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Post by bulkey on Nov 8, 2021 10:26:01 GMT -5
swapping Aaliyah for Nika: that Geno feels he needs to and can go bigger this year
Needs: obviously, South Carolina looms
Can: last year, hard to play Aaliyah and Liv together for long stretches, because of fouls and fatigue.
this year: 3 game-ready bigs, means a rotation
And we might be pleasantly surprised by Amari and Piath:
45 seconds left in the half. The 3 rotating bigs all have 2 or 3 fouls. Put in Amari & Piath for the one stop UConn has to make.
Of course, this side-steps the question of whether Liv or Dorka starts. So long as Dorka doesn't care, probably better for team morale not to have "recruited over" Liv.
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Post by semper on Nov 8, 2021 10:43:20 GMT -5
Yes, it is easy to start someone and then substitute off the bench. I think we are going to have 2 bigs in most of the time. We are going to need them.
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Nov 8, 2021 11:20:57 GMT -5
Liv doesn't have the heart/head of a champion. We'll have to see more of Dorka, but I think and hope that she does. Many people say these people are fungible. I am not one of them. Liv has consistently come up short.
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Post by bulkey on Nov 8, 2021 12:50:05 GMT -5
Liv doesn't have the heart/head of a champion. We'll have to see more of Dorka, but I think and hope that she does. Many people say these people are fungible. I am not one of them. Liv has consistently come up short. You may be right here, Rocky (you usually are!). But let me make the case for Liv with or without the proper "heart." Liv knows the offense really, really well. By the 2nd half of last year, she was probably playing the high post better than anyone since Stef. As well, we need bigs-by-committee to counter South Carolina. So, whether or not Liv starts, the 3 bigs may have to play close to 80 minutes for the 2 positions. (There may be times when 1 big is enough with either Evina or CD4 playing the 4. I may be a complete doofus--often am--but I also think Amari and Piath could get a couple of minutes.). My point is that if Liv doesn't start, she'll feel humiliated and that won't improve her game. Dorka, OTOH, has never started for UConn and so won't feel demoted. Her internal narrative is: I came to UConn to win a championship and for that I'll do whatever it takes. |
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Nov 8, 2021 14:34:19 GMT -5
Liv doesn't have the heart/head of a champion. We'll have to see more of Dorka, but I think and hope that she does. Many people say these people are fungible. I am not one of them. Liv has consistently come up short. You may be right here, Rocky (you usually are!). But let me make the case for Liv with or without the proper "heart." Liv knows the offense really, really well. By the 2nd half of last year, she was probably playing the high post better than anyone since Stef. As well, we need bigs-by-committee to counter South Carolina. So, whether or not Liv starts, the 3 bigs may have to play close to 80 minutes for the 2 positions. (There may be times when 1 big is enough with either Evina or CD4 playing the 4. I may be a complete doofus--often am--but I also think Amari and Piath could get a couple of minutes.). My point is that if Liv doesn't start, she'll feel humiliated and that won't improve her game. Dorka, OTOH, has never started for UConn and so won't feel demoted. Her internal narrative is: I came to UConn to win a championship and for that I'll do whatever it takes. I think you've put Liv's argument about as well as can be and I think you are right about her game not being improved by not starting. That argument about starting doesn't count is hooey. There is a reason teams put their best on the court at the beginning of the game. You don't want to put your best out there after the other guys ran up a lead. Maybe a few more games will tell us something definitive enough to dismiss the "Liv's feelings" argument. I do suspect that Geno will start Liv until the numbers rub his nose in it. |
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Post by magic on Nov 9, 2021 9:37:13 GMT -5
First of all, I urge everyone to re-watch last years game against Arkansas. Liv played a " terrible " game,( along w/Arizona game ) plain and simple. So,this game should have been pinned on her locker and on her mind every day. This Sunday's game w/ Arkansas should tell us a lot about her makeup moving forward. I did not see any improvement in toughness, foot movement or offensive skills development against FHS.
What did she work on during the off season ? I truly hope Liv proves me wrong on Sunday, and has a GREAT game. So far she is a 6'5 player that has developed some passing skills, her only claim to fame.
