Two things:
Heckel doesn’t need to replace Chen because KK Arnold is already here. And KK had better stats than Chen except for 3pt %age and FT%, but she’s a lockdown defender. I believe that Fudd, Chelli, and Shade all played PG before coming to Storrs. Ideally, I think UCONN needs another consistent 2 or 3 level wing scorer…not a guard that lacks height. Could be Quinonez, but who knows at this point. She sure has my attention! Could be a resurgence from Caroline. And I don’t know how Ice keeps falling out of these conversations. She shot over 50% from the field. And Allies numbers don’t look good, but her playing time was minimal and sporadic. She can shoot. Overall I think UCONN needs to get longer, more athletic and more mobile at the forward spot.
Tough approach there, my fellow '77.
Te-Hina Paopao (senior): 25 minutes; 9 ppg on 44% shooting (37% from three)Tough approach there, my fellow '77.
Here's a thought: could those two -- and others -- might've benefitted from some more playing time (and possibly not looking over your shoulder)? Obviously, the overall proof is in the pudding, but your comment just got me wondering.
Or perhaps Joni Taylor shouldn't have been blamed in the first place...
I commented at length about this in another thread, but she is extremely undisciplined and has very poor decision making, rushing plays and taking poor shots. Per 40 minutes, she had the most fouls (by far), most turnovers, and was 7th in eFG %, which is saying something for a 6'2" forward. She's extremely talented and athletic and she just needs a Kim or Geno type coach to drill these really bad habits out of her. Cori was never going to be that coach.
1. I’m not saying they’re point guards. I don’t think in UConns system we need to adhere to strict positional basketball anyways but still. My point is that in terms of what a point guards role is. All of those players I mentioned can take on aspects of that role in the offense wether that’s initiating the offense in the half court, ball handling, passing/setting up teammates, defensive assignments, etc. And I’m not saying we can’t take in a point guard from the portal I’m saying I think if we do it should be to maintain or improve our current abilities at that position and I don’t think Heckel does that for us, whereas I think Kaitlyn did. Very key distinction there, seems that you’re overlooking that on purpose.
Couldn’t agree more, Heckel is not an answer to any of our needs/shortcomings next season.
She’s been better than Ice Brady (#5 recruit) and Ayanna Patterson (#4 recruit, though lots of injuries for her). Others in the top 10 who haven’t made noise include #8 Aaliyah Gayles (gun shot victim), and #9 Maya Nnaji (quit basketball). FWIW, #6 recruit Timea Gardiner performed similarly to Barker this year.
Because he is true to the players he recruited and have stayed with him and only uses the portal for 'special' situations. Example would be situation with KK and Kelis, especially the latter, who both committed to UConn early vs Heckel who signed with USC and now, when things didn't go her way, became a 'mercenary for play' in the transfer portal.
Generally speaking, I feel like the 2022 class wasn't appropriately ranked. I assume it had something to do with lack of proper evaluation from the Covid shutdowns during their junior and senior years of high school. Most of the top 10 has not performed at a top 10 level, whereas players like Flau'jae and Ta'Niya have over performed their ranking. It would be interesting to see someone re-rank the 2022 class once it is all said and done.
I have to agree with Dillon's take. At FSU, Latson had the run of the floor, knowing the offense ran through her. Does anyone not think Fulwiley is as talented as Latson? Put Fulwiley on another team and given free reign, she would easily put up Hannah Hidalgo numbers. I don't think there are many better shooters in the country than Tessa Johnson.
To be fair, Ice Brady also missed her entire freshman season after dislocating her knee.
We heard the same thing last year when he brought in Kaitlyn. Geno also brought in Evina, TN’s pg, who had 2 years left to play, when he had both Nika & Paige as freshmen, with Azzi committed for the following year.
I'm not coming to her defense, particularly after @TheFarmFan 's post the other day.
2 questions
You just described Ayanna Patterson, who has largely been injured in each of her first two years at UConn.
To be sure, she can be really productive offensively and on the boards, but my observation in the games I saw was that once the ball was in her hands, it usually didn't leave them. And I just looked up to confirm: her usage was 25.7%, ahead of everyone but (barely) Lauren Betts (28.7%). Given how offensively productive her teammates were, and that she didn't even crack 20 mins a game, she should not have 1/4 usage on that team.
Agreed.
I'll bite--though I'm probably missing a few players on here. If they had to re-rank and do a top 30 based on collegiate productivity, it'd probably be along the lines of: