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Message: [QUOTE="BBallF, post: 4414134, member: 10435"] We all have to remember that this is a new team. We had Paige driving the train, being the go to player, for all her freshman year and then the peak part of last year. We also lost 3 seniors who either started or, in Evina's case, started and also later subbed in. Team chemistry is not just affability, it's knowing and predicting each other on the court such as who likes the ball where? when does she go back door? what is her strong side to receive the ball on the low post? where will she be on the break? where does she like a pick set? where does she usually force her opponent to when playing defense? and a hundred other similar matters of familiarity. Plus we have completely new players in Lou Two, Ines, Ayanna and a "virtually new" player in Aubrey. So, I really don't care that much about the score, I care about how we play and whether we are improving every game. I care about running the offense, playing good individual and team defense and building on what we do every game. Geno likes this team, and I think we will too, a lot. No one can be a Final Four team until after 4 games into the NCAA tournament so be patient and look for the signs that point that way. You know what they are, Caroline being like Caroline mid season last year but better, Azzi being unstoppable, Dorka being an all around offensive and defensive stalwart, Liya starting to really match her athleticism with basketball skill, Nika being the proud leader of the pack, Lou scoring off the bench freely, Aubrey back to being Aubrey with more offense, Amari stepping up, Ay being a force, and Ines figuring it out and helping a little. None of these things will happen in practice, scrimmages or early games and they won't happen at the same time but they will happen. Come February, the defense will happen as well. I mean really, who amongst us expected us to get to the NC game last year after we got beat by Georgia Tech? Or Villanova? Just have faith in the process, losses aren't always bad things. Embrace the journey. One thing is for sure. It's going to be a long, strange trip this year. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach