Geno on Amari

[The CDR-Ret]

This winter (November) when the 2022-2023 season begins, Amari will have spent 17 months in the program. I expect to the the "fruits of her labor" and the results of the coach's labor during that time in Amari when the season begins. ONO will be gone. She has already said SHE WILL NOT RETURN.

There will be 2 openings in Geno's starting lineup next season. Christyn's spot and ONO's spot. I'm assuming that Paige gets her spot back, and Azzi gets a spot. Aaliyah should earn a spot. As a junior, I can't see her coming off the bench, especially if she finishes the season like she's playing now.

That leaves 2 spots. A wing and a post. This will be the subject of the debate. Who fills these two spots? Unless Geno adds another player from the portal, this will be his 11 player roster for the 2022-2023 season. Note that like last year, Geno will have no seniors on this roster unless Aubrey Griffin chooses to forego a redshirt application.

It's my guess that the starters for that first exhibition game in November are in BOLD. Of course that can change for game 2 and beyond. We should know a day or two before that first game. Many things can happen between now and then that would alter this guess. which is 8 months out. Gabriel will be a junior next year. I expect to see more of her in games next year. How much more remains to be seen.

Edwards (Jr)
Bueckers (Jr)
Fudd (Soph)
Ducharme (Soph)
Juhasz (Gr) (if she returns as she says she will) Her experience and Maturity should may DeBerry's

DeBerry (Soph) - if Juhasz does not return
Muhl (Jr)
Griffin (RS/Jr) (Assuming she is cleared to play)
Gabriel (Jr)
Brady (Fr)
Patterson (Fr)

Thoughts?

We may be seeing Geno send in "pairs" and "triplets" in to create extreme mismatches juxtaposed to his drive to 'positionless' basketball...

E.g. DeBerry, Gabriel & Griffin for Edwards, Juhasz & Ducharme, and/or Brady & Patterson (power, speed/athleticism "pair") for Edwards & Juhasz - it may be January 2023 for this 'pair' however....

Muhl will be the relief for Paige & Azzi when Geno or CD wants to talk to them for longer than 30 seconds at a time or for them to analyze what is going on before starting another large run to put the game away...

 

[mudcat]

No, no--Piath and Amari are not equally-talented... Certainly as you said, Piath has a lot of upside to her, but even if Piath achieves all her potential, Amari is far superior. Amari is the most skilled big that UConn has ever had--Stewie excepted... As with a lot of HS stars, Amari had A.I. syndrome: in HS she could coast in practice and still be stellar in games. Now that she has apparently gotten that out of her head and made the necessary adjustments, Amari will show her immense talent and value...

I think talent and skills are two different entities. I see Piath as being at least equal in physical talent as Amari. I see Amari being way ahead in basketball skills. Amari is far superior in her basketball skills at this time: can Piath with her late start ever develop her skills to that level? No one, including myself, knows that, but I respectfully disagree that Amari is "far superior" in potential. Piath has a long road ahead in terms of developing her skill set, but she has the physical tools to do so if she has the motivation.

 

[Charliebball]

I'm not sure she is Liv-. Liv could defend the 5, she has good lateral quickness and an extremely good help defender. Is Amari any of this? An occasional blocked shot doesn't make her an extremely good help defender.

If AD becomes near Liv defensively absolutely. But if not and she doesn't give much other than high post then next year she is going to struggle to get minutes unless her offense is super-tremendous. You need 2-way players and if she can't defend well then she will probably not play and especially vs SC.

And if Dorka comes back (ofc if Dorka doesn't comes back that would open up opportunities a lot) she won't beat out her and Edwards I don't think. And Griffin is better in all defense except blocked shots and is a better transition player and probably a better offensive rebounder. That takes up a lot of minutes.

And with all this there are two players coming in next year threatening her position at the 4. They are both ranked higher as seniors that Amra was when she was a senior. If just one of them is very good at many things and if all AD could do is play at the high post then imo that won't be enough unless she is super-tremendous there.

I don't think it's possible to know what exactly Deberry's defensive potential is yet........she'll never be dominant like Boston and she's clearly not the athlete ONO is but as we've seen with a player like Dolson, you don't have to be a high jumper or have the quickest feet to be an effective defender.........Deberry's plusses are certainly on the offensive side.......not only does she have a very soft touch and good range on her shot, she's already got the high post passing skills that ONO mastered over her four years........so I'd like to think she will be an adequate defender and a sold offensive threat that will benefit from UConn's coaching and play calling......

