Amari? Did we forget about her? | Page 7 | The Boneyard

Amari? Did we forget about her?

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I think he's always looking for bigs. They're just too rare not to be on the lookout for them. That doesn't mean they all pan out. And sometimes the best "bigs" aren't all that tall. I think Ice will turn out to be one of these.
 
U Conn is still in the running for El Alfy, who would join the team in January, giving her a head start for next season.
 
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ccwarrior said:
Why?
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I think that kids fall in love with the idea of playing at UCONN and are at times caught off guard by the reality of the level of commitment, effort, and focus required. And then, there are the academic and social adjustments. If you're not ready mentally (maturity) and physically out the gate, then it may require a longer period to get on solid ground.

Last year, I never got the sense that there was any expectation that she demonstrated any more than what we saw. When she did play last year, I thought it was mostly about getting her feet wet and keeping her engaged with the team. I don't think we'll see her putting up 3-pointers. I just think she wasn't ready and she knew it and the coaches knew it. I recall reading something Geno said and it was high praise about what she could do, but obviously for some reason still wasn't ready.

I'm nowhere as invested in following everything these players have done between this and last year as some, but I see and hear enough. Looks like she hung around this summer, worked on conditioning, and seems more mature. I didn't see a hard press to look for another BIG BIG in the offseason so I sense there's a quiet confidence that her basketball skills are the real deal.

This is what my gut is telling me.
 
AmeriConn said:
What concerns me is Geno has not mentioned her one time in any presser.
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Interesting. Though I must admit, lately I haven't watched any of his pressers. I've seen quotes on here, but haven't actually listened.
 
Bone Dog said:
I think he's always looking for bigs. They're just too rare not to be on the lookout for them. That doesn't mean they all pan out. And sometimes the best "bigs" aren't all that tall. I think Ice will turn out to be one of these.
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Doggie, I agree 100%. Unfortunately, BIGS don’t historically flock to UConn (I wish they did). I agree with you about Ice Brady. I can’t put my finger on it, but I can see Ice becoming a better-than-average post-player.


She’ll hit the ground running next year knowing the system and being another year older. She’ll spend time in the next 12 months (as her health and rehabilitation allow) in the weight room getting stronger. I think Ice will be a better more productive player next year than she would have been this year.


Next year’s team should be extremely formidable as they take the court at full strength. I’m excited about this year’s team, but I’m even more excited about next year’s team. This team can do some great things if it plays up to its potential and stays healthy. Should be a fun ride.
 
Fossil said:
If Amari doesn’t show vast improvement I think Connecticut will be looking for a big in next year’s portal. He may find another big coming from high school but that person probably won’t be ready for big time play next year.
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Remember the two things Geno says about freshmen. 1. They become sophmores. 2. If they haven’t “got it” by their sophomore year, they never will. I’ve got everything crossed for Amari hoping things “click” for her, and she has a memorable season. She has the physical tools and athleticism to be successful at this level. She can be as good as she wants to be. I’ll be on the front row of Amari’s cheering section with some over-sized pom poms leading the cheers.
 
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The portal could be the only alternative for another playable C type for next year, if Amari doesn't deliver this year. The high school bigs have mostly decided, or we are not in the hunt. Next year's candidates for the 5 are Ice and Amari. Ice is recovering from injury, has no game experience, and may be a better 4 than 5, but can play the 5.

Since she will have a chance to show something this year, by next year Amari will either be part of the answer at the 5, or an afterthought that is not part of the plan. If the later picking up a C in the portal will be critical. Even if Amari looks like the real deal and you have confidence in Ice next year, I still would pursue a decent contingency backup, perhaps a grad transfer with experience that if needed could hold down the fort when injuries hit.

We believe that Uconn pursued several bigs in the 2023 class. We had success recruiting at positions 1-3, but have not landed another big, particularly C type. Unless I am missing something, we have one big hope left, namely El Alfy from abroad. She seems to have enough talent to be play significant minutes in her freshmen year, and take some if not most of the C minutes next year. If we don't get her, and Amari disappoints the portal will be a necessity. If we do get her, and Amari comes up big, we probably have nothing to worry about.
 
The week before her injury, Auriemma's comments about Ice , all but insured her spot as the # 2 behind Dorka. Unless DeBerry takes a trip to Lourdes, Ice will be the #1 next season.
 
I feel no immediacy in acquiring another “big”.
Have Aaliyah for this year and next.
Ice for at least 3 more seasons (4?)
Amari for 3 more
Ayanna for this year and three more.
If we could pick up someone “special” in the next year or two- fine.
If not, no panic.
JMHO
 
oldhuskie said:
The portal could be the only alternative for another playable C type for next year, if Amari doesn't deliver this year. The high school bigs have mostly decided, or we are not in the hunt. Next year's candidates for the 5 are Ice and Amari. Ice is recovering from injury, has no game experience, and may be a better 4 than 5, but can play the 5.

Since she will have a chance to show something this year, by next year Amari will either be part of the answer at the 5, or an afterthought that is not part of the plan. If the later picking up a C in the portal will be critical. Even if Amari looks like the real deal and you have confidence in Ice next year, I still would pursue a decent contingency backup, perhaps a grad transfer with experience that if needed could hold down the fort when injuries hit.

We believe that Uconn pursued several bigs in the 2023 class. We had success recruiting at positions 1-3, but have not landed another big, particularly C type. Unless I am missing something, we have one big hope left, namely El Alfy from abroad. She seems to have enough talent to be play significant minutes in her freshmen year, and take some if not most of the C minutes next year. If we don't get her, and Amari disappoints the portal will be a necessity. If we do get her, and Amari comes up big, we probably have nothing to worry about.
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Good thoughts. While I am comfortable with our bigs next year, what a unique opportunity it would be for a transfer to come in and plug into what will be one of the top 3 teams, play with some of the best players in the country (Paige, Azzi, etc.), and perhaps be favored to win NCAA's.
 
HopJim said:
Good thoughts. While I am comfortable with our bigs next year, what a unique opportunity it would be for a transfer to come in and plug into what will be one of the top 3 teams, play with some of the best players in the country (Paige, Azzi, etc.), and perhaps be favored to win NCAA's.
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Only if Amari doesn't pan out as expected. If she does, I'm not bringing in another post player on top of them to compete for their minutes. Amari and Ice sould have the post position covered until Amari graduates. I would bring in a freshman and let her watch and learn for a year if I could get one, then expect her to be ready to play significant meaningful minutes for the next 3 years.

Good post players that transfer for some reason are not drawn to UConn. The last one was 6'5" Natalie Butler from Georgetown (who was the BE Conference FOY). 6'6" Azura Stevens (Duke) WAS NOT a post player, although Geno asked her to play there. She was a wing at Duke. Elizabeth Williams was the post the two years Stevens was there (2014-2016). I agree UConn should stock pile all of the post payers they can, but I haven't noticed a "land swell" of post players coming to UConn lately. Find out what Oregon head coach Kelly Graves is doing. He has no problem attracting BIGS. :rolleyes:
 
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Carnac said:
Only if Amari doesn't pan out as expected. If she does, I'm not bringing in another post player on top of them to compete for their minutes. Amari and Ice sould have the post position covered until Amari graduates. I would bring in a freshman and let her watch and learn for a year if I could get one, then expect her to be ready to play significant meaningful minutes for the next 3 years.

Good post players that transfer for some reason are not drawn to UConn. The last one was 6'5" Natalie Butler from Georgetown (who was the BE Conference FOY). 6'6" Azura Stevens (Duke) WAS NOT a post player, although Geno asked her to play there. She was a wing at Duke. Elizabeth Williams was the post the two years Stevens was there (2014-2016). I agree UConn should stock pile all of the post payers they can, but I haven't noticed a "land swell" of post players coming to UConn lately. Find out what Oregon head coach Kelly Graves is doing. He has no problem attracting BIGS. :rolleyes:
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Excitement of the Big City you have to travel 90 or 140 miles to get. I too wonder why guards and forwards and not posts seem to love Geno enough to accept the location ??
Natalie was a big fish in two little ponds separated by Uconn. Azura was a top catch for Duke and a top catch transfer for Uconn. She began as a Wing and departed as a Wing--out of position. Geno needed a Post.
Currently, I suspect Posts have to be recruited early and with lots of attention--
 
