25-26 Rotation

[Boreifs]

Take a guess on how deep the rotation will go with 15 quality players. 8, 9, or 10? I will go out on a limb and say 10, although I can’t be sure who those 10 will be. The “up in the air” status of Carol, Ayanna and Morgan makes an accurate prediction virtually impossible.

 

[Bone Dog]

Take a guess on how deep the rotation will go with 15 quality players. 8, 9, or 10? I will go out on a limb and say 10, although I can’t be sure who those 10 will be. The “up in the air” status of Carol, Ayanna and Morgan makes an accurate prediction virtually impossible.

This past season, the rotation (players averaging >9 mins) was 8 deep by March. It is tempting to imagine a 10 deep March rotation — I succumb to this temptation all the time. But I think it’s difficult to manage at that time of year. Morgan’s injury (and Aubrey’s) may have gotten in the way of a deeper rotation, though it may have contracted to 8 even without that.

Of course, in December and January, when Geno is still experimenting, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 10 or even a 12 deep rotation. It’s all about finding combinations that can work together well, and the new Big Three (or Four?) probably won’t need to play 30 minutes yet.

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno has the luxury of not playing anyone that’s nursing a sore muscle or nagging injury. He can also substitute for anyone that just isn’t playing great that night - players aren’t robots, after all.

Playing everyone during the Big East season prevents wear and tear on Azzi, Sarah, et al in the postseason. Paige’s minutes went down against Big East teams, for the most part

In other words, everyone plays

 

[CL82]

Geno has the luxury of not playing anyone that’s nursing a sore muscle or nagging injury. He can also substitute for any player that just isn’t playing great that night - players aren’t robots, after all.

Playing everyone during the Big East season prevents wear and tear on Azzi, Sarah, et al in the postseason. Paige’s minutes went down against Big East teams, for the most part

In other words, everyone plays

I don't think you can emphasize this point enough Nan. College basketball is a long season and typically everyone gets a little banged up during it. Husky players have been notoriously good about playing through discomfort, but that's not optimal. The ability to keep everyone healthy is a huge advantage.

We've seen Husky teams in the past where no one averaged over 30 minutes per game. I'm not sure that will happen this year, but there's definitely a potential for it.

 

[huskeynut]

I would expect that Geno will do the same thing he did last season - play everybody.

Practice is one thing, but actual competition is needed to evaluate the team. And this new team is talented, at least on paper. Who works works well with others? What players "click" is a variety of situations on the court. Who are the defensive stoppers going to be? Some of these questions may be answered when practice starts.

Geno said early on last season that Paige and Sarah had a strong connection. They both saw the court and the way a play can develop. He also knew by the start of the season that the small lineup would be a strength of the team.

This is all assuming 15 healthy players. That mauy not be the case.

Whatever your opinion, we all will have to wait and see what 2025 - 2026 brings.

 

[HuskyNan]

I don't think you can emphasize this point enough Nan. College basketball is a long season and typically everyone gets a little banged up during it. Husky players have been notoriously good about playing through discomfort, but that's not optimal. The ability to keep everyone healthy is a huge advantage.

We've seen Husky teams in the past where no one averaged over 30 minutes per game. I'm not sure that will happen this year, but there's definitely a potential for it.

Only Paige was barely over 30 mpg this past season

 

[uconnfan68]

Geno has the luxury of not playing anyone that’s nursing a sore muscle or nagging injury. He can also substitute for anyone that just isn’t playing great that night - players aren’t robots, after all.

Playing everyone during the Big East season prevents wear and tear on Azzi, Sarah, et al in the postseason. Paige’s minutes went down against Big East teams, for the most part

In other words, everyone plays

This is the deepest, and potentially strongest, team we've ever had. Everyone will play.

 

[oldude]

Remember when we used to complain that Geno played his starters all the time? Well Geno was an absolute revelation this past year, running substitutes in and out of the lineup like a mad scientist. With all the lineups he used, Geno was able to create constant pressure on defense without sacrificing offensive execution.

I think he’s fascinated by what teams like SC & TN have been able to do with deep benches, and after winning # 12 this past year, I think Geno has every intention of playing a bunch of people in the regular rotation this coming season. I’m guessing that will look like 10-12 early and throughout the BE schedule, maybe closer to 8-10 for some of the big OOC games and 8+ come tournament time.

As I pointed out in another thread, with a 15 player roster, assuming everyone is healthy, there are 3,003 different 5-player lineup possibilities.

 

[mhshuskies]

Ok so heat is a thought, Arkansas State subbed players 5 at a time like hockey line changes. With 15 solid players, make up your three lines? I know it would never happen like that, but a fun exercise.

 

[oldude]

Ok so heat is a thought, Arkansas State subbed players 5 at a time like hockey line changes. With 15 solid players, make up your three lines? I know it would never happen like that, but a fun exercise.

TN does the same thing.

 

[Bone Dog]

Only Paige was barely over 30 mpg this past season

View attachment 109635

Nan's chart shows very clearly that Geno used an 8-deep rotation, and this became even more pronounced in March. Only 10 players averaged more than 10 minutes for the entire season, and two of those (Aubrey and Morgan) didn't play a full season. Aubrey got into a few games in the tournament, but was clearly not a rotation player at that point.

