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Message: [QUOTE="bballnut90, post: 4149377, member: 2117"] I love lists like this--thanks for putting in the time and effort to create and share it. Couple of things worth noting: 1. It has been remarkable that UCONN avoided any serious injury to a top 3-4 player from 2002 until 2021. Especially considering the health problems Jefferson, Stewart, Nurse, Hartley, Hayes, Taurasi, etc. have faced in the WNBA. The good fortune ran out this year with Bueckers but she still could return for the end of the season. 2. 2014 was a 6 player team for almost the entire season since Tuck was injured early in the year. UCONN was ultimately never challenged despite having zero depth. 2015 I'd also argue was a 6 player squad in big games, as Williams didn't play against competitive teams and Chongs numbers dwindled considerably by the end of the season. 3. 2002 I'd consider an 8 deep squad. Conlon, Battle and Moore all played big minutes in big games throughout the season, including the Final Four. None of UCONN's starters averaged more than 30 minutes per game. 4. All that said, I don't think rotation depth matters that much if you have 5 or 6 solid players who are well conditioned and can avoid foul trouble. Notre Dame won a title in 2018 with a 5 person roster and nearly repeated in 2019 with only 5 again. UCONN won with 6 player squads in 2014/15 and had championship caliber teams with 6 players in 2017 and 2018. 7 seems like an optimal number but if you have the players, we've seen than you can pull it off with just 5 or 6 too. 5. I do think too much depth actually hurts teams rather than helps them. In the past when we've seen really good teams bring back everyone and add in additional talent, it usually hurts team chemistry more than it helps it. Some notable examples include: 1999 Tennessee not being as good as the 1998 team despite everyone back from an undefeated title team 2001 UCONN not being as good as the 2000 team despite having all major contributors back, plus adding in Taurasi. 2004 UCONN not being as good as the 2003 team despite everyone back plus a 3 or 4 person recruiting class 2007 Maryland not being as good as 2006 with everyone back plus Wiley-Gatewood 2013 Bayor not as good as 2012 after adding in Niya Johnson/Alexis Prince as rotation players 2018 UCONN not as good as 2017 after adding in Stevens 6. I agree with other posters that I don't think UCONN's Final Four chances are out the window if Bueckers comes back. Aside from SC and arguably Stanford (neither of whom UCONN will face until the Final Four), the rest of the field just isn't very imposing this year. I mean look at Louisville--that was a completely winnable game for UCONN and it just came down to Louisville making plays down the stretch while UCONN didn't. Louisville realistically could be the #1 seed in Bridgeport. Play that game again and UCONN could definitely win, especially if Bueckers is back. UCONN also has home court until the Final Four which bodes well for their chances to go deep. [/QUOTE]

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