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Post by linkster on Feb 28, 2023 18:29:39 GMT -5
Before he coached professionally Geno sold shoes. I think he was good at it. He isn't whining, he's stating very clearly how they are playing right now. He gave the media some great quotes and they swallowed it all.
I keep remembering way back in early Oct Geno said that his team's defense was horrible, blah blah blah. Then 3 weeks later he was all smiles with nothing but compliments about how hard his team had worked and how much he enjoyed coaching them. And "how they listened to the coaches". Fast forward to Monday night where they suddenly became deaf.
I just don't buy his negativity. A week or two after the SCar game he said he wasn't going to burn out his team to win the BE reg or T titles. He said they would go into the NCAA's with nothing left. So what could he have been suggesting? Last night he thought they could easily only play one or two BET games and at their current form would lose the final.
This team was a well-oiled offensive machine for most of the season. Suddenly they are the Keystone Cops? To me they exhibit none of the sharpness we are used to seeing. What we never see as fans is the amount of work that they do between games learning to execute. It may be that UConn hasn't been practicing much lately, or that if they are they are practicing, it's something different from what they are doing on court. That makes more sense to me than thinking they just got lazy and tired. That's simply not true.
Geno said he wasn't going to sacrifice the NCAA's to win the BE. I'm taking him at his word from a few weeks ago and consider last night the work of a master salesman.
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Post by linkster on Feb 28, 2023 18:32:49 GMT -5
No less a brilliant authority than the World Exposure Report  wonders about Geno's future: I don’t think it will happen but it’s happening all Around us. Look no further than Jay Wright. He left because he was frustrated with the current climate on college athletics. NIL, portal, the modern athlete and their coachability. . Geno is kinda saying the same thing. If he cannot coach these kids the way he needs to then what good is it? He probably csnnot be as hard on the kids as he was circa 2010 and earlier. It’s a completely different world in what you can do and get away with. I was on campus from 1997-2001. I guarantee the kids cannot get away with the chit we did and the stuff we said. The guy is a legend, it’s a new era, one not as good and not conducive to his coaching style. I wouldn’t be surprised if Geno walk away after next year. I was on campus in the early 70's and the athletes were no different than today, just poorer. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2023 18:32:58 GMT -5
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Post by justinesguy on Feb 28, 2023 19:36:52 GMT -5
I don’t think it will happen but it’s happening all Around us. Look no further than Jay Wright. He left because he was frustrated with the current climate on college athletics. NIL, portal, the modern athlete and their coachability. . Geno is kinda saying the same thing. If he cannot coach these kids the way he needs to then what good is it? He probably csnnot be as hard on the kids as he was circa 2010 and earlier. It’s a completely different world in what you can do and get away with. I was on campus from 1997-2001. I guarantee the kids cannot get away with the chit we did and the stuff we said. The guy is a legend, it’s a new era, one not as good and not conducive to his coaching style. I wouldn’t be surprised if Geno walk away after next year. I was on campus in the early 70's and the athletes were no different than today, just poorer. Hey It’s not about money. It’s about accountability and respect. You bring up the 1970s just look at how Bobby knight ran things or early Coach K or the 1980s with Jim Calhoun or John Thompson. The point is I think what Geno is saying in his own way maybe he cannot use his style anymore? Maybe Geno 1995 cannot exist in 2023 with the kids entitled attitude. They are obstinate. I reference this cell phone example. Geno is telling it the way it is. He may be using some of this as motivation but I truly think u got a look into his soul. Everything he said was honest and I buy it 100%. |
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Post by yetanotherwilliams on Feb 28, 2023 20:12:30 GMT -5
So whom do you feel was the principal target of the coach's displeasure tonight? I don't believe he mentioned Aubrey by name, but I suspect that he's more unhappy with her play than anyone else. She continues to not look comfortable in the offense, too often setting up camp out on the wing, receiving an unthreatening pass, and then making another unthreatening pass to someone on the perimeter. Every now and then she makes a nice drive, but too often, it seems to me, she fails to go up strong, attempting a Dr J-ish scoop shot rather than a power lay-up. I wrote back when she was a freshman that she needed to increase her hand strength somehow, but she continues to surrender the ball too often under the rim. Auriemma *did* make reference to Nika attempting to make those aesthetically pleasing underhand shots rather than just firmly banking the ball in, but I had the sense that he was really talking to Aubrey. I have been - and am - a big fan of Aubrey's, but she hasn't done a lot to strengthen her weaknesses, aside from adding the occasional three to her repertoire. But her percentage is not good, and she still doesn't shoot it with confidence very often.