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Nov 9, 2021 9:43:00 GMT -5
swapping Aaliyah for Nika: that Geno feels he needs to and can go bigger this year Needs: obviously, South Carolina looms Can: last year, hard to play Aaliyah and Liv together for long stretches, because of fouls and fatigue. this year: 3 game-ready bigs, means a rotation And we might be pleasantly surprised by Amari and Piath: 45 seconds left in the half. The 3 rotating bigs all have 2 or 3 fouls. Put in Amari & Piath for the one stop UConn has to make. Of course, this side-steps the question of whether Liv or Dorka starts. So long as Dorka doesn't care, probably better for team morale not to have "recruited over" Liv. Why would Dorka not care if she starts. She's vocal about her ambitions in the pro ranks. Starter at UConn carries cache. |
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Post by bulkey on Nov 9, 2021 9:58:55 GMT -5
swapping Aaliyah for Nika: that Geno feels he needs to and can go bigger this year Needs: obviously, South Carolina looms Can: last year, hard to play Aaliyah and Liv together for long stretches, because of fouls and fatigue. this year: 3 game-ready bigs, means a rotation And we might be pleasantly surprised by Amari and Piath: 45 seconds left in the half. The 3 rotating bigs all have 2 or 3 fouls. Put in Amari & Piath for the one stop UConn has to make. Of course, this side-steps the question of whether Liv or Dorka starts. So long as Dorka doesn't care, probably better for team morale not to have "recruited over" Liv. Why would Dorka not care if she starts. She's vocal about her ambitions in the pro ranks. Starter at UConn carries cache. Didn’t say she wouldn’t care, but Geno may well have made clear from her very first contact with him of how it was likely to go. She certainly could have gone pro last year. Like Evina, I think she’s here for the coaching and championship. |
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Nov 9, 2021 12:37:20 GMT -5
Why would Dorka not care if she starts. She's vocal about her ambitions in the pro ranks. Starter at UConn carries cache. Didn’t say she wouldn’t care, but Geno may well have made clear from her very first contact with him of how it was likely to go. She certainly could have gone pro last year. Like Evina, I think she’s here for the coaching and championship. "So long as Dorka doesn't care...." "Geno may well have made clear" I get it, you want Liv to start no matter what. First Dorka has to make up for a month of injury, though she looked very good, and then we'll see what Geno does. By the way, has Liv done anything different in the last 2 years? I haven't seen it, including that Achilles ... fouling. |
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Post by bulkey on Nov 9, 2021 13:00:22 GMT -5
Didn’t say she wouldn’t care, but Geno may well have made clear from her very first contact with him of how it was likely to go. She certainly could have gone pro last year. Like Evina, I think she’s here for the coaching and championship. "So long as Dorka doesn't care...." "Geno may well have made clear" I get it, you want Liv to start no matter what. First Dorka has to make up for a month of injury, though she looked very good, and then we'll see what Geno does. By the way, has Liv done anything different in the last 2 years? I haven't seen it, including that Achilles ... fouling. No, I don't want Liv to start "no matter what." But I think it'll be harder for Liv to play her best if she doesn't start than it will for Dorka to play her best if she comes in later. But if both can play their best no matter who starts, then the chips should fall where they may. |
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Post by rockymtblue2 on Nov 9, 2021 13:32:15 GMT -5
"So long as Dorka doesn't care...." "Geno may well have made clear" I get it, you want Liv to start no matter what. First Dorka has to make up for a month of injury, though she looked very good, and then we'll see what Geno does. By the way, has Liv done anything different in the last 2 years? I haven't seen it, including that Achilles ... fouling. No, I don't want Liv to start "no matter what." But I think it'll be harder for Liv to play her best if she doesn't start than it will for Dorka to play her best if she comes in later. But if both can play their best no matter who starts, then the chips should fall where they may. We can agree to disagree on this. It's distastful to me that the best one sits, because if the other one doesn't start her play will decline. Of course I am assuming what we saw in the FHS game will continue and, yes, I expect that. |
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Post by swash on Nov 9, 2021 13:37:59 GMT -5
