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Hartley getting back into the swing things
Bria Hartley scored in double figures in 17 of her first 20 games at UConn so when she ripped off four straight games where she failed to hit double digits, it was something worth noting.
Hartley's lack of offensive production seemed to coincide with the UConn coaching staff limiting her practice time as she hurt her right ankle and foot in a Jan. 17 game at North Carolina. Actually, she ended up playing 69 minutes in the next two games after rolling her ankle against the Tar Heels.
With games coming up against Duke, DePaul and West Virginia, the UConn braintrust decided to limit Hartley's practice time late last month.
There was a certain amount of indecisiveness and maybe even a bit of rust in the recent four-game stretch.
"It has been annoying at times not being able to do certain things but it is getting stronger," Hartley said after Thursday's practice. "I think it hurts (her performance) a little bit anytime you are not practicing full time. We still have to be able to watch and do things, (have) a different way or learning and picking things up. It will continue to feel better. I have been getting more into my rhythm, get more shots up and continue to get better."
Hartley returned to practice on a full-time basis earlier this week so it will be worth watching to see if she can be more of an offensive threat against Providence on Saturday after managing 28 points while having six assists and 14 turnovers in the last four games.
"She just hasn't been as much a part of it," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "Maya (Moore), there are only going to be so many shots to go around. I think with Kelly (Faris) taking more of an offensive role. Maya, Stefanie (Dolson), Kelly and Tiffany (Hayes) there are only going to be so many shots to go around. I think she is taking a back seat herself. I don't think anybody said anything about it. I think we are still running the same stuff we have always run but I think she is probably a little bit out of rhythm right now. I don't think she is in a real good flow and that happens.
"When you are a senior, you don't get affected by that stuff. When you are a freshman, you get affected by everything. A turnover, a bad call, a missed shot, it doesn't matter. You just don't have the experience, the kind of composure that upperclassmen do to be able to blow that off."
GENO TO BE FEATURED ON SNY
Auriemma will be the subject of the SNY Spotlight which will premier on Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
Hartley's lack of offensive production seemed to coincide with the UConn coaching staff limiting her practice time as she hurt her right ankle and foot in a Jan. 17 game at North Carolina. Actually, she ended up playing 69 minutes in the next two games after rolling her ankle against the Tar Heels.
With games coming up against Duke, DePaul and West Virginia, the UConn braintrust decided to limit Hartley's practice time late last month.
There was a certain amount of indecisiveness and maybe even a bit of rust in the recent four-game stretch.
"It has been annoying at times not being able to do certain things but it is getting stronger," Hartley said after Thursday's practice. "I think it hurts (her performance) a little bit anytime you are not practicing full time. We still have to be able to watch and do things, (have) a different way or learning and picking things up. It will continue to feel better. I have been getting more into my rhythm, get more shots up and continue to get better."
Hartley returned to practice on a full-time basis earlier this week so it will be worth watching to see if she can be more of an offensive threat against Providence on Saturday after managing 28 points while having six assists and 14 turnovers in the last four games.
"She just hasn't been as much a part of it," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "Maya (Moore), there are only going to be so many shots to go around. I think with Kelly (Faris) taking more of an offensive role. Maya, Stefanie (Dolson), Kelly and Tiffany (Hayes) there are only going to be so many shots to go around. I think she is taking a back seat herself. I don't think anybody said anything about it. I think we are still running the same stuff we have always run but I think she is probably a little bit out of rhythm right now. I don't think she is in a real good flow and that happens.
"When you are a senior, you don't get affected by that stuff. When you are a freshman, you get affected by everything. A turnover, a bad call, a missed shot, it doesn't matter. You just don't have the experience, the kind of composure that upperclassmen do to be able to blow that off."
GENO TO BE FEATURED ON SNY
Auriemma will be the subject of the SNY Spotlight which will premier on Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
Labels: Bria Hartley, Geno Auriemma, Kelly Faris, Maya Moore, Stefanie Dolson, Tiffany Hayes
posted by Jim Fuller at
7:12 PM
3 Comments:
Bria Hartley will hopefully score 10+ against Providence. But remember that Providence is not at the same competition level as Duke, DePaul and West Virginia.
Competition level should always be considered when evaluating player performances in games and seasons, especially at the High School and WCBB D1 Top 10 levels.
I see negative comments about Elena Delle Donne's scoring at Delaware, such as 'big fish in a small pond'.
Apply that same judgment to UConn player performances like Tiffany Hayes scoring 30 in the first half against Holy Cross.
You are so right. One can only hope Providence puts up as much of a fight against UConn as ranked teams like Duke, North Carolina, Florida State and Ohio State did.
I'd like to Geno start getting the team ready for the NCAA tournament.
Pretend Maya is in foul trouble, sit her for an extended period of time during the first half, so that they can gain confidence in playing without her (or to give Geno data on what he needs to correct when she is not in the game next time).
Go deeper into the bench to give them a feel for real game competition.
Oh well this probably won't happen, still I'd like to see it.
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