Why didn't UConn have a bench tonight?

[hoophuskee]

The Texas game was really an insignificant game in the whole scheme of things. I would rather a few on the bench players get some quality minutes in a game like this rather than win the game. .

No. IMO what you are saying is so wrong.

 

[hoophuskee]

Many?

Just so we're clear, I don't suggest that Lexi is a solution to this year's depth issue. I do think, however, that if she's earned five minutes of time in a blowout and does well in that time, that ought to earn her a few gold stars such that next time she plays, maybe she'll get six or eight minutes.

I added a caveat in that post you're quoting-- when I said "At least not enough to be posting this much as many of you have that she deserves more minutes."

If she is playing well sure I agree. But the Super 6 needs their minutes. Preferably not 40. So if Lexi beats out other players, great. IMO she has a solid game for a frosh and looks like she can be real good each year in the future.

My post / comment is for those who think Geno is making a mistake for not playing the frosh more and in particular much more for those that thought the frosh (or Kyla) should have played vs Texas. I disagree to my core for those who think it is okay to sacrifice nationally televised games in order for a possible future different outcome in April. I understand maybe a coach punishes a player for some reason to sacrifice a game. But as a fan -- if I felt UCONN isn't going to be "that" concerned about trying to win in January then why bother to watch them until March/April? And how is that fair to all the top players on the team who came ot UCONN to win? I could go on.

I don't know about to you or anyone else on here- but for me - my enjoyment of the season is not "championship or bust." And I have a preference of if I watch a game that UCONN loses - I prefer it to be that UCONN went down with their best. It would turn me off 100% if the attitude was not 100% out there to play to win that night but rather give others time in hopes of a "down the road future game." There is a better way to phrase this. But i think you know what I mean. And please don't take my post the wrong way. I don't think we were arguing. It's okay ot give Lexi more time but the Super 6 come first.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I added a caveat in that post you're quoting-- when I said "At least not enough to be posting this much as many of you have that she deserves more minutes."

If she is playing well sure I agree. But the Super 6 needs their minutes. Preferably not 40. So if Lexi beats out other players, great. IMO she has a solid game for a frosh and looks like she can be real good each year in the future.

My post / comment is for those who think Geno is making a mistake for not playing the frosh more and in particular much more for those that thought the frosh (or Kyla) should have played vs Texas. I disagree to my core for those who think it is okay to sacrifice nationally televised games in order for a possible future different outcome in April. I understand maybe a coach punishes a player for some reason to sacrifice a game. But as a fan -- if I felt UCONN isn't going to be "that" concerned about trying to win in January then why bother to watch them until March/April? And how is that fair to all the top players on the team who came ot UCONN to win? I could go on.

I don't know about to you or anyone else on here- but for me - my enjoyment of the season is not "championship or bust." And I have a preference of if I watch a game that UCONN loses - I prefer it to be that UCONN went down with their best. It would turn me off 100% if the attitude was not 100% out there to play to win that night but rather give others time in hopes of a "down the road future game." There is a better way to phrase this. But i think you know what I mean. And please don't take my post the wrong way. I don't think we were arguing. It's okay ot give Lexi more time but the Super 6 come first.

I don't think we're arguing either.

 

[hoophuskee]

Everyone gets lots of meaningful minutes in practice everyday. What they do with those minutes determines their game minutes. If Geno trusted them to contribute meaningfully in a game - like the Texas game - then they would be in there. Since they spend way more time in practice than playing - that's where player development will take place. The habits and skills they develop in practice then show up in real games.

I know that there is a difference between practice and real game situations, but all the little things that make you a great team defender and allow you to work in the UCONN offense are built through repetition and training during practices. Remember - they practice until they cannot get it wrong.

Having a bunch of talented players go out and wing it may work in some systems, but that is not the way it is at UCONN. Huskies take better percentage shots than the opposition and make the opposition take more contested shots. That's how they shoot a higher percentage than others (which won the game last night since we got far fewer shots than TX) and keep the opposition to a low percentage - although TX did a pretty good job both hitting contest shots and moving the ball around to get open looks. They were just not as efficient as us on both ends.

Great post. Great , great, great post.

 

[hoophuskee]

I don't think we're arguing either.

I like Lexi. I really like the freshmen in terms of the future. I think Geno is just being Geno along with two players in Danger and AZ change how they play. Even Danger from last to this year, she imo changes how the team plays because she is much more pick-and-roll. I just think it's been unfortunate that the team has been behind vs ND and Texas for most of the game. Anyways I'm kind of taken aback by all this criticism or "things don't look good for the future." I just think that maybe we don't go 111-1 any more. I just see all good ball players. That's why I'm taken aback. I still see a very, very, very bright future. Even Lexi as a "30 type recruit"-- imo she looks real good. She looks like she can develop into one helluva fine player.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I believe Coombs should be getting some of those Molly minutes. Coombs is just as talented as Walker. She needs a chance to prove it, if she gets a chance.
Did anyone watch her during the McDonalds game?

