Azura Stevens Leaving | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Azura Stevens Leaving

:::::: scrambling to go watch a lot more film on ONO :::::::::::::::::

Crossing my fingers that ONO will give us quality minutes by tournament time next year. She has a lot of tools, but still raw. This may be a year somewhat like Stef's freshman year. Not identical, but similarities. Kyla and 'Touly are there as well, but ONO will be the wild card come next spring.
 
CL82 said:
Oh he'd consider it, the question is whether they'd be ready to contribute.

Right now it looks like:

Crystal
Lou
Pheesa
Megan
Batouly
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how would you know if they are ready to contribute............they barely played...........next year's freshmen are sure going to play whether he likes it or not.............shame it had to come to that
 
Well....this sucks. Every year after the season ends (with a championship or not) I always log on to the Boneyard with bated breath afraid of what I might see. I wish we could get through an off season without the news of someone leaving.
 
Golden Husky said:
Not surprised. We had this discussion last summer and while many expressed the view that Geno had a two-year "commitment" from Z, I thought H.L. Menken's line, "When they tell you it's not about money, it's about money" would prevail. I'm sorry to have gotten this one right.

The Menken observation and my prediction, aside, you guys know way more about this than I do so does this mean CW is a near-lock to start as a freshman? Can a front line of Pheesa, Lou and Walker get enough rebounds? Is it possible that ONO starts?

Time for you astute, long-time UConn women's basketball observers to make some assessments.
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UCONN will be fine for the most part. The only teams that look really imposing now are Baylor and Notre Dame, since both have an outstanding post combination with a great passer from the high post (Cox/Shepard). Jessica Shepard in particular looks like a nightmare now for the Huskies. If Mississippi State plays UCONN, I really don't see how anyone on UCONN's roster has a prayer against McCowan, but on the flipside, no one else for Mississippi State is dangerous.

UCONN has managed fine with smaller lineups in the past, the key is they need other players to emerge as strong rebounders even if they aren't tall. Rebounding is mostly about positioning, effort, and being able to recognize where the ball is going to go. I'd look for Walker to fill this void if she can get out of Geno's dog house. She's a good rebounder and has size and athleticism. Collier is a strong rebounder too and has long arms which helps. Past players who've excelled as undersized rebounders include Faris, Gabby Williams, DT, Barbara Turner, Kalana Greene, etc.

UCONN does have ONO inside, too. From what I've seen, she does look a bit more raw, but her upside is huge. It's likely going to take her a little bit to adjust to the college game, but I think by the end of the year she could be very good.

What you lose in Stevens is a reliable scoring presence inside and a good passing post player. The passing aspect is huge. Stevens averaged almost 2 assists per game as a 6-6 center playing just 20 minutes a night. Losing that, plus Gabby's 5 assists per game hurts big time IMO. Walker/ONO/Camara are likely not going to be as good at finding open teammates (and keeping turnovers low) as Azura. I think this will be Geno's most challenging season since maybe 2011-12 when they lost Moore, but UCONN will still be a heavy Final Four favorite and should be the #2 preseason team in the country.
 
.-.
HoopsFan21 said:
Also, if you had told me at the start of the year that Z would leave, I would have given Megan a lot more run than someone that was just using the program for a year to get to the next level. I'm actually kinda pissed about this.
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I've been preaching about the need to develop the bench from day one but you all said leave it to Geno................well like it or not, Walker, Coombs and the two freshmen are seeing the court next year unless there's more news to come.......
 
Z may be in trouble and get left-overs if the 6'7" gal from MS decides to leave early....we wish her all the best, could of used another year of solid development, but if push comes to pull she could go "Off-Shore"....
This is going to be an exciting year for Geno...
 
bballnut90 said:
UCONN will be fine for the most part. The only teams that look really imposing now are Baylor and Notre Dame, since both have an outstanding post combination with a great passer from the high post (Cox/Shepard). Jessica Shepard in particular looks like a nightmare now for the Huskies. If Mississippi State plays UCONN, I really don't see how anyone on UCONN's roster has a prayer against McCowan, but on the flipside, no one else for Mississippi State is dangerous.

UCONN has managed fine with smaller lineups in the past, the key is they need other players to emerge as strong rebounders even if they aren't tall. Rebounding is mostly about positioning, effort, and being able to recognize where the ball is going to go. I'd look for Walker to fill this void if she can get out of Geno's dog house. She's a good rebounder and has size and athleticism. Collier is a strong rebounder too and has long arms which helps. Past players who've excelled as undersized rebounders include Faris, Gabby Williams, DT, Barbara Turner, Kalana Greene, etc.

UCONN does have ONO inside, too. From what I've seen, she does look a bit more raw, but her upside is huge. It's likely going to take her a little bit to adjust to the college game, but I think by the end of the year she could be very good.

