5 Thoughts while waiting for Loyola

[victor64]

5 observations after two exhibitions and two games.

1. With her being a senior and her achievements while at Wisconsin, I thought Serah’s transition would be faster. With Jana looking more comfortable, the staff can be patient. Serah is too talented. Her defense, shot blocking and rebounding are already where they should be. Better decision making when she gets the ball will get better as the season progresses.
2. A poster disagreed with my observation that Kayleigh was “a little out of control at times” against FSU. I rewatched the game and she was. However, this does not diminish her role. I thought she and KK would share the point guard spot. It looks now, though, that she will not only split PG duties, she and KK will also be part of the small lineup that Geno loves to employ. Even though her 3 point percentage needs to get better, her jumper off the dribble is a thing of beauty.
3. Even though she didn’t play against Louisville, Kelis Fisher gets my attention every time she is in the game. When she first entered against FSU, her nervousness was obvious. However, this is a player with an impressive high school resume with a D1 physique and quickness. Her shooting form needs a little work but she is fearless and can get to the basket at will. She will probably, at least initially get “mop up time” minutes. I hope Geno takes the governor off and just let her do her thing when she does get in.
4. I said at the start and will repeat, IMO Ash is better coming off the bench. She provides so much energy with her defense and rebounding. She was a streaky shooter last year and has not shot well so far this year. She was the Big East’s Six Person of the Year” last year so she can thrive in that role. I also love her as part of the small lineup.
5. Getting here late and now missing the first two games because of injury have certainly slowed Blanca getting used to UConn’s way. When she does get caught up, she will play a significant role in this team’s quest for number 13. I think she eventually starts at the 3. It may not happen however until as late as January.

Lots to disagree with here. Just what I am thinking about as we wait for Loyola.

 

[DemonDeac22]

Agree with almost all of your points except for Blanca, who athletically is gifted but she’ll need to be able to show in practice that she can play within the system so Geno can trust her in the real game action. The others already have a leg up and will keep improving as well as the season moves on so playing time will be a challenge for her.

Keep in mind that the bigs seem to take a lot longer than the guards in getting into the flow of the UConn system. Case in points would be Dorka vs. Evina, Lou Lou and Kaitlyn.

 

[AmeriConn]

5 observations after two exhibitions and two games.

1. With her being a senior and her achievements while at Wisconsin, I thought Serah’s transition would be faster. With Jana looking more comfortable, the staff can be patient. Serah is too talented. Her defense, shot blocking and rebounding are already where they should be. Better decision making when she gets the ball will get better as the season progresses.
2. A poster disagreed with my observation that Kayleigh was “a little out of control at times” against FSU. I rewatched the game and she was. However, this does not diminish her role. I thought she and KK would share the point guard spot. It looks now, though, that she will not only split PG duties, she and KK will also be part of the small lineup that Geno loves to employ. Even though her 3 point percentage needs to get better, her jumper off the dribble is a thing of beauty.
3. Even though she didn’t play against Louisville, Kelis Fisher gets my attention every time she is in the game. When she first entered against FSU, her nervousness was obvious. However, this is a player with an impressive high school resume with a D1 physique and quickness. Her shooting form needs a little work but she is fearless and can get to the basket at will. She will probably, at least initially get “mop up time” minutes. I hope Geno takes the governor off and just let her do her thing when she does get in.
4. I said at the start and will repeat, IMO Ash is better coming off the bench. She provides so much energy with her defense and rebounding. She was a streaky shooter last year and has not shot well so far this year. She was the Big East’s Six Person of the Year” last year so she can thrive in that role. I also love her as part of the small lineup.
5. Getting here late and now missing the first two games because of injury have certainly slowed Blanca getting used to UConn’s way. When she does get caught up, she will play a significant role in this team’s quest for number 13. I think she eventually starts at the 3. It may not happen however until as late as January.

Lots to disagree with here. Just what I am thinking about as we wait for Loyola.

I like Ash coming off the bench as well. She brings a spark and intensity to the game.

 

[oldude]

5 observations after two exhibitions and two games.

1. With her being a senior and her achievements while at Wisconsin, I thought Serah’s transition would be faster. With Jana looking more comfortable, the staff can be patient. Serah is too talented. Her defense, shot blocking and rebounding are already where they should be. Better decision making when she gets the ball will get better as the season progresses.
2. A poster disagreed with my observation that Kayleigh was “a little out of control at times” against FSU. I rewatched the game and she was. However, this does not diminish her role. I thought she and KK would share the point guard spot. It looks now, though, that she will not only split PG duties, she and KK will also be part of the small lineup that Geno loves to employ. Even though her 3 point percentage needs to get better, her jumper off the dribble is a thing of beauty.
3. Even though she didn’t play against Louisville, Kelis Fisher gets my attention every time she is in the game. When she first entered against FSU, her nervousness was obvious. However, this is a player with an impressive high school resume with a D1 physique and quickness. Her shooting form needs a little work but she is fearless and can get to the basket at will. She will probably, at least initially get “mop up time” minutes. I hope Geno takes the governor off and just let her do her thing when she does get in.
4. I said at the start and will repeat, IMO Ash is better coming off the bench. She provides so much energy with her defense and rebounding. She was a streaky shooter last year and has not shot well so far this year. She was the Big East’s Six Person of the Year” last year so she can thrive in that role. I also love her as part of the small lineup.
5. Getting here late and now missing the first two games because of injury have certainly slowed Blanca getting used to UConn’s way. When she does get caught up, she will play a significant role in this team’s quest for number 13. I think she eventually starts at the 3. It may not happen however until as late as January.

Lots to disagree with here. Just what I am thinking about as we wait for Loyola.

I am reminded of Dorka, another all Big-10 center who transferred to UConn. Dorka struggled to figure things out for some time until she ultimately got the hang of things and became a solid player for the Huskies

 

[victor64]

I am reminded of Dorka, another all Big-10 center who transferred to UConn. Dorka struggled to figure things out for some time until she ultimately got the hang of things and became a solid player for the Huskies

Dorka came from Ohio State where discipline and organization are not among McGuff’s strengths. Serah had at a little UConn influence with Marisa. 🙂

 

[oldude]

Dorka came from Ohio State where discipline and organization are not among McGuff’s strengths. Serah had at a little UConn influence with Marisa. 🙂

Yes but Serah was a high usage Big at WI, in a rather simple offensive philosophy. At UConn, she is being asked to do a bunch of things she never had to do at WI.

 

[HuskyNan]

5 observations after two exhibitions and two games.

1. With her being a senior and her achievements while at Wisconsin, I thought Serah’s transition would be faster. With Jana looking more comfortable, the staff can be patient. Serah is too talented. Her defense, shot blocking and rebounding are already where they should be. Better decision making when she gets the ball will get better as the season progresses.

i Don’t know what your chosen profession is but I can guarantee that no matter how good you are at your job, if you started at a new employer today, it would take you a while to get up to your usual level of productivity. You’d have new fellow employees, who work differently than your previous workmates, a new boss, new company policies, and so on. So it is for Serah.

Geno has said she’s still adjusting to the team’s speed. She’s also learning to play with new guards all while trying to learn a new offense while having to play a stifling defense, which is one of the best in the country.

People need to be patient

 

[YKCornelius]

Agree with almost all of your points except for Blanca, who athletically is gifted but she’ll need to be able to show in practice that she can play within the system so Geno can trust her in the real game action. The others already have a leg up and will keep improving as well as the season moves on so playing time will be a challenge for her.

Keep in mind that the bigs seem to take a lot longer than the guards in getting into the flow of the UConn system. Case in points would be Dorka vs. Evina, Lou Lou and Kaitlyn.

DemonDeac22, I am unclear about what aspect you are disagreeing with victor64 as it relates to Blanca. Are you disagreeing with his comment that "she eventually starts at the 3" this season?

I don't agree with the premise that Geno might have "trust" concerns about Blanca being able to play within the system. I think he realizes that one of the things that makes Blanca a unicorn is her proven ability to adapt and learn in a new and challenging environment.

