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Post by huskymaniac on Apr 3, 2021 10:06:16 GMT -5
Where to begin. The obvious place is ONO. I don't understand what the problem is. How can someone ranked that high coming out of high school still be this bad in her junior year at UConn? Anything resembling a decent performance from her and we probably win.
Having said that, we should have won by 15. They are a hacking team with a one trick pony offense. Even with ONO playing decent, we don't get close to that. If you were to ask me going into the game, I would have hoped for a closely called game as we don't do well when the other team "is allowed to play". Well, we got that and it was still ugly. Why? They had depth and we didn't. They got called for fouls but were able to keep fouling. This is what Geno meant by the refs not being willing or able to call a foul on every play. So what do you normally do in that situation? Well, you foul too. Unless you don't have depth.
Which brings me to my last point. What happened to Aubrey? Why isn't Geno playing her more and why has she regressed? Losing Anna is understandable as her injury killed her conditioning. Just bad luck. But why has Aubrey all but disappeared?
Loved Paige, Nika, Evina, Aliya and Christyn this year. I hope Evina returns. But we need depth and we need a center that doesn't disappear in big games. We get Azzi. That helps. Hopefully Anna will get in better shape. That will help. Hopefully Aubrey returns. But we still have a problem in the low post because you can't count on a freshman low post player to be an immediate impact.
There is no bigger Geno fan than I am. But we Italians are critical of ourselves and those we care about. And Geno has messed up a little. There have been far too many lost recruiting battles for low post players in the last few years. And he has shortened the bench too much. Play more than just your 5 or 6 best players and then adjust your game plan to make use of that depth.
And while I love his sarcasm, there have been a couple of comments in the past few days that have caused my antennae to go up. First there was a pretty dismissive comment regarding Shea. And then there was this "off the court" comment regarding Paige. Normally that stuff stays behind closed doors and for a good reason. And he knows that. Uncharacteristically weird.
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Apr 3, 2021 10:48:04 GMT -5
Well that will leave a mark. You suggest an interesting possibility: huskies may transfer out. I see that as a potential opportunity to get a portal player or two. We have a couple of players who are very athletic but with not so much basketball talent/savy/scoring ability.
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Post by huskymaniac on Apr 3, 2021 11:12:53 GMT -5
Well that will leave a mark. You suggest an intereting possibility: huskies may transfer out. I see that as a potential opportunity to get a portal player or two. We have a couple of players who are very athletic but with not so much basketball talent/savy/scoring ability. Transfers are always possible. And more so this year. I looked at the portal and there aren't any good 6'5"+ low post players in it yet. |
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Post by chicagogg on Apr 3, 2021 11:14:35 GMT -5
We have a 6'5" player coming in this year...why would we need another one with Aaliyan and Amari?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2021 11:16:08 GMT -5
This was a TEAM loss!! I wasn't happy with Olivia's offensive game against Arizona, but Arizona is a much better defensive team than you give them credit for! They had the benefit of competing in the best WCBB Conference and it toughened them up substantially! During a season with very few Out of Conference (OOC) Games, their resume is top tier! Thank GOD we left the AAC for the Big East or we'd really have had poor preparation for the NCAA Tournament! We're better with Olivia than we are without her and she played the best she could! I hope Olivia improves her free throw accuracy and toughens up a bit more this off-season, but; regardless, we're a better team with her than we are without her!! I also hope someone, perhaps Jamelle or CD, will work with her to show her how to better NOT TELEGRAPH her passes from the foul line area!! We - the entire team- missed a bunch of layups, took too many poor shots and missed some defensive assignments! It happens! No team or individual ever plays a perfect game, and these amazing young women with 7 freshmen are a Final Four Team! As far as fouls go and tough defense against UConn; officials can't call every foul!! Geno and the other coaches prepare the team to play against other physical teams with male practice players, but teams don't always have their A game! Arizona played a GREAT game - credit them!!!! In