Aaliyah: Taking the Bull by the Horns

[eebmg]

Just listening to how mature and competitive Aaliyah is. I think she has locked up the Starting position over Aubrey or Ana. By sophomore year, AA

Journal Inquirer

The latest news from Manchester, Connecticut, as well as coverage of Enfield, Vernon, South Windsor, East Hartford and beyond.

www.journalinquirer.com

“Personally I’m feeling good,” Edwards said. “I feel like I have learned a lot through the first half of my season here at UConn. So just continuing on playing to my strengths and incorporating what Coach is telling me into my development, just making sure that I transfer those skills into the following game so that we can be prepared for the tournament.”

By the way, in the article, the best Freshman scoring from the Freshman TASSK force is tracked down

Edwards joined classmates Paige Bueckers and Nika Muhl (replacing injured Christyn Williams) in the starting lineup Wednesday. It marked the first time since Feb. 20, 1999 at Georgetown had three freshman starters.

With Bueckers (32), Edwards (22), and Muhl (11) having season highs and with Mir McLean (7) and Autumn Chassion (3) contributing off the bench, the freshmen combined for 75 points which is believed to be a program best.


The TASSK Force class of Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Asjha Jones, Tamika Williams, and Keirsten Walters had its best night against Holy Cross on Nov. 30, 1998 with 55 points.

 

[SLY63]

AE is going to compliment all of the freshman and incoming guards and small forwards perfectly over the 4 years and is going to have a stellar UConn career.

 

[meyers7]

 

[Pinhead]

Haha Geno throws some serious shade talking about the Marquette fan base at the end of the piece: "I love those guys. I especially love them because a bunch of them graduated so I don't have to listen to their nonsense anymore. Although, it was only 7 years ago so some of them could still be there when I get there."

 

[Scud49]

I've only seen a little bit of her so far, but I love her rugged presence out there. And, if I'm not mistaken, seems to me she has soft hands, all the better to catch those Paige and Nika quick bullet passes.

 

[Dawson]

She is just so big and athletic on the floor, but also has great footwork that will only get better. Ice Brady seems to have a similar body type to her as well. She will learn much from Aaliyah in 2 years together.

 

[JoePgh]

Regarding Aaliyah, her physical strength is obvious and her intensity and speed running the floor are also very evident, but what I most appreciate is her nearly perfect positioning, especially on offense but also on defense. On offense, she always seems to know what cut to make to get open under the basket, or where to make herself available for an exit pass if someone else gets into traffic in the lane. I don't know if she learned that at UConn or with the Canadian National Team (maybe a bit of both), but it really stands out. I think she is better than Olivia at positioning and cutting.

 

[Jingo]

Regarding Aaliyah, her physical strength is obvious and her intensity and speed running the floor are also very evident, but what I most appreciate is her nearly perfect positioning, especially on offense but also on defense. On offense, she always seems to know what cut to make to get open under the basket, or where to make herself available for an exit pass if someone else gets into traffic in the lane. I don't know if she learned that at UConn or with the Canadian National Team (maybe a bit of both), but it really stands out. I think she is better than Olivia at positioning and cutting.

Yes I agree that Aaliyah is better at positioning and cutting than Liv, but Liv is a better passer and has better post moves.
As I said in a prior post, Liv is a true "5" and AE is a true "4", the rest of the team is/are ones, twos & threes; that's why Liv & AE should be on the floor together as much as possible, eh?
Also, I think it's very noteworthy that both Liv & AE run the floor very well, it makes UConn so much more dangerous! How many teams have 'bigs' that run the floor like that???; if you add Aubrey into that mix, it's pretty fab. But you might not consider Aubrey a 'big' since she has few post-up skills [sorry to say] .. she's more of a "3".
If Liv and AE need to be on the floor together, then, who are the other starters? Paige for sure, and probly Evina. For the 5th starter, I pick Nika over CW because of much better ball movement and more steadiness.
It's also notable that our 2nd team of CW, Aubrey, Mir, Ania and Saylor would probly finish 2nd in the Big East! haha

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Yes I agree that Aaliyah is better at positioning and cutting than Liv, but Liv is a better passer and has better post moves.

