2014/2015 STARTING 5?

[semper]

What is really interesting to me is that we have more depth and potential talent (esp. if Tuck comes roaring back) than we have had in several years. If we don't have more serious injuries (fingers crossed) then lines ups will depend on mixing and matching perhaps more than Geno has had the luxury to effect in recent years. And then it won't just be about who starts. Equally interesting will be how many minutes per position, in the mix and matching after the starting five start switching around. And then, as we all know, how people do in practice will be the golden determinant, as always. Minutes are earned. But it's wonderful to have so many potential earners.

 

[Kibitzer]

Has anyone seen Nurse play?

Has anyone seen Gabby Williams play?

Has anybody (except Geno and his staff) seen all of these players play? Even one or two? Or are we seriously comparing their skills (in high school) to one another or to returning players?

Having got that out of the way, the "who starts" depends on Morgan Tuck. If she is ready she will start with KML, Stewie, Moriah and Kiah. If not, someone else will join those four in the starting lineup. Geno will favor Banks or Chong early in the season. He will adjust as needed once the season gets underway.

In the interest of full disclosure, I confess to not yet seeing any of these incoming freshmen play. Therefore, it is impossible for me to evaluate them.

 

[Icebear]

Geno doesn't start freshmen unless he absolutely has to, or unless they're an All-Universe talent.

Taurasi, Moore, and Stewart all started their freshmen year on the bench.

 

[xHunt3r]

Taurasi, Moore, and Stewart all started their freshmen year on the bench.

To add to that KML lead the team in scoring as a freshman while playing 28 minutes a game... started 1 game. It's highly unlikely any of the freshman get to start next year.

 

[Suebird10fan]

The correct answer is ... no duck*ing idea. It could be almost any of the other scholarship players, although one has to acknowledge Icebear's point about Geno's tendency not to start freshmen. Bottom line though this is almost impossible to predict. As the Fed likes to say, the answer will be data (gathered at practices this fall) dependent.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Having got that out of the way, the "who starts" depends on Morgan Tuck. If she is ready she will start with KML, Stewie, Moriah and Kiah.

Zero percent chance that the starting lineup has KML at the 2. That's way not enough ballhandling, and way too crowded in the paint.

Tuck will come off the bench this year and get significant minutes, dependent somewhat on how Kiah performs. We may be a tad undersized with Stewie/Tuck at the 4/5 when Kiah sits, but that shouldn't be a huge problem.

 

[Kibitzer]

Zero percent chance that the starting lineup has KML at the 2. That's way not enough ballhandling, and way too crowded in the paint.

Only here, on this Boneyard, would I learn of Kaleena's inadequacies as a ballhandler.

 

[dtbtbtb]

It's possible that Geno will start Tuck over Kiah and have Kiah as the 6th person

 

[connboy77]

It's possible that Geno will start Tuck over Kiah and have Kiah as the 6th person

That is not going to happen and besides Kiah has earned the right to start!

 

[Tenspro2002]

Only here, on this Boneyard, would I learn of Kaleena's inadequacies as a ballhandler.

I should be more clear. It's not that KML is a weak ballhandler. It's that by having her at the 2, you're taking a ballhandler off the floor and inserting another post player (which we don't need).

 

[Shenandoah]

All I know is, Geno will have his most challenging year coaching, yet! As everyone knows, you never know what you will get from freshmen. To have 4 that you are counting on pretty heavily to fill substantial minutes, combined with questions as to whether Kiah will develop an offensive game over the summer, AND will Morgan Tuck be back at full strength, is going to interesting to say the least. His job (which he does better than anyone in WCBB) is to find out, and put the players on the floor that are "on" that night. It will be both fun, nerve racking and ultimately exhilarating! Remember Kiah Stokes said "We're not done, yet"!!!

 

[doggydaddy]

It would help if a poster would state whether it's who they would start or if it's who Geno would start.

With two returning guards to join Jefferson in Banks and Chong, there is no reason for Geno to start a freshman in the backcourt. And he has shown that he needs a reason (injury, etc.) to do that.

