Thoughts on Lou this season

[01Neaggrad02]

To be honest, she looks tentative & slow to me. I think its the ankle. After surgery, the physical injury may be mostly healed, but the mental aspect is still there. Might not be until Spring until she "feels" confident & plays at 100%. Look at Gordon Hayward - he's nowhere near what he's capable of...but he's getting better.

Averaging over 20 points a game... her assist, points, rebounds all up... she has become a more complete player and tends to handle the ball more.... and you think she looks tentative and slow. Interesting.

 

[calpedaler]

Seeing how she is third, how can that be considered the best. The best should be whoever has the highest percentage, it seems to me.

By your logic this player could never be considered the best.

2000-01 (fr): 8th
2001-02 (so): 6th
2002-03 (jr): 6th
2003-04 (sr): 6th

 

[cohenzone]

We need to enjoy KLS and Pheesa for however this season turns out. Absent some spring signing surprises, next year gonna be a whole lot different.

 

[donalddoowop]

By your logic this player could never be considered the best.

2000-01 (fr): 8th
2001-02 (so): 6th
2002-03 (jr): 6th
2003-04 (sr): 6th

This is about the best three point shooter. That player was not the nations best three point shooter, percentage wise.

 

[Los24]

This is about the best three point shooter. That player was not the nations best three point shooter, percentage wise.

I see both sides but just remember that Lou led the nation in 3pt% last year. She also is the only player to go 10 for 10 in NCAA history. She has credentials to back up the claim.

The best shooter is not going to shoot the best or have best percentage from day one. Mike Trout may not lead in a specific category or none of them, doesn't mean he is not the best hitter in baseball.

All that and she may not be the best 3pt shooter so I understand your point but it's still early.

 

[MD#12Fan]

So I was thinking about the season, especially after the high of ND and the near low with OU. We lost twice in the FF on last second shoots in OT. In those games I think many of us felt the biggest detriment was a clear leader taking over especially taking the big shot(s.) I think the fact we were right there in those games, even though being outplayed, we may be over stating the point but maybe not...

I believe, even with CW on the squad, the key is Lou. For all the griping on Lou last game, let's remember a few things:

1) She is finally healthy and her mobility, defense and rebounding is an obvious area of improvement because of it
2) Kia and Gabby seemed to own the leadership role the past 2 years so Lou (more than Pheesa) is really the one this year
3) She is still the focus of any team to ensure "do not let her beat us" and thus opens floor for rest of team and gets best defender (yes more than Pheesa, think about who ND talks about and had Young and Turner on...)
4) She will be the one to hit the big shot to win it. You can not count on the red sea opening for Pheesa to hit easy drive like OU. That will not happen in 4th against top opponent with true bigs. Pheesa will still be key and right there, so I am not saying she is not important or critical for our success.
5) For her shooting struggles she still was key in 2nd half of close games this year and key contributor for us to win.

19pts STJ / 6 ast in 1st half and 15pts in 2nd ND / Finished with 20pts 11rebs against OU / Her shooting consistency will be there.

In ND loss she had 16pts on 50% shooting and 7 rebs but only shot 12 times (Only Crystal Dangerfield had less shots in game by 1)
In MSST loss 15pts on 50% shooting and 5 rebs but only took 10 shots 3rd on team.

So my thought process on her taking many shots in some of these closer games is that she is learning the role of taking over as many of us have yearned for throughout the years. Just like any other skill set it takes game time to learn and get mentally comfortable and best she does it now before March. I think CW has that potential and one game does not make her that for the team yet. I still would want the senior with great passing skills, deadly shot and the experience in the spot. (Don't think Geno will?Remember he gave Saniya Chong the ball at end of MSST game.)

All this to say that I do not mind Lou's efficiency (FG% & 3PTFG%) numbers being down a little at this point of season because I think they will come up quite a bit, I like the other numbers (rebounds) trending up and want her to act like this is her team. Thoughts???

