Yes, Finely did struggle at times, but here's my take (leaving Genoway out of the conversation). Finley did struggle his first two years, but he was recruited by us and drafted by Washington as a good, not great kid, with huge size and huge upside, despite being very raw. He needed time to develop, and having him take a year or two to do it was probably needed. However, by the start of his junior year, he was a bit underdeveloped by our standards. But, sometime during his junior season, Joe started playing very good. He ultimately finished the year with an awesome +/-, leading the team (maybe the WCHA?...can't remember off-hand). Then, his senior year, he was unfairly criticized after missing much of the season after his serious concussion the first weekend of the year.
So, Joe was taking steps, albeit baby steps, but by his junior year he was playing pretty darn good (it was too late by then, for any mistake no matter how minute, would be unfairly critiqued in the worst way). Then the unfortunate injury knocked him back a couple steps and couldn't gain the trust of any Sioux fans that senior year.
Fienhage, like others have said, played very little last year, but even worse, he hardly played the whole second half of the season, so he REALLY will be rusty when it comes to game shape. Even the incoming freshman have played [many more] games than Fienhage going back to the beginning of 2009.
So, essentially, Fienhage may be a step or two behind even the freshmen despite having a year to practice with the team every day.