Geno On The 6th Member of Next Year's Recruiting Class

[CocoHusky]

They recruited Hunter but there were parent issues. Hunter played less because of injuries.

I also seem to remember that UCONN had some interest or knowledge of Azura when she was in HS. It might have been through her older sister who played at St. Johns.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Very surprised to hear Coach Geno speak so glowingly about Evina regarding every aspect of her game and demeaner. Seems to be signaling that she could be a starter next year. Rare that he talks that way about transfers.

 

[DICKG]

For fogged-out Boneyarders who may not know who the 6th member of the incoming class of 2020 might be, I am of course referring to Evina Westbrook, who will be eligible to play in a blue uniform for the first time in 2020-21.

On tonight's Geno Auriemma show, Maria invited him to talk about Evina, her story (including her surgery), and what impression he has formed of her since she has been in Storrs. The whole Evina topic consumed perhaps 5 minutes on the show.

Of interest to this forum is Geno's assessment of her basketball ability: "For the short amount of time that she was able to practice -- whew! She's really good." He added that she is more of an aggressive, slashing type of player, which he thinks the team needs given that UConn is now mainly a jump shooting team. (Wasn't that also supposed to be Christyn's game?) He also said that he could feel her bringing an edge to practice, in contrast to the laid-back demeanor of many of her teammates.

In response to Maria's question about what she has contributed already, he said that he has been favorably impressed by everything she has done in her current non-playing role. He said that she has been a good teammate who has "touched everybody", in contrast to other teammates who tend to form cliques (he didn't use that word) that they usually interact with. He seemed to think that it was very important for someone to do what Evina is doing in that respect.

He complained again about the NCAA's denial of her eligibility for this year, but said that it has given her "the opportunity to have surgery that she has needed for a long time." He did not express any reservation about her ability to play to the full limits of her ability next year.

There was some talk (mostly on VolNation, I think) that maybe she was a selfish player or not a good teammate, but clearly Geno did not subscribe to that view.

Given her numbers in two years at Tennessee and this report from Geno, I have a hard time imagining that she will not be a starter next year.

Exactly, who are the newcomers next year besides Westbrook.

For fogged-out Boneyarders who may not know who the 6th member of the incoming class of 2020 might be, I am of course referring to Evina Westbrook, who will be eligible to play in a blue uniform for the first time in 2020-21.

On tonight's Geno Auriemma show, Maria invited him to talk about Evina, her story (including her surgery), and what impression he has formed of her since she has been in Storrs. The whole Evina topic consumed perhaps 5 minutes on the show.

Of interest to this forum is Geno's assessment of her basketball ability: "For the short amount of time that she was able to practice -- whew! She's really good." He added that she is more of an aggressive, slashing type of player, which he thinks the team needs given that UConn is now mainly a jump shooting team. (Wasn't that also supposed to be Christyn's game?) He also said that he could feel her bringing an edge to practice, in contrast to the laid-back demeanor of many of her teammates.

In response to Maria's question about what she has contributed already, he said that he has been favorably impressed by everything she has done in her current non-playing role. He said that she has been a good teammate who has "touched everybody", in contrast to other teammates who tend to form cliques (he didn't use that word) that they usually interact with. He seemed to think that it was very important for someone to do what Evina is doing in that respect.

He complained again about the NCAA's denial of her eligibility for this year, but said that it has given her "the opportunity to have surgery that she has needed for a long time." He did not express any reservation about her ability to play to the full limits of her ability next year.

There was some talk (mostly on VolNation, I think) that maybe she was a selfish player or not a good teammate, but clearly Geno did not subscribe to that view.

Given her numbers in two years at Tennessee and this report from Geno, I have a hard time imagining that she will not be a starter next year.

Who are the other five coming in? I know of only three.

 

[Justavisitor]

Evina needs to play the 2 guard. She's better suited for that position. Her issues at TN in regards to chemistry did not become an issue until during the season. When teams aren't winning, players usually start harping at each other and pointing the finger of blame. When teams are winning, the chemistry is typically great! Winning has a way of curing all ails

 

[JordyG]

Evina needs to play the 2 guard. She's better suited for that position. Her issues at TN in regards to chemistry did not become an issue until during the season. When teams aren't winning, players usually start harping at each other and pointing the finger of blame. When teams are winning, the chemistry is typically great! Winning has a way of curing all ails

The chances of EW playing the 2 at UConn while CW is here lies somewhere between a big fat no and an even fatter never. For EW it's pretty much PG or the wing.