Appreciate the post. Concern regarding Lou! Big-time. I'm disappointed! It's her time to step up and be a player of the year type player. It's not happening and as a fan I'm not enjoying watching it. Pheesa is rock solid, but she has limitations.
Some players have the gift of super-stardom. Lots of intangibles that makes up those players. UConn has had a lopsided number of these players- D, Maya, and Stewie in particular. (nothing to do- google UConn girls- and see how many of Geno's titles were influenced by the 3 of them. Short answer, almost all of the 11.) Everyone else is a notch below- Tina, Swin, Sue, Moriah, Morgan, Kyesha, etc, etc.
I do not think Lou can physically be that great player. She lacks strength, quickness, and agility. She rarely finishes when she feels contact. She does not protect the ball in traffic. So many of those plays when her arms flail out after the ball has been touched. Super stars finish! And one!
She forces shots, hence her poor percentage and her streaks of misses. I believe the grand experiment of her being a prolific scorer is over! Time for role-playing. Lou hits open shots when they are not forced and she is on balance. Those are the shots she should take in addition to transition layups and follow-ups. She still shoots like a high school kid, from her chest, and she cannot shoot under duress and she cannot create her own shot. So, let's stop pretending.
She is an all-American player in the best program in America, but we must cultivate her strengths and not expect some of these plays that she is not capable of making. Keep the ball moving and where the mismatches are materializing is around the freshman and the sophomore. Katie will rise when teams get tired of the youngsters killing them and all will be right in the world.
IMO Katie Lou will be a WNBA stalwart for a decade but she will never be at that top echelon. Now IMO Geno has to start reining in her shot selection and more clearly define her role. She can't do what she wants to do, she's not that good! It's ugly and as a fan I find it aesthetically unpleasing. BTW Kudos on her passing and rebounding. My rant is about the shooting ineffectiveness and shot selection. Out

 

[eebmg]

I've had enough. Time to ignore this thread.

 

[BobbyJ]

Appreciate the post. Concern regarding Lou! Big-time. I'm disappointed! It's her time to step up and be a player of the year type player. It's not happening and as a fan I'm not enjoying watching it. Pheesa is rock solid, but she has limitations.
Some players have the gift of super-stardom. Lots of intangibles that makes up those players. UConn has had a lopsided number of these players- D, Maya, and Stewie in particular. (nothing to do- google UConn girls- and see how many of Geno's titles were influenced by the 3 of them. Short answer, almost all of the 11.) Everyone else is a notch below- Tina, Swin, Sue, Moriah, Morgan, Kyesha, etc, etc.
I do not think Lou can physically be that great player. She lacks strength, quickness, and agility. She rarely finishes when she feels contact. She does not protect the ball in traffic. So many of those plays when her arms flail out after the ball has been touched. Super stars finish! And one!
She forces shots, hence her poor percentage and her streaks of misses. I believe the grand experiment of her being a prolific scorer is over! Time for role-playing. Lou hits open shots when they are not forced and she is on balance. Those are the shots she should take in addition to transition layups and follow-ups. She still shoots like a high school kid, from her chest, and she cannot shoot under duress and she cannot create her own shot. So, let's stop pretending.
She is an all-American player in the best program in America, but we must cultivate her strengths and not expect some of these plays that she is not capable of making. Keep the ball moving and where the mismatches are materializing is around the freshman and the sophomore. Katie will rise when teams get tired of the youngsters killing them and all will be right in the world.
IMO Katie Lou will be a WNBA stalwart for a decade but she will never be at that top echelon. Now IMO Geno has to start reining in her shot selection and more clearly define her role. She can't do what she wants to do, she's not that good! It's ugly and as a fan I find it aesthetically unpleasing. BTW Kudos on her passing and rebounding. My rant is about the shooting ineffectiveness and shot selection. Out

I'm getting out the popcorn. This should get interesting.

 

[Los24]

Appreciate the post. Concern regarding Lou! Big-time. I'm disappointed! It's her time to step up and be a player of the year type player. It's not happening and as a fan I'm not enjoying watching it. Pheesa is rock solid, but she has limitations.
Some players have the gift of super-stardom. Lots of intangibles that makes up those players. UConn has had a lopsided number of these players- D, Maya, and Stewie in particular. (nothing to do- google UConn girls- and see how many of Geno's titles were influenced by the 3 of them. Short answer, almost all of the 11.) Everyone else is a notch below- Tina, Swin, Sue, Moriah, Morgan, Kyesha, etc, etc.
I do not think Lou can physically be that great player. She lacks strength, quickness, and agility. She rarely finishes when she feels contact. She does not protect the ball in traffic. So many of those plays when her arms flail out after the ball has been touched. Super stars finish! And one!
She forces shots, hence her poor percentage and her streaks of misses. I believe the grand experiment of her being a prolific scorer is over! Time for role-playing. Lou hits open shots when they are not forced and she is on balance. Those are the shots she should take in addition to transition layups and follow-ups. She still shoots like a high school kid, from her chest, and she cannot shoot under duress and she cannot create her own shot. So, let's stop pretending.
She is an all-American player in the best program in America, but we must cultivate her strengths and not expect some of these plays that she is not capable of making. Keep the ball moving and where the mismatches are materializing is around the freshman and the sophomore. Katie will rise when teams get tired of the youngsters killing them and all will be right in the world.
IMO Katie Lou will be a WNBA stalwart for a decade but she will never be at that top echelon. Now IMO Geno has to start reining in her shot selection and more clearly define her role. She can't do what she wants to do, she's not that good! It's ugly and as a fan I find it aesthetically unpleasing. BTW Kudos on her passing and rebounding. My rant is about the shooting ineffectiveness and shot selection. Out

