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November 19, 2008
Checking In From Gampel
To play 40 minutes or not play 40 minutes? That is the question that Geno Auriemma has been asked many times recently. A caller called him out on his weekly radio spot on WTIC-AM 1080 last night about playing Renee Montgomery too many minutes during the NCAA tournament last season. And Renee again hit that magic number of 40 in the season opener against Georgia Tech Sunday.
At this point, though, there is no concern. Does Geno want this to become a regular occurrence? No. Does he think it will hurt the team in the long run and stunt the growth of the Huskies’ bench? Yes.
He was asked once again about the importance of developing a bench following practice Wednesday at Gampel Pavilion.
``I get asked that a lot as if playing 40 minutes is really taxing on a kid,’’ Auriemma said. ``I love when I hear that. The last time they played 40 minutes would have been Sunday. So the next time they have to play 40 minutes would be Thursday. So you would think that you’re not exactly sending the kids into the coal mines. So it’s not so much can those guys do it or not do it? Of course they can. The question is can you develop other players to offset a sprained ankle here and there, a couple bad calls, tonsillitis or whatever the case may be. So, yeah, I said that I wish I would have played Lorin more (Sunday) and Kaili’s had a good week of practice. So that gives us eight if you count those two and Tiffany and then who knows from there. But, obviously, I would love it to be eight rather than five. But if it has to be five then it has to be five. But I would rather it be eight.’’
Keep your eye on Kaili, Lorin and Tiffany tomorrow night against San Diego State. They appear posed to put Sunday’s game behind them and provide the Huskies with some quality minutes off the bench.
Geno said it will still be another two weeks before freshman Heather Buck is able to participate. She’s not permitted to do anything basketball-related right now as she attempts to shake a bout with mononucleosis.
``All I know is the doctor said that they thought three weeks,’’ Geno said. ``Now that would mean that she’s probably already had it for a couple weeks. My guess is two more weeks. She looks better today. She’s looked better every day. She goes to class. As long we get everything straightened out … But it’s not full-blown. It’s not like wore-case scenario kind of mono.’’
Tina Charles will receive a commemorative game ball for becoming the 31st player in team history to reach 1,000 points prior to Saturday’s game against Rhode Island at the XL Center. She reached the mark with 11:16 left in the first half Sunday.
The Huskies earned their 750th win in their 35th season Sunday (750-284). They have averaged 22 wins over the previous 34 seasons.
Rich
Posted by Elliott on November 19, 2008 8:55 PM
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