Who will be the fourth option for UConn in 2015-16?

[alexrgct]

One of the primary reasons UConn was so good in the season that just ended is that there were four Huskies who were fully capable of putting points on the board. Specifically, if UConn needed a bucket, Stewie, Tuck, Mo, and KML were threats to make it happen. That absolutely manifested itself even in the national championship game. Playing UConn was like Whack-a-mole; you could contain one opposing player, but another Husky would pop up.

Of course, KML is leaving, but we don't want the Whack-a-mole offense to end. We know the triple-headed monster from the recruiting class of 2012 will return. Who will be the fourth offensive threat on next season's squad? I have some ideas:

Kia Nurse- Nurse was the leading Husky scorer in a couple of games. The precocious freshman may not have had a national championship game for the ages, but she made some gutsy shots against ND. Why not make the sophomore leap? She should only get better.

Gabby Williams- Gabby also was the high scorer for UConn in one game. She showed signs time and time again and at times flirted with a double-digit scoring average. And she was only a freshman. I don't expect her to start next year, but whether she does or not, she could be a spark off the bench.

Courtney Ekmark- OK, Courtney did not shoot a good percentage from anywhere on the floor as a freshman. Having said that, I feel like she showed flashes of what she might be capable of. Moreover, she was hampered much of the year due to inury, and if her leg is intact all next season, she might just use it to make her sophomore leap.

Natalie Butler- She's got a height and a build that could make her hell on wheels next season. If her hands are decent or better, watch out.

Katie Lou Samuelson- Hey, she scored 30 a game at the high school level, and if you can shoot at one level, you often can shoot at the next. She's definitely someone who could provide the kind of spark off the bench even KML did as a frosh.

Saniya Chong- Look, she's struggled at times throughout her first two years as a Husky, but the kid shot 47% from the floor,, 37% from three-point land, and 74% from the stripe. No, she did not make a sophomore leap, but she could progress yet again as an upperclasswoman. If her already-efficient shooting improves incrementally, she could reach a tipping point and become a bona fide weapon.

And yes, we will also have Collier and Boykin. Perhaps the rich will get richer...

Anyway, given all of these names, who do you think will be the fourth scoring threat in place of KML? I'm not suggesting someone fully replaces Kaleena- just that she is able to complement Mo, Stewie, and Tuck on offense.

Alternatively, do you think there will be FIVE weapons on offense? Maybe even six? If there will be, the UConn Whack-a-moles, er, Huskies, could be good for undefeated NC #6...

 

[slug25]

Collier. Her ability to defend will get her playing time and her ability to score inside or outside will make her a threat. With all deference to KLS, I predict that Napheesa will emerge as the top newcomer.

 

[johnnyc]

Option 4.5.....combination of Nurse and Butler.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Collier. Her ability to defend will get her playing time and her ability to score inside or outside will make her a threat. With all deference to KLS, I predict that Napheesa will emerge as the top newcomer.

I second that notion.

 

[HGN]

Chong......Saniya will step in and become that 4th or even 5th scorer. I say 5th because I can see Nurse moving to the wing that will be vacated by KML . With Saniya moving into the starting lineup. Nurse on the wing gives the Huskies more athleticism and defense. And a little more speed in the lineup. Opening up a guard spot for Saniya.

 

[freekimchee]

<<< She'll slide right in on KML's old spot. I'd be surprised if she doesn't play a big role next season. Can't go wrong with a legit 6'3 shooter with a lighting quick trigger.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Chong.Saniya will step in and become that 4th or even 5th scorer. I say 5th because I can see Nurse moving to the wing that will be vacated by KML . With Saniya moving into the starting lineup. Nurse on the wing gives the Huskies more athleticism and defense. And a little more speed in the lineup. Opening up a guard spot for Saniya.

I strongly agree that this is a strong possibility. Though I salivate at the prospect of a frontcourt of Stewie, Butler, and Tuck, I can see Geno liking the speed lineup. And Kia is not exactly small--she could handle most small forwards UCONN would face.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

With the minutes situation, it's possible that there will not be a "fourth scorer" in the terms that you've set out. Could be more of a committee after the top-3.

 

[UcMiami]

Interesting because I would say that Uconn this year had a starting five that were all scoring threats - Nurse at 10.2 ppg and .486/.408/.722 (overall/3pt/FT) shooting percentages might have been the least poisonous of your options, but that is still painful. Add in three bench players with .637 (Gabby) .570 (Kiah) and .470/.366 (Chong) shooting percentage and you can see that even when starters left, the 'whack-a-mole' continued. (FYI - that is why the MOV was so high this year. You really had to wait till the last few minutes for Uconn's scoring efficiency to drop when the walk-ons appeared.)

So ... next year -
I expect the starting line-up to be Moriah, Kia, Morgan, Stewart, and ______. So the simple answer because your question is poor is that: Kia will continue to be a scoring threat. The better question is who will be the 5th scoring threat (otherwise known as the fifth starter) and who will be the scoring threats on the bench?

And to that question I really do not know the answer. I personally think to start the year Natalie will be starting and will provide that 5th scoring threat. But ... the team could evolve or Geno could choose starting line-ups based on opponent - Big front line - start Natalie; Guard oriented - start KLS or Chong or Collier.

But I would expect:
That Chong will not have a crisis of confidence next year and will have improved her shooting percentages.
That Gabby may not match her 60+% shooting next year as she incorporates more 15' shots in her rep - but she will still be above 50%
That Ekmark will have a much better year and we will see her HS form emerge in somewhat limited minutes
That Butler will like good bigs shoot above 50% from the field.
That KLS will bring her mojo from HS into college and be somewhere around .500/.400 from the field
That Collier will also bring her mojo though with stiffer competition may not maintain her close to 70% HS shooting average - maybe 55% for her freshman year.
I do not know enough about Boykin as she was injured for much of the year but ... maybe a little Kelly F role for her as defensive specialist and offensive facilitator? (In pulling stats for the Moriah Greatest? thread I was shocked to discover that in 2013 Faris was the leader in assists!)

So ... opponents better bring a lot of mallets because they aren't whacking just 4 scoring threats - I see 10!!!!

Channeling my inner Tony!

 

[mhshuskies]

Chong.Saniya will step in and become that 4th or even 5th scorer. I say 5th because I can see Nurse moving to the wing that will be vacated by KML . With Saniya moving into the starting lineup. Nurse on the wing gives the Huskies more athleticism and defense. And a little more speed in the lineup. Opening up a guard spot for Saniya.

No way, Butler starts.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think that Butler starts and she will be the 4th threat in that we'll pound the ball inside, but Kia may outscore her. I expect Nurse to increase her scoring average a bit.

I think, though, that we have 3-4 players who provide instant offense off the bench. Gabby may be the first choice with her explosive post-ups. Saniya will provide outside shooting. Lou will provide distance shooting and post-ups on mismatches. And Napheesa will just score from anywhere. I look for her to get breakaways, putbacks, and some midrange jumpers. She'll have a knack to be in the right place at the right time.

 

[mhshuskies]

By the end of next season how many players will be in the regular rotation (not just the last two minutes)? Will this be kind of a change for Geno trying to juggle player minutes?

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm not sure about the question. We're not goingto have many close games thus lineups will vary. So I'll go with who will be the leading scorer between KN, NB, GW, KLS, SC, CE, and NC.

KLS. When she comes in- probably off the bench, her shot is so smooth and so fast of a release and has such size to shoot- and it will be a lot of 3's. The whole team is going to look for her. Because she is a natural scorer from 3 while others are more "I'll shoot if I'm open 3" (or grinding 2 point scorers) of which KLS has such a quick release she will be "open enough" a lot. Not saying she will be our 4th best player. I just think when she comes in and her size is a factor on the perimeter for getting off her shot even if she is somewhat covered, she'll be a higher scorer than the aforementioned imo.

Note- I'm not saying KLS will be the top newcomer. That's why I'm not sure how to answer. But just for a pure scoring pov, I think KLS is a natural scorer especially if you give her picks and you run a lot.

 

[Geno-ista]

I'm

By the end of next season how many players will be in the regular rotation (not just the last two minutes)? Will this be kind of a change for Geno trying to juggle player minutes?

Geno will be allocating minutes, attempting to plan for the future seasons without Stewie and Mo Jef and possibly Tuck. I think Gabbie, Collier & KLS will get a lot of minutes- a lot!

 

[Geno-ista]

I'm not sure about the question. We're not goingto have many close games thus lineups will vary. So I'll go with who will be the leading scorer between KN, NB, GW, KLS, SC, CE, and NC.

KLS. When she comes in- probably off the bench, her shot is so smooth and so fast of a release and has such size to shoot- and it will be a lot of 3's. The whole team is going to look for her. Because she is a natural scorer from 3 while others are more "I'll shoot if I'm open 3" (or grinding 2 point scorers) of which KLS has such a quick release she will be "open enough" a lot. Not saying she will be our 4th best player. I just think when she comes in and her size is a factor on the perimeter for getting off her shot even if she is somewhat covered, she'll be a higher scorer than the aforementioned imo.

