We may never win again

[UConnCat]

The bolded part is SOP for this program, nothing new there. The underlined part is kind of strange: We going to ask the UCONN players if they really want to win a National Championship? Wake me up when one of them says no, because that would be a major scoop.

I think they all should be willing to put it in writing. Maybe then they'll really, really mean it.

 

[Vowelguy]

The best thing Geno could do next year is establish with his players what their true goals are for the season. .

WOW! What a novel idea.

Geno must've missed day 1 in coaching school.

 

[Chong-Master]

Wait, you know which kids these schools will be getting in 2019, 2020 and 2021? Please, please tell us. Break it to us gently though.

Aubrey Griffin has indicated that she has already received an offer from Louisville (Incoming Class of 2019) and although she hasn't given any commitment yet (with still being open to UCONN and MSS), she is allegedly leaning towards Louisville. Just one of many (just to break it to you gently - lol)

 

[CocoHusky]

Aubrey Griffin has indicated that she has already received an offer from Louisville (Incoming Class of 2019) and although she hasn't given any commitment yet (with still being open to UCONN and MSS), she is allegedly leaning towards Louisville. Just one of many (just to break it to you gently - lol)

Well as that saying goes "a bird in the hand (so to speak) is worth two in the bush. Aubrey shood jump righ on that Cardinal offer instead of waiting for the UCONN one-that may never come-allegedly!

 

[BostonCanuck]

WOW! What a novel idea.

Geno must've missed day 1 in coaching school.

So it's that easy, is it? You just ask, and you get an answer, and that box is checked?

 

[UConnCat]

Aubrey Griffin has indicated that she has already received an offer from Louisville (Incoming Class of 2019) and although she hasn't given any commitment yet (with still being open to UCONN and MSS), she is allegedly leaning towards Louisville. Just one of many (just to break it to you gently - lol)

Wait a minute. You suggested you know which recruits are headed to Notre Dame, South Carolina, Oregon and Texas from the classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021. That's what I want to know. Do tell.

 

[Chong-Master]

Well as that saying goes "a bird in the hand (so to speak) is worth two in the bush. Aubrey shood jump righ on that Cardinal offer instead of waiting for the UCONN one-that may never come-allegedly!

When all of that AEH vs. Geno stuff was publicly being displayed just after she left the program, I don't think that her HS Coach (Ricci) was none to happy with Geno, regarding how it all played out. So, I suspect that we will not see another Ossining HS recruit going to UCONN anytime soon (but I may be wrong). Saniya was such a strong willed individual, who wouldn't stay down and worked her butt off to become the player that she was in her senior year and now in the WNBA (and overseas). It was all about Saniya's personal will to be the very best player she could be.

 

[CocoHusky]

When all of that AEH vs. Geno stuff was publicly being displayed just after she left the program, I don't think that her HS Coach (Ricci) was none to happy with Geno, regarding how it all played out. So, I suspect that we will not see another Ossining HS recruit going to UCONN anytime soon (but I may be wrong). Saniya was such a strong willed individual, who wouldn't stay down and worked her butt off to become the player that she was in her senior year and now in the WNBA (and overseas). It was all about Saniya's personal will to be the very best player she could be.

We've been over this! Coach Ricci and Aubrey attended a UCONN game after you informed us that he was not happy with Geno. Aubrey has been around the UCONN program for a while now. Aubrey, Anaya Peoples, Aliyah Boston visited UCONN on first night of 2016. Anaya is headed to ND, you are now dropping hints that Aubrey is head to Louisville. My guess is UCONN will eventually end up with the player they really wanted from among those three visitors.
We also been down this Saniya path also. Of course Saniya worked her butt off while at UCONN, what player hasn't?

 

[Chong-Master]

We've been over this! Coach Ricci and Aubrey attended a UCONN game after you informed us that he was not happy with Geno. Aubrey has been around the UCONN program for a while now. Aubrey, Anaya Peoples, Aliyah Boston visited UCONN on first night of 2016. Anaya is headed to ND, you are now dropping hints that Aubrey is head to Louisville. My guess is UCONN will eventually end up with the player they really wanted from among those three visitors.
We also been down this Saniya path also. Of course Saniya worked her butt off while at UCONN, what player hasn't?

As it is always said "Time Will Certainly Tell How This All Plays Out"

 

[Gus Mahler]

But right now Geno is trying to have it both ways, and it's not working.

UConn has won six NCs in the last 10 seasons.

 

[GoUconn7961]

Geno can recruit. Geno can develop players. But in close games, I don’t feel confident.
He refuses to use TOs in the 1st half. He’s stubborn in many ways.

Tonight. azura played 27 minutes out of45. Walker played zero. No screens set for Lou in 2nd half. Very little hi-lo v zone.

We should’ve been up double-digits at half. He refused to use a USE IT or LOSE IT timeout ALL YEAR.

And it looked to me Collier refused to pass to an open Lou ... but if I have the stomach to watch the game again, I can confirm it then

OK then...lol

 

[Zanzman]

Your allegedly and suspicions are not supporting your comments about knowing where all recruits are going . Are you to assume next

 

[donalddoowop]

UConn has won six NCs in the last 10 seasons.

UConn has won six NCs in the last 10 seasons.

We need to stop talking about what UCONN has done. That is ancient history to some of these new recruits. Many players today have that "What have you done lately" attitude. I believe and I'm just speculating, that someone in Australia talked to Ezi about how very seldom freshmen get much playing time at UCONN. Stay home and you will get tutelage from someone at home and get plenty of playing time. If UCONN had won it all this season, there would be very little to be concerned about. But as some were stating earlier this season, the publicity that came about concerning Megan not playing and the comments made about AEH, will eventually hurt UCONN's recruiting. That was mainly what the concern was and many did not want to hear it. Talking about what UCONN has done in the past has gotten old. UCONN had more players who had experienced playing in a FF than ND had. They had none. However, ND played as if they had been there before and UCONN seemed as if it was their first time. Gen sat Z because she missed a defensive assignment. How many bad passes did KLS, Nurse, and Gabby make? Vivians was sat down early because she was not playing well. Nurse was playing very poorly early but continued to play. They were not taken out after their mistakes.

 

[Zanzman]

We need to stop speculating

 

[Gus Mahler]

We need to stop talking about what UCONN has done. That is ancient history to some of these new recruits. Many players today have that "What have you done lately" attitude. I believe and I'm just speculating, that someone in Australia talked to Ezi about how very seldom freshmen get much playing time at UCONN. Stay home and you will get tutelage from someone at home and get plenty of playing time. If UCONN had won it all this season, there would be very little to be concerned about. But as some were stating earlier this season, the publicity that came about concerning Megan not playing and the comments made about AEH, will eventually hurt UCONN's recruiting. That was mainly what the concern was and many did not want to hear it. Talking about what UCONN has done in the past has gotten old. UCONN had more players who had experienced playing in a FF than ND had. They had none. However, ND played as if they had been there before and UCONN seemed as if it was their first time. Gen sat Z because she missed a defensive assignment. How many bad passes did KLS, Nurse, and Gabby make? Vivians was sat down early because she was not playing well. Nurse was playing very poorly early but continued to play. They were not taken out after their mistakes.

I'm quite puzzled by your response. Another poster wrote, essentially, that what Geno is doing isn't working. It seems to me it is, so I cited what I consider to be empirical evidence that it is working. And two of the four years during that span that they didn't win it took a buzzer beater in overtime to do it. Finally, three of the years they didn't win they were knocked out by a Notre Dame team that was quite good and played the better game that day.

So I would say things are working.

 

[Charliebball]

What is YOUR record in life? I'll bet not one "equivalent achievement" to a national title. Not even close, I'm betting. Geesh!

I'm 147-43 but I've never made it past the regionals.................

 

[Papa33]

We need to stop speculating

++++++++++

 

[Chong-Master]

++++++++++

While I love the UCONN Women's BBall Program, I fear that Geno has been out coached in these 2 Semi Final losses. Geno should have had Z in the game, starting in the 2nd half and sat Crystal Dangerfield. Muffet allowed Dangerfield to shot it from beyond the arc, figuring that until she could show that she could consistently hit the 3, she would sag her defense in closer to the basket.

 

[inthisopinion]

Geno can recruit. Geno can develop players. But in close games, I don’t feel confident.
He refuses to use TOs in the 1st half. He’s stubborn in many ways.

Tonight. azura played 27 minutes out of45. Walker played zero. No screens set for Lou in 2nd half. Very little hi-lo v zone.

We should’ve been up double-digits at half. He refused to use a USE IT or LOSE IT timeout ALL YEAR.

And it looked to me Collier refused to pass to an open Lou ... but if I have the stomach to watch the game again, I can confirm it then

She did not make the pass to KLS and for the most part the other players do not look for KLS especially in the half court and most of the time when the ball hits the half court it starts on the opposite side that KLS is on. That is not the way to run an offense with a supreme offensive player. There is also very little iso for KLS and that prevents constant pressure on the defense and limits her trips to the line. What's remarkable about all of this and almost comical is that the opposing coaches put more value on KLS as an offensive threat than her own coach does.

 

[Twolf]

While I love the UCONN Women's BBall Program, I fear that Geno has been out coached in these 2 Semi Final losses. Geno should have had Z in the game, starting in the 2nd half and sat Crystal Dangerfield. Muffet allowed Dangerfield to shot it from beyond the arc, figuring that until she could show that she could consistently hit the 3, she would sag her defense in closer to the basket.

