Dividing up 200 Minutes

[DEpup]

I'm really over the 4 guard line up.....I agree with others that point out we haven't won the big one since we started two forwards.

With that, I have a hard time seeing a viable scenario other than ONO and Edwards starting with Dorka coming in for the one who gets their first foul....

I then would say the other 3 starters are Paige, CW, and Evina. Nika is the first guard off the bench for Evina followed by Azzi for CW. I think Evina and Azzi minutes during noncompetitive games should be monitored. They need to be fresh and healthy in March.

 

[hoophuskee]

as I said earlier Geno's tendency is to play his starters 25-32 minutes a game even in blowouts so thinking that Bueckers is only going to average 25 minutes a game is unlikely..........DuCharme's extraordinary shooting skills give her a leg up over other bench players should the need arise.........I think Geno is going to give her some early minutes in the season to see if she can supply the kind of back up firepower all teams want regardless of the defense thrown at them.........

yes but on these points I wasn't arguing with you on. For example I never said Paige would average only 25 for the season. I like and agree a lot what you said here. Like it big time. But I didn't agree with what you said prior. And - OFC CD will play. I only said they' won't need her in big games that are tight all the way. But she'll play during the season no doubt. And to further that, I'd lean heavily towards she is going to have an amazing career at UCONN.

 

[cferraro04]

I posted this many months ago on the Boneyard...it wasn't given much attention at the time...but, since this thread is now posted on the boneyard...maybe, now it is more germane than it was at the time I originally posted:



This exercise which I like to do only to try and figure who is going to be on the floor and for how long and how in the world will Geno and his staff divvy up the minutes. On the onset...it is important to note that with this team and the talent that is on this team...there just isn't enough minutes to go around. If there are a total of 200 minutes (5 x 40 minutes) to go around...14 talented players makes it necessary to limit players minutes in order to get the rest of the players some playing time and experience. So, I expect that there will be some disagreement in how I divvied up the minutes but it is only an exercise so here goes.

1. Aaliyah Edwards, 6'3", So, Forward - 20 minutes; 12 points; 6 RBs...


2. Saylor Poffenberger, 6'2", Fr, Guard - 5 minutes; 3 points; 1 RB...


3. Paige Bueckers, 5'11", So, Guard - 23 minutes; 17 points; 4 RBs...


4. Nika Muhl, 5'10, So, Guard - 18.5 minutes; 5 points; 2 RBs...


5. Mir McLean, 5'11", So, Forward - 8 minutes; 4.5 points; 2.5 RBs...


6. Christyn Williams, 5'11", Sr. Guard - 20 minutes; 12.5 points; 3.5 RBs...


7. Dorka Juhaz, 6'5", F, Forward - 13 minutes; 8 points; 6 RBs...


8. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, 6'5", Sr., Forward - 17 minutes; 9.5 points; 6 RBs...


9. Evina Westbrook, 6'0", R-Sr., Guard - 20 minutes; 9 points; 4.5 RBs...


10. Piath Gabriel, 6'5", So., Forward - 3.5 minutes; 2 points; 2 RBs...


11. Caroline Ducharme, 6'2", Fr., Guard - 8 minutes; 5 points; 1 RB...


12. Azzi Fudd, 5'11", Fr., Guard - 22 minutes; 16 points; 2 RBs...


13. Amari DeBerry, 6'5", Fr., Forward - 8 minutes; 4.5 points; 5 RBs...


14. Aubrey Griffin, 6'1", Jr., Forward - 14 minutes; 6.5 points; 6 RBs...


Keep in mind that not every player will play in every game...so, the total minutes per person will not add up to 200 minutes. This often ends up being an almost useless exercise...because I will probably be completely wrong...but, one thing can be learned through this effort. I am glad I am not the coach of these players...I have no idea how Geno and his staff will juggle around the minutes for this very talented and deep team

 

[Cuango]

I'll bite, too.

First column of numbers is average for an average game, second is for close games. I'm sure my estimates for normal games are compressed, but I'm looking forward to seeing all these players and hope most of them average double-digit minutes.

I think the lineup I'd most like to see on the floor is Muhl, Bueckers, (Fudd or Ducharme), Poffenbarger, and Edwards. That would be probably the best passing ever seen in a NCAA game.

Westbrook	17	25
Nelson-Ododa	15	18
Williams	25	30
Juhasz	15	20
Griffin	10	5
Bueckers	30	33
Edwards	20	25
Muhl	20	20
McLean	5	0
Gabriel	2	0
Fudd	20	20
Poffenbarger	8	2
Ducharme	8	2
DeBerry	5	0

Any five that includes AE is not going to be the best passing team ever! I love her game certainly, but let’s face it, while improving, she is far from being a great passer!

 

[Inthepaint]

My hunch is that defensive capability and willingness to be aggressive will be crucial in Geno's play time decision making.Seems to be a consensus here that UCONN will have an abundance of offensive weapons. Interesting that we open against the Razorbacks on 11/14. It was the Arkansas game last season that kicked the ladies in the rump and finally got Geno's message across. CW's transformation to A1 lockdown defender down the stretch was a huge factor in subsequent games.Just one example of many.
So, we have to keep in mind that failure to get back on "D", forgetting to watch the back door, not challenging the other team's snipers
outside the arc, etc. will not be casually accepted, even for the newbies. Nika, whatever her offensive foibles, has proven to be a pit bull and a real pest, tossing monkey wrenches into the opponent's offensive machinery. I imagine that much will be forgiven if someone puts out 100% on defense.
Then again, the mantra coming off the bench might be "Shot the d--n ball, Azzi"

 

[Charliebball]

yes but on these points I wasn't arguing with you on. For example I never said Paige would average only 25 for the season. I like and agree a lot what you said here. Like it big time. But I didn't agree with what you said prior. And - OFC CD will play. I only said they' won't need her in big games that are tight all the way. But she'll play during the season no doubt. And to further that, I'd lean heavily towards she is going to have an amazing career at UCONN.

you could be right................Geno works in mysterious ways................I just wish the season would get here already...............tired of talking about what might be......

 

[Fairfield Fan]

View attachment 69154

Given how highly rated Amari DeBerry is coming in, and ONO's continued shaky performances, especially in big games, I would be very, very surprised if DeBerry only warranted 4 minutes of garbage time per game. If she works hard, and unless ONO really picks up her game, DeBerry should get on the floor for a lot more time.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I will try from a different perspective. First in my opinion there are six returning starters, both Nika and Alliyah could be considered returning starters. Remember earlier in the season when Anna went out, we went with Aaliyah, she did not have a good first game in the starting lineup, and then Nika settled in. When Nika was injured Aaliyah stepped in and this time played like the long term answer at the 4. When Nika was available, but probably still hampered by injury against Arizona, Aaliyah started and Nika came off the bench.

So what we don't really know is if the Arizona game was a week later and Nika was 100%, who the starter would have been, it could have been either. Regardless those 6 seem assured of regular minutes in contested games. Among returnees I would also include Aubrey for regular but limited minutes. Probably more limited than last year because Aaliyah might be a full time starter at the 4, and even if she doesn't start will play a much higher percentage of her minutes at the 4, unlike last year when she also needed to be Liv's principal backup. Still Aubrey is a very good proven backup 4.

So that puts me at 7 before considering the newcomers and how much the rotation might be expanded. I can't imagine a scenario where Azzi and Dorka are not part of the rotation since they are considered potential starters by many, so to me a rotation of 9 is more of a minimum than a maximum. Going beyond that is much more problematic, but I think the best chance at making it a 10 player rotation is CD, but she would probably need to be playing at a very high level to make that happen.

Ideally she could be the backup 3, behind Evina, with a little different skill-set and give us a deadly three point shooter there. Her challenge is Azzi could play as an undersized 3 with a great outside shot, Christyn could move over there, and if you wanted more defense and rebounding Aubrey could play there a little too. So Paige, Nika, Christyn, Azzi and Evina could easily handle positions 1-3 without needing a 6th. At 6-2 and long I think she would be a natural 3, but since her minutes would probably come at the expense of the previously mentioned 5 it might be an up hill battle, but I am rooting for it.

Obviously despite their talent and potential that leaves Amari, Piath, Mir and Saylor with mop-up minutes in most games, short of injuries. I would love to see us press and run more and find a reason to make them relevant at least in the conference games, but given Geno's track record I see a rotation of 9 and possibly 10 in big games.

