UConn is prepared for March

[Tonyc]

Throughout the season Geno is preparing his team for March. So here we are in March. What needs to be done. Just execute what you've been taught. You know what to do and how to do it. Maybe you need some tweaking and thats fine. The confidence should be there. It's that easy. This is not the time to analyze what you need to do. You should already know how to do it. If you don't then you're not ready for March.

This year's team is Paigeless. However, we have two AAs who are playing at a higher level than they did last year. IMO the 2 most complete players in WCBB. As a team our defense is more solid than last season, if for nothing more than we have more experience at doing it and more players who can do it. The intensity, energy and quickness we play at as a team is unmatched. What we've been watching all season is a team that has become turbo charged. At another level. Our confidence level at which we play is a direct result of the level we've reached as a team. To break that confidence is going to be very hard. The only way this team could lose besides injuries is foul which is something we have pretty much avoided.

So, when you're watching the conference tournaments this week look to see how many points top teams give up and that will tell you how effective their defense is. If a top team plays a non-ranked team and doesn't win by a lot, then my thought their defense is not that good. If a top team plays another top team and wins by less than 10 then maybe their defense isn't that good.

It's gonna be a fun week enjoy.

 

[EricSD]

One thing I've always found interesting about Geno and his coaching philosophy is - he's said this - in different ways over the years...

During the regular season, obviously there is a lot of teaching and learning for the players, but also criticism about things they do wrong and lots of effort on trying to fix/improve it. Once the regular season ends and the tourney season starts, he flips a switch. No more harping on what players need to improve on, and all encouragement on what they are dong right.

It's a different focus and shift, but it's significant in that I think it helps players relax a bit, go out and play the best way they can maximizing their strengths, and being as cohesive as they can be with what they have. It's a great way of coaching IMHO. I wonder how other coaches approach it - if any of them have talked about it.

Side note - wouldn't it be wonderful if Serah has flipped the switch, and the player we saw against SJU is the one we see the rest of the season? Rooting for her (and the team obviously) big time.

 

[MSGRET]

Can't wait for them to play at Noon this Saturday, doesn't matter who it is, be it Butler or Georgetown. Thanks to my son I can watch every Big East Tournament game.

 

[victor64]

One thing I've always found interesting about Geno and his coaching philosophy is - he's said this - in different ways over the years...

During the regular season, obviously there is a lot of teaching and learning for the players, but also criticism about things they do wrong and lots of effort on trying to fix/improve it. Once the regular season ends and the tourney season starts, he flips a switch. No more harping on what players need to improve on, and all encouragement on what they are dong right.

It's a different focus and shift, but it's significant in that I think it helps players relax a bit, go out and play the best way they can maximizing their strengths, and being as cohesive as they can be with what they have. It's a great way of coaching IMHO. I wonder how other coaches approach it - if any of them have talked about it.

Side note - wouldn't it be wonderful if Serah has flipped the switch, and the player we saw against SJU is the one we see the rest of the season? Rooting for her (and the team obviously) big time.

I wonder once the team starts facing the other top teams (UCLA etc.) if he will continue to apply full court pressure. The other three number 1 seeds have great guard play and pressing may not have the intended impact. Even more so if he shrinks the rotation.

I think he will continue to press because it has been SOP this year but I bet the staff discusses the press in game prep for these games.

 

[huskeynut]

I wonder once the team starts facing the other top teams (UCLA etc.) if he will continue to apply full court pressure. The other three number 1 seeds have great guard play and pressing may not have the intended impact. Even more so if he shrinks the rotation.

I think he will continue to press because it has been SOP this year but I bet the staff discusses the press in game prep for these games.

I don't see Geno changing the way the team has played. He will press whoever we play. It make not be the entire game but he will press.

As for the rotation, I think Geno is very comfortable with the starting five plus Blanca, K9, Allie and Jana.

 

[and one]

I don't see Geno changing the way the team has played. He will press whoever we play. It make not be the entire game but he will press.

As for the rotation, I think Geno is very comfortable with the starting five plus Blanca, K9, Allie and Jana.

