What does Geno do with Dorka?

[Rb335]

Uconn's system is all read and react. Successful players here have always been the ones with high BB IQs, not necessarily the most athletic. You can see it in the types of recruits that come in year and year out.

I have always thought this is why a lot of freshman at other programs are able to contribute more immediately, but often gain less development than those that choose Storrs. I would venture to guess, that changing the way you play and think on the court causes a lot of overthinking and hesitancy. When it clicks, it will click. Dorka will get there at some point, she seems to be a smart player.

I do sometimes wonder if sometimes Geno could simplify things for players to make it easier. I recall a few years back when we had one of our weaker groups, Geno said in a lot of press conferences that they as a staff were trying to make everything as simple as they possibly could to help the on court success. However, his system has built the most dominant dynasty in the game, so I tend to trust what his instincts are.

 

[eebmg]

Geno, and especially Chris and Jamelle, work with Dorka. She’s not a finished product. She’s smart and hard-working, she’ll get it.

Geno did suggest Jamelle should have dressed up.

 

[TCC Kid]

As I recall geno raved about her in preseason practice. I think he said she could put them over the top. It’s hard to believe she was first or second team big ten based on her play to date!

She was a good player OHIO. Has she lost the talent she had? So what is the difference. Coaching, new team. In Ohio in 3 years she knew where she fit, who and when to pass .

 

[CL82]

It's whiplash-inducing how fast we go from "Dorka should start" to "What does Geno do with Dorka?"

We?

 

[TCC Kid]

And this was her 4th game in Geno's system, which I believe 99.9 % of BYers would agree, is totally different and harder than the Buckeye's.
So yes, it is possible for her to improve.
Will she become a starter? Anyone's guess. But hopefully she fits in and can contribute. And the same for every newcomer.

I agree. Does Geno need another Starter? Starting isn't the end all of basketball. I bet if you told Paige she'd get 30 minutes off the bench or 25 starting, she'd choose off the bench. Kids like Azzi and Paige the game is the thing. Look at older ladies Sue Bird and DT playing until they can't play--the game is it.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

You folks are tough. I've seen seasoned adults breakdown in tears over less during an ANNUAL job performance eval. And it's not always what we say that's "harsh", but how we say it. Somewhere in the comment should suggest "hope" or "good will" SINCE...we're supposedly fans, right? lol

 

[darkstar1]

Patience, patience, patience. Sitka will be at least an asset and more likely a significant force down the line, when it matters most.

 

[darkstar1]

Dorka. Strange autocorrect.

 

[CL82]

UConn women’s basketball requires players to read and react rather than just go in there and run set plays. As I watched Dorka play yesterday afternoon, I felt like she is still too much in her own head, almost like she’s narrating her own actions to herself. “Screen, now roll to the basket, hands up …”. That’s not unusual for people new to the system. It will take time for her to be playing intuitively. She also, speak as she is, need some time in the weight room. She gets shoved around a lot. The first issue will continually get better throughout the year, but the second one isn’t going to get resolved until she works out in the off-season.

There is a tendency on The Boneyard to think all incoming players are going to transition seamlessly and will immediately be better than anyone on the team. It is incredibly rare that that happens. Once players don’t live up to the unrealistic expectation placed on them, there is a tendency to blame the player and suggest that they will never be any good. We see it season after season. It is what it is.

Maybe we should wait until this team has, oh I don’t know, 10 games under his belt, before we start writing off players in their potential contribution?

 

[TCC Kid]

The Post player unfairly will be forever the blame in UCONN system. We do not use our Post players like most programs. They're Screeners and High post facilitators with an occasional screen and roll or Low box post up. Geno has openly showed Aflittle to no patience with post players and it has shown with all the experimentation of lineups. Aliyah starts first half and Dorka starts second half of the biggest game of the year. So much for continuity and belief in your players. Watched every game of SC this year and to Dawn Staley's credit she coaches inside out poor play or not. It's about the evolvement of the post play. So when march comes they're ready because they been called on all season. No mix messages. Dawn said when they allow Aliyah to play without the stripes stopping her then she can't be stopped. You see it's the mindset from start to finish.

Also lets remember, Dorka is fresh off injury and she getting acclimated to a whole new system. She's not number one option like at Ohio State, so she's having to learn how to impact the game in a way she hasn't been asked to.

I like your last paragraph. I'm not so sure of the first one. After watching Geno for a long time it is true he has an closer attachment towards guards. He often will use 5 guards when he has them. Marrissa (sp) did a great job with the post. But then she had good posts. I'm not sure I follow much of your above logic. But all you say about Dorka is valid and I believe true. Can I give you a 2/3 's like.

 

[Charliebball]

She'll be 22 in a few weeks and is in her 4th season of college basketball. I think we need to be realistic in our expectations of how much players can improve from this point forward in their collegiate careers. Same can be said of our seniors. At this late stage they are what they are.

Dorka's is suffering from what the rest of the team has...........it's called an awful half court offense.......Geno said exactly that after the game yesterday......transition game good, half court game crap.......time to go back to work and fix it.........only 30 something games left......I think they have time......

 

[Bigboote]

She'll be 22 in a few weeks and is in her 4th season of college basketball. I think we need to be realistic in our expectations of how much players can improve from this point forward in their collegiate careers. Same can be said of our seniors. At this late stage they are what they are.

She played three years under Kevin McGuff. During those three years she averaged close to a double-double. I'd say she learned quite a bit. But three years under McGuff (or any other coach for that matter) are not the same as three years under Geno Auriemma. Not only does she need to learn an entirely new, more complex system, she has to unlearn quite a bit too. Three years of muscle memory that has to be driven out. I for one don't expect that to happen in two months, but I'm hopeful that she'll be ready come March.

 

[Charliebball]

Patience, patience, patience. Sitka will be at least an asset and more likely a significant force down the line, when it matters most.

I thought you meant Jack Sikma......or more likely his grand daughter

 

[ClifSpliffy]

ummm, start her? he already did for the 2nd half yesterday.
kinda hard not to when she is, statistically, at the top of the food chain for o boards, which, also statistically thus far, we stink at. putrid. clearly, coach understood this last year when he offered her. duh.

upon further review of a rewatch, the delta between the two teams yesterday was hustle. we were outhustled as, for whatever reason, our attitude seemed like 'no big deal,' time after time. 2 plays in a row were exhibit a. paige inbounds a lazy pass, they steal, bucket. then, dorka inbounds an iffy pass in front of paige, not the right move at the time, she can't chase it down, turnover, and not the good kind with apple or raspberry filling.
we'll beat this team next time as urgency, and not lackadaisical, takes over in their noggins. i liked the day before when coach poured cold water on paige at her and azzi's presser when their wonderful superiorness was all the talk at that luvfest. 'we'll just show up, the other team will tremble in their kix, and afterward it's off to sizzler's for steak and fries.' yesterday was the humble pie dessert for that banquet. nasty stuff, but like guaifenesin consumed to defeat congestion, it often is very helpful.

 

[schmendrick]

ONO is ONO for better or worse. She will have some great games once the Conference schedule starts.

I don't know about that. I am no expert, but to my eyes, Ono was the one post that distinguished herself with her tough play.

Night and day, compared to her performance in big games last year.

 

[LoboDays]

I don't know about that. I am no expert, but to my eyes, Ono was the one post that distinguished herself with her tough play.

Night and day, compared to her performance in big games last year.

If you are comparing her to the play of our other posts, I agree. Comparing her to the opposition is what I was going for.

 

[MD#12Fan]

We only have a few games to judge these players so, things could change pretty drastically. But based on what I’ve seen so far you have described Dorka. Her contribution should be a big body to help control things in the paint.

ONO is ONO for better or worse. She will have some great games once the Conference schedule starts.

For me, The whole thing about our bigs relies on AE. I thought that she would be a big part of the team’s success and show that UCONN has more than one candidate for AA consideration. I still believe. Just can’t understand what’s going on.

One thing for sure. Mir didn’t enter yesterdays game at that point because Geno was delighted.