 

[Aluminny69]

Taurasi, Moore, and Stewart all started their freshmen year on the bench.

Why do I have to keep reminding Bone yarders that both Ann Strother AND Nicole Wolff started their very first game. Ann started every game her freshman year ( except senior night) and Nicole started until she was injured. Granted four starting seniors had left, but there were returnees ( e.g. Ashley Battle and Maria Conlon) who could have started. So, do not dismiss freshmen.

 

[Orangutan]

As an outsider, I thought the obvious answer was Chong. For whatever that's worth.

 

[Icebear]

Why do I have to keep reminding Bone yarders that both Ann Strother AND Nicole Wolff started their very first game. Ann started every game her freshman year ( except senior night) and Nicole started until she was injured. Granted four starting seniors had left, but there were returnees ( e.g. Ashley Battle and Maria Conlon) who could have started. So, do not dismiss freshmen.

And they needed to neither Battle or Conlon fit the need for size.

 

[Aluminny69]

And they needed to neither Battle or Conlon fit the need for size.

Well, after Wolff was injured, Conlon started for the rest of the season. Battle was first off the bench, won defensive player of the year in the Big East, I believe...

 

[Icebear]

Well, after Wolff was injured, Conlon started for the rest of the season. Battle was first off the bench, won defensive player of the year in the Big East, I believe...

Exactly. Was Battle's DPY the next year? Both Wolff and Strother were bringing much needed needed size.

 

[WesternPaFan]

At 2,Gabby Williams,She is ND Loyd but better!!Of course she must be healthy.

 

[winlots]

That is not going to happen and besides Kiah has earned the right to start!

CONN: wouldn't be TOO sure about that "not going to happen." Also, I'd be interested in how you think Kiah "has earned the right to start,".....and in how you would contrast her "earning" to that of Tuck? Primarily seniority or some other dimensions? I'm not "anti-Kiah" at all and hope she has a fantastic senior year, for the team, for us as fans, and for herself.....but hard for me to think of someone else on the current squad who has been perceived, by staff and fans, as having under-achieved as dramatically in terms of performance and effort as Kiah. Guess that is why I'm curious about your use of the term "earned" and how you look at that.

 

[doggydaddy]

CONN: wouldn't be TOO sure about that "not going to happen." Also, I'd be interested in how you think Kiah "has earned the right to start,".....and in how you would contrast her "earning" to that of Tuck? Primarily seniority or some other dimensions? I'm not "anti-Kiah" at all and hope she has a fantastic senior year, for the team, for us as fans, and for herself.....but hard for me to think of someone else on the current squad who has been perceived, by staff and fans, as having under-achieved as dramatically in terms of performance and effort as Kiah. Guess that is why I'm curious about your use of the term "earned" and how you look at that.

I think the underachieving rap is long gone. She gave Geno and the team exactly what they needed from her.

I think based on that, she will get every opportunity to be the starting center.

 

[connboy77]

CONN: wouldn't be TOO sure about that "not going to happen." Also, I'd be interested in how you think Kiah "has earned the right to start,".....and in how you would contrast her "earning" to that of Tuck? Primarily seniority or some other dimensions? I'm not "anti-Kiah" at all and hope she has a fantastic senior year, for the team, for us as fans, and for herself.....but hard for me to think of someone else on the current squad who has been perceived, by staff and fans, as having under-achieved as dramatically in terms of performance and effort as Kiah. Guess that is why I'm curious about your use of the term "earned" and how you look at that.

Early in the season when both KML and Morgan Tuck were injured Kiah stepped in and did a great job. I'm not sure UCONN would have beat Maryland without her. This year Kiah has been very steady and dependable. She has also turned into one of the best defensive players in the country. She is also a tremendous rebounder. I love Morgan and she is a great player when healthy, but it is my opinion that she would be more valuable coming off the bench.

 

[Scotter]

Has anybody (except Geno and his staff) seen all of these players play? Even one or two? Or are we seriously comparing their skills (in high school) to one another or to returning players?

