David - while it seems we've got our share of doubters, there's no doubt in my mind she'll be on our Wall of Honor before she leaves Storrs!
You're right Jim, The fact that she is the Captain of the team, and running the point with the complete trust and approval of the coaches should tell the casual observer something. They're a different team when she's not in the game. There are a fair number of doubters here in the yard as well as some that are not satisfied with the progress they think Crystal should have made or shown her first year. I am among those that are more than willing to give
ALL freshmen time to grow and mature.
No two recruits are alike. Some "get it", and make that transformation sooner than others. All things in time.
When Danger was on the floor last year, I saw Moriah Jefferson. Not because of the similarity in size or build or position, but the look on her face. Almost like a deer in the headlights look. A look that said whatever I do out here, I can't make a mistake. I can't make the coach(es) mad, or think I can't play. UConn players are under pressure on BOTH ends of the court at ALL TIMES. Let your man blow by you on defense (or be out of position), you get pulled. Be out of position on offense or miss setting a screen the play calls for, you get pulled (or at the very least get yelled at during the next timeout).
Sometimes freshmen can think too much on the floor because they don't really know what they're doing. I remember Gabby saying at the beginning of her sophomore year that she was ready to go. She said "
Now I know what I'm doing". She readily admitted that she was not ready to play in the
Stanford game. Wow, look how she turned out. She's one the best to ever put on a UConn uniform. Yet she too needed that year to get acclimated to the riggers and demands of wcbb in general, and UConn basketball in particular.
Dangerfield came to the program very highly touted. She won every award and individual designation she was eligible for her senior year in high school. She was "Miss "Everything" when she left. While this news is very pleasing to me, I'm not surprised. Crystal is a very special talent. Talent for the most part we've only seen glimpses of. The best is yet to come.
We already know she's has court vision that can't be taught. Like
Magic Johnson did, and
Lonzo Ball does. There are posters that think
Dangerous will start at the point for Geno this year, I don't. All things in time. This is not her time. Barring injury, she won't start.
Azura Stevens will be the 5th starter. Geno did not bring AZ in to be a part time player off the bench. The leadership, skill set, experience and maturity AZ brings with her will best serve the team as a starter. Crystal will get a lot of playing time, maybe as much as any starter, but she won't start. She will start her junior and senior year!!!
The expectations I have for Crystal are as high as anyone, but nothing she does will surprise me. For the most part, she's still in her cocoon. She'll break out as soon as Geno takes the leash off, and tells her once again "
win the game for us Crystal ". Because now that she knows what she's suppose to do, she can play fast and loose on instinct, which is when she's at her best. I said it all last year, and I'm saying it now, I'm not worried about Crystal Dangerfield one bit. She'll be just fine. We'll see more of what she showed us during the Baylor game, only we'll see it the entire season. I look forward to seeing her and the rest of her teammates take the floor for that first game in Italy next month. This should be a season to remember.........for lots of reasons.
All of these wonderful young ladies chose UConn, because they wanted to improve their games, not just hear how wonderful they are. My Stating that Crystal's defense is not as strong as the coach typically prefers is not a negative breakdown, Just an honest observation or Constructive Criticism.
And her "breaking out" - so much to look forward to in the next few years....Hmmm....isn't that what we said a few years back?
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