Stewart?

[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.

 

[VAMike23]

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.

I agree that she should start, but not with the "Shoot/score" marching orders she has now. I would rather see her focus on defense, rebounding, disrupting, and putbacks. Stuff like that. Let her take shots when she is into the flow, which could take some time each game.

Caroline is better at organizing the team, obviously, and that is probably a better answer for the starting lineup to win most games. But IMHO we aren't going to win the NC without a big contribution from Stewart. Whatever needs to be done to maximize the chances of that happening needs to begin now. I think that means putting her on the floor for extended minutes and getting her back in the swing, mistakes and hair-pulling moments be damned.

 

[UConnCat]

I agree that she should start, but not with the "Shoot/score" marching orders she has now. I would rather see her focus on defense, rebounding, disrupting, and putbacks. Stuff like that. Let her take shots when she is into the flow, which could take some time each game.

Caroline is better at organizing the team, obviously, and that is probably a better answer for the starting lineup to win most games. But IMHO we aren't going to win the NC without a big contribution from Stewart. Whatever needs to be done to maximize the chances of that happening needs to begin now. I think that means putting her on the floor for extended minutes and getting her back in the swing, mistakes and hair-pulling moments be damned.

I'm sure Geno and the coaches will be doing some thinking on how to get Stewart going. Geno said last night that the coaches need to do a better job getting Kiah and Stewart ready to play in big games and those players need to get better. When Stewart enters the game she needs to be mentally ready to play and she wasn't last night. Will starting help? I like the idea of starting her but that leaves the problem of who sits and the answer to that question is not an easy one.

 

[VAMike23]

Does anyone know more about what Geno might have meant in the highlighted portion below?

“..... but right now Breanna Stewart’s mind isn’t going to let her be the kind of player we think she can be – right now, today. Maybe in a month it will change. Right now it’s not good. But that’s what it is. She is struggling physically with things on a regular basis and it gets into your head.”

If he doesn't mean nagging/small injuries, then what is he saying.......?

 

[DaddyChoc]

msf started with the vague criticism that the coaches may be handling Breanna wrong, then proceeded to the broader rhetorical vacuity "Does this team seem very well coached? Play coherently? Not to my eyes."

Not that it's the first time. Problem is, the way these statements are tossed out there, I get a distinct impression of goading, and even taking pleasure therein. So the negative reactions will neither have been a surprise to the poster nor, one might surmise, unwelcome.

That's what makes a message board. Just a comment from one whose stock in trade is noting and analyzing poster mannerisms that tend to annoy.

or just enjoy getting a rise out of people... but I dont think thats the case, he truly believes what he post

 

[UConnCat]

Does anyone know more about what Geno might have meant in the highlighted portion below?

“..... but right now Breanna Stewart’s mind isn’t going to let her be the kind of player we think she can be – right now, today. Maybe in a month it will change. Right now it’s not good. But that’s what it is. She is struggling physically with things on a regular basis and it gets into your head.”

If he doesn't mean nagging/small injuries, then what is he saying.......?

I took it to mean struggling with physical play and not being able to make the plays and shots she's used to making.

 

[boontonbomber]

I agree that she should start, but not with the "Shoot/score" marching orders she has now. I would rather see her focus on defense, rebounding, disrupting, and putbacks. Stuff like that. Let her take shots when she is into the flow, which could take some time each game.

Caroline is better at organizing the team, obviously, and that is probably a better answer for the starting lineup to win most games. But IMHO we aren't going to win the NC without a big contribution from Stewart. Whatever needs to be done to maximize the chances of that happening needs to begin now. I think that means putting her on the floor for extended minutes and getting her back in the swing, mistakes and hair-pulling moments be damned.

yes, over the next 3 games, none of which should be especially tough games, get her on the floor for 25 minutes. she's got to play through it. she's got to be on the floor for extended periods so as to experience some positive stuff. and don't yank her as soon as she makes a mistake. they need all of what she can do to win the title.

 

[Icebear]

She wasn't yanked because she made a mistake but because she was lost. Even Morgan had to tell her where to go, pushing her towards her coverage responsibility.

 

[boontonbomber]

She wasn't yanked because she made a mistake but because she was lost. Even Morgan had to tell her where to go, pushing her towards her coverage responsibility.

there are some games, like last night, when you can't afford to let a player play through their mistakes. i'm talking about letting her play through mistakes, or whatever you want to call them, over the next 3 blowouts.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Does anyone know more about what Geno might have meant in the highlighted portion below?

“..... but right now Breanna Stewart’s mind isn’t going to let her be the kind of player we think she can be – right now, today. Maybe in a month it will change. Right now it’s not good. But that’s what it is. She is struggling physically with things on a regular basis and it gets into your head.”

If he doesn't mean nagging/small injuries, then what is he saying.......?

Taken together with another comment he made a few weeks back, I think he's talking about her shooting being off (i.e., being in her head). The other comment was that if Breanna had Kaleena's mental outlook (fearless shooter that shoots her way out of slumps) she be fine...and I do believe Breanna has lost confidence in her shot...and I do believe Geno has tried to get her to shoot herself out of it.

 

[Icebear]

Taken together with another comment he made a few weeks back, I think he's talking about her shooting being off (i.e., being in her head). The other comment was that if Breanna had Kaleena's mental outlook (fearless shooter that shoots her way out of slumps) she be fine...and I do believe Breanna has lost confidence in her shot...and I do believe Geno has tried to get her to shoot herself out of it.

I think it is worse than that. Breanna is questioning everything in her game.

 

[OneTrickPony]

I think it is worse than that. Breanna is questioning everything in her game.

You're right, Ice...but shooting is like pulling a thread...it tends to unravel your composure...Breanna needs to stop worrying and let it come...

 

[pap49cba]

Breanna needs to stop worrying and let it come...

I agree, but this is much easier said than done.

 

[OneTrickPony]

I agree, but this is much easier said than done.

Much easier said, but we know she has the capability...she just needs to get over her amnesia...

 

[Icebear]

Much easier said, but we know she has the capability...she just needs to get over her amnesia...

Either that or she needs a case of amnesia regarding the last couple of weeks.

 

[UCONNfan1]

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.

I assume you were being funny in blaming SNNY and ESPN? Do you think Breanna watches the games on TV while playing on the court? No. Do you think she goes home after the game and DRV's it so she can listen to the comments by the announcers? No. I imagine they look at game tape but i doubt they have the volume turned up.

Unless she's been reading any of the articles that existed talking about her accomplishments and potential, then how would she even be aware of it? I'm just curious...