Another starting five prediction

[Bone Dog]

@RSHERMVIKES and @FanSince17 : on mixing things up

I think Geno likes consistency. But he also seems to design his lineups in ways that respond to the personnel at his disposal. When he’s had a shorter bench, he’s had to contract his approach, and this has meant playing a 6 or 7 player rotation in the second half of the season most years. Given the depth of this extraordinarily deep bench, this year’s version of consistency may well look like mixing things up. At least it might in November and December. I suspect that by mid February the rotation will have contracted considerably. Maybe not down to 6 or 7, but a lot less than the full horde he has available right now. To get down to that rotation, I expect much experimentation and mixing things up to take place earlier.

 

[Stagnant]

Yeah, no. I had to call that account out. They don’t know our team at all if they don’t mention Blanca.

0% chance that is our starting 5. That team is a totally different dynamic than the team that won the title. We are not going to go big. I promise you that.

The starting 5 is either:
KK, Azzi, Shade, Strong, Williams.
Or
KK, Azzi, Blanca, Strong, Williams.

Obviously we will shift things around depending on health.

 

[Cuango]

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...

I think all will turn out to be really good. They will need varying amounts of time to show it. I would guess Gandy is probably two years away, Ayanna obviously depends on health and how long she needs to get rid of the rust. Kelis is looking very promising, it would not surprise me too much to see her making a good contribution this season. That leaves Morgan and Allie. I think Morgan has already shown she can be a strong contributor, with her it is merely a matter of when she can be fully healthy.

Allie is, for me the most mysterious. I believe she could be a tremendous weapon for this team, perhaps Azzi’s replacement even. Some are concerned that she may not be able to bring her defense up to Geno’s requirements. She was so good in High School! According to her coach, she struggled at first there too on defense but worked hard on it and became the player who would guard the opposing team’s best player. I realize that was HS and a different coach but it does show she’s done it before. She looks to be in much better shape this season (I almost did not recognize her in one of the weight room pictures) and I am very hopeful she has come in with an attitude this season.

 

[Bone Dog]

Allie is, for me the most mysterious.

For me, too. I think of her as a smaller version of Carol. Similar physical skills and talents, and a game that relies on court savvy more than outright strength and speed. She won’t beat defenders off the dribble, but like Carol she knows how to get them on her hip as she goes to the rim. And they have to make themselves vulnerable to this because her perimeter shooting forces them to guard her too closely.

 

[victor64]

Two great posts about Allie.

If she demonstrates to Geno that her defense is better and her fitness is improved, who does she take minutes from? She seems to be able to only play the 2 guard.

I have the same thought about Kelis. Geno hinted that she has looked good in practice.

Having a roster loaded with talented guards does create some interesting decisions for the staff.

 

[Charliebball]

Two great posts about Allie.

If she demonstrates to Geno that her defense is better and her fitness is improved, who does she take minutes from? She seems to be able to only play the 2 guard.

I have the same thought about Kelis. Geno hinted that she has looked good in practice.

Having a roster loaded with talented guards does create some interesting decisions for the staff.

Allie has such great potential and great three-point shooters will get floor time even if they are only average defenders............unfortunately, she has yet to prove she can shoot the three with consistency in low-pressure situations, never mind crunch time.......she's just got to make it happen....

 

[BBallF]

Yeah, no. I had to call that account out. They don’t know our team at all if they don’t mention Blanca.

0% chance that is our starting 5. That team is a totally different dynamic than the team that won the title. We are not going to go big. I promise you that.

The starting 5 is either:
KK, Azzi, Shade, Strong, Williams.
Or
KK, Azzi, Blanca, Strong, Williams.

Obviously we will shift things around depending on health.

I think Jana is still limited so for now I think it is Azzi, KK, Sarah, Ice and Caroline.Two senior leaders, two juniors, and the best sophomore in America. I like Shade off the bench and not starting because with her at the 3, you have 3 players under 6'0" on the floor. She is also a really tough player to guard off the bench due to her speed, shot and surprising offensive rebounding.

A team strength this yerar is height and power so I would want a big body post player, Sarah at the 4 and a mobile, outside shooting, slashing wing who can post up or hit a 3. Last year one of the things that changed us was Chen finding her 3. That gave us 4 legit threats from the arc. I think Ice eventually backs up Sarah at the 4 and Serah starts because she will give us an inside post offensive presence missing since Stewie and Tuck. Don't count Jana out though. She showed us a lot last year and learned buckets.

We know it is Azzi and KK ( BTW, I love Kayleigh, just a throwback PG with an offensive game and will see a lot of time) so the only issue for me is the 3. I think Caroline gets it to begin with and maybe plays limited minutes but I think if healthy she is a very versatile player and If I am not mistaken actually beat Azzi in the high school 3 point shooting contest. From what I saw of Blanca though, Geno is right as usual. She is unpredictable and I have a hard time thinking about who will cover her. So bottom line, who knows what happens in February for the metamorphosis? At times you may see Jana, Serah, Sarah, Azzi and Kayleigh on the floor. At other times, Sarah, Ash, Azzi, KK, and Kayleigh or Blanca. At other times, Ayanna, Allie, Kelis, etc. as part of the mix. Geno will figure it out as usual but it will not be right away. It will be interesting just keeping track of the different combinations.

 

[ERWUC65]

I like almost any starting 5 with Shade in the lineup. We know what she can do, she's done it for the past 2 years. Geno likes her and trusts her, and that goes a long way.

But she's a 2 (a defensive specialist and a great sub for Azzi), not a 3 (W) where a player with height, cue Blanca or Carolyn would be better.

