Anna Anyone?

[ubasketball]

Finally, a full bench, no seniors, and potential significant contributors beyond the first six players, and a forced extended "hot stove season" replete with speculation and predictions about many players. Not taking anything away from those often mentioned, I think a player with exciting prospects and possibly an All American year ahead is the one not so often mentioned in the Boneyard or on any prominent national list: Anna Makurat. I could sign her praises but prefer to throw her name out for your comments. I think that anyone who saw her at her best last season and is aware of her skills knows that she could bloom into one of the best players we have ever had.

 

[Monte]

I think the key to the value of Anna to the team is: Does she get off early in the season playing her best game. This is especially important this year with a shortened schedule.
If she is "at her best" early, then good things will happen and I'm sure she will continue to improve..........there is no doubt that she has the talent.

 

[MSGRET]

I believe that after she went "0 for America" she shot almost 48 percent from the 3 pt line and ended up shooting over 41 percent for the season. If she continues to play the way that she did the second half of the season than she just might be an AA at the end of the year.

 

[soxfan23]

Makurat is a good player, but she is NOWHERE near an All American level player! Her playing time is going to be down significantly this year and she may not even start. Don't get me wrong Makurat is a pretty damn good player, but we often forget just how good some of the previous All American greats at UConn were.

 

[MSGRET]

Makurat is a good player, but she is NOWHERE near an All American level player! Her playing time is going to be down significantly this year and she may not even start. Don't get me wrong Makurat is a pretty damn good player, but we often forget just how good some of the previous All American greats at UConn were.

If she is anywhere near a 48 percent 3 pt shooter and does the things that she did last year, rebounding, defense, and passing, then she would be a better player then KML was her Sophomore year. She's a more rounded player than many people realize. She will be starting and will most likely be one most of the year.

 

[EricLA]

I love me some Anna. She worked her way back into the starting lineup last season and improved in leaps and bounds. In fact, the 2nd half was almost a sophomore type leap for her.

I do think she has AA potential down the road. But 2 things are working against her for this season IMHO...

1. There are at least 2 other players who will likely have better stats (Olivia and Christyn), and depending on the type of season Evina and Paige have, both could eclipse her production as well.
2. The pre-season watch lists are mostly based on reputation, publicity, and lobbying (well maybe that is more for the end of year awards) by individual coaches/programs. Anna doesn't have people hyping the snot out of her on ESPN or other outlets.

But anything can happen. Heck, Boston, who was hyped non-stop before the season started, is only averaging 11 PPG and 8 RPG. There are at least 50 players with better stats whether guards, wings, or post players. Another example - Tennessee - Rennia Davis was tapped as a pre-season awards watch player, but Rae Burrell has far better stats after the first few games. That's why they play the games - pre-season watch list turns into mid-season watch turns into post season awards.

Getting back to Anna - with so many talented players on UCONN, I don't see her beating out 2 or 3 other players for awards. I DO think she's on the wall of honor by her senior season - whether that happens next season or her senior year remains to be seen. Go Anna!!

 

[donalddoowop]

Makurat is a good player, but she is NOWHERE near an All American level player! Her playing time is going to be down significantly this year and she may not even start. Don't get me wrong Makurat is a pretty damn good player, but we often forget just how good some of the previous All American greats at UConn were.

Your statement on her playing time seems as if it is a statement of fact. You don't know what is going to happen with her playing time. At the beginning of Collier's sophomore season she was nowhere near an AA. There are most likely players who will end up being AA at season's end who at this early time in the season do not appear to have a chance to be an AA. I love to watch Anna play and I believe she will surprise many people this season.

 

[soxfan23]

If she is anywhere near a 48 percent 3 pt shooter and does the things that she did last year, rebounding, defense, and passing, then she would be a better player then KML was her Sophomore year. She's a more rounded player than many people realize. She will be starting and will most likely be one most of the year.

KML averaged 18pts and 6rbs, lead the team in a 26.5 +/- rating, and shot 49% from 3 pt range! Makurat will NOT come remotely close to that level of production!

 

[mbr33ct]

The problem with being on UConn teams this year, next and beyond, there are perhaps too many players that could be potential AA's. Selecting more than 2 from any one team has always been an issue.

 

[soxfan23]

Your statement on her playing time seems as if it is a statement of fact. You don't know what is going to happen with her playing time. At the beginning of Collier's sophomore season she was nowhere near an AA. There are most likely players who will end up being AA at season's end who at this early time in the season do not appear to have a chance to be an AA. I love to watch Anna play and I believe she will surprise many people this season.

