade)

Next year we have
Arnold/Shade (BH), El-Afly (C), Samuels (0)

Yes, now imagine if all these players were healthy and could play..... this team would be a beast... and next year I expect them to be a beast!

 

[NY Fan]

In past years Geno perhaps could have used the bench more at times, but I don't really understand the criticism this season? For many games he has had 2 players on the bench, one of which was meant to be going to JuCo, and only recently got an 8th player back. Even if all 3 of them are in at the same time you still need 2 starters in there and given the positions of those bench players, you are always going to need one of Lou or Nika in there realistically.
The team is tired and whilst more minutes from the bench tomorrow would be helpful, I don't think that can solve the fatigue issue on it's own - the physical fatigue yes, but the mental fatigue of consistently facing adversity is also a factor and 10 more bench minutes won't solve that unfortunately.

This team (and coaching staff) are doing an unbelievable job this year!

When I first raised playing Ines and Amari, it was in the context of blowout games to provide them game experience, and trust their proficiency would increase to be able to help out, especially given this season's string of injuries. I didn't think that was an unreasonable expectation given how this season has played out.

The conversation somehow morphed into whether or not to play them in tight games a la Villanova, which I never advocated. A rather simple thesis was made, from my perspective, unnecessarily more complicated and in some cases testy, culminating essentially with do we or don't we trust Geno, unarguably the GOAT.

@Zorro's post in the other thread on this topic was best and said it all:

"We can't use our currently available subs until they have had more game experience."

 

[pammy]

Interesting concept! Not a bad idea and they might surprise the majority of Bone Yarders . I hope Geno goes for it. Does anyone know if Geno reads the comments on the Bone Yard? Break away from the norm and strategize with a new concept. They say "necessity is the mother of invention" so what do we have to lose. Providence is a good place to try. GO HUSKIES!!!

But you don't want to insult Providence......why not just sub them in at 5 minute official timeout in 1st. period. and see how it goes the rest of the way.

 

[HuskyNan]

When I first raised playing Ines and Amari, it was in the context of blowout games to provide them game experience, and trust their proficiency would increase to be able to help out, especially given this season's string of injuries. I didn't think that was an unreasonable expectation given how this season has played out.

That’s what they’re doing. Tennessee and Villanova were tight late, the game before, DePaul was a blowout. Ayanna, Amari, and Ines combined to play 41 minutes.

 

[Javafan]

bring this suggestion to Geno personally. I don't think that Geno would actually physically attack this person, but the verbal tirade would be something to

This is THE most exciting and funny post in the BONEYARDER of recent days...!! GO for it !!!

 

[Ralph]

I suspect if you looked at the latest per-40 stats they might surprise you right now.

I do see some nice numbers for Ines on assists and Ayanna and Amari on things like rebounds per 40, blocks per 40... But I think Ayanna is also first in fouls per 40 at almost 7. But that just shows her energy and enthusiasm which Geno has to teach her to control. Hopefully be next year.

 

[Rowdy831]

For the Providence game, I suggest staring Ines, Amari and Patterson. Also start Lou and Dorka.
B&C

They don't need to play all three at once. They could give each of them a couple minutes at the end or the beginning of a quarter. I don't think one player out of five resting would make much of a difference since they didn't score until half way thru the 3rd quarter. Guards are fine to play 40 but the bigs need to get a rest a couple times during the game.

 

[HuskyNan]

I do see some nice numbers for Ines on assists and Ayanna and Amari on things like rebounds per 40, blocks per 40... But I think Ayanna is also first in fouls per 40 at almost 7. But that just shows her energy and enthusiasm which Geno has to teach her to control. Hopefully be next year.

They are also playing the opponent’s bench players

 

[NY Fan]

That’s what they’re doing. Tennessee and Villanova were tight late, the game before, DePaul was a blowout. Ayanna, Amari, and Ines combined to play 41 minutes.

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@HuskyNan you are correct, and they have received some playing time in blow-out games, arguably much more than they would have seen had other players been healthy. But note my original post was on January 11 after the St. John's rout, and that conversation morphed into a philosophical one to wit: During blow-out games do you give bench players more game situation minutes, or play the starters to elevate all aspects of their game during this injury-riddled season?

A fair-minded conclusion (and Boneyard posts have demonstrated) it's a dilemma with pluses and minuses for both approaches. Count me among those favoring staying with the starters for close games!

 

[HuskyNan]

@HuskyNan you are correct, and they have received some playing time in blow-out games, arguably much more than they would have seen had other players been healthy. But note my original post was on January 11 after the St. John's rout, and that conversation morphed into a philosophical one to wit: During blow-out games do you give bench players more game situation minutes, or play the starters to elevate all aspects of their game during this injury-riddled season?

A fair-minded conclusion (and Boneyard posts have demonstrated) it's a dilemma with pluses and minuses for both approaches. Count me among those favoring staying with the starters for close games!

I don’t think I ever welcomed you to the Boneyard - a belated welcome! I see you’re fitting right in. You’ve learned one of our tricks already; moving the goalposts. Just funnin’ ya, no harm meant.