 

[Bills Fan]

I get what you are saying, but that's not what I said. Piath got 8 minutes against Xavier and Amari got just under 7. They looked good and played well. But my comment about not getting more PT had to do with tighter games. We will not see them in any game where we aren't up by 20-25 in Q4. At least I don't believe we will.

It's great that Geno was able to get them in. I expect to see them against Georgetown today. That should be a similar beatdown. Georgetown, Xavier, and Butler are the bottom of the league. But, IMHO there is zero chance we see them in the semi's or finals of the BET, nor will we see them after the 2nd round of the NCAA's, and possibly not after the 1st round.

If we have a roster of a healthy team with Paige, Christyn, Azzi, Caroline, Olivia, Liya, Dorka, Evina, and Nika - that is the core group that will play all the minutes in big games. You are 100% right - and if I did not say it right, I will say it again - in blowouts, I LOVE seeing them get 6-8 minutes or even more. And I think they should. And so does Geno.

1000% agree with you about minutes for Piath (what I expected during preseason) and Amari (less than I expected preseason). When reading your post, I felt like I was re-reading my post from a few days ago about who would be getting all the "Bigs" minutes except during a blowout. I truly hope Amari hits the weight room and learns how to play with some intensity, because if not, she will not be getting major minutes next year either. Someone posted the espn analysis of Amari in this thread and I hope she is able to reach the expected levels I hoped for after I read that last year.

She clearly has a nice jump shot from 15-20 feet, but I think we will be needing her in the paint over the next few years, and for that to happen she will need to change her game. I sure hope Dorka returns to give Piath and Amari another year to develop. I do love her spirit while on the sideline-she is exactly what Geno expects from those not in the game at any particular time.

 

[Bills Fan]

Instead of starters, I should have said key players, meaning the top 6-7.

The end of the bench gets in when there’s a comfortable lead. If you pull a key player out, just to give someone more playing time, the offense will be choppy. As we’ve seen in the past several games, the Huskies tend to start slow then becomes a steamroller when they click. They won’t click if you keep replacing parts.

I understand, and agree with, your point in theory, however, applying it to our top 9 players seems almost impossible. Who is excluded from ONO, DJ, AE, Caroline Ducharme, EW, NM, CW, and Paige? All nine are clearly able to play at a top level and not ruin the chemistry of the team. So on the UCONN Women's team of 2021-22 I think the general logic is inapplicable.

 

[hoophuskee]

I don't think it's possible to know what exactly Deberry's defensive potential is yet........she'll never be dominant like Boston and she's clearly not the athlete ONO is but as we've seen with a player like Dolson, you don't have to be a high jumper or have the quickest feet to be an effective defender.........Deberry's plusses are certainly on the offensive side.......not only does she have a very soft touch and good range on her shot, she's already got the high post passing skills that ONO mastered over her four years........so I'd like to think she will be an adequate defender and a sold offensive threat that will benefit from UConn's coaching and play calling......

But you're almost describing a "Princeton" player. "Princeton" doesn't win Nat'l Championships. If the combination of things happen below offensively vs being just mediocre on Defense - she will potentially not see many minutes,. -
The point is - the others could be good at the high post (even if not as good as her) but better than her at all other facets of offense and just much better on defense, so if that were the case, why would she play if UCONN's offense still runs well with or without her?

The point is that "adequate defensively" might not be enough. I agree though - it is way too unknown for now. I indicated on my 1st post that she needs to be better. No way am I suggesting she can't. Looking forward big time to see.

Offensively: (Potentially a player wouldn't need to be better in all of these to get more minutes than AD if they are much better than AD defensively, along with if she doesn't do other things such as)

If she can't low post well while others can she is at a deficit in this area vs that other player.

If she can't create off the dribble (drive-and-score/ drive-and-dish) while others can she is at a deficit in this area vs that other player.

If she can't offensive rebound while others can she is at a deficit in this area vs that other player..

If she doesn't get down the court well offensively to be a part of fast-pace transition (if she is not a center then some teams are going to potentially pull her outside more to defend) basketball then she is at a deficit vs that other player.

 

[DefenseBB]

Prediction for Amari next year. More pine time.

