After Paige and Azzi come back, should Caroline gets some PT as a forward? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

After Paige and Azzi come back, should Caroline gets some PT as a forward?

dtbtbtb said:
CD is a great 3. Can she be a 4? i don't know that she can handle a 4 on defense and against big teams like SC, Stanford, TN you probably want to go with 2 bigs at all time.
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I'm just saying play Liv and Dorka together 25 minutes and have Edwards and Caroline sub for them some. Caroline to get time as a guard or small forward as well. I'm thinking Azzi, Paige, Evina, Christyn and a part time Caroline and Nika is plenty at guard. It does some things that optimize the lineup more offensively but maybe does present at least some defensive liabilities against some teams.
 
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Jordy said:
We’ll see. My money is on Nika being on the floor a lot more than you are predicting.
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So who sits? Christyn our 2nd leading scorer? Or Caroline our current top 2 player? Or Paige? I don't think so. Not to mention Evina or our current top recruit Azzi. What do we need most of all? 3 point shooters. I think Niika slots back at around #8 in the rotation if we are healthy.
 
CocoHusky said:
We are not of the same mind on this and it has nothing to do with how Caroline played earlier in the season. The point of my question was that Caroline is currently playing a forward position. Caroline is the SF which is distinctly different from the PF position. People are throwing that concept around like the the positions and skills required to play the positions irrelevant. Caroline is a freshman who is doing very well playing SF let her continue to master that position before we go switching her around. I agree with @dtbtbtb you put Caroline at the PF. position and she will struggle against the bigger front lines.
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Coming into this season I considered Caroline to be a natural 3, and as we watch her it seems she has confirmed that opinion, so completely agree on what she is, and what she has been playing. Could she be effective at the 4? I'm not sure, but even if a four guard lineup was desired (and I am not hoping for that anyway) as you point out we could keep her at her natural position. If any guard was moved to the 4, the best choice would probably be Evina anyway, as she has some experience doing that last year.
 
TeamFirst! said:
So who sits? Christyn our 2nd leading scorer? Or Caroline our current top 2 player? Or Paige? I don't think so. Not to mention Evina or our current top recruit Azzi. What do we need most of all? 3 point shooters. I think Niika slots back at around #8 in the rotation if we are healthy.
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It’s going to be tough for the coaches to figure it out.
 
HuskylnSC said:
In a few weeks her reign as leader will be overthrown and she will become the teams spark off the bench. And she will be fantastic. Can you imagine her coming in just as the opposing guards lose their first wind and just blowing them up with steals and pressure and pushing the ball. I tell ye laddie, twill be a fearsome sight!
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I don't see Caroline coming off the bench--right now consistently, she is our best scorer. Even with everyone back, she represents the second or third best scoring option. She has earned a starting role--although we probably place more emphasis on who's starting than Geno does...
 
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jdote33 said:
thanks for the thread. I think that's the big question. Does CD get removed from the starting lineup. Or do you play her at the 4? I'm not sure u can bench Nika, considering her defense and leadership. but then again I'm not sure CD belongs on the bench either. I trust that CD can be a spark off the bench but she may be the team's second best scorer. It's a tough call. I think she can play the 4, she's super versatile but it may depend on the opponent. I wouldn't want her defending Cat Reese but I'd trust her against Haley Jones.
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The coaches will lose a lot of sleep figuring it out.
 
tchalla1 said:
I don't see Caroline coming off the bench--right now consistently, she is our best scorer. Even with everyone back, she represents the second or third best scoring option. She has earned a starting role--although we probably place more emphasis on who's starting than Geno does...
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my comment was about Nika
 
So, Geno said in his post game presser after the St. John’s game that Caroline would probably not have gotten the chance to develop this quickly if other players had not gotten injured. “We knew she was good, but we didn’t know she was really, really good.” I remember when he said, after the Louisville game, that Caroline would ”get a ton of minutes” going forward and that he wished he had two three more “just like her”. I’m guessing he won’t want to put a “really, really good player” on the bench. Like Paige, Caroline can score in many different ways and sometimes leave you saying, “No way.” Geno will adjust the guard/forward ratio depending on circumstances but he thinks too highly of Caroline’s work ethic, attitude and ability to put her on the bench.
 
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TeamFirst! said:
We need to consider ways to get our best 5 players PT.
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"We" have no input on who the best 5 players are. And that is as ir should be.

Geno and company will make those decisions. We have no idea of the limitations that may be placed on returning players, especially Paige. Again, Geno and company will decide.

