UConn-Houston post game quotes

[HuskyNan]

UCONN HEAD COACH GENO AURIEMMA
Opening Statement
“There is no substitute for making shots. That is the perception out there, that we are such a good offensive team that every time that we shoot the ball it is going in. The reality of the situation is that it is not going to happen every night; some nights you are just not going to make shots and you have to do other things. I was happy with the way that group responded that was together for a long time. That 33-2 run was without [Breanna] Stewart on the floor, that is a good sign to be able to do that without Stewart and [Morgan] Tuck on the court. I saw some really good things from that group.”

Post game quotes

 

[Aluminny69]

Some people don't understand how difficult it is to shoot in a different environment. Sight lines are different, points of reference are different. That is a big part of "home court" advantage. It took the UConn players more than half to adjust to the new (to them) court.

That is why the SC game may be more difficult then some fans expect.

 

[vtcwbuff]

I really like Gilbert's attitude. These couple of quotes tell you a lot about her . . .

"We can play better man-to-man, especially against people that don’t have as much skill as they do. We have to bottle that up and continue to bring that confidence that we’ve displayed, and bring it on to the next practice and to the next game.” So she takes the loss as a positive learning experience. A coach can't ask for much more than that.

" It’s Tyler Gilbert saying coach I can go; I don’t need to go out; I’m getting a second wind right now. I’m asking Tyler can you go, because transition got up and down and she said I’m good. We needed that.”

I was reminded of Griner a couple of years ago. whining to come out of a game because she was tired.

 

[Sonny44]

Some people don't understand how difficult it is to shoot in a different environment. Sight lines are different, points of reference are different. That is a big part of "home court" advantage. It took the UConn players more than half to adjust to the new (to them) court.

That is why the SC game may be more difficult then some fans expect.

Nah, we've been whipping good teams on their home courts for years now. Started way back (2009?) UConn #2 goes to #1 No. Carolina and gave them a 30 pt. beat down.

 

[Geno-ista]

Some people don't understand how difficult it is to shoot in a different environment. Sight lines are different, points of reference are different. That is a big part of "home court" advantage. It took the UConn players more than half to adjust to the new (to them) court.

That is why the SC game may be more difficult then some fans expect.

Plus- they are traveling much farther and a different time zone. That is a bigger deal than even traveling to So Carolina.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I heard the interview. Interesting the part about how they are really not all that talented, beyond Stewie. Also questioned whether Lou actually earned those rebounds or whether they just came to her. What are your thoughts?

 

[uconnfan68]

Some people don't understand how difficult it is to shoot in a different environment. Sight lines are different, points of reference are different. That is a big part of "home court" advantage. It took the UConn players more than half to adjust to the new (to them) court.

That is why the SC game may be more difficult then some fans expect.

To most good shooters, it doesn't matter. To others, sometimes they shoot better on the road. I think they were a little surprised by Houston, and maybe a little tight to start. That's all.

 

[PhillyCoach]

I heard the interview. Interesting the part about how they are really not all that talented, beyond Stewie. Also questioned whether Lou actually earned those rebounds or whether they just came to her. What are your thoughts?

Interesting stuff. Stewie is one heck of a Standard to go by. DT, Maya, Stewie---everyone else is missing something. MO too?
On rebounding - Being around the ball is a knack; IMO a gift. The Great Gretzy didn't "earn" the puck. The puck came to Gretzy because he knew where it was going. Collier has that knack. I think Lou has a little of that too--somewhat. Now Gabby is a different story, she earns her rebounds--like Stewie or Nurse. Gabby also has a nose for the ball (& with that combo no wonder she is prolific.) Stewie too.

Nat stands tall and holds the ball very high (with her body position keeping people at a distance.) If you saw "Once over the Cuckoo's nest" IMO Nat reminds me of Chief rebounding against the attendants. Arms up high and in control. Never leaving the ground.
Remember everyone--a perfect box out is when the ball can hit the ground right in front of you (no need to jump) as you "box out" the opposition.
As someone mentioned above--Could Bird rebound? I think so.

 

[msf22b]

M

I heard the interview. Interesting the part about how they are really not all that talented, beyond Stewie. Also questioned whether Lou actually earned those rebounds or whether they just came to her. What are your thoughts?

My initial thoughts were that the team played so ineptly and totally without composure at the start, that CD is totally peed-off and is hard pressed to say anything nice about anyone, especially collectively..Have to credit Gabby and Butler (she was the other one?).
Geno may have been benevolent in his perspective, doesn't mean CD has to be.
As stated above, to some derision...it doesn't matter that they won by... whatever
Much more important (at least to CD) was the Chinese fire-drill first quarter.