Ayanna, too, continues to disappoint. She played well in the preceding game, and I thought she would have an impact on the game tonight, but once again she didn't show much. Neither she nor Amari seem to have any conception of the offense or team defense. Between them they have an abundance of physical ability, but have only shown rare flashes of effectiveness.
I mentioned (and was scorned for) suggesting a few weeks ago that it seemed to me that Aaliyah might have been hurt by Geno's remarks that Lou was the team's most valuable player thanks in part to Lou's maturity. Maybe, as some have suggested, it's only coincidence, but Aaliyah's play since then, with the exception of one game, has fallen off considerably. Up unto that point I thought she was definitely an A-A candidate, and maybe Geno's comment, and her reaction to it, have demonstrated the immaturity that Geno obliquely referred to when he suggested what a pleasure it was to coach a 'mature' player, i.e. Lou. Ironically, as I suggested then, Lou's game has fallen off as well, perhaps because of the extra pressure she felt as a result of the coach's comments. Even Lou could surely see that Aaliyah had been a towering force, offensively, defensively, and on the boards up to that point, while Lou, basically, is a terrific shooter and a fine offensive player, but, in my view, as of that point in the season, hadn't contributed anywhere near as much to the team's success as Aaliyah, who is often assigned to guard the other team's top scorer.
Hopefully both of these fine players can collect themselves and play as they did in the first half of the season the rest of the way. If they do, and if Dorka and Aubrey can shake their physical problems, and Azzi can come back at 75-80% of her talent,our Huskies are still in the hunt for a Final Four berth, and if they can make it that far ...
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Post by rukia on Feb 28, 2023 20:48:50 GMT -5
So whom do you feel was the principal target of the coach's displeasure tonight? I don't believe he mentioned Aubrey by name, but I suspect that he's more unhappy with her play than anyone else. She continues to not look comfortable in the offense, too often setting up camp out on the wing, receiving an unthreatening pass, and then making another unthreatening pass to someone on the perimeter. Every now and then she makes a nice drive, but too often, it seems to me, she fails to go up strong, attempting a Dr J-ish scoop shot rather than a power lay-up. I wrote back when she was a freshman that she needed to increase her hand strength somehow, but she continues to surrender the ball too often under the rim. Auriemma *did* make reference to Nika attempting to make those aesthetically pleasing underhand shots rather than just firmly banking the ball in, but I had the sense that he was really talking to Aubrey. I have been - and am - a big fan of Aubrey's, but she hasn't done a lot to strengthen her weaknesses, aside from adding the occasional three to her repertoire. But her percentage is not good, and she still doesn't shoot it with confidence very often. Ayanna, too, continues to disappoint. She played well in the preceding game, and I thought she would have an impact on the game tonight, but once again she didn't show much. Neither she nor Amari seem to have any conception of the offense or team defense. Between them they have an abundance of physical ability, but have only shown rare flashes of effectiveness. I mentioned (and was scorned for) suggesting a few weeks ago that it seemed to me that Aaliyah might have been hurt by Geno's remarks that Lou was the team's most valuable player thanks in part to Lou's maturity. Maybe, as some have suggested, it's only coincidence, but Aaliyah's play since then, with the exception of one game, has fallen off considerably. Up unto that point I thought she was definitely an A-A candidate, and maybe Geno's comment, and her reaction to it, have demonstrated the immaturity that Geno obliquely referred to when he suggested what a pleasure it was to coach a 'mature' player, i.e. Lou. Ironically, as I suggested then, Lou's game has fallen off as well, perhaps because of the extra pressure she felt as a result of the coach's comments. Even Lou could surely see that Aaliyah had been a towering force, offensively, defensively, and on the boards up to that point, while Lou, basically, is a terrific shooter and a fine offensive player, but, in my view, as of that point in the season, hadn't contributed anywhere near as much to the team's success as Aaliyah, who is often assigned to guard the other team's top scorer. Hopefully both of these fine players can collect themselves and play as they did in the first half of the season the rest of the way. If they do, and if Dorka and Aubrey can shake their physical problems, and Azzi can come back at 75-80% of her talent,our Huskies are still in the hunt for a Final Four berth, and if they can make it that far ... I thought Geno was mainly talking to Aaliyah Edwards. Her play has dropped off the last three weeks.
And she's the best player. She is the one he can mainly get more out of.
The "players are being asked to do more than they ever expected" line sounded like an Aubrey line.
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Post by swash on Feb 28, 2023 21:02:42 GMT -5
I was on campus in the early 70's and the athletes were no different than today, just poorer. Hey It’s not about money. It’s about accountability and respect. You bring up the 1970s just look at how Bobby knight ran things or early Coach K or the 1980s with Jim Calhoun or John Thompson. The point is I think what Geno is saying in his own way maybe he cannot use his style anymore? Maybe Geno 1995 cannot exist in 2023 with the kids entitled attitude. They are obstinate. I reference this cell phone example. Geno is telling it the way it is. He may be using some of this as motivation but I truly think u got a look into his soul. Everything he said was honest and I buy it 100%. ask any former player... Geno has already changed ... a lot. Moments like this may have him reminiscing, even missing the ways of earlier times. Not uncommon emotion for someone who recently lost his mom. Part of his genius is that he has adapted and adopted strategies from all over. |
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Post by ucchamp on Feb 28, 2023 21:08:46 GMT -5
I was on campus in the early 70's and the athletes were no different than today, just poorer. Hey It’s not about money. It’s about accountability and respect. You bring up the 1970s just look at how Bobby knight ran things or early Coach K or the 1980s with Jim Calhoun or John Thompson. The point is I think what Geno is saying in his own way maybe he cannot use his style anymore? Maybe Geno 1995 cannot exist in 2023 with the kids entitled attitude. They are obstinate. I reference this cell phone example. Geno is telling it the way it is. He may be using some of this as motivation but I truly think u got a look into his soul. Everything he said was honest and I buy it 100%. I don't think this is true at all. After some awful games he has always gone after his team. He blasted his team and his coaching, and his staff. I don't think it has a thing to do with his soul. His style doesn't work? How many straight FF's has he been to? And his style doesn't work? Would his style have "worked" if he had a healthy Paige and Azzi? Did you see him after the Tenn game how elated he was in the postgame? And someone spoke of "retirement?" Where is that even coming from? |
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BJ42
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Post by BJ42 on Feb 28, 2023 21:25:43 GMT -5
No less a brilliant authority than the World Exposure Report wonders about Geno's future: Geno has been saying that the players ain't what they used to be for a very long time. Exactly. Auriemma never met a microphone he didn't love. |
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Post by magic on Mar 1, 2023 10:20:18 GMT -5
So, I re-watched the game last night. The last 5 minutes were atrocious. Uconn is holding a 14 pt. lead. The outcome is not in question. But, there was the scenario that should have turned into a blowout. Instead , the Huskies turned into a mindless group rushing passes. Bettencourt has the ball taken out of her hands, Aaliyah is just throwing the ball around, and the defense is just not communicating . As I've said all season , this team's version of running offense is 2-3 passes on the perimeter and take the first open shot available usually in the 10-15 second shot clock time frame , occasionally out to 20 seconds. Even with our starters last night of Caroline, Nika, Aubrey, Aaliyah and Lou , only Caroline and Lou are " natural " scorers. We get confused when Aubrey , who has been terrific this year and is avg. nearly 13 pt/ g. She is not a shooter or a scorer. She gets her points from her overall game and defense. Aaliyah , I believe is trying to do too much. Nika misses layups because she refuse to use her left hand. She has been trying to score more , but that is not her game. Caroline is slowly looking more comfortable again. Amari and Ayanna connot be on the floor together. Neither have a clue. Then their are the constant missed layups. Rushing shots and and getting blocked on layups.
