Evolution of Evina | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Evolution of Evina

jazz said:
AM had 8 pts, 7 rebs, 5 assists, 2 steals. that is a great stat line. she was not invisible. She only made 2 of 6 three pointers, although one was to beat the shot clock and i dont count that one. so 2 of 5 is 40% and really good. she was dead on with the other misses. could have easily had more points. but she still stuffed the stat sheet. ill take that every day....
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If we are going to start 4 guards, if Anna can be in the 7-10 rebs routinely, she is doing her job. The pts will come for her. I still believe the overall game plan for UMass was to get the ball inside anyway.
 
DEpup said:
If we are going to start 4 guards, if Anna can be in the 7-10 rebs routinely, she is doing her job. The pts will come for her. I still believe the overall game plan for UMass was to get the ball inside anyway.
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She was essentially one three away from what I think she will give us this year. 11-12 points a game, 6 reb, 4-4 assists and 2 steals. that is a great stat line if she can do it.
 
HuskeyinSC said:
Though she can score, shoot the 3, defend, dish out assists and rebound, Evina's greatest contributions are her maturity and controlled aggression. She is exactly the missing piece for this team.

Regarding Aaliyah and Liv playing together; it has to happen. Specifically when we play SCAR. Geno will have to equalize their size at some times during the game. IMO, both Liv and AE run better than the SCAR bigs and I think the fourth quarter will prove that out. Aaliyah has to learn how to stay on the floor and not commit unnecessary fouls like the two offensive fouls yesterday. A little more tutelage from CD and Jamelle will take care of that. To me AE is the classic 4. She can play both the power game and the stretch game.
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Yes I agree that AE is the classic 4 .. and Liv is the classic 5 .. and we don't really have replacement(s) for either so we need to keep [both of] them away from foul trouble .. opposing teams know this so our guards [which we have plenty of] need to double-down to help with post defense, eh?
 
MD#12Fan said:
Ok, fine.
Do you have an opinion about starting Aaliyah? I want to see that, for some of the reasons I mentioned.
Would have to then bring somebody off the bench. Evina? Anna?
Between me and you, I'd love to see Aubrey too. (I know I can be radical. Too old to change.) Our offense definitely would not be a Michelangelo, maybe more a Jackson Pollock, but we'd be athletic as hell.
CW would have to step up, or she'd be coming off the bench. To be continued........ more games this week!
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I would love to see AE in the starting lineup at some point this year bc it would mean:
1. AE is doing everything geno wants her to do...rebound, defend, set pics and be physical. run out on the break.. probably get some points too.
2. AM coming off the bench also means that AE is doing great and then we have a serious offensive punch with AM to come into the game.

That would be great!

I've also thought of scenarios with CW coming off the bench and EW starting at the 2. Problem with that is it would mean CW is struggling.
 
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I expect Evina to play well in the big games. Not many players would have made the long pass she made . That showed a great amount of poise, and being in the moment, regardless of the score.
 
baggerbob said:
I expect Evina to play well in the big games. Not many players would have made the long pass she made . That showed a great amount of poise, and being in the moment, regardless of the score.
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Confidence in herself and Aubrey.
 
In reviewing Geno’s style and reward system, I really don’t see him tinkering with that starting 5 unless an injury or a “point to be made” occurs. To review:
Liv is our only 5, and is a Junior, she starts.
CW is our natural 2 and has started every game at UConn. She starts
Evina has proved more in her career albeit at Tenn than either Liv or CW with the only question if she was healthy. She’s the behind the scenes leader of this team. The staff loves her. She starts.
Paige...Need I actually have to say anything? She starts.
Anna is savvy, can do so many things on the floor including facilitate and shoot 3s that are others have yet to do. She might not be flashy but she earned her starting spot last year and Geno does not revoke that spot on whims. She starts.

AE is a freshman who will see significant minutes and be counted on. She will be a beast to have to match up against from anyone else’s bench save, SC, Stanford or Oregon. She does not need to start.
 
eebmg said:
In the article, how Evina sees the UConn coaching


She already had the skills to be a tremendous playmaker both for herself and teammates at Tennessee where she averaged 14.9 points and had 165 assists as a sophomore. She said Auriemma and his staff allowed her to add subtleties of the game that have made a huge difference for her and hopefully the Huskies.