Geno's published philosophy for teaching his players ---frosh get most, sophs, Jr, seniors none (they should know they system). So based on that: I agree with your Coombs should be getting some of Molly's minutes. I have yet to see that Coombs is equal to Megan Walker--that would be great--but in the limited time she has played, I only saw glimpses of what may be. Didn't see the McD game. be be

 

[phil sampieri]

I totally agree with Beercats.
Geno easily could find quite a few
minutes for these “bench” players.
It really bugs me that he just doesn’t
do it..Maybe Geno would be
pleasantly surprised!

Seems after any close games, out come the coaches .
Meg is a born scorer and a future superstar but
is she a liability on defense ? Has she proved to the coaches that she can play both ends, not yet.
Putting the bench in all together really doesn't help as in a close game they would be playing with the starters.
As previously mentioned , in practice they play against players as good or better than most teams on their schedule
so yes practice does mean more the in a blowout where they most likely are playing the other teams second string. Look at how well
Natalie is doing once she is playing against second tier teams.

 

[hart2hart]

Just to clarify...... Take for example tonight’s game. Geno easily can have 2 bench players come in the game with 3 starters. He could most easily mix and match starters with bench. Might be a fun to see who
will shine other than the six. I look forward to see if Geno does this! I bet there is a lot on this forum would like to see this as well......

 

[meyers7]

While 99% of my focus is on enjoying the great win, I do think about UConn in 2 years with no true post player. Geno usually figures out a way to overcome but with all the giants at Texas, Baylor, etc. curious what his plan is.

Really? UCONN is 52-1 without a "true post player" these last couple of years. In two years Geno will have on his roster at least:
6-2 Irwin
6-2 Camara
6-4 Nelson-Odada

who can play the 4/5 spots, plus Walker can cover the 4 if needed like Moore did.

And along with those options, he's recruiting Brunelle 6-2, Boston 6-4 and if you want a long shot Magbegor 6-4.

Texas would have Holmes 6-3, Collier 6-4, Prince 6-7, Booth 6-1....not a whole lot more than UCONN.
Baylor would have Cox 6-4, Decosta 6-2, Smith 6-2, Egbo 6-2...again not a whole lot that UCONN couldn't deal with.

If I was Texas or Baylor I'd probably be more worried how I was gonna match up with a backcourt with Dangerfield, Walker, Coombs, Williams plus ???.

 

[CocoHusky]

Really? UCONN is 52-1 without a "true post player" these last couple of years. In two years Geno will have on his roster at least:
6-2 Irwin
6-2 Camara
6-4 Nelson-Odada

who can play the 4/5 spots, plus Walker can cover the 4 if needed like Moore did.

And along with those options, he's recruiting Brunelle 6-2, Boston 6-4 and if you want a long shot Magbegor 6-4.

Texas would have Holmes 6-3, Collier 6-4, Prince 6-7, Booth 6-1....not a whole lot more than UCONN.
Baylor would have Cox 6-4, Decosta 6-2, Smith 6-2, Egbo 6-2...again not a whole lot that UCONN couldn't deal with.

If I was Texas or Baylor I'd probably be more worried how I was gonna match up with a backcourt with Dangerfield, Walker, Coombs, Williams plus ???.

LoL considering your feelings on the matter, I've been waiting for this opportunity. It is Ododa not Odada.

 

[HopJim]

Really? UCONN is 52-1 without a "true post player" these last couple of years. In two years Geno will have on his roster at least:
6-2 Irwin
6-2 Camara
6-4 Nelson-Odada

who can play the 4/5 spots, plus Walker can cover the 4 if needed like Moore did.

And along with those options, he's recruiting Brunelle 6-2, Boston 6-4 and if you want a long shot Magbegor 6-4.

Texas would have Holmes 6-3, Collier 6-4, Prince 6-7, Booth 6-1....not a whole lot more than UCONN.
Baylor would have Cox 6-4, Decosta 6-2, Smith 6-2, Egbo 6-2...again not a whole lot that UCONN couldn't deal with.

If I was Texas or Baylor I'd probably be more worried how I was gonna match up with a backcourt with Dangerfield, Walker, Coombs, Williams plus ???.

Thanks, makes me feel a little better. Not sure I would compare Irwin and Camara to these other potential All Americans or count on yet to be recruited high school players, but will defer to your judgement.

 

[meyers7]

LoL considering your feelings on the matter, I've been waiting for this opportunity. It is Ododa not Odada.

 

[meyers7]

Thanks, makes me feel a little better. Not sure I would compare Irwin and Camara to these other potential All Americans or count on yet to be recruited high school players, but will defer to your judgement.

Well it's 2 years down the road, so we'll have to see how it plays out.