The bottom line Caroline was on a time restriction, but Geno said post game if the game went into OT he wax ignoring that and Caroline was playing all 5 minutes. Then who was going to be sitting?
Best defensive player, seriously. Just gets lost too often, not a good team defender. A good athlete sometimes makes up for mistakes with athleticism.
Do you watch the games ?
Paige , Azzi and Aubey
Aubrey has been a great (and surprising) asset this year, as she's really upped her game. Of course, she's had more opportunity than might have been expected had everyone been healthy. Nonetheless, she would provide excellent bench strength even if she gets less playing time next season.
Need to convince Geno.
Every one and replay every offensive and defensive possession. If she is able on defense to be isolated guarding one player with no switching, UConn switches every screen, she is good although she does get beat off the dribble often and neglects to go out to 3 point shooters often.
In the Creighton game, the announcers showed a clip of Aubrey playing help defense and described it as something like textbook help defense and that she had been doing that all game. And she does that on a regular basis for UConn. I'm sorry, but I 180% disagree with you. I agree with the announcers and my own decades (more than half of a century) of watching and playing and believe that she is an excellent defender. All of the girls have been making more mistakes lately due to mental and physical fatigue. But getting Carolyn back should help with this.
Maybe try rewatching again
IDK if she would turn down an offer of $100K or more to play overseas where she could train with experienced pros to develop the same or better skills as at UConn.
Sorry, but I (and many others) can definitely see Geno slotting ICE Brady in at the 5 to replace Dorka. AE will return at the 4, Azzi Fudd will play at the 3/wing, and your backcourt will be Paige and Nika. With Geno's history, he will sub in Caroline Ducharme first, for Azzi at the wing (with Azzi available then to spell Paige and Paige giving Nika a blow). You also have Ines Bettencourt, as added depth for the backcourt. Now the question will be does Geno continue to develop now Sophomore Ayanna Patterson at the 4, knowing at it will be AE's last season or does he throw in Aubrey at the 4, which is not her natural position [although she can play it]? Amari DeBerry (if) and Jana El Alfy will back up ICE Brady. Then you have Qadence Samuels, Ashlynn Shade and KK Arnold. I can see Aubrey's playing time getting "buried" during next season, which "may" not be in Aubrey's best future interest is concern.
I also think having a chance to play on a heavy favorite next year for the NC is something that she is incorporating into her decision. None of the returning or incoming players bring her skill set to the team, with the closest, Q Samuels, probably a year or two away. Yes minutes for all the players will be affected but Aubrey will get her fair share, and if she continues to develop her outside shot she will make a case for more minutes and a better chance for the W draft after next season.
Geno isn't going to give a super senior Aubrey a diminished role in favor of players that have little experience. He's been doing this for nearly four decades and isn't going to suddenly change. If the roster of available players changes, then that opens the door to some possibilities, but next year it's going to be the four seniors plus Azzi. No one else here already or coming in will have the talent and/or experience of those five. Next year's starting line up will look a lot like the tail end of the Stewie years - Aaliyah like Tuck will be the primary paint presence, Aubrey will be our super athletic Gabby type player, and Nika, Paige, and Azzi will reprise the roles of Mo, Stewie, and Kia/KML.
IMO KK will earn some of Nika's PT, especially with her shake & bake dribbling moves & ability to score on all 3 levels.
Not me without your bias you should. Even more important who does Geno play in big moments? Go back to the FF loss to Arizona, Aubrey started, an injured Nika came in and played 22 minutes to 7 for Aubrey. This season a healthy Aubrey sat the last quarter while a working back into shape Caroline played. Another few instances, in the Maryland game when UConn needed a stop she backed away from Miller who then hit an open 3, these all from the SC game when UConn fouled to put SC on the line instead of going after the player she backed off that required Nika then Lou to foul, both fouled out, last UConn chance down 3 needed a steal on the inbounds instead of guarding the receiver of the inbounds she again backed off until after the pass was received.
I'd take that bet because we do this dance every single year with newcomers. A year ago we were saying the same things about Ayanna as everyone wondered how many dunks she would have this season. A year from now we'll have comments after every game asking why Geno doesn't play KK. The fact of the matter is, the list of kids that can go from high school to college and have an immediate impact is short even at UConn where Geno adds a new batch of the country's top talent to the team each season.
Aubrey academically, is in her last semester as a Senior, and is presently on target to graduate this Spring. PS - I can see Geno starting a healthy Caroline Ducharme over Aubrey Griffin next season, if he doesn't go with ICE Brady as the replacement for Dorka, in order maintain size down low.
Boy you must really hate Nika's defense
Now wait a second. Are you saying Aubrey does not get an NC this year? Are you Carnac or something?
