Championship DNA

[jerseyguy68]

This team appears to have all the ingredients of our Championship Teams of the past; Good defense, rebounding, high assist to shot ratio, high percentage shooting, at least two players with a killer instinct who refuse to lose and depth. The recovering players alone could be a top team, especially if you added Fudd. We have a long way to go but I like our final four chances. Stay tuned. Happy Holidays to all.

 

[oldude]

Agree with your post. UConn is loaded at the guard/wing spots. The one thing that the Huskies need to put the team over the top, is for the front court players, not named Sarah, to develop into consistent performers against top opponents.

Specifically, Ice & Jana have to become a handful for opposing teams. Ice is close and Jana’s potential is huge. Add in a healthy Aubrey and this team could make a lot of noise in March and maybe even in that final game in April.

 

[yhun89]

Defensively we need work. Perimeter defense is atrocious. This is where we're really missing Nika right about now. And Aubrey of course but she should be back soon.

In March I believe most of our issues will be resolved. Jana's raw-ness will be improved. Ice will have even better positioning under the hoop. Azzi's rust will be fully off. We'll have Griffin back, semi-rust free. Sarah will be even more of a threat then she is now. Chen will fully shake off the urge to take contested drives every time she gets the ball.

The perimeter defense could honestly take some time, our problem is just speed, communication and intensity. Two of those things is easily fixed. The other requires lots of off season conditioning and training. Zippy players have gotten the best of us historically.

 

[huskyd]

This team appears to have all the ingredients of our Championship Teams of the past; Good defense, rebounding, high assist to shot ratio, high percentage shooting, at least two players with a killer instinct who refuse to lose and depth. The recovering players alone could be a top team, especially if you added Fudd. We have a long way to go but I like our final four chances. Stay tuned. Happy Holidays to all.

True, but wait a minute. I've been thinking about this team in the midst of all the substitution chatter. And it occurred to me that it was 2016 when a UConn team last got to waggle 4 fingers at a camera. The waggler was a tall skinny pidgeon-toed young woman name of Stewie. She was the main reason that the Huskies had such successful runs those years, and no one has come along since to take her place.
We have a player now with the ability to lead the team to our next NC, but, when she graduates, the wait for another great chance may be long. There is no one in the wings to replace her; PB is one of a kind, and this is her last go-around. We'll be good going forward but probably not good enough.
So, when we debate who should play and for how long, keep in mind that unless Buckets' use is maximized there may not be a tomorrow. Others can help and must, but only She can pull this off.
If you doubt this superpower, recall that OT game in North Carolina when She scored again and again to keep UConn in the game--and to win it.

 

[oldude]

True, but wait a minute. I've been thinking about this team in the midst of all the substitution chatter. And it occurred to me that it was 2016 when a UConn team last got to waggle 4 fingers at a camera. The waggler was a tall skinny pidgeon-toed young woman name of Stewie. She was the main reason that the Huskies had such successful runs those years, and no one has come along since to take her place.
We have a player now with the ability to lead the team to our next NC, but, when she graduates, the wait for another great chance may be long. There is no one in the wings to replace her; PB is one of a kind, and this is her last go-around. We'll be good going forward but probably not good enough.
So, when we debate who should play and for how long, keep in mind that unless Buckets' use is maximized there may not be a tomorrow. Others can help and must, but only She can pull this off.
If you doubt this superpower, recall that OT game in North Carolina when She scored again and again to keep UConn in the game--and to win it.

I believe you mean to reference the OT game vs South Carolina during Paige’s freshman year when she hit the incredible shot that will forever be known as “the bounce.”

As for “no one in the wings to replace her”, there was no one in the wings to replace Rebecca and then DT came along. There was no one in the wings to replace DT and then Maya came along. There was no one in the wings to replace Maya and then Stewie came along, and of course there was no one in the wings to replace Stewie until Paige came along.

As for replacing Paige, I’ll suggest 2 potential candidates. Sarah is as talented a freshman player as we’ve seen since, well Paige, and Sarah will only get better. The other possibility is somebody we are all still waiting for a final confirmation from, Blanca Quinonez, who is one of the most talented and dynamic players I’ve ever seen on film, not against HS kids, but playing against grown women in the Italian professional league.

Keep the faith.

