UConn-St John’s postgame presser

[drweo]

She'll be back, watching her during warm-ups (no she didn't particpate) it was clear to me she knew she would be back. And soon.

Based on what, exactly??

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Based on what, exactly??

For the first time she was working on her ball handling the whole time during warm-ups, typically the injured players don't touch even touch a ball while watching and this seemed intentional. You could also see her with the trainer and CD in the background during Lou's interview after practice. It's pretty clear from Geno's comments this week (and how they played last night) that the focus is on physical and mental recovery until the NCAA tournament. I think they are banking on the practice time between Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament to integrate her back into the team with up to two weeks of uninterrupted practices.

My guess is she starts full practices after the regular season ends. Don't think she is available to play for the Big East Tournament (think we lose early) but she warms up with the team then and starts playing again in the first round of the tournament.

 

[BBallF]

I love their attitudes also but as pointed out above, if there ain't no gas in the tank, the car ain't going. Geno often said during the season that everyone had to play well to win. Both CD and Aubrey had off games last night and hence the result. It's not blame, it just proves Geno's point. In another world, the world with Paige, Ice and Azzi in it, if someone is off, it won't matter. There is no real cavalry here to save us. Azzi should help if she is even in 75% form but we have to regain energy and strength right now and I hope it comes after the BE tourney because it likely will not come before.

 

[BBallF]

For the first time she was working on her ball handling the whole time during warm-ups, typically the injured players don't touch even touch a ball while watching and this seemed intentional. You could also see her with the trainer and CD in the background during Lou's interview after practice. It's pretty clear from Geno's comments this week (and how they played last night) that the focus is on physical and mental recovery until the NCAA tournament. I think they are banking on the practice time between Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament to integrate her back into the team with up to two weeks of uninterrupted practices.

My guess is she starts full practices after the regular season ends. Don't think she is available to play for the Big East Tournament (think we lose early) but she warms up with the team then and starts playing again in the first round of the tournament.

Don't agree about the BE. We win it. Everyone will be tired, not just us. It evens the playing field.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Don't agree about the BE. We win it. Everyone will be tired, not just us. It evens the playing field.

I would rather two extra days of rest and prep personally.

 

[#12in21]

Well.....except for fouls.

'Nika seems like the person who will be the first to admit her own shortcomings', nothing contradictory here we all know Nika never fouls!

 

[drweo]

For the first time she was working on her ball handling the whole time during warm-ups, typically the injured players don't touch even touch a ball while watching and this seemed intentional. You could also see her with the trainer and CD in the background during Lou's interview after practice. It's pretty clear from Geno's comments this week (and how they played last night) that the focus is on physical and mental recovery until the NCAA tournament. I think they are banking on the practice time between Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament to integrate her back into the team with up to two weeks of uninterrupted practices.

My guess is she starts full practices after the regular season ends. Don't think she is available to play for the Big East Tournament (think we lose early) but she warms up with the team then and starts playing again in the first round of the tournament.

Thanks for that info. I hope you are right!

 

[browns]

No one mentioned that " you can't bring energy when there is none left." It is like stepping on the gas pedal, when you are out of petrol. Geno alluded to that when he said, " the players have to find a different way to get themselves pumped up." They have already drawn down all known reserves. When you have just run a marathon, it is really hard to run a 10K right after. What I wish a reporter had asked was, " Geno ...you mentioned that there is no one on the bench who can score points.......but didn't Patterson averaged 26 per game in HS? Why can't she score points? Why won't she ever create or take a shot?

I disagree..you can always bring effort even if the shots aren't falling..if they don't have enough energy or effort to play the game then cancel the rest of the season..it's been pointed out that all the players are in fantastic shape. there is no reason at all they can't give the effort..both players said the effort wasn't there..if there isn't enough energy to give the effort then they shouldn't be on the court
As far as Patterson goes who cares what she scored in HS..I'm sure Amari scored a lot too but this is Div.1 basketball not HS..a whole different world

 

[Longtime fan]

I disagree..you can always bring effort even if the shots aren't falling..if they don't have enough energy or effort to play the game then cancel the rest of the season..it's been pointed out that all the players are in fantastic shape. there is no reason at all they can't give the effort..both players said the effort wasn't there..if there isn't enough energy to give the effort then they shouldn't be on the court
As far as Patterson goes who cares what she scored in HS..I'm sure Amari scored a lot too but this is Div.1 basketball not HS..a whole different world

I think they said that ( " the effort wasn't there " ) because they can't think of anything else to say. If you watch the game again, there is plenty of "effort " ( diving, leaping, battling). The problem was that the effort didn't translate. When you are physically drained, you can give maximum effort and still get unsatisfactory results. An exhausted weight lifter , who normally does 50 reps with a weight , might only do 30, no matter how hard he tries ( the effort thing ).

 

[Jbigfan]

No one mentioned that " you can't bring energy when there is none left." It is like stepping on the gas pedal, when you are out of petrol. Geno alluded to that when he said, " the players have to find a different way to get themselves pumped up." They have already drawn down all known reserves. When you have just run a marathon, it is really hard to run a 10K right after. What I wish a reporter had asked was, " Geno ...you mentioned that there is no one on the bench who can score points.......but didn't Patterson averaged 26 per game in HS? Why can't she score points? Why won't she ever create or take a shot?

 

[Jbigfan]

I wonder why UConn doesn’t develop its bench & play them more minutes. When you see top teams (Stanford, SC etc), they seem to play 3-5 bench players. Yes, we have fewer players, but Patterson & DeBerry could benefit with playing time.

 

[BRS24]

I wonder why UConn doesn’t develop its bench & play them more minutes. When you see top teams (Stanford, SC etc), they seem to play 3-5 bench players. Yes, we have fewer players, but Patterson & DeBerry could benefit with playing time.

Developing bench players is a two way street. The coaches instill the practice habits, offense/defensive philosophies, etc, however the players have an equal responsibility in understanding the expectations and execution of said items.

 

[Blond D.]

I wonder why UConn doesn’t develop its bench & play them more minutes. When you see top teams (Stanford, SC etc), they seem to play 3-5 bench players. Yes, we have fewer players, but Patterson & DeBerry could benefit with playing time.

our Bench IS playing. Its our starters sitting on the bench. Amari, Ines and Patterson are the reserves after the bench players. And Div 1 isnt High School like Browns said. Not even close.