Anyone have news regarding Natalie Butler?

[BroadwayVa]

The guy on the right played with this guy.

The ADMIRAL!!!

 

[stamfordhusky]

Obviously her family has a lot of size. Natalie is 6'5". Dad and her brother are both taller.

Her brother is a rising senior in HS. Last season, he was listed as 6-6. He is a PF who projects as a low-level D1 player. Has a couple of offers including one from his Dad's alma mater, Navy. Navy is able to bring in 8 basketball players a year, so they are a bit more free with offers.

 

[Zorro]

Natalie Butler, a Virginia woman, I too am one who think she shall be a starter. Maybe, it's more of a hope/desire she shall start.
But going with your Boneyard "word is" statement---Butlers starting is akin to the description of a camel--a horse designed by committee.

Actually, from a standpoint of usefullness, versatility, durability and adaptability, a camel is much better-designed than a horse.

 

[meyers7]

Actually, from a standpoint of usefullness, versatility, durability and adaptability, a camel is much better-designed than a horse.

But a horse isn't designed for that.

 

[connboy77]

If Natalie rebounds and plays good defense and averages about 8-10 points that would be fine with me. With all the scorers that UCONN has Natalie doesn't have to score a lot of points.

 

[Goodgood]

If Natalie rebounds and plays good defense and averages about 8-10 points that would be fine with me. With all the scorers that UCONN has Natalie doesn't have to score a lot of points.

Still has to be 5 against 5. No cheating.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Actually, from a standpoint of usefullness, versatility, durability and adaptability, a camel is much better-designed than a horse.

\

Unless you are a horse of course-- Still when introduced in the Southwest the merchandising of them failed. I always saw them as nasty spitting, drooling,purse stealing (took my wifes purse) creatures. If you are in the desert (the dry place) they are they only way to fly.
How many Camels does it take to pull a 20 mule train? (Mule--part horse part donkey). Poetry in motion is what always comes to mind when I see a camel flying.

Back to Natalie---someone with knowledge of how to do it --should start a Vote --isn't that the fair thing. Then we can present it to Geno and tell him the Boneyard says???

 

[BroadwayVa]

But a horse isn't designed for that.

Not meant in a sarcastic way:

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it!! Aristotle

 

[Nuyoika]

I just want to say, camels are my favorite animal. I saw one online for 8k.... I thought about it but decided I didn't have enough yard space. One day though.... one day.

 

[Eggman]

Just don't put your hand in it's mouth! It will bite and they are strong. Good thing they have have flat teeth. Eventually it let go. I still have both hands, thank you.

 

[cferraro04]

Can you imagine the Blue and White scrimmages taking place at Storrs this season? You have what can arguably be the best "blue" team in WCBB scrimmaging against what could arguably be a good enough "white" team to be a starting team for most college programs. A year of Natalie Butler playing opposite Morgan Tuck; Katie Lou Samuelson playing opposite Breanna Stewart; Saniya Chong playing opposite Moriah Jefferson; Courtney Ekmark playing opposite Kia Nurse and Naphessa Collier playing opposite Gabby Williams. WOW!!!!! By the time the tournament rolls around UConn will be 10 or 11 deep. Geno, of course will shorten his bench but UConn will be protected from foul trouble and injuries with their depth. UConn will not be able to sustain the original starting five I have listed because outside shooting will become UConn's achilles heel as the season goes on...so, Katie Lou Samuelson will probably crack the starting line-up to give Geno a three point shooter. He may also decide to bring Courtney in to add to the three point shooting and / or Naphessa Collier because it is just very difficult to keep the kid off the court (she does it all). Natalie at 6'5" will also be very difficult to keep off the court her size for rebounds and blocks will be hard keep on the bench. Saniya Chong may surprise many this season as we all know from her high school career that she is a scorer...she can score and this may be her break-out year. Boykin is still a big question mark...will she carve out a niche for herself on this team???

Hypothetic match-up

Morgan vs Natalie - Slight edge Morgan because Natalie will not be able to stop Morgan from scoring but, Morgan will have some difficulty containing Natalie's big body. Natalie will be a defensive force rebounding and blocking shots. At the end of the day, however, Morgan will get the slight edge over Natalie.

Breanna Stewart vs Katie Lou Samuelson - huge advantage Stewart...too strong, to much experience for Katie Lou.

Gabby Williams vs Napheesa - interesting match-up with the slight edge going to Naphessa...these basically are the same player...both hustle, rebound, play defense and score...but Naphessa is in my opinion a more refined player.

