I was wondering why UConn is interested in Sara O. when you have Olivia coming in, Jana, Ice, Yanna and Gandy who will most probably be competing for 1 stating spot as the small ball is Geno preferred type of game...
I think the why is because she could play the 4 and 5, only be behind Sarah and maybe Olivia in minutes played among bigs, and in essence be a significant upgrade over Ayanna, Ice and Gandy and a more minor one over Jana.
I would argue that the only big that has played up to Uconn's very high norms so far is Sarah. Injuries of course have played a big role with Ayanna and Ice, and Ice might not play for anybody next year, as Geno described a long path to recovery. Gandy was a project that was rated much lower than most Uconn recruits, and Jana was probably considered a top 10 recruit that has likely achieved a little less than was expected when she arrived.
Clearly Geno is not thrilled with what he is getting at the 5 from Serah or Jana, because he doesn't play them anywhere close to a combined 40 minutes a game, and he basically doesn't use a true backup 4 at all, using a 3, Blanca instead. We frequently use a 4 at the 5 (Sarah), a 3 at the 4 (Blanca), and a 2 at the 3 (Ash).
The current bigs have not done well enough to tempt Geno to even consider a "big" option. Okeke and the Big O, if as expected could change that. They can play together, with Okeke being the 5 on offense, and the 4 on the defensive end. that maximizes the skills of both players on each end of the floor, and would allow Sarah to be a 3 much more often, which we already know she could be great at. Blanca could play more at her natural 3 and even some at the 2 if desired.
Small ball could still be the choice, but the key to more traditional or big lineup as an option is dependent on the Big O being the real deal, Jana showing significant improvement, and the addition of a major big better than our potential returnees, either Okeke or a major portal addition IMO.