The math of a full court press effectiveness is the ratio of turnovers attributed to the press v easy scoring opportunities when a press of broken. Which ever way that works out our relentless half court coverage will always be there. If a team can run their offense the way they are used to in the face of KK, Ash, Sarah, K9 et al constantly in their face, double teaming, punishing lazy dribbles and passes with steals and generally making opponents play and react faster than normal, well then, my hat's off to them.

 

[Huskee11]

Geno will continue to apply the press against the top teams like Texas, South Carolina, UCLA, Vandy and LSU. Their guards are good but none of those top teams have seen this season's version of UConn's tenacious defense and its press. Let's see just how good they are and whether they can adjust. Even if they don't turn it over it should speed them up and get the game moving at UConn's desired pace.

When teams break the press, UConn has shown a great ability to sprint back on defense, cover for each other, and not get burned by easy baskets.

And the press pays dividends over time. Tennessee, for example, was gassed by the second half.

I think it will be especially valuable in the Elite Eight and the Championship Game, assuming they get there, because the opponent will have very little time to prepare for it.

 

[BBallF]

One thing I've always found interesting about Geno and his coaching philosophy is - he's said this - in different ways over the years...

During the regular season, obviously there is a lot of teaching and learning for the players, but also criticism about things they do wrong and lots of effort on trying to fix/improve it. Once the regular season ends and the tourney season starts, he flips a switch. No more harping on what players need to improve on, and all encouragement on what they are dong right.

It's a different focus and shift, but it's significant in that I think it helps players relax a bit, go out and play the best way they can maximizing their strengths, and being as cohesive as they can be with what they have. It's a great way of coaching IMHO. I wonder how other coaches approach it - if any of them have talked about it.

Side note - wouldn't it be wonderful if Serah has flipped the switch, and the player we saw against SJU is the one we see the rest of the season? Rooting for her (and the team obviously) big time.

To your point, I have posited that Serah has already "flipped the switch" or "the light came on". Perhaps my rationale is controversial but I will say this- if she plays like that the next 9 games, and if Jana plays the way she has the last few games, there is a whole new dimension to our team and it will very special.

 

[BBallF]

Throughout the season Geno is preparing his team for March. So here we are in March. What needs to be done. Just execute what you've been taught. You know what to do and how to do it. Maybe you need some tweaking and thats fine. The confidence should be there. It's that easy. This is not the time to analyze what you need to do. You should already know how to do it. If you don't then you're not ready for March.

This year's team is Paigeless. However, we have two AAs who are playing at a higher level than they did last year. IMO the 2 most complete players in WCBB. As a team our defense is more solid than last season, if for nothing more than we have more experience at doing it and more players who can do it. The intensity, energy and quickness we play at as a team is unmatched. What we've been watching all season is a team that has become turbo charged. At another level. Our confidence level at which we play is a direct result of the level we've reached as a team. To break that confidence is going to be very hard. The only way this team could lose besides injuries is foul which is something we have pretty much avoided.

So, when you're watching the conference tournaments this week look to see how many points top teams give up and that will tell you how effective their defense is. If a top team plays a non-ranked team and doesn't win by a lot, then my thought their defense is not that good. If a top team plays another top team and wins by less than 10 then maybe their defense isn't that good.

It's gonna be a fun week enjoy.

Great Tony. Geno doesn't do new things but he refines and ratchets down what he has been doing. It's usually on defense but that is hard to imagine this year. I think the ball is going underneath more to Serah and you will see more of Blanca, Allie, Jana and Kayleigh. This is the year of the bench and it is a formidable weapon in and of itself.

 

[donalddoowop]

I don't see Geno changing the way the team has played. He will press whoever we play. It make not be the entire game but he will press.

As for the rotation, I think Geno is very comfortable with the starting five plus Blanca, K9, Allie and Jana.

Only Fudd, Strong, KK, Shade, and Jana have FF experience. Heckel has Elite Eight experience but, Blanca, Allie, and Serah do not have either of those. KK, Shade, and Strong played well in their first FF appearance. Hopefully, the team will play well enough to allow Kelis, Caroline, and Patterson to get some E8 and FF experience. That would be great. I wonder how many of the players of the other top ten teams have had FF experience.

 

[Bone Dog]

They may have good guard play, but pressing takes the bigs like Betts Okot Oldacre out of the game. The guards can play both ends of the court with a lot more energy and freedom than the bigs can. This is part of the calculation, not just points off turnovers.

