Auditioning for 16/17

[JavaMan]

...Is Natalie really a starter? I can't say that I've seen starter-like performances. And can the team get by with only one true ball handler? I think they have to have either Chong or Crystal in there. If they don't, then their opponents double-team Kia constantly, forcing her to pass. And if we don't have another guard to help out, yikes!

I was hoping that Natalie would be more of a shot blocker and re-bounder than what we've seen so far. However, she is still a 6'5" wide body that can do more good than harm. She's not afraid to shoot, and has shown she can score. She's not afraid to mix it up, which will cause concern for some coming to the hoop. And...by starting and getting starter minutes, her experience, confidence, and skill set will grow immensely so that by this time next year, tournament time, she will be a much different and better husky than she is now. Coupled with the fact that we have no other big post option, I think she should be a starter.

Good points regarding the guard situation. The best scenario in my mind would be having Crystal comfortable and skilled enough to start at the 1 as a freshman, but in Geno's system, that's asking a lot. I don't know. I think Geno will start Saniya at the 1 and Kia at the 2 to begin the year, and hopefully that will work, but again, I don't know. I'm sure Geno will, like this year, tinker with his lineup until he finds the one that he thinks is best.

Losing the skill set of the dynamic duo after this year, I think we need Gabby starting regularly. She is a real challenge to guard and even more of a challenge as defender. She's a disrupter ...and a scorer. Like I mentioned regarding Nat, getting starter minutes, Gabby's experience, confidence, and skill set will grow immensely as well.

Let us not forget the ultimate goal is winning a NC, not sustaining a winning streak.

 

[CocoHusky]

Is a recruit that no service has listed among the top 100 players in the country actually start for UConn as a freshman?

Highly highly highly unlikely.

But entirely possible. Without Morgan next year there will be 2 post player on the roster (Kayla & Natalie) two other players capable of playing in the post (Gabby & Napheesa).
If you want to fall back or the relative rankings of the services then Kayla was ranked higher than Natalie coming out of high school. If you want to point out that Natalie is 3 inches taller than Kayla then I counter that by saying them Nat should be starting this year or at least playing more if height was the determining factor . The most skilled player starts. Kayla more skilled than Nat IMO.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I was hoping that Natalie would be more of a shot blocker and re-bounder than what we've seen so far. However, she is still a 6'5" wide body that can do more good than harm. She's not afraid to shoot, and has shown she can score. She's not afraid to mix it up, which will cause concern for some coming to the hoop. And...by starting and getting starter minutes, her experience, confidence, and skill set will grow immensely so that by this time next year, tournament time, she will be a much different and better husky than she is now. Coupled with the fact that we have no other big post option, I think she should be a starter.

Good points regarding the guard situation. The best scenario in my mind would be having Crystal comfortable and skilled enough to start at the 1 as a freshman, but in Geno's system, that's asking a lot. I don't know. I think Geno will start Saniya at the 1 and Kia at the 2 to begin the year, and hopefully that will work, but again, I don't know. I'm sure Geno will, like this year, tinker with his lineup until he finds that one that he thinks is best.

Losing the skill set of the dynamic duo after this year, I think we need Gabby starting regularly. She is a real challenge to guard and even more of a challenge as defender. She's a disrupter ...and a scorer. Like I mentioned regarding Nat, getting starter minutes, Gabby's experience, confidence, and skill set will grow immensely as well.

Let us not forget the ultimate goal is winning a NC, not sustaining a winning streak.

The Huskies will also need more 3-point potential on the court. Last night KLS sank 5 of 10 from 3 (yeah!!!), but the rest of the team went 2 for 17 (oops). So if Saniya isn't starting, the opposition will be able to focus on KLS on the perimeter, and potentially neutralize her. So the Huskies need more options from outside. And if I'm correct, Crystal is an outside threat. We would be losing two 40%-plus outside shooters in Breanna and Moriah. So a 3-point shooter and a big rebounder will be the team's big needs next year.

 

[JavaMan]

The Huskies will also need more 3-point potential on the court. Last night KLS sank 5 of 10 from 3 (yeah!!!), but the rest of the team went 2 for 17 (oops). So if Saniya isn't starting, the opposition will be able to focus on KLS on the perimeter, and potentially neutralize her. So the Huskies need more options from outside. And if I'm correct, Crystal is an outside threat. We would be losing two 40%-plus outside shooters in Breanna and Moriah. So a 3-point shooter and a big rebounder will be the team's big needs next year.

Sounds like a call for K. Irwin.

 

[JordyG]

Severe Violation! Next Years starting lineup should not/cannot be speculated on until after tax day . But since you started this.
Without Morgan

Starters
PG Nurse
SG KLS
F Gabby
F Kayla Irwin
F Collier

Regular Rotation players
Dangerfield & Chong for the guards
Butler for any of the forward positions.

Mostly. I just don't she a healthy, improved, stronger and more experienced Butler losing the starting position to Irwin. But frankly come time for the Big Show this will be a different, more hard nosed team than the one that begins the season. Maybe Irwin getting 20-25 mins by then. Maybe Danger 10-15. Maybe. If Gabby gets a leg up on her ball handling skills, she and KLS may switch positions depending on opponent or game situations. All of this of course dependent on an injury free year or no sudden changes on the Euro or JC acquisition front. Unfortunately BY-ers, look for a good 5 or 6 losses next year. I'm going to get my pleasure from watch Geno coach this less talented team that some nationally may write off.

 

[JordyG]

Two starting freshmen is not to many but a freshmen starting PG is too tall an order IMO. It takes time to understand and master the UCONN offense to be able to properly quarterback it. Stewie did not have to live in the post fulltime until this season because in the past she had the luxury of Dolson , Stokes and occasionally Morgan to take the pounding that playing in the post requires. That pounding in the post is exactly the reason I think it is a bad idea for KLS to become a front court player. She is simply not strong enough to defend in the post on a full time basis, Kayla is stronger and better equipped.

I've stated before its been many years since a freshman started at point. It's just too difficult. Unfortunately it's not just the intricacies of the position that hinders them. It's the atmosphere, the studies, the newness, the expectations (both external and internal) the different players, people, coaches, venues. If a PG is an extension of the coach does anyone believe understanding what Geno wants will come before the season opens? Yeah, KLS in the defensive post would be a mistake. Coach Parcells used to say when drafting linemen the first thing he looked for was a wide backside. Those with had longer and more effective careers. This goes for post players in basketball. Wide backside, strong upper body. KLS's body type, no matter how much stronger she gets precludes her as an effective post. Gabby as well. For Gabby jumping ability and positioning under the basket (the best on the team) isn't enough. For Pheese long arms and reading the ball off the rim (the best on the team) isn't enough. And she'll still need to improve her positioning under the basket just to be a better forward. Frankly, watching Geno coach this team will be one of the greatest pleasures I'll have next, or any year. Like it as not however, KLS WILL see significant minutes as a 3. Maybe most of her minutes next year.

 

[Kibitzer]

I believe it was HoF Coach Robinson at Grambling that explained his successful recruiting philosophy succinctly (words rhyme with "mile"):

"I look for players who are agile, mobile, and hostile."​

It sure worked for him.

 

[UcMiami]

I think the mistake people are making and i said the same thing on the earlier thread is the Cincinnati game was in no way an audition for 2016/17, if it was an audition at all (and I don't think it was- more on that in the next paragraph) it was for minutes in the post season this year. Geno, CD, Shea, and Marisa are completely focused on the next five weeks and this years team and are giving not one second of though to next fall. And they will not think about next fall until the day after the last game of the year.

The Cincinnati game was an attempt to shake the cobwebs out of the heads of the primary bench players - to get them out of their complacency that the starters and veterans on the team had everything under control and they could just coast through the rest of the season. That they had to take on some ownership of the games and what happened in the minutes they had on the court. And to my way of thinking it worked. Lou was starting but sort of coasting along, and she has not been coasting since Cincinnati, Collier had just drifted out of the line-up and further down the bench as the season went along, and she has actually been doing more with her minutes since Cincinnati - it hasn't been as dramatic as Lou, but it is noticeable. And maybe Butler was feeling frustrated and a little sorry for herself after the lousy way her season started and she too has been more active since. Ekmark too is looking better and doing more in her minutes. Chong is the only one who I don't think has shown significant change, whether it is still her injury or her confidence or whatever - their are a few more games for her to get on board, but ...

