What I would Most like Ayanna Patterson to improve on

[Javafan]

o Not missing Bunny - This is mostly psychological and little bit technic :
Psychology for NOT rushing; technic for positioning ,for she is athletic enough to get into better positioning to deal with finishing the bunny. Of course, there are some technic to shoot the bunny.

o Not fouling - This is almost entirely psychological and very very little technic :
Psychology for, again, NOT rushing; technic for,again, get into better positioning AVOIDING contact.
Key to this not fouling is : Be PATIENCE, she is athletic enough to React to her opponent's move and NOT making THE first move - just like a goal keeper in soccer facing penalty kick, DON'T make your move too soon and react to your kicker's move.

Ayanna has got tons of talent to be really good in a very short time. GO, AYANNA!

 

[hookshot]

o Not missing Bunny - This is mostly psychological and little bit technic :
Psychology for NOT rushing; technic for positioning ,for she is athletic enough to get into better positioning to deal with finishing the bunny. Of course, there are some technic to shoot the bunny.

o Not fouling - This is almost entirely psychological and very very little technic :
Psychology for, again, NOT rushing; technic for,again, get into better positioning AVOIDING contact.
Key to this not fouling is : Be PATIENCE, she is athletic enough to React to her opponent's move and NOT making THE first move - just like a goal keeper in soccer facing penalty kick, DON'T make your move too soon and react to your kicker's move.

Ayanna has got tons of talent to be really good in a very short time. GO, AYANNA!

She is heavy handed - think Rocky Marciano as opposed to Willie Pep - it likely will take her quite some time to learn touch - don't count on it happening this year. In the meantime she can get rebounds, make some blocks, and work on improving her defense

 

[Dezoworld]

She needs alot of work. For her to have so much athleticism she sure misses alot of easy buckets. Mir McLean a shorter version of AP never missed on layups and put backs.

 

[Urshurak]

Like I said in the post game thread, she can’t buy a bucket. She’s just a disaster on offense.

I think she has the potential to be great, but has a long long way to go.

 

[MD#12Fan]

She’s moving too fast. She just has to slow down.
I would bet she does it in practice. Just has to work through these growing pains. It’s a big stage and right now she’s got some stage fright.
In college I would try to figure out ways to calm down before games. Played in an alumni game 5 or so years after graduating, after becoming a runner, and I ran a swift 6 miles or so about an hour before the game. Took a shower and played the best game I’ve ever played. MVP of the game and I had been a 4 year bench player.
IMO Caroline’s moving a little too quick too.
It‘s ok. The team has a monster upside. Playing this good with some wobbly wheels.

 

[tchalla1]

AP will be just fine--in high school, like a lot of athletes, she was able to get by on sheer athleticism alone. Now in college, she will have to add a little finesse to her game, and as others have stated, slow down and find her groove. She's got the difficult part down, now she has only to fine-tune her game. She's going to be special when she does...

 

[ccwarrior]

For someone who appears to be strong, she can’t seem to hold on to the ball. Players strip her constantly and block her shots - it is weird.

 

[SCNCHuskie]

She needs alot of work. For her to have so much athleticism she sure misses alot of easy buckets. Mir McLean a shorter version of AP never missed on layups and put backs.

To be fair Mir was more of a guard who happens to play inside because of her athleticism.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

She's fine. Just rushing and trying too hard. Reminds me a little bit of MoJeff and her development. Super athletic, but just needs to learn when to use it.

 

[Dezoworld]

To be fair Mir was more of a guard who happens to play inside because of her athleticism.

My point exactly. She shouldn't be getting blocked and missing as much putback layups as she does. I know it'll get better I just had high hopes for her averaging atleast 4ppg and 4rb.

 

[BballFan]

It is a big transition to college ball. Very few post players come in amazing from high school. Give her some time please.

 

[Skeets]

For someone who can dunk from a standing start under the basket I'm amazed that her shots are often blocked and she is outjumped sometimes by shorter players. Why isn't his kid dominating the air?

 

[Shenandoah]

in martial arts, when learning reverse, and spinning techniques, one learns to first get the head around and spot the target. I think that Ayanna is rushing and not spotting the basket when shooting. Relax, and play your game.

 

[BBallF]

For someone who can dunk from a standing start under the basket I'm amazed that her shots are often blocked and she is outjumped sometimes by shorter players. Why isn't his kid dominating the air?

First, she never ball or head fakes. Second, she just goes straight up in an slow jump motion, not springy like an Aubrey or even a Mir as stated above. Third, her moves are basic and easily anticipated. Fourth, her grip strength is weaker than one would expect for such an athletic and strong player. All of the above are fixable and will be fixed over time. We have to remember that she was playing last. right against some players that were 2 or 3 years older and more experienced. It's going to be fits and starts with her for quite some time but worth the wait.

 

[noirwestern]

I know a guy. Maybe Coach Jumper can straighten her out?

