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

[LarryLegend]

By her own admission, Aaliyah didn’t play much basketball this past summer. She was the 12th player on a 12 player team, so even when the team was practicing 5 on 5, she was not playing very much basketball. Even more important, she also missed the intense summer conditioning program of Andrea Hudy.

maybe too intense

 

[oldude]

Oh, I forgot, those 3rd world Canadians don’t know about conditioning programs. I hear for weight lifting they tie rocks to broken hockey sticks.

Hopefully those intense summer training workouts you are talking about weren’t the catalyst for the overuse stress related injuries that several of the players are dealing with their feet.

Don’t confuse Olympic teams with college programs. Olympic teams are national all star teams with a short period of time to get ready for a two week competition. Conditioning and/or player development is not a major focus. Integrating a group of diverse players for a run at a medal is the focus.

Canada was considered an outside possibility for a medal. I strongly suspect that the coach figured out pretty quickly who her rotation was going to be and she focused her attention on that group.

I’m not seeing that Aaliyah didn’t receive some coaching from the Canadian staff, and I certainly respect the achievement of Aaliyah playing for her country, but there’s no doubt in my mind that her development would have been better served at UConn.

 

[cancontent]

By her own admission, Aaliyah didn’t play much basketball this past summer. She was the 12th player on a 12 player team, so even when the team was practicing 5 on 5, she was not playing very much basketball. Even more important, she also missed the intense summer conditioning program of Andrea Hudy.

Oh, I forgot, those 3rd world Canadians don’t know about conditioning programs. I hear for weight lifting they tie rocks to broken hockey sticks.

Hopefully those intense summer training workouts you are talking about weren’t the catalyst for the overuse stress related injuries that several of the players are dealing with their feet.

Don’t confuse Olympic teams with college programs. Olympic teams are national all star teams with a short period of time to get ready for a two week competition. Conditioning and/or player development is not a major focus. Integrating a group of diverse players for a run at a medal is the focus.

Canada was considered an outside possibility for a medal. I strongly suspect that the coach figured out pretty quickly who her rotation was going to be and she focused her attention on that group.

I’m not seeing that Aaliyah didn’t receive some coaching from the Canadian staff, and I certainly respect the achievement of Aaliyah playing for her country, but there’s no doubt in my mind that her development would have been better served at UConn.

I feel like this is a BY version of South Park's "Blame Canada" bit. A couple things:

1) The Canadian teams (Olympics and U19 squads) had a very different training experience this year compared to previous years. Players spent a lot more time in isolation due to COVID protocols than they typically would. I don't know if this was the same for other teams but it definitely left them a tad more restricted than other programs from what I observed.

2) The same could be said about players competing for USA Basketball if we're going to look at Aaliyah's participation from this perspective. Both Paopao and Fudd are dealing with nagging injuries since the summer/U19 tournament. Diamond Miller has been dealing with issues since competing for USA at the Americup. Maybe I've missed it, but I haven't seen the same comments being brought up in their case. And if it has, my apologies for the oversight.

These players made the decision to represent their countries. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. We're still in the early part of the season and Aaliyah can play her way through this in my opinion.

 

[BBallF]

I like Aaliyah a lot, as I think most BY’ers do. I expect her to be a great player before she leaves Storrs. I think the concern about Aaliyah has more to do with expectations. After last season, everyone expected Aaliyah to be a beast this year.

She played OK vs SH. As you point out the turnovers were somewhat distressing. But her prior games, particularly against SC, were disappointing.

I have stated previously that Aaliyah’s stint on the Canadian Olympic team was the worst thing that could have happened to her. It cut short her time at Storrs practicing with her UConn teammates and improving her strength and conditioning with Andrea Hudy. While I am sure it was a great honor to represent her country, by her own admission, Aaliyah played very little basketball this summer with the Canadian Olympic team.

I think Aaliyah’s summer set her back, so we have yet to see the sophomore leap that seemed inevitable after last season. I think she’s playing catch-up now. But the good news is there’s still plenty of time left this season for Aaliyah to play up to her exceptional potential.

I think that sums up what many of us think but I don't think that explains her energy level, or Nika's also. I think that there is a certain amount of burn out that comes from playing all year round (just being on a team), and injuries too. I don't see any skill improvement in either one of them. As to AE specifically, her moves with the ball last year under the basket were more fluid and she finished. This year she is having real problems executing, her passing is poor, and she just seems out of sync. Her defense can also be a problem. She frequently gives up baseline and doesn't box out. She just seems lost out there right now.

 

[oldude]

I think that sums up what many of us think but I don't think that explains her energy level, or Nika's also. I think that there is a certain amount of burn out that comes from playing all year round (just being on a team), and injuries too. I don't see any skill improvement in either one of them. As to AE specifically, her moves with the ball last year under the basket were more fluid and she finished. This year she is having real problems executing, her passing is poor, and she just seems out of sync. Her defense can also be a problem. She frequently gives up baseline and doesn't box out. She just seems lost out there right now.

