Two obvious thoughts from the SCSU game

[RockyMTblue2]

I saw little of the game, though it seems Geno was most pleased with Olivia's progress:

"Nelson-Ododa’s performance reminded Auriemma of the first time he saw her play, which was while she was on Team USA. He said she was competitive and aggressive in that game, but watching her in high school he saw the version of her that he’s seen in Storrs — less physical."

“That was the most encouraging thing tonight,” Auriemma said. “She was willing to get in there and mix it up a little bit. Obviously there was nobody that could challenge her, but that’s a good sign… [She] could’ve just as easily gone out there and not done that so I thought that was worth having the game.”

"Auriemma and the rest of UConn’s coaching staff have been pushing her a lot recently, Nelson-Ododa said, and she’s happy to see it paying it. The transition to college hasn’t been easy, but she feels like she’s constantly learning and progressing as she tries to play with more physicality.

“Coming into college basketball is definitely not easy, especially at this program,” Nelson-Ododa said. “But the coaches are amazing at player development and I definitely strive each day to get better and better so that helps.”

Freshmen excel in UConn women's dominant exhibition win over SCSU

 

[eebmg]

I saw little of the game, though it seems Geno was most pleased with Olivia's progress:

"Nelson-Ododa’s performance reminded Auriemma of the first time he saw her play, which was while she was on Team USA. He said she was competitive and aggressive in that game, but watching her in high school he saw the version of her that he’s seen in Storrs — less physical."

“That was the most encouraging thing tonight,” Auriemma said. “She was willing to get in there and mix it up a little bit. Obviously there was nobody that could challenge her, but that’s a good sign… [She] could’ve just as easily gone out there and not done that so I thought that was worth having the game.”

"Auriemma and the rest of UConn’s coaching staff have been pushing her a lot recently, Nelson-Ododa said, and she’s happy to see it paying it. The transition to college hasn’t been easy, but she feels like she’s constantly learning and progressing as she tries to play with more physicality.

“Coming into college basketball is definitely not easy, especially at this program,” Nelson-Ododa said. “But the coaches are amazing at player development and I definitely strive each day to get better and better so that helps.”

Freshmen excel in UConn women's dominant exhibition win over SCSU

Geno clearly sees the need to bring ONO along fairly gently but boy is Geno cracking the whip with Christyn. The faint of heart should turn away.

And he is using some fairly unique buttons that must feed into her particular psyche. ' Needs to be more intuitive with her play and worry less about the particular play calls' and ' She should be good enough that they talk about her on TV as one of the top players in basketball'. Not sure if Geno has ever ventured into this path earlier.

 

[paisan]

Comparing Lou to Stewie is not fair to Lou. Stewie is in a class by herself “4 national championships “. She didn’t just score points....she was the best defender on the floor, she was the best rebounder in the game, she made every player on her team better, and she was clutch when the game was on the line.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Geno clearly sees the need to bring ONO along fairly gently but boy is Geno cracking the whip with Christyn. The faint of heart should turn away.

And he is using some fairly unique buttons that must feed into her particular psyche. ' Needs to be more intuitive with her play and worry less about the particular play calls' and ' She should be good enough that they talk about her on TV as one of the top players in basketball'. Not sure if Geno has ever ventured into this path earlier.

You are right, but two things are converging : Geno's seemingly limitless vision of her potential and Christyn's irrepressible nature. It is said every freshman hits the Freshman Wall. From what I have seen of Christyn so far I doubt it will be in her way for long.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Where's the box score? Can't find it on Uconnhuskies.com website

Courtesy of MJL243:

SCSU Athletics - Boxscore for Women's Basketball vs University of Connecticut on 11/15/2018

 

[MilfordHusky]

The bench improved? ONO is the ONLY one that has shown improvement! The rest of the bench combined for a grand total of 7 points in 57 minutes of play vs a division II team!

Molly played really well and more aggressively than we have seen her. Combine that with Liv's play, and I think it's fair to say that the bench has improved. Of course, they need to maintain it and not regress.

 

[MilfordHusky]

But it is a bit of a concern, she has to be consistent in her sophomore year, not enough bench for her not to be a strong contributor in every game.

Agreed. Given our bench, no one on the starting 5 can afford to get into foul trouble, though opposing teams will try just that.

