Ashlynn Shade? Not a lot of talk about her

[CL82]

Same with KK, Caorline, etc.?

I think it's different. Caroline is the great unknown right now. We all hope she gets back into her pre-concussion form, or something close to it, mostly because we want her to end her career at Connecticut in the best way possible for her. Whether she can actually get back to that form is an unknown.

KK is a bit of a mystery too. We know she brings speed and intensity on both sides of the ball, but we don't know whether she can integrate herself more into the flow of the offense this year.

Ashlynn is a more consistent, and her role is unchanged from last year. I expect her to be better at it, but basically she's gonna be doing the same things for us, I think.

 

[MSGRET]

50% for a player who started 0 games last season that weren't due to injury of a regular starter. Paige was out 2 games and Azzi out 6 but came off the bench for 4 when she came back from injury. My point is barring injuries, Ash would have started 0 games last season.

I'm simply not getting your point or seeming disbelief. She started 33 games as a freshman out of necessity as the team basically had a roster of 6, not counting DeBerry and Bettencourt.

I'm also not getting the comments about "taking her for granted". Really? There's not a sane UConn fan out there who doesn't appreciate what she (and KK) have contributed the past 2 seasons.

Please check your facts before spouting off on Ash, she actually started 12 games for the team and was usually the first or second player brought in as one of the guards/forwards.

Ash started the the first six games of the season, then Azzi was able to play for the Holy Cross and Louisville game. Then Ash started the next four games while Azzi was recovering from injuries. Then Paige went down and Ash started in her place for the Xavier and Georgetown games.

 

[Bone Dog]

I am a huge Ash Shade fan. I just think that, like some others on the roster, she has challenges heading into her junior year.

Let me rephrase your statement: Ash poses challenges to those trying to crack the rotation. She shoots 3s at a 40+ clip, and she is a force on defense. No one will take minutes from Ash merely by shooting 3s. They will have to out-work her on defense. I really hope several players take up this challenge. In a sense, Ash is the gatekeeper for playing time -- to get minutes, you must at least do what she does.

 

[Charliebball]

Ashlynn scored 419 points in her FRESHMAN year and a little over 300 points last year. I believed Ashlynn deserved a starting role last year. She's going to be a junior this year and again she deserves a starting role. Does anyone believe that Ashlynn won't be better this year? My belief is Ashlynn would have scored more than 400 points last year IF she had started. I know GENO knows what he is doing,but again playing LESS minutes makes it harder to score to your capabilities. I am a HUGE fan of Ashlynn and Caroline also. If Caroline shows GENO she is back. I hope he gives her significant playing time as it is her last year..GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!

She deserves to start if she outplays Blanca and Caroline during the preseason........two of those three are going to be major cogs in the wheel coming off the bench while the "winner" starts......if Blanca is as good as I think she is she's likely to be starting early in the season unless Caroline is playing as she did as a freshman or if Ashlyn has made further improvements to her game.......regardless, what a wonderful "problem" to have....

 

[victor64]

Let me rephrase your statement: Ash poses challenges to those trying to crack the rotation. She shoots 3s at a 40+ clip, and she is a force on defense. No one will take minutes from Ash merely by shooting 3s. They will have to out-work her on defense. I really hope several players take up this challenge. In a sense, Ash is the gatekeeper for playing time -- to get minutes, you must at least do what she does.

You probably said it better than I did but we are saying the same thing. Ash is going to play a lot because she has earned Geno's trust. The 40% plus 3 ball clip is a little deceiving because her makes come in bunches.

With the number of players I mentioned, Ash will have to be ready because the challengers have the ability to do so.

JMHO.

 

[EricLA]

Please check your facts before spouting off on Ash, she actually started 12 games for the team and was usually the first or second player brought in as one of the guards/forwards.

Ash started the the first six games of the season, then Azzi was able to play for the Holy Cross and Louisville game. Then Ash started the next four games while Azzi was recovering from injuries. Then Paige went down and Ash started in her place for the Xavier and Georgetown games.

Please read before you "spout off" and criticize a post. You did not even read/reference the whole sentence, never mind the whole post.

"50% for a player who started 0 games last season that weren't due to injury of a regular starter" is what I actually said.

You are correct and that's what I was referencing in her starts - Paige missed 2 games and Azzi missed 6, but 4 of her games she came off the bench after her injury, so that's a total of 10 games she didn't start. 10 + 2 = 12. Ash started because 8 of those games Paige/Azzi were out with injuries, and 4 were Azzi coming back...

I think Ash is terrific. She's an incredible all around player. And a great kid to boot. In my mind, this coming season, either she starts, or maybe Blanca starts ahead of her for whatever reason, and she's one of the first off the bench. Either way she will be really good this year...

 

[MooseJaw]

Sheesh! I’ve been one of Yeehaw’s biggest cheerleaders from the moment her commitment was announced. I watched loads of her high school games and talked up her virtues for three years now. I don’t think anyone could want more from a cheerleader.

But fine, I’ll go a step further. She’ll make it in the W. Why? Because she’s an iron woman and will out work everyone at that level too. And if she improves her perimeter shooting, she will be sought after. And she’s already shooting 41%. She will tire of the W before the W tires of her.

Bold prediction, and I agree totally. Ash is as close to the perfect human conditioned college athlete as I have seen. The player with the most BB talent, no, but if I were to put a team together Ash would be one of my top picks.

 

[topogigio]

Every big time program in the country would pick Ash for a starter, no questions asked. She does so many things well, she is invaluable to this team!

 

[ERWUC65]

Remember when so many people on here questioned why Nika was a starter? She started because Geno saw the tremendous value her grit and tenacity brought to the team. And there's a reason why Ash was on the floor for so much of the title game, especially the dominant 4th quarter when she brought her own unique brand of joyful tenacity and grit. The tremendous ovation at about the 4:30 mark of the 4th quarter was right after another tenacious Ashlyn offensive rebound. It was no coincidence. And all that proves to Geno that Ashlyn brings what he wants to the team, just like Nika did.

Ash will be a starter this coming season.

Ash may start the season, but there is no comparison for floor general like Nika. Actually if someone has those qualities (somewhat like KC last season) it will take a while to find out and yes it is a bit of a concern especially now that the 20-30 points from Paige are gone.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Every big time program in the country would pick Ash for a starter, no questions asked. She does so many things well, she is invaluable to this team!

I am really glad that Ashlynn is on the team and is a real asset but I don't think that she would start for "every" big time program. I'm looking forward to her continued growth as a player, including driving to the rim more to compliment the rest of her game.

 

[Skeets]

Every girl from the Midwest needs an F150….

LOL, reminds me of the old black-n-white TV commercial: every boy wants a Remco toy, and so do girls.

 

[my2cents]

The only people who take Shade for granted don't watch UConn basketball. Last year she was in a support role to Paige/ Sarah and Azzi.
Not this year.
She will 100% be a starter and be a much bigger option of offense.
Her time has come.

 

[Huskee11]

We will see Shade on the court a lot next season because she is a winner.

Azzi had to miss the Iowa State game and in that game Shade scored UConn's first 14 points. Crooks had the first six for Iowa State. So at one point it was Shade 14, Crooks 6.

Shade ended up with 20 in the first QUARTER and 27 for the game.

Sometimes we forget just how good all these players are that Geno can summon. How many role players at other programs are capable of hanging 20 on a decent NCAA tournament level opponent in a quarter?

When evaluating her situation, I also come back to the biggest game this group has faced, the championship game, and the stretch in the second half when an 11 point lead (50-39) became a 32 point lead (80-48). That may have been the most critical period in UConn WCBB in recent memory. Do they finally get number 12 or do they cough it up.

Well, we know the answer to that one. They played heroically. And Ash was on the court the entire time and was a big factor especially with her rebounding and defense. Earlier she also hit one of the biggest shots in that game, the three at the end of the half that created a double digit lead and momentum going in.

She is also a worker, a warrior, she will only get better.

So there is no way she does not have a major role next season. When Geno goes "small" she will absolutely be out there. If he goes bigger then Azzi will play ahead of her at the 2. But she will still get her minutes, she has proven herself under fire.

Her play in the nine game postseason last year was inconsistent offensively, but always sold defensively. In six of those nine games she logged 20 or more minutes and in the others she had 13, 13 and 17. 20 in the South Carolina game. With the other players who will be on the floor at important moments, she will not need to be a primary scoring option but will be a "glue" defender, rebounder, team player, and as well an offensive threat that needs to be accounted for.

One way or the other, starter or rotation player, she will be a major factor in 2025-2026. I think she will probably start at the three but maybe Blanca or Caroline will prove me wrong. Either way, she will get significant minutes.

 

[Longtime fan]

Why is there loads of talk about every other guard as a starter and/or contributor but not much if any talk about Ash? Seriously, not being snide. Seems she should be seriously considered as a starter. Could be a misperception on my part.

She is one of Geno's favorite players. No one works harder. I think she will start. But it doesn't matter. She will wind up with a lot of minutes. As she did this season.

 

[cwh20]

Why is there loads of talk about every other guard as a starter and/or contributor but not much if any talk about Ash? Seriously, not being snide. Seems she should be seriously considered as a starter. Could be a misperception on my part.

It is at the point in the basketball cycle where all the freshman/new comers/injury rehabbed/last year bench players are being projected to get 15+ minutes each next season depending on the thread. So about 300 minutes total playing time when factoring in the obvious starters getting their minutes in a 200 minute game.

Seriously, the roster is stacked. Who will emerge and grab the minutes? I don’t know. Some very good or potentially good players are not going to play or get nearly the opportunity they would if on a lesser team. I don’t know how it will play out but that is just the facts. There are only 200 minutes per game. Azzi, Sarah, and (seemingly) Serah will get a lot of those minutes. I feel confident Ash will get minutes for sure whether starting or not.