“Just seeing the floor and seeing different options differently, when to slow down and when to speed up,” Westbrook said. “Our offense is basically all concepts, so how to play off of the defense. He tells us all the time, once they take away something, they are giving something up. He’s taught me to be open-minded on the court.”

From Westbrook’s perspective, she picked the right place to showcase her skills, mature her game and find the support she needs. Despite all the adversity she has faced with regard to sitting out last season, rehabbing from two surgeries and enduring the pandemic delays, the team has been with her every step.

“I’ve had the right support system here helping me get through all that,” Westbrook said. “When you go through a lot of things it definitely changes you. I have definitely grown so much as a player. The coaching staff here has helped me take my game to a different level.”
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After what she went thru at Tennessee, both from fans and her own teammates, I'm thrilled she is at a place where she can thrive not only as a player, but as a person as well.

I recall when they were trying for the NCAA waiver, Geno was shocked when it was denied. He knew what went on. IIRC he told Evina that if she wanted to tell her story, he's be totally supportive. For her sake, I'm glad she took the high road.

I know we only get her for a shorter period of time (technically I think she could play for 3 years if she wanted to take advantage of the NCAA rules for sports this year), but she's already one of my most respected UCONN players. She's really special.
 
oldude said:
Of all the things that impressed me about Evina’s return to competitive basketball after a two year hiatus, I was most impressed with her poise and leadership on the court. She did a little bit of everything, and nothing she did was rushed. Evina continually communicated with her teammates on and off the court, and was clearly one of UConn’s 2 primary leaders during the game along with Paige.

I still remain somewhat concerned about Evina’s knee. I don’t think she’s quite at full speed yet, and there were a few times during the game when her movement appeared just a little tentative, as if to protect her knee. I’m certain she’s still doing a lot of rehab work, and hopefully it’s just a matter of time before she’s 100%.
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Agree on Evina favoring the knee multiple times. We likely need to be patient and rate her based on how she does at the end of the year. That being said, smart player. Fun to watch her.
 
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I watched Evina play for two seasons at Tennessee. Watching now there is a lot more maturity in the way she carries herself on the court. There is a sense of confidence that she can do whatever she wants to do when necessary. She did not show that at UT to the level she showed Saturday. Howard at Kentucky shows the same kind of confidence.
 
jazz said:
AM had 8 pts, 7 rebs, 5 assists, 2 steals. that is a great stat line. she was not invisible. She only made 2 of 6 three pointers, although one was to beat the shot clock and i dont count that one. so 2 of 5 is 40% and really good. she was dead on with the other misses. could have easily had more points. but she still stuffed the stat sheet. ill take that every day....
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I agree about Anna..she played well and knows the game so well..with her and Paige and Evina passing skills we are in for a treat this year
 
jazz said:
I couldn't agree more Husky! I really like your insight on their ability to get up and down the floor much better than the SC bigs. I think as you do that this will be a big asset to us come the 4th quarter especially. I can just see those SC bigs huffin and puffin down the floor trying to keep up with Liv and AE.

I also think AE may start before the season is out. She is our Willnet Crockett! I love the idea of bringing AM off the bench for some game changing offense!
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Watching SC twice this year the 6'4" girl Amihere ran the floor very well
 
browns said:
Watching SC twice this year the 6'4" girl Amihere ran the floor very well
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Yeah she is a heck of an athlete trying to learn how to play organised BB. I thought she was more 6'3 but she can be a handful. I'd still take Aubrey in a race up the court though. :)
 
DaConn said:
Love what I've seen from her so far. I'll have to look back at old Tennessee games but her running looks guarded. I wonder if she will be on a minutes restriction like Caroline Doty was her senior year, she would just seem to be more productive than Caroline was that year. In any event, her experience and leadership will be her biggest contribution and I very much look forward to her helping us reclaim the NC! Go Huskies!
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Hey DaConn, I just noticed your post count and start date. Welcome the Boneyard!
 
oldude said:
Of all the things that impressed me about Evina’s return to competitive basketball after a two year hiatus, I was most impressed with her poise and leadership on the court. She did a little bit of everything, and nothing she did was rushed. Evina continually communicated with her teammates on and off the court, and was clearly one of UConn’s 2 primary leaders during the game along with Paige.

