Look at the Lynx: Goodbye McConnell-Serio

#3 posting 7.23.2006
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Coach Suzie McConnell-Serio has resigned as coach of the Lynx. More about that later.

In her final coaching game the Lynx were trounced and bounced by the Sacramento Monarchs 86-57.

NUMBERS EXPLAINED
player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %

MINNESOTA
STARTERS
Amber Jacobs 2, 9, 22.2, .111
Seimone Augustus 20, 20, 100.0, .500
Kristen Mann 2, 5, 40.0, .200
Tamika Williams 7, 4, 175.0, .750
Nicole Ohlde 3, 5, 60.0, .400
BENCH
Svetlana Abrosimova 3, 7, 42.9, .286
Shona Thorburn 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Vanessa Hayden 0, 4, 0.0, .000
Adrian Williams 12, 7, 171.4, 85.7
Megan Duffy 2, 4, 50.0, .250
Tynesha Lewis 4, 6, 667.7, .333

SACRAMENTO
STARTERS
Ticha Penicheiro 6, 5, 120.0, .600
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba 8, 6, 133.3, .667
Nicole Powell 12, 11, 109.1, .453
Erin Buescher 12, 7, 171.4, .857
Yolanda Griffith 9, 8, 112.5, .375
BENCH
DeMya Walker 8, 8, 100.0, .500
Scholanda Dorrell 9, 8, 112.5, .625
Rebekkah Brunson 4, 4, 100.0, .500
Kristin Haynie 11, 8, 137.5, .625
Kim Smith 3, 2, 150.0, .500
Kara Lawson 4, 7, 57.1, .286

BY THE NUMBERS
Minnesota 57, 74, 77.0, .392
Sacramento 86, 74, 116.2, .486

This was the 4th time MN has been in the 70s on offense (pp100) and 5th time sub .400.
It was the 7th time the defense has allowed more than 110 pp100. This was the worst margin differential between pp100 at -39.19. The previous worst June 16th at San Antonio at -35.26.

It is quite clear that with only 3 players hitting the gold standards of 100 and .500 compared to Sacramento's 8 making both, and only one failing to make either, it was not a good night for the Lynx. In the 2nd quarter they only made 3. They had droughts of six twice. That doesn't do wonders for the offense.

I can't put the blame on McConnell-Serio for the problems on this team. The personnel is not the top of the line. Augustus is a bonafide player. The rest of the players have not stepped up consistently and I don't know if a coaching change will really change that. Players will rip it up one game and tank the next. These players need to be more reliable than a three dollar bill.

When three starters combine for 7 points I don't think that is a coaches problem. From reports & whispers there is a lot of spectating on the floor when Augustus gets the ball.

Toughness is a factor. I am not talking about playing with pain, but initiating contact, making statements and owning the paint. These players are probably nice people, help citizens in need, donate to charities, and look both ways before they cross the street, but when you step across the lines a competitive player should be one that finishes plays on offense and makes the other team do uncomfortable, undesirable things.

I don't fault SMS. The players have to play the game and get the job done. I haven't seen gross coaching malfeasance this season. I don't know what goes on behind the door. But changes should not stop with the coaching chair.

The Lynx have a snowflakes chance in a blast furnace to make the playoffs this season.

Next up: again later tonight with the first out & about from the Adidas Mid America Championship: MN Quest vs KS Team Excel