The Dolson Conundrum

Having read, with some dismay, the BY criticisms of SD and the occasionally wild predictions that she will become an upper class splinter sitter, I began to muse about what could have been and what strategy Geno had in mind when he recruited her. Did he envision that SD would spend much of her sophomore year playing with 4 guards? Or did he see her as playing as Ms. Inside to EDD's Ms. Everyplace else? And, even if my timing is off, one wonders about about how EDD's decision to leave Uconn may have had a ripple effect in the years when she was not here. In any event, my view is that SD will be as good as she can be. That should be enough for all of us.

That's a wise perspective, Buckaroo.

Thanks for sharing.

She'll be fine. This year is a little down, but she's also got 2 more years to excel.

It takes time. She came through last year. Maybe our expectations were not realistic.

It's enough for me. Stef's character is stellar and I'm pulling for her.

Nice post and I agree. I also dont entirely blame Dolson for her problems this season. I think the guards just aren't getting the ball inside in a timely fashion or with any kind of precision on the pass. Since we have been talking about this I find myself watching the passing into the post more and i notice the passing of the guards.

Go Stef!
We believe in you!!

Agree with all above, but I think the absolutely worst thing that could have happened to her was (and yes, here I am going to criticize He Who Must Not Be Criticized) for her coach to suggest she was the second-best center in the country. Not becessarily because he was wrong, because based on her previous season, she might well have developed that way, but because of the pressure that a statement puts on a player who, despite her wonderful freshman year, was still just a kid.

Well, Nan, that's what hindsight is all about. But I'd submit that there's a huge difference between giving a player a well-deserved pat on the back and raising everyone's expectations by (as the best coach in the country, bar none) opining that she will be the second-best center in the country this year, after only Griner, who is a phenomenon.

He said it once. ONCE. Message board fans have latched on to that and THEY were the ones holding her to that.

In fact, I'd like to see that quote. I wouldn't be surprised of the actual context of that statement was that she was the 2nd best at the end of last year and expected that to continue.

Whenever Dolson is discussed everyone looks to her offense and mentions that the guards aren't getting her the ball. While I don't think Dolson's offense is what it should/could be, for me an even bigger problem is on the defensive end of the court. With Moore gone Dolson's rebound numbers should be better than last year. They aren't.

But Stef is still the #2 rebounder on the team lead only by Tiff who plays more minutes and creates space for others to rebound because she boxes out so well.

As I said before, I will keep the Dolson Bandwagon warmed up and the horses fed...

One thing we all seem to forget is how young this team is. Dolson will be a beast before its all over.