Hartford Courant Article: With Big 3 Gone, What Are The UConn Women Left With Next Season?

[StarMan]

John Altavilla - With Big 3 Gone, What Are The UConn Women Left With Next Season?

 

[bags27]

"Yeah, [next season] might be the biggest [transition] in the sense that when that other group left [Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Asjha Jones and Tamika Williams], we had Diana coming back, and I thought, 'Hey, we're starting out the season with the best player in the country,'" Auriemma said. "'How bad can that be?'

I've heard Geno narrate those first couple of practices the following year a bit differently: such as, "this team doesn't seem as bad as I thought it was going to be...." He's recounting it differently now to make things look especially gloomy for next fall, lowering expectations.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Nothin', I tell you, NOTHIN'!!!! We are DOOOOOOMED!

 

[BigBird]

So, next year may be difficult. Who ever promised us that it would be easy? Go Huskies!

 

[bags27]

Nothin', I tell you, NOTHIN'!!!! We are DOOOOOOMED!

Just like every year....

 

[MilfordHusky]

We have Lou and they don't.

 

[huskyd]

As 3 top players leave, we are left with a tall, thin #1 recruit; a small, quick best-in-the-country guard; a 6'2" forward who resembles (IMO) another 6'2" forward; an international star guard; the best athlete on the team; and an up-and-coming star with a very wide reach and a very big upside. We also have the best coaches in WCBB. What we cannot replace is Pulido at the Buzzer. Be of good cheer.

 

[BroadwayVa]

John Altavilla - With Big 3 Gone, What Are The UConn Women Left With Next Season?

I read John's article this AM and I thought he missed the target by a mile.
The following players now on the team are not SWISS Cheese: Katie Lou (if she isn't a top player, I'll eat my boot), Napheesa Collier (star material, rebounder/3 scorer), Gabby will be Gabby with a consistent 3, Natalie will be thiner, smoother, defender, with a 3 ball shot, Nurse will be Nurse but more of a scorer, Dangerfield (from what I've seen she is a Moriah clone with a good shot), Irwin is 6'2 (is reported to be a rebounder/scorer in post (is this just hype??)), Bent (a Kelly Faris that can score/defend)---so while we'd all love to vote to keep the Golden 3 all good things must end. Will Uconn go undefeated (I hope) yet I doubt it--will they make the final 4--I'll take any money that says they won't (since you believe that way you have to give me odds). Will the coming season be super great for Uconn fans --YOU BET this will be a fun year. All those that B-witched that Uconn won by too much--this may be your year (outside of the Conference))

 

[BroadwayVa]

As 3 top players leave, we are left with a tall, thin #1 recruit; a small, quick best-in-the-country guard; a 6'2" forward who resembles (IMO) another 6'2" forward; an international star guard; the best athlete on the team; and an up-and-coming star with a very wide reach and a very big upside. We also have the best coaches in WCBB. What we cannot replace is Pulido at the Buzzer. Be of good cheer.

While Lawlor can't always make the last shot of the season--she will fill the Pullido spot very well. I like what you say and the way that you say it!!!

 

[BroadwayVa]

So, next year may be difficult. Who ever promised us that it would be easy? Go Huskies!

Didn't Geno say that???? If not GA then Shea!! I know I heard it--but I always thought the UConn sky (not Gampel ceiling) is falling--somehow I don't get those vibes now~!!!

 

[easttexastrash]

I have been gone a few days getting my house ready to sell. Did I miss an announce by Tuck? Did she decide to declare herself eligible for the WNBA draft?

 

[Aluminny69]

So, next year may be difficult. Who ever promised us that it would be easy? Go Huskies!

Answer: TONYC!!! That's who.

 

[UcMiami]

We have Lou and they don't.

Lou ??? I thought they were Moooing.

 

[VA Huskie]

I have been gone a few days getting my house ready to sell. Did I miss an announce by Tuck? Did she decide to declare herself eligible for the WNBA draft?

Yes.

 

[MilfordHusky]

We will have more questions than usual next year. But watching how they are answered will be fun. I expect a lot of pleasant surprises with a few disappointments sprinkled in. Depending on recruiting, we could be only 1-2 years away from another juggernaut.

