[jad]

Missing 3 former #1 overall recruits due to injuries (2020 BUECKERS and 2021 AZZI) or covid protocol (2018 WILLIAMS) will obviously do that.

But the silver lining is that seniors SG WILLIAMS and post NELSON-ODADA have upped their games while 6'2 freshman SG/SF DUCHARME has become their primary go-to offense in star player BUECKERS' absence since mid-Dec. So when AZZI returns in early Feb and finally BUECKERS in mid- to late Feb, UConn might be more dangerous than ever before, especially during the NCAA Tournament, where they are predicted to be a regional 3-seed or 4-seed in what essentially is a homecourt Bridgeport Regional.

An interesting side note is that despite being down to 8 players for the Oregon game, Geno still only used 6 players while totally relegating post players DEBERRY and GABRIEL to the bench.  With GABRIEL I'm not that surprised, but 6'5 freshman DEBERRY is a 5-star recruit (ranked as high as #3 overall in the Class of 2021) who showed flashes of brilliance in the few games she played for UConn this season.

Thanks for this commentary.  I do not follow UConn that closely (other than knowing Bueckers was out).  Still, I was wrong about UConn hanging with Oregon and am happy BB was correct.  But you answered my most pressing question when I learned that 2 other stars out and UConn only had 8 suited for the game:  how many did Geno play?

It is INSANE that he only played 6 and relegated DeBerry.

I swear, UConn will be formidable when healthy for the Tourney IN SPITE of Geno, not because of him.  The injuries have forced Geno to give more players quality PT and that will make them stronger come March.

This has been a criticism of Geno for many years--that he plays his starters too long and doesn't develop his bench players.  When Bueckers was injured during meaningless minutes of a blowout, the UConn fans were enraged.  But we've commented on his proclivity to keep his starters playing and adding to the lead long after games are decided.  It is one of the reasons we hate him.

Down to 8 players only and he played only 6.  That is just classic Geno.  He is obviously a good coach in certain respects, but I can't see why any player would go to UConn unless they were certain they would start.

I believe two of their players have transferred out this season.  I have to wonder if it is playing time related.  A nationally televised game and a bench player can't even get 1 minute at the end of an already decided game.

[jad]

Missing 3 former #1 overall recruits due to injuries (2020 BUECKERS and 2021 AZZI) or covid protocol (2018 WILLIAMS) will obviously do that.

But the silver lining is that seniors SG WILLIAMS and post NELSON-ODADA have upped their games while 6'2 freshman SG/SF DUCHARME has become their primary go-to offense in star player BUECKERS' absence since mid-Dec. So when AZZI returns in early Feb and finally BUECKERS in mid- to late Feb, UConn might be more dangerous than ever before, especially during the NCAA Tournament, where they are predicted to be a regional 3-seed or 4-seed in what essentially is a homecourt Bridgeport Regional.

An interesting side note is that despite being down to 8 players for the Oregon game, Geno still only used 6 players while totally relegating post players DEBERRY and GABRIEL to the bench.  With GABRIEL I'm not that surprised, but 6'5 freshman DEBERRY is a 5-star recruit (ranked as high as #3 overall in the Class of 2021) who showed flashes of brilliance in the few games she played for UConn this season.

Thanks for this commentary.  I do not follow UConn that closely (other than knowing Bueckers was out).  Still, I was wrong about UConn hanging with Oregon and am happy BB was correct.  But you answered my most pressing question when I learned that 2 other stars out and UConn only had 8 suited for the game:  how many did Geno play?

It is INSANE that he only played 6 and relegated DeBerry.

I swear, UConn will be formidable when healthy for the Tourney IN SPITE of Geno, not because of him.  The injuries have forced Geno to give more players quality PT and that will make them stronger come March.

This has been a criticism of Geno for many years--that he plays his starters too long and doesn't develop his bench players.  When Bueckers was injured during meaningless minutes of a blowout, the UConn fans were enraged.  But we've commented on his proclivity to keep his starters playing and adding to the lead long after games are decided.  It is one of the reasons we hate him.

Down to 8 players only and he played only 6.  That is just classic Geno.  He is obviously a good coach in certain respects, but I can't see why any player would go to UConn unless they were certain they would start.

I believe two of their players have transferred out this season.  I have to wonder if it is playing time related.  A nationally televised game and a bench player can't even get 1 minute at the end of an already decided game.