Great feedback and reply. I feel some of those limitations too but not to the same degree. I also think her shot selection is not as bad as you are making it seem. She just missed shots in OU game, although a couple may have been rushed. This goes to my point that she is learning this "take over the game component" more now. You can say the same about players you would consider to have this capability such ND and LV stars.

However for Lou if you look at the Maryland game a couple years back, Louisville last year, 2nd half ND, etc... these will provide evidence she is capable of taking difficult shots in critical games with the defense on top of her. So I agree she is not as gifted athletically as Stewie but I believe there is more there now that she is healthy and in the senior leadership role. We will see but again good insight and feedback. Thanks.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Seeing how she is third, how can that be considered the best. The best should be whoever has the highest percentage, it seems to me.

She's not the best shooter on her own team, let alone the nation. I would say based on the stats, she is one of the best shooters in the nation though and leave it at that.

 

[Zanzman]

Lou? She's on a mission. She has double-digit rebounds in the past two games, is also defending, and does what needs to be done to win. She's playing at near-Mt. Rushmore level.

She should never be in discussion for my rushmore

 

[Los24]

I just wanted to write that I am glad Lou backed up and proved much of what I was writing about today. Her overall game was great and her improvement is impressive. I hope she and the rest of the players continue to improve and they have as good a chance as anybody to win in March.

 

[Biff]

Appreciate the post. Concern regarding Lou! Big-time. I'm disappointed! It's her time to step up and be a player of the year type player. It's not happening and as a fan I'm not enjoying watching it. Pheesa is rock solid, but she has limitations.
Some players have the gift of super-stardom. Lots of intangibles that makes up those players. UConn has had a lopsided number of these players- D, Maya, and Stewie in particular. (nothing to do- google UConn girls- and see how many of Geno's titles were influenced by the 3 of them. Short answer, almost all of the 11.) Everyone else is a notch below- Tina, Swin, Sue, Moriah, Morgan, Kyesha, etc, etc.
I do not think Lou can physically be that great player. She lacks strength, quickness, and agility. She rarely finishes when she feels contact. She does not protect the ball in traffic. So many of those plays when her arms flail out after the ball has been touched. Super stars finish! And one!
She forces shots, hence her poor percentage and her streaks of misses. I believe the grand experiment of her being a prolific scorer is over! Time for role-playing. Lou hits open shots when they are not forced and she is on balance. Those are the shots she should take in addition to transition layups and follow-ups. She still shoots like a high school kid, from her chest, and she cannot shoot under duress and she cannot create her own shot. So, let's stop pretending.
She is an all-American player in the best program in America, but we must cultivate her strengths and not expect some of these plays that she is not capable of making. Keep the ball moving and where the mismatches are materializing is around the freshman and the sophomore. Katie will rise when teams get tired of the youngsters killing them and all will be right in the world.
IMO Katie Lou will be a WNBA stalwart for a decade but she will never be at that top echelon. Now IMO Geno has to start reining in her shot selection and more clearly define her role. She can't do what she wants to do, she's not that good! It's ugly and as a fan I find it aesthetically unpleasing. BTW Kudos on her passing and rebounding. My rant is about the shooting ineffectiveness and shot selection. Out

Wow....just wow.

 

[Los24]

Wow....just wow.

I had a lengthy reply but the one part I didnt touch was "I believe the grand experiment of her being a prolific scorer is over!"

She is gonna finish top 5 and maybe top 3 in UConn history in scoring. As a sophomore avg over 20 pts a game. Led the nation in 3pt% last year. All while playing on a bad foot. This year Avg 20+ but added better defense and rebounding now that she is healthy. She will finish #1 or #2 in UConn history in 3pt baskets made. She will also be a 3 time AA. I guess she is a role player with those credentials.

 

[hugefan]

Wow....just wow.

Yep. Got some fake posters on here trying to trash up a storm, hmmm wonder why.... some peeps are getting a Little nervous.

 

[Zanzman]

Actually that was for los 24 [ ]

 

[Biff]

Hey come on. Stay away from the personal insults.

