1 of 3 for Serah Williams

[Cuango]

I am confident that both Jana and Ice will be much better next season and that we will be a top contender for the title regardless of whether we sign anyone from the portal. However, if we have the opportunity to get a player like Serah that Geno thinks will fit into our culture then we’d be foolish not to do it. Getting a 19 & 10 player who is also a defensive force in the paint could change this team from a juggernaut to a JUGGERNAUT! All we can do is hope.

 

[ERWUC65]

I am confident that both Jana and Ice will be much better next season and that we will be a top contender for the title regardless of whether we sign anyone from the portal. However, if we have the opportunity to get a player like Serah that Geno thinks will fit into our culture then we’d be foolish not to do it. Getting a 19 & 10 player who is also a defensive force in the paint could change this team from a juggernaut to a JUGGERNAUT! All we can do is hope.

I expect we will know everything about Jana this next year as she will get all the best coaching and physical training available this summer due to her family connections (her dad will make it so). Ice now, at 2 years of pretty much the same, is still not a 5 and is not a great 4, but is valuable for minutes off the bench. Ayanna is the question mark, assume she will be finally healthy, how much has she lost not playing UConn competitive BB? So my question is: is there more need in the paint or more need at PG for next year?

 

[jeff30189]

I am confident that both Jana and Ice will be much better next season and that we will be a top contender for the title regardless of whether we sign anyone from the portal. However, if we have the opportunity to get a player like Serah that Geno thinks will fit into our culture then we’d be foolish not to do it. Getting a 19 & 10 player who is also a defensive force in the paint could change this team from a juggernaut to a JUGGERNAUT! All we can do is hope.

Based on what? I hope you're correct. I hope they BOTH get much better next season. Heck, I'd be overjoyed if just one of them gets alot better next season. But with UConn's injury history and the fact that there are 2 open scholarships, you don't pass up a 19/10 legitimate proven senior post player if you can get her.

 

[oldhusky]

As we have found out this year having a deep and versatile bench allows Geno to change the game flow and to field different types of lineups. Without adding anyone we have a deep group but adding Serah may allow more flexibility and allow Jana to continue to develop without pressure to play all the time.

The ability to adjust and change lineups also includes the ability to have a true 5 on the floor more more than half the game. Jana averaged less than 20 minutes a game, and the rest of the time we were using more of a 4 at the 5, in Sarah or Ice. If you choose to go small ball, that is one thing, but I would argue Williams would give us the option of playing a 5 at the 5 the whole game if Geno wants to.

Assuming Gandy may not be ready for prime time minutes from the start, Geno cannot play a 5 at the 5 the whole game with the current roster without someone like Williams. In addition if nobody makes a big advance from Ice, and Ayanna, Williams can also be used some at the 4, in a potential three big rotation similar to Liv, Aaliyah, and Dorka a few years ago.

 

[oldude]

There seems to be a lot of concern about the 5 spot at UConn, which seems strange, since the majority of the season UConn had someone playing that position who was the best and most effective 5 in the country, when she played the 5, and she’s here for another 3 seasons….

 

[Lambeau]

Jana was outstanding against Lauren Betts, but the need for another 5 until she can do that consistently is obvious.

 

[HuskyNan]

There seems to be a lot of concern about the 5 spot at UConn, which seems strange, since the majority of the season UConn had someone playing that position who was the best and most effective 5 in the country, when she played the 5, and she’s here for another 3 seasons….

How much more effective can Sarah be if she’s freed up to play her natural position? She played in the post out of necessity this year but it’s not where she wants to be or should be in order to develop as a wing for the WNBA

 

[DemonDeac22]

How much more effective can Sarah be if she’s freed up to play her natural position? She played in the post out of necessity this year but it’s not where she wants to be or should be in order to develop as a wing for the WNBA

Agree. Jana was neither efficient nor effective as a 5 for most of the season where she hit double-digits in points only 5 times out of 40 games because she barely shot over 50% from the field and the free throw line and her minutes were limited due to constant foul trouble. We need a seasoned 5 in this coming year to allow Jana to continue to develop and to give her an opportunity to gain experience as a 4.

 

[oldude]

How much more effective can Sarah be if she’s freed up to play her natural position? She played in the post out of necessity this year but it’s not where she wants to be or should be in order to develop as a wing for the WNBA

Yes of course. But that’s not really my point. UConn’s “small lineup” devastated opponents throughout the season, including both UCLA & SC. Betts was the best “true” center in the country, and she put up 26 against the Huskies. But on defense she was lost against UConn’s small lineup, either standing around in the paint while Sarah stepped out to knock down 3’s, or she was chasing around Sarah on the perimeter while UConn’s guards attacked the basket.

This was not the first time Geno baffled opponents by using a smaller, athletic player in the post. Gabby, at 5’11”, played 2 seasons essentially as UConn’s “point center” earning AA honors in the process.

While I would love to see Serah Williams in a Husky jersey next season and I am confident that both Jana & Ice will continue to develop their games, I seriously doubt that we’ve seen the last of Sarah at the 5. Opponents have no idea how to defend against it.