Kia Nurse vs Courtney Ekmark - Kia Nurse made a statement in international basketball this summer she will come back a much improved and more aggressive player this season...Courtney has shown me that kind of intensity yet...Courtney will need some help from De"Janae Boykin...so big advantage Kia Nurse

Moriah Jefferson vs Saniya Chong - This is quick on quick but Moriah is a little quicker and she will be the best point guard in the country a very difficult assignment for Saniya Chong. Saniya would be able to do some great things of her own...but advantage Moriah.

I think the Blue team wins by 20 points over the white which will be about UConn's average margin of victory this season

Remember this was just a hypothetical attempted for the mere thought of how interesting practices and scrimmages would be.

Blue Team

Morgan Tuck (5)
Breanna Stewart (4)
Gabby Williams (3)
Kia Nurse (2)
Moriah Jefferson (1)

White Team

Natalie Butler (5)
Katie Lou Samuelson (4)
Naphessa Collier (3)
Courtney Ekmark (2)
Saniya Chong (1)

Reserves
De'Janae Boykin
Tierney Lawlor
Briana Pulido

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I think the Blue team wins by 20 points over the white which will be about UConn's average margin of victory this season

Only twenty? Are we playing just one half this year?

 

[HoopsFan21]

3 point is an Achilles heal? Don't tell that to Mo. Or Stewie, Kia, and Morgan who can all shoot 3s as well.

 

[meyers7]

I do like your blue team though.

 

[UcMiami]

3 point is an Achilles heal? Don't tell that to Mo. Or Stewie, Kia, and Morgan who can all shoot 3s as well.

Not just shoot it - Moriah hit for a higher percentage than KML in both of the last two seasons - 2013-4 .418 vs. .413 and 2014-5 .496 vs. .488 and Kia as a freshman wasn't chopped liver either hitting at .408

 

[cferraro04]

Try and remember last season what it was like when KML wasn't on the court...the three pointers were sparse. Sure Kia, Moriah (who was the best second option for the 3), Morgan and Breanna are all capable of hitting the 3. But, let's be realistic last year KML shot .488 (121-243)...The rest of the 3 point shooting delegation last year combined only made 160 three pointers to KML's 121 . Moriah the second option for the 3 shot .496 (56-113). Moriah was wonderful from three but, her primary responsibility is to run the team. Moriah will be the number one point guard in WCBB this coming year...can or should she become the number one option for the three? I say NO! Her role as the floor general is essential to UConn's formula for success. Kia could step up and shoot more threes and could add significantly to her 53 (.408) total of last year. But, again Kia's game is pushing, running the floor and slashing to the basket. Hitting the open three in the flow of the game with more plays run for her to shoot the open three could result in more made threes but the question is...how many? Finally, while I believe both Morgan and Breanna could shoot better from three than their last year totals demonstrate the truth is they were both patently poor from three last year shooting .292 (21-72) and .313 (30-96) respectively and only accounting for 51 threes between them. No, I believe that only KLS's three point shooting along with improvement from Breanna, Morgan and Kia comes close to giving us the type of three point shooting that has the potential to come close to what we lost with KML's graduation. While it would be exciting to see Moriah improve upon her numbers from last year...I don't think that should be a priority as her role as floor general takes precedence. Finally, if Courtney Ekmark lives up to the scouting reports regarding her lights out shooting in high school then her contributions will be added and welcome gravy.
JMHO

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Natalie has really worked her tail off in all facets of her game and she also has lost 20+ pounds to make her quicker! Everything I've heard out of UCONN WBB last season has been really positive on her so I'm thinking if she remains healthy she should have a great season! Geno & CD will harness any hair color change till post graduation!

 

[UcMiami]

cferraro - all good points, but ... part of KML taking all those shots was because she was on the court and her job often was to spot up for three - with her gone, Moriah and Kia will both be more likely to be the player spotting up for three on the kick out when the ball goes into the paint, especially if the fifth player on the court replacing KML is not a three point specialist. That will not take away from Moriah and Kia performing the functions they did last year, just that in half court sets, some of their responsibilities may alter a little. (Kia interestingly performed this summer quite often as the spot up shooter for Canada in their half court sets.)
I agree that both Stewart and Tuck were mediocre from three and that is certainly not their first priority on offense - Tucks percentage was truly dreadful for the first half of the year - second half she was probably around .350 but she had dug a huge hole for herself in the fall.

(While arguing all of the above, I fully expect Lou to be an integral part of the rotation specifically because of her skill from 3, and I am hoping a healthy Courtney will also fill that role. I just wouldn't be surprised to see Moriah's attempts around 150 and Kia's could reach 175 depending on how much time they actually play and how the other minutes are distributed.)

