That's It, No More, I'm Done!

[donalddoowop]

A Personal Opinion- I have been reading many complaints about the team and Geno from posters who are evidently experts in coaching high level women's basketball. So, I will no longer allow myself to be stressed out cheering for a team that has a coach who does not know what he is doing. This coach has accomplished very little. Here are some of the things he has accomplished:

He is in the basketball Hall of Fame
Has coached for 40 years (he certainly could not have learned much in 40 years
Has coached his teams to more wins than any coach in the history of basketball, women or men
Has had only one losing season
Has had six undefeated seasons
His teams one time won 111 consecutive games
At one time coached his teams to 14 consecutive Final Fours
Coached the US Women's Basketball teams to two Olympic gold medals
Has had 27 All Americans, 5 number one WNBA picks and 45 of his players played in the WNBA
Ten of his players played in the Olympics
He yells at his players, yet most all say they love him
He has the nerve to not only play freshmen but, also start them
Yet, with all those accomplishments, some people still complain and say he should quit
How could this coach possibly know what he is doing?

One other thing unrelated to the coach. The team has a Message Board that has four moderators who have the audacity to have guidelines and rules that limit the subjects that can be discussed. They allow posters from other teams to post on there and discuss things happening with their team. Who does that? The people who post on the message board are the real coaches. Some know more than the actual coach, or so they think. Why should I continue to cheer for a team with a coach like that? So, I say, that's it, no more, I'm done.

 

[cancontent]

The only thing missing from this post.

 

[Next 12]

Congratulation, right on point. I agree with you 1000%. I have been on the Boneyard posting for 2 years, but I have been on the BY since 2013 I have made it a point to never criticize GENO or the team. I believe as a fan, I should believe in them and root for them, no matter what. When I read some of the posts it's like where is that coming from.I have been around for a long time and I have discovered there is more joy in believing something is POSSIBLE than nit picking about Games, Players and Coaches. That's my take. GO FRESHMEN!!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!

 

[Bigboote]

He has the nerve to not only play freshmen but, also start them

But but but . . . He also has the nerve to NOT play freshmen. Wassup with that?

 

[LwrcasefaN]

All this angst because they lost by 2 points to another good team. We're just spoiled. No one wants to lose, but it happens like breathing.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Some people think the easiest way to paint yourself as an expert is to criticize a real expert.
That's why I get so much flack

 

[Bone Dog]

I like my sarcasm a little thicker.

But no sarcasm is needed to make the point that criticizing Geno & Co is absurd. This is the realest coaching crew ever, in my view. Wait, did I say “realest”? I must have meant to say gooderest. No, even better than that.

For me, the whole point of participating on the BY is to understand and appreciate the genius and generosity of Geno’s program.

 

[Huskee11]

Most of us on the Boneyard, myself included, are guilty of constantly overreacting to the most recent game, news, video. It goes in both directions, but the chorus is loudest when things look bleak. Nothing that came before matters. What have you done for me lately. It is not a new thing this year. A roller coaster of highs and lows.

Worse now because we have to sit and stew about it for over a week until the next game.

I predict that UConn will string together a bunch of 40+ point wins, Azzi will return to form, and Aubrey will come back at least by mid-January and show herself to be the difference maker we will expect her to be. That plus a convincing road win against Tennessee will make the current angst a distant memory.

We will be praising Geno for playing the long game and focusing on March. The consensus will then be that the lessons learned by coaches and players on December 21 are paying off, and that our missing pieces have changed the narrative and expectations.

 

[Centerstream]

The only thing missing from this post.

Agree 100% with you and with @donalddoowop
One thing I would like to add: I am just amazed at the number of unfamiliar, at least to me, usernames that popup after we play other Top 15 teams and, g*d forbid, we lose, that want to criticize Geno and/or our players. I have heard rumors that many, if not most, are just drive by posts from a bunch of MBB fans or diehard fans of other teams. There's nothing wrong with them posting, but I personally try to take their opinions with a grain of salt.

 

[victor64]

He has a Big East schedule to get Jana and Ice where they need to be. I personally prefer that Sarah not play the 5. In any event, I like the odds that the staff have the post position figured out by tourney play.

 

[Bone Dog]

I predict that UConn will string together a bunch of 40+ point wins, Azzi will return to form, and Aubrey will come back at least by mid-January and show herself to be the difference maker we will expect her to be.

From your lips to God’s ear.

 

[cancontent]

Agree 100% with you and with @donalddoowop
One thing I would like to add: I am just amazed at the number of unfamiliar, at least to me, usernames that popup after we play other Top 15 teams and, g*d forbid, we lose, that want to criticize Geno and/or our players. I have heard rumors that many, if not most, are just drive by posts from a bunch of MBB fans or diehard fans of other teams. There's nothing wrong with them posting, but I personally try to take their opinions with a grain of salt.