 

[Crossover]

The chances of EW playing the 2 at UConn while CW is here lies somewhere between a big fat no and an even fatter never. For EW it's pretty much PG or the wing.

First, why can't CW play the 3? Second, is there a big difference between playing the 2 and the 3? Assuming one wants to make hard distinctions in the modern era, the 2 and 3 are more alike than any other two positions.

 

[HuskylnSC]

He said that she has been a good teammate who has "touched everybody", in contrast to other teammates who tend to form cliques (he didn't use that word) that they usually interact with. He seemed to think that it was very important for someone to do what Evina is doing in that respect.

I took note that when Liv had her nose bloodied, it was EW who went out on the floor to bring her a towel and took some time to check on her before the training staff got to her. I was impressed by that and felt it is an indicator of the kind of player she is.

My feeling is that next year she will be a key performer for us. She can succeed at the 1, 2, or 3 providing much flexibility specially as the freshmen get acclimated to UConn and D1 hoops. I hope she stays 2 years. But if she has an AA season, the smart move would be to go ahead and get the cash.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Exactly, who are the newcomers next year besides Westbrook.

Who are the other five coming in? I know of only three.

Paige, Aaliyah, Nika, Piath,Mir

 

[HuskylnSC]

First, why can't CW play the 3? Second, is there a big difference between playing the 2 and the 3? Assuming one wants to make hard distinctions in the modern era, the 2 and 3 are more alike than any other two positions.

It all depends on the the personnel. When you have a 2 and 3 that are very similar in that they can shoot from 3, slash to the hoop, rebound and play defense, I usually call them wings. When I use the numeric nomenclature, the 3 is typically a better rebounder and slasher, the 2 would be better beyond the arc and a better ball handler. The 3 is typically bigger and stronger than a 2 while the two would be quicker. The size and quickness would factor more into defensive assignments. In a zone the 3 will play underneath while the 2 is defensively on the arc with more 3 ball responsibility. In Man-2-Man defense the 3 will guard a bigger, stronger opponent while the 2 while take a quicker player. That of course is in a perfect world. In real life Crystal ends up guarding Lauren Cox.

 

[JonathanXIV]

In this and other threads, when discussing recruits are speculating on next year's starting lineup, many posters will use the 1-5 nomenclature (representing point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center). I'll acknowledge that this shorthand can be useful for understanding where players fit in, but I think too many apply it restrictively, forcing players into slots (she's a 2, not a 3; she can't play the 4; we already have X at the 3) when considering who UConn should recruit or start or play.

The reality, as I see it, is that basketball is quickly evolving past this traditional understanding of lineups. A number of factors has accelerating non-traditional thinking about lineups - the impact of the 3-point line and an emphasis on shooting and spacing, better shooting among all positions, "bigs" with the skill sets traditionally associated with smaller players. This has lead to greater experimentation and a willingness by coaches to reconsider their lineups, often employing different look lineups in different situations. One obvious example is coaches going to a small ball lineup, but one need only look to the NBA for teams pushing the limits on lineup construction with no traditional centers and so on.

Consider how UConn normally constructs their lineup. Geno always has a true point guard (Jen, Sue, Rene, Moriah, Crystal), and likes to employ a "big," but beyond that he has shown flexibility. Sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity. When I look at the players available next year, I would expect to see more of this experimentation. Using the traditional nomenclature, we could see lineups of a 1-3-3-3-5, or a 1-2-3-4-4, or a variety of other combinations. To put it another way, we could see two point guards playing with two wings and a big, or a point guard with three wings and a big, and so on.

Bottom line, next year it looks like we are going to have a lot of talented, athletic players who don't fit in the "big" or point guard category. As I see it, you can almost never have too many players who can defend, move and shoot. This potential wealth of resources, with the flexibility it provides for Geno, could make UConn a match up nightmare for other teams, even if we don't have the "bigs" that many seem to long for.

 

[HuskylnSC]

In this and other threads, when discussing recruits are speculating on next year's starting lineup, many posters will use the 1-5 nomenclature (representing point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center). I'll acknowledge that this shorthand can be useful for understanding where players fit in, but I think too many apply it restrictively, forcing players into slots (she's a 2, not a 3; she can't play the 4; we already have X at the 3) when considering who UConn should recruit or start or play.

The reality, as I see it, is that basketball is quickly evolving past this traditional understanding of lineups. A number of factors has accelerating non-traditional thinking about lineups - the impact of the 3-point line and an emphasis on shooting and spacing, better shooting among all positions, "bigs" with the skill sets traditionally associated with smaller players. This has lead to greater experimentation and a willingness by coaches to reconsider their lineups, often employing different look lineups in different situations. One obvious example is coaches going to a small ball lineup, but one need only look to the NBA for teams pushing the limits on lineup construction with no traditional centers and so on.

Consider how UConn normally constructs their lineup. Geno always has a true point guard (Jen, Sue, Rene, Moriah, Crystal), and likes to employ a "big," but beyond that he has shown flexibility. Sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity. When I look at the players available next year, I would expect to see more of this experimentation. Using the traditional nomenclature, we could see lineups of a 1-3-3-3-5, or a 1-2-3-4-4, or a variety of other combinations. To put it another way, we could see two point guards playing with two wings and a big, or a point guard with three wings and a big, and so on.

Bottom line, next year it looks like we are going to have a lot of talented, athletic players who don't fit in the "big" or point guard category. As I see it, you can almost never have too many players who can defend, move and shoot. This potential wealth of resources, with the flexibility it provides for Geno, could make UConn and match up nightmare for other teams, even if we don't have the "bigs" that many seem to long for.

Pat Riley wanted to get it going with the 'Showtime Lakers' He said he wanted 5 players who could play all 5 positions. He almost got it. It' called positionless basketball. From possession to possession each player just fills the role that falls to them.

The problem is that there are only a couple of unicorns that can be 6'8" (or 6' 4" in the WBB) and dominate at the point or the post. Magic may be as close as anyone ever came.

 

[JordyG]

First, why can't CW play the 3? Second, is there a big difference between playing the 2 and the 3? Assuming one wants to make hard distinctions in the modern era, the 2 and 3 are more alike than any other two positions.

CW has had a hell of a time finally adjusting to the 2 spot. She finally may be finding her shot. Now next year you want her, as a junior, to change positions and go up against much bigger, stronger players? Insane. What do you want from this kid?

 

[meyers7]

In this and other threads, when discussing recruits are speculating on next year's starting lineup, many posters will use the 1-5 nomenclature (representing point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center). I'll acknowledge that this shorthand can be useful for understanding where players fit in, but I think too many apply it restrictively, forcing players into slots (she's a 2, not a 3; she can't play the 4; we already have X at the 3) when considering who UConn should recruit or start or play.

The reality, as I see it, is that basketball is quickly evolving past this traditional understanding of lineups. A number of factors has accelerating non-traditional thinking about lineups - the impact of the 3-point line and an emphasis on shooting and spacing, better shooting among all positions, "bigs" with the skill sets traditionally associated with smaller players. This has lead to greater experimentation and a willingness by coaches to reconsider their lineups, often employing different look lineups in different situations. One obvious example is coaches going to a small ball lineup, but one need only look to the NBA for teams pushing the limits on lineup construction with no traditional centers and so on.

Consider how UConn normally constructs their lineup. Geno always has a true point guard (Jen, Sue, Rene, Moriah, Crystal), and likes to employ a "big," but beyond that he has shown flexibility. Sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity. When I look at the players available next year, I would expect to see more of this experimentation. Using the traditional nomenclature, we could see lineups of a 1-3-3-3-5, or a 1-2-3-4-4, or a variety of other combinations. To put it another way, we could see two point guards playing with two wings and a big, or a point guard with three wings and a big, and so on.