I just feel it this year. I've got good instincts. (Seer) Geno's gunna lose this team if he doesn't quickly change his style and "tactics" with them. I didn't like all the sarcasm after the USF game. His system lost that game but he was bailed out by PB and Azzi. This system has been getting jammed up in big games for a while now.
The players are looking for the coaches to step up as much as vice versa. Trust me. Geno did not have anything to help his squad against SC's pressure in the 4th quarter. That was a battlefield situation. He's an iconic coach that has seen everything 5X with some great WCBB players. What did he say, "run the system". How about, "let's have 4 dribble handoffs at the top before we run our sets". Some of these players are looking for some guidance to help them be successful.
Azzi probably has a perfect attitude, but I wouldn't blame her one bit for wondering how her role could change so much in one game. She went 6 for 8 from 3. Have her guard the water cooler. Hide her somewhere. You're on the Rushmore of coaches, figure it out.
Now, as you said, he wasn't happy when he put Mir in. How do we think Mir felt being a part of one of his "examples"? She basically hasn't played all year and now she's guarding an All-American. (I think she did fine, further helping me make my point, that these young players need to be playing)

 

[PacoSwede]

UConn women’s basketball requires players to read and react rather than just go in there and run set plays. .... It is what it is.

Maybe we should wait until this team has, oh I don’t know, 10 games under his belt, before we start writing off players in their potential contribution?

let's give 'em 15+ games ... nika only made a major difference after the end of january last year and i don't remember aaliyah comtributing a whole lot before then either

 

[oldude]

As one of the BY’ers who urged caution to many who jumped on the bandwagon about Dorka as Liv’s replacement. I now urge caution again to those BY’ers who feel Dorka may not become a key contributor for UConn.

As a number of folks have pointed out, learning UConn’s system is difficult, even for a senior honors student who was All Big Ten. Dorka has some limitations athletically, but her biggest problem may simply be that she just needs to relax and play the game.

UConn needs Dorka to be a solid contributor this season. I am pulling for her to learn her role, gain some confidence and make an impact. Whether that happens as a starter or coming off the bench shouldn’t matter.

 

[AmeriConn]

As I recall geno raved about her in preseason practice. I think he said she could put them over the top. It’s hard to believe she was first or second team big ten based on her play to date!

Sometimes I don’t think Geno uses players to play to their strengths. He wants to mold them into the system. It may take longer.

 

[jchusky]

As I recall geno raved about her in preseason practice. I think he said she could put them over the top. It’s hard to believe she was first or second team big ten based on her play to date!

same Geno that said Caroline could start on opening night? Same Geno that raved about Gabriel who has been non-existent? That said Nika has another level? As I stated in other posts, will not take anything in the off-season or off-season practice as nothing but hearsay.

 

[AmeriConn]

Dorka. Strange autocorrect.

I say we start Sitka immediately!

 

[TWG236]

WOW, lot of comments on Dorka, but nothing about Edwards. She really hasn't played any better then Dorka, and she has a year playing in this system. Most likely would have been to our advantage if we had played 2 pre-season games and maybe a one or two other games prior to starting to play the big guys. Lots of new players who needed to play together without a lot of pressure. Also played pre-season game, 6 days off, played 3 games in 3 days and now 6 days off again. I agree, we need to wait until January before we will get a true pitcher of this team. My, lose to the #1 team in the country and watch out when your outside, the sky is falling.

 

[#1florida]

I don't know if Geno knows what role Dorka should be playing. We were told she was a decent 3-pt shooter but hasn't made one yet. She doesn't seem to be in good position under the basket to challenge their post players, and as far as I have see she only has that one move to the left to score up close. At times she looks lost, so what is her role? She is not doing any posting up, very little shots being taken, and those haven't gone in. Geno has to decide, what role does he want her to play. For me, I want her under the hoop to get rebounds. She doesn't appear to be the all around player we thought, so what Geno decides going forward will determine if she will be a positive factor for us.

Boneyard, seems to have become an impatient group of whiners.

 

[Mdoggie]

She had the same number of turnovers as she had points and rebounds combined. She does not fit into this offense.

How bout you call or email him.