Azzi getting her mind and body ready to lead

[Stymie]

There are lots of videos showing her scoring off the dribble that year. I’m not claiming she scored more than she did that year. I’m only saying she had skills that Nika has yet to show.

Moriah was a Flash Gordon knockoff.
Extremely, extremely quick.

 

[Bone Dog]

it's about time some folks appreciated nika for who she is, rather than expecting another paige, or moriah. geez!

Yup. Exactly what I’m trying to do, as so many of my posts on this topic have amply shown. Why this persistent claim that to describe what a player has done is somehow to belittle her? What is that about? Anyone who truly wants to celebrate what Nika accomplishes this year better start by appreciating what her starting point is. Pretending that it will all be easy for her, that she’s already got all the skills she needs, that is to belittle her. It is to discount whatever she achieves in advance. Don’t steal that from her.

 

[PacoSwede]

Yup. Exactly what I’m trying to do, as so many of my posts on this topic have amply shown. Why this persistent claim that to describe what a player has done is somehow to belittle her? What is that about? Anyone who truly wants to celebrate what Nika accomplishes this year better start by appreciating what her starting point is. Pretending that it will all be easy for her, that she’s already got all the skills she needs, that is to belittle her. It is to discount whatever she achieves in advance. Don’t steal that from her.

problem is that you can say the same about any player who potentially can improve her game -- and can't they all? it seems that nika is too often the focus; over and over there are demands that she must be better. why nika rather than dorka or liya or aubrey, caroline, azzi etc,

 

[Bone Dog]

problem is that you can say the same about any player who potentially can improve her game -- and can't they all? it seems that nika is too often the focus; over and over there are demands that she must be better. why nika rather than dorka or liya or aubrey, caroline, azzi etc,

Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but people have been discussing those players too, and what the coming season may look like for them. But we’ve all also noticed that with Paige’s injury, there will be a lot of extra pressure on Nika. It’s an opportunity for her to grow even more than she already has, a wonderful challenge. Let’s not cheat her of this moment. If you don’t think she needs to develop in any special way to handle the starting pg position on an NC contender, or that it’s no big deal for a player who has limited offensive skills to develop them, you’re entitled to that opinion. I’d disagree with you, but it’d be your opinion and you’re entitled to it. What I won’t accept is the notion that describing what she has done and reflecting on what she may need to do to succeed this season in this role is to belittle her. If she does even minimally what a pg on an NC contender needs to do, I’ll celebrate her achievements before anyone else.

 

[CocoHusky]

problem is that you can say the same about any player who potentially can improve her game -- and can't they all? it seems that nika is too often the focus; over and over there are demands that she must be better. why nika rather than dorka or liya or aubrey, caroline, azzi etc,

There have been "multiple" demands for those players to improve as well. This has been the case for EVERY player to ever wear a UCONN uniform even Maria Conlon. Is the standard suddenly different because it is Nika or were you not aware of the demands for those other players? I'll also remind you that the need for Nika to improve was aired out publicly by Geno and she is not the first.

 

[eebmg]

Poor #23.

Jordon asking for his Jersey # back

 

[Stymie]

problem is that you can say the same about any player who potentially can improve her game -- and can't they all? it seems that nika is too often the focus; over and over there are demands that she must be better. why nika rather than dorka or liya or aubrey, caroline, azzi etc,

Because UCONN is down one starting guard.
And because of this additional responsibilities will be delegated to her.

 

[Carnac]

With the strength of the early season OOC schedule and depending on the results of those games, things could be very interesting. Around Christmas time Fudd may not be the backup PG.

Fudd is a SHOOTING guard. THAT is where she is best and most productive at. Yes, she can run the point if she has to, but she’s more effective and lethal at the 2.

 

[BobbyJ]

Fudd is a SHOOTING guard. THAT is where she is best and most productive at. Yes, she can run the point if she has to, but she’s more effective and lethal at the 2.

I didn't say she wasn't. However, as I said in post #14, it all comes down to winning games. Whoever impacts winning the most will play the most minutes at PG. If the team is playing good defense but scoring 65-70 pts a game and keeping other teams in the game, I don't believe that's going to fly for long. If adjustments need to be made to open up the offense, I think they'll be made. Possibly at several positions.

 

[Bone Dog]

Fudd is a SHOOTING guard.

I didn't say she wasn't

I agree with both you guys. I like the flexibility. We have the best shooting guard in the country who can, if necessary, step into be the best point guard in the country. I just like her better at shooting guard. What coach wouldn’t want to have this problem? Oh, yeah, and Geno had this very problem when Paige was a freshman.