I agree on Aaliyah’s energy level, until the UCLA game, when I felt she really played hard, maybe a little too hard, because she didn’t have a great game. But her “pick 6” steal and basket in the second half was a big play in the game. If I was Geno, in order to build up Aaliyah’s confidence, I might show her that one play on film a few dozen times.

 

[UpstateNY]

post Olympic blues - remember Michael Phelps

 

[Olimpia Mi]

Ciao, I join the chorus of those who think that
AE has some problem ...
we are with her in supporting her with all the patience possible, we see that she slams into the field, but I think she is too frenetic in her rushes to the basket ...
last year she was fine, this year it seems that she is 1 cm from the basket and she is afraid and wrong roughly the baskets that are already 'made !!
We're sorry, if she doesn't get there under patience, but since she gets there she should make a basket ... she can't finish with 0 and 3 points all the time (so to speak).
After Caroline, Dorka we wait for Aaliyah ...
Forza Uconn

 

[CocoHusky]

I posted this in a different thread, but belongs here... (I thought she showed more energy against UCLA)
One comment on AE. In the UCLA game she was force to play the 3 and stay on the perimeter for about 80-90% of the time she was in the game. That is out of position for her and puts her in the position where she almost has to take the 20 footers to keep the defense honest. It must be very frustrating for her to be forced to play out of position and not be able to produce in the way she did last year.
Did anyone else notice that when she was at the 4, she did a great job on #24 UCLA who was pushing both Dorka and Liv way deep and scoring easily. Also she was the initiator of all of those massive pile ups under the hoop (she is still so strong).

AE also started the GT game at the SF position and noticeably struggled with the movement and spacing required of that position in the offense. However, her struggles are not new and go all the way back to the beginning of the season. AE was an explosive athlete an incredible finisher at the basket, and displayed a great set of hands-last season. This year she appears a step slower, has fumbled many passes in scoring position and I have not seen much in the way of explosive plays from her. Starting or coming off the bench AE was an impact player last season. AE needs to get back to impacting games and I think she will.

 

[Olimpia Mi]

Oh, I forgot, those 3rd world Canadians don’t know about conditioning programs. I hear for weight lifting they tie rocks to broken hockey sticks.

Hopefully those intense summer training workouts you are talking about weren’t the catalyst for the overuse stress related injuries that several of the players are dealing with their feet.

too loud ..... as a joke between neighbors !!!

 

[HuskyNan]

Thus spoke ___________!

I agree. She is a great talent. Perhaps sophomore regression?

Sophomore slumps aren’t allowed by the Boneyard

 

[cancontent]

Oh, I forgot, those 3rd world Canadians don’t know about conditioning programs. I hear for weight lifting they tie rocks to broken hockey sticks.

Hopefully those intense summer training workouts you are talking about weren’t the catalyst for the overuse stress related injuries that several of the players are dealing with their feet.

Actually, the rocks we use are curling stones. The handles make it easier for us to tie the ropes to them.

 

[Biff]

Actually, the rocks we use are curling stones. The handles make it easier for us to tie the ropes to them.

I heard that curling was invented when some Canadians were trying to figure out a good use for all the fruitcakes they received during the Holidays. One of them said "Let's slide them out onto the frozen lake and they'll sink to the bottom when the ice melts eh?"

 

[cancontent]

I heard that curling was invented when some Canadians were trying to figure out a good use for all the fruitcakes they received during the Holidays. One of them said "Let's slide them out onto the frozen lake and they'll sink to the bottom when the ice melts eh?"

View attachment 71801

Personally, if this is the true origin of curling, I support it 100%! Doesn't matter how much alcohol is added to the recipe. Fruitcakes are definitely boat anchors to me.

 

[Millenial23]

Don't forget that also these sophomores are attending classes in person for the first time. Could be affecting folks differently than online/virtual classes. More of a true college experience. Who knows?

 

[BostonBay]

AE took a nasty spill on a blocking foul (should have been a charge) and landed square on her back. Could explain why she didnt look too happy on the bench.

 

[Cuango]

I feel like this is a BY version of South Park's "Blame Canada" bit. A couple things:

1) The Canadian teams (Olympics and U19 squads) had a very different training experience this year compared to previous years. Players spent a lot more time in isolation due to COVID protocols than they typically would. I don't know if this was the same for other teams but it definitely left them a tad more restricted than other programs from what I observed.

2) The same could be said about players competing for USA Basketball if we're going to look at Aaliyah's participation from this perspective. Both Paopao and Fudd are dealing with nagging injuries since the summer/U19 tournament. Diamond Miller has been dealing with issues since competing for USA at the Americup. Maybe I've missed it, but I haven't seen the same comments being brought up in their case. And if it has, my apologies for the oversight.

