Does this team REALLY have it all?

[easttexastrash]

One thing that the bench players will bring that last year's team didn't is additional size.
Pope 6-1
Chandler 6-2
Prince 6-1
Higgins 6-5

These players allow Kim to go very big if she needs to.

 

[wire chief]

I'm wondering...because Buck was the best defender vs. BG last year, will the addition of Stewart & Tuck put Geno's mind at ease
on offense, if Heather is in?

 

[EricLA]

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.

I don't doubt that she will contribute, but if Baylor needs her to be on the floor vs. UCONN, then they will be in very big trouble. You really think in a tight game against the best team Baylor will face all year, you will see any of the freshmen on the court besides Prince?

No offense to those other kids, but Brianna Banks was a consensus top 15 kid and she barely saw the court in big games. I hardly think talent wise (even tho some play different positions), Higgins, Fuqua or Johnson will see time against UCONN. Now if you are pounding the snot out of aTm, or Tennessee, or ND, perhaps they will get some quality minutes. Of course, you are far more an expert on Baylor than I am, so maybe you've seen/read things that contradict. I guess we will know if/when Baylor has some big/close games...

 

[EricLA]

I'm wondering...because Buck was the best defender vs. BG last year, will the addition of Stewart & Tuck put Geno's mind at ease
on offense, if Heather is in?

My opinion, no. Geno was trying all sorts of things. He had Walker on Griner at times as well 2 years ago and it wasn't because he was happy to have that kind of matchup.

Granted it was only 1 game (the exhibition game), but I saw the same Heather Buck we've seen for the past 5 years. She's a great kid and a great teammate, however she's lost on offense and only seems confident in setting screens out on the perimeter. As i said to ETT, if Geno needs to rely on Buck in that game, then it will be because UCONN is in trouble... Just my $.02

 

[doggydaddy]

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.

Sorry, but unless Griner is in foul trouble, Higgins will not be playing as part of the rotation against top teams. You haven't seen her play against top Div I teams either. But I would be shocked if a 4 star recruit with a 94 rating sees more than 2 minutes against UConn.

 

[easttexastrash]

R

Sorry, but unless Griner is in foul trouble, Higgins will not be playing as part of the rotation against top teams. You haven't seen her play against top Div I teams either. But I would be shocked if a 4 star recruit with a 94 rating sees more than 2 minutes against UConn.

Prepare to be shocked. I contend that Higgins was severely under rated coming out oh HS.

 

[meyers7]

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

So will be the one in April.

 

[meyers7]

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.

Speaking of foul trouble, one thing that stood out last night was Dolson with 0 fouls.

 

[magical2]

R

Prepare to be shocked. I contend that Higgins was severely under rated coming out oh HS.

easttexas I really think you are a class act and a great contributor to the board!

Having said that I will be interested to follow Baylor and see who are the bread and butter players!
As Eric had earlier said,and I concur,you have every one returning other than Condrey! You were dominant so much of the time other players got playing time. When you had a very important game it was the starting 5,with Condrey and Pope off the bench! I certainly can see English becoming part of the rotation.< How is she? I know you said she didnt play the other day due to an injury.>

Both teams returning starters and key reserves are going to be even better! I agree Buck is going to be # 11 on the roster and off of the bench! What we add with Stewart,Mo,and Tuck is way beyond typical FR classes! They will be getting major mins. They not only present potential matchup issues for Baylor,but our bench is legitimately 10 deep. Mulkey has the returning 6 plus Prince who is special and will get quality time and I guess Chandler!

I expect you to beat up on everyone up to Feb 18th! Last year on your court we gave you a game! This
year I believe there is a net gain for both teams. As to who has added more goes to IMHO UCONN!

I do have the greatest respect for the reigning NCs,you deserve to be ranked #1, Mulkey is a HOF Coach,Griner SR is the POY,followed by a Special Simms JR, and your next 4 returning Srs Madden,Hadden,Williams and Pope. So impressive add Prince and Chandler! I will be shocked to see Mulkey go beyond that in a HUGE Game! I expect you to come into the Feb 18th game with a 65 game winning streak and #1 ranking!

