That is a fair question, no doubt the coaching staff is looking at the Portal and if there is a fit at the SG spot. However, your other post suggests that the staff should get a PG out of the Portal, yet there are four players on the roster that could potentially play PG, KK, Kayleigh, Kelis (seems to be a combo guard but I assume that plan is to develop her as a PG), and Jovana (freshman).
Geno doesn't respects seniors more than underclassmen merely because of time served. He'll start whoever knows the system best, hits their spots on time, fights through screens, and takes open shots before passing. He's said this many times. He has even expressed a prejudice in favor of younger players merely because of program considerations. A senior may have to do more merely to hold on to a spot... and many have done exactly this.
This year UCONN's offense was dominated by Sarah and Azzi. During the 2026-27 season Sarah and Blanca will do much the same. Blanca does not need much help to get her shot ... any shot! KK and Ash had their roles redefined by Geno. Next season their roles will still be starters with more emphasis on scoring. They will deliver. Ash as a frosh and soph averaged 48% FG and shot 41% from the arc as a soph. She will average double figures. KK will start again and share time with K9. K9's backcourt partner will be Jovana Popovic. I have no idea about Kelis. She may go super nova for all know. I view Allie and Morgan as shooters leaning more towards Morgan. Not sure what went on relative to Gandy but she looked pretty good around the basket. I hope she is given an opportunity. I hope Jana gets better and does not play a distant 2nd fiddle to Olivia like this year relative to Serah. Admittedly I have a soft spot for Jana. Olivia appears to have offensive and defensive skills but frosh Bigs take time to develop. Ayanna and Ice made the smart move.
I’m always glad to hear another vote of confidence in KK and Ashlynn. Whenever the conversation turns to KK and Ash coming off the bench, I can’t help thinking back to the part of the Boneyard that, last summer, again in the fall, and even in December, seemed convinced that Kayleigh and Blanca would be starting by January.
One model for what could develop with Gandy, Jana and Olivia in the front court might be the Stewie teams with Stef, Morgan, Kaleena and Kiah.
Wait whattttt? Next season we'll have...
Wow. Wasn't expecting Ice's portal announcement. I am wishing her and Ayanna all the best on the next chapter in their lives.
What! You don't! She is unstoppable. She will not win a title at ND. She averaged 5.6 assists, 5.6 steals, 6.9 rebounds from the point guard position, and 25.3 points per game. Was the only player this century to achieve those averages in a single season. She was a standout playmaker and defender. She was the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the year. And you don't find her coming to UConn as being enthralling...you, my friend, have set the bar way too high. Any of Hildago's shortcomings could easily be corrected by her commitment to winning a championship and the UConn coaches showing her how.
Haha well I think she’s an incredible player, just saying I don’t see the fit at all. There’s players who have incredible, even generational talent but who probably wouldn’t have been good fits at UConn. Caitlin Clark, Juju Watkins, and Hanna Hidalgo come to mind
Wait! Why isn't anyone taking my suggestion of Zhang Ziyu seriously. Do we seriously not want a 7'5" post player? Talk about unstoppable, enthralling, amazing.
C'mon Bone Dog...Of course, I would be ecstatic if we could land a 6'7" post...no telling what my emotional state would be if we landed a 7'5" recruit.
UCONN will make the final four - the question is always whether the five stars will deliver to push them through to a title. Unfortunately that was not the case this year. Let’s see what Sarah and O can put together the next couple of years.
Would never sluff off Shade. This is the player that scored 20 points in the first Q of a game last year. Re: Allie, not a great one on one player but if Geno can design some extra pick plays, she has the shooting skills to be a 15 ppg guard. Deadly 3 point shooter.
Please explain, " ....Morgan was a capable back-up for Sarah." Sarah Strong? The player of the year? I must have missed a few beats in the few times I was able to see Madison on the court. You believe she is that good? I hope you are right, but I need more detail.
No one is that good. But Sarah needs a backup. Which means Morgan might be good enough. Why assume she won’t be?
I don't think that we need another player but if another transfer like Azura, Dorka or Lou Lopez Sénéchal joined the team...gravy!
Do we need "another starting guard via the portal" when we have Jovana Popova
You have several months to mull various scenarios over. Pace yourself. 😉😁
Jovana also had an impressive Nike in Portland this past weekend. She will bring some serious talents in this fall.
Agree!! I'd like to see our team use our new/young players and put trust in them early and to develop quickly with meaningful playing time. Jovana is touted but doesn't have the bona fides like Sarah, Azzi, Paige, JuJu etc. However, seeing Vandy/Shea develop Mikayla (#8) and Aubrey (top 150) as freshmen makes me wonder if we should rely on our own top recruits to show us their full capabilities instead of going to the portal. Since neither Mikayla nor Aubrey had an older teammate that could overshadow them - UConn's roster can be intimidating to new players for sure, like Allie Ziebell's deferring comment - perhaps then Jovana, Olivia, Kelis, Allie, Gandy, Jana and Morgan will be more than capable of major contributions that the team needs to reach next year's Final Four.
What you are describing is an ideal world, one we remember fondly, when teams would recruit and cutiivate high schoolers, preppies and an occasional JC transfer. in other words, NCAA Womens BB a few years back, before NIL, Portal and Conference realignments. But, and that's a big but, now the pressure on a winning program such as the excellence of UConn, demands a NC, or at least a FF appearance. There is no time now to develop talent, it must be purchased. It's a shame, makes a mockery of the selection process, and lessens the chance we will see any more of the old fashioned student athlete who spends 4 full years at one institution. I think we can lame the blame for this solely at the feet of the NCAA as they have capitulated their resolve to the almighty dollar and thus the integrity of the game as we old folks remember it.
