26-27 season

[Bone Dog]

Morgan has been out for a while and is she ready to make a impactful return? I believe so. I love her game. To me she is basically another pest on the floor and that will be needed.

I’m not sure this description is accurate. Morgan doesn’t strike me as a back to the basket player though she is comfortable operating in the paint. She can crash the boards and get putbacks — that was her game in high school, though Geno mainly used her as a wing in her freshman season.

What I remember from watching her high school games is

• She played PG and was the tip-of-the-spear in their press
• She ran the offense and was especially good in transition
• She would often initiate the offense with an entry pass and then crash into the lane, while the SG rotated to the top of the key for defensive balance
• She got some points from midrange and perimeter shooting but most of her scoring came from putbacks
• She was also a very scrappy ball hawk

I don’t expect Geno to use her as a PG. but I think he’ll appreciate having another ball handler on the floor. She can grab a rebound and turn up court in transition. That’s how she thinks.

I can picture Morgan in a quick-big lineup next to Sarah and Blanca and two guards, maybe Ash or Allie at the 2 to spread the floor. If @NycUcWbbFan is willing to continue the wonderful rotation analysis that was a highlight of last season for me, I will be very curious to see exactly how Geno uses Morgan. She may be the lost interesting prospect for me. She seems to be made for a ‘not so small’ lineup.

 

[oldhusky]

Morgan is very versatile, perhaps the closest to a possible 4 position player on the team. I think her best spot and the most likely path to playing time is at the 3, kind of a point forward. Her first year showed promise, but overall was so so compared to expectations IMO. The main problem was scoring and shooting. If she raised those numbers to average or better then the rest of her game is pretty good.

Her next best path to time IMO is as a 4. I say that not because I want to see her a lot there, but because right now we do not have one other than Sarah, and I think it is time to pencil in Blanka as the starter at the 3. Best case scenario for her is we don't pick up a high level 4, she gets Sarah's backup minutes and also becomes Blanca's primary backup. Of course for the later she would have to be a better option than using a guard like Ash at the 3.

If the injury bugs hits hard she could get plenty of time, because she could be considered at least a possibility at 4 positions.

 

[Bone Dog]

Her next best path to time IMO is as a 4. I say that not because I want to see her a lot there, but because right now we do not have one other than Sarah, and I think it is time to pencil in Blanka as the starter at the 3.

I hear you. And I’m sure Blanca will start next to Sarah and Jana/Olivia. That makes her more or less the 3. But Morgan won’t be in that lineup. It will be KK and Ash. I suspect Morgan will show up in a frontcourt like Sarah Blanca and her. That’s where they’re all playing as 3/4s and the precise question of their position number is less important.

 

[cgshuskie]

I see Morgan as a 2. She just needs to improve her 3 ball, but would go well with Sarah and Blanca.
She is 6'2" and so is right there with Blanca and Sarah. Add in Olivia/Jana and KK/Ash and we've got
a winning team!

 

[darkstar1]

Sarah will be starting. I don’t see him flipping on KK and Ashlynn for the senior year, so they’ll start. Blanca really needs to start. The last starter needs to be Jana or Olivia. I’m inclined to go with Olivia, she can shoot from the outside. So that brings the opposing center out beyond the paint to guard.

K9, Fisher, Morgan, Allie, Jana and Ice, are a nice 10 for a rotation.
Depending on if anyone leaves, getting another forward would be nice, for insurance. But as of yet, no one in the portal moves me.

If K9 can become a consistent shooter, I don’t see how you keep her off the court.

 

[visitingcock]

I think UConn need shooting. Even this year’s team could have used more shooting; but unfortunately Allie largely fell out of the rotation in the tournament.

I have seen popovic. She looks like a point guard more than a shooting guard based on the highlights I have seen. Her highlight videos were primarily drives to the hoop.

We will have to see if anything can be done in the portal. I think on paper, USC, South Carolina, and Texas look a little more talented.

I don’t think Geno is interested in anybody in the portal.

