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Post by magic on Oct 23, 2021 9:33:29 GMT -5
Okay, so I finally decided to break down and start the new season by watching the replay of the Arizona debacle. Normal for me to leave Uconn BB until a couple weeks before the start of a new season, and start w/ the last game. Especially this year w/so many returning players and such a heralded recruiting class.
First, let me say that I was just as upset watching the replay as I was during the game. I still have one burning question for the coaching staff. What exactly was the offensive game plan going into the game ? 39 points after 3 quarters ? Offense scheme w/ ONO always positioned 15 ft. from the basket ? Little movement w/o the ball? Evina seems to wake up off of the pillow at the 3:00 mark of the 3rd quarter and decides to exert herself to some extent. The missed layups and foul shots. Then, the mysterious call against Christyn under 4 minutes. Arizona was the obviously the more aggressive team from the start. I remember thinking at the time that Uconn looked unprepared for Wildcats. I know the players too responsibility for a lackluster performance, but I still didn't like Uconn's game plan and the coaching staff has to accept blame for that. Now, while I'm at it, I'd like to thank the NCAA and all of their wisdom for forcing the Huskies and Baylor to play in the Elite 8 game.
Moving on. We know very little about this year's team at this point, really. We have a great transfer w/ Dorka and a much heralded recruiting class. Uconn needs ONO and Westbrook to step up their games big time this season. They are the keys to this season as seniors and leaders. ONO needs to be a more physical presence, make layups ,and stop fading away from the basket on shots. And please , make foul shots. And as for Evina, this is your last hurrah ! Frankly, I don't know what her potential is . I'd argue we've never seen a truly healthy Westbrook, mentally or physically. Let's hope she is ready to become the best version of herself, whatever that is.
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Oct 23, 2021 9:48:08 GMT -5
One caveat: I'm perfectly willing to see Dorka supplant Olivia. It seems to me that Liv's confidence is lacking and that leads to reversion to old habits. You can't coach in confidence. She has every reason to have found that higher layer of confidence, but to date it seems to elude her.
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Post by magic on Oct 23, 2021 11:05:07 GMT -5
I am already not liking some of the quotes from Geno, that maybe Olivia's strength may be as a " point forward " passing the ball. What I really want to hear is that she is mentally and physically stronger and is prepared to be the strong inside presence Uconn needs her to be.
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Post by doggydaddy on Oct 23, 2021 11:19:12 GMT -5
One caveat: I'm perfectly willing to see Dorka supplant Olivia. It seems to me that Liv's confidence is lacking and that leads to reversion to old habits. You can't coach in confidence. She has every reason to have found that higher layer of confidence, but to date it seems to elude her. Olivia called me. She told me to tell you to kiss her ass. |
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Oct 23, 2021 12:22:34 GMT -5
One caveat: I'm perfectly willing to see Dorka supplant Olivia. It seems to me that Liv's confidence is lacking and that leads to reversion to old habits. You can't coach in confidence. She has every reason to have found that higher layer of confidence, but to date it seems to elude her. Olivia called me. She told me to tell you to kiss her ass. I hope she did! |
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Post by pinotbear on Oct 23, 2021 13:04:57 GMT -5
not to keep putting fuel on the fire, but if you look at ONO's stat line as a junior, it's not bad...and, frankly, not out of whack with more celebrated and admired forerunners.
ONO - 12 pt, 7.8 rebounds,, 53 blocks (latter two stats, team leader)
Collier junior season - 16.1 pt, 7.4 rebounds, 63 blocks
Morgan Tuck junior season - 14.4 pt, 5.5 rebounds, 10 blocks
now, I know everything depends on context, minutes, teammates, etc... and, that neither the Tuck nor Collier teams had a "true post". But I fear that sometimes we judge too subjectively, on how we interpret facial expression, the dreaded "body language", or a few key moments in a game or season. Liv's body-of-work isn't bad, and there's an awful lot of programs who would love to get that sort of production from a post who is NOT the featured offensive player.
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Post by semper on Oct 23, 2021 13:19:56 GMT -5
Truth to tell, and this according to Geno in his interviews, they just were too young to triumph in this game.
But I should not say anything here, as I couldn't bear to watch that Arizona game. Too painful.
There is so much backing and forthing about Liv. Only time is going to tell what the story will be. She looks stronger to me; seems she has been hitting the weight room a lot. That will bode very well for finishing shots, won't it?
But again, I'm basically an ignoramus on that Arizona game.
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Post by grrrrr on Oct 23, 2021 15:59:24 GMT -5
Can't watch it, won't watch it. Can't even stand looking at the still shots on Youtube. Arizona had a punchers chance in that game but they threw almost all of the punches. To be fair, they were much better than we thought, 2 more points and THEY would have been National Champs. Can you imagine what it would be like if UCONN played in the Pac 12? Practically every other game would be a holy war, maybe more than half. It would be absolutely thrilling and exhausting at the same time.
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Post by semper on Oct 23, 2021 16:09:17 GMT -5
Yeah, I remember when the Old Big East was like that. It was so great!
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Post by bulkey on Oct 23, 2021 16:14:58 GMT -5
By the 2nd half of the season Liv played a very effective high post--not an easy thing to learn. But after the Arizona game, Geno was quite outspokenly disappointed in her. When Dorka signed he said unambiguously that Liv would have to improve her game if she wanted to have the minutes she had last year.
Who knows how he feels after he's settled down? Last year was emotionally nutsy in the extreme.
But UConn has played very well with a big around the foul line, and Liv was learning that. I don't know if Dorka can play highpost, so, when she's in, it's probably a somewhat different offensive look....we don't know whether it will be better or worse, just different.
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