Azura Stevens Leaving | Page 12 | The Boneyard

Azura Stevens Leaving

UConnCat said:
After the Shepard decision schools would be crazy not to file waiver applications for every transfer. What's the worse that can happen? At the same time, I am 100% certain that the NCAA would never have granted a waiver for Azura Stevens to play immediately.
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I totally agree and I think the reason they do what they do has nothing to do with what is right;)
 
UConnCat said:
If coaches/players do file waiver applications in the future I would not follow the Dawn Staley playbook on how to get one approved.
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LOL that is so true.
 
Orangutan said:
Nebraska investigated Connie Yori and the result of that investigation was the resignation of Yori. Duke investigated JPM and the result was that JPM was retained and given a vote of confidence by the AD.
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I tend to agree. And ND will be " loaded " next year, if all those ACL's have healed. They should be ranked number 1 all year. ND always gets a much longer, deeper bench of talent than UCONN does. That's why they were able to accomplish what they did this season. UCONN won, in the past, because our top 6 were better than their top 6, and we played better defense.
 
Charliebball said:
very well put.......and yes call me crazy but I do believe that MW may very well have made a difference in that game but we will never know because she was left languishing on the bench.....all I ask is for a little consistency.....you want to say my opinion can't possibly be right because Geno said she wasn't good enough... that's fine but then don't all of a sudden call MW the second coming because you need her to perform next year due to others leaving unexpectedly..
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The thing no one dares mention about the use/non use, and the "trust/ non-trust" Geno did or did not have in her, is the following:

She may not be that good.

We all assume, because she was named HS POY, that she is of the quality of Katy Lou, Maya Moore, or even MKL. The committee may have made a mistake.

Did you watch that freshman at Texas A&M?

Walker did not impress me. I did begin to believe when she scored so well against ND and UCLA. But that quickly disappeared. In her last few appearances, she made a lay-up or two, but no outside shots. I think her rebounding was decent and her defense improved. But the person she was guarding usually scored. She never " jumped in and took over a game," as we saw Katy Lou, Maya and MKL do on several occasions of their freshman years. Especially when the games became important. And the ultimate measure; Geno did not use her one second in the final four. If you believe in coach Auriemma, and we all do , that tells you something.

I want to be way off here. But why do we assume she will be a superstar?
 
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UConnCat said:
There would have a been cacophony of outrage had UConn applied and the NCAA granted a waiver for Azura Stevens and it wouldn't have mattered how many ACL tears the UConn program had suffered.
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Can I give 100 likes for this
 
UConnCat said:
There would have a been cacophony of outrage had UConn applied and the NCAA granted a waiver for Azura Stevens and it wouldn't have mattered how many ACL tears the UConn program had suffered.
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However, I do think that ND has opened up the door to similar waiver requests being granted. So if, by chance Lauren Cox decided she wanted to transfer from Baylor to UConn for “personal reasons,” I don’t see any reason why Geno wouldn’t ask for and receive a waiver to make Cox immediately eligible. :)
 
There is supposed to be change coming but the pressure is from the fact that the NCAA is being viewed as a money and power hungry organization and under a lot of pressure from lawsuits.
 
DaddyChoc said:
I dont, I think the Chong team was better!
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That wasn’t the question.

Do you think this year’s team would have been better without Azurá?
 
I think every player has the right to move on to start their money making career. Do I think she could have improved a whole lot by staying at Uconn, absolutely.
 
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wallman said:
I think every player has the right to move on to start there money making career. Do I think she could have improved a whole lot by staying at Uconn, absolutely.
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The question is, do you think Geno would have taken Azura, if he knew that he had to give two years of scholarship for one season of playing? All of Geno's quotes indicate that he was looking forward to working with Azura for another year. Hard to tell when Geno knew that Azura was leaving early.
 
Plebe said:
I'd bet my right arm that he's not. Azurá isn't the type of kid to make a rash decision due to one loss.

And aside from that, check out the poster's history. Seemingly out of nowhere, he suddenly becomes a prolific purveyor of doom and gloom. This place has become the Revenge of the Debbie Downers.
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I don't believe it was a decision made after one loss. It's possible it was an accumulation of things. However, I saw a recent interview with Z and there was no indication of discontent. That interview had me believing she would return. Of course it's just speculation but, maybe someone got in her ear. Oh well, the team will miss her, especially on offense.
 
UConnNick said:
I'm not the least bit surprised that Stevens is leaving. I'm not sure she was ever comfortable with Geno's transformation of her into a low post banger. She played the wing at Duke for two years, correct?
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I suspect that that was not her only area of discomfort. I for one would have been surprised if she had stayed for one more year. Not every player can hang with Geno and the Uconn program. You need to read between the lines of Geno's quotes on Stevens. Players are not as coach able as they once were.
 
Azura Stevens surprised Auriemma by announcing she was foregoing her final year of college eligibility to enter the WNBA draft. In the school’s release, Auriemma wished Stevens the best. He had nothing to add Tuesday.
 
j66kicker said:
Griner is trim, but she is very big and strong. I’ve met her face-to-face and she is ripped. I told her I was a UConn fan, but I will confess I was scared. VERY large person.

I’m bummed that we lost, but not too discouraged about Z moving on. We have 3 returning starters including 2 AAs, plus some really nice other pieces. We had one off recruiting year (the rising juniors), but we have a returning HS #1 with a year of UConn under her belt, and 2 more super-elite recruits coming in. To me the wild card is health. If KLS (foot & ankle), Pheesa (feet), Crystal (shins) & Batouly (knee) all come back at 100% then I don’t think another undefeated regular season, #1 seed and FF appearance is out of the question at all. Really, we will have THREE HS #1’s - who else has this level of elite talent?
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This all sounds logical the way you explained it, but is as many here, seems to be either overly optimistic or overly pessimistic.
Having a HS #1 doesn't necessarily mean a thing. MW has an enormous amount of work to do mentally and physically, to become a meaningful part of next years team. While it's surely doable, it's also very possible she becomes a good support player.
I truly hope that CW and Ono now start but that will mean two freshman playing strong roles, when it is hard for even one to do that.
We clearly had one off recruiting year, with potentially a second following that one.
I think an undefeated season is almost impossible. A #1 seed highly unlikely, and a final four appearance requires every part to fall into place.
Also talent doesn't often or even usually translate to any of those three things happening. Look at Texas or even Baylor, as two examples of great talent not going as far as anticipated.
I do though believe next years team, baring any significant injuries, to be better than expected now. I think Geno will be unburdened by the pressure of a 100+ game winning streak and two undefeated seasons going into the FF. I think he will coach his butt off and enjoy it more. I believe that KLS will get better, score more, and continue being a better, more balanced player. Pheesa also will have a great season and take over more of the load. Crystal will hopefully be over her shin splints and will have learned a lot to make her even better than she was this year. Some of the remaining players will need to step up. I'm guessing that CW will begin her journey to become legendary. Ono will have to grow faster than she should have to. MW will improve and become a solid first sub. Then whether it be Kayla, Batouly or Coombs will have their opportunities to be part of the mix.
I believe we will lose 2-4 regular season games, which actually will become a good thing. I'm hoping for them to get to and through the Elite Eight, which will be a significant accomplishment. Them hopefully the next two years we will bring in strong recruiting classes and be right back in the front or middle of everything. As evidenced by the four teams in the FF, there's much more talent and equality in the women's game, which is wonderful.
Bronx23
 
Azura was coached by Geno and his staff for 2 years. Maybe she felt she had learned as much as she needed to compete at the next level. Maybe she felt she was underutilized this season because Geno didn't trust her enough. I don't watch as many UConn games as you all do, but in the games I saw her play, I thought she was very effective. Yet, she wasn't a starter and she often wasn't in the game at crucial times. It wasn't like there was another player of her size at UConn that she had to compete with, yet Geno seemed to prefer to go with a smaller line up rather than play her more. You all had Natalie Butler transfer and she also wasn't utilized at UConn the way she was at Georgetown or George Mason - which I assume is why she left. I could understand that Natalie might have been a little below your other starters, but I think Z is very talented and would have started at any other top program.
 
