Adamec on Natalie Butler...

[Huskies Rule]

An interesting piece on a great young lady and soon-to-be invaluable teammate. A few lines:

"Natalie's motivation has been to improve every day and she believes she’s reached another level since last fall."

“Definitely, most definitely,” Butler said. “Mentally, I’ve learned a lot. Learning from Coach Auriemma, being a student of the game, has helped me. There are things that I never knew about being a basketball player that I know now. He pushes you through things that you never thought were possible. From that aspect, I’m better."

“And from a physical aspect it’s the same thing. I feel like I’m quicker and stronger and I’ve really hit the weights with Coach (Amanda) Kimball. Marisa Moseley has worked with me in individual sessions with my moves in the post. Coach Auriemma pushes me in practice every day whether it’s in a drill or scrimmage or just thinking things through. Without UConn, I wouldn’t have succeeded in the things that I’ve wanted to get done this season. But there’s a lot more work that needs to get done. I understand that. I can’t begin to tell you how great I feel with how far I’ve come the last eight, nine months.”

"Auriemma has liked what he’s seen." And that's great news for fans. Your hard work and fabulous attitude will soon be rewarded, Nat. Gotta love this kid.

http://snyuconn.com/uconn/butler-patiently-waiting-till-next-year/#more-15799

 

[caramel]

It is going to be easy,to root for this young lady every day.It is also a very good thing,that she has personality amidst her team mates.It will be excellent to have another young lady along the lines of Dolson!

 

[chrissaran]

People have doubted me like I don't know the history of UConn's centers: Wolters, Charles, Dolson and whoever you want to pick from the 2002 because they were interchangeable. However, with the talent around her, Natalie has a chance to be UConn's greatest center ever. Looked at what she did at Georgetown amid all the turmoil, 13 and 13 and unanimous selection as top freshman. She is going to be something special with her size, strength and improving mid range jumper and quickness. She's already a tremendous rebounder and she can block shots. Also, the work ethic, knowing that she wouldn't be playing this year, is impressive. The Huskies got lucky that she fell into their laps.

 

[Huskies Rule]

Best lines were from Moriah: "Her personality is crazy, absolutely crazy on and off the court,” Jefferson added. “I don’t even know how to explain it. Nat just sings and dances all the time. You wouldn’t expect it from her and then you just turn around … It’s kind of like another Stefanie Dolson. I guess it’s something we recruit here, 6-5 singing and dancing post players.”

 

[hoophuskee]

People have doubted me like I don't know the history of UConn's centers: Wolters, Charles, Dolson and whoever you want to pick from the 2002 because they were interchangeable. However, with the talent around her, Natalie has a chance to be UConn's greatest center ever. Looked at what she did at Georgetown amid all the turmoil, 13 and 13 and unanimous selection as top freshman. She is going to be something special with her size, strength and improving mid range jumper and quickness. She's already a tremendous rebounder and she can block shots. Also, the work ethic, knowing that she wouldn't be playing this year, is impressive. The Huskies got lucky that she fell into their laps.

I still doubt you. I didn't see Wolters enough. But greater than Tina Charles? I doubt that.

 

[Shenandoah]

It's a little early to start with the "Greatest ever" talk, since she hasn't even played a single game at UConn, yet. However, that being said, I'm pretty excited to see her on the court with Stewie, Morgan, MoJeff and Kia.

 

[Brochacho]

Is Butler redshirting, or will she be a junior next season?

 

[ndmb]

People have doubted me like I don't know the history of UConn's centers: Wolters, Charles, Dolson and whoever you want to pick from the 2002 because they were interchangeable. However, with the talent around her, Natalie has a chance to be UConn's greatest center ever. Looked at what she did at Georgetown amid all the turmoil, 13 and 13 and unanimous selection as top freshman. She is going to be something special with her size, strength and improving mid range jumper and quickness. She's already a tremendous rebounder and she can block shots. Also, the work ethic, knowing that she wouldn't be playing this year, is impressive. The Huskies got lucky that she fell into their laps.

Count me amongst those who will be pleasantly (very) surprised is Butler is a NPOY.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Is Butler redshirting, or will she be a junior next season?

