Heckel to UConn (merged threads) | Page 9 | The Boneyard

Heckel to UConn (merged threads)

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Zarathustra said:
This clip is another response to the question "CAN Kayleigh Heckel play
defense?" Well, yes, she can.... but also "YOU DON'T TUG ON SUPERMAN'S
CAPE".... and "YOU DON'T MESS WITH 'BUCKETS' ". That video sequence
should also have the coda: " AND ONE!!"
Expand ...
Jim Croce trying to "school us" on what NOT to do:



King of 42nd Street?!?

Go Huskies!!!
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Felt the need to add something, so I went and found this from a Cali paper:

"However, Heckel was not a superstar-level player. She struggled in the Big Ten Tournament and endured a bumpy ride for much of the month of February. Her lack of size and physical stature was a clear limitation. It's not as though UConn will instantly be able to change or work around that.

We're not saying or implying UConn won't get full value from Kayleigh Heckel. We are saying UConn won't instantly create a big transformation or immediately turn her into a star. If Kayleigh Heckel does play at a star level in Storrs under Geno, it will probably be a two-year process."

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Former Trojan Kayleigh Heckel transfers to UConn and Geno Auriemma

Kayleigh Heckel goes from USC to UConn, which will have everyone talking.
trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
Golly, a freshman struggled in her first conference tournament. That’s never happened before. (Directed at the writer, not you Rocky)

The article linked sounds like sour grapes. The same guy wrote this in March:

USC really needed this. Kayleigh Heckel really needed this. Heckel was instrumental in winning the road game at Maryland in January. She came up big in several other USC wins this season. Having her as part of the rotation -- a player who can be depended on at both ends of the floor -- is an important part of a potential Final Four run.

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Kayleigh Heckel steps up for USC in March Madness victory

Kayleigh Heckel made very good use of the 2-week break between the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. This is big for USC.
trojanswire.usatoday.com
 
HuskyNan said:
Golly, a freshman struggled in her first conference tournament. That’s never happened before. (Directed at the writer, not you Rocky)

The article linked sounds like sour grapes. The same guy wrote this in March:

USC really needed this. Kayleigh Heckel really needed this. Heckel was instrumental in winning the road game at Maryland in January. She came up big in several other USC wins this season. Having her as part of the rotation -- a player who can be depended on at both ends of the floor -- is an important part of a potential Final Four run.

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Kayleigh Heckel steps up for USC in March Madness victory

Kayleigh Heckel made very good use of the 2-week break between the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. This is big for USC.
trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
I can only imagine what this joker would say if his girlfriend dumped him…….
 
uconnever said:
Exactly, I don’t know why people keep saying this, Morgan can handle it for a few moments from game to game, but a back up point guard, no way! We play a team with real defensive pressure and she would have problems. I like her and can’t wait to see her game develop, but she’s no point guard. We definitely needed another real point guard.
Expand ...
How do you know she is not a point guard? How many times did she play point guard last season for you to come to that conclusion? You also don't know how she would handle real defensive pressure. You are commenting as if it is a fact.
 
oldude said:
Welcome to the Basketball Capital of the World Kayleigh Heckel. You chose wisely. :cool:
A couple thoughts on the newest Husky:
  • We can surmise many reasons for Kayleigh's choice. Her family in Port Chester is less than 2 hrs from Storrs and even closer to their alma mater at St Johns or across the river at Seton Hall. She'll be contending for a national championship the day she arrives and will develop under the best coaching staff in WBB. I also tend to believe that playing on a team that cares for each other like UConn does, probably means as much to Kayleigh as anything.
  • We can also surmise that Kayleigh's decision to transfer to UConn had nothing to do with starting, PT or NIL. While I have no doubt that Kayleigh expects to compete for PT and a starting spot, you know she received no guarantees from Geno.
  • Finally, this is the first time ever that UConn WBB will have 15 scholarship players on the roster. UConn can go small, BIG and everything in between. For you math majors, using a binomial equation, with 15 players on the roster Geno can roll out 3,003 different 5 player combinations. :eek:
Next season can't get here soon enough......
Expand ...
I hate math although dating a UConn grad math teacher. But I love your numbers.
 
HuskyNan said:
Golly, a freshman struggled in her first conference tournament. That’s never happened before. (Directed at the writer, not you Rocky)

The article linked sounds like sour grapes. The same guy wrote this in March:

USC really needed this. Kayleigh Heckel really needed this. Heckel was instrumental in winning the road game at Maryland in January. She came up big in several other USC wins this season. Having her as part of the rotation -- a player who can be depended on at both ends of the floor -- is an important part of a potential Final Four run.

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Kayleigh Heckel steps up for USC in March Madness victory

Kayleigh Heckel made very good use of the 2-week break between the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. This is big for USC.
trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
Wonderful sleuthing Nan. Well done.
 
BobbyJ said:
I doubt that Auriemma had any conversation with her about it. He didn’t recruit Heckel away from Gottlieb. Heckel was already in the portal when he contacted her.
Expand ...
Hunh,? The timing you lay out makes it more likely, not less, that Geno had a friendly conversation with Lindsay to get the inside scoop on what Hayleigh is like in the locker room and as a teammate.
 
Paradoxically, Kayleigh’s addition means minutes distribution will be flatter than it would have been if she didn’t come to UConn:
  • UConn will now be 3-deep at every player’s natural position - taking liberties with Serah since she will play the “5” most of her minutes at UConn (for optimal play (below), hedge against contingencies, and optimal 4-year farm system (below));
  • The “hole” at backup PG (which I worried about in the OOC) with Morgan’s injury is filled; there is no need for OOC backup PG triage thus giving Geno and CD more bandwidth from the start;
  • Compared to this year (high on expectations, long on incomers + walking wounded + players in new roles with only Paige as the certain commodity), next year’s team has a running jump start (below);
  • Thus, next year’s team’s competitive minutes against all teams from the start of the season will be less of an adventure than this year’s team up to the TN game;
  • Hence more “garbage” time which is likely going to be “quality garbage” time — no need to wait for the Big East schedule to start the annual team metamorphosis to peak postseason form;
  • I imagine that Geno’s mix-match experiments will be more quality fun stemming from intense quality 15-player practices, where most player development happens and the quality versatility of most players;
  • Thus, over 40 minutes, the quality of game play will be less choppy, and player’s game minutes, even in garbage time, will not be “zero-calorie” minutes.
At bottom:
  • Next year’s team has a running jump start compared to this year’s team;
  • Geno’s large roster minutes distribution which he first deployed in the early TASSK years, and which he deployed again this year with a (5)+4 rotation will be deployed again next year with a possibly (5)+6 rotation;
  • The running jump start is due to this year’s 6 peak-team-postseason-form players having offseason improvements vs this year’s players at the start of the season who would later mature together with Geno’s long experimentation with Board anguished “are we there yet” commentary — during the season;
  • The running jump start is also due to having less longer runway players (incomers + walking wounded + rusty players) of which there were 9 this year (5 incomers + 4 walking wounded) vs 6 next year (5 incomers + 1 walking wounded (Morgan)); Caroline and Ayanna have the off-season to remove some rust;
  • The 5 incomers next year include much shorter runway players (Serah who will start right away, Kayleigh as a quality PG backup and Blanca who will start, maybe after a very short &1 acclimation period);
  • The running jump start is also due to the carryover of chemistry and playbook (small ball, half-court, running game, defense, etc.) rejiggered with the loss of Paige’s great (pantheon by UConn’s standards) versatility and efficiency, Kaitlyn’s steadiness and Aubrey’s x-factor play and the addition of Serah;
  • Paige and Sarah’s versatile effectiveness coupled with Azzi’s late bloom made Geno’s large-roster-mix-matching this year very formidable;
  • Next year, instead of the Big 3 (which only simultaneously performed as the Big 3 after the TN game), the team will possibly have (from the start) a Big 2+3, with Azzi rediscovering and honing her versatile game (positions (1)-(3), a la Paige sans (4) position); the “2” in Big 2+3 are Azzi and Sarah and the “3” are Ash (or Caroline, should she regain her form), Serah and Blanca (potential comparable to Jazzy Davidson);
  • Serah’s arrival turbo-charges the running jump start as Geno will have early and larger bandwidth to improve on this year’s template with more, more experienced and offseason-targeted-improvementpost players playing at their (other) natural positions (e.g. Ice at the (4), Sarah also playing the (3)/(4) with Blanca / Morgan / Caroline who will also play the (3)/(4)); Ayanna will be available at the (4)/(5);
  • The early and significant focus on post-play farm system (Serah and Sarah improving the other post players in practice) will also improve this year’s anemic passing into and within the post;
  • The running game, which Geno didn’t fully unleash this year until his half-court schemes and defensive schemes were mastered, will be available from the start with this deep agile roster;
  • Geno has the luxury for more strategic substitutions and feeding the hot hand which can vary from game to game;
  • Thus, next year will possibly be even a better poster child for “position-less” pick-your-poison large-roster beautiful basketball; maybe, the board’s fevered “are we there yet” flavor next year will be less intense(?).
Geno’s large-roster template in the portal/ NIL/ Super team arms race era will be achieving a sustainable state with some of its main draws being:
  • perennially vying for championships (one of Geno’s stated reasons for foregoing retirement);
  • best-in-class farm system development of players with acclaimed exposure and pedigree for post-college basketball careers (at the next level or in other basketball-adjacent careers);
  • this development involves stark player base assessments, mentoring on the beautiful basketball that John Wooden enjoyed, and best “basketball player” polishing trajectory within the confines of a collegiate career and heading into the next level for those who get drafted.
&1 For continuity from this year’s peak postseason team and to prioritize Serah’s acclimation into the starting lineup, Ash may be the better choice to start at the “3” than Blanca in the early OOC.
  • Blanca will also will benefit from a smoother transitional glide path with a short adjustment into U.S. collegiate life (her Italian experience helps), Geno’s schemes (especially defense and 3-pt shooting), and any language barriers (Geno’s colorful Italian helps);
  • With a clear team 40-minute hell mix-match template (thanks, Paige), every player has clear off-season high-reward development goals such as shooting (KK and Blanca, particularly), natural position offense (Ice, Jana, Ayanna, Caroline, Allie), passing into the post (everyone), vocal leadership (Azzi, Sarah, KK), etc.
 
