Confirmed UConn pursuit of Wisconsin transfer Serah Williams

[HuskyNan]

Only if they are justified.

We will not speculate, folks

not addressed to you @Crossover , just tagging the thread

 

[oldude]

Would that make sense considering the optics of what has been alleged? It makes sense from a UConn connection perspective, but curious as to whether the claims of her former players impacts that idea.

In addition, a current UConn coach would have to leave for an assistant coaching job to open up. I don’t think anyone on Geno’s staff is going anywhere.

 

[Hist-teacher]

As I recall, the interest in Weimer on the BY was rather mixed. Williams looks like a clear asset to any team, but may fit UConn better than any portal prospect. That said, I don’t think Geno actually needs her. But she would be a good addition.

I’d compare the situation to UNC where Coach Banghart has two quality first year posts in Thomas and Toomey who have benefited from playing in the shadow of Gakdeng. Injury made this necessary last year and it’s worked out well.

The only caveat about getting Williams, and it may not matter much in the larger scheme, is that the post position may feel a bit crowded. Sarah, Jana, Ice, Ayanna, Gandy and Serah. And if Geno gets his way, Serah will be replaced by Olivia Vukosa the following year. I can’t remember a time when the post slot was so crowded. And it will feel even more crowded if Geno continues to use the small lineup style he’s favored the last two seasons and that Sarah really thrives in.

Sarah and Ayanna aren't really post players per se. More like #4 (power forwards) and SS may play more the 3 next year (depending on Azzi's decision.

 

[Dogstar]

I'm sortve on this wavelength as well. She seems like a really good player and I love the opportunity for players like her to try to compete at the highest level. But I do think it's a crowded front court with most of them lacking more in experience than anything. All of the bigs, yanna,ice, Jana, have red-shirted and spent considerable amount of time watching from the sidelines. I feel they all have talent but lack experience. So adding another post does crowd things.

I hear the comparison to adding Kaitlyn and Azzi returning this year, but there was no question KK and Ash were going to be pieces and part of the rotation. I thought maybe they wouldn't get the same amount of shots or minutes but they'd be given the chance to be difference makers.

Even when ice was injured, Jana didn't play over 20 minutes. And ice even when healthy doesn't play big minutes. And ice was a top 10 recruit, Ayana was as well. We also have Morgan who got minutes and is kinda like a 3/4. I guess Geno could play her at backup point next year. IDK, for me I'd prefer to give the players on the roster an increased role

We also have Morgan who got minutes and is kinda like a 3/4. I guess Geno could play her at backup point next year.

As a backup PG?

 

[Alydar]

Heather Buck graduated from UConn’s School of Nursing with a BSRN.

The requirements of the nursing program can hinder how many hours can be dedicated to basketball. I think that had a lot to do with Buck being an end-of-bencher despite having really good size/strength/speed.
I don't think Geno wants a part-time player from the portal.

 

[donalddoowop]

I'm all in for bringing experienced talent. Competing with her every day will only make Jana and Gandy better in the long run. They can still go small if it suits them and have Sarah play center for spurts and it lets Ice focus on being a backup 4, which I think she can handle.

Some Boneyarders did not want Geno to go after Cardoso when she was available because they said UConn already had enough post players. SC had a number of posts also but went after Cardoso any way. Getting Williams may spur Ice and Jana to work even harder over the Summer.

 

[Zarathustra]

Oh I know, but let's focus on bringing that "6 degrees of separation" in a little closer.

It's hard for me.... just ask my wife!... but I'll try!! Thanks for the feedback. Z

 

[Alydar]

In addition, a current UConn coach would have to leave for an assistant coaching job to open up. I don’t think anyone on Geno’s staff is going anywhere.

Right now. If Berube and/or Ralph win a couple of games AD's will look at who else is available. After a super bowl win the winning team's coaches get lots of offers. I think AD's would act just like NFL GM's.