I also don’t think those three teams are more talented. More athletic? Perhaps. More skilled? No.

Talent is a blend of athleticism and skill. Throw coachability on top of talent to make the best players and the best system. Geno recruits (portal and high schoolers) for coachability. Dawn does but to a lesser degree with high schoolers but will bury a player who isn’t coachable on the bench til she transfers. She looks more closely at coachability in transfers. Vic may ride his stars too much and demand less coachability from the support players. I’m not sure Gottlieb recruits for coachability at all.

 

[Bone Dog]

I don’t think Geno is interested in anybody in the portal.

I also don’t think those three teams are more talented. More athletic? Perhaps. More skilled? No.

Talent is a blend of athleticism and skill. Throw coachability on top of talent to make the best players and the best system. Geno recruits (portal and high schoolers) for coachability. Dawn does but to a lesser degree with high schoolers but will bury a player who isn’t coachable on the bench til she transfers. She looks more closely at coachability in transfers. Vic may ride his stars too much and demand less coachability from the support players. I’m not sure Gottlieb recruits for coachability at all.

Coachability can only be a recruiting priority if the coach is disciplined enough to insist on it. It’s much easier to chase headline-talent.

 

[visitingcock]

Coachability can only be a recruiting priority if the coach is disciplined enough to insist on it. It’s much easier to chase headline-talent.

Coach has to have experience in judging coachability which isn’t developed overnight

 

[cleobel60]

I don’t think Geno is interested in anybody in the portal.

I also don’t think those three teams are more talented. More athletic? Perhaps. More skilled? No.

Talent is a blend of athleticism and skill. Throw coachability on top of talent to make the best players and the best system. Geno recruits (portal and high schoolers) for coachability. Dawn does but to a lesser degree with high schoolers but will bury a player who isn’t coachable on the bench til she transfers. She looks more closely at coachability in transfers. Vic may ride his stars too much and demand less coachability from the support players. I’m not sure Gottlieb recruits for coachability at all.

UCONN definitely needs more shooters that can put the ball in the basket consistently. Our defense is among the best, but the offense is weaker because of low scoring against top teams that have good defenses too. SC beat us because they were able to load up on SS and during final four. If UCONN had a consistent shooter (like Paige) SC would not have been able to defeat us. UCLA had 6 players who scored 10 points or more in beating SC. All their 5 starters. This kept SC from loading up against Lauren Betts especially. KK & Ash each need to score 10 points or more to keep other team defenses honest and not be able to double or load up on SS. Geno did a great move in 2025 when he started Chen to quarterback the team. I really feel K9 could fill this position better than KK. I understand loyalty, but winning is the name of the game. I think we will be a good team next year but looking at current roster and other top ten rosters, I don't see us winning a championship in March 2027.

 

[Stagnant]

If the starting backcourt is Allie, KK, and Shade. I just don’t know why a UConn fan should believe that is a championship contending backcourt.

 

[hoophuskee]

If the starting backcourt is Allie, KK, and Shade. I just don’t know why a UConn fan should believe that is a championship contending backcourt.

"As The World Turns ," on The Boneyard. 😀

We need Centers!
We need Foirwards!
We need Rebounders!
We need a new backcourt!

 

[cleobel60]

If the starting backcourt is Allie, KK, and Shade. I just don’t know why a UConn fan should believe that is a championship contending backcourt.

Looking over current roster, I would start: K9, BQ, SS, OV, & Jana. I really believe that Jana just needs to play, play, play. She needs longer playing time in the games to get better. Lauren Betts of UCLA was not very good her freshman year but improved quickly with playing time. Playing builds confidence and experience. Jana is taken out of games too quickly. Morgan C hasn't played in a very long while, and she will need time to get her game & rhythm back. It is difficult to come back from long layoffs because basketball is evolving faster than ever. I also think that Geno should consider the transfer portal. We have to keep up with changes and not be left behind.

