The Dolson Conundrum

[Buckaroobanzai]

Having read, with some dismay, the BY criticisms of SD and the occasionally wild predictions that she will become an upper class splinter sitter, I began to muse about what could have been and what strategy Geno had in mind when he recruited her. Did he envision that SD would spend much of her sophomore year playing with 4 guards? Or did he see her as playing as Ms. Inside to EDD's Ms. Everyplace else? And, even if my timing is off, one wonders about about how EDD's decision to leave Uconn may have had a ripple effect in the years when she was not here. In any event, my view is that SD will be as good as she can be. That should be enough for all of us.

 

[Olde Coach]

Having read, with some dismay, the BY criticisms of SD and the occasionally wild predictions that she will become an upper class splinter sitter, I began to muse about what could have been and what strategy Geno had in mind when he recruited her. Did he envision that SD would spend much of her sophomore year playing with 4 guards? Or did he see her as playing as Ms. Inside to EDD's Ms. Everyplace else? And, even if my timing is off, one wonders about about how EDD's decision to leave Uconn may have had a ripple effect in the years when she was not here. In any event, my view is that SD will be as good as she can be. That should be enough for all of us.

That's a wise perspective, Buckaroo.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[meyers7]

She'll be fine. This year is a little down, but she's also got 2 more years to excel.

 

[VAUConnFan]

It takes time. She came through last year. Maybe our expectations were not realistic.

 

[Bestiarius]

That should be enough for all of us.

It's enough for me. Stef's character is stellar and I'm pulling for her.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Nice post and I agree. I also dont entirely blame Dolson for her problems this season. I think the guards just aren't getting the ball inside in a timely fashion or with any kind of precision on the pass. Since we have been talking about this I find myself watching the passing into the post more and i notice the passing of the guards.

Go Stef!
We believe in you!!

 

[tomcat]

Agree with all above, but I think the absolutely worst thing that could have happened to her was (and yes, here I am going to criticize He Who Must Not Be Criticized) for her coach to suggest she was the second-best center in the country. Not becessarily because he was wrong, because based on her previous season, she might well have developed that way, but because of the pressure that a statement puts on a player who, despite her wonderful freshman year, was still just a kid.

 

[HuskyNan]

Cripes, Geno and CD can't win. Either they're being criticized for being too tough on kids and not giving them enough credit or they're being knocked for heaping too much praise and raising expectations.

 

[tomcat]

Well, Nan, that's what hindsight is all about. But I'd submit that there's a huge difference between giving a player a well-deserved pat on the back and raising everyone's expectations by (as the best coach in the country, bar none) opining that she will be the second-best center in the country this year, after only Griner, who is a phenomenon.

 

[JS]

I also dont entirely blame Dolson for her problems this season. I think the guards just aren't getting the ball inside in a timely fashion or with any kind of precision

Maybe it's not entirely their fault either. The passes are more difficult than they were last year because of the extra defensive attention being paid to Stef.

Here's where the absence of Maya is underestimated. Stef needs a genuine scoring threat at the 4 to free her up. She had it last year and doesn't now.

Maybe Kiah can grow into providing some of that -- needs to show a little more mid-range capability, which may be there -- though her main role is backup center.

Michala needs time and added strength. Heather obviously isn't adaptable to the needed role.

Next year, the void gets filled, big time, with BStew and Tuck. I think that pair will contribute right away, and as far as getting the ball inside, Stef and the guards will return to having some breathing room to operate.

 

[doggydaddy]

Well, Nan, that's what hindsight is all about. But I'd submit that there's a huge difference between giving a player a well-deserved pat on the back and raising everyone's expectations by (as the best coach in the country, bar none) opining that she will be the second-best center in the country this year, after only Griner, who is a phenomenon.

He said it once. ONCE. Message board fans have latched on to that and THEY were the ones holding her to that.

In fact, I'd like to see that quote. I wouldn't be surprised of the actual context of that statement was that she was the 2nd best at the end of last year and expected that to continue.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Whenever Dolson is discussed everyone looks to her offense and mentions that the guards aren't getting her the ball. While I don't think Dolson's offense is what it should/could be, for me an even bigger problem is on the defensive end of the court. With Moore gone Dolson's rebound numbers should be better than last year. They aren't.

