What other team had a 6-6 post with Z's mobility, hands, inside-outside capabilities, sitting on the bench for the start of the second half of a national semi-final? That took an embarrassment of riches to a whole new level, because the obvious answer to the question was NOBODY. You had to think that Geno was blindsided, believing he still had next year's possible, most valuable player waiting for her breakout moment. We'll never know what Geno was thinking. Did he ask the other coaches for their opinions? Did he ask us, his spoiled, loyal fans? Because there WAS a consensus out there. As Jeff Jacobs said, the big picture remains: there has never been a more dominant college basketball record than the one we've enjoyed since 1995, Geno and CD taking us along for the wonderful, unprecedented ride. With every championship, our expectations rose to unmatched levels so that two final-four losses in two years became excruciating, thus the logical, surreal criticisms and gratitude. Go Huskies.
As you said we will probably never know what Geno was thinking and if he got any input or questioning by the other coaches.
While obviously now we have the advantage of looking back and seeing what played out. Geno, who to somes surprise is human, demonstrated his stubbornness and inflexibility, in deciding not to stay with AZ and the lineup that brought them back in the game. He made it worse by his analysis after, that he never even thought about doing so.
Again as so many, if not all, consider him one of the greatest coaches of all time, he blew this one.
While I don't think it's the main reason AZ is leaving or left, it might well have played a part. Think of anyone who almost all here expected to start at the beginning of the season coping with and adjusting to her new, more limited role. Add to that, that your game is being drastically changed to be a big inside player. On both of these points, Geno obviously knew what he was doing. Then your team is losing and playing poorly in the national semi-final and you personally play a major part in turning it around. You then remain on the bench to start and for a good part of the 3rd period. Almost anyone would wonder, why am I doing this when I can go pro, not have to go through the rigors of Geno, use what I learned and go get paid fairly well!
Of course, she would have played 30 or so minutes a game next year, but I'd and many would surely feel unappreciated.
I don't think that's the reason you leave her in. The reason obviously is ND couldn't deal with her.
I too think she would have benefitted in the middle to long term, from another year of the coaching staffs tutelage. But we are dealing with the millennial generation on down and much of their thinking is short term because that's the world they are growing up in.
At first I was shocked she made the decision she did, now I can see more why. Of course none of us, except AZ and maybe to some degree Geno, know how her decision was reached.
She owes U Conn nothing and she made a huge difference in this years team. To not see that, is beyond my comprehension watching the part she played throughout the year.
Bronx23