 

[Centerstream]

Looking over current roster, I would start: K9, BQ, SS, OV, & Jana. I really believe that Jana just needs to play, play, play. She needs longer playing time in the games to get better. Lauren Betts of UCLA was not very good her freshman year but improved quickly with playing time. Playing builds confidence and experience. Jana is taken out of games too quickly. Morgan C hasn't played in a very long while, and she will need time to get her game & rhythm back. It is difficult to come back from long layoffs because basketball is evolving faster than ever. I also think that Geno should consider the transfer portal. We have to keep up with changes and not be left behind.

Ain't no way, barring injury, that KK isn't starting. She is going to be a senior. The same with Ashlynn. No way that Olivia and Jana both start, especially at the start of the season.
You are aware that UConn is one year removed from being the National Champions, right? And have been in the Final Four 16 out of the last 17 years?
We are in no way being left behind.

 

[Charliebball]

Morgan is very versatile, perhaps the closest to a possible 4 position player on the team. I think her best spot and the most likely path to playing time is at the 3, kind of a point forward. Her first year showed promise, but overall was so so compared to expectations IMO. The main problem was scoring and shooting. If she raised those numbers to average or better then the rest of her game is pretty good.

Her next best path to time IMO is as a 4. I say that not because I want to see her a lot there, but because right now we do not have one other than Sarah, and I think it is time to pencil in Blanka as the starter at the 3. Best case scenario for her is we don't pick up a high level 4, she gets Sarah's backup minutes and also becomes Blanca's primary backup. Of course for the later she would have to be a better option than using a guard like Ash at the 3.

If the injury bugs hits hard she could get plenty of time, because she could be considered at least a possibility at 4 positions.

I think her main problem was that she was never 100% healthy her freshman year. I really enjoyed her intense and fearless style of play but I don't see her playing at the four.....just not big enough.......she can play both guard positions and as a wing, but it's that lack of a big, athletic forward that may come back to haunt next season's team against top opponents.....

 

[Bone Dog]

Ain't no way, barring injury, that KK isn't starting. She is going to be a senior. The same with Ashlynn. No way that Olivia and Jana both start, especially at the start of the season.
You are aware that UConn is one year removed from being the National Champions, right? And have been in the Final Four 16 out of the last 17 years?
We are in no way being left behind.

This seems right, though their being seniors is not the reason why. It will be because they understand UConn basketball better than any of the other guards. Also agree that a Jana-Olivia lineup is unlikely except in a special situation.

My prediction is that by January the starting lineup will look like this:

• Sarah (of course) Blanca Olivia Ash and KK

Geno will have a second group of 4 to sub in liberally consisting of

• Kayleigh Allie Morgan Jana

Finally, an ‘8-10 minute per game’ group will see action in November-December consisting of

• Kelis Jovana Gandy.

It will remain to be seen whether they can earn better minutes by January. Out of this group, I suspect Gandy has the best shot at it.

 

[Stagnant]

Ain't no way, barring injury, that KK isn't starting. She is going to be a senior. The same with Ashlynn. No way that Olivia and Jana both start, especially at the start of the season.
You are aware that UConn is one year removed from being the National Champions, right? And have been in the Final Four 16 out of the last 17 years?
We are in no way being left behind.

I was really satisfied with the Paige championship. I really am not desperate to get another title under Geno. If that’s the last one; I can live with it.

But. And there is a but. We still have Sarah strong. And she could have gone to South Carolina. So, I think there is a duty there to put a championship contending team on the floor.

Someone kind of ridiculed my earlier post by pointing out that on the forum you can find someone that thinks the team needs centers, forwards, guards, rebounders, etc. And that’s probably true. But it is not relevant to me. It is the backcourt I am worried about. Paige and Azzi have left in consecutive years. Two number one picks and their replacements aren’t as good. (I still believe guards are what win in March.)

I am very much of the opinion that we need a major change in the backcourt. Not to the win the big east. Not to reach the sweet 16. Heck, if we get an easy tournament draw next year like we did this year… we can probably get to the final four again. But if we actually want to win the title; if we want to look like we belong on the court with a team like South Carolina… I just don’t believe it can happen with Allie, KK, and Shade as the starting backcourt.

Someone had a “go big” suggestion and had Blanca as the 3. Honestly, I would probably be in favor of trying that if we aren’t getting any other guards in.

Blanca, Olivia, Sarah or Morgan, Blanca, Sarah or Blanca, Sarah, Jana are all combinations that potentially interest me. Maybe you even go with Blanca at the 2 and Morgan at the 3? Imagine a starting lineup of KK/K9, Blanca, Morgan, Sarah, and Olivia?

The suggestion I have arrived at while typing this post is we should play a lot different this season. And no one other than Sarah and Blanca should have nailed down spots on the court. Everything should be an open competition at camp.

 

[oldude]

I was really satisfied with the Paige championship. I really am not desperate to get another title under Geno. If that’s the last one; I can live with it.

But. And there is a but. We still have Sarah strong. And she could have gone to South Carolina. So, I think there is a duty there to put a championship contending team on the floor.

Someone kind of ridiculed my earlier post by pointing out that on the forum you can find someone that thinks the team needs centers, forwards, guards, rebounders, etc. And that’s probably true. But it is not relevant to me. It is the backcourt I am worried about. Paige and Azzi have left in consecutive years. Two number one picks and their replacements aren’t as good. (I still believe guards are what win in March.)

I am very much of the opinion that we need a major change in the backcourt. Not to the win the big east. Not to reach the sweet 16. Heck, if we get an easy tournament draw next year like we did this year… we can probably get to the final four again. But if we actually want to win the title; if we want to look like we belong on the court with a team like South Carolina… I just don’t believe it can happen with Allie, KK, and Shade as the starting backcourt.

Someone had a “go big” suggestion and had Blanca as the 3. Honestly, I would probably be in favor of trying that if we aren’t getting any other guards in.

Blanca, Olivia, Sarah or Morgan, Blanca, Sarah or Blanca, Sarah, Jana are all combinations that potentially interest me. Maybe you even go with Blanca at the 2 and Morgan at the 3? Imagine a starting lineup of KK/K9, Blanca, Morgan, Sarah, and Olivia?

The suggestion I have arrived at while typing this post is we should play a lot different this season. And no one other than Sarah and Blanca should have nailed down spots on the court. Everything should be an open competition at camp.

Somewhere in your thread is a thought that Geno firmly believes in, “Guards win championships,” and maybe that should be modified to “experienced guards win championships.” You can certainly look at the past several years to see that most every national championship team had one or more experienced guard playing their best basketball during the Big Dance.

As you point out, there is no Paige or Azzi, or Kaitlyn Chen for that matter. But UConn will certainly have experienced guards in the form of seniors KK & Ash, juniors Allie & Kayleigh and perhaps even Jovana who comes to UConn from the European professional leagues. Can they suffice? Time will tell.

Here’s something else to consider. None of the other 3 FF teams will have an experienced backcourt either. Through graduation and transfer, both UCLA & TX have been substantially depleted. While SC appears loaded next season, they lost both their senior starting guards to the W, and the players behind them have yet to prove themselves.

USC, Michigan, LSU and several other teams have some exceptionally talented guards. We will see if they can take a step forward or they remain on the outside looking in when it comes to the FF.

I remain convinced that UConn has more than enough talent to get back to another FF, with Geno at the helm. Beyond that, we will also see if UConn can play with the kind of focus and execution necessary to win championship #13 that the Huskies did not demonstrate against SC this past season, and the answer to that question will almost certainly depend on the performance of UConn’s guards.

 

[VaConnFan11]

My prediction is that by January the starting lineup will look like this:

• Sarah (of course) Blanca Olivia Ash and KK

2 Above Average Scorers, 2 Below Average Scorers and 1 Freshman

Hard to imagine a NC with that lineup playing 20-25 minutes per game together. If the 2 Below Average Scorers improve their offense over the summer and the Freshman does not play like a Freshman, then that's a whole new ball game.

Even with that, it's still hard to imagine a NC.

 

[Bone Dog]

… we will also see if UConn can play with the kind of focus and execution necessary to win championship #13 that the Huskies did not demonstrate against SC this past season.

This seems to me to be the best assessment of current prospects and what just happened in our last game. We were not out-toughed or out-strengthed or out-quicked. The team had lost a bit of its focus, and this had been visible in the weeks prior, even though we were winning games handily. Paige was a lightning rod for team focus, and folks were right to worry that without her we might not have the leadership on the floor we’d need to repeat. We didn’t, though it turned out neither did SC. They also lost focus in the final game.

Cori had managed to build the right focus after working for three years on her team. It can take that long. Good on her. Now we’ll see if Sarah in her 3rd season can galvanize the focus of a pair of very experienced senior guards, a fierce junior guard, a dazzling sophomore Swiss-army-knife type, a top ranked freshman post, and assorted very promising pieces any one of whom could become a star.

 

[FanSince17]

Somewhere in your thread is a thought that Geno firmly believes in, “Guards win championships,” and maybe that should be modified to “experienced guards win championships.” You can certainly look at the past several years to see that most every national championship team had one or more experienced guard playing their best basketball during the Big Dance.

As you point out, there is no Paige or Azzi, or Kaitlyn Chen for that matter. But UConn will certainly have experienced guards in the form of seniors KK & Ash, juniors Allie & Kayleigh and perhaps even Jovana who comes to UConn from the European professional leagues. Can they suffice? Time will tell.

Here’s something else to consider. None of the other 3 FF teams will have an experienced backcourt either. Through graduation and transfer, both UCLA & TX have been substantially depleted. While SC appears loaded next season, they lost both their senior starting guards to the W, and the players behind them have yet to prove themselves.

USC, Michigan, LSU and several other teams have some exceptionally talented guards. We will see if they can take a step forward or they remain on the outside looking in when it comes to the FF.

I remain convinced that UConn has more than enough talent to get back to another FF, with Geno at the helm. Beyond that, we will also see if UConn can play with the kind of focus and execution necessary to win championship #13 that the Huskies did not demonstrate against SC this past season, and the answer to that question will almost certainly depend on the performance of UConn’s guards.

Love your posts as always! Centers win championships, always have and always will. What are we looking at? Wilson, Cardozo, Betts, Boston, Griner, Charles, etc. Exceptions IMO are not so much guards as "best players" such as Stewie, Diana, Paige..
BTW one could argue that freshman Sarah Strong was the difference in '25 and she was a post. Put her in any category you want.
I'm looking for a center to emerge next year. Jana? Big O? Gandy? Remember Betts barely saw the floor at Stanford.
Geno runs a gorgeous "passing game"/motion offense. It has been stopped cold before. Anyone remember Arizona.
Our guards need the "freedom" to create. Gosh, there's a thread on BY about Azzi not being able to create her own shots. Bah!
KK can create IMO. Does she have the go-ahead? Could she be a female Tyrese Maxey? Let go of the reins!! Get physical!! Play a bit more One-On-One!! Dribble-Drive-Pitch or take it to the hole.

 

[hoophuskee]

2 Above Average Scorers, 2 Below Average Scorers and 1 Freshman

Hard to imagine a NC with that lineup playing 20-25 minutes per game together. If the 2 Below Average Scorers improve their offense over the summer and the Freshman does not play like a Freshman, then that's a whole new ball game.

Even with that, it's still hard to imagine a NC.

2 years ago they got an over-exuberant refs call away from going to Finals with that moving pick call. And this year's upcoming team should be better than that team. Not saying they will be.

IMO what's happening here is tha most people want to see UCONN play conventional and even more than conventional "Big." Most people it's how they grew up watching as I believe many of us are older.

Geno expressed his outrage with officiating in this game too. And I dont think many posters care about that. Especially if you are old school- want the team to play tradtional or even "very Big" then that thought process mostly means your "Big Team" will be very physical and look forward to those 55-53 battles too.

UCONN lost 1 game this past year and Auriemma went nuts during and after the game about the officiating. If you want Big Physical play" you probably won't pay much attention to Geno's complaints.

 

[Bone Dog]

Most people it's how they grew up watching as I believe many of us are older.

Who are you calling old? I’m just well-seasoned, whatever my daughter might say.

 

[FanSince17]

2 years ago they got an over-exuberant refs call away from going to Finals with that moving pick call. And this year's upcoming team should be better than that team. Not saying they will be.

IMO what's happening here is tha most people want to see UCONN play conventional and even more than conventional "Big." Most people it's how they grew up watching as I believe many of us are older.

Geno expressed his outrage with officiating in this game too. And I dont think many posters care about that. Especially if you are old school- want the team to play tradtional or even "very Big" then that thought process mostly means your "Big Team" will be very physical and look forward to those 55-53 battles too.

UCONN lost 1 game this past year and Auriemma went nuts during and after the game about the officiating. If you want Big Physical play" you probably won't pay much attention to Geno's complaints.

You play with the players you have. That rule hasn’t changed. Call it “old school”. If the team has a dominant center you’re gunna win ALWAYS. It’s a geometry lesson. The basket is situated 10’ above the ground. Put it on the ground and we can talk about guards dominating.
More than once, Geno’s motion offense has screeched to a halt. Geno was furious that his offense was stymied. I’m pissed too. Gotta have an answer. Maybe KK could have broken down SC’s “grabbing defense”.
Going Big doesn’t mean going slow. Phi Slamma Jamma.

 

[GetReal2day]

This seems right, though their being seniors is not the reason why. It will be because they understand UConn basketball better than any of the other guards. Also agree that a Jana-Olivia lineup is unlikely except in a special situation.

My prediction is that by January the starting lineup will look like this:

• Sarah (of course) Blanca Olivia Ash and KK

Geno will have a second group of 4 to sub in liberally consisting of

• Kayleigh Allie Morgan Jana

Finally, an ‘8-10 minute per game’ group will see action in November-December consisting of

• Kelis Jovana Gandy.

It will remain to be seen whether they can earn better minutes by January. Out of this group, I suspect Gandy has the best shot at it.

If Jana is not starting or playing a much larger role the the coaching staff have not done their job getting her back to her previous high level. We need her toughness and rebounding. We lost to SC because we have too many talented wing players that can’t handle playing through tough defense. I am not convinced that Big O is a better def or rebounder than Jana. I was very disappointed in how Jana was handled this past year and that Serah was given so many opportunities that didn’t pan out.

 

[oldude]

If Jana is not starting or playing a much larger role the the coaching staff have not done their job getting her back to her previous high level. We need her toughness and rebounding. We lost to SC because we have too many talented wing players that can’t handle playing through tough defense. I am not convinced that Big O is a better def or rebounder than Jana. I was very disappointed in how Jana was handled this past year and that Serah was given so many opportunities that didn’t pan out.

The Serah or Jana situation vexed UConn all season. You will recall that Jana was dealing with an injury that restricted her off season activities and delayed her return to playing. Serah was given the starting minutes and her play was uneven. When Jana was ready to go she too was uneven as a reserve. Geno’s best lineup always had Sarah at center. But we all knew that there would come a time when UConn would have to face a team (SC, TX, UCLA) with legitimate frontcourt talent that would require Serah or Jana to match up with Okot, Oldacre or Betts.

Fast forward to the national semifinal game. Serah started but it seemed to be predetermined that Geno would go to Jana fairly early in the game, because I don’t think he was confident that Serah could match up with Okot. Strangely enough, during the first 5 minutes or so of the game, the only Husky who seemed to be holding her own was Serah, who pulled down a couple tough offensive rebounds and scored.

Jana was not as effective. Dawn had a plan to mug Sarah in the post when UConn went small and from that point on Whoever UConn tried to play in the post was ineffective. It was one of the very few times I have seen Geno get outcoached in a big game.

 

[ConnMotors]

Does who starts really matter much? The players will get time that they deserve.

