- Joined
- Apr 24, 2022
- Messages
- 6,505
- Reaction Score
- 38,714
The sky isn't falling, but Geno & Co are probably rethinking lots of things now. For this year, it's a rotation of 8 -- we've been there before -- with 1 or 2 possible for outside of rotation minutes. This is not promising for an NC, but if Paige can engineer one anyway, this would put her on top of Mt. Rushmore. I'm rooting for her... and don't waste your breath trying to talk reason to me. Reason is just a mask for skepticism.
And no pessimism for next year, please. One possible lineup for 2024-25 could be KK Ash Q Jana and Ice. There's some fight in that group, especially KK Ashlynn and Jana. The rotation would include Ayanna Morgan and Allie for a total of 8 again, and it would include 2 5'10" leapers, 2 6'0" shooters (that's the current listing for Allie and Q), 2 at 6'2", 1 at 6'3" and 1 at 6'5". This is a taller team than the one that made it to the NC game against SC last time and they certainly didn't have an easy path to get there then.
But, if the gods decide to smile on Storrs again (hey, I can dream can't I?), the lineup could look like KK Ash Q Ice Jana Ayanna Sarah Paige Azzi Morgan and Allie. That's a clear 11 player rotation with 2 more for emergencies. I don't have nearly the same confidence about Paige and Azzi coming back next year, but it's certainly possible. They are besties, after all and the dream of playing together for a season is, I'm sure, tantalizing to them. And once again, we'd be able to say, "If this group is all healthy [sigh] they'd be one of the best teams in D1, if not the best."
So, I'm done crying in my beer. I can root for this group and have a damn good time doing it. I will love and celebrate whatever they accomplish, and I don't need any "realists" trying to tell me how dismal everything seems. Because when the tough get going, ain't no one tougher than Nika and Ashlynn and Paige and KK and Aaliyah, with Aubrey and Qadence and Ice bringing a bit of toughness off the bench.
And no pessimism for next year, please. One possible lineup for 2024-25 could be KK Ash Q Jana and Ice. There's some fight in that group, especially KK Ashlynn and Jana. The rotation would include Ayanna Morgan and Allie for a total of 8 again, and it would include 2 5'10" leapers, 2 6'0" shooters (that's the current listing for Allie and Q), 2 at 6'2", 1 at 6'3" and 1 at 6'5". This is a taller team than the one that made it to the NC game against SC last time and they certainly didn't have an easy path to get there then.
But, if the gods decide to smile on Storrs again (hey, I can dream can't I?), the lineup could look like KK Ash Q Ice Jana Ayanna Sarah Paige Azzi Morgan and Allie. That's a clear 11 player rotation with 2 more for emergencies. I don't have nearly the same confidence about Paige and Azzi coming back next year, but it's certainly possible. They are besties, after all and the dream of playing together for a season is, I'm sure, tantalizing to them. And once again, we'd be able to say, "If this group is all healthy [sigh] they'd be one of the best teams in D1, if not the best."
So, I'm done crying in my beer. I can root for this group and have a damn good time doing it. I will love and celebrate whatever they accomplish, and I don't need any "realists" trying to tell me how dismal everything seems. Because when the tough get going, ain't no one tougher than Nika and Ashlynn and Paige and KK and Aaliyah, with Aubrey and Qadence and Ice bringing a bit of toughness off the bench.