This Team vs Last Year's Team?

[hoophuskee]

After a long summer of speculation about the depth of this year's team, and how is Geno going to divide up playing time, this season is shaping up to be a repeat of last season. So, how did last season end? Against Miss. State, the five starters played 202 of a total 225 minutes, while Miss. State played 10 different players. I thought UConn players looked tired or worn out. Playing the starters longer than necessary during the season can have bad consequences. More exposure to injuries, including nagging minor injuries, and the possibility of getting worn out. Let's hope we don't have a repeat of last year.

I don't think being tired had a thing to do with it. Those are 20 year old kids that had a week off. And the week prior they blew out everyone. So magically that one game they got a week off - they lost because of the bench?

IMO they got beat last year because to start the game they got wiped out on the glass- the team was a terrific defensive team and had a pg that UCONN couldn't turn over. IMO it had nothing to do with what you're saying.

 

[Aluminny69]

I don't think being tired had a thing to do with it. Those are 20 year old kids that had a week off. And the week prior they blew out everyone. So magically that one game they got a week off - they lost because of the bench?

IMO they got beat last year because to start the game they got wiped out on the glass- the team was a terrific defensive team and had a pg that UCONN couldn't turn over. IMO it had nothing to do with what you're saying.

In his post game interview, Geno stated that they can't keeping playing with just five or six players. In the next few weeks, the second group of players will get priority. So it looks like Geno is thinking like I am.

For clarification, "worn out" is somewhat different for "being tired." But, missing shots that you usually make can be attributed to being tired.

 

[hussybulldog]

I think if you look at each position on the court, this year’s team is stronger than last year’s. But last year’s team is more cohesive. One might argue that this year’s team elked out two tough wins against ND and Texas. But we can also argue that last year’s team might not have dug themselves a hole like this year’s team in the first place. As far as the result go, I am going to give an edge to last year’s. There are many brilliant moments for this year’s team, but the number of turnovers have said it all! Let’s hope they will improve and truly outshine last year’s team.

 

[VaConnFan11]

I believe that the players are better, but the team is not. Something is missing.

Last years team had a fire inside. Have not seen it in this year's team yet.

 

[Paesano]

The team still has two months to evolve and become more polished. They will be unstoppable come early March. Better to get beat up and learn from it now than in the final four.

 

[j66kicker]

On paper:
- Subtract Chong
- 3 Returning All-Americans
- KLS much improved
- Crystal Dangerfield hugely improved
- Add Z
- Throw in Walker for good measure
- 16-0 so far, #1 ranking doesn't seem to be in jeopardy
= No brainer

In reality:
- Z still learning to play defense, should be playing much better in March
- Gabby & Pheesa still adjusting to playing differently with Z in, it should all be working much better by March
- Walker has shown flashes of being the #1 HS player, should be contributing regularly & be more dependable by March
- Undefeated record includes a good win last night where they faced a very big, motivated, and talented top-10 team in front of a large and raucous homer crowd in the premier national TV game of the season. All appears to be well - I really don't see much to complain about.

 

[UConnCat]

On paper:
- Subtract Chong
- 3 Returning All-Americans
- KLS much improved
- Crystal Dangerfield hugely improved
- Add Z
- Throw in Walker for good measure
- 16-0 so far, #1 ranking doesn't seem to be in jeopardy
= No brainer

In reality:
- Z still learning to play defense, should be playing much better in March
- Gabby & Pheesa still adjusting to playing differently with Z in, it should all be working much better by March
- Walker has shown flashes of being the #1 HS player, should be contributing regularly & be more dependable by March
- Undefeated record includes a good win last night where they faced a very big, motivated, and talented top-10 team in front of a large and raucous homer crowd in the premier national TV game of the season. All appears to be well - I really don't see much to complain about.

I'm with you. Geno said early on that the Z, Gabby and Napheesa chemistry was going to take awhile.

 

[UConnCat]

Some interesting quotes from Fuller's latest.

Aston on whether UConn is vulnerable:

"I definitely don't feel like you are vulnerable when you can score at every position," Texas coach Karen Aston said.

Geno on whether this is a great UConn team:

"Great for what is going on in the country right now but great but our standards? Not quite, not yet. Maybe, maybe down the road but they've got a ways to go to catch up to some of the more recent teams."

The New Haven Register Blogs: Elm City to Eagleville: Talented, physical Texas team pushes UConn to the brink