Heckel to UConn (merged threads) | Page 4 | The Boneyard

Heckel to UConn (merged threads)

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RockyMTblue2 said:
I like your enthusiasm, but no matter what the talking heads said in the final four we have some open questions. Biggest, can Azzi deliver consistently and be a leader. Will a third scorer show up? Is it our senior transfer? Okay, this killjoy is delighted with Kayleigh's aka K9 commit.
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Definitely questions to be answered and some growing pains to be had. A lot of the looks Strong got, were because of her and Paige’s connection. Paige is gone, so things will be tougher on her. Can Azzi step up consistently and not disappear. Ashlynn needs to be more consistent as well. I trust the rest of the ladies to do what they’ve been doing and some to take a step forward, but for us to win it all, I think those three and Williams being what we expect are the most important. KK looked like she took her step forward toward the end of last year, she looked unbelievable, she just needs her shot to be more consistent. Also we dont even know what the freshman will bring, so there could be some pleasant surprises there as well.
 
I just rewatched the second USC game. Kayleigh has a strong handle both left and right, has a short pull up J, good playmaking and passing skills, has good first step on drive moves. Used to getting the ball in low to big men so that is a plus for next year and has good foot speed. I think she is perfect for us. Honestly, very easy to envision her in a UCONN uniform. Unselfish player doing her job as a PG. Kinda like this pick up. ;)
 
Well I am at a loss for words.

However, I am thinking of a number -13.

I think K9 brings a toughness we didn't have since Nika left. We did win without that type of player, but that was simply because along with the talent we've had for the past several years, we also had enough healthy bodies.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
I like your enthusiasm, but no matter what the talking heads said in the final four we have some open questions. Biggest, can Azzi deliver consistently and be a leader. Will a third scorer show up? Is it our senior transfer? Okay, this killjoy is delighted with Kayleigh's aka K9 commit.
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All valid concerns Rocky. I personally am much more pre-season optimistic about this team than any in a bunch of years. The addition of Kayleigh fills a real need by providing another true point guard. I suspect we are going to be a high energy team that will score a lot of points and play in your face defense. We aren't going to be underdogs in any of our OOC games this year. This team has the makings of a kick butt team like UConn teams of old.
 
FormerCTrez said:
Welcome to STORRS, Kayleigh!
Also, let me apologize to you, because I’d written that I didn’t think you were joining the Huskies. Your announcement took a very long time, and we BYers are extremely impatient, especially with news such as this. So, I stand corrected!
But welcome to the Basketball Capitol of the World. You will be adoringly loved, talked about, and defended by your adopted moms, dads, grandparents, cousins, aunties, and uncles! Welcome again!!
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It's a good thing she committed despite your negativity! :)
 
This has me thinking -- last fall, I assumed Aubrey would be essential to the latest campaign, that her return sometime in January would bring a whole new energy to the team, provide vital support to the Big Three, and power them all into the tournament. Well, it didn't turn out that way. Aubrey's return was a footnote because her recovery was incomplete. But the team rolled on as if it barely mattered. What really mattered in the end and what really pushed the Big Three over the top was, of all things, the Little Three.

Now looking forward to next fall, we still have some injuries to recover from in Morgan and Ayanna, and maybe even a little for Carol. But Geno appears to have decided to carry forward the theme of having a Big Three supported by a Little Three. The roster is rich with ball handlers. They will once again be very difficult to press. And now the roster is also rich with rebounders and post scorers, rather more than this past season. It won't matter much if all the recoveries don't go according to schedule, given how deep this roster is.

We've all seen how Geno can win with a roster not nearly as deep as this. This season, he won a ring playing an 8-deep rotation. He overcame an inefficient front line with awesome defense all over the floor and inspired play from the guards and Sarah. The defense won't lose a step and may even be fiercer this time around, and the offense may have even more prongs on its pitchfork -- not just three players averaging ~60 pts/game in the tournament. This time around, It could well be 4 players averaging ~70 pts/game. Or some other distribution might emerge that is impossible to foresee now.
 
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Really liked K9 when she played in HS and mentioned that her favorite player was Sue Bird and was disappointed, she chose to go to USC and not to UConn. All is good now! UConn is 3 deep in every position and Geno will be able to mix and match every type of combination. I see this team as pressing the opponents all game long. If you look at the additions to this team, practically all of them seem to be good defensive players and athletes.
Practice will be much harder than most of the games they'll play.
Can't wait for the season to start!
 
yhun89 said:
Big get. Another ball handler and another promising prospect to bloom under Geno. After losing Chen and Paige, we ABSOLUTELY needed to pick up another ball handler.
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I disagree about needing to pick up another ball handler. I think we would have been fine but as I believe Kate Harpring is not coming, I can see why Geno brought her in. Needed or not, she is a Husky now and I’m fully on board. This roster is just unbelievable! Now the only thing darkening my basketball horizon is having to wait five long boring months til practice starts! :(
 
I posted this on another thread but it applies here also!

The only thing bothering me about Kayleigh Heckel joining UConn was how KK and Ashlynn and Morgan and Allie were going to want a Sophomore portal transfer signing on , but after reading Kayleigh's Birthday greeting to KK a couple of days ago I know those players will welcome her with open arms so let's start rolling to #13!
 
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