I think Geno will be treating Blanca a bit different than he treats other freshmen due to her unique situation of being an extremely high talent coming from overseas. More specifically, he will give her more leeway to make mistakes in game action since he has the horses and talent to pull her out and sit her down for a spell if things go awry.

Said differently, I think his handling of her will be a lot more like he did with Svet, and less like he did handling Nika or Anna.

I honestly do not care if she starts or comes in off the bench. But I do think she will eventually be getting significant minutes, and will be a major impact in BE and NCAA tournament games. Along the lines of Joyce Edwards at South Carolina...

 

[slug25]

Blanca will also get to the free throw line more often than anyone except perhaps Sarah.

 

[victor64]

i Don’t know what your chosen profession is but I can guarantee that no matter how good you are at your job, if you started at a new employer today, it would take you a while to get up to your usual level of productivity. You’d have new fellow employees, who work differently than your previous workmates, a new boss, new company policies, and so on. So it is for Serah.

Geno has said she’s still adjusting to the team’s speed. She’s also learning to play with new guards all while trying to learn a new offense while having to play a stifling defense, which is one of the best in the country.

People need to be patient

I thought in my post that I indicated that Serah would eventually be an asset. I was surprised with some of the shots she missed and some of the choices she made with the ball in the total of four games. You may not agree but I think that is fair observation. I am glad that they have Jana to allow Serah time to figure it out.

 

[Bone Dog]

IMO Ash is better coming off the bench. She provides so much energy with her defense and rebounding. She was a streaky shooter last year and has not shot well so far this year.

I don’t really care how she enters games, whether as a starter or coming off the bench. But if it’s the latter, whom does she come in for? She shot 40% from 3 last season — that’s the reality about her, and though she’s missing shots now, that won’t last.

So, back to the original question: if she comes in for Azzi that keeps a good perimeter shooting threat on the floor which is important for clearing double teams from the paint. On the other hand, it means there’s only two perimeter threats on the floor. That’s one less than Geno regularly had last season.

I don’t think she can directly sub at the PG position — that’s not who she is. I take this to mean she can’t really sub for KK or Kayleigh, at least not routinely.

This leaves the wing where she might trade off with Carol and Blanca when she becomes available. I’d love to see Carol sturdy enough to start, but my guess is the more likely wing will be Blanca, though it may be a while before we see her in a starting lineup.

All this leads me to suspect that Ash will be a starter for the near future and maybe even longer. As good as she is in the ‘6th woman’ role she may be more important as the third perimeter threat now that Paige has moved on.

 

[HuskyNan]

I thought in my post that I indicated that Serah would eventually be an asset. I was surprised with some of the shots she missed and some of the choices she made with the ball in the total of four games. You may not agree but I think that is fair observation. I am glad that they have Jana to allow Serah time to figure it out.

Geno said she’s either too slow or too sped up as she searches for the right pace to play at. He seems happy with her progress

 

[Tonyc]

Whether she starts or not Blanca will get significant minutes because of the way she plays on both sides of the ball. The one thing she seems to lack is a good outside shot but she can disrupt opponents on both sides of the ball. She has so much talent and ability that all she needs it playtime and tweaking and it should all fall in place. She is a tremendous talent and Geno will nurture her and make her an AA. Blanca is a special talent. We can afford to play her and let her learn from her mistakes because she makes up for it with everything else she does.

 

[PacoSwede]

crazy random thought: blanca in time will show as the clone of Catch, though a bit taller.

not too shabby, but i may not around to say 'i predicted it'.

 

[Bonpland]

Is anyone else thinking that Cheli will wind up red shirting this year? I'm a fan and was looking forward to her coming back from her injury and then playing a significant role this year. Now she's back in a boot and there is a crowd in front of her fighting for playing time. I'd hate to have her lose a year of eligibility sitting on the bench while she continues to recover and then has to get up to speed with her teammates who are already running at full speed.

 

[FanSince17]

Is anyone else thinking that Cheli will wind up red shirting this year? I'm a fan and was looking forward to her coming back from her injury and then playing a significant role this year. Now she's back in a boot and there is a crowd in front of her fighting for playing time. I'd hate to have her lose a year of eligibility sitting on the bench while she continues to recover and then has to get up to speed with her teammates who are already running at full speed.

