6 Reasons Why Ash and KK will start

[Bone Dog]

Paige’s power forward days are likely behind her, her experience (and success) playing there last year has clearly made her into an even better player than she was, prior to that experience!

I’ve been watching videos of Maya’s senior season and first couple years in the W, and thinking about what the power forward season has done for Paige. I used to think of Maya as built on a different scale from Paige. She’s a little bigger and stronger, while Paige is long and lanky. But after last season, Paige has gotten a lot stronger. She’s not as big as Maya even now though they’re about the same height. But her confidence about taking over games is now very similar to the magnificent one.

 

[JoePgh]

I think Paige's position in 2024-25 will be the 3 (wing). There, she will jump in and get some rebounds at both ends of the court without having to grind it out in the paint on every possession. That is what she did last season when Geno played Aaliyah and Ice together, or sometimes when Aubrey was still playing.

That would allow two true guards and two true bigs to play with her at all times, which would exploit the guard depth of the roster. And it would allow her to handle the ball a lot, making use of her point guard skills.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

I think Paige's position in 2024-25 will be the 3 (wing). There, she will jump in and get some rebounds at both ends of the court without having to grind it out in the paint on every possession. That is what she did last season when Geno played Aaliyah and Ice together, or sometimes when Aubrey was still playing.

That would allow two true guards and two true bigs to play with her at all times, which would exploit the guard depth of the roster. And it would allow her to handle the ball a lot, making use of her point guard skills.

Paige is a true guard for goodness sake. If Paige isn’t playing PG for at least half her time on the floor we will not come close to our potential.

 

[hoophuskee]

Paige is a true guard for goodness sake. If Paige isn’t playing PG for at least half her time on the floor we will not come close to our potential.

She is also a PG. LeBron James was/is a PG. and more Larry Bird was also a PG and more.

These are/were true pg's at times and more.

I just wish some of you would stop limiting her game as part of your view. She is so much of a better player than you give her credit for.

 

[CL82]

If that were true he wouldn’t have added the “come off the bench” part imo. That was an intentional and conscious add Omg with other statement about Ashlyn not playing in the beginning of games.

Disagree.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

She is also a PG. LeBron James was/is a PG. and more Larry Bird was also a PG and more.

These are/were true pg's at times and more.

I just wish some of you would stop limiting her game as part of your view. She is so much of a better player than you give her credit for.

What does this have to do with what I said?

 

[hoophuskee]

What does this have to do with what I said?

Really?

You responded ot the poster that said Paige could do what she did this past year and show off her PG skills and also show off her wing skills (i.e a point-forward).

So, my point was why is doing more than just a pg so bad? Players like LeBron and Bird are regarded as the greatest of all-time.

And what Paige did this past year taking the team as far as they got was off-the-charts special.

 

[Blond D.]

Here is his quote where the implication is clear:
“Her (Ashlyn’s) role will be different this year. And somebody like ‘well why?’ I said well maybe it won’t be different, maybe Azzi will decide she wants to come off the bench and play 5 minutes”

To me that’s a pretty clear implication that Azzi is the expected starter and Ash will be coming off the bench and not having to play as much.

To me it sounds like Ashlynn will be playing less minutes or a different spot not that she won't a starter and be replaced by Azzie. It actually sounds like Geno is dancing around the question of who is going to start and who isnt. I'm sure at this time of the year even HE doesnt know.

 

[JoePgh]

To me it sounds like Ashlynn will be playing less minutes or a different spot not that she won't a starter and be replaced by Azzie. It actually sounds like Geno is dancing around the question of who is going to start and who isnt. I'm sure at this time of the year even HE doesnt know.

At this time of the year, he definitely does NOT know. That is true every year, but especially this year.

The fall practices will determine his answer, as he observes not only who are the best players and who plays best with which others, but also where players like Azzi and Aubrey stand with respect to their recovery and fitness.