Puppy Love said:
I don’t see a comparison. Kaitlyn Chen played three years at Princeton and was a proven performer. To be blunt, there is no way that at least one of Allie, Morgan, Kelis, KK or Ash won’t feel ‘recruited over’, especially because Heckel has 3 years of eligibility. I know, they all have equal opportunity to earn minutes, but this is a lot of competition. Hopefully, I’ll be wrong, but I don’t see this as a net positive.
Expand ...
I worry about this also. Particularly with Allie and Kelis.
 
Big Ball - Gandy Malou-Mamel - 6'6", Janah El Alfy - 6'5", Ice Brady - 6'3", Sarah Strong - 6'2", Caroline Ducharm, Morgan Cheli - 6'2'
Small Ball - Ayanna Patterson - 6'2", Sarah Strong - 6'2, Azzi Fudd - 5'11", Ashlynn Shade - 5'10", KK Arnold - 5'9"
Offensive Juggernaut - Serah Williams - 6'4", Sarah Strong - 6'2", Blanca Quinones - 6'2", Azzi Fudd - 5'11", Allie Ziebell - 6'0"
Defensive Nightmare - Sarah Williams - 6'4", Sarah Strong - 6'2", Ashlynn Shade - 5'10", Azzi Fudd - 5'11", KK Arnold - 5'9"
Fast and Furious - Ice Brady - 6'3", Sarah Strong - 6'2", Azzi Fudd - 5'11", KK Arnold - 5'9", Kelis Fisher - 5'9"

Best Five - Serah Williams - 6'4", Sarah Strong - 6'2", Blanca Quinones - 6'2", Azzi Fudd - 5'11", KK Arnold - 5'9"
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Felt the need to add something, so I went and found this from a Cali paper:

"However, Heckel was not a superstar-level player. She struggled in the Big Ten Tournament and endured a bumpy ride for much of the month of February. Her lack of size and physical stature was a clear limitation. It's not as though UConn will instantly be able to change or work around that.

We're not saying or implying UConn won't get full value from Kayleigh Heckel. We are saying UConn won't instantly create a big transformation or immediately turn her into a star. If Kayleigh Heckel does play at a star level in Storrs under Geno, it will probably be a two-year process."

