Anna Anyone?

[cbraarj]

Walker put up virtually identical stats to what Stewart put up in her best year and you don't think she deserved to be an AA? Stop embarrassing yourself!

You should stop embarassing yourself for even comparing Walker to Stewart! For one Stewie was a far better defensive player! Her play in the 2015 FF showed that being named MOP! Stewie didn't disappear against the better teams! Walker did. Stewie had over 100 assist her last 3 years at UConn! Stewie is the only college player with over 400 blocks and assist for her career! Stewie won every POY award the year you compared Walkers stats to hers! Walker didn't win one! Stewie was 24-0 in the NCAAT with 4 MOP awards and 4 NCs! Walker had a 8-2 record with no NCs! The players on Stewies team got better because of Stewart! Walkers teammates didn't even get the ball from her when they should have when they were wide open because she was a selfish player! UConn became a better team the day Walker said she was putting her name in the draft! Last years team had the worst chemistry that any UConn team has had in a long time and a big reason why was Walker!

 

[Jingo]

You should stop embarassing yourself for even comparing Walker to Stewart! For one Stewie was a far better defensive player! Her play in the 2015 FF showed that being named MOP! Stewie didn't disappear against the better teams! Walker did. Stewie had over 100 assist her last 3 years at UConn! Stewie is the only college player with over 400 blocks and assist for her career! Stewie won every POY award the year you compared Walkers stats to hers! Walker didn't win one! Stewie was 24-0 in the NCAAT with 4 MOP awards and 4 NCs! Walker had a 8-2 record with no NCs! The players on Stewies team got better because of Stewart! Walkers teammates didn't even get the ball from her when they should have when they were wide open because she was a selfish player! UConn became a better team the day Walker said she was putting her name in the draft! Last years team had the worst chemistry that any UConn team has had in a long time and a big reason why was Walker!

Very good .. I agree with all you said .. I couldn't have said it better myself esp the part about MW being a selfish player. You left out the part that Walker couldn't even create her own shot and was defended easily by Baylor, Oregon and SC, eh? IMO she was not an AA..

 

[Littlemin]

Walker averaged 19.7pts, 8.4rbs, 3ast, 1.5stl
Stewart averaged 19.4pts, 8.7rbs, 4ast, 1.8stl

There is NO way you can't consider those virtually identical!

And NO, KLS and Collier's junior year are NOT as good as Walker's, Walker outscored and outrebounded BOTH of them!

If the premise is you award 1st team AA status for stats, the argument for Walker deserving that is strong. If you award for the “eye test” it becomes a different argument. Certainly her play gave the impression she was somewhat a “selfish” player but really only she knows if it was conscious, by design. I believe it hurt the team last year in the chemistry department but tend to think it was not “intentional” because I think if Auriemma and Dailey thought so, she would certainly have been benched at some point. Walker was a great all around stat player but IMO, I would not consider her a great all around player using the “eye test”; there is a robotic aspect to her game, a lack of “feel” if you will that prevented her from making the instinctive, correct play in the moment, AT TIMES.
The other aspect, her play in the 3 “elite” games would have more credibility to me had the tourney been played and that trend continued. Walker was in a completely different role last year and IMO, should get the benefit of the doubt of having learned from those experiences. Without having the season play out we will never know; Uconn certainly grew, seemingly significantly, as the season progressed. The defense and chemistry improved and Walker was certainly part of that growth. If she can be criticized for the early season “problems” she needs to be acknowledged as part of the solution. Unfortunately, with the truncated season, no one knows how that improvement would have manifested itself in the tournament.
Now having said that, she certainly had a terrific season, no one can argue that. Criticisms of her are at the highest levels of WCBB, namely should she have been in the top 5 or relegated to the top 10 of players in the entire nation and that opinion is in the eyes of the beholder.
One last comment, this discussion is symptomatic of the problems with naming All Star teams; without the ability of seeing players play all, or the majority of their games, which no one can possibly do, stats and highlight reels are the only gauges and they are not really reliable ones. I can minutely dissect Walker’s game because I saw all of them but can do that for no other player than a Uconn one. I am sure given the opportunity, virtually all players except for the very few, Stewart, Moore, Taurasi, DelleDonne, the guard who played for Oregon last year whose name old agedly is escaping me, etc. could have their games examined and criticized for something.