 

[Bone Dog]

I wonder how many of the players of the other top ten teams have had FF experience.

Good question.

UCLA: Betts Dugalic Rice Jaquez
Texas: Booker Harmon Oldacre Carlton Lee Preston
SC: Edwards Johnson Johnson Dauda Tac McDaniel

 

[Bills Fan]

Good question.

UCLA: Betts Dugalic Rice Jaquez
Texas: Booker Harmon Oldacre Carlton Lee Preston
SC: Edwards Johnson Johnson Dauda Tac McDaniel

Better question:

How many of them have won a National Championship?

 

[AzzisBraids]

This is such an important post. UConn is undefeated and here's a thought...we haven't seen the best of them yet.

Azzi was sick for stretches, Sarah is working her way back from being sick and out, Blanca was out, Serah Williams was out for a stretch.

This team is now healthy, fit, ready and all the young huskies saw UConn win last year and want a piece of that pie. Sarah Strong may be Player of the Year. Azzi Fudd may be the #1 in the draft. These have the best inside and outside presence combination and some of the toughest role players who have been battled tested by their own standards.

Geno keeps saying UConn isn't better than last year and during March Madness, we'll have the opportunity to test that theory. If this team goes all the way, he's wrong for once in his life.

 

[Next 12]

The only reason Uconn was better last year was because of Paige. This years team is as good as last years is because they have an exceptional bench. Uconn is 10 player deep and Geno has them at their peak. They say that when the tournaments start, Uconn shifts into their Final Four psyche and are at winning the whole thing. I believe it. GO HUSKIES!!!!!

 

[Huskee11]

Seven active UConn players played in the winning championship game - Fudd, Strong, El Alfy, Shade, Ziebell, Ducharme, KK.

Of the other teams in the top six, only four currently active players have played in and won a championship game.

Fun fact - three of them are named Johnson. Flau’jae, Tessa, and Raven. The fourth, Fulwiley, was on South Carolina as a freshman when they won in 2024 and is now on LSU.

The only players who played in the 2022 championship game and are still active in the college ranks are Fudd and Ducharme.

 

[KCD]

This is such an important post. UConn is undefeated and here's a thought...we haven't seen the best of them yet.

Azzi was sick for stretches, Sarah is working her way back from being sick and out, Blanca was out, Serah Williams was out for a stretch.

This team is now healthy, fit, ready and all the young huskies saw UConn win last year and want a piece of that pie. Sarah Strong may be Player of the Year. Azzi Fudd may be the #1 in the draft. These have the best inside and outside presence combination and some of the toughest role players who have been battled tested by their own standards.

Geno keeps saying UConn isn't better than last year and during March Madness, we'll have the opportunity to test that theory. If this team goes all the way, he's wrong for once in his life.

I think that it's more like Geno won't say it. For two reasons:1) last year we had Paige and 2) this year isn't over and he won't compare a partial year to a Championship season.

 

[Skeets]

The math of a full court press effectiveness is the ratio of turnovers attributed to the press v easy scoring opportunities when a press of broken. Which ever way that works out our relentless half court coverage will always be there. If a team can run their offense the way they are used to in the face of KK, Ash, Sarah, K9 et al constantly in their face, double teaming, punishing lazy dribbles and passes with steals and generally making opponents play and react faster than normal, well then, my hat's off to them.

True, but there are other benefits that are not immediately obvious. A full court press will shave time off of the shot clock by forcing players who don't normally bring the ball up court out of position. So, instead of 4 players running down court and getting into position for their half-court offense they are out of position. It will take time off the shot clock for them to get into position once the ball crosses half court.

A half court press combined with a pesky defense and suddenly there are only 3 or 4 seconds on the shot clock for the opposition.

One of the things UConn is very good at is quickly getting back into defensive position after trapping in the backcourt. UConn doesn't give up a lot of easy baskets because of the trap. Of course, this also speaks to the quality of the opposition.

 

[MSGRET]

Geno will continue to apply the press against the top teams like Texas, South Carolina, UCLA, Vandy and LSU. Their guards are good but none of those top teams have seen this season's version of UConn's tenacious defense and its press. Let's see just how good they are and whether they can adjust. Even if they don't turn it over it should speed them up and get the game moving at UConn's desired pace.