Now Geno. Immediately after the game in his interview ," DR. Jekyll" he talks about how difficult the last couple weeks have been , hope they can reorganize and how proud of them he is. Then " MR. Hyde " shows up at the presser. What exactly was the purpose. Every thing said could have easily been saved for team behind closed doors. Time for Azzi to decide what she's doing, IMO. If you're still injured just say so and noone is going to say anything , except " wait til next year ". If healthy, get back on the court with your team. I am not sure Azzi's return will automatically assure Uconn of anything. She is not Paige. The biggest change that must come is patience on offense , smarter passing, and getting back to playing as a team. Geno has to be able to adjust too.
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Post by rukia on Mar 1, 2023 11:42:42 GMT -5
I agree that there were some puzzling lineups on the court in this game. If Patterson is on the court, Nika has to be on the court. If you want to give Nika a break and put Ines on the court; it needs to be with the regulars. You can’t get away with either Patterson or Amari.
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Post by huskyharper on Mar 1, 2023 16:42:50 GMT -5
well, this has been a helluva lot of fun reading.
are we fair-weather fans, here?
all this arm-chair analysis has me snickering. oh, not at anyone, at all of US. I do it too, but rarely to the extent I'm reading here.
Please don't take this the wrong way, I LOVE this board and my fellow UConn fanatics.
I graduated back in '81, before Geno or Jim C. arrived. Suffered through horrid men's basketball, and didn't even know we had a women's team until I saw them on CPTV in '92. I played every intramural sport there was, every one of them, badly. So, know that while I am not an athlete, I love sports. Always have, always will. I will support MY teams, forever.
Bleed Blue, all paws in.
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Post by ucchamp on Mar 1, 2023 17:16:54 GMT -5
Then " MR. Hyde " shows up at the presser. What exactly was the purpose. Every thing said could have easily been saved for team behind closed doors. Time for Azzi to decide what she's doing, IMO. If you're still injured just say so and noone is going to say anything , except " wait til next year ". If healthy, get back on the court with your team. I am not sure Azzi's return will automatically assure Uconn of anything. She is not Paige. The biggest change that must come is patience on offense , smarter passing, and getting back to playing as a team. Geno has to be able to adjust too. I'm not in agreement with this either. He is "Mr Hyde," because his team plays like Jekyll and Hyde. Since when has Geno ever been bashful to bash players on his own team? Especially when his team is playing poorly? He bashes them when they are playing well. But why does it have to be behind closed doors? He yells at his players on the floor and all the games are televised. So is that the next step? I loved huskyharper's post about the past, prior to Geno and Jim Calhoun. I was a big -men's fan- and while prior to Calhoun coach Dom Perno was a class A guy, he just wasn't a big game coach. I can recall how he would do pressers. One game in particular vs Fairfield, UCONN was a Big East team and blew about a 17 point lead late and had to hold on for dear life to win. In the presser he spoke about "the guts his team showed." Heck even my High School Coach would get upset with the team if we didn't blow out certain teams. So a perfectionist coach driven to win championships can't express his anger when the team isn't playing near what he expects them to play after en emotional game? Well then if anyone doesn't like it, why not ask for that type of coach who will talk about "guts of his team" in games the should have won easily, rather than a coach driven to sustain excellence? At that time UCONN was at the bottom of the league. |
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Post by magic on Mar 1, 2023 19:12:17 GMT -5