If we want to turn this thread into a discussion of whether everyone who's healthy will get to play some minutes, especially in November December and part of January, that's fine too. I think we all know this is exactly what will happen. We don't really need a minutes chart to persuade ourselves of it. "Everybody eats," as Nika was so fond of saying. This is how Geno experiments to find combinations that can work together.

It is also an important observation to recognize this point, that @CL82 also pointed to above, that having a deeper roster reduces the season-long wear and tear on the players. Geno seemed to be quite cautious this past season about limiting even Paige to ~30 mins/game, and Sarah and Azzi too. But even this limit went out the proverbial window during any even relatively close games in the tournament, like against OU or USC, when they played anywhere from 37 to 40 minutes.

The salient point is there's a balance to be struck between preserving the players and developing sufficient chemistry for a tournament run. Look at last season, game by game, and you can easily see that the experimentation phase ended with the Butler game on Feb 2. The Tennessee loss followed and from that moment onward, Geno stuck quite rigorously to the various lineups his 8-deep rotation allowed. In other words, February was the beginning of the building-chemistry phase of the season, and this required focusing on the 8 players who would be on the floor whenever a game was in doubt. The rest of the roster would only find minutes at the end of games that were no longer in doubt. This was still competitive play and they could certainly learn from it. But it was no longer rotation play.

Personally, I think it's difficult to have a rotation in March that's much deeper than 8. But the roster is especially rich in talent which makes me think Geno may look for ways to do it. I can hardly wait to see how it all plays out.

 

[psconn]

Ok so heat is a thought, Arkansas State subbed players 5 at a time like hockey line changes. With 15 solid players, make up your three lines? I know it would never happen like that, but a fun exercise.

I can't imagine Geno doing line changes like that (unless that starting 5 is being sent a 'message' ). I also don't think Geno prefers this many players on the roster. Although in the aftermath of the 'injury years' having 15 on the team must feel very cushy.

Because I have a deep-seated need to worry, I do worry about enough minutes to go around. There's a lot of talent on that bench and, when healthy, they need minutes to develop skills and stay happy.

 

[WiseWillie]

Remember when we used to complain that Geno played his starters all the time? Well Geno was an absolute revelation this past year, running substitutes in and out of the lineup like a mad scientist. With all the lineups he used, Geno was able to create constant pressure on defense without sacrificing offensive execution.

I think he’s fascinated by what teams like SC & TN have been able to do with deep benches, and after winning # 12 this past year, I think Geno has every intention of playing a bunch of people in the regular rotation this coming season. I’m guessing that will look like 10-12 early and throughout the BE schedule, maybe closer to 8-10 for some of the big OOC games and 8+ come tournament time.

As I pointed out in another thread, with a 15 player roster, assuming everyone is healthy, there are 3,003 different 5-player lineup possibilities.

Way to go Old Dude. 3003 combinations or the number of combinations of choosing 5 items from a set of 15. My, oh, my. The Combinations Formula. Wow, it's been a while since I've seen that. Anyway, I don't think Geno would want to use any more than 3000 lineup possibilities during the regular season. The other 3 he might save for the Final Four.

 

[Huskee11]

I suspect in the "big" games that ten or so players will get more than token minutes and that in the numerous blowouts everyone will get some time on the court, with the amount of minutes based upon what is earned in practice. I agree that there will rarely be reason to play anyone on the questionable or even probable line of the "injury list".

Using ten or even more allows him to throw out small, big, and in-between lineups. With the possible exception of the "big lineup", I think that he will full court press, press, press until it becomes unsportsmanlike to do so.

Another tough and related question is how to handle practices.

I was fortunate enough to attend the open practice at Gampel in March, and it was very interesting. Some of the drills involve the entire team, much like the pregame warmups. But a great deal of time was spent in half court defensive drills and a full court controlled scrimmage, and in those drills the top 7 or 8 players got virtually all of the time playing against male practice players. They are dealing with a limited amount of practice time, and you want your big guns getting most of the reps. Like a first string quarterback in football.

With numbers like these, does Geno rethink the use of male practice players? Presumably he will still have them, but given the enormous depth does he use the actual players more in their place? All fifteen on the roster are really good players, but I have some concern that they will lose their edge if they are spending too much time watching from the sidelines during practice.

Geno has a lot of pleasant issues to mull over for 2025-2026.

 

[Bigboote]

My wild-ass guess:

25 minutes or more for sure: Strong, Fudd
25 minutes likely: Williams, Arnold, Shade
20 minutes likely: Cheli, Heckel, Quinonez
15 minutes likely: Brady, El-Alfy, Patterson
10 or so possible: Ducharme, Ziebell, Fisher, Malou-Memel

If Ducharme is really healthy, that would move her up, as it would if Ziebell makes a sophomore jump.

Rounding the "likelies" down by 5 minutes and accounting for missed games etc., this can add up to about 200. I'd be surprised if the three top lines aren't in the regular rotation. I'd suspect all those on the fourth line will see significant time in some games. The only player I don't expect to see much time this coming year is Gandy; I think the rest have a good shot at double-figure minutes in at least some, possibly several games.

