12/5 Notre Dame game without Butler

[HoopsFan21]

Yo Hoops - SO, Playing one year with a Championship team (and experiencing those intense extra games--even though the minutes were few in the big games) is not a definition of experience. Can't see your point on that. Of course, one year is not experienced as a senior bench player. Question- Besides Turner, who was another frosh from ND that has more experience than Gabby? Just asking!
Also, are you saying you would play a 3 guard system (with 2 being 5'7" or smaller) and the 3rd guard is an average defender. Just having Gabby in as a defender would be a good 5th starter. We know she can run, rebound, and post-up too. If not Gabby, that leaves the new freshman to start. (Chong response was answered) Seems like Gabby has more experience than them.
Finally, if Cable is the 5th starter I would take Gabby's short resume of experience and large athletic abilities over Cable. Cable has good attributes of hustle, intensity, & competitiveness--all are matched by UConn players and definitely by Gabby. I like UConn's options.

You mentioned that you wanted Gabby for her experience. Gabby has one year and one national championship of experience, and from what we saw last year couldn't hit the ocean if she was standing more than 5 feet away from it, never mind free throws which were always an adventure. Chong, on the other hand, has two years experience in the guard rotation and a short time as a starter, has been a part of two national title runs, and as we've seen can get hot from outside which is something this year's team will be lacking with KML's departure.

I like Gabby, but I don't know if she should start over a #1 recruit or a junior with twice the experience. The first thing I thought of when it was announced that Butler was out for the rest of the calendar year was let's try to recreate last year's magic as best as possible. The easiest way to do that it would seem is keep the starters from last year in their exact same position, and find someone that could play OK defense and shoot the 3 to replace KML. There are only 3 people on the team that are known for their 3 point shooting that aren't starting: Chong, Ekmark, and KLS. You can take Chong to be a 3rd guard, or KLS that can do what KML did in her freshman year and just worry about scoring. KLS could ultimately be KML with Kiah's height or as some have said more similar to Delle Donne. I say let KLS come in and be a scoring machine, and when she starts to hit that freshman wall, it will be about time for Butler to come back anyway. I know Geno says he doesn't like to start freshmen, but he seems to do it anyway, and I'd like to see what this new #1 recruit can do especially when we have an opening at her position.

 

[UcMiami]

Last night Geno when talking about Pat and the rise of Uconn, was asked, 'Ok, so who is your 'Geno'' And his immediate answer was Muffet, followed by the explanation that ND believes every minute of every day that they can beat Uconn, because they have proved they can.
I think that is as good an answer as he could have made and it points to why these games are usually so good. The only games they really were not in were the ones they played without Natalie in the NC and the game last year without Turner.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Yo Hoops - SO, Playing one year with a Championship team (and experiencing those intense extra games--even though the minutes were few in the big games) is not a definition of experience. Can't see your point on that. Of course, one year is not experienced as a senior bench player. Question- Besides Turner, who was another frosh from ND that has more experience than Gabby? Just asking!
Also, are you saying you would play a 3 guard system (with 2 being 5'7" or smaller) and the 3rd guard is an average defender. Just having Gabby in as a defender would be a good 5th starter. We know she can run, rebound, and post-up too. If not Gabby, that leaves the new freshman to start. (Chong response was answered) Seems like Gabby has more experience than them.
Finally, if Cable is the 5th starter I would take Gabby's short resume of experience and large athletic abilities over Cable. Cable has good attributes of hustle, intensity, & competitiveness--all are matched by UConn players and definitely by Gabby. I like UConn's options.

Every once and/in (is Kib listening?) a while I like to remind people that I can like a post without agreeing with it. A thoughtful, cogently argued post deserves a like.

 

[bballnut90]

UCONN by a pretty solid margin, they'll grab at double digit lead in the first half and it won't be competitive. Notre Dame still needs to figure out how to make up for the void left by Loyd and while they have a lot of horses, they aren't at the level of UCONN's. UCONN will have a healthy Stewart and essentially the same roster that played last year, but Collier/KLS slides in for KML.

Uconn barely used Stokes last year against ND and realistically they don't need Butler to man the post with Stewart inside.

Stewart against Turner will be a very good matchup, but Tuck will be fine handling Reimer. Taya can hit layups and short jumpers but is inconsistent with her midrange jumper, doesn't have a lot of post moves and has tanked against Uconn in all 3 match ups in her first two years. Unless she's drastically improved, it'll be all UCONN again.

 

[Go/huskies]

Uconn will win, not sure by how much though. It sounds like Gabby Williams has a lot to prove this season.

 

[donalddoowop]

Last night Geno when talking about Pat and the rise of Uconn, was asked, 'Ok, so who is your 'Geno'' And his immediate answer was Muffet, followed by the explanation that ND believes every minute of every day that they can beat Uconn, because they have proved they can.
I think that is as good an answer as he could have made and it points to why these games are usually so good. The only games they really were not in were the ones they played without Natalie in the NC and the game last year without Turner.

So many people talk about that game when ND did not have Natalie. Tuck did not play for UCONN. Even the announcers seem to forget that.

 

[HoopsFan21]

So many people talk about that game when ND did not have Natalie. Tuck did not play for UCONN. Even the announcers seem to forget that.

True, but Tuck was a bench player while Achonwa was a starter. The analog to the Achonwa loss would have been us losing Stef. Anyone think we win that game without Stef? Maybe we would have, but it would have been too close for my comfort.

 

[UcMiami]

So many people talk about that game when ND did not have Natalie. Tuck did not play for UCONN. Even the announcers seem to forget that.

What Hoopsfan21 said, but also the timing was very different - Natalie went out in the elite eight game so ND had little time to adjust what they had been doing for the past 5 months - they had a 'win one for the gipper' emotional win in the semis, but it is very hard to keep that emotional high for multiple games.
I am not saying they would have won and I am not saying they would have won last year with Turner playing, I don't think they would, but both of those games would likely have been much more competitive than they turned out in the second half.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The 2014 Championship could have been closer with Natalie A playing - more from her defense than from her offense. Turner in last December's game making a different, not so sure. Specifically, I think ND would have been hard pressed (pun intended) to use her effectively on the offense. Could the Huskies figure out and damp down Llyod with Turner inside? I don't see any correlation of the questions there. Maybe Turner gets a few offensive rebounds off Llyod misses, but could she get them all back up? I doubt it.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I think ND is absolutely terrific. Even when, on paper, they don't seem to have the horses UCONN does, Muffet coaches them incredibly well and they do a bangup job vs. UCONN (most of the time). If nothing else, they outplayed us for 2-3 years with Skyler, but the roles are reversed since Stewie and Mo have been at UCONN.

Also, when I looked at rosters past, ND always seemed to be much less athletic than UCONN, and I'd point that out heading up to the game (advantage UCONN). Oddly enough, watching the game closely, the mismatches and athletic advantage I expected to see results from didn't materialize. My point is, ND is so well coached and disciplined that they play terrific defense, great rotations and usually excellent help, and they do a terrific job limiting UCONN's strengths.

Having said all that...starters for ND - Turner, Reimer, Allen, Mabrey, and then...IMHO probably Cable. Westbeld to come off the bench, and probably at least 2 of the freshmen guards will see decent time as well (maybe all 3 of them). ND is like UCONN in that they lack big height in the post (Nelson and Thompson - 6'5" juniors, but vs. UCONN in the NC game as sophomores, they saw 0 minutes... unless they are vastly improved, not sure they will be used much).

I think people are underestimating Turner. Horrible 1st half, but let's be honest - she outplayed Stewie in the 2nd half. Played great defense on Stewie and outscored her. I'm not saying Turner is better, but as a freshman, she was just terrific and if she has as sophomore leap, watch out. I also think Allen was much better than I anticipated. Remember, it was fairly even in the 2nd half - UCONN only outscored them by 2.

On paper, Jefferson, a sophomore Nurse (sophomore leap too), Tuck and Stewie I think match up favorably, but it's closer than some people think. To me, the factor in the margin of victory will be how the 5th starters for each team do and how the benches help. I think UCONN is better there also with Williams, Chong, Collier, Samuelson and Boykin vs. Huffman, Westbeld, Patberg, Mabrey and Ogunbowale. Of course, in the NC game, KML, Tuck and Jefferson played all 40 minutes and Stewie played 39.

Yeah I know both teams have other players as well but I didn't mention them because I'm not sure they will even play in a big game like this, never mind make an impact. Having said that, I think UCONN wins at home by 12-15 points.

I like every word your wrote. Muffet is a good to great coach. Mabrey can be terrific from the 3. Cable is a hard nosed )(Doty Like) player. Turner is all you say, and probably more this year.
Uconn has a lot of weapons to use against ND--if foul trouble (which I expect Muffet will work hard at) or injuries doesn't raise it's terrible head. Allen can be very good, maybe not Loyd, but with her ND should miss Loyd less--and if any of their freshmen have an exceptional game. Who knows??
I thought Huffman hit what seemed like a bunch of 3's in the NC, Westbled is tough kid like Hammon from Louisville, Cable was lucky to score the winner against USC-but tough kid too. If ND is successful in their Flopping defense--ref's permitting--it could be a problem for UConn. If Uconn want's Big--Gabby, Collier, KLS, Boykin I suspect they will hold their own in any real scrap. To me Chong will serve as a relief sub for Kia and Moriah. So where does Courtney fit in all this??? Not on the bench I hope.
As another poster has written--Notre Dame always cause me to distress--but fun.

 

[BroadwayVa]

The 2014 Championship could have been closer with Natalie A playing - more from her defense than from her offense. Turner in last December's game making a different, not so sure. Specifically, I think ND would have been hard pressed (pun intended) to use her effectively on the offense. Could the Huskies figure out and damp down Llyod with Turner inside? I don't see any correlation of the questions there. Maybe Turner gets a few offensive rebounds off Llyod misses, but could she get them all back up? I doubt it.

Watching Achonwa, one of the First People, in the Pan Am's I then got more respect for her.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Watching Achonwa, one of the First People, in the Pan Am's I then got more respect for her.

What took you so long! She is a tough minded, admirable character. Now that she has graduated ND there is nothing not to like about this woman.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

You mentioned that you wanted Gabby for her experience. Gabby has one year and one national championship of experience, and from what we saw last year couldn't hit the ocean if she was standing more than 5 feet away from it, never mind free throws which were always an adventure. Chong, on the other hand, has two years experience in the guard rotation and a short time as a starter, has been a part of two national title runs, and as we've seen can get hot from outside which is something this year's team will be lacking with KML's departure.

I like Gabby, but I don't know if she should start over a #1 recruit or a junior with twice the experience. The first thing I thought of when it was announced that Butler was out for the rest of the calendar year was let's try to recreate last year's magic as best as possible. The easiest way to do that it would seem is keep the starters from last year in their exact same position, and find someone that could play OK defense and shoot the 3 to replace KML. There are only 3 people on the team that are known for their 3 point shooting that aren't starting: Chong, Ekmark, and KLS. You can take Chong to be a 3rd guard, or KLS tha t can do what KML did in her freshman year and just worry about scoring. KLS could ultimately be KML with Kiah's height or as some have said more similar to Delle Donne. I say let KLS come in and be a scoring machine, and when she starts to hit that freshman wall, it will be about time for Butler to come back anyway. I know Geno says he doesn't like to start freshmen, but he seems to do it anyway, and I'd like to see what this new #1 recruit can do especially when we have an opening at her position.

You are going where I am living on this. But, fact is, none of us have a clue about how much Gabby has grown, or Saniya or Courtney, etc etc. So, we are all engaged in wonderful speculation, but that it what it is, and there is no basis or reason to get snarky about it or put any player down to advance our position.

