Geno's Biggest Decision For 2021-22: 3 Guards or 4?

[CocoHusky]

They will not start 4 guards, not with as many good Bigs as they have, two of whom started last year. There may be times when four guards are on the floor, but not on a regular basis. There may also be times when there are three Bigs on the floor and only two guards.

Fully agree with your first two sentences but not the third. Having three bigs on the floor at the same time presumably (Aaliyah , Liv and Dorka) would mean that one of them is playing the wing or S/F position. While Aaliyah is best equipped of the three (something I've been advocating for a while now) the team is too deep at that position. Dorka and Liv simply cannot guard on the perimeter which is a major requirement of the S/F position as is three point shooting. Aaliyah did not attempt a 3 Point shot last season. I'm projecting Evina starts at S/F backed up by Aubrey, Caroline, Saylor and Mir. I can also see both Azzi and Christyn Williams logging minutes at that wing S/F position in the 4 guard 1 big lineup.

 

[Mdoggie]

For me it does matter-I don't want to see another Azura Steven's Part II.

Point taken.

 

[DEpup]

Fully agree with your first two sentences but not the third. Having three bigs on the floor at the same time presumably (Aaliyah , Liv and Dorka) would mean that one of them is playing the wing or S/F position. While Aaliyah is best equipped of the three (something I've been advocating for a while now) the team is too deep at that position. Dorka and Liv simply cannot guard on the perimeter which is a major requirement of the S/F position as is three point shooting. Aaliyah did not attempt a 3 Point shot last season. I'm projecting Evina starts at S/F backed up by Aubrey, Caroline, Saylor and Mir. I can also see both Azzi and Christyn Williams logging minutes at that wing S/F position in the 4 guard 1 big lineup.

I think that can be easily overcome in an era of positionless basketball. You put Edwards on the perimeter for defense and Dorka on the perimeter for offense. Those women are talented enough to make that work.

 

[visitingcock]

I think we might see it this year in one of the SC games. I could see Dawn throwing the kitchen sink at UConn if she gets desperate with a Boston, Cardoso, and Amihere line up and Geno responding in kind with his own big line up.... Dorka has the skill to play at the 3 for periods of time.

I doubt you will ever see such a lineup. Stanford might see it if we get into another smashmouth, but I doubt anyone else will see it especially UConn who has excellent perimeter shooting.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think that can be easily overcome in an era of positionless basketball. You put Edwards on the perimeter for defense and Dorka on the perimeter for offense. Those women are talented enough to make that work.

You should not try to make it work if you have better alternatives. Why try and fit a square peg into a round hole when you have an abundance of perfectly good round pegs that can get the job done?

 

[oldude]

I doubt you will ever see such a lineup. Stanford might see it if we get into another smashmouth, but I doubt anyone else will see it especially UConn who has excellent perimeter shooting.

I appreciate that a SC supporter understands the inherent difficulty in trying to play 3 Bigs at the same time, however talented they may be, against a team that can spread the floor and shoot the basketball. I strongly suspect that Dawn will use her Bigs in overlapping waves in order to wear down opponents.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I appreciate that a SC supporter understands the inherent difficulty in trying to play 3 Bigs at the same time, however talented they may be, against a team that can spread the floor and shoot the basketball. I strongly suspect that Dawn will use her Bigs in overlapping waves in order to wear down opponents.

the other issue is that three bigs probably isn't SCar's best offensive or defensive alignment so not sure why that lineup would get trotted out.

it's just inviting zone while potentially taking a theoretical shooter and perimeter capable defender off the floor.

 

[oldhusky]

Fully agree with your first two sentences but not the third. Having three bigs on the floor at the same time presumably (Aaliyah , Liv and Dorka) would mean that one of them is playing the wing or S/F position. While Aaliyah is best equipped of the three (something I've been advocating for a while now) the team is too deep at that position. Dorka and Liv simply cannot guard on the perimeter which is a major requirement of the S/F position as is three point shooting. Aaliyah did not attempt a 3 Point shot last season. I'm projecting Evina starts at S/F backed up by Aubrey, Caroline, Saylor and Mir. I can also see both Azzi and Christyn Williams logging minutes at that wing S/F position in the 4 guard 1 big lineup.