The purpose of the boot in this instance could be to reduce swelling. (compression) If she ups the ante and starts working harder, the injured area experiences more inflammation. (no, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night + I used to be a serious runner)

 

[ERWUC65]

I don’t really care how she enters games, whether as a starter or coming off the bench. But if it’s the latter, whom does she come in for? She shot 40% from 3 last season — that’s the reality about her, and though she’s missing shots now, that won’t last.

So, back to the original question: if she comes in for Azzi that keeps a good perimeter shooting threat on the floor which is important for clearing double teams from the paint. On the other hand, it means there’s only two perimeter threats on the floor. That’s one less than Geno regularly had last season.

I don’t think she can directly sub at the PG position — that’s not who she is. I take this to mean she can’t really sub for KK or Kayleigh, at least not routinely.

This leaves the wing where she might trade off with Carol and Blanca when she becomes available. I’d love to see Carol sturdy enough to start, but my guess is the more likely wing will be Blanca, though it may be a while before we see her in a starting lineup.

All this leads me to suspect that Ash will be a starter for the near future and maybe even longer. As good as she is in the ‘6th woman’ role she may be more important as the third perimeter threat now that Paige has moved on.

Ash is not comfortable at the 3 (wing) in the new lineup and Geno needs to put her back as Azzi's backup at the 2 (sg). Allie (shooting), Carol (playmaking) and eventually Blanca (athletic) are a better fit there and that can be a rotation early on. KK is doing OK at the 1 (pg) and I like Ash and Heckel being the disrupters on defense and decent shooters that can give a great change of pace and rest the starters.

 

[Kat]

Yes, Ash was great off of the bench but I love starting a game with four players who won a National Championship last year.

 

[Charliebball]

DemonDeac22, I am unclear about what aspect you are disagreeing with victor64 as it relates to Blanca. Are you disagreeing with his comment that "she eventually starts at the 3" this season?

I don't agree with the premise that Geno might have "trust" concerns about Blanca being able to play within the system. I think he realizes that one of the things that makes Blanca a unicorn is her proven ability to adapt and learn in a new and challenging environment.

I think Geno will be treating Blanca a bit different than he treats other freshmen due to her unique situation of being an extremely high talent coming from overseas. More specifically, he will give her more leeway to make mistakes in game action since he has the horses and talent to pull her out and sit her down for a spell if things go awry.

Said differently, I think his handling of her will be a lot more like he did with Svet, and less like he did handling Nika or Anna.

I honestly do not care if she starts or comes in off the bench. But I do think she will eventually be getting significant minutes, and will be a major impact in BE and NCAA tournament games. Along the lines of Joyce Edwards at South Carolina...

I look forward to Blanca's return to action.........the doubters will see that she brings a level of athleticism and defensive intensity that will make UConn's pressing defense that much more formidable.........as the season progresses, we should also see a lot more from her on the offensive end.......

 

[BBallF]

Yes but Serah was a high usage Big at WI, in a rather simple offensive philosophy. At UConn, she is being asked to do a bunch of things she never had to do at WI.

That's exactly the difference. the offense at Wisconsin was "give Serah the ball in the paint". Here it is "give her the ball at certain times and spots, off the offense, on the break etc".

 

[BBallF]

5 observations after two exhibitions and two games.

