First Night Streaming

[Carnac]

“We need to find two new starters and to develop depth,” Auriemma said. “We’ve got 11 players. That’s OK if they’re the right 11.”

...

Samuelson is still working her way back form left ankle surgery in April.

“She’s dealing with a little soreness, which will happen coming off surgery,” Auriemma said. “She had two good practices.”

Sophomore guard Mikayla Coombs is going 100 percent after missing the NCAA Tournament in March. Junior forward Batouly Camara is still dealing with some soreness in her knee. Sophomore guard Lexi Gordon, who has had a good preseason for the Huskies, tweaked a hamstring during Wednesday’s opening practice.
“It’s going to be a season-long thing for us. We have to do our best to keep everyone healthy and everyone available,” Auriemma said.

Geno on the lookout for 2 more starters

This is exactly the type of report we need on a regular basis to be and stay informed on the latest team news and individual player progress. I’d like to read a report of this nature at least twice a week.

 

[Carnac]

I think she wanted it too much in front of the fans. Watching those dunk attempts got the desire of seeing her dunk knocked out of me. I was worried on every attempt that she could land awkwardly. Stay grounded.

We know she’s been dunking for some time now. She will dunk in several games this year. I totally agree with you that for the moment, she should stay grounded to avoid injury. It’s going to be a long season.

We need Liv healthy and available for every game this year. If Camara continues to have complications from her last surgery, that’s going to put pressure on her and Irwin to be available and to make plays on both ends of the court when they’re on the floor.

All things in time. Let’s put winning games first on the “to do” list. If they do that, everything else will take care of itself. I am pumped and ready to start the season.

Winners don’t quit, settle or concede. Go hard in practice and leave no one behind. Go Huskies.

 

[MilfordHusky]

She took off too far from the basket. She didn’t have enough “lift” to take off as far away as she did.

Thanks! That 'splains it.

 

[TitleTown]

“We need to find two new starters and to develop depth,” Auriemma said. “We’ve got 11 players. That’s OK if they’re the right 11.”

...

Samuelson is still working her way back form left ankle surgery in April.

“She’s dealing with a little soreness, which will happen coming off surgery,” Auriemma said. “She had two good practices.”

Sophomore guard Mikayla Coombs is going 100 percent after missing the NCAA Tournament in March. Junior forward Batouly Camara is still dealing with some soreness in her knee. Sophomore guard Lexi Gordon, who has had a good preseason for the Huskies, tweaked a hamstring during Wednesday’s opening practice.
“It’s going to be a season-long thing for us. We have to do our best to keep everyone healthy and everyone available,” Auriemma said.

Geno on the lookout for 2 more starters

I have a feeling that Samuelson is going to struggle a little bit the first half of this year. She is coming off surgery, missed a lot of time, will be asked to do more, and I think she will press a little bit. We can probably expect to see the freshman struggle early in the season as well. As tough as UConn's schedule is, I can see this team losing 3-4 games in the first half of the season. However, I can also see them coming together and playing lights out from say February 1st on and making a solid run at a NC as well. One thing I have learned is that you never count an Auriemma coached team out come tournament time.

 

[HopJim]

They will play 35+ minutes in the handful of competitive out-of-conference games. I don't expect them to go past 28 or so against most AAC opponents.

Don't forget that most UConn women's practices are more difficult that 90% of the games. Having a deep bench pays off in many ways.

 

[HopJim]

I'm thinking that they will return to 20 ppg each.

I hope not. Meaning....Lou has a history of foot/ankle injuries and would love to see some bench depth emerge. Lou and other starters playing 25 minutes or less in most games not a bad thing.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

So tell me again which recruits showed up for first night?

 

[MilfordHusky]

So tell me again which recruits showed up for first night?

We know that Hannah Gusters was there--and got an offer. Natalija Marshall and Caroline Ducharme were expected to be there. I haven't seen confirmation that they were there.

 

[JordyG]

The real problem with Lou coming back from her surgery is her strength and conditioning since she wasn't able to do either, nonetheless work on improving her basketball skills. She'll also need to work on her timing along with learning to trust her ankle to do cut, stops and starts, pivoting and other things. Let's remember also that last year Lou got into the habit of jumping and landing mostly on her left foot, which is a bad habit to shake. Don't expect Lou to hit the ground running. It may take a few.