It is ABSOLUTELY a statement of fact, last year UConn had basically a 6 player rotation after Makurat regained her starting job, this year they will have to find time for at least 8 and possibly 9.

 

[cohenzone]

I love me some Anna. She worked her way back into the starting lineup last season and improved in leaps and bounds. In fact, the 2nd half was almost a sophomore type leap for her.

I do think she has AA potential down the road. But 2 things are working against her for this season IMHO...

1. There are at least 2 other players who will likely have better stats (Olivia and Christyn), and depending on the type of season Evina and Paige have, both could eclipse her production as well.
2. The pre-season watch lists are mostly based on reputation, publicity, and lobbying (well maybe that is more for the end of year awards) by individual coaches/programs. Anna doesn't have people hyping the snot out of her on ESPN or other outlets.

But anything can happen. Heck, Boston, who was hyped non-stop before the season started, is only averaging 11 PPG and 8 RPG. There are at least 50 players with better stats whether guards, wings, or post players. Another example - Tennessee - Rennia Davis was tapped as a pre-season awards watch player, but Rae Burrell has far better stats after the first few games. That's why they play the games - pre-season watch list turns into mid-season watch turns into post season awards.

Getting back to Anna - with so many talented players on UCONN, I don't see her beating out 2 or 3 other players for awards. I DO think she's on the wall of honor by her senior season - whether that happens next season or her senior year remains to be seen. Go Anna!!

I’ve always thought preseason lists and rankings are silly and only serve to establish artificial starting points that are bound to be adjusted. Player ratings ought to be season’s end and team rankings start maybe mid January in a normal year. On teams with a lot of talent, player X might not stand out but are AA caliber. Look at a Crystal Dangerfield who was never the focus at UConn during her career. Anna looks like a multitool player. Is she a future AA? Will she just be a steady force on a team loaded with talent who goes under appreciated by AA selection boards? Does it matter? I liked watching her develop to where she was a big reason the team came together so well.

 

[Rb335]

Makurat will get a lot of minutes this year. She is far and away our best shooter, and we need a proven shooter to create spacing for Bueckers, Williams, and Westbrook to break down defenses. She has shown the ability to distribute, provides size on the wing, and is one of our more experienced players. I can see her averaging in the ballpark of 14p, 5r & 4a while shooting over 40% from 3. A lot of teams would love to have a player like her on their roster.

I personally don't see her ever garnering AA honors, but that is mainly due to the talent around her who draw more attention.

 

[topogigio]

I, too, believe Anna to be a premier college player. How many other freshmen came to UConn, started, and became a very productive player in their first season? The "eyes" have it on this girl, she can shoot, pass, rebound, and has very decent ball control. European experience has already paid huge dividends, and she has worked hard on her conditioning in the off season. The sky is the limit for this gal!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Anna has a very good eye for the floor and excellent passing. When you combine that with her shot versatility you get a lot of benefit when she's on the floor. I expect her to continue to make her mark.

 

[Ozimoto]

She might not make it as an AA, but I think she is a player Geno trusts and that will get her on the floor. This year I see her as a steadying influence for the freshmen when she is on the floor. She has more "in game" experience in the UCONN system than Evina so I see her in that role more so than Evina, especially at the start of the season.

 

[Huskee11]

I watched her closely last year. Many positives. She is in much better shape this year, and has a year under her belt in a new country with a new team. So I expect great things.

Some positives I recall:

Never takes a play off

Bigger and stronger than many think

Excellent shooter and scorer

Great "handle", obviously well coached and many, many hours of dribbling practice

Capable of getting "in the zone" where everything goes in

Creative passer, doesn't make the predictable pass

Very good at pushing tempo even though not a blazer

Drives to the hoop well, but thinks pass off the dribble too much, needs to shoot it more in that event - doesn't get to the line much, but that change would help

This team is potentially a phenomenal, showtime-type passing team.

 

[Bronxjeff]

Makurat is a good player, but she is NOWHERE near an All American level player! Her playing time is going to be down significantly this year and she may not even start. Don't get me wrong Makurat is a pretty damn good player, but we often forget just how good some of the previous All American greats at UConn were.

She was a freshman adjusting to life, school and basketball in a new language and country, and she made some of the UCONN highlight reel plays of all time!

 

[Carnac]

I think the key to the value of Anna to the team is: Does she get off early in the season playing her best game. This is especially important this year with a shortened schedule.
If she is "at her best" early, then good things will happen and I'm sure she will continue to improve..........there is no doubt that she has the talent.