 

[BroadwayVa]

Can you imagine the Blue and White scrimmages taking place at Storrs this season? You have what can arguably be the best "blue" team in WCBB scrimmaging against what could arguably be a good enough "white" team to be a starting team for most college programs. A year of Natalie Butler playing opposite Morgan Tuck; Katie Lou Samuelson playing opposite Breanna Stewart; Saniya Chong playing opposite Moriah Jefferson; Courtney Ekmark playing opposite Kia Nurse and Naphessa Collier playing opposite Gabby Williams. WOW!!!!! By the time the tournament rolls around UConn will be 10 or 11 deep. Geno, of course will shorten his bench but UConn will be protected from foul trouble and injuries with their depth. UConn will not be able to sustain the original starting five I have listed because outside shooting will become UConn's achilles heel as the season goes on...so, Katie Lou Samuelson will probably crack the starting line-up to give Geno a three point shooter. He may also decide to bring Courtney in to add to the three point shooting and / or Naphessa Collier because it is just very difficult to keep the kid off the court (she does it all). Natalie at 6'5" will also be very difficult to keep off the court her size for rebounds and blocks will be hard keep on the bench. Saniya Chong may surprise many this season as we all know from her high school career that she is a scorer...she can score and this may be her break-out year. Boykin is still a big question mark...will she carve out a niche for herself on this team???

Hypothetic match-up

Morgan vs Natalie - Slight edge Morgan because Natalie will not be able to stop Morgan from scoring but, Morgan will have some difficulty containing Natalie's big body. Natalie will be a defensive force rebounding and blocking shots. At the end of the day, however, Morgan will get the slight edge over Natalie.

Breanna Stewart vs Katie Lou Samuelson - huge advantage Stewart...too strong, to much experience for Katie Lou.

Gabby Williams vs Napheesa - interesting match-up with the slight edge going to Naphessa...these basically are the same
\
player...both hustle, rebound, play defense and score...but Naphessa is in my opinion a more refined player.

Kia Nurse vs Courtney Ekmark - Kia Nurse made a statement in international basketball this summer she will come back a much improved and more aggressive player this season...Courtney has shown me that kind of intensity yet...Courtney will need some help from De"Janae Boykin...so big advantage Kia Nurse

Moriah Jefferson vs Saniya Chong - This is quick on quick but Moriah is a little quicker and she will be the best point guard in the country a very difficult assignment for Saniya Chong. Saniya would be able to do some great things of her own...but advantage Moriah.

I think the Blue team wins by 20 points over the white which will be about UConn's average margin of victory this season

Remember this was just a hypothetical attempted for the mere thought of how interesting practices and scrimmages would be.

Blue Team

Morgan Tuck (5)
Breanna Stewart (4)
Gabby Williams (3)
Kia Nurse (2)
Moriah Jefferson (1)

White Team

Natalie Butler (5)
Katie Lou Samuelson (4)
Naphessa Collier (3)
Courtney Ekmark (2)
Saniya Chong (1)

Reserves
De'Janae Boykin
Tierney Lawlor
Briana Pulido

I want Kia Nurse against Napheesa Collier better match up
Chong against Gabby--
No matter who takes on Moriah they lose--but just for kick Courtney.
ID like to see Stewie against Natalie
That leaves Morgan against KLS or Boykin (maybe both together)
Pulido vs Lawlor (maybe lawlor against Courtney??)
Yea I know I have 6 on each team---old time woman's basketball, go for it!!!

 

[Gus Mahler]

I want Kia Nurse against Napheesa Collier better match up
Chong against Gabby--
No matter who takes on Moriah they lose--but just for kick Courtney.
ID like to see Stewie against Natalie
That leaves Morgan against KLS or Boykin (maybe both together)
Pulido vs Lawlor (maybe lawlor against Courtney??)
Yea I know I have 6 on each team---old time woman's basketball, go for it!!!

What have you got against Courtney?

 

[Sonny44]

I want Kia Nurse against Napheesa Collier better match up
Chong against Gabby--
No matter who takes on Moriah they lose--but just for kick Courtney.
ID like to see Stewie against Natalie
That leaves Morgan against KLS or Boykin (maybe both together)
Pulido vs Lawlor (maybe lawlor against Courtney??)
Yea I know I have 6 on each team---old time woman's basketball, go for it!!!

You'd see all of these if they would allow open practises. I know I would go.

 

[BroadwayVa]

You'd see all of these if they would allow open practises. I know I would go.

