Christyn

[browns]

I really thought after last year CW would be the star of the team..possible AA..instead she has regressed..I'll throw out last nights game because she was sick.but too many games she has reminded me of Charde Houston..immense talent who at times was unstoppable but only showed it periodically.Geno tried everything he could to get the most out of her but could never really do it..is it going to be the same with CW? Everyone says Geno helps players reach their full potential but sometimes I guess it just doesn't work..I feel Williams should be able to take over any game like she did last year at ND..instead her shot has been off this year for the most part and even has trouble making lay ups..it would sure be nice to se her up her game once the dance starts but I have my doubts

 

[oldude]

I really thought after last year CW would be the star of the team..possible AA..instead she has regressed..I'll throw out last nights game because she was sick.but too many games she has reminded me of Charde Houston..immense talent who at times was unstoppable but only showed it periodically.Geno tried everything he could to get the most out of her but could never really do it..is it going to be the same with CW? Everyone says Geno helps players reach their full potential but sometimes I guess it just doesn't work..I feel Williams should be able to take over any game like she did last year at ND..instead her shot has been off this year for the most part and even has trouble making lay ups..it would sure be nice to se her up her game once the dance starts but I have my doubts

While I generally agree, the only thing I would point out is that last year, with 2 AA’s on the team, CW was freer to move without the ball and her teammates would find her for open shots. Just about every one of Christyn’s shots in last year’s ND game came off an assist.

This year, Christyn is being asked far more frequently to create her own offense off the dribble, which is much harder to do. In addition, she’s playing harder on the defensive side of the ball and she has become a key rebounder for the undersized Huskies.

I think we all overestimated Christyn’s ability to just take the ball and score, something that only a very elite handful of WBB players can do consistently. IMO, there are only 2 such players currently in WCBB: Ionescu & Carter. In the past, players like DT, Plum & Durr come to mind.

If Christyn is not truly one of those players, then she needs to get most of her points in the flow of the offense. Unfortunately, UConn’s offense does not flow like it did in prior seasons

 

[wbbfan17]

While Liv is much better this year I’m not sure you can compare her improvement to Williams. Liv could quite literally only improve, whereas Williams had to go from very good to Elite. ONO went from mediocre (honestly i think bad last year) to a decent player.

 

[EricSD]

Great stuff @oldude. One other thing to add... Christyn spent pretty much the entire summer traveling with various Team USA obligations. Whether the Pan Am games, or 3x3, or whatever, she was NOT at home like Olivia working on her game.

I realize Olivia has some flaws, but I think we can all agree that her improvement is substantial over last year. But she was at home most of the summer working on weight training, fitness, and her game. Christyn had no such regime.

Geno had said at the beginning of the season that there would be less assists this year, and more one on one - taking the ball to the basket to draw fouls and hopefully score for the "and 1". But when the team starts games with a roster of 4 vs. 5, it's much easier for teams to focus on Christyn and Megan instead of having to deal with Lou and Pheesa and 5 legit scorers.

IMHO Christyn needs to stay at home this summer. Work on a better diet to lose the body fat. Work on fitness and stamina and strength. She needs to transform her body like Megan did. Then she can also work on her game - repetitions, shooting, etc etc. Whatever it is that successful players do over the summers to transform their bodies and games, she needs to do, and be committed to...

Next year will be a very different story. Starters of Westbrook, Williams, Makurat (or Bueckers), Walker and ONO will have no weak link on the floor and prevent teams from keying in on just lesser players. When everyone is a threat, it's much harder to defend. That will open things up a bit more for Christyn, and the rest of the team as well...

Hopefully we will see a better flow. Way too much standing around this season. It's one additional reason why Christyn doesn't get the open shots - she (and the rest of the team) often plant themselves in one spot instead of constantly being on the move of offense... I'll be honest - that worries me. When you have a senior PG on the floor (and experienced coaches) who can't get the team to move, I'm not sure what will make it better next year - but I'm ever the optimist!!

 

[SCyankee]

Great stuff @oldude. One other thing to add... Christyn spent pretty much the entire summer traveling with various Team USA obligations. Whether the Pan Am games, or 3x3, or whatever, she was NOT at home like Olivia working on her game.

I realize Olivia has some flaws, but I think we can all agree that her improvement is substantial over last year. But she was at home most of the summer working on weight training, fitness, and her game. Christyn had no such regime.

Geno had said at the beginning of the season that there would be less assists this year, and more one on one - taking the ball to the basket to draw fouls and hopefully score for the "and 1". But when the team starts games with a roster of 4 vs. 5, it's much easier for teams to focus on Christyn and Megan instead of having to deal with Lou and Pheesa and 5 legit scorers.

IMHO Christyn needs to stay at home this summer. Work on a better diet to lose the body fat. Work on fitness and stamina and strength. She needs to transform her body like Megan did. Then she can also work on her game - repetitions, shooting, etc etc. Whatever it is that successful players do over the summers to transform their bodies and games, she needs to do, and be committed to...

Next year will be a very different story. Starters of Westbrook, Williams, Makurat (or Bueckers), Walker and ONO will have no weak link on the floor and prevent teams from keying in on just lesser players. When everyone is a threat, it's much harder to defend. That will open things up a bit more for Christyn, and the rest of the team as well...

Hopefully we will see a better flow. Way too much standing around this season. It's one additional reason why Christyn doesn't get the open shots - she (and the rest of the team) often plant themselves in one spot instead of constantly being on the move of offense... I'll be honest - that worries me. When you have a senior PG on the floor (and experienced coaches) who can't get the team to move, I'm not sure what will make it better next year - but I'm ever the optimist!!

I don't know why the starters are so immobile on offense, but Geno does not have better options on the bench. I have never believed Geno when he says he would rather lose a game to make a point. Geno wants to win every game. This team can consistently beat about 98 percent of their potential opponents, but this year there are a handful of teams that are just too big and too talented for us. Accept that. We are not entitled to win every year. Enjoy the development of this team and look forward to improvement next year.

 

[eebmg]

....

Hopefully we will see a better flow. Way too much standing around this season. It's one additional reason why Christyn doesn't get the open shots - she (and the rest of the team) often plant themselves in one spot instead of constantly being on the move of offense... I'll be honest - that worries me. When you have a senior PG on the floor (and experienced coaches) who can't get the team to move, I'm not sure what will make it better next year - but I'm ever the optimist!!

Well, my electroshock idea was meant to curtail dumb tomahawk fouls for Liv but I suppose it could be expanded to get the team's cabooses moving more.

 

[BobbyJ]

Great stuff @oldude. One other thing to add... Christyn spent pretty much the entire summer traveling with various Team USA obligations. Whether the Pan Am games, or 3x3, or whatever, she was NOT at home like Olivia working on her game.

I realize Olivia has some flaws, but I think we can all agree that her improvement is substantial over last year. But she was at home most of the summer working on weight training, fitness, and her game. Christyn had no such regime.

Geno had said at the beginning of the season that there would be less assists this year, and more one on one - taking the ball to the basket to draw fouls and hopefully score for the "and 1". But when the team starts games with a roster of 4 vs. 5, it's much easier for teams to focus on Christyn and Megan instead of having to deal with Lou and Pheesa and 5 legit scorers.

IMHO Christyn needs to stay at home this summer. Work on a better diet to lose the body fat. Work on fitness and stamina and strength. She needs to transform her body like Megan did. Then she can also work on her game - repetitions, shooting, etc etc. Whatever it is that successful players do over the summers to transform their bodies and games, she needs to do, and be committed to...

Next year will be a very different story. Starters of Westbrook, Williams, Makurat (or Bueckers), Walker and ONO will have no weak link on the floor and prevent teams from keying in on just lesser players. When everyone is a threat, it's much harder to defend. That will open things up a bit more for Christyn, and the rest of the team as well...

Hopefully we will see a better flow. Way too much standing around this season. It's one additional reason why Christyn doesn't get the open shots - she (and the rest of the team) often plant themselves in one spot instead of constantly being on the move of offense... I'll be honest - that worries me. When you have a senior PG on the floor (and experienced coaches) who can't get the team to move, I'm not sure what will make it better next year - but I'm ever the optimist!!