Bottom line, next year it looks like we are going to have a lot of talented, athletic players who don't fit in the "big" or point guard category. As I see it, you can almost never have too many players who can defend, move and shoot. This potential wealth of resources, with the flexibility it provides for Geno, could make UConn and match up nightmare for other teams, even if we don't have the "bigs" that many seem to long for.

Agreed. If you put everyone in what they really are this year you're basically playing with a 1-2-2-3-5. One of the best teams we ever had was basically a 1-2-4-4-4. (2002)

 

[cbraarj]

They recruited Hunter but there were parent issues. Hunter played less because of injuries.

She could have been the best center Uconn ever had without injuries.

 

[UcMiami]

Uconn's best defensive teams were probably the Stewart/Morgan/Moriah years and the following two where they were switching on all screens. Seeing Moriah sometimes defending a center by fronting her and disrupting the entry passes with her incredible ups. I think it was SC or maybe MsSt when the guards could not seem to get it over her.

And often the real initiator of offense at Uconn has not been a traditional PG - Maya, Faris, Dolson, Lou, Gabby to name a few.

 

[Crossover]

CW has had a hell of a time finally adjusting to the 2 spot. She finally may be finding her shot. Now next year you want her, as a junior, to change positions and go up against much bigger, stronger players. Insane. What do you want from this kid?

I want her to get substantial playing time. And I don't worry about her being out-muscled. As she and Geno have both observed, she is naturally strong. Add two seasons under Amanda Kimball's tutelage and CW will hold her on.

 

[soxfan23]

For fogged-out Boneyarders who may not know who the 6th member of the incoming class of 2020 might be, I am of course referring to Evina Westbrook, who will be eligible to play in a blue uniform for the first time in 2020-21.

On tonight's Geno Auriemma show, Maria invited him to talk about Evina, her story (including her surgery), and what impression he has formed of her since she has been in Storrs. The whole Evina topic consumed perhaps 5 minutes on the show.

Of interest to this forum is Geno's assessment of her basketball ability: "For the short amount of time that she was able to practice -- whew! She's really good." He added that she is more of an aggressive, slashing type of player, which he thinks the team needs given that UConn is now mainly a jump shooting team. (Wasn't that also supposed to be Christyn's game?) He also said that he could feel her bringing an edge to practice, in contrast to the laid-back demeanor of many of her teammates.

In response to Maria's question about what she has contributed already, he said that he has been favorably impressed by everything she has done in her current non-playing role. He said that she has been a good teammate who has "touched everybody", in contrast to other teammates who tend to form cliques (he didn't use that word) that they usually interact with. He seemed to think that it was very important for someone to do what Evina is doing in that respect.

He complained again about the NCAA's denial of her eligibility for this year, but said that it has given her "the opportunity to have surgery that she has needed for a long time." He did not express any reservation about her ability to play to the full limits of her ability next year.

There was some talk (mostly on VolNation, I think) that maybe she was a selfish player or not a good teammate, but clearly Geno did not subscribe to that view.

Given her numbers in two years at Tennessee and this report from Geno, I have a hard time imagining that she will not be a starter next year.

Like I said from DAY 1, Westbrook's 2nd surgery was elective!

 

[JordyG]

Like I said from DAY 1, Westbrook's 2nd surgery was elective!

Yes. She elected to have a much needed surgery now instead of waiting until after this season. The surgery was going to happen sooner or later. The most elective surgeries are breast reduction or enlargement, bariatic surgery, refractive surgery etc.

 

[pacific 44]

+Can't wait till she elects to get a triple-double vs. Tennessee next year.

 

[HopJim]

It's a rather small sample size though, the media guide says:
Brittany Hunter -Started 24 of 30 games for '07-08 season
Natalie Butler 0 Starts in 36 games during the '16-17
Azura Stevens 8 starts in 37 games during '17-18 Season

Rather a small sample size since Butler had a broken thumb and trouble holding the ball. Not sure I would say this is any indication of Geno's preference one way or another regarding transfers. Normally UConn doesn't need them.