 

[MooseJaw]

I believe you mean to reference the OT game vs South Carolina during Paige’s freshman year when she hit the incredible shot that will forever be known as “the bounce.”

As for “no one in the wings to replace her”, there was no one in the wings to replace Rebecca and then DT came along. There was no one in the wings to replace DT and then Maya came along. There was no one in the wings to replace Maya and then Stewie came along, and of course there was no one in the wings to replace Stewie until Paige came along.

As for replacing Paige, I’ll suggest 2 potential candidates. Sarah is as talented a freshman player as we’ve seen since, well Paige, and Sarah will only get better. The other possibility is somebody we are all still waiting for a final confirmation from, Blanca Quinonez, who is one of the most talented and dynamic players I’ve ever seen on film, not against HS kids, but playing against grown women in the Italian professional league.

Keep the faith.

Yes, we may have that player on the roster now, given a little time, wisdom and coaching from CD and Geno a player with greatness may be immerging behind Paige. I also continue to sing the praises of Morgan, not a Sarah, but she could be a robin to Sarah's Batman.

 

[Cuango]

True, but wait a minute. I've been thinking about this team in the midst of all the substitution chatter. And it occurred to me that it was 2016 when a UConn team last got to waggle 4 fingers at a camera. The waggler was a tall skinny pidgeon-toed young woman name of Stewie. She was the main reason that the Huskies had such successful runs those years, and no one has come along since to take her place.
We have a player now with the ability to lead the team to our next NC, but, when she graduates, the wait for another great chance may be long. There is no one in the wings to replace her; PB is one of a kind, and this is her last go-around. We'll be good going forward but probably not good enough.
So, when we debate who should play and for how long, keep in mind that unless Buckets' use is maximized there may not be a tomorrow. Others can help and must, but only She can pull this off.
If you doubt this superpower, recall that OT game in North Carolina when She scored again and again to keep UConn in the game--and to win it.

While I of course agree that Paige is irreplaceable, I must disagree (emphatically) that this team will be unable to dominate/win a championship without her! We will likely still be the most talented roster in the country! Especially, if Azzi remains healthy and returns to her top form, we will still have two (at least) of the best players in the country on what will be by then, a veteran squad that is (possibly/hopefully) the defending national champion! Sure, we would be even better if Paige stayed one more final year but, make no mistake, this team is set up to dominate for the foreseeable future!

 

[ctfjr]

I agree with @oldude, we need more from Ice and Jana. I thought Ice was capable of so much more than she showed last year. Its been a big improvement but there is more to go.
Unless Sarah gets some significant help we are not going to do well against teams with talented bigs.

 

[Next 12]

Do all the posters believe that GOD is real and have no doubt that he exists? For me, without a doubt, I have that faith in this UCONN team to GO ALL THE WAY TO THE NC CHAMPIONSHIP this year!! Right now, Uconn has all the personal it needs , that by the close of the season WILL ne the most formidable team to take the floor. I have no angst or worries about this team and it's abilities.I leave all that to the concerned posters and the analytical posters. I immensely enjoy seeing UCONN play with the skill and stamina that they have.. One reason I have made it to 91 is I do not worry about things I have no control over.;. GO FRESHMEN!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[SCNCHuskie]

I believe you mean to reference the OT game vs South Carolina during Paige’s freshman year when she hit the incredible shot that will forever be known as “the bounce.”

I actually thought they meant the NC State game where she took over the game, especially in overtime. However, both of those are examples of her, just taking over the game in clutch situations.

 

[Bone Dog]

I have no doubt Sarah is capable of leading the team to an NC, maybe more than one. And don't worry about her leadership qualities. She's been leading every team she's been on 8th grade.

This season's team has an excellent shot at an NC. Much depends on Paige and Azzi, of course, but that's a given in any year. What's not fully known yet is how well the freshmen and sophomores will grow into a cohesive unit, and how strong Aubrey will be on her return. It's a blow that Ayanna is injured. This means Ice and Jana will have to develop and operate with less of a safety net.

Fortunately, it doesn't look like either Ice or Jana will turn out to be as foul prone as we all feared this summer. Also, Geno has already been experimenting with small lineups using Sarah at the 5. This is how she mostly played throughout high school, so it's not totally new to her. One notable game against Blanca Thomas's high school when she was a junior shows that she know how to play against taller players. I can picture a small lineup with Sarah Aubrey Paige Morgan and Azzi giving a lot of teams fits.

