First Night

[MilfordHusky]

Didn't UConn recruit someone around 2000 who played soccer and b-ball? Wonder whatever happened to her?

I think it was 1998. You mean the one with the ponytail and 4 Olympic golds?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It is really hard to get anything but general impressions from an event like this, but here are mine:

Gabby will be the most skilled player on the team and can play any position on the floor. Geno will move her around depending on the line up and the opposition. We are going to witness something truly special this year with Gabby.

The three freshmen showed why they were recruited by Uconn...all three impressed and all three could potentally make significant contributions even in their freshman year especially Dangerfield

I did not see any real change in Chong...she may be a reliable sub, but that could be it.

Natalie looks better, but will she be good enough for significant minutes? Can't tell yet.

Kia , Katie Lou and Collier along with Gabby will be a very strong starting group

I like your enthusiasm, but I don't think Gabby can play any of the 5 positions; but, of course, she won't have to do so. Agreed on Saniya. Would, as always, like to be proven wrong.

Your starting group has 4 players. Is there a 5th you'd like to share?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I propose to sole the problem by nicknaming her KKKK! BTW she did sink a nice 3 early, huh!


Oh, no MW! Doomed.

I don't mind this, but I didn't post it. I don't even know how to use the feature. Strange.

 

[bags27]

I couldn't watch last night because of technical difficulties... But about Molly.

I'm so delighted she impresses. I have to admit that I was sort of sorry that she chose to go to UConn. She almost certainly would have had offers (maybe already did) from Princeton and Brown, and I figured that her future ultimately lay outside basketball and that she would have been wise to accept an offer from one of them, where she could get lots of playing time as well.

But there was such enthusiasm for her by the UConn coaching staff during their discovery and recruiting of her. They really felt that they got a steal in Molly. Sounds as if their assessment will prove out.

I've always said that Professor Auriemma offers one of the toughest and best courses at any school in America, and it's not Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 to 12:15 for 12-13 weeks, with a couple of required papers read by some graduate student. It's everyday for 2 hours+ in which a team of the very best instructors break you down and build you back up. Molly trusted her instincts, and I'm confident they will be rewarded.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Bent showed the kind of instincts and vision I had seen from her in some games online. There is one play about 4:30 minutes in which Nurse drives the length of the floor and misses a layup with some contact from Butler. Bent is there for the offensive rebound and almost instantaneously passes to Stevens who is close to her for a basket. Bent's 2nd foot hadn't even hit the floor after going up and she was finding Stevens.

 

[Gabbyfan]

I like your enthusiasm, but I don't think Gabby can play any of the 5 positions; but, of course, she won't have to do so. Agreed on Saniya. Would, as always, like to be proven wrong.

Your starting group has 4 players. Is there a 5th you'd like to share?

I left out the fifth starter because Natalie could be it if she becomes consistent, otherwise look for her primarily when we play teams with bigs in front. The the point guard/shooting guard tandem is fluid at this point...I don't think anybody knows the starting combination and it will likely change over time....this where Molly/Crystal come into play and it is way too early to tell

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I left out the fifth starter because Natalie could be it if she becomes consistent, otherwise look for her primarily when we play teams with bigs in front. The the point guard/shooting guard tandem is fluid at this point...I don't think anybody knows the starting combination and it will likely change over time....this where Molly/Crystal come into play and it is way too early to tell

I agree. I'd like to name Natalie a starter, but let's see. Ditto on where 1 and 2 guard fall out. Kia is one or the other, though I'd just like to see her execute with a little more finesse and not let the adrenalin do her thinking from time to time.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Bent showed the kind of instincts and vision I had seen from her in some games online. There is one play about 4:30 minutes in which Nurse drives the length of the floor and misses a layup with some contact from Butler. Bent is there for the offensive rebound and almost instantaneously passes to Stevens who is close to her for a basket. Bent's 2nd foot hadn't even hit the floor after going up and she was finding Stevens.

Thanks for the reminder. I have to go see if it is archived and available without subscription. I plan on subscribing for a month to get the 2 exhibition games, but I can't remember when they are played... wrapped up as I have been in the tea leaf reading about she who cannot be named.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I left out the fifth starter because Natalie could be it if she becomes consistent, otherwise look for her primarily when we play teams with bigs in front. The the point guard/shooting guard tandem is fluid at this point...I don't think anybody knows the starting combination and it will likely change over time....this where Molly/Crystal come into play and it is way too early to tell

Having watched First Night women in the first 5 minutes again, I have to say that I saw Natalie do something which she would not have done last year. She moved fast from under the basket to leap out of bounds on the left side and flip the ball back in to her team mate. I love that move. Why it did not stick with me last night ??? Geezers sometimes need a second look.