 

[mbr33ct]

Megan was a good player, but not like other Uconn All Americans. Hopefully she develops in the WNBA, but she seems to be a tweener. She isn't great at any one thing, and might not last long.

1. Megan was a good player....check
2. but not like other Uconn All Americans...bummer
3. Hopefully she develops in the WNBA...check
4. but she seems to be a tweener...bummer
5. She isn't great at any one thing,..real bummer
6. and might not last long...wow, a real bummer

Could have saved yourself lot's of typing by just starting with #6

 

[CocoHusky]

There's someone on the women's board, and it may be this one, with a pattern to his comments about Anna. Often negative and occasionally grudgingly positive, but with caveats.
Hard to understand why anyone would be that way with a freshman Geno trusted to play 26.5 minutes per game, and who showed so much poise and developed so much as the year went on. Not only the best proven 3 point shooter on this year's team but also second in assists to Crystal Dangerfield on last year's team by only 13.

What were Geno's other options besides playing Anna 26 Minutes per game last year? Anna WAS NOT the best "proven" 3 point shooter on the team last year -Megan Walker was! For a "watchdog" you powers of observation seem to be severely lacking.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Very good .. I agree with all you said .. I couldn't have said it better myself esp the part about MW being a selfish player. You left out the part that Walker couldn't even create her own shot and was defended easily by Baylor, Oregon and SC, eh? IMO she was not an AA..

Yes, let’s beat up on our last AA. Fortunately, you don’t get a vote.

 

[CocoHusky]

Megan Walker will officially be enshrined in UConn history.

 

[baggerbob]

What were Geno's other options besides playing Anna 26 Minutes per game last year? Anna WAS NOT the best "proven" 3 point shooter on the team last year -Megan Walker was! For a "watchdog" you powers of observation seem to be severely lacking.

Megan had to be wide open to shoot, and no one missed more layups. Anna may not be as athletic, but is overall a better player. Eve n after Megan got into the bubble, as bad as the liberty were, there still wasn't playing time. For a player from Uconn that is unusual.

 

[BBallF]

I don't agree with the post you agree with, but I agree with your half, i.e. we have the personnel to press, trap & run, eh?
As I have stated in several prior posts, I foresee Mir, Aubrey and Nika on the top of the press .. with several capable others in the back row .. and with Liv [mostly] and AE protecting the rim. I don't think I have EVER seen a team with this much defensive talent .. and that includes rebounding, n'est-ce pas?

Bien sur. I also love the defensive quickness. Mir, AE, Nika, AG and Paige will give the other team fits on the press. I also think we will see Autumn in the press at times. She is very smart, valedictorian of her class, and very fast. I think Geno was going to press and deny this year anyway after what occurred last year and especially with Jamelle back but this team makes it a certainty. You have 3 players, Mir, AE and Aubrey who are actually better defensive players than offensive players and that is not because of their offensive capabilities it's because they are just that good on defense. As for Nika, the first film I saw of her I was impressed with her anticipation and court awareness on defense. Sure she can pass, shoot, dribble and control a game but when you defend well too at the point or the 2 it is a real plus (e.g. Kia). BTW, Paige is a hell of a defender also. Her offense is so special it often gets overlooked. I think we just have to give it a few games to really see it take shape but when it does it may be the best ever as you suggest.

 

[BBallF]

IMO last year's team improved when their defense improved from "bad" to "pretty good. "This meant average teams or just "pretty good" teams could no longer beat them. The Memphis game early in season was an example how bad their D was - thus they were highly susceptible to get "picked off" by average or slightly better teams early. What happened imo was that their defense raised their floor.

But no way could they have pressed hard fullcourt with 6 players vs the elite teams. They were going to have to win with strong offense and defense being just "decent enough" vs the elite teams. They were a combo of too thin in the post- not that great in the post on defense- and too inconsistent on the perimeter defense -to shutdown an elite team.

As far as this year- imo everything is on the table due to virus and now they have had 2 weeks off. Players aren't in game shape to run 30 minutes per. I felt previously that they would go with 7 or 8 in big games-- but this year is ofc an anomaly - and the fact they miss two weeks plus whatever and play less games - nothing would surprise me. Maybe 10 - maybe -- whatever. Just will be fun to see. I'm so pumped to see them play -- and I just don't know what to expect!!!! EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE!!!! Even imo the possibility of AMak being an A/A!!!!