What you lose in Stevens is a reliable scoring presence inside and a good passing post player. The passing aspect is huge. Stevens averaged almost 2 assists per game as a 6-6 center playing just 20 minutes a night. Losing that, plus Gabby's 5 assists per game hurts big time IMO. Walker/ONO/Camara are likely not going to be as good at finding open teammates (and keeping turnovers low) as Azura. I think this will be Geno's most challenging season since maybe 2011-12 when they lost Moore, but UCONN will still be a heavy Final Four favorite and should be the #2 preseason team in the country.
Expand ...
Don’t let stats deceive you. Those 2 assist per game were bc she was playing along 3 AA’s. She was the worst passer on our roster. Quite honestly, the offense became stagnant with her in.
 
.-.
At least Crystal has a sense of humor:

"I was talking to CD (associate head coach Chris Dailey) the other day. Olivia runs the floor hard. She has a motor that's different than most high school kids. Now that I know what a motor is supposed to look like, she has a good one."
 
Irishfan said:
It doesn’t need to be a grad transfer. Often the NCAA will allow a transfer to play without sitting out a year. As long as the transfer is for personal reasons.
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:confused:
 
bballnut90 said:
I think this will be Geno's most challenging season since maybe 2011-12 when they lost Moore, but UCONN will still be a heavy Final Four favorite and should be the #2 preseason team in the country.
Expand ...

Doubt they're top-5 now. No depth, no size, two best defenders gone, two best rebounders gone.
 
Charliebball said:
based on Geno's strange rotation last year..... Kyla Irwin..
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I've gotta think it's Megan. Unless he wants to go with Olivia.

Kyla is a smart player, but her athleticism is not close to elite.
 
.-.
I never thought she would leave so I am really surprised but what can you do?

I wonder if part of her decision process was that in this draft, she may be considered the 2nd best center after Wilson. MR's stock is not that high I believe so she may think she would be picked earlier than MR, Gulich or Vadeeva?

2018 WNBA Mock Draft - WNBA - DraftSite.com


The following year, she would be competing with Brown and McCowan + others I am not sure of?

Other opinions by those more knowlegdeable regarding draft positioning are welcome.
 
HoopsFan21 said:
So who is our post player next year? Kyla? If I'm Geno I go all in on ONO from day one. If next year is going to be a rebuilding year of sorts (by UConn standards of course), then let's get something out of it.
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but only if she earns it every minute in practice.............maybe Coombs and Walker with still be on the bench next year..........if Geno really wants to stick to his guns on his philosophy that's the time to do it
 
Irishfan said:
It doesn’t need to be a grad transfer. Often the NCAA will allow a transfer to play without sitting out a year. As long as the transfer is for personal reasons.
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Really? Has that happened recently?
 
Sluconn Husky said:
Doubt they're top-5 now. No depth, no size, two best defenders gone, two best rebounders gone.
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Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure their best rebounder this year was Pheesa. Two best scorers back & best playmaker (CD) back. Will for sure be top 5.
 
.-.
Aluminny69 said:
It's too bad that Stevens didn't get to play last year, for personal reasons. Basically a wasted year, thanks to the NCAA....
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Considering that Duke launched an investigation of JPM and the Georgetown coaching situation was a mess a few years ago, a case could have been made for both Natalie and Azura to play immediately. Certainly, they had a stronger case than Shepard.
 
MilfordHusky said:
I've gotta think it's Megan. Unless he wants to go with Olivia.

Kyla is a smart player, but her athleticism is not close to elite.
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According to Geno Megan's clearly not ready........if she was she'd have played at least one minute in the semis.................
 
CL82 said:
Oh he'd consider it, the question is whether they'd be ready to contribute.

Right now it looks like:

Crystal
Lou
Pheesa
Megan
Batouly
Expand ...
Likely, you are correct.

And if anyone makes progress ( gets lucky recruiting ), we may finally lose an AAC game.
 
Charliebball said:
but only if she earns it every minute in practice...maybe Coombs and Walker with still be on the bench next year.....if Geno really wants to stick to his guns on his philosophy that's the time to do it
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Geno's philosophy is somewhat flexible. He had 6 really good players ahead of Megan et al. this year. He played freshmen Renee, Tina, Stefanie, and Bria, not because they were fully ready, but because they were the best options at their respective positions.
 
bbballfan23 said:
Haha guys we have an AA post player still. Her name is Napheesa Collier. Relax! ONO, Camara (spot minutes) & maybe a grad transfer will be our other bodies down low.
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A " Grad Transfer?" Like some 6'5" All American has been waiting for this opportunity?

Maybe in Nigeria.
 
.-.
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