ONO on the other had, along with learning the UConn way needs to work initially on her strength and conditioning. During the FIBA's I noted her winded on more than a few occasions. For her it's going to be a longer process. I don't expect much for the first 4 or 5 games. I hope she proves me wrong.

Lastly as I've been saying since the end of last season, Meg will start this year probably along with "Touly.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Lastly as I've been saying since the end of last season, Meg will start this year probably along with "Touly.

Camara's still having knee issues. Can't imagine she will be a starter.

One of the freshmen is going to be forced to start.

 

[JordyG]

Camara's still having knee issues. Can't imagine she will be a starter.

One of the freshmen is going to be forced to start.

I don't think knee soreness will keep her from the starting lineup. Pheesa played an entire year with hip soreness. Shin splints didn't keep Crystal from starting and of course, Lou's ankle didn't keep her from starting. Yes, they missed games. But they started when they suited up. Liv may see time, but not initially as a starter. Unless of course she sets practices on fire, and I don't see that happening.

 

[MilfordHusky]

One of the freshmen is going to be forced to start.

You rang?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I don't think knee soreness will keep her from the starting lineup. Pheesa played an entire year with hip soreness. Shin splints didn't keep Crystal from starting and of course, Lou's ankle didn't keep her from starting. Yes, they missed games. But they started when they suited up. Liv may see time, but not initially as a starter. Unless of course she sets practices on fire, and I don't see that happening.

Camara was hindered all year by that injury, one that according to reports nearly needed surgery. It's still bothering her to the point she's wearing a brace and feeling soreness. I don't think that can be dismissed.

 

[Carnac]

Camara was hindered all year by that injury, one that according to reports nearly needed surgery. It's still bothering her to the point she's wearing a brace and feeling soreness. I don't think that can be dismissed.

It won't be dismissed. I was under the impression that Camara DID have surgery on that knee back in April. If rest and therapy over the spring and summer did not solve the problem, now what? Can she play through the pain? Will the medical staff clear her to play? Surgery now will cost her another season unless she can get a medical redshirt. The staff was/is counting on her to make significant contributions to the team this year, possibly becoming a starter. We'll know the answer to this question by the end of November (the 2 exhibitions + 6 games). She'll either be good to go, or they'll shut her down.

 

[Carnac]

You rang?

I hope not. If so, what does that say about the returning reserves? If Geno does start a freshman, I think it will be Christyn. Don't get me wrong. I'm going to root and cheer for whoever Geno starts. I have no preference.

He's going to start the 5 players on his roster that give him the best chance to win games, one game at a time.
I expect Christyn and Mikayla Coombs to get a significant amount of meaningful playing time this year.

 

[CL82]

Batouly looks very healthy .. she will be really good this year.

That was one of preseason questions. I think she is a key for us this year. Add to that a healthy Lou and Crystal, and Napheesa and Megan's hard work over the summer and there's a lot to like. Not to mention that Megan is a sophomore now. Looking forward to that soph jump.

That said, we're still doomed.

 

[CL82]

And that is why they have their record and the women have a stratosphere record....

Absolutely, it definitely wasn't the coaching....

 

[Sluconn Husky]

It won't be dismissed. I was under the impression that Camara DID have surgery on that knee back in April.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe she ever had surgery. A search only brings up a shoulder operation she had at Kentucky.

I'm not certain Camara was looked at as a starter; perhaps, but had Stevens returned, which I think the staff expected, Camara could've been a valuable sub at the 4/5 if healthy. I just don't think you can count on her for anything at the moment.

 

[Monte]

I would rather see more effort put on winning, not dunking! Save the dunk for the last basket in the Final NCAA Tourney(AFTER a victory is assured).

 

[JordyG]

It won't be dismissed. I was under the impression that Camara DID have surgery on that knee back in April. If rest and therapy over the spring and summer did not solve the problem, now what? Can she play through the pain? Will the medical staff clear her to play? Surgery now will cost her another season unless she can get a medical redshirt. The staff was/is counting on her to make significant contributions to the team this year, possibly becoming a starter. We'll know the answer to this question by the end of November (the 2 exhibitions + 6 games). She'll either be good to go, or they'll shut her down.

The thing is after surgery some soreness is expected and that's exactly what she's feeling now. I'm not dismissing her knee soreness, I'm just saying it won't be a factor that keeps her from starting. Someone else stepping up would be a far bigger factor.

