A New Starting Lineup? | Page 3 | The Boneyard

A New Starting Lineup?

The CDR-Ret said:
In a "track meet" type game, I would like to see a lot of Sarah, Azzi, Blanca, KK, and K9. Hopefully, Geno has a lot of race cars in the garage, as Blanca, KK, & K9 will run the tires off the rims as they drive hard into the turns.

Not statements about starters, but the defense, fast breaks, and points off turnovers should be ridiculous! 😍 🔥 🔥 🔥 😍

Go Huskies!!!
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That is an unbelievably quick lineup.
 
victor64 said:
-Geno will have a "small" lineup. I don't think those 5 are established yet. I would love to see a situation where a "big" lineup is needed. I also wonder what that will look like.
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Strong, Williams and El-Alfy?
 
victor64 said:
Those 3, Blanca and CD. With Strong playing point. Will never happen like ever but would be fun to see🙂.
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I actually thought about including Blanca. The question is where do you play her? I was thinking Strong at the three, Williams at the four and Jana at center. So do you play Blanca at the two? Not that positions in our system are etched in stone. Who would you put as point guard?

Carol hasn't shown herself to be effective anymore. As I posted in a different thread, I choose to celebrate the fact she's back on the court at all.
 
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CL82 said:
I actually thought about including Blanca. The question is where do you play her? I was thinking Strong at the three, Williams at the four and Jana at center. So do you play Blanca at the two? Not that positions in our system are etched in stone. Who would you put as point guard?

Carol hasn't shown herself to be effective anymore. As I posted in a different thread, I choose to celebrate the fact she's back on the court at all.
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I was attempting humor.😎 To finish the attempt, strong at 1, Cd at 2, Blanca at 3, Serah at 4, Jana at 5.

I think CD is moving ok. I would guess she is 80 to 90% of her old self. Probably a lot stronger than she was prior to concussions. I wonder if the narrative would be different if she was knocking down shots. Her shot with little arc is not paying dividends. Still cheering for her though. I think she wants more than just being able to be on the floor.
 
victor64 said:
I was attempting humor.😎 To finish the attempt, strong at 1, Cd at 2, Blanca at 3, Serah at 4, Jana at 5.

I think CD is moving ok. I would guess she is 80 to 90% of her old self. Probably a lot stronger than she was prior to concussions. I wonder if the narrative would be different if she was knocking down shots. Her shot with little arc is not paying dividends. Still cheering for her though. I think she wants more than just being able to be on the floor.
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Yeah, I don't see her moving well at all. That's to be expected. It was a long road back. That said, I do love when they swing the ball to her for an open three attempt.

Completely get that it was just a fun exercise. But it could be a functional line provided you had a workable point guard.
 
HuskieDawg said:
Who starts is less important than who is on the court at the end of a (close) game or big game. That’s when you see what Geno wants and who he expects to deliver it.
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How often are non-starters on the court at the end of close games?
 
Bone Dog said:
How often are non-starters on the court at the end of close games?
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The origin of this thread was who should be a new starter/ who could move into the starting lineup. Most of the posts talk about who should start and who goes to the bench.

I just presented it in a different way that it doesn’t matter who starts its who finishes the game and your faking a question when you feel you have the answer to already.

This wouldn’t be the first time someone has said focus on who is in at the end of the game and don’t worry about who starts it. It’s been said by other people in other sports. I am not smart enough to come up with it on own.
 
HuskieDawg said:
I just presented it in a different way that it doesn’t matter who starts its who finishes the game and your faking a question when you feel you have the answer to already.

This wouldn’t be the first time someone has said focus on who is in at the end of the game and don’t worry about who starts it. It’s been said by other people in other sports. I am not smart enough to come up with it on own.
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I’m not faking anything. I don’t know the answer. And you’re right that folks often try to dismiss any curiosity about changes in the starting lineup by invoking this idea of the greater importance of the ending lineup.

The question of whether these are really different lineups is both natural and worth asking precisely because of this. If they are often the same lineups, then asking who should start is the same as asking who should finish. If they often aren’t the same, then the question about who starts is not nearly as interesting or important as who finishes games.

I’m genuinely curious about this, and I’m surprised that you’re not, if you really aren’t. I think this season, we’re probably only going to see handful of such games, and maybe none in conference play. But we’re likely to see a few in the tournament, which means the question has some importance.

Last season in the tournament, it was only the USC game that was still close in the final few minutes. I don’t have it sharply in my mind who was on the court at the end, but I suspect it was at least Paige Azzi and Sarah. Was Kaitlyn on the floor? Was it Jana or Ash or KK?

