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Message: [QUOTE="oldhusky, post: 5167489, member: 9844"] I am considerably more optimistic now than after our second loss for several reasons. At that time our top two were as good as anybody's, but at least by Uconn standards, 3-7 was more like what 6-10 would be on a typical Uconn contender. Other top teams had significantly better 3rd, 4th and 5th best players etc. Now a healthy Azzi looks like a legitimate third big time star. Aubrey after a few games should be another high level addition. Jana looks more settled after beating out Ice (which needed to happen) and Ashlynn and KK have shown a significant sophomore improvement after starting the season little different from the prior one. So the next tier after Paige and Sarah looks considerably better now. Much is still to be determined IMO regarding possible lineups. Kaitlin is slipping as KK is rising, so that starting spot could potentially change, and Aubrey in time is a possible starter or major minute player at the 4 or the 3. Instead of one big and four guards, we could tilt big or small depending on Aubrey, but not as drastic as actually using four guards. Using Aubrey at the 4 with Sarah at the 5 is not a big lineup, but they both play bigger than their height. Combine that with maybe Paige at the 3, Azzi the 2, and KK at the 1. Then if we wanted to go bigger than that, play Sarah and Aubrey together with Jana, where Jana is in the post and either Aubrey or Sarah plays the 3 with the other at the 4. Finish that lineup with Azzi and Paige at the 2 and 1 respectively. i think both of those lineups could be better than the current one, and give Geno the ability to lean big or small without having to take the more drastic step of one big and four true guards, which could be a problem against the top contenders. Still that version of small ball with Paige at the 4 could still be used when appropriate, and we know against many teams it can be effective. But overall I see the rest of the team from health and development raising their level to compliment Paige and Sarah much better, and with the addition of Aubrey, the ability to battle top contenders much better upfront. [/QUOTE]

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