Ashlynn

[CL82]

Agree. She’s basketball quick. She never stops moving her feet. As she runs the length of the floor at full energy every time up and down the court. There are kids with quicker first steps — like KK — but the quickness that matters most is the one where you don’t stop moving your feet. That’s Ashlynn.

Let me be clear, I'm a fan of hers, but she's not necessarily the answer if we're looking for speed.

 

[DEpup]

For me, Ashley reminds me of a slightly shorter Kia Nurse. She moves laterally on defense like Kia and she is solid like Kia. The MD players couldn't push her off her line.

 

[Bone Dog]

Let me be clear, I'm a fan of hers, but she's not necessarily the answer if we're looking for speed.

This is what I was trying to get at. MoJeff she isn’t. Kia Nurse she isn’t. But, as others have mentioned, Kelly Faris was very much like her, and we could really use someone like Kelly. Not going to beat you off the dribble with a twitchy-fast first step and a dazzling crossover but very likely to beat you down the floor more often than not. Why? Because she doesn’t seem to get tired. Opposing players may beat her down the floor in the first quarter. But by the second half she’s still running just as fast and very few opponents will be. It’s one thing to be dazzlingly quick. It’s another to be relentlessly fast. And the player who never stops moving her feet on defense seems to have a head start on everyone else even if they’re not super quick.

We need both types. But not everyone on the team needs to be both. KK can supply the one sort of quickness and Ashlynn can supply the other. What I like about both of them is they each use their relentless speed on D and to get rebounds and loose balls. It’s not just about scoring.

I also look forward to the sort of example Ashlynn will set for Allie and Morgan when they get here. Neither of them is KK-quick, but they can be Ashlynn-quick.

 

[Bone Dog]

At this point, unless something major changes for Caroline, I would think the time for Ash to be getting more minutes than CD is now, not at the end of the season.

Now I’m a hopeless Caroline supporter, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I think we need her to be in top form by February to make our NC run. To me that means she needs PT now to recover her freshman form.

I think there’s a ceiling on the minutes for most of the team — except Paige and Aaliyah — at around 20 minutes. The freshmen are almost there now. There may be a few exceptional games in which on or another of them plays so well that they get more minutes. But those will not be the norm.

One last thought about Caroline (and concussion after effects) — once you’ve had a couple of them, as she did, you can suffer from all sorts of contact for some time, not just blows to the head. If you get bumped in the lane that might shake you enough to produce concussion-like effects. It takes a little longer to get over even this. But she’ll get there in time.

 

[Bills Fan]

Now I’m a hopeless Caroline supporter, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I think we need her to be in top form by February to make our NC run. To me that means she needs PT now to recover her freshman form.

I think there’s a ceiling on the minutes for most of the team — except Paige and Aaliyah — at around 20 minutes. The freshmen are almost there now. There may be a few exceptional games in which on or another of them plays so well that they get more minutes. But those will not be the norm.

One last thought about Caroline (and concussion after effects) — once you’ve had a couple of them, as she did, you can suffer from all sorts of contact for some time, not just blows to the head. If you get bumped in the lane that might shake you enough to produce concussion-like effects. It takes a little longer to get over even this. But she’ll get there in time.

I think she is important to us getting #12 but I'm not as sure as you in your last sentence.

I know I'm not Geno or CD's parents, but as she sits on the bench, ice on her head, after coming out of the game, she sure looks like someone who is still suffering from concussions 9-11 months ago and is not ready to be on the court. I have listened to two interviews of Geno where he talks about how accurate she is making shots IN PRACTICE. Obviously, she is a different player once the tip off occurs. Instead of making 9/10 or 10/10 she is air balling layups. However, hearing Geno's comments in the MD post -game presser, she will continue to start in the MN game tomorrow.

That is not the Caroline we watched pre-concussions (and yes, the last letter, "s" is not a typo)

 

[Zarathustra]

Now I’m a hopeless Caroline supporter, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I think we need her to be in top form by February to make our NC run. To me that means she needs PT now to recover her freshman form.

I think there’s a ceiling on the minutes for most of the team — except Paige and Aaliyah — at around 20 minutes. The freshmen are almost there now. There may be a few exceptional games in which on or another of them plays so well that they get more minutes. But those will not be the norm.

One last thought about Caroline (and concussion after effects) — once you’ve had a couple of them, as she did, you can suffer from all sorts of contact for some time, not just blows to the head. If you get bumped in the lane that might shake you enough to produce concussion-like effects. It takes a little longer to get over even this. But she’ll get there in time.

I am also a "hopeful" Caroline fan! I see a repeat of her freshman year; " soon coming to hardcourt in your area!" Go Carol!!

 

[msf22b]

I've said this before...I hope everyone is not too tired of my carping.

Caroline is a huge talent, super competitive, intelligent, the type of player that can turn a game, even a team around. And I love her game.

She is also a wounded sparrow.
I don't care that the doctors have cleared her;
she is clearly not right.

[ ]

In my heart of hearts, I think she should stop playing right now!
If that's not possible...She, her family and doctors are willing to let her go on for a bit longer...I wouldn't
if it was my child...

Then watch her like a hawk...

I suppose they think they are...but when she speaks about still having symptoms and we all see the ice pack; something is really, really wrong here. And I fret for her future.

Tough crap that some think we need her...
We need her to have a wonderful and fruitful life

Sorry
MSF

 

[BRS24]

I love the fact that Ashlynn came to play vs MD. You always have to be ready to contribute, no matter what happened in the last game.

 

[AmeriConn]

I love the fact that Ashlynn came to play vs MD. You always have to be ready to contribute, no matter what happened in the last game.

I still wonder how she would have performed in the NCS game.

 

[Skeets]

I've said this before...I hope everyone is not too tired of my carping.

Caroline is a huge talent, super competitive, intelligent, the type of player that can turn a game, even a team around. And I love her game.

She is also a wounded sparrow.
I don't care that the doctors have cleared her;
she is clearly not right.

[ ]

In my heart of hearts, I think she should stop playing right now!
If that's not possible...She, her family and doctors are willing to let her go on for a bit longer...I wouldn't
if it was my child...

Then watch her like a hawk...

I suppose they think they are...but when she speaks about still having symptoms and we all see the ice pack; something is really, really wrong here. And I fret for her future.

Tough crap that some think we need her...
We need her to have a wonderful and fruitful life

Sorry
MSF

I hate to say it, but you could be right. To continue playing risks PERMANENT damage, if it's not there already. Think about that...

 

[Staven]

Nothing more I can add than what has already been said! I love the freshmen and Ashlynn has proved that she can make a difference. I'm really excited to see what this team will become around tournament time being that they are still trying to figure out how to play with one another. One thing I would love to see is for Azzi to stay healthy. Every time she shoots I believe the shot will go down.

 

[oldhusky]

The discussion of Ashlynn potentially replacing Caroline in the starting lineup has been high level with many good points on both sides. My take is we probably do need Caroline at freshmen level to have a good chance at #12. On the other hand I don't think she deserves entitlement minutes based on what she once was.

If she looks like the better player in practice, I say stick with her as a starter, but if Ashlynn is playing better there, it is time for a change. Regardless of who starts, it looks like both will be in the rotation and whether it is 30 minutes a game or 10, both will have significant minutes over a long stretch of games to establish their level of play, so who starts now, or a few weeks later, doesn't mean that will be who we go with at the end. Caroline's condition could improve too, but my eye test says it is still a big issue right now.

 

[FormerCTrez]

Very Happy for the Kid and YES, she played well! Please remember all these Positive comments when she starts the Freshman slump that almost all Freshman go through before we start asking what is she doing here.......
Good game young Lady!!!

Haha! Have you forgotten who you’re speaking to on this forum? The best fans in the Basketball Capital of the World, aka the Boneyarders. Of course we’ll remember!!
All kidding aside, I’m elated that the freshmen are stepping up and trying to help the team succeed.

 

[Bald Husky]

I don't think Caroline should start, not because of a lack of talent, but I think Geno can better keep track of her minutes. Last year she played very well off the bench and having a 3 point threat off the bench is valuable. Apparently, she is not right now, but a few minutes here and a few minutes there may be the best scenario for her and the team. I'm not saying who should start in her place, but I think it would be the best for all involved if she was coming off the bench.

 

[Scud49]

Agree. She’s basketball quick. She never stops moving her feet. As she runs the length of the floor at full energy every time up and down the court. There are kids with quicker first steps — like KK — but the quickness that matters most is the one where you don’t stop moving your feet. That’s Ashlynn.

Yes. She's constantly in motion, reminds me of John Havlicek's style of play - always on the move.

 

[Gordo]

One thing I see Caroline doing is cutting to basket but not stopping & trying to post up- instead, she continues to opposite corner where too often she becomes not involved. I’d love to see her spend more time inside and around basket, maybe Geno can design some plays to isolate her. She’s 6’2 and could set up around basket more often.

I don't recall her ever (for the most part) stopping and trying to post up unless one of her teammates actually passed her the ball (which was rare) while she was in the key. When they did, she usually scored. She has great moves in there. However, it appears that Caroline isn't ready to spend much (if any) time in areas where she most likely will get hit in the head again. Fear is controlling much of her game at present. She knows she has to contribute to stay on the floor and that pressure is affecting every part of her game. Her feet are moving before her body and she get a traveling call. She's rushing her 3 pt. shots (when there is no need to do so) and she's not setting her feet, squaring her shoulders, and shooting in rhythm. Instead of pulling up for a easy jump shot, she continues into the stationery defender and is called for a charge. She hears the patter of little feet (although they aren't little) wanting to take more and more of her minutes. She just needs to relax and play her normal game if that's every going to be possible for her again?

 

[Gordo]

In HS, if you earned a D1 scholarship you were likely the best kid on your team and most of the others were not going on to play D1 ball. This would also be true of most of the best opponents you might face: one maybe two best players would earn D1 scholarships.

Now you’re in college and every kid on every team is that “best player” from HS. It’s a really different set of challenges. They’ll all have strengths and weaknesses, but they’ll all be comparable to the best kids you saw. And to top it off, they’ll be grown women, not 14-17 year olds.

You show up at a school like UConn and it’s like you’re that precocious 8th grader who somehow made the HS varsity team. Everyone seems smarter and more mature than you. They’ve seen more and know more and can trick you into mistakes in ways you haven’t seen before. It can be a shock. And it all happens again if you get to the W.

The only advantage you have is some small talent that isn’t fully developed yet. But you’ll keep growing and getting better and eventually you catch up to the older players and even surpass them.

This is where Ashlynn KK Qadence Ice and Jana (and to some extent Inês and Amari) are right now. There will be disappointments along the way, but the future looks bright for them if they stick with it and can avoid injury.

Very well said! It's surprising on a site like this that those things need to be pointed out over and over again and still they unfortunately don't sink in. The only thing I would change would be a couple names in your last paragraph.

 

[Bills Fan]

Very well said! It's surprising on a site like this that those things need to be pointed out over and over again and still they unfortunately don't sink in. The only thing I would change would be a couple names in your last paragraph.

Bone Dog and Gordo; Agree Gordo, the names in Bone's ( ) are not like the others.

 

[Forego]

I've said this before...I hope everyone is not too tired of my carping.

Caroline is a huge talent, super competitive, intelligent, the type of player that can turn a game, even a team around. And I love her game.

She is also a wounded sparrow.
I don't care that the doctors have cleared her;
she is clearly not right.

[ ]

In my heart of hearts, I think she should stop playing right now!
If that's not possible...She, her family and doctors are willing to let her go on for a bit longer...I wouldn't
if it was my child...

Then watch her like a hawk...

I suppose they think they are...but when she speaks about still having symptoms and we all see the ice pack; something is really, really wrong here. And I fret for her future.

Tough crap that some think we need her...
We need her to have a wonderful and fruitful life

Sorry
MSF

Stop being so Koi when expressing your true thoughts regarding Carolina.

 

[JellyBean]

One thing I see Caroline doing is cutting to basket but not stopping & trying to post up- instead, she continues to opposite corner where too often she becomes not involved. I’d love to see her spend more time inside and around basket, maybe Geno can design some plays to isolate her. She’s 6’2 and could set up around basket more often.

Caroline did a lot of posting up last year. I do hope that she or the coaching staff get back to allowing her those options of posting up. With her size in the post and her footwork, she would be hard to deal with.

 

[NC28604]

kind of reminds me of Kelly Faris.

 

[Bills Fan]

I guess we need to change the heading of this thread from Ashlynn to Caroline.

 

[Longtime fan]

At this point, unless something major changes for Caroline, I would think the time for Ash to be getting more minutes than CD is now, not at the end of the season. Caroline clearly brings more to the table than Ashlynn, IF CD is playing as she did as a Freshman but not if she is playing as she has this year.

Not so sure I agree that Caroline brings more to the table. Ash is hugely under-rated. Once she gets comfortable with her game here
(i.e. it slows down for her ), she will amaze you.

 

[Longtime fan]

Great post. Time to remind ourselves that these are basically high school kids with at most 3 D1 games under their belt. Where will they be a month from now? A year from now? They could be really good, the future of UConn WCBB.

Part of the under-rating of Ash is a comment such as," she doesn't appear that quick." Do you watch her being the first Husky down the court in transition, every time? She is not " quick" like KK ( no one is ) but she is plenty fast. And her stamina is so high that after ten full sprints up and down the court, no one will beat her on the eleventh. As you can tell, I am a big fan of her ability. We are lucky to have her.

 

[Jokerman619]

What a amazing group of freshman class. Ashland is doing a incredible job. Not that I am bias, living in Indiana. The same with Patterson. Go Huskies.

 

[Scud49]

What a amazing group of freshman class. Ashland is doing a incredible job. Not that I am bias, living in Indiana. The same with Patterson. Go Huskies.

Yea likewise, I live wthin 10 miles of Noblesville. Really pulling for her (and Ayanna). Actually very pumped for all the freshmen. It would be really crazy if Jana was healthy, I think she has huge upside.

 

[MSGRET]

What a amazing group of freshman class. Ashland is doing a incredible job. Not that I am bias, living in Indiana. The same with Patterson. Go Huskies.

Yea likewise, I live wthin 10 miles of Noblesville. Really pulling for her (and Ayanna). Actually very pumped for all the freshmen. It would be really crazy if Jana was healthy, I think she has huge upside.

Lived in Indiana for the first 20 years of my life before going into the Army. Graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School. I hated it when they changed basketball to a class system in High School Basketball, it's not the same anymore where a small school like Milan can win it all. Don't miss the heat, humidity and mosquitoes of the Summer and the cold and snow Winter months.

 

[Bills Fan]

Not so sure I agree that Caroline brings more to the table. Ash is hugely under-rated. Once she gets comfortable with her game here
(i.e. it slows down for her ), she will amaze you.

You missed the capitalized "IF" in my last sentence. I, like you, love what Ash does. My point was that CD is 4" taller, plays a needed position (#4) and has experience, but all of that only "IF" CD plays as she did as a Freshman.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

Ms. Shade is the real deal. With each game, you can see her confidence rising. Her game is the mid range game, and I belive she can do some serious damage in that position. I also love her fearless persona on the floor. Man, these freshman are going to be really good down the road. They will hit a couple of bumps down the season, but what better team or system to do that in than Uconn.

 

[Jokerman619]

Yea likewise, I live wthin 10 miles of Noblesville. Really pulling for her (and Ayanna). Actually very pumped for all the freshmen. It would be really crazy if Jana was healthy, I think she has huge upside.

I live just about 20 miles south of Fort Wayne. In Bluffton Indiana. Home of the best Street fair ever.