Team chemistry....as always this will be Geno's biggest challenge

[BroadwayVa]

Your points are well made. Permit some reinforcement. The scavenger hunts, scrumptious team meals and sightseeing trips are fun and surely help the players bond.

Geno's rules, usually enforced by CD, have the effect of discouraging individuality and stimulating "team." Some recruits are turned off by one or more restriction. It's a long list with zero tolerance for idiosyncrasies:

No names on uniforms;
No visible tattoos;
No knee socks or t-shirts with the uniform;
No earphones in public;
No colored nail polish;
No social media during the season;
No hassling refs or taunting opponents;
No dissing anybody when interviewed;
Always (practice, warmups and games) wear prescribed uniform;
At all times represent family and UConn basketball properly; and,
Adhere to any rule not on this list if expressed by Geno. Chris, Shea, or Melisa.​

Final rule: You wanna play? Do what Geno says.

Or else.

 

[BroadwayVa]

It was reported, right after Shea initially left the program, that Sue (Geno's appointed Point guard) and Shea (Geno's appointed Captain) had issues on the floor with Shea either leading or trying to lead "Sues" team. If as reported--there was a chemistry issue at least between those two. But, as I see it, chemistry or what ever, was how these women addressed semi-personal issues for the good of the team. People don't have to like each other, it helps, but the target for any group is to work together seamlessly regardless of private personal feelings. I am sure this particular discussion is discussed in Team meeting with Geno and Christine. Leave you issues at home, with your dress shoes.
Also--the impact of the loss of EDD shall never truly be known. One can assume, or intellectualize all they want on lack of EDD and what it meant to UConn--we'll never know. I am of the camp that says---don't worry or even think about what you didn't have--you ain't got it (using the vernacular).

 

[BroadwayVa]

That wasn't meant as a negative, but as when the other greats, such as Rebecca, Sue, DT, Tina, Maya, they are appreciated even more when they have finished their work at UCONN. UConn fans always appreciate what Geno, CD, and the players do.

I think the one constant among Uconn fans is---if you play for or ever played for Geno and even rode the bench--you are appreciated, I doubt this happens in many programs.
Players, who may be obscure in other programs, are remember fondly by UConn fans.
Standouts are revered but all are remembered and appreciated.

 

[Nuyoika]

Gabbyfan raised a great point and one that is overlooked by many people. Talent without harmony does not produce championship teams. One of Geno's real strengths is developing team chemistry. A year ago this time many BYers were boasting about how great the team was going to be with Stokes replacing Stef and becoming an offensive threat while Saniya would become a very valuable contributor to the starting rotation with Bria leaving. Then Stanford game shook UCONN followers and the team. Geno replaced those two starters with Tuck and Nurse and redefined the roles for Stokes and Saniya. And we all know the results. Plus no locker room revolt, etc. TEAM CHEMISTRY!

I will admit I was taken aback by the loss. I mean we don't see losses very often. I have actually never watched a UConn loss until that game. I have been watching UConn since I was a senior in high school so that's been since 2004. Never watched a game where they lost. Any game that was too close at the end I would stop watching wait for the game to end check the stats on ESPN and if it was a loss I just wouldn't watch it. That game caught me because I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. I just knew they were gonna pull it out. Looking back however it actually proved just how good UConn really is. The country might have seen it as "Wow! UConn is beatable!" In terms of the season, basically it proved that yes the 2014-2015 UConn team is beatable if you can shoot 50% and keep them on the court past regulation... then you have a chance of winning by 2. The chemistry wasn't yet running on all cylinders last November and that is how hard it was to beat us. I'll take it.

 

[triaddukefan]

I think the one constant among Uconn fans is---if you play for or ever played for Geno and even rode the bench--you are appreciated, I doubt this happens in many programs.
Players, who may be obscure in other programs, are remember fondly by UConn fans.
Standouts are revered but all are remembered and appreciated.

