A day with UConn's Geno Auriemma [Merged thread] | Page 2 | The Boneyard

A day with UConn's Geno Auriemma [Merged thread]

That was a fun article. Thanks for posting.
 
One the story lines for this season that is most interesting to me is Nika's. Geno obviously loves her tenacity and effort but can she keep the starting job with the bus-load of talent that just pulled up to Gampel? Stay tuned...
 
Childhood said:
I dont think Azzi would make jokes with Geno. She's quite a serious good student.
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Paige will convert Azzi to the trouble trios .Paige said at the end video with Azzi that she wants to be just like Paige
 
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psconn said:
One the story lines for this season that is most interesting to me is Nika's. Geno obviously loves her tenacity and effort but can she keep the starting job with the bus-load of talent that just pulled up to Gampel? Stay tuned...
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I think so. At least in the near term. But it wouldn’t surprise me to see Paige move to the 1 so that Azzi can take the 2 spot.
 
eebmg said:
Paige will convert Azzi to the trouble trios .Paige said at the end video with Azzi that she wants to be just like Paige
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Wow, can't wait. And just have fun in the college life.
 
CL82 said:
I think so. At least in the near term. But it wouldn’t surprise me to see Paige move to the 1 so that Azzi can take the 2 spot.
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I'm not sure Azzi's body is going to let her start this freshman year. I think this will be more the scenario the following year with Nika, Paige, and Azzi all starting.
 
DEpup said:
I'm not sure Azzi's body is going to let her start this freshman year. I think this will be more the scenario the following year with Nika, Paige, and Azzi all starting.
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Maybe, but I was surprised how fast Paige got into the starting lineup last year. I think that we may be back to a Connecticut lineup we’re pretty much everyone is playing in the 20 to 30 minute range. If that is correct, then starting matters less.
 
browns said:
Very enjoyable article.Liked the reference of Paige and Azzi being Gale Sayers and Jim Brown...doesn't get any better than that!
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Exactly. Jimmy Brown and Gale Sayers - thats my all time starting backfield.
 
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Scud49 said:
Exactly. Jimmy Brown and Gale Sayers - thats my all time starting backfield.
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He used the same analogy between Jen Rizzoti and Sue Bird.
 
CL82 said:
Maybe, but I was surprised how fast Paige got into the starting lineup last year. I think that we may be back to a Connecticut lineup we’re pretty much everyone is playing in the 20 to 30 minute range. If that is correct, then starting matters less.
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Yeah. My prediction is only based on the physical not skill. If Azzi was 100%, I think she finds a way to start but all signs say she is not 100% and will need to build back strength and play the long game for her career. That makes me think freshman year will be 20 minutes a game off the bench spelling Chrystin/Evina.
 
DEpup said:
Yeah. My prediction is only based on the physical not skill. If Azzi was 100%, I think she finds a way to start but all signs say she is not 100% and will need to build back strength and play the long game for her career. That makes me think freshman year will be 20 minutes a game off the bench spelling Chrystin/Evina.
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What makes you say she’s not 100%? I’m not questioning it I just haven’t seen it.
 
CL82 said:
What makes you say she’s not 100%? I’m not questioning it I just haven’t seen it.
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She was dealing with a foot/ankle this spring (shooting 3 pt competition in a boot!) but she is planning to play for USA in the U19 World Cup later this summer so I suspect she is healthy at this point.
 
CL82 said:
What makes you say she’s not 100%? I’m not questioning it I just haven’t seen it.
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In the article it mentions Azzi's foot still felt uncomfortable after one of the morning workouts they had recently.
 
CL82 said:
What makes you say she’s not 100%? I’m not questioning it I just haven’t seen it.
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Well she had the injury. Didn't have a highschool season after to build back. She sprained the ankle and was in a boot for part of Feb then March and into April. CD just said she was still having discomfort.

That also says to me that if not careful she could get into a similar issue that Ionescu is having right now where the original injury is repaired but the strength around that area needs to build back in order to take the day in and day out compression starting for a team such as UConn.
 
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psconn said:
can she keep the starting job with the bus-load of talent that just pulled up to Gampel?
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Yes. I think so. Sue Bird made Olympic team as PG at 40. Just say N.
 
CL82 said:
I think so. At least in the near term. But it wouldn’t surprise me to see Paige move to the 1 so that Azzi can take the 2 spot.
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I just see potentially the most deadly back court tandem in the history of wcbb.

Nika with a sophomore bump. To her right is Paige. On her left is Azzi. Plug in any other kid on the team at the other two positions, and give the three amigos moments of rest/coaching with any other guard on the team. I don't care who.

As an opponent what's the plan? Try to trap Nika? Quick pass to the right or left results in an uncontested 3.

