Tennessee: and, the numbers don't lie

[Big Mick]

Great comeback, while shooting very poorly. Griffin will get serious minutes off the bench from now on; what an athlete and what a lift she gave the team. I expect to still see Irwin for the first 3 or 4 minutes in games as it lets the team settle down.

 

[ABCDFE]

View attachment 50184

Great comeback, while shooting very poorly. Griffin will get serious minutes off the bench from now on; what an athlete and what a lift she gave the team. I expect to still see Irwin for the first 3 or 4 minutes in games as it lets the team settle down.

Why settle down when you can explode out of the gate??

 

[DefenseBB]

Why settle down when you can explode out of the gate??

What are you doing?...Poor Mick was completely accosted by the BY faithful after posting this observation a couple of games ago! Don’t take the bait @Big Mick go easy there big fellow...stay the course.

 

[Monte]

It bothers me; Geno did not see what Griffin could do after months of practice??

 

[j66kicker]

Geno said at halftime he told CD that they’ve gotta get Aubrey ready for the tournament, they’re going to need her then. Expect a lot more minutes from here on out...

 

[Dokey]

It bothers me; Geno did not see what Griffin could do after months of practice??

Or it takes months of practice for a freshman to be ready to play. She was wonderful and Geno knew exactly how and when to use her. What is irresponsible is to throw a young player into a game too soon and destroy their confidence. And Aubrey is still learning. I think Geno knows exactly what he has in Aubrey. She came out for the last few minutes because the game was at a point where a different style of play was required. I mean the man has coached over a 1000 wins and developed dozens of great players. There’s a chance he knows what he’s doing.

 

[uconnfan68]

Or it takes months of practice for a freshman to be ready to play. She was wonderful and Geno knew exactly how and when to use her. What is irresponsible is to throw a young player into a game too soon and destroy their confidence. And Aubrey is still learning. I think Geno knows exactly what he has in Aubrey. She came out for the last few minutes because the game was at a point where a different style of play was required. I mean the man has coached over a 1000 wins and developed dozens of great players. There’s a chance he knows what he’s doing.

Even when I think he’s (Geno) made a mistake I don’t say it out loud.

 

[Twolf]

It bothers me; Geno did not see what Griffin could do after months of practice??

Just guessing the staff knew from the first week of practice what AG could do, as well as what she wasn’t capable of doing at this early stage of her career. A lot of posters have stated that the other team only had to guard 4 players with our starting lineup, and with AG in the lineup they still have to only guard 4, at least outside the lane area. In no way does this diminish what AG brought to the game- energy, enthusiasm, athleticism, and a relentless rebounder. The Lady Vols left her defender in the lane, baiting her to fire from the perimeter. The 2 reasons, at least in my opinion, that caused that strategy to blow up in their face was that when she set screens they couldn’t hedge, help, or switch, and when the shot went up she got a running start to the boards with no one near to get a body into her. Trying to block out a player with AG’s athleticism and motor who has a head of steam built up is nearly impossible, and she came from a long ways out on the floor to get several boards. As her game develops, if she adds a solid perimeter threat to her offensive arsenal, she will be an almost impossible matchup. JMO

 

[JoePgh]

As an example of what happens when a very athletically gifted player gets too many minutes before she knows what she is doing at the college level, please see "Horston, Jordan". Tonight, she had 4 points and 6 turnovers (but to her credit she did have 5 rebounds and 4 assists). The comments on VolNation included the observation that she has (as I recall) 81 turnovers in 18 games (that's just her individually, not the team).

If Aubrey had gone to Tennessee, that could have been her. If Jordan had come to UConn, she probably would have had a much more productive game with many fewer minutes than she actually had. At the beginning of the season, Kyla probably would have played ahead of Horston, just as she actually did play ahead of Aubrey.

But Big Mick would have been telling us that Horston should have been getting 30 minutes a game, so she could commit 80+ turnovers by the middle of the season.

 

[Jingo]

Geno said at halftime he told CD that they’ve gotta get Aubrey ready for the tournament, they’re going to need her then. Expect a lot more minutes from here on out...

