Concerned About KK

[Charliebball]

KK started off the first game of the year being very aggressive and making a couple of three-pointers and going to the hoop. Since then, all that seems to have disappeared. She is settling for occasional drivers to the hoop. I do think she is a top defender, but teams are going to back off her because she does score. Her jump shot is average at best and needs improvement. When/if teams start zoning up to play Uconn she will become more of a non-factor. Even if she shoots and misses that may help create space for others. If she starts making shots especially jump shots, then that will really present problems for the defense. Still haven't seen enough of Kayleigh but I would venture her shot is better than KK.

Food for thought.

if KK has to carry the team offensively, then UConn is in trouble......that said, she's fully capable of hitting from outside if needed.....

 

[DefenseBB]

I think this thread is "much ado about nothing" or at the worst, premature. KK is running the offense fine and yesterday against the infamous OSU press, they handled it seamlessly much to the credit of both KK and K9.

So much so, I am looking forward to the Tennessee game to put a beatdown on that system that Kim employs. KK and K9 compliment the Azzi, Sarah and Blanca small lineup matchup issues that no team will be able to handle.

Watching KK in the various warmup drills this year before games, KK's shot has a higher arc and more back spin then either of her 1st two years so I expect to see a much higher shooting percentage from her. I would still like to see a mid-range game that we see in Ash, Azzi and now K9 and Allie to make KK much more of a threat. But that is me being picky and greedy.

 

[donalddoowop]

KK is fine. You are seeing a change in the entire offense. With less of a focus on the PG because so much of the offense runs through Sarah. We have changed by reducing the focus from the guards to the bigs. Sarah, Serah, and Blanca did much damage in the paint. This is fine with me. the offense is clicking, and KK will have more energy to be the defensive pest in which I delight

And continue to start. She will be satisfied.

 

[JRRRJ]

We probably have three perimeter players that the opposition does not worry that much about beyond the three point line, namely KK, Kayleigh and Blanca. When they get open looks they should take them, but it is not something that we are looking to increase, and relatively speaking it is not something our opponents worry much about giving up. All three of those players are dangerous in the open floor and driving to the hoop, but the 3pt shot is probably not a strength.

On the other hand we have another three guards and one big that opponents cannot afford to leave open in Azzi, Ash, and Allie. There will be times when we have one or two players on the perimeter that are not dangerous from the three. is that ideal? No, but it is largely offset by what those players can do, and the fact that we usually have a big on the floor that is very good from there in Sarah.

If it becomes a problem against some teams, we probably have to have either KK or Kayleigh at the point, but they could team with Azzi and another shooter Ash or Allie at the 3, and a third perimeter threat with Sarah. Like Paige, Sarah's versatility helps solve a number of potential combo problems, but it is true we may field some units that are not great at the 3, but they generally will be very good at other things and overall.

Blanca has shot 3-of-5 from 3 so far. Where does the assertion that she can be ignored come from?

 

[oldhusky]

Blanca has shot 3-of-5 from 3 so far. Where does the assertion that she can be ignored come from?

Her percentages in foreign leagues were not encouraging with a far bigger sample size, but of course this is a category players can sometimes improve.

 

[Blond D.]

Take out the initials “KK” and substitute “Nika” and it’s deja vu all over again

who do you think taught KK and Shade how to play?

 

[Conndog]

Ok

Solid analysis. Shutting down the point is often more valuable than scoring. If KK has to shoot and she won't, Kayleigh will come in.

K9's offensive game is better and she is not afraid to shoot a 3, pull up, or drive. You do not lose much on defense either and she is a true point. Beautiful dish underneath to Jana yesterday.

My only fear about Kayleigh is that she is fearless and gets knocked to the floor at least once and usually twice a game.

I too am worried about the contact that Kayleigh is getting. Especially with what happened to Caroline. But Kayleigh’s energy maybe can’t be contained & that’s what I simultaneously love about her game. She is really thriving at UConn her new home!

 

[Kat]

KK and Ash really grind down an opponent's offense. That belly-button D that they press on a ball-handler forces so many mistakes.

 

[DEpup]

KK is just fine. She did what the team needed her to do Sunday and that was play defense on their small fast guards and beat the press. She did great. Ohio State's weakness was in the front court so Sarah, Serah, and Blanca just had a field day pulling them all over the court.

I'm also sure that the KK and Heckel shared duties are set.

 

[huskeynut]

Here we go again. The assumption is that a point guard must be a scoring threat. Reality is every player on the floor should be considered a scoring threat.

We have played 3 games so far. Everything is still fluid. The team is learning about each other, their strenghts and their weaknesses. Timing between players and passes, screens, backdoor cuts and the like are still developing.