 

[Los24]

Who am I someone that doesn’t think Lou walks on water

Ok did I misstate any facts? Excuse me, again why I don't post on this thread much. I was defending my original statements that she is improving and I think she will be the one we need to hit some big shots, that is it.

I never posted she was the best, she should be in the hall of fame, Mount Rushmore at UConn, etc... It is a forum so when someone states a pretty outrages comment about "I believe the grand experiment of her being a prolific scorer is over!" I came with some information to counter the comment.

Instead you make some pretty stupid comments with no point or anything to counter what I am saying. If you do not have anything interesting say why are you bothering to state anything at all. I respect the other folks that disagreed with me and said as much because they were trying to make some interesting points with observations unlike yourself.

 

[hoophuskee]

Since you asked for thoughts, here are mine.... and I will try to tread carefully here.
I am usually uncomfortable when fans try to anoint a leader, or most important player, or whatever they fancy about their favourite player. This always, though probably not intended, undervalues the contributions of other players. Lou is not the most important player on this UCONN team. I am sorry, but she is not. Are UCONN offensive plays predominantly run for Lou, yes! She is more often than not, the beneficiary of screens set by other players (very rarely do you see Lou setting screens for others). Now, as it seem that's how Geno wants it, I am not complaining. But just because Geno runs plays for her does not make her the best player. Lou's game (and her ability to score) depends immensely on her team mates setting her up. This year she has definitely diversify her game, but off course this is year 4 so she has to in order to succeed at the next level. Is she an important component, yes! But so is Pheesa, CD, CW, and yes, Megan also. The team is a team for a reason. Each member brings a special skill set. When each does what they are good at very well, the team succeeds. When someone does not, the team becomes unbalance. Now, regarding what each brings, Lou has been fortunate in that she has always play her natural wing position at UCONN. Pheesa is not a natural 4 or 5 but she had been enlisted to play those positions in the interest of the team. Don't tell me Megan is a 4, yet she is playing that this year, banging with players who are bigger and taller than her. That has an effect on one's offense, don't you think? Same thing happened with Gabby. She was made to play a position that, in my opinion, is negatively impacting her professional career, at least in her first WNBA year. I know it may be sacrilege to some, but in my opinion, Lou was given a starting position in her Freshman year. There was no evidence that she earned it in practice. Geno, at that time wanted to balance the team with an outside shooter, so he put Gabby on the bench and inserted Lou into the starting five with Stewie, Tuck, Kia and Moriah. If playing time or starting was all due to how you perform in practice, Gabby would have started (see the Ohio State game from 2015-2016 with Moriah, Kia and Gabby in the back court, and Tuck and Stewie up front).
The bottom line is this.... Lou has improved her game a lot, and it will probably benefit her at the next level. But at heart, she is still a finesse player, dependent on her team mates for the most part to get open looks. Yet, with those open looks she still misses quite a bit, especially in the big games when the opponent has athletic, rugged players on her (they types she will see in the WNBA). She needs to continue to diversify her game, improve her rebounding (she is the tallest player among the starting five so it should be expected), and improve her defense, especially her lateral movement (opposing players do not respect her defense or shot blocking in spite of her height, so they almost always drive at her - see OU, ND, St John's...).
Any way, this is how I see it.
Cheers!

I don't agree with how you look at the college game nor do I agree with how you look at the pro game. For starters Collier is more of a 4 in college-- not a 3. Same with Walker but maybe she could live as a 3 (she's a 3/4) if she was good skills as a penetrator and can pass well off of it. I haven't seen her enough.

Collier and Walker don't shoot well enough from outside 15 feet and just as important set up other players for passing for a championship team offensively. Potentially they could win defensively 51-50 but that's not the UCONN WAY. There's a reason why Geno gets the #1 recruits often- the number1 recruits know he'll look to optimize their skill set WHILE WINNING. In the college game guard/perimeter play extremely important. Passing and shooting from the perimeter is extremely important.

If you run into a team like Dayton from the past NCAA and their offense is clicking and you have Collier or Walker as one of the prime weapons from the wing, you're going to lose unless you have an elite defensive team. KLS is a favorite for a reason. IMO not what you imply but her presence is such a threat as wing- to play her at any other position more than an occasional game is wrong She shoots better than players like Collier and walker and passes better. KLS is a natural wing.

As far as Gabby- she's in the WNBA BECUASE Geno had her play 4. She can't shoot well enough. Just because you play her as a guard in college doesn't mean she'd automatically be good enough to be one. And how many games need to be sacrificed for one player? The idea is to win. Geno and Gabby showed the WNBA teams that her style can be successful. Playing her at guard may very well have cost the team wins and Gabby a WNBA career. That's not the UCONN way.