 

[ConnManFan]

at least two players with a killer instinct who refuse to lose

It does not immediately jump out to me who these players are? I think out of all the factors that this one is the most important, but also the hardest to quantify. I also think that only games against top top tier teams can tell us this. Notre Dame, UCLA and South Carolina are the only teams we play that can really tell us who has the refuse to lose gene.

 

[hoophuskee]

True, but wait a minute. I've been thinking about this team in the midst of all the substitution chatter. And it occurred to me that it was 2016 when a UConn team last got to waggle 4 fingers at a camera. The waggler was a tall skinny pidgeon-toed young woman name of Stewie. She was the main reason that the Huskies had such successful runs those years, and no one has come along since to take her place.
We have a player now with the ability to lead the team to our next NC, but, when she graduates, the wait for another great chance may be long. There is no one in the wings to replace her; PB is one of a kind, and this is her last go-around. We'll be good going forward but probably not good enough.
So, when we debate who should play and for how long, keep in mind that unless Buckets' use is maximized there may not be a tomorrow. Others can help and must, but only She can pull this off.
If you doubt this superpower, recall that OT game in North Carolina when She scored again and again to keep UConn in the game--and to win it.

Other teams have won championships without a player of Paige's caliber, so why can't UCONN?
For example, the last team to beat Iowa/Clark was led by Azzi.

 

[huskyd]

While I of course agree that Paige is irreplaceable, I must disagree (emphatically) that this team will be unable to dominate/win a championship without her! We will likely still be the most talented roster in the country! Especially, if Azzi remains healthy and returns to her top form, we will still have two (at least) of the best players in the country on what will be by then, a veteran squad that is (possibly/hopefully) the defending national champion! Sure, we would be even better if Paige stayed one more final year but, make no mistake, this team is set up to dominate for the foreseeable future!

If I had written on this site in 2016 that w/out Stewie it would be a long time until be won another NC, you might have replied as you did above. But you would have been wrong.
My hope, however, is that you're right, and we might win another NC with the players we have when Paige leaves. That's my hope.
The only point I'm trying to make now is that this is our best chance in almost a decade to go all the way. If we do, it will be on Bueckers' back, just as Stewie carried us along for 4 amazing years. Absent Paige, as you acknowledge, there is no one to replace her.
If you think of the teams that have won NCs in recent year, there was always a transcendent player that carried them through. Dawn has made a career riding the backs of 3 exceptional big girls. W/out those dominant centers, SC would be just another SEC team with no NCs.

 

[mainerhuski]

True, but wait a minute. I've been thinking about this team in the midst of all the substitution chatter. And it occurred to me that it was 2016 when a UConn team last got to waggle 4 fingers at a camera. The waggler was a tall skinny pidgeon-toed young woman name of Stewie. She was the main reason that the Huskies had such successful runs those years, and no one has come along since to take her place.
We have a player now with the ability to lead the team to our next NC, but, when she graduates, the wait for another great chance may be long. There is no one in the wings to replace her; PB is one of a kind, and this is her last go-around. We'll be good going forward but probably not good enough.
So, when we debate who should play and for how long, keep in mind that unless Buckets' use is maximized there may not be a tomorrow. Others can help and must, but only She can pull this off.
If you doubt this superpower, recall that OT game in North Carolina when She scored again and again to keep UConn in the game--and to win it.

Sarah will be ready

 

[hoophuskee]

If I had written on this site in 2016 that w/out Stewie it would be a long time until be won another NC, you might have replied as you did above. But you would have been wrong.
My hope, however, is that you're right, and we might win another NC with the players we have when Paige leaves. That's my hope.
The only point I'm trying to make now is that this is our best chance in almost a decade to go all the way. If we do, it will be on Bueckers' back, just as Stewie carried us along for 4 amazing years. Absent Paige, as you acknowledge, there is no one to replace her.
If you think of the teams that have won NCs in recent year, there was always a transcendent player that carried them through. Dawn has made a career riding the backs of 3 exceptional big girls. W/out those dominant centers, SC would be just another SEC team with no NCs.

You're vastly underrating every player on the team that won't be leaving.

 

[BBallF]

I was at the game last night. The best player on the court was Sarah Strong. I can't remember seeing a skill set like that in body that size. She is the next great player and POY.