Stewart?

[Bestiarius]

I think what she needs is Stef's Insanity workout program over the summer. I see much of her problem being a lack of strength and bulk. Being stronger will give her more confidence and ability to tolerate the physical play.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

I blame SNY, ESPN, and all the announcer for her funk. They made such a big deal about her first ten games and how many points she scored. Oh look she is the greatest ever..... and meanwhile they lost KML's freshman stats.... Now she is in her funk... I believe she will come out of it... but she was thrust on the high horse way too early. She needed to have less attention at the start of her career.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

I am thinking Stewart might end up with a Strother career. Which means it will be a good career. She will score her points... but she will leave you wanting more. Like you are waiting for her to explode and do what we all know she can. Like in the Strother class....She was the #1 player but others came in and took the attention. In that class Barb Turner was more the star because of how she played. I see Morgan Tuck being a Barb Turner.... but taller

 

[housekeys]

Certainly at this point it is a mental issue. How did it get to this point is the real question. My guess, her outside shot is not falling. Simple as that. Her strength, from what I had heard, was she could drain 15-20 footers. Force you to come out, and she would blow by you on a drive. She had a lot of ways to score. But if your shot from outside is not falling, you become more one dimensional. Also the closer to the basket she gets, the more physical the play gets, and she is not yet comfortable.

Another thing I see is that she needs to be "acclimated" to certain type of games, early. Specifically, the physical games. It is tough on Geno, because he has other options on the bench and the games are important, but I think she needs a longer leash. This is true of most freshman who have come in highly regarded. Not sure, but her game suffered once Bria returned and she was no longer a starter.

Finally, I am 100% confident she is a great player and will match and exceed our expectations. She just needs to realize it's only a game. Go out there and have some fun. Relax, let the game come to her. Hustle always and contribute in other ways.

 

[Vowelguy]

I blame SNY, ESPN, and all the announcer for her funk. They made such a big deal about her first ten games and how many points she scored. Oh look she is the greatest ever..... and meanwhile they lost KML's freshman stats.... Now she is in her funk... I believe she will come out of it... but she was thrust on the high horse way too early. She needed to have less attention at the start of her career.

You're kidding right?
It's the refs fault, the announcers fault, the networks fault, etc. How about El Nino? Congress?

She was the unanimous #1 player in high school. Expectations were high long before she ever played a UConn game.

 

[alexrgct]

This will definitely go down as a lost season for her. I'm not remotely ready to throw in the towel, however. She has been broken down and needs to be built back up. It's going to have to come from her and from the coaching staff, but she has all the tools to be great.

 

[LIUCHusky]

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.

wbfree, I think you will laugh at the last part of your post in 3 years. She will be one of the all time UConn greats before she is finished.

 

[msf22b]

Let's see, we've blamed the freshman wall, the announcers and ESPN. lack of bulk etc.
And we have the apologists in all shades who think she'll still be great...I'm still one myself.

But I think we have to at least consider that the style (and perhaps substance) of coaching does not suit her game and personality.

We all know, that this has happened before.
Or, as Geno alluded to earlier, she doesn't learn plays, just does her own thing.

She was very confident at the outset, completely at sea now.
Really sad to see...was it Caroline or Bria pushing her towards the corner as if to say...that's who you are guarding.

Instead of a freshman wall we might consider an Olympic hangover is the problem.

Does this team seem very well coached? Play coherently? Not to my eyes.

 

[semper]

Give the kid a break...

 

[huskyharry]

This will definitely go down as a lost season for her. I'm not remotely ready to throw in the towel, however. She has been broken down and needs to be built back up. It's going to have to come from her and from the coaching staff, but she has all the tools to be great.

Season is far from over.
She needs a confidence boost. Clearly, the current motivational techniques (I.e. buttons pushed) are not working and a different tack is needed.
If she could only get back to her season average in performance, it could make a tremendous difference in the team's result. Imagine she scored 12 pts. Tonight and got her season average in rebounds, assists , steals and blocks...I think they pull off the win. We don't need her to be Maya or Diana, we just need her to be this year's Breanna!

 

[CONNFAN23]

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.

