What I would Most like Ayanna Patterson to improve on

[CL82]

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)

Ah, got it. I wasn’t sure how the fearsome punching power that Marciano was known for applied, but I fully understand your reference to the players. “touch.” Last year Dorka, struggled with touch, and our short hand was that she was playing with oven mitts on. She also struggled a bit with the physicality of the game and often got knocked to the court. A reference for that was “Bambi on ice”, or just Bambi for short”

 

[HuskyNan]

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

UConn fans have been so spoiled by having seen several freshmen have great seasons right from the jump that we tend to forget that most, especially post players, need more time to develop

 

[Rb335]

Something I notice is body language. She often seems frustrated or perplexed after committing a foul/mistake. I think she’s an example of a player who could overpower high school opponents with athleticism, but gets stumped with the level of athleticism evens out in college. At this level she’ll need to learn to be savvy and play with finesse.

We’ve heard over the years that freshman year can be overwhelming and challenging. I see that in her body language. I have no doubt she has the tools, it’s about tweaking some things and gaining confidence. Hopefully as we get into the softer part of the big east schedule, she’ll string together some success and gain some confidence. When she figures it out, she’ll be a great contributor to the program.

 

[hookshot]

Ah, got it. I wasn’t sure how the fearsome punching power that Marciano was known for applied, but I fully understand your reference to the players. “touch.” Last year Dorka, struggled with touch, and our short hand was that she was playing with oven mitts on. She also struggled a bit with the physicality of the game and often got knocked to the court. A reference for that was “Bambi on ice”, or just Bambi for short”

She does tend to power punch her shots also, even fouls shots - too much wrist, too much power. Most of her missed layups go off the board and then off the rim meaning they still have too much power in them even after some power is absorbed by the board. If it is lack of touch, that could be a long cure. if it is more an anxiety thing that may be a quicker fix, i.e. relax, you are dominant, you can only beat yourself

 

[CL82]

She does tend to power punch her shots also, even fouls shots - too much wrist, too much power. Most of her missed layups go off the board and then off the rim meaning they still have too much power in them even after some power is absorbed by the board. If it is lack of touch, that could be a long cure. if it is more an anxiety thing that may be a quicker fix, i.e. relax, you are dominant, you can only beat yourself

I am inclined to think it’s the latter. Players like Ayana have a big physical advantage over the vast majority of high school players. Then, they come to college where everyone is bigger, faster, and stronger than they are used to seeing. It takes time to adapt to the speed and physicality of the game and freshmen often press trying to do that.

You can see that she’s aware of it and frustrated by it. One play last night she missed a bunny and her frustration was written all over her face. I get it, she wants to help the team, especially given how shorthanded it is. She just needs to relax and not force things, although that’s easier said than done.

 

[MD#12Fan]

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

Yes, I don’t understand the comparison at all. I loved Mir, but she was limited. She did not have the skill set to play for a NC contender. I’m happy that she found a nice landing spot at UVA. AP has the pedigree to contribute. Even if she never develops into a great offensive player, she can contribute in a lot of ways. I never cringe when she comes in. Her physical talent gets her in position to do things, she just has to turn the volume down a bit and things will fit into place.

 

[Majic Hands]

Sighing. . . For a group of people of whom I haven't any doubt, has forgotten more about basketball than I'll learn by the time I go to see what's on the other side.

I think we could find more threads talking about how much faster & stronger competition freshmen have to adapt to than not.

Now, in regards to Ayanna. As much as we wish they would spill there guts about even having a hangnail. I wish Ayanna wasn't as open and trying to please everyone as she is.

I so wish Ayanna had not shared the fact she only has vision in one eye.

I'm not going to place any expectations what so ever on this kid.

Having said that. I'm expecting a LOT from this young woman over the next few years after watching her in the 3x3.

3x3 half court or smaller is just a bit different than 5x5 full court. And every opposing coach preparing their kids to approach Ayanna on one side.

When giving advice or suggestions as to what this kids need to get better. Cover one eye for a couple hours and see what you think then.

 

[HuskyNan]

I didn’t get to see the game last night so I’m watching it now. Ayanna jammed her finger in practice yesterday and was playing with her finger wrapped. tha probably affected her shot and ball handling ability

 

[BballFan]

I didn’t get to see the game last night so I’m watching it now. Ayanna jammed her finger in practice yesterday and was playing with her finger wrapped. tha probably affected her shot and ball handling ability

I hate people jumping on freshman. Give them time.

 

[Charliebball]

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.

I think her finger injury is making handling the ball more difficult for her right now..........the physical ability is there including a pretty good midrange jump shot which she used fairly extensively in high school........she's really helping the team right now by allowing Edwards and Dorka took get some rest when she's in..........have a bit of patience.......just a matter of time before she becomes the really solid player that Geno knows she can be.......

 

[MooseJaw]

First thing, she is a decent defensive player already, where her instincts take over. Not so much on offense, often you can see hesitation and a half or whole step slow. IMO she is over thinking, which is causing her to be out of position, when she does receive the ball there is often a hesitation thinking about what to do with the ball, giving the defense time to swarm around her.
When she starts playing on instinct and gets out of her head, we will see an exceptional athlete who dominates her opponents, much like AE from year 2 to year 3. Then we will see if she has hands of stone or has touch. One thing in her favor, with all the injuries she is getting playing time which can only speed up her maturation. I look forward to her becoming a bad ass.

 

[gold2323]

She needs to release shots quickly ….at this level and specially against top ten talented teams is harder to score. She needs to use a half hook from right side and quick bank shots from left side like Dorka did last night.

 

[JordyG]

What would I like Ayanna to improve on? Simple, and I've said it many times. She misses layups because she's offensively limited in the paint. She only has 2 moves around the basket and 3 offensive moves total: the put back, the fake, and the short jumper from the right side. She has no real double move, and at this level you had better have something if you want to be effective on the block. Ayanna has no drop step either left or right, she has no up and under, no step around etc. She also hasn't a very good power dribble. This stuff takes time to learn. AE had all of these her first year at UConn yet it took her until this year to refine those moves. Liv came to UConn with a right leg drop but didn't go over her left shoulder at all until her junior year. Even in her senior year she still wasn't effective going left. Frankly, it'll take at least until next year before we see Ayanna effectively go over her left shoulder with a left leg drop, which I expect to see first since she's right handed. Until then Geno has kept her assignments simple: run the floor, rebound, set screens, cut to the basket, and that's where she can most help the team this year.

 

[ccwarrior]

I hate people jumping on freshman. Give them time.

You don’t have to be a senior to make a bunny.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I really really hope that players don’t come on The Boneyard. This thread would destroy whatever confidence she’s working toward.

 

[MD#12Fan]

I really really hope that players don’t come on The Boneyard. This thread would destroy whatever confidence she’s working toward.

True’dat. But my college coach said to us, “the time to worry is when I stop yelling at you, that means I’m not caring about you….”
We care about AE and we see her as an important piece, so we have high expectations. Another discussion entirely is if our expectations are reasonable.