That's why on this thread I think realistically no one can predict what AMak is going to do - good or bad. Too many variables. But -- no way no how no way she averages "25" ppg. And maybe we do go 10. I prefer superstars with less bench in huge games but okay for ANYTHING.

What happened last year was that the change in defensive intensity led to movement on offense which we severely lacked in the big games. This year, the press and defense become an end in themselves, not simply to create movement on offense but to become a form of an offense as well. We will score off the press not just because of the press. Take out EW this year, put in Nika or Paige. What do you lose on defense? Take out Anna or CW and put in Mir or AE and/or move AG to the 3. What do you lose on defense? You can do this over and over. This year you have the depth but also you have skilled defensive athletic depth already. It is a sea change.

 

[CocoHusky]

Megan had to be wide open to shoot, and no one missed more layups. Anna may not be as athletic, but is overall a better player. Eve n after Megan got into the bubble, as bad as the liberty were, there still wasn't playing time. For a player from Uconn that is unusual.

You can keep trying to move the goal post if you want, but here are verifiable facts. Megan shot it better from deep than Anna did LAST YEAR. Megan shot it better from 2 than Anna did LAST YEAR. As far as Megan struggles in the WNBA, let us wait until Anna gets there -if she ever does. Other former UCONN AA struggling in the WNBA include KML and KLS + Megan also had COVID.

 

[CL82]

While I completely agree with you about Anna, it is revenge that is a dish best served cold!

And sorbet. Sorbet is best served cold.

 

[Bronxjeff]

There's someone on the women's board, and it may be this one, with a pattern to his comments about Anna. Often negative and occasionally grudgingly positive, but with caveats.
Hard to understand why anyone would be that way with a freshman Geno trusted to play 26.5 minutes per game, and who showed so much poise and developed so much as the year went on. Not only the best proven 3 point shooter on this year's team but also second in assists to Crystal Dangerfield on last year's team by only 13.

I don't think I've ever been negative about Anna, I think she is the greatest! I wrote the above in response to a fairly negative piece and was trying to temper my response so as not to be nasty. But the gist of my point remains that Anna accomplished a lot on the court her freshman year including the highlight reel plays of the year (in my eyes) despite having to tackle the off-the-court struggles inherent in being a first-year foreign student.

 

[jazz]

Trust me folks, we are going to love watching Anna over the next few years. With the talent they have around her, she will just run off screens and hit big shot after big shot. Anybody who overplays another player and leaves Anna alone, will pay the price. She will also surprise in her ability to get to the basket simply bc the opponent will have to sell out defending her against the three. Then you have her court sense and passing ability. Nobody can press uconn effectively with her in the game along with any two guards.

I can't wait to see her develop over the next THREE years!! It's going to be fun. She's one of those players who just somehow, someway, makes an impact despite her lack of elite athleticism.

 

[Littlemin]

Not sure why the need to compare Walker and Makurat; very different players, very different experiences getting here, very different times in their careers.

 

[Jingo]

Yes, let’s beat up on our last AA. Fortunately, you don’t get a vote.

To the observant, Crystal was was our best player last year [and has proven it in the WNBA], ONO was our 2nd best, but was another player [besides Ania] that Walker refused to pass to when she was open.
Megan Walker is a stand-still shooter, who cannot put the ball on the floor. Thus, easy to defend, she will have great difficulty in the WNBA trying to make a team, eh?

 

[CocoHusky]

To the observant, Crystal was was our best player last year [and has proven it in the WNBA], ONO was our 2nd best, but was another player [besides Ania] that Walker refused to pass to when she was open.
Megan Walker is a stand-still shooter, who cannot put the ball on the floor. Thus, easy to defend, she will have great difficulty in the WNBA trying to make a team, eh?

Those that count (i.e., NOT YOU) such as the WBCA and AAC coaches disagree with you.
" Walker and Crystal Dangerfield were both unanimous picks to the all-AAC first team, to which Christyn Williams was also tabbed. .....while Anna Makurat was unanimously selected to the all-freshman team

UConn junior Megan Walker named AAC player of the year, Geno Auriemma honored as coach of the year

In true Huskies fashion, the UConn women’s basketball team dominated the American Athletic Conference regular season awards in its seventh and final year in the conference. Megan Walker was n…

www.courant.com

 

[Skeets]

Enough trashing Anna and/or MW. Also too much time trying get so glean "facts" from stats. Is Anna fleet of foot? Well, she has "Larry Bird" speed. Maybe her best attribute is she is a calming influence when the other 4 players on the court need a calming influence. She did not play like a freshman, and she won't this year (if there is a this year).

 

[Jingo]

Those that count (i.e., NOT YOU) such as the WBCA and AAC coaches disagree with you.

You got that wrong! I and my fellow Boneyarders DO COUNT because we saw every subtlety and every nuance of each and every UConn women's basketball games unlike those WBCA and AAC coaches who were busy with their own teams. These coaches made their picks based on stat sheets and highlight films where Megan dropped a ton of points against Podunk University and Red Gap College. Apparently, they missed Megan's highlights vs SC, Baylor and Oregon because there weren't any, eh?

 

[CocoHusky]

You got that wrong! I and my fellow Boneyarders DO COUNT because we saw every subtlety and every nuance of each and every UConn women's basketball games unlike those WBCA and AAC coaches who were busy with their own teams. These coaches made their picks based on stat sheets and highlight films where Megan dropped a ton of points against Podunk University and Red Gap College. Apparently, they missed Megan's highlights vs SC, Baylor and Oregon because there weren't any, eh?

Megan was UCONN's second leading scorer and or rebounder against SC, Baylor and Oregon. No player on UCONN's team played particular well against SC, Baylor and Oregon but I understand why you would want to blame Megan solely- this fits your narrative of dislike (hate?) eh? Wasn't Aubrey supposed to be leading UCONN in scoring during at least some of those games?

 

[MSGRET]

Damn.....I can't wait til the 12th of December. It can't get here soooooooooooooooon enough!!!!!

 

[Jingo]

Megan was UCONN's second leading scorer and or rebounder against SC, Baylor and Oregon. No player on UCONN's team played particular well against SC, Baylor and Oregon but I understand why you would want to blame Megan solely- this fits your narrative of dislike (hate?) eh? Wasn't Aubrey supposed to be leading UCONN in scoring during at least some of those games?

Let's stick to basketball, eh? I don't dislike Megan at all. I don't even know her.
And I have every confidence that Geno would only recruit nice kids, i.e. kids who would fit in with his program.

 

[CocoHusky]

Let's stick to basketball, eh? I don't dislike Megan at all. I don't even know her.
And I have every confidence that Geno would only recruit nice kids, i.e. kids who would fit in with his program.

Anyone on the BY who knows Geno even slightly would guarantee you that if the behaviors you and @Jordy are alleging (Megan and Crystal not passing the ball to open teammates) were to ever happen Geno would not only have noticed it but he would have instantly put a stop to it.

 

[TB12]

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.

Is that legal?? She is from Poland

 

[TB12]

We LOVE Ania here... I think her effort was fantastic last year and we are looking for even better play for a veteran player now. We can't wait to see the team on the floor against a couple of good teams...

 

[Jingo]

Anyone on the BY who knows Geno even slightly would guarantee you that if the behaviors you and @Jordy are alleging (Megan and Crystal not passing the ball to open teammates) were to ever happen Geno would not only have noticed it but he would have instantly put a stop to it.

Yes, on many occasions, we were wondering eggzackly THAT, i.e. why Geno didn't put a stop to Megan's lack of team play. When I say 'we', i m referring to a group of very basketball-savvy Long Island/NYC Husky watchers, eh? It was a hot topic!

 

[mbr33ct]

 

[JonathanXIV]

Yes, on many occasions, we were wondering eggzackly THAT, i.e. why Geno didn't put a stop to Megan's lack of team play. When I say 'we', i m referring to a group of very basketball-savvy Long Island/NYC Husky watchers, eh? It was a hot topic!

Agree it was a hot topic. Don't necessarily agree about the "very basketball-savvy" part.

 

[CocoHusky]

Agree it was a hot topic. Don't necessarily agree about the "very basketball-savvy" part.

Especially not from Long Island.

 

[Jingo]

Especially not from Long Island.

Tell that to Long Islanders Chamique, Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Sammy Prahalis, Margaret McKeon, Bria Hatley et al! haha
PS - and their coaches
PS2 - and #1 nationally in girls' high school basketball according to USA Today