Its amazing how that Freshman wall always seems to come later in the year after your done playing all the cupcake out of conference teams that are frontloaded on every schedule. IMHO I think that Stewart is being really challenged on the basketball court for the first time in her life and she has simply clammed up when things have gotten tough for her. She just has to fight and work through it, get her confidence back, and become mentally tougher.

 

[wbfree]

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

Yes, USA basketball is stupid. They see a six four girl shot a three and go gaga. If you think they were right, you haven't been watching her play.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Yes, USA basketball is stupid. They see a six four girl shot a three and go gaga. If you think they were right, you haven't been watching her play.

I think they were right, and I've caught quite a few of her games...Brittany Griner didn't dominate as a freshman, and you saw her last night. When Breanna's a senior she'll be just as dominant...a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...patience...

 

[trisailin]

Yes, USA basketball is stupid. They see a six four girl shot a three and go gaga. If you think they were right, you haven't been watching her play.

I'm amazed at the number of experts.
Apparently Jen Rizzotti isn't very smart since she said "UCONN has a gem in Breanna". The entire coaching staff of UCONN isn't very smart getting Breanna to come to UCONN. They should have told her she should go someplace else. How dare they see potential in a player who dominated in High School who also happens to be a great kid.
Further, I'm amazed at the number of people that apparently never have struggled doing anything in their life. They must have always lived up to and even surpassed every expectation put upon them.
It must be nice to be able to sit back and throw rocks.
Good grief.

 

[meyers7]

Does this team seem very well coached? Play coherently? Not to my eyes.

You may want to get your eyes checked.

#1 Scoring Offenses
#1 Scoring Defense
#1 Assists
#2 Assist/TO ratio
#2 FG % Offense
#1 FG % Defense
#1 Scoring Margin
#4 Rebound Margin
(NCAA numbers as of last update - last week)

Yea, poor coaching, poor play, obviously.

 

[meyers7]

Yes, USA basketball is stupid. They see a six four girl shot a three and go gaga. If you think they were right, you haven't been watching her play.

And you obviously haven't seen her play for USA basketball.

 

[DaddyChoc]

the problem is.... many thought BStew was going to be the x-factor in beating Baylor this season!

 

[OneTrickPony]

the problem is.... many thought BStew was going to be the x-factor in beating Baylor this season!

She still may be if she can regain her outside shooting touch...she was able to keep Chiney at the top of the key and out of the paint against Stanford because her shot had been on...she's going through a slump now, and I'm sure that's why Geno wants her to shoot herself out of it...her shooting touch isn't gone, it'll be back...and if it comes in time for the Final Four...she is that x-factor...imagine if KML had a little more help moving in and out yesterday...plenty of time...

 

[meyers7]

Its amazing how that Freshman wall always seems to come later in the year after your done playing all the cupcake out of conference teams that are frontloaded on every schedule.

Like Texas A&M (11/6), Purdue (17/4), Maryland (13/6), Penn State (7/7), Stanford (9/6)?

 

[UConnCat]

You may want to get your eyes checked.

#1 Scoring Offenses
#1 Scoring Defense
#1 Assists
#2 Assist/TO ratio
#2 FG % Offense
#1 FG % Defense
#1 Scoring Margin
#4 Rebound Margin
(NCAA numbers as of last update - last week)

Yea, poor coaching, poor play, obviously.

Not to mention losing only 2 games, by 6 to the #1 team (with the most dominant player in the game) and by 1 to the #2 team. If all this represents poor coaching, what does that say about the other NCAA teams and coaches.

 

[meyers7]

the problem is.... many thought BStew was going to be the x-factor in beating Baylor this season!

True. She has hit a rough spot she's going to have to work herself out of. Hopefully soon.

 

[trisailin]

the problem is.... many thought BStew was going to be the x-factor in beating Baylor this season!

Actually the problem is many people were counting their chickens before the coop was even built.