 

[Gus Mahler]

M


My initial thoughts were that the team played so ineptly and totally without composure at the start, that CD is totally peed-off and is hard pressed to say anything nice about anyone, especially collectively..Have to credit Gabby and Butler (she was the other one?).
Geno may have been benevolent in his perspective, doesn't mean CD has to be.
As stated above, to some derision...it doesn't matter that they won by... whatever
Much more important (at least to CD) was the Chinese fire-drill first quarter.

She is definitely not given to undue praise. I am curious about her comment on talent. Maybe that will be revealed in future interviews.

 

[rvwsleep]

M


My initial thoughts were that the team played so ineptly and totally without composure at the start, that CD is totally peed-off and is hard pressed to say anything nice about anyone, especially collectively..Have to credit Gabby and Butler (she was the other one?).
Geno may have been benevolent in his perspective, doesn't mean CD has to be.
As stated above, to some derision...it doesn't matter that they won by... whatever
Much more important (at least to CD) was the Chinese fire-drill first quarter.

Please use a different expression. That one is way outdated (I'm being kind) and for good cause.

 

[HuskyNan]

To most good shooters, it doesn't matter. To others, sometimes they shoot better on the road. I think they were a little surprised by Houston, and maybe a little tight to start. That's all.

And:

• It was yet another different starting lineup and Geno played unfamiliar lineups for most of the night
• Mo was still sore/rusty from sitting out with a hamstring injury, per the post-game quotes
• No Morgan
• Second game in three days, on the road
• Houston is improved from last year
• It's January and while people may like to pull stats from various years to prove me wrong, IMO the Huskies will often have January games where they don't look "right" as the young players have to learn to adjust to living in hotels and having their schedules disrupted while the dorms are closed. I've been watching the Huskies for decades and, to me, there is always at least one game in January that doesn't pass the eye test.
• Similarly, Napheesa may have hit the freshman wall. We'll see if it was just a one game aberration of if she's going to need a couple to catch a second wind.

As a fan, and a mother, I'm sympathetic but I'm sure Geno and CD are not, nor should they be. They need to find ways to get the players back on track. That can't be easy to do with a different roster and different personalities every year.

 

[PhillyCoach]

And:

• It was yet another different starting lineup and Geno played unfamiliar lineups for most of the night
• Mo was still sore/rusty from sitting out with a hamstring injury, per the post-game quotes
• No Morgan
• Second game in three days, on the road
• Houston is improved from last year
• It's January and while people may like to pull stats from various years to prove me wrong, IMO the Huskies will often have January games where they don't look "right" as the young players have to learn to adjust to living in hotels and having their schedules disrupted while the dorms are closed. I've been watching the Huskies for decades and, to me, there is always at least one game in January that doesn't pass the eye test.
• Similarly, Napheesa may have hit the freshman wall. We'll see if it was just a one game aberration of if she's going to need a couple to catch a second wind.

As a fan, and a mother, I'm sympathetic but I'm sure Geno and CD are not, nor should they be. They need to find ways to get the players back on track. That can't be easy to do with a different roster and different personalities every year.

Hey Nan - lots of good points.
Last year, Geno played the same 5 starters just about EVERY game and they got 25 minutes of team flow. As you stated, a new line-up every game throws everyone out of whack.
MO was floating through and playing well within herself while testing the hammy for full blast against USF. Like driving a stick shift in second gear all night.
Morgan is the glue. IMHO Morgan sitting and watching the chaotic first quarter---convinced her she has to come back next year. IMO she relishes that leadership role. In addition, those leadership skills will go hand in hand with her MBA (that she will earn next year.)
I also agree with other posters who say (way out of Geno's recent character, by the way) that Geno has been giving a sneaky peep at the future. He likes what he sees. He knows he has to get a jump on the other 1/2 dozen teams who look much improved next year (on paper anyway.) In fact, toward the end of the Houston game Geno did mention that there was very nice flow with the future team on the floor--no Stewie, etc.
It was also very interesting how each of the big three (Stewie, Mo, & Morgan) sat out a game each. Cautionary probably; resting maybe; testing the team chemistry w/o the big guns--possibly.
I am not convinced that Collier hit the frosh wall. IMO it is just the human condition--inconsistency. Chong is inconsistent, Lou is too, Collier yes (but less so), Ekmark has rusty inconsistency. This year even Nurse is a little inconsistent. Stewie, Mo & Morgan are the UConn models of Upper classman consistency. You pretty much know what you are getting every game.
That leaves us Gabby.
I contend that Gabby is the 4th most consistent player this year (slightly ahead of Nurse.) Gabby has the Maya type intensity, the nose for the ball, and the competitiveness of a world class athlete. As we are now seeing - the short jumper is an additional part of her game, rebounds & steals are everywhere, and her inside scoring is SMOOOTH.. If she can get a better outside handle--look out.