These players made the decision to represent their countries. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. We're still in the early part of the season and Aaliyah can play her way through this in my opinion.

While I agree in general with your post, I don’t think any of the posters were “bashing” Canada. They were simply postulating that given the short term, intensely focused nature of Olympic training (for team sports that are put together temporarily), AE may have benefited more (basketball wise) by participating in the UConn offseason program instead. Of course, her experience playing for her country had/has benefits far beyond just basketball.

 

[Florida Fan]

I’ve noticed since the start of the season it’s not just her stats, her body language seems off since first game. Regardless if she scores or not she’s had the same body language of looking unenthused. (I bolded “looking” to highlight that this is only my perception, I can’t actually know how enthused she truly is on the inside, some may just show emotion differently and that’s okay).

Aaliyah is not playing the way she was last year in the ncaa tourney and her body language is different as well. last year she was jumping up and down hyping herself and her teammates up, just looks less enthused this year. and we must take players’ performance at face value for what they are doing now. no “well last year she did x,y,z,” this is right now not last year. good call on geno to get her out of the starting lineup for the time being. its a long season, she can still prove herself in practices and by being one of the first off the bench.

oh and need to work on her shooting really really bad. between ONO and AE we have the worst front court shooting form, both players cranking the ball behind the top of their heads with their elbows straight up, results in shooting flat liners. with flat liners you have to be even more precise. get some arc on that shot!

all in all these are fixable things i believe. i have full belief she can get to where she wants to be, just has to take a different path and work extra hard!

The flat trajectories and the rainbows are all prayers, " I hope I can, I hope I can." They both need gym time, with someone in front, just shoot, shoot, shoot.

 

[Drew8]

I think the team is adjusting to a new system where they are trying to slow the pace down and set up the offense. Could take some time to see how things work out.

 

[CocoHusky]

While I agree in general with your post, I don’t think any of the posters were “bashing” Canada. They were simply postulating that given the short term, intensely focused nature of Olympic training (for team sports that are put together temporarily), AE may have benefited more (basketball wise) by participating in the UConn offseason program instead. Of course, her experience playing for her country had/has benefits far beyond just basketball.

Those poster were definitely "bashing" Canada. Specifically for not playing AE enough during the Olympics where she only played :31 seconds in two games-by far the lowest on the team. There was the additions implications/statements that AE was playing out of position (guard) and that she deserved to play play much more than Laeticia Amihere of SC. It is clearly double case of our girls syndrome and participation trophy mentality where a UCONN player selected for the Olympics "deserved" to be handed minutes. The simple reality that those posters cannot come to grips with is: AE was struggling with Team Canada just as she is now and more playing time was not justified.

 

[Inthepaint]

AE's struggles are particularly heartbreaking because she was SO DARN GOOD last season. She set the bar of expectations so high for herself that everybody seems to believe that a "Sophomore Slump" just will not be allowed.
Her seeming regression is more keenly felt now that we are so shorthanded in the back court.
The "Old AE" would be a great help down low to put back some of these bricks and give our depleted guards some breathing room in the lane.
We can only hope that whatever is troubling her is resolved soon.

 

[Topdawg]

As coach Geno has observed, many of the players need to slow down and AE is one of them. Excessive speed causes errors. Front court success involves timing and footwork more than it does speed and aggression. Aaliyah will keep improving as the season progresses.

 

[mhshuskies]

With the improved play of Dorka and IV, do they move ahead of AE in starting?

 

[cancontent]

With the improved play of Dorka and IV, do they move ahead of AE in starting?

Not sure who has the initials "IV", but does it matter if she starts or comes off the bench? Once Aaliyah gets back on track, she's contributing regardless.

 

[mhshuskies]

Not sure who has the initials "IV", but does it matter if she starts or comes off the bench? Once Aaliyah gets back on track, she's contributing regardless.

CD IV

 

[cancontent]

CD IV

Yeah - I haven't had to translate Roman numerals since grade school. I'm going to need a thread with the official BY short hand for all the players at this rate

 

[JoePgh]

Yeah - I haven't had to translate Roman numerals since grade school. I'm going to need a thread with the official BY short hand for all the players at this rate

I'm going to need an IV (intravenus feeding) if people dream up such impossible-to-decode acronyms for players. What is wrong with Caroline Ducharme?

 

[cancontent]

I'm going to need an IV (intravenus feeding) if people dream up such impossible-to-decode acronyms for players. What is wrong with Caroline Ducharme?

That's what I thought was the short hand for Caroline. I'm not the only one..........phew!

 

[Conndog]

I'm going to need an IV (intravenus feeding) if people dream up such impossible-to-decode acronyms for players. What is wrong with Caroline Ducharme?

What's wrong with simply saying Caroline? It's 5 more letters/keystrokes but no more confusion.