"The Grind Does Not Stop" Pheesa and Megan

[msf22b]

Because of this, I give all of the freshmen a pass their first year

Presently, there are 11 players on UConn's roster. Geno needs at least 4 reserves from last season to step up this year and fill the shoes left by the departed seniors. ALL of the returning reserves need to make that leap THIS summer!!!. There is no room for a player on this 2018-2019 team that has not gotten "it" yet, and that Geno does not trust. When the referee tosses the ball up to begin that first exhibition game in early November, EVERYONE must be locked in, focused and ready to play.

The above, Completely unrealistic in my view...the juniors already have 2 years under their belt and only occasionally (very) influenced the outcome of any game.

The frosh, other than Meg, were the forgotten 4.

I just don't see how one can expect (that) much from them...goodness, we hardly remember their names.

 

[CocoHusky]

The above, Completely unrealistic in my view...the juniors already have 2 years under their belt and only occasionally (very) influenced the outcome of any game.

The frosh, other than Meg, were the forgotten 4.

I just don't see how one can expect (that) much from them...goodness, we hardly remember their names.

We had 3 other freshmen besides Megan not 4 and the names are Mikayla, Lexi and Andra. Andra transferred in case you had not heard.

 

[Carnac]

The above, Completely unrealistic in my view...the juniors already have 2 years under their belt and only occasionally (very) influenced the outcome of any game.

The frosh, other than Meg, were the forgotten 4.

I just don't see how one can expect (that) much from them...goodness, we hardly remember their names.

If my take is unrealistic, then UConn is in serious trouble. What then do YOU suggest? My take is the best that can happen for UConn in 2018-2019. You are suggesting the worst scenario that could happen. Those of us that follow the team are aware of the minimal contributions and influence the reserves made last year. I agree with your take on the forgotten 4. They all booked passage on "The Good Ship Lolly Pop" and stayed on board all year. Well, that ship has docked. Time for all of them to disembark, step up, strap up and lace 'em up.

IF the reserves don't ALL step up, how do YOU see the year playing out for UConn this coming season? Geno "shopped" for the groceries. He knew what he was getting when he offered them, and the type of players he could mold them into.

We had better hope the picture I painted comes to fruition. If YOUR thoughts and expectations come true, this will be one of the worst seasons/teams UConn has had in the last 20 years. The team cannot afford the reserves to reprise their efforts and ineffectiveness of last year. If the 6 players Geno played regularly could not get it done last year, how do you (or anyone else) expect the 3 returning starters to carry the team this year?

They lost a lot of talent to graduation this month, just under 50% of their scoring average. Nurse (13.5), Gabby (11.2) and Azura (14.7) adds up to 39.4 ppg UConn averaged 89.4 ppg. Which players are going to step up and fill that void? That's why I said at least 4 MUST step up to replace the ppg that were lost. IF the returning reserves can't/don't step up, then the freshmen will have to come in and play right away and learn as they go.

 

[JS]

Sorry for the not-so-happy talk, but every once in a while I think The Boneyard needs an injection of reality.

So do people who believe UConn "lost" SB, much less that Geno's public comments had anything to do with the parting of ways.

I agree that the effect of that parting on those specific other recruits is at least of some concern, at present, but that consideration didn't influence the staff in their recruiting strategy. They were aware of it.

 

[Charliebball]

So do people who believe UConn "lost" SB, much less that Geno's public comments had anything to do with the parting of ways.

I agree that the effect of that parting on those specific other recruits is at least of some concern, at present, but that consideration didn't influence the staff in their recruiting strategy. They were aware of it.

it's the strangest UConn recruiting story that I know of although I don't claim to be well versed on the "old days"...........who can really be certain about what actually happened? I certainly thought SB was offered....... I thought that was pretty much common knowledge on the BY after her visit............ this mystery poster who could have been anyone from an SB friend or relative to a UConn plant turned the entire episode into a bizarre recruiting dance.......as I've said before.........I would have continued to recruit SB not only for her own abilities but for her close relationship with two players who could virtually assure UConn's continued dominance.......