 

[donalddoowop]

With what they have, UConn beat teams with very good post players. USC, Oklahoma, SC, and UCLA all in the national tournament. UCLA and Oklahoma had two of the best post players in the country. I hope we get Serah, but Geno proved it is not absolutely necessary. For some reason there are a number of posters who believe neither Jana nor Ice will improve. That is unrealistic to me. However, their improvement or the addition of Serah will allow Strong to play her normal position and really be free to shine.

 

[Bone Dog]

With what they have, UConn beat teams with very good post players. USC, Oklahoma, SC, and UCLA all in the national tournament. UCLA and Oklahoma had two of the best post players in the country. I hope we get Serah, but Geno proved it is not absolutely necessary. For some reason there are a number of posters who believe neither Jana nor Ice will improve. That is unrealistic to me. However, their improvement or the addition of Serah will allow Strong to play her normal position and really be free to shine.

I share your sentiment completely. But allow me to tease you a bit: Sarah has a normal position?

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Well now that Kate Koval committed to LSU I am strongly confident in our chances with Sarah W.

Hopefully that means that LSU had no chance with Serah!

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I share your sentiment completely. But allow me to tease you a bit: Sarah has a normal position?

Yes, EVERYWHERE, and anywhere. I'm looking forward to Sarah winning Gold in 3x3 for years to come - both Worlds and Olympics. I believe she is extremely good vs. the 12 second clock.

Go Huskies!!!

 

[cancontent]

Hopefully that means that LSU had no chance with Serah!

Go Huskies!!!

LSU need more bigs than just Koval. She doesn't replace Morrow or Smith who are more athletic. Love the enthusiasm, but it's too soon to write them off just yet.

 

[Bone Dog]

Does anyone know exactly why Serah is transferring? Obviously, the departure of the coach is a factor. But is that all there is to know? The only thing I've heard is that she is a nursing student.
We know she's a really good player, but do we know what sort of ambitions that brings with it?

• It can't be that she wants even more playing time. If she did, she likely wouldn't pick UConn.
• Does she want a shot at an NC? Then UConn looks like an obvious choice.
• If it's NIL, LSU might be a more obvious choice.
• Does she want to play in the W? If so, UConn isn't the only obvious choice.
• If Marissa Mosely has any influence, that might point her to UConn, but it's certainly not a sure thing.

I'm just surprised how little we know about what is motivating her.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I hope BOTH Sarah & Kayleigh have seen enough of the family atmosphere, seemingly multiple generations of Champions: NCAA, WNBA, Olympic, FIBA Worlds, and now 3x3, to know that Geno, CD & company produce Champions as well as character development for a lifetime beyond sports. They know that they can always "come home" to where the Champions are crowned: "Stores, the Basketball Capitol of the Universe!"

Hopefully, they (Sarah & Kayleigh) can be "all in" on a positive decision to join the Huskies for a run to back-to-back Championships! Just like when Stewie, Morgan, and Mo Jeff allowed UConn to blow past Pat Summitt's record of 8 Championships, this next year's edition can add to the record of passing UCLA's 11 total Championships (all men's with ten by John Wooden).

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

LSU need more bigs than just Koval. She doesn't replace Morrow or Smith who are more athletic. Love the enthusiasm, but it's too soon to write them off just yet.

Au contraire, I can write them (LSU) off way early. Writing off Kim started when she showed up in Waco. It just wasn't effective many years, and particularly four times (Baylor (3) & LSU(1))!

The good news: Geno & CD have 3x the Championships!!!

Go Huskies 1000x!!!

 

[cancontent]

Au contraire, I can write them (LSU) off way early. Writing off Kim started when she showed up in Waco. It just wasn't effective many years, and particularly four times (Baylor (3) & LSU(1))!

The good news: Geno & CD have 3x the Championships!!!

Go Huskies 1000x!!!

Fair enough, but writing them off based on the assumption LSU is done because they got Koval isn't accurate. Especially when you look at how Mulkey has crafted her rosters over the last few years.

 

[BobbyJ]

Does anyone know exactly why Serah is transferring? Obviously, the departure of the coach is a factor. But is that all there is to know? The only thing I've heard is that she is a nursing student.
We know she's a really good player, but do we know what sort of ambitions that brings with it?

• It can't be that she wants even more playing time. If she did, she likely wouldn't pick UConn.
• Does she want a shot at an NC? Then UConn looks like an obvious choice.
• If it's NIL, LSU might be a more obvious choice.
• Does she want to play in the W? If so, UConn isn't the only obvious choice.
• If Marissa Mosely has any influence, that might point her to UConn, but it's certainly not a sure thing.

I'm just surprised how little we know about what is motivating her.

Why would you be surprised? I haven't seen any of these transfers discussing their motivations publicly. They probably rightly think that it's nobody else's business.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Fair enough, but writing them off based on the assumption LSU is done because they got Koval isn't accurate. Especially when you look at how Mulkey has crafted her rosters over the last few years.

Understand. Kim was able to just "dump" most of her inherited roster in the first two years, and gain a Championship through the portal. I am just rooting against her as much as I can.

She is tenacious as a bobcat, including her "nine lives" - must be her PG style from Louisiana Tech days...

Now, with the improved SEC competition, she gets the SOS boost regardless of the creampuffs she schedules for the OOC part of the schedule.

Go Huskies!!!