Comments for UConn women's basketball http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:42:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Turnovers An Issue For The Huskies Right Now by NCorBust http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/02/10/turnovers-an-issue-for-the-huskies-right-now/#comment-8790 NCorBust Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:42:25 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3397#comment-8790 Year Avg TO/Game Record NCAA Tournament 2000-01 16.3 32-3 Final Four 2001-02 14.5 39-0 NC! 2002-03 16.3 37-1 NC! 2003-04 14.8 31-4 NC! 2004-05 15.6 25-8 Sweet 16 2005-06 15.6 32-5 Elite Eight 2006-07 14.9 32-4 Elite Eight 2007-08 20.0 36-2 Final Four 2008-09 13.7 39-0 NC! 2009-10 14.5 39-0 NC! 2010-11 15.3 36-2 Final Four 2011-12 15.0 22-2 ?????? Turnovers don't appear to coorelate to a high number of wins. NCs appear to have a better relation. Year Avg TO/Game Record NCAA Tournament
2000-01 16.3 32-3 Final Four
2001-02 14.5 39-0 NC!
2002-03 16.3 37-1 NC!
2003-04 14.8 31-4 NC!
2004-05 15.6 25-8 Sweet 16
2005-06 15.6 32-5 Elite Eight
2006-07 14.9 32-4 Elite Eight
2007-08 20.0 36-2 Final Four
2008-09 13.7 39-0 NC!
2009-10 14.5 39-0 NC!
2010-11 15.3 36-2 Final Four
2011-12 15.0 22-2 ??????
Turnovers don’t appear to coorelate to a high number of wins. NCs appear to have a better relation.

]]> Comment on Stokes Comes Up Big In Reserve For The Huskies by anonymous http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/31/stokes-comes-up-big-in-reserve-for-the-huskies/#comment-8414 anonymous Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:48:39 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3335#comment-8414 I think Auriemma, a true coaching genius, will innovate yet again. In the past, he's gone with just six players (two years ago), and seven last year. But that was out of necessity. This year he's working players into the rotation as they develop. Recall that Stokes didn't play in two games because she wasn't putting in the effort. Red lights were going off, and she could have just thrown in the towel and moved home, just as Samarie Walker did last year under similar circumstances. But Stokes is made of stronger stuff, and rose to the challenge. Brianna Banks is playing more as the season moves on, though she didn't get in against Duke. I think that was more because Doty was having a fine game, and was permitted to stay in. Banks is more advanced than a lot of freshmen who've come to UConn and had good careers. She's light years ahead of Ketia Swanier, who ended up as the starting point guard and a first round WNBA pick. Banks'll play a lot next year. I think Geno will play ten players a lot next year. In fact, I wouldn't put it past him to bring in five fresh players all together, like North Carolina's Dean Smith did decades ago when he would bring in five new players he dubbed his "Tall Blue Team." Geno could bring in Stokes, Jefferson, Banks, Morgan Tuck, and KML all at the same time. That way they'd get a lot of playing time, and learn cohesion as the next team of starters. Though Geno has gone to a seven-player rotation in the past, it's been done out of necessity. He's had a gossamer thin bench! Next year, and for a couple more years, he'll have one of the strongest benches in the country. Indeed, I would say that Geno's starting team of Dolson, Stewart, Doty, Hartley, and Faris will be ranked second in the nation at the start of next year. The second string, however, could be ranked fourth in the nation on its own after Baylor, UConn, and Duke. And that's without mentioning Michala Johnson, who is not a bad player, and who's improving, Engeln, who is also good and getting better, while she flies under the radar, and a fine defensive player in Buck. For the latter so sad that she's just coming into her own as Geno is flooded with top talent. I think Auriemma, a true coaching genius, will innovate yet again. In the past, he’s gone with just six players (two years ago), and seven last year. But that was out of necessity. This year he’s working players into the rotation as they develop. Recall that Stokes didn’t play in two games because she wasn’t putting in the effort. Red lights were going off, and she could have just thrown in the towel and moved home, just as Samarie Walker did last year under similar circumstances. But Stokes is made of stronger stuff, and rose to the challenge. Brianna Banks is playing more as the season moves on, though she didn’t get in against Duke. I think that was more because Doty was having a fine game, and was permitted to stay in. Banks is more advanced than a lot of freshmen who’ve come to UConn and had good careers. She’s light years ahead of Ketia Swanier, who ended up as the starting point guard and a first round WNBA pick. Banks’ll play a lot next year.

I think Geno will play ten players a lot next year. In fact, I wouldn’t put it past him to bring in five fresh players all together, like North Carolina’s Dean Smith did decades ago when he would bring in five new players he dubbed his “Tall Blue Team.” Geno could bring in Stokes, Jefferson, Banks, Morgan Tuck, and KML all at the same time. That way they’d get a lot of playing time, and learn cohesion as the next team of starters.