And I'll throw this into the mix. The 5 that start will be the five that work best together. That does not necessarily mean the the most talented 5.
 
For myself I would love to see the team get to that point where Geno has to make some tough decisions, it means the team is somewhat at full strength again.
 
She's listed as a guard, because she came into the program regarded as a 3pt shooter and not much else. However, once she began to get serious PT (and everyone could see what's she capable of) she's always been a small forward.
 
The deacon said:
Hey, Skeets, 'probably unfair' might be a bit of an understatement regarding Caroline bouncing one off her foot (she didn't do that today... I believe the only such error was about the third time she handled the ball in her first game).

I appreciate that you amended your message. Let's put it this way, if you cringe every time Caroline puts it on the floor, I expect you'll be cringing countless times over the next three-and-a-half seasons as she helps the Huskies to a hundred or more victories.
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That's putting it mildly. He amended his ridiculous message? Wow, it must have been really inciteful ... NOT!
 
mbr33ct said:
For myself I would love to see the team get to that point where Geno has to make some tough decisions, it means the team is somewhat at full strength again.
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Coach had that problem at the start of the season with making some tough decisions and as the season progressed and injuries kicked in, it just got worse. Once everyone is back and semi healthy, those "tough" decisions continue.
 
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Umm did we forget how bad Azzi was in that South Carolina game? What has given anyone indication that she is a starter coming back? Caroline in the toughest stretch was the team's best player and she should go back to the bench?
 
While we're all making outrageous guesses about who's gonna do what in the future, here's my stab: Caroline as a 3 and PB as a 1 will be the very first MOP co-winners in the final four this year while Geno bags his 12th. I think that's as reasonable as any guess. Or not.
 
Our forte since Geno has been coach has been the up-tempo game that everyone loves, even people that don't like us, but still admire how we play. With Paige and Nika both out we have looked terrible, aways stuck in the half court, with some players just standing around waiting for someone else to make things happen. Enter Nika Muhl, playing the way we have always played, and even though she doesn't score much, the other players are getting opportunities to get open shots. These other players are better for Nika being in there, as Paige is when she is in. Never mind the scoring, Paige just makes everyone else better with her passing and pushing the offence up the floor. When Paige comes back, she will be limited with her minutes (like Nika has been, LOL). Seriously though, there is no way that one of them is not going to be on the floor when the other isn't. We can't afford to fall back into that half court crap that has dragged us down. Paige is the best in the country, Nika is not, but her value to this team cannot be overlooked when we are at full strength. It just seems that we can't function very well without a leader on the court at all times, and like it or not, Nika is a leader. Azzi, Caroline, EW, CW, and Paige when needed will supply the scoring. This is a team that needs a PG to lead them, and with Paige and Nika running the show, we can be the team that we always thought we could be.
 
mbr33ct said:
For myself I would love to see the team get to that point where Geno has to make some tough decisions, it means the team is somewhat at full strength again.
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Yeah, let's turn the clock back to November 1st when Geno's only headache was figuring out how to get minutes for all the talent.
Can't see Caroline Ducharme sitting down unless she plays her way OUT of the starting lineup.
Love Nika's toughness and hustle. Maybe, just maybe, without Aubrey to come in and raise h-ll when we stumble and reinvigorate everybody, Nika can be the "bomb" on defense and rev up the team at selective points. although she doesn't have Aubrey's athleticism and strength, nobody has bothered to tell her (maybe they have but she's too stubborn to listen) she's too small to fight the bigs in the lane or on the glass.
Side note: Nika and AE seemed to really have a great "Dynamic Duo' thing on offense going at times.
Haven't been able to do so so far this season, but...
If they are both healthy and can regain that symbiosis, would be great if they can be a double switch when Paige and either Dorka or Liz need a few minutes to recharge.
Just daydreaming.
 
Even though Azzi has not proved to be as good as Caroline at this stage of their development, I do expect Azzi to excel. By march I would be happy with Liv and Dorka starting and Aalyiah subing in the post. I hope the majority of guard minutes go to Paige, Nika, Caroline, and Azzi with Evina and CW subing when appropriate. Worst case start the seniors for 5 minutes and pull them al a Doty. (A healthy Doty would not have been pulled.) I believe UCONN has a chance to get to the FF with the underclassmen guards given lots of minutes playing together. If Geno continues to favor CW and Evina well there is no hope of ever seeing the FF. The underclassmen guards have a winning attitude, I don't see the same thing in Evina and CW. Worst case is your young guards received the needed game minutes to progress to the next level next season.
TeamFirst! said:
We may be stronger at guard than at forward in a few weeks and Caroline looks like she can defend well at forward and rebound acceptably. And stretch the other team's forward out to the 3 point line. I think when Liv and Dorka are not in the lineup together we might want to consider one big with Caroline, Paige, Evina and Christyn. I could see Caroline playing the high post and distributing the ball in a similar way to Liv and knocking down that 10 foot jumper as well. This option would enable more space in the paint for cutting, as well as freeing up Azzi and Paige for more 3 pointers and maybe even maximize Caroline's strengths in cutting to the basket on the dribble..
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JellyBean said:
Coach had that problem at the start of the season with making some tough decisions and as the season progressed and injuries kicked in, it just got worse. Once everyone is back and semi healthy, those "tough" decisions continue.
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I am sure that Geno would welcome the kind of “tough” decision that comes with having a deep lineup as opposed to the relatively simple decisions based on having only 5-6 healthy players to send out on the court. ;)
 
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I have been running these scenarios in my head. It's a fun exercise when it's not my decision. I came up with the perfect lineup and allotment of time that I knew would be great for the team. THEN..... I saw I forgot to include Azzi. I believe the final outcome for this team will rest on the play of 2 freshmen and 2 sophomores. That means that 2 seniors who have given their hearts to this team (and 40 minutes whenever it was needed) will be placed in secondary roles. And that hurts. I don't want to see CW and E pushed into the role of giving 3 minute breaks to the younger guys. But I don't see any other way to achieve the ultimate goal.
 
The starters, there on many options depending on what your needs are. First need is team chemistry and experience. Paige Caroline Liv Christyn Dorka and Evina give you that. Next you need scoring and Paige Caroline and Azzi will give you that. Rebounding Liv and Dorka give you that. Geno has alot of options. IMO Liv Christyn and Paige are a given. Caroline averaging almost 20 pts a game and can score in a variety of ways and knows how to play the game is also a given. Caroline has earned a starters role. That leaves one spot open. That would be Genos decision. I think it would be between Nika Azzi and Evina. Nika brings defense and energy, Evina brings defense and chemistry and Azzi can offense. Next question is, Geno has alot of options and based on the teams needs will he will play who he needs to. There will be alot of competition for that 5th spot. Dont forget when Paige and Azzi are healthy enough to play their minutes may be limited and against most Big East teams that wont hurt us that much. The goal is to have everybody ready for the NCAAs.

It doesnt matter what seed we are when everybody gets back and is healthy enough to play. We will have some serious outside threats and that will open everything up. I thought we were number 1 in WCBB before the season started and I believe a healthy UConn team in March will be a nitemare to play against.
 
I think it is Geno’s duty/imperative to continue to develop this year’s team’s arsenal. Caroline is doing great, only quibbles for me are her defense (letting her opponent get past her too easily at times) and occasional hasty shooting (not set but I understand the need to shoot as our squad is limited). Paige will be Paige when she returns- even 80% Paige if added to line-up will be huge.
Livia is playing best ball of her career. Aaliyah is maybe coming back to form, this is Geno job #1, keep her on track to be consistent force down low. I’ll throw in Dorka here too. Getting guards to get timely accurate passes into open bigs is Geno job #2- hello bounce pass. Paige’s return will help here immensely. Getting Christyn back and up to speed is Geno job #3- we need her speed layups, great defense and occasional outside shot. She will thrive in a line-up with potent Paige and Caroline. Getting Azzi into the game and used to college pace is Geno job #4- all freshmen not named Paige have shown first-time jitters when starting their UConn careers. Azzi is too good a shooter to remain unused- if she gets minutes through rest of season, it’ll be bound to help team. This depends on when she is finally at full health but I hope that will be soon.

I was disappointed in SC game being postponed, but considering everything else, it gives us time to improve in all these areas.
 
Brewski said:
While we're all making outrageous guesses about who's gonna do what in the future, here's my stab: Caroline as a 3 and PB as a 1 will be the very first MOP co-winners in the final four this year while Geno bags his 12th. I think that's as reasonable as any guess. Or not.
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I like your thinking and dream of how this season will end up. Should Paige be able to return as well as Azzi, I can see Nika coming in when necessary to add spark, enthusiasm, and defensive leadership. Azzi coming off the bench to drop a string of much-needed bombs from time to time. Christyn and Evina demonstrating their skills, Edwards returning to the form displayed last season and Dorka continuing to assist Liv with some outstanding board play, assists and scoring. Wow! This team could simply blow-out their opponents on a run to the title. Let's hope we finally get a break ... after everything that's happened, we deserve it.
 
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