Doty coming off bench

[Vowelguy]

With everyone able to play, we finally have the "starting 5", and its Hartley-Faris-KML-Stew-Dolson.

I certainly didn't guess that, but not much of a big deal I'd say.

 

[UConnFan23]

With everyone able to play, we finally have the "starting 5", and its Hartley-Faris-KML-Stew-Dolson.

I certainly didn't guess that, but not much of a big deal I'd say.

Sorry, I'm not certain from your post. Is this an announcement from UConn or your best guess?

 

[Vowelguy]

Yes, sorry for the confusion, announced by Geno.


John Altavilla ‏@jaltavilla
#UConnwomen geno says caroline doty coming off bench. "Tough call. No easy way to come to this decision. Players understand we have 6 strs
11:46 AM - 2 Dec 12 · Details

 

[Vowelguy]

Jim Fuller ‏@NHRJimFuller
#UConn's Geno Auriemma said Breanna Stewart start over Caroline Doty

 

[UConnFan23]

Jim Fuller ‏@NHRJimFuller
#UConn's Geno Auriemma said Breanna Stewart start over Caroline Doty

Thanks, the difference between having back-up or not determines whether the BY re-enters a war zone...

 

[easttexastrash]

The best 5 starting. The way it should be. Stewart and Dolson have a natural connection with the high-low game that Geno obviously recognized as too valuable not to start the game with.

 

[ndmb]

Wow. This is the first time that this has happened that I can remember. You can tell that Geno had been putting off this decision as long as he could.

 

[UConnFan23]

While a competitor, I'm betting that Caroline may not have anywhere near as much problem with this decision as some BYers will. She has always seemed team focused, has lived through and understands the impact of those injuries on a daily basis, and recognizes the strengths and weaknesses to the team of this decision, particularly based on her coaching role last year. In addition, the team chemistry we've all heard about also will likely override any potential hard feelings. We all get used to the reality of decisions that impact us as we go through life. She clearly will remain a vitally important member of the team.

 

[connboy77]

This is the starting five I wanted from the beginning. It makes the most sense.

 

[freekimchee]

This is the right move. Our best 5 starts.

 

[pppggg]

I am thinking Stewie earned the starting stop in practice and games.

 

[UConnFan23]

Although I don't think it was part of Geno's decision process, I do think that the opportunity for a freshman to start over a senior, and former starter, will be something that top recruits notice.

 

[Fiftyish]

Wow. This is the first time that this has happened that I can remember. You can tell that Geno had been putting off this decision as long as he could.

Wow +1
I was convinced CD would start and Stewart would come in for her within the first 4 or 5 minutes. That always seemed to be Geno's modus operandi. I'm sure it was a tough decision on his part. But, as others have noted having Stewart start and having a bunch of talent ready and able to come in is not a bad thing.

 

[diggerfoot]

While a competitor, I'm betting that Caroline may not have anywhere near as much problem with this decision as some BYers will. She has always seemed team focused, has lived through and understands the impact of those injuries on a daily basis, and recognizes the strengths and weaknesses to the team of this decision, particularly based on her coaching role last year. In addition, the team chemistry we've all heard about also will likely override any potential hard feelings. We all get used to the reality of decisions that impact us as we go through life. She clearly will remain a vitally important member of the team.

Quite right. In other years there also were debates over Doty starting; few thought she would start as a freshman. In those prior years Doty always gave off signals that she intended to claim the starting spot. This year there have been more conciliatory signals from Doty regarding her role on the team. Count me as one of the ones who thought she would start up until she was held out of the exhibition games, but I'm not totally surprised by this either.

Also, this makes Hartley the starting floor general and Doty the first floor general off the bench. I think Jefferson already has shown us great things and will get her twenty minutes plus, but I rather have Hartley and Doty be the first two point guards in the game sequentially, rather than have that be concurrent with Jefferson then replacing one early on. This assumes our AA usually comes out first instead of Faris, but I do think that will happen. Just one more indicator of how talent-laden we are.