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MilfordHusky said:
I want to address 2 points.

I think Geno demanded perfection from Megan, because he could afford to last year, as he had 6 superb players ahead of her. He also sees her potential and is pushing her hard. Next year, he will be in the position of perhaps having to let some underclassmen play through (minor) mistakes.

Let’s talk about Megan in a year or two or three. Other than maybe Chennedy Carter, there are not many players in her class who will reach a level that Megan will. The talent is clearly there.
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So many here, including you, whom I usually respect their opinions and insights, I just don't get the huge expectations for MW based upon her play this year. Yes she had a few games and a few more moments where she showed potential.
I truly hope to be wrong about MW but I think it's all quite a bit overblown and may actually hold her back. At very best, I see her as a 2nd or 3rd team AA and that too will take a lot of work and enormous progress. She surely will have all the opportunity in the world with three of our best players leaving.
While Geno could (although I doubt he will) ease up a bit on his expectations for freshman, all of you should be very careful what you wish for. I believe the last two losses in the semi-finals have to do much with other issues than his treatment and expectations placed upon the freshman.
Bronx23
 
Good luck to Z.
However, this is not the end of the world. Basketball is a game of minutes, a total of 200 per game. The remaining players will now get more of them, and need to produce.
I have been saying all year that Megan Walker needed more game time to develop. ooops.
We will have a different style, but with MW, CW , Lou...we will be raining threes down on everyone's heads.
 
Aluminny69 said:
The question is, do you think Geno would have taken Azura, if he knew that he had to give two years of scholarship for one season of playing? All of Geno's quotes indicate that he was looking forward to working with Azura for another year. Hard to tell when Geno knew that Azura was leaving early.
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I don’t think he would’ve taken her if she didn’t commit to 2 years. Obviously a lot can change (and has changed) in that time frame. My guess is Azura had aspirations to be more of a focal point in the offense and probably realized she wasn’t going to be the go to player at UCONN next season. I also think she enjoyed playing in the high post or perimeter more than as a low post threat, which is primarily where she played this year at UCONN. I personally think she’d reap much greater benefits by sticking around 1 more season, but I think she has the skills to become a strong WNBA player and she likely is a top 5 draft pick. Could be #2.
 
ScarlettB said:
Azura was coached by Geno and his staff for 2 years. Maybe she felt she had learned as much as she needed to compete at the next level. Maybe she felt she was underutilized this season because Geno didn't trust her enough. I don't watch as many UConn games as you all do, but in the games I saw her play, I thought she was very effective. Yet, she wasn't a starter and she often wasn't in the game at crucial times. It wasn't like there was another player of her size at UConn that she had to compete with, yet Geno seemed to prefer to go with a smaller line up rather than play her more. You all had Natalie Butler transfer and she also wasn't utilized at UConn the way she was at Georgetown or George Mason - which I assume is why she left. I could understand that Natalie might have been a little below your other starters, but I think Z is very talented and would have started at any other top program.
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Who would you have benched in order to start Z? NDPOY Gabby? POY candidate KLS? Collier who led the country in FG%? Dangerfield the top PG recruit in her class? Or Kia the best overall shooter on the team and one of the top defenders in the country? You'd sit one of those five for someone who was still learning the UConn system, can't play defense, can't shoot beyond five feet from the basket, and fouls at a high rate? I was really expecting more out of Z this year, but counted on her being a beast her second year and so did Geno saying that she could be a POY candidate by the time he was done coaching her. If she left over playing time, that's dumb because even she had to know she was a starter come next season.
 
