Stokes presence in the paint

[msf22b]

In retrospect, I agree that my comment re: Kelly was an exaggeration and misleading.

In other posts, I noted the reemergence of Bria; Stewie had a fine 2nd half and KLM was...well KLM.
and one can point to a fine game by Caroline, solid work from BB, the amazing under the basket reverse from the diminutive MJ, Stoke's D, Big Mamma's D and 2nd half O, et al.

So, let's take that one off the table

I stand by my other concerns and inquiries.

 

[ursusminor]

Why are the Freshmen not developing more quickly?
Seems more than just the injuries and illness'

They certainly seemed more than promising at the end of the summer

I think sometimes the Boneyard in general forgets that these are freshman. They are 18 years old. They've never worked so hard at school, never worked so hard in basketball, and probably never been away from home so much for so long.
I'm a graduate student now, but I was teaching this past semester and I had many freshman in my lab. They were freaking out over finals week. "I have so much to do. I have not slept. I have something due in three hours and haven't finished. I haven't studied for my final at all. The end is nigh, woe is me." This is all people who don't have athletic responsibilities.
I was trying very hard not to laugh at them, because of course they're freaking out. They're freshman! They haven't done this before. By the time they're seniors, it's all been there, done that. Pound out 2 pages in an hour. Finish up that lab report. Sleep after it's all finished. No worries. It'll get done.

Now throw that on top of Division I basketball responsibilities and the pressure of a national spotlight. It's a wonder the freshman aren't just puddles of sleep-deprived goo by the end of the season.

 

[hoopingcrane]

In retrospect, I agree that my comment re: Kelly was an exaggeration and misleading.

In other posts, I noted the reemergence of Bria; Stewie had a fine 2nd half and KLM was...well KLM.
and one can point to a fine game by Caroline, solid work from BB, the amazing under the basket reverse from the diminutive MJ, Stoke's D, Big Mamma's D and 2nd half O, et al.

So, let's take that one off the table

I stand by my other concerns and inquiries.

KLM was...KML, not KLM. If you are going to stand by your concerns, you have to get the names right

 

[Bestiarius]

OK, time to stoke a few flames.


Why are the Freshmen not developing more quickly?
Seems more than just the injuries and illness'

They certainly seemed more than promising at the end of the summer
Geno said nice things pre-season about their development and prospects during the early going.

I've even worried to myself that he's not handling Stewart correctly.
It would be completely human for Geno and the staff (who mostly assisted him in Europe) to be a little burned out, to have a wee bit of difficulty readjusting.

I don't see this season as a coaching masterpiece yet.

When you're watching the freshmen on the court, remember to whom you're contrasting them. People on the Wooden list - the best there is. Certainly they are not going to look good in that comparison. How good did Samarie Walker look at UConn? Now, with Kentucky, she's a comparative star. Put the Frosh on most any other team and they would be perceived as shining.

Regarding coaching, who in all of Div 1 has a better record? No one. Kudos to the staff for that. What's the ultimate goal? A National Championship - and those aren't won half-way through the season. The momentum is building, the coaches have the team well on track for the final stretch. So, what I'm not, is worried. What I am, is proud of what the team and coaches have accomplished so far, the bench included, and I don't anticipate changing my opinion as the season progresses.