Ok, I will play along with your fantasy, why are your predicting more "pine time" for Amari next year? Especially considering bigs take a bit longer to develop and that for as wonderful as we always think the "next best thing is coming in next year" Isunah will also have to learn, and Ayanna is not a back to the basket "big". As Amari learns more of the defensive rotations and the offenses read and react, given her skills, I do see her earning significant time next year. And if Dorka decides to turn Pro, Amari will probably be a starter by the end of next year. So, humor us and please tell why you think Amari will not play?

 

[Cornell Lt]

DeBerry reminds me a bit of Stewey and hope she has similar success. In her Freshman year, Stewey seemed to avoid physical play and liked to play on the outside. By her Soph year, she seemed to realize that if you were a shot blocker you also had to rebound, which meant banging down low. The rest is history.

That's like comparing the moon to the sun. Amari is not even in the same universe as Stewie as far as talent/skill goes, whether it's inside or outside.

 

[Carnac]

I wonder how long it's going to take her to figure out that's not a good way to get PT.

She should have already figured that out. Remember what the Wizard of Westwood, John Wooden use to say: "The bench is an excellent teacher." She's being coached and mentored everyday by her position coach. She knows. ONO is gone after this year. Amari will be in demand next year, and hopefully will be in the right frame of mind and body to fill that role.

ONO started as a freshman if you remember, out of necessity. Geno had no options. in the 2018-2019 season. The next tallest players on the team then were 6'2" junior Kyla Irwin and 6'3" senior Katie Lou Samuelsson, neither of whom were post players. Geno HAD to play ONO. If you remember ONO committed in the 11th of her senior year in HS hour AFTER Charlie Collier reneged on her oral commitment to UConn, and decided to go to Texas. Thank goodness for ONO. UConn would have been in dire straights if ONO had decided to go else where.

Things would work out perfectly IF DeBerry is able to play the 5 next year, but this time Geno does have other options if DeBerry can't answer that call. He's got Juhasz (if she returns), Incoming freshman Ayanna Patterson (I know that's a reach, but she is an option). She's listed at 6'2. , but she's super athletic.

Don't forget, Aneesah Morrow (DePaul) is only 6-1, and she's doing ok. She's got a string of 20 double-doubles going, and is leading the nation in rebounding. Then there's Piath Gabriel. Right now she doesn't appear to be ready, but neither was ONO when Geno threw her in the mix. She learned as she went along. Last but not least you've got incoming freshman Ice Brady listed at 6-4. Regardless of her state of readiness, she is an option.

DeBerry may not be a good practice player, but at least she's been in the system long enough to have an idea of what she's suppose to do. Perhaps she will made a sophomore leap great enough to pass muster and start. Geno has options THIS year. That's one reason why she's not playing. He has the luxury of allowing her to sit for a year and learn the system. There's also the possibility that Geno is able to pick up a post player from the portal. I know it's a "distant" possibility, but there's a chance. If one wants to come here like Juhasz did for the right reasons, Geno may well consider taking her.

I don't have a preference. I'm NOT advocating for one player over another. I'll take what comes. I'm a fan, not a coach. That's Geno's job. In Geno I trust. When UConn plays their first exhibition game in November 9 months from now, he's going to put his best 5 players on the floor. Whether Amari is one of them remains to be seen.

 

[EricSD]

Ok, I will play along with your fantasy, why are your predicting more "pine time" for Amari next year? Especially considering bigs take a bit longer to develop and that for as wonderful as we always think the "next best thing is coming in next year" Isunah will also have to learn, and Ayanna is not a back to the basket "big". As Amari learns more of the defensive rotations and the offenses read and react, given her skills, I do see her earning significant time next year. And if Dorka decides to turn Pro, Amari will probably be a starter by the end of next year. So, humor us and please tell why you think Amari will not play?

A couple of things could hold her back IMHO (not speaking for the OP, just for myself). Amari does not seem to play with intensity or a sense of urgency. Even when she runs down the court, she seems to glide, moving slower than our other bigs. Granted, that may be her top speed so it's hard to tell but...

Geno has said she's not a good practice player at all. Her practices apparently are pretty bad. So if that does not change next year, I don't know that she will play. I've also noticed a decided lack of intensity especially on the defensive end. If you compare her defense to Dorka, Liv and Aaliyah, they have their arms up, are usually in motion, and they just "look" like they are putting in a lot of effort on defense. I don't see that with Amari.

Geno has also said she's one of the most skilled bigs he's gotten in a while. I believe the talent is there. I just think the effort and intensity needs to ramp up. But that's just my couch potato coaching eyes. Geno sees much better than I do of course!