I'm not disappointed that Z declared for the draft. I am somewhat surprised, though. I was talking to my wife the other day, and we both agreed that she needs another year under Geno and CD. She was a wing at Duke and has only scratched the surface in terms of becoming a post player. As others have pointed out, I don't think she'll be strong enough to play post in the W; I'm not sure she'll even be a 4. CD is the master of teaching foot work, and Z's footwork on defense just isn't there; on offense it leaves quite a bit to be desired.

She'll likely go high because you can't teach 6'6, but she'll be a project for whoever takes her.

Does anyone know how much real instruction happens in the WNBA?
 
I think everyone is overanalyzing Z’s reasons for leaving. She’ll get her undergraduate degree in a few weeks. She’s elevated herself to possibly #2 in the draft, and between the WNBA & overseas, she has an opportunity to earn some real money.

One other element that everyone seems to overlook is that maybe Z has no real interest in another year of college. I know I didn’t after 4 years of college, although I did eventually earn a masters in my late 20’s.
 
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HoopsFan21 said:
Who would you have benched in order to start Z? NDPOY Gabby? POY candidate KLS? Collier who led the country in FG%? Dangerfield the top PG recruit in her class? Or Kia the best overall shooter on the team and one of the top defenders in the country? You'd sit one of those five for someone who was still learning the UConn system, can't play defense, can't shoot beyond five feet from the basket, and fouls at a high rate? I was really expecting more out of Z this year, but counted on her being a beast her second year and so did Geno saying that she could be a POY candidate by the time he was done coaching her. If she left over playing time, that's dumb because even she had to know she was a starter come next season.
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I'm not saying she should have started over any of the players you mentioned, but IMO she could have, depending on the situation. She also may have wanted to and felt she worked hard enough to, without seeing her desired results. Maybe she felt she had given all she had to give and it wasn't working out quite the way she envisioned. If that is the case, it is for the best that she moved on.
 
Better beat up on MSU next year and even that will be hard to do with Big T but in two years Vic will unleash the "Sick Sophomores":
PG- Myah Taylor(5'7" 5 star recruit from outside of Memphis)
SG- Andra Espinoza-Hunter(5'11" 5 star recruit from outside of NYC)
SF- Xaria Wiggins(6'1" 4 star recruit from Virginia Beach)
PF- Jessika Carter(6'4" 5 star recruit from the Atlanta area)
C- Daphane White(6'5" 5 star recruit from the MS gulf coast)
Like I said...you better get us next year because after that...we gonna be fierce for a while :)
 
msugrad00 said:
Better beat up on MSU next year and even that will be hard to do with Big T but in two years Vic will unleash the "Sick Sophomores":
PG- Myah Taylor(5'7" 5 star recruit from outside of Memphis)
SG- Andra Espinoza-Hunter(5'11" 5 star recruit from outside of NYC)
SF- Xaria Wiggins(6'1" 4 star recruit from Virginia Beach)
PF- Jessika Carter(6'4" 5 star recruit from the Atlanta area)
C- Daphane White(6'5" 5 star recruit from the MS gulf coast)
Like I said...you better get us next year because after that...we gonna be fierce for a while :)
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This is relevant to Azura how?
 
bballnut90 said:
Obviously a lot can change (and has changed) in that time frame. My guess is Azura had aspirations to be more of a focal point in the offense and probably realized she wasn’t going to be the go to player at UCONN next season.
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I was going to respond to the bolded part with: More of a focal point in an offense with Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier?? Then I realized she committed after their freshman year, before they became a top-scoring tandem. Then that goes back to the first sentence in your post. A lot DID change, before she ever played a game. Great and thoughtful post, I hadn't thought of it that way.
 
bbballfan23 said:
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.
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Someone has been drinking and its not Geno.:p
 
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