do you remember the 5th starter debate?

[rugbymate]

Before the season started, do you remember the debate as to who would be the fifth starter? Much of the debate centered around Butler vs Gabby. The subject has been rendered somewhat moot by Butler's early injury, Tucks current knee issues and the emergence of KLS. However, since Butler has been back and receiving playing time I thought it would be interesting to look at their joint performance as a proxy for the 5th man. For the last six games they are averaging 36.7 minutes, 19.7 points . 11.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.2 steals , only 3.2 turnovers, an A/T of 1(which is better than all but a handful of top 10 teams) and a shooting percentage of 61%!
Granted the competition hasn't been at the highest level in the last 6 games but for the 5th position on any team in any league these numbers are astounding. I guess the takeaway is that depth is good!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Kib may be right: Lou (Gehrig) is now in the starting lineup and will be there for years to come.

 

[bags27]

Great analysis. In anticipating of Tuck's return, at least for the big games, Geno has been evaluating the situations where best to substitute either Gabby or Natalie, while giving everyone playing time as insurance against injuries. Just too bad that basketball isn't 7 on 7... (well, really 10 on 10)

 

[pacific 44]

Now to get the ncaa to allow our Lou to stay in the lineup for 2,130 games here at Uconn.

 

[BigBird]

I just love Natalie, save one small thing. Has anyone ever told her that the rules permit post players to leap in order to appear taller to their opponent and block their shots or grab the rebound? But this kid has so much heart and BBIQ, maybe it doesn't matter.

 

[BigBird]

Just too bad that basketball isn't 7 on 7... (well, really 10 on 10)

I've heard that Geno's practices are often 7 or 8 versus five. Close enough?

 

[UcMiami]

As I remember it was a four headed debate - Gabby the returnee, Butler the returnee-ish center, Lou the KML like distance shooter, or Collier the complete package freshman. It is interesting to not with the exception of Butler whose candidacy was seriously derailed by injury, the other three have broken down as follows:
Gabby - 11 - 7 to start the season and 4 since Morgan started resting.
Napheesa - 8 - replacing Gabby in game eight
Lou - 6 - replacing Napheesa in game 16

It would seem that while we had the debate this past summer, the coaching staff has been having the debate throughout the first half of the season!

 

[JoePgh]

I just love Natalie, save one small thing. Has anyone ever told her that the rules permit post players to leap in order to appear taller to their opponent and block their shots or grab the rebound? But this kid has so much heart and BBIQ, maybe it doesn't matter.

I suspect that the ratio of her body weight to her leg strength (as of now) does not permit her to "jump over the Storrs phone book", as Geno has probably said to her. That means that she won't be much of a shot blocker and will lose out on some rebounds.

That is not ideal, but it is tolerable. There are only a few bigs in the country who will be able to exploit that weakness.

It will be more of a problem next year after Stewie leaves, when for the first time in many years UConn will not have a big leaper. Napheesa will probably be the Huskies' best in that department, and she will be quite good.

 

[j66kicker]

I just love Natalie, save one small thing. Has anyone ever told her that the rules permit post players to leap in order to appear taller to their opponent and block their shots or grab the rebound? But this kid has so much heart and BBIQ, maybe it doesn't matter.

Check out DannyK's pics from the Tulsa game. He caught Natalie a couple times with significantly more air under her feet than a phone book would require. I think the rumors of her lack of hops may be exaggerated...