In this day in age it is actually reasonably easy to see recruits play. I've seen all four incoming recruits play in games, which is what you have to see not highlight tapes And it doesn't take much to get an understanding of how players play the game and their talent level, and how that projects to the next level and particularly UConn's system.

 

[Kibitzer]

In this day in age it is actually reasonably easy to see recruits play. I've seen all four incoming recruits play in games, which is what you have to see not highlight tapes And it doesn't take much to get an understanding of how players play the game and their talent level, and how that projects to the next level and particularly UConn's system.

I believe you when you say it's easy to see recruits and that you have done so. I also believe that the bulk of speculation on this board is based on sketchy and not always reliable news accounts, evaluations by rating services, rumor, hearsay, and daydreams, in that approximate order. N.B.: No "eye test."

 

[Aluminny69]

Exactly. Was Battle's DPY the next year? Both Wolff and Strother were bringing much needed needed size.

All four incoming freshmen are taller than all returning guards. By your reasoning, at least one of them should start, just for their size. Or, maybe you believe that, because we have Stewart, we have enough size. Although KML is not exactly tall for the 3 slot.

Personally, I think Geno will start who he and his staff think are the five best, regardless of whether they are freshmen or not.

For those who keep track of such things, how many years has the starting five for the NCAA tournament matched the starting five at the start of the year? I'm thinking, not that many times....

 

[winlots]

Early in the season when both KML and Morgan Tuck were injured Kiah stepped in and did a great job. I'm not sure UCONN would have beat Maryland without her. This year Kiah has been very steady and dependable. She has also turned into one of the best defensive players in the country. She is also a tremendous rebounder. I love Morgan and she is a great player when healthy, but it is my opinion that she would be more valuable coming off the bench.

CON; Good points. Well taken. Thanks for spelling them out.

 

[winlots]

In this day in age it is actually reasonably easy to see recruits play. I've seen all four incoming recruits play in games, which is what you have to see not highlight tapes And it doesn't take much to get an understanding of how players play the game and their talent level, and how that projects to the next level and particularly UConn's system.

SCOT: have you already posted your evaluations of these four on another thread? If not, or even if so, would you summarize them here? Would be of great interest, I'm sure.

 

[Geno-ista]

But Nurse has not played within UCONN's offensive and defensive schemes. She will begin games on the bench watching unless an injury forces Geno's hand. God forbid.

I think that's it in a nutshell- I think Banks will be given every opportunity to start, as a lefty and upperclassman, and Nurse looks to be the first shot of adrenaline off the bench as a freshman. I think Gabby could have been that immediately except for the injury. If Tuck was totally healthy, I think Kiah would be subbing for Stewie and Tuck and occasionally KML if he wanted to go really big. Hopefully Tuck will be able to fill that same back up role sooner than later- and then compete for more minutes. I think they will be very slow and cautious bring her along, unfortunately. Ekmark is someone who is mature beyond her years- she will see a lot of playing time early I think behind KML!

 

[AnotherVolFan]

My starting 5
Pg-MoJeff
Sg-KML
Sf-Tuck (if healthy)
Pf-BS
C-Kiah S

I see this being a deep team for UCONN, thin in the post but the guard rotation will be something serious...especially if GabbyW is as good as I've seen and I wouldn't sleep on Nurse either....Achonwa's international experience was huge imo

 

[AnotherVolFan]

O and Ms. Ekmark I believe will also see a lot of playing time....she shoots close to KML % her sophmore year from 3....this upcoming season for you guys....this girl can SHOOT! Best shooter in the class IMO...will Kourtney Dunbar (Tenn) a close 2nd.

 

[Icebear]

All four incoming freshmen are taller than all returning guards. By your reasoning, at least one of them should start, just for their size. Or, maybe you believe that, because we have Stewart, we have enough size. Although KML is not exactly tall for the 3 slot.

Personally, I think Geno will start who he and his staff think are the five best, regardless of whether they are freshmen or not.

For those who keep track of such things, how many years has the starting five for the NCAA tournament matched the starting five at the start of the year? I'm thinking, not that many times....

No, that year the height was more needed.