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Former Trojan Kayleigh Heckel transfers to UConn and Geno Auriemma

Kayleigh Heckel goes from USC to UConn, which will have everyone talking.
trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
TOO EARLY to speculate...... IMHO this sounds like "SOUR GRAPES"!
"IN GENO WE TRUST"
 
fireford said:
I love the photo in this article of Paige and Kayleigh battling it out. If things work out as we hope with Kayleigh this could become an iconic photo of two revered alumni.

www.sbnation.com

The best player remaining in the women’s basketball transfer portal just made a contender even better

USC’s Kayleigh Heckel announced her commitment to UConn, further boosting the chances of repeating as national champs for Geno Auriemma’s Huskies.
www.sbnation.com www.sbnation.com
Expand ...
I like the quote from H.C. Gottlieb (after the USC vs Miss St game):
"She (Heckel) can get by anyone"... Nice. The full quote is rather
far down in the article.
 
Zarathustra said:
TOO EARLY to speculate...... IMHO this sounds like "SOUR GRAPES"!
"IN GENO WE TRUST"
Expand ...
Heckel is a good player. Coaching, competitive practices, learning from and watching KK, Azzi and the other guards who have grown up in the UConn system and been forged in the fire of UCon expectation will help her learn, evolve and unlock her potential. Barring injury she isn’t a starter but she is the clear #2 PG, and provided she practices well and is fierce on D, will see plenty of playing time because Geno always has a ball handler or two on the floor.
 
Interesting that GA didn't recruit her out of HS. He has now righted that wrong. She may not be a superstar, and that is ok, but she is really good and hasn't scratched her ceiling to reach her potential. I think this is a real good get by GA. When she hits a big shot or two, everybody will be singing her praises.
 
Husk.IE 12 said:
I worry about this also. Particularly with Allie and Kelis.
Expand ...
I understand some concern, but view the recruiting over question a little differently. I don't think KK and Ashlynn were recruited over. KK was cheering on the pursuit of Heckel, and probably viewed her as solidifying backup PG, not as a threat to her presumed starting position next year.

Ashlynn remains the best backup choice behind Azzi, and the first or second best choice at the 3 with Blanca. Kayleigh might get some minutes at the 2, but if she does it is probably because Ashlynn is being used a lot or starting at the 3, not because she jumps ahead of her as Azzi's backup.

The argument of recruiting over is stronger for Allie and Kellis, but the former never cracked the rotation in her first year, and the later is an unproven freshmen that at least by Uconn standards was not a particularly high rated recruit. Maybe they could join the rotation this year, maybe not, but my point is neither had yet earned rotation status.

Morgan was barely in the rotation last year, but mostly as a small ball option at the 4 with Ayanna and Aubrey out with injuries. She might not have been if everyone was healthy, so it's not like she was firmly established in the rotation and lost her spot because of Kayleigh. Morgan will probably have more playing time opportunities at the 3 and then the 4 anyway.

So I don't think anyone who had a strong position in the rotation was affected much (KK and Ashlynn), and anyone who has not established themselves yet in the rotation, should not feel entitled to be off limits to being recruited over, particularly if they have already had a year in the program.

So I think recruiting over third stringers or presumed third stringers is fair game, and potentially even a rotation player if that player was not performing at Uconn standards. There are trade offs of course, and it is a delicate subject, but retaining your core players is the goal that Geno has largely achieved, and some turnover at the end of a big roster is the new normal with so much portal activity.
 