Hmm. Maybe I should start working on PON angles now for this development, as I'm sure it will work out well.

 

[doggydaddy]

Finally. Now I can finish my Maryland/UConn analysis.

I had a feeling a couple of weeks ago when Caroline came off the bench and Geno said she handled it well physically.

 

[meyers7]

Sounds good to me. Had my doubts Geno would do it, but he did.

 

[speedoo]

Finally. Now I can finish my Maryland/UConn analysis.

I had a feeling a couple of weeks ago when Caroline came off the bench and Geno said she handled it well physically.

I think you also noted, and I agreed, that Stewart's disruptive defensive presence would always be something that Geno wanted to be on the court at the beginning of games.

 

[VAMike23]

JA also noted that BBanks has 'a little stomach bug.' Hopefully she'll be over it quickly and is ready to go tomorrow, but if she has limited minutes this could be the reason why.

Lord knows with a depleted backcourt, the last thing MD wants to see is Banks trapping and hounding their young guard corps on the perimeter. That is where Brianna does most of her damage.

JA twitter

 

[Olde Coach]

Sounds good to me. Had my doubts Geno would do it, but he did.

This just shows how much trust and respect Geno has in Stewie.

And -- he will want her on the floor from the start against Stanford, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Duke. It's good for the team to get used to that scenario.

 

[Kibitzer]

Once again, Geno makes the right decision. Caroline is still a great player, but beyond her playing and shooting skills, she is a great leader. She wants to win andif that means coming off the bench, she will do that with class and character.

Geno now has amazing options. At sbout the five-minute mark, he can sub Caroline to slow things down or effect more discipline into the offense. OR............ he can speed things up with Brianna.

Similarly, in the front court he can aub Stokes for Dolson, OR..........keep Dolson in but add either Stokes or Tuck to strengthen the inside game.

And he will play it like Paganini would a Stradius.

 

[alexrgct]

I like it. I liked this move last spring, and I like it now. I'm not trying to toot my own horn because I'm wrong at least as much as I'm right, but I always thought this starting five would be the most impactful as long as Breanna was the kind of player she projected to be.

Moreover, I think Caroline will bring a ton of stability and maturity to what is otherwise a very young second unit. She's a pro and will handle this well.

 

[CTGirl15]

If you had asked me last spring who should start, I would have said Caroline.

If you had asked me over the summer who should start, I would have said Caroline.

After the first few games this season, it was very obvious that Stewart had to start. She gives UConn a second scoring option in the paint and a great high-low tandem between her and Stef. Stewart starting is absolutely the best option for this team and I am sure that every player and coach knows that. I doubt Caroline takes this personally, what she wants is a National Championship, and this is the best way to get each game off on the right foot.

 

[MarlboroughMike]

I like Caroline coming off the bench - she is a settling force and that starting unit normally doesn't need to be settled. On the other hand, the second starting unit of Jefferson, Banks, Stokes and Tuck will benefit from her steadiness and leadership.

 

[Rb335]

This starting Lineup makes the most sense to me logistically.

PG- Hartley-----Doty-------Jefferson
SG- Faris--------Banks
SF/W- KML-----Tuck
PF- Stewart------Buck
C- Dolson--------Stokes

Jefferson looks to be the last PG off the bench, which is a scary thing for this teams depth.

Above, I think it makes more sense to bring in Doty for Faris then Banks or Jefferson in for Hartley a few minutes later, preserving the AA playing time. She is after all one of the best players in the country. Tuck can then come in for KML and stokes for either Stewart or Dolson, allowing the three to rotate for minutes, primarily going to Dolson and Stewart.

 

[glenn fisk]

I think Doogydaddy,just said something that may have touched on something ."She handled it physically."Since we do not have access to the trainers or coaching conferences,it could be considered the best thing physically for Carolyn,coming off the bench,rather than starting,as well as getting Breanna as much playing time as early as possible.