Great game all around albeit against a clearly overmatched and weak opponent. Sarah and Azzi could’ve scored 35 points each easily if they played 30 minutes and I am becoming concerned that they won’t each be first team All Americans as they deserve for both their offense and all around impressive games because they don’t get to pile up the stats like other star players on other teams.
Speaking of this issue, the same applies to KK,what she did in just 15 minutes ( 7 points 7 assists 3 rebounds, multiple steals and forced turnovers) while handling the ball perfectly without any turnovers and playing unparalleled defense is truly phenomenal. She could have scored and assisted at will if left in there for another 10 minutes yet now all that will be known is that she only got 7 points. Even on this forum people are giving kudos to Kayleigh because she put up 16 points etc. when KK and SS and Azzi effectively won the game in the first 15 minutes.
I am not criticizing Kayleigh Heckel or any of the other non starters but the simple fact is that they are essentially playing in garbage time when they’re up by 40 or 50 points without any pressure or concerns and not having to worry about defense and can concentrate on padding their stats and just running offense. KK is one of the very best all around point guards in the country and the pulse of our team yet gets literally no credit, even on this forum. Kayleigh Heckel is a welcome addition to the Huskies and has great potential but any suggestion that she’s a better player or PG or should be starting over KK is ridiculous as is trying to compare the 4th quarter clean up crews stats and contributions to any of the starters or BQ since they all play when the game actually matters against the other teams starters.
H Dog, the implications of your concerns are eye-brow raising. Perhaps you think that at a certain point in the game individual accolades should take priority over team development? Or perhaps you think that individual accolades should take priority over the individual growth and integration of newer players?
The essence of UConn women's basketball is that the team is the focus, not the individual. Always.
To your first concern, Sarah and Azzi are both averaging around 18 ppg for the undefeated #1 team in the country, playing in front of national TV audiences every game. If they continue to play even close to the level they are at and UConn continues to play as well as they have so far - and there is no reason to think they won't if they stay healthy, knock on wood - then the AA awards and accolades will be there at the end of the season.
Sarah received First Team All-American honors last year, and her numbers this year are better than ever despite playing fewer minutes per game. Likewise, both her and Azzi are statistically ahead of many players on national and conference pre-season watch lists (Booker, Latson, Miles, Betts, Johnson, Beers, Davidson, Fulwiley, to name a few).
To your second concern regarding KK and K9, your defensive/protective stance around KK Arnold is puzzling. You contend that she "gets literally no credit, even on this forum". Really??? As the starting UConn point guard, KK has been in the spotlight since Day One, and is constantly feted for her play both in practices and games - and deservingly so. She not only gets oodles of love and respect on the Boneyard, but also is brought front and center to pre-game and post game pressers. She even has been a repeat selection for Bob Joyce's post game interviews. In short, UConn Nation holds KK Arnold in very high regard.
I don't understand why you seem to take a helicopter parent's stance in feeling that K9's continued growth somehow threatens or diminishes KK's play. It doesn't. Both remain wonderful players and teammates, and are integral to the pursuit of NC13.
Bottom line: no need to be concerned on how playing time affects individual accolades, nor how it impacts the respect and admiration that Huskies receive inside or outside the Basketball Capital of the World.