his post game remarks, Geno mentioned some "pouting" by the team during this game and I saw it! Christyn, Paige, Olivia, Evina and others; often on offense, were dissatisfied with non calls and they took themselves out of the moment of getting back quickly on defense! As a teenager; I had a great high school football coach who was attention to detail like Geno and who bellowed at me or others on the team when we lost our focus! A bad call, a missed call a dirty play; move on and get yourself ready for what's about to happen....don't sulk!! If you're not getting the calls you think you should be getting, you have little recourse except to play harder, smarter and as a team do so!! You need to find a way as a team and your coach can't play the game for you! Aubrey has been very good for the most part on defense, but she's often out of control at key moments on offense! The coaching staff will continue to work with her on those and other things! She has a great deal of untapped potential! Recruiting is always going to be a gamble because students change their minds and it's ALWAYS their choice once they've been offered a scholarship! Boston was torn between UConn & SC, and she chose SC...end of story! Charli Collier was coming, but her father died, they had terrible flooding around her home and she decided she wanted to be closer to her family in Houston! Geno can't redraw the map and put Houston in Connecticut! We miseed out on Gusters, but she's been ineffective thus far anyway! I can't think of a single team who has recruited better than UConn for a sustained period of time. One or two lean seasons yes; but overall, UConn has excelled! So; rather than saying Geno messed up on the recruiting trail, I'd say a few top high school players decided on a different school for their college! It happens! I bet Sam Brunelle wonders what her life would be like if she had selected UConn? I'm not certain which Shea remark you meant, but I did notice Geno get a bit testy with reporters after being asked about her possible return to the 'bubble'. NCAA rules prohibited her (or anyone else's) return after they've left for Covid safety reasons! Geno knew that, but the 'expert' reporters didn't bother to read the rules of the tournament regarding Covid safety! Some reporters excell at asking dumb questions and Geno was tired of them! Geno's comments regarding Paige off the court don't concern me and I would add that she's had an amazing freshman season and the UConn coaching staff did a tremendous job this season as well! Who honestly expected we'd get to the Final Four this season with 7 freshmen? I hoped they would, but was very uncertain because of their inexperience playing at this level! I don't know if Evina will return next season, but UConn will have a very talented team and our 7 freshmen, Olivia, Anna and Christyn will all be better players! Moreover, we've got a super talented incoming class who should be on campus this June preparing for next season! The future is bright and I wish tomorrow was November 2021..............  |
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Apr 3, 2021 11:45:11 GMT -5
"I don't know if Evina will return next season, but UConn will have a very talented team and our 7 freshmen, Olivia, Anna and Christyn will all be better players! Moreover, we've got a super talented incoming class who should be on campus this June preparing for next season! The future is bright and I wish tomorrow was November 2021.............. " On Evina in the postgame presser toward the end she was asked about it and essentially said it wasn't time to deal with it. |
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Post by magic on Apr 3, 2021 11:49:10 GMT -5
I REALLY HATE TO SAY THIS, but. I didn't like that Geno accused the team of POUTING. There were several interviews where Geno pouted about everything from not being able to go to dinner to not having fans. I get it ! But, everyone has been going through the same pandemic. I for one have been climbing the walls too, in my retirement. I've had several instances where I've appologized to my significant other for just being " irritable " I finally caught myself. I cringed every time Geno was less than positive. Just saying .
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Post by samanthabrown3 on Apr 3, 2021 11:50:24 GMT -5
Am I the only one who'd rather lose in the Final Four than the championship game? I would be sad to see UConn's perfect record spoiled.
Every time our team has gone to a championship game, they've looked completely ready to me (with the possible exception of the 2004 team, but they won anyway). This team grew amazingly during the season, but during the tournament they didn't look ready. I was distressed at the way they played against Arizona, but I really didn't want them to play Stanford.
My money's on Stanford.