Hmmmm...... Im not so sure about that.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I will admit I was taken aback by the loss. I mean we don't see losses very often. I have actually never watched a UConn loss until that game. I have been watching UConn since I was a senior in high school so that's been since 2004. Never watched a game where they lost. Any game that was too close at the end I would stop watching wait for the game to end check the stats on ESPN and if it was a loss I just wouldn't watch it. That game caught me because I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. I just knew they were gonna pull it out. Looking back however it actually proved just how good UConn really is. The country might have seen it as "Wow! UConn is beatable!" In terms of the season, basically it proved that yes the 2014-2015 UConn team is beatable if you can shoot 50% and keep them on the court past regulation... then you have a chance of winning by 2. The chemistry wasn't yet running on all cylinders last November and that is how hard it was to beat us. I'll take it.

It was shocking, but I think it will go down as one of the most beneficial losses in program history.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Your points are well made. Permit some reinforcement. The scavenger hunts, scrumptious team meals and sightseeing trips are fun and surely help the players bond.

Geno's rules, usually enforced by CD, have the effect of discouraging individuality and stimulating "team." Some recruits are turned off by one or more restriction. It's a long list with zero tolerance for idiosyncrasies:

No names on uniforms;
No visible tattoos;
No knee socks or t-shirts with the uniform;
No earphones in public;
No colored nail polish;
No social media during the season;
No hassling refs or taunting opponents;
No dissing anybody when interviewed;
Always (practice, warmups and games) wear prescribed uniform;
At all times represent family and UConn basketball properly; and,
Adhere to any rule not on this list if expressed by Geno. Chris, Shea, or Melisa.​

Final rule: You wanna play? Do what Geno says.

Or else.

Nice post, sir. I appreciate your laying out all these rules in one place. If I had to sum them up in one expression, I'd say "Act like you have a clue." Adherence to these rules are one of the reasons I admire UCONN WBB so much.

On a side note, I'm surprised your response didn't include an "ahem."

 

[Kibitzer]

Hmmmm. Im not so sure about that.

He didn't say any programs. . . he said many programs.

His comment was spot-on, so now you can go back to dissing UNC.

 

[j66kicker]

It was reported, right after Shea initially left the program, that Sue (Geno's appointed Point guard) and Shea (Geno's appointed Captain) had issues on the floor with Shea either leading or trying to lead "Sues" team. If as reported--there was a chemistry issue at least between those two. But, as I see it, chemistry or what ever, was how these women addressed semi-personal issues for the good of the team.

So I'm guessing that if Sue were to come back as Geno's replacement, Shea would be moving on...?

 

[msf22b]

Geno has every member of the team on the same page.

Never completely, completely believed it.
Yes, brilliant, gifted, canny.

But this year, he's faced with an awful lot go good players and their respective egos
That they'll win is not a question.

That they'll all be content with their roles....I have questions.

Very little time in a no cell/internet area. (North Yellowstone)..My wife is screaming to go
Sorry I can't write more...and will be gone for a few
Happy summer all

Michael

 

[MilfordHusky]

Not sure which post to "Like".

I vote for the first one, based on originality.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Adhere to any rule not on this list if expressed by Geno. Chris, Shea, or Melisa.​

Final rule: You wanna play? Do what Geno says.

Or else.

spell check... its Marisa unless she has been replaced and the Boneyard didn't get the memo

 

[DaddyChoc]

Hmmmm. Im not so sure about that.

weird huh... the things people say

 

[Kibitzer]

spell check... its Marisa unless she has been replaced and the Boneyard didn't get the memo

Good catch. Thanks.

I'm surprised I wasn't the target for a dozen "ahems."

 

[Tonyc]

Oops I didn't realize it was posted twice. Sorry. Let me make one other point. Geno either gets his kids going or he gets his kids going.

 

[chrissaran]

None of the freshman will start twenty-five games. Napheesa has the best chance of getting the most playing time because her game is the most complete. Katie Lou will get more playing time as her strength and defense continue to improve.Remember, Geno took Breanna out of the starting lineup her freshman season when she started to slump. Katie Lou will get better strength wise and defensively because she knows those parts of her game have to improve, and she wants to get better.

 

[Gabbyfan]

Kls is by all accounts, an unusual player ...a big, mobile shooter, who kml feared would break her 3 point record at Uconn. How she will be utilized and who will she share the floor with and how good will she be defensively are questions for Geno to find answers to as the season progresses. Gabby and Morgan play exceptionally well together, but how will having Natalie in the middle affect their chemistry? Will Kia's role change as all the new players emerge? Will Collier's superb all around game allow her to earn significant minutes during important games? One constant is the play of Moriah and Stewie....no questions there. These, to me, are just some of things I look forward to watching as Geno solves the line up combinations in the fall.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Hmmmm. Im not so sure about that.

