An Optimist’s Guide to the 2013-14 UConn Women
by doggydaddy
With the National Championship number eight in our back pocket, many fans are dreaming of #9 with improvement of returning players and contributions from new players.
Here is a list of next years roster, with as much optimism as possible and still using realistic ceiling to the predictions. No players averaging 30 points a game!!!
Let’s start with the starters and work our way our new wonderful frosh.
In no particular order:
Kaleena Mosqueda Lewis – KLM had a wonderful season. She led the nation in 3 point shoot percentage, broke the UConn record for 3’s made for the season, improved her overall game, and became a dependable defensive player as well. Oh yeah, she became an AA in the process as a Sophomore. So where does she go from there? Well, there are always way to improve. She can still get in better shape. I expect her to be a little more “cut” and even tougher on defense because of it. Her quickness is related to conditioning and I expect her ability to drive past others, especially with the right match-ups, to improve. Loved that pull up in the championship game where she was fouled in the lane. We will see more of that. She is also a strong leader for this team, taking the mantle on how hard to practice from Faris and let’s see who she takes under her wing as Faris did for her. She will be a player of the year candidate and a 1st team AA.
2013-14 stats. 18.5 PPG, 7 RPG, 3 APG, 52% on 3’s.
Breanna Stewart – I don’t think there is a player in the country with the potential to improve her performance over an entire season as Stewart. She had some nice games during the season, but nothing like her NCAA run. And her final four performance was as good as any I’ve seen in any class let alone a freshman. She was the player all her accolades said she would be and she will continue that next year. It was remarkable to see her explode both defensively and offensively. With confidence and repetition, the post moves that she sometimes struggled with this year will be money. And while I don’t expect her to shoot like she did in the NCAA tourney, her 3 point percentage will be above 40% this year. She is that good. Look for her to dominate the paint defensively with her help defense and the middle presence in the press. Another POY candidate and 1st team AA.
2013-14 stats. 19.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 2 APG, 2 BPG.
Stefanie Dolson – What a warrior! To play like she did with the injuries she had says it all. Because of this, her off season is about healing and being the optimistic guide to the team, she will be 100%. And at 100% she is the best center in the country. No center her size has the combination of rebounding, outside shooting, post play, defense, passing abilities. There are many times the offense runs through her at the high post. I expect her to be in even better shape next year with no USA basketball this summer. Insanity II??? She will be a 1st/2nd team AA.
2013-14 stats. 15 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 60 FG%.
Bria Hartley – UConn is blessed to have so many players with leadership capabilities. Hartley is right there at the top. She should be able to play off the ball most of the time, with Jefferson at the point, and that can only help. Her injuries will be in the past and this will allow her to regain her form from her 1st two seasons. This means a return to close to 40% three point shooting. A return to former play makes her a top player at her position in the country. I remember the fun we had discussing the 3 guards of this class, Hartley, Sims and Simmons and I think this year, Hartley fights hard for the top spot of that 3-some. Look for an AA type season. It’s crowded at the top, so she will probably be 2nd team AA.
2013-14 stats. 14.5 PPG, 3 RPG, 4 APG, 52% on 3’s.
Moriah Jefferson – Ok, remember I said “I don’t think there is a player in the country with the potential to improve her performance over an entire season as Stewart”? I lied. Jefferson has that potential as well. While she did have an uneven performance in the NCAA tourney and throughout the regular season, her skills at times were off the charts. Off the dribble, I don’t think I saw a quicker player to the basket. Her ability to finish with either hand and acrobatically was amazing. She was a good but not great 3 point shooter HS and you can bet she is working hard on that part of her game. Defensively, she will make the opponents crazy. Her on the ball defense was critical in UConn’s ability to beat ND. And her steals and layups energize the team. The PG is her position to own for the next 3 years and she will be a great mentor to Durr (please). I also saw great leadership ability, with her very vocal in huddles and putting players in the right places.
2013-14 stats. 8.5 PPG, 3 RPG, 5 APG, 3 SPG.
Morgan Tuck – Tuck had a good freshman season. Hampered at time by leg injuries, she struggled during the course of the regular season. But there is no denying her talent. She hit a low percentage of 3 pointers, but we all know she has the skills to do better. She is a heady player, and will only improve in being in the right place at the right time. Look for more of her ability to back down a player and finish with her baby hook. It’s an unstoppable shot. She will contribute big, but her time will be her last two seasons.
2013-14 stats. 10.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 APG.
Brianna Banks – Since this is the optimist’s guide, Banks will be 100% this season. Her quickness along with Jefferson will just destroy the will of the opposing guards. Her improvements that we saw before she was hurt will continue next season. That means excellent defense and tough drives to the basket. I believe her quickness AND strength, she will help make up for the loss of Faris on defense. With only a 4 guard rotation, she will have to and will play 20 minutes per game.
2013-14 stats. 8.5 PPG, 3 RPG, 4 APG, 2 SPG.
Kiah Stokes – Stokes will get it. Eventually. This season would be a nice time to do that. She really does have excellent skills and we saw that occasionally. The only other true center and Dolson’s replacement in the post next year, Geno will play her plenty. Her rebounding and shot blocking are as good as anyone on UConn, including Stewart. More aggressiveness on offense will be something to look for this year.
2013-14 stats. 6.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 1 APG, 2 BPG.
Saniya Chong – I have seen more film on her than any incoming freshman except for maybe EDD. And for the life of me, I don’t get the criticism of her by people outside the UConn community. Clay Kallum said she was only a 3 point shooter. We all know that’s not true just based on her assist numbers. How was she not a McD’s?
But none of that matters. It’s all about how she transfers her skills to UConn’s style. I have no doubt that will happen quickly. She has a low, but quick release on her 3 point shot. She doesn’t need much room to get it off. She is truly ambidextrous. Great court vision. Because of the small roster, she will get plenty of time to show everyone how wrong these folks were about her.
2013-14 stats. 8.5 PPG, 3 RPG, 3 APG.
Ok, so the points per game of 110 is a little high. As is the 48 rebounds per game and 28 assists per game. But I think that the individual numbers don’t look way out of line. This shows the potential of this team.
Will they have 4 AA’s? Certainly a good chance on the 10 players teams.
It’s hard not to look at this team and think that if they play close to their potential that they won’t break all of Uconn’s scoring records. There is no rest for the opponents. 1-9 they can score. Not even Geno can slow this team down. And he won’t hold them back too much. He needs good minutes from whoever is in the last 10 minutes of a blowout. Don’t forget that there will be one starter in the game at all times.
Get on the train! It’s leaving the station in November for an unforgettable ride of precision, dominance and joy.
by 
