Azzi's Team

[MooseJaw]

This. The only question mark for this team in my mind is who will be its leader. It’s been years since they’ve gone into a season with no clear leader. I too think KK might emerge as the true leader of the team. It’s difficult to envision any of the others in that role though obviously Azzi will fill much of the void.

It looks like many expect Azzi to step up, and I think she will to a point. Azzi is not, or has she been a vocal leader in the past. I appoint Ash to be Azzi's top Seargeant at arms. Yes, that's what I said, Ash. The player Geno rarely talks about, unless pressed to do so. Yet the player who got top minutes as his 6th woman last season. A player if left unguarded, will slice you up like a Popiel sharp kitchen gadget. My favorite guard may shock many this year, she has the game, she knows the game, she is now going to be an upper-class player who is becoming a natural leader. One doesn't have to be obnoxiously loud to be a leader, we have a long list of former UCONN leaders that prove this point.

 

[Bone Dog]

however, i feel that in '23-'24 paige had a lot more on her plate and nika took on the 'heart of the team' role.

I hear you. I just tend to distinguish the 'floor leader' -- i.e. Nika -- from the one who inspires them, lifts them out of a funk caused by a scoring drought, etc. That's typically the role of the 'bucket-getter.' Now Paige often straddled both roles, even as a freshman, even when she wasn't the vocal floor leader. She was often described as the 'hype-man' who raised everyone's spirits, but she also directed players to spots on the floor. Perhaps much more importantly, Paige evolved into a leader of practices. Rebecca told a story of how she saw Paige in a practice telling the team to run a drill again because she thought they hadn't done it crisply enough the first time.

Now will Azzi take on all of those roles, even if she isn't the vocal floor-leader? I think she will, but that's just a guess.

 

[Rowdy831]

I don't see leadership as a strength for Azzi and don't expect that to change next season. Not all great players can lead teams and not all teams have their best player as the leader. Nika was a great example of a good player that led the team but she wasn't even close to the best player.

My expectation next year is that KK will be the leader, Sarah and Azzi will be AAs and at least two of the newcomers this year will play prominent roles in the team's success next year. The big questions for me will be the health of players we haven't seen too much of lately and are any of the new players court ready.

The 2026 UConn team will once again have the best players in the country and if they do get blessed with good health I fully expect them to win the NC again. Kim is destroying any trust she had with her recuited players and my expectation is LSU will self destruct and they are really the only other team that match up with UConn. So there it is.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I think its gonna be KK

Over the last two months of the season, and particularly in the NCAA Tourney, her stock went up considerably in my eyes. However, to be an elite Point she must substantially up her mid and long range games to avoid our bigs being doubled. This had to have been on her off season punch list last year. I hope she has a shooting coach this summer.

 

[Barkin Out]

Next year will likely be a year where there will be opportunities for several of Geno and Chris’ students to practice the craft of leadership. Before there was “NIL bag” it’s why kids played sports- and why kids came to UConn and learn from the best.

I do think Azzi will be the team’s primary spokesperson next year. She did a great job in that role during the final four. I see no reason that this will change.

In terms of who grabs her teammates by the jersey to get their attention in a huddle - I could see that in KK and possibly Jana (when she’s on the floor). Jana has proven herself to be vocal and fierce and not afraid in big moments. She just needs to figure out how to avoid foul trouble and hopefully gain more offensive skills.

In terms of who is going to be the bucket getter when things get hard- I don’t see that changing from what we saw in Tampa. That was Sarah. When Paige and the other outside shooters saw the ball rim out- Sarah made them. She made more 3’s than Paige and Azzi combined. She shot better overall than either of her upper classman. She never got rattled. Even keeled. I think she’s kind of like having a really trustworthy auto pilot system. If you’re commmanding officer fails to take the proper action- Sarah’s not going to make a lot of noise… but she will bring the ship into the 13th slip at UCONN’s harbor of champions

 

[Bone Dog]

In terms of who is going to be the bucket getter when things get hard- I don’t see that changing from what we saw in Tampa. That was Sarah.

That’s not what I saw. Azzi scored 24 points before it became a blowout against SC. She was instrumental in creating the easy cushion they enjoyed from the 3 min mark in the third until the end. Sarah had a tremendous game too, with 24 points and 15 rebounds. I don’t mean to put them against each other. But Azzi was undoubtedly the bucket-getter in the final.

I think you’d have to say the same thing about the UCLA game. Azzi scored her 19 points in the first half. By the time she was done, the blowout was fully underway. It was a different story in the USC game and Sarah was definitely the bucket-getter in the first half of that one, at least until Paige took it over in the second half. And that was the most closely contested game UConn faced in the whole tournament.

 

[cgshuskie]

I'm down with Bone Dog. I think there is a new Azzi now and that she will maintain her newly acquired personality.

 

[cgshuskie]

Azzi can be a strange bird. But, I think that she has turned a corner with the 2025 Championship. She has felt the fire. Leadership has found her. She should make All American and she will realize the importance of her role. Barring another injury, she will feel the fire. Go Huskies

 

[JellyBean]

I love how Azzi has been making the media rounds and posting more on social media. I think it helps that she has always been a humble person, considering the hype around her since she was in high school. But thanks to her parents and supporting circle, she has always been even and that is a big plus for her and the program. Going forward, no matter how much we want to hype this person over that person to be the face of the team, we have a pretty solid levelheaded group of young ladies who can deal with the deadly P's: Press, Parents, and Peers.

 

[cferraro04]

Next year, we will unleash the three-headed monster. Azzi, Sarah and Serah. This is what makes it difficult for other teams to play UConn. There are options all over the court and on the bench. I'm trying to get my head around the possibility that if Caroline Ducharme is 100 percent, she will be a potent 4th option.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

IMHO I watched Azzi as she was named the MOP of the Final 4 and she was really surprised when her name was called! The OLD Azzi never expected that, but now that she has been the "big cheese" she will have the confidence to take over Paige's spot as team leader!
You'll also see KK and Ashlynn step up as they're now Juniors and will feel this is becoming their team!

 

[hookshot]

that is a bold assertion.

the fact is, no one can anoint the central kingpin. not even geno.

although he may be rooting for a particular leader and try to boost her, he can't make it so. who becomes the heart of the team has got to come organically. the kid has to have a certain quality that teammates -- ideally all of them -- recognize.

it could be azzi -- or kk or ash or ice or sarah or jana or anyone. perhaps caroline. no one knows who the team will accept, respect and turn to. it will greatly impact next season if they can't figure out who she is.

for my part, i'm hopeful, but the players are the key. .... a bit like the college of cardinals.

Maybe have a Conclave in November to work it out

 

[cabbie191]

Next year's mantra: "We have Azzi and you don't!"
Bank on it!

Happy to but all things considered, I’d rather see her swishing those 3’s!

 

[CL82]

Next year's mantra: "We have Azzi and you don't!"
Bank on it!

I think that Geno has put together a good team that is more than just one player, but Azzi's performance in last year's championship run is a good indicator that she has things figured out.

(That said, we are of course, still doomed.)

 

[cabbie191]

I think there are multiple options as to who becomes the vocal/spirit leader(s) next year, and it might also be done by committee.

Of the returning players, I can see KK, Azzi & Ash in this role and in that order.

It’s also possible that Serah becomes one as well. We don’t know her specific motives for transferring but if winning a championship is a major factor, it might be in her temperament to push her teammates to realize that goal.

 

[FormerCTrez]

Maybe have a Conclave in November to work it out

I like it!!

 

[Skeets]

that is a bold assertion.

the fact is, no one can anoint the central kingpin. not even geno.

although he may be rooting for a particular leader and try to boost her, he can't make it so. who becomes the heart of the team has got to come organically. the kid has to have a certain quality that teammates -- ideally all of them -- recognize.

it could be azzi -- or kk or ash or ice or sarah or jana or anyone. perhaps caroline. no one knows who the team will accept, respect and turn to. it will greatly impact next season if they can't figure out who she is.

for my part, i'm hopeful, but the players are the key. .... a bit like the college of cardinals.

I'd like to expand on this a little bit. A person can't become a leader simply by wanting to be the leader. You are a leader only if your teammates recognize you as the leader. This is something that needs to be earned.

If you are vocal but not recognized as the leader, then you are just a loudmouth pain in the buttocks. I played with people like that

 

[Sifaka]

Maybe have a Conclave in November to work it out

Yeahbut… How can you shoot from the top of the key?

 

[Skeets]

Some thoughts on UConn leadership. These are just opinions (throw no rocks)...

Azzi - too nice, needs a transfusion of DT
Carolyn - also too nice
KK - extroverted, but that's not the same thing as leadership
Ash - could be a no-nonsense enforcer, but that not the same thing as leadership
Sarah - too quiet
Ice - I don't know, maybe...
Jana - no, needs more of a take charge attitude
Allie - not enough court time to be the leader
Ayanna - same as Allie
Morgan - not enough visibility
Serah - too new
Heckel - ha ha, she's not even on the team yet
Blanca and other freshmen - way too new

So, who is the most likely leader?

 

[ERWUC65]

Some thoughts on UConn leadership. These are just opinions (throw no rocks)...

Azzi - too nice, needs a transfusion of DT
Carolyn - also too nice
KK - extroverted, but that's not the same thing as leadership
Ash - could be a no-nonsense enforcer, but that not the same thing as leadership
Sarah - too quiet
Ice - I don't know, maybe...
Jana - no, needs more of a take charge attitude
Allie - not enough court time to be the leader
Ayanna - same as Allie
Morgan - not enough visibility
Serah - too new
Heckel - ha ha, she's not even on the team yet
Blanca and other freshmen - way too new

So, who is the most likely leader?

Both Carolyn and Azzi are seniors, and perhaps they will share leadership responsibilities.

 

[Bone Dog]

Some thoughts on UConn leadership. These are just opinions (throw no rocks)...

Azzi - too nice, needs a transfusion of DT
Carolyn - also too nice
KK - extroverted, but that's not the same thing as leadership
Ash - could be a no-nonsense enforcer, but that not the same thing as leadership
Sarah - too quiet
Ice - I don't know, maybe...
Jana - no, needs more of a take charge attitude
Allie - not enough court time to be the leader
Ayanna - same as Allie
Morgan - not enough visibility
Serah - too new
Heckel - ha ha, she's not even on the team yet
Blanca and other freshmen - way too new

So, who is the most likely leader?

Your list helped me think about this. It could be Jana. You’re right that she needs a take charge attitude. This was a rehab year for her and it’s hard to “take charge” if you feel hesitant about pushing your knee as hard as your competitive spirit urges you to. She showed a “take charge” attitude in high school. I suspect if she feels better about her rehab next season, we could see that spirit return.

 

[PacoSwede]

i thought paige was 'too nice' too -- she still is amazingly nice -- but she overcame this 'lacking' when she became a true leader last season after nika was gone and paige recognized no one else could do it. she had to take that on; the team needed it.

last summer, i had worried that wasn't one of her strengths, but she came through. ... perhaps someone (unknown now) will follow her lead next season.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Some thoughts on UConn leadership. These are just opinions (throw no rocks)...

Azzi - too nice, needs a transfusion of DT
Carolyn - also too nice
KK - extroverted, but that's not the same thing as leadership
Ash - could be a no-nonsense enforcer, but that not the same thing as leadership
Sarah - too quiet
Ice - I don't know, maybe...
Jana - no, needs more of a take charge attitude
Allie - not enough court time to be the leader
Ayanna - same as Allie
Morgan - not enough visibility
Serah - too new
Heckel - ha ha, she's not even on the team yet
Blanca and other freshmen - way too new

So, who is the most likely leader?

This could be true. No rocks being thrown. I don't think that this team will suffer because of lack of "tough" player leadership,
(vocal and loud)
Paige, Stewie, & Karaban, and TNewt were leaders by example, not bluster.
Also, remember- Azzi showed leadership when she became a source of motivation for our injured players. Not with words but perseverance. And Sarah is a leader because of her calm assurance. Not to say that very vocal leadership doesn't sometimes work but there are other ways and history has proven it time and again.
Ghandi led millions with quiet dignity. It's a powerful thing.

 

[drweo]

I noticed that Azzi became more vocal as the team played in the big tournament.......instead of hiding behind Paige, she spoke a lot in post game press conferences, and she seemed far more confident and assertive in answering the reporter's questions....

When I saw that was happening, I thought maybe the coaching staff deliberately switched to Azzi to be the media's focal person, to begin prepping her for next season. But who knows?

 

[cwh20]

I don’t think there is a clear natural leader but my best guess is it will be Sarah. She knows where to be and how to play. It may be quietly done but if no one is taking the lead she’ll hopefully be the one to step up and let the players know that they need to be here or there. The screens have to be better, etc. it may be an effort for her but I think she could do it. And remember in one of the fun segments shown during the NCAA tourney both Paige and Azzi pointed to Sarah when the question was who talks the most among them when hanging out. So maybe.

CD had a story about some of the men players being around while the women were practicing one day. She asked if the guys wouldn’t mind helping out with something. There was a pause for a few seconds and she knew that it was in El-Amin’s hands. She said that once Khalid went, “sure, I’ll help” that all the other guys fell right in line. Having that kind of leader is a huge plus for a team. The women seemingly won’t have that level but something will work out.