Guard corps

[Bigboote]

On broadcasts, I've heard many times "LSU has the best back court in the country" stated as a fact. Let's take, say, the top five in minutes. LSU has

Mikaylah Williams
MiLaysia Fulwiley
Flau'jae Johnson
ZaKiah Johnson
Jada Richard

Would anyone trade those five straight up for

Azzi Fudd
KK Arnold
Ashlynn Shade
Kayleigh Heckel
Allie Ziebell

?

The LSU guards are certainly among the best in the nation, but I wouldn't trade UConn's guards for anybody's. Of course this all has to be considered within the different systems of the two teams, and in both cases they're doing what's asked of them. I happen to like UConn's system more than I like LSU's, and I know there are those out there who really like the run-and-gun style.

But geez, UConn's guards are good.

 

[Bone Dog]

On broadcasts, I've heard many times "LSU has the best back court in the country" stated as a fact. Let's take, say, the top five in minutes. LSU has

Mikaylah Williams
MiLaysia Fulwiley
Flau'jae Johnson
ZaKiah Johnson
Jada Richard

Would anyone trade those five straight up for

Azzi Fudd
KK Arnold
Ashlynn Shade
Kayleigh Heckel
Allie Ziebell

Azzi is a cut above all of them. But on offense, I think the LSU guards are pretty damn good, prolly better 1v1 than the others guards on Geno's roster. Of course, they may not look so shiny up against the sort of defensive intensity Azzi KK Ash and Kayleigh can bring to bear on them. Not to mention Sarah and Blanca. It's one thing to compare stats. It's another to actually play head to head. I suspect Geno will use his guards to even greater effect than Kim will be able to. This is the system difference you mention.

 

[BRS24]

Let the talking heads keep saying that. UConn is focused on themselves, and only that. When you put 2-3 guards together on the floor, it's about cohesiveness and efficiency.

 

[HuskyNan]

Azzi is a cut above all of them. But on offense, I think the LSU guards are pretty damn good, prolly better 1v1 than the others guards on Geno's roster. Of course, they may not look so shiny up against the sort of defensive intensity Azzi KK Ash and Kayleigh can bring to bear on them. Not to mention Sarah and Blanca. It's one thing to compare stats. It's another to actually play head to head. I suspect Geno will use his guards to even greater effect than Kim will be able to. This is the system difference you mention.

Azzi was very effective vs Fulwiley in the national championship game

 

[HuskyNan]

Let the talking heads keep saying that. UConn is focused on themselves, and only that. When you put 2-3 guards together on the floor, it's about cohesiveness and efficiency.

The switches on defense are like a ballet

 

[bayern7]

Azzi is a cut above all of them. But on offense, I think the LSU guards are pretty damn good, prolly better 1v1 than the others guards on Geno's roster. Of course, they may not look so shiny up against the sort of defensive intensity Azzi KK Ash and Kayleigh can bring to bear on them. Not to mention Sarah and Blanca. It's one thing to compare stats. It's another to actually play head to head. I suspect Geno will use his guards to even greater effect than Kim will be able to. This is the system difference you mention.

Yeahhh, if we’re talking raw talent and floor/ceiling type stuff LSU has a better backcourt overall IMO. I look at it as who has more likely WNBA impact type players. And right now from what I’ve seen, that’s LSU. But our gals bring other things to the table and as a sum of its parts we have a great roster. Many different archetypes to game with. If you add our “hybrids” Sarah and Blanca to the equation, that changes things quite a bit.

 

[DEpup]

I agree. You've gotta put Strong and Blanca in there if you are going to add M. Williams. For me, it's really interesting to see almost all the top teams have this hybrid player like Williams, Booker, Strong, Olson and Edwards that are essential for them. Strong is the best of them all IMO.

 

[fomalhaut]

We won't know until 2026 whether LSU is really that good; they will likely enter conference play 14-0. They could easily have 3 or 4 losses by Valentine's Day.

 

[asuwish]

Azzi is the best among them but Johnson may only go a few spots behind her in the draft. LSU may have 4 1st round picks and UConn probably has 1. LSU may have more overall talent but they don't have as good a front court and right now Sarah is such a difference maker I'll take UConn.

 

[fomalhaut]

There's nobody I'd trade Azzi Fudd to get.

 

[DefenseBB]

Remember that ESPN co owns the SEC Network so they have to tout the SEC teams. Also, I think they were referencing that Kim said that. I do believe Kim believes her guards are better than anyone else's. She has to, she doesn't have any front court so....

 

[oldude]

How can we possibly know how good LSU’s guards are until they actually play someone, anyone, who’s not a resident of Cupcake City?

 

[Centerstream]

Azzi was very effective vs Fulwiley in the national championship game

As was Paige in the February game...Fulwiley was guarding her and Paige got fouled by her, due to Paige attacking her with the ball, within seconds.
Fulwiley ended up with 3 fouls in 18 minutes of play. And in Dawn's doghouse for most of the game.

 

[HopJim]

Azzi is a cut above all of them. But on offense, I think the LSU guards are pretty damn good, prolly better 1v1 than the others guards on Geno's roster. Of course, they may not look so shiny up against the sort of defensive intensity Azzi KK Ash and Kayleigh can bring to bear on them. Not to mention Sarah and Blanca. It's one thing to compare stats. It's another to actually play head to head. I suspect Geno will use his guards to even greater effect than Kim will be able to. This is the system difference you mention.

Along the lines of Geno's, "We have Diana and they don't," while the LSU guards are excellent, we have Azzi and KK. Without overstating it, no one can shoot like Azzi and no one plays defense like KK. I would take our offense and see no comparison on defense.