 

[Alydar]

Actually, no. MoJeff was absolutely a threat to score off the dribble in her sophomore year for sure, as well as in her freshman year in limited minutes. This is the key offensive skill required of a pg. It's how she unlocks her passing game. It may have taken MoJeff two years to perfect this aspect of her game and become the floor leader she needed to be. But she was never afraid to finish at the rim in the half court offense -- not talking about fast break run outs here -- or to score off the dribble in the midrange.

Would Jefferson have started at pg guard if she and Bueckers were fighting for the position? I say no. She or Bueckers would have signed with another team. Remember, Mühl signed with UConn knowing she would be the second pg. UConn fans should be thankful she did instead of bemoaning the fact that she isn't Bueckers.

 

[Alydar]

This is an absurd comparison as well as an unfathomable expectation for Nika because what Moriah did as a junior was put up one of the all time great season in UCONN history for a PG. To get to those 12.4 PPG all she did was shoot 49.6% (better than KML) from deep and 58.7 % overall. She had 100 steals on the season & 191 assists compared to 62 turnovers resulting in her winning something called the Lieberman Award=best PG in the nation. In order to get to 12 PPG Nika would have to attempt 3X more FG than she is currently doing and improve her accuracy by 18% overall, and her 3PTFG accuracy by 13%, and be expected to play over ~38 MPG. This will also require a great deal of "energy expenditure" on the part of Nika.

It wasn't a comparison. It was intended to put some perspective on things using an example of an all-time great Husky who had her own struggles as a freshman/sophomore. Those lovely drives and pass offs down the lane as an upperclassman were blind drives into double teams and to's when she was a freshman/sophomore.
Players improve at UConn and everyone remembers them as accomplished seniors and forget their flaws as underclassmen. Jefferson averaged about 7.5 pts/game as a freshman/sophomore and did it with far more total game minutes than Mühl played.

 

[Alydar]

Just a bit of history. These would have been the backup possibilities in 2013 and 2014 if Jefferson had been lost for a season.

2013
Caroline Doty s - knees shot, could only play limited minutes
Brianna Banks s - never played pg
Bria Hartley j - starting 2 and lacked the quickness to play point
Kelly Faris s - more of a wing and a total lack of offense as a sophomore

2014
Tierney Lawlor f - end of bencher
Bria Hartley s - see above
Brianna Banks j - see above
Saniya Chong f - a possibility as a pg
Briana Pulido s - walk on

UConn was lucky that Jefferson stayed relatively healthy for 4 years.

I must have read a hundred times about what Mühl "needs to do". I'm just happy that UConn has a competent backup. And I keep it in mind that she came to UConn with the understanding that Bueckers would start. many here want her to perform as a five-star pg. Five-star point guards don't sign to be backups their whole college career.

 

[Stymie]

I agree with both you guys. I like the flexibility. We have the best shooting guard in the country who can, if necessary, step into be the best point guard in the country. I just like her better at shooting guard. What coach wouldn’t want to have this problem? Oh, yeah, and Geno had this very problem when Paige was a freshman.

Best shooting guard in the country?
Remains to be seen.
Based on reputation, yes.
Based on last years numbers, no.
Will be revealed soon enough.
“ the proof of the pudding is in the tasting “

 

[Carnac]

Man................it's starting to get a little "warm" in here, bit I like it. I'm ALWAYS interested in what my Boneyard brethren are thinking.

 

[Bone Dog]

Best shooting guard in the country?
Remains to be seen.
Based on reputation, yes.
Based on last years numbers, no.
Will be revealed soon enough.
“ the proof of the pudding is in the tasting “

I tend to speak in prophetic terms. It’s how I roll. Get with the program. Now is not the time for caution and half praise.

 

[Skeets]

problem is that you can say the same about any player who potentially can improve her game -- and can't they all? it seems that nika is too often the focus; over and over there are demands that she must be better. why nika rather than dorka or liya or aubrey, caroline, azzi etc,

Well, you just knew you were going to get a thumbs down from Coco. Maybe Coco should start a thread "Nika's not good enough" where they could all hang out.

I agree with you, Nika has too often been the focus over and over again. she's not MoJef, Paige, Azzi, or anyone else. She's Nika.

 

[sun]

There will probably come a time when Azzi is playing PG and Nika will need to enter the game to give someone a rest.
But if Geno thinks that Azzi should remain in as PG, then Nika may need to learn to play another position in addition to PG.
We need to be realistic that one may be better than the other, and that by necessity Nika may need to be able to score some points without being the PG.
She'll need practice to become another guard on the team.
Every game may be different and it's best to prepare for contingencies for whatever reason such as for the betterment of the team or to simply make Nika a better all around player.
Paige was able to play more than one position and every player should have some versatility.
I doubt that Ines will be ready to play much PG anytime soon.
I'm confident that Nika can make some shots if needed whether she's playing PG or not.
Geno moved Evina's position around and nothing will stop him from doing whatever he thinks is best for the team.
Nika may benefit by not having the pressure of playing PG and so might Azzi at times.
And if a 3rd PG comes into the game, that doesn't necessarily mean that Azzi or Nika need to take a rest.
It may mean that the 3rd PG needs training time and other players need to move over while someone else rests.
That's what being prepared should be all about.
People don't always need to sit at the same spot at the dinner table in order to eat.
Maybe Geno can teach the veteran UConn Huskies some new tricks.
Like Paige said after returning from her injury that she just wants to contribute in any way.
So should they all.

 

[Zarathustra]

There will probably come a time when Azzi is playing PG and Nika will need to enter the game to give someone a rest.
But if Geno thinks that Azzi should remain in as PG, then Nika may need to learn to play another position in addition to PG.
We need to be realistic that one may be better than the other, and that by necessity Nika may need to be able to score some points without being the PG.
She'll need practice to become another guard on the team.
Every game may be different and it's best to prepare for contingencies for whatever reason such as for the betterment of the team or to simply make Nika a better all around player.
Paige was able to play more than one position and every player should have some versatility.
I doubt that Ines will be ready to play much PG anytime soon.
I'm confident that Nika can make some shots if needed whether she's playing PG or not.
Geno moved Evina's position around and nothing will stop him from doing whatever he thinks is best for the team.
Nika may benefit by not having the pressure of playing PG and so might Azzi at times.
And if a 3rd PG comes into the game, that doesn't necessarily mean that Azzi or Nika need to take a rest.
It may mean that the 3rd PG needs training time and other players need to move over while someone else rests.
That's what being prepared should be all about.
People don't always need to sit at the same spot at the dinner table in order to eat.
Maybe Geno can teach the veteran UConn Huskies some new tricks.
Like Paige said after returning from her injury that she just wants to contribute in any way.
So should they all.

A very thoughful epistle..... I agree...... there are many interesting ways that this could pan out,
We're all waiting for the magic, Geno!! Go Huskies.

 

[Bone Dog]

There are lots of ways it could end. But I’d be very surprised if for the Northeastern game Geno doesn’t start Nika Azzi Caroline Aaliyah Dorka. All the vets. These kids need to get used to each other as the backbone of the team. Who knows what the substitution pattern will be, or what subsequent games will bring.

 

[Stymie]

I tend to speak in prophetic terms. It’s how I roll. Get with the program. Now is not the time for caution and half praise.

Get with the program ?
Your program?
Let’s just anoint them National Champions for 2023. And move on.

 

[Bone Dog]

Get with the program ?
Your program?
Let’s just anoint them National Champions for 2023. And move on.

Form your lips to God.

Of course, I trust you’re not speaking a sacred article of faith in vain.

 

[Bigboote]

Fudd is a SHOOTING guard. THAT is where she is best and most productive at. Yes, she can run the point if she has to, but she’s more effective and lethal at the 2.

There is also a little insurance in the form of Ines. Assuming Nika is good for 25-30 minutes/game, if Ines is good for 5, that leaves 5-10 for Azzi. I agree that Azzi is much more valuable as a 2, but as has been mentioned, the most exciting thing about UConn this year may be its ability to give the opponents different looks, and Azzi at point may be one of those looks.

 

[CocoHusky]

Just a bit of history. These would have been the backup possibilities in 2013 and 2014 if Jefferson had been lost for a season.

2013
Caroline Doty s - knees shot, could only play limited minutes
Brianna Banks s - never played pg
Bria Hartley j - starting 2 and lacked the quickness to play point
Kelly Faris s - more of a wing and a total lack of offense as a sophomore

2014
Tierney Lawlor f - end of bencher
Bria Hartley s - see above
Brianna Banks j - see above
Saniya Chong f - a possibility as a pg
Briana Pulido s - walk on

UConn was lucky that Jefferson stayed relatively healthy for 4 years.

I must have read a hundred times about what Mühl "needs to do". I'm just happy that UConn has a competent backup. And I keep it in mind that she came to UConn with the understanding that Bueckers would start. many here want her to perform as a five-star pg. Five-star point guards don't sign to be backups their whole college career.

You probably also read 100 times that NOBODY is expecting Nika to be Paige. Bria Hartley lacked quickness to play PG? Compared to who? Truly laughable considering Bria was an AA as a sophomore and 2nd on the team in assists.

 

[Mdoggie]

I thought all y’all cared about was who and when we will see a dunk? Lol

 

[TeamFirst!]

We don't beat the top teams unless Azzi plays over 32 minutes and I would contend most of that has to be at PG for us to be at our best. I'd rather have Lou and Caroline on the floor than Nika. If Nika comes out and lights it up I will change my evaluation but right now I want Lou, Caroline and Azzi all on the floor for over 30 minutes. This is in close games, not blow outs of course. I don't think it's even that close.

 

[Bone Dog]

We don't beat the top teams unless Azzi plays over 32 minutes and I would contend most of that has to be at PG for us to be at our best. I'd rather have Lou and Caroline on the floor than Nika. If Nika comes out and lights it up I will change my evaluation but right now I want Lou, Caroline and Azzi all on the floor for over 30 minutes. This is in close games, not blow outs of course. I don't think it's even that close.

I get this sentiment too. But there's still a question mark in my mind about Lou's ability to play UConn D. Geno said as much at the beginning of the summer, and I think that means he won't play her for 30 mins if she's a defensive liability. In a sense, Nika and Lou are mirror images of each other -- one needs to show Geno she's not a defensive liability, the other needs to show him she's not an offensive liability. I'm pretty confident at least one of them will step up and earn the minutes we all want to see. The interesting case will be if they both show Geno what he needs to see. In that case, we could actually see the 4 guards divide 120 mins (for position 1-3) more or less evenly. That would be the very definition of "everybody eats."

There's a place in my heart that really wants to see Nika pull this off, because I love the defensive ferocity she brings. Picture what opponents will have to face, if Nika does her thing, especially in the first 5 mins of the 3rd quarter, and then Aubrey and Ayanna sub in at the 3 and the 4 and give them a completely different and perhaps equally terrifying form of defensive intensity in the second 5 mins. That 3rd quarter is often when opponents are blown off the court.

And the whole time, Azzi and Caroline torch them from the perimeter.

 

[TeamFirst!]

If you watch Azzi's high school games, she had no problem creating offense off the dribble. Last year we just posted her at the 3 point line and it stretched the defenses but she could largely be shut down with a focused approach. What if they do that again and we are suddenly relying on Nika and Caroline's outside shot? The team is just better with Azzi running the point and creating her own shot or penetrating and setting up her team mates. Nika doesn't shoot that well from outside, has very little pull up game and doesn't penetrate well. Our offense suffers badly in comparison with what Azzi can bring to the table. Indications are that Lou can shoot. We maximize her game as the shooting guard. Lou will have to be pretty bad defensively to not warrant a lot of PT.

If we run into a team with quick guards penetrating all over the place we may have to play Nika to help but that sort of team ( Aari McDonald type players ) is going to be a problem for us even with Nika.

 

[tchalla1]

This is an absurd comparison as well as an unfathomable expectation for Nika because what Moriah did as a junior was put up one of the all time great season in UCONN history for a PG. To get to those 12.4 PPG all she did was shoot 49.6% (better than KML) from deep and 58.7 % overall. She had 100 steals on the season & 191 assists compared to 62 turnovers resulting in her winning something called the Lieberman Award=best PG in the nation. In order to get to 12 PPG Nika would have to attempt 3X more FG than she is currently doing and improve her accuracy by 18% overall, and her 3PTFG accuracy by 13%, and be expected to play over ~38 MPG. This will also require a great deal of "energy expenditure" on the part of Nika.

And let's also remember that MoJeff played her UCONN career with 4 or 5 other all-Americans: Stewie, Tuck, KML and Dolson and Hartley; while this current UCONN team is stellar, MoJeff's team was probably the greatest ever in WBB--certainly the comparisons to Nika are not realistic as has been pointed out, but let's keep in mind that MoJeff was like the 4th or 5th option on that team and this freed her up immensely. Her teammates gave her so much space in which to operate. Incidentally, this is what challenged CW and why her freshman year was not wholly replicated in ensuing years: With KLS, Pheesa, and Meagan Walker on the floor, being the fourth option freed her up for a lot of good, easy shots. However, when she became the go-to-player for UCONN and then the 2nd option, as Geno pointed out, things were not as easy for her...

 

[AzzisBraids]

The more Azzi has the ball in her hands, the better. Doesn't matter which position whether 1 or 2. She will attract defenses to set up her team or get her own shot off.