 

[hoopsdiva]

We know it is Azzi and KK ( BTW, I love Kayleigh, just a throwback PG with an offensive game and will see a lot of time) so the only issue for me is the 3. I think Caroline gets it to begin with and maybe plays limited minutes but I think if healthy she is a very versatile player and If I am not mistaken actually beat Azzi in the high school 3 point shooting contest.

Last I remember, Geno was still describing Caroline's availability as day to day (though based on the practice videos she seems to be available more often than not.) I don't think she gets that starting spot at the 3 for the simple reason that it's less disruptive to have her unavailable off the bench than unavailable in the starting lineup. As is so often the case, I would be delighted to be wrong.

 

[BBallF]

Last I remember, Geno was still describing Caroline's availability as day to day (though based on the practice videos she seems to be available more often than not.) I don't think she gets that starting spot at the 3 for the simple reason that it's less disruptive to have her unavailable off the bench than unavailable in the starting lineup. As is so often the case, I would be delighted to be wrong.

I also think it is only a matter of time before we see Blanca getting the most minutes at the 3. She breaks down a defense.She is also 6'2" like Caroline. A slasher and very strong driver. An adjustment to ge sure to American basketball so I like CD at least in the beginning. Never underestimate the power of determination for someone who has something to prove. CD does.

 

[Cuango]

Last I remember, Geno was still describing Caroline's availability as day to day (though based on the practice videos she seems to be available more often than not.) I don't think she gets that starting spot at the 3 for the simple reason that it's less disruptive to have her unavailable off the bench than unavailable in the starting lineup. As is so often the case, I would be delighted to be wrong.

I think there is a very good chance that Caroline is currently playing essentially at 90-95% but Geno is protecting her from expectations. Obviously, I’m just throwing darts at the wall here but what I’ve seen from practice film (admittedly, not a lot) she seems to be playing at full speed and does not appear to be gun shy either. Clearly, playing real games is different but my guess is that regardless of where she really is in terms of her concussion issues, he will continue to keep a protective shield over her in terms of expectations just to make it easier for her.

Obviously, this is simply wishful thinking on my part but I really do believe/pray/hope that we will finally get to see a healthy, happy Caroline back in the UConn lineup as a legitimate contributing force this season! Could she start? If she’s really fully healthy, of course she could! I would love that but really, I just want her to be a contributor.

 

[HopJim]

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...

Agree and believe Blanca will be a top 4 relative to upcoming season's minutes. That being said, unless its a Paige, Strong, or Azzi, Geno rarely starts a Frosh (of if he does, like Jana, they play a specific role which often does not translate into significant minutes). Would love to see Blanca step up but too early to predict.

 

[Skeets]

But she's a 2 (a defensive specialist and a great sub for Azzi), not a 3 (W) where a player with height, cue Blanca or Carolyn would be better.

I don't think Geno is shy about playing 3 guards. In fact, with positionless basketball I expect Geno to put his 5 best players on the court. A nice coincidence is that a couple of them will be bigs and some will be not-so-bigs.

 

[connboy77]

Agree and believe Blanca will be a top 4 relative to upcoming season's minutes. That being said, unless its a Paige, Strong, or Azzi, Geno rarely starts a Frosh (of if he does, like Jana, they play a specific role which often does not translate into significant minutes). Would love to see Blanca step up but too early to predict.

Blanca is not a normal Frosh and should start. She has more experience then any other Frosh in the country since she has already played against older more experienced players.

 

[Geew1992]

I can't see Caorline starting. She hasn't played in almost 3 years. I think KK, Ash, Azzi and Sarah are locks. If what is being said holds for the rest the pre-season, Ice is the 5th starter. I could also see Jana or Serah too.

 

[Dugway]

My prediction ... the starting five in the first 8 to ten games will not necessarily be the same starting five towards the end of the season.

The first part of the season, Geno will go with experienced players from last season who know his system, the fluidity of it, and have seniority. Once the transfers, the freshmen and the previously injured players start to develop a better flow for it, once he sees who can play both ends of the court, he will be starting the best players he has at that point in time. I don't see Fudd and/or Strong ever not starting, I guess barring some type of injury or illness, those two start and play significant minutes in every game.

First part of the season, KK will be the starting point guard, K9, as well as the guppy will substitute. Will Arnold lose that starting spot later into the season? Maybe, maybe not, there are definitely others on the team with talent! One thing for certain, all three are incredibly fast and play great defense!!! Who will be most prone to turn the ball over?

First part of the season, Shade will be starting on the wing, and Blanca and Carol will substitute. Perhaps in some games, UConn may want to go with power forwards in the starting lineup alongside of Sarah Strong; initially I'd say Ice before Patterson, but that may change as well. Will Ashlynn be the starter throughout the season? Maybe, maybe not. That is five incredibly talented players vying for one starting spot; three will likely get quite a bit of play time, and two will play only minor wrap up minutes at the conclusion of the games. Which? Who? I don't know!

At center, I think he starts Jana in the first part of the season. For the same reason he started Ice over Jana in the first ten games last season, he will start Jana over Serah initially. I don't however see El Alfy holding that spot from Williams throughout all of the 35 games. Just based upon previous season's play, with the exception of the UConn experience, those players are not in the same ballpark. But perhaps the Great Pyramid develops to become a national player of the year candidate and keeps that spot? I personally think that is the standard that will be necessary to hold off Williams! Malou-Mamel will not start any, she will only be seeing wrap up minutes towards the end of the games.

Who have I missed? I don't think we will see Allie start in any game; she will be behind Azzi as a shooter and just ... well, she will not start. Morgan? She is currently hurt. I don't know how bad the injury is but either way I am not going to predict that she will start any games at all, even if she is healthy. There are just too many on the list who will be in front of her by the time she gets healthy.