Aubrey needs the pull-up jumper which she had in high school..

 

[Boreifs]

Just guessing the staff knew from the first week of practice what AG could do, as well as what she wasn’t capable of doing at this early stage of her career. A lot of posters have stated that the other team only had to guard 4 players with our starting lineup, and with AG in the lineup they still have to only guard 4, at least outside the lane area. In no way does this diminish what AG brought to the game- energy, enthusiasm, athleticism, and a relentless rebounder. The Lady Vols left her defender in the lane, baiting her to fire from the perimeter. The 2 reasons, at least in my opinion, that caused that strategy to blow up in their face was that when she set screens they couldn’t hedge, help, or switch, and when the shot went up she got a running start to the boards with no one near to get a body into her. Trying to block out a player with AG’s athleticism and motor who has a head of steam built up is nearly impossible, and she came from a long ways out on the floor to get several boards. As her game develops, if she adds a solid perimeter threat to her offensive arsenal, she will be an almost impossible matchup. JMO

Aubrey doesn’t deserve that 4 on 5 crap. Gabby couldn’t shoot from the outside either. NO ONE ever suggested that UConn was playing 4 on 5 when she was on the floor.

 

[Twolf]

Aubrey doesn’t deserve that 4 on 5 crap. Gabby couldn’t shoot from the outside either. NO ONE ever suggested that UConn was playing 4 on 5 when she was on the floor.

I didn’t post that it was 4 on 5, I posted that Tennessee only guarded 4 outside the lane area, which really didn’t change much whether it was AG or ONO in the lineup. Maybe you saw the defensive game plan the Lady Vols employed differently, which is fine, but if you are implying that my post was in any way putting “crap” on AG’s performance, you are mistaken. I meant it to be very complimentary, and only posted what I saw from a BB standpoint. Teams were forced to guard Gabby as her perimeter game progressed, and I’m guessing the same will happen with AG, since it’s obvious she wants to play and improve.

 

[phil sampieri]

Aubrey doesn’t deserve that 4 on 5 crap. Gabby couldn’t shoot from the outside either. NO ONE ever suggested that UConn was playing 4 on 5 when she was on the floor.

Gabby did have a consistent elbow jumper around the foul line though

 

[Bama fan]

Aubrey doesn’t deserve that 4 on 5 crap. Gabby couldn’t shoot from the outside either. NO ONE ever suggested that UConn was playing 4 on 5 when she was on the floor.

I do not know for sure what other posters said about Aubrey and "that 4 on 5 crap". But I suspect that at least some of that argument could have centered around her play in some games. She is a remarkable athlete and an enthusiastic player. In games like last night, against teams that are also athletic and play an uptempo style of ball, Aubrey thrives. She is quick and fast and can interrupt the flow of an opponents fast offense. She gives us fast break opportunities when poor passing , undisciplined offenses try to "run" UConn to death. But in games where half court offense is the best approach it is not her lack of shooting prowess that matters most. It is ,IMO, that she just does not yet know how to execute the offensive flow that Geno desires to have. I am not arguing against her, and I firmly believe that she will learn how to cut, and set picks, and create space. But if she has a weakness now, I feel that is it. Surely she will get better and better and earn her time on the floor. She was a wonderful player last night for sure.

 

[JSB60]

Even when I think he’s (Geno) made a mistake I don’t say it out loud.

I have no problem speaking up when I think Geno makes a mistake, but last night was brilliant coaching. They beat a ranked team by double digits on a night when their two best players shot 9-35, making great halftime adjustments. The two freshmen were tremendous, but my personal favorite performance was ONO, responding to spending time on the bench by coming in and being an absolute game changer on both ends. I'm often a glass half empty gut, but my glass is completely full on this one, because Megan and Crystal will make shots most nights.

 

[CL82]

Or it takes months of practice for a freshman to be ready to play. She was wonderful and Geno knew exactly how and when to use her. What is irresponsible is to throw a young player into a game too soon and destroy their confidence. And Aubrey is still learning. I think Geno knows exactly what he has in Aubrey. She came out for the last few minutes because the game was at a point where a different style of play was required. I mean the man has coached over a 1000 wins and developed dozens of great players. There’s a chance he knows what he’s doing.

