What Is [goin on] With Aaliyah Edwards? [Merged Thread]

[jchusky]

The entire Frontline of AE, Ono, and Dorka has underperformed. They are getting outplayed and outhustled by smaller front lines.

But Dorka was an all-american in the big 10! She should easily dominate the little big east!

 

[Centerstream]

I am not sure you needed the qualifier "with Aaliyah Edwards" . Lately it seems that "what is the problem with the Boneyard " is the important question. There is just so much negativity and personal animosity on this board that it is truly hard to imagine many posters are "fans". Many posters just choose to ignore stats and pump vitriol. Quite disheartening when some pick out a player or two and dump on them repeatedly. Five games into the season and too many conclusions reached. Maybe the trying times we are experiencing has people in a nasty mood, but I am disappointed by some of our posters far more than by the Huskies.

Gotta agree with you. My post in this thread, before I Ignore it, was going to be to change the thread title from "Aaliyah Edwards" to "fill in the blank" because of all the negativity so early in the season. Even though I have visited the Chat Room during the halftimes of some games, I can only imagine what is being posted there.

 

[Centerstream]

But Dorka was an all-american in the big 10! She should easily dominate the little big east!

All American???? Where did you come up with that? She was a Two-time First Team All-Big Ten.

 

[oldude]

I am not sure you needed the qualifier "with Aaliyah Edwards" . Lately it seems that "what is the problem with the Boneyard " is the important question. There is just so much negativity and personal animosity on this board that it is truly hard to imagine many posters are "fans". Many posters just choose to ignore stats and pump vitriol. Quite disheartening when some pick out a player or two and dump on them repeatedly. Five games into the season and too many conclusions reached. Maybe the trying times we are experiencing has people in a nasty mood, but I am disappointed by some of our posters far more than by the Huskies.

Bama, thank you for causing me to rethink
what I post here. Hopefully, others will do so as well. Many BY’ers remember Bags fondly. He moved on from the BY several years ago because of the negativity he experienced here. I miss Bags and other posters who have left this forum. We can all do better.

 

[Bama fan]

Bama, thank you for causing me to rethink
about what I post. Hopefully, others will do so as well. Many BY’ers remember Bags fondly. He moved on from the BY several years ago because of the negativity he experienced here. I miss Bags and other posters who have left this forum. We can all do better.

I miss him also, and it is too easy to be jaded. We all need patience and compassion to be the things that rule our interactions. Go Huskies!

 

[jchusky]

All American???? Where did you come up with that? She was a Two-time First Team All-Big Ten.

yes so that meant she was going to dominate the little big east, at least that was what was told.

 

[browns]

I thought AE would be a beast this year but as others have applied she seems to have regressed.Maybe she's better off coming off the bench..It's too bad Nika isn't playing like she did last year so she can't start. Most people will laugh at this but how about Dorka starting. I'm sure since the SC game Geno has been harping about rebounding well Dorka only played 15 mins and grabbed 10 rebounds 4 of which were offensive..Just a thought

 

[JoePgh]

The entire Frontline of AE, Ono, and Dorka has underperformed. They are getting outplayed and outhustled by smaller front lines.

So how is that consistent with a 50-12 advantage for UConn in points in the paint vs. Seton Hall? Or a 14-7 advantage in offensive rebounds? Or Seton Hall's two top rebounders (Sidney Cooks and Kailah Harris) each getting outrebounded by Dorka, Paige, and Aaliyah?

A lot of posters here, particularly those who say the most negative things, fail (as in this case) to offer any evidence for their scalding accusations, and ignore evidence that is readily available from the box score.

 

[Cornell Lt]

My take on AE is that she is trying to be what the Canadian national team wanted her to be (wing player) but UConn needs her to be a post player. So she's kinda stuck in the middle, which obviously isn't working out so great.

 

[donalddoowop]

yes so that meant she was going to dominate the little big east, at least that was what was told.

