Considering Ash, Jana and Blanca are probably the most likely to get that last spot this is a glaring omission that she is not even considered a key reserve. I notice foreign players are often forgotten in many preseason lineup projections.Blanca?
I doubt the double big approach is going to be what Geno uses. My guess is swapping out Shade for Jana.
I agree with your lineup. Shade is going to be very good for UConn. I'm surprised some think she will get bested out for a starting spot eventually.Sort of a weird lineup choice. Starting both El Alfy and Williams makes no sense to me. Neither is a 3pt threat and KK isn't a strong 3pt shooter either, so keeping all 3 in the lineup allows defenses to clamp down on Fudd and Strong. I also don't see the need to have 3 shot blockers on the floor and El Alfy clogs the lane for Serah Williams to operate in the post.
I'm sure lineup options have been discussed adnauseum here, but a better lineup is Arnold/Shade/Fudd/Strong/Williams. Defensively you have 2 perimeter hawks in Fudd/Arnold, a high energy wing defender in Shade, a shot blocking 4 in Strong and low post shot blocker in Williams. Offensively the spacing is much better with:
-Arnold at point
-Shade as a 3 and D player
-Fudd as the primary scoring threat from the perimeter
-Strong who can operate from anywhere, but is the team's best facilitator and can stretch the floor to create 1 on 1 situations for Williams
-Williams inside who can feast on single coverage defense
This lineup maximizes strengths on both ends and gets the most out of Sarah Strong's inside out ability.
Also worth noting, having a player like Shade is the optimal choice for a 5th option offensively. She doesn't require a lot of shots, constantly moves off ball and can step up as needed but understands she's primarily out there to support the goto players. That's exactly what you need from a 5th option on the court and Shade is well suited for the role.
Mainly because while very good, her ceiling is lower (IMHO) than Blanca's. I think Blanca has 1st team AA potential, and I do not think Ash has that in her (HM is her ceiling IMHO). We will see, of course, but it would not surprise me if we see comparisons of Blanca to Sarah's freshman year all season. I think that's why.I agree with your lineup. Shade is going to be very good for UConn. I'm surprised some think she will get bested out for a starting spot eventually.
If Blanca is as good as many believe, she's going to be hard to keep on the bench........ I expect that she'll be a dominant player at both ends of the court in the style of Aubrey Griffin but with a better offensive game...I agree with your lineup. Shade is going to be very good for UConn. I'm surprised some think she will get bested out for a starting spot eventually.
I agree with you here on BQ. However, I don't believe it will be this year because you have to pile up some stats for AA and I don't think those will be there short term. The two keys I see for BQ are 1) How much offense she'll be able to generate off the ball with most of the shots being logically produced for and the bulk of the offense being run through Strong and Fudd. 2) She's an excellent defender but how much physicality will the softer college officials allow her to play with. Foul trouble can come quickly, similar to A. Edward's first year or so.Mainly because while very good, her ceiling is lower (IMHO) than Blanca's. I think Blanca has 1st team AA potential, and I do not think Ash has that in her (HM is her ceiling IMHO). We will see, of course, but it would not surprise me if we see comparisons of Blanca to Sarah's freshman year all season. I think that's why.
I don't disagree that Ash is probably the 5th starter, but at this point I think there are only 2 guaranteed starters - Azzi and Sarah.
KK - about 90% chance to start over Kayleigh
Serah - about 50% chance at this time to start over Ice or Jana (we have read Serah has struggled)
Ash - about 60% chance at this time to start over Blanca
Obviously just my opinion, but I don't think Geno knows who the starters in game 1 will be, and I'm excited to see how it works out.
I suspect she will be used as a defensive stopper when opponents have smaller but athletic front lines....The name I don't hear mentioned at all -- certainly not as a starter, but anywhere else -- is Ayanna. We've never really seen what she can do, but she has the physical package to be an asset, and could be a n interesting mystery player.
Very good point!!! I certainly forgot about her in my post. Gonna be exciting to see what her capabilities are coming back from being injured. I'm hoping for another hybrid Aubrey/Gabby type of player.The name I don't hear mentioned at all -- certainly not as a starter, but anywhere else -- is Ayanna. We've never really seen what she can do, but she has the physical package to be an asset, and could be a n interesting mystery player.
I like your starting 5.PG KK
SG Azzi
W Ashlynn
PF Sarah
C Jana
PG/SG Kaleigh
C Serah
W Caroline
W Blanca
PF/C Ice
PF Ayanna
SG Allie
W Morgan
PG Kellis
C Gandy
I think Geno will start his experienced players that finished last season!
Kaleigh, Serah, Caroline, and Ice will be early off the bench.
Blanca, Ayanna, Allie, Will get some playing time.
Kelis and Gandy will get some minutes also!
After this exhibition game Geno will mix things up!
That looks like a tournament quality team.Allie Ziebell
Morgan Cheli
Ayanna Patterson
Gandy Malou-Mamel
Kelis Fisher
No, that's not my starting 5. It's the 5 kids we talk about the least here on the BY. Some of these guys could prove to be really good. Which ones? I have no clue...
FanSince17- - - Yes The players earn their spots by performing in practice but Geno hasn't had this much talent for quite a while and this group from 1 to 15 strike me as hard workers and dedicated to success!I like your starting 5.
Does Geno typically “mix things up”? Won’t players earn their spots with consistency in practice?
I want to see everyone, starters and subs, making an impact when they’re in the game. Taking chances. Making plays. Like Geno wants his players to.
I would argue that there is some “politics” in this stuff. I believe that one of Geno’s many responsibilities is to guide his recruits to becoming the best they can be, assuming they are meeting their end of the bargain. For example, KK has to be given every possible opportunity to be the starting point guard IMO. She’s “earned”it. Can KK be a big-time player at the next level? I say yes.
I think the most interesting situation is the starting “center”. Can Jana be effective coming off the bench? When Serah came to UConn for her senior year, in addition to getting better, does she expect to start or at least get starter minutes? In the portal world we live in, does UConn need to be a perfect landing spot for players? Kaitlyn last year was phenomenal for everybody. Crap, she probably already has 5 masters degrees and she’s playing pro ball.
BTW I got front row seats for men and women on Monday. I hope they’re behind our bench.
Totally. I was referring to mainly junior and/or senior years. I think Sarah is 1st team AA this season, and am not sure Blanca is as good as Sarah, so we will see.I agree with you here on BQ. However, I don't believe it will be this year because you have to pile up some stats for AA and I don't think those will be there short term. The two keys I see for BQ are 1) How much offense she'll be able to generate off the ball with most of the shots being logically produced for and the bulk of the offense being run through Strong and Fudd. 2) She's an excellent defender but how much physicality will the softer college officials allow her to play with. Foul trouble can come quickly, similar to A. Edward's first year or so.