 

[Bone Dog]

It just occurred to me reading another thread that if the starting lineup is unexpected, it could mean something amazing is about to happen. Yeah Paige is a lock, but for Q or Ayanna or Morgan or Allie to crack that lineup, they'd have had to do some amazing things in practices. It might signal the beginning of something awesome!

 

[Alydar]

Really?

You responded ot the poster that said Paige could do what she did this past year and show off her PG skills and also show off her wing skills (i.e a point-forward).

So, my point was why is doing more than just a pg so bad? Players like LeBron and Bird are regarded as the greatest of all-time.

And what Paige did this past year taking the team as far as they got was off-the-charts special.

There's the difference between you and I. There is nothing more important for Bueckers to do to ensure victory than play pg. There are a few others who can play pg but not close to what Bueckers can do there.

 

[hoophuskee]

There's the difference between you and I. There is nothing more important for Bueckers to do to ensure victory than play pg. There are a few others who can play pg but not close to what Bueckers can do there.

She does play pg. There are very few LeBron's and Bird's in the history in the sport. Paige is that point-forward in their type of style. There are very few that can do what Paige has shown to do.

IMO too many UCONN fans underrate how great Paige is because in part they take Geno so literal and because she hasn't won it all. There shouldn't be any underrating, She isn't a 1 year wonder.

And in regard to ensuring victory she has done that. She doesn't play for 1 year and the team can't get by the S16. Her pg play along with her wing play has been spectacular. Her big flaw is that she isn't perfect. Just like any other player that has this flaw.

And as you and I have pointed out to others, the comaprsion of her vs Maya is way unfair. Onre of Maya's teammates was the NPOY and is now the WNBA's 2nd all-time leading scorer. And the 2nd all-atime leading rebounder in WNBA History. Not to mention throw in 1 year of 1st team A/A Renee Montgomery.

Paige never had "that." If this superstar Point-Forward had "that" then rest assured titles would have followed too. We saw with injuires to Shea many years ago and on the men's side Ricky Moore. Paige's teams have been crushed by injury much worse.

 

[Rudy1927]

Strong will be starting.

 

[Skeets]

There's the difference between you and I. There is nothing more important for Bueckers to do to ensure victory than play pg. There are a few others who can play pg but not close to what Bueckers can do there.

True, but the same can be said of Paige and the shooting guard position.

 

[oldhusky]

She is also a PG. LeBron James was/is a PG. and more Larry Bird was also a PG and more.

These are/were true pg's at times and more.

I just wish some of you would stop limiting her game as part of your view. She is so much of a better player than you give her credit for.

She does play pg. There are very few LeBron's and Bird's in the history in the sport. Paige is that point-forward in their type of style. There are very few that can do what Paige has shown to do.

IMO too many UCONN fans underrate how great Paige is because in part they take Geno so literal and because she hasn't won it all. There shouldn't be any underrating, She isn't a 1 year wonder.

And in regard to ensuring victory she has done that. She doesn't play for 1 year and the team can't get by the S16. Her pg play along with her wing play has been spectacular. Her big flaw is that she isn't perfect. Just like any other player that has this flaw.

And as you and I have pointed out to others, the comaprsion of her vs Maya is way unfair. Onre of Maya's teammates was the NPOY and is now the WNBA's 2nd all-time leading scorer. And the 2nd all-atime leading rebounder in WNBA History. Not to mention throw in 1 year of 1st team A/A Renee Montgomery.

Paige never had "that." If this superstar Point-Forward had "that" then rest assured titles would have followed too. We saw with injuires to Shea many years ago and on the men's side Ricky Moore. Paige's teams have been crushed by injury much worse.

Adding to these points, it is Paige's great versatility that allows most of the other players to play their best positions. It is quite possible that Paige may play as much at her third and fourth best positions as her first two. I think while the 1 and 2 are her best, she is almost as good as a 3, and while certainly not her best, she is still a star at the 4.

