Anna Anyone?

[Alydar]

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.

Was Gabby Williams an AA as a freshman? NOWHERE near I'd say.

What you have failed to remember is that many UConn AA's weren't so good as freshmen.
Makurat is a dead eye outside shooter who is also an outstanding passer. She is also 6'2" and reportedly in a lot better shape and stronger. she is also a team-first player which can be a detriment to putting up the kind of numbers that AA voters like to see.
I'm hoping that Edwards can contribute so that Makurat can play more outside.

 

[cwaduke]

I think Anna will be great this season. She is in better shape and is such a smart player. I think AA is less relevant than what I hope she does in the WNBA.

 

[DefenseBB]

Last year's team was woefully short on typical UConn ball movement, whereas this years team has an abundant supply of capable passers and shooters that will result in more open 3's for everyone including ANNA. Last year was a significantly down scoring year by UConn standards, whereas I think this year we will be back up to top 3 in the country, hence her scoring and assists should improve. Her all-around game may not approach vintage KML but she has passing skills that KML did not possess so even with an 8 person rotation (9 is pushing it but we shall see) there will be plenty of minutes for Anna to show her improvement. She's proven to be court savvy and team disciplined so I am in agreement she will be a major contributor.

 

[MSGRET]

Here are the highlights of that game, the play is around the 1:02 mark. Gabby blocks the ball, Kia grabs it, passes to Lou who taps it to Gabby while off balance for the lay up.

 

[MD#12Fan]

Anna- so valuable. I think she is not mentioned as much here on BY because in our minds she is penciled in. Paige is a frosh, Evina is coming off injury, will Christyn be an AA, how much progress with Olivia, will Aubrey blossom.....
Anna is so versatile. She is big, which is a huge help with a team that is not one of the biggest in the country. She can handle the rock, which means we always have 3 ballhandlers on the floor. She can hit the open shot. She can run the floor. She is a creative passer. And LASTLY, she can go off offensively.
Long story short: Anna is always contributing when she's on the floor. Like a "stat sheet stuffer" or a "glue guy". Cliche anyone.

 

[DEpup]

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.

Completely disagree! I can't wait until you have to eat crow... a dish best served cold. I think she is the linchpin with her versatility in the middle between the guards and forwards. Mark my words. She will be the one that opposing teams just won't have a response for. They won't be sure how to defend or what to do with her.

 

[soxfan23]

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!

So making a couple flashy passes is a metric to judge whether a player is one of the 15 best in the country?

 

[soxfan23]

Was Gabby Williams an AA as a freshman? NOWHERE near I'd say.

What you have failed to remember is that many UConn AA's weren't so good as freshmen.
Makurat is a dead eye outside shooter who is also an outstanding passer. She is also 6'2" and reportedly in a lot better shape and stronger. she is also a team-first player which can be a detriment to putting up the kind of numbers that AA voters like to see.
I'm hoping that Edwards can contribute so that Makurat can play more outside.

And Gabby Williams was NOT an All American her Sophomore year either, so what is your point?

 

[soxfan23]

I hate these threads because it makes it look like I am bashing a player, I am not! Makurat is a hell of a player, but far too often people on this forum through around "All American". AA players are special, I know we are spoiled at UConn because we get so many of them, but I just think it is disrespectful to label virtually every good player UConn currently has as an AA candidate when they have done very little to fit the criteria of an AA, that is all.

 

[jfan]

2 words about Anna's play: Too slow.

 

[soxfan23]

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

Do you really think Bueckers, Muhl and Edwards are not going to see significant PT this year?

 

[CocoHusky]

I hate these threads because it makes it look like I am bashing a player, I am not! Makurat is a hell of a player, but far too often people on this forum through around "All American". AA players are special, I know we are spoiled at UConn because we get so many of them, but I just think it is disrespectful to label virtually every good player UConn currently has as an AA candidate when they have done very little to fit the criteria of an AA, that is all.

Calm down just give it a few games and we'll have just as many threads pointing out so and so is overrated or a bust.

 

[Alydar]

And Gabby Williams was NOT an All American her Sophomore year either, so what is your point?

That was my question to the OP.

 

[CocoHusky]

Do you really think Bueckers, Muhl and Edwards are not going to see significant PT this year?

I have said from day one, you know when I thought there was going to be a full season, that the rotation would be 7 deep in meaningful games. These 5 starters ( ONO, Aliyah, Anna, Paige and Christyn). Evina if healthy will be the 3 guard and Aubrey will rotate up front.

 

[huskyd]

Someone asked why Anna (Ania?) hasn't been touted on the board much this season. I believe it has to do with her slow start, not only shooting poorly but passing poorly and lacking foot speed. Old Huskie (sic) described her as having "ordinary athletic skills." I agree. Perhaps it was all about breaking in, but I saw little special about her.
How much she plays depends, IMO, in how Edwards works out. If Aaliyah can be strong on the boards, she should get the bulk of the playing time. Anna isn't primarily a rebounder. She's a long distance shooter. We have plenty of those. We're deficient where we have been historically--on the inside. Makurat is, at the minimum, a nice player to bring off the bench. But I think the starters will be Paige, Evina, Christyn, Liv, and Edwards. (This assumes the other variable: Westbrook's health.)
Can't wait.

 

[eebmg]

I have said from day one, you know when I thought there was going to be a full season, that the rotation would be 7 deep in meaningful games. These 5 starters ( ONO, Aliyah, Anna, Paige and Christyn). Evina if healthy will be the 3 guard and Aubrey will rotate up from.

If Nika is as good as advertised, I think she is part of the main rotation all the way through.

 

[DEpup]

2 words about Anna's play: Too slow.

And we shall see if her new found fitness alters that situation.... KML and KLS weren't the quickest either but they got the job done.....

 

[RockyMTblue2]

These highlights demonstrate some of Anna's strengths and yes its Tulsa, but they are still strengths.



And by the way at 6'~2 she's not Dangerfield quick but she eats up the hardwood with that stride when she kicks it into gear.

 

[soxfan23]

I have said from day one, you know when I thought there was going to be a full season, that the rotation would be 7 deep in meaningful games. These 5 starters ( ONO, Aliyah, Anna, Paige and Christyn). Evina if healthy will be the 3 guard and Aubrey will rotate up front.

There is ZERO chance that Westbrook doesn't start.

 

[MSGRET]

There is ZERO chance that Westbrook doesn't start.

Geno has stated more than once that Westbrook has not completely recovered from the operations and is still having some pain and might not be game ready for a while.

 

[CocoHusky]

There is ZERO chance that Westbrook doesn't start.

Many said the same about Azura Stevens yet Crystal beat her out for a starting position. Evina might be a 1 year investment for UCONN. Every other player on the the team is at least double that.

 

[HopJim]

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!!

Have to agree with your assessment of UConn's talent level but reverse your assessment of Anna. With Paige, ONO, etc. dominating, the ball will get to Anna. If she can hit 40%+ of her 3's, all star awards will follow.

 

[CocoHusky]

Have to agree with your assessment of UConn's talent level but reverse your assessment of Anna. With Paige, ONO, etc. dominating, the ball will get to Anna. If she can hit 40%+ of her 3's, all star awards will follow.

All star awards are not going to come from shooting 40%+ from deep, otherwise Anna would have been an all-star last year when she shot 41% Anna was not even named one of the top Freshman in the country . Two season ago the UCONN backcourt of Kia and Crystal both shot 44% from deep and neither was named an all-star.

 

[Jingo]

2 words about Anna's play: Too slow.

Basketball is not a track meet, eh?

 

[DEpup]

All star awards are not going to come from shooting 40%+ from deep, otherwise Anna would have been an all-star last year when she shot 41% Anna was not even named one of the top Freshman in the country . Two season ago the UCONN backcourt of Kia and Crystal both shot 44% from deep and neither was named an all-star.

But remember she ended the season shooting 48% from 3. The 41% includes her opening 0 for America. If she starts where she left off, I think you may have to rework your argument. We've already established that 48% gets her into KML territory....

 

[hoophuskee]

Ofc she can be an All-American this year. Just because she can be an A/A doesn't means she is POY.
If CWill isn't shooting well - then who do we think is Paige, Evina, And Nika are going to look for on fastbreaks? They are going to look for the 40-45% 3 point shooter (with size).

In addition some teams are going to want to play zone to limit Paige and Evina from getting into the paint without significant help. SO who will benefit a lot from this? Our top tier 3 point shooter.

 

[Alydar]

If Nika is as good as advertised, I think she is part of the main rotation all the way through.

She'll play if only for her fearless play and her ball skills. The amount will be based on how she scores.

 

[Alydar]

Have to agree with your assessment of UConn's talent level but reverse your assessment of Anna. With Paige, ONO, etc. dominating, the ball will get to Anna. If she can hit 40%+ of her 3's, all star awards will follow.

If UConn pushes in transition and Bueckers is as good at driving as I think then Makurat will have lots of open looks outside, especially when she is guarded by a 4.

There are so many possible lineups and muti-position players it's going to be fun watching.

 

[JonathanXIV]

I hate these threads because it makes it look like I am bashing a player, I am not! Makurat is a hell of a player, but far too often people on this forum through around "All American". AA players are special, I know we are spoiled at UConn because we get so many of them, but I just think it is disrespectful to label virtually every good player UConn currently has as an AA candidate when they have done very little to fit the criteria of an AA, that is all.

In fairness, you just didn’t say Anna wasn’t an AA this year. You said she was “NOWHERE near” AA level ( all caps yours). And you used lots of exclamation points when doing it.

 

[CocoHusky]

But remember she ended the season shooting 48% from 3. The 41% includes her opening 0 for America. If she starts where she left off, I think you may have to rework your argument. We've already established that 48% gets her into KML territory....

I have a better idea, why don we just evaluate Anna the same way we do every other UCONN WBB player past or present ,by answering this simple question: How did Ann perform in UCONN biggest games of the season last year Baylor, South Carolina and Oregon?

Game​	Minutes​	FG/FGA​	3FG/3FGA​	Assists​	Points​
Oregon​	36​	5/9​	3/7​	4​	13​
Baylor​	18​	1/2​	1/1​	1​	3​
South Carolina​	25​	0/5​	0/3​	1​	0​
Averages​	26.33​	37.5%​	36%​	2​	5.3​

If we want to give Anna or ONO for that matter, credit for being AAC warriors then by all means let's do that. If you want to talk about what it takes to be a UCONN warrior you should already know. It takes the ability to impact meaningful games. That ability has not been demonstrated yet by Anna or Sophomore ONO. Anna still has time, ONO is running out of time.