2025 Transfer wish list

[From Canada]

Yeah, Howell would be a terrific addition, but seems unlikely for numerous reasons.

One year ago at the Nike Hoop Summit

It's hard to imagine why she entered the portal. I've been following her all season and she's come a long way. By the end of the season, she was the first player in the rotation. When Juju got injured, she became a starter. Maybe playing in the Big 10 as a California team can get really demanding. I'd be curious to know how many hours the team spent traveling. In the photo taken at the Nike Hoop Summit 2024 she's wearing #3. Canada was represented by 5 players who had great success as freshman this year. In order, #4 Toby Fournier (Duke), #3 Avery Howell (USC), #2 Delaney Gibb (BYU), #1 Syla Swords (Michigan), and #13 Jasmine Bascoe (Villanova).

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

 

[oldhusky]

Probably wants more playing time. And even though I think she would be in the rotation at UConn. Definitely wouldn’t be a guaranteed starter.

I think her role in her first year was pretty close to what should have been realistically expected. As for next year you could say she is an incumbent starter. JuJu will not play most of next year if any. When forced to pick a substitute starter Howell was the choice. She may not keep that status, but her prospects for next year were not bad at all, and she was hardly buried on the bench this year.

So for that reason, my best guess is her departure might be because of something else, but regardless , I agree with you that she wouldn't be a guaranteed starter here.

 

[Vancat]

Olivia Miles has spoken openly on her dislike of UConn

Geno Auriemma, UConn Named a Top Landing Spot For Notre Dame Star Olivia Miles

The Huskies could be in play for one of the nation's top guards.

www.si.com

5 Olivia Miles landing spots as Notre Dame superstar enters transfer portal

Olivia Miles will be on the move to play out her final year of NCAA eligibility.

ftw.usatoday.com

Olivia Miles transferring: 5 landing spots for All-American guard

Olivia Miles has entered the transfer portal and will use her final year of collegiate eligibility.

bvmsports.com

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno Auriemma, UConn Named a Top Landing Spot For Notre Dame Star Olivia Miles

The Huskies could be in play for one of the nation's top guards.

www.si.com

5 Olivia Miles landing spots as Notre Dame superstar enters transfer portal

Olivia Miles will be on the move to play out her final year of NCAA eligibility.

ftw.usatoday.com

Olivia Miles transferring: 5 landing spots for All-American guard

Olivia Miles has entered the transfer portal and will use her final year of collegiate eligibility.

bvmsports.com

Clickbait websites. Show me one from the Courant or CT Insider and I’ll believe it

 

[Blond D.]

Probably wants more playing time. And even though I think she would be in the rotation at UConn. Definitely wouldn’t be a guaranteed starter.

I love Avery Howell. I'm sure Geno would make it totally clear to her that nothing is guaranteed. She has to earn playing time. But like it was indicated before, bringing in a freshman might make us miss out on Vukosa.

 

[Stagnant]

I love Avery Howell. I'm sure Geno would make it totally clear to her that nothing is guaranteed. She has to earn playing time. But like it was indicated before, bringing in a freshman might make us miss out on Vukosa.

Totally different positions imo.

 

[LuvBball]

My No. 1 thru 4 is Serah Williams. No. 5 is Aaliyah Guyton from Iowa.

 

[faninwisc]

I wouldn't say no to Yardon Garzon. She is 6'3, she's a good ball handler and she can get her own shot. She shoots over 40% from three and over 90% from the free throw line. This past season she average 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Her size could be a problem for teams to match up with the on the perimeter and her ability to knock down shots would help open things up for Azzi and Sarah.

 

[Blond D.]

Totally different positions imo.

I'm talking about the number of scholarships we will have. If we give one to Avery will we have one left over for Vukosa?

 

[pk1234]

To me Kneepkens would be the perfect Chen replacement. She is just so, so efficient. Though definitely not a true PG, game may be too similar to Azzi.

 

[Stagnant]

I'm talking about the number of scholarships we will have. If we give one to Avery will we have one left over for Vukosa?

Of course. Vukosa is a 2026, not a 2025. Caroline and Azzi will be gone. We have three openings at least.

 

[JoePgh]

Don't assume that every player who enters the portal really intends to leave her current school. In the age of NIL, many of them may just be trying to see what NIL opportunities are available elsewhere. Then they can go back to their current school and hope to get that school to match the best NIL offer they heard. That strategy may work in some cases.

In Avery Howell's case, I think that sort of scenario is particularly likely.

 

[jdote33]

I just have to say the past 5 or 6 years, UConn has done an outstanding job in the portal. I have great affection for all of their pick-ups. They have been really great fits. Dorka, Evina, Lou, Kaitlyn all have a special place in my UConn fandom.

