Keys to ending our Final Four drought

[ivyleague]

OK, if you insist, back to the subject at hand. I don't think anything is wrong with their offense scheme. They run a flex offense. I think it is their offensive fundamentals-mainly their passing skills where the problem lies. When I was watching UConn in the women's tournament the announcers talked about how they were watching one of Luigi's practices and during the whole 2 hour practice he made his team work on passing fundamentals-for the whole practice. This happened well into the tournament. Holly has stated she focuses more on defense than offense. I wish she'd run no dribble practices. I think passing is the most underrated offensive skill. But, I concur regarding injuries.

I can actually agree with this. When I say an improved/revamped offense, I don't necessarily mean a new offensive scheme. I mean essentially what you said -- an improved offense, in which, regardless of whatever scheme they run, they are actually able to get the ball through the net. Turnovers need to be controlled. Passing needs to be better. Players don't need to be afraid to take shots. By the same token, players don't need to take ill-advised shots, either. The team needs to play together as a team, and they need to be fearless. And, of course, they need to stay healthy.

 

[Pat4life]

Better guard play and we're a final 4 team.

 

[thill87]

I think this team has all the components to win. However, I think the health is major factor. I think the coaching staff has to do a better job of in game situations and making adjustments and substituting players that fit those scenarios. I see defense will be at an high with this team with the great guards. JJ looks great and I would like to see Dunbar being use a lot more...especially with our inside play...Teams did a great job of clogging the paint which affect Graves..

 

[LasVegasBill23]

I would like to see the team show more effort.... we need to move better.... people talk about Mercedes and how valuable she is to team, but I see her many times in slow motion and like she has lead in her sneakers..... Looking at UConn, they are in constant motion, and focus on passing game and assisting teammates ..... they are rarely flat footed.... I remember Gretzky and what separated him apart.... he was constantly in motion .... looking for the open space, thinking ahead for when and where the ideal play will happen....

Of course this all has to be coached

 

[PineyBluff Vol]

What is this, a Blast for the Past!

 

[volnationnj]

I might be a minority on one but, I miss Ivy league !!!!
I always found her postings entertaining, even though I rarely agreed with her point of view.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Two things I believe are necessary for the team to get back to the Final Four. One is controllable, the other is not.

1. An improved/revamped offense, which Holly indicated in a recent interview is being addressed. This is a controllable factor and one that I think will make a difference.

2. Player health. This is, for all intents and purposes, not a controllable factor, as loath as some are to admit it. Injuries have a tremendous impact on team play, especially when they happen to multiple impact players. Many people bemoan the fact that UT went out in the Elite 8 against Maryland and are quick to blame Holly, but they fail (I think through willful ignorance and/or a profound compulsion to coach bash) to take into account that the Lady Vols were essentially decimated by injuries by the end of last season. Top players were either playing injured or not playing at all. That has an effect. Had Stewart and KML been sitting out and Jefferson been playing injured, I doubt seriously if UConn would have gotten much farther. That Holly got her team to the Elite 8 is a credit to her, her staff, and her players, regardless of what the negative nellies say. That said, hopefully team health will not be an issue this year; if it is, it will inevitably alter performance.

On this:
It seems more of the injuries of the significant nature happen in the off-season. Might consider using volunteer coaches instead of letting them play pickup games and then letting ex-players train them....I agree with keeping their workouts on campus, just don't agree with ex-players being a substitute for experienced coaches.

With ex-players they will teach what worked for them...As a coach I teach what works for THAT player.