I also remember something Dawn apparently said, that UConn wasn’t used to being in close games at the end. She hoped to keep her game close just to try to create a situation UConn wasn’t ready for. Of course, it didn’t work out that way. But it suggests another aspect of the question that may be important, namely whether the best closers are also the starters. Or do we sometimes find that first subs do better in such situations?
 
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HopJim said:
No one can replace KK's defense and her outside shooting is improving. Suspect Geno would like to have her on the court for MORE minutes and his comment regarding "off the bench" is more related to his desire of having a bench player with her energy being available. Unlikely to be hint regarding KK not starting.
While no one seems to be mentioning this, I could see Blanca taking minutes away from Serah, potentially becoming a starter at the "5." While shorter than Williams, she appears physically stronger and much more active in going after the ball. She would likely add more offense. Suspect Geno is evaluating Blanca more on how she performs in the high pressure games such as Michigan.
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Did you mean no one or several ones
Viet Vet said:
KK, Heckel, Strong, Fudd, Quinonez
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The road runners
 
Bone Dog said:
I’m not faking anything. I don’t know the answer. And you’re right that folks often try to dismiss any curiosity about changes in the starting lineup by invoking this idea of the greater importance of the ending lineup.

The question of whether these are really different lineups is both natural and worth asking precisely because of this. If they are often the same lineups, then asking who should start is the same as asking who should finish. If they often aren’t the same, then the question about who starts is not nearly as interesting or important as who finishes games.

I’m genuinely curious about this, and I’m surprised that you’re not, if you really aren’t. I think this season, we’re probably only going to see handful of such games, and maybe none in conference play. But we’re likely to see a few in the tournament, which means the question has some importance.

Last season in the tournament, it was only the USC game that was still close in the final few minutes. I don’t have it sharply in my mind who was on the court at the end, but I suspect it was at least Paige Azzi and Sarah. Was Kaitlyn on the floor? Was it Jana or Ash or KK?

I also remember something Dawn apparently said, that UConn wasn’t used to being in close games at the end. She hoped to keep her game close just to try to create a situation UConn wasn’t ready for. Of course, it didn’t work out that way. But it suggests another aspect of the question that may be important, namely whether the best closers are also the starters. Or do we sometimes find that first subs do better in such situations?
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Assuming that UConn is slightly ahead, it would be for that given day or a "hunch" by Geno (kind of like the elevator door screen): 1) best free throwers; 2) best defenders (not necessarily full court pressers); 3) best mix to spread the floor on offense.

Illness, nicked up during the game, etc. may prevent the starters from playing in the final moments of a close game...

At the end of the season, NO coach (or coaching staff) does it better than Geno, CD & Company. They will be ready and time outs to talk it up with the players who are there to ice the game OR make the plays to win the game in regulation (& OT if necessary).

Not worried!

Go Huskies!!!
 
In the 1994-1995 season Geno started Pam Webber over Jen Rizzotti. (Pretty sure that was for the entire season.) That decision contributed to an undefeated season and our first national championship. Experience and leadership appear to be high on Geno’s preferences for developing the starting line-up. Right now it seems to be working out just fine.
 
Forego said:
In the 1994-1995 season Geno started Pam Webber over Jen Rizzotti.
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That's not so. Rizzotti and Webber were the starting backcourt. The regular starters were Lobo, Wolters, Elliott, Rizzotti and Webber. Maybe you mean Geno started Webber over the much more talented Nykesha Sales.

All the 1994-95 box scores are here:

uconnhuskies.com

1994 1995 WBB Box Scores - University of Connecticut Athletics

1994 1995 WBB Box Scores
uconnhuskies.com uconnhuskies.com
 
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Gael said:
That's not so. Rizzotti and Webber were the starting backcourt. The regular starters were Lobo, Wolters, Elliott, Rizzotti and Webber. Maybe you mean Geno started Webber over the much more talented Nykesha Sales.

All the 1994-95 box scores are here:

uconnhuskies.com

1994 1995 WBB Box Scores - University of Connecticut Athletics

1994 1995 WBB Box Scores
uconnhuskies.com uconnhuskies.com
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My bad! Thank you for graciously correcting my error. I’ll use age as my excuse. They say that memory is the second thing to go. Just to show that I haven’t lost my entire mind yet (although I suspect some of you will disagree) I’ve attached an old article regarding some the attributes that made Pam a started. I would add that leaving it all on the practice court each day is expected.