She has played against one BE team. I thought she did well. As far as the difference in what Nurse and Edwards did on the Canadian team, nurse played her natural position while it is said Edwards played an unfamiliar one.

 

[donalddoowop]

As far as I know, “Cananda” didn’t qualify for the Olympics. In fact, it’s not even a country…….

You are wrong oldude, just wrong for this. It went right over the head.

 

[CocoHusky]

So how is that consistent with a 50-12 advantage for UConn in points in the paint vs. Seton Hall? Or a 14-7 advantage in offensive rebounds? Or Seton Hall's two top rebounders (Sidney Cooks and Kailah Harris) each getting outrebounded by Dorka, Paige, and Aaliyah?A lot of posters here, particularly those who say the most negative things, fail (as in this case) to offer any evidence for their scalding accusations, and ignore evidence that is readily available from the box score.

The evidence is not in the box scores it is in actually viewing the game and remembering games from last season and past UCONN teams. The box score will tell you that UCONN outscored SH in the paint. Actually watching the game will tell you that the best post move in the game was made by a guard named Paige. Watching the game will also tell you that Aliyah Edwards was fumbling passes and not finishing plays that she easily finished last year against much better teams such as Iowa & Baylor. Nika was a starter last year the box score will not tell you that this season Nika does not look the same. The box score is not going to tell you that the offensive flow is not very good or that teams are sagging of UCONN shooters. The boxscore will also not tell you Geno's favorite metric for good defense-contested shots.

 

[JoePgh]

The evidence is not in the box scores it is in actually viewing the game and remembering games from last season and past UCONN teams. The box score will tell you that UCONN outscored SH in the paint. Actually watching the game will tell you that the best post move in the game was made by a guard named Paige. Watching the game will also tell you that Aliyah Edwards was fumbling passes and not finishing plays that she easily finished last year against much better teams such as Iowa & Baylor. Nika was a starter last year the box score will not tell you that this season Nika does not look the same. The box score is not going to tell you that the offensive flow is not very good or that teams are sagging of UCONN shooters. The boxscore will also not tell you Geno's favorite metric for good defense-contested shots.

The post that I was responding to said this:

"The entire Frontline of AE, Ono, and Dorka has underperformed. They are getting outplayed and outhustled by smaller front lines."

Do you believe that this statement is true, i.e., that Seton Hall outplayed and outhustled UConn's front line?

The point that you are making is that some players are not playing at the same level as they were last year. That is a different statement than what BostonBay said (quoted above). BostonBay's statement is disprovable from the evidence in the box score, especially 50-12 in paint points in UConn's favor. Your statement is a qualitative comparison, and I agree that the box score of the Seton Hall game does not provide direct evidence either to support it or disprove it.

 

[Alydar]

But Dorka was an all-american in the big 10! She should easily dominate the little big east!

That's what I was thinking watching her Thur. All-B1G, 1st team forward in both her sophomore and junior years? I thought someone at that level would be stronger, even dominant. Now I like her ability and willingness to shoot and the way she runs the floor, but at times her hands remind me of Butler's. I'll give her a pass until January. Stepping into a post rotation for UConn isn't easy.

 

[Mdoggie]

Boneyard = Volnation

 

[hjoerring]

Reading the Seton Hall postgame thread, I saw numerous critical comments about nearly all of the UConn players except Paige, but IMO those pertaining to Aaliyah Edwards are the least deserved (particularly with respect to the Seton Hall game itself) and the hardest to understand. What exactly is disappointing about the way AE played against Seton Hall?
Can someone tell us: what is your problem with Aaliyah Edwards?