 

[BroadwayVa]

What took you so long! She is a tough minded, admirable character. Now that she has graduated ND there is nothing not to like about this woman.

Two things going for her--no longer ND, and on the Canadian National (in Canada they call her people First People or Aborginies--I prefer First People) My 10 multiple Grandma was a First People, most probably Wyndott or Mohawk. I liked that at ND she was a First People, but she was ND--with Diggins.

 

[HoopsFan21]

You are going where I am living on this. But, fact is, none of us have a clue about how much Gabby has grown, or Saniya or Courtney, etc etc. So, we are all engaged in wonderful speculation, but that it what it is, and there is no basis or reason to get snarky about it or put any player down to advance our position.

Not being snarky or putting anyone down. Everyone has their favorite players and wants them to play as much as possible, I get that. If someone wants Gabby as the 5th starter, they should articulate why. Experience can't be the reason, because there are players more qualified than her in that department. This upcoming season seems like the first one in a while where there really is no reason to tinker with the starting line up. There is no one better than Mo-Nurse--Stewie-Tuck. Put the returning starters in their spots, and figure out what to do with KML's position. Who on this team can play the wing? That's who you start in my opinion, or at least lean towards assuming said player isn't completely dogging it in practice. Also, I don't see why Chong gets such short shrift just because everyone has become enamored with the Gabulous One. I like Gabby too, but maybe Chong should get a look if you're not going to go with one of the freshmen? Chong at least has some experience starting, is also supposedly just as fast as Mo, and as I mentioned has proven that she can shoot from distance and the free throw line, plus has one more year of experience on Gabby. I also hope Pulido gets some decent time at the end of games this year as she graduates with Mo and Stewie.

 

[Carnac]

Stewart matches up well with Turner and Tuck matches up well with Reimer. UConn should be fine.

And....if need be, Tuck and Stewie can play the entire game.

 

[CL82]

Good thread. My thought is that Geno can beat you with his or beat his with yours. Butler's absence would be a huge loss if it right before the game, but this team will already have developed an identity without her. I'm confident that Geno will create match ups that give us an advantage.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Not being snarky or putting anyone down. Everyone has their favorite players and wants them to play as much as possible, I get that. If someone wants Gabby as the 5th starter, they should articulate why. Experience can't be the reason, because there are players more qualified than her in that department. This upcoming season seems like the first one in a while where there really is no reason to tinker with the starting line up. There is no one better than Mo-Nurse--Stewie-Tuck. Put the returning starters in their spots, and figure out what to do with KML's position. Who on this team can play the wing? That's who you start in my opinion, or at least lean towards assuming said player isn't completely dogging it in practice. Also, I don't see why Chong gets such short shrift just because everyone has become enamored with the Gabulous One. I like Gabby too, but maybe Chong should get a look if you're not going to go with one of the freshmen? Chong at least has some experience starting, is also supposedly just as fast as Mo, and as I mentioned has proven that she can shoot from distance and the free throw line, plus has one more year of experience on Gabby. I also hope Pulido gets some decent time at the end of games this year as she graduates with Mo and Stewie.

Saniya is a very competent sub-in at guard as far as I m concerned. If she gave Nurse a tussle I'd be very happy, though Kia is one of my favs. Like I said, you get no argument from me about the Gabulous Gabby being the beneficiary of a fan phenomenon.

 

[CocoHusky]

Not being snarky or putting anyone down. Everyone has their favorite players and wants them to play as much as possible, I get that. If someone wants Gabby as the 5th starter, they should articulate why. Experience can't be the reason, because there are players more qualified than her in that department. This upcoming season seems like the first one in a while where there really is no reason to tinker with the starting line up. There is no one better than Mo-Nurse--Stewie-Tuck. Put the returning starters in their spots, and figure out what to do with KML's position. Who on this team can play the wing? That's who you start in my opinion, or at least lean towards assuming said player isn't completely dogging it in practice. Also, I don't see why Chong gets such short shrift just because everyone has become enamored with the Gabulous One. I like Gabby too, but maybe Chong should get a look if you're not going to go with one of the freshmen? Chong at least has some experience starting, is also supposedly just as fast as Mo, and as I mentioned has proven that she can shoot from distance and the free throw line, plus has one more year of experience on Gabby. I also hope Pulido gets some decent time at the end of games this year as she graduates with Mo and Stewie.

No disrespect intended-strike that! How spoiled are we as a fans when we can afford to sweat minutes for Briana Pulido in her senior year. I love Brianna but I'm pretty sure she is not sweating her minutes-so why should we? We are "enamored" with the "Gabulous One" (That is a good Moniker by the way) because Gabby (in case you have not noticed ) has put up HISTORICAL levels of efficiency for a UCONN freshmen. Gabby earned every bit of the admiration we have given her.
Saniya gets such short shift because she is at times a defensive liability. Specifically she struggles to stay in from of her person and her rotations and closeouts on long jumpers are often late. Her occasional defensive lapses are correctable because she is a tremendous athlete. What may be harder to correct is the mental carry over to the offensive end of the floor.

 

[Tonyc]

With LLoyd gone someone is going to have to step up to take the pressure off Turner. Without Lloyd its all on Turner. Cable Mabrey can score but need to be open. Neither is quick. MoJeff and Nurse are very quick. Tuck and Stewie are established.

Gabby and Saniya need to prove themselves this season. Gabby needs to hit her outside shots and foul shots. Saniya does. I expect Saniya to break out this season and be a scorer. That's really scary. I don't see ND or any other team coming with in double digits of UConn and a lot of teams not coming within 20pts of UConn. This is a very established team with 3 1st team AAs. There aren't any weaknesses for UConn. Don't be surprised if UConn blows ND out. I mean that. Take a look at the defenses and you can see it. Barring in juries UConn is so far ahead of ND and everybody else its not close.

 

[HoopsFan21]

No disrespect intended-strike that! How spoiled are we as a fans when we can afford to sweat minutes for Briana Pulido in her senior year. I love Brianna but I'm pretty sure she is not sweating her minutes-so why should we? We are "enamored" with the "Gabulous One" (That is a good Moniker by the way) because Gabby (in case you have not noticed ) has put up HISTORICAL levels of efficiency for a UCONN freshmen. Gabby earned every bit of the admiration we have given her.
Saniya gets such short shift because she is at times a defensive liability. Specifically she struggles to stay in from of her person and her rotations and closeouts on long jumpers are often late. Her occasional defensive lapses are correctable because she is a tremendous athlete. What may be harder to correct is the mental carry over to the offensive end of the floor.

Pulido and T have put in a lot of effort and time for this team. If you recall, there have been times when the team was down to just 8 scholarship players. If we gave away some bench minutes to Pulido this year as a tribute to her hard work I'd be OK with that in the same way that Heather Buck got her two minutes in the 2013 title game. Gabby can't shoot free throws or make baskets reliably from more than 5 feet away, so that's a non-starter in my opinion. Maybe she got a lot better over the summer, who knows. If we had Maya or Stewie on the bench, would you consider starting Gabby over either one of them? I don't think I would, and I'm not sure why we would treat KLS any differently. If you've got the best recruit in the country, and you have a spot to stick them, you do it and ask questions later.

 

[CocoHusky]

Gabby can't shoot free throws or make baskets reliably from more than 5 feet away, so that's a non-starter in my opinion. If we had Maya or Stewie on the bench, would you consider starting Gabby over either one of them? I don't think I would, and I'm not sure why we would treat KLS any differently. If you've got the best recruit in the country, and you have a spot to stick them, you do it and ask questions later.