 

[Viet Vet]

Ok, I will play along with your fantasy, why are your predicting more "pine time" for Amari next year? Especially considering bigs take a bit longer to develop and that for as wonderful as we always think the "next best thing is coming in next year" Isunah will also have to learn, and Ayanna is not a back to the basket "big". As Amari learns more of the defensive rotations and the offenses read and react, given her skills, I do see her earning significant time next year. And if Dorka decides to turn Pro, Amari will probably be a starter by the end of next year. So, humor us and please tell why you think Amari will not play?

I don't think Dorka is pro-ready, so I expect another year from her in Storrs. AD's poor practices are not conducive to more playing time. Geno needs big, tough, bodies in the paint. I am not saying she won't play, she will..............but not much.

I will be very pleased to be wrong. What I stated was a prediction, not my wish.

 

[Charliebball]

But you're almost describing a "Princeton" player. "Princeton" doesn't win Nat'l Championships. If the combination of things happen below offensively vs being just mediocre on Defense - she will potentially not see many minutes,. -
The point is - the others could be good at the high post (even if not as good as her) but better than her at all other facets of offense and just much better on defense, so if that were the case, why would she play if UCONN's offense still runs well with or without her?

The point is that "adequate defensively" might not be enough. I agree though - it is way too unknown for now. I indicated on my 1st post that she needs to be better. No way am I suggesting she can't. Looking forward big time to see.

Offensively: (Potentially a player wouldn't need to be better in all of these to get more minutes than AD if they are much better than AD defensively, along with if she doesn't do other things such as)

If she can't low post well while others can she is at a deficit in this area vs that other player.

If she can't create off the dribble (drive-and-score/ drive-and-dish) while others can she is at a deficit in this area vs that other player.

If she can't offensive rebound while others can she is at a deficit in this area vs that other player..

If she doesn't get down the court well offensively to be a part of fast-pace transition (if she is not a center then some teams are going to potentially pull her outside more to defend) basketball then she is at a deficit vs that other player.

I just don't think we can make judgements when we have such a small sample to judge from..........she did show a nice baby hook in one of her limited outings, something ONO unfortunately never developed ........let me ask you, do you consider Dorka a good defender? I'd call her adequate, not as effective as ONO yet she gets minutes because of the other things she can do on the court........unless a really solid post hits the transfer market, UConn is pretty much set up front once Dorka makes her decision.........if UConn doesn't get Cunningham, I don't think there's another big out there in next year's class that would be an upgrade (I don't consider Toomey a post) and the following year I'm only aware of one quality post player in Bianca Thomas......sure I'd love for UConn to get the next Aaliya Boston and other than possibly Cunningham there won't be another one available for quite some time.....

 

[Carnac]

A couple of things could hold her back IMHO (not speaking for the OP, just for myself). Amari does not seem to play with intensity or a sense of urgency. Even when she runs down the court, she seems to glide, moving slower than our other bigs. Granted, that may be her top speed so it's hard to tell but...

Geno has said she's not a good practice player at all. Her practices apparently are pretty bad. So if that does not change next year, I don't know that she will play. I've also noticed a decided lack of intensity especially on the defensive end. If you compare her defense to Dorka, Liv and Aaliyah, they have their arms up, are usually in motion, and they just "look" like they are putting in a lot of effort on defense. I don't see that with Amari.

Geno has also said she's one of the most skilled bigs he's gotten in a while. I believe the talent is there. I just think the effort and intensity needs to ramp up. But that's just my couch potato coaching eyes. Geno sees much better than I do of course!

Eric, you may have something here. You've heard Geno say many times that one thing they DON'T teach at UConn is EFFORT. Geno and staff had to know Amari wasn't a good practice player when they recruited her. They saw her play, and they no doubt talked to her HS and AAU coaches on several occasions. They had to see something in her that they wanted to coach and have her be part of their program.
I'm sure Amari didn't become a "less than enthusiastic" player in practice overnight. We'll see if things change between now and November. Lots of things can happen in 9 months.

 

[BobbyJ]

She should have already figured that out. Remember what the Wizard of Westwood, John Wooden use to say: "The bench is an excellent teacher." She's being coached and mentored everyday by her position coach. She knows. ONO is gone after this year. Amari will be in demand next year, and hopefully will be in the right frame of mind and body to fill that role.