Last year when Nika was on the floor, it made far more sense to have Paige play elsewhere and Nika man the point. Not because Nika was the better point guard, but because Nika's effectiveness as a SG is much worse than at the point, and Paige is literally exceptional at the three perimeter positions and very very good even at the 4.

To a lesser degree that still applies this year. If you just compare our options at the 1 and the 3, there are far more concerns over the 3. We have two talented PG's other than Paige. At SF/3 there are some talented possibilities, but a few more question marks, largely health and inexperience.

Most presume both KK and Kaitlin will see significant time. I do too, but mostly at PG. If either of those is on the floor they should be the PG not Paige. While not as extreme an issue as with Nika it still applies. Kaitlin might be close to a swing guard 1/2, but KK is far more a pure PG. Remember KK had to play out of position pretty much the whole season with both Nika and Paige on the floor with her. You could make a pretty logical argument that her potential improvement over her freshmen season could be a lot if allowed to spend most of her time at the point.

While Kaitlin can be a pretty good 2 as well as 1, there is not much need for her to play there, not because she can't, but because of who else we have that could be great there, namely Azzi, Ash, Allie, and of course if needed Paige. So if KK and Kaitlin get minutes, the vast majority of those will be at the point, meaning Paige will be elsewhere, and with so many great players at the 2, that means Paige's primary position is more likely to be the 3.

Then if you look at the 4, I hope for and believe Sarah will start there. But even if you assume that, there is still an issue with the backup minutes there. At the start of the season even if you pencil Sarah in for 30 good minutes a game, Ayanna and Ice have not yet lived up to their HS rankings, one is coming off surgery, and the other will also be needed for backup minutes at the 5, presumably behind Jana. So the clear cut best option behind Sarah is probably Paige, at least until Aubrey returns.

Because of the mix with other players and greater needs at the 3 and the 4, Paige may play less at the point than many assume. She is the team's best 1,2,3 and even possibly 4. KK and Kaitlin are better at the 1 than the 2, Azzi and Ash are a little miscast at the 3 and better at the 2, Caroline is better at the 3 than the 2 or the 4, Q is more 3 than 4 etc. Because of Paige's greatness at so many positions we can get the most out of our other players.

Last year's team didn't have options. The only player playing their best position at year end was Nika. KK at the 2 instead of the 1, Ash at the 3 instead of the 2, Paige at the 4 instead of 1-3, and Aaliyah at the 5 instead of the 4 after Aubrey got injured. All teams wind up with players out of their best position part of the time, but last year it was the norm, this year it should be the exception IMO.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

She does play pg. There are very few LeBron's and Bird's in the history in the sport. Paige is that point-forward in their type of style. There are very few that can do what Paige has shown to do.

IMO too many UCONN fans underrate how great Paige is because in part they take Geno so literal and because she hasn't won it all. There shouldn't be any underrating, She isn't a 1 year wonder.

And in regard to ensuring victory she has done that. She doesn't play for 1 year and the team can't get by the S16. Her pg play along with her wing play has been spectacular. Her big flaw is that she isn't perfect. Just like any other player that has this flaw.

And as you and I have pointed out to others, the comaprsion of her vs Maya is way unfair. Onre of Maya's teammates was the NPOY and is now the WNBA's 2nd all-time leading scorer. And the 2nd all-atime leading rebounder in WNBA History. Not to mention throw in 1 year of 1st team A/A Renee Montgomery.

Paige never had "that." If this superstar Point-Forward had "that" then rest assured titles would have followed too. We saw with injuires to Shea many years ago and on the men's side Ricky Moore. Paige's teams have been crushed by injury much worse.

Paige is not a point forward. She is too small. She was a guard playing out of position in a forward spot because her team was decimated by injuries. Larry Bird is the size of a forward. As is Lebron James. Paige isn't comparable to those two in any way shape or from. She is just a guard.