 

[asuwish]

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

Some food for thought! More for debate than truth
Maybe Geno didn't want to show all his cards tonight and save something for the rematch. Not saying this is true, but it would not be the first time a coach did something like this. We will see how her role and minutes go from here. He will need her Tuck and Stokes to contribute if they are to win it all.
The starting lineup is too small and against more physical teams it will be hard
I think Bria needs to play the point. Teams need a point who can push pace, and get to the rack, and Doty can't do that. Doty (can move to the 2 guard) is the calming senior presence who keeps in check. Bria is now a junior and needs the ball in her hands to score and get us running. You already have KML as the person to run off screens for shots, Bria needs the ball in her hands.
Moriah seems shy to shoot. She score 3000 points in high school, and she wasn't shy. Don't give me the line about deferring to others because she is a freshman. If your on the team play your game. If your open for a shot you need to take and make it. Nobody gets benched for taking quality shots at the right time.
Geno is probably more worried that the defensive rotations seem hesitant and a step slow. You have to be committed to it and once you go you can't hesitate.

 

[HGN]

She is EXACTLY what Geno thought he was getting. There is nothing wrong with Stewie that a little more experience and confidence won't cure....She has lost a little confidence and it shows. But she'll be fine. Geno has handled her very well in IMO. He has taken away some minutes to not further hurt her confidence on the floor and continued to coach and teach during practice. All she needs is a couple of good confidence games and she'll be right back where we need her.

Whether playing with confidence or not , there isn't a coach in the WCBB arena that wouldn't want her on their bench.

 

[Kevin G]

It's apparent that everyone on this thread who is criticizing Breanna is perfect! Sorry to have questioned your criticism and judgement (complete sarcasm)

 

[Aluminny69]

She is EXACTLY what Geno thought he was getting. There is nothing wrong with Stewie that a little more experience and confidence won't cure....She has lost a little confidence and it shows. But she'll be fine. Geno has handled her very well in IMO. He has taken away some minutes to not further hurt her confidence on the floor and continued to coach and teach during practice. All she needs is a couple of good confidence games and she'll be right back where we need her.

Whether playing with confidence or not , there isn't a coach in the WCBB arena that wouldn't want her on their bench.

Respectfully disagree. Last night, Stewart comes in for an in bounds play. Baylor catches her out of position for an easy basket. Geno immediately pulls her out. How is this building her confidence? She is constantly looking over her shoulder.

 

[VAMike23]

the problem is.... many thought BStew was going to be the x-factor in beating Baylor this season!

I was one

 

[VAMike23]

Actually the problem is many people were counting their chickens before the coop was even built.

I wasn't counting on her arriving full-grown from the head of Zeus - I believed she would contribute mostly with interior defense (some shotblocking) and rebounding, on a consistent basis, and that she would improve as the year wore on.

At UCONN the freshman 'wall' is fairly common but Stewie is also uncommonly talented. I think Geno would also have anticipated more by this point. As he said, either she has to get better or Geno and the coaches have to coach her better. Where Geno is mistaken is thinking it's an either/or question: IMHO Geno needs to do some things differently, and so does Breanna.

I remember how Stef used a bad experience against Stanford to make huge improvements in all phases, not just conditioning. Hopefully Stewie will do the same in her situation. Last night had to be very difficult for her.

Also remember that the more Geno expects out of you, and the more talent he sees that you have, the more he is likely to ride you hard, call you out, and break you down mentally, etc. It may be that what's best for BStewart in the long run is not what maximizes her performance this year.

The jury is still out. But the season is not over by a long shot......

 

[dtbtbtb]

IMO Geno should put B Stew back in the starting 5 instead of Doty. It will help her confidence and bring her back to the level she was playing in the beggining of the year while Doty can be steady of the bench. The chnaces of UConn this season for a NC depend on sufficent number of scorers to spread the floor and Doty just can"t hit in the big games while the team is very small size wise. This team needs a confident B Stew in order to win it all.

 

[UConnCat]

Respectfully disagree. Last night, Stewart comes in for an in bounds play. Baylor catches her out of position for an easy basket. Geno immediately pulls her out. How is this building her confidence? She is constantly looking over her shoulder.

It was more than being caught out of position. She didn't look mentally ready to play and that was apparent immediately. She had position under the basket and allowed a smaller Baylor player grab the rebound. On the in-bound play Morgan had to tell her to get out on the player she was supposed to be defending. She then didn't move her feet to defend in the lane. Sometimes it doesn't take long to know whether a player is ready to play in a game like last night's game. That's why Geno pulled her. Tuck, on the other hand, came off the bench ready to play and it showed.