KK is a junior. She knows what to do. Geno knows what she can do and what he wants her to do. She had 5 assists. K9 right now is the backup. She will get plenty of minutes and opportunities. This year's offense is front court oriented with Sarah and Serah. Add in Azzi and UConn has it's big three.

Remember, players have to earn Geno's trust. KK has Geno's trust as does Azzi, Ash and Sarah.

And just a reminder that Nika graduated as the season career leader in assists and the overall career leader in assists.

 

[ucbart]

My biggest concern is her continuous bricking of layups. If she won't take jumpers, she absolutely has to make those layups.,

 

[Bigboote]

KK's role has changed. Geno has Sarah playing point forward and also wants the ball in Azzi's hands as much as possible. So KK isn't going to have as much to do with running the offense as some might like. That might look like KK losing some ground, but she's doing what Geno is telling her to do. If he begins to lose confidence in her, we'll know it.

 

[Rowdy831]

I think KK is looking good. Running the offense, playing great defense, and scoring when needed. Problem is on this team she really isn't needed as a scoring threat so that is that.

 

[EricLA]

FWIW I have zero concerns about KK. In fact, I am supremely comfortable as a fan watching the game with her running the team. Love her demeanor, love her energy, love her leadership, love her communication, and love her leading by example.

I've said it about 10 times on here. She shot something like 11% from 3 in the first half of the season last year and over 30% for the 2nd half. OVERALL not good, but a huge improvement, and she's totally capable of knocking it down now. She will shoot when/if she needs to. But she could go an entire game scoring 0 points and still be one of the most important players on the floor.

I love how she's developed, and to think we still get 1 more year of her - woohoo!!

 

[Longtime fan]

I feel like this kind of concern is going out of the way to look for something to nitpick. What’s the point? So far there hasn’t been major reason or need for her to hoist up shots. There are so many other shot makers and options, why wouldn’t she make the extra pass or drive. UConn has so many counters to any defense, this doesn’t concern me in the least.

I agree. KK will shoot the three when she has a quality opportunity. If she is not clearly open, she will drive or pass off to a teammate who is less well covered. Or drive and then pass. But we need not worry about this player.

 

[BBallF]

I think we all expected the team to be "scrambling" in its effort to replace Paige. If you think about it, has Sarah kind of done that singlehandedly. I feel, now, players are in the process of getting used to Sarah's ascendance. Games prior to yesterday, players being surprised by some of Sarah's passes, especially Serah. So, IMO KK and Ash in particular are again assimilating to new roles. Those two, a lot has been asked, and they are always there. (I still say 2024 was an incredible season! ) I had it in my head, that this year KK would now be the floor general. UConn has a "point-forward", a la Larry Bird, LeBron James. Tough role for KK, all three years maybe, knowing when to shoot and/or drive. We may not see all of KK until she gets to the W and nobody in the league can stay in front of her. (Tiny Archibald- one of my favs)

Mine too but Tiny had a great pull up jumper when he couldn't finish the drive. KK needs that.

 

[DemonDeac22]

This is much ado about nothing - let’s get a larger sample size, say 20 games, and then have the conversation.

There are many mouths to feed in this offense, which is a good thing, and you need strong facilitators who add value in other ways such as playing lock down defense and pushing the ball up the court when opportunities arise. Both KK and Kayleigh fit that role perfectly.

 

[Happydad745]

We have 2 players who happen to be really good Point Guards....if one is off, the other is in.

 

[sun]

KK possesses the tempo that no other UConn PG seems to be able to match. That's why she's the starter.
She has the moves, the shake & bake twitch and the handle for dribbling which no other UConn PG seems to be able to match.
KK hasn't forgotten how to score. KK is more of an ace in the hole. She can turn into a scorer when she needs to, like in big games of the NCAAT.
Anyone can see that she takes a beating when she drives and then hits the floor....HARD!

 

[rugbymate]

You could make the case that KK is the perfect point guard for this team. We have super efficient scoring from Sarah and Azzi while Blanca and Serah are trending that way. KK’s role should be to facilitate that strength. On defense, there is no one on the team that plays on the ball disruptively as her. While there really is no stat to measure that it is a major contributor to the Win column.

 

[1974yankees]

I have no problem with KK. If I remember correctly she helped us win a National Championship last year big time. Her defense was tenacious. People forget that she is only a junior and this is really her first year starting at the point..

She will be fine. Every championship team needs a KK Arnold....

How did we win 2 National Championships with Conlon at the point?

I would be more concerned with Jana to be honest. Especially in a tight game.

 

[Stagnant]

If someone puts together a consistent run of games and looks fantastic in practice… I think they can find a way into the starting lineup. I think only Azzi and Sarah Strong are locked in.

At this very moment, there is no reason to change the starting lineup imo.