I mostly agree with your points on Williams. Two things I would add are about your 2020 lineup and ONO. On that lineup, it might be OK for offense but that team will be very much like this year's on D. Zero interior defense other than ONO. Edwards at some point may help some but asking ONO to handle two posts against good teams is too much. And I doubt Gabriel will be any factor at all. On ONO, I've supported and really like this kid. But I have no idea how she could be around BB year round and still hasn't learned how to turn both ways and go up and extend for shots at 6-5. For a kid as athletic as she is, it's not that hard but she needs someone who's played at a high level like Lobo or Stewart or a good skills coach to work with her as soon as possible.

 

[EricSD]

I mostly agree with your points on Williams. Two things I would add are about your 2020 lineup and ONO. On that lineup, it might be OK for offense but that team will be very much like this year's on D. Zero interior defense other than ONO. Edwards at some point may help some but asking ONO to handle two posts against good teams is too much. And I doubt Gabriel will be any factor at all. On ONO, I've supported and really like this kid. But I have no idea how she could be around BB year round and still hasn't learned how to turn both ways and go up and extend for shots at 6-5. For a kid as athletic as she is, it's not that hard but she needs someone who's played at a high level like Lobo or Stewart or a good skills coach to work with her as soon as possible.

Good points. A few thoughts...

Geno will have lots of options to mix and match. I don't believe Gabriel will be able to give us anything next year (too raw and needs too much work), so like you, I'm not counting on her.

IF he starts Westbrook, Williams, Makurat, Walker and ONO, which is what I believe the starting lineup will be (assuming everyone healthy), he gets a few things we don't have this year:

• An alpha - Evina as the PG. I LOVE Danger, but much has been made this year of lack of leadership and an alpha on the team. I believe Evina could fill that role.
• More size - Danger is 5'5" or so. Evina is 7" taller.
• More scoring options - 5 legit players who can score double digits in any given game on any given night. PLUS some great scoring off the bench. Not relying so much on just a few players, or needing everyone to have a great night in order to win big games.
• Against 99% of the teams out there, Megan is big enough to guard a taller forward.
• Off the bench we will have 6'3" Edwards, and uber-athletes McLean and Griffin - much better than Griffin, Irwin, Adebayo and now Camara, which is what we have this year.
  • When Aubrey guards taller post players, she's SO athletic that it's very hard to drop a pass over her head to an opposing post player from their guards on the perimeter.
• Also off the bench (guards) will be Muhl and Bueckers - much better than Bent which is what we have this year.

Good point on ONO - I think she needs to develop a hook shot. She will never be strong enough to consistently bang with a player like Boston, but adding a hook to her fade away would be awesome.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Given the players on next year's roster, I don't think Williams is a lock to start. As I see it, the only definite starters are ONO and Walker. And that's based as much on position as talent.

 

[Dokey]

Given the players on next year's roster, I don't think Williams is a lock to start. As I see it, the only definite starters are ONO and Walker. And that's based as much on position as talent.

I think Williams isn’t a lock as well. ONO may be by default. Evina and Paige will start joining Anna and Meg. Edwards gives up and inch or two but might alter game plan and push ONO by game 10. As the season progresses, starters will average 25 minutes with numerous bench players getting significant minutes. We won’t have a single sixth “man,” we will have five.

 

[jfan]

I really thought after last year CW would be the star of the team..possible AA..instead she has regressed..I'll throw out last nights game because she was sick.but too many games she has reminded me of Charde Houston..immense talent who at times was unstoppable but only showed it periodically.Geno tried everything he could to get the most out of her but could never really do it..is it going to be the same with CW? Everyone says Geno helps players reach their full potential but sometimes I guess it just doesn't work..I feel Williams should be able to take over any game like she did last year at ND..instead her shot has been off this year for the most part and even has trouble making lay ups..it would sure be nice to se her up her game once the dance starts but I have my doubts

I think UCONN has 2 players like Charde Houston. That's CW and MW. Both ranked #1 as high school recruits but either is having an awful season (CW) or can't make shots in big games (MW).

 

[oldude]

I'm honestly wondering if there is a possibility that Williams transfers. Looking at what is coming in and how she has played this year, anything is possible. Hard to say, still have a lot of basketball left this season. I'm hoping she flips the switch.

The moderators have made it abundantly clear that there should be no discussion on the Boneyard regarding the transfer of current UConn players.

 

[VidNick]

I would be shocked if Paige did not start. Geno most always starts the superstar Freshman, unless he is totally loaded.

 

[JonathanXIV]

I think UCONN has 2 players like Charde Houston. That's CW and MW. Both ranked #1 as high school recruits but either is having an awful season (CW) or can't make shots in big games (MW).

Sorry. I don't see either player as being like Charde at all.

 

[phil sampieri]

I think UCONN has 2 players like Charde Houston. That's CW and MW. Both ranked #1 as high school recruits but either is having an awful season (CW) or can't make shots in big games (MW).

I guess you didn't watch her light up Notre Dame last year. so tired of misinformed statements, just to make a point

 

[Charliebball]

I think UCONN has 2 players like Charde Houston. That's CW and MW. Both ranked #1 as high school recruits but either is having an awful season (CW) or can't make shots in big games (MW).

CW hasn't played well in a couple of big games but if averaging over 15 points and 5 rebounds a game is awful give me another three awful players please.............

 

[uconnever]

CW DEFINITELY will start next year and will get better. It’s a process for everyone. Liv concerns me with her awkwardness and how low she always brings the ball. But she will get bettter also. Last year she didn’t play too much so this is her first real year too gain experience and learn. Next year, we cut down the nets.

 

[Hayven]

Squeaks can score from all three levels on the court. Her pull up jumper is a thing of beauty. In recent years our “bigs” could score from the free throw, or 3 point, line consistently. So big defenders had to come out to guard. This opened the lane for layups. Geno wants Squeaks to drive, but the problem is Liv can’t score consistently outside 3 feet from the rim, so her defender can easily help on any layup attempt. Squeaks is in a scoring funk, every player goes through it. It’s all mentality.

I just want the kid who claimed at Geno’s charity golf tournament, that UConn would win 4 championships during her tenure, to appear on the court consistently.

 

[eebmg]

Squeaks can score from all three levels on the court. Her pull up jumper is a thing of beauty. In recent years our “bigs” could score from the free throw, or 3 point, line consistently. So big defenders had to come out to guard. This opened the lane for layups. Geno wants Squeaks to drive, but the problem is Liv can’t score consistently outside 3 feet from the rim, so her defender can easily help on any layup attempt. Squeaks is in a scoring funk, every player goes through it. It’s all mentality.

I just want the kid who claimed at Geno’s charity golf tournament, that UConn would win 4 championships during her tenure, to appear on the court consistently.

Mixing up bold statements. Christyn was more modest (and unfortunately not correct)

"We're going to get that championship," Williams said Monday at Geno Auriemma's annual Fore The Kids charity golf tournament. "People are going to feel UConn. We're going to win the national championship."

 

[enigmatic]

I agree CW is in a present day funk but the talent and capability is there for her to get it together. I'm looking for more aggresive drives to the basket besides the cuts and breakaway layups hence ONO is gonna need to in the next month or so stretch out the defense a little more out of the post so CW has that space in the lane to create

 

[ABCDFE]

I’m in agreement with most of the comments. However I do think there are a lot of ifs for this team this year and next. The potential to be a really good team is there but we have to see the players play first and the team chemistry next year. I recall people taking about Megs recruiting class and how we were going to be really good, but in reality none of those highly ranked recruits panned out, except for Meg (even tho that’s still debated here).

The problem as Geno has alluded to is that we’ve had a couple of down recruiting classes and that can set you back a while. After the big three left we had a lot of questions, but those questions were quickly answered by the play of the sophomores and the improved level of gabby and Kia. So in my eyes those next two years (Z for one Of those) were legitimate championship years because we didn’t have a lot of ifs. All the pieces were there, except maybe a legitimate Big.

With Crystals class and Megs class (especially those two) and Ono and williams class we didn’t get the take over a game potential type player. And to be honest these are all very good players but none to the likes of a DT,MAya,Tina, Stevie, mojeff. Therefore we are where we are the last couple of years. It’s unfortunate given some recruiting bad luck and some players not developing to that unquestioned AA status. I’m hopeful that the cycle will turn back to UCONN with recruiting but we shouldn’t be so arrogant as to say wait till next year and for sure we are winning championships for the next four years as some have stated in other threads. It does all start with recruiting, but I’m still not convinced we have all the right pieces until they all play a bunch a games together. This year we got couple of good players as freshman that could turn out to be really good, but the jury is still out.

Unfortunately for the past 3-4 years recruiting wise we haven’t gotteenough of the right and talented players that can make us into Championship contenders.

In the end, it’s not all that bad. We’re still relevant and we’re close to the top, but because we’ve been spoiled with a certain standard of excellence we as fans have become a little frustrated.

 

[willtalk]

I remember discussions on this board about Williams potential when she came in as a freshman. To many of you assumed she would be an AA right away. More of you thought she would be an AA in her soph year.

Some players reach their potential earlier than others. CW always seemed to me that she peaked earlier than other players in her class. Her performance in the McDonalds game and her early ND performance gave people the impression that she would be a college star. One has to look at how a player gets their points, and CW always looked like an opportunist to me. Someone who takes advantage of what the defense gives her. She is very good at recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities, but she can not really create opportunities that are not there. As someone stated in a previous post, there are not that many players who can do that. A good defender can take her out of a game.

One of the problems with some Uconn fans is that they, because of the history of the program have been led to believe that players in the system will all improve dramatically in time. That is not as true as it once was. As I stated in a post on another thread, while there certainly are exceptions, most players coming out of high school do not have as much developmental upside left with respect to developing their skill set. Players begin their basketball development seriously already in middle school. They are already playing and focusing on basketball year-round. The come into high school at the same skill level that players not long ago were at when they graduated.

For most players, what remains left to develop in college is physical maturity, strength etc. That along with BBIQ and team concepts. Unlike guards, post players tend to usually have more upside left with respect to both physical and skill development. This is one reason that Ono had and still has a higher ceiling left than Williams. Now I could still be wrong about Williams, but my perspective is more realistic than the one where she was going to develop into an AA superstar based on her high school ranking and production in a couple of games.

There was a reason why I was promoting a wait and see perspective on CW when she came in as a Freshman. Actually that is a good perspective to have with respect to all Freshman. I have seen quite a bit of improvement in CW since her freshman year, but then I started with more realistic. expectations. She is a good player who can be a valuable asset to the program doing what she does best which is being an opportunist.

 

[eebmg]

I remember discussions on this board about Williams potential when she came in as a freshman. To many of you assumed she would be an AA right away. More of you thought she would be an AA in her soph year.

Some players reach their potential earlier than others. CW always seemed to me that she peaked earlier than other players in her class. Her performance in the McDonalds game and her early ND performance gave people the impression that she would be a college star. One has to look at how a player gets their points, and CW always looked like an opportunist to me. Someone who takes advantage of what the defense gives her. She is very good at recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities, but she can not really create opportunities that are not there. As someone stated in a previous post, there are not that many players who can do that. A good defender can take her out of a game.

One of the problems with some Uconn fans is that they, because of the history of the program have been led to believe that players in the system will all improve dramatically in time. That is not as true as it once was. As I stated in a post on another thread, while there certainly are exceptions, most players coming out of high school do not have as much developmental upside left with respect to developing their skill set. Players begin their basketball development seriously already in middle school. They are already playing and focusing on basketball year-round. The come into high school at the same skill level that players not long ago were at when they graduated.

For most players, what remains left to develop in college is physical maturity, strength etc. That along with BBQ and team concepts. Unlike guards, post players tend to usually have more upside left with respect to both physical and skill development. This is one reason that Ono had and still has a higher ceiling left than Williams. Now I could still be wrong about Williams, but my perspective is more realistic than the one where she was going to develop into an AA superstar based on her high school ranking and production in a couple of games.

There was a reason why I was promoting a wait and see perspective on CW when she came in as a Freshman. Actually that is a good perspective to have with respect to all Freshman. I have seen quite a bit of improvement in CW since her freshman year, but then I started with more realistic. expectations. She is a good player who can be a valuable asset to the program doing what she does best which is being an opportunist.

CW appears to have all the Physical tools. Very strong and likes physicality. Her issue in the language of Geno is that her identity is scoring and when it does not happen due to poor shooting or just good defense, she can disappear and not do the other things. We just have to wait until she outgrows that "immaturity" as Geno would say. Hopefully, it will come by tournament time.

 

[jabstep]

Good points. A few thoughts...

Geno will have lots of options to mix and match. I don't believe Gabriel will be able to give us anything next year (too raw and needs too much work), so like you, I'm not counting on her.

IF he starts Westbrook, Williams, Makurat, Walker and ONO, which is what I believe the starting lineup will be (assuming everyone healthy), he gets a few things we don't have this year:

• An alpha - Evina as the PG. I LOVE Danger, but much has been made this year of lack of leadership and an alpha on the team. I believe Evina could fill that role.
• More size - Danger is 5'5" or so. Evina is 7" taller.
• More scoring options - 5 legit players who can score double digits in any given game on any given night. PLUS some great scoring off the bench. Not relying so much on just a few players, or needing everyone to have a great night in order to win big games.
• Against 99% of the teams out there, Megan is big enough to guard a taller forward.
• Off the bench we will have 6'3" Edwards, and uber-athletes McLean and Griffin - much better than Griffin, Irwin, Adebayo and now Camara, which is what we have this year.
  • When Aubrey guards taller post players, she's SO athletic that it's very hard to drop a pass over her head to an opposing post player from their guards on the perimeter.
• Also off the bench (guards) will be Muhl and Bueckers - much better than Bent which is what we have this year.

Good point on ONO - I think she needs to develop a hook shot. She will never be strong enough to consistently bang with a player like Boston, but adding a hook to her fade away would be awesome.

Did anyone else notice Liv'sbaby right hook from the left block going to her right? I almost jumped out of my chair. She needs to work on her left hand and foul line jumper with her passing skills. Yes, she showed she has them in the Memphis game. She could deliver the high low pass to the block next year. Hit the jumper or drive to the hoop. I think she will be an AA for the net two years and deliver us some titles.

 

[oldude]

Did anyone else notice Liv'sbaby right hook from the left block going to her right? I almost jumped out of my chair. She needs to work on her left hand and foul line jumper with her passing skills. Yes, she showed she has them in the Memphis game. She could deliver the high low pass to the block next year. Hit the jumper or drive to the hoop. I think she will be an AA for the net two years and deliver us some titles.

A number of BY’ers have been suggesting that Liv needed another move in the post. Some specifically called for the development of a hook shot.

That hook shot, turning over her left shoulder, with a soft, easy release was a thing of beauty. If Liv can make that shot consistently, along with consistently making her fade away and power move turning over her right shoulder, she is virtually unstoppable in the low post.

 

[bluedevil]

Predicting next years starting line up is like predicting next years stock market..fools errand...will MW b back? Does she go pro? Does Anna come back or go pro? Does EW go pro? Too many variables....

 

[Mdoggie]

Predicting next years starting line up is like predicting next years stock market..fools errand...will MW b back? Does she go pro? Does Anna come back or go pro? Does EW go pro? Too many variables....

Oh the hopes and dreams of a bluedevil.

 

[phil sampieri]

,my two cents to those who compare CW to Charde.CW is right now heads and shoulder better. Why is there a need to knock a player after a few bad games, like she sucked all the time. I know this site is for fans opinions so this is mine. Peace

 

[NewCorn]

Sorry. I don't see either player as being like Charde at all.

You are really, really, really correct! I rooted for Charde, but she destroyed herself. IIRC Charde played the worst game in UConn's history in an elite-8 game, lots of minutes and zeroes across the board. Then she missed the final shot while wide-open 8ft. from the hoop (her defender had fallen down). It's crazy to liken CW or Mw to Charde. Charde's failure is in a class by itself.

 

[CTisballers]

Given the players on next year's roster, I don't think Williams is a lock to start. As I see it, the only definite starters are ONO and Walker. And that's based as much on position as talent.

Yes she is a lock to start lol just because she’s having a not so great year doesn’t mean Geno lost confidence in her. Maybe playing and traveling all summer is effecting her play. My biggest thing is with CW is her defense and lack of playing hard.