Question for you----how many at duke played for Geno?? HMMMMMM??? except in the olympics.
It probably happens at Tenn I think Ace Clemments (?) was appreciated in the loss to Uconn in Philly. The key word used and for exactly this reason was ---MANY in my thread.

 

[BroadwayVa]

None of the freshman will start twenty-five games. Napheesa has the best chance of getting the most playing time because her game is the most complete. Katie Lou will get more playing time as her strength and defense continue to improve.Remember, Geno took Breanna out of the starting lineup her freshman season when she started to slump. Katie Lou will get better strength wise and defensively because she knows those parts of her game have to improve, and she wants to get better.

Stewie was taken out of the line up when she negatively responded to how physical Div 1 games were especially when you are the scorer. Geno gave her sitting time to reflect on what she wanted out of Uconn and lots of physical practices. It worked with her, some it may not work. KLS will certainly be the focus of physical play because she poses a huge threat, maybe taking away some from Stewie, who for the last 2 plus years has learned to take the punches and score thru them. Never say never--or never say none. Dogmatic words tend to melt in real life. Life, death taxes the only truths that are constant.

 

[PhillyCoach]

Stewie was taken out of the line up when she negatively responded to how physical Div 1 games were especially when you are the scorer. Geno gave her sitting time to reflect on what she wanted out of Uconn and lots of physical practices. It worked with her, some it may not work. KLS will certainly be the focus of physical play because she poses a huge threat, maybe taking away some from Stewie, who for the last 2 plus years has learned to take the punches and score thru them. Never say never--or never say none. Dogmatic words tend to melt in real life. Life, death taxes the only truths that are constant.

Hey Broadway - - I'll take that bet. None of the freshman will start 25 games this year. The freshman have to get past Butler, Gabby, and Chong first. Then Lou and Collier will be competing against each other (with Boykin thrown in.) The Vegas casinos would give good odds that no freshman starts 25 games. Of course things happen and real life intrudes, but I like the odds (and I especially like Butler and Gabby.)

 

[Kibitzer]

Life, death taxes the only truths that are constant.

None of the freshman will start 25 games this year.The Vegas casinos would give good odds that no freshman starts 25 games. Of course things happen and real life intrudes, but I like the odds.

Problem with (1) death and (2) taxes is that these events don't occur in that sequence.

Philly, I'm the guy that went on record here and posted that Katie Lou would start 25+ games. Gentleman's bet - you're on. (And Napheesa may do it, too, but no bet.)

 

[PacoSwede]

... Never say never--or never say none. Dogmatic words tend to melt in real life. Life, death taxes the only truths that are constant.

Ummm, afraid not. Now that we've learned that corporations are people, the are many "people" who don't find taxes constant.

 

[triaddukefan]

Question for you----how many at duke played for Geno?? HMMMMMM??? except in the olympics.
It probably happens at Tenn I think Ace Clemments (?) was appreciated in the loss to Uconn in Philly. The key word used and for exactly this reason was ---MANY in my thread.

I think you misunderstood my response.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Hey Broadway - - I'll take that bet. None of the freshman will start 25 games this year. The freshman have to get past Butler, Gabby, and Chong first. Then Lou and Collier will be competing against each other (with Boykin thrown in.) The Vegas casinos would give good odds that no freshman starts 25 games. Of course things happen and real life intrudes, but I like the odds (and I especially like Butler and Gabby.)

I like your logic ... but I'm not betting against Kibitzer. I sure hope injury doesn't create opportunities this year!

 

[chrissaran]

Tell the taxes part to Willie Nelson and all the other cheats. Only death does not escape us. Breanna slumped because she wasn't playing well, a result of all the physical contact. It won't be quite the same for Katie Lou because she won't be playing down low nearly as much. If Katie Lou starts twenty-five games, who sits? Natalie, Gabby or Napheesa, my choices to fill the only open position. It's not happening. Katie Lou is neither strong enough nor defensively sound enough to start. What happened when UConn lost to Stanford? Saniya was replaced by Kia, who is a much better defender, and Kiah was replaced because she refused to shoot enough, which allowed the defense to play off her and double other players.