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Message: [QUOTE="Longtime fan, post: 4602279, member: 7093"] You make a number of good points. From a fan perspective, I think these are really good games to have. The problem is, the coaches treat them as "sweet sixteen" games, where you " win or go home." So only the top 5-7 UCONN players are utilized. I think the end of the bench deserves quality time in these games. Both to rest the starters and to judge if those bench players have Division I talent or not. You referenced DeBerry and Patterson. Both were HS all Americans. What happened? Is there something wrong with our recruiting process, or is player development not working, or both? But if we don't play them at meaning moments, and for meaningful periods of time, in tough games, how will we ever learn? I realize that this year's team ( due to endless injuries ) did get " burned out" early in the season. And the spacing of these games had a lot to do with that. But, more so, was the use of the same small group of players, game after game. Keep in mind, that in order for the other top teams to schedule these games with UCONN, their schedules dictate availability, as well. So spacing may be somewhat inflexible. But player involvement is a variable. One final point; we all know coach's mantra, " you show your skills, knowledge, work ethic, etc. in practice. You earn your court time in practice." But I don't think anyone could ever do enough in practice to unseat Paige, or AZZI or Muhl or Edwards. So, what remains? If a kid is not working, and shows no signs of such, they don't belong in the uniform. If they are, however, I say give them a better look in meaningful games. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach