Azzi & Aubrey updates

[BRS24]

(whispering, again, I'd rather see Shade start and Azzi off the bench, but ok)

 

[MSGRET]

(whispering, again, I'd rather see Shade start and Azzi off the bench, but ok)

Brace yourself, you might not hear the end of it. I guess there will be some changes in the Prognosticator's Predictions with this news on Azzi playing.

 

[Centerstream]

Kinda surprised by the timeline for Aubrey. I thought that she had been participating in the pregame Warm-Ups for a few games now. I "assumed" this meant that she was close to being available. Well, you know what they say about people who assume... Really, really looking forward to her return. She should help the team tremendously!!!
And I feel bad for Ashlynn losing her starter status. Nothing against Azzi but I just thought that the Iowa State game was going to be followed by some really good games. I guess she will have to succeed off the bench...

 

[oldude]

Don’t be surprised to see UConn go small at some point in the game with Sarah at the 5, and some combination of Paige, Kaitlyn, Azzi, Ashlynn, KK & Morgan filling out the other 4 spots in the lineup.

 

[BRS24]

On second thought, the Chen/Azzi combo to start, and the KK/Shade off the bench could be fun.

 

[Bone Dog]

On second thought, the Chen/Azzi combo to start, and the KK/Shade off the bench could be fun.

I love second thoughts!

 

[Stagnant]

Interesting. I thought Azzi not even seeing the floor in the second half meant she was further away from being back ready to start.

 

[BRS24]

Interesting. I thought Azzi not even seeing the floor in the second half meant she was further away from being back ready to start.

IMHO she looked rusty and a bit hesitant, and if I were Geno, I would have done the same thing.

 

[Bald Husky]

Geno says Azzi will start, but that doesn't mean Kaitlyn will not start. Ice has not been playing well, at least I don't think so. She isn't producing enough offence, so don't be surprised if Ice was the odd woman out at the start.

 

[oldude]

Interesting. I thought Azzi not even seeing the floor in the second half meant she was further away from being back ready to start.

I was actually concerned that Azzi might have tweaked something in her knee, resulting in Geno keeping her out during the 2nd half. I’m quite relieved that she’s back in the starting lineup.

Clearly, Geno and his staff have evaluated the USC game tape and determined what many here on the BY have indicated, that for UConn to win a national championship this year, they will need another big time scoring option.

While the competition during the BE conference schedule shouldn’t pose a lot of difficulty for UConn, it provides the Huskies with a great opportunity to rebuild the chemistry between Paige, Azzi and the rest of the lineup, in order to make a serious run at #12.

 

[Stagnant]

Geno says Azzi will start, but that doesn't mean Kaitlyn will not start. Ice has not been playing well, at least I don't think so. She isn't producing enough offence, so don't be surprised if Ice was the odd woman out at the start.

I would like to see the video. Because I wonder if a reporter asked about Ice or Jana and what the plan would be at that position. I would love to see more consistency at the 5, with whatever we decide.

You are right. The assumption would be Shade, because that is what happened before. But it could be Chen that moves to the bench.

 

[ERWUC65]

I was actually concerned that Azzi might have tweaked something in her knee, resulting in Geno keeping her out during the 2nd half. I’m quite relieved that she’s back in the starting lineup.

Clearly, Geno and his staff have evaluated the USC game tape and determined what many here on the BY have indicated, that for UConn to win a national championship this year, they will need another big time scoring option.

While the competition during the BE conference schedule shouldn’t pose a lot of difficulty for UConn, it provides the Huskies with a great opportunity to rebuild the chemistry between Paige, Azzi and the rest of the lineup, in order to make a serious run at #12.

I believe that in the effort to get back into the USC game at halftime, especially noting that Ice and Jana were ineffective, Geno planned to go with the small 4 guard & Sarah lineup and that the pace would be frenetic. In that regard I am sure he felt Azzi was not yet ready for that, having just come off a knee sprain and still a bit fragile. What still bothers me about all that was his reluctance to use KK in the 4th period as she was one of the leaders of the comeback and looked still fit and ready to go. Any thoughts on that?

 

[freshler40]

Our small lineup was a handful in second half of the USC game. Geno has interesting options going forward. A message has been sent to the five position.

 

[oldude]

I believe that in the effort to get back into the USC game at halftime, especially noting that Ice and Jana were ineffective, Geno planned to go with the small 4 guard & Sarah lineup and that the pace would be frenetic. In that regard I am sure he felt Azzi was not yet ready for that, having just come off a knee sprain and still a bit fragile. What still bothers me about all that was his reluctance to use KK in the 4th period as she was one of the leaders of the comeback and looked still fit and ready to go. Any thoughts on that?

KK was clearly the catalyst on defense that started UConn’s comeback. Geno was weighing KK’s defense vs Kaitlyn’s offense. It was a close call. I’m not going to second guess going with Kaitlyn down the stretch. But certainly, you can make a strong argument for KK.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

You are right. The assumption would be Shade, because that is what happened before. But it could be Chen that moves to the bench.

Or it could be Ice, because she has offered little.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

KK was clearly the catalyst on defense that started UConn’s comeback. Geno was weighing KK’s defense vs Kaitlyn’s offense. It was a close call. I’m not going to second guess going with Kaitlyn down the stretch. But certainly, you can make a strong argument for KK.

If KK could consistently bring that much defensive heat game after game, it might be hard to keep her out of the starting lineup.

 

[ERWUC65]

Or it could be Ice, because she has offered little.

Not envying Geno here as Ice is already suffering from a confidence issue, and this stretch of easier games might be the time to work thru that?

 

[MSGRET]

UConn is playing Providence, a team that is rated #129 by Massey. They only average 58.8 pts a game and their tallest players are Olivia Olsen and Sarah Bandoma at 6'3". They average a combined 10 pts, 9.2 reb, 0.9 ast, 2.1 blk, 1.1 stl, 2.6 TO, 2.7 fls, and 31.7 minutes out of 200. I see Geno playing everyone and still running away with at least a 45 point win or more.

 

[BBallF]

Don’t be surprised to see UConn go small at some point in the game with Sarah at the 5, and some combination of Paige, Kaitlyn, Azzi, Ashlynn, KK & Morgan filling out the other 4 spots in the lineup.

You may even see it very quickly, if not to start, then certainly at the first break. And definitely expect a press with subs in and out. You just can’t ignore what we did with the press against SoCal in the second half. We have the personnel for the first time in years for it.

 

[Bone Dog]

Ice has not been playing well, at least I don't think so. She isn't producing enough offence, so don't be surprised if Ice was the odd woman out at the start.

Ice didn’t give the team what it needed against USC and she seems to have reverted to that fall away jumper which is not her best shot. When I see it, all I can think is she’s got no confidence for that game. It’s like she’s backing away from a fight. Jana and Sarah don’t do that.

Still I think Ice can put it back together again in the BE schedule.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Not envying Geno here as Ice is already suffering from a confidence issue, and this stretch of easier games might be the time to work thru that?

Agreed, but it could also be time to tell her (via a benching) that if you want your job back fight for it like your life depended upon it.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'm flying up tomorrow to see my local girl. I'd love to see the Fuddster begin a prolonged period of the excellence that she is capable of.

 

[meyers7]

Geno says Azzi will start, but that doesn't mean Kaitlyn will not start. Ice has not been playing well, at least I don't think so. She isn't producing enough offence, so don't be surprised if Ice was the odd woman out at the start.

Not according to Geno's comments. He was asked if they would go small. He said not necessarily. Ash would have to give what she has been, but in a different role....i.e. coming off the bench.

 

[meyers7]

I'm flying up tomorrow to see my local girl. I'd love to see the Fuddster begin a prolonged period of the excellence that she is capable of.

As would everybody. We've been waiting for 3 years.

 

[oldude]

The small lineup certainly has its place, and it’s probably enough to blow through the BE schedule. But it’s difficult to envision a national championship without Ice and/or Jana playing a major role.