My take is that she (and all the others) isn't Paige. They see her as guilty for not being Paige B. No one is going to like this but, I'll say it: This is a very good team-- I don't know if its more (or not) a championship team than the others we normally compare it to; but, the players are playing tight, even scare. Paige is undoubtedly the best player, but there are others who can match much of what she is doing. All three starting guards can shoot from outside, go to the basket and pass. Edwards can actually put the ball on the floor and go to the basket, so why is she holding on to the ball at the top of the key forever waiting for a cutter and a pass? Why do the others disappear at crunch time? I no longer think its a question of talent. It is role play-- they must first and foremost set screens and screens and more screens. I am now convinced that Geno is comfortable with 2 scorers in a game. It worked until it didn't with Samuelson (after the big 3 existed) and, I doubt that it will with PB+. I have listened to his post game comments and its clear that it is all about PB and and the others as problems. Of course there are others who can see motivation in everything. Not me. So there is a congruent between the Boneyard and Geno. No one seems to be having fun out there, and that is for the coaches to solve. But the Team is ranked 2. That is not due to Uconn's influence on WBB! But I see red lights flashing both for this Board (which has dipped a little) and the Team.

 

[oldude]

Boneyard = Volnation

I actually think VolNation has mellowed considerably. Kellie Harper is a good young coach, who’s brought a much more positive vibe to Knoxville. At 6-0 the Lady Vols are ranked 11th. The fan base no longer appears to expect a national championship or bust. They are far more supportive of their team in good times and bad. There is still an occasional outburst on VolNation, but the kind of relentless negativity that accompanied Holly Warlick’s tenure as HC appears to be a thing of the past. Perhaps the BY could learn something from VolNation?

 

[JellyBean]

I do not have a problem with Aaliyah Edwards performance this year. I think she is doing well. She is adjusting to the offensive patterns of how the ball is being put in play. Defensive side, she is doing well.

 

[my2cents]

I think BYers are split into two camps; those that are happy with 30+ wins and a Final Four appearance, and those of us who want us to win that semi-final game and possibly a National Championship.
I don't think of us in the latter camp can be called negative if we basically "re-package" Geno's own words pertaining to the current play of his team.
It's pretty obvious what the challenges are. Our outside shooting is just not there and this allows teams to play off us. This jams the lane. We can get by a Seton Hall, but a team in the Final Four with size, it won't work.
Geno said himself, our half-court game is not good and it's up to him to fix it.
I have been saying in here, since Megan Walker's freshman year, that these National #1 players can beat anyone they want off the dribble, which breaks down the defense. They can finish, get fouled, or dish to the player whose "man" came to help.
Isolating Paige would be a total nightmare for the opposition. Who could stop her?? NOBODY. Same with CW.
The 80's called, they want their halfcourt weave back...

 

[FormerCTrez]

Why is it that I sometimes view a few BY posters as angry parents? The type of parents who are only happy when the kids maintain a 5.0 and nothing less. Because, if the grade is 3.0 - 4.0, it means that the kids have failed, and are doomed for life.
BYers, you can do much better than this! Imagine how you would feel if some of these comments were posted about your kid or relative.

 

[veryolddog]

The problem wih MS Edwards is the same problem with all of the rest of the UConn players except for Paige.

 

[Stymie]

Aaliyah improved meteorically over the course of her freshman year.
I believe many projected her improvement to continue at the same rate.

 

[CocoHusky]

The post that I was responding to said this:
"The entire Frontline of AE, Ono, and Dorka has underperformed. They are getting outplayed and outhustled by smaller front lines."
Do you believe that this statement is true, i.e., that Seton Hall outplayed and outhustled UConn's front line?

I do believe the statement to be true as it applies to this season. "Outhustled" is not quantifiable. If I were forced to provide evidence I would submit the following:

• SH is the 5th game of the season. It is also the first game of the season in which Dorka, or Liv or AE have scored in double figures in points. Aaliyah was scoreless in the USF game. Each of the UCONN opponents (Arkansas, Minnesota, USF, SC & SH) has had a front court player score double figures against UCONN (Goforth (17), Sissoko (10), Mununga (15), Boston (22), & Cooks (13).
• (6'1", 6'2", 6'0" 6'3" 6'4" are the heights for Goforth, Sissoko, Mununga, Boston, & Cooks. Boston is a beast so let's take her out of the equation and insert Brea Beal who is 6'1". Beal played roughly the same amount of minutes as AE did in the SC game and scored the same amount of points (6) but got one more rebound.
• After 5 games UCONN is +14 rebound margin and Paige has the 2nd most rebounds on the team.