Though Geno has gone to a seven-player rotation in the past, it’s been done out of necessity. He’s had a gossamer thin bench! Next year, and for a couple more years, he’ll have one of the strongest benches in the country. Indeed, I would say that Geno’s starting team of Dolson, Stewart, Doty, Hartley, and Faris will be ranked second in the nation at the start of next year. The second string, however, could be ranked fourth in the nation on its own after Baylor, UConn, and Duke. And that’s without mentioning Michala Johnson, who is not a bad player, and who’s improving, Engeln, who is also good and getting better, while she flies under the radar, and a fine defensive player in Buck. For the latter so sad that she’s just coming into her own as Geno is flooded with top talent.

]]> Comment on Stokes Comes Up Big In Reserve For The Huskies by toohusky http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/31/stokes-comes-up-big-in-reserve-for-the-huskies/#comment-8410 toohusky Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:21:39 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3335#comment-8410 I see next year as Dolson,Stewart,Stokes,KML and Hartley. I see next year as Dolson,Stewart,Stokes,KML and Hartley.

]]> Comment on Duke Up Next For `Big Game’ Bria by Jesus Martinez http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/29/duke-up-next-for-big-game-bria/#comment-8354 Jesus Martinez Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:33:55 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3308#comment-8354 Maya Moore and Tina Charles were All-Americans. Brittney Griner, Nmeka Ogwumike, Odyssey Sims, Skylar Diggins, and Elena Della Donne are first team All-Americans. Hartley should be an All-American before Hayes. KML does not belong in the mid season list of 20 finalists for the Wooden award. Dolson does not play enough minutes to earn All-American honors. Foul trouble and conditioning put her on the bench in some games. Statistics per 40 minutes are meaningless. A player is on the bench for a reason during games. Highly doubt Dolson would score 31 points in 40 minutes just because she scored 10 points in 13 minutes. She tires easily despite the hype about her weight loss and conditioning. Maya Moore and Tina Charles were All-Americans. Brittney Griner, Nmeka Ogwumike, Odyssey Sims, Skylar Diggins, and Elena Della Donne are first team All-Americans. Hartley should be an All-American before Hayes. KML does not belong in the mid season list of 20 finalists for the Wooden award. Dolson does not play enough minutes to earn All-American honors. Foul trouble and conditioning put her on the bench in some games. Statistics per 40 minutes are meaningless. A player is on the bench for a reason during games. Highly doubt Dolson would score 31 points in 40 minutes just because she scored 10 points in 13 minutes. She tires easily despite the hype about her weight loss and conditioning.

]]> Comment on Stokes Comes Up Big In Reserve For The Huskies by Joseph M. Smith http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/31/stokes-comes-up-big-in-reserve-for-the-huskies/#comment-8353 Joseph M. Smith Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:06:54 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3335#comment-8353 Auriemma used a 7 player rotation against Stanford, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Duke. Auriemma used an 8 player rotation in most other games until UConn had a 25 point lead. Who do you think will be in Auriemma's 7 player rotation against Top 10 teams in the 2012-13 season? Who becomes the 8th player in the rotation against lesser teams? Unless there are several major injuries, the last 3 off the bench in 2012-13 probably would be Buck, Engeln, and Johnson. Just like last season and this season. Auriemma used a 7 player rotation against Stanford, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Duke. Auriemma used an 8 player rotation in most other games until UConn had a 25 point lead.

Who do you think will be in Auriemma’s 7 player rotation against Top 10 teams in the 2012-13 season? Who becomes the 8th player in the rotation against lesser teams?

Unless there are several major injuries, the last 3 off the bench in 2012-13 probably would be Buck, Engeln, and Johnson. Just like last season and this season.

]]> Comment on Stokes Comes Up Big In Reserve For The Huskies by toohusky http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/31/stokes-comes-up-big-in-reserve-for-the-huskies/#comment-8351 toohusky Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:00:22 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3335#comment-8351 Thanks for your insight-it is appreciated. I love the way Stokes plays-tough,jumps and really works hard.Agree Dolson has a tremendous size advantage against most but just really gets away with pushing and shoving- would be better just really posting up strong no one is going to be able to move her,I for one would like to see stokes more. I think Uconn becomes more of a running team with her in the post. Thanks for your insight-it is appreciated. I love the way Stokes plays-tough,jumps and really works hard.Agree Dolson has a tremendous size advantage against most but just really gets away with pushing and shoving- would be better just really posting up strong no one is going to be able to move her,I for one would like to see stokes more. I think Uconn becomes more of a running team with her in the post.

]]> Comment on Stokes Comes Up Big In Reserve For The Huskies by anonymous http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/31/stokes-comes-up-big-in-reserve-for-the-huskies/#comment-8349 anonymous Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:13:41 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3335#comment-8349 The Big Countdown has now begun: Geno Auriemma's 800th win. He has 791 with eight games left in the regular season, and a likely cream puff opponent in the first round of the Big East tournament. The only big challenge left in the regular season appears to be Notre Dame on the last day. He's looking at an amazing achievement. But what's even more amazing is that he will probably lock up his 900th win in late February of Breanna Stewart's junior year! The Big Countdown has now begun: Geno Auriemma’s 800th win. He has 791 with eight games left in the regular season, and a likely cream puff opponent in the first round of the Big East tournament. The only big challenge left in the regular season appears to be Notre Dame on the last day.

He’s looking at an amazing achievement. But what’s even more amazing is that he will probably lock up his 900th win in late February of Breanna Stewart’s junior year!

]]> Comment on Stokes Comes Up Big In Reserve For The Huskies by anonymous http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/31/stokes-comes-up-big-in-reserve-for-the-huskies/#comment-8348 anonymous Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:07:24 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3335#comment-8348 Wonder if there won't be a switch at the post position: Stokes for Dolson. But Stewart, even at 6'4", is not a natural back-to-the-basket player. She pops from outside, can drive from the foul line, and probably is better freed up from having to operate on every play from the 5-foot line. But Dolson and Stokes are natural post players. We could see all three in the game at the same time. Dolson and Stokes could demand double-teams down low, freeing Stewart, KML, and Hartley to drive to the basket, or shoot easy jump shots. Could be interesting. But Dolson, who is good at what she does (10 points in just 13 minutes last night) is not a big bruiser down low. Stokes, however, appears to be just that powerhouse in the post.... Wonder if there won’t be a switch at the post position: Stokes for Dolson. But Stewart, even at 6’4″, is not a natural back-to-the-basket player. She pops from outside, can drive from the foul line, and probably is better freed up from having to operate on every play from the 5-foot line. But Dolson and Stokes are natural post players.

We could see all three in the game at the same time. Dolson and Stokes could demand double-teams down low, freeing Stewart, KML, and Hartley to drive to the basket, or shoot easy jump shots.

Could be interesting. But Dolson, who is good at what she does (10 points in just 13 minutes last night) is not a big bruiser down low. Stokes, however, appears to be just that powerhouse in the post….

]]> Comment on Stokes Comes Up Big In Reserve For The Huskies by toohusky http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/31/stokes-comes-up-big-in-reserve-for-the-huskies/#comment-8343 toohusky Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:00:21 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3335#comment-8343 What about Stokes and KML? rebounder and shot blocker and shooter/scorer ?? Hayes and Dolson do the same thing big game after big game. Dolson is in foul trouble because she is slow and when she plays against some one more athletic she commits fouls out of frustration. Hayes seems to play hard but falls short in big games. Hartley and Faris consistent. Next year I can see a very athletic post in Stewart and Stokes- What do you think?? What about Stokes and KML? rebounder and shot blocker and shooter/scorer ?? Hayes and Dolson do the same thing big game after big game. Dolson is in foul trouble because she is slow and when she plays against some one more athletic she commits fouls out of frustration. Hayes seems to play hard but falls short in big games. Hartley and Faris consistent.

Next year I can see a very athletic post in Stewart and Stokes- What do you think??

]]> Comment on Stokes Comes Up Big In Reserve For The Huskies by anonymous http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2012/01/31/stokes-comes-up-big-in-reserve-for-the-huskies/#comment-8340 anonymous Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:43:17 +0000 http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/?p=3335#comment-8340 The season is almost a tale of two freshman: one, who came in as the player of the year in high school, has had far more bad shooting days than even decent games. Stokes, on the other hand, came in after choosing UConn over- get this!- Iowa, but has proved she's one of the best shot-blockers in the country, and can score and rebound and scrap like a real UConn player. She's looking like a budding super star. One has to ask at this point whether UConn would be better off with both Dolson and Stokes in the starting line-up, or playing most of the game together, and whether KML should be taking less shots, while Stokes gets the ball more for more high-percentage shots. Stokes is coming up bigger than KML at this point. Time for a different strategy? The season is almost a tale of two freshman: one, who came in as the player of the year in high school, has had far more bad shooting days than even decent games. Stokes, on the other hand, came in after choosing UConn over- get this!- Iowa, but has proved she’s one of the best shot-blockers in the country, and can score and rebound and scrap like a real UConn player. She’s looking like a budding super star. One has to ask at this point whether UConn would be better off with both Dolson and Stokes in the starting line-up, or playing most of the game together, and whether KML should be taking less shots, while Stokes gets the ball more for more high-percentage shots.

Stokes is coming up bigger than KML at this point. Time for a different strategy?

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