For 2016/2017 four of the starting five are set and probably Saniya as the other one to make it 5. Crystal D should be ready to start maybe before the end of the season? With Stevens becoming eligible and the No.1 recruit coming in, what will the starting lineup look like by mid to late season? Who will be first off the bench?
I think getting Walker makes it easy and FUN to look ahead. Nobody has ventured a guess. I know all the caveats. This season has not started yet, it will work itself out, Geno can handle it. All true but it is harmless to look a head.
Here are my thoughts.
---14 is too many especially with a roster with that much talent. Most coaches would kill to be in the situation but "challenges" will nevertheless exist. Hockey shifts or five in five out like the Kentucky men did a couple of years do not work.
---If you start the Core 4 and Stevens next year, who plays point? I realize it is a tiny sample size but Nurse played very little point in the two exhibition games. I would start Dangerfield and bring Collier or Lou off the bench.
----I would redshirt all the freshmen except Walker. Unusual for the Huskies but the new frosh besides Walker are at loaded positions.
----Butler might have the credits to graduate at the end of the year. MAYBE she sees that her time would be limited and transfers almost anywhere else to get the playing time that she deserves but would not get at UCONN. This is not a slam at Nat but a statement concerning the competition for time up front.
----I really like what I saw from Bent. But, if the freshmen don't redshirt, when does Bent play? Of the 14, she gets lost in the shuffle as much as anybody.
----If the 3 freshmen redshirt and Natalie moves on, that puts them at 10. They normally do really well playing ten.
Some tough decisions for sure and not one ounce of negativity toward any of the 14.