ONO started as a freshman if you remember, out of necessity. Geno had no options. in the 2018-2019 season. The next tallest players on the team then were 6'2" junior Kyla Irwin and 6'3" senior Katie Lou Samuelsson, neither of whom were post players. Geno HAD to play ONO. If you remember ONO committed in the 11th of her senior year in HS hour AFTER Charlie Collier reneged on her oral commitment to UConn, and decided to go to Texas. Thank goodness for ONO. UConn would have been in dire straights if ONO had decided to go else where.

Things would work out perfectly IF DeBerry is able to play the 5 next year, but this time Geno does have other options if DeBerry can't answer that call. He's got Juhasz (if she returns), Incoming freshman Ayanna Patterson (I know that's a reach, but she is an option). She's listed at 6'2. , but she's super athletic.

Don't forget, Aneesah Morrow (DePaul) is only 6-1, and she's doing ok. She's got a string of 20 double-doubles going, and is leading the nation in rebounding. Then there's Piath Gabriel. Right now she doesn't appear to be ready, but neither was ONO when Geno threw her in the mix. She learned as she went along. Last but not least you've got incoming freshman Ice Brady listed at 6-4. Regardless of her state of readiness, she is an option.

DeBerry may not be a good practice player, but at least she's been in the system long enough to have an idea of what she's suppose to do. Perhaps she will made a sophomore leap great enough to pass muster and start. Geno has options THIS year. That's one reason why she's not playing. He has the luxury of allowing her to sit for a year and learn the system. There's also the possibility that Geno is able to pick up a post player from the portal. I know it's a "distant" possibility, but there's a chance. If one wants to come here like Juhasz did for the right reasons, Geno may well consider taking her.

I don't have a preference. I'm NOT advocating for one player over another. I'll take what comes. I'm a fan, not a coach. That's Geno's job. In Geno I trust. When UConn plays their first exhibition game in November 9 months from now, he's going to put his best 5 players on the floor. Whether Amari is one of them remains to be seen.

Two bolded areas I'm responding to: 1st) AD has three areas that need a lot of improvement. She needs serious strength gains in both her upper and lower body. I'm not sure how much can be done about her lack of short area quickness but stronger legs would certainly help. Part of the problem is that she plays high and too upright. A start would be to get some serious instruction on how to bend her knees to play lower with leverage to hold and create positioning for herself. And use it to maintain space around the lane so people can't get up under her and jam her up or spin by her. And last of the three, she needs to learn how to handle contact at both ends without fouling. And all this should preferably take place before she gets back to campus in the fall. Her commitment to work and improve will be tested. We'll see what changes are made.
2nd bolded) I don't believe ONO and Collier were an either/or situation. I think GA knew he needed at least two bigs and was seriously recruiting both. He obviously could/would have used both and probably communicated that to them.

 

[Carnac]

I just don't think we can make judgements when we have such a small sample to judge from..........she did show a nice baby hook in one of her limited outings, something ONO unfortunately never developed ........let me ask you, do you consider Dorka a good defender? I'd call her adequate, not as effective as ONO yet she gets minutes because of the other things she can do on the court........unless a really solid post hits the transfer market, UConn is pretty much set up front once Dorka makes her decision.........if UConn doesn't get Cunningham, I don't think there's another big out there in next year's class that would be an upgrade (I don't consider Toomey a post) and the following year I'm only aware of one quality post player in Bianca Thomas......sure I'd love for UConn to get the next Aaliya Boston and other than possibly Cunningham there won't be another one available for quite some time.....

I was thinking the same thing. I haven't seen enough of her to really make a fair assessment of her abilities. Like (FOX sports analyst and co-host of the morning sports TV talk show "Undisputed") Skip Bayless often says........."I need to see more." It's hard to form a take on a player when the only time you see her in in garbage time against other subs.

Players want to play. Many of us surmised that's why Mir and Saylor left. You know she wants to play, and does not like watching games from the bench. I'm sure she's fully aware of what it will take to get off the bench and in to more games. We'll see how bad she wants to play this winter. Who knows, perhaps she will have an epiphany or a wake up call of some kind between now than then. Perhaps of of the upperclassmen will pull her aside and "enlighten" her. Keep hope alive.

 

[BobbyJ]

I just don't think we can make judgements when we have such a small sample to judge from..........she did show a nice baby hook in one of her limited outings, something ONO unfortunately never developed ........let me ask you, do you consider Dorka a good defender? I'd call her adequate, not as effective as ONO yet she gets minutes because of the other things she can do on the court........unless a really solid post hits the transfer market, UConn is pretty much set up front once Dorka makes her decision.........if UConn doesn't get Cunningham, I don't think there's another big out there in next year's class that would be an upgrade (I don't consider Toomey a post) and the following year I'm only aware of one quality post player in Bianca Thomas......sure I'd love for UConn to get the next Aaliya Boston and other than possibly Cunningham there won't be another one available for quite some time.....

I agree. She and ONO will leave their feet on almost every up fake on the perimeter of the lane creating space for the offensive player to go by them.

 

[Carnac]

Two bolded areas I'm responding to: 1st) AD has three areas that need a lot of improvement. She needs serious strength gains in both her upper and lower body. I'm not sure how much can be done about her lack of short area quickness but stronger legs would certainly help. Part of the problem is that she plays high and too upright. A start would be to get some serious instruction on how to bend her knees to play lower with leverage to hold and create positioning for herself. And use it to maintain space around the lane so people can't get up under her and jam her up or spin by her. And last of the three, she needs to learn how to handle contact at both ends without fouling. And all this should preferably take place before she gets back to campus in the fall. Her commitment to work and improve will be tested. We'll see what changes are made.
2nd bolded) I don't believe ONO and Collier were an either/or situation. I think GA knew he needed at least two bigs and was seriously recruiting both. He obviously could/would have used both and probably communicated that to them.

I agree with the entirety of your take. She needs lots of work over the summer. You're right. Geno was recruiting both ONO and Collier, but if you remember ONO was very hush hush on her recruiting status (mindset) during her that time. She committed in the 11th hour only AFTER Collier de-committed to go to Texas. She may have come to UConn anyway. We'll never know. She never put her business on any social media platforms for public consumption.

 

[BobbyJ]

I agree with the entirety of your take. She needs lots of work over the summer. You're right. Geno was recruiting both ONO and Collier, but if you remember ONO was very hush hush on her recruiting status (mindset) during her that time. She committed in the 11th hour only AFTER Collier de-committed to go to Texas. She may have come to UConn anyway. We'll never know. She never put her business on any social media platforms for public consumption.

In that same class, C. Williams said nothing publicly until signing day either. Or Megan Walker the previous year for that matter.

 

[hoophuskee]

I just don't think we can make judgements when we have such a small sample to judge from..........she did show a nice baby hook in one of her limited outings, something ONO unfortunately never developed ........let me ask you, do you consider Dorka a good defender? I'd call her adequate, not as effective as ONO yet she gets minutes because of the other things she can do on the court........unless a really solid post hits the transfer market, UConn is pretty much set up front once Dorka makes her decision.........if UConn doesn't get Cunningham, I don't think there's another big out there in next year's class that would be an upgrade (I don't consider Toomey a post) and the following year I'm only aware of one quality post player in Bianca Thomas......sure I'd love for UConn to get the next Aaliya Boston and other than possibly Cunningham there won't be another one available for quite some time.....

I'm not making judgements. I have said/implied "if all she is is a High Post Player" throughout then she'll struggle for minutes. I said/implied that she just can't be "high post." Please- make no mistake I am not writing her off. Frankly, I love offense. But I just think in order for her to get minutes she needs more than High Post in the future.

Good point about Dorka but she is an upperclassman. As a freshman or sophomore unless she showed something she would have been on the bench if there was competition. But Dorka does the run the floor better. Dorka does low post better. And Dorka does offensive rebound better. AND Dorka does handle the ball better. If she showed these things as a forsh and sophomore she would've played for UCONN these past two years (19-20 and 20-21) and as a frosh or soph probably be ahead of AD--- if she showed these things.

 

[Alydar]

What I like about next season's roster is the depth up front. Lots of unknowns about most of them. But a lot better than having a 5'11" center and a 6'1" pf.

Edwards and Juhasz are the most experienced and either or both will likely start. Gabriel, Deberry, Brady & Patterson all show tremendous potential and the competition among them should result in a couple of more-than-capable post players.
But UConn will be a guard-driven team next year and the posts who compliment the guards the best will have an edge.

 

[rt bb fan]

I agree with the entirety of your take. She needs lots of work over the summer. You're right. Geno was recruiting both ONO and Collier, but if you remember ONO was very hush hush on her recruiting status (mindset) during her that time. She committed in the 11th hour only AFTER Collier de-committed to go to Texas. She may have come to UConn anyway. We'll never know. She never put her business on any social media platforms for public consumption.