Very possible. This type of chirping, as I call it, is typical of any sports fanbase that's used to sustained success in my opinion.

In UConn's case, casual fans can't accept that parity is a thing in NCAAW nowadays because they've been used to seeing the women's program dominate. They're looking for someone to blame, so why not the head of the snake and blame Coach Auriemma?

 

[MSGRET]

People are screaming that the sky is falling because UConn has lost 2 games to 2 Top 10 teams in their first 12 games of the season, some have even written off them winning #12. In the history of the Women's NCAA National Championship there have been 15 teams that won it all with 3 or more losses during the regular season/conference tournament.

UConn has done it twice losing 4 regular season/conference tournament games.

In the 2003-04 season they went 31-4, losing to Duke 67-66, @Notre Dame 66-51, @Villanova 59-56 and in the Big East Tournament to Boston College 73-70. In 2012-13 season they went 35-4, Losing to Notre Dame 3 times, 73-72, @ND 96-87 3OT, Big East Tournament 61-59 and to Baylor 76-70.

Here is a list of the other teams that lost 3 or more regular season/conference tournament games.

1984-USC 29-4
1985-Old Dominion 31-4
1987-Tennessee 28-6
1991-Tennessee 30-5
1992-Stanford 30-3
1993-Texas Tech 31-3
1996-Tennessee 32-4
1997-Tennessee 29-10
2005-Baylor 33-3
2006-Maryland 34-4
2011-Texas A&M 33-5
2017-South Carolina 33-4
2018-Notre Dame 34-3

There were also an additional 8 teams that lost 2 games before winning it all, in the 42 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championships 23 of them had 2 or more losses. As long as Geno gets into the NCAA Tournament, all he has to do is win 6 games in a row and he has #12.

 

[maxw]

Coaches and players make mistakes, nobody is perfect.

There’s nothing wrong in offering a critique of the coach, and to some extent (very little, most of them are teenagers or just past) the college players. It’s part of being a fan, obviously most here are diehard fans and we take it a little seriously.

It’s kinda like being a parent, you want your kids to do well but don’t sugarcoat everything.

 

[tomcat]

On the other hand....because there is another hand.... if all the people on this board would do is reflexively praise Geno and CD and the team's stars, there won't be much to talk about. Seems to me that most of the folks -- and by that I mean recognizable BY names -- who have something critical to say are observing that one part of the team's game or another just doesn't measure up to the new standard of WCBB parity in which UConn is competing.

Sure, we were used to a world in which there was UConn and maybe two other top teams. Now there are maybe 8 or 9 of them. And it's not just that the other guys are a lot better than they used to be. It's that UConn is, by comparison, not as good. And if the other guys get better players, the best coaches in the game (that'd be Geno, CD and team) can't do much about it.

It would be good to remember than "dog bites man" is not news. "Man bites dog" is. And right now, a UConn loss qualifies as "man bites dog," so people are gonna talk, and offer opinions, and yes, complain.

Over the years, there have been so relatively few losses that the Boneyard has maybe not had to confront this, but isn't this what this Board is for? We can talk about what's wonderful about the team -- and there's plenty of that to go around. But when something negative happens, isn't this the place where we want to go to air our feelings?

 

[boontonbomber]

Coaches and players make mistakes, nobody is perfect.

There’s nothing wrong in offering a critique of the coach, and to some extent (very little, most of them are teenagers or just past) the college players. It’s part of being a fan, obviously most here are diehard fans and we take it a little seriously.

It’s kinda like being a parent, you want your kids to do well but don’t sugarcoat everything.

Yes, I thought a fan board is for the purpose of expressing opinions,etc. If that's not the case, then I guess I better hurry out and get my cheerleader skirt.

 

[maple]

Coaches and players make mistakes, nobody is perfect.

There’s nothing wrong in offering a critique of the coach, and to some extent (very little, most of them are teenagers or just past) the college players. It’s part of being a fan, obviously most here are diehard fans and we take it a little seriously.

It’s kinda like being a parent, you want your kids to do well but don’t sugarcoat everything.

Exactly. I don’t think it’s wrong to criticize some things or question decisions.

Geno and CD have forgotten more about basketball than I — or most — will ever know. And of course they know the current team better than any of us.

That doesn’t mean that they’re above any critique at all, ever. And I’m sure they’d be the first to say it, same with probably all of the other coaches and players too. There’s nothing wrong with feeling frustrated after a loss and questioning this decision or that.

No need to be Pollyanna, especially when there are clearly things that need to be fixed. Reasonable critique and discussion should happen; definitely after a loss where we did not look good at all in the first half. If not, then what’s the point?

But obviously if anyone thinks Geno and CD should be shown the door after a 2pt loss (when the team battled back from 18pts down!) is either trolling or clueless. Not that I think any reasonable people here were saying that, but. We get some “fun” peanut gallery comments after every loss — although that is not unique to the WBB board, to be honest.