 

[BobbyJ]

If Jana is not starting or playing a much larger role the the coaching staff have not done their job getting her back to her previous high level. We need her toughness and rebounding. We lost to SC because we have too many talented wing players that can’t handle playing through tough defense. I am not convinced that Big O is a better def or rebounder than Jana. I was very disappointed in how Jana was handled this past year and that Serah was given so many opportunities that didn’t pan out.

There was no previous high level. El Alfy is what she’s been all along. You can develop certain BB skills but you can’t develop instincts and it’s very difficult to greatly improve physical reaction time. You either have them or you don’t. Many of the UConn players that have made it as pros had the instincts and athleticism/reactions and then developed their BB skills after turning pro. And some didn’t. The most gifted like Moore, Taurasi, Stewart and Bueckers were exceptions. They had both to begin with. Right now El Alfy’s floor is low and her ceiling is limited. It’s on her to put in the work quickly to raise those if she still has WNBA aspirations as she claimed in the past.

 

[cleobel60]

There was no previous high level. El Alfy is what she’s been all along. You can develop certain BB skills but you can’t develop instincts and it’s very difficult to greatly improve physical reaction time. You either have them or you don’t. Many of the UConn players that have made it as pros had the instincts and athleticism/reactions and then developed their BB skills after turning pro. And some didn’t. The most gifted like Moore, Taurasi, Stewart and Bueckers were exceptions. They had both to begin with. Right now El Alfy’s floor is low and her ceiling is limited. It’s on her to put in the work quickly to raise those if she still has WNBA aspirations as she claimed in the past.

During the championship year 2025 Jana was doing very well and improving after coming back from her injury the year before. She played very well during the tournament and did an excellent job on Lauren Betts. Her scoring was better also. I do not understand why she didn't get much of a chance to keep growing this year. She really did contribute to the 2025 championship. I am so glad that we didn't lose her to the transfer portal. She is probably the most physical player on the team and we need more physically. I do get the Senior loyalty when playing, but there are many lower-class players that maybe better when it comes to winning. I am a Jana fan; it is her chance.

 

[BobbyJ]

During the championship year 2025 Jana was doing very well and improving after coming back from her injury the year before. She played very well during the tournament and did an excellent job on Lauren Betts. Her scoring was better also. I do not understand why she didn't get much of a chance to keep growing this year. She really did contribute to the 2025 championship. I am so glad that we didn't lose her to the transfer portal. She is probably the most physical player on the team and we need more physically. I do get the Senior loyalty when playing, but there are many lower-class players that maybe better when it comes to winning. I am a Jana fan; it is her chance.

I alluded to part of the reason in the third sentence of my post. If Auriemma felt she had developed enough after the 2025 tournament, he probably wouldn't have been in the portal for Williams and would have played her ahead of Williams during this past season. He obviously didn't. Growing her game is mostly up to her.

 

[GetReal2day]

There was no previous high level. El Alfy is what she’s been all along. You can develop certain BB skills but you can’t develop instincts and it’s very difficult to greatly improve physical reaction time. You either have them or you don’t. Many of the UConn players that have made it as pros had the instincts and athleticism/reactions and then developed their BB skills after turning pro. And some didn’t. The most gifted like Moore, Taurasi, Stewart and Bueckers were exceptions. They had both to begin with. Right now El Alfy’s floor is low and her ceiling is limited. It’s on her to put in the work quickly to raise those if she still has WNBA aspirations as she claimed in the past.

you can say that her injury before her UConn career set her back and she hasn’t fully recovered from that. You can’t say she didn’t have the skills as the videos of her in the FIBA U19 games (and others) showed her talent. She was able to make plenty of threes, drive past folks and was actually considered a PF not center. Your comment of her floor and ceiling is not accurate IMO. I think Geno is too bought into a small lineup and he puts “Bigs” in a box and all he wants is rebounds, some def (in limited minutes) and a layup or two. Maybe that is the reason that high potential bigs don’t choose UConn. If something doesn’t change we will win a lot until late in the tournament and get out muscled and out played by more aggressive strong interior players.