 

[hoophuskee]

reading some of the other posts I just want to add Collier is a great 4 better than KLS. KLS is a better 3. I don't get the little shots at KLS. She's been a 1st team a/a deservedly so. This is not KLS vs Collier. They compliment each other extremely well. These two have yet to lose a reg season game and lost two final fours on last second shots it OT. They both deserve huge accolades and it has been a joy watching both.

 

[AussieHusky]

I don't agree with how you look at the college game nor do I agree with how you look at the pro game. For starters Collier is more of a 4 in college-- not a 3. Same with Walker but maybe she could live as a 3 (she's a 3/4) if she was good skills as a penetrator and can pass well off of it. I haven't seen her enough.

Collier and Walker don't shoot well enough from outside 15 feet and just as important set up other players for passing for a championship team offensively. Potentially they could win defensively 51-50 but that's not the UCONN WAY. There's a reason why Geno gets the #1 recruits often- the number1 recruits know he'll look to optimize their skill set WHILE WINNING. In the college game guard/perimeter play extremely important. Passing and shooting from the perimeter is extremely important.

If you run into a team like Dayton from the past NCAA and their offense is clicking and you have Collier or Walker as one of the prime weapons from the wing, you're going to lose unless you have an elite defensive team. KLS is a favorite for a reason. IMO not what you imply but her presence is such a threat as wing- to play her at any other position more than an occasional game is wrong She shoots better than players like Collier and walker and passes better. KLS is a natural wing.

As far as Gabby- she's in the WNBA BECUASE Geno had her play 4. She can't shoot well enough. Just because you play her as a guard in college doesn't mean she'd automatically be good enough to be one. And how many games need to be sacrificed for one player? The idea is to win. Geno and Gabby showed the WNBA teams that her style can be successful. Playing her at guard may very well have cost the team wins and Gabby a WNBA career. That's not the UCONN way.

"For starters Collier is more of a 4 in college-- not a 3. Same with Walker but maybe she could live as a 3 (she's a 3/4) if she was good skills as a penetrator and can pass well off of it. I haven't seen her enough."
Walker is a 4 just as Maya is a 4, right? Please! Megan Walker is 6'1", while athletic, she is definitely undersized for a 4 (does not have the girth or bulk to offset the lack of height). And, Walker has a mid-range game, she shoots the 3-ball at a respectable percentage (in big game situations I may add....see UCLA 2018, and others). She has the ability to beat players off the dribble also. She has shown those abilities when given the opportunity. I don't know what you see when you see Megan play, but obviously we are not looking at the same things. Not a big deal, we can disagree. I get it you "don't agree with how..." I see the game, but you will be hard press to convince many others that Megan Walker is a College 4, and by inference, a WNBA 4.

"As far as Gabby- she's in the WNBA BECUASE Geno had her play 4. She can't shoot well enough."
Of all your statements, this is the one that really pains me.....I will just say that we see things differently. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't recall Gabby ever being asked to play guard at UCONN, in a game situation that is. Maybe in practice, but you and I don't know that. So in other words, she was a guard in HS (b/4 injury), she was recruited based on her exploits as a guard, and then she was sent to the post to bang against players who were bigger and stronger than her, in the interest of the team. And she performed admirably because of her smarts and hard work. She was unselfish, and would do anything for the team (just as Megan is being asked to do now...). And probably being asked to play out of position contributed to her not working on those attributes that are associated with her natural position. And now you blame her? Let me just be clear, Gabby Williams is not in the "WNBA BECUASE Geno had her play 4", but in spite of it, imo. Her smarts, determination and hard work got her there. And I will add that Geno making her play 4 in college may very well have played a big part in her struggles in the WNBA last year.

There is one area that you and I agree.... that Geno's job is to win games, and that he will put a team and, obviously players, in positions that he feels will win games for UCONN. That is fair. Like all coaches, that's what he's paid to do, and I have no qualms about that. And I will add that in the process he strives to put a product that is aesthetically pleasing unlike the majority of his peers. But let's be honest, sometimes his decisions may not be in the best interest of the player's post-UCONN career.

"Geno and Gabby showed the WNBA teams that her style can be successful. Playing her at guard may very well have cost the team wins and Gabby a WNBA career. That's not the UCONN way"
Not sure I understand what you are trying to say here...
Are you implying that Geno playing Gabby as an undersized 4 (and sometimes 5) in college enabled her to successfully play the same position in the WNBA? There's no evidence of that. In fact she was beaten up by bigger, stronger and athletic players at that position in the WNBA last season.