 

[Icebear]

But Stef is still the #2 rebounder on the team lead only by Tiff who plays more minutes and creates space for others to rebound because she boxes out so well.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

As I said before, I will keep the Dolson Bandwagon warmed up and the horses fed...

 

[earl the pearl]

One thing we all seem to forget is how young this team is. Dolson will be a beast before its all over.

 

[vtcwbuff]

But Stef is still the #2 rebounder on the team lead only by Tiff who plays more minutes and creates space for others to rebound because she boxes out so well.

She's 6'5" and she is a not an aggressive rebounder. She is not the #2 rebounder on the team. She's #3. My point is that 6 rpg for a starting center is disappointing especially if the center isn't really lighting it up on offense.

Normalized for 40 minutes:
Dolson - 10.8 rpg
Stokes - 13.2 rpg
Buck - 14.8 rpg - a rebound machine!
Johnson - 10.0 rpg

She ranks 3rd among the same players as a shot blocker. The guards average 7-8 rpg.

 

[meyers7]

One thing we all seem to forget is how young this team is. Dolson will be a beast before its all over.

Well since we got a honey badger and a wolverine and a team of huskies, she'll fit right in.

 

[UcMiami]

I also remember what a disappointment Tina was!!! God she was awful her sophmore season, and half way through her Junior year it was only getting worse! Geno just has such a crap record with post players.
I think Stef has had the hardest time adjusting to life without Maya - she isn't getting the service she used to, defenses are focused more on her, and the team as a whole has struggled at times with offensive sets.
The sky is not falling, Stef will continue to improve, and whatever the future holds for her, splinters are not part of it.

 

[HuskyNan]

Brittany Griner used to get criticism for her lack of rebounding, too, IIRC.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I also remember what a disappointment Tina was!!! God she was awful her sophmore season, and half way through her Junior year it was only getting worse! Geno just has such a crap record with post players.
I think Stef has had the hardest time adjusting to life without Maya - she isn't getting the service she used to, defenses are focused more on her, and the team as a whole has struggled at times with offensive sets.
The sky is not falling, Stef will continue to improve, and whatever the future holds for her, splinters are not part of it.

"I also remember what a disappointment Tina was!!! " I recall at least one Boneyarder who was relentless in his criticism of her play all the way through the middle of her junior year. Now she will be an Olympian....

 

[vtcwbuff]

I also remember what a disappointment Tina was!!! God she was awful her sophmore season, and half way through her Junior year it was only getting worse! Geno just has such a crap record with post players.
I think Stef has had the hardest time adjusting to life without Maya - she isn't getting the service she used to, defenses are focused more on her, and the team as a whole has struggled at times with offensive sets.
The sky is not falling, Stef will continue to improve, and whatever the future holds for her, splinters are not part of it.

"God she was awful . . . "??? Sorry UC but you could not be more wrong. Tina Charles was awesome for all 4 years at UConn. She just didn't play to Auriemma's expectations until her junior year. She was also injured for part of that time.
Something to ruminate on -
All time most rebounds by a freshman - Tina Charles 296
All time most rebounds by a sophomore - Tina Charles 351!!!

 

[meyers7]

But Stef is still the #2 rebounder on the team lead only by Tiff who plays more minutes and creates space for others to rebound because she boxes out so well.

According to the UCONN site including the Pitt game
Dolson 6.0
Hayes 5.6
Faris 5.2
Lewis 5.2
Stokes 4.7

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

UcMiami was being ironic, as I read it.

 

[meyers7]

She was also injured for part of that time.

Yep after she got her shoulder fixed, she really started improving towards her potential

 

[Rayvin56]

"God she was awful . . . "??? Sorry UC but you could not be more wrong. Tina Charles was awesome for all 4 years at UConn. She just didn't play to Auriemma's expectations until her junior year. She was also injured for part of that time.
Something to ruminate on -
All time most rebounds by a freshman - Tina Charles 296
All time most rebounds by a sophomore - Tina Charles 351!!!