First of all, I urge everyone to re-watch last years game against Arkansas. Liv played a " terrible " game,( along w/Arizona game ) plain and simple. So,this game should have been pinned on her locker and on her mind every day. This Sunday's game w/ Arkansas should tell us a lot about her makeup moving forward. I did not see any improvement in toughness, foot movement or offensive skills development against FHS. What did she work on during the off season ? I truly hope Liv proves me wrong on Sunday, and has a GREAT game. So far she is a 6'5 player that has developed some passing skills, her only claim to fame. Even Paige had a couple of games she'd like to forget. Liv gets bashed for those and then gets no credit for her best games. Reality check: ONO starts for all but a handful (at most) of teams in the land (SCar - maybe, Stanford - maybe, Baylor - maybe ...). She will continue to move up the UCONN blocks record book (even with two COVID-shortened seasons), and provides solid rebounding. She is very good in the pick and roll, and is an excellent passer, as you mentioned. Yes, she has some flaws too, but I think she gets bashed way beyond what she deserves. Finally, this season, she should be able to play with a little more freedom defensively, knowing that there is more post depth than ever before in her career. Her foul troubles will be a LOT less if she'd be more careful about moving screens, too. |
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Post by magic on Nov 9, 2021 13:45:41 GMT -5
No, I don't want Liv to start "no matter what." But I think it'll be harder for Liv to play her best if she doesn't start than it will for Dorka to play her best if she comes in later. But if both can play their best no matter who starts, then the chips should fall where they may. We can agree to disagree on this. It's distastful to me that the best one sits, because if the other one doesn't start her play will decline. Of course I am assuming what we saw in the FHS game will continue and, yes, I expect that. Eventually, every player has to grow up, look in the mirror and face reality. That is the REAL world. It seems CW, and E both have. Time for Liv to do the same. Her reactions as a Senior must be quick and definitive. as a senior you shouldn't have to be thinking about "what " to do, but should be reacting and acting. |
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Post by swash on Nov 9, 2021 14:00:24 GMT -5
"So long as Dorka doesn't care...." "Geno may well have made clear" I get it, you want Liv to start no matter what. First Dorka has to make up for a month of injury, though she looked very good, and then we'll see what Geno does. By the way, has Liv done anything different in the last 2 years? I haven't seen it, including that Achilles ... fouling. No, I don't want Liv to start "no matter what." But I think it'll be harder for Liv to play her best if she doesn't start than it will for Dorka to play her best if she comes in later. But if both can play their best no matter who starts, then the chips should fall where they may. After Sunday, I'm expecting Liv and Dorka will both start vs Arkansas. Aaliyah and Aubrey will contribute off the bench. |
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Post by bulkey on Nov 9, 2021 15:23:24 GMT -5
No, I don't want Liv to start "no matter what." But I think it'll be harder for Liv to play her best if she doesn't start than it will for Dorka to play her best if she comes in later. But if both can play their best no matter who starts, then the chips should fall where they may. After Sunday, I'm expecting Liv and Dorka will both start vs Arkansas. Aaliyah and Aubrey will contribute off the bench. Interesting call. I think Aaliyah continues to start because she's so mobile. But we'll see. The coaches need to figure out how to get each of the 3 to play their best game as a group. That's all that matters. Not who is individually best, but what the best combination is. John Havlicek sat on the bench for years after he was clearly one of the best players (ever) in the NBA. He was more valuable to the team coming off the bench. That's the kind of thinking that Geno, CD and the rest do. |
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Post by magic on Nov 9, 2021 15:26:14 GMT -5
First of all, I urge everyone to re-watch last years game against Arkansas. Liv played a " terrible " game,( along w/Arizona game ) plain and simple. So,this game should have been pinned on her locker and on her mind every day. This Sunday's game w/ Arkansas should tell us a lot about her makeup moving forward. I did not see any improvement in toughness, foot movement or offensive skills development against FHS. What did she work on during the off season ? I truly hope Liv proves me wrong on Sunday, and has a GREAT game. So far she is a 6'5 player that has developed some passing skills, her only claim to fame. Even Paige had a couple of games she'd like to forget. Liv gets bashed for those and then gets no credit for her best games. Reality check: ONO starts for all but a handful (at most) of teams in the land (SCar - maybe, Stanford - maybe, Baylor - maybe ...). She will continue to move up the UCONN blocks record book (even with two COVID-shortened seasons), and provides solid rebounding. She is very good in the pick and roll, and is an excellent passer, as you mentioned. Yes, she has some flaws too, but I think she gets bashed way beyond what she deserves. Finally, this season, she should be able to play with a little more freedom defensively, knowing that there is more post depth than ever before in her career. Her foul troubles will be a LOT less if she'd be more careful about moving screens, too. SWASH, I try to have an open mind, but , I have a difficult time comparing a couple of hickups from a freshman NPOY, ( among other awards) to a Senior who underperformed against several teams that she should have enjoyed a clear height advantage against. We aren't talking about most teams. The Huskies expect to contend for a NC every year. Perhaps mindset is the " problem ".
