oldude
bamboo lover
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2016
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Dawn and Geno are good friends who have great respect for each other. Dawn worked as one of Geno’s assistants on USA WBB for a number of years, and Geno enthusiastically supported Dawn to take over as HC when he stepped down. Each year in Feb SC & UConn face each other in a “much watch” WBB game, that allows both teams to gauge exactly where they are heading into conference and NCAA tournaments.
This past week, SC lost in a physical game at MO in which NPOY candidate A’ja Wilson fouled out. Dawn was ejected from the game after her 2nd technical foul and she complained bitterly about the officiating afterwards. At the time, I suggested that Dawn’s response was not good for her or her team.
Fast forward to last night when UConn faced a physical challenge from a tough UCF team coached by an aggressive young coach. Add in the fact that the officials appeared to let the teams play for the most part, generally swallowing their whistles during much of the game. One BY’er suggested that the game was reminiscent of the battles with C. Viv’s Rutgers teams years ago.
At halftime, after a disappointing 32-19 effort during the 1st half, UConn did not come out of the locker room until there was only 23 seconds left before the start of the 2nd half. With no warmup at all, UConn proceeded to shoot 64% in the 2nd half, outscoring UCF 48-25.
In his postgame press conference, Geno’s directed his biting sarcasm at his team. His message was clear. Don’t expect the refs to bail you out just because the opposing team touched you when you were trying to make a shot.
There’s a larger message here, one that we all learned from our parents and try to pass on to our children. Life isn’t always fair. When life isn’t fair, are you going to complain and shrink from the challenge, or are you going to do something about it? In last night’s game, after what I am sure were some choice comments from their HC, UConn WBB, led by Gabby, Z & Kia, decided to do something about it.
Geno’s comments were on Sportscenter this morning. Hopefully, Dawn was watching.
This past week, SC lost in a physical game at MO in which NPOY candidate A’ja Wilson fouled out. Dawn was ejected from the game after her 2nd technical foul and she complained bitterly about the officiating afterwards. At the time, I suggested that Dawn’s response was not good for her or her team.
Fast forward to last night when UConn faced a physical challenge from a tough UCF team coached by an aggressive young coach. Add in the fact that the officials appeared to let the teams play for the most part, generally swallowing their whistles during much of the game. One BY’er suggested that the game was reminiscent of the battles with C. Viv’s Rutgers teams years ago.
At halftime, after a disappointing 32-19 effort during the 1st half, UConn did not come out of the locker room until there was only 23 seconds left before the start of the 2nd half. With no warmup at all, UConn proceeded to shoot 64% in the 2nd half, outscoring UCF 48-25.
In his postgame press conference, Geno’s directed his biting sarcasm at his team. His message was clear. Don’t expect the refs to bail you out just because the opposing team touched you when you were trying to make a shot.
There’s a larger message here, one that we all learned from our parents and try to pass on to our children. Life isn’t always fair. When life isn’t fair, are you going to complain and shrink from the challenge, or are you going to do something about it? In last night’s game, after what I am sure were some choice comments from their HC, UConn WBB, led by Gabby, Z & Kia, decided to do something about it.
Geno’s comments were on Sportscenter this morning. Hopefully, Dawn was watching.
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