A Look Ahead: Paige/Azzi | The Boneyard

A Look Ahead: Paige/Azzi

"It's not too early," says the narrator, but isn't it? Not for me. This is a pairing that I dream about, and I'm glad that I may be alive to watch these two. Liv's under the basket with Aaliyah, (MN)Nice and Azzi out front, then? If Caroline DaCharm can play D, she'd get some time, but I expect Christyn to start. Nika off the bench along with Aubrey. Helluva team. CAN NOT WAIT.
 
Is this morphing into the first "2021-2022 Starting 5" thread?
 
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BostonBay said:
Azzi will have to wait her turn behind Nika. Nika has won the starting PG job. Plus, Geno doesnt start Freshman, unless its Paige - almost out of necessity as UConn was so young this year.
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More like she will have to wait until CW graduates. Nika is gonna be here for three more years. If Evina leaves after this season, that spot probably goes to Aaliyah which will mean Azzi is the sixth woman next season.
 
Littlemin said:
or Muhl!
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Or (let's see) Katie Lou Samuelson (and Napheesa Collier earlier in the same year), Kia Nurse, Renee Montgomery, Anna Makurat (last year), Caroline Doty, Christyn Williams, Stef Dolson, and numerous others if we go back further (or I forgot some recent person).

In other words, "Geno doesn't start freshmen" is as big a myth as "Geno always uses a short bench".
 
BostonBay said:
Azzi will have to wait her turn behind Nika. Nika has won the starting PG job. Plus, Geno doesnt start Freshman, unless its Paige - almost out of necessity as UConn was so young this year.
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NO SHOT. Azzi starts day 1 and Nika is odd player out of the starting 5. There is zero chance a player people are calling a once in a generation player doesn't come in and start.
 
Pwople would be smart to wait until Fudd has a few games under he belt to start making predictions about her immediate effectiveness. She is coming off an injury and not every players skill level in college makes a smooth immediate transition to the next level.
 
AgStatesman said:
NO SHOT. Azzi starts day 1 and Nika is odd player out of the starting 5. There is zero chance a player people are calling a once in a generation player doesn't come in and start.
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Just curious, have you seen Fudd play or are you basing your certainty on “people?” And there is that generational nonsense (IMO) again. I have been on this board about a year or so and have seen three players, a sophomore (Boston), a freshman (Bueckers), and a high schooler (Fudd) called “generational”. Last time I looked none of them had even played an NCAA game yet. What does that make Stewart?
 
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JoePgh said:
Or (let's see) Katie Lou Samuelson (and Napheesa Collier earlier in the same year), Kia Nurse, Renee Montgomery, Anna Makurat (last year), Caroline Doty, Christyn Williams, Stef Dolson, and numerous others if we go back further (or I forgot some recent person).

In other words, "Geno doesn't start freshmen" is as big a myth as "Geno always uses a short bench".
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And Maya Moore.
 
AgStatesman said:
NO SHOT. Azzi starts day 1 and Nika is odd player out of the starting 5. There is zero chance a player people are calling a once in a generation player doesn't come in and start.
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Those people must think a generation is 6 months to a year. Or they've never heard of Bueckers and Clark. Or the other 10-15 kids out there in WCBB that "people are calling generational".
 
Happydad745 said:
And Maya Moore.
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Maya is a bit different because she became a freshman starter only after Kalana Greene suffered a season-ending knee injury. The players that I mentioned won their starting jobs either at the beginning of the season or by beating out a healthy older player for the job. Katie Lou, for example, replaced sophomore Gabby Williams in the starting lineup sometime in January, as I recall.
 
Childhood said:
As I remember last year BYers said Paige would not enter as the starting lineup. And to Azzi, I think it is the same as Paige. Geno will start her. Lets see.
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Geno said he loves Nika at PG..running the offense and what she gives on defense..that's not going to change
 
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browns said:
Geno said he loves Nika at PG..running the offense and what she gives on defense..that's not going to change
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Other then Paige being the best point guard on the team, and not having to carry the scoring load if Azzi comes in as good as advertised. I’ve also read somewhere that Azzi has the tools to be a top notch defender.
 
I have a hard time seeing Geno take Nika out of the starting role. He really has rallied for her (even when we all doubted) and I think he really loves the way she plays. However I think Geno will start his best 5 who earns it in practice..who that is i don’t know, but I don’t think it’s set in stone. If Azzi is as good as we all think she will be, she will find plenty of minutes, starter or not.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
A little YouTube exploring the obvious. Obvious but oh so exciting.

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That out of bounds play, inbounding and then shooting a 3 is just flat out ridiculous. I can't wait for her and Paige to be on the same team next year.
 
BostonBay said:
Plus, Geno doesnt start Freshman, unless its Paige - almost out of necessity as UConn was so young this year.
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Littlemin said:
or Muhl!
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Or Anna

Or Chrystin

Or KLS

Or Kia

??? Geno starts freshmen all the time - certainly more often than he doesn’t. If Azzi doesn’t start next year (extremely unlikely IMO) it won’t be because she‘s a freshman.
 
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MilfordHusky said:
Here's post-injury Azzi going against nationally ranked Bishop McNamara featuring McDonald's All-American Madison Scott (now at Ole Miss):

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Highlight clip didn’t show a lot of defense, but did show Azzi making 3 steals. Pretty high-level ball handling. And REALLY high-level long-distance pinpoint entry passes. And her shooting wasn’t too bad - LOTS of 3’s, not much iron, mostly just “swish!”
 
I thought Paige was a once in a generation player? Now your saying Azzi is a once in a generation player? How about Caitlin Clark? Which one?
 
AgStatesman said:
NO SHOT. Azzi starts day 1 and Nika is odd player out of the starting 5. There is zero chance a player people are calling a once in a generation player doesn't come in and start.
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I can see a 3 person rotation with all of them. Azzi will be hard to ignore as a program changer ( as is Paige ), but wouldn't seem right to demote the girl who has invigorated the team to its present NC status. At times, Geno will probably play all three together depending on the opponent. Imagine, our defensive stopper and steal master giving out fast break dimes to the two most exciting players in the country. I think it will be the other new players that will be competing for PT. The way Nika can pass, and the choices she will have with both Azzi and Paige will be a highlight reel for Sportscenter. Next year will be great either way, so lets not get caught up in who is going to drive us. Fun,fun,fun is in the future.
 
Our offense is designed off of screens and rolls and back door cuts. It is perfect for Azzi because she is so proficient at the foul line jumper and 3 ball shot. She is a good passer when opponents double her to get the ball out of her hand she finds the open man. She will be a great addition to our team next year and if she can guard a chair she is playing. Geno the conductor will have a great Orchestra next year.
 
Regardless of who starts (the great debate) I think there is fairly universal agreement that the four of Paige, Nika, Christyn, and Azzi will consume close to all of the 1-3 position minutes, with a sprinkling of Anna for the rest.
 
Azzi has only played a handful of games after major surgery. How about we wait until this season is over for UConn. And sometime next November.
 
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