As always, I like the idea of two point guards on the floor. The prospect of KK and Heckel, Shade or Azzi, and two of Cheli, Quinonez, Strong, and Williams on the floor together has me champing at the bit. I bet some opposing coaches are already having nightmares about trying to break that press.

 

[Charliebball]

Sad to say but we know historically that every year several players end up with some kind of injury that keeps them off the court for significant amounts of time......I suspect they'll be more like 13 full time players as the season progresses......

 

[HuskyNan]

Nan's chart shows very clearly that Geno used an 8-deep rotation, and this became even more pronounced in March. Only 10 players averaged more than 10 minutes for the entire season, and two of those (Aubrey and Morgan) didn't play a full season. Aubrey got into a few games in the tournament, but was clearly not a rotation player at that point.

Count again

 

[Bone Dog]

Count again

Who have I missed?

 

[BBallF]

I can't imagine Geno doing line changes like that (unless that starting 5 is being sent a 'message' ). I also don't think Geno prefers this many players on the roster. Although in the aftermath of the 'injury years' having 15 on the team must feel very cushy.

Because I have a deep-seated need to worry, I do worry about enough minutes to go around. There's a lot of talent on that bench and, when healthy, they need minutes to develop skills and stay happy.

They will develop their skills in practice and over the summer and in the fall. You don't get better in basketball by playing actual games you get better in practice and by practicing. I have a different take on this. I think realistically Kelis and Gandy will see the least time and the remaining players will be brought along as warranted based upon their condition just like Geno did with Aubrey and Caroline. The team is almost exactly who you would select if you wanted to full court press all game. The defensive unknown is Blanca but she is big at 6'2" and fast from what I have seen of her. K9 and KK are both excellent point pressers with KK being pure chaos at times. Then there is Azzi, an underrated defender who may be the best in her position in the country and then Ash, Sarah, and the rest. You can also go "big" with Sarah, Serah and Jana or Ice in anyone of those spots. Ice is a natural 4 though and difficult to defend there. The list goes on and on. I think he plays everyone that can help the team and that is everyone. Sure he winnows down come the post season but he has a lot of combinations to try out. Who are natural fits together? He will find out.

 

[Steelerone]

Final analysis - When they play one of the ranked teams seven or eight players will be in for the bulk of the game. When they play most of the Big East teams he can rest the regulars at the beginning of the game.

 

[BBallF]

Final analysis - When they play one of the ranked teams seven or eight players will be in for the bulk of the game. When they play most of the Big East teams he can rest the regulars at the beginning of the game.

I think it's more than 7 or 8. Azzi, Serah, Sarah, KK, Ash, Blanca, Jana, Ice, Kayleigh, Caroline, Allie, and maybe Morgan and Ayanna. If you leave out Allie and Ayanna you still have 11. If you leave out Caroline, Morgan and Allie you still have 9. Geno really liked Morgan and he has spoken highly of Caroline. Morgan is big at 6'2", a very disruptive defender and a solid floor player. She also has a pull up and a 3 and no confidence to shoot last year unfortunately but she played without shooting. Caroline healthy is a whole new dimension. A 6'2" wiry, driving, pull up and 3 point scorer. Geno played 9 players in the FF last year. Why would he play less this year with so much talent, power and size? He got a taste of depth last year like he hasn't had in almost a decade and he ran with it. While he is playing golf right now and vacationing, CD and Co. are figuring out possible combinations (3003).

 

[HuskyNan]

Who have I missed?

Everyone but Allie, Q, and Caroline averaged 10 or more mpg

 

[hookshot]

Final analysis - When they play one of the ranked teams seven or eight players will be in for the bulk of the game. When they play most of the Big East teams he can rest the regulars at the beginning of the game.

When has he ever rested regulars at the beginning of a game

 

[Bone Dog]

Everyone but Allie, Q, and Caroline averaged 10 or more mpg

Yes, and of the remaining 10 players, excluding Ayanna, this leaves only Morgan and Aubrey who were not part of the rotation by the middle of February, which was my original point. This leaves 8 rotation players.

 

[Plebe]

Remember when we used to complain that Geno played his starters all the time? Well Geno was an absolute revelation this past year, running substitutes in and out of the lineup like a mad scientist. With all the lineups he used, Geno was able to create constant pressure on defense without sacrificing offensive execution.

I think he’s fascinated by what teams like SC & TN have been able to do with deep benches, and after winning # 12 this past year, I think Geno has every intention of playing a bunch of people in the regular rotation this coming season. I’m guessing that will look like 10-12 early and throughout the BE schedule, maybe closer to 8-10 for some of the big OOC games and 8+ come tournament time.

I don't agree with this characterization. Geno's substitution patterns were nothing radically different from other seasons where he's had 8+ serviceable players in the regular rotation.

I'm not sure why some fans try to project their own personal fascinations onto Geno. It's the other coaches who should be fascinated with what Geno's accomplished and how he's accomplished it. Geno's seen a thing or two and is not so easily fascinated.