 
Forego said:
My bad! Thank you for graciously correcting my error. I’ll use age as my excuse. They say that memory is the second thing to go. Just to show that I haven’t lost my entire mind yet (although I suspect some of you will disagree) I’ve attached an old article regarding some the attributes that made Pam a started. I would add that leaving it all on the practice court each day is expected.

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Glad you exhumed this. (OK, I was struck by the '80's hair styles) but it's always important to remember that flash is a great spice, but too much and the stew stinks.
 
My opinion only and I am fine with our starting five as it is now. It works so no need to change anything. You have a three guard set with a forward and a center. KK, Azzi, Ashlynn, Sarah and Serah.

Next years team you remove two from the above and add two from the bench. Assuming there are no more players coming other than our two recruits you get to pick your option of whom. I still believe that KK is a giving along with Ashlynn, Sarah and Blanca. Who the fifth starter would be that is a good question.

You can start Jana as she is the most experienced post. You can start Allie if you want scoring and have Blanca or Sarah at the five. Or start Kayleigh if you want a smothering defense with the same scenario at the Five spot I mentioned before.

But, we have a full season yet to go and much can change until next November. It will be fun to follow along and see.
 
ConnMotors said:
My opinion only and I am fine with our starting five as it is now. It works so no need to change anything. You have a three guard set with a forward and a center. KK, Azzi, Ashlynn, Sarah and Serah.

Next years team you remove two from the above and add two from the bench. Assuming there are no more players coming other than our two recruits you get to pick your option of whom. I still believe that KK is a giving along with Ashlynn, Sarah and Blanca. Who the fifth starter would be that is a good question.

You can start Jana as she is the most experienced post. You can start Allie if you want scoring and have Blanca or Sarah at the five. Or start Kayleigh if you want a smothering defense with the same scenario at the Five spot I mentioned before.

But, we have a full season yet to go and much can change until next November. It will be fun to follow along and see.
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And don't forget that Morgan and Ice should be back sometime this season, and certainly next season. I think Morgan (if fully healthy) is a serious candidate for a starting role, but Ice is probably only ever going to be a reserve forward.
 
my2cents said:
His starting line-up will not change anytime soon. Geno makes no decisions based on how you do against week opponents. KK and Ash have performed well at Final Fours and that carries more weight than playing well against Utah.
The only change that may happen is Jana replacing Serah who is not performing like an All-Big Player at this point.
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After the Xavier game, I don’t see Jana replacing anyone. I’d rather see Ayanna or Gandy.
 
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Still disappointed in the play of Serah Williams. As far as I'm concerned, she is not living up to the expectations of me, and probably some others. Am I giving up oh her, no way, but my concern is that because it is taking her so long for her to adjust, Jana is only getting garbage minutes, or just a cameo during the heat of the game. Jana is an asset, but IMHO, she is not getting enough work. With Olivia coming in next year, I'm worried if she may feel like the odd one out, always being the back up. Janas PT is being dimished because of Serahs lengthy adjustment, so I hope that during the BE schedule Geno will increase her PT and give her a chance to prove that she can be a force this year and not a player he thinks may help us next year.
 
DEpup said:
Anyone still think we need a new starting 5??????
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It was Xavier. That chatter should quiet a little though.

I was someone wondering about Serah Williams. And one thing I do want to say about her… we were way better defensively in the last game with her on the court.
 
8 games in and still good with the starting five we have. It's great to see others like Allie rise, and can't wait for Blanca to settle in to the team rhythm, but still all systems go for the foreseeable future.
 
Dogdude said:
8 games in and still good with the starting five we have. It's great to see others like Allie rise, and can't wait for Blanca to settle in to the team rhythm, but still all systems go for the foreseeable future.
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It’s the best group! Blanca ain’t there yet and Heckel is a solid sub and Allie could be a scorer off the bench. (Remember Scott Wedman with the Celtics?)
Not to jinx, knock on wood, I challenge all: when’s the last time we didn’t start a game strong? We sparred a little with SC in the championship game, then we decided to pick it up.
 
Don't be surprised if Fisher starts getting more floor time. Kayleigh is okay on offense, really good on defense but as a playmaker Fisher has great eyes and sees things before they develop. She will be a really good player for UConn at some point.

As far as KK coming off the bench though. The team is not nearly as good without KK on the floor right now. Ash on the other hand has been shooting poorly but in the last game she came alive too. It is a great problem to have and Geno will figure it out.
 
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