Azzi

[RockyMTblue2]

If you have listened to Azzi's interviews and read about her, you know that surprisingly she has periodic battles with her confidence. That's part of why I wanted her to choose UConn--if Azzi becomes a little more like Paige, and Paige becomes a little more like Azzi, they will both be better off. Azzi is better than she currently realizes. Four years with Geno will really help her both on and off the court.

Do not even think of monkeying with Paige - not even a little, not a scintilla of tinkering.

 

[Alydar]

Between her knee and COVID Fudd basically missed most of her last 2 years of HS play. Part of my optimism for next year is based on both Fudd and Ducharme making a big sophomore jump. I believe that UConn has easily the best backcourt in the country but everybody is gaga over centers.

 

[Carnac]

Twice in a generation is a rare variant of once in a generation.

And how fortunate is UConn and us fans to have both of them here at the same time.

 

[Bone Dog]

Between her knee and COVID Fudd basically missed most of her last 2 years of HS play. Part of my optimism for next year is based on both Fudd and Ducharme making a big sophomore jump. I believe that UConn has easily the best backcourt in the country but everybody is gaga over centers.

Truer words were never writ!

 

[Mdoggie]

Between her knee and COVID Fudd basically missed most of her last 2 years of HS play. Part of my optimism for next year is based on both Fudd and Ducharme making a big sophomore jump. I believe that UConn has easily the best backcourt in the country but everybody is gaga over centers.

Apparently you haven’t read Volnation! They are portal champions and are on par or better than SC and definitely better than UConn. Final 4 or NC for sure! Rocky top is the move!!

 

[CL82]

I really don't get TikTok.

Me either. I think you have to pay extra for that channel.

 

[CL82]

 

[Cuango]

I think they just meant that Paige and Azzi can both learn from each other. Azzi is very methodical and thoughtful. Paige is more free-spirited and (as Geno would say) brainless. Azzi’s personality elevates her understanding and decision making in games. However, it can hold her back because of her tendency to overthink. Paige’s personality allows her to play the game freely and gives her that innate confidence. However, it sometimes causes her to make mistakes because she’s more willing to take risks. One’s strength is the other’s weakness. That’s why they balance each other out.

I think that’s a bit of a stretch. I don’t remember Paige making more mistakes than Azzi or (for that matter) Azzi’s understanding and decision making outshining Paige’s either! Rather than trying to force these two incredible player’s respective abilities into a preplanned narrative, how about let’s all just be happy they are both at UConn for several more seasons and let them write their own stories?

 

[MilfordHusky]

The wild side of Azzi ....just love this photo

View attachment 76146

Azzi is being more like Paige already.

 

[Majorthreat]

I am confused as to why you say that Paige should lower her confidence level!!!!
It makes no sense to me
B&C

I don't think that Paige should lower her confidence. I think Azzi needs to be more aggressive and confident in seeking her shot. Paige can get her shot off anytime, anywhere against anyone. She has that much confidence in her shot and abilities. Azzi is a little more shy and although she can sho the lights out from deep. Taking people off the dribble and going to the hoop she isn't as confident about.

 

[sun]

"At least they can do the "shake & bake" on the BB court better than they can dance." - Geno

 

[tchalla1]

betcha' CD didn't prescreen this.

Why? Do you think CD would disapprove? For dancing with teammates on tik-tok? How could this possibly be deemed inappropriate?

 

[tchalla1]

Azzi simply reflecting on her transition from high school basketball to “elite” college basketball which is much greater that the jump to low level or mid level (mid-major) basketball. I expect to see a more mature and settled-down Azzi this winter, as she knows what to expect having been around the block once.

What you're saying has merit, but did you guys see the TN, NC State games? These are but a few examples of Azzi's calm and composure under pressure. Certainly she was realize growth in her composure and maturity but Azzi is quite fine where she is....

 

[Longtime fan]

No reason at all to lose confidence. You helped UCONN to the NCAA championship game. Now the next step....

 

[Alydar]

I think that’s a bit of a stretch. I don’t remember Paige making more mistakes than Azzi or (for that matter) Azzi’s understanding and decision making outshining Paige’s either! Rather than trying to force these two incredible player’s respective abilities into a preplanned narrative, how about let’s all just be happy they are both at UConn for several more seasons and let them write their own stories?

It's a question of precision (Fudd)(Moore) vs creativity (Bueckers)(Taurasi). Both have a blend of the two traits, just a different mix. Even Bueckers had moments of indecision as a freshman. Mostly when deferring to the upperclassmen.

 

[Bald Husky]

I don't think that Paige should lower her confidence. I think Azzi needs to be more aggressive and confident in seeking her shot. Paige can get her shot off anytime, anywhere against anyone. She has that much confidence in her shot and abilities. Azzi is a little more shy and although she can sho the lights out from deep. Taking people off the dribble and going to the hoop she isn't as confident about.

I don't know, but I just watched the replay of the 4th Q and OT from the NCST game. Azzi looked pretty aggressive to me going to the hoop and looking for her pull up. The two of them will be great next year.

 

[JellyBean]

If you have listened to Azzi's interviews and read about her, you know that surprisingly she has periodic battles with her confidence. That's part of why I wanted her to choose UConn--if Azzi becomes a little more like Paige, and Paige becomes a little more like Azzi, they will both be better off. Azzi is better than she currently realizes. Four years with Geno will really help her both on and off the court.

That is why I think when Caroline (not trying to hijack the thread here) had her breakout stretch of games, those moments probably helped Azzi with her confidence. Just glad that we have players that lift each other up and are there for each other. Azzi having a wonderful family back home and a wonderful family in her home away from home at UConn, is a huge boost and hope that each practice, game, and year her confidence continues to grow stronger.

 

[ballerfan]

I think they just meant that Paige and Azzi can both learn from each other. Azzi is very methodical and thoughtful. Paige is more free-spirited and (as Geno would say) brainless. Azzi’s personality elevates her understanding and decision making in games. However, it can hold her back because of her tendency to overthink. Paige’s personality allows her to play the game freely and gives her that innate confidence. However, it sometimes causes her to make mistakes because she’s more willing to take risks. One’s strength is the other’s weakness. That’s why they balance each other out.

I think you might be misunderstanding what Geno said. Or maybe I am. Here’s the quote.

“I wish she [Azzi] had some of Paige’s just, ‘Play brainless,’ just kind of play and not worry about the outcome so much, just play,” Auriemma said. “And I wish Paige had a little more of Azzi’s discipline. But that’s why they’re so good together. They complement each other really well.”

« Brainless » is not a criticism. It’s a necessary quality for playing at the highest level. « Just kind of play and not worry about the outcome. » Geno is not saying that Paige makes more mistakes or has worse decision making. Even Azzi says that Paige has a higher BB IQ. But despite Azzi’s limited playing time this year, either playing injured or missing games, she does demonstrate remarkable discipline. A fully healthy and more experienced Azzi next season could be scary. And with Paige no longer needing to defer to seniors and because she enjoys passing more than scoring, I’m hoping to see more points from Azzi on assists by Paige.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Apparently you haven’t read Volnation! They are portal champions and are on par or better than SC and definitely better than UConn. Final 4 or NC for sure! Rocky top is the move!!

Thanks for applying the "curse of Great expectations" firmly onto the Orange Horde! I could not have done it better....

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I think you might be misunderstanding what Geno said. Or maybe I am. Here’s the quote.

“I wish she [Azzi] had some of Paige’s just, ‘Play brainless,’ just kind of play and not worry about the outcome so much, just play,” Auriemma said. “And I wish Paige had a little more of Azzi’s discipline. But that’s why they’re so good together. They complement each other really well.”

« Brainless » is not a criticism. It’s a necessary quality for playing at the highest level. « Just kind of play and not worry about the outcome. » Geno is not saying that Paige makes more mistakes or has worse decision making. Even Azzi says that Paige has a higher BB IQ. But despite Azzi’s limited playing time this year, either playing injured or missing games, she does demonstrate remarkable discipline. A fully healthy and more experienced Azzi next season could be scary. And with Paige no longer needing to defer to seniors and because she enjoys passing more than scoring, I’m hoping to see more points from Azzi on assists by Paige.

With another 40%+ 3 pt shooter in LOU, it should spread the floor for all the shooters and drivers. With another year of confidence and defense turning the offense up a notch, it will be a GREAT year to push all the way to the NC!

Praying for a health restoring Summer, followed by a VERY healthy and strong, FULL, and talented 11 women roster including AG, Dorka, AZZI, Caroline, PB, and the rest who did not require surgery [AE, Nika, Lou, Amari, AP, and ICE] to remain healthy and get stronger and FULLY confident to build towards NC #12 in March/April 2023.

Go Huskies!!!

 

[oldhusky]

I don't think that Paige should lower her confidence. I think Azzi needs to be more aggressive and confident in seeking her shot. Paige can get her shot off anytime, anywhere against anyone. She has that much confidence in her shot and abilities. Azzi is a little more shy and although she can sho the lights out from deep. Taking people off the dribble and going to the hoop she isn't as confident about.

I agree, and believe Azzi was trying to fit in a little too much. She did reach a point where she was firing away whenever she had a look at a 3pt shot, but was very hesitant to take people off the dribble. Her mid-range pull up jumper is quick and I think she can get it off over most but not all defenders.

There was a stat on Her Hoops that caught my eye regarding her. She was only in the 38th percentile in two point attempts per 40 minutes. In other words she attempted fewer 2's than the average division 1 player. Some of that is because she is looking for the 3 pointers of course, but I think her ability to create her own shot is very good, and should be attempted far more often as she gains confidence in getting it off.

Last year was mostly being an efficient spot up 3pt shooter, and pretty efficient on 2's as well, but with few attempts. This year she presumably will have a little more of a "scorers" mentality but be efficient there as well. Against the best team open looks will be fewer and the need to create your own shot even greater. Paige needs more help in that way.

 

[jdote33]

I'm kinda hoping Azzi and Paige get some rest until the fall even though I know they both are gym rats. Azzi was wearing a walking boot even at the end of the season. PB was less than 100 percent during the tourney. Although 3 or 4 months of rest and recovery probably sounds dreadful to them, it may be in their best interest. Of course I'm sure the trainers are on top of this. I think Azzi is a bit underrated as a passer. I can't get out of my head the dish to Aaliyah late in the NC State game. I'm hoping she plays a bit more point this year alongside PB, although she did struggle a little with pressure last season.

 

[Bone Dog]

This reflection on Aziz's confidence about 2s vs 3s reminds me of something Paige said in her Freshman year when Geno asked her how she'd defend herself. "Stop the 3pt shot." This is how shooting guards think, I guess. If they can make the 3, it opens everything else up. But I also think Paige's spot up 2 was devastating that year against SC in the regular season (yeah, I know, there was that awesome dagger to end the game) and against Baylor in the EE. She routinely got the team the needed bucket practically on demand, and the impact on the morale of a youngish team was palpable.

In the 1st Marquette game this year, with no Liv or CD they played us really tough and led by 2 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Azzi had already hit a few shots. But halfway through the 4th, Evina saw that Marquette was gassed (she said later) and she and Nika set Azzi up for a couple of threes and Azzi drove the lane for a 2, and then Evina followed it with 6 points of her own. 14 points fell on Marquette from those two and the game was done. I think it was a much needed morale booster after the loss to Villanova. I'm sure Azzi dropping daggers made everyone feel better about the team. But her 2s were also huge in the absence of Paige's awesome spot up jumper.

 

[MooseJaw]

Between her knee and COVID Fudd basically missed most of her last 2 years of HS play. Part of my optimism for next year is based on both Fudd and Ducharme making a big sophomore jump. I believe that UConn has easily the best backcourt in the country but everybody is gaga over centers.

And just think last year there was a much supported thread on the BY that decried the death of the post player in WCBB. What a difference a year makes. I repeat what I said then: that most schools would swoon over a quality big, trouble is that there just aren't too many of them, it's not that they have become dinosaurs.

 

[Carnac]

What you're saying has merit, but did you guys see the TN, NC State games? These are but a few examples of Azzi's calm and composure under pressure. Certainly she was realize growth in her composure and maturity but Azzi is quite fine where she is....

I agree, but I expect Azzi to grow and mature by leaps and bounds the next three years. She's nowhere near the player she'll be her senior year. She'll be ready for the next step in her pursuit of becoming a professional athlete after her senior year. Lots of room to grow between now and then. 21 year old Azzi will be a nightmare for opponents.

 

[nastynatty]

I think you might be misunderstanding what Geno said. Or maybe I am. Here’s the quote.

“I wish she [Azzi] had some of Paige’s just, ‘Play brainless,’ just kind of play and not worry about the outcome so much, just play,” Auriemma said. “And I wish Paige had a little more of Azzi’s discipline. But that’s why they’re so good together. They complement each other really well.”

« Brainless » is not a criticism. It’s a necessary quality for playing at the highest level. « Just kind of play and not worry about the outcome. » Geno is not saying that Paige makes more mistakes or has worse decision making. Even Azzi says that Paige has a higher BB IQ. But despite Azzi’s limited playing time this year, either playing injured or missing games, she does demonstrate remarkable discipline. A fully healthy and more experienced Azzi next season could be scary. And with Paige no longer needing to defer to seniors and because she enjoys passing more than scoring, I’m hoping to see more points from Azzi on assists by Paige.

Let me reword a bit. I think both of their qualities (Azzi’s discipline and Paige’s “brainless” mindset) are double-edged swords in a sense. I agree that the original “brainless” comment wasn’t a criticism to Paige. As I said, it allows her to play freely and with confidence. Mentioning that it occasionally caused her to make mistakes more so referenced to Geno’s comment about Paige needing some of Azzi’s discipline. One example could be waiting for screens. This is something both Geno and Paige herself have criticized about her game. It’s an aspect that requires her to consciously think about her movement a bit more (something she can improve by becoming more disciplined).

 

[TeamFirst!]

That was kind of a parody in that tiktok. It's great to see they are back to having fun again. Life is short. Enjoy it!