A Look Ahead: Paige/Azzi

[chrissaran]

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?

 

[Bald Husky]

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.

 

[jabstep]

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.

 

[oldhusky]

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.

 

[npignatjr]

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.

 

[oldude]

As far as Azzi is concerned, at this point all I’m hoping for is that she’s healthy when she arrives on campus. As some have pointed out, she just recovered from major surgery. In addition, the last Azzi sighting I’m aware of is that she was seen in a walking boot.

 

[HuskylnSC]

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.

Forgetting November and December games and looking to January, which players are going to get 25 minutes a game?

My thoughts are
At the 5 - Liv is a lock. Aaliyah will get most of the backup minutes. Amari will get some time, could she become the primary backup at 5 freeing Aaliyah to have more time at 4 playing high low with Liv and crashing the O boards? I was very impressed with Piath the last time I saw her. She seemed much more confident and played with a bit more aggression. Does she make a monster leap to be able to give good minutes at the 5? Probably not but a possibility.

At the 4 - Primary options are Aaliyah, Anna, Aubrey, Amari, Caroline Ducharme, Saylor, or Mir. My preference is Aaliyah if there is another viable option to provide meaningful time backing up Liv. Last year we needed Anna at the 4 to provide a deep option to a struggling offense. Next year not so much. Paige and Azzi are proven to be consistent dep threats minimizing the need for Anna's strong suit. Anna is not the quality defender provided by Aubrey. I think Anna's minutes take a hit.

At the 2/3 - Paige of course. After her Christyn has become the primary on ball defender at either 1,2, or 3 and averaging 15+ a game must start at a 2/3. Azzi is expected to bring everything that Paige brought to her freshman year. Personally I would rather see Liv and Aaliyah running high low and both working for offensive boards than Anna camped in the corner waiting for an open look. Aubrey is a defensive wiz and will see minutes at the 2/3. Caroline Ducharme and Saylor are options

At the point - Nika and Paige split time

Of course I am assuming that E is going pro. If she wins a natty this year, I think that is a lock. If she gets to the Final four its a very strong probability

My answer to who gets 25 minutes a game next year - Liv, Aaliyah, Paige, Christyn, Nika, Azzi. Leaving 50 minutes for Aubrey, Anna, Amari, Piath, Mir, Caroline Ducharme, Saylor, and Autumn

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I see Paige as being more adroit at breaking down her on ball defender. Azzi on the other hand needs very little space and time to get her shot launched. Terrible having such choices.

 

[mudcat]

TOTAL CRAP!!

 

[Majic Hands]

Sorry. Did I laugh out loud? Snort? For some reason that happens everytime someone say Nika is going to be coming off the bench.

Do some folks not pay attention?
???

 

[hoopsfan22]

Sorry. Did I laugh out loud? Snort? For some reason that happens everytime someone say Nika is going to be coming off the bench.

Do some folks not pay attention?
???

Two months ago some were saying Nika was basically Molly 2.0.
This is a garbage take on Clark. And saying the B1G is a mediocre conference when we play in a conference that includes Xavier, Creighton, and Providence? Talk about throwing stones. As for Fudd, she won't be starting next season. We have a very strong six. If a spot in the starting lineup opens up, it's Aaliyah's. Azzi will be spending the summer and fall just getting back into game shape and getting acclimated to the college game. If there's ever a case where you want to bring a player in slowly, a player with knee/foot/ankle issues is it.

 

[donalddoowop]

TOTAL CRAP!!

Times two!

 

[Go/huskies]

Clearly Azzi will be a ball stopper/ one on one player like Walker.

 

[oldude]

Clearly Azzi will be a ball stopper/ one on one player like Walker.

Good thing you added that emogee or all hell would break loose.

 

[MooseJaw]

does not matter what people are calling her. What matters is how she practices and what she shows Geno next season. If she deserves to start she will, if Nika shows more she will start. Geno will decide who makes the team better.

 

[MooseJaw]

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?

As of now Paige.

 

[#12in21]

I don't see the the Nika or Azzi argument as the question. They won't be competing for the same position, point guard. I think Geno likes what he is seeing on the floor with Nika and Paige together. I could be wrong but I don't see him going back to Paige playing exclusively at the point. At some point in the season and certainly by seasons end I see Paige, Azzi and Nika all on the floor at the same time. The ball movement, cuts, screens and scoring options with that trio outside coupled with all the various options at 4 and 5 will be brutal for any defense. I see Paige at the point when Nika is on the bench but I don't see Nika coming in for only the, at most, ten minutes a game that Paige sits next season.

