Stewart?

[Tenspro2002]

Too early to write her off? Any chance she comes close to being the player we thought we were getting?

 

[gibhunter]

She's averaging 13ppg on a team of stars. Posts have a higher learning curve, she will come into her own. If not this year then probably the next and certainly by the time Dolson graduates.

 

[MilfordHusky]

She'll be great in time, but 0 points. 0 rebounds, and 0 blocks tonight were not what we needed. Morgan played pretty well, so did Moriah.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Tuck impressed the out of me.

But if BS is not ready for prime time at this stage in the season, that has to show a limit on her ceiling, no?

Tina Charles was a late bloomer, but Stewart is not a post player in the same way she was.

 

[VAMike23]

Too early to write her off? Any chance she comes close to being the player we thought we were getting?

Far too early, but we need good minutes from her soon. We can always say that she will turn it on in March, but it's not likely to come on like a light switch without some solid play leading up to it. We'll see what she's got against ND in South Bend. That will tell me a lot re: what this game taught her.

 

[VAMike23]

Tuck impressed the out of me.

But if BS is not ready for prime time at this stage in the season, that has to show a limit on her ceiling, no?

Tina Charles was a late bloomer, but Stewart is not a post player in the same way she was.

I get your point but BS was not advertised as that style of player. I don't think it changes her ceiling

 

[Blueballer]

Post players always take longer. She was great for the first handful of games and then the freshman thing kicked in. It happens . She will be fine. I wish she were ready for tonight but things happen for a reason.

 

[jplotinus]

She'll be great in time, but 0 points. 0 rebounds, and 0 blocks tonight were not what we needed. Morgan played pretty well, so did Moriah.

I think the above is both the storyline of the game and the reason why the rematch may well be different. I have consistently said the team that loses this game has a motivational advantage in the likely rematch when it actually matters.

Advantage UCONN.

Geno has a real coaching challenge in getting Stewie to play up to her potential the remainder of the season. Bringing her over, around or through the freshman wall doesn't have to happen all at once, and likely won't. But it does need to happen during tournament time, hopefully culminating in her reaching a new peak come late March/early April.

Since Geno's getting the big bucks, I think he'll be up to the challenge and we will see a much improved Stewie when we need to see a much improved Stewie.

Tonight's loss is not a big deal. It may be a blessing.

 

[rt bb fan]

Breanna Stewart is not a post player. Probably a 3/4 player

 

[Olde Coach]

I get your point but BS was not advertised as that style of player. I don't think it changes her ceiling

Early in the season, Stewie was free to play a "rover" and to score from all over the court ---- which is what she did in high school, and in USA Basketball. She was comfortable in that role. Because of the injuries to Stokes and Tuck, Stewie has had to play a more traditional center's role -- much more time in the paint, and a lot more physical punishment. This has taken her way out of her comfort zone. And it has required her to learn a whole lot of new skills. She has been overwhelmed by the task.

She will be a great player next year. And maybe a really good player again in late March of this year. Don't get down on her. When she is a year older and a year stronger, she will be far more efficient playing close to the basket. Tonight, she was playing against 4 Seniors and one Junior (Sims). That's a tough assignment.

 

[Mattydog]

Early in the season, Stewie was free to play a "rover" and to score from all over the court ---- which is what she did in high school, and in USA Basketball. She was comfortable in that role. Because of the injuries to Stokes and Tuck, Stewie has had to play a more traditional center's role -- much more time in the paint, and a lot more physical punishment. This has taken her way out of her comfort zone. And it has required her to learn a whole lot of new skills. She has been overwhelmed by the task.

She will be a great player next year. And maybe a really good player again in late March of this year. Don't get down on her. When she is a year older and a year stronger, she will be far more efficient playing close to the basket. Tonight, she was playing against 4 Seniors and one Junior (Sims). That's a tough assignment.

I agree OC.

 

[UCONNfan1]

Breanna Stewart is not a post player. Probably a 3/4 player

Bingo. She's tall and has a monstrous wing span, but she's lanky and nothing like Charles, Bone, Stokes, Dolson, or any of the other pure 5's. She "can" play in the post, but I'd not call her a post player. She's a wing/forward if you wanted to call her anything.

Who knows what's up with her? Mental? Physical? Not as good as everyone thought? Freshman wall? Who knows. She may turn out to be a star, but she's been a no-show in big games, and spotty at best over the past month or so.

