The moment Stewie became a Superstar.... and won the N.C. | Page 2 | The Boneyard

The moment Stewie became a Superstar.... and won the N.C.

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What a thread! I'm wearing out my finger pressing the "like" button.

While watching the Final Four games, I was thinking Stewie was pulling her version of Ali's rope-a-dope. Meanwhile, Stef was re-enacting Willis Reed's memorable critical game performance while injured. Then there's MoJef's tenacious focused defense, even when the ball wasn't anywhere near her man, Bria's aggressive offense, and her return to AA form, Kelly, adding an exclamation point to her spectacular career with a great steal and layup, Kaleena's turning broken plays into lightning 3 point daggers, Caroline's steady play and calming influence, Morgan popping free from a mob of defenders to sink a spectacular reverse layup, Kiah's taking it all in and absorbing the atmosphere to be put to good use next year, and, who can forget Heather's smile after her steal, going all the way for the layup.
 
We also need to give Geno some credit. He didn't disappoint. To sum up his performance, all that is needed is to recall his interview with Holly Rowe:

During a time-out huddle, he gave the team a recipe for not allowing a comeback - no threes, no second chance points, and no fouls. Holly asked how they were doing in that regard.

Geno responded, "We're doing great down there (with those items), what I forgot to tell them is, pass the ball to my guys and stop throwing the ball away. It's unbelievable what we've done the last 5 minutes. I don't even know what to say, I'm speechless. We've just got to settle down. (while walking away) Geez oh man!" All this with about 12 minutes left in the game up by 19 points. We're lucky to have him.
 
It all stems back to Geno's statement when Stewie signed with UConn, she'll have to get used to me, and I'll need to get used to her. After the tournament when asked about growing the women's game, Geno said maybe what they need is Stewie. Even in High School, when Breanna was the best player on the floor, she didn't try to take all the shots, or stand in the lane, to block all the shots. What you see is who she is, someone who enjoys the game, but wants to win, but could care less whether she is the star.
 
Since writing this original post, the following has been pointed out:
1. There are no photos of Stewie smiling "shyly"...her whole face lights up when she is happy... I agree.
2. Geno is a really, really good coach and deserves tons of credit for Stewie's and UConn's results... I agree.
3. KML, Dolson and the rest of the team caught fire the same time as Stewie and the results was a N.C.....I agree
4. As good as Stewie is right now, she could get better, and better, and better....Agree
5. I need to aim higher than being like Phil when I grow up....OK.

It was a blast to write the original post, but even better to watch the added analysis, information and discussion with fellow Boneyard members. Thanks. Go Huskies...
 
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Icebear said:
But I would argue that for most of America Jones and William were largely in the shadows and not "name" stars in the sport until near the end of their careers. Yes, I know where they were ranked but I still think there is a qualitative difference in name power.
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Williams was HS player of the year coming in, and they were drafted 4 and 6 by the WNBA. I love Hartley and MoJeff but don't think either are anywhere close to that level.
 
JSB60 said:
Williams was HS player of the year coming in, and they were drafted 4 and 6 by the WNBA. I love Hartley and MoJeff but don't think either are anywhere close to that level.
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And I bet in that era both Williams and Jones were essentially unknown names to most WCBB fans. The same is not true today. MoJeff was off the charts as the highest rated PG (98) ever. She was, also, rated #1 at one point.
 
Tamika made a major splash as a freshman, and was the first member of that class to have a large national profile, before either Sue or Swin. Asjha did take the longest to develop her game.
 
Stef Stewie KML Tuck Stokes have to be the greatest front court in WCBB maybe ever. This season they will be almost unstoppable. Its gonna be a fun season to be a UConn fan. Geno seems to keep raising the bar year after year and its becoming almost unreachable for opponets.
 
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reno tony said:
Absolutely! She should receive the Willis Reed Trophy!
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It is true that Stef played with courage comparable to Willis Reed (and she stayed on the court longer), but Stewie played like Walt Frazier did in that game. As I recall, Clyde had 36 points and 17 assists, one of the greatest peerformances ever by an NBA player in a championship game -- but it remains forgotten in favor of Willis going out on the MSG court and knocking down two shots to inspire his team and drive the crowd into a frenzy.

But now people tend to forget Stef and recognize Stewie. Stef should meet Clyde. Forgotten Heroes indeed.
 
Kibitzer said:
It is true that Stef played with courage comparable to Willis Reed (and she stayed on the court longer), but Stewie played like Walt Frazier did in that game. As I recall, Clyde had 36 points and 17 assists, one of the greatest peerformances ever by an NBA player in a championship game -- but it remains forgotten in favor of Willis going out on the MSG court and knocking down two shots to inspire his team and drive the crowd into a frenzy.

But now people tend to forget Stef and recognize Stewie. Stef should meet Clyde. Forgotten Heroes indeed.
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D...One of the greatest sports moments of my life. Willis with the inspiration, Walt with the rescue.