 

[Cuango]

Brutal! I”ll give you the mediocre team, even though they played in the final of their conference tournament. However, your other claim, chucker, shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence, is unfair and imo ludicrous! She put up numbers we have not seen by a freshman in quite some time. She also played on the USA teams with Paige and (maybe) Azzi. Clark is much more than a “chucker” and may well beat Paige out for FOY!

 

[huskyd]

Wish I could say that "only time will tell." But, in this case, we can safely tell time. When Azzi arrives, she and Slim take over. No way will Geno sit a 20-30 pt./game player for Nika.
Loyalty is nice, but there's no comparing Ms. Fudd with Ms. Muhl (other than the number of letters in their last names). Christyn's growth as a defender will further limit the need for Nika's scrappiness. 3 shooters+Aalyiah+Liv=NC. Place your bets.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Note the SRO crowd!

 

[j66kicker]

I do see Paige going back to the point and Azzi starting day 1. I think Geno knows that's the ultimate killer combination, and nothing is going to stand in its way, assuming Azzi is completely healthy.

You have to have a backup point guard, and Nika will make a great one. We have Anna and loads of talent coming in to back up Azzi and Christyn at the 2/3. Edwards starts at the 4, ONO 5.

 

[BBallF]

I know I've said this perhaps too many times, but Azzi's pull up next year will be one of if not the best in WCBB.

I agree. It is perfect form. She stops on a dime and goes straight up vertically, releasing at a high point. It is very reminiscent to me of Russell Westbrook. Her 3 point shot however is not a jump shot, it is a push shot but the form of the shot, the arm motion, the release, the follow through, is the exact same as her pull up J except the release is on her way up, not at the top. She has the same consistency in her 3s though as she does in a pull up 8 foot shot which is just frightening. Paige is the better passer, and the best in the country, so the points for Azzi and the assists for Paige can be huge.

 

[Alydar]

Forgetting November and December games and looking to January, which players are going to get 25 minutes a game?

My thoughts are
At the 5 - Liv is a lock. Aaliyah will get most of the backup minutes. Amari will get some time, could she become the primary backup at 5 freeing Aaliyah to have more time at 4 playing high low with Liv and crashing the O boards? I was very impressed with Piath the last time I saw her. She seemed much more confident and played with a bit more aggression. Does she make a monster leap to be able to give good minutes at the 5? Probably not but a possibility.

At the 4 - Primary options are Aaliyah, Anna, Aubrey, Amari, Caroline Ducharme, Saylor, or Mir. My preference is Aaliyah if there is another viable option to provide meaningful time backing up Liv. Last year we needed Anna at the 4 to provide a deep option to a struggling offense. Next year not so much. Paige and Azzi are proven to be consistent dep threats minimizing the need for Anna's strong suit. Anna is not the quality defender provided by Aubrey. I think Anna's minutes take a hit.

At the 2/3 - Paige of course. After her Christyn has become the primary on ball defender at either 1,2, or 3 and averaging 15+ a game must start at a 2/3. Azzi is expected to bring everything that Paige brought to her freshman year. Personally I would rather see Liv and Aaliyah running high low and both working for offensive boards than Anna camped in the corner waiting for an open look. Aubrey is a defensive wiz and will see minutes at the 2/3. Caroline Ducharme and Saylor are options

At the point - Nika and Paige split time

Of course I am assuming that E is going pro. If she wins a natty this year, I think that is a lock. If she gets to the Final four its a very strong probability

My answer to who gets 25 minutes a game next year - Liv, Aaliyah, Paige, Christyn, Nika, Azzi. Leaving 50 minutes for Aubrey, Anna, Amari, Piath, Mir, Caroline Ducharme, Saylor, and Autumn

We will see more players sitting for a game than in past short bench seasons. Injuries happen. Players' minutes will vary over the season and game to game. This season's freshmen came into a roster that had 6 total years experience. Next season's freshmen will face a returnee roster with 16 years experience. They'll be way behind, Fudd included. That's been the case more often than not over the last 25 years. With the exception of Fudd next year's freshmen will be role players with few minutes, not because they aren't good but because others are better.