Gotta Wonder what opponents think preseason

[Bestiarius]

I think opponents are lulled into a false sense of security when they think of UConn next season. It's comforting to consider Dolson and Hartley not being around. It's easy to think Stokes is tough defensively, but that she can be handled on offense. They don't think too much at all about Banks, Tuck and Chong. That could be a big mistake.

But, the most serious oversight, will be to ignore the incoming class. It's easy to do, since they have flown under the radar to a much greater extent than any other class in memory. This happened because of the unique nature of these players last year.

We have Kia Nurse, being Canadian, didn't participate in the hubbub of the McD AA game, etc. but instead garnered pro-like experience with the Canadian National Team.

Courtney Ekmark, so advanced academically, that she skipped her Senior year in High School to concentrated on preparing for UConn with a trainer.

Gabby Williams with an Olympics class spring in her step. Gabby's ACL repair kept her out of the news last year, but Sue Bird's surgeon performed his magic and she is now on the rehab train.

Sadie Edwards, from Connecticut is our only traditional path recruit finishing up her Senior year at Blairstown Academy in NJ. She wears number 14 and plays like another #14 we know and love.

Next season's UConn team will likely be much different than the past year's team. None of the incoming kids are one trick ponies. Watch for power forward traits to emerge to assist with covering for the loss of Stef and Bria.

 

[Tonyc]

Keys to next season start with Tuck. If she comes back healthy that's the key and if she can play close to the level she did when before she went down that is also a big key. You can't replace Stef just like you couldn't replace Tina and you can't replace Bria but you can rebuild. UConn has a terrific nucleus in KML Stokes, Stewart, Mojeff and Tuck (if heatlthy to play starter minutes. Im dont know how the freshman class will adjust to college ball. Nurse has experience which is great . Williams coming off another injury you have to put her in the same catagory as Tuck and those are two big "IFs". I think Chong will be fine this season. She is a great foul shooter and can penetrate. She made very few mistakes last season.

One thing that sets UConn apart from everybody else. They are taught how to play the game. With their talent and their ability to know how to play the game along with their defense is why they can shoot the ball poorly and still win. In a half court game they did struggle last season, however their defense helped get the break going and their ability to play under pressure was key. Part of that was the leadership shown by Bria and Stef and MoJeff.

Kiah showed in the NCAAs she can score. Maybe she wasn't the go to scorer like Stef was or Tina was but how many bigs are like that? So this season you will see another version of the Huskies. You will see a team that will score 80+ pts a game. Stewart and KML will lead the way. If healthy Tuck will be a big contributor. Thats why I said Tuck is a key. Mojeff Chong and BB will handle the ball along with Nurse. Ekmark is a terrific shooter and Geno will run plays to get her open. Edwards is a slasher and Williams if healthy will be a great scorer.

Again we have the nucleus but we have question marks. Tuck Williams health, Chong and BB stepping up, and how will the freshman class adapt to college ball. The biggest plus we have it having Stewart. I really believe we can win it all so long as shes healthy. No other team has a player like Stewart and no other team plays a tuffer defense then UConn.

Wow just saw the thread on Natalie Butler. That could change the future pretty quickly. Butler 6'5 Boykin 6'1 and if Collier 6'3 and Samuleson 6'3 come along with Durr. UConn will be very hard to beat, but what else is new. LOL

 

[msf22b]

The weekend's recruiting news is a dagger in the heart of opponent's long-range aspirations.

If anyone is going to end the latest streak, they had better do it soon (as unlikely as that is).