Back at it (practice)

[Inthepaint]

The arms! Not that skinny freshman anymore.

First time I saw Paige, I was totally underwhelmed.
Megan & Alan were extolling her virtues to the sky, but when I saw her warming up before the game, all I saw was a skinny little girl who looked about 14.
I thought “ You gotta be kidding me”
Then the game started.
At the end of the first half I thought “Oh, ok, now I get it”

 

[hoopsfan22]

First time I saw Paige, I was totally underwhelmed.
Megan & Alan were extolling her virtues to the sky, but when I saw her warming up before the game, all I saw was a skinny little girl who looked about 14.
I thought “ You gotta be kidding me”
Then the game started.
At the end of the first half I thought “Oh, ok, now I get it”

Did you ever watch any of her high school games? It was pretty clear she was a special player before she had set foot in Storrs.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Did you ever watch any of her high school games? It was pretty clear she was a special player before she had set foot in Storrs.

Me too! I saw about half of her games during her senior season. Hopkins was possibly the best HS team I’ve ever seen. I think they had 7 or 8 Top-100 players who were Division 1 recruits. And Paige was a step better than everyone else.

 

[Cuango]

She’s certainly not that skinny kid anymore! While she’s still not exactly muscle bound, I was really impressed with a recent picture where her shoulders and arms were very obviously very much developed from her freshman/soph. years. I think she is going to be much more physical this season. The other thing I’ve always seen with Paige is how strong her hands look. She really looks to be in top shape right now! I cannot wait for November!

 

[Alydar]

Did you ever watch any of her high school games? It was pretty clear she was a special player before she had set foot in Storrs.

Can't agree more but in defense of Inthepaint, Fudd said that the first time she saw Bueckers was at a USABB tryout. They were both pg's. Fudd said her first thought was "not much there".

 

[Alydar]

Me too! I saw about half of her games during her senior season. Hopkins was possibly the best HS team I’ve ever seen. I think they had 7 or 8 Top-100 players who were Division 1 recruits. And Paige was a step better than everyone else.

You are right about Hopkins. I think Minn players have some freedom as to their choice of HS. Paige didn't lose a game in her last two years. Her games were about the only HS games I ever enjoyed watching. Most of the team went to P-5 programs. Bueckers broke a couple of ankles a game.

 

[BobbyJ]

You are right about Hopkins. I think Minn players have some freedom as to their choice of HS. Paige didn't lose a game in her last two years. Her games were about the only HS games I ever enjoyed watching. Most of the team went to P-5 programs. Bueckers broke a couple of ankles a game.

Except Bueckers.

 

[CL82]

Can't agree more but in defense of Inthepaint, Fudd said that the first time she saw Bueckers was at a USABB tryout. They were both pg's. Fudd said her first thought was "not much there".

Until she saw her play.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Until she saw her play.

I believe Paige scored about 8 possessions in a row. That caused Azzi to change her mind.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[MilfordHusky]

Wasn't it Ice that sank the Titanic?

 

[Alydar]

Wasn't it Ice that sank the Titanic?

And like an ice berg, Brady has been 90% hidden from view in the preseason by the smoke from Bueckers' return.
She won't remain hidden long once the season starts.

 

[Bills Fan]

Wasn't it Ice that sank the Titanic?

I just wish Ice was about 3 inches taller-looking at pictures of her with her teammates, she seems to be 6'2" at most.. She clearly has the strength to battle post opponents up to 6'3" or 6'4", but I think she will have problems with the SC and UCLA bigs. But then those schools along with LSU will have bigger problems trying to deal with PB and Azzi in the backcourt and no, I'm not forgetting about the match up nightmare Aaliyah will be for anybody! And does any team have a Caroline, KK, Ashlynn, Aubrey or Patterson ready to come in off the bench OR as an alternate starter?
Wait a minute; don't we also have the all-time UCONN assist, record holder and incredible leader still at Storrs?

 

[Bone Dog]

I just wish Ice was about 3 inches taller-looking at pictures of her with her teammates, she seems to be 6'2" at most..

I have a really hard time judging heights from watching video footage of games and practices. Perspective and camera placement is deceptive, and players often aren't simply standing up straight on the court. As for Ice, she may be a little shorter than Aaliyah, or not. But every time I see her on the floor she looks BIG and STRONG. I remember in the USA BB games last year she played next to Rosario who is reported as 6'6" and she looked to be not much smaller, though she was probably 3" shorter.

With post players, height isn't the most important factor. Strength, energy and footwork are more important. I just keep reminding myself that in the last Stanford game Nika out-rebounded Brink.

 

[Dublin]

It stopped! Does that mean she missed?

That last shot was #28. The UconnWBB account doesn't like to show the misses.

 

[Beemer]

For me the big question is how is Caroline Ducharme doing?

 

[Jumper33]

Wow, everyone in those pictures is looking really muscular. Good to see Ayanna practicing. Teams won’t be able to push UConn around that’s for sure

 

[UConnCat]

 

[The deacon]

Wait a minute; don't we also have the all-time UCONN assist, record holder and incredible leader still at Storrs?

Two different players, right? Moriah and Paige... one out of two ain't bad.

 

[MSGRET]

Two different players, right? Moriah and Paige... one out of two ain't bad.

I believe that @Bills Fan was alluding to the single season assists leader and not the career.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Remember rebounding isn't all about height but about positioning before the ball comes off the rim!
Rodman wasn't 6'6'+! He did it all with positioning and leverage!
With the UCONN coaching staff on top of it they'll be rebounding like junk yard dogs!

 

[Alydar]

Remember rebounding isn't all about height but about positioning before the ball comes off the rim!
Rodman wasn't 6'6'+! He did it all with positioning and leverage!
With the UCONN coaching staff on top of it they'll be rebounding like junk yard dogs!

+1

Gabby could leap but what made her a great rebounder was how quickly she got up to the ball. Same with Griffin. Banging inside and rebounding are related but 2 different skills.

 

[Tonyc]

For the players coming back from injury it will take time for them to adjust and reestablish themselves in a real game. For our underclassman it will take some time. Im thinking Caroline and Ice especially. If Caroline can go full throttle we are in position where we could to go undefeated and if Ice comes in going full throttle we could win every game by double digits. The last if is Amari. If Amari can become an intimidator down low well we will be silly good.

 

[Conndog]

For the players coming back from injury it will take time for them to adjust and reestablish themselves in a real game. For our underclassman it will take some time. Im thinking Caroline and Ice especially. If Caroline can go full throttle we are in position where we could to go undefeated and if Ice comes in going full throttle we could win every game by double digits. The last if is Amari. If Amari can become an intimidator down low well we will be silly good.

Caroline and Amari are the two biggest variables for me. If ever there was a time for Amari to show what I believe she can do, now is it. And if Caroline can hang in there when the games get physical, that would be fantastic