 

[ERWUC65]

He has a Big East schedule to get Jana and Ice where they need to be. I personally prefer that Sarah not play the 5. In any event, I like the odds that the staff have the post position figured out by tourney play.

Amen to all that. Where Jana and Ice are by March is anyone's guess, certainly better, probably good enough for first 2 rounds in NCAA, even if we are a #2 seed. The 4 guard Sarah at the 5 will continue to develop with Morgan, Azzi/Ash, Kaitlyn/KK, and Paige. I can't consciously include Aubrey until we see where she is after her return.

 

[Zarathustra]

Exactly. I don’t think it’s wrong to criticize some things or question decisions.

Geno and CD have forgotten more about basketball than I — or most — will ever know. And of course they know the current team better than any of us.

That doesn’t mean that they’re above any critique at all, ever. And I’m sure they’d be the first to say it, same with probably all of the other coaches and players too. There’s nothing wrong with feeling frustrated after a loss and questioning this decision or that.

No need to be Pollyanna, especially when there are clearly things that need to be fixed. Reasonable critique and discussion should happen; definitely after a loss where we did not look good at all in the first half. If not, then what’s the point?

But obviously if anyone thinks Geno and CD should be shown the door after a 2pt loss (when the team battled back from 18pts down!) is either trolling or clueless. Not that I think any reasonable people here were saying that, but. We get some “fun” peanut gallery comments after every loss — although that is not unique to the WBB board, to be honest.

After a lose it takes me
at least 24 hours to settle down. I then listen to the post game
pressers and attempt to "internalize" Geno's " take" on the
process of basketball team building and how to both support
and motivate his team. I also appreciate the post-game pressers
of the players: Mostly Paige for her clear, empathic, overview of
her role and that of her teammates. After the N.D. loss, Paige
was very grounded and appropriately reflective. She also
paid SARAH (sitting next to her) in my mind the ultimate Huskie
complement: "(Sarah) is a TEAM player" (NICE!!). Sarah also
made an ultimate Huskie comment: " It hurts to lose" and
" I'm upset right now". You could "feel" the Huskie connection
between the battle hardened "senior" citizen and the "freshman"
Huskie "pup". GO HUSKIES... !!!

 

[Superhuskies]

season's over ???........ Ice and Jana on bench entire 4th quarter vs USC- played combined 19 of potential 80 minutes.....??
UC has no big players ??... Now come 20 useless Big East games or "practices," against a previously already weak league, made much weaker by All Big East 1st Teamers Olsen and Liza Karlen leaving...... Then a game in the middle in Columbia SC-- Good Luck !! undefeated defending 2024 champs whole team back except a tall Brazilian, but adding a #2 HS ranked monster, 6'2 Edwards............. oh, well,...... maybe Paige'll come back,......

 

[Dogstar]

Coaches and players make mistakes, nobody is perfect.

There’s nothing wrong in offering a critique of the coach, and to some extent (very little, most of them are teenagers or just past) the college players. It’s part of being a fan, obviously most here are diehard fans and we take it a little seriously.

It’s kinda like being a parent, you want your kids to do well but don’t sugarcoat everything.

Very true..To me I think tht there's a thin line between criticizing the coaching or players and questioning the coaches or player players.

 

[Skeets]

From your lips fingertips to God’s ear.

Fixed it for you Mr. Dog

 

[Zonepress]

This is a forum for opinions!
Some seem I’ll informed but I found a lot of what I read recently to be factually based
When the coach in a press conference says
That the offense in the first half was the worse
He’s seen in years (coming on poor offensive
Game against ND)
questioning. Why that’s happening would seem
Reasonable for both the press the fans and the
Coach

 

[cohenzone]

It’s a fan board. Fans are by definition going to be off the wall on occasion - luckily being afraid of heights. I am never on the wall. Geno can be questioned, told he is out of touch, hasn’t got out of the next to last day of the season in a few years so he is clueless, and I’d bet he still sleeps at night. I think some of the criticism is hilarious. As is the criticism of the criticizers. Happy Holidays all and Go Huskies. .

 

[Zarathustra]

season's over ???........ Ice and Jana on bench entire 4th quarter vs USC- played combined 19 of potential 80 minutes.....??
UC has no big players ??... Now come 20 useless Big East games or "practices," against a previously already weak league, made much weaker by All Big East 1st Teamers Olsen and Liza Karlen leaving...... Then a game in the middle in Columbia SC-- Good Luck !! undefeated defending 2024 champs whole team back except a tall Brazilian, but adding a #2 HS ranked monster, 6'2 Edwards............. oh, well,...... maybe Paige'll come back,......

Not to mention the earlier move of DePaul's A. Morrow to LSU over
a year ago now. A big loss to H.C. Doug B.