 

[msf22b]

If my take is unrealistic, then UConn is in serious trouble. What then do YOU suggest?

Katie Lou, Crystal and Pheesa are the acknowledged stars and one hopes Megan will join them...

Geno often plays 6 or 7 (even to his detriment) so we have to determine whom they'll be
-Batouly is a good bet for substantially increased activity if she's healthy...onc can always hope.

So, maybe that's a starting 5...maybe
You have 2 hugely talented freshman who may be able to produce straight away
and two sophomore guards, reputed to be talented but who knows
and two juniors I'm more or less writing off.

Seems like we're missing height/bulk...no one to match up with Notre Dame or Mississippi St especially if we have foul issues

My suggestion: Run and gun should be an aspect of our "O"... try to score a crapload of points. We'll need them. No one will fear our "D." especially inside.

 

[Eggman]

"Most?" I don't believe that's accurate.

Some said that. Most said some variation of:

1. You earn your playing time in practice.

and/or the more aggressive . . .​

2. He knows what he's doing. How many national championship teams have you coached?

How many since Stewie left? 0?

 

[Sifaka]

I believe most by ers said that he would have gotten more out of his freshmen if they got more game time. Also that the starters would not be so worn out by tournament time. Most probably still believe that.

Most=Paisan, Teef, Pmac

Go ahead. Believe it if you choose to. Believe in Thor, Chac Mol, or any of the thousands of Gods some folk choose to believe in. Just don't confuse belief with fact. Believe the earth is flat if that floats your boat.

 

[Kaizen]

I have confidence on Megan. Go Megan ~~~

 

[Sifaka]

How many since Stewie left? 0?

Geno & C0. didn't win any National Championships from 1985 to 1993. Guess he should have been fired for not measuring up to your standards then.
Then he didn't win any from 1995 to 1999. Clearly he'd hit the skids and should have been let go.
What happened from 2005-2008? No NCs. Poorly coached teams?
We only got as far as the FInal Four in 2011 and 2012. Intollerable!
Obviously, the man doesn't have any sort of respectable coaching skill.

 

[Shorty Dee]

I got joy, joy, joy down in my soul. I was so happy to see Napheesa take Megan under her wing. Megan had a trainer before coming to UConn, but maybe working out with Napheesa will build her confidence. I am looking forward to next season. I loved to see Napheesa and Megan raining 3's.

 

[oldude]

Geno & C0. didn't win any National Championships from 1985 to 1993. Guess he should have been fired for not measuring up to your standards then.
Then he didn't win any from 1995 to 1999. Clearly he'd hit the skids and should have been let go.
What happened from 2005-2008? No NCs. Poorly coached teams?
We only got as far as the FInal Four in 2011 and 2012. Intollerable!
Obviously, the man doesn't have any sort of respectable coaching skill.

SARCASM is the body’s defense against STUPID.

Well stated!

 

[Charliebball]

Most=Paisan, Teef, Pmac

Go ahead. Believe it if you choose to. Believe in Thor, Chac Mol, or any of the thousands of Gods some folk choose to believe in. Just don't confuse belief with fact. Believe the earth is flat if that floats your boat.

I find it remarkable that Geno loyalists can't admit that he is somewhat responsible for not developing his bench last year and that the inability to bring in players off that bench was one of the reasons for the team's loss against ND..............Geno was quoted as saying that looking back it was his mistake not to substitute for KLS in that game...........why is it so necessary to denigrate other's opinions when the coach admits the error?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Good place to drop Christyn Williams' workout which seems to be of the Mad Max variety.

 

[CocoHusky]

I find it remarkable that Geno loyalists can't admit that he is somewhat responsible for not developing his bench last year and that the inability to bring in players off that bench was one of the reasons for the team's loss against ND....Geno was quoted as saying that looking back it was his mistake not to substitute for KLS in that game......why is it so necessary to denigrate other's opinions when the coach admits the error?