If she transferred after her freshman year, she'd still have 3 years of eligibility left. She would be a junior academically, but that's pretty meaningless as far as we're concerned.

Basketball-wise, I expect her to be a big upgrade over Stokes on the offensive end and to nicely complement our other frontcourt pieces.

 

[jsloanjr]

What a huge front line next season........Plus, you add in the 3 incoming freshmen.......6'5, 6'4,6'4,6'3", 6'2", 6'2".......

 

[bschwartz]

Next year, the team has a chance to be better than this year if they stay healthy and can build chemistry. They are gaining net 2 players. So will be fun next year too, but some unfinished business now.

 

[Huskies Rule]

I still doubt you. I didn't see Wolters enough. But greater than Tina Charles? I doubt that.

Let's go to the videotape:
Tina Charles:
- UConn career stats: 15.4 pts.pg, 9.5 rebounds pg, 1.6 blocks pg. Back to back, Two undefeated National Championships 2009,2010(with some kid named Maya).
- Additional Honors: Olympic Gold 2012, FIBA Worlds Gold 2010,2014, WNBA Rookie-of-the-Year 2010, 3 time WNBA All-Star, 2012 WNBA MVP.

Kara Wolters:
- UConn career stats: 15,5 pts.pg, 6.8 rebounds pg, 2.7 blocks pg. Undefeated National Champions 1995.
- Additional Honors: WNBA Championship 1999, Olympic Gold Medal 2000.

[One thing Tina has done off the court, which should not be part of a discussion of basketball accomplishments, but I have to mention nonetheless, is the incredibly generous charitable work she has done with the Heart of Hope Foundation as well as helping to fund a school in impoverished West Africa.]

I respect them both, for their great successes at UConn and in life. But if you twist my arm and threaten to shoot my dog if I don't choose, then it has to be TINA.

 

[Huskies Rule]

Next year, the team has a chance to be better than this year if they stay healthy and can build chemistry. They are gaining net 2 players. So will be fun next year too, but some unfinished business now.

Geno's teams always build chemistry, just a question of how long it takes. That's a huge part of what distinguishes UConn from all the rest.

 

[pinotbear]

Geno's teams always build chemistry, just a question of how long it takes. That's a huge part of what distinguishes UConn from all the rest.

Honestly, it's almost always build chemistry. If you read "The Same River Twice" and some other material about the late 80's through the latter 90's, there's been a couple of years with significant conflict within the team. Kerry Bascomb's freshman year comes to mind. And, there was another year when Geno was so disgusted, he canceled the year-end team banquet. Even through the last 15 years, there have been periods when individual players - Charde, Samarie - have strained the team chemistry.

This is not to pick nits or be an automatic nay-sayer. Team chemistry is hard, and shouldn't be taken for granted, even with a program and a coaching staff as successful as this one. I think that's why Geno goes to the trouble of pointing out how this years' junior class avoid "stepping on each other's toes". It's worth pointing out! It's important, and shouldn't be taken for granted, whether you're talking college kids, pros, or your local school board. "Plays nicely with others" is an important quality to be noted.

 

[lanieer]

I'm excited to see Butler next year but before I give her a starting position and a NPOY award I would love to see her play in a game against an elite team. She's in a new world now not the Georgetown world. Having said that I'm expecting by her junior year that she might be a terrific player.

 

[rvwsleep]

What a huge front line next season...Plus, you add in the 3 incoming freshmen..6'5, 6'4,6'4,6'3", 6'2", 6'2"..

Who's the second 6'4" player ?

 

[Joobie]

Because of her willingness to spare no expense to be a great teammate (by going to the ND game & traveling to Tampa this weekend), Natalie is already somebody pretty special. If she brings her personality to her games, she'll be very entertaining to watch as well. I am really looking forward to it!

 

[jcoton56]

Our conference is not going to be more demanding than the Big East was. She jut pent a year banging with Stewie, Tuck and Stokes. Some actual court time and confidence will mean a much smaller physical toll on both Morgan and Stewie next year. I expect good and hope for great! From the neck up, I am sold on Natalie.

