The Geno Show and Coach P

[RockyMTblue2]

In the Geno Showlast night Geno and Kerith Burke discussed the nonconference schedule and she brought up how whipping high ranking team in the NCS (non-conference schedule) could lead them to not want to play UConn. Geno acknowledged that there were programs that did not want to play UConn for that reason. He mentioned beating Duke 8 in a row. He said Doug Bruno had the right attitude, and he would say we will play UConn at every opportunity while acknowledging his team would never win. "Some coaches have a different attitude." So my take away is he sees Coach P as having had enough of that.

 

[CL82]

In the Geno Showlast night Geno and Kerith Burke discussed the nonconference schedule and she brought up how whipping high ranking team in the NCS (non-conference schedule) could lead them to not want to play UConn. Geno acknowledged that there were programs that did not want to play UConn for that reason. He mentioned beating Duke 8 in a row. He said Doug Bruno had the right attitude, and he would say we will play UConn at every opportunity while acknowledging his team would never win. "Some coaches have a different attitude." So my take away is he sees Coach P as having had enough of that.

I think that Kerith brought up Duke and Geno just deflected it back to Bruno, i.e. he'd rather praise Bruno, than criticize P. The best part was his response to the Tennessee game issue. He's done with it.

Now in Holly's interview that was on ESPN W she states that "Geno asked her to do some things that (she) wasn't comfortable with." I suspect that this is the recanting of the "Geno knows what he did" accusations. Barring that, Geno is done.

 

[JudgeSCR]

While it is on some level understandable why a Coach would not want to see their team beaten (bludgeoned) by UConn over and over again, I think that attitude is shortsighted. If you are an elite team you should want to play the best as a measuring stick. You can learn how your program, recruiting, coaching and team needs to get better to compete. You can coach your players through the awe. The elite teams with the most success against UConn (Notre Dame, Stanford) played UConn regularly. They also had great coaches. If you are only going to play UConn once a year in the tournament ... well, good luck to you!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I think that Kerith brought up Duke and Geno just deflected it back to Bruno, i.e. he'd rather praise Bruno, than criticize P. The best part was his response to the Tennessee game issue. He's done with it.

Now in Holly's interview that was on ESPN W she states that "Geno asked her to do some things that (she) wasn't comfortable with." I suspect that this is the recanting of the "Geno knows what he did" accusations. Barring that, Geno is done.

I think you are right, he did not want to call out Coach P, but he was clearly putting her in that "other coaches" camp, while hoping to get the game back sometime . Don't burn a bridge. Yeah, the Tennessee thing ... for sure no bridge there.

 

[terif831]

Geno said that Doug Bruno stated (paraphrasing): "We have never beaten UCONN. And if we stop playing them, we will never have the chance to beat them." He praised Bruno's attitude, while acknowledging that other coaches felt differently and they had the right to do so. I thought it was a great response.

 

[Bgillon]

Geno said that Doug Bruno stated (paraphrasing): "We have never beaten UCONN. And if we stop playing them, we will never have the chance to beat them." He praised Bruno's attitude, while acknowledging that other coaches felt differently and they had the right to do so. I thought it was a great response.

Well put. I don't believe he said Coach P. had a different philosophy.

 

[Tonyc]

UConn pretty much is at a level that no other team can come close to. UConn continues to get better and Genos ability to teach and tweak each and every player at UConns level is truly amazing. Its one thing to show a player what to do it another to show each individual player what to do, expect it to be done, and then drill them on it until they cant do it wrong...as a team. The entire UConn team is on the same page and there are no outside interferences. Many teams have great individual talented players who cant play as a team, are not on the same page, and never improve because theyre not taught, and there is no discipline to give them a reason to change.

Genos remarks during the half time tape last nite referring to recruiting players as well as their parents and if their parents were a hindrance he wouldnt recruit the kid, was spot on. You cant have distractions. You cant have parents telling the kid something different then what Geno is telling them. In order to get better you have to change or you'll continue to average. Geno is a coach who can get a player to the next level, but everyone, parents, coaches, and players all have to be on the same page. Once kids get to UConn parents need to stop coaching them. Theyre in Genos hands now.