 
Tonyc said:
Stef Stewie KML Tuck Stokes have to be the greatest front court in WCBB maybe ever. This season they will be almost unstoppable. Its gonna be a fun season to be a UConn fan. Geno seems to keep raising the bar year after year and its becoming almost unreachable for opponets.
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Golly, leaves the back court a little light maybe?
 
Wbbfan1 said:
Stewie will be the Star but the Unsung Hero of this team will be Morgan Tuck. She'll do all the dirty work that won't be recognized by the National Media, but the coaches and the players will.
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Nobody who really watched the NCAAs last spring could fail to keep an eye on this player. Tuck was a significant force on a dominant team. Her summer told the world "that was no fluke." She will not be unnoticed. She will deliver.
 
Look at UConn's greatest players and none of them could do all that Breanna does. Maya couldn't block shots like Breanna, Tina couldn't shoot the three like Breanna, Rebecca couldn't handle the ball like Breanna, D couldn't play the front on the press like Breanna. As Doris Burke said her length and athleticism make Breanna a difficult matchup. No one on Notre Dame could guard her. Not Braker, OChonwa, McBride. No one.
 
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Wbbfan1 said:
Stewie will be the Star but the Unsung Hero of this team will be Morgan Tuck. She'll do all the dirty work that won't be recognized by the National Media, but the coaches and the players will.
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Actually I thought the announcers of the Final Four gave lavish praise to Morgan for her overall great performance off the bench even in spite of her missing nearly every perimeter shot she took.
 
Maya was an unbelievable shot blocker. At 6' none better.
 
Bestiarius said:
Geno responded, "We're doing great down there (with those items), what I forgot to tell them is, pass the ball to my guys and stop throwing the ball away. It's unbelievable what we've done the last 5 minutes. I don't even know what to say, I'm speechless. We've just got to settle down. (while walking away) Geez oh man!" All this with about 12 minutes left in the game up by 19 points. We're lucky to have him.
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Yeah, but he just barely kept a straight face while he was saying those words.
 
DobbsRover2 said:
No UConn freshman has ever had as great a finish to the year as Stewie and her defense was a strong force at the end of the year. But her "you can't shoot if you can't see" D against Maryland early on had already set up to be a terror on the court.

AP13033012878.jpg
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I thought Michael Jordan put that canard to rest from the foul line.
 
I liked this post it was a good read until "She doesn't do anything well, she does EVERYTHING well"- kind of an oxymoron. Perhaps, She doesn't do some things well, she does EVERYTHING well
 
msf22b said:
There was a drive from the left in the 2nd half, the Red Sea parted and she stuck a floater.
I knew then (if not before).
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Boy was she feeling it- that play was a real tipping point for her. As big as that one was- there was a tip in at the rim that Doris was in awe of- where her finger tips were the height of the rim! My favorite was when she crashed the offensive boards from the foul line or top of the key and just snared a high rebound that looked like it would allude (not sure what allude means), and she just goes back up with the ball laying it in for two- looked like an NBA rebound with her long arm and large hand coming out of no where!!!
 
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Stewie's place in the Constellation.
Geno, by March each year, creates a basketball Constellation where there are no stars (needed).
Conn bball depends on no ONE... they all depend on each other, but are not dependent... they trust in & with each other.
Gliding in a, seemingly, endless set of flowing, switching options.
A Defense that flows into instant Offense. And an enterprising Offense that touches many hands &, THEN, the bottom of a net.
OH, the young Stewie is not (herself) perfect... but is adroit enough in so many aspects as to have a feel for the game...
Stew IS "the straw that stirs the drink". And the more polish she acquires... the more the team shines.

**************************************************
gung ho [gʌŋ həʊ] adj
1. extremely enthusiastic and enterprising, sometimes to excess
2.(Military) extremely keen to participate in military combat
[pidgin English, from Mandarin Chinese kung work + ho together]
 
OklahomaUconn said:
I liked this post it was a good read until "She doesn't do anything well, she does EVERYTHING well"- kind of an oxymoron. Perhaps, She doesn't do some things well, she does EVERYTHING well
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Wow. That's what you took away from this post and all the discussion? I'll try to do better next time. :(

FYI, there is a new invention in literary circles you may have missed. It is called "punctuation." :cool:
 
David is RIGHT!!!
<<... there is a new invention... you may have missed. ... called "punctuation".>>

If you can't be on time, don't rush into analysis.
(Unless you can find a shrink that works on piecework.)

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[Thank you for the initial post, David. It was an opportunity to recognize Stew.
Her radiant smile the last few games was such a blessing after watching the sadness and self-doubt in her face as she battled herself mid-season.]
 
Wbbfan1 said:
Stewie will be the Star but the Unsung Hero of this team will be Morgan Tuck. She'll do all the dirty work that won't be recognized by the National Media, but the coaches and the players will.
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I concur on this.We all applaud Stewart,and it is deserving,but Tuck will be one of the best players in the 2014-2016 seasons,IMO.A lot to like form the three amigos going forth.
 
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