I have long advocated for the end of the 4 guard lineup and also like Coco believe we don't need to find ways to use a big at the 3 as well. Either way, a guard at the 4 or a big at the 3 is sub-optimal when you have very good players who could play their natural position. For the most part Paige and Nika get the minutes at the point, Christyn Evina, Azzi and maybe Caroline split 80 minutes at the 2/3. Aaliyah and Aubrey get the 4 minutes, and Liv and Dorka the minutes at the 5. Sure there are scenarios where Geno may want to juggle that a little based on the game, but I think that is likely to be the situation for most games.

 

[Zorro]

i don't see how Geno is possibly going to be able to start only five players!!

 

[nwhoopfan]

i don't see how Geno is possibly going to be able to start only five players!!

Hey that's cheating if you start 6 or 7 players.

 

[CocoHusky]

I have long advocated for the end of the 4 guard lineup and also like Coco believe we don't need to find ways to use a big at the 3 as well. Either way, a guard at the 4 or a big at the 3 is sub-optimal when you have very good players who could play their natural position. For the most part Paige and Nika get the minutes at the point, Christyn Evina, Azzi and maybe Caroline split 80 minutes at the 2/3. Aaliyah and Aubrey get the 4 minutes, and Liv and Dorka the minutes at the 5. Sure there are scenarios where Geno may want to juggle that a little based on the game, but I think that is likely to be the situation for most games.

I agree mostly. However, a healthy Saylor has all the tools to contribute at the SF position or as a stretch 4. Saylor is equal to Aubrey defensively, a very good passer and ball handler and only in need of regaining her health (mobility) and 3 ball.

 

[DEpup]

You should not try to make it work if you have better alternatives. Why try and fit a square peg into a round hole when you have an abundance of perfectly good round pegs that can get the job done?

Better alternatives is situational.... I have always believed in being able to give an opponent different looks throughout a game so they can't get comfortable. I am always going to be a proponent of a big line up option just as much as a fast small ball option in addition to the traditional starting 3G/2F line up.

As far as Edwards, if the coaches are also good teachers and preparing her for the next level, she needs to improve her abilities at the 3. When it comes to the WNBA she's in that SF to PF tweener size not unlike Pheesa so she'll need to be able to function on the perimeter as a professional and not be a one trick down low pony. Let's learn now.

 

[Inthepaint]

I agree mostly. However, a healthy Saylor has all the tools to contribute at the SF position or as a stretch 4. Saylor is equal to Aubrey defensively, a very good passer and ball handler and only in need of regaining her health (mobility) and 3 ball.

Won't say you're right, but I can't say you're wrong.
Just didn't see enough of Saylor to judge her skills in game situations.
However, if she is "equal to Aubrey defensively".......
Some folks at Marquette, DePaul, etc. are going to be very stressed out.

 

[CocoHusky]

Won't say you're right, but I can't say you're wrong.
Just didn't see enough of Saylor to judge her skills in game situations.
However, if she is "equal to Aubrey defensively".......
Some folks at Marquette, DePaul, etc. are going to be very stressed out.

That "healthy" part is significant for Saylor's performance. Her injuries included a hip which required surgery to repair and a fracture in her back. If she can get back to her Junior year of High School or USA basketball U16 form then yes she can possibility be a better defender than Aubrey. Also keep in mind that she played all 5 positions on her High school team and helped her mother coach.

 

[JellyBean]

All mad some great and interesting comments and points. With so many options at his disposal for this team, Coach Geno and the Coaching staff are going to have an interesting time putting five on the floor and then bringing in that 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, & 10th player. I just would love to be able to attend a practice session to see the competitive fire between possible units. Our 2nd unit is going to give other teams some serious problems if players buy into their roles.