Then " MR. Hyde " shows up at the presser. What exactly was the purpose. Every thing said could have easily been saved for team behind closed doors. Time for Azzi to decide what she's doing, IMO. If you're still injured just say so and noone is going to say anything , except " wait til next year ". If healthy, get back on the court with your team. I am not sure Azzi's return will automatically assure Uconn of anything. She is not Paige. The biggest change that must come is patience on offense , smarter passing, and getting back to playing as a team. Geno has to be able to adjust too. I'm not in agreement with this either. He is "Mr Hyde," because his team plays like Jekyll and Hyde. Since when has Geno ever been bashful to bash players on his own team? Especially when his team is playing poorly? He bashes them when they are playing well. But why does it have to be behind closed doors? He yells at his players on the floor and all the games are televised. So is that the next step? I loved huskyharper's post about the past, prior to Geno and Jim Calhoun. I was a big -men's fan- and while prior to Calhoun coach Dom Perno was a class A guy, he just wasn't a big game coach. I can recall how he would do pressers. One game in particular vs Fairfield, UCONN was a Big East team and blew about a 17 point lead late and had to hold on for dear life to win. In the presser he spoke about "the guts his team showed." Heck even my High School Coach would get upset with the team if we didn't blow out certain teams. So a perfectionist coach driven to win championships can't express his anger when the team isn't playing near what he expects them to play after en emotional game? Well then if anyone doesn't like it, why not ask for that type of coach who will talk about "guts of his team" in games the should have won easily, rather than a coach driven to sustain excellence? At that time UCONN was at the bottom of the league. I was simply stating how his two comments made not far apart were 180 out of sync. Geno has always been honest with his players. . |
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Post by justinesguy on Mar 1, 2023 19:30:55 GMT -5
Hey It’s not about money. It’s about accountability and respect. You bring up the 1970s just look at how Bobby knight ran things or early Coach K or the 1980s with Jim Calhoun or John Thompson. The point is I think what Geno is saying in his own way maybe he cannot use his style anymore? Maybe Geno 1995 cannot exist in 2023 with the kids entitled attitude. They are obstinate. I reference this cell phone example. Geno is telling it the way it is. He may be using some of this as motivation but I truly think u got a look into his soul. Everything he said was honest and I buy it 100%. I don't think this is true at all. After some awful games he has always gone after his team. He blasted his team and his coaching, and his staff. I don't think it has a thing to do with his soul. His style doesn't work? How many straight FF's has he been to? And his style doesn't work? Would his style have "worked" if he had a healthy Paige and Azzi? Did you see him after the Tenn game how elated he was in the postgame? And someone spoke of "retirement?" Where is that even coming from? He told you he cannot get thru to these kids. They are Selfish( don’t listen). Yea. I’m sure he can win with a healthy Paige and Azzi. Sure. Geno won with lobo, DT, Maya and Stewie. He wins natties when he has the best players with teams that buy in to Genos program. He doesn’t have the best players on the court nor are these players listening…. Retirement. All I’m saying is I would not be surprised if he did after next year. Why? He’s older, he doesn’t like NIL, portal and the modern athlete antics. I don’t think he loves how they have all the say. “Dorka told me she’s not playing today “ “ Azzi will play when she is ready”. Not when the medical staff clears her and I make the call. It’s a new world. He seems frustrated. On top of his health, and family death. Who knows. |
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Post by justinesguy on Mar 1, 2023 19:40:30 GMT -5
well, this has been a helluva lot of fun reading. are we fair-weather fans, here? all this arm-chair analysis has me snickering. oh, not at anyone, at all of US. I do it too, but rarely to the extent I'm reading here. Please don't take this the wrong way, I LOVE this board and my fellow UConn fanatics. I graduated back in '81, before Geno or Jim C. arrived. Suffered through horrid men's basketball, and didn't even know we had a women's team until I saw them on CPTV in '92. I played every intramural sport there was, every one of them, badly. So, know that while I am not an athlete, I love sports. Always have, always will. I will support MY teams, forever. Bleed Blue, all paws in. Your creds are duly noted. I played intramural hoops at Uconn, partied at X lot, sprayed some eastern creeps with a fire extinguisher durning our national championship celebration when we beat Duke, ate DP Dough every Saturday night after Leaving the pub at 1:45 am. I had drinks regularly with Amy Duran and attempted to guard Rigby and Shea Ralph. What does all this mean? Makes neither of us experts. |
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wonders about Geno's future: 
