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Amari has to suck it up. Or get splinters.
Seriously… she had a herniated disc… I did too. Not easy to just “suck up”
Amari has to suck it up. Or get splinters.
Seriously… she had a herniated disc… I did too. Not easy to just “suck up”
I think some of us are just demoralized. Paige has been seriously injured for each of the last two years. We can't imagine her having a healthy season. Azzi was out for most of that time, as well. Caroline has been dysfunctional due to head injuries. And now we lose a bright young star who has been getting accustomed to UCONN, and is gone before we see her. And the team hasn't even played a demo game in Croatia yet. So, we are over the edge ( some of us ).Re: the doom and gloom posts - it’s like people have never seen Paige play.
The best UConn teams have had three dominant players - Rebecca/Kara/Nykesha, Maya/Tina/Renee, Breanna/Moriah/Kaleena, for example- surrounded by talented role players that kept the wheels on the machine greased. Then there are the Taurasi years where one generational player carried a supporting roster to championships.
This year, if healthy (knock on wood), Geno has a generational player in Paige and two other dominant players in Aaliyah and Azzi. There’s also a talented bunch of role players that don’t need to carry the team or be able to do it all to win, just contribute what they do the best.
I like the Huskies’ chances this year.
This is what I keep thinking, too. So many different combinations that can score.No matter the combination of players on the court, Uconn will lead the nation in scoring this upcoming season.
I think Aubrey can be used to guard 4s occasionally. There’s little she can’t do. I’m not as convinced that she’s at her best when starting, but that’s certainly a role she can play as well as anyone. And you’re right that the NC St game showed this. One thing I don’t think Aubrey is good at is playing 30 mins/g. I think you could see how that wore her down as the season dragged on.Wasn't sure where to put this but just looking back Aubrey has an amazing season last year. I remember early on she really stood out. I think it may have been the NC State game where she had this amazing sequence of back to back steals and fast break opportunities. When I checked the stats it does seem that she may have hit a rough patch or some type of slump starting in the middle of February. I'm not sure if she reinjured her back or what happened but she wasn't quite as productive. But progressing into this upcoming season she is one of like 3 big x factors. Her defensive versatility, athleticism, and length are pretty unique on this team. She probably has pro aspirations as well. Thats y I really wouldn't mind if she started. It would be a tall task on some nights, guarding 4s but that's her versatility.
You are so negative about Uconn's team this year. To me 6' to 6'2" is big. Aubrey plays like she is 6'4". So I will state that Aubrey. Caroline and Paige will do fine in that position. What Uconn lacks in your opinion is more than made up with our defense and scoring capabilities from multiple players, Azzi .Ashlynn, Morgan and Nika handing out assists big time. GO TEAM!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!Yeh, but they have Angel again, and UConn doesn't have anyone like her. Only 6'3", but so quick and anticipates so well. Which of our young bigs have shown anything yet? I'll be thrilled when I see it.
I think Aubrey can be used to guard 4s occasionally. There’s little she can’t do. I’m not as convinced that she’s at her best when starting, but that’s certainly a role she can play as well as anyone. And you’re right that the NC St game showed this. One thing I don’t think Aubrey is good at is playing 30 mins/g. I think you could see how that wore her down as the season dragged on.
The only game last season where she really struggled was against ND. With their big lineup, Aubrey was smaller than everyone but Miles (or Mabrey), and when Azzi went down we lost too much emotional steam. Also, their ball handlers are too good to expect to be able to rely on a transition game. This left a half court offense and once ND packed the paint with 3 bigs and Citron, there was no room for Aubrey’s slashing game.
ND will still be able to run a formidable lineup this season. They will be the tallest team in D1 and have several effective ball handlers. Watson, Marshall, Westbeld are solid post players, and Prosper and Citron bring size and speed to the lineup. Last season, Ivie figured out how to make the best use of Ebo, a large, slow and really strong presence in the paint, and she’ll be missed. But they are not smaller for losing her. Put Citron at pg (I’m not recommending this, just making a point) and ND could have a lineup of 6’1”, 6’2”, 6’3”, 6’4”, and 6’5” — and it wouldn’t be a slow lineup, which is usually the problem with big lineups.
Against a team like ND we’d have to open up the paint with perimeter shooting. And we have the shooters to do it. That’s when Aubrey could be useful in the half court offense. I suspect if Miles comes back, we won’t be able to get much transition scoring because her ball handling is too good, and Citron is no slouch either, and I’m not even thinking of Hidalgo yet. So, to win, we’ll need to beat them in the half court. Nika and Aubrey will be key to that effort, controlling Miles or Citron on defense.
ND could have a lineup of 6’1”, 6’2”, 6’3”, 6’4”, and 6’5”
Right now....those are MY starting five in that first game. Of course, things may change as the season progresses. They all have something in common, do you see it?I'm thinking starting 5 will be Paige, Azzi, Muhl, Griffin, and Edwards
Griffin has the athleticism to "play big" a la Gabby Williams (just not to the same extent).
Ducharme will be first off the bench and can spell either the guards or forwards with her versatility.
From that group for ND, I think 6'1" and 6'3" could start for UConn, and maybe also 6'2". I'm not making a comparison. Just trying to see a significant rival with clear eyes.Which of the five would start for UConn?
From that group for ND, I think 6'1" and 6'3" could start for UConn, and maybe also 6'2". I'm not making a comparison. Just trying to see a significant rival with clear eyes.
PS: that's Citron, Westbeld, and (maybe) Prosper.
They played plenty big against us last season, with Ebo Watson Westbeld and Marshal. Now, mind you, I recognize that if Azzi hadn’t been injured and we’d had two perimeter shooters along with Lou, there might well have been more room for Aubrey to work her magic in the lane. But if the primary scorers are Lou and Aaliyah, that’s not enough to open it up against ND.NDame is a significant rival. But I think you see them with eyes half open while you are seeing UConn with eyes half shut. The Irish may be tall but they do not play big. Brady/Edwards/Patterson will dominate them inside, in part because NDame's entire defense will focus on Bueckers & Fudd.
In my opinion, Bueckers, Fudd and Edwards would start for NDame this year if they transferred and could play. In fact, they would start for any team in the country.
My comments were about the front court players, not the team. Aaliyah needs help. That's not negative,that's reality.Sorry 6', 6'2" is not big.You are so negative about Uconn's team this year. To me 6' to 6'2" is big. Aubrey plays like she is 6'4". So I will state that Aubrey. Caroline and Paige will do fine in that position. What Uconn lacks in your opinion is more than made up with our defense and scoring capabilities from multiple players, Azzi .Ashlynn, Morgan and Nika handing out assists big time. GO TEAM!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!