Anna had a lot of adjustments to make last year. Living in a new country, learning to eat and enjoy different foods, learning to play with new teammates in a totally new system for new coaches. Not to mention attending college classes and doing the class and homework required.

Last year was a period of adjustments for sure. This year, she can hit the ground running. She’s in great physical condition, knows the system, and can just concentrate on making plays. She dealt with a lot of new things that stayed under the radar last year.

I think this year, she knows what to expect, and knows what she can do. No surprises this year. We’ll see Anna at her best right out of the box. This is why I can't wait for UConn to begin playing games. Answers to all of the questions and concerns raised in these comments will be made in the first 10 games.

Once again I'm going to use a favorite term of mine, "the cream will rise to the top". We'll know after 5 games who can play RIGHT NOW, and who needs a bit more more seasoning. I believe Anna will be a "prime time" player for Geno this year. She'll be ready their first game. The 7-8 players ready to play NOW, will stand out like a "mega watt" beacon in the night. They won't be hard to recognize.

 

[AmeriConn]

I believe Anna will pick up where she left off last year and become much much better. She has the talent and now the confidence. Her freshman year had to be tough. She had to acclimate to the US, take a starting role because of a short talented bench, etc. I think she is unselfish and a great team player who will put up very respectable numbers this season.

 

[Jingo]

There are a lot of interesting "unknowns" on this year's Husky women's team with 7 newcomers, eh? And lots of questions bout Aubrey and Anna. That leaves Christyn and Liv. Of the two, Liv will benefit the most from the new players bcuz Christyn will be competing for playing time [minutes] whereas Liv won't; Liv has the "5" spot locked down.
Liv has height, Liv has speed, two things you can't teach. And Liv can pass and block shots. With 'pass first' guards like Anna, Paige & Nika delivering the ball, Liv has the best chance of making AA from this year's squad.
But there's no reason that Anna can't be next in line to grab some awards. That said, I am very curious to see what Anna and Aubrey bring to the table this year, their sophomore seasons!

 

[JonathanXIV]

KML averaged 18pts and 6rbs, lead the team in a 26.5 +/- rating, and shot 49% from 3 pt range! Makurat will NOT come remotely close to that level of production!

A couple of things. You state that Anna is "NOWHERE near" being an AA level player. Not sure what you mean by that, but would a player who makes the All Conference 1st or 2nd team, or makes the Conference All Tournament team qualify as a "near" AA level player? And you note that her playing time will be down "significantly." Last year she averaged 26.5 minutes per game. Are you saying she's going to average less than 20 minutes a game? Frankly, I have to disagree. Finally, what if Anna averages 14 and 5, would that be "somewhat close" to KML's production.

I think you are being overly harsh and pessimistic about Anna (as evidenced by your excessive use of exclamation points).

 

[CocoHusky]

It is ABSOLUTELY a statement of fact, last year UConn had basically a 6 player rotation after Makurat regained her starting job, this year they will have to find time for at least 8 and possibly 9.

How is that a statement of fact that you know the UCONN rotation prior to them playing a single game?

 

[Go/huskies]

Makurat is a fine player, but if Westbrook was cleared to play last season, I think Anna would have been a bench player. She started last year and things worked out fine for her but this years team does have more talent, If she can play the point forward from the 4 spot then I see her starting all year, if not she could be pushed back to the 6th man role, I do believe she will help the team out this season, but I’m not seeing her on the same level as Paige, Westbrook, or Williams, the 3 players who will probably be in the spot light this season and the best chances to be all Americans. Liv is more of a specialist at this point, center is one of the deepest positions in the country this year, Cunane, Boston, Collier, and now Prince are 4 of the best post players in all of the land.

 

[boontonbomber]

she just knows how to play the game; Huskee 11's list is right on. she showed the ability to make the game look easy at the end of last season. I think she will be their most important player this year.

 

[da60]

I am so happy that so many of my fellow Boneyarders are seeing the player and person that Anna Makarat is. I've been touting her for over a year and have repeatedly stated 'Watch Ann Bloom.' She is my personal favorite among the other wonderful players Geno has brought in. I gave him credit for 'running all over Poland' last year. From my far away observation she appears to be a great kid with unreal enthusiasm. I think she can play in the WNBA right now, if handled properly. She should be a starter and like Paige, is unselfish with the ball. Look back at some video and see what I am talking about. I believe that she was, for whatever reason, not given passes that would have magnified her shooting talent....and her passes...wow. 'Nice young lady' would be the way I would describe her. Go Anna....Go Huskies!!!