2014/2015 STARTING 5?

[Geno-ista]

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

If Tuck hadn't been hurt, Kiah would have struggled to get her minutes. Just spelling Dolson and Stewie occasionally, and playing when the games were over. Not a knock on Kiah.

 

[Zorro]

When it gets down to the nitty-gritty, how many players does Geno use as his core rotation? Seven, eight at the max. (Sometimes only six.) And who does he have returning? Four inside players, and three guards. Five starters and two off the bench. While neither Saniya nor BB is a "true point guard", either of them can handle it for a stretch while MoJet gets a little breather. Unless Geno has given up on her completely, Banks will start and Saniya will be the third guard off the bench. Stewie, KML and Kiah will start and Morgan will get LOTS of playing time, God willing. While I am sure that all four frosh have tremendous potential (otherwise they wouldn't be here!), I don't think it is likely that, bar injury, any of them will play a signiicant role in the final battles. They will all get some pt in the first part of the season, but when it comes to crunch time, it will be the vets who know the system who will be out there winning number 10. I'm looking for both Kiah and BB to end their UConn careers in spectacular fashion, and Saniya to astound. The four frosh will just have to wait and watch and learn, which I don't think will either surprise or disappoint them. Be of good cheer, y'all.

 

[Geno-ista]

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.

Geno normally likes a shot of adrenaline coming off the bench. Not sure Tuck will be that person. But Tuck is the logical back up coming off injury. Kiah's playing time would have been limited this past season if not for her injury. Gabby or Saniya or Ekmark may be that offensive zinger that Geno likes as first sub in.

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- think your right about depth and guard play. I don't see KML as shooting guard. I see Brianna Banks or Chong having first shot at that position. Then the freshman subbing in at will at the 2 and the 3!

 

[baggerbob]

Kia Nurse being a point guard, who can play the 2, brings something UConn didn't have last year after Kelly left, size at the guard position on defense.

 

[uconnfan68]

If Tuck hadn't been hurt, Kiah would have struggled to get her minutes. Just spelling Dolson and Stewie occasionally, and playing when the games were over. Not a knock on Kiah.

I guess it may have been a blessing for UConn that we did have those injuries. Imagine not knowing what a gem we have in Kiah Stokes? One of the top rebounders and shotblockers in the country, who is becoming a much better passer than given credit for.

 

[Geno-ista]

I guess it may have been a blessing for UConn that we did have those injuries. Imagine not knowing what a gem we have in Kiah Stokes? One of the top rebounders and shotblockers in the country, who is becoming a much better passer than given credit for.

I think we knew Kiah was an exceptional athlete and great at rebounding and blocking shots. And I hope she will work on her shooting a lot over the summer. I think she'll have a long pro career regardless of her offense. I love Kiah. Morgan was just light years ahead of her on the offensive end.

 

[Zorro]

There is nothing wrong with Kiah's shooting except that she doesn't do enough of it.

 

[hoophuskee]

IMO the starting 5 will be Kiah, Stewie, KML, Banks, and Mo Jeff.
I think like nearly all here Chong is right there - practically a toss-up with Banks. Whoever shines more in practices.

I don't think it will be the others for the following:
Tuck and Williams because of their prior injuries. While Tuck is better than Stokes and is the fourth best player on this team - to push her is like keeping your best player in the game late when you are up by 30. Our team will be great and we'll have a lot of blowouts. No need to push. And don't be surpisrsed to see KML play some pf when we are comfortably ahead late as well. I don't expect Gabby to start in addition to injury because of reasons cited in next para.

IMO Geno won't start the freshman because he doesn't like to (it doesn't mean he won't. Note I use the word "like.") and just as importantly he doesn't need to. There's been talk of he started Strother and Wolfe. Well back then we needed not only size but we lost a ton of scoring. We needed scoring back then too. This team doesn't need scoring at an initial glance nor do they need size at the wing or pg positions. And we have all heard Chris Dailey say often how freshmen don't know what it's like to practice hard. She has said that over and over. It's not to say a freshman can't "surprise" but we're just making predictions here. Odds are they won't.

We've seen Geno make a decision as to not start Maya even as she may very well have been their best player day one. That is a statement made by Geno. And not start Stewie - maybe Stewie was justifiable regarding level of play - or what was expected- and he had Caroline start (could have easily gone with Dolson, Stewie, KML . Faris and Hartley instead of Caroline.). "Listening" to what Geno has shown us with Maya (and maybe Stewie) and listening to what CD says - I seriously doubt a freshman in this class will start to begin the season.

 

[winlots]

I'm way too old for girls. I'm almost too old for women.

That doesn't leave you much. Am glad to take note of the "almost" in your declaration, though. Of course, you still do have a place in my heart, but I'm not sure that is of much help in your current predicament.

 

[Geno-ista]

There is nothing wrong with Kiah's shooting except that she doesn't do enough of it.

That is the biggest misconception IMO- she plays every day in practice like everyone else. Like Geno says - time is earned in practice. Mo Jef couldn't hit threes her freshman year. She shot 1500- 2000 daily over the summer at home. And now she buries her open looks.