Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="hoophuskee, post: 2527530, member: 3535"] Underdeveloped sophomores? The season isn't even half over yet. Walker will get her playing time no doubt vs the AAC. However this "metamorphosis" you speak of - you're making it up to fit your narrative. And I'll do the same. To me for example "meaningful minutes" is during blowouts. Even when you get benched after 5 minutes even vs a lousy team it can be meaningful. Thus a metamorphosis will eventually occur whether it be this year or next. And as far as recruit ratings and Lexi - you speak of Lexi as a high recruit. Noooo she was not to UCONN standards considered "high." . At least not enough to be posting this much as many of you have that she deserves more minutes. So far I think Auriemma has been brilliant. IMo the best thing he is doing is playing his best in big games. Now when we play some poor teams let's see what the other bench players can do. Those are meaningful minutes too. But it's the stars that mostly win the high profile games. And UCONN has 6 players. Six stars. The best way to ensure losing a game is when you start coaching for next year while benching the stars in tight games instead of coaching in the now. For example I had a brief argument regarding if Kyla should have entered with another poster. His suggestion was to play Kyla 2-3 minutes. I didn't get a chance to respond but this game vs Texas wound up being a 1 possession game. Kyla is not quick enough / athletic enough vs this Texas team. The Texas guards were getting inside. Kyla's strength on defense is not quickness/help-and-recover when she has to compete vs a team as talented as Texas. Her entry would probably have cost UCONN the game. Bottom-line is -- UCONN can't afford to lose these types of games. The super recruits (top 5 - top 8) will keep coming only if UCONN keeps winning these high profile games. Especially “ a style” can’t beat UCONN several times. There is little margin for error for UCONN. You can't go playing around with for example "maybe" "Kyla Irwin" or "a freshman that is not ready" should be thrown out there and would probably cost the team a big game-- all because you hope those [B]few minutes[/B] in that one big game will be the "major driving " catalyst to turn her into something special down the road. That stuff is fantasy/movies mythology. It's a myth that giving freshmen "meaningful minutes in big games" automatically turns them at the end of the freshmen year to a player that will help you win the title. There is no guarantee of that. If you can’t near guarantee it—then go down losing with your best. You want to project how the manner of the downfall will someday happen? It will certainly happen when you give players like Kyla key minutes in a key national televised matchup while your losing for nearly all of a tight game – and while your all-American is on the bench and right before your eyes the other team goes on a run in which you never recover/ don’t win. You can then say goodbye to the next “Collier rated” recruit. And then the “Samuelson type recruit” will look at the roster and see she can go elsewhere. Once you lose that and you’re in the AAC – you’re done. In summary - play your best and if you lose -- go down with your best. Don't give it away because you think a 20 year old is too tired. Other super recruit 20 year olds will stop coming. They won't stop coming if you keep winning especially when you are favored. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach