Another Replacement Guard ?

[ClifSpliffy]

some of youse are starting to do it again, like last year. twisting urselves into pretzels over how things could go bad. mebbe i should back the truck up to remind some of youse of your last years ad nauseum 'freak out' performances. i seem to recall the 'geno has lost it!' circus act the best.
kinda ridiculous, given how none of that happened, and, as usual, we played in the title game of the UConn Invitational.
friendly reminder, the overwhelming majority of teams, like almost all, stink. i'll cut southie a bit of slack since they're the champs, but, seriously,
almost all the rest stink on ice. we could roll out geno, the ball girl, some guy in a wheelchair, and two from the official squad, and win most games.
deal with it, or not. as far as im concerned, the comp stinks. and i really don't pay too much attention to them anyway, since i have decades of husky results to not care aboot anyone but us.
'bbut, this year!' same old song and dance. breanna ain't lacing them up for anybody that we'll face.
'wunderkinds everywhere!' yeah, um no.
the trend is your friend, until it noticeably, measureably, changes.

 

[oldhusky]

This is water under the bridge. Aside from Stanford, I can’t think of another D1 WBB program in the country that carries 15 scholarship players. ND has 9 next season, and the Irish haven’t lost their best player to injury.

Trying to maintain a large roster of talented players, many of whom will see little or no PT is a recipe for team disharmony and transfers. Last season it appeared that UConn could have as many as 16 players. But Makurat & Chaisson left before the season. Mir & Saylor transferred out before the 2nd semester and Aubrey was out for the year.

Kids want to play. Geno doesn’t need warm bodies on the bench in case players are injured.

I have a mixed reaction to your post this time. I certainly agree completely that most programs don't need the scholarship limit of 15 players. I also agree that most kids want to play, and believe that most beyond say the first 10 probably will not be content with being a third stringer, and that could lead to disharmony and transfers.

Where I differ is I think transfers are happening at most programs at a high rate, and it has become to a certain extent a new normal. If you don't have to sit out a year that is even more true, so there is less loyalty than in the past between school and player. Schools deliberately recruit some prospects that realistically don't have a very good chance at playing time, partly because some attrition of players is anticipated.

While I agree we don't need 15, it seems like 12 or so might be good. As far as warm bodies are concerned, if a player wouldn't be used even with significant injuries, then it serves no purpose to have them on the roster. For example, suppose we added a 5th guard who wasn't very good, and if one of our four guards got injured, if Geno still preferred to use Ayanna, Aaliyah, Ice or Amari at the 3 or even the 2 than the extra guard then the pickup wouldn't matter. That extra player has to be playable in at least extreme injury scenarios to make a difference. So if an addition was just a warm body that wouldn't be used ahead of a more talented player that was playing at a bad position for them, then I agree, why bother.

Uconn has had some interesting situations with the tail end of the bench. Pulido and Lawlor for example were quite content being the 11th and 12th players that only got mop up minutes. Of course they were walk-ons so it is easy to understand. I remember being a little puzzled by the recruitment of Irwin and Bent a few years later. By Uconn standards they were not high recruits, but I kind of viewed them as upgrades over the Pulido/Lawlor level third stringers. Players who were not expecting to have a major role, but who wanted to be part of this program, and would be passable players if needed because of injuries, and way better than walk-ons.

That was a good role for them and one they would accept. But then Megan's four player class became a one player class and soon they were not spare parts, but part of the rotation getting pretty significant minutes. Then we have last year which started as you said with way too many players, but also very highly recruited players many of whom were not going to get enough time to keep them happy. I felt the same way about that overabundance, and yet in a crazy season we wound up with no backup guards for several games, and no regularly used backup bigs for several others.

You never know, so it seems to me there are several strategies if you are shooting for a roster of 12 which is my preferred number. You could just add a couple of walk-ons for 11 and 12. They wouldn't cause any disharmony or problems, but if you have to use them you are in trouble. You could pursue a second tier recruit like Kyla or Molly, that might be content in a mop up role and wouldn't kill you if needed for some rotation use. Or you could fill the two presumed third string roles with a top recruits giving them a chance to compete for a rotation spot, but with both coaches and players knowing that a couple of very talented players are going to be on the outside looking in for playing time. In that case the losers of that competition are likely transfers.

I don't want to fill the roster with 15 players either, but given the kind of things that can and do happen, I would like to see some pretty good quality in a couple of players beyond the first 10, even if that means there could be some significant turnover there.

 

[Bone Dog]

Then we have last year which started as you said with way too many players, but also very highly recruited players many of whom were not going to get enough time to keep them happy. I felt the same way about that overabundance, and yet in a crazy season we wound up with no backup guards for several games, and no regularly used backup bigs for several others.

I still wonder if Mir and Saylor didn't make a huge mistake. The opportunity would have opened for them to prove themselves, but they left too soon to seize it. Of course, maybe the team culture was just too much for them, whether they got playing time or not.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

one more. if your brain still works, and you have recall of that weird time back in uni days, when you went from sophomore to junior year, you should remember that for many of us, something material changes in our noggin. just one of those things. awareness of closer to the finish line, methinks.
ergo, res ipsa loquitor, cognito ergo sum, i have absolutely no doubt that nika will not be a fouling machine, and aliyah will be going full on to beast mode, on the o and the d. comforting.

 

[ConnMotors]

I still wonder if Mir and Saylor didn't make a huge mistake. The opportunity would have opened for them to prove themselves, but they left too soon to seize it. Of course, maybe the team culture was just too much for them, whether they got playing time or not.

I have asked myself this same question. For Saylor, I beievethat she made the correct move. Her minutes were not there and I didn't see it in her game. For Mir, I wished that she would have stuck around. Loved her work ethic in the paint. Reminded me of Gabby. However, you can't think what if. Still wish that we would have picked up another guard from the portal. Five is not enough. Earlier a team of 12 was mentioned. I would have to agree with that. You need six guards to cover the point, off or #2 and the wing. Post players needs to be able to play the 4 or 5. Look at what Tamika, Ashja and Swin did as a trio. All three were 6"2" and took no crap from anyone.

 

[CocoHusky]

I can’t see scenario, let alone reason, for Lou Lopez-Senechal to start over Caroline. Lopez-Senechal will get minutes but not at expense of Caroline except for spot relief. Or did I misinterpret something above?

I can, Caroline is recovering from hip surgery-her third major surgery. Give Lopez-Senechal a few games to see how she adjust to higher level of competition and give Caroline a few games to see if she is fully recovered.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I was wondering if either Grad Assistant might be available to move to the active roster, but Russell graduated in 2020 and is not eligible for a Covid year. Beverley was eligible for the Covid year, but used it at Penn State. Darn!

 

[MilfordHusky]

I have no concern's about Lou's offensive game. She can score against high level Division I opposition. I thought she would be good for 8-10 ppg before Paige got hurt. The concern is her defense. Can she play defense up to Geno's standards? I'm thinking she could be ahead of Caroline on the depth chart.

 

[CocoHusky]

I have no concern's about Lou's offensive game. She can score against high level Division I opposition. I thought she would be good for 8-10 ppg before Paige got hurt. The concern is her defense. Can she play defense up to Geno's standards? I'm thinking she could be ahead of Caroline on the depth chart.

If we counted all the players that played defense up to Geno' standard we might not even need both hands.

 

[Dillon77]

Dillon, every time I read one of your insightful posts, I feel like Darth Vader talking to Luke Skywalker, wishing you would come over to the Dark Side as a fan of UConn WBB.

Somewhere Geno is saying, “Dillon I am your father.”

Wow. And I used to think it was strange that my mom was born Pottsville, Pa., the same place as Muffet McGraw (before moving to Philly).

Talk about conflicting parental identities!

 

[stamfordhusky]

I have no concern's about Lou's offensive game. She can score against high level Division I opposition. I thought she would be good for 8-10 ppg before Paige got hurt. The concern is her defense. Can she play defense up to Geno's standards? I'm thinking she could be ahead of Caroline on the depth chart.

I watched her play a couple of times last year, and she was mediocre defensively in those games. Not as good as Ducharme.

 

[Sole]

Azzi can also play pg.

I think Caroline can play pg also

 

[CocoHusky]

I think Caroline can play pg also

 

[tchalla1]

There is a mid June Daniel Connolly article where Geno pretty much spelled out the need for Nika to improve specifically by developing a "mid range game" to keep the opponent form double teaming the other players on the floor.
There was a follow up article in the CT insider where Nika acknowledge (somewhat reluctantly) the need for offensive improvement and also acknowledge that she understood what Geno was asking for.
Absent that specific improvement as well as the one that has already been mentioned (the need to stay out of foul trouble) I don't see Nika starting.

Starting: Azzi (Lead guard), Lou SG , Caroline SF, Aaliyah Edwards PF Dorka C
2nd Unit: Nika (PG) Azzi SG, Aubrey SF, Ayanna & Ice Brady PF and Ice Brady/Amari

Coco, I agree that your starting lineup give us the best chance to win, but Geno;s loyalty will never allow him t0 start a 1st year transfer over Nika, who has now been in the program for three years. Unless, he's learned from his terribly poor choice to start Crystal Dangerfield over Azura Stevens and give her limited playing time...

 

[ClifSpliffy]

I still wonder if Mir and Saylor didn't make a huge mistake. The opportunity would have opened for them to prove themselves, but they left too soon to seize it. Of course, maybe the team culture was just too much for them, whether they got playing time or not.

one of the simplest descriptions for explaining the history of us monkeys is
'chance, and circumstance.'

yup.

 

[hoophuskee]

I have asked myself this same question. For Saylor, I beievethat she made the correct move. Her minutes were not there and I didn't see it in her game. For Mir, I wished that she would have stuck around. Loved her work ethic in the paint. Reminded me of Gabby. However, you can't think what if. Still wish that we would have picked up another guard from the portal. Five is not enough. Earlier a team of 12 was mentioned. I would have to agree with that. You need six guards to cover the point, off or #2 and the wing. Post players needs to be able to play the 4 or 5. Look at what Tamika, Ashja and Swin did as a trio. All three were 6"2" and took no crap from anyone.

They had 7 players that can play in some combinations, the 1,2 and 3 spots.
They had 3 point guards.
They had 4 shooting guards.
They had 5 small forwards.
This isn't "enough?"

Paige, Nika, Azzi, Carline, Lou, Griffin, and Patterson. Now they have 6. Unfortunately the huge problem is not "the bench". Instead, it happens to be arguably the best player in WCBB who was well on her way to becoming an all-time great able to play 1,2 and 3 spots just got hurt.

 

[Bone Dog]

Yeah, Lou's D at Fairfield was not impressive. But their team D was not very ambitious, mainly a 2-3 zone. That's what you mainly see out side the top 25 teams -- zone with the occasional man-on-man. This is probably another reason Geno is not very interested in the transfer portal -- he doesn't want a junior or senior with little experience playing high level team D.

 

[hoophuskee]

Coco, I agree that your starting lineup give us the best chance to win, but Geno;s loyalty will never allow him t0 start a 1st year transfer over Nika, who has now been in the program for three years. Unless, he's learned from his terribly poor choice to start Crystal Dangerfield over Azura Stevens and give her limited playing time...

When we had discussions on starting 5 back then - I was extremely, extremely, extremely, extremely vocal that Stevens should start because I felt "you play your best," and have Nurse work all season becoming the pg with Danger as the backup.

However, that year, UCONN wound up going undefeated and lost on a buzzer beater. And primarily it was their defense that let them down. I just have a hard time killing Geno on a team that had gone undefeated all year only to lose on a buzzer beater in the Final Four vs the eventual National Champion. In fact, maybe he should get criticism for not playing Stevens more in the FF game whether she came off the bench or not, rather than just talk of a starting lineup?

 

[hoophuskee]

I think Caroline can play pg also

Maybe she can!!!!!

 

[Sole]

Maybe she can!!!!!

She can… she not only wears number 33 but she has the same kind of game as Larry Bird… she definitely can play pg

 

[Skeets]

Not sure you should start Nika unless she can display the discipline not to get into foul trouble by the middle of the 2nd quarter.
That will be the big reveal for her.
I’m thinking Azzi, Ducharme and Senechal, with Nika first in early to terrorize opponent and change the game flow.
As long as she keeps fouls to a minimum, she can stay in for extender periods and start the 3rd quarter.
And let’s be real- we have no idea how much Aubrey can contribute being out so long and rebounding from back surgery.
Do I hope for the best from her?-ABSOLUTELY- but, please show me.

Not your best post, but I'll refrain from a thumbs down. I am sure that I would want to start Nika.

 

[Bone Dog]

Larry Bird was famously good as a point guard.

 

[Skeets]

If it's Nika you're referring to, no.

You don't like DT, and you don't like Nika. Just who the heck do you like?

 

[Sole]

Larry Bird was famously good as a point guard.

Larry Bird was a point forward

 

[Bigboote]

I am still very concerned about Caroline and Aubrey’s injuries in regards to the time table in which they will be 100% healthy.

Saylor had hip-labrum surgery after her freshman year of high school and played IIRC a full sophomore year. Had surgery on the other hip labrum after her junior year. She wasn't able to do full rehab due to Maryland limitations on gyms, but her limiting factor at UConn was her back, not her hip.

Caroline's mileage may vary, but I'm not that worried about it.

Backs are a whole 'nother can o' worms.

 

[The deacon]

You don't like DT, and you don't like Nika. Just who the heck do you like?

How's this, Skeets: pretty much everybody who's played for Geno.

I like Nika a lot, probably as much as you, possibly more. That shouldn't mean I can't offer a critique about her ability to be the Huskies' go-to point guard, does it?

As for DT, I'm not sure how it's relevant to Nika, but I always liked her as a Huskies player and certainly was thrilled she was at UConn. That was many years ago. These days, I prefer the on-court demeanor of many other WNBA players to how DT carries herself. Is that permitted for me to say? And that doesn't lessen my opinion of her as an all-timer.

 

[Stymie]

This is water under the bridge. Aside from Stanford, I can’t think of another D1 WBB program in the country that carries 15 scholarship players. ND has 9 next season, and the Irish haven’t lost their best player to injury.

Trying to maintain a large roster of talented players, many of whom will see little or no PT is a recipe for team disharmony and transfers. Last season it appeared that UConn could have as many as 16 players. But Makurat & Chaisson left before the season. Mir & Saylor transferred out before the 2nd semester and Aubrey was out for the year.

Kids want to play. Geno doesn’t need warm bodies on the bench in case players are injured.

Oldude- much respect for you and your perspective.
Let me say- “kids” want to play- champions see the bigger picture.

 

[eebmg]

Larry Bird was a point forward

If Sue had a daughter.

 

[oldude]

Oldude- much respect for you and your perspective.
Let me say- “kids” want to play- champions see the bigger picture.

So you are suggesting that really good players should be content to ride the bench because they’re on a really good team? Over many years I’ve been involved with many different teams in multiple sports as a player, coach, parent & fan, and I can honestly say that I have never found that to be the case.

With immediate eligibility for 1st time transfers, roughly 1/3 of all D-1 WBB players placed their names in the transfer portal after this past season. Kids want to play! I want kids on my team that hate sitting on the bench, and will do everything they can to get on the field/court.

 

[Bone Dog]

With immediate eligibility for 1st time transfers, roughly 1/3 of all D-1 WBB players placed their names in the transfer portal after this past season. Kids want to play! I want kids on my team that hate sitting on the bench, and will do everything they can to get on the field/court.

This is also why UConn won't be an attractive proposition for many of these transfers. They want to play, and Geno tells them they'll have to earn their minutes in practice, against the likes of Paige, Azzi, Caroline, Aaliyah, Dorka, etc.

If you're Angel Reese, for example, and you're tired of playing the 5 at Maryland, UConn is not an attractive destination, given the competition at the 4 from Aaliyah, Ice, Ayanna, and maybe even Amari, and her likely sense that she's already earned her spot before she's even arrived.