 

[hoophuskee]

I heard the interview. Interesting the part about how they are really not all that talented, beyond Stewie. Also questioned whether Lou actually earned those rebounds or whether they just came to her. What are your thoughts?

Don't know where the "talent" comment is coming from and what he is defining as "talent." Lats year he was discussing if MoJeff is as good as Sue bird. He raves about Tuck. He had said once that if Gabby ever figured out how to hit shots - with everything else she has she' be unstoppable. And when he two frosh came in of KLS and NC he gushed how really really good they are. Now they don't have much "talent?" Probably a coach beign a coach and upset about last game.

as far as KLS - I don't know specifically - but I said similar on the Houston/UCONN thread that she goes after rebounds and even her overall defense is awfully soft. If anyone gets a chance to watch today- look at her on defense when a shot goes up. She doesn't seem to go after anything hard. I KNOW for a fact it's not that a she doesn't want to- - it's just that she probably doesn't know how to.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Don't know where the "talent" comment is coming from and what he is defining as "talent." Lats year he was discussing if MoJeff is as good as Sue bird. He raves about Tuck. He had said once that if Gabby ever figured out how to hit shots - with everything else she has she' be unstoppable. And when he two frosh came in of KLS and NC he gushed how really really good they are. Now they don't have much "talent?" Probably a coach beign a coach and upset about last game.

as far as KLS - I don't know specifically - but I said similar on the Houston/UCONN thread that she goes after rebounds and even her overall defense is awfully soft. If anyone gets a chance to watch today- look at her on defense when a shot goes up. She doesn't seem to go after anything hard. I KNOW for a fact it's not that a she doesn't want to- - it's just that she probably doesn't know how to.

I'm referring to comments CD made after the Houston game.

 

[TroyHouse66]

PhillyC
<<Gabby has... the competitiveness.... (T)he short jumper is an additional part of her game, rebounds & steals are everywhere.... If she can get a better outside handle--look out.>>

PC is quite correct. Gabby's competitiveness manifests itself in the hard work she (has and) is putting into her game.
Beyond the short jumper, now in the repertoire, is the work/time she has spent on delivering consistent foul shots.
Last year I felt myself cringing when she earned a trip to the line. It seemed like the first try of every opportunity was a "clinker" of long (or short) ranging... It felt like she had to feel her way into the basket. (Only my reflection... did not check the stat sheet).
Right from "the git go" (Nevada talk), this year we've seen her smoother, consistent, and contributing from the foul line. (Some hard work went into that...)

 

[Gus Mahler]

PhillyC
<<Gabby has... the competitiveness.... (T)he short jumper is an additional part of her game, rebounds & steals are everywhere.... If she can get a better outside handle--look out.>>

PC is quite correct. Gabby's competitiveness manifests itself in the hard work she (has and) is putting into her game.
Beyond the short jumper, now in the repertoire, is the work/time she has spent on delivering consistent foul shots.
Last year I felt myself cringing when she earned a trip to the line. It seemed like the first try of every opportunity was a "clinker" of long (or short) ranging... It felt like she had to feel her way into the basket. (Only my reflection... did not check the stat sheet).
Right from "the git go" (Nevada talk), this year we've seen her smoother, consistent, and contributing from the foul line. (Some hard work went into that...)

Her rhythm sure looked good in the Houston game. She's really made an extraordinary improvement from the line.

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm referring to comments CD made after the Houston game.

I know I didn't undo the rest after the 1st sentence I posted once I found out it was CD. I find the CD comments odd. I have to say though over the years I have sometimes found CD's comments odd. But then again - this could be a coach just doing her job while also venting.

 

[PhillyCoach]

I know I didn't undo the rest after the 1st sentence I posted once I found out it was CD. I find the CD comments odd. I have to say though over the years I have sometimes found CD's comments odd. But then again - this could be a coach just doing her job while also venting.

Yo hoop - IMO CD is a female clone of Geno in several ways. I believe that's why Geno recognized CD's coaching style on the spot (30 plus years ago) and offered her the position. Think of it--CD & Geno from day one. How are they similar? First, attention to detail--every small detail. Next, relentless reminding of the basics and goals--again and again. Third, CD is a mirror image in that she uses negative motivation; just like Geno. Finally, CD & Geno have standards and expectations that are (to tell the truth) just about unrealistic.
That kind of explains the quote about no one is really a great player after Stewie.
Who has Stewie's complete game? No one. CD put that out for Lou, Collier, Nurse, and Gabby. Tuck is special so they kind of leave her alone. Who gets the negative motivation whip today?--Probably Lou first, then Collier and then down the list.