It is now Tourney time, and we start with new stat realities. After the first game against a completely overmatched opponent, UConn will play a core unit of 8 to 9 players for 99% of the minutes, with this year 4 of them averaging around 35 minutes and doing 95% of the scoring. Kia will probably get pretty much an even split of the minutes as the second guard with Saniya, but circumstances could change in the next few weeks. For both Nurse and Chong, assists and defense will be the first priority, and an occasional 3 or layup will be wavy gravy.
This year is similar to others where the Huskies are the favorite for the title. Last year it is true that it was 5 starters combining to score 364 of the 384 points in the last 5 games, or 95% of the scoring at an average of 14 ppg apiece, but if this year its four players sharing most of the scoring chores, I assume that Stewie, KLM, Tuck, and MoJeff won't be traumatized if they are asked to chip in for 18 ppg apiece. Seems doable with that 35 mpg they'll be getting now.