Assuming there is a season, who will have the biggest improvement from last season?

[EricLA]

So assuming we have a season, who do you think will show the most improvement? Hard to guess since we don't know what most of them have been able to do over the summer, but it's just a poll for your opinion. Plus, I thought it might be fun to discuss something other than "who will the starters be"...

Note - I left off the incoming freshmen as well as Evina since none of them played for UCONN last season. In a way it's sort of an odd poll since we literally only have 4 players coming back who played last season, but it's "down time", so let the speculation begin!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Based on being the least consistent of the 4 last season and playing against her brother (a top-10 Duke recruit) this summer, I'm choosing Aubrey.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Based on being the least consistent of the 4 last season and playing against her brother (a top-10 Duke recruit) this summer, I'm choosing Aubrey.

I'm hopeful that Aubrey does make great advances because based on what she showed last year, I thought she was a great athlete but not showing herself to have good basketball skills .... She's not shown herself to have the ability to shoot the basketball very well but with work, that could change and hopefully will ....

 

[topogigio]

Anna. Based on her performance in the 2nd half of the season, this kid will fly high. Not too many UConn freshman put up the overall numbers she did.

 

[BobbyJ]

Based on being the least consistent of the 4 last season and playing against her brother (a top-10 Duke recruit) this summer, I'm choosing Aubrey.

Wouldn’t she have played against her brother and gotten her father’s coaching last summer?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Alas, I can't find my Ouija Board!

 

[Dokey]

I see the vote is close, as it should be. I would have picked all of them. Aubrey needed to improve (her offensive game) more than others. CW and Ono have to make upperclass jump. Anna improved as her first season progressed. I suspect it continues.

 

[Alydar]

I'm hopeful that Aubrey does make great advances because based on what she showed last year, I thought she was a great athlete but not showing herself to have good basketball skills .... She's not shown herself to have the ability to shoot the basketball very well but with work, that could change and hopefully will ....

I remember an early game last year when the announcers said that Geno told her to do those things she was good at and she had a green light to shoot 3's, drive and rebound. She chose not to shoot 3's, not the coaches. I think her problem was that she did a lot of the things that Collier did, and Collier, being a senior, did them better.

My choice for most improved is Geno, at least in the eyes of the media and a few here. He is going to go from reading about how he is on the downside of his career to being the coach of an undefeated team.

 

[ucbart]

Who needs to? Christyn Williams
**During her freshman year, I thought she *could* be National POY during her junior and senior seasons. I had no idea she would not only not make the sophomore leap, but in many ways, she seemed to regress. I've never seen a UCONN player with her abilities miss so many close layups and shots.

**Next is ONO-I hope she is tougher, doesn't shoot layups from her hips, and STOPPPPPPS swiping down for every block.

Who will? Anna Makurat
**Her basketball ability was evident last year. She is the difference maker, IMO.

 

[JordyG]

Evina of course. Anything she does this year will be an improvement from last year. Also, since she will be a starter on day one that will be a double improvement.

 

[huskeynut]

I'm going with Olivia. The reason - Jamelle is back!!

We all noticed the difference in Liv's play when Jamelle filled in for Jas. Now imagine starting the season with Jamelle coaching her full time. There's going to be some tough and nasty down low!

 

[LCConnFan]

Alas, I can't find my Ouija Board!

Carnac borrowed it!

 

[donalddoowop]

Evina of course. Anything she does this year will be an improvement from last year. Also, since she will be a starter on day one that will be a double improvement.

Come on JordyG. Westbrook is not eligible for a vote. Per EricLA. Also, I think many will not recognize Aubrey because of her improvement, offensively. She will, I believe, show the posters who think she does not have an outside shot how wrong they are. Her offense will be needed this season.

 

[Zanzman]

Must be broken

 

[MilfordHusky]

Wouldn’t she have played against her brother and gotten her father’s coaching last summer?

They weren't quarantined at home together last spring/summer.

 

[and one]

I went with Aubrey for the simple reason that of the four she has the most room for improvement. Last year she looked every bit a freshman trying to figure things out on the fly. The other 3 have room to improve but we know what their games look like, where as Aubrey has yet to show much of what she will develop into. She may end up having the best career of the four. I really think Paige will have a great positive influence on her game, both physical and mental.

 

[VA Huskie]

I went with Christyn. I think she was disappointed with last year and will be driven to show that she can be the star she’s capable of being.

 

[BobbyJ]

They weren't quarantined at home together last spring/summer.

If she were my sister or daughter getting ready for UConn, I wouldn't have needed a quarantine to work her butt off.

 

[Mouse]

I picked Anna but it really depends how you quantify the improvement. Is it compared to the entirety of last season, or the last month or so?

Anna and Olivia seemed to me to improve the most during the course of the season - Olivia possibly because of Jamelle, and Anna because she just seemed to relax.

Can't wait to see them all this year.

 

[bluedevil]

I hope it Anna because if she can consistenly hit her 3's (say 42%)..it will open up the court for the others,prevent the double team and force the defense away from the zone. but I still love the 0 for America quip...

 

[hart2hart]

I think Anna Mak!
However, I can’t wait to see ALL the girls play.
Missed basketball terribly.
As all of us have.
Go Huskies!

 

[diggerfoot]

I voted for ONO for the very simple reason that she will have the least competition for her minutes. 1 - 4 have eight potentially very capable players getting minutes at those spots. The 5 only has ONO and Gabriel, the latter of which is reported to be a project.

For a similar reason I think ONO's improvement is the most important for the team.

 

[da60]

Anna is still blooming.…..if 2 things occur....Covid progress and her getting here from Poland.
GO ANNA!!

 

[veryolddog]

I voted for Anna even though I think all of them will show a striking improvement. Wouldn't you like to be the Coach of these returning players?

 

[Majic Hands]

Great thread. I can't disagree with any selection.

However, l selected Aubury who I hope will have a "Big" improvement. That talked about Sophomore jump. She will need that if she wants to be a starter.

I'm hoping Anna will continue from where last season ended along with that famous Sophomore jump.

Ono. I'm thinking a continuation from the end of last year. . Didn't see a big improvement in her game. I think she will continue to be a foul waiting to happen. Even though I thought she was improving towards the end of last year as was the whole team led by Anna. I'm not expecting a big improvement in her Junior year. Hope I'm wrong.

Christyn . . . ? Her Sophomore jump never happened. I couldn't argue with anyone who were to suggest she regressed in her second year. I think if the team were to take the floor today she would be a starter. If her level of performance, in practice doesn't greatly improved, I see her coming off the bench so a starting freshman can have a moment of coaching befor going back in.