So yes this evidence could lead me to conclude that AE, Ono, and Dorka are underperforming because of the numbers put up by our generally shorter opponents thus far on the season.

 

[LCConnFan]

Reading the Seton Hall postgame thread, I saw numerous critical comments about nearly all of the UConn players except Paige, but IMO those pertaining to Aaliyah Edwards are the least deserved (particularly with respect to the Seton Hall game itself) and the hardest to understand. What exactly is disappointing about the way AE played against Seton Hall?

Her stat line does not indicate any problem: 34 minutes, 12 points, 7 rebounds including 3 offensive rebounds (more total rebounds than any Seton Hall player), 6-for-11 shooting. Is it her 5 turnovers that are the issue? Three of those turnovers were traveling calls. I agree that "happy feet" is a problem that she will have to address, but compared to what she has already overcome, it is a minor asterisk.

All last year, she had a huge problem with fouls, and fouled out of several important games after minimal minutes. She showed some of that in the early games this year, but against Seton Hall she had only 3 fouls in the game, and got the 3rd foul in the last minute or two of the game. That allowed her to play the 34 minutes that she needs to play.

She had a problem in previous games this year with offensive rebounds -- getting only 1 in 4 games. My hunch is that much of that was because her minutes and her aggressiveness were limited by foul trouble, but she certainly solved that problem against Seton Hall.

To me, Aaliyah exemplifies energy and toughness in the post. Her fouls in the past have come mostly from trying too hard to get a rebound or a loose ball. Her play near the basket allows Liv to play in the high post and distribute the ball, which is the kind of game that she (Liv) prefers to play. Now that Liv is starting to hit a decent percentage of her jump shots, it becomes more reasonable to play her in that role, since opponents will have to guard her jump shot.

Aaliyah made several plays near the basket against Seton Hall that showed a high level of skill as well as energy. I saw a hook shot from about 5 feet to the right of the basket and several contested layups.

Yet I'm reading BY posts that say she is tentative, lacks energy, doesn't understand her role. I don't see any of that. Some people faulted her for not getting any assists, but (as with Christyn) her role on offense is to finish scoring plays, not to set up others. We shouldn't expect to see a lot of assists from either AE or Christyn, any more than one would expect a tight end (AE) or a wide receiver (CW) on a football team to have a lot of rushing yards.

Can someone tell us: what is your problem with Aaliyah Edwards?

Well, IMO she DID play better at SH, however, she had 5 TO's that game and was out rebounded by 5'11" Paige (who btw out rebounded everyone but Dorka)!

 

[CocoHusky]

Why is it that I sometimes view a few BY posters as angry parents? The type of parents who are only happy when the kids maintain a 5.0 and nothing less. Because, if the grade is 3.0 - 4.0, it means that the kids have failed, and are doomed for life.
BYers, you can do much better than this! Imagine how you would feel if some of these comments were posted about your kid or relative.

Parents that have raised kids that are talented enough to play for UCONN WBB are more than smart enough to avoid the BY.

 

[cancontent]

My take is that she (and all the others) isn't Paige. They see her as guilty for not being Paige B. No one is going to like this but, I'll say it: This is a very good team-- I don't know if its more (or not) a championship team than the others we normally compare it to; but, the players are playing tight, even scare. Paige is undoubtedly the best player, but there are others who can match much of what she is doing. All three starting guards can shoot from outside, go to the basket and pass. Edwards can actually put the ball on the floor and go to the basket, so why is she holding on to the ball at the top of the key forever waiting for a cutter and a pass? Why do the others disappear at crunch time? I no longer think its a question of talent. It is role play-- they must first and foremost set screens and screens and more screens. I am now convinced that Geno is comfortable with 2 scorers in a game. It worked until it didn't with Samuelson (after the big 3 existed) and, I doubt that it will with PB+. I have listened to his post game comments and its clear that it is all about PB and and the others as problems. Of course there are others who can see motivation in everything. Not me. So there is a congruent between the Boneyard and Geno. No one seems to be having fun out there, and that is for the coaches to solve. But the Team is ranked 2. That is not due to Uconn's influence on WBB! But I see red lights flashing both for this Board (which has dipped a little) and the Team.

