The improvement of Inês Bettencourt | Page 2 | The Boneyard

The improvement of Inês Bettencourt

Ines is improving every game. I like the fact that in the past two games, she is looking for her shot. Prior games, she looked tentative to shoot. She has a great looking shot and needs the confidence to take her shot when open. Make them guard her, which will really help our big's get open shots. We are lucky to have her, as it appears that we will be playing without a full deck for the entire season. Can't recall a team experiencing these number of injuries, over a period of one and one half years. Hopefully we can get the 10 players together sometime in the near future. Until then, march on.
 
BBallF said:
Definite offensive improvement. She needs to work on her defense though. She lost her man several times out there last night.
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This "was" a very nice thread that HuskyNan started to show how Inês played last night and her improvement. Everyone was contributing to this theme, until...
Why do we as fans feel the need to rain on someone's parade? :(
 
ucbart said:
I think Wooden was "be quick, but don't hurry."
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drweo said:
As did Nika, Aubrey, Lou....i.e., the players are all human.
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Not like her. Please rewatch and you will see what I am talking about. She is nowhere near the defender of any of the players you named. Why would her defense be at that level?
 
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Charliebball said:
Based on who's coming next year I'm not so sure about what her role will be going forward.........my hope is that KK Arnold is going to be a high-impact cross between Crystal and Moriah.........time will tell.......
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The question about KK is can she be an effective scorer shooting the ball less than 15 times a game? In high school she appears to be a high-volume shooter. That won't happen her first season at UConn. Also, I think Ines will show improvement enough to warrant meaningful playing time next season.
 
BBallF said:
Not like her. Please rewatch and you will see what I am talking about. She is nowhere near the defender of any of the players you named. Why would her defense be at that level?
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Why would you expect it to be?
 
Centerstream said:
This "was" a very nice thread that HuskyNan started to show how Inês played last night and her improvement. Everyone was contributing to this theme, until...
Why do we as fans feel the need to rain on someone's parade? :(
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I don't consider my comment to be anything other than what I am seeing with her. I said several times that she has talent, skill and a basketball head out there and that we needed her. I'm also not saying that she won't improve because she has with each game. UCONN's switching defense is a thing of basketball beauty. You don't learn it in a few months. If anyone thinks that her defense is as good as Nika's or Aubrey's they are entitled to their opinion but they are wrong.

She is a freshman rerouted from junior college in Florida to play college basketball here at the highest level against players sometimes 4 years older than her. Her poise, disposition and joy being on this team is very evident and highly commendable. I also think that her defense will catch up to her offense with more game experience.
 
donalddoowop said:
The question about KK is can she be an effective scorer shooting the ball less than 15 times a game? In high school she appears to be a high-volume shooter. That won't happen her first season at UConn. Also, I think Ines will show improvement enough to warrant meaningful playing time next season.
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I think she's a bit of a streaky shooter but is being forced to shoot more often than normal as the key scorer on her team.....as such she faces all kinds of defenses trying to stop her........she's got an improving three-point shot, the ability to break down her defenders plus she's going to be the fastest player down the court on fast breaks.........how much playing time she'll get with two stars and the heart and soul of the team ahead of her is anyone's guess.......
 
BBallF said:
Not like her. Please rewatch and you will see what I am talking about. She is nowhere near the defender of any of the players you named. Why would her defense be at that level?
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Never said she was. Everyone makes mistakes.
 
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Charliebball said:
I think she's a bit of a streaky shooter but is being forced to shoot more often than normal as the key scorer on her team.....as such she faces all kinds of defenses trying to stop her........she's got an improving three-point shot, the ability to break down her defenders plus she's going to be the fastest player down the court on fast breaks.........how much playing time she'll get with two stars and the heart and soul of the team ahead of her is anyone's guess.......
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Not sure she’s taken enough shot attempts to call her streaky?

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HuskyNan said:
I’ve been really impressed with how well Ines is improving from game to game. I like her demeanor - she’s very poised, even when being pressed, and never seems to be out of control. Years ago, Geno said, “Be quick, don’t be fast”, meaning move quickly but under control and with purpose. To me, Ines is showing quickness. Her offense is rounding into shape nicely.