 

[hoophuskee]

Paige is not a point forward. She is too small. She was a guard playing out of position in a forward spot because her team was decimated by injuries. Larry Bird is the size of a forward. As is Lebron James. Paige isn't comparable to those two in any way shape or from. She is just a guard.

You are not correct. There is no defined size for a Point forward or for any forward or any guards or centers for that matter. The size does not dictate position. On the flip-side it's like saying back in the day Magic Johnson wasn't a pg because he was too tall.

Nor does it matter why she was playing Point-Forward other than she did it at a supreme level.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

You are not correct. There is no defined size for a Point forward or for any forward or any guards or centers for that matter. The size does not dictate position. On the flip-side it's like saying back in the day Magic Johnson wasn't a pg because he was too tall.

Nor does it matter why she was playing Point-Forward other than she did it at a supreme level.

OK if you want to say size is not disqualifying for position, she also doesn't have forward skills. She doesn't have post moves or a back to the basket game. She is just guard playing out of position last year.. She wasn't our point forward last year either, she played off the ball. Nika was a ball dominant point guard, kk the back up PG and occassional Paige would play. Her being a post player was always a joke. We ran a 4 guard line up, not a three guard line up with a point forward.

 

[hoophuskee]

OK if you want to say size is not disqualifying for position, she also doesn't have forward skills. She doesn't have post moves or a back to the basket game. She is just guard playing out of position last year.. She wasn't our point forward last year either, she played off the ball. Nika was a ball dominant point guard, kk the back up PG and occassional Paige would play. Her being a post player was always a joke. We ran a 4 guard line up, not a three guard line up with a point forward.

So in one breath you make a prior post that Paige was playing the forward spot. But in another you say she wasn’t a forward? If someone is playing the forward sport which you even stated Paige was – then that’s a Forward to me, And she did it at 1st team All-American Level and yet you suggest she doesn’t have the Forward skills? In part what good are the Forward skills that she supposedly doesn’t have if Paige is generally kicking butt at that Forward spot that she is soo supposedly playing out of position? So much as she takes a team with no business getting to FF and is seconds away from The Finals?

This imo this is the type of example that you imply that massively underrates Paige. If you want to refer to no Forwards but just 4 Guards okay, but then if you aren’t giving Paige credit for some of her PG play in that 4-guard set then it highlights how some of you have so little respect for her game. Because if there are 4 guards, wouldn’t it stand to reason that the guards are doing different things? So Paige was that limited this year that she never played at all pg – she only played “off-the-ball?”

To say Paige doesn’t have back to the basket play or post moves as back-to-the basket is just wrong. Because if she has back to the basket moves/play but doesn't show it a lot then why would we disqualify her from being a Point-Forward???? Why should she have to show it a lot? LeBron James early in his career rarely low posted. A Point-Forward can be predominantly inside or out. We’ve heard the term before “Wing.” By its definition “Wing” includes a Forward and the term “Wing” also refers to someone primarily on the outside. Ergo using the terminology “point-Forward” is also a Forward that can also play as a Wing. Why can’t a Point-Forward play predominantly on the Wing? So why are you so focused on back-to-the-basket? And to add to this, we’ve heard the terminology “A Stretch 4.” That’s a Power Forward playing outside. They are still defined as a Power Forward despite that they rarely if ever produce low post moves. So why should we underrate Paige as not being more than just “an only off-the-ball guard” because she doesn’t score as often on the inside when Forwards such as Wings and Stretch 4’s don’t as well? This would imply one rule for Paige and another for everyone else.

