What We Learned

[Sonny44]

Geno, also, may want Heather with all of the positive thoughts of her last two games and may not have wanted to risk that development at this point. Keep her moving forward.

How can benching continue someone's positive thoughts and keep her moving forward?
Benching is a lack of trust in the player.

 

[boontonbomber]

i think that we will see kml and bria combining for a lot of plays, like that beautiful backdoor move by kml with a great bria pass late in the second half. they're aggressive and know the game. i get the feeling that they are already beginning to look for each other, and we will have the pleasure of watching that develop over the next 3 seasons.

 

[Jonathan Husky]

It was unfortunate that we did not learn more about more players. We learned nothing about Heather, because she did not play. Can't say we learned anything about Banks, either. Someone described Kiah's time as serviceable, and that sounds about right. Guess we will have to wait until we play some good-but-not-great teams to see how these players can play when challenged.

I thought Geno made it clear that based on practice the people he trusted
in a big game were the starting five, KLM, Kiah and Briana.
He took Briana out right away because she appeared overwhelmed by the situation. IMO Kiah did a very good job competing against Stanford's post players. She will most likely get more playing time as he expects her to continue to get better
.
I don't believe you will see Heather play much in big games unless there is foul trouble.

Even though everyone but KLM and Bria didn't shoot well they all paid outstanding defense. Geno's use of the press against Stanford was masterfull and we should give credit to those 7 players who excelled on defense.

PLUS, we beat a very good team.

 

[Icebear]

How can benching continue someone's positive thoughts and keep her moving forward?
Benching is a lack of trust in the player.

Because development isn't all about being on the floor in the game. It is being part of a team and a program. Confidence can be gained or lost on the floor. Sitting on the bench may be disappointing but is essentially neutral in terms of confidence. Part of it depends on really knowing your players and understanding what is best for each one and for the team.

 

[HuskyNan]

i think that we will see kml and bria combining for a lot of plays, like that beautiful backdoor move by kml with a great bria pass late in the second half. they're aggressive and know the game. i get the feeling that they are already beginning to look for each other, and we will have the pleasure of watching that develop over the next 3 seasons.

From the post game quotes:

Sophomore Guard Bria Hartley
How much do you attribute Kaleena and your performance from the chemistry you have and experience you have had playing together?

“Me and Kaleena have known each other for a while and I just think we were able to play together, meet each other at camps and become good friends. That chemistry on and off the court, you can see it. We just play together well and we know how to read each other. So, its really good every time we step on the court.”

 

[pap49cba]

Whoa..... Nan!!!!! Your avatars have gone from one extreme to the other!!!!!!! I guess I'll have to change mine to a cat.... except I don't have a cat.

 

[ctchamps]

That was an outstanding defensive effort by UConn.

Tiffany and Kelly are frenetic players. They didn't stop moving and outplayed and outmuscled a physically stronger and taller Stanford team. But the asset on defense was a liability on offense. They run and chuck the ball at the basket and assume the ball can go in even if they don't look at the basket. I think both of them are looking at the floor instead of the basket to make sure the floor is empty so they won't land on anything when they fall.

Stanford made a big adjustment on KML the second half. She didn't have as many open looks as the first half. Even when she did she missed them. So it was a combination of better defense and most likely she was getting tired.

Really impressed with Dolson. She shut down Nneka in the first half. But Stanford made the adjustment in the second half of moving Nneka further out from the basket and either taking the 10 foot shot or driving by Stef. The major reason she didn't score more in the second half was Stanford had trouble getting her the ball more than Stef was able to guard her effectively.

The biggest problem for Stanford is they lack an effective playmaker. This will be a different Stanford team in the NCAA's. But so will UConn.

 

[bbsamjj]

I would say Nneka shut down Nneka in the first half more so by getting two quick fouls. She didn't play the last 10min of the first half, and had only 4pts at the break.

UConn does not have anyone who can guard Nneka one-on-one (neither does pretty much any team in the country). She had 22pts in 23min. But the plan, which was effective, was to make it incredibly hard on the Stanford guards to get her the ball, let Nneka get her points, but don't let anyone else kill you.

 

[alexrgct]

One comment re KML's production on offense dropping in the second half. I don't disagree with anything that's been said to this point, but let me add:

1. She was expending more energy on defense. She spent a LOT of time in the second half guarding Nneka.
2. She simply didn't need to shoot as much with Bria staying hot and shots starting to fall for Stef, Tiff, and Caroline.
3. Simple regression to the mean. She's a great, great shooter, but no one stays that hot forever. The great thing about her is that, even when her shots aren't falling, she contributes in a lot of other ways already.

 

[alexrgct]

Two things about Nneka's limited first-half minutes:

A) It was Tara's choice to sit her the remainder of the half. She could have taken the chance and kept her out there for at least some of it.
B) Benching her for so much of the first half meant that she was by far the freshest player on the court. The game was high energy and high intesity. Would she have put on the same performance in the second half had she not gotten the unanticipated early rest? Maybe, maybe not.