I think Ines is a diamond in the rough who’s shining a little sooner than expected due to the injuries. Great pickup by Geno & Co.
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I like her adaptability/ versatility.. She looks comfortable at the off-ball/2-guard as well.. That will play well going forward.. Can't have too many good shooters and ball-handlers; her combo here is a precious commodity..
 
drweo said:
Never said she was. Everyone makes mistakes.
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Agree. She is still learning. UCONN switching on man to man defense is the state of the art when executed as designed.

This has to be a whole new world for her. I give her a lot of credit to have the courage to come here. You are seeing fits and starts in her game at times but the overall level is a steady incline. Defense will be the last piece of the puzzle but it is coming. Wait until the Famous February metamorphosis of the team by the Maestro.
 
HuskyNan said:
Not sure she’s taken enough shot attempts to call her streaky?

View attachment 82757
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I was referring to KK Arnold's high school play...........I assume Ines is going to be competing against her for limited court time next year if Paige and Azzi are finally 100%........KK will bring quickness and flat-out end-to-end court speed that no other UConn player can match other than perhaps Aubrey...........
 
Charliebball said:
I was referring to KK Arnold's high school play...........I assume Ines is going to be competing against her for limited court time next year if Paige and Azzi are finally 100%........KK will bring quickness and flat-out end-to-end court speed that no other UConn player can match other than perhaps Aubrey...........
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Yes, but she’ll be a freshman. She could need a year to feel comfortable in a new system while going through the normal stuff all college freshmen have to adapt to.
 
HuskyNan said:
I’ve been really impressed with how well Ines is improving from game to game. I like her demeanor - she’s very poised, even when being pressed, and never seems to be out of control. Years ago, Geno said, “Be quick, don’t be fast”, meaning move quickly but under control and with purpose. To me, Ines is showing quickness. Her offense is rounding into shape nicely.

I think Ines is a diamond in the rough who’s shining a little sooner than expected due to the injuries. Great pickup by Geno & Co.
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I agree. And she would not have been given this exposure if we hadn't gotten to such a short bench via injury. But she looks like a quality point guard....still moving a bit too fast for the game...but gaining confidence. Hitting that three at the buzzer was great. But she has emerged as someone we can use to give Muhl a breather, and lose very little. That is a huge surprise, and a great compliment to whoever scouted and signed her. It is time, now, for theater healthy freshman to emerge as more than a brawler.
 
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KK will be fine. It's not like she's a shooting egomaniac. She's the best shooter on her HS team and she's doing her job. She is also a creator. Love her penetration skills.

I'm fine with Ines playing more especially right now. She looks better after the last few games though partly because we were playing Xavier and Butler, two of our least competitive teams. She will get more flustered against top teams still probably right? I think she's quick, athletic, skilled and mainly just needs more experience.
 
Longtime fan said:
I agree. And she would not have been given this exposure if we hadn't gotten to such a short bench via injury. But she looks like a quality point guard....still moving a bit too fast for the game...but gaining confidence. Hitting that three at the buzzer was great. But she has emerged as someone we can use to give Muhl a breather, and lose very little. That is a huge surprise, and a great compliment to whoever scouted and signed her. It is time, now, for theater healthy freshman to emerge as more than a brawler.
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the-boneyard.com

Video on UConn international recruiting, Ines, more

Former player and coach, Rachel Galligan (Eastern Illinois class of 2010), now scouts foreign players for U.S. schools. She is the founder of Go Global Recruiting. The UConn coaching staff reached out to her about Ines. Anyway, Galligan talks a lot about UConn, Ines, and Geno (she’s a fan) but...
the-boneyard.com the-boneyard.com
 
TeamFirst! said:
She will get more flustered against top teams still probably right? I think she's quick, athletic, skilled and mainly just needs more experience.
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I thought Ines did well against Maryland, on the road. In case you haven’t had a chance to see the game

the-boneyard.com

UConn at Maryland Replay

I posted the UConn at Maryland replay on my YouTube Channel:
the-boneyard.com the-boneyard.com
 
HuskyNan said:
I thought Ines did well against Maryland, on the road. In case you haven’t had a chance to see the game

the-boneyard.com

UConn at Maryland Replay

I posted the UConn at Maryland replay on my YouTube Channel:
the-boneyard.com the-boneyard.com
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I think Ines has been fine overall. Just saying she, along with most other players, look better against lesser opponents. I support more playing time for her. I think she has potential. I also think it's going to get real crowded at some point next year but let's cross that bridge then. I think she definitely improved her game by coming to Uconn and will continue to do so.
 