It is awful funny how you focus on the things that Gabby CAN'T do to justify who starts and refuse to acknowledge the things that Saniya can't do or does poorly.
I hope this was not a serious question:" If we had Maya or Stewie on the bench, would you consider starting Gabby over either one of them? " or that you think KLS is either Maya or Stewie. I also feel compelled to remind you as good as Maya and Stewie were neither started day 1 at UCONN. If we are to continue this debate I have a question for you. Who kept Maya and Stewie out of the starting line up on Day 1 when they were both Freshmen?

 

[HoopsFan21]

It is awful funny how you focus on the things that Gabby CAN'T do to justify who starts and refuse to acknowledge the things that Saniya can't do or does poorly.
I hope this was not a serious question:" If we had Maya or Stewie on the bench, would you consider starting Gabby over either one of them? " or that you think KLS is either Maya or Stewie. I also feel compelled to remind you as good as Maya and Stewie were neither started day 1 at UCONN. If we are to continue this debate I have a question for you. Who kept Maya and Stewie out of the starting line up on Day 1 when they were both Freshmen?

KLS could be Maya or Stewie. We don't know. All we know is she's the top recruit in the country, often compared to Delle Donne, that everyone wanted the same way Maya and Stewie were wanted, and Geno landed her. We do know that Gabby and Chong are not Maya or Stewie. The more important thing is we need a 3. Who better to play the 3 than the #1 recruit in the country that actually does play that position versus another player that does not or would not be as effective? By the way, Stewie started from day 1. I believe the first game of the 2012-13 season was a blowout of College of Charleston, and I'm pretty sure she started that game alongside Stef, KML, Kelly, and CD. That was the lost Bria year where she had her ankle issues and didn't get going until the second half of the season, so an injury to a projected starter allowed a certain top incoming recruit to start. Sound familiar?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Two things going for her--no longer ND, and on the Canadian National (in Canada they call her people First People or Aborginies--I prefer First People) My 10 multiple Grandma was a First People, most probably Wyndott or Mohawk. I liked that at ND she was a First People, but she was ND--with Diggins.

Really, Aboriginies... sure it is not Indigenous?

 

[Kibitzer]

Every once and/in (is Kib listening?) a while I like to remind people that I can like a post without agreeing with it. A thoughtful, cogently argued post deserves a like.

Of course I am listening, and you of all people should know that I occasionally bestow a "like" on a thoughtful cogently argued post with which I disagree.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Really, Aboriginies... sure it is not Indigenous?

No if you read the Canadian history of the First People or their legal descriptions they say First People or Aborigines. Aborigines make me think of Australia. Not my most favorite description.
I, by design, real a lot of Canadian histories, legal acts of the Metis or other First People, Louis Real
(ree Al) a Metis (A French Canadian who married a Native/First People woman)--now loosely attributed those who can trace their heritage back to the "Regiment" or Fil du Roi or both.

 

[CocoHusky]

KLS could be Maya or Stewie. We don't know. All we know is she's the top recruit in the country, often compared to Delle Donne, that everyone wanted the same way Maya and Stewie were wanted, and Geno landed her. We do know that Gabby and Chong are not Maya or Stewie. The more important thing is we need a 3. Who better to play the 3 than the #1 recruit in the country that actually does play that position versus another player that does not or would not be as effective? By the way, Stewie started from day 1. I believe the first game of the 2012-13 season was a blowout of College of Charleston, and I'm pretty sure she started that game alongside Stef, KML, Kelly, and CD. That was the lost Bria year where she had her ankle issues and didn't get going until the second half of the season, so an injury to a projected starter allowed a certain top incoming recruit to start. Sound familiar?