 

[CL82]

She is heavy handed - think Rocky Marciano as opposed to Willie Pep - it likely will take her quite some time to learn touch - don't count on it happening this year. In the meantime she can get rebounds, make some blocks, and work on improving her defense

This is an interesting comparison. Care to expound on it a bit more?

 

[my2cents]

I hate the word, "athletic" or this person shows much "athleticism". A basketball player that shows athleticism and can't catch a basketball, should be on the track team.

 

[Bald Husky]

It seems that once she gets the rebound that she doesn't know what to do with the ball. Practicing against Aaliyah, I would think that she could be taught the one dribble turn-a-round, or a simple hook shot. Going straight up does not work for whatever reason, so she has to try something different. I don't know why the coaches do not see this if we can. If the defense knows what she is going to do than she will never make it up to the rim. With most of our Bigs we expect two points when they get the rebound underneath, but with Ayann, it's the opposite. Come on Jemelle, teach her something.

 

[SVCBeercats]

o Not missing Bunny

o Not fouling

Do you think her monocular vision will impede her improvement in these two areas? Jump shooting from most any distance? Will aware competitors exploit her vision? Any improvement will be testament to her determination and persistence.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."​

 

[PhillyCoach]

Some teams, like Stanford & UConn, recruit players that do the big time travel circuit and have trainers, etc. Those players don't have opponents stopping every shot. Some teams get the playground players. They play against anybody even the guys. The guys don't give them an inch. We all know the smallish guards that can take it to the hoop and can almost always get a shot off without getting blocked. Those players have to learn that skill --develop a shot (hook, flip, rainbow, etc.) that won't get blocked. Those playground players also learn to play with anybody available. They play their game and make quick adjustments.
Patterson does not seem to be a playground player.
Question - How tough do the male practice players at UConn play D? The clips I see they seem to back off and I never have seen blocks. Of course, I have never been there for a full practice so I don't know. In addition, I suppose Geno doesn't want anyone getting hurt by being too aggressive.
Just some thoughts>

 

[HopJim]

Confusing player. Most frosh have the game slow down for them as the year goes on-Patterson seems to be in a funk and going in the wrong direction. The Creighton game was a perfect match - a lineup filled with players shorter, slower, and not as strong. Instead of overpowering them, the more she played the worst she got. Geno finally took her out and didn't put her back in, even with the starters up by 25+, with 3 minutes left.

 

[JellyBean]

Ayanna will be okay. All of the "bunnies" that she is missing. She ain't the first and won't be the last. You just have games where your shot just isn't falling, especially with the bunnies.

In terms of her athleticism. We all know that she has the raw athleticism to do a lot of things that we have not seen yet. She is putting it all together and I believe her breakout game will be against the Lady Vols and South Carolina.

 

[Ozimoto]

Could be the freshman wall (remember Stewie's freshman year?) or just trying too hard. to me, she looks frustrated and is trying to make things happen when discretion would be the better part of valor.

 

[hookshot]

This is an interesting comparison. Care to expound on it a bit more?

The recipe for a great basketball player starts with hands and feet (not to say that what is in-between is not important at all) and then you throw in a pinch of learned and proper mechanics. AP has the in-between covered, and appears to be making some progress with the feet, but hands - not so sure (the jury is out). Think Sanogo (men) and Collier (ladies) as supreme examples of great hands, with a light touch, and great feet. Right now, AP is playing with mittens on, or 16 ox gloves to stay with the boxing analogy. She is a power hitter with no touch or nuance. Will she get there ? - maybe, but right now patience not frustration is the receipe for her supporters (which I count myself as one)

 

[hookshot]

Some teams, like Stanford & UConn, recruit players that do the big time travel circuit and have trainers, etc. Those players don't have opponents stopping every shot. Some teams get the playground players. They play against anybody even the guys. The guys don't give them an inch. We all know the smallish guards that can take it to the hoop and can almost always get a shot off without getting blocked. Those players have to learn that skill --develop a shot (hook, flip, rainbow, etc.) that won't get blocked. Those playground players also learn to play with anybody available. They play their game and make quick adjustments.
Patterson does not seem to be a playground player.
Question - How tough do the male practice players at UConn play D? The clips I see they seem to back off and I never have seen blocks. Of course, I have never been there for a full practice so I don't know. In addition, I suppose Geno doesn't want anyone getting hurt by being too aggressive.
Just some thoughts>

Good point. Players who are born with dominant physical gifts and are driven to somewhat organized AAU events at somewhat pristine venues, may never experience the joys and character building experience that goes with shoveling snow off a driveway or playground, playing in sub-freezing conditions with split finger tips, and developing the shots and wiles to out-smart playground bullies while surviving to play another day. I a (ungifted) Philly boy / coach myself, but could get an awkward shot off against anybody, it must be a Philly thing - LOL