I know Geno allows other coaches to attend his practices and the media. I think he'd have a full Practice facility if he opened up to guys like you and me. The public probably wouldn't understand or accept some of the loud verbal comments made to or at players-- fans can get pretty protective. That inhibits what a coach can or will do with "the public" watching. Nothing wrong with that--just self preservation..
But like you, I'd love to see the various matchups--you know he moves his kids around to see who does what to whom!!

 

[BroadwayVa]

What have you got against Courtney?

Funny!!! I too pity anyone who has to defend or be defended by a fully operating Moriah!!!!
Gus----The hardest thing for a UConn fan is to say---I like that kid more than the others, when I do that I find there are 12 others (this year) that I like equally.. I have great hopes, maybe wishes, for Gabby, Courtney, Saniya, Boykin injuries recoveries and the sharpening of skills could make any or all of them into big time players, I hope!

 

[CocoHusky]

Can you imagine the Blue and White scrimmages taking place at Storrs this season? You have what can arguably be the best "blue" team in WCBB scrimmaging against what could arguably be a good enough "white" team to be a starting team for most college programs. A year of Natalie Butler playing opposite Morgan Tuck; Katie Lou Samuelson playing opposite Breanna Stewart; Saniya Chong playing opposite Moriah Jefferson; Courtney Ekmark playing opposite Kia Nurse and Naphessa Collier playing opposite Gabby Williams. WOW!!!!! By the time the tournament rolls around UConn will be 10 or 11 deep. Geno, of course will shorten his bench but UConn will be protected from foul trouble and injuries with their depth. UConn will not be able to sustain the original starting five I have listed because outside shooting will become UConn's achilles heel as the season goes on...so, Katie Lou Samuelson will probably crack the starting line-up to give Geno a three point shooter. He may also decide to bring Courtney in to add to the three point shooting and / or Naphessa Collier because it is just very difficult to keep the kid off the court (she does it all). Natalie at 6'5" will also be very difficult to keep off the court her size for rebounds and blocks will be hard keep on the bench. Saniya Chong may surprise many this season as we all know from her high school career that she is a scorer...she can score and this may be her break-out year. Boykin is still a big question mark...will she carve out a niche for herself on this team???

Hypothetic match-up

because Natalie will not be able to stop Morgan from scoring but, Morgan will have some difficulty containing Natalie's big body. Natalie will be a defensive force rebounding and blocking shots. At the end of the day, however, Morgan will get the slight edge over Natalie.

Breanna Stewart vs Katie Lou Samuelson - huge advantage Stewart...too strong, to much experience for Katie Lou.

Gabby Williams vs Napheesa - interesting match-up with the slight edge going to Naphessa...these basically are the same player...both hustle, rebound, play defense and score...but Naphessa is in my opinion a more refined player.

Kia Nurse vs Courtney Ekmark - Kia Nurse made a statement in international basketball this summer she will come back a much improved and more aggressive player this season...Courtney has shown me that kind of intensity yet...Courtney will need some help from De"Janae Boykin...so big advantage Kia Nurse

Moriah Jefferson vs Saniya Chong - This is quick on quick but Moriah is a little quicker and she will be the best point guard in the country a very difficult assignment for Saniya Chong. Saniya would be able to do some great things of her own...but advantage Moriah.

I think the Blue team wins by 20 points over the white which will be about UConn's average margin of victory this season

Remember this was just a hypothetical attempted for the mere thought of how interesting practices and scrimmages would be.

Blue Team

Morgan Tuck (5)
Breanna Stewart (4)
Gabby Williams (3)
Kia Nurse (2)
Moriah Jefferson (1)

White Team

Natalie Butler (5)
Katie Lou Samuelson (4)
Naphessa Collier (3)
Courtney Ekmark (2)
Saniya Chong (1)

Reserves
De'Janae Boykin
Tierney Lawlor
Briana Pulido

Love the potential matchup. IMO you would strenghten the White Team significantly if KLS replaces Ekmark at 2 and insert Boykin at the 4. You also get better defensive matchup with Boykin on Stewie and Collier on Nurse.
I disagree with " Morgan vs Natalie - Slight edge Morgan". Even at 6'5" Butler would not be able guard Tuck in the Post and has no chance against Tuck on the Perimeter-Huge advantage to Tuck.

 

[cferraro04]

CocoHusky: Actually, I gave only a slight edge to Tuck for the very same reason you listed above...because Natalie would be unable to handle Tuck in the post (to many polished moves, too quick) and yes Tuck could take Natalie to the perimeter but shooting 29 percent from the perimeter marginalizes some of that effective post work (every shot missed is one that could have been scored in the post) while Natalie's rebounding, presence in the middle and blocked shots would offset some of the offensive advantage Tuck has.