When teams break the press, UConn has shown a great ability to sprint back on defense, cover for each other, and not get burned by easy baskets.

And the press pays dividends over time. Tennessee, for example, was gassed by the second half.

I think it will be especially valuable in the Elite Eight and the Championship Game, assuming they get there, because the opponent will have very little time to prepare for it.

I believe it will also be valuable for the Semi Final game and maybe the Sweet Sixteen.

 

[ec33]

Definitely ready for March. It is April -- on the offensive side -- that I still have my concerns about.

But we will get there then. I think this has been one of Geno's better coaching jobs. I hope he maintains trust in the newer players and doesn't overly rely on the old guard.

 

[Cuango]

One thing I've always found interesting about Geno and his coaching philosophy is - he's said this - in different ways over the years...

During the regular season, obviously there is a lot of teaching and learning for the players, but also criticism about things they do wrong and lots of effort on trying to fix/improve it. Once the regular season ends and the tourney season starts, he flips a switch. No more harping on what players need to improve on, and all encouragement on what they are dong right.

It's a different focus and shift, but it's significant in that I think it helps players relax a bit, go out and play the best way they can maximizing their strengths, and being as cohesive as they can be with what they have. It's a great way of coaching IMHO. I wonder how other coaches approach it - if any of them have talked about it.

Side note - wouldn't it be wonderful if Serah has flipped the switch, and the player we saw against SJU is the one we see the rest of the season? Rooting for her (and the team obviously)

I think that it's more like Geno won't say it. For two reasons:1) last year we had Paige and 2) this year isn't over and he won't compare a partial year to a Championship season.

Yeah, he may have an idea but since many of the players that are making up for (at least part) of Paige’s play are looking promising but are as yet untested in the pressure cauldron of the tournament. I’m happy to let them show him the error of his ways.🤞Regardless of what happens, I’m satisfied they are ready. No guarantees, but it’s going to take something special to beat this team! That’s really all one can hope for.

 

[meyers7]

Yeah, he may have an idea but since many of the players that are making up for (at least part) of Paige’s play are looking promising but are as yet untested in the pressure cauldron of the tournament. I’m happy to let them show him the error of his ways.🤞Regardless of what happens, I’m satisfied they are ready. No guarantees, but it’s going to take something special to beat this team! That’s really all one can hope for.

Yeah, but neither is anyone else.

Unless you want to count last year..... and then we have players (and coaches) that have been through it and won a NC.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think this has been one of Geno's better coaching jobs.

I completely agree. He has rolled with the vicissitudes and kept the team on an upward trajectory. He’s gotten playing time for a long rotation and continues to build chemistry up and down the roster. It has been masterful.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

To your point, I have posited that Serah has already "flipped the switch" or "the light came on". Perhaps my rationale is controversial but I will say this- if she plays like that the next 9 games, and if Jana plays the way she has the last few games, there is a whole new dimension to our team and it will very special.

And I hope Sareh knows what Geno said the other night translates to I expect that every game now.

 

[Woof]

Throughout the season Geno is preparing his team for March. So here we are in March. What needs to be done. Just execute what you've been taught. You know what to do and how to do it. Maybe you need some tweaking and thats fine. The confidence should be there. It's that easy. This is not the time to analyze what you need to do. You should already know how to do it. If you don't then you're not ready for March.

This year's team is Paigeless. However, we have two AAs who are playing at a higher level than they did last year. IMO the 2 most complete players in WCBB. As a team our defense is more solid than last season, if for nothing more than we have more experience at doing it and more players who can do it. The intensity, energy and quickness we play at as a team is unmatched. What we've been watching all season is a team that has become turbo charged. At another level. Our confidence level at which we play is a direct result of the level we've reached as a team. To break that confidence is going to be very hard. The only way this team could lose besides injuries is foul which is something we have pretty much avoided.

So, when you're watching the conference tournaments this week look to see how many points top teams give up and that will tell you how effective their defense is. If a top team plays a non-ranked team and doesn't win by a lot, then my thought their defense is not that good. If a top team plays another top team and wins by less than 10 then maybe their defense isn't that good.

It's gonna be a fun week enjoy.

Did you think the teams were also ready for March in 2017, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23 and 24?