Now in her graduate year at UConn, Caroline Doty has learned enough about resolve and patience to run a support group.
You don’t suffer knee injuries that interrupt your career and disrupt your life without being forced to figure what to make of it, why it was all necessary.
As a result, Doty’s point of view this season seems to be different. She has evolved, to the degree where just the chance to be a part of things, in any way the coaches say, has become her most important priority.
More importantly, it seems to have brought her the comfort that being a part of four Final Four teams has only approached.
“I’ve been communicating a lot with the coaches this year in an effort to stay on the same page with them. And I am having a lot of fun,” Doty said. “On the floor, I try to be as perfect as possible, but as everyone knows, you can’t be perfect. If you strive for good things, work hard, keep the intensity up, a lot of good things will happen.”
Doty continues to start at the point for the No. 2 Huskies, but her playing and practice time continue to be monitored by the coaches, much like, but not exactly in the way former UConn forward Brittany Hunter was handled in her senior season (2007-08).
“I heard about her situation, but I don’t think there are many similiarities,” Doty said
Geno Auriemma has says Doty’s role is crucial and the way he sees it most beneficial to the team at the start when her knee is loose.
“It does stiffen,” Doty admitted. “I try not to think about, but it might take a play or two to get back in the flow. But if I am out for just 10 minutes, its way better than sitting for 30. But that’s with everyone, not just me.”
Doty came into Wednesday’s game at the XL Center against Colgate averaging 17 minutes and Auriemma stuck to form by playing her 19 in the 101-41 blowout.
In general, they have been strong, productive minutes for her. Her shooting has been reasonably solid (12 of 25) and she’s already drained seven threes.
And despite her diminished mobility, the stability she’s shown running the offense apparent.
“Shea [Ralph] has been working with the guards all summer and you can tell by just looking at the results,” Auriemma said.
Ralph says it’s too early to tell if Doty’s role this season will be limited to the 15- to 20-minute range. But Ralph does know that the competition for playing time amidst UConn’s fleet of guards has been intense in practice.
“I don’t know what to expect [regarding Doty’s playing time],” Ralph said. “It all depends on the opponent and the combinations we need on the floor.
“But it’s fair to say that Caroline is not going to be in the game after we take large leads. We will not put her on the floor just to get her minutes. We want to play her when we need her. That’s how we use her in practice.
“She understands that we need her to be productive when she is in on the floor. All the guards earn their time in practice. It creates a good competitive atmosphere in practice.”
When she was younger this may not have sat well with Doty, one of the mist intense players UConn has had. But it seems OK with her now, especially after all she has been through.
“You would have to ask the coaches [about that],” Doty said. “I will do whatever is best and what they decide. I’ll be OK with whatever; as long as it’s the best for the team.
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17 Responses to Caroline Doty And The Importance Of Perspective
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Competitive,stubborn, intense–all words that were used to describe SHEA RALPH. So Shea and Caroline must be compatible as pea’s in a pod.
My knee loosens up with activity, it doesn’t take much, but I need to not be stagnant. Knees are like that, once you damage them.
Thanks John – I didn’t make the Virgin Islands this year but my friends said you were awesome and I said “yes” – I met him at a game at Gampel and I have my coffee with him every morning i.e. internet when I read your blogs. I still enjoy them and appreciate all the input on “our” girls. Thanks again, John – I’ll keep reading.
Marion–does your “Other” know of this thing in the Morning with John??
People think that when others have major damage done to their bodies (thru war, accidents, etc) everyone say’s why ME. Or get introspective. Most of us just work our tails off to make whatever life gave us better. Only in movies do they do scene after scene about woe is me stuff. Go to Bethesda (now Walter Reed/Bethesda) in Maryland you’ll find few woe is me attitudes. But hey go there anyway–you will see the price of freedom.
In football you often see players riding a stationary bicycle on the sidelines to keep loose. Why not have one on the Uconn bench for Caroline to do likewise?
Why not have a stationary bike of to the side of the bench and have Doty use it to stay warm and limber? Then it would not matter whether she started or not. This could even be arranged for at away games.
Sorry TexasBogger, I did not see your post until after I posted. Obviously it must be a good idea!
Great minds travel similar paths.
You do know that the corollary is:
“Fools seldom differ”
Just sayin…
And why do you know this so well?
Caroline is I suspect one of those really rare types who combines talent with drive and brains. I expect that she will be a great success in anything and everything she undertakes. I think women such as her, and Kelly and Shea.. and and and are a great reason for UCONN’s success. They are a lot more than basketball players.
I have seen stationary bikes at at least XL so I suspect that this may not be the benefit to someone like Caroline.
I must say my anxiety about her increases greatly when I see her on the floor (literally) as last night when she got knocked down a couple of times.
Harry don’t want to disagree with your, but—
It has been my experience that good to great ball players and pool player are VERY intelligent (I am neither). They mentally figure angles and distances in their heads (most don’t realize they are doing that). I hate the words “dumb Jock” because they are blatantly untrue. Some are Uneducated, but they are not dumb.
Point is Caroline (and ALL of the UConn Women, Most of the men) are as you say–very brilliant.
Stationary bikes are and have been available for years and can go with the teams. If Rosemary and/or Geno feel they will do the job for Caroline–he will use them.
Harry I agree with you Caroline combines beauty, Brains, Drive, Talent.
It has been my experience that good to great ball players and pool player are VERY intelligent (I am neither). They mentally figure angles and distances in their heads (most don’t realize they are doing that). I hate the words “dumb Jock” because they are blatantly untrue. Some are Uneducated, but they are not dumb.
Point is Caroline (and ALL of the UConn Women, Most of the men) are as you say–very brilliant.
Stationary bikes are and have been available for years and can go with the teams. If Rosemary and/or Geno feel they will do the job for Caroline–he will use them. DT used them at Uconn, Sue too I think.
A feeling of sadness at the mentioning of Brittany Hunter. She would’ve been a great player (better than Tina Charles) were it not for the bad luck. She’s moved on in life, I know, but just a thought about a great past Uconn player.
FREDDYKOOL: “WHO DA THUNK IT?”
cant wait for doty-era to end—–shes taken away playing time from girls who should be playing.how bout her career shooting pct.,lack of defense and turnover rating?
Ray Ray–Something to what you said. But Doty does present a stabilizing force with the Freshmen and Sophs. Her experience level is amazing. She shoots the 3 ball as well as any on the team. Lateral movement is limited is true. But she makes up for it by anticipating where her play is going to go. She’s not as fast as she could have been, but I dare say she’s as fast as KML. I’d rather have a limited Doty on the floor than anyone but Stewie.
For old times sake let her start all but the really tough games such as Stanford, Baylor, etc. In such games UCONN must come out seize the lead and control of the game. Clearly against elite guards Doty is at a disadvantage and is a detriment to the team irrespective of any imagined experiential advantages. These elite guards will also possess excellent experience but team with superior athleticism.