The bottom line is this. imo .... Geno puts players in positions that will help UCONN win games, plain and simple. For some, that position reinforces their strengths (KLS). For others, that position may require learning new things and unlearning what they've known all along (Gabby, Megan). If the player succeeds, their post-UCONN basketball career probably thrives as a result. If not, they leave with a wonderful education and important life lessons. That is all one can ask for. But let's not kid ourselves that everything Geno does prepares the player for a successful professional career, and that failing to be successful professionally (in basketball) is all the player's fault.

 

[AussieHusky]

I just wanted to write that I am glad Lou backed up and proved much of what I was writing about today. Her overall game was great and her improvement is impressive. I hope she and the rest of the players continue to improve and they have as good a chance as anybody to win in March.

Well, I haven't watched the game replay yet (not sure if I will be able to though), but here's hoping that Lou continued to diversify her game and contribute in other ways. Diversity is a good thing, as is seeing and acknowledging the contributions of other players, especially the worker-bees.

 

[HopJim]

reading some of the other posts I just want to add Collier is a great 4 better than KLS. KLS is a better 3. I don't get the little shots at KLS. She's been a 1st team a/a deservedly so. This is not KLS vs Collier. They compliment each other extremely well. These two have yet to lose a reg season game and lost two final fours on last second shots it OT. They both deserve huge accolades and it has been a joy watching both.

You make strong points. In my view they are equal in their importance to UConn this year. I could make a case for either as the team MVP but not necessary. Neither would have the same results without the other.

 

[Los24]

Well, I haven't watched the game replay yet (not sure if I will be able to though), but here's hoping that Lou continued to diversify her game and contribute in other ways. Diversity is a good thing, as is seeing and acknowledging the contributions of other players, especially the worker-bees.

I thought everyone played well. Pheesa outplayed another AA and with help almost completely shut her down. The biggest gripe of some was 3pt defense but Geno explained that it was part of stopping Anigwe and force a team that typically does not shoot well from three to beat them. There is room there for improvement to get on top of the screens and rotate a bit faster but 66 points allowed to a good to 15 team is not bad. I thought Megan and CW continued to show that they can be counted on. Overall balanced scoring and good game to watch.

 

[Los24]

reading some of the other posts I just want to add Collier is a great 4 better than KLS. KLS is a better 3. I don't get the little shots at KLS. She's been a 1st team a/a deservedly so. This is not KLS vs Collier. They compliment each other extremely well. These two have yet to lose a reg season game and lost two final fours on last second shots it OT. They both deserve huge accolades and it has been a joy watching both.

I agree 100%. This thread was about Lou and the way she is developing this year as a senior and now healthy. I was going to write a similar one for Pheesa but now it may come off as disingenuous. You said it perfectly, they are different players with different skillsets. Both are great players and from all accounts great young women.

 

[phil sampieri]

Since you asked for thoughts, here are mine.... and I will try to tread carefully here.
I am usually uncomfortable when fans try to anoint a leader, or most important player, or whatever they fancy about their favourite player. This always, though probably not intended, undervalues the contributions of other players. Lou is not the most important player on this UCONN team. I am sorry, but she is not. Are UCONN offensive plays predominantly run for Lou, yes! She is more often than not, the beneficiary of screens set by other players (very rarely do you see Lou setting screens for others). Now, as it seem that's how Geno wants it, I am not complaining. But just because Geno runs plays for her does not make her the best player. Lou's game (and her ability to score) depends immensely on her team mates setting her up. This year she has definitely diversify her game, but off course this is year 4 so she has to in order to succeed at the next level. Is she an important component, yes! But so is Pheesa, CD, CW, and yes, Megan also. The team is a team for a reason. Each member brings a special skill set. When each does what they are good at very well, the team succeeds. When someone does not, the team becomes unbalance. Now, regarding what each brings, Lou has been fortunate in that she has always play her natural wing position at UCONN. Pheesa is not a natural 4 or 5 but she had been enlisted to play those positions in the interest of the team. Don't tell me Megan is a 4, yet she is playing that this year, banging with players who are bigger and taller than her. That has an effect on one's offense, don't you think? Same thing happened with Gabby. She was made to play a position that, in my opinion, is negatively impacting her professional career, at least in her first WNBA year. I know it may be sacrilege to some, but in my opinion, Lou was given a starting position in her Freshman year. There was no evidence that she earned it in practice. Geno, at that time wanted to balance the team with an outside shooter, so he put Gabby on the bench and inserted Lou into the starting five with Stewie, Tuck, Kia and Moriah. If playing time or starting was all due to how you perform in practice, Gabby would have started (see the Ohio State game from 2015-2016 with Moriah, Kia and Gabby in the back court, and Tuck and Stewie up front).
The bottom line is this.... Lou has improved her game a lot, and it will probably benefit her at the next level. But at heart, she is still a finesse player, dependent on her team mates for the most part to get open looks. Yet, with those open looks she still misses quite a bit, especially in the big games when the opponent has athletic, rugged players on her (they types she will see in the WNBA). She needs to continue to diversify her game, improve her rebounding (she is the tallest player among the starting five so it should be expected), and improve her defense, especially her lateral movement (opposing players do not respect her defense or shot blocking in spite of her height, so they almost always drive at her - see OU, ND, St John's...).
Any way, this is how I see it.
Cheers!

 

[phil sampieri]

Since you asked for thoughts, here are mine.... and I will try to tread carefully here.
I am usually uncomfortable when fans try to anoint a leader, or most important player, or whatever they fancy about their favourite player. This always, though probably not intended, undervalues the contributions of other players. Lou is not the most important player on this UCONN team. I am sorry, but she is not. Are UCONN offensive plays predominantly run for Lou, yes! She is more often than not, the beneficiary of screens set by other players (very rarely do you see Lou setting screens for others). Now, as it seem that's how Geno wants it, I am not complaining. But just because Geno runs plays for her does not make her the best player. Lou's game (and her ability to score) depends immensely on her team mates setting her up. This year she has definitely diversify her game, but off course this is year 4 so she has to in order to succeed at the next level. Is she an important component, yes! But so is Pheesa, CD, CW, and yes, Megan also. The team is a team for a reason. Each member brings a special skill set. When each does what they are good at very well, the team succeeds. When someone does not, the team becomes unbalance. Now, regarding what each brings, Lou has been fortunate in that she has always play her natural wing position at UCONN. Pheesa is not a natural 4 or 5 but she had been enlisted to play those positions in the interest of the team. Don't tell me Megan is a 4, yet she is playing that this year, banging with players who are bigger and taller than her. That has an effect on one's offense, don't you think? Same thing happened with Gabby. She was made to play a position that, in my opinion, is negatively impacting her professional career, at least in her first WNBA year. I know it may be sacrilege to some, but in my opinion, Lou was given a starting position in her Freshman year. There was no evidence that she earned it in practice. Geno, at that time wanted to balance the team with an outside shooter, so he put Gabby on the bench and inserted Lou into the starting five with Stewie, Tuck, Kia and Moriah. If playing time or starting was all due to how you perform in practice, Gabby would have started (see the Ohio State game from 2015-2016 with Moriah, Kia and Gabby in the back court, and Tuck and Stewie up front).
The bottom line is this.... Lou has improved her game a lot, and it will probably benefit her at the next level. But at heart, she is still a finesse player, dependent on her team mates for the most part to get open looks. Yet, with those open looks she still misses quite a bit, especially in the big games when the opponent has athletic, rugged players on her (they types she will see in the WNBA). She needs to continue to diversify her game, improve her rebounding (she is the tallest player among the starting five so it should be expected), and improve her defense, especially her lateral movement (opposing players do not respect her defense or shot blocking in spite of her height, so they almost always drive at her - see OU, ND, St John's...).
Any way, this is how I see it.
Cheers![/QUOTE
They set more screens for her than anyone else, wow so wouldn't you as a coach, do that for your best ( outside shooter ?) think about it for a sec.
)

 

[hoophuskee]

[QUOTE="AussieHusky, post: 2969192, member: 6731



from Aussie ---------The bottom line is this. imo .... Geno puts players in positions that will help UCONN win games, plain and simple. For some, that position reinforces their strengths (KLS). For others, that position may require learning new things and unlearning what they've known all along (Gabby, Megan). If the player succeeds, their post-UCONN basketball career probably thrives as a result. If not, they leave with a wonderful education and important life lessons. That is all one can ask for. But let's not kid ourselves that everything Geno does prepares the player for a successful professional career, and that failing to be successful professionally (in basketball) is all the player's fault.[/QUOTE]

from me----------- yeah we disagree on everything. First off I don't get your Maya comment. Mayas was a super 4 in college. Before Maya came to UCONN I was on the old ESPN board and argued with those that thought Maya would kill kalana's minutes because I felt UCONN could play Maya at 4. I believe if certain players can "play up" - positions then you should do it. In the college game "playing up" enhances ball movement and pace of play. Thus this style of play allows you to consistently land the number 1 recruits.