That's not the mentality of a star. Maya and Diana went up against juniors and seniors when they were freshmen as did KML. I'm not saying Stewart won't be good, but if you give her a pass for that, then she's not really in the same category as other UCONN greats, at least not as far as freshman evaluations go...

 

[choochoo]

I am surprised Geno stuck with her so long at the end of the first half. We lost a 7 point lead in 3 plays with BS on the floor. Her first time on the floor she covered the wrong person on a inbound play and was pulled out after that play. Lets call a spade a spade, she stunk up the place tonight. She actually looked scared! Baylor's freshman gave them quality minutes all over the place. I was really disappointed tonight by her play.

 

[Blueballer]

Breanna Stewart is not a post player. Probably a 3/4 player

Still considered a post player.

 

[wbfree]

Breanna Stewart is not a post player. Probably a 3/4 player

Well she can't shoot like a three. I see her as a 4. She needs to get a lot stronger and refine her game. Stop shooting three's. Rebound , play defense, and let the game come to you. It's also quite obvious that she came in over hyped.

 

[Vowelguy]

Stewart seems to be suffering through a major crisis in confidence. I knew none of her shots were going to fall - you could tell her body wasnt right.

 

[BlueWhiteKid]

She played great for the first 15+ games of the season. She seemed to lose some confidence against ND. Since them she hasn't been able to regain her form.

 

[Icebear]

Well she can't shoot like a three. I see her as a 4. She needs to get a lot stronger and refine her game. Stop shooting three's. Rebound , play defense, and let the game come to you. It's also quite obvious that she came in over hyped.

Gosh, USA Basketball must be really stupid then because she has been a dominant player for them for years internationally.

 

[Icebear]

Stewart seems to be suffering through a major crisis in confidence. I knew none of her shots were going to fall - you could tell her body wasnt right.

That is exactly what is happening for her. She may have never struggled with her game in her whole life and likely doesn't know how to get her mojo back.

 

[DaddyChoc]

it took Tina time but she still scored and was effective

 

[Tenspro2002]

She may turn out to be a star, but she's been a no-show in big games. That's not the mentality of a star.

I said the same after the St. John's game and got flamed to high h*ll. Maybe it was too early then, and admittedly it was too early after the Notre Dame game -- but looking back on it the signs were obviously there.

Maya and Diana went up against juniors and seniors when they were freshmen as did KML. I'm not saying Stewart won't be good, but if you give her a pass for that, then she's not really in the same category as other UCONN greats, at least not as far as freshman evaluations go...

This I completely agree with. Our star wing players, whose legacy Stewart is an heir to, were impact players their freshman years. D may have shot 1-15 in the Final Four, but she showed she deserved to carry that burden. The fact that Stewart can't even get minutes at this point in the season is damning about her potential or her toughness.

 

[Goodgood]

Geno told her to score every time she has the ball and that is what she was trying to do, with defenders hanging all over her. Teams know that and they collapsed on her making her shoot three's off balance with no chance of going in.

She gets more frustrated and forced shots that are not there instead of taking what the defense gave her.

She used to lead the team in assists a couple of times, now, she has none. She 's got to stop trying to score and just play basketball. I think she is a basket case right now.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Early in the season, Stewie was free to play a "rover" and to score from all over the court ---- which is what she did in high school, and in USA Basketball. She was comfortable in that role. Because of the injuries to Stokes and Tuck, Stewie has had to play a more traditional center's role -- much more time in the paint, and a lot more physical punishment. This has taken her way out of her comfort zone. And it has required her to learn a whole lot of new skills. She has been overwhelmed by the task.

She will be a great player next year. And maybe a really good player again in late March of this year. Don't get down on her. When she is a year older and a year stronger, she will be far more efficient playing close to the basket. Tonight, she was playing against 4 Seniors and one Junior (Sims). That's a tough assignment.

Amen, Coach...Breanna is the real deal and Geno knows how to use her...

 

[svetbird]

Too early? I think it is too early to even think about it! She looked great at times this year. She is a freshman, Sue Bird looked lost at times (in the little time she played). Even Diana had growing pains. Think of the final 4 game with N.D. I think she will be a force.

 

[Vowelguy]

Geno told her to score every time she has the ball and that is what she was trying to do, with defenders hanging all over her. Teams know that and they collapsed on her making her shoot three's off balance with no chance of going in.

She gets more frustrated and forced shots that are not there instead of taking what the defense gave her.

She used to lead the team in assists a couple of times, now, she has none. She 's got to stop trying to score and just play basketball. I think she is a basket case right now.

That was not what I saw. She didn't take terrible shots. But the shots had no rhythm to them.