I still remain somewhat concerned about Evina’s knee. I don’t think she’s quite at full speed yet, and there were a few times during the game when her movement appeared just a little tentative, as if to protect her knee. I’m certain she’s still doing a lot of rehab work, and hopefully it’s just a matter of time before she’s 100%.
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yes Westbrook doesn't look like the same explosive player she was at Tennessee............I'm not sure if that is just rust, her playing her way back into shape or the new normal..............she definitely will have an important role to play this season but regaining her athleticism is going to be vital if UConn is to reach the NC game.......
 
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CL82 said:
Hey DaConn, I just noticed your post count and start date. Welcome the Boneyard!
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Thank you. I love The Boneyard, such a wealth of information and insight. I've been a fan since '95 when I first watched them play. Go Huskies!
 
Game 4 for UConn was Evina's formal coming out party-
29 Min, 5 of 8 shooting, 3-5 3pt shooting, 2-2 FT, 4 Reb, 4 Assists, 4 Steals, 1 Block, 3 turnovers, ZERO fouls, 15 points and NO KNEE BRACE!

If that stat line doesn't tell you want she means to this team, nothing will. She filled all the stat lines and is doing whatever it takes for the team to win. Good for you Evina, good for us!

:)
 
Well, who could look good in that godawful punkin orange?
 
Zorro said:
Well, who could look good in that godawful punkin orange?
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Umm, hmm, that was actually a reference to the Sandra Bullock quote in "The Blind Side" when Michael Oher was being recruited by Tennessee...:rolleyes:
 
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I am happy Evina is getting the best basketball education possible out there..... at UConn..... Tennessee had a great connection of some sort in the Pacific Northwest... responsible for grabbing Evina, Mercedes Russell and one or 2 more I cannot remember.... but at Tennessee they had raw talent, yet did not show the fundamentals that well. Unfortunately the NCAA didn't allow her the 2019 year, but I am sure she learned that year and will enjoy a great career..... here at UConn and beyond.
 
DefenseBB said:
Finally, after some 630 days, we got to see the #2 player in the 2017 Class play for our UConn Huskies. While it has been much debated on this forum on how little Tenn LV players improved during the "Holly years", I have been curious to see how the abundantly clear skills of EW would evolve and shine under a more disciplined Coaching regime. Evina's 2 years in Tennessee saw assists per game/turnovers/A-TO of 4.3/3.7/1.2 and 5.3/3.3/1.6 which as the primary point guard on an "elite team" is not really good. Yesterday, we saw a 4-1 Assist and Turnover total. By watching her play, we did not see any "rushed or forced" passes and we saw a team expecting to get and give passes. We also saw 2 steals and 1 rebound. We did see 4 personal fouls as well. For me, just seeing her mostly healthy, starting (!) and contributing was sheer joy. I remember her "edge" in competing at Tennessee and as both Geno and CD have stated a few times, the team was lacking that "edge" that EW brings.

While she lead Tennessee in scoring her sophomore year at 14.9, scoring is not what UConn needs for her to do. Hit the outside shot, move the ball, bring good defense and most of all bring that maturity, edge and attitude to raise this young teams game.

I will always look to her on the floor in every game to watch how she continues to blossom as I view her leadership and example she brings critical to our success as these freshman develop.

What say you my BY seers of WCBB, what say you?
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Re: Evina


I saw her play many times when she was with Tennessee...I always thought she was a really good player. She was just on a very poorly coached team to say the least....

Personally I think she is a much better player in every way possible than the "number 1 player" of the 2017 class MW....

But that is just my opinion...
 
oldude said:
I will not wear that gaudy orange. I will not. It’s not in my color wheel and I’m not gonna wear it......
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Well, we Bronco fans might object....
 
DefenseBB said:
Game 4 for UConn was Evina's formal coming out party-
29 Min, 5 of 8 shooting, 3-5 3pt shooting, 2-2 FT, 4 Reb, 4 Assists, 4 Steals, 1 Block, 3 turnovers, ZERO fouls, 15 points and NO KNEE BRACE!

If that stat line doesn't tell you want she means to this team, nothing will. She filled all the stat lines and is doing whatever it takes for the team to win. Good for you Evina, good for us!

:)
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if she can maintain near that level of play on a consistent basis this season I think UConn really does have a shot at reaching the NC finals...........
 
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