Spring Break
Moore looks to surpass the hype
Mike Northup
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Husky Hoopla
"In other words, if we would come down and isolate Maya in one-on-one situations, she would have a pretty good idea of what it is she's gonna do," Auriemma said. "And 30 percent of the time, she makes that decision ahead of time."
Auriemma's goal for Moore this year is to get her to be able to handle those situations when the other team takes away that first option, which he said is the step all great players need to make. Moore has been working hard to avoid falling into such traps this year.
"I think that people will see a more composed player when I'm on offense," Moore said. "Sometimes I tend to make it go too fast, or make quick turnovers. Some of the little things that, you know, maybe I rushed last year, I think I'll be able to be more composed, take my time and make good strong, solid plays."
That will be critical this year as even more of the spotlight will shift toward her. Opposing defenses will undoubtedly gear more of their game plan toward shutting her down on offense.
"I think it's just one of those things where you have to keep your perspective and know that I have to tune my listening to what my coaches say and not so much about a lot of outside expectations," Moore said. "I just do have to realize that every time I do go to a game, many more people, some defenses may be geared toward stopping me."
One huge asset working in Moore's favor, though, is her versatility. She has the talent, Auriemma said, to fill in any role for the team, be it playing inside or outside, as well as with the ball or without it.
While she made all but one of her 30 starts last year at the wing position (she started at power forward Jan. 19 against Syracuse), Moore still feels most comfortable in the power forward slot, where she said she is more aggressive and doesn't settle for shooting 3s as much.
"I look at the 3 spot as like a challenge just as far as I think I have to get better at guarding people, perimeter players," Moore said. "I have to get better at taking people off the dribble."
All the necessary adjustments won't come overnight, or even by time the regular season begins against Georgia Tech Sunday, Auriemma said. But he remains confident that she has the potential brewing within her - potential that could very well be unleashed in the not-so-distant future.
Until then, it's going to be nonstop work until one of the best college basketball players out there gets even better, and Moore is just fine with that.
"I think that's a reason why a lot of people don't come to UConn because they know they're going to have to work," Moore said. "They know it's a whole different atmosphere, so you have to be a special player to come here."
Auriemma's goal for Moore this year is to get her to be able to handle those situations when the other team takes away that first option, which he said is the step all great players need to make. Moore has been working hard to avoid falling into such traps this year.
"I think that people will see a more composed player when I'm on offense," Moore said. "Sometimes I tend to make it go too fast, or make quick turnovers. Some of the little things that, you know, maybe I rushed last year, I think I'll be able to be more composed, take my time and make good strong, solid plays."
That will be critical this year as even more of the spotlight will shift toward her. Opposing defenses will undoubtedly gear more of their game plan toward shutting her down on offense.
"I think it's just one of those things where you have to keep your perspective and know that I have to tune my listening to what my coaches say and not so much about a lot of outside expectations," Moore said. "I just do have to realize that every time I do go to a game, many more people, some defenses may be geared toward stopping me."
One huge asset working in Moore's favor, though, is her versatility. She has the talent, Auriemma said, to fill in any role for the team, be it playing inside or outside, as well as with the ball or without it.
While she made all but one of her 30 starts last year at the wing position (she started at power forward Jan. 19 against Syracuse), Moore still feels most comfortable in the power forward slot, where she said she is more aggressive and doesn't settle for shooting 3s as much.
"I look at the 3 spot as like a challenge just as far as I think I have to get better at guarding people, perimeter players," Moore said. "I have to get better at taking people off the dribble."
All the necessary adjustments won't come overnight, or even by time the regular season begins against Georgia Tech Sunday, Auriemma said. But he remains confident that she has the potential brewing within her - potential that could very well be unleashed in the not-so-distant future.
Until then, it's going to be nonstop work until one of the best college basketball players out there gets even better, and Moore is just fine with that.
"I think that's a reason why a lot of people don't come to UConn because they know they're going to have to work," Moore said. "They know it's a whole different atmosphere, so you have to be a special player to come here."
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