A Geno tease on Azzi

[90BSEE]

If she was wearing a brace in her last game, she would have been playing all along. Knee braces don't heal you. They protect you from further damage, aside from severe twisting induced damage, and they do it well.

 

[90BSEE]

The problem is that we will be adding her to a totally burnt out team. And there could be more issues. Chemistry? Confidence/swagger? If those don't get fixed, adding Azzi won't get us very far.

 

[Alydar]

I hope the coaches decide to bring Azzi off the bench as a spark plug, similar to DT, Shea, Maya, etc. Last year, the lineup of Edwards, Nelson-Ododa, Williams, Muhl & Fudd scored an average of 77.4 vs 43.5 points over 6 games towards the end of the season, with a avg point differential of 34. Then in the NCAAT, it went to Edwards, Nelson-Ododa, Bueckers, Williams & Fudd and the scoring over 6 games was 68.8 vs 58.7 points, with a 10.2 differential. Yes, we lost in the natty by 15, and the competition is higher in the NCAAT than in the BE, however there have been some posters that have opined about adding Paige to the starting lineup in the NCAAT and whether or not that was was a prudent decision.

Starters set the tone based on assumed matchups, however it may be more important to put players on the floor during the game that are producing, regardless of whether or not they start.

I couldn't disagree more about Bueckers' return last year. Bueckers returned in the last reg season game vs Prov., not in the NCAA's. She started and played all 3 BET games.

 

[Littlemin]

I couldn't disagree more about Bueckers' return last year. Bueckers returned in the last reg season game vs Prov., not in the NCAA's. She started and played all 3 BET games.

No, Bueckers started none of the BET games.

 

[Skeets]

a closer look, and one can see she does not have her gaming pigtails..

No braids, no play.

 

[Skeets]

Whenever I think about Azzi coming back an image of bubble wrap pops into my head.

Whenever I think about Azzi coming off the bench and getting into the game, I think of Willis Reed...

 

[GamecockFam]

From an outsiders perspective, I believe her true test will be on defense. There is no safe way to defend without putting massive amounts of stress on the body. I remember that she struggled on defense while injured last season, especially trying to keep up with athletic guards. I think we all know she can shoot at a high clip, even when she is not 100%. Maybe Geno uses her as a 3-point specialist while she continues to recover. How does Geno usually handle reintegration after an injury?

 

[bantamlaker]

Whenever I think about Azzi coming off the bench and getting into the game, I think of Willis Reed...

Yes, maybe Azzi can do for UConn what Willis did for the Knicks in game 7 of the 1970 NBA championship. Willis hobbled out, hit his first 2 shots inspiring his team and driving the crowd into a frenzy. Those were his only points but his presence was enough to lead the Knicks to a relatively easy win over the Lakers. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Walt Frazier had one of his greatest games with 36 points and 19 assists.

 

[Zarathustra]

Whenever I think about Azzi coming off the bench and getting into the game, I think of Willis Reed...

My Thoughts ... exactly.... I remember where I was ... and who I was with on that fateful day!!

 

[Stinger92860]

I hope the coaches decide to bring Azzi off the bench as a spark plug, similar to DT, Shea, Maya, etc. Last year, the lineup of Edwards, Nelson-Ododa, Williams, Muhl & Fudd scored an average of 77.4 vs 43.5 points over 6 games towards the end of the season, with a avg point differential of 34. Then in the NCAAT, it went to Edwards, Nelson-Ododa, Bueckers, Williams & Fudd and the scoring over 6 games was 68.8 vs 58.7 points, with a 10.2 differential. Yes, we lost in the natty by 15, and the competition is higher in the NCAAT than in the BE, however there have been some posters that have opined about adding Paige to the starting lineup in the NCAAT and whether or not that was was a prudent decision.

Starters set the tone based on assumed matchups, however it may be more important to put players on the floor during the game that are producing, regardless of whether or not they start.

