UConn searching for leadership

[amishboy]

I put the word in quotations because she obviously assumes the role not that she was given the role.
Thanks for the article.
Interesting: back to the recruiting of #1 HS players-
Did our scouting of Paige in HS yield the feedback that it would be obvious that she would be the team leader as a freshman at the illustrious UConn WCBB program. I wonder what their expectations were.

That sort of feedback when Paige was being scouted was certainly more likely than similar feedback when CW was being scouted.

 

[Surly1]

First an observation. You can't be a leader if your play is inconsistent and below what are reasonable expectations for a potential WNBA first round draftee, This seems to apply to both CW and Evina.

Now my Holiday Inn Express Psychological Analysis

I think prior to last year before Paige getting to Storrs, I think Evina and CW felt good about being the leaders of the team and probably being the best 2 players on the team. They saw Crystal and Megan leave to the WNBA and probably felt we should be able to match their level of play (or better) and solidly lead the team to at least a final 4 and then to the WNBA. They probably viewed Paige as a very talented player who will add alot to the team but not likely to take over the team as she transitions to the college game. Her passing will get them good open shots and their play will even be better.

So what happens? Paige shocks Storrs by showing that she is by far the best player in the first hour of practicce and she will be the main focus on and off the court. That turns them into complementary players and they fulfill that role with varying levels. Some good days, some less than good. Paige in the beginning is happy to keep feeding them and trying to stay in the background but the other players don't fill the vacumn. By the end of the first half of the 2nd game last year (SH), Geno has had enough of Paige dipping her toes into the game and pushes her to control everything, What doe Paige do? She completely dominates every aspect of the game including one of the most obscene full court drives to beat the clock before the end of the 3Q. Nothing else will ever be the same again. Paige is UConn and it is left for others to find a way to be productive which is as simple as making open shots but Evina / CW are just not consistent enough so Geno begins pushing Paige to shoot more. And in my opinion neither CW or Evina played up to their potential which might make them a solid WNBA 1st round pick

In the interim, Geno mentions how important it is for kids wanting to be WNBA players have to be consistent 3pt shooters and that CW and Evina perhaps does not meet that threshold? So I am guessing they worked hard in practice to improve and maybe they did improve incrementally.

So what comes into Storrs now? Azzi Fudd. Owner of the most perfect 3pt shot mechanics in the game and a new shock to the system. A summer program to observe and be envious of Azzi's 3pt form.

So what is my point? I think both are dealing with waves of doubt about how good they can actually be at the next level and it is adding to the pressure to be great players at the college level. Thinking they were definite WNBA level players, they are seeing what true elite players look like up close.

So now what happens? Paige and Azzi have injuries and they must be thinking this is their shot. So what happens? This almost after thought freshman (Caroline) with perhaps less athleticism than either who looked so out of sorts and was perhaps a cute "sneaky player " story in the blink of an eye steps over them in the pecking order in performance.

So my solution? I have none.

Thoughtful post. Here’s my two cents worth addition. Leadership is exhibited rather than preached. Genuine and natural confidence, the type exhibited by Paige last season, propels one into a leadership role, especially in a vacuum. Her confidence stems from belief in herself and ability - possessing talent that is superior to everyone else On the court.

Look no further than the SC game last season. While everyone else was tentative and reluctant to shoot, Paige hitched everyone on her shoulders to a victory. In the face of adversity, she suffered through a terrible shooting night against Tennessee, only to take and make the game winner.

Since she’s been out, the supposed leaders have played with an alarming lack of emotion, joy and urgency. No level of verbal rousing will make up for lack of performance on the court. In my eyes, the upperclassmen are wearing the pressure too much, thus stunting their ability to perform and lead.

Winning cures a lot of ills and helps combat adversity. UConn has had more than its share this season. Unlike past seasons, UConn has struggled in almost every game, which adds to the pressure without Paige coming to the rescue. Hopefully, Big East play will allow the team to play more freely and permit one of the seniors to lead, preferably with their play.

 

[The deacon]

Browns, I agree with your comments about Charde, and your statement about Christyn up to the final line. I'm surprised no one else has come back about this... possibly I missed it.

Unquestionably, we were all pleased with how Christyn raised the level of her game in the NCAA tournament in '21, but to say she was UConn's best player is forgetting Paige also happened to be on that team.

It wasn't really close. Agreed, Christyn played outstanding D against Caitlin Clarke in the first half of the win over Iowa, and she had 20+ points in the last three games. Those are her plusses.

However, Paige scored just four points less over those final three games and the overall stats for the tournament are tellling:

Paige scored 108 points to 92 for Christyn, hitting the same number of field goals in three more attempts, and she shot 27 for 29 from the free throw line to 9 for 13 for Christyn.

Paige had 32 rebounds in the tournament to 24 for Christyn, and 22 assists to just 8 for Christyn.

I'll give you that Christyn's tournament performance was welcome and very appreciated, what many of us have been waiting for, but to say she was the better player than Paige was just not so.

Here's hoping Paige is back and healthy this March (and April), both of them produce as much or more than in '21, and they receive lots more help!

 

[cwaduke]

Centers may not be the leader, but they have to be tough. Your leader may not always be the best player on the team. It is nice if that's the way it goes. But, the point guard is the court boss. While Nika doesn't score much, the team us almost always better with her on the court. She pushes the ball up the floor. She pushes players to work harder.