1) I agree based on what I watched during her HS, OSBA and early years with Canada Basketball. I've noted it before, but she never played a true post when she was at Crestwood. Any games you watch from those years, she was primarily outside with others playing the 5 position. I don't know if you can say it's her natural position, but she's more than just a post player in my opinion.

2) I can see where you're coming from on this point. Sometimes I wonder if players are fighting certain instincts as they run through it. I believe it will smooth out soon enough.

 

[Charliebball]

So how is that consistent with a 50-12 advantage for UConn in points in the paint vs. Seton Hall? Or a 14-7 advantage in offensive rebounds? Or Seton Hall's two top rebounders (Sidney Cooks and Kailah Harris) each getting outrebounded by Dorka, Paige, and Aaliyah?

A lot of posters here, particularly those who say the most negative things, fail (as in this case) to offer any evidence for their scalding accusations, and ignore evidence that is readily available from the box score.

Seton Hall is ranked over 100 as a team for a reason...........part of that is a fairly weak front court..........if UConn can't consistently outrebound Big East teams, then they are in for a long season......

 

[UcMiami]

I think this whole thread is fairly typical of the boneyard in early season. People remember the FF team of the previous year and can't understand why a new team in it's first half dozen games isn't playing at the standard of a team that is at the end of a 30+ game season. What happened to that instinctive flow, clear communication on defense, etc? Well, that was last year and this new team is just getting started. We got spoiled from 2012-2016 when the leaders of each returning team were upper classmen starting with Doty, Faris, Dolson, and Hartley and transitioning through KML, Stewart, Jefferson, and Tuck. That was serious leadership and unfortunately neither Westbrook, Williams or Ono are quite that level or leader and Paige is not quite ready to lead anywhere but on the court.

Specific to Edwards - the Olympics are great, but there is a huge difference in how the international game is played and she had to work on her transition to the softer NCAA game last year and this (as did Nika.) Edwards seems to be making that transition quicker this year, by the way.

And 'sophomore jump' is not something that necessarily occurs in Nov. or Dec. often it shows in retrospect at the end of the year. I remember MoJeff was consistently a slow starter every year - I suspect that if one compiled her stats for just Jan-FF her shooting percentages would be closer to .600 and .500 from 3 because she was usually around .400/.250 in Nov and Dec.

The team has also had a rotating injury list all fall which I doubt has helped chemistry on the floor. Dorka particularly is suffering from that as she tries to learn the offense and defense on her new team.

 

[hjoerring]

Seton Hall is ranked over 100 as a team for a reason...........part of that is a fairly weak front court..........if UConn can't consistently outrebound Big East teams, then they are in for a long season......

One of the few things I remembered from my undergraduate days was going to a conference with my advisor as we sat listening to one of his enemies presented data from a research. My advisor turned to me and said 'he has all the facts in the world-- as you can hear-- but no theory. Ask him to explain and he will just cite more facts. It would be to say this about you, given what I have always acknowledged as your past contribution; but, you have entered into a 'fact' more that is leading you to parcel out the dross from the gold. Uconn bigs do not, in general, stay under the basket ready to rebound as other teams big do. Both Stanford and SoC play that way-- even though Boston is stepping out (leaving their other bigs to do just that. I'm not surprised that a motion offense-- or whatever you call it, isn't (necessarily) a good rebounding team. Nor am I surprise that a guard can swoop in and rebound. And you know that many smaller teams can out-rebound bigger teams due to a host of factors. Still, these problems are best understood in the modes of play and players rolls.

 

[Mdoggie]

Sorry @oldude @cancontent @EricLA
Just tryna get these negative Nancy to see themselves.