Because you are presenting your opinion as fact and not considering the obvious: A substitute for KLS it that game would have been Azura Stevens not Megan Walker!

 

[Charliebball]

Because you are presenting your opinion as fact and not considering the obvious: A substitute for KLS it that game would have been Azura Stevens not Megan Walker!

Stevens was the only sub in and she came in for others.............Dangerfield only played 30 minutes.............Nurse, Williams and KLS all playing with four fouls, 45, 38 and 45 minutes respectively...........but you must be right all those minutes, all those fouls and not one of them needed a rest...............not one blanking minute for Megan Walker who you all assume will be roaring to go early and often next season.............that's really something.........

 

[Kaizen]

How many since Stewie left? 0?

To win a NC is great and should be celebrated.
But if you expect Geno to win every NC, your life must be very miserable.

 

[CocoHusky]

speaking of which..where is Mikayla Coombs? Is she healthy enough to play next

Mikayla is probably at home chillin-she doesn't check in with me like that and I don't stalk her instagram like some other posters have been know to do-just sayin!
I hope she is healthy enough to play next year.

 

[oldude]

I find it remarkable that Geno loyalists can't admit that he is somewhat responsible for not developing his bench last year and that the inability to bring in players off that bench was one of the reasons for the team's loss against ND....Geno was quoted as saying that looking back it was his mistake not to substitute for KLS in that game......why is it so necessary to denigrate other's opinions when the coach admits the error?

ND won the championship with barely 6 players, with their top freshman never entering the game. If Gabby hit the turnaround jumper at the end of regulation, we would have been celebrating Geno’s continued brilliance while watching Gabby on Dancing With The Stars.

The loss had nothing to do with the fact that the freshmen were not yet ready, and the fact that the freshmen were not yet ready had nothing to do with Geno and the coaching staff, who did everything they could to help them develop.

 

[Charliebball]

ND won the championship with barely 6 players, with their top freshman never entering the game. If Gabby hit the turnaround jumper at the end of regulation, we would have been celebrating Geno’s continued brilliance while watching Gabby on Dancing With The Stars.

The loss had nothing to do with the fact that the freshmen were not yet ready, and the fact that the freshmen were not yet ready had nothing to do with Geno and the coaching staff, who did everything they could to help them develop.

so you're saying a coach is never responsible for how well his players play or for their development as players?

 

[oldude]

so you're saying a coach is never responsible for how well his players play or for their development as players?

Obviously, that’s not what I’m saying. What I have said is that Geno, CD and the UConn staff are just about the best coaching staff on the planet when it comes to motivating and developing players. Unlike you, I would never presume to suggest that I knew better than they did, particularly when I had not attended a single practice or training session.

 

[Charliebball]

Obviously, that’s not what I’m saying. What I have said is that Geno, CD and the UConn staff are just about the best coaching staff on the planet when it comes to motivating and developing players. Unlike you, I would never presume to suggest that I knew better than they did, particularly when I had not attended a single practice or training session.

the proof is in the pudding........they recruited them, they trained them.........Geno branded them major disappointments............whose is to blame?

 

[CocoHusky]

the proof is in the pudding...they recruited them, they trained them....Geno branded them major disappointments..whose is to blame?

Stop with the over the top bashing because people are actually reading what you write and some are uninformed enough to believe it. Geno DID NOT brand the Freshmen this way!

 

[Charliebball]

Stop with the over the top bashing because people are actually reading what you write and some are uninformed enough to believe it. Geno DID NOT brand the Freshmen this way!

so let me get this straight............Geno did not constantly criticize the disappointing play of his bench during the season? The culmination of his disdain came in the famous fans deserve their money back speech against Tulsa.........here it is in case you forgot.........and by the way it didn't end after that game........... it went on and on as the season progressed.........

Geno Auriemma: Fans Deserve Money Back After 'Disgraceful Effort' Vs. Tulsa

 

[oldude]

the proof is in the pudding...they recruited them, they trained them....Geno branded them major disappointments..whose is to blame?