That game and what I believe will be the 2 of us playing for the National Championship will be wars!
I love what we have added ,along with what will be a very improved starting 5 along with Banks and Kiah! Depth,matchups,combinations will be beyond what Baylor has faced! I don't see your other FR being off the bench against us! I, with respect to Baylor,expect our more than competing for 40 minutes! I will be interested to see how your other FR develops! She certainly will get playing time in the many blowups you will have

I pray everyone on both teams are healthy!
Ira

 

[cferraro04]

Yes DD this team does have it all:

We have "hostem and postem" Dolson; We have Kiah and Bria and Breanna and Brianna; Then there is Buck and Tuck; We have the machine gun sisters..."Machine Gun Lewis" and "Machine Gun Doty"; Then there is "The Wind, (Moriah)", LINK

And finally for those who still wonder if this team has it all just look in the mirror and say..."Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the Faris of them all"...UCONN! UCONN! UCONN!

 

[JoePgh]

One thing that wasn't mentioned in the original post for this thread is rebounding. I am a tiny bit worried about that this year (as I was last year, and was right to be). Of course, it's hard to tell (particularly with rebounding) against an opponent like IUP, but on the surface, a 44-26 rebounding edge when UConn is shooting 54% and IUP is shooting 19% doesn't seem like the kind of performance that should make us comfortable about UConn's rebounding. (Note: my stats are from memory; I didn't recheck the box score to verify this.)

I hope Stef is going to be a better rebounder now that she is in obviously better shape, but that has yet to be demonstrated. Morgan Tuck seemed to be a strong rebounder (if she gets to a ball, it won't get away from her), but not with a lot of vertical leap. Breanna Stewart has the leaping but may not have the strength against better opposition. Kelly will be much more on the perimeter this year -- she will still get some rebounds that she isn't entitled to (as she always has), but as a guard she can't be crashing the boards like she did last year. The same applies to Bria.

Kiah may prove to be the key to UConn's rebounding -- she has all the physical tools. Let's hope that she is healthy enough, motivated enough, and in good enough shape to contribute the minutes that would be needed for her to fill that role.

 

[UConnCat]

One thing that wasn't mentioned in the original post for this thread is rebounding. I am a tiny bit worried about that this year (as I was last year, and was right to be). Of course, it's hard to tell (particularly with rebounding) against an opponent like IUP, but on the surface, a 44-26 rebounding edge when UConn is shooting 54% and IUP is shooting 19% doesn't seem like the kind of performance that should make us comfortable about UConn's rebounding. (Note: my stats are from memory; I didn't recheck the box score to verify this.)

I hope Stef is going to be a better rebounder now that she is in obviously better shape, but that has yet to be demonstrated. Morgan Tuck seemed to be a strong rebounder (if she gets to a ball, it won't get away from her), but not with a lot of vertical leap. Breanna Stewart has the leaping but may not have the strength against better opposition. Kelly will be much more on the perimeter this year -- she will still get some rebounds that she isn't entitled to (as she always has), but as a guard she can't be crashing the boards like she did last year. The same applies to Bria.

Kiah may prove to be the key to UConn's rebounding -- she has all the physical tools. Let's hope that she is healthy enough, motivated enough, and in good enough shape to contribute the minutes that would be needed for her to fill that role.

I look at rebounding and just wish that UConn had grabbed one more last year (the one that went to Novosel).

Just to give this some context, last year UConn avereaged 41.7 rebounds per game and gave up 31.3 for a rebound margin of 10.3 (according to NCAA stats, though 10.4 is what my arithmetic yields). That rebound margin was 7th in the nation behind Liberty, Maryland, Cal, Princeton, Baylor (diff = 11.3) and Delaware. I do expect UConn to be a better rebounding team this season because returning players will improve (KML) and Stewart and Tuck will both be good rebounders.

 

[Icebear]

I look at rebounding and just wish that UConn had grabbed one more last year (the one that went to Novosel).

Just to give this some context, last year UConn avereaged 41.7 rebounds per game and gave up 31.3 for a rebound margin of 10.3 (according to NCAA stats, though 10.4 is what my arithmetic yields). That rebound margin was 7th in the nation behind Liberty, Maryland, Cal, Princeton, Baylor (diff = 11.3) and Delaware. I do expect UConn to be a better rebounding team this season because returning players will improve (KML) and Stewart and Tuck will both be good rebounders.

We were an excellent rebounding team. Stef's rebounding numbers may not go up but she kept opponents off the boards for players like Kelly to sweep the floor.