 

[Carnac]

The thing is after surgery some soreness is expected and that's exactly what she's feeling now. I'm not dismissing her knee soreness, I'm just saying it won't be a factor that keeps her from starting. Someone else stepping up would be a far bigger factor.

I'm on record as saying that if I had to guess (right now today) who that 5th starter will be, my guess is Camara.....sore knee and all. If for no other reason than she has starting experience (15 games during her freshman year at Kentucky - more than anyone else on the bench), and a personal opinion that no one else on the bench right now, would do a better job playing the post position than she would. I agree with you, right now, she's the front runner. ONO and Irwin would be the other two candidates, one of which would have to overtake her in practice for that spot.

This may change during the course of the season. It may change between now and Nov 4 (1st exhibition game vs Vanguard). I'm talking about RIGHT NOW. But what do I know? Last year I was willing to bet the farm that Stevens would be the 5th starter (I was not alone). Sadly I wuz wrong.

College athletes are expected to play with pain. Several UConn players played through pain the entire season last year. Minor knee pain (constantly and properly diagnosed, monitored and treated by the medical staff) should not keep Camara on the bench this season.

You know the medical staff will do everything they can between now and the Ohio State game (Nov 11) to get and keep her upright and ready to play.

 

[TitleTown]

Camara was hindered all year by that injury, one that according to reports nearly needed surgery. It's still bothering her to the point she's wearing a brace and feeling soreness. I don't think that can be dismissed.

When was she wearing a brace on her right knee? She wears patella straps on each knee and was wearing a minimal sleeve on her left knee in the picture taken at practice, but nothing on the right knee that she injured last year.

 

[TitleTown]

It won't be dismissed. I was under the impression that Camara DID have surgery on that knee back in April. If rest and therapy over the spring and summer did not solve the problem, now what? Can she play through the pain? Will the medical staff clear her to play? Surgery now will cost her another season unless she can get a medical redshirt. The staff was/is counting on her to make significant contributions to the team this year, possibly becoming a starter. We'll know the answer to this question by the end of November (the 2 exhibitions + 6 games). She'll either be good to go, or they'll shut her down.

She did not have surgery.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

When was she wearing a brace on her right knee? She wears patella straps on each knee and was wearing a minimal sleeve on her left knee in the picture taken at practice, but nothing on the right knee that she injured last year.

I believe it was on her other knee, now that you mention it. She might just have chronically bad knees.

 

[Carnac]

She did not have surgery.

Thanks

 

[Golden Husky]

Here's the entire event courtesy of the Storrs South YT account:

Thanks for posting this. Much appreciated, Sluconn.

 

[donalddoowop]

I hope not. If so, what does that say about the returning reserves? If Geno does start a freshman, I think it will be Christyn. Don't get me wrong. I'm going to root and cheer for whoever Geno starts. I have no preference.

He's going to start the 5 players on his roster that give him the best chance to win games, one game at a time.
I expect Christyn and Mikayla Coombs to get a significant amount of meaningful playing time this year.

Don't be surprised if Gordon comes into her own before the season is over. I can also see Bent and Irwin being much more effective before the end of the season. UConn has more talent than many on here believe.

 

[jaundicedeye]

You rang?

Maybe not in the 1st or 2nd games but she is too good to not break into the starting lineup rather quickly.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I hope not. If so, what does that say about the returning reserves? If Geno does start a freshman, I think it will be Christyn. Don't get me wrong. I'm going to root and cheer for whoever Geno starts. I have no preference.

He's going to start the 5 players on his roster that give him the best chance to win games, one game at a time.
I expect Christyn and Mikayla Coombs to get a significant amount of meaningful playing time this year.

All I'm saying is that Christyn is not a normal freshman. We saw the reserves, and they still have something to prove. Indications from last night suggest they are better, which pleases me, but Christyn was the consensus NPOY and impressed me in the All-American games and U-18 tourney.

 

[Carnac]

All I'm saying is that Christyn is not a normal freshman. We saw the reserves, and they still have something to prove. Indications from last night suggest they are better, which pleases me, but Christyn was the consensus NPOY and impressed me in the All-American games and U-18 tourney.

I completely agree that Christyn is not a normal freshman. She may very well play herself into the staring lineup like Lou did her freshman year. I believe it was mid to late January when Lou was promoted to the starting lineup.
It may come down to: is Christyn more valuable to the team starting or coming off the bench? We'll see Nov 4. I think the 5 that start THAT "exhibition" game (Vanguard) also starts the Ohio St. game Nov 11.