As far as Walker yes this year her shooting has been good but last YEAR it wasn't. And in high school I recall her shooting %'s were not that good. Okay but not that great. So I'm supposed to discount an entire year plus her high school "shooting" numbers for a few games this year? And as far as girth who says you need girth to win at the power forward? why can't 4's be small and drill 3's and play an exciting brand of winning fast-paced basketball? As far as hard pressed I think as mentioned above with Maya - I think you're making a mistake of equating what position you play in college must be the same position you must play in the WNBA. The college game is different. A kid like walker just needs to play. That's more important than stuffing her at 3 and live with her shot which imo will be decent this year but not elite. And while you bring up her dribbling beating her defender off the dribble I point to her passing of 19 assist to 13 turnovers. That's not bad but it's the worst ratio on the team. When you are trying to be an elite team and if everyone else in the starting 5 is a better passer and shooter, why would you want Walker to be your 3? In zones she would be one of the top handlers/decision makers or she would be nothing more that 3pt statue. At the 4 she can use her very good quickness to beat other 4's off the dribble and also if she is the shooter you suspect then she can get off perimeter shots any time.

As far as Gabby - I don't agree with how you can come up with that I "blame" her. I get it we have different views. How you've interpreted my comments as "blame" just highlights our differences. If I recall Gabby's highest ranking in high school was 7 and hoopgulrz had her 14. The writeup was that she was a super athlete - why do you think she couldn't be higher? Because of her shot. And in the years she's played at UCONN in which she was a 4-- how would you compare her 3's vs players such as Maya and Collier? She showed you for 4 years she isn't much of a perimeter player yet got drafted above her high school ratings, outplayed nearly every big she went against and became 1st team all-American and somehow you suggest I'm "blaming" her? I'm thrilled for what she turned into based on her skill set. Because she was used as a 4 she got into the WNBA as a very high pick.

I'm in the camp that likes to have college players "play up" in order to play fast paced winning basketball. I don't believe as you do playing someone like Gabby at 4 hurt her. I don't believe she would have ever had the shooting skill to be a WNBA pro guard unless for defense only. Her 4 years of lack of a 3pt shot showed me that. Two plyers you highlighted were both Collier and Walker at 3's. Both have shown you 3pt ability even as 4's. Gabby logged many minutes at the 4- which season did she show you 3pt ability other than maybe you might think of her high school? IMO this is a clear indication her shot was/is suspect.

And as far as your comments on Geno again we look at things differently. You say Geno recruited Gabby as a guard, yet I say Geno recruited Gabby as a basketball player. You seem to want to hard define positions from high school to college to WNBA. Thus I'll always disagree with your outlook. I agree with the Geno strategy of giving his best players minutes and be fexible in positions they play. IMO I don't think Collier, Walker or gabby was hurt one iota in their positions with UConn. Further, IMO there is a huge reason why Geno lands #1 recruits. It's because he is not stuck on position and he gets them because they show well in the WNBA regardless where geno played them in college. Because minutes for these kids is a lot more important than position. **** thus Walker will not be a 4 in the wnba but in college she might be.

 

[phil sampieri]

Seeing how she is third, how can that be considered the best. The best should be whoever has the highest percentage, it seems to me.

I'd bet she would be 1st always as the one most closely guarded. think about it for a minute. stats can be skewed as these are.
\

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

Way too much discussion on this... the poster was trying to talk about how Lou has expanded her game this year and the thread has gone on multiple tangents, including who is the best player on the team (not the point of the original post), who belongs on Mt Rushmore (not the point of the orig post), Lou's 3pt percentage compared to team mates this season (not the point of the orig post --- an let's NOT forget she was #1 in all of D1 WBB last year in 3pt %). Her rebounding is WAY up... she averages 20pt/game, her field goal percentage is coming up each game, her free throw percentage is up (she has only missed 5 all season this season), her Assist to Turnover ratio is excellent... bottom line, she is contributing all over the stat sheet.

I believe Lou has continued to improve and expand her game in all facets since she came to UCONN and this year in particular (3 straight double doubles helps support this). She is a key to the success of the Team this year as is Pheesa, Danger, Meg, CW, Kyla, ONO, Molly, Mikala and Touly when she gets healthy. Lou and Pheesa are both playing at AA level, and some might give Danger a similar endorsement... Fact of the matter is, none of this extended back and forth and other discussion is ever going to be agreed upon by everyone on BY... but I think the UCONN Fans on this site agree on one thing... this TEAM relies on ALL of it's "cogs" to win another NC and we're all pulling for them to do just that!