The coming out party of Stewart.

[doggydaddy]

It was reported on the radio post game report that Geno had a lot to say to the team about their play. Calling some players out, one might say.

Stewart was certainly a target of his comments. In an uninspried 9 minutes of first half play, she had 1 rebound and 1 turnover.

I remember the last time Geno took her out of the game in the first half, he stared at her all the way to the bench and when she sat down, he stood in front of her arms folded and just shook his head back and forth.

Stewart responded in the 2nd half with 13 minutes, 13 points on 5-7 shooting, 1-1 on 3's, 2-2 on FTs, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks.

Most importantly, she was physical in her defense of Williams when Dolson was out and didn't let the physicality of the game effect her offense.

If this is effort and style of play that UConn will get from Stewart it will go a long way in UConn's success this season.

 

[semper]

I like it; I like it.

 

[Alydar]

Has she been deferring to the upperclassmen? It seemed that when both Dolson and Stokes were on the bench she started calling for the ball and generally got involved on both ends. It's still only the halftime of the season. Too early to make awards or judgements.

 

[Bestiarius]

All she needs is to fear Geno more than the opposition. Geno will accomplish this.

 

[UConnCat]

Geno said in his post-game press conf that he was very direct and very specific with what he wanted from Stewart. He told her to score when she got the ball on offense and to block shots on defense. She did it.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Stewie responded. Maybe Geno needed to simplify the message, but she was very good in the second half. Last game, she put up something like 10 points in 4 minutes late in the game. When she gets into the flow, she makes the game look easy. Duke had no one on their bench to match up with her. (Understatement)

 

[msf22b]

Geno shaking his head was seen live, in close-up, for the nation's viewing audience.

 

[Kibitzer]

Perhaps Geno had Breanna read the first half game thread on the Boneyard, with special emphasis on those posts pointing out how that Jones girl was outplaying her.

 

[arty155]

Perhaps Geno had Breanna read the first half game thread on the Boneyard, with special emphasis on those posts pointing out how that Jones girl was outplaying her.

LOL,Kib! They only consider printing off our threads when they need to paper the mascot’s cage.

 

[UcMiami]

I do think she is a little 'deferential' in the way she plays games. Deferrong to teammates and not being very aggressive early in games. I think there was an all star game last year or maybe one of the USA trial games where her team was being blown out through three quarters and she had done basically nothing - then she went off and pretty much single handedly brought the team back for a win.

 

[cferraro04]

The whole thread is deservedly about Faris's extremely inspirational game...Geno gave her some of the highest words of praise I have ever heard him give one of his players...so, obviously Kelly deserves the recognition and praise she is getting for this game. The secondary story here is Breanna Stewarts response to Geno's challenge issued to her at half time...whatever specifically he said he needs to bottle it because it worked. Now...lost in all of this is the outstanding game that KML put in...21 points, 4/8 from 3 point; 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

 

[freekimchee]

KML - the quietest 21 points I've ever seen. I really really love watching that kid play.

 

[Icebear]

Didn't know KML even took a shot after her first basket. ;-)

 

[Wbbfan1]

IMHO Stewart needs to play a number 8-10 minutes before she starts to feel comfortable with the flow of the game before she is able to significantly contribute. I haven't gone back to look at game stats, but I suspect that most of Breanna's points & rebounds have happened in the 2nd half.

 

[semper]

KML - the quietest 21 points I've ever seen. I really really love watching that kid play.

KLM is my favorite Husky this year...she is so so solid. What a great kid!

 

[Icebear]

KLM is my favorite Husky this year...she is so so solid. What a great kid!

Just like the airline her career is taking off.

 

[jplotinus]

Geno shaking his head was seen live, in close-up, for the nation's viewing audience.

You get a 2nd on that.

And, it worked. I'm thinking Stewie has now come of age.

 

[meyers7]

I do think she is a little 'deferential' in the way she plays games. Deferrong to teammates and not being very aggressive early in games. I think there was an all star game last year or maybe one of the USA trial games where her team was being blown out through three quarters and she had done basically nothing - then she went off and pretty much single handedly brought the team back for a win.

IIRC you might be thinking of the McD's AA game. She scored something like 8-10 straight points for her team late in the game to win it for them.

IMHO Stewart needs to play a number 8-10 minutes before she starts to feel comfortable with the flow of the game before she is able to significantly contribute. I haven't gone back to look at game stats, but I suspect that most of Breanna's points & rebounds have happened in the 2nd half

I was noticing the same thing. Breanna "2nd half" Stewart we'll have to call her.

 

[Bestiarius]

Just like the airline her career is taking off.

KLM, MLK, KML, All high flyers.

 

[UcMiami]

KML also had great words of praise for Kelly per Rich's blog:

As much praise as Auriemma had for Faris, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis delivered her share too.​

“That’s her in every practice,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “She’s in every single play. She makes sure she’s on the ball, she’s tipping it or she’s the reason we got the steal. Kelly’s involved in everything that we do on the court. To be able to see her get the praise and do so well in a big game for us and show that she can be our leader and she is our leader, I’m so happy for her.​

“It kind of lets everybody know that Kelly is willing to give us everything that she has. It doesn’t matter what she has to sacrifice, she’s going to do it for us. So it’s time for everybody to pay it back for her. It’s time for everybody to sacrifice as much as she does. If she’s willing to do that for us, we have to be willing to do the same.​

“I personally think Kelly should be an All-American, considered the best defender in the country. When you work that hard, I don’t understand how you don’t get put in those categories. Now that she’s actually becoming an offensive player, I think she’s putting herself in that much greater a position and she’s helping our team that much more.’’​

 

[MilfordHusky]

Kaleena is astute, seriously. She has always had a wisdom beyond her years. (She's barely 19.)

She will also be the first "hyphen" on the wall. And a 3X All-American, following Sveta and Maya.

 

[Kibitzer]

Kaleena is astute, seriously. She has always had a wisdom beyond her years. (She's barely 19.)

She will also be the first "hyphen" on the wall. And a 3X All-American, following Sveta and Maya.

I think you forgot the most unforgettable 3x All-American. Another kid from California.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think you forgot the most unforgettable 3x All-American. Another kid from California.

Did Dee make 1st team as a soph?

 

[UcMiami]

And wasn't Maya a 4 timer?

 

[Icebear]

And wasn't Maya a 4 timer?

Yes.