Here are my thoughts and analysis of UConn's 2016-2017 season and the post-Stewart/Jefferson/Tuck era. These are just my thoughts and observations. It is quite possible that I am remembering things incorrectly or that I am not as intimately familiar with the team and the program as some/many of you (e.g., I am sure most of you watch more UConn games in person/on television/online than I do on an annual basis).
So apologies in advance...and here is my more "cautious and measured" approach to UConn and the 2016-2017 season.
I look to UConn's 2016-2017 team with the expected transition to Samuelson and Collier as akin to 2004-2005/2005-2006, when Strother (a wing, like KLS) and Turner (an undersized post with a developing perimter game).
UCMiami--God bless your soul for that Conlon comment---I called her the most under-rated player who won 3 championship (or was it 2?). A clutch player, a good to better point guard, and a super compliment to DT.
Anne Strothers--I lover her still, wonderful person--but she could not take being the go to player and "folded" in real pressure situation at times--when DT went, Anne was not up to the top player thing.
Gabby, Napheesa and KLS are experience (even in Nc's) players who without being in the shadows of the Golden 3 will emerge as top talents on their own.
I get in trouble speaking highly of Crystal Dangerfield--but to me she is everything we could have asked Santa for if we were super good children--we must have been.
I also believe UConn will be in the FINAL 4 --if Geno stays healthy with a healthy team.
Thanks again for the Conlon comment--she's a Valley Girl--Naugatuck River Valley that is!!
I shall agree with those who say good/nice analysis. On a couple of your points:
1. Charde (a 3000 plus HS scorer) without many fundamentals and a frustration to Geno on many fronts. She was a "walking fool" and spoiled many a nice basket by the "quick" first step of walking.
2. 4th or 5th go to scoring option--Naa, Katie Lou was many times the second scoring option.
When the "really big dogs are gone" (and they are) KLS, Napheesa, Nurse, Gabby and I assume later in the season, Crystal Dangerfield will fill 70 percent of the scoring void--the 30 percent shall remain a void (but who needs more than 75 points???)
3. I'll be in trouble but: I watched Crystal last year in the USA game a kid playing with College experienced players and she dished and shot like
The 2004-2005/2005-2006 teams struggled, in some respects. The 2004-2005 team had some difficulty finding a point guard. Highly touted/ranked guard Ketia Swaner started the season at the point, but would only end up starting five games all season, as UConn employed a "point guard by committee approach," with Ann Strother having to balance scoring and with some playmaking as a wing.
And that 04-05 team lacked players who really could consistently create their own shots, with the exception of Charde Houston, who, as a freshman, had her blindingly quick spin move to free her up for a short jumper or to drive to the basket and her pull up jumper from ten feet that she would take on the run with her leaping ability. UConn finished 25-8.
For 2005-2006, UConn had highly touted/regarded/ranked PG Renee Montgomery as a freshman to add speed and stability to the PG position in the starting lineup. Strother provided assists from the wing, with Mel Thomas as the starting shooting guard.
But there really was no "go to" player (i.e., someone who could create her own shot and consistently take over the game), as Strother, Turner, and Thomas all averaged between 11 and 13 points (with a solid 9 ppg each from Houston and Montgomery) and took turns being the first option/leading scorer. There was no "alpha dog," if you will pardon the expression.
Now Crystal Dangerfield is coming in that the PG position and is ranked much higher than either Swanier or Montgomery was in their respective classes (IIRC, Montgomery was a solid top 20, with some having her higher, while Swanier had a mix between top 20/30; Dangerfield comes in as a consensus top five player). And UConn still has Kia Nurse and Gabby Williams; Nurse was a solid scorer with over 100 assists and a good A/TO ratio, while Williams is an athletic marvel who contributed 9 points and 5.6 rebounds as an undersized forward and part-time starter.
That being said, UConn has to adjust to having players who were 4th, 5th, and 6th options who were able to contribute (score, rebound, garner assists, etc.) and be effective playing next to three all-time greats and legends (at both UConn and in WCBB) to becoming the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd options. Arguably, this may be a tougher adjustment than 2004-2005, as the only major loss (and it was a MAJOR loss) was Taurasi (with no disrespect intended to Maria Conlon or Morgan Valley, but they were not of the same caliber as Jefferson and Tuck). Not to mention, 2004-2005 was also an odd year because so many programs had lost great players to graduation besides UConn (e.g., Duke, Stanford, Minnesota, Kansas State, Purdue, Texas, Penn State, etc.).
I think UConn will have a "difficult" time in 2016-2017, but "difficult" is a relative term. In other words, I would not be surprised if UConn lost 4-5 games (or maybe six games) and "only" made the Elite Eight, instead of the Final Four. Remember, even the 2013 national championship team lost 4 games.
But that is the standard that Geno Auriemma and the UConn women's basketball program have set. When "difficult" means an "Elite Eight" finish instead of a national championship or making the Final Four, it demonstrates an incredible standard of excellence that is simply awesome to behold.
Again, I did not intend to be disrespectful or offend anyone with this post. Please feel free to disagree or tell me I am way off base...or point out that I forgot a key player and her contributions that should/would change my analysis.