Uconn has a starting five plus one which is not ideal for the NCAAs - the coaches need to find at least one more players and likely two or three that they can trust enough to play in situation where the game is still being contested and one of those six for whatever reason needs to sit. Did they find those players in Cinci, no, but they did awaken the bench to the need and they are now running the auditions in every practice and every game.

To expect the Cincinnati starters to look like an experienced team that had been practicing as a unit for a month is completely unrealistic. To think what you saw in Cincinnati should it in fact be the opening day lineup next year will look anything like what that lineup would look like after a month of practice without the crutch of Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck if she leaves is like saying Uconn really doesn't need a month of practice next fall because the starting five were all on this years team so they know each other.

Anyway - my starting five for the first game next year:
Morgan or Butler/Collier
Collier/Williams
Samuelson
Nurse and Chong
Don't ever see Williams playing center and am just not sure if Butler or Collier will be the choice for center.
Danger Bent and Ekmark back up the guards - and sometimes Lou will slide into a guard spot.
Irwin, Collier/Williams, and Ekmark back up the wing/forwards with Butler/Collier also backing up Morgan if she is back.

 

[BigBird]

Not to throw a wrench (or unnecessary negative mojo) into the conversational gears, but who says that Morgan's knee holds up for another season of sport warfare in either the WNBA or UConn? Many of the posts so far have supposed that all Morgan has to do is -decide- what she wants and how things will turn out. Her knee gets the last word, however.

I love watching Morgan Tuck play, and I think her contributions to UConn WBB will be even more appreciated in retrospect than in the present tense. She is and was the real deal. But circumstances beyond anyone's control may be more telling in the end.

Said another way, if Morgan decides to return to UConn next year, having a back-up or replacement in mind and in the wings at that point still wouldn't be inappropriate.

 

[CocoHusky]

Not to throw a wrench (or unnecessary negative mojo) into the conversational gears, but who says that Morgan's knee holds up for another season of sport warfare in either the WNBA or UConn? Many of the posts so far have supposed that all Morgan has to do is -decide- what she wants and how things will turn out. Her knee gets the last word, however.

I love watching Morgan Tuck play, and I think her contributions to UConn WBB will be even more appreciated in retrospect than in the present tense. She is and was the real deal. But circumstances beyond anyone's control may be more telling in the end.

I have stated before backed up with supporting documentation the success rates for micro fracture surgery are very low and temporary and the reoccurrence of pain in the is an indication of failure and that additional surgery maybe required. Morgan needs now or will eventually need another surgery near term regardless of what she decides to do.

 

[meyers7]

I think the mistake people are making and i said the same thing on the earlier thread is the Cincinnati game was in no way an audition for 2016/17,

Ding ding ding.

The Cincinnati game was an attempt to shake the cobwebs out of the heads of the primary bench players - to get them out of their complacency that the starters and veterans on the team had everything under control and they could just coast through the rest of the season. That they had to take on some ownership of the games and what happened in the minutes they had on the court.

Ding MF ding.

 

[Vowelguy]

Uconn has a starting five plus one which is not ideal for the NCAAs - the coaches need to find at least one more players and likely two or three that they can trust enough to play in situation where the game is still being contested and one of those six for whatever reason needs to sit.
.

With Stewie, Mo, and Tuck, I think Geno is quite comfortable with a 6 player rotation. Of course he wants everyone to be ready. but once the elite 8 rolls around, there will be very little playing time for the bench.

 

[UcMiami]

With Stewie, Mo, and Tuck, I think Geno is quite comfortable with a 6 player rotation. Of course he wants everyone to be ready. but once the elite 8 rolls around, there will be very little playing time for the bench.

Yes, it is all about insurance in case of some crazy ref or momentary brain cramp from a player leading to two quick fouls.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I can't see freshmen in the starting 5 till maybe later in the season. To start the season IMO it will be:
PG Chong, SG Nurse, SF KLS, F Gabby and F Collier with Butler, and Dangerfield the first off the bench.
I hope that Butler works real hard during the off season to become stronger and faster (kind of what Dolson did) and if she does, she'll start.
Clearly Tuck's decision makes a huge difference to all of it as with Tuck as the undisuted leader of the team
it should be a final 4 type team. Without her, it will be a strugle (who will be the leader if Tuck does not stay? Nurse?) and while UConn will be a top 10 team (becouse we have Geno and no else does) i see the final 4 streak ending atleast for 1 season.
So, i'm really enjoing this amazing season and the great performances of Stewie, MoJeff and Tuck

I agree with you on next year's starting lineup. I think it will be a fun team no matter what.

 

[Carnac]

Nurse and KLS absolutely will start.
What little continuity and experience the team has will be from Nurse. No way she doesnt.

The other guard will be Chong or Dangerfield.
And 2 front line players from Gabby/Collier/Butler.

That top 7 will also get the majority of the playing time. Not convinced that Ekmark, Bent, Irwin will have a big impact next year.

OK, since we've pulled out our crystal balls, and are peering into the future, I have a question.
Who in your humble opinion, who will be the team leader next season if Tuck leaves?.

Chong will be the only senior. I don't see her stepping up and becoming the vocal leader that Stewie and Tuck are. So who is it going to be? I'm guessing either Gabby or Kia Nurse (or both). Team leadership I believe, will come from the ranks of the "junior" class. What say you?

 

[Go/huskies]

OK, since we've pulled out our crystal balls, and are peering into the future, I have a question.
Who in your humble opinion, who will be the team leader next season if Tuck leaves?.

Chong will be the only senior. I don't see her stepping up and becoming the vocal leader that Stewie and Tuck are. So who is it going to be? I'm guessing either Gabby or Kia Nurse (or both). Team leadership I believe, will come from the ranks of the "junior" class. What say you?

Wouldn't mind seeing the team take one Lou's personality, I think she'll be fit to lead the team next year.

 

[stamfordhusky]

There are a couple of JUCO "graduates" ( transfer is not the right word). You have to actually graduate from JUCO to become immediate eligible to play DI.

That is not necessarily true. If a player went juco because she didn't have the combination of grades/SAT's required by the NCAA to be eligible, then yes, she must get a juco degree. However if she had the grades/SAT's but chose to go juco anyway - perhaps because she had no scholarship offers or wanted to stay close to home or missed a key recruiting year due to injury or whatever - then she can transfer to a D1 school and be immediately eligible. Having said that, I have no idea who might fall into what category. It is not uncommon at a midmajor level for a player to leave a juco after a year. Not common at an elite level, however, since any player could enough to attract interest from a UConn would normally have had scholarship offers out of H.S.

 

[JordyG]

Wouldn't mind seeing the team take one Lou's personality, I think she'll be fit to lead the team next year.

Kia. Without a doubt. She's a talker on court, plays unbelievably hard, and understands how the offense need to set up. She will also need to take Danger and Molly under her wing.

 

[hoophuskee]

Don't care who starts - but what unit will have the most minutes? Geno was on WTIC this past week and said the game is becoming more perimeter/wing oriented. I love it!!! With that said would love to see if Collier/Gabby/KLS/Nurse/Danger can compete. Anyhow IMO UCONN will be formidable without Tuck. No reason why Nurse can't shoot like last year and shoot more like this past summer. And also take on some pg duties freeing THE REAL DANGER to also being a part-time the sg and pg. IMO Danger is "a career impact scorer." I think she is more like Hartley than Jefferson. Maybe Kahlid El-Amin?

Will Collier develop? Why not? Her shot as a frosh is much better than what Gabby's was last year. She's got handle. She can play defense. Last year Notre Dame was able to guard Stewie some minutes with a small player. Why can't Collier? For any real big center - if Butler struggles mightily - there are fouls to give and you can double-team or play a gimmick defense whoever guards the big center.

Generally real real good teams have three players they can go to. Our three will be Nurse, KLS and Gabby. Very few doubt KLS now. Another year for Gabby - why can't she score consistently? As for Nurse when it comes to scoring/shooting which do you believe-->? This year's Nurse or this past summer and last year? And frankly, I love KLS. Love love love her way of play. One thing is she is "soft" though. It will be a pleasure watching Geno get her tougher. I wonder next year when we are playing some very big teams /tall centers not built like brick house but tall- not so broad if KLS can defend spot minutes in the post when "it's all hands on deck" in the paint vs SOME (not all) top teams. No reason why a smaller team can't beat a taller team by outshooting them.

I just think KLS has a sense for the game which is exceptionally special --unless I am imagining. She looks so fluid. I'd be super stunned if she isn't at least 2nd team all-american. It seems much of what she does is with a purpose but yet it is right. I loved her interview when talking about her shot -she spoke of if she missed a couple in a row early she'd pout in some manner. I loved when she spoke of last game she missed a couple in a row - she said now even if miss "I'm taking" the next shot if I'm open. I love it.

I expect UCONN to make E8 then from there depends on matchups and games will be a dogfight. IMO UCONN can get to the finals even without Tuck next year. The floor can be spread. There can be fouls to give in the post. Shooting and skill can defeat size. One thing I think we know- Geno will be in rare form next year. No more laughing on the sidelines with Jefferson as to who intentionally missed free throws.

 

[hoophuskee]

I shared the same thought in a post right after the game. I said I did not like what I saw during that first quarter. Other posters responded saying I had nothing to worry about, that my concerns were groundless. Did Geno see what I saw?

I am NOT arguing with you. I respect your opinion. Just wondering what you think now? Has anything changed from your pov?


1—How good do you think KLS will be? My guess is next year she’ll be at least 2nd team all-american? How good do you think she’ll be?

2—How about Gabby? From what you have seen – where do you see her game next year? The same? Just good in spurts? Or more consistent? Do you think she is hitting 15 foot shots well? Better decision-making? Nationally do you think she’ll be at least close to all-american status?

3—Nurse- other than shooting the ball this year- does she do anything sub-par? Yeah she puts her head down rushing into traffic, but maybe not as much? And during the summer and last year she has competed well vs great competition. SO do you think her shooting will be sub-par again next year? If it goes back to more like her freshman year, how good do you think this threesome is? Might it be arguably amongst the top 5?

4—Last year Gabby couldn’t shoot outside 5-8 feet . Now her shot is okay. How do you think collier will be next year. Her handle is good right now, right? What about her defense? Good right. So do you expect her shot to improve and do you expect other ability to score around the basket will improve next year as a sophomore?

5—Would you say Butler is a bad player? I wouldn’t say so. Overall among centers and next year as an upperclass junior – I’d say a little above average? Would you agree?

6—Dangerfield – she is extremely high ranked. Wen UCONN gets a highly ranked guard they tend to be really really really really good, right? And some like Hartley, Doty and Montgomery impact the game early on, don’t they? So what is your expectation?

And do you think UCONN will get no positive contributions from Chong (Looks like she is in the doghouse right now.), Ekmark, Irwin or Bent?

 

[Carnac]

The opinion that I shared about the unit that started the Cincy game has not changed. I understand the observations from the posters that responded to my comment. The consensus: "I have nothing to be concerned about". The fact still remains that Cincy played them EVEN until Geno brought in the regular starters off the bench. Then things turned around for the Huskies.

It is what it is. Cincinnati is not a juggernaut. They're not an elite team, yet they matched UConn basket for basket.
As I mentioned, they are a sub 500 team. They may have play well today individually, but that day as a unit against Cincy, they could have played a little better. I thought the five that started that evening, may well be the five he sends out there the first game in November. Based on what we have now, and the talent that's coming in, I think we should be able to compete with anyone. but that remains to be seen.

Only one other poster agreed with me and shared my concern. So I'll just wait until November to see how competitive the team Geno starts will be. That's eight months from now. A lot can happen between now and then. I'll reserve any thoughts or comments about individual players until the Christmas break. Those that are returning have the entire summer to work on their respective weaknesses.

Right now, I'm going to enjoy the rest of this whirlwind ride we're on. I'm going to saver every moment of what's left in this season. Next season will take care of it's self.

 

[NewCorn]

The opinion that I shared about the unit that started the Cincy game has not changed. I understand the observations from the posters that responded to my comment. The consensus: "I have nothing to be concerned about". The fact still remains that Cincy played them EVEN until Geno brought in the regular starters off the bench. Then things turned around for the Huskies.

It is what it is. Cincinnati is not a juggernaut. They're not an elite team, yet they matched UConn basket for basket.
As I mentioned, they are a sub 500 team. They may have play well today individually, but that day as a unit against Cincy, they could have played a little better. I thought the five that started that evening, may well be the five he sends out there the first game in November. Based on what we have now, and the talent that's coming in, I think we should be able to compete with anyone. but that remains to be seen.