 

[Icebear]

:

3. Simple regression to the mean. She's a great, great shooter, but no one stays that hot forever. The great thing about her is that, even when her shots aren't falling, she contributes in a lot of other ways already.

+1

 

[ThisJustIn]

"regression to the mean"

I like that phrase for sooo many different reasons.

 

[DaddyChoc]

DC, you confuse me. First you remind us all that any team can be upset, even by unranked teams and now we have easy wins?

So, which is it?

where is the sarcasm face 'round here?

come on DD I thought you knew me better than that... I understand Speedo but not you!

 

[doggydaddy]

where is the sarcasm face 'round here?

come on DD I thought you knew me better than that... I understand Speedo but not you!

You use emoticons when you are sarcastic. You always do. Either a smiley face, or rolled eyes.

I don't think you were trying to be sarcastic at all.

Personally, I don't need to be reminded that teams can be upset.

 

[RadyLady]

Mild sarcasm from our friend RadyLady.

No, I was agreeing with you actually. I haven't figured out this new bone yard and wanted to quote the person whom you were responding......

 

[Phil]

Our tip off time last year at Maples was 6pm and you guys played at UOP a few days before. Maybe a prep game on the road for Uconn and TN games could help.

Exactly. No offense to Pacific, but if UConn had a little jet lag, it would be unlikely to change the outcome. By the time of the Stanford game, all the jet lag issues are gone.

I hope the UConn Stanford series continues; it is currently the best match up in wbb, and has the potential of being so for years to come. If I were you, I'd arrange for a second game. Make it an east coast trip, not just the one game. Plat Yale, or BC or Penn State, or any one of a number of local teams, then UConn.

 

[DaddyChoc]

You use emoticons when you are sarcastic. You always do. Either a smiley face, or rolled eyes.

I don't think you were trying to be sarcastic at all. who cares what you think, I dont!

Personally, I don't need to be reminded that teams can be upset. can you find out then they're getting the ignore button on this board cause Im gonna remind you before each game just for the heck of it.

 

[doggydaddy]

You use emoticons when you are sarcastic. You always do. Either a smiley face, or rolled eyes.

I don't think you were trying to be sarcastic at all. who cares what you think, I dont!

Personally, I don't need to be reminded that teams can be upset. can you find out then they're getting the ignore button on this board cause Im gonna remind you before each game just for the heck of it.​

Well, DC. I could list the people who care what I think. And I think you do care what I think. Admit it!

Actually, I don't think ANYONE needed to be reminded that upsets happen.

Boy, you get testy when you are proven wrong.

 

[DaddyChoc]

You use emoticons when you are sarcastic. You always do. Either a smiley face, or rolled eyes.​

I don't think you were trying to be sarcastic at all. who cares what you think, I dont!​

Personally, I don't need to be reminded that teams can be upset. can you find out then they're getting the ignore button on this board cause Im gonna remind you before each game just for the heck of it.​

Well, DC. I could list the people who care what I think. And I think you do care what I think. Admit it!

Actually, I don't think ANYONE needed to be reminded that upsets happen.

Boy, you get testy when you are proven wrong.

proven wrong... you're a joke!

yeah you caught my blunder I shouldnt have counted those Classic games as wins... after saying dont count your eggs before they're hatched. you should be a detective, man you're good Im BUSTED

(rolling eyes at this guy) rolling eyes to mean I dont give a heck

 

[doggydaddy]

proven wrong... you're a joke!

yeah you caught my blunder I shouldnt have counted those Classic games as wins... after saying dont count your eggs before they're hatched. you should be a detective, man you're good Im BUSTED

(rolling eyes at this guy) rolling eyes to mean I dont give a heck

If I'm a joke, you are the punchline...lol.

And the expression is "don't count your CHICKENS before they are hatched".

 

[Phil]

Two things about Nneka's limited first-half minutes:

A) It was Tara's choice to sit her the remainder of the half. She could have taken the chance and kept her out there for at least some of it.
B) Benching her for so much of the first half meant that she was by far the freshest player on the court. The game was high energy and high intesity. Would she have put on the same performance in the second half had she not gotten the unanticipated early rest? Maybe, maybe not.

Excellent points.

 

[DaddyChoc]

If I'm a joke, you are the punchline...lol.

And the expression is "don't count your CHICKENS before they are hatched".

you're a genius (did I spell it right)

DD move on, Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[doggydaddy]

you're a genius (did I spell it right)

DD move on, Happy Thanksgiving!

Same to you and your family.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Same to you and your family.

thanks

 

[Sacre Bleu]

I'm not sure that Geno trusts Kiah more than Heather but I think he trusts her as much and sees more of an upside developmentally.

To add to the conversation of Geno's plan for Kiah... from Geno's press conference after the game...minute 14 (avail. on UConn website):

"We need some help for her (Stephanie). We need a lot of help for her. And I think going forward... if Kiah Stokes can develop into like a really really good power forward that can take some of the pressure off Stephanie then we have a chance to be a really good basketball team down the road. In her 14 minutes I thought she was pretty good. She only made a couple plays but the couple plays she made were really at the right time, at really crucial times."