You want to beat that dead horse, have at it. MW is working hard. Assuming Mikayla has been cleared to go, I have no doubt that she along with Gordon are also working hard. I don’t know why you and others continue to insist upon laying blame on someone, when no one is deserving of blame.

 

[Charliebball]

You want to beat that dead horse, have at it. MW is working hard. Assuming Mikayla has been cleared to go, I have no doubt that she along with Gordon are also working hard. I don’t know why you and others continue to insist upon laying blame on someone, when no one is deserving of blame.

better I beat a dead horse then a living one.............

 

[Bigboote]

I love that Megan is working out with Pheesa. It's good on so many levels -- just the work she's getting in, Pheesa being a Mentor to Megan, they're likely buds, so good for team chemistry, and Megan is demonstrating to the coaching staff and teammates that she's really serious. It will make her a better player, but also a better teammate. There were times last year when she appeared detached on the bench during games.

 

[CocoHusky]

so let me get this straight..Geno did not constantly criticize the disappointing play of his bench during the season?

No Geno did not.

 

[Bronx23]

I guess I'd like to look at this from a slightly different perspective.
I'm really pleased to see NC seemingly be taking MW under her wonderful wings. Kudos to MW for seemingly working hard to prepare herself for next season. While those two things are promising they sure don't ensure much of anything. It's done in practice over many months and then the results come on the court. One doesn't need to be overly positive or overly negative, just watch and see how it plays out. It seems to me MW is headed in the right direction but giving her way more than that, continues to drive me a bit nuttier than I already am.
I don't think Geno did anything wrong as to his use of last years freshman or his criticism of them. That's Geno and part of the structure CD and he insist upon in order to play more and be trusted. I also don't think it will affect recruiting much if at all. We will never know what led to the SB situation and decision but more likely than not it appears Geno and U Conn backed off. While I don't watch much if at all HS ball from just looking at stats (which hardly tell the whole story) SB doesn't seem to be a star player. Whether it effects either Bueckers or Fudd decisions it is a ways off.
Geno from my perspective again is maybe the greatest coach in team sports history but he can be questioned and criticized. I think he made a few mistakes during the game strategically. KLS became not only tentative defensively because of the four fouls, she also was offensively. He was so used to almost always having her on the court when it mattered he left her in. Also now in retrospect her injury may have effected her play in that game and much of the last third of the season than I and maybe other though. His sitting AZ to start the 3rd quarter and then for 6-7 minutes was totally wrong. His at least publicly stating he never thought about it, shows his lack of flexibility and adjustments way more than his use of freshman. While we also will never know fully what led to AZ's decision to leave, it surely wouldn't surprise me, if her sitting when she turned the game around pushed her at least a bit or much more to deciding to go pro. (Of course at least some of you will give what I think is an absurd argument, what does he or anyone who hasn't one multiple championships know and how arrogant to dare question or criticize the GOAT.)
I think this years team will do pretty well but reaching and winning a national championship will take one of their best coaching jobs. It's not impossible but to me, not likely. I actually think if one or two or the returning players or the freshman step up and become meaningful contributors that will be good. I think it's most likely be amongst MW, CW or Ono (yes two freshman). It needs to be accompanied by some improvement and increased playing time from support players whether it be Batouly, Irwin, Coomb. I don't see there being much contributed by Molly or Lexi (although she might surprise a bit).
I think their offense will be very good and think they will average over 80-85 pints. I expect their defense will be a pressured style. Obviously it will be very difficult to replace two great defensive players in Gabby and Kia, but team defense might make up for part of the loss.
I believe they will get 2-3 top ten recruits in each of the next two recruiting classes. Replacing five AÀ in two years will be tough and lead to some bumps in the road.
I think their being the chaser rather than the chasee, and not being expected to win, will actually create less pressure and maybe make this being more enjoyable for all.
Bronx23

 

[Charliebball]

No Geno did not.

great.......so you pick one of the few games he had something good to say about the bench .............if you can't even admit that he was down on the freshmen class from beginning to end of the season then you my friend are living in an alternative universe.................