Only one other poster agreed with me and shared my concern. So I'll just wait until November to see how competitive the team Geno starts will be. That's eight months from now. A lot can happen between now and then. I'll reserve any thoughts or comments about individual players until the Christmas break. Those that are returning have the entire summer to work on their respective weaknesses.

Right now, I'm going to enjoy the rest of this whirlwind ride we're on. I'm going to saver every moment of what's left in this season. Next season will take care of it's self.

I can't resist teasing you a little. Against Tulane, the regular first unit (except for Polly being in the first two minutes) scored only 8 points, against Tulane! So obviously UConn can't possibly win the NC this year, based on that one quarter. My point is it is so difficult to draw conclusion about any group of players based on a few minutes of play. This is especially true when that unit has not played together often. If Geno had been able to start that unit in several games, our opinions might be far different. My guess is that UConn will be top five team next year, lose three or four games, and getting NC #12 will be quite difficult.

 

[hoophuskee]

The opinion that I shared about the unit that started the Cincy game has not changed. I understand the observations from the posters that responded to my comment. The consensus: "I have nothing to be concerned about". The fact still remains that Cincy played them EVEN until Geno brought in the regular starters off the bench. Then things turned around for the Huskies.

It is what it is. Cincinnati is not a juggernaut. They're not an elite team, yet they matched UConn basket for basket.
As I mentioned, they are a sub 500 team. They may have play well today individually, but that day as a unit against Cincy, they could have played a little better. I thought the five that started that evening, may well be the five he sends out there the first game in November. Based on what we have now, and the talent that's coming in, I think we should be able to compete with anyone. but that remains to be seen.

Only one other poster agreed with me and shared my concern. So I'll just wait until November to see how competitive the team Geno starts will be. That's eight months from now. A lot can happen between now and then. I'll reserve any thoughts or comments about individual players until the Christmas break. Those that are returning have the entire summer to work on their respective weaknesses.

Right now, I'm going to enjoy the rest of this whirlwind ride we're on. I'm going to saver every moment of what's left in this season. Next season will take care of it's self.

Okay. Looks like I can't convince you that what was showed one year from young players can have little bearing from what will show the following year. I tried.

You see players like KLS improve a ton from early on to late in the same season. Yet you don't see the young player's that played during that stretch (such as Gabby) having very much odds of improving a lot for the next year? More stagnant?

 

[rugbymate]

Severe Violation! Next Years starting lineup should not/cannot be speculated on until after tax day . But since you started this.
Without Morgan

Starters
PG Nurse
SG KLS
F Gabby
F Kayla Irwin
F Collier

Regular Rotation players
Dangerfield & Chong for the guards
Butler for any of the forward positions.

Coco....I'm a major fan of yours and how you think about the team. However, projecting Irwin to be in the starting lineup is a very bold prediction. IMO, she will ultimately be a productive asset for UCONN but probably not until her soph year at the earliest. I suspect CD will get more playing time than KI but not as a starter.

 

[Carnac]

Okay. Looks like I can't convince you that what was showed one year from young players can have little bearing from what will show the following year. I tried.

You see players like KLS improve a ton from early on to late in the same season. Yet you don't see the young player's that played during that stretch (such as Gabby) having very much odds of improving a lot for the next year? More stagnant?

I completely agree that the team will be better than they showed. In Geno I trust. I fully expect ALL of the returning players to improve their individual skills and understanding of the game over the summer. I know they CAN improve. I EXPECT them to improve. My question is WILL they improve to the point to be able to beat the Baylors, The NDs, The South Carolinas? Those are the teams I'm concerned about. I'm not worried about conference teams.

I wished Geno had let that unit play the entire half, then we could have gotten more minutes to critique them.
Geno brought the bench in at approximately the 3:38 minute mark (I believe) of the first quarter. So that gave us 4 minutes and some change to observe them. They were not able to stop Cincy. They just traded baskets. I'm sure Jamelle Elliott was hoping Geno would leave that unit in for a long period of time. She had to be enjoying what she was seeing.

hoophuskee, I'll be the first to post a comment at the end of the year (Christmas break) if you were prophetic, and I hope you are. Remember, I'm not casting any doom or gloom over the program. And I'm not suggesting that it might be a long season next year. I'm just saying I didn't like what I saw from that unit, and I'm a little concerned. Geno will figure something out, he always does.