What I fear is that there are UConn fans who think it is their birthright to win National Championships every year or the season is a failure, or it’s somebody’s fault, or the moon and stars weren’t aligned, or the officials wanted someone else to win for a change. Games are won by players making plays, and ND’s backcourt made more plays than UConn’s backcourt did, UConn couldn’t get in transition, where they are at their best, because they couldn’t get consistent stops. When Stephens was in for Dangerfield who would defend ND’s other guard? UConn played 1-3-1 zone, 2-3 zone, triangle & 2, and man and failed to get consistent stops in any of them. Nobody needs to defend the coaching staff, they’ve lost 2 overtime games in two years, and my guess is that GA has forgotten more about basketball than any poster in this forum knows, so if he all of a sudden has gotten stupid I’ll bet dollars to donuts there are bunches of AD’s who would sacrifice their first born to get his name on a contract. Enjoy the continued success of the program, it won’t last forever.

 

[inthisopinion]

She doesn't do it all the time - no one could. And there were plenty of years when UCOnn simply was on a higher level than ND and was not going to lose no matter what. But I think that was can be said is that if anyone could come up with a strategy to use limited resources and beat UConn., it's probably Muffet.

UConn has had at least as good a group players as ND EVERY SINGLE YEAR and the vast majority of the time clearly superior players. At one point ND won 7 out of 9 vs UConn and leads UConn in tourney play 4-3. Just something to think about.

 

[UConnNick]

UConn has won six NCs in the last 10 seasons.

Yes, in the past 24 hour window, we have learned that Muffet McGraw, a coach who has one natty and 13 Ws vs. Geno, routinely outcoaches Geno, a coach with 11 nattys and 35 Ws vs. Muffet, and the wheels have come completely off the Genowagon.

 

[donalddoowop]

I'm quite puzzled by your response. Another poster wrote, essentially, that what Geno is doing isn't working. It seems to me it is, so I cited what I consider to be empirical evidence that it is working. And two of the four years during that span that they didn't win it took a buzzer beater in overtime to do it. Finally, three of the years they didn't win they were knocked out by a Notre Dame team that was quite good and played the better game that day.

So I would say things are working.

Your post are always, to me, quite well thought out. All I'm saying now is that as some on here thinks, the only thing that matters is winning a NC. A team with FF experience and four AA level players is going home again without a NC. Maybe Geno should simplify his offense some. Not one of the other teams in the FF has an offense as complicated as UCONN's, but their offenses work and allows freshmen to play. UCONN's offense overall is very good, but the past two FF not any better than teams whose offense is not as complicated. When UCONN's offense runs up against a stout defense, the players don't seem to know how to adjust or improvise. Maybe in fear Geno will get on them for deviating from the regular offense. Geno said he tells recruits to come to UCONN to win NC. Well, that will be hard to sell now. I know UCONN has gone consecutive years without winning NC, but Geno was younger then and player's attitudes have changed. What Geno is doing is working for making players reach their full potential basketball wise and in other areas and to become very intelligent young ladies. It's just my opinion that some things should change. It's going to be harder to win any NC in the near future because some other teams have even more talent than UCONN and UCONN will still be missing he one thing they have not had the past two years, a big, tall, strong inside player.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Your post are always, to me, quite well thought out. All I'm saying now is that as some on here thinks, the only thing that matters is winning a NC. A team with FF experience and four AA level players is going home again without a NC. Maybe Geno should simplify his offense some. Not one of the other teams in the FF has an offense as complicated as UCONN's, but their offenses work and allows freshmen to play. UCONN's offense overall is very good, but the past two FF not any better than teams whose offense is not as complicated. When UCONN's offense runs up against a stout defense, the players don't seem to know how to adjust or improvise. Maybe in fear Geno will get on them for deviating from the regular offense. Geno said he tells recruits to come to UCONN to win NC. Well, that will be hard to sell now. I know UCONN has gone consecutive years without winning NC, but Geno was younger then and player's attitudes have changed. What Geno is doing is working for making players reach their full potential basketball wise and in other areas and to become very intelligent young ladies. It's just my opinion that some things should change. It's going to be harder to win any NC in the near future because some other teams have even more talent than UCONN and UCONN will still be missing he one thing they have not had the past two years, a big, tall, strong inside player.

OK. You are clearly in the camp of those who think Geno needs to tweak his approach. And certainly the landscape has changed over the past many years and will probably continue to do so. I welcome your opinion.

 

[CMC'72]

I'm 147-43 but I've never made it past the regionals.......

YOU, I trust. You've earned a voice much more than most of us, including me, a beginner.

 

[Dove]

@huskyblooz

push...the...bottle...away.

