Does this team REALLY have it all?

[doggydaddy]

Here is a list of what attributes you look for when constructing a team. Please feel free to add any I missed.

In no particular order -

Depth - Check. 10 players when healthy that can contribute against any level competition.

Height - Check. As someone else posted, mobile and skilled height. When you can easily interchange your front line between players 6'5", 6'4", 6'3", 6'3", and 6'2", you have height and depth in the frontcourt.

Speed - Check. Hartley is quick. Banks is quicker. Jefferson is even quicker! And all the frontcourt players can run, so it adds to the overall team speed. Oh yeah, Faris is quick too.

Defense - Check. Looks like this team will zone some. Geno played a 1-3-1 with Stewart out front. Could be devastating. And Faris, Banks, Hartley and Jefferson will just BOTHER those opponents into TO's.

Upper Class leadership - Check. Hartley, Dolson, Doty, Faris and Buck are all vocal and terrific leader types. Should be interesting to see who appears to be THE leader.

Passing - Check. This team will be as unselfish as any UConn has had. They were always looking for a better shot last night. Those cross court passes for 3 point shots were great. I'm sure they will lead the country in assists and assist/to ratio.

Shooting - Double Check. They really do have 8 players that can take the 3. Doty, Hartley, Lewis, Tuck, Stewart, Jefferson, Faris, Banks and what the heck lets make it nine and make Icebear happy and add in Dolson! Seriously, the first 5 players I listed could all shot 35% +. I expect Lewis to be at 40%.

Mental toughness - Check. With Faris, Doty, Hartley and Dolson, how can they not be tough. They will not let the others let up at all during the season.

My optimism is off the charts.

 

[pap49cba]

DD, you're starting to sound like Tony C.

 

[UConnCat]

LOL Yes, I do believe this team do have it all.

I said on the board a few days ago that I believe UConn will have the most dynamic offense in WCBB and what I saw last night reenforced that belief. I was really impressed with the ball movement/reversal. As somebody else noted, the floor spacing needs to get better but that will come with time.

The only weakness is one that Geno talked about last night and something Baylor has in abundance: experience.

“One of the things that I said in the locker room after the game is part of being a really good team and a good player is that mentally you are a smart player and smart players then make smart teams. And smart teams are hard to play against if they are talented, then I looked around the room and I said the challenge for our team is six of our players are freshmen or sophomores, they don’t even know what they don’t know. They have to work that much harder to become really smart down the road to win the games were going to have to win against the really, really good teams. From a physical standpoint, the young guys have talent and ability to play. Our challenge from a coaching standpoint is to make sure we keep working on getting them to be smarter than their age. That is the key. Making sure they don’t play like freshmen and sophomores come February, March, and April.”

 

[doggydaddy]

LOL Yes, I do believe this team do have it all.

I said on the board a few days ago that I believe UConn will have the most dynamic offense in WCBB and what I saw last night reenforced that belief. I was really impressed with the ball movement/reversal. As somebody else noted, the floor spacing needs to get better but that will come with time.

The only weakness is one that Geno talked about last night and something Baylor has in abundance: experience.

“One of the things that I said in the locker room after the game is part of being a really good team and a good player is that mentally you are a smart player and smart players then make smart teams. And smart teams are hard to play against if they are talented, then I looked around the room and I said the challenge for our team is six of our players are freshmen or sophomores, they don’t even know what they don’t know. They have to work that much harder to become really smart down the road to win the games were going to have to win against the really, really good teams. From a physical standpoint, the young guys have talent and ability to play. Our challenge from a coaching standpoint is to make sure we keep working on getting them to be smarter than their age. That is the key. Making sure they don’t play like freshmen and sophomores come February, March, and April.”

I can't believe I wrote that. Does, does, does, does does.

Maybe the mod can edit the subject line so I don't sound like a Tennessee fan.

I'm not buying what Geno is selling there. They have 6 sophs and freshman, but they also have 2 seniors and 3 juniors all with final four experience. And Lewis and Stokes are now sophs with FF experience. I don't think Geno is worried about Lewis.

In regards to the freshmen, Geno has it pretty good with the USA experience they have, especially Stewart and Tuck.

Geno had to find something to worry about.