Note- I'm not saying KLS will be the top newcomer. That's why I'm not sure how to answer. But just for a pure scoring pov, I think KLS is a natural scorer especially if you give her picks and you run a lot.

She is the natural person to fill our 5 the starter and loss of a 3 pt ace!

 

[Geno-ista]

I think KLS becomes the 4th or 5 th leading scorer on next yr's team. She is the natural replacement to KML for our deadly deep threes.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Tuck will take KML's spot and Butler will start. Just my guess.

 

[UcMiami]

As for minutes - probably look to early 2001 as a good window: The roster:
Sveta, Ralph, Schumacher, Rigby
Bird, Williams, Jones, Cash
Johnson
DT, Valley, Battle, Conlon

Before Battle was injured in game 5 she averaged 10 minutes. Sveta went down in game 19 having average 24.5 up till then. Ralph made it to 30 games at 23.7
The rest average from a high for Sue at 27.7 to a group from 20-24 minutes in DT, Cash, Jones, and Williams to Kelly and Kenitra at 18 and 17 to Valley at 10 and Conlon at 7 to Rigny and Czel at 6.

 

[ndmb]

I'm surprised at the variety of answers. I think it's KLS and I don't think it's close. She might not start, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if KLS is our second or third leading scorer.

 

[jcoton56]

Once everyone prooves they can play defense, look for 40 minutes of hell type D with 3-4 subs at a time. We should reap lots of turovers and rebound well and see a lot of intelligent free flowing offense. We are absolutely grind people down with size and/or quickness. I can already hear the coaches yelling 'move your feet!'

 

[mhshuskies]

Once everyone prooves they can play defense, look for 40 minutes of hell type D with 3-4 subs at a time. We should reap lots of turovers and rebound well and see a lot of intelligent free flowing offense. We are absolutely grind people down with size and/or quickness. I can already hear the coaches yelling 'move your feet!'

You hit on the key for playing time for Geno. The ability to play defense leads to the amount of playing time.

 

[johnnyc]

I know the thread is about replacing KML's offensive output but you have to consider replacing rebounding also. KML provided some decent rebounding especially in her first two years. A front court of Stewart, Butler and Tuck with Williams off the bench is pretty formidable in that regard.

edit to add.....all four can also run the floor and won't bog down the offense.

 

[CocoHusky]

I understand the premise and am assuming you meant 4th scoring option. I'd like to turn that premise on it's head. The UCONN player that will get the opportunity to be both a starter and most minutes will be the best defender. That best defender will have an opportunity to put points on the board simply because they will be on the floor longer and UCONN is rarely in need of points. So I would say the order is Butler, Nurse, The Pheenom, KLS.

 

[Geno-ista]

Tuck will take KML's spot and Butler will start. Just my guess.

I understand the premise and am assuming you meant 4th scoring option. I'd like to turn that premise on it's head. The UCONN player that will get the opportunity to be both a starter and most minutes will be the best defender. That best defender will have an opportunity to put points on the board simply because they will be on the floor longer and UCONN is rarely in need of points. So I would say the order is Butler, Nurse, The Pheenom, KLS.

Coco- I totally disagree----as important as defense is with Geno- we have two really good on ball defenders, Stewie in the back and Tuck is a solid ut not prolific defender. Stokes came off the bench this season to help solidify defense, give down time to starters, and give us a different match up option. We need and will be replacing our KML opening with offense. Butler may be the starter. Which means Nurse will have to step up her offensive prowess- and she certainly shows the ability.
Gabby, KLS & Collier & Chong could easily be filling that scoring punch. I think our new prototypical center may be part of a large platooning of very capable players that will give us a lot of fresh legs and scoring punch from all directions and proximities on the court. I think we will see a very deep rotation regularly next year- right into and through the tmt---- He'll be making sure he knows who's ready to take over the reigns the following year when we lose a lot of star power. Just my opinion----its gonna be exciting. We will be more up tempo than ever next year.
And I think, he will really have the ability to press 40 minutes if he chooses to.

 

[chrissaran]

HoopsFan21, I agree that Natalie will start and Morgan moves to KML's spot. That doesn't mean there won't be playing time for Gabby, KLS, Napheesa and De'Janae, along with Saniya and Courtney. Gabby will be first off the bench, and depending on the other team's starting lineup, she may start if we need to go small and quicker. Napheesa and KLS will get the most minutes of the freshman. As far as I know, De'Janae only plays the 3 or 4. With Breanna, Morgan, Natalie, Gabby and Napheesa, minutes will be difficult to come by.