1. With her being a senior and her achievements while at Wisconsin, I thought Serah’s transition would be faster. With Jana looking more comfortable, the staff can be patient. Serah is too talented. Her defense, shot blocking and rebounding are already where they should be. Better decision making when she gets the ball will get better as the season progresses.
2. A poster disagreed with my observation that Kayleigh was “a little out of control at times” against FSU. I rewatched the game and she was. However, this does not diminish her role. I thought she and KK would share the point guard spot. It looks now, though, that she will not only split PG duties, she and KK will also be part of the small lineup that Geno loves to employ. Even though her 3 point percentage needs to get better, her jumper off the dribble is a thing of beauty.
3. Even though she didn’t play against Louisville, Kelis Fisher gets my attention every time she is in the game. When she first entered against FSU, her nervousness was obvious. However, this is a player with an impressive high school resume with a D1 physique and quickness. Her shooting form needs a little work but she is fearless and can get to the basket at will. She will probably, at least initially get “mop up time” minutes. I hope Geno takes the governor off and just let her do her thing when she does get in.
4. I said at the start and will repeat, IMO Ash is better coming off the bench. She provides so much energy with her defense and rebounding. She was a streaky shooter last year and has not shot well so far this year. She was the Big East’s Six Person of the Year” last year so she can thrive in that role. I also love her as part of the small lineup.
5. Getting here late and now missing the first two games because of injury have certainly slowed Blanca getting used to UConn’s way. When she does get caught up, she will play a significant role in this team’s quest for number 13. I think she eventually starts at the 3. It may not happen however until as late as January.

Lots to disagree with here. Just what I am thinking about as we wait for Loyola.

1. I think Serah has to improve not just on offense but defense as well. It's a timing issue all the way around. She can be a dominant, intimidating presence in the post and I haven't seen that yet. When you see opposing players not driving, you know it has happened.

2. I disagreed with your analysis of Kayleigh because all you said about her was that she was a little out of control" at times. You said nothing about her points, steals, floor game etc. She had 6 steals in the first half, the first one on the first play she was in. That's the overriding thing she did, not be out of control "at times".

3. Kelis has a lot to learn but she has a lot of skills and is stronger physically and quicker than expected. She will be a very good player and I think sooner rather than later.

4. Ash should come off the bench. She is more of weapon doing it and I think more comfortable. I think Allie or Caroline should start at the 3 now.

5. Blanca will have a "playing learning curve". As long as she is healthy, I agree it is just a matter of time.

A few others:

6. Small ball is great but I would like to see big ball too.

7. Stop rushing the 3s. We are rushing them because we are running and in transition. The shot can't be rushed even if you rushed to get to the spot.

8. Right now Kayleigh, KK and Serah are averaging a combined 30 points a game. They are together the the third big scorer on the team. With Azzi and Sarah right now, you have close to 75 points going in. When Ash, Allie, Caroline and Blanca really get going, there should be an offensive avalanche.

Last thought- I love this team. So great to watch and root for and so interesting to see the Mad Scientist concocting multiple combos like they are potions.

 

[Skeets]

Yes, Ash was great off of the bench but I love starting a game with four players who won a National Championship last year.

Yeah, me too. If Ash can knock down 2 or 3 shots it will end the speculation about her starting. But, she's got to knock down the shots.

I've also noticed that Ash was relatively open a couple of times and the ball didn't go to her. I don't know if this is a problem or UConn running some play on the other side of the court. If UConn wasn't trying to run something else, I hope it gets addressed during the film sessions.

 

[Bone Dog]

Ash is not comfortable at the 3 (wing) in the new lineup and Geno needs to put her back as Azzi's backup at the 2 (sg).

This seems like a theory, not a fact. But it is tempting to think this. I don’t happen to share this view, though even if I granted it, I still don’t see how this necessitates benching her. More compelling to me is to give her more time to get comfortable.

 

[oldude]

Ash is not comfortable at the 3 (wing) in the new lineup and Geno needs to put her back as Azzi's backup at the 2 (sg). Allie (shooting), Carol (playmaking) and eventually Blanca (athletic) are a better fit there and that can be a rotation early on. KK is doing OK at the 1 (pg) and I like Ash and Heckel being the disrupters on defense and decent shooters that can give a great change of pace and rest the starters.

Funny. Last season when UConn destroyed teams with their small lineup, Ash was on the court with Azzi, KK, Sarah and Paige. So the only difference this season is Serah for Paige. Hard to see how Ash could thrive in one lineup and not in another?

 

[DeepThreat]

I am reminded of Dorka, another all Big-10 center who transferred to UConn. Dorka struggled to figure things out for some time until she ultimately got the hang of things and became a solid player for the Huskies

I remember reading a story about Geno and Dorka having a conversation about where she wanted to be on the court and where she wanted the ball. Once they figured that out she began to blossom. Perhaps Geno could/should have the same convo with Serah.