Liv's biggest problem on offense is a lack of post moves. She's much more comfortable hitting fadeaway and standing jumpers. Edwards has a fabulous postgame that hasn't come to the surface yet. She's yet to show how good her shot can be or how she can take defenders off the dribble either. Far more to be unveiled in the future.

 

[Jingo]

Liv's biggest problem on offense is a lack of post moves. She's much more comfortable hitting fadeaway and standing jumpers. Edwards has a fabulous postgame that hasn't come to the surface yet. She's yet to show how good her shot can be or how she can take defenders off the dribble either. Far more to be unveiled in the future.

It's nice to speculate about Aaliyah's potential, and I hope u r right, but she hasn't shown much more than a few power moves to the hoop so far this year. Meanwhile, Liv, although not a power player, has shown a variety of low post moves when she is not double or triple teamed [which she usually is]
Liv's lo-post moves include drop-step left, drop-step right, a nice step-thru move, and a beautiful fadeaway a la Napheesa Collier. You can't add much more to this skillset, eh?
Liv and AE are both ambidextrous around the rim, and can finish with either hand.
I know you are optimistic about AE's inside game, but I'm from Missouri, ya gotta "show me"!

 

[JordyG]

It's nice to speculate about Aaliyah's potential, and I hope u r right, but she hasn't shown much more than a few power moves to the hoop so far this year. Meanwhile, Liv, although not a power player, has shown a variety of low post moves when she is not double or triple teamed [which she usually is]
Liv's lo-post moves include drop-step left, drop-step right, a nice step-thru move, and a beautiful fadeaway a la Napheesa Collier. You can't add much more to this skillset, eh?
Liv and AE are both ambidextrous around the rim, and can finish with either hand.
I know you are optimistic about AE's inside game, but I'm from Missouri, ya gotta "show me"!

Now let's be realistic. It took until her sophomore year before Liv even showed a drop step left. She didn't hit one until her junior year. I've only seen her up and under once or twice. Her step through maybe 4 times. As a freshman I've already seen Aaliyah do all of these. Plus as a freshman Aaliyah has hit open shots from the elbow. I didn't see Liv even attempt one until she was a sophomore. Aaliyah is already a better FT shooter and rebounder. She has already shown she reads the shot and the ball off the rim better than Liv. Now yes, Liv has her in speed, softer hands and athleticism. But, as Aaliyah says 100 times to her opponent every game, "What's Up"?

 

[MilfordHusky]

My new nickname for Aaliyah: THOR!

 

[HuskyNan]

My new nickname for Aaliyah: THOR!

Despite the heading on this clip, there are no bad words.

 

[JordyG]

She just shouldn't have tried to use her mouth to take it.

 

[SVCBeercats]

My new nickname for Aaliyah: THOR!

I'm betwixt and between Athena and Nemesis.

 

[Jingo]

Now let's be realistic. It took until her sophomore year before Liv even showed a drop step left. She didn't hit one until her junior year. I've only seen her up and under once or twice. Her step through maybe 4 times. As a freshman I've already seen Aaliyah do all of these. Plus as a freshman Aaliyah has hit open shots from the elbow. I didn't see Liv even attempt one until she was a sophomore. Aaliyah is already a better FT shooter and rebounder. She has already shown she reads the shot and the ball off the rim better than Liv. Now yes, Liv has her in speed, softer hands and athleticism. But, as Aaliyah says 100 times to her opponent every game, "What's Up"?

Let's leave it at: they're both good but different and they complement each other. I still think Liv is the better facilitator and provides better ball movement from the high post.
And no, I haven't seen "Aaliyah do all of these".