 

[RadyLady]

I think I know what Geno is saying....don't sit on your laurals...He's saying, if you stop learning, you stop growing. These kids are terrific, but they still have a lot to learn to make them not a great team, but a devestating team. they must listen and they must learn and not let ego or complacency get in the way.

 

[msf22b]

not their style methinks, eh?

 

[alexrgct]

I think it's pretty clear this is a championship-caliber team. I believe I've said this previously, but there are some parallels between this season and 2009-10. The 2009-10 season was a two-horse race between a defending undefeated champion (UConn) and a friendly rival (Stanford) that was absolutely good enough to win a championship in most years and possibly that one. In 2012-13, Baylor will be the "UConn", and UConn will play the role of Stanford. Uconn in 2009-10 had the two best players in the game. Baylor has the best player who is a unique physical mismatch, and another top five-caliber player in Sims...not to mention a host of role players who understand how to play with the team's superstars.

UConn is going to need all 22 hands on deck to beat Baylor. Griner's going to get hers, and Sims is going to make plays at crucial moments. UConn will need to make those two work hard, neutralize the role players, and reliably make big plays of their own.

Like 2009-10, much of the season may feel like an inevitability. Hopefully the two showdowns will live up to the hype. In 2009-10, UConn-Stanford 1 was an excellent game, and the NC game, though closer, was a bit of a dud. These two games between UConn and Baylor have the potential to be magic.

 

[MarlboroughMike]

As stated on the board many times, the team looked super, super last night. And I was impressed with IUP, down 70 and still playing as hard as they were able. Still, some not so good things appeared to carry over from last year. Banks playing matador defense - at one point during a time-out Marisa demonstrated to Banks what she wanted her to do, square up. Banks went right out and waived the offensive player player past causing rotational problems for the bigs. Only one crazy drive and she managed to get fouled on it. And yes, her steals were great. Stokes allowed herself to be pushed out of position by #0 of IUP, all other bigs held their ground inside. Stokes can be terrific offensively and defensively when she wants, appears to get almost as high as Stewart. I'm assuming first night jitters, but Buck fumbled the ball the first two or three times it hit her in a bad place, her hands. Still plays aggressively and enthusiastically. I saw at least three times when Tuck had the defender sealed, and each time the ball handler had a lane to her, looked at her and passed the ball elsewhere. The team looked awesome, including the ones above, just thought that with all the praise in print that there are still some small things need to be worked out (and the coaches, I'm sure, will find more). Great start for this team.

 

[jplotinus]

I 'gree with those who say yes it do. ;-)

With 2 good (one a potential wade candidate) players sidelined, they obviously didn't have a chance to sample all of their possible combinations. Heck, even with those available, I kept thinking there were other combinations available that weren't sampled last night. Even though I thought the starting 5 would be as it was last night, I'm not sure it needs to be the same for all games, even including the obvious necessity to include Hartley and Doty as starters.

The team is an embarrassment of riches.

Their only competition is Baylor. Against Griner and Sims, considerable thought is needed as to who would start that game, or have the most minutes, in any event. I think it would require a combination of Hartley, Jefferson and Banks to keep Sims in check; and a combination of Dolson, Stokes, Stewart, Buck and Tuck and even Faris to sufficiently harass Griner. Meanwhile, KML could score from here there and everywhere and Doty could surprise them when they are otherwise distracted.

I think they can beat Baylor this year. Yes I does.

 

[ThisJustIn]

But, can they dance?

 

[Bestiarius]

As stated on the board many times, the team looked super, super last night. And I was impressed with IUP, down 70 and still playing as hard as they were able. Still, some not so good things appeared to carry over from last year. Banks playing matador defense - at one point during a time-out Marisa demonstrated to Banks what she wanted her to do, square up. Banks went right out and waived the offensive player player past causing rotational problems for the bigs. Only one crazy drive and she managed to get fouled on it. And yes, her steals were great. Stokes allowed herself to be pushed out of position by #0 of IUP, all other bigs held their ground inside. Stokes can be terrific offensively and defensively when she wants, appears to get almost as high as Stewart. I'm assuming first night jitters, but Buck fumbled the ball the first two or three times it hit her in a bad place, her hands. Still plays aggressively and enthusiastically. I saw at least three times when Tuck had the defender sealed, and each time the ball handler had a lane to her, looked at her and passed the ball elsewhere. The team looked awesome, including the ones above, just thought that with all the praise in print that there are still some small things need to be worked out (and the coaches, I'm sure, will find more). Great start for this team.