And in regard to Paige only plying off the ball and Nika being the dominant pg is just completely false. First off saying Paige only plays off the ball is like saying that’s all Larry Bird was as well. Secondly, I’d ask anyone to watch SOCal vs UCONN the entire 4th qtr. – a close game – and then decide if Paige wasn’t also having pg responsibilities. Just as we term things like ‘There are team that have 2 pg’s” or “This team has Twin Towers;” why ism’t that the same with UCONN and Paige? Nika was not dominant as a pg if we want to look at close games giving the example of the entire 4th qtr I mentioned. They split about 50-50 bringing the ball up the floor. Then you had times Nika would bring it up give the ball to Paige then set herself 25 feet away while Paige ran from the start. And other times Paige would hunt for the ball even after a few passes then look to make a play while Nika would do that much, much, less. Allowing another player to run plays late in the shot clock or even to start the half court as often as Nika “allowed” is in no way a characteristic of a dominant pg. In addition when UCONN was pressed Paige and Nika shared the ball. Thus to say Paige was only “off the ball” just highlights how underrated she is actually thought of by some. .

And by the way, in the 4th quarter Paige did score on a back to the basket move. And incidentally she was fouled but they didn’t call it. All these are examples of why Paige can be so massively underrated to pigeon-hole her as only off-the-ball and minimize her other skills and imply no pg play imo is so wrong.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

So in one breath you make a prior post that Paige was playing the forward spot. But in another you say she wasn’t a forward? If someone is playing the forward sport which you even stated Paige was – then that’s a Forward to me, And she did it at 1st team All-American Level and yet you suggest she doesn’t have the Forward skills? In part what good are the Forward skills that she supposedly doesn’t have if Paige is generally kicking butt at that Forward spot that she is soo supposedly playing out of position? So much as she takes a team with no business getting to FF and is seconds away from The Finals?

This imo this is the type of example that you imply that massively underrates Paige. If you want to refer to no Forwards but just 4 Guards okay, but then if you aren’t giving Paige credit for some of her PG play in that 4-guard set then it highlights how some of you have so little respect for her game. Because if there are 4 guards, wouldn’t it stand to reason that the guards are doing different things? So Paige was that limited this year that she never played at all pg – she only played “off-the-ball?”

To say Paige doesn’t have back to the basket play or post moves as back-to-the basket is just wrong. Because if she has back to the basket moves/play but doesn't show it a lot then why would we disqualify her from being a Point-Forward???? Why should she have to show it a lot? LeBron James early in his career rarely low posted. A Point-Forward can be predominantly inside or out. We’ve heard the term before “Wing.” By its definition “Wing” includes a Forward and the term “Wing” also refers to someone primarily on the outside. Ergo using the terminology “point-Forward” is also a Forward that can also play as a Wing. Why can’t a Point-Forward play predominantly on the Wing? So why are you so focused on back-to-the-basket? And to add to this, we’ve heard the terminology “A Stretch 4.” That’s a Power Forward playing outside. They are still defined as a Power Forward despite that they rarely if ever produce low post moves. So why should we underrate Paige as not being more than just “an only off-the-ball guard” because she doesn’t score as often on the inside when Forwards such as Wings and Stretch 4’s don’t as well? This would imply one rule for Paige and another for everyone else.

And in regard to Paige only plying off the ball and Nika being the dominant pg is just completely false. First off saying Paige only plays off the ball is like saying that’s all Larry Bird was as well. Secondly, I’d ask anyone to watch SOCal vs UCONN the entire 4th qtr. – a close game – and then decide if Paige wasn’t also having pg responsibilities. Just as we term things like ‘There are team that have 2 pg’s” or “This team has Twin Towers;” why ism’t that the same with UCONN and Paige? Nika was not dominant as a pg if we want to look at close games giving the example of the entire 4th qtr I mentioned. They split about 50-50 bringing the ball up the floor. Then you had times Nika would bring it up give the ball to Paige then set herself 25 feet away while Paige ran from the start. And other times Paige would hunt for the ball even after a few passes then look to make a play while Nika would do that much, much, less. Allowing another player to run plays late in the shot clock or even to start the half court as often as Nika “allowed” is in no way a characteristic of a dominant pg. In addition when UCONN was pressed Paige and Nika shared the ball. Thus to say Paige was only “off the ball” just highlights how underrated she is actually thought of by some. .

