Spring Break
Charles back in charge
Brittany Perotti
Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: Sports
Amid the success, the 23 straight wins, the No. 1 ranking and whispers of a championship, the women's basketball team had one question mark heading into last week's game at St. John's.
What was going on with Tina Charles?
Up to that point, Charles had 31 career double-doubles. She had 19 games with at least 10 points this season, 70 all-time. She had 185 blocks.
And yet, in the two games prior to the one against the Red Storm, she had 12 points and five rebounds - combined.
Head coach Geno Auriemma said last Monday that the biggest issue that was contributing to her ineffectiveness on the court in recent days was "staying aggressive, staying strong."
"Sometimes you think, you miss a couple shots early on and going into a couple games where you can't get anything to go in and start to rush around like a crazy person," he said, emphasizing that playing hard is not synonymous with playing faster.
He also said that what she needed to work on was finishing her shots when she was in the lane.
Indeed, as a key player in the lineup, the team's ultimate success hinges on Charles' ability to step up and make the big plays. Auriemma pointed to the last two NCAA tournament results to demonstrate what happens when she has an off-night.
"I don't remember ever coming out of a season with winning a national championship where your absolute best players didn't play great the entire tournament," he said. "And obviously that's the case with Tina. I said going into most of the season, if we can get Renee [Montgomery], Maya [Moore] and Tina all playing to the top of their ability - top of their game - I don't know how we can't be tremendously successful."
At the same time, it was only two games. Thus, neither Auriemma nor Charles seemed to be too worried.
In fact, Auriemma said that her effort at practice was there and her determination to do well was not faltering.
"If, every time we throw it to Tina, we could come out of there with a bucket or two fouls or 3-point play or two free throws, then we're in good shape," he said.
What was going on with Tina Charles?
Up to that point, Charles had 31 career double-doubles. She had 19 games with at least 10 points this season, 70 all-time. She had 185 blocks.
And yet, in the two games prior to the one against the Red Storm, she had 12 points and five rebounds - combined.
Head coach Geno Auriemma said last Monday that the biggest issue that was contributing to her ineffectiveness on the court in recent days was "staying aggressive, staying strong."
"Sometimes you think, you miss a couple shots early on and going into a couple games where you can't get anything to go in and start to rush around like a crazy person," he said, emphasizing that playing hard is not synonymous with playing faster.
He also said that what she needed to work on was finishing her shots when she was in the lane.
Indeed, as a key player in the lineup, the team's ultimate success hinges on Charles' ability to step up and make the big plays. Auriemma pointed to the last two NCAA tournament results to demonstrate what happens when she has an off-night.
"I don't remember ever coming out of a season with winning a national championship where your absolute best players didn't play great the entire tournament," he said. "And obviously that's the case with Tina. I said going into most of the season, if we can get Renee [Montgomery], Maya [Moore] and Tina all playing to the top of their ability - top of their game - I don't know how we can't be tremendously successful."
At the same time, it was only two games. Thus, neither Auriemma nor Charles seemed to be too worried.
In fact, Auriemma said that her effort at practice was there and her determination to do well was not faltering.
"If, every time we throw it to Tina, we could come out of there with a bucket or two fouls or 3-point play or two free throws, then we're in good shape," he said.
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