 

[Carnac]

We will have more questions than usual next year. But watching how they are answered will be fun. I expect a lot of pleasant surprises with a few disappointments sprinkled in. Depending on recruiting, we could be only 1-2 years away from another juggernaut.

Agreed. A key component of that juggernaut would be a very good agile and aggressive 6-4 + post player that can shoot........kinda like stewie.

 

[NoelAustin]

What about a starting five of Lou, Gabby, Kia, Napheesa, and Crystal?

Go small and put the five best players on the court....It would be interesting.

 

[nd2tty]

The article brings up a good point regarding KLS: unless Nurse and Williams (and to a certain extent Collier) up their offensive output and scoring threat significantly (which could certainly happen, especially if Nurse's 2015 summer wasn't an anomaly and if Williams extends her range), opponents will key on KLS defensively in a way she never had to deal with when she was the 4th option behind Stewart, Tuck, and Jefferson.

 

[easttexastrash]

The article brings up a good point regarding KLS: unless Nurse and Williams (and to a certain extent Collier) up their offensive output and scoring threat significantly (which could certainly happen, especially if Nurse's 2015 summer wasn't an anomaly and if Williams extends her range), opponents will key on KLS defensively in a way she never had to deal with when she was the 4th option behind Stewart, Tuck, and Jefferson.

It will be a different world for each player. Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson required a lot of attention by the opposing defenders, which allowed the other players to kind of roam and pick off rebounds and get open looks at the basket. With that defensive energy no longer focused on the Big 3 the type of defense that is played against UCONN will be much different. And teams are going to try to attack the paint without Stewart floating in the lane to block shots. It will be very interesting to see how Geno counters. It will be a very intriguing season.

 

[tony yusef]

This article said nothing we shouldn't of known already, the returning class has to up their games, really? who knew? I for one will be excited to see this team grow. Granted there are some aspects that have to go right for this team, I think the incoming freshman have to be major contributors. Butler has to have a sizable leap forward, and they are going to need Chong to be a consistent contributor. Is any of this "far fetched" ? hardly. Look at the other 3 teams that made the final four this year I think this UCONN team is just as good as they are, if not better... So lets see what happens...

 

[BRS24]

Amazing how certain player departures makes you think/worry/wonder how the team will do in the following season, how the coaches will adapt, and then when the season starts, you think, wow, this is going to be a fun ride. There was the Williams/Cash/Bird/Jones departure, then DT, then Maya, then Tina & Renee, then KML, and now Stewie/Mo/Tuck. The "new" team forges its own identity, leaders step up, starters get named, and this is what makes me excited for the season, although the wait between April and October is painfully long, with only the NFL to bide the time.

I am most looking forward to see how Gabby/Lou/Phee/Kia/Saniya come together and set the tone. I think Gabby has a chance to have a Tamika/Morgan type impact.

 

[Longtime fan]

I have been gone a few days getting my house ready to sell. Did I miss an announce by Tuck? Did she decide to declare herself eligible for the WNBA draft?

I'm sure you have heard by now. She is going pro.

 

[meyers7]

although the wait between April and October is painfully long, with only the NFL to bide the time.

Are you kidding? You have the WNBA, end of EPL/LaLiga/SerieA seasons, Champions League, MLB, Triple Crown, Euro's, COPA America Centenario, FIBA U17 WBB, Tour de France, Summer Olympics, MLS, start of EPL/LaLiga/SerieA, SANZAAR Rugby Championship.

This spring/summer/fall is packed.

 

[Carnac]

What about a starting five of Lou, Gabby, Kia, Napheesa, and Crystal?

Go small and put the five best players on the court....It would be interesting.

That could work, but only if Lou assumes Stewie's roll of "rim protector". That would be a quick team. I can see them running continuous lay up drills against most teams. Crystal would be the facilitator, the rest of them would be the shooters. With the BIG 3 gone, now plays will be run for them. Somehow, I really don't think they'll disappoint. This just in.....................ALL 5 of those ladies can shoot!!!, just like this year's starting 5.