KLS could be Maya or Stewie- still does mean she gets to start in this situation.
We do know that Gabby and Chong are not Maya or Stewie- I'm not worried about that, I like both as they are and the role they play at UCONN.
Who better to play the 3 than the #1 recruit in the country that actually does play that position versus another player that does not or would not be as effective?
Well for starters I like the person who played the 3 for UCONN a lot last year-Tuck. We also have a pretty good recruit coming in that can play the 3 -last name is Collier. Gabby could play some 3. Boykin can play some 3.
KLS may very well be the best choice for starting at the 3-I predicted that. If she is the starter it will be because she has earned it. If she earns it it will be well earned and not because she was the #1 in the class. Not even South Carolina was silly enough to do what you are suggesting when they got the #1 recruit last year. Yea I can see it now Geno and Dawn both saying, "We have a starting spot open since you KLS and A'ja were #1 in the class that spot is yours".

 

[HoopsFan21]

KLS could be Maya or Stewie- still does mean she gets to start in this situation.
We do know that Gabby and Chong are not Maya or Stewie- I'm not worried about that, I like both as they are and the role they play at UCONN.
Who better to play the 3 than the #1 recruit in the country that actually does play that position versus another player that does not or would not be as effective?
Well for starters I like the person who played the 3 for UCONN a lot last year-Tuck. We also have a pretty good recruit coming in that can play the 3 -last name is Collier. Gabby could play some 3. Boykin can play some 3.
KLS may very well be the best choice for starting at the 3-I predicted that. If she is the starter it will be because she has earned it. If she earns it it will be well earned and not because she was the #1 in the class. Not even South Carolina was silly enough to do what you are suggesting when they got the #1 recruit last year. Yea I can see it now Geno and Dawn both saying, "We have a starting spot open since you KLS and A'ja were #1 in the class that spot is yours".

Tuck was not the 3 last year. She was the 5. Basically our center. A spot that Butler would occupy if she weren't injured. The ironic thing is if Butler did start it would create some chaos in the starting line up. Tuck would have to slide over to the 3 in order to remain in the starting line up. Or maybe she goes to the 4 and Stewie is the 3. I do think people overestimate the earning it in practice thing. I mean if you were to look at it statistically, eventually someone that's not a highly regarded recruit but practices hard would start, but that never seems to be the case at UConn does it? The easy answer is that Geno starts the most skilled players, like every other coach in America, and not the ones who necessarily practice the hardest. Go take a look at the starting lineups over the past five years. There's some striking consistency there. Do you honestly believe that not one of those players were ever surpassed by someone in practice? The relatively large sample size tells me even a bench player outplays a starter in practice every now and again, and maybe more often than you'd want to believe, so why not a sample of starting line ups to match reality? Because Geno plays the best kids. Always has, always will, despite what sounds good on teevee.

 

[CocoHusky]

Tuck was not the 3 last year. She was the 5. Basically our center. A spot that Butler would occupy if she weren't injured. The ironic thing is if Butler did start it would create some chaos in the starting line up. Tuck would have to slide over to the 3 in order to remain in the starting line up. Or maybe she goes to the 4 and Stewie is the 3. I do think people overestimate the earning it in practice thing. I mean if you were to look at it statistically, eventually someone that's not a highly regarded recruit but practices hard would start, but that never seems to be the case at UConn does it? The easy answer is that Geno starts the most skilled players, like every other coach in America, and not the ones who necessarily practice the hardest. Go take a look at the starting lineups over the past five years. There's some striking consistency there. Do you honestly believe that not one of those players were ever surpassed by someone in practice? The relatively large sample size tells me even a bench player outplays a starter in practice every now and again, and maybe more often than you'd want to believe, so why not a sample of starting line ups to match reality? Because Geno plays the best kids. Always has, always will, despite what sounds good on teevee.

Geno plays the best kids, the best kids are those that are most skilled, work the hardest in practice, & perform in games- regardless of where they where ranked in a HS class. See Stephanie Dolson's picture right next to the definition of best and consult Tina Charles about the importance of working hard in practice.

 

[donalddoowop]

True, but Tuck was a bench player while Achonwa was a starter. The analog to the Achonwa loss would have been us losing Stef. Anyone think we win that game without Stef? Maybe we would have, but it would have been too close for my comfort.

Tuck would not have been a bench player in her sophomore year if she had not been hurt.