BBallF said:
She is a freshman rerouted from junior college in Florida to play college basketball here at the highest level against players sometimes 4 years older than her. Her poise, disposition and joy being on this team is very evident and highly commendable. I also think that her defense will catch up to her offense with more game experience.
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Ines also missed the entire summer session, which is a chance for freshmen to acclimate, take some credits, work on preseason fitness, and bond with the team.
 
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TeamFirst! said:
KK will be fine. It's not like she's a shooting egomaniac. She's the best shooter on her HS team and she's doing her job. She is also a creator. Love her penetration skills.

I'm fine with Ines playing more especially right now. She looks better after the last few games though partly because we were playing Xavier and Butler, two of our least competitive teams. She will get more flustered against top teams still probably right? I think she's quick, athletic, skilled and mainly just needs more experience.
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Ines played against two quality teams and did well. One game she started.
 
DefenseBB said:
As Nan has pointed out, Ines did not turn 18 until September (Paige turned 19 on Oct 20 her freshman year and Azzi turned 19 on Nov 11 of her freshman year by comparison) and didn't arrive at UConn until late August missing the June/July acclimation practice time with the team. To literally see the game-to-game improvement before our eyes is a joy to watch.

I also want to caution those that continue to harp on the players to come theme that when Nika signed on, many questioned and stated she would ride the bench all 4 years yet she's proven to be an integral part. What does the future hold for Ines, who really knows but as she is proving worthy now, I give you the phrase, "a bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush" so I am will be happy if KK is all that is advertised but also know that Ines can handle the demands. :)
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Love Inez, but not sure this comment does justice to Nika. As someone who criticized her during her frosh year, you always saw exceptional things she did-great defense, energy, etc. The main concern was on offense, which she has corrected. Inez has improved against low level teams and hopefully will reach Nika's level of play.
 
HopJim said:
Love Inez, but not sure this comment does justice to Nika. As someone who criticized her during her frosh year, you always saw exceptional things she did-great defense, energy, etc. The main concern was on offense, which she has corrected. Inez has improved against low level teams and hopefully will reach Nika's level of play.
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I don’t see where I did an injustice to Nika. My initial comparison was an age comp, showing that Ines was basically a year younger than other guards. Nika was a much more heralded player coming to UConn and did have a full summer period to work out with her “slime” and other teammates. She also wasn’t thrown into games out of necessity like Ines.

This is Nika’s 3 year and frankly the only that she is showing any inclination to shoot whereas the Freshman Nika did not (but also didn’t have too). Give the young kid a break as she has played what the schedule has offered MD, Princeton and Seton Hall are all probable NCAAT teams in which she played and contributed. No need to be a tad dismissive and conspiracy looking.
 
BRS24 said:
Ines also missed the entire summer session, which is a chance for freshmen to acclimate, take some credits, work on preseason fitness, and bond with the team.
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Good point. We saw what a summer with the team did for Aaliyah.
 
jabstep said:
I first noticed her ability to learn our defensive switching on screens in her previous game. Now she has been observing how even the bigs cheat on the passing lanes. Dorka is starting to do it as well and then driving full court for a layup. Ines has perfect form on her 3 pointers. Until Azzi get back and with Caroline out we need another shooter. I think she can do the job. She is gaining confidence of her teamates as well.
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As I noted before, the team can jump the passing lanes, but for the most part, only when AG is on the floor, and that's because of AG's quick recovery and ability to press and switch coverage. I've been complaining all year about UConn's inability to get TO's and their inability to get into transition even though they're out rebounding the other team. It's TO's that get you easy baskets and the Butler game was the first where UConn had as many TO's as steals and it showed in their pace of play and their number of transition baskets. I have also complained that although AG has great recovery she gets caught inside, and its her mark that is hitting open 3's. By my count she gave up 3 against Butler.
 
JordyG said:
As I noted before, the team can jump the passing lanes, but for the most part, only when AG is on the floor, and that's because of AG's quick recovery and ability to press and switch coverage. I've been complaining all year about UConn's inability to get TO's . . .
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UConn missed Aubrey in that regard last year and misses Paige in that regard this year. Paige has preternatural anticipation. If Caroline is ever truly healthy, she'll be good too due to her length and obsessive scouting of opponents. She's shown flashes.
 
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