 

[ABCDFE]

Uconn's best defensive teams were probably the Stewart/Morgan/Moriah years and the following two where they were switching on all screens. Seeing Moriah sometimes defending a center by fronting her and disrupting the entry passes with her incredible ups. I think it was SC or maybe MsSt when the guards could not seem to get it over her.

And often the real initiator of offense at Uconn has not been a traditional PG - Maya, Faris, Dolson, Lou, Gabby to name a few.

Moriah to me was the best pound for pound defender in UCONN history. Aubrey has a chance to be up there though with Gabby and Moriah, Kia, Stokes, Faris etc.

 

[UcMiami]

Moriah to me was the best pound for pound defender in UCONN history. Aubrey has a chance to be up there though with Gabby and Moriah, Kia, Stokes, Faris etc.

She may be the shortest ever DPOY in women's college basketball! Loved that she won the award her senior year.

 

[hoophuskee]

Like I said from DAY 1, Westbrook's 2nd surgery was elective!

But she had to eventually have surgery because of the pain, correct? Otherwise she was going to have it this offseason. I know what I read and to start the season Geno specifically said if Evina were to play this season she would be playing with a lot of pain.

That's not the definition of a healthy knee. So you can call it "elective" all you want-- but eventually she had to have it. What we do know is that she "elected" to have it because her knee was still bothering her. You don't go have knee surgeries if your knee isn't bothering you especially when Geno said that she'd be playing in pain.

 

[soxfan23]

But she had to eventually have surgery because of the pain, correct? Otherwise she was going to have it this offseason. I know what I read and to start the season Geno specifically said if Evina were to play this season she would be playing with a lot of pain.

That's not the definition of a healthy knee. So you can call it "elective" all you want-- but eventually she had to have it. What we do know is that she "elected" to have it because her knee was still bothering her. You don't go have knee surgeries if your knee isn't bothering you especially when Geno said that she'd be playing in pain.

Who is disputing any of that? The only reason for my post was to highlight the fact the Westbrook's 2nd revision surgery she had this year was NOT the result of any NEW injury, At the time the news came out I spoke to some of my contacts on campus and the word was it was a simple elective surgery she chose to have now so she can have a full off-season to prepare. I made a post expressing this and there were a number of posters that told me "I was crazy and that she got hurt when she was visiting home, and it was a new injury", yada, yada, yada. I just wanted to clarify that it was NOT a new injury.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Moriah to me was the best pound for pound defender in UCONN history. Aubrey has a chance to be up there though with Gabby and Moriah, Kia, Stokes, Faris etc.

Mo was an outstanding defender. It seemed that she picked up every loose ball on the floor. I recall when Texas isolated 6’4” Kelsey Lang on Moriah on the block after a switch. They thought they had an easy bucket. But Mo elevated and snatched the lob pass. She had the ability to take over games on the defensive end. Or the offensive end.

 

[cbraarj]

Moriah to me was the best pound for pound defender in UCONN history. Aubrey has a chance to be up there though with Gabby and Moriah, Kia, Stokes, Faris etc.

Sales

 

[j66kicker]

Sales

Nykesha still holds the all-time UConn record for steals with 447

 

[UcMiami]

Nykesha still holds the all-time UConn record for steals with 447

That one is the most dominant record at Uconn Moore's scoring lead is 360 over Breanna for 11.9% greater. Nykesha's steals record is 94 over Moriah for a 21% advantage. None of the other Uconn stats are close to those ranges except for field goal percentage at 10.7% (Williams at .703 vs. Wolters at .628)

But on the pound for pound scale Moriah at 5'6" and 123 pounds probably still takes the prize against the 6'0" Sales.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Earlier in the year she looked fine and happy to me on the bench - check the video of this game at about the 1:03:20 mark:

Is she always like that on the bench...

 

[HopJim]

Mo was an outstanding defender. It seemed that she picked up every loose ball on the floor. I recall when Texas isolated 6’4” Kelsey Lang on Moriah on the block after a switch. They thought they had an easy bucket. But Mo elevated and snatched the lob pass. She had the ability to take over games on the defensive end. Or the offensive end.

Mo got the court time to prove her defensive abilities since she expanded her offensive skills as well. A defensive only player rarely gets a full game's worth of minutes.