 

[Zarathustra]

The requirements of the nursing program can hinder how many hours can be dedicated to basketball. I think that had a lot to do with Buck being an end-of-bencher despite having really good size/strength/speed.
I don't think Geno wants a part-time player from the portal.

Yes, but... Serah Williams played 30 out of 30 games at Wisconsin, for 32 minutes
a game with the (well known) stats of: FG % 49.3, 3-point % of 0. 83 % (she
doesn't take them), Free Throw 78 %, 19.2 ppg, 9.8 rebounds per game and 69
blocks. Maybe Serah decided her career interests are in a new (more "rounded"
arena?) or... she competed her clinical rotations and now has only "electives"
remaining for her degree? She can take any number of non-time conflicting
courses and complete her nursing requirements at her leisure!
BTY: Have you heard of Ilona Maher (pronounced "Mar")
with the USA 7X7 women's rugby team? She majored in Nursing at Quinnipiac
and now is with the Bristol Bears (15X15 women's rugby club in England). Nurse
Maher is playing to play for the USA in the upcoming 15X15 World Cup in
England this summer (2025). Check out her highlights on GOOGLE. She is a "petite" (I joke) 5 ' 11",195 pounds of muscle, very fast Bronze Medal Olympian (SUMMER, August 2024 in France).

 

[cancontent]

The requirements of the nursing program can hinder how many hours can be dedicated to basketball. I think that had a lot to do with Buck being an end-of-bencher despite having really good size/strength/speed.
I don't think Geno wants a part-time player from the portal.

If you view her stats and her playing history, she's far from being a part time player. Not to mention she also balanced USA basketball commitments to play with the U23 squad last summer.

A lot of these athletes make their schedules work to manage their commitments. How else do we see athletes graduating early or with multiple degrees in four years? This comes across very short sighted.

 

[cordarone]

Buck's course work was never mentioned as a cause of her lack of playing time when she was at UConn, as far as I can recall, either here on the yard or in anything the Horde wrote.

 

[packwrap]

Sarah and Ayanna aren't really post players per se. More like #4 (power forwards) and SS may play more the 3 next year (depending on Azzi's decision.

I realize that Sarah has skills to be a 3. I also realize this year she was even nominated for the national awards at 3.

Still I just can't envision her moving away from frontcourt next year, and possibly ever. We have loads of good guards, and not much frontcourt. If Sarah plays 3 with Jana and Ice(or newcomer) at 4 and 5, only 2 of our guards can play. Unless we really have great options at 4,5 that trade off won't actually help.

More importantly in the UConn system, what can Sarah achieve at 3 that she cannot achieve at 4,5? The system is so flexible that she can be everywhere on the floor in the frontcourt, usually with a mismatch. Really only on defense do we have more traditional forward and center roles.

I think we will see a lot of KK, Ash, Azzi/Caroline, Sarah and a platoon of players as the second frontcourt player. Naturally with bigger, healthier roster and freshmen there is plenty of depth behind this group too. Like this year with good health, there will again be 12-13 quality players.

 

[Alydar]

If you view her stats and her playing history, she's far from being a part time player. Not to mention she also balanced USA basketball commitments to play with the U23 squad last summer.

A lot of these athletes make their schedules work to manage their commitments. How else do we see athletes graduating early or with multiple degrees in four years? This comes across very short sighted.

I wasn't clear. Buck was on the bench for every game and as far as I know was at every practice. What she couldn't do was put in several hours every day working on her game outside of team activity. Playing for UConn probably takes as much time and hard work as pre-med. Maybe more. When I was at UConn a nursing degree was a 5 year program and very few easy credits. Buck made nursing her priority and as long as Geno was OK with it I was too.

 

[hookshot]

The requirements of the nursing program can hinder how many hours can be dedicated to basketball. I think that had a lot to do with Buck being an end-of-bencher despite having really good size/strength/speed.
I don't think Geno wants a part-time player from the portal.

Buck's end of the bench status was consistent with her on-court performance, where she appeared reluctant or hesitant to demonstrate offensive skills. I'm persuaded that she has made great use of her nursing skills