 

[Bone Dog]

I don’t think it matters that much if Ash starts, though she probably will in November and maybe into December. What really matters is whether she becomes a regular 15-20 minute player, and I think that is more or less certain. She will be on the floor in the third quarter of competitive games, and the fourth if they’re still competitive.

If Sarah Azzi and Serah play 25 minutes each from December through February, I expect KK Kayleigh and Ash will play ~20 minutes each across the same stretch. That leaves ~65 mins of playing time for the rest of the roster to prove themselves. And they will definitely sort themselves out by the end of February. My guess is 2 or 3 will become regulars in the competitive games and come tournament time a rotation if 8 or 9 will emerge. Ash will be part of that rotation. When tournament games are on the line, Ash will be on the floor much of the time.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Ash is the true definition of a warrior, and there isn't a one of us that wouldn't want her by our side or covering our back heading into a war. Geno will have his hands full trying to keep 15 very talented young women happy next season. But most things usually have a way of working themselves out. I have a feeling that will hold true in this situation as well.

 

[gold2323]

She is a fundamental machine….she is a total team player….she is high level talent in an elite level team and program….she is a winner
If we were picking teams for a pickup game I would pick her first.
Finally….if in a dark
alley or in a fox hole I want her next to me….
Recently Geno said “ I wish I had 12 players like her” I rest my case.

 

[Geew1992]

Ashlynn scored 419 points in her FRESHMAN year and a little over 300 points last year. I believed Ashlynn deserved a starting role last year. She's going to be a junior this year and again she deserves a starting role. Does anyone believe that Ashlynn won't be better this year? My belief is Ashlynn would have scored more than 400 points last year IF she had started. I know GENO knows what he is doing,but again playing LESS minutes makes it harder to score to your capabilities. I am a HUGE fan of Ashlynn and Caroline also. If Caroline shows GENO she is back. I hope he gives her significant playing time as it is her last year..GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!

The problem with this is Ash only played all those minutes and started her Freshman year was out of need. There was no one else to play. She played less minutes because there are more bodies. Do I think she will start this year? Yup, but that doesn't mean she will play more minutes than she did her sophmore year. She will probably play pretty close to the same

 

[CTrefugee]

Why is there loads of talk about every other guard as a starter and/or contributor but not much if any talk about Ash? Seriously, not being snide. Seems she should be seriously considered as a starter. Could be a misperception on my part.

Aside from her great contributions on the court, Ash has stolen the hearts of most UCWBB fans. She is one of those players who makes you happy when you see the joy and energy with which she plays. I always watch her interviews because she seems to be a solid human being and role model. Ther doesn't need to be a lot of talk about her, because we all agree that whatever role Geno gives her, she will star.

 

[Bigboote]

Aside from her great contributions on the court, Ash has stolen the hearts of most UCWBB fans. She is one of those players who makes you happy when you see the joy and energy with which she plays. I always watch her interviews because she seems to be a solid human being and role model. Ther doesn't need to be a lot of talk about her, because we all agree that whatever role Geno gives her, she will star.

Well said. All the talk about, who will start?, will Ashlynn start? is kind of meaningless. I’m sure she would rather start, but if Geno says to her, “Ash (some non-starting role) is how I think you can be most effective”, she’ll give that role all she’s got, to and she’ll do it well.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

If you aren't disappointed at not starting Geno made the right call. These young ladies grew up dreaming of UConn and championships and AA and MOP status and they have worked their proverbial butts off to get the UConn dream. Has there ever been an AA who didn't start? Don't tell me its the minutes, not the starting. Yes many have made the decision over the years that not starting but with minutes at UConn is where they want to be, playing in the temple of woman's ball for Geno does that to you.

 

[cgshuskie]

Ashlyn has some Jackie Stiles in her. Maybe, she gets some of Jackie's quickness in her Junior year. Shade definitely has the ambition and will. They are about the same size. I see Ashlyn's confidence growing this year. Who knows what can happen? Can someone achieve what Jackie Stiles achieved with Geno? I think Paige Bueckers did. Let's turn Ashlyn loose.......

 

[HuskyNan]

If you need to resort to insults or name calling to make your point - you don’t really have a point. Be civil

 

[Skeets]

Ashlyn has some Jackie Stiles in her. Maybe, she gets some of Jackie's quickness in her Junior year. Shade definitely has the ambition and will. They are about the same size. I see Ashlyn's confidence growing this year. Who knows what can happen? Can someone achieve what Jackie Stiles achieved with Geno? I think Paige Bueckers did. Let's turn Ashlyn loose.......

Jackie Stiles? Hmmm, I don't see it. Jackie had a lot of flash. Ash is solid but I wouldn't say she displays a lot of flash, except for that beaming smile when she hits a shot. In fairness to both, it might have a lot to do with the teams they play or played on. Jackie, with her talent, couldn't help but be flashy playing for Southwest Nowhere State. It's a little harder to be flashy if you play at UConn unless your name is Paige...