Thanks Mike, good stuff.

 

[OneTrickPony]

I can't believe I wrote that. Does, does, does, does does.

Maybe the mod can edit the subject line so I don't sound like a Tennessee fan.

I'm not buying what Geno is selling there. They have 6 sophs and freshman, but they also have 2 seniors and 3 juniors all with final four experience. And Lewis and Stokes are now sophs with FF experience. I don't think Geno is worried about Lewis.

In regards to the freshmen, Geno has it pretty good with the USA experience they have, especially Stewart and Tuck.

Geno had to find something to worry about.

I agree DD...Geno is just practicing the focus technique...he has to be delighted with the team's progress...

And don't lose any sleep about sounding like a Tennessee fan, the occasional visit they pay is sufficient reminder of le difference!

 

[Bestiarius]

I agree DD...Geno is just practicing the focus technique...he has to be delighted with the team's progress...

No doubt he is delighted. After the game, when he was speaking to the student section he told them they were going to see something special this year. He also invited them to an open practice Monday evening (i believe) at which there would be pizza. He also said he tried really really hard to get them a keg to go along with the pizza. That's Geno, always knowing how to motivate.

 

[VAMike23]

I'm not buying what Geno is selling there. They have 6 sophs and freshman, but they also have 2 seniors and 3 juniors all with final four experience. And Lewis and Stokes are now sophs with FF experience. I don't think Geno is worried about Lewis.

In regards to the freshmen, Geno has it pretty good with the USA experience they have, especially Stewart and Tuck.

Geno had to find something to worry about.

I agree with your take, but Geno is always looking ahead and thinking what he must do so that the team continues to improve. Remember last year he took responsibility when he said the team was not improving from where they were early in the season. He needed to figure out how to get them to the next level. Ultimately it was the BE Tournament where they finally took a big step forward. Could the same thing happen to this team re: lack of improvement? I doubt it, but Geno is paid to see the glass half empty..

At a higher level, I look at the 'experience' question this way: There are only a handful of teams who will give UCONN a competitive game this year, and only one that you look at and say the other team will likely be favored. That team is Baylor, and except for Tiffany Hayes we have everyone back from a team that was leading Baylor at their place, deep into the 2nd half, and fluffed the game away. All the big pieces of our own puzzle are still in place and remember that game well: Kelly, Bria, Stef, KML, Caroline. There are some very competitive characters in that group and they know they could have won that game. That's the most important experience you can have, and not only that but it gives them something to prove. (Duke could be very good this year, too, but they won't beat us. That's why I'm focusing on Baylor.)

Our biggest needs in the off-season were addressed more than perfectly by Stewart, with Tuck and Mo as huge bonuses that will make big contributions particularly in how they allow us to match up against a variety of squads. Will Baylor be better than last year? Absolutely. But we added a VITALLY important piece that was missing last year, and I don't think that Baylor did that. I think they gained experience and upgraded their talent but they didn't add a vital piece (Stewart). We did. From the standpoint of how our team actually functions, we can now beat you in a number of ways as Geno said last night, as opposed to 'we have to beat you this way and if you take that away, we struggle.' This year we will have balance on offense and balance on defense, and depth to boot. There will be no structural weaknesses that Geno & Staff have to work to cover up.

 

[Zorro]

I can't believe I wrote that. Does, does, does, does does.

Maybe the mod can edit the subject line so I don't sound like a Tennessee fan.

I'm not buying what Geno is selling there. They have 6 sophs and freshman, but they also have 2 seniors and 3 juniors all with final four experience. And Lewis and Stokes are now sophs with FF experience. I don't think Geno is worried about Lewis.

In regards to the freshmen, Geno has it pretty good with the USA experience they have, especially Stewart and Tuck.

Geno had to find something to worry about.

But the question is, is the young players learning?

 

[easttexastrash]

I think that Baylor added two vital pieces: a backup center that has size and scoring ability and a pure three point shooter. But certainly nothing as impactful as what Stewart adds. Baylor will be considerably better and deeper with the addition of Prince, Higgins and Chandler.

 

[DishNSwish]

I think that Baylor added two vital pieces: a backup center that has size and scoring ability and a pure three point shooter. But certainly nothing as impactful as what Stewart adds. Baylor will be considerably better and deeper with the addition of Prince, Higgins and Chandler.

That game in February is going to be epic. I can say that confidently.

 

[UConnCat]

I agree with your take, but Geno is always looking ahead and thinking what he must do so that the team continues to improve. Remember last year he took responsibility when he said the team was not improving from where they were early in the season. He needed to figure out how to get them to the next level. Ultimately it was the BE Tournament where they finally took a big step forward. Could the same thing happen to this team re: lack of improvement? I doubt it, but Geno is paid to see the glass half empty..

At a higher level, I look at the 'experience' question this way: There are only a handful of teams who will give UCONN a competitive game this year, and only one that you look at and say the other team will likely be favored. That team is Baylor, and except for Tiffany Hayes we have everyone back from a team that was leading Baylor at their place, deep into the 2nd half, and fluffed the game away. All the big pieces of our own puzzle are still in place and remember that game well: Kelly, Bria, Stef, KML, Caroline. There are some very competitive characters in that group and they know they could have won that game. That's the most important experience you can have, and not only that but it gives them something to prove. (Duke could be very good this year, too, but they won't beat us. That's why I'm focusing on Baylor.)

Our biggest needs in the off-season were addressed more than perfectly by Stewart, with Tuck and Mo as huge bonuses that will make big contributions particularly in how they allow us to match up against a variety of squads. Will Baylor be better than last year? Absolutely. But we added a VITALLY important piece that was missing last year, and I don't think that Baylor did that. I think they gained experience and upgraded their talent but they didn't add a vital piece (Stewart). We did. From the standpoint of how our team actually functions, we can now beat you in a number of ways as Geno said last night, as opposed to 'we have to beat you this way and if you take that away, we struggle.' This year we will have balance on offense and balance on defense, and depth to boot. There will be no structural weaknesses that Geno & Staff have to work to cover up.

Baylor may have added an important piece in Prince who could make teams pay for doubling on Griner. I've re-watched the Stanford v Baylor semi-final game and Stanford's game plan at both ends was simple and well-executed. Stanford successfully pulled Griner away from the basket and doubled Griner off of the right Baylor players. The only thing Stanford wasn't able to do was make shots (other than Nneka). Credit Baylor's defense for some of that but Stanford missed a bunch of open shots too. Credit also goes to Baylor's Condrey who was left open and made some big shots.

I watched last night's game and looked for things UConn can do against the top competition, most notably Baylor. There's no doubt that Stewart and Tuck and a better-conditioned Dolson give UConn options it didn't have last year. As Geno himself noted, the fact that UConn made it to the FF without Maya and with Faris as the power forward was pretty remarkable. The lack of size, strength and shot-making ability at that position shouldn't be an issue this year. But when all is said and done, and as a well-prepared Stanford team learned last year against Baylor, it'll come down to which team can make more big shots at big moments on the big stage. That's a tough thing to predict when talking about young players but that's what will make this season and hopefully another Final Four so much fun to watch.

 

[pinotbear]

But the question is, is the young players learning?

"What a waste it is, to lose one's mind". Them folks is too concerned about sin tax, and not enough about syntax.

 

[easttexastrash]

That game in February is going to be epic. I can say that confidently.

I was initially worried about Baylor not being able to match up when UCONN used two bigs but after getting a look at Huggins I feel that Baylor can go with two bigs and match up well. Higgins is going to play an important role. She is BIG and moves and shoots much better than I had anticipated. IMO, she flew under the radar in HS because she was out in the middle of nowhere in El Paso.

 

[Icebear]

But the question is, is the young players learning?

What your asking is is they is or is they isn't.

 

[VAMike23]

I think that Baylor added two vital pieces: a backup center that has size and scoring ability and a pure three point shooter. But certainly nothing as impactful as what Stewart adds. Baylor will be considerably better and deeper with the addition of Prince, Higgins and Chandler.

Backups are important for depth of course. However Griner has shown that she can go the distance if need be. And she is the center on the floor at crunch time. A backup is not a vital addition in the way I'm intending. Sims seemed very dangerous at hitting 3's and had a pretty good % IIRC. If the rest of the players were all bricklayers from deep last year and the new pure shooter is on the floor as part of the core 5 then that could be a vital addition. How many mins is she going to play?

Stewart is a vital addition bc she completely alters the nature of the team, what it can do, and what it's weaknesses are (or aren't). I haven't heard any of the preseason prognosticators saying "Now, with ___, Baylor is a different team." With Stewart, this years squad is a different team.

 

[EricLA]

Backups are important for depth of course. However Griner has shown that she can go the distance if need be. And she is the center on the floor at crunch time. A backup is not a vital addition in the way I'm intending. Sims seemed very dangerous at hitting 3's and had a pretty good % IIRC. If the rest of the players were all bricklayers from deep last year and the new pure shooter is on the floor as part of the core 5 then that could be a vital addition. How many mins is she going to play?

Stewart is a vital addition bc she completely alters the nature of the team, what it can do, and what it's weaknesses are (or aren't). I haven't heard any of the preseason prognosticators saying "Now, with ___, Baylor is a different team." With Stewart, this years squad is a different team.

Good points. and i would add that in addition to Bree, Mo also completely alters the nature of the team. there's a reason she was the highest rated PG ever in coming out of high school...

still, and as the game gets closer, i'm sure there will be much more analysis, but Baylor really only lost Condrey from their team and she wasn't a starter. in the NC game, they only played 7 kids any length of time - Madden, Hayden, Simms, Williams and Griner, with Pope and Condrey both getting 12-14 minutes off the bench. No offense to the Baylor newbies, but i'm not sure any of them except for Prince would see PT in a big game like Baylor-UCONN. I'm not saying that Fuqua, Johnson and Higgins won't contribute for Baylor during the year, but probably not in a game vs. UCONN...

So you have Simms, Madden, Hayden, Williams and Griner with Chandler, Pope and Prince off the bench. All their players will be better, just like UCONN's players are. But in a huge game, it's the first time in years that UCONN has a huge bench to go to if needed. I don't know if Doty will get 15+ minutes, but UCONN can literally go 9 deep after her. It's going to be a fantastic game with tons of hype. Bottom line, UCONN adds much more, but Baylor returns 5 starters from the team that just won the NC...

 

[mets1090]

If Griner picks up a few early fouls and has to sit out there is a big drop off. If any one of UConn's players picks up early fouls, it probably won't change anything. In a single elimination format like March Madness, that can play a big part. Last year it didn't matter because there wasn't a complete team to challenge Baylor. Things are different this year.

 

[easttexastrash]

Good points. and i would add that in addition to Bree, Mo also completely alters the nature of the team. there's a reason she was the highest rated PG ever in coming out of high school...

still, and as the game gets closer, i'm sure there will be much more analysis, but Baylor really only lost Condrey from their team and she wasn't a starter. in the NC game, they only played 7 kids any length of time - Madden, Hayden, Simms, Williams and Griner, with Pope and Condrey both getting 12-14 minutes off the bench. No offense to the Baylor newbies, but i'm not sure any of them except for Prince would see PT in a big game like Baylor-UCONN. I'm not saying that Fuqua, Johnson and Higgins won't contribute for Baylor during the year, but probably not in a game vs. UCONN...

So you have Simms, Madden, Hayden, Williams and Griner with Chandler, Pope and Prince off the bench. All their players will be better, just like UCONN's players are. But in a huge game, it's the first time in years that UCONN has a huge bench to go to if needed. I don't know if Doty will get 15+ minutes, but UCONN can literally go 9 deep after her. It's going to be a fantastic game with tons of hype. Bottom line, UCONN adds much more, but Baylor returns 5 starters from the team that just won the NC...

Higgins will be a part of the rotation. She's gonna be a big surprise to a lot of folks and will allow Baylor to have two bigs on the floor at the same time. Don't sell her short if you haven't seen her play.