Nika See's the floor. Not as well as Paige? Who cares? Nika can pass the rock. And if ignored she will punish the defence by scoring. Paige will be getting the rock because there will be rapid ball movement.

Don't understand people's desire to limit Paige's dynamic potential by putting her in as PG.

Not to wish my life away but I'm looking forward to what develops in the up coming season.
 
Majic Hands said:
Don't understand people's desire to limit Paige's dynamic potential by putting her in as PG.
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I think it’s her natural position she would rather set up teammates than score herself. In a perfect world, you want to be able to put your five best players on the court. Paige as a point guard who can score, or set someone else to score, pretty much it will is the better option. That isn’t a slight to Nika, but Paige is a once in a generation talent whose presence at the point makes everyone better.

I trust Geno and CD to figure it out, but in the end only five can be on the court at a time. Just curious, you kind of demurred on who are the rest of your starting five, which allowed you to avoid saying who you would sit. I’m curious, who are you starting five and who plays what positions?
 
CL82 said:
Just curious, you kind of demurred on who are the rest of your starting five, which allowed you to avoid saying who you would sit. I’m curious, who are you starting five and who plays what positions?
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Dang it. If I were to walk out and all the girls was lined up to play a game. I would hope that I could go with the Three musketeers with Liv and Aaliyah up front.

Quickly followed with a substitution for any player that needed some coaching or wasn't getting it done.

I'm ready for some UConn women's basketball.
 
Majic Hands said:
Dang it. If I were to walk out and all the girls was lined up to play a game. I would hope that I could go with the Three musketeers with Liv and Aaliyah up front.

Quickly followed with a substitution for any player that needed some coaching or wasn't getting it done.

I'm ready for some UConn women's basketball.
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That means Christyn sits…
If You Say So Reaction GIF by Identity
 
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wolfe613 said:
not a chance, she hasn't done anything to lose her starting job. If anyone is in danger is Westbrook, Muhl, and Olivia
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And they all contribute. In my opinion all the talent this team is going to make some coaching challenges as how to best use it. My best guess is geno will distribute the minutes with each player playing less. That’s fine from my perspective, since that’s how it was handled on some of our best teams.
 
CL82 said:
And they all contribute. In my opinion all the talent this team is going to make some coaching challenges as how to best use it. My best guess is geno will distribute the minutes with each player playing less. That’s fine from my perspective, since that’s how it was handled on some of our best teams.
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and that might be the case but I was just stating how of all the players Williams to lose her minutes? She was so consistent in the tournament, if anyone is gonna be losing minutes it's Westbrook/Muhl/Olivia for inconsistencies.
 
CW will be an all American this year, no way she sits. I think everyone who under appreciates her will be thankful we had her after this season. We have no one else like her and when she leaves we will need someone who can drive like she can and she was more comfortable with her shot last season. I expect her and Paige and Edwards to be our most consistent and dominant players.
 
uconnever said:
CW will be an all American this year, no way she sits. I think everyone who under appreciates her will be thankful we had her after this season. We have no one else like her and when she leaves we will need someone who can drive like she can and she was more comfortable with her shot last season. I expect her and Paige and Edwards to be our most consistent and dominant players.
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I’ve said this before but I think all these we will have deep will open up the paint for Christyn to drive which of what she does best. I think she’s going to have a good season.
 
CL82 said:
I think it’s her natural position she would rather set up teammates than score herself. In a perfect world, you want to be able to put your five best players on the court. Paige as a point guard who can score, or set someone else to score, pretty much it will is the better option. That isn’t a slight to Nika, but Paige is a once in a generation talent whose presence at the point makes everyone better.

I trust Geno and CD to figure it out, but in the end only five can be on the court at a time. Just curious, you kind of demurred on who are the rest of your starting five, which allowed you to avoid saying who you would sit. I’m curious, who are you starting five and who plays what positions?
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One can pass from any position. Her best offensive moves come when she is on the wing and her best defensive moves come when she is off the ball. Nika is the exact opposite; her best offensive play comes from shooting or penetrating from the top of the key and her best defense is played guarding the ball.
Ultimately, the best lineup is Nika at point with Paige and Azzi at the wings. Having Williams and Westbrook as backups is an embarrassment of riches at the 1-3 positions.
 
Jordy said:
One can pass from any position. Her best offensive moves come when she is on the wing and her best defensive moves come when she is off the ball. Nika is the exact opposite; her best offensive play comes from shooting or penetrating from the top of the key and her best defense is played guarding the ball.
Ultimately, the best lineup is Nika at point with Paige and Azzi at the wings. Having Williams and Westbrook as backups is an embarrassment of riches at the 1-3 positions.
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Even if that were the best lineup, UConn is a program and not just a team. You don't bench two seniors who are playing well. Maybe minutes will be adjusted, but not the starting lineup, unless their is a very clear reason.
 
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