 

[vtcwbuff]

"Samarie . . . . ."

"Toxic in the locker room" is the quote I remember. I guess that's one form of chemistry.

 

[Huskies Rule]

Count me amongst those who will be pleasantly (very) surprised is Butler is a NPOY.

Despite the insanely hyperbolic hopes and expectations of Boneyarders, myself notwithstanding, I don't think anybody honestly and realistically thinks Natalie Butler will be even a NPOY contender. That likelihood would be near to winning the lottery., a universe beyond "surprised." And that's just fine!

From all I have heard from her teammates and others, I think she will be a really good big, a winner who will play both ends of the floor hard and well, with a level of passion and enthusiasm that will make her a fan favorite. She hasn't logged a minute yet, and I luv her already.

 

[ndmb]

Despite the insanely hyperbolic hopes and expectations of Boneyarders, myself notwithstanding, I don't think anybody honestly and realistically thinks Natalie Butler will be even a NPOY contender. That likelihood would be near to winning the lottery., a universe beyond "surprised." And that's just fine!

From all I have heard from her teammates and others, I think she will be a really good big, a winner who will play both ends of the floor hard and well, with a level of passion and enthusiasm that will make her a fan favorite. She hasn't logged a minute yet, and I luv her already.

Evidently Chrissaran does, because he thinks she'll be better than Kara and Tina, both of whom won NPOY awards. Based on what I've heard, Butler sounds great and like she fits in very well with the team (both in terms of plugging holes in the lineup and in terms of chemistry). Having said that, there are a lot of players who get great stats for subpar teams; given that I haven't seen her play, I'm reserving judgement and am cautious about my expectations. My guess is that that's not that different from where you stand.

 

[warbler1055]

She pays her own way to Tampa. Too bad she cannot travel with the team. NCAA rules suck!!! Everybody at the NCAA makes money and the athletes are the only ones who don't get a dime.

 

[Dougie]

An interesting piece on a great young lady and soon-to-be invaluable teammate. A few lines:

"Natalie's motivation has been to improve every day and she believes she’s reached another level since last fall."

“Definitely, most definitely,” Butler said. “Mentally, I’ve learned a lot. Learning from Coach Auriemma, being a student of the game, has helped me. There are things that I never knew about being a basketball player that I know now. He pushes you through things that you never thought were possible. From that aspect, I’m better."

“And from a physical aspect it’s the same thing. I feel like I’m quicker and stronger and I’ve really hit the weights with Coach (Amanda) Kimball. Marisa Moseley has worked with me in individual sessions with my moves in the post. Coach Auriemma pushes me in practice every day whether it’s in a drill or scrimmage or just thinking things through. Without UConn, I wouldn’t have succeeded in the things that I’ve wanted to get done this season. But there’s a lot more work that needs to get done. I understand that. I can’t begin to tell you how great I feel with how far I’ve come the last eight, nine months.”

"Auriemma has liked what he’s seen." And that's great news for fans. Your hard work and fabulous attitude will soon be rewarded, Nat. Gotta love this kid.

http://snyuconn.com/uconn/butler-patiently-waiting-till-next-year/#more-15799

Great article. As hard as it's been for her not to play in the games, I think that having a year to practice day in and day out with this team, and under the watchful eyes of the best coaching staff on the planet, is the best thing that could have happened to Natalie. What a running start she will have, both physically and mentally. I like everything I've seen, read and heard so far. Totally pumped.

 

[dtbtbtb]

If she can give the team 10-12 points and 8-10 rebounds per game, UConn will be unbeatable with all the weapons it's got

 

[chrissaran]

No quality players have ever come from small programs. Didn't DePaul play Notre Dame fairly evenly for a school in the Georgetown world? Do any of you know where Phil Simms and Michael Strahan went to college? They didn't do too bad for players from very obscure colleges. If you read what I posted I said she has the possibility of becoming UConn's best center ever. What were Kara and Tina's numbers in their freshman seasons? Were they 13 and 13? I don't think either Kara or Tina averaged 13 rebounds. How was everyone feeling about Stef after her first two years? I know, everyone predicted her future success during her junior and senior seasons.