 

[RadyLady]

But, can they dance?

You survived the storm, my friend?

 

[Tonyc]

What Breanna Stewart brings this season at the high post on defense is a force that makes it hard for Griner to get the ball and if she does it will be very tuff for Griner to get off a shot with 2 bigs on her. Maybe some offensive charges. Breanna will also make it very tuff for outside shooters to get their shot off. IMO Baylor will slow the game down and UCOnn will press the guards trying to force turnovers. It will be a really good game.

 

[OneTrickPony]

What Breanna Stewart brings this season at the high post on defense is a force that makes it hard for Griner to get the ball and if she does it will be very tuff for Griner to get off a shot with 2 bigs on her. Maybe some offensive charges. Breanna will also make it very tuff for outside shooters to get their shot off. IMO Baylor will slow the game down and UCOnn will press the guards trying to force turnovers. It will be a really good game.

I would be planning how to make sure that Brittany is completely worn out midway through the second half...and I'd be thinking how to sic Kelly, MJ and Brianna on Odyssey until she blows her cork!

 

[Tonyc]

I would expect after watching UConn the other night they will wear down every team they play. This is the best defense Ive ever seen, and its deep and relentless with talent. Another point if Geno were to have 3 bigs on the court at the same time, getting the ball inside and taking shots within 20 ft would be very difficult. Opponets are going to have to work very hard to get a shot. MJ and BB are very quick which will add to the defensive pressure. We will wear teams down. The intimadation from our press with quickness and length and then breaking half court only to find guards that hawk you like gnats and height that keeps you from getting passes inside, it will just wear you down. Margin of winning and opponets shooting percentage will be way down. JMo from what I saw .

 

[jdubct]

I would expect after watching UConn the other night they will wear down every team they play. This is the best defense Ive ever seen, and its deep and relentless with talent. Another point if Geno were to have 3 bigs on the court at the same time, getting the ball inside and taking shots within 20 ft would be very difficult. Opponets are going to have to work very hard to get a shot. MJ and BB are very quick which will add to the defensive pressure. We will wear teams down. The intimadation from our press with quickness and length and then breaking half court only to find guards that hawk you like gnats and height that keeps you from getting passes inside, it will just wear you down. Margin of winning and opponets shooting percentage will be way down. JMo from what I saw .

Agree with you as long as we have the depth and scoring that Hartley and Doty provide.

 

[Tonyc]

Every one of our kids can shoot from outside. Stef Breanna and Morgan our bigs can shoot the trey. Machine Gun Lewis is almost automatic. She is a consealled weapon. Breanna MJ Bria and BB are can create their own shot from the outside. This is one awesome air attack. Caroline and Bria when the come back and I read Caroline will play on Wednesday will just add to the awesome firepower. CD and Bria will be the leadership we need up top to develop our young club. This is really gonna be a fun season.

 

[Icebear]

KML shooting 50% in the last game was just returning to her high school average her Jr and Sr years.

 

[meyers7]

Machine Gun Lewis is almost automatic. She is a consealled weapon.

How the heck is she consealled (or even concealed)? She's a weapon, but I sure pretty much everyone knows it.

This is really gonna be a fun season.

You bet your sweet bippy.

 

[OneTrickPony]

How the heck is she consealled (or even concealed)? She's a weapon, but I sure pretty much everyone knows it.

Yeah, KML should wear a pair of cris-crossed cartridge belts in warmups...like the bandoleros...just to get everyone in the mood!

 

[rocky rococo]

Can someone tell me where this idea that Stefanie is a three-point shooter comes from? I've seen it here several times recently, but according to the stats on the UConn site, she's only taken three in her career and missed them all. I'm a bit lost on this count.

 

[doggydaddy]

Can someone tell me where this idea that Stefanie is a three-point shooter comes from? I've seen it here several times recently, but according to the stats on the UConn site, she's only taken three in her career and missed them all. I'm a bit lost on this count.

Some here think she has that capability. Probably does, but she will only take a few the entire season.

 

[UConnCat]

Some here think she has that capability. Probably does, but she will only take a few the entire season.

Chris Dailey once talked about it and said she believes Stef has the capability to hit 3-pointers and hopes to see some in games before Stef graduates. I expect her to take a few this season. How many depends on whether she makes any.