 

[Woof 101]

While I love the UCONN Women's BBall Program, I fear that Geno has been out coached in these 2 Semi Final losses. Geno should have had Z in the game, starting in the 2nd half and sat Crystal Dangerfield. Muffet allowed Dangerfield to shot it from beyond the arc, figuring that until she could show that she could consistently hit the 3, she would sag her defense in closer to the basket.

Your undeniable quantified evaluator abilities to dissect the game takes away from your ability to convey common sense.
OOOPS...Kinda meant hindsight is easy...

 

[Charliebball]

Your post are always, to me, quite well thought out. All I'm saying now is that as some on here thinks, the only thing that matters is winning a NC. A team with FF experience and four AA level players is going home again without a NC. Maybe Geno should simplify his offense some. Not one of the other teams in the FF has an offense as complicated as UCONN's, but their offenses work and allows freshmen to play. UCONN's offense overall is very good, but the past two FF not any better than teams whose offense is not as complicated. When UCONN's offense runs up against a stout defense, the players don't seem to know how to adjust or improvise. Maybe in fear Geno will get on them for deviating from the regular offense. Geno said he tells recruits to come to UCONN to win NC. Well, that will be hard to sell now. I know UCONN has gone consecutive years without winning NC, but Geno was younger then and player's attitudes have changed. What Geno is doing is working for making players reach their full potential basketball wise and in other areas and to become very intelligent young ladies. It's just my opinion that some things should change. It's going to be harder to win any NC in the near future because some other teams have even more talent than UCONN and UCONN will still be missing he one thing they have not had the past two years, a big, tall, strong inside player.

in the last six years UConn has won four NCs and reached the semi finals the past two years.............can you name any other programs that are remotely close when it comes to those results? Notre Dame, Baylor, Louisville, Texas, South Carolina, Oregon, UCLA, Miss State, Ohio State, Missouri, Syracuse, Stanford..........................am I forgetting anybody?

If there are recruiting issues going forward I don't think prospective players worrying about going to the big tournament is one of them............. ..what will continue to be an issue is that you simply have to work much harder at UConn then anywhere else.........nothing new about that............the other biggie which was made more obvious this past season..............freshman simply don't play major minutes at UConn unless they come in performing at an almost All American level (and I mean college AA).............now that is a big deal for many.............pretty daunting for 99+% of high school recruits.............almost every other Top 20 program utilized some of their freshman this past season due to injury or by choice................can Geno still count on getting those fearless few that are willing to risk not seeing court time?..............that's a real question............

 

[DEpup]

Geno can recruit. Geno can develop players. But in close games, I don’t feel confident.
He refuses to use TOs in the 1st half. He’s stubborn in many ways.

Tonight. azura played 27 minutes out of45. Walker played zero. No screens set for Lou in 2nd half. Very little hi-lo v zone.

We should’ve been up double-digits at half. He refused to use a USE IT or LOSE IT timeout ALL YEAR.

And it looked to me Collier refused to pass to an open Lou ... but if I have the stomach to watch the game again, I can confirm it then

I do see some risk adversity creeping into Geno's decisions. Multiple starters were ineffective in the first half. Z was effective so she should have started tje 3rd. When Lou started getting fouls then put Walker in for a couple minutes. Get a feel for the game because when he needed to put Walker in when Lou had 4 it was too late to do so. He is becoming too risk averse. It was sad to see him make those crazy decisions and no one on that bench challenged it. I mainly follow uconn for his leadership skills and that game was not a good display of them. Nothing will change until he decides to do a post mortem and see the issue and I fear his personality will not allow him to truly be introspective. The dynasty is over if he doesn't take a step back and analyze the issues of the past 2 years and make some changes. You just can't win it all these days with 5 players.

 

[willingtonfan]

Geno can recruit. Geno can develop players. But in close games, I don’t feel confident.
He refuses to use TOs in the 1st half. He’s stubborn in many ways.

Tonight. azura played 27 minutes out of45. Walker played zero. No screens set for Lou in 2nd half. Very little hi-lo v zone.

We should’ve been up double-digits at half. He refused to use a USE IT or LOSE IT timeout ALL YEAR.

And it looked to me Collier refused to pass to an open Lou ... but if I have the stomach to watch the game again, I can confirm it then

Note: As of 2017-18 there are no more "use it or lose it" time outs. The NCAA changed that rule.

See https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2017-19WBB_Rules_Changes_20170614.pdf.

Rule 5-14 was changed as follows: "To delete the requirement that when a team does not use a 30 second timeout in the first half, they lose a 30 second timeout. Rationale: Permits coaches to use timeouts as necessary and have additional opportunities to advance the ball at the end of the game."

By the way, I completely agree with the original poster about the ill usage of Azura in that game; I just wanted to point out the change in the time out rules this year that eliminated the "use it or lose it" time out.