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Post by bulkey on Apr 3, 2021 12:30:01 GMT -5
Am I the only one who'd rather lose in the Final Four than the championship game? I would be sad to see UConn's perfect record spoiled. Every time our team has gone to a championship game, they've looked completely ready to me (with the possible exception of the 2004 team, but they won anyway). This team grew amazingly during the season, but during the tournament they didn't look ready. I was distressed at the way they played against Arizona, but I really didn't want them to play Stanford. My money's on Stanford. Seems to me like a very strange equation. When Tom Brady was 4-2 in superbowls, people said that Joe Montana was still the greater QB because he was a perfect 4-0. I thought that was nuts. Brady was being penalized for getting his team to two additional superbowls. One of the greatest football teams ever was the Buffalo Bills who lost 4 straight superbowls. What other team has ever played in 4 straight superbowl games? I'd much rather lose 10 straight NC games than 10 straight FF games. |
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Post by bulkey on Apr 3, 2021 12:37:50 GMT -5
I REALLY HATE TO SAY THIS, but. I didn't like that Geno accused the team of POUTING. There were several interviews where Geno pouted about everything from not being able to go to dinner to not having fans. I get it ! But, everyone has been going through the same pandemic. I for one have been climbing the walls too, in my retirement. I've had several instances where I've appologized to my significant other for just being " irritable " I finally caught myself. I cringed every time Geno was less than positive. Just saying . This has been Geno's way for as long as I can remember. He'd criticize his own players in public, hold nothing (or very little) back. He'd complain, whine, etc. Part of his schickt. Whatever it is, it's always been part of his magic. |
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Post by samanthabrown3 on Apr 3, 2021 13:57:24 GMT -5
Am I the only one who'd rather lose in the Final Four than the championship game? I would be sad to see UConn's perfect record spoiled. Every time our team has gone to a championship game, they've looked completely ready to me (with the possible exception of the 2004 team, but they won anyway). This team grew amazingly during the season, but during the tournament they didn't look ready. I was distressed at the way they played against Arizona, but I really didn't want them to play Stanford. My money's on Stanford. Seems to me like a very strange equation. When Tom Brady was 4-2 in superbowls, people said that Joe Montana was still the greater QB because he was a perfect 4-0. I thought that was nuts. Brady was being penalized for getting his team to two additional superbowls. One of the greatest football teams ever was the Buffalo Bills who lost 4 straight superbowls. What other team has ever played in 4 straight superbowl games? I'd much rather lose 10 straight NC games than 10 straight FF games. Yeah, I bet Geno would, too. That’s why I don’t coach basketball. |
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Post by semper on Apr 3, 2021 14:08:53 GMT -5
Look, we made it to the FF. That is incredible. We have a GREAT team and a wonderful new class coming in. We should just rejoice and enjoy life.
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Post by bulkey on Apr 3, 2021 14:25:35 GMT -5
Look, we made it to the FF. That is incredible. We have a GREAT team and a wonderful new class coming in. We should just rejoice and enjoy life.sorry, I'm Jewish. |
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Post by huskyharper on Apr 3, 2021 14:55:48 GMT -5
Look, we made it to the FF. That is incredible. We have a GREAT team and a wonderful new class coming in. We should just rejoice and enjoy life.sorry, I'm Jewish. similar problem Semper, I'm catholic.
bwahahahaha.
still and all, FANTASTIC SEASON!! Love my HUSKIES!
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Post by swash on Apr 3, 2021 15:59:06 GMT -5
Am I the only one who'd rather lose in the Final Four than the championship game? I would be sad to see UConn's perfect record spoiled. Every time our team has gone to a championship game, they've looked completely ready to me (with the possible exception of the 2004 team, but they won anyway). This team grew amazingly during the season, but during the tournament they didn't look ready. I was distressed at the way they played against Arizona, but I really didn't want them to play Stanford. My money's on Stanford. Seems to me like a very strange equation. When Tom Brady was 4-2 in superbowls, people said that Joe Montana was still the greater QB because he was a perfect 4-0. I thought that was nuts. Brady was being penalized for getting his team to two additional superbowls. One of the greatest football teams ever was the Buffalo Bills who lost 4 straight superbowls. What other team has ever played in 4 straight superbowl games? I'd much rather lose 10 straight NC games than 10 straight FF games. agreed on all but one point... I would rather just win them all.  |
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Post by chicagogg on Apr 4, 2021 13:24:00 GMT -5
Geno also said we'd be back in the final four next year. He may be brutally honest about the team's faults, but he obviously believes in them strongly and that they will be back and better than ever.