Why did Charlie Collier de-commit?

 

[Blond D.]

I think Amari might turn out to be more like a Katie Lou rather than just a big. She has a sweet shot and is a good passer. She will get more strength and speed next year and probably a lot more PT.

A couple of things could hold her back IMHO (not speaking for the OP, just for myself). Amari does not seem to play with intensity or a sense of urgency. Even when she runs down the court, she seems to glide, moving slower than our other bigs. Granted, that may be her top speed so it's hard to tell but...

Geno has said she's not a good practice player at all. Her practices apparently are pretty bad. So if that does not change next year, I don't know that she will play. I've also noticed a decided lack of intensity especially on the defensive end. If you compare her defense to Dorka, Liv and Aaliyah, they have their arms up, are usually in motion, and they just "look" like they are putting in a lot of effort on defense. I don't see that with Amari.

Geno has also said she's one of the most skilled bigs he's gotten in a while. I believe the talent is there. I just think the effort and intensity needs to ramp up. But that's just my couch potato coaching eyes. Geno sees much better than I do of course!

 

[hoophuskee]

Why did Charlie Collier de-commit?

Brutal Hurricane hit her area,

 

[Charliebball]

I agree. She and ONO will leave their feet on almost every up fake on the perimeter of the lane creating space for the offensive player to go by them.

that's one of the few advantages of not being a good jumper...........

 

[Carnac]

Why did Charlie Collier de-commit?

The word we (the boneyard ) got was that because her father had recently passed, and (she was from Texas) she wanted to stay closer to home because of a major hurricane had recently come near her home town of Belvieu, TX, About 30-35 miles from the shoreline of the gulf.

 

[Zanzman]

Why did Charlie Collier de-commit?

Hurricane and her father had recently passed away

 

[Charliebball]

Eric, you may have something here. You've heard Geno say many times that one thing they DON'T teach at UConn is EFFORT. Geno and staff had to know Amari wasn't a good practice player when they recruited her. They saw her play, and they no doubt talked to her HS and AAU coaches on several occasions. They had to see something in her that they wanted to coach and have her be part of their program.
I'm sure Amari didn't become a "less than enthusiastic" player in practice overnight. We'll see if things change between now and November. Lots of things can happen in 9 months.

some people are just naturally "laid back"..........nothing seems to phase them good or bad.......perhaps that's just the way she's wired........as long as she gives 100% effort on the court I don't care if she yawns in practice waiting for the next layup line...............

 

[Charliebball]

The word we (the boneyard ) got was that because her father had recently passed, and (she was from Texas) she wanted to stay closer to home because of a major hurricane had recently come near her home town of Belvieu, TX, About 30-35 miles from the shoreline of the gulf.

that and the possible continued recruiting on the part of the Texas coach...............

 

[Blond D.]

I think Amari might turn out to be more like a Katie Lou rather than just a big. She has a sweet shot and is a good passer. She will get more strength and speed next year and probably a lot more PT.

Katie Lou was a lot like Amari when Katie Lou was a freshmen is what im baseing my comment on. She was just a player looking for a spot to shoot the 3 till Geno challenged her. I think Amari will get that sense of urgency. Shes only a freshmen.

 

[Jmsdawg]

UCONN was better than SC last year. Not sure how anyone can say Dawn is better just because this year she is number 1 so far. If UCONN gets to more final fours and has more championships how is it that there chemistry is not superior to SC's? Are you suggesting because more people stay on a team they are better? Because we can agree that UCONN beat SC last year and as a result was better, right? OS after 1 year Dawn gets the award?

maybe I did not express my thoughts well, I was not saying SC was a better team than UConn this year or last year, I was trying to say SC provides more game time for her talented bench players than UConn does. Some coaches stress playing time for a group of players because they feel team chemistry is enhanced if a limited number of players get most of the game time, I agree player to player chemistry is enhanced by actual game time but player development suffers for any player not included in the game group. The lack of playing time is certainly a reason for very talented players transferring thus affecting the performance of future teams. Lack of game ready reserves is especially critical with illness or injuries. From the games that I have watched it appears to me SC really makes an effort to provide game time for it reserves, some times it is difficult to know which of SC players are starters and which are reserves because the reserves see playing time during critical close games. As for the top team this year, from what I have seen, I believe SC and Stanford are most likely to be N.C.