He’s okay, I guess.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Speaking of Aubrey, Geno said, "What can she do? She can screen and rebound and they weren't guarding her. Which meant that when she set a screen there was no one to switch and we got open shots. So we told her, 'Set screens and go get rebounds.' And that is what she did."

Aubrey had a great game. She made play after play. But she is still limited in the ways you can use her. Last night was a perfect storm for Aubrey and she came through.

It would be unwise to think she is a prime time player right now. She will still have those 'deer in the headlights' moments. She isn't at the place where the coaches can trust her completely YET. From Geno's comment to CD, he thinks she can be ready for the tournaments in 5-6 weeks.

I think that the next few games we will see Geno stay with his current pattern; Kyla starts, Anna first off the bench. By March 1 a change will be complete; Anna starts, Aubrey is first of the bench, and Kyla will be used to give Liv and Meg a breather.

 

[npignatjr]

Aubrey doesn’t deserve that 4 on 5 crap. Gabby couldn’t shoot from the outside either. NO ONE ever suggested that UConn was playing 4 on 5 when she was on the floor.

When Gabby was a starter she developed a foul line jumper, had actually pretty good form, never got it out to the 3 point line, that would have opened the floor, more.

 

[cohenzone]

Just guessing the staff knew from the first week of practice what AG could do, as well as what she wasn’t capable of doing at this early stage of her career. A lot of posters have stated that the other team only had to guard 4 players with our starting lineup, and with AG in the lineup they still have to only guard 4, at least outside the lane area. In no way does this diminish what AG brought to the game- energy, enthusiasm, athleticism, and a relentless rebounder. The Lady Vols left her defender in the lane, baiting her to fire from the perimeter. The 2 reasons, at least in my opinion, that caused that strategy to blow up in their face was that when she set screens they couldn’t hedge, help, or switch, and when the shot went up she got a running start to the boards with no one near to get a body into her. Trying to block out a player with AG’s athleticism and motor who has a head of steam built up is nearly impossible, and she came from a long ways out on the floor to get several boards. As her game develops, if she adds a solid perimeter threat to her offensive arsenal, she will be an almost impossible matchup. JMO

Somehow our program managed with Kelly Faris, rarely a scoring threat. But she did play with loaded teams.

 

[Big Mick]

...... Big Mick would have been telling us that Horston should have been getting 30 minutes a game, so she could commit 80+ turnovers by the middle of the season.

And here I thought that you know your basketball.

Griffin should have been getting 25+ minutes a game all along.
Mind boggling to only see 5 minutes vs Memphis and 4 minutes vs UCF, in recent games.

It's a miracle that she was still able to come in last night vs Tennessee, set an example by totally lifting the team and winning the game for us. Totally unafraid and a major, major player.

...Aubrey doesn’t deserve that 4 on 5 crap..

@Jordy - no one was saying it was 4 on 5 when Aubrey was in the game. It was about Irwin and her non existent offensive game.

 

[Mlb0814]

It bothers me; Geno did not see what Griffin could do after months of practice??

I think he saw what she could do but wasn't seeing it consistently enough to give her more minutes. Practice is everything to Geno, we saw that last year with Olivia.

 

[meyers7]

When Gabby was a starter she developed a foul line jumper, had actually pretty good form, never got it out to the 3 point line, that would have opened the floor, more.

Somehow our program managed with Kelly Faris, rarely a scoring threat. But she did play with loaded teams.

You also have to remember about Faris and GWilliams that they helped, tremendously, the offense operate. Faris ended up with 545 assists which put her in the top 10 all time for UCONN. Williams had 190/191 assists her Jr/Sr years, leading the team. So while neither one were great shooters, the offense certainly didn't suffer with them on the floor.

 

[cohenzone]

You also have to remember about Faris and GWilliams that they helped, tremendously, the offense operate. Faris ended up with 545 assists which put her in the top 10 all time for UCONN. Williams had 190/191 assists her Jr/Sr years, leading the team. So while neither one were great shooters, the offense certainly didn't suffer with them on the floor.