Looking at the most recent run, it looks like they love grad transfers, experienced players. I wonder if they continue that type of trend.

 

[Big Fan]

Madina Okot Mississippi State? 6-foot-6 junior started all 34 games and averaged 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

 

[angelo]

What about Rutgers'freshman Kiyomi McMiller? She needs to learn some defense, but she is really good.

 

[ConnMotors]

Hopefully with Williams not being heard from that she is a lock for UConn. Geno is not going to say anything that disrupts team play at the most important part of the season. The team can use a veteran point guard as well. But, the only way that that can happen is for a player to transfer out.

 

[Stagnant]

I think our guard lineup is what made us ultimately unbeatable in march. We had 5 reliable guards that played with energy, made quick decisions, and could really defend. That number becomes 3 with Chen and Paige leaving. So, if UConn chooses to add another guard… I certainly wouldn’t object. Remember, there were some that were skeptical about the decision to bring in Chen.

 

[uconnfan68]

I think our guard lineup is what made us ultimately unbeatable in march. We had 5 reliable guards that played with energy, made quick decisions, and could really defend. That number becomes 3 with Chen and Paige leaving. So, if UConn chooses to add another guard… I certainly wouldn’t object. Remember, there were some that were skeptical about the decision to bring in Chen.

Morgan Cheli was a pg in hs.

 

[Stagnant]

Morgan Cheli was a pg in hs.

We didn’t use her at all that way this year though. So, that may not be our development plan for her.

 

[Bone Dog]

We didn’t use her at all that way this year though. So, that may not be our development plan for her.

Geno is always several steps ahead of us fans, especially me. I was surprised Morgan first entered the lineup as a perimeter shooter, which was not a strength in high school. But Geno keeps stats on shooting in every practice, so he must have seen something. This is how he used her in games where he could feel free to experiment. Was this a judgment of her guard skills, or a decision to focus on the other guards he could see carrying them to an NC behind Paige and Azzi, especially Kaitlyn and KK?

I still imagine Morgan’s portfolio could expand to include some time at PG, unless Kelis or Blanca really step into the guard role. Of course, Blanca looks more like a wing the way she’s used in Italy. And I could see her playing the 4 in the small lineup. But who knows what Geno will see in practices?

All in all, this tells me Geno may have enough depth at guard. Breaking presses was not a problem at any point in the tournament, especially since Sarah was perfectly capable breaking one. Serah still looks like the most obvious addition. Though I’m not sure even she is really necessary.

 

[JeannoCT]

What about Rutgers'freshman Kiyomi McMiller? She needs to learn some defense, but she is really good.

That's a hard no. She was benched for some kind of locker room altercation then posted about it on social media.

 

[Zarathustra]

We didn’t use her at all that way this year though. So, that may not be our development plan for her.

Maybe Geno did not use Morgan Cheli at the point guard position this
year because he had Paige and Kaitlyn Chen to do the job. I can imagine
a 6'2" Morgan Cheli, as a point guard with excellent passing skills, being
superb as a facilitator to Sarah, Jana, Ice. PICK AND ROLL Huskies! Nothing
like having height passing to height to give Dawn and other coaches
nightmares!

 

[victor64]

I think some MIGHT be overlooking Allie. She had 5 effective guards ahead of her. She typically just got mop up time. She did score 17 in one game exhibiting a smooth stroke. She was a top 10 ranked recruit in HS. Maybe she didn't meet Geno's defensive requirements, maybe she isn't quick enough to guard point guards. Other possible unknown maybes as to why she didn't get more time with the regulars.

I am against pursing a guard in the portal. If given a chance, IMO, Allie takes a huge sophomore leap and gets minutes at either the one or the two because defense can be improved. She is too good a shooter to not give her an opportunity.

 

[Charliebball]

Allie has incredible shooting skills and hopefully she will earn additional playing time next season but I'm still concerned that Azzi may not make it through the entire season without missing some time due to injury.....that's why a sharpshooter like Kneepkins or Howell should be considered.....

 

[PacoSwede]

i am shocked that so many BYers seem so eager to place their bets on sirens from other teams rather than stick with huskies who are here right now and have given their all to uconn and have great, if as yet unfulfilled, promise. i'd rather have players who had uconn as their first choice than players who are phenoms from some other team who now see greener pastures here. if geno & co. decide one of those can help, i hope they get her. but i really am disgusted with 'fans' hankering for any other 'prize' they can imagine elbowing their way into the established gang of sisters. and i hope none of the sisters decide they'd benefit from dropping out.

that's my opinion of this thread.