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Post by huskymaniac on Apr 5, 2021 23:15:40 GMT -5
We have a 6'5" player coming in this year...why would we need another one with Aaliyan and Amari? Aliya is not 6'5" and Amari will be a freshman. As I explained in my original post, low post freshman are rarely major contributors. ONO has been here three years and is still disappearing in big games. We need a low post player that won't disappear and, if we want to win it all next year, we need to add that player next year. |
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Post by huskymaniac on Apr 5, 2021 23:30:34 GMT -5
This was a TEAM loss!! I wasn't happy with Olivia's offensive game against Arizona, but Arizona is a much better defensive team than you give them credit for! They had the benefit of competing in the best WCBB Conference and it toughened them up substantially! During a season with very few Out of Conference (OOC) Games, their resume is top tier! Thank GOD we left the AAC for the Big East or we'd really have had poor preparation for the NCAA Tournament! We're better with Olivia than we are without her and she played the best she could! I hope Olivia improves her free throw accuracy and toughens up a bit more this off-season, but; regardless, we're a better team with her than we are without her!! I also hope someone, perhaps Jamelle or CD, will work with her to show her how to better NOT TELEGRAPH her passes from the foul line area!! We - the entire team- missed a bunch of layups, took too many poor shots and missed some defensive assignments! It happens! No team or individual ever plays a perfect game, and these amazing young women with 7 freshmen are a Final Four Team! As far as fouls go and tough defense against UConn; officials can't call every foul!! Geno and the other coaches prepare the team to play against other physical teams with male practice players, but teams don't always have their A game! Arizona played a GREAT game - credit them!!!! In his post game remarks, Geno mentioned some "pouting" by the team during this game and I saw it! Christyn, Paige, Olivia, Evina and others; often on offense, were dissatisfied with non calls and they took themselves out of the moment of getting back quickly on defense! As a teenager; I had a great high school football coach who was attention to detail like Geno and who bellowed at me or others on the team when we lost our focus! A bad call, a missed call a dirty play; move on and get yourself ready for what's about to happen....don't sulk!! If you're not getting the calls you think you should be getting, you have little recourse except to play harder, smarter and as a team do so!! You need to find a way as a team and your coach can't play the game for you! Aubrey has been very good for the most part on defense, but she's often out of control at key moments on offense! The coaching staff will continue to work with her on those and other things! She has a great deal of untapped potential! Recruiting is always going to be a gamble because students change their minds and it's ALWAYS their choice once they've been offered a scholarship! Boston was torn between UConn & SC, and she chose SC...end of story! Charli Collier was coming, but her father died, they had terrible flooding around her home and she decided she wanted to be closer to her family in Houston! Geno can't redraw the map and put Houston in Connecticut! We miseed out on Gusters, but she's been ineffective thus far anyway! I can't think of a single team who has recruited better than UConn for a sustained period of time. One or two lean seasons yes; but overall, UConn has excelled! So; rather than saying Geno messed up on the recruiting trail, I'd say a few top high school players decided on a different school for their college! It happens! I bet Sam Brunelle wonders what her life would be like if she had selected UConn? I'm not certain which Shea remark you meant, but I did notice Geno get a bit testy with reporters after being asked about her possible return to the 'bubble'. NCAA rules prohibited her (or anyone else's) return after they've left for Covid safety reasons! Geno knew that, but the 'expert' reporters didn't bother to read the rules of the tournament regarding Covid safety! Some reporters excell at asking dumb questions and Geno was tired of them! Geno's comments regarding Paige off the court don't concern me and I would add that she's had an amazing freshman season and the UConn coaching staff did a tremendous job this season as well! Who honestly expected we'd get to the Final Four this season with 7 freshmen? I hoped they would, but was very uncertain because of their inexperience playing at this level! I don't know if Evina will return next season, but UConn will have a very talented team and our 7 freshmen, Olivia, Anna and Christyn will all be better players! Moreover, we've got a super talented incoming class who should be on campus this June preparing for next season! The future is bright and I wish tomorrow was November 2021.............. I am not sure how strongly you feel. Perhaps you need a few more exclamation points. As for the comments you made above about ONO, first, perhaps her best isn't good enough? Second, the coaches have already been working with her for three years. Maybe it just isn't going to click for her. Third, Gusters is a great example of bigs rarely being major contributors in their first year. I would feel a lot better going into next year with her on our team. It is much more likely that she will make a big jump from freshman to sophomore year than it will for ONO to make a big jump from her junior to senior year. Hopefully she will prove me wrong. Beyond Gusters, I get your point about Collier but there is no "end of story" regarding Boston. In fact, losing her to South Carolina IS THE STORY!!! It has become an all too common story where bigs are concerned. I never said Geno has totally failed in recruiting. Obviously we landed Christyn, Paige and Azzi. Geno found two great diamonds in the rough in Nika and Aliya. And he got Evina as a transfer. That is a hell of a team!!! But it is missing one "BIG" thing......... |
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Post by huskymaniac on Apr 5, 2021 23:36:43 GMT -5
I REALLY HATE TO SAY THIS, but. I didn't like that Geno accused the team of POUTING. There were several interviews where Geno pouted about everything from not being able to go to dinner to not having fans. I get it ! But, everyone has been going through the same pandemic. I for one have been climbing the walls too, in my retirement. I've had several instances where I've appologized to my significant other for just being " irritable " I finally caught myself. I cringed every time Geno was less than positive. Just saying . Actually, I totally approve of him calling them out for pouting. At the same time, he needs to be a little more like young Geno and chew these refs out a lot more. What concerns me are these cryptic comments. What did he mean by Paige needing to get better off-the-court? And what was the comment about Shea not being able to help because she wasn't there all about? Obviously she could do SOMETHING from home. And the comment was delivered in a very curt way. Those came off as testy and not tough. |
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Post by bulkey on Apr 6, 2021 9:12:27 GMT -5
No doubt what you say might have been better. But there's no predicting how a coach will respond when losing the last game of the season, especially an upset.
Outside of his family and friends (and maybe his politics), nothing matters to Geno throughout the year remotely so much as winning a national championship. That's what his entire professional year is focused on.
So, when he "fails" (and he's fully aware that the number of times remaining for him to succeed are one less than last year), he's going to express deep, deep disappointment.
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Post by huskymaniac on Apr 6, 2021 13:48:04 GMT -5
No doubt what you say might have been better. But there's no predicting how a coach will respond when losing the last game of the season, especially an upset. Outside of his family and friends (and maybe his politics), nothing matters to Geno throughout the year remotely so much as winning a national championship. That's what his entire professional year is focused on. So, when he "fails" (and he's fully aware that the number of times remaining for him to succeed are one less than last year), he's going to express deep, deep disappointment. I totally get what you are saying. And, yes, championships are his primary focus. That and helping these kids grow up. He absolutely doesn't want to fail on either. As for the championships, we just need a big we can count on in a big game. We have all the other pieces. |
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Post by huskymaniac on Apr 13, 2021 19:38:11 GMT -5
And while I love his sarcasm, there have been a couple of comments in the past few days that have caused my antennae to go up. First there was a pretty dismissive comment regarding Shea. Never good when the antennae go up. Hopefully this is just a twist in the road to a continued dynasty. |
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