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Post by UConnChapette on Nov 9, 2021 15:29:38 GMT -5
All I want from Liv - and really everyone on the team - is to MAKE YOUR BLOODY FREE THROWS!
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Post by bulkey on Nov 9, 2021 15:35:31 GMT -5
All I want from Liv - and really everyone on the team - is to MAKE YOUR BLOODY FREE THROWS! That's definitely true, and true about a lot of them, uncharacteristically. Some players just tense up and no amount of practice works. I think that's the problem for Christyn--who missed two at the end of the Baylor game that almost (should have) cost us the game. Of course, it was Paige who messed up the play, but Christyn found herself on the line, and didn't get close either time. Notice the "scrimmage" the other day. Christyn missed the first and made the 2nd...twice. It's as if she needs to steady herself. Christyn is best when she's not thinking, but only reacting. A number of players fool themselves into thinking it's just a shot in the game. The great Hal Greer did that: he shot jumpers from the foul line as soon as the ref handed him the ball. |
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Post by swash on Nov 9, 2021 16:52:02 GMT -5
After Sunday, I'm expecting Liv and Dorka will both start vs Arkansas. Aaliyah and Aubrey will contribute off the bench. Interesting call. I think Aaliyah continues to start because she's so mobile. But we'll see. The coaches need to figure out how to get each of the 3 to play their best game as a group. That's all that matters. Not who is individually best, but what the best combination is. John Havlicek sat on the bench for years after he was clearly one of the best players (ever) in the NBA. He was more valuable to the team coming off the bench. That's the kind of thinking that Geno, CD and the rest do. Aaliyah's best performances have all come from the bench. Her starts have not been able to keep the same impact/minute on the floor. Even Sunday, Edwards' best moments didn't come until the second half. Dorka adds more ability to spread the floor and still exert some control of the paint on the offensive end. She's also a better passer. Also, Geno has said over the years how much he likes to have subs who bring energy off the bench. That's AE. Stuff starts to happen when she arrives. If you're an opponent, you're thinking about how to stop the starters, then comes a second wave of fresh and energetic bodies. As to mobility, we have the most mobile bigs anywhere, and that includes Juhasz. |
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Post by swash on Nov 9, 2021 16:55:37 GMT -5
Even Paige had a couple of games she'd like to forget. Liv gets bashed for those and then gets no credit for her best games. Reality check: ONO starts for all but a handful (at most) of teams in the land (SCar - maybe, Stanford - maybe, Baylor - maybe ...). She will continue to move up the UCONN blocks record book (even with two COVID-shortened seasons), and provides solid rebounding. She is very good in the pick and roll, and is an excellent passer, as you mentioned. Yes, she has some flaws too, but I think she gets bashed way beyond what she deserves. Finally, this season, she should be able to play with a little more freedom defensively, knowing that there is more post depth than ever before in her career. Her foul troubles will be a LOT less if she'd be more careful about moving screens, too. SWASH, I try to have an open mind, but , I have a difficult time comparing a couple of hickups from a freshman NPOY, ( among other awards) to a Senior who underperformed against several teams that she should have enjoyed a clear height advantage against. We aren't talking about most teams. The Huskies expect to contend for a NC every year. Perhaps mindset is the " problem ".
That's fair. She has had more disappointing moments than anyone, especially her, would like. I think she'll be better this season ... and likely to still frustrate us on occasion, just for old time's sake.  |
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Post by jhusky on Nov 11, 2021 8:26:11 GMT -5
I've just read all the posts in this thread. There's a lot to be said for all of them. Liv may start, but Dorka will play more and more minutes as the season progresses and play during crunch time. I think it unlikely Uconn will win NCAA tournament games against the likes of South Carolina and Stanford, with Liv playing as she did against similar teams during the 2020-21 season. Maybe she will surprise me and play more up to her potential. But the ultimate goal is to win the championship.
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