Take a look at UCOnns roster today and tell me who isn't getting better. Some faster then others but you can see the improvement. That's special and that's why UConn as a team is do dam good.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Geno said that Doug Bruno stated (paraphrasing): "We have never beaten UCONN. And if we stop playing them, we will never have the chance to beat them." He praised Bruno's attitude, while acknowledging that other coaches felt differently and they had the right to do so. I thought it was a great response.

Flashback to Maya, the steal; Ketia, the drive.

 

[triaddukefan]

I think you are right, he did not want to call out Coach P, but he was clearly putting her in that "other coaches" camp, while hoping to get the game back sometime . Don't burn a bridge. Yeah, the Tennessee thing ... for sure no bridge there.

Just curious as to what does UCONN have to gain by having Duke back on the future schedule ? After seeing the past 7-8 Duke/UCONN meetings, along with your beatdowns of SMU and Vanderbilt...... UCONN might as well schedule another Southern school with methodist roots.... the winning margins wouldnt be that much different


Wofford ?.... Bethune-Cookman might be available as well

 

[CL82]

Geno said that Doug Bruno stated (paraphrasing): "We have never beaten UCONN. And if we stop playing them, we will never have the chance to beat them." He praised Bruno's attitude, while acknowledging that other coaches felt differently and they had the right to do so. I thought it was a great response.

Loved this quote.

 

[Vowelguy]

I think that attitude is shortsighted. If you are an elite team you should want to play the best as a measuring stick. You can learn how your program, recruiting, coaching and team needs to get better to compete.

They've had 8 years to learn. I don't see what they gain from the game at this point, and think taking a break is probably the right move.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Flashback to Maya, the steal; Ketia, the drive.

Amen. With 10 seconds left, everyone thought Doug and his Blue Demons had a W.

Everyone except Maya.

 

[Biff]

Amen. With 10 seconds left, everyone thought Doug and his Blue Demons had a W.

Everyone except Maya.

Gotta remind everyone in case they forgot how close it was...

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Just curious as to what does UCONN have to gain by having Duke back on the future schedule ? After seeing the past 7-8 Duke/UCONN meetings, along with your beatdowns of SMU and Vanderbilt. UCONN might as well schedule another Southern school with methodist roots.... the winning margins wouldnt be that much different


Wofford ?.... Bethune-Cookman might be available as well

Hey, I know you guys have had more than a few kicks in the gut lately, but next year should hopefully give you a lot of things to work with. What Coach P does with them may still be your burden I know.

 

[Bestiarius]

I think you are right, he did not want to call out Coach P, but he was clearly putting her in that "other coaches" camp, while hoping to get the game back sometime . Don't burn a bridge. Yeah, the Tennessee thing ... for sure no bridge there.

I think it's somewhat unfair to be overly critical of a team that doesn't want to risk losing to the UConn's of the world. Teams that take that risk end up losing more than just the game, as they get overly penalized for losing. It could unjustifiably cost them a spot at the big dance, even if they do much better than expected, even though they lose.

Teams should get some street cred for taking the risk unless their refusal to play is couched in reasons involving a false morality or some other dubious excuse.

 

[Striper69]

Teams that aspire to do well in the NCAA tournament should play teams like UCONN, ND etc. It's a reality check for them to see where they really stand and what they need to improve on. If I were Tenn or Duke you can bet I'd schedule UCONN every year.
You can't be afraid of or run away from failure.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I think it's somewhat unfair to be overly critical of a team that doesn't want to risk losing to the UConn's of the world. Teams that take that risk end up losing more than just the game, as they get overly penalized for losing. It could unjustifiably cost them a spot at the big dance, even if they do much better than expected, even though they lose.

Teams should get some street cred for taking the risk unless their refusal to play is couched in reasons involving a false morality or some other dubious excuse.

Understand, Best, I understand why she could chose to end the series and she said it was time for change and would consider renewing the series down the road. However, I hope she realizes that terminating the series does lead to the inference that she has conceded Geno's superiority as a coach and that UConn "raises a better crop", etc. This will not be lost on recruiting classes out there.

Course, she may accept that hit as a better fate than loosing year after year to not one, not two, but 3 Old Big East "escapees".

 

[rocky rococo]

Gotta remind everyone in case they forgot how close it was...

Biggest shot of Ketia's career?