 

[Bama fan]

Where's the box score? Can't find it on Uconnhuskies.com website

SCSU Athletics - Boxscore for Women's Basketball vs University of Connecticut on 11/15/2018

 

[cohenzone]

This seems a little bit like arguing about the relative greatness of Ruth, DiMaggio and Mantle. All hall of famers with diifferent strengths and fans of their team are lucky to have had them

 

[VAMike23]

Who was number 10 and what did she do with our Molly?

I had that same thought during the game .... alien abduction is REAL !!!!

 

[eebmg]

I had that same thought during the game .... alien abduction is REAL !!!!

I am happy the aliens made the switch.

 

[Carnac]

Yes Div 2 but Molly really had a fantastic game in all facets (offense, DEFENSE, passing, positioning, making the right decisions) and for a player where confidence is key, I really think this can open her eyes to what she can do for us off the bench. She really has all the physical tools. If her head catches up to her body.

Before the season is over, I think UConn is going to need significant contributions from its bench.

 

[huskyd]

If the bench continues to improve, I see Lou, Pheesa, Crystal Dangerfield, getting more rest then last year during Conference play. Lou was very efficient today, Pheesa had some early struggles then started gelling, Crystal Dangerfield had an off shooting night, but did distribute the ball well. Had good production from CW, Liv, and Molly. MW was also a little off but did contribute.

This is a good observation. The measure of how effective the bench play is the extent to which the score remains solidly in UConn's favor. Last year the subs would enter and promptly give back 10 points or so to the opposition. This season, so far, the subs have held steady and have not yielded a bunch of points. In at least one case, the score grew after the bench players arrived (OSU). With a thin bench, this is really important.

 

[JordyG]

Umm, no I believe UConn82 is admitting Stewart is the best since Moore.

Yes, my bad. Or, worse.

 

[Florida Fan]

This seems a little bit like arguing about the relative greatness of Ruth, DiMaggio and Mantle. All hall of famers with diifferent strengths and fans of their team are lucky to have had them

For the youngsters, that's Babe, Joe and Mickey, hall of fame baseball players with unique skills and personalities.

 

[Longtime fan]

I thought that Lexi would get more playing time, especially for an exhibition game. If I was in Lexi's position, I have to wonder if it is more fun to get to play even for a D-II team like SCU than getting 5min of garbage time in an exhibition game. I am not sure what you learn from that.

I am sure that enters her mind. The question is; is she really good but still undeveloped, or was she "mis-read" as a high-end recruit? Clearly, the second year is often a break-out year for many talented freshmen. I never hear Geno mention her name. Is that a strategy? Does he speak to her regularly and we don't know it? Does he have hopes for her? Does he see high end potential? We'll never know. It is up to her. Like all UCONN stars, she has to go out and grab the brass ring. She has to make Geno and the coaches notice her. Make them say, " we cannot keep her off the court." Otherwise, she will simply be able to say; " I was there. I worked. But I did nothing." And now I am going to start a different career.

 

[chrissaran]

Breanna had more talent around her that Lou and Pheesa do this year.

 

[paisan]

Breanna had more talent around her that Lou and Pheesa do this year.

Lou and pheesa were on two teams that could have or maybe should have won a national title . They did not.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Could have in 2017. Should have in 2018.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I thought that Lexi would get more playing time, especially for an exhibition game. If I was in Lexi's position, I have to wonder if it is more fun to get to play even for a D-II team like SCU than getting 5min of garbage time in an exhibition game. I am not sure what you learn from that.

I was just wondering earlier today as I watched the replay again, whether it has always been Geno's mindset that the lowest player on the ladder would/should get only four or five minutes of playing time. In other words, with a full roster, does he have some strategy or plan (I don't want to say formula) for how he does this. I do feel bad for her; she's a sentimental favorite.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I'm taking Maya, Sue, or Kaleena.

I think Lou has the better midrange shot, but Stewie has that great hook shot.

My general point is that Lou is an extremely gifted scorer.

I think Lou is the better shooter beyond six or eight feet. And I'm going to risk bodily harm and say that Lou is the better passer, though Stewie is very good as well. Lou does not get enough credit for her passing.

I'm convinced, and hopeful, that Lou will go down in UConn history as one of it's better all-around, consider-everything players. As many have pointed out, when she's on the court, the offense works way better.