If she is OK to play, I start her

 

[UConnCat]

I couldn't disagree more about Bueckers' return last year. Bueckers returned in the last reg season game vs Prov., not in the NCAA's. She started and played all 3 BET games.

Actually, no. Paige returned in the next to last game of the season against St Johns on Feb 25th. She did not start any of the BET games. She played okay off the bench in the first BET game against Georgetown but was mostly ineffective in the semi-final game (18 minutes, 2 points) and the championship game (9 minutes, 2 points).

There was even some uncertainty about Paige's role before the NCAAT began last seasonL

“Two months is a long time, over two months is a long time to be away from the game. As far as what her role’s going to be, we’re still trying to figure that one out.”

UConn has been playing well with a starting lineup of Christyn Williams, Azzi Fudd, Nika Muhl, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards. Bueckers, Evina Westbrook, Dorka Juhasz and Carolina Ducharme have been coming off the bench.

Bueckers scored 16 points in a win over Georgetown in the Big East Tournament, but was less impactful in the two other games at Mohegan Sun.

“We have a pretty good situation going right now, so how much do we want to change that and what’s best for our team and what’s best for Paige,” Auriemma said. “I thought she handled her role in the Big East tournament good at some times, not so good at other times. So I think we’ll, we’ll have a better idea after today and tomorrow’s shoot-around.”

As we learned, Paige did get more comfortable and her role was figured out.

 

[MooseJaw]

According to orthopedists, there are many knee injuries where a brace doesn't help at all.

And according to many of us who have had to wear a knee brace there are many knee injuries and conditions where a knee brace is the difference between being a spectator or being a player. I'm not saying a knee brace is what Azzi needs in order to play, that's not up to me, just as all our opinions are nothing more than opinions.

 

[Aluminny69]

How does Geno usually handle reintegration after an injury?

I seem to remember Katie Lou coming back from injury, and going 10 for 10 from 3 pt line. Boneyarders feel free to correct me if I misremembered.

 

[BBallF]

All he wanted to do was post up in pickup games, because he rarely got to do that otherwise and the rest of his game needed no work or proving (to a bunch of hacks like us). There is a good picture in my yearbook that shows Billy Raftery (the iconic sports broadcaster now, and then an outstanding Bballer at Lasalle ) pushing Jones to the court during some game action

Ha. I don't doubt that at all about Raftery. He went to St. Cecilia's in Kearny, New Jersey and my brother covered him once. He was what you would call a "physical" player for the time.

 

[Centerstream]

I seem to remember Katie Lou coming back from injury, and going 10 for 10 from 3 pt line. Boneyarders feel free to correct me if I misremembered.

Lou (the original ) shot her 10for10 in the 2017 AAC Tournament Championship game against USF. I don't remember her being injured that season but could be mistaken.

 

[HopJim]

From an outsiders perspective, I believe her true test will be on defense. There is no safe way to defend without putting massive amounts of stress on the body. I remember that she struggled on defense while injured last season, especially trying to keep up with athletic guards. I think we all know she can shoot at a high clip, even when she is not 100%. Maybe Geno uses her as a 3-point specialist while she continues to recover. How does Geno usually handle reintegration after an injury?

It seems like the entire Huskie team has been fighting knee issues or ankle sprains the past month and their defense is still solid. I suspect Azzi, after a few games, will get her legs back enough to guard the 2nd or 3rd guard option. We have Muhl and Aubrey to handle the top offensive players.

 

[UConnCat]

Lou (the original ) shot her 10for10 in the 2017 AAC Tournament Championship game against USF. I don't remember her being injured that season but could be mistaken.

You're not mistaken. Lou was injured (back) and missed the entire 2019 AAC tournament. She came back for the NCAAT that year and her play was uneven before going off against Louisville in the Elite 8 game in Albany. She made 7 threes in that game while scoring 29 points.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

From an outsiders perspective, I believe her true test will be on defense. There is no safe way to defend without putting massive amounts of stress on the body. I remember that she struggled on defense while injured last season, especially trying to keep up with athletic guards. I think we all know she can shoot at a high clip, even when she is not 100%. Maybe Geno uses her as a 3-point specialist while she continues to recover. How does Geno usually handle reintegration after an injury?

Last year her injury was a her foot from the summer US Junior games.

If you are in proper defensive position though you shouldn’t be putting a lot of pressure on your knee or back. If you are, you aren’t defending properly at all. You abs and your glutes should be bearing most of the stress.

I don’t think Azzi is coming back unless she feels no pain on both sides of the ball. That she warmed up over the weekend with the team show this is already occurring.

 

[Alydar]

No, Bueckers started none of the BET games.

Actually, no. Paige returned in the next to last game of the season against St Johns on Feb 25th. She did not start any of the BET games. She played okay off the bench in the first BET game against Georgetown but was mostly ineffective in the semi-final game (18 minutes, 2 points) and the championship game (9 minutes, 2 points).

There was even some uncertainty about Paige's role before the NCAAT began last seasonL

“Two months is a long time, over two months is a long time to be away from the game. As far as what her role’s going to be, we’re still trying to figure that one out.”

UConn has been playing well with a starting lineup of Christyn Williams, Azzi Fudd, Nika Muhl, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards. Bueckers, Evina Westbrook, Dorka Juhasz and Carolina Ducharme have been coming off the bench.

Bueckers scored 16 points in a win over Georgetown in the Big East Tournament, but was less impactful in the two other games at Mohegan Sun.

“We have a pretty good situation going right now, so how much do we want to change that and what’s best for our team and what’s best for Paige,” Auriemma said. “I thought she handled her role in the Big East tournament good at some times, not so good at other times. So I think we’ll, we’ll have a better idea after today and tomorrow’s shoot-around.”

As we learned, Paige did get more comfortable and her role was figured out.

Before I posted I actually looked it up. I must have looked at 2021. I hate weaving through ESPN's menus to get to a box score.
I stand by my opinion on not starting Fudd though. UConn's lack of top outside shooting has been exposed to the rest of wcbb and UConn is getting a steady dose of clogged paint. There is no offensive flow to disrupt. Muhl and Griffin are not 3 pt answers. Fudd would make life so much easier for everyone else. Senechal would draw the opponent's second best perimeter defender.
The current starters currently include 3 players slated to be subs last summer. I have nothing but admiration for the jobs they are doing but Fudd is at another level.

 

[faithfulfan]

So why now? Why not next year? This team shall need a new mind set, a new set of game plans , do 20 per cent more scoring, and 90 percent fewer turnovers, and 20 percent more Rebounds to be in the FF---or the key to most NC-s (so says Geno)---lots of LUCK.

within 4 of SC without Azzi, with her,,,,,,,,#12!!!

 

[faithfulfan]

1

The difference between this year and past is that the program is releasing much less information as to details of injury, status of players, activity level, etc. And in a prior thread, I opined that I like it that way. The press is allowed to observe practices, but all of them? I don't know. The UConn program has always kept its stuff in house. None of us know what's going on behind the scenes as to the content/volume/quality of her workouts. Is she in true game shape? Maybe not, however 15-20 mins of Azzi is better than none. Maybe she doesn't need to play 30+ mins. Lastly, in addition to keeping most of the team's status quiet this season, it also provides a challenge to opponents as to prep and scouting.

15 to 20 mins of Azzi per game is enough to win the Big East.
Opinion not based on anything but observation of the past, its all about the NCAA's and getting to the final 4!

 

[darrell]

Warming up, but still no signature braids unfortunately.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Warming up, but still no signature braids unfortunately.

Great that she’s even warming up.

 

[Alydar]

So I guess we are now on a braid watch?.

Could that be done between warmups and pregame?

 

[Alydar]

I would say first we need to hear about a full contact practice.