Caroline on her way back
- Thread starter HuskyNan
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Maybe we should be more nuanced here, and yes, let's not bring the frosh history in play, but the current status and future potential.
I think both are great both defensively and offensively, but with different skillsets that make them more (or less) effective on either side of the floor, depending on what the opposition is, and what the opposition's playbook is.
Aubrey is more athletic and a disrupter on both sides, Caroline is the better position player and a "sneaker" on both sides. Many hadn't appreciated Aubrey's offensive skills in the past, and also many hadn't appreciated Caroline's defensive skills in the past.
I find that Geno's in-game coaching and adjustments have been very underrated in many circles, including in particular the BY... He correctly figured out in this game that Caroline was the better match on both sides for what Iowa was doing, and played her to the expense of Aubrey for the crucial second part of the third quarter and all of the fourth quarter. We might see the complete opposite in some other game in the future.
eebmg
Fair and Balanced
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Nice article on Caroline's return and value to this team
www.courant.com
“It was great to see her play like that,” Azzi Fudd said. “She’s going to be able to build on this. It’s been great to have her back, but to see her with that confidence, I bet she feels great, just like a weight was lifted off her shoulders to be able to play like her old self again.”
And this is vintage Geno
“We talk about it, the staff, and sometimes we just shake our heads and go, ‘I don’t know what makes her good, but, damn, she’s good,’” Auriemma said. “I still can’t figure out why she’s good, but she’s good. She’s a tough competitor.”
Dom Amore: ‘Oh, she’s back:’ Caroline Ducharme once again a ‘difference-maker’ for UConn women, Phil Knight Legacy champs
It was about a year ago when Caroline Ducharme was asked to save the UConn women’s basketball season. Paige Bueckers went down with a knee injury on Dec. 5, 2021, Azzi Fudd and others were ou…
www.courant.com
“It was great to see her play like that,” Azzi Fudd said. “She’s going to be able to build on this. It’s been great to have her back, but to see her with that confidence, I bet she feels great, just like a weight was lifted off her shoulders to be able to play like her old self again.”
And this is vintage Geno
“We talk about it, the staff, and sometimes we just shake our heads and go, ‘I don’t know what makes her good, but, damn, she’s good,’” Auriemma said. “I still can’t figure out why she’s good, but she’s good. She’s a tough competitor.”
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Did Geno say he put Caroline in for her Defense? I'd like to read that comment if he said it.
IMO Caroline is a beast offensively. Not just good but great. I don't; share that about her overall defense. But I don't think she is bad/ not good- but I just think Aubrey is great defensively. Aubrey wouldn't have played all these years if not for her Defense. IMO Aubrey is just such an amazing defensive player.
And as far as Caroline - her Offense is imo off the charts in terms of what she showed as a frosh during the stretch. Caroline is amazing as she showed last year during the stretch:
1-- As a frosh, rather than the go-to being seniors or sophomore during the stretch, in which three were WNBA material, she became the go-to player.
2--- Can finish with ease on a break.
3-- Has a mid-range game.
4-- Can post up.
5-- Can beat players off the dribble.
6-- Can hit shots on the move.,
7-- Moves very well off the ball with great instincts.
8-- Because she is such an offensive weapon - can allow others to get free.
9- Can hit shots from anywhere (inside/outside) with someone hanging over her.
10-- Has fearlessness in the moment.
11-- Will eventually become a great 3pt shooter.
12-- When you add up all this, when she is a force offensively, it means the other team has less of an ability to run. Thus she makes the Defense better.
IMO she showed out on nearly all of the above yesterday which is why it was fantastic to see. And its only surface-scratcher. The above 1-12 is why you put in a potential in-the-future 1st team all-American in the game.
Bama fan
" As long as you lend a hand"
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AG had three fouls when Geno took her out. And Caroline came in and did very well. So each game does indeed present different opportunities, and as always, timing is everything.
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We often use the phrase "it-factor" in describing athletes.
There would appear to be many iterations of "it".
Like ingredients in good recipes. 3 chili recipes.. slightly different ingredients/measures used, yet all 3 fantastic, even with 3 different/distinct flavors.
Caroline's it-factor is a combination of different attributes that she possesses. All fueled by and stacked upon, as Geno himself stated, the fact that she's a tough competitor.
Glad to see her back!
.-.
Another compliment to add about Caroline. She’s a player who has the ability offensively to “break open” a game. In the past we’ve seen that attribute in a lot of players on our successful teams.
The most obvious this year is Azzi. She can catch fire almost instantaneously, and hit a couple 3s back to back to blow a game open. Senechal also seems to have that ability, with her shot making skills.
I felt like last year, especially during our major injury stretch, Ducharme was that one player for us. Her shooting was streaky, but she often times would score 8-10 points in a bunch. She once again showed that in the 4th QTR against Iowa, scoring 10.
It makes me really excited to see her working her way back, because I think by year end she will be a huge part of our success. Having 3 players who can catch fire at any moment really keeps defenses honest. I think a big part of the additional success of Edwards and Griffin offensively is the spacing our guards provide to the interior players.
The most obvious this year is Azzi. She can catch fire almost instantaneously, and hit a couple 3s back to back to blow a game open. Senechal also seems to have that ability, with her shot making skills.
I felt like last year, especially during our major injury stretch, Ducharme was that one player for us. Her shooting was streaky, but she often times would score 8-10 points in a bunch. She once again showed that in the 4th QTR against Iowa, scoring 10.
It makes me really excited to see her working her way back, because I think by year end she will be a huge part of our success. Having 3 players who can catch fire at any moment really keeps defenses honest. I think a big part of the additional success of Edwards and Griffin offensively is the spacing our guards provide to the interior players.
Caroline is fortunate to play for a coach who has a "keep shooting" rule. Many coaches will bench a player who misses her first several shots. Or they would demand that she passes to other shooters. Geno encourages his shooters not to get discouraged & they will eventually find the range. Yesterday was a prime example with Caroline.
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All good news. I think a few more games will allow her to hit her peak conditioning and to break through any lingering stiffness. I did notice a couple of times where she seemed hesitant to bend all the way over for loose balls. She certainly has her confidence and mental toughness in ready mode.
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I agree. She looked like she was coming back into form, and father quickly. Se was noticeably better in 4th quarter than in first. A huge addition if she stays healthy.
Great news should be welcome anytime and anyplace. Nika had a great game and I wanted to post about it. I'm sure Caroline would not have minded the news about Her Friend Nika,and the 14 likes the post got from The Bone Yard. GO NIKA!!! GO HUSKIES!!!And yet this is a thread about Caroline. Hmm.
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huskeynut
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Caroline has skill sets the fit in well with UConn's offense and defense. Obviously her 3 point shooting is big, but, she can take her defender off the dribble and get to the hoop. She moves really well without the ball. Knows how to run her defender off a screen and knows how to set a solid screen. She is tall enough to mix it up with trees for rebounds.
Her defense is good too. She moves well and has long arms. She may not block a lot of shots but she can and does bother the shooter.
She also has that quiet confidence that accompanies a killer instinct come game time.
She can play the 2 the 3 or the 4 slots on any given night.
Her defense is good too. She moves well and has long arms. She may not block a lot of shots but she can and does bother the shooter.
She also has that quiet confidence that accompanies a killer instinct come game time.
She can play the 2 the 3 or the 4 slots on any given night.
What a difference it makes if she can consistently play like she did in the Iowa game. CD gives us a little of everything, which is different than most of our other players..the rest of the team has what I would term a specialty: NM - leadership and assists; shooting; AE - Beast mode against other bigs; AG - tremendous athlete; Dorka - the ability to score and defend vs the other team's bigs; Lou- shooting from anywhere.
Caroline is different - she does lots (most things) very, very well. Score, yes; defend, yes; rebound yes; play smart basketball yes; Just whatever it takes. My gut tells me that her most important contribution the rest of this year is to be a scorer from outside like Azzi and Lou. If CD can continue to hit from the perimeter like yesterday then there will be no way to stop our threesome of /LLS / and CD. Combining those 3 with Aaliyah and Aubrey on the fast break, Nika should set an all-time assist record. What a fun team to watch.
Go get 'em. Caroline