And by the way, in the 4th quarter Paige did score on a back to the basket move. And incidentally she was fouled but they didn’t call it. All these are examples of why Paige can be so massively underrated to pigeon-hole her as only off-the-ball and minimize her other skills and imply no pg play imo is so wrong.

We played with one forward spot on the floor last year. Played by either Edwards or Brady. Paige was still a guard when she was on the floor, we just had three others. She wasn't slotted in doing what another forward or post player would be doing if they were on the floor. She was just a guard.

I said in my post Paige occassionaly played PG. But it was an actual PG, not a from the point forward position, like say a Stewie.

I hope we are healthy next year so you can be reminded what a two forward line-up looks like and that Paige is in fact a guard, not a forward or post player.

 

[hoophuskee]

We played with one forward spot on the floor last year. Played by either Edwards or Brady. Paige was still a guard when she was on the floor, we just had three others. She wasn't slotted in doing what another forward or post player would be doing if they were on the floor. She was just a guard.

I said in my post Paige occassionaly played PG. But it was an actual PG, not a from the point forward position, like say a Stewie.

I hope we are healthy next year so you can be reminded what a two forward line-up looks like and that Paige is in fact a guard, not a forward or post player.

Well this will be our last encounter. With your Edwards comment just further highlights imo your fixation with size and your stereotype positions that I feel are way too narrow. And your post about Nika as "dominant pg,", and your point of "Paige plays the forward spot" but can't be called a Forward. Or this post you made of Edwards;--- is it you are implying that despite her playing the Center spot but she can't be called a Center too? IMO your definition of positions is wrong. So I feel best we avoid going forward.

In regard to The OP (phillycoach) on this thread I would say he or she is 50-50; --> getting Shade right but Chen wrong but Chen and KK very close.

Also, I do believe the OP is wrong for his reasons such as assuming that all the frosh players will have a soph ;leap along with his reason why Jana starts. For example, I do believe if Ashlynn were to start (I agree with Philly I believe she will start but ofc a guess) it would have more to do with Azzi's health to some degree. Philly seems to reference soph jump. A little there but I feel its mostly Azzi's health.

And as far as Jana - Philly had mentioned on another thread highlighting international experience as if that trumps USA experience. IMO it just seems she is possibly "that good" despite not playing USA basketball. Thus I don't view international is better than USA if he implied that. Jana might be just a beast,

As long as the team is healthy, then imo Sarah and Jana are most important how great this can be. UCONN needs an inside game both offensively and defensively and both have potential enormous upside. becuase of Page and probbaly Azzi's threat from the outside.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Really?

You responded ot the poster that said Paige could do what she did this past year and show off her PG skills and also show off her wing skills (i.e a point-forward).

So, my point was why is doing more than just a pg so bad? Players like LeBron and Bird are regarded as the greatest of all-time.

And what Paige did this past year taking the team as far as they got was off-the-charts special.

It’s not bad thing in general but we would have been better last year if we had real post players and Paige could have played on the ball more. There is nothin wrong with not being a PG but I happen to think we are better with Paige as the PG and players around her that can play off the ball.

 

[Alydar]

True, but the same can be said of Paige and the shooting guard position.

Also true. But PG has a bigger impact the rest of the team than any of the other positions.

And there's nothing that prevents Bueckers from scoring from the pg position as far as I know.

 

[Ace565]

Only Geno knows who he will start at season opener, but using his words "put your best five players out there and keep them out there as long as you can". Imo the five is Paige, Ash, Kaitlyn, Jana, and KK, but I believe if Allie continues to do well in practice and transitions well she will start. You don't leave one of you best shooters on the bench and she is by far the better shooter over KK. She is better than KLS was and she always started. Overall though it really doesn't matter who starts but how they play as a team. It's just a glorified title that gets thrown around. In Geno we trust!