Yes, but the point is the need to be guarded . It looks like AG can’t be totally ignored even if she never becomes an assist machine. Just move without the ball and she can score. She’s not a horrible foul shooter, so I’d guess (hope) she’s capable of making jumpers once she settles down.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Why settle down when you can explode out of the gate??

Because they can't.

 

[meyers7]

And here I thought that you know your basketball.

Griffin should have been getting 25+ minutes a game all along.
Mind boggling to only see 5 minutes vs Memphis and 4 minutes vs UCF, in recent games.

Not mind boggling if you know basketball and Griffin. Memphis/UCF games where very different from the Evil game. Griffin's skill set (at this point), athleticism, chaos, disruption, were perfect for the Evil game. The Memphis/UCF games needed players who could run a half court offense. Not her skill set, yet. I think she'll get there though. Just give her some more time. Running and jumping are different then thinking and precision execution.

 

[SVCBeercats]

It bothers me; Geno did not see what Griffin could do after months of practice??

I hope this is sarcasm. Short answer: he saw the potential but learning to fit into this offense takes time. Even now she is relegated to setting screens.

 

[Big Mick]

...Memphis/UCF games where very different from the Evil game....

You're not seriously suggesting that the outcome of the Memphis and UCF games were ever seriously in play.

In AAC games, UCONN (126 and 0) can blow these other teams out in the first quarter. Geno nurses the semblance of a contest along with who starts, combined with substitution patterns. And, that Baylor game should have been a win....down one point and about 5 minutes to go, Geno has Ododa and Griffin sitting next to him; meanwhile, we're playing 3 on 5 out on the floor. Seriously? come-on....

 

[CL82]

Speaking of Aubrey, Geno said, "What can she do? She can screen and rebound and they weren't guarding her. Which meant that when she set a screen there was no one to switch and we got open shots. So we told her, 'Set screens and go get rebounds.' And that is what she did."

Aubrey had a great game. She made play after play. But she is still limited in the ways you can use her. Last night was a perfect storm for Aubrey and she came through.

It would be unwise to think she is a prime time player right now. She will still have those 'deer in the headlights' moments. She isn't at the place where the coaches can trust her completely YET. From Geno's comment to CD, he thinks she can be ready for the tournaments in 5-6 weeks.

I think that the next few games we will see Geno stay with his current pattern; Kyla starts, Anna first off the bench. By March 1 a change will be complete; Anna starts, Aubrey is first of the bench, and Kyla will be used to give Liv and Meg a breather.

This is fair, but this was a big time game in which the team was down and Aubrey came in and made play after play after play on both ends of the court. It was a gut check moment and she passed the test with flying colors. Yeah, she a freshman and gonna freshman, but on this particular night she was awesome.

I'm never one to wish away the season, but I couldn't help but think about what she'll be like after a sophomore, jump. She's so physically gifted and is such a competitor. I have to think she's going to be (even more) special.

 

[DefenseBB]

You also have to remember about Faris and GWilliams that they helped, tremendously, the offense operate. Faris ended up with 545 assists which put her in the top 10 all time for UCONN. Williams had 190/191 assists her Jr/Sr years, leading the team. So while neither one were great shooters, the offense certainly didn't suffer with them on the floor.

One of the other items that Griffin is showing is the defensive disruption she brings to the floor that both Gabby and Kelly did as well. Aubrey was everywhere last night, deflecting passes, tying rebounds up initially garnered by TN and stealing passes. The energizer bunny aspect if you will. That alone more than offsets any offensive short-comings she currently has. Anna should be starting here at some point, with Aubrey the first option off the bench as @HuskeyinSC noted above (and is SPOT ON). Kyla can be serviceable on the defensive end to give ONO and Meg a spell as she has shown that in Baylor and last night when Liv had to sit out in the 1st half. Too bad Batouly is still limited...she could help this team.

 

[ctfjr]

It bothers me; Geno did not see what Griffin could do after months of practice??

Really, just really?