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ccwarrior said:
Did anyone see anything memorable today in the exhibition game from her?
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the only way she gets better at this point is if she plays.............if Dorka gets in foul trouble or hurt they're going to need her.........she's gotta be allowed to get some confidence out there.........Ducharme looked like a deer in the headlights when she started playing but you saw what happened when she got real minutes......not saying Deberry is going to make a huge turn around, but I see no reason she can't play a complimentary role on the team.....
 
Charliebball said:
the only way she gets better at this point is if she plays.............if Dorka gets in foul trouble or hurt they're going to need her.........she's gotta be allowed to get some confidence out there.........Ducharme looked like a deer in the headlights when she started playing but you saw what happened when she got real minutes......not saying Deberry is going to make a huge turn around, but I see no reason she can't play a complimentary role on the team.....
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If she does not play at this point either she’s not getting better or she’s just not a good fit . We know how those outcomes end up .
 
Charliebball said:
the only way she gets better at this point is if she plays.............if Dorka gets in foul trouble or hurt they're going to need her.........she's gotta be allowed to get some confidence out there.........Ducharme looked like a deer in the headlights when she started playing but you saw what happened when she got real minutes......not saying Deberry is going to make a huge turn around, but I see no reason she can't play a complimentary role on the team.....
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Caroline showed very positive signs from her first practices and the scrimmage game. Her slow start was due to nerves. Nothing deeper like what seems to be the issue with Amari.
 
Many say they will need her if Dorka gets in foul trouble or is injured. In many ways that is true, she is the only C sized option behind Dorka. Most of us probably assumed Amari would be a contributor in the rotation from the beginning, and ultimately a starter for at least a couple of years.

Unless something changes soon in a major way it is starting to look like Amari may never achieve a rotation spot. The backup C job was pretty much hers to lose. It appears that if Dorka was out, Geno would rather not use a C at all, than to give Amari significant minutes. Looks like he would consider more minutes for Aaliyah, Ayanna, Aubrey, or even going small with Caroline or Lou to using Amari.

I hope I'm wrong, but that's the way it looks to me now.
 
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WFFL said:
If she does not play at this point either she’s not getting better or she’s just not a good fit . We know how those outcomes end up .
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Pretty clear to the vast majority that Amari looked less energetic and unsure than any of our other posts, She has some passing skills but just seems to hover on the court with very little impact


I am pretty sure the differences are far more glaring in practice when there is no crowd to supply players energy.
 
I thought is that even though Patterson had problems putting the ball in the basket today (fixable), she is the post player that UConn needs to support Edwards and Juhasz. Deberry had an opportunity today and she showed nothing.
 
I'm hoping that Geno just wanted to give the new players and Aubrey some extra time out there today to get used to playing in front of crowds etc- and that Amari will have more of a role in the Northeastern game.

....Every one of the 10 available players is important to this team's success! Go Amari!
 
I'm going to get downvotes but Deberry looked worse than she was last year. I'm very sorry but seeing Ayanna get minutes above means that she's just not there yet. There's still time but in her minutes I was expecting something that never came.
 
oldhuskie said:
Many say they will need her if Dorka gets in foul trouble or is injured. In many ways that is true, she is the only C sized option behind Dorka. Most of us probably assumed Amari would be a contributor in the rotation from the beginning, and ultimately a starter for at least a couple of years.

Unless something changes soon in a major way it is starting to look like Amari may never achieve a rotation spot. The backup C job was pretty much hers to lose. It appears that if Dorka was out, Geno would rather not use a C at all, than to give Amari significant minutes. Looks like he would consider more minutes for Aaliyah, Ayanna, Aubrey, or even going small with Caroline or Lou to using Amari.

I hope I'm wrong, but that's the way it looks to me now.
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I think it depends on who they are playing.........I like that smaller athletic lineup, but I'm not sure it will work against South Carolina or other teams with big front courts........let's see what happens against Texas........
 
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