Am I recalling correctly that Aubrey was slowed down by an injury last year? Someone else? I know about Nika's injury.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I'd have to strongly disagree with most of that. Among the three players the best defensive technique and tool kit is Azzi followed by Paige and then Caroline. It's all in the feet and Caroline is a taller girl and a longer strider. The other aspect of defensive is taking the right angles and anticipation of passing lanes. In those aspects of the game Freshman Paige show great growth from the start of the season where she was getting caught up in screen until the end of the season when she was exceptional in locking and trailing and taking the right path to recover. Paige led UCONN in steals last year by a fairly wide margin and averaged 4.9 RPG. As far as Azzi's defense she just put in work at U19 and was assigned against the best offensive player in the championship game. I think Carroline will be an adequate defender for UCONN but based on the level of competition faced thus far she cannot be considered a better defender that Paige or Azzi. As far as Caroline being better at driving to the basket I have to disagree there also. There is very little wiggle (change of direction) in Caroline's bounce where as Paige and Azzi are master craftsmen at subtle fakes, change of direction and crossovers with the dribble which keeps defenders on their heels.

Isn't Caroline dealing with injuries now? Do we know the status?

 

[SVCBeercats]

Given how highly rated Amari DeBerry is coming in, and ONO's continued shaky performances, especially in big games, I would be very, very surprised if DeBerry only warranted 4 minutes of garbage time per game. If she works hard, and unless ONO really picks up her game, DeBerry should get on the floor for a lot more time.

No doubt you are correct since Amari did get 6.7 minutes per game at the FIBA U19 World Championships.

 

[visitingcock]

Fun game. I wanna play.

Would you guys mind if I post my guesses about SCar in this thread for comparison? Or would you prefer that I keep it on the other board?

Like if you are okay with it being here.

Dislike if you want me to keep it on the general board.

 

[CocoHusky]

Am I recalling correctly that Aubrey was slowed down by an injury last year? Someone else? I know about Nika's injury.

Isn't Caroline dealing with injuries now? Do we know the status?

I'm sensing a theme in this line of questioning-something to do with injuries?
The injuries to the UCONN basketball team are being managed by professionals-no need to worry.

 

[CocoHusky]

Fun game. I wanna play.

Would you guys mind if I post my guesses about SCar in this thread for comparison? Or would you prefer that I keep it on the other board?

Like if you are okay with it being here.

Dislike if you want me to keep it on the general board.

They got rid of the dislike button. We already have a definite answer about UCONN minutes next year so I'm not sure another data point about SCar is going to advance this discussion but go ahead.

 

[visitingcock]

They got rid of the dislike button. We already have a definite answer about UCONN minutes next year so I'm not sure another data point about SCar is going to advance this discussion but go ahead.

I'll hold off for now. Don't wanna ruffle any dogs fur the wrong way.

 

[HuskyinWRNY]

You had me til the part about Nika! I haven’t seen anyone disrespecting Nika. What I have seen, is differing views on just how good she really is. These views have ranged from indispensable starter…to hard nosed quality backup ( first or second off the bench). This, in my view, is very far from disrespect! Even those of us who do not believe she should/will start (again,imo), readily agree that she is, and will be, a vital, key part of the eagerly anticipated success of this team over the next three/four seasons. I just don’t see where you are seeing this disrespect? Let’s assume that Azzi is as good or even better than Paige (something I personally have a very hard time seeing). Who sits so Nika can start? Based on our prior assumption, Paige and Azzi start as the two best players on the team. Paige would certainly play at the point, Azzi at the two, Christyn at the three, Evina, AE or Aubrey at the four, and ONO/Dorka at the five. Who sits for Nika? Now perhaps I have simply missed the disrespectful comments and if that is the case, I apologize. However, my argument still stands. I believe that Nika is seen (by virtually everyone on this forum) as a vital, extremely important key to our chances of winning number12 next season! I think most people would agree that having an outstanding backup for the point guard position puts us in the best position personnel wise that we’ve been in for many years!
I prefer Beemans.

Doesn't matter to me how many minutes anyone gets as long as we win. I prefer Knob Creek.

 

[JoePgh]

Given how highly rated Amari DeBerry is coming in, and ONO's continued shaky performances, especially in big games, I would be very, very surprised if DeBerry only warranted 4 minutes of garbage time per game. If she works hard, and unless ONO really picks up her game, DeBerry should get on the floor for a lot more time.

Wouldn't it be more logical to assume that Dorka will get many of Olivia's minutes if she falters? Why else would Geno have gotten her? I think it was a direct reaction to the Arizona game (and also to the Baylor game, where Liv was unable to score against Queen Egbo).

Let me add that I do think Liv will be much better this year. In part, this will be to get rid of the bad taste in her own heart from those last two games. But I also think that Geno seems (based on his comments) to have concluded that he needs to listen to Liv when she says that she really doesn't want to be an inside banger, and is much better suited to be a high post distributor on offense in the mold of Stef Dolson. That is why I think Geno will use a "2 big" offense -- so that someone else (most likely Aaliyah or Dorka) can handle the dirty work on the offensive boards.

Let me offer another observation about Liv's play last year: Contrary to widespread Boneyard comments about how she was thin and frail compared to her opponents on top teams (which was true in her freshman year but is no longer true), her limitations last year were really confined to scoring. She was a very capable defensive rebounder even against top competition, and she usually made good passes consistent with the offense. She even got her tendency to foul under somewhat better control. But her post moves with her back to the basket were deficient, and her 15-footer was not as reliable as it must be if she wants to play in the high post. Those are finite issues which she can certainly address in her senior year, as I'm sure she is highly motivated to do.

 

[PvP]

I posted this many months ago on the Boneyard...it wasn't given much attention at the time...but, since this thread is now posted on the boneyard...maybe, now it is more germane than it was at the time I originally posted:



This exercise which I like to do only to try and figure who is going to be on the floor and for how long and how in the world will Geno and his staff divvy up the minutes. On the onset...it is important to note that with this team and the talent that is on this team...there just isn't enough minutes to go around. If there are a total of 200 minutes (5 x 40 minutes) to go around...14 talented players makes it necessary to limit players minutes in order to get the rest of the players some playing time and experience. So, I expect that there will be some disagreement in how I divvied up the minutes but it is only an exercise so here goes.

1. Aaliyah Edwards, 6'3", So, Forward - 20 minutes; 12 points; 6 RBs...


2. Saylor Poffenberger, 6'2", Fr, Guard - 5 minutes; 3 points; 1 RB...


3. Paige Bueckers, 5'11", So, Guard - 23 minutes; 17 points; 4 RBs...


4. Nika Muhl, 5'10, So, Guard - 18.5 minutes; 5 points; 2 RBs...


5. Mir McLean, 5'11", So, Forward - 8 minutes; 4.5 points; 2.5 RBs...


6. Christyn Williams, 5'11", Sr. Guard - 20 minutes; 12.5 points; 3.5 RBs...


7. Dorka Juhaz, 6'5", F, Forward - 13 minutes; 8 points; 6 RBs...


8. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, 6'5", Sr., Forward - 17 minutes; 9.5 points; 6 RBs...


9. Evina Westbrook, 6'0", R-Sr., Guard - 20 minutes; 9 points; 4.5 RBs...


10. Piath Gabriel, 6'5", So., Forward - 3.5 minutes; 2 points; 2 RBs...


11. Caroline Ducharme, 6'2", Fr., Guard - 8 minutes; 5 points; 1 RB...


12. Azzi Fudd, 5'11", Fr., Guard - 22 minutes; 16 points; 2 RBs...


13. Amari DeBerry, 6'5", Fr., Forward - 8 minutes; 4.5 points; 5 RBs...


14. Aubrey Griffin, 6'1", Jr., Forward - 14 minutes; 6.5 points; 6 RBs...


Keep in mind that not every player will play in every game...so, the total minutes per person will not add up to 200 minutes. This often ends up being an almost useless exercise...because I will probably be completely wrong...but, one thing can be learned through this effort. I am glad I am not the coach of these players...I have no idea how Geno and his staff will juggle around the minutes for this very talented and deep team

A few observations: 1) the total minutes don't add up to 200 (if some players don't play every game, someone will simply replace them and the total minutes played will still add up to 200 unless there are overtimes or unless Geno feels sorry for the opposition and plays 4 on 5 for some minutes); 2) the total points per game will, according to your numbers, be in excess of 110, which, even as good as this team may well be, seems a bit excessive. [ ]

 

[MooseJaw]

Wouldn't it be more logical to assume that Dorka will get many of Olivia's minutes if she falters? Why else would Geno have gotten her? I think it was a direct reaction to the Arizona game (and also to the Baylor game, where Liv was unable to score against Queen Egbo).

Let me add that I do think Liv will be much better this year. In part, this will be to get rid of the bad taste in her own heart from those last two games. But I also think that Geno seems (based on his comments) to have concluded that he needs to listen to Liv when she says that she really doesn't want to be an inside banger, and is much better suited to be a high post distributor on offense in the mold of Stef Dolson. That is why I think Geno will use a "2 big" offense -- so that someone else (most likely Aaliyah or Dorka) can handle the dirty work on the offensive boards.

Let me offer another observation about Liv's play last year: Contrary to widespread Boneyard comments about how she was thin and frail compared to her opponents on top teams (which was true in her freshman year but is no longer true), her limitations last year were really confined to scoring. She was a very capable defensive rebounder even against top competition, and she usually made good passes consistent with the offense. She even got her tendency to foul under somewhat better control. But her post moves with her back to the basket were deficient, and her 15-footer was not as reliable as it must be if she wants to play in the high post. Those are finite issues which she can certainly address in her senior year, as I'm sure she is highly motivated to do.

I hit like because of the potential for Liv, you, me no one knows at this point if Liv will be a different player this coming season than the last three. We should expect every player to progress every year including Liv. I don't care if Liv plays low or high post. I hope that a switch goes on in her head like it appears happened last season with CW. I want her to believe she is the badest motha on the court, super aggressive every minute she plays. There are more than adequate players to sub for her or join her in a rotation allowing her to stay in beast mode the entire game. It's up to Liv if she flips that switch and takes that next step. As a fan of hers I hope she does.

 

[Mdoggie]

I hit like because of the potential for Liv, you, me no one knows at this point if Liv will be a different player this coming season than the last three. We should expect every player to progress every year including Liv. I don't care if Liv plays low or high post. I hope that a switch goes on in her head like it appears happened last season with CW. I want her to believe she is the badest motha on the court, super aggressive every minute she plays. There are more than adequate players to sub for her or join her in a rotation allowing her to stay in beast mode the entire game. It's up to Liv if she flips that switch and takes that next step. As a fan of hers I hope she does.

I agree, Liv and Azzi will light it up for sure!!

 

[Vowelguy]

Given how highly rated Amari DeBerry is coming in, and ONO's continued shaky performances, especially in big games, I would be very, very surprised if DeBerry only warranted 4 minutes of garbage time per game. If she works hard, and unless ONO really picks up her game, DeBerry should get on the floor for a lot more time.

Let's see, we've got

• a bunch of really strong guards - experienced plus newcomers -- meaning decent minutes for a 4 G/W lineup
• 3 front line players ahead of her
• posts typically take a while to adapt to the college game, especially fi they're not physical
• she barely got much playing time in the U19 tournament

.... but DeBerry is going to get significant playing time?!?

Lord help us. Please let the season get here quickly.

 

[CocoHusky]

Wouldn't it be more logical to assume that Dorka will get many of Olivia's minutes if she falters? Why else would Geno have gotten her? I think it was a direct reaction to the Arizona game (and also to the Baylor game, where Liv was unable to score against Queen Egbo).
Let me add that I do think Liv will be much better this year. In part, this will be to get rid of the bad taste in her own heart from those last two games. But I also think that Geno seems (based on his comments) to have concluded that he needs to listen to Liv when she says that she really doesn't want to be an inside banger, and is much better suited to be a high post distributor on offense in the mold of Stef Dolson. That is why I think Geno will use a "2 big" offense -- so that someone else (most likely Aaliyah or Dorka) can handle the dirty work on the offensive boards.
Let me offer another observation about Liv's play last year: Contrary to widespread Boneyard comments about how she was thin and frail compared to her opponents on top teams (which was true in her freshman year but is no longer true), her limitations last year were really confined to scoring. She was a very capable defensive rebounder even against top competition, and she usually made good passes consistent with the offense. She even got her tendency to foul under somewhat better control. But her post moves with her back to the basket were deficient, and her 15-footer was not as reliable as it must be if she wants to play in the high post. Those are finite issues which she can certainly address in her senior year, as I'm sure she is highly motivated to do.

I would be really interested to hear more about these comments from Geno on Liv- I'm not doubting or challenging them just genuinely curious. I've come full circle with Liv and back there again and that just since April. In April I was completely frustrated and concluded that she will be forever be that consistently inconsistent player and that her deficiencies was mostly between the ears. The one maddening reality that I cannot get many BY to acknowledge is the myth that Liv's struggles were only against top teams with good front lines. When UCONN signed Dorka I was encouraged because I recalled that Liv had not had a player of her size or quality to go up against in practice since she was a Freshman and sometime that makes all the difference. I started to have hope for an improved Liv senior season. A few weeks ago someone posted a video of Liv working out that brought me great joy for about 1/2 day because she showed significantly better form on her jump shot and a baby jump hook. My joy only lasted 1/2 day because in the afternoon I read a post from I think it might have been @BobbyJ which basically said "she should have been practicing that form and that hook since she was a freshman instead of waiting until her senior season". I became even more depressed by this though which is really why I'm so curious to read more about Geno comments. Jamelle Elliott has been Liv's coach for going on 20 months now. If Jamelle and CD cannot teach you how to be physical and effective playing in the post, it's probably never going to happen. I'm not asking Liv to become a fulltime banger or even to be as physical as Aaliyah can be. The nature of that position demands "occasional" physicality. Enough physically so that the defense has to account for your presence on the floor. UCONN is not getting this from Liv and more often than not Liv is the one stopping herself.

 

[Aluminny69]

Allow me to weigh in...

 

[BobbyJ]

I would be really interested to hear more about these comments from Geno on Liv- I'm not doubting or challenging them just genuinely curious. I've come full circle with Liv and back there again and that just since April. In April I was completely frustrated and concluded that she will be forever be that consistently inconsistent player and that her deficiencies was mostly between the ears. The one maddening reality that I cannot get many BY to acknowledge is the myth that Liv's struggles were only against top teams with good front lines. When UCONN signed Dorka I was encouraged because I recalled that Liv had not had a player of her size or quality to go up against in practice since she was a Freshman and sometime that makes all the difference. I started to have hope for an improved Liv senior season. A few weeks ago someone posted a video of Liv working out that brought me great joy for about 1/2 day because she showed significantly better form on her jump shot and a baby jump hook. My joy only lasted 1/2 day because in the afternoon I read a post from I think it might have been @BobbyJ which basically said "she should have been practicing that form and that hook since she was a freshman instead of waiting until her senior season". I became even more depressed by this though which is really why I'm so curious to read more about Geno comments. Jamelle Elliott has been Liv's coach for going on 20 months now. If Jamelle and CD cannot teach you how to be physical and effective playing in the post, it's probably never going to happen. I'm not asking Liv to become a fulltime banger or even to be as physical as Aaliyah can be. The nature of that position demands "occasional" physicality. Enough physically so that the defense has to account for your presence on the floor. UCONN is not getting this from Liv and more often than not Liv is the one stopping herself.

Yes, I did make that comment and there's still two parts of this situation I don't understand. During the summer following her underwhelming freshman season where she wasn't a full time player, she was chosen to play with the partial USWNT by Staley in the FIBA CUP. I included a link to a USABB article for context.
The first part is that almost 2 years after exposure to and competing against the highest level of play, this new video came out of her workouts. In a part of her statement from this video she says we're working on "creating moves off the dribble and post play that we haven't worked on before". What? How does it take that long to get motivated to want to play at your highest level possible after that experience? At the time she sounded motivated.
The second part is that I realize that it's very difficult to demand anything at anytime from anyone nowadays without serious problems but did the UConn staff really allow ONO to dictate the timetable of her development? Possibly because of lack of size inside and her importance to the team, specifically on defense. It looks like when he had the opportunity, Auriemma finally addressed the situation by grabbing the 6-5 Juhasz. Hence his comment about ONO's upcoming senior season.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa Using AmeriCup to Grow and Develop Her Game

The youngest player on the roster is gaining valuable experience for her future.

www.usab.com

 

[cferraro04]

A few observations: 1) the total minutes don't add up to 200 (if some players don't play every game, someone will simply replace them and the total minutes played will still add up to 200 unless there are overtimes or unless Geno feels sorry for the opposition and plays 4 on 5 for some minutes); 2) the total points per game will, according to your numbers, be in excess of 110, which, even as good as this team may well be, seems a bit excessive. [ ]

Okay, let's try this again...Last year our players logged the following averages:

Paige Bueckers 29 games 36.2 min / game

Christyn Williams 29 games 34.4 min / game

Olivia Nelson-Odota 30 games 26.1 min / game

Aaliyah Edwards 29 games 21.8 min / game

Evina Westbrook 30 games 30.7 min / game

Aubrey Griffin 29 games 16.8 min / game

Nika Muhl 23 games 24.4 min / game

Anna Mukurat 16 games 20.4 min / game

Mir MacLean 24 games 7.0 min / game

Autumn Chassion 8 games 1.9 min / game

Piath Gabriel 22 games 2.5 min / game

Saylor Poffenbarger 12 games 2.7 min / game


Because these players did not play in every game...the 200 minutes was distributed across all players...some played in the game where their minutes contributed to the 200 minutes played per game but didn't play in other games where players replaced them. However, the average minutes played per game by all players totaled 224.9 minutes. You cannot equate average minutes per player with total minutes per game because as stated in the original post not every player plays every game.

As far as the total points per game while 110 is extremely high...it is hard to see where some of these players will average less. And, again...since player "X" might only play 10 games and average 10 points there will be games where player "X" will be replaced by player "Y" who might play 16 games and average only 3 points per game. So just because the average points per game add up to 110 doesn't mean that each and every game all the players will play and the points will equal 110 points. There will be games when this squad as talented as they are will only score 70 points and there will be games that even with Geno taking his foot off the accelerator this team will still break 100... It is the nature of the beast.

 

[Bigboote]

Any five that includes AE is not going to be the best passing team ever! I love her game certainly, but let’s face it, while improving, she is far from being a great passer!

Aaliyah would be there to move without the ball — set screens and make hard cuts to receive passes for bunnies.

 

[huskyblooz]

View attachment 69154

Great job. I think this is very close .... I see Westbrook & Muhl getting a little less. And Fudd & Griffin getting a little more.

 

[D J B]

Aaliyah would be there to move without the ball — set screens and make hard cuts to receive passes for bunnies.

I agree about her passing, but her shooting is a different story:

Liv: FGM .55% FTM .54%
AE: FGM .68% FTM .64%

Edwards is not as tall, but she is very strong. She's also very fast for her size, having been a triple-jumper and hurdler as well as a relay team member in high school. She's going to be a contender for playing time each and every week.

 

[JoePgh]

I would be really interested to hear more about these comments from Geno on Liv- I'm not doubting or challenging them just genuinely curious.

I can't cite chapter and verse, but I have a definite recollection that sometime after the past season ended (it might have been when Geno signed Dorka), he said something about how he looks forward to having someone else to play in the post so that Liv can do what she really wants to do, which is to be a high-post distributor and playmaker. Or he may have said it when asked about how Aaliyah will benefit from being on the Canadian Olympic team.

The one maddening reality that I cannot get many BY to acknowledge is the myth that Liv's struggles were only against top teams with good front lines.

My very imperfect recollection is that in Big East games, Liv looked and played like Sylvia Fowles. She accepted passes from almost anywhere and made layups over the 6-1 forwards who were trying to guard her. Of course, that didn't prove anything when she was up against top competition. Even if the competition wasn't equal to her in size (e.g., Arkansas and Arizona), they had enough skill to neutralize her as a scorer.

When UCONN signed Dorka I was encouraged because I recalled that Liv had not had a player of her size or quality to go up against in practice since she was a Freshman and sometime that makes all the difference.

I think Geno has more in mind for Dorka than to be a practice player to develop Liv's inside game. Certainly he hopes that the spur of competition will make both of them better. But more significantly, Dorka is an insurance policy in case Liv does not improve as we all hope -- she has enough skill and experience to provide a credible replacement. Dorka can also provide backup minutes to Aaliyah if she is still unable to avoid foul trouble. It sounds as if Liv can play away from the basket on offense for nearly an entire game, with either Dorka or Aaliyah handling the bump-and-grind on offense (as Morgan did with Stewie). On defense, of course, any of the three will have to keep the defensive boards clean as their primary responsibility -- no excuses there about preferring to play away from the basket.

If Jamelle and CD cannot teach you how to be physical and effective playing in the post, it's probably never going to happen.

Liv is never going to play like Aaliyah Boston or Tina Charles, as I think you recognize. But that isn't the only model of an effective post player. I have just finished watching two games in person between the Connecticut Sun (featuring Jonquel Jones and Dawanna Bonner) and the Minnesota Lynx (featuring Sylvia Fowles). The Sun won both games, and I believe that J. Jones outscored Fowles in both games, although I thought Fowles played her game very well.

Both J. Jones and Bonner have body types similar to Liv -- long, agile, and thin. (Didn't I hear that Bonner and Liv have a familial relationship?) In fact, I would say that Liv is more muscular and powerful than either of them at this point, but she certainly is not nearly as skilled. The Sun forwards have learned to use their quickness and agility (and an array of post moves) to get past defenders like Fowles. Part of their effectiveness is that they both are dangerous 3-point shooters, so they have to be guarded a long way from the basket. That means they have a lot of opportunity to move without the ball. I don't think Liv will learn this year to shoot as well as they do, but if she can hit the 15-footer consistently, that will help a lot to get her free for uncontested layups on passes from the UConn guards.

 

[#12in21]

In regards to Liv, imo if she just hit the the gimmes at the basket she would greatly improve her scoring average. That doesn't address all her deficiencies or her propensity to not show up against top tier competition but would certainly help the team. I think both Edwards and Dorka will cut into Olivia's minutes this season. She definitely has to come back an improved player to continue as a regular starter, given that there are real options to replace her on this years rooster. I rewatched several of the games from the second half of last season with an eye, at the time, to see how many missed completions of potential assists from Nika occurred. To my eye Liz was a decent contributor in that regard, not just from feeds from Nika but Paige as well. She was exceptional at being in a good position and receiving perfect set-ups and yet missing the gimme at the basket. Not a lot of additional work is required beyond focus and confidence to finish those shots. With the addition of Azzi and Caroline (increased outside threat, accuracy and spacing) on top of the return of everything we had last season she will get more rather than less of those opportunities. If sh's not finishing this season on those she may want to get a cushion so she is comfortable with more time on the bench. I'm hoping she makes the adjustments she needs to.

 

[D J B]

In regards to Liv, imo if she just hit the the gimmes at the basket she would greatly improve her scoring average. That doesn't address all her deficiencies or her propensity to not show up against top tier competition but would certainly help the team. I think both Edwards and Dorka will cut into Olivia's minutes this season. She definitely has to come back an improved player to continue as a regular starter, given that there are real options to replace her on this years rooster. I rewatched several of the games from the second half of last season with an eye, at the time, to see how many missed completions of potential assists from Nika occurred. To my eye Liz was a decent contributor in that regard, not just from feeds from Nika but Paige as well. She was exceptional at being in a good position and receiving perfect set-ups and yet missing the gimme at the basket. Not a lot of additional work is required beyond focus and confidence to finish those shots. With the addition of Azzi and Caroline (increased outside threat, accuracy and spacing) on top of the return of everything we had last season she will get more rather than less of those opportunities. If sh's not finishing this season on those she may want to get a cushion so she is comfortable with more time on the bench. I'm hoping she makes the adjustments she needs to.

I agree with much of what you say here. Liv absolutely has to up her game under the basket if she expects to maintain her minutes. I remember one game early last season (sorry I don't recall the opponent) where at the beginning of the game she missed four bunnies and had two turnovers trying to pivot and force her way under the basket. She was a wonderful sixth defender for the opposition.

I sometimes think it's a mental thing with her. She often seems to lose control of the ball by moving before she has full possession, and she misses the easy shots by seemingly thinking about them instead of just letting instinct and training make them for her. She concentrates too much when she doesn't need to and doesn't when she absolutely has to. One moment she has beautiful gentle hands and the next she's working with two Christmas hams. She'll make a soft layup or toss-in and then on the next play throw up a complete brick from six inches away. It drives me crazy, so it must drive Geno absolutely mad.

The acquisition of Dorka wasn't made to just bring another big to put on the bench. She's an experienced quality player with two years of eligibility left who can actually compete for serious minutes and light a fire under Liv to help make her the best player she can be. Geno's comments about Liv said to me that he expects much more from her this year. I'm hoping she gets it together.