Azura

[rvwsleep]

Today in WCBB its about coaching a group of women that accept discipline, are coachable, and are willing to play as a team. In the old days it was about getting the best player, and there werent as many as there is now and out talenting opponents for the most part. Geno came along and brought an entire new focus to the game. UConns continuous winning has afforded them to attract many top players. Players who are willing to do whatever it takes and are willing to following Genos demands because they know they will only get better. They trust Genos system because of what he's accomplished.

I've always considered the "buy in" part by top recruits to be the difference between Geno and other wcbb coaches.
He has developed, over a 30 year period, the ability to identify who, among the best high school players in the country, will think team first.
It's not an infallible system, but it's pretty close.

 

[Carnac]

Lucky! Lucky! Lucky! Lucky! Was UConn! No ifs, ands, or buts about it!

We'll take that. Never knock "Lady Luck". How would YOU like to go into a casino or race track, and have her stick to you like glue (sit on your lap every time you sit down) the entire time you're there? And when it comes to playing sports, I'd much rather be "LUCKY" than good. I hope they're just as "Lucky! Lucky! Lucky! Lucky!" this season as well.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Lucky! Lucky! Lucky! Lucky! Was UConn! No ifs, ands, or buts about it!

No luck about it except for Z---she gets to play at Uconn--Geno and his 11 NC's is a magnet for those want to win an NC. (a bit of jest here, but some truth too).
In terms of Z being on the team---if all the speculation is only half correct and she can play Kiah Stokes defense--Uconn shall whiz through the NCAA teams. Before I proclaim them 2018 National Champions --I'd like to see them play a bit. Although I have a feeling they will win the AAC.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Today in WCBB its about coaching a group of women that accept discipline, are coachable, and are willing to play as a team. In the old days it was about getting the best player, and there werent as many as there is now and out talenting opponents for the most part. Geno came along and brought an entire new focus to the game. UConns continuous winning has afforded them to attract many top players. Players who are willing to do whatever it takes and are willing to following Genos demands because they know they will only get better. They trust Genos system because of what he's accomplished.

No argument--and since you know so much about Uconn WBB---Didn't Geno use the rugged practices, demands on Defense, and demands players be team players, in the old days of Sue, Dt, Swin ,Sveta etc--I suppose I should ask you to define --old days since they have a different meaning to me than to others. Questions not argument.
When Geno could and they met his model of a Uconn player--he recruited the best of the best and was highly, if not always, successful. Those years when he had one of those players highly in demand--he won NC's --isn't that true????
Buy in by recruits-make them stay--and can't argue with 11NC's--Final 4's, Conference championships and WNBA rankings--great recruiting tools.

 

[Bestiarius]

Blah Blah Blah!
“Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity"
Seneca
Despite ALL the short comings you mentioned UConn was prepared enough to have an Undefeated regular season -WITHOUT AZURA'

Success is just a matter of luck, ask any failure.

 

[Jim R]

No luck about it except for Z---she gets to play at UConn--Geno and his 11 NC's is a magnet for those want to win an NC. (a bit of jest here, but some truth too).
In terms of Z being on the team---if all the speculation is only half correct and she can play Kiah Stokes defense--UConn shall whiz through the NCAA teams. Before I proclaim them 2018 National Champions --I'd like to see them play a bit. Although I have a feeling they will win the AAC.

 

[SVCBeercats]

No luck about it except for Z---she gets to play at UConn--Geno and his 11 NC's is a magnet for those want to win an NC. (a bit of jest here, but some truth too).
In terms of Z being on the team---if all the speculation is only half correct and she can play Kiah Stokes defense--UConn shall whiz through the NCAA teams. Before I proclaim them 2018 National Champions --I'd like to see them play a bit. Although I have a feeling they will win the AAC.

UCONN disparately needed a big with skills on offense and defense for the next two seasons. Luckily Stevens appears as a free agent for UCONN to pursue. Yes, she is fortunate to be coached by CD and Marisa as a big and by Geno as an integrated team player. So both UCONN and Stevens lucked out big time. As for her defense I don't think she is the blocker that Stokes was but she is a very good defender. She may not be a Stewie on offense; she is close though. So if she is 80+% of Stokes on defense and 80+% of Stewart on offense, UCONN has a winner particularly considering the returning starters.

 

[Carnac]

UConn disparately needed a big with skills on offense and defense for the next two seasons. Luckily Stevens appears as a free agent for UConn to pursue. Yes, she is fortunate to be coached by CD and Marisa as a big and by Geno as an integrated team player. So both UConn and Stevens lucked out big time. As for her defense I don't think she is the blocker that Stokes was but she is a very good defender. She may not be a Stewie on offense; she is close though. So if she is 80+% of Stokes on defense and 80+% of Stewart on offense, UConn has a winner particularly considering the returning starters.

Good post. Stokes was not the defensive specialist in high school that she was in college. The UConn staff emphasized defense, and coached her to become the shot blocker and rebounder she became. Who's to say the UConn staff hasn't done the same exact thing with Z? She's been in the program now for one full year.

They've had plenty of time to coach/develop her into the defensive player they want/need her to be. We'll find out in about 40 or so days. You know you can't get on Geno's floor if you can't/won't play defense. I understand she's very coachable. Azura is chomping at the bit to play again. I don't think she'll disappoint.

 

[bizarro aj]

Z will be a starter this season along with gabby, kls, nurse and Dangerfield with collier first off the bench.

 

[wes33]

Does this team have the most talented players ever ?

 

[Jim R]

Does this team have the most talented players ever ?

So much promise, and, as many of us hope and expect, a season to remember!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Does this team have the most talented players ever ?

No. And in one respect we still have a weakness until proven otherwise in PG play. But this team has great athleticism and offensive balance within Geno's system which they run with startling efficiency and speed.

 

[Jim R]

No. And in one respect we still have a weakness until proven otherwise in PG play. But this team has great athleticism and offensive balance within Geno's system which they run with startling efficiency and speed.

Thinking of our "weakness" at PG, I have to grin...what other teams would give for our weakness! Yes, while we don't have the Moriah or Sue running the show right now, Kia, and expect, Crystal, will do an excellent job, and just what we need to run the offense at full throttle. With our other pieces, and especially our height void that Z fills, not to mention her skill set, this season will leave many shaking their head, and measuring their success against our best.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Thinking of our "weakness" at PG, I have to grin...what other teams would give for our weakness! Yes, while we don't have the Moriah or Sue running the show right now, Kia, and expect, Crystal, will do an excellent job, and just what we need to run the offense at full throttle. With our other pieces, and especially our height void that Z fills, not to mention her skill set, this season will leave many shaking their head, and measuring their success against our best.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not losing sleep over our guard play. The "weakness" is relative; relative to the "greatest" which still is the back court of Sue and Dee.

 

[Jim R]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not losing sleep over our guard play. The "weakness" is relative; relative to the "greatest" which still is the back court of Sue and Dee.

Agreed

 

[oldude]

Thinking of our "weakness" at PG, I have to grin...what other teams would give for our weakness! Yes, while we don't have the Moriah or Sue running the show right now, Kia, and expect, Crystal, will do an excellent job, and just what we need to run the offense at full throttle. With our other pieces, and especially our height void that Z fills, not to mention her skill set, this season will leave many shaking their head, and measuring their success against our best.

I think Coombs will also be an outstanding PG.

 

[JoePgh]

Another potential problem is that there is really no backup for Azura. That is where Natalie's departure will hurt. If Azura gets in foul trouble or needs a rest, UConn will return to playing the way it did last year, with Gabby trying to guard the paint. I don't quite see how Napheesa / Batouly / Kyla can effectively guard opposing post players who are in the 6-4 to 6-7 height range.

 

[eebmg]

Another potential problem is that there is really no backup for Azura. That is where Natalie's departure will hurt. If Azura gets in foul trouble or needs a rest, UConn will return to playing the way it did last year, with Gabby trying to guard the paint. I don't quite see how Napheesa / Batouly / Kyla can effectively guard opposing post players who are in the 6-4 to 6-7 height range.

In this scenario, Azura would likely still have a large amount of minutes (20-25) so that using undersized defenders would only be for relatively brief periods. I believe this can even work in our favor since the change of defensive strategy and contrast of styles is often the best approach to defense not to mention the new problems our offensive speed has pulling these center behemoths out.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Another potential problem is that there is really no backup for Azura. That is where Natalie's departure will hurt. If Azura gets in foul trouble or needs a rest, UConn will return to playing the way it did last year, with Gabby trying to guard the paint. I don't quite see how Napheesa / Batouly / Kyla can effectively guard opposing post players who are in the 6-4 to 6-7 height range.

The bad is, you are right. There is no comparable backup. Gabby could reprise her role of last season. The good is, Azura committed 109 fouls in 58 games (1.9 fouls/G) at Duke with one FO. So she does not appear to have tendency to foul much. Still a potential issue.

 

[oldude]

Another potential problem is that there is really no backup for Azura. That is where Natalie's departure will hurt. If Azura gets in foul trouble or needs a rest, UConn will return to playing the way it did last year, with Gabby trying to guard the paint. I don't quite see how Napheesa / Batouly / Kyla can effectively guard opposing post players who are in the 6-4 to 6-7 height range.

Don't sell Batouly "short". At 6'2" she has "Tuck-like" strength and footwork. As a freshman at KY, Batouly had her best game vs SC in Columbia.

 

[TitleTown]

Z will be a starter this season along with gabby, kls, nurse and Dangerfield with collier first off the bench.

There is zero chance that Collier doesn't start!

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Another potential problem is that there is really no backup for Azura. ....I don't quite see how Napheesa / Batouly / Kyla can effectively guard opposing post players who are in the 6-4 to 6-7 height range.

How many 6-4 to 6-7 players are there? How many good ones are there? How many good ones will UConn face? Which title threats have any of these types of players? South Carolina had two of them last year and UConn did okay in that game.

 

[bizarro aj]

There is zero chance that Collier doesn't start!

I bet you thought chong wasn't starting last season! So who plays pg along with nurse? Don't even say gabby or kls because they are not guards. Dangerfield will run the point that is why geno recruited her. Geno will not forget how collier played against miss st in the ff. She will come off the bench to give Z a break. KLS will get the most playing time.

 

[Longtime fan]

She was special her first two years at Duke. As a sophomore she was an All-American Honorable Mention. She will be better the next two years. UConn lucked out when she decided to leave Duke. I cannot comprehend how anyone could think she will not start. Mobile, coordinated height is what this team needs. Expect from Stevens the following:

Kelsey Mitchell may have something to say about who the NPOY is?

The guard from OSU? No way. She is a scorer only, often to the detriment of her team's play.

 

[TitleTown]

I bet you thought chong wasn't starting last season! So who plays pg along with nurse? Don't even say gabby or kls because they are not guards. Dangerfield will run the point that is why geno recruited her. Geno will not forget how collier played against miss st in the ff. She will come off the bench to give Z a break. KLS will get the most playing time.

Nope