Ashlynn Shade's excellent season...

[DavidinNaples]

Plenty of pre-season discussion about Liya and Nika leaving, Sarah & Allie arriving, Kaitlyn transferring and Jana & Azzi recovering. And of course, Paige being Paige for her final season. (maybe) I'm also excited about the upcoming season for Ashlynn Shade. First, a review of her stats from last year, when nothing much was expected, but a whole lot was delivered.
Consider:
1. Scored 419 points while playing 1,194 minutes. (Both 3rd most on the team.)
2. More assists (55) than personal fouls (52).
3. A total of 39 turnovers in 38 games. Going to round down to 1 per game..!
4. Shot 91% from the free throw line (21-23).
5. Her 64 threes was 2nd on the team to Paige (84).
6. Shot 36% from outside the arc & 62% from inside the 3 line. Sweetest pull-up jumper on the team.
7. Averaged 31.4 minutes per game and never looked tired. (Ok, maybe a little)

Shade plays very steady, but unspectacular basketball. But her relentless motor and drive make her the perfect compliment to the team's higher profile stars. Best of all, she will get even better this season. (Gym rats always do.) Does the headline refer to Shade's play last year or the upcoming season? Both I hope...

Go Huskies..!! Go Ashlynn...!!

 

[JoePgh]

But the question is: Will she even be in the starting 5 when all 14 members of the roster are healthy?

Even in the roster's present weakened state, I think two of (Jana, Sarah, Ice) will start in the front court, and Paige and Kaitlyn are almost certainly going to be starters in the back court. That leaves one position for (Ashlynn, KK), even assuming (as seems likely) that less experienced players such as Allie, Qadence, or Morgan do not crash their way into the starting 5.

And then when Azzi, Aubrey, Ayanna, and possibly Caroline are added, the picture gets even more cloudy. I think that a healthy Azzi would take a starting back court position ahead of either Ashlynn or KK. The other three "walking wounded" are more likely to be front court players when and if they become available.

 

[Rowdy831]

Plenty of pre-season discussion about Liya and Nika leaving, Sarah & Allie arriving, Kaitlyn transferring and Jana & Azzi recovering. And of course, Paige being Paige for her final season. (maybe) I'm also excited about the upcoming season for Ash Shade. First, a review of her stats from last year, when nothing much was expected, but a whole lot was delivered.
Consider:
1. Scored 419 points while playing 1,194 minutes. (Both 3rd most on the team.)
2. More assists (55) than personal fouls (52).
3. A total of 39 turnovers in 38 games. Going to round down to 1 per game..!
4. Shot 91% from the free throw line (21-23).
5. Her 64 threes was 2nd on the team to Paige (84).
6. Shot 36% from outside the arc & 61.7% from inside the 3 line. Sweetest pull-up jumper on the team.
7. Averaged 31.4 minutes per game and never looked tired. (Ok, maybe a little)

Shade plays steady, but unspectacular basketball. But her relentless motor and drive make her the perfect compliment to the team's high profile stars. Best of all, she will get even better this season. (Gym rats always do.) Does the headline refer to Shade's play last year or the upcoming season? Both I hope...

Go Huskies..!! Go Ashlynn...!!

All very good points for Ash. Last year she was called on to play a lot of minutes and I think she was limited, especially on defense because she did have to conserve some energy to ensure she made the end of the game. This year I expect way fewer minutes but with that I think her defensive intensity will go up and she will become a better overall player.

In the end I think a healthy team will put KK and Ash back in the rotation a ways but they will still be important to the overall success of the team. I really don't see any player good enough to keep Azzi on the bench once she is ready to go assuming she is fully physically ready to go. I do think this team will be very difficult to beat if they get the jump expected from Ice and the play Jana in the middle. Excited to see what they do.

 

[ERWUC65]

It might be that Geno will use the luxury of the relatively easy big East games to test out his 'big lineup' with Jana, Ice and perhaps Ayanna. The scheme is new with some new faces and is a work-in-progress. And it also might be that in the more challenging games he would go back to the more time tested 'small lineup' with Sarah/Ice at the 4 (like Aaliyah last year), Paige at the 2, Kaitlyn/KK at the 1, and using a rotation of Ashlynn/Allie and Azzi/Aubrey (when ready) at the 3.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

"steady, but unspectacular" sounds like Larry Bird. She is a star.

 

[Hayven]

I think Ashlynn may start, she’s solid from the arch and mid-range. I think Geno trusts her now and she may move into that defensive pesky guard role that Geno loves. She has the athleticism to do that. Regardless if she doesn’t start, I think she gets solid minutes as there enough guard time to split between Paige, KK, Chen, and Ashlynn. And maybe Ziebell, but I see her as more of a wing. We don’t know how Ice and Jana will do down low, so Geno may have to go back to his small lineup with Power Forward Paige. Ashlynn will be needed if that happens, as she can keep the defense on her, with her 3-point shot

 

[huskeynut]

I beleive Ash will start come November. Geno has stated Azzi will not be ready until December. Then she has to work her way back into playing form.

I also beleive KK will start. Kaitlyn will come off the bench.

The other 2 starters will be Jana and Sarah.

After that I think Geno is going to do a lot of subbing to see how different combinations will work.

Aubrey probably not back until mid January. Caroline, I have no idea.

It is going to be fun to watch how this version of UConn womens basketball will evolve over the season.

 

[Huskee11]

7. Averaged 31.4 minutes per game and never looked tired. (Ok, maybe a little)

Fixed it for you!

She will start until Azzi is 100%, probably early January. After that, she will still get significant minutes.

The other starters are Paige, Sarah, Jana, and Kaitlyn. There is no way Kaitlyn doesn't start. KK will also get significant minutes though, as will Ice and don't sleep on Qadence.

 

[Bald Husky]

Azzi has been working out with the team and she did play in the First Night scrimmage. I know she took it easy, but she is at the point that she can work out in the weight room as well as small pick-up games. Once she is cleared to go full tilt, I don't think it will take too long for her to be ready to go. We need her in the December games.

 

[Bone Dog]

Oooh, even a thread about how great Ash was last season as a freshman turns into a starting lineup discussion. I think a new minutes thread is in order.

 

[ashfan]

Plenty of pre-season discussion about Liya and Nika leaving, Sarah & Allie arriving, Kaitlyn transferring and Jana & Azzi recovering. And of course, Paige being Paige for her final season. (maybe) I'm also excited about the upcoming season for Ash Shade. First, a review of her stats from last year, when nothing much was expected, but a whole lot was delivered.
Consider:
1. Scored 419 points while playing 1,194 minutes. (Both 3rd most on the team.)
2. More assists (55) than personal fouls (52).
3. A total of 39 turnovers in 38 games. Going to round down to 1 per game..!
4. Shot 91% from the free throw line (21-23).
5. Her 64 threes was 2nd on the team to Paige (84).
6. Shot 36% from outside the arc & 62% from inside the 3 line. Sweetest pull-up jumper on the team.
7. Averaged 31.4 minutes per game and never looked tired. (Ok, maybe a little)

Shade plays steady, but unspectacular basketball. But her relentless motor and drive make her the perfect compliment to the team's higher profile stars. Best of all, she will get even better this season. (Gym rats always do.) Does the headline refer to Shade's play last year or the upcoming season? Both I hope...

Go Huskies..!! Go Ashlynn...!!

As UConn approaches the post season, the team (I predict) will be as much Ash12's as Paige's. Ash's character, determination, and seeming durability (she is really built!) will elevate her talent to spectacular accomplishments. A great kid to lead a great team for three years!

 

[Boreifs]

Azzi has been working out with the team and she did play in the First Night scrimmage. I know she took it easy, but she is at the point that she can work out in the weight room as well as small pick-up games. Once she is cleared to go full tilt, I don't think it will take too long for her to be ready to go. We need her in the December games.

Azzi did not play in the First Night Scrimmage. She did take part in the 3-point contest.

 

[Next 12]

I have been an Ashlynn fan since she was recruited.Ashlynn became my favorite player because of her stamina and her over all basketball play.As the season progressed, she became a solid defender and her over all scoring was solid. I would venture a guess that every team in the B.E. would have loved for her to be on their team. Ashlynn,s demeaner was unflappable and played with 110% energy the whole game. Ashlynn will start and stay starting as she has one full year as a starter and knows Geno,s system well. Ashlynn will earn her place in the UCONN hearts of OCONN fans as she did her freshman year.Her whole body is UCONN BLUEand I say she will not disappoint the fans. GO ASHLYNN!!!! GO FRESHMEN!!!!

 

[Fore!]

"steady, but unspectacular" sounds like Larry Bird. She is a star.

Anyone that suggests Larry Bird was unspectacular didn’t watch him play; of course, you may define spectacular differently than I do.

 

[Spaceman213J]

I also liked that many times she was given a taller person to guard or drew an assignment, that this year I don't think she'd get, but she just went out and competed. She's a nice combination of skill, grit and smarts.

 

[augustaTC]

" when all 14 members of the roster are healthy "......not gonna happen. Thank the good lord we've got Ash.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Anyone that suggests Larry Bird was unspectacular didn’t watch him play; of course, you may define spectacular differently than I do.

I watched the man in the Boston Garden. His peers were in awe of him because he wasn't fast and he couldn't jump (most of the time) but he made them all look pretty stupid. The man who said the only one who can guard me is God. His game was unreal and he did things around the basket that looked impossible. But did he look spectacular doing it? No. He made everything look easy. He was my idol from his rookie year 'til his last

There, I hope that clarifies the situation.

 

[reelfan]

We have Ash....you don't.

 

[sun]

Here's the box scoore from the UConn Iowa FF game.
Analyzing it can give clues as to why UConn came up short in that game.
This is a new season, a new team & new circumstances.
Out with the old & in with the new.
Look out South Carolina here we come.

Women's Basketball vs Iowa on 4/5/2024 - Box Score - University of Connecticut Athletics

The official box score of Women's Basketball vs Iowa on 4/5/2024

uconnhuskies.com

 

[Happydad745]

Geno is in a good place right now....he has tons of talent ready to take the floor, and the ability to interchange the lineup without losing much of anything on offense or defense.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Azzi has been working out with the team and she did play in the First Night scrimmage. I know she took it easy, but she is at the point that she can work out in the weight room as well as small pick-up games. Once she is cleared to go full tilt, I don't think it will take too long for her to be ready to go. We need her in the December games.

Azzi was in the 3-point contest, but I believe she did not play in the scrimmage. The players who were out: Ayanna, Caroline, Aubrey, and Azzi.

 

[Bigboote]

My favorite thing about Ashlynn is that she has such great fundamentals. She’ll never lose a game because of a boneheaded play, nor lack of hustle. Good handle, takes and makes good shots, makes the right pass. And she always has a body on someone as soon as a shot goes up.

Over the course of a game, then a season, many many little things add up to quite a few big things.

 

[donalddoowop]

One of the things I like about Ashlynn is that she has absolutely no showboat in her. She is a good, steady player with solid fundamentals.

 

[temery]

I watched the man in the Boston Garden. His peers were in awe of him because he wasn't fast and he couldn't jump (most of the time) but he made them all look pretty stupid. The man who said the only one who can guard me is God. His game was unreal and he did things around the basket that looked impossible. But did he look spectacular doing it? No. He made everything look easy. He was my idol from his rookie year 'til his last

There, I hope that clarifies the situation.

His passing was very spectacular.

 

[yhun89]

If she doesn’t start, she is still a starter caliber backup. Clean defense (what did she do, foul like 20 times total last year?) Great mid range. Her 3 ball reportedly improved. Seems way stronger. If she can be a bit faster, she’ll be even better on defense.