NycUcWbbFan said:
Paradoxically, Kayleigh’s addition means minutes distribution will be flatter than it would have been if she didn’t come to UConn:
  • UConn will now be 3-deep at every player’s natural position - taking liberties with Serah since she will play the “5” most of her minutes at UConn (for optimal play (below), hedge against contingencies, and optimal 4-year farm system (below));
  • The “hole” at backup PG (which I worried about in the OOC) with Morgan’s injury is filled; there is no need for OOC backup PG triage thus giving Geno and CD more bandwidth from the start;
  • Compared to this year (high on expectations, long on incomers + walking wounded + players in new roles with only Paige as the certain commodity), next year’s team has a running jump start (below);
  • Thus, next year’s team’s competitive minutes against all teams from the start of the season will be less of an adventure than this year’s team up to the TN game;
  • Hence more “garbage” time which is likely going to be “quality garbage” time — no need to wait for the Big East schedule to start the annual team metamorphosis to peak postseason form;
  • I imagine that Geno’s mix-match experiments will be more quality fun stemming from intense quality 15-player practices, where most player development happens and the quality versatility of most players;
  • Thus, over 40 minutes, the quality of game play will be less choppy, and player’s game minutes, even in garbage time, will not be “zero-calorie” minutes.
At bottom:
  • Next year’s team has a running jump start compared to this year’s team;
  • Geno’s large roster minutes distribution which he first deployed in the early TASSK years, and which he deployed again this year with a (5)+4 rotation will be deployed again next year with a possibly (5)+6 rotation;
  • The running jump start is due to this year’s 6 peak-team-postseason-form players having offseason improvements vs this year’s players at the start of the season who would later mature together with Geno’s long experimentation with Board anguished “are we there yet” commentary — during the season;
  • The running jump start is also due to having less longer runway players (incomers + walking wounded + rusty players) of which there were 9 this year (5 incomers + 4 walking wounded) vs 6 next year (5 incomers + 1 walking wounded (Morgan)); Caroline and Ayanna have the off-season to remove some rust;
  • The 5 incomers next year include much shorter runway players (Serah who will start right away, Kayleigh as a quality PG backup and Blanca who will start, maybe after a very short &1 acclimation period);
  • The running jump start is also due to the carryover of chemistry and playbook (small ball, half-court, running game, defense, etc.) rejiggered with the loss of Paige’s great (pantheon by UConn’s standards) versatility and efficiency, Kaitlyn’s steadiness and Aubrey’s x-factor play and the addition of Serah;
  • Paige and Sarah’s versatile effectiveness coupled with Azzi’s late bloom made Geno’s large-roster-mix-matching this year very formidable;
  • Next year, instead of the Big 3 (which only simultaneously performed as the Big 3 after the TN game), the team will possibly have (from the start) a Big 2+3, with Azzi rediscovering and honing her versatile game (positions (1)-(3), a la Paige sans (4) position); the “2” in Big 2+3 are Azzi and Sarah and the “3” are Ash (or Caroline, should she regain her form), Serah and Blanca (potential comparable to Jazzy Davidson);
  • Serah’s arrival turbo-charges the running jump start as Geno will have early and larger bandwidth to improve on this year’s template with more, more experienced and offseason-targeted-improvementpost players playing at their (other) natural positions (e.g. Ice at the (4), Sarah also playing the (3)/(4) with Blanca / Morgan / Caroline who will also play the (3)/(4)); Ayanna will be available at the (4)/(5);
  • The early and significant focus on post-play farm system (Serah and Sarah improving the other post players in practice) will also improve this year’s anemic passing into and within the post;
  • The running game, which Geno didn’t fully unleash this year until his half-court schemes and defensive schemes were mastered, will be available from the start with this deep agile roster;
  • Geno has the luxury for more strategic substitutions and feeding the hot hand which can vary from game to game;
  • Thus, next year will possibly be even a better poster child for “position-less” pick-your-poison large-roster beautiful basketball; maybe, the board’s fevered “are we there yet” flavor next year will be less intense(?).
Geno’s large-roster template in the portal/ NIL/ Super team arms race era will be achieving a sustainable state with some of its main draws being:
  • perennially vying for championships (one of Geno’s stated reasons for foregoing retirement);
  • best-in-class farm system development of players with acclaimed exposure and pedigree for post-college basketball careers (at the next level or in other basketball-adjacent careers);
  • this development involves stark player base assessments, mentoring on the beautiful basketball that John Wooden enjoyed, and best “basketball player” polishing trajectory within the confines of a collegiate career and heading into the next level for those who get drafted.
&1 For continuity from this year’s peak postseason team and to prioritize Serah’s acclimation into the starting lineup, Ash may be the better choice to start at the “3” than Blanca in the early OOC.
  • Blanca will also will benefit from a smoother transitional glide path with a short adjustment into U.S. collegiate life (her Italian experience helps), Geno’s schemes (especially defense and 3-pt shooting), and any language barriers (Geno’s colorful Italian helps);
  • With a clear team 40-minute hell mix-match template (thanks, Paige), every player has clear off-season high-reward development goals such as shooting (KK and Blanca, particularly), natural position offense (Ice, Jana, Ayanna, Caroline, Allie), passing into the post (everyone), vocal leadership (Azzi, Sarah, KK), etYh
Expand ...
This is like reading War and Peace
 
NycUcWbbFan said:
Paradoxically, Kayleigh’s addition means minutes distribution will be flatter than it would have been if she didn’t come to UConn:
  • UConn will now be 3-deep at every player’s natural position - taking liberties with Serah since she will play the “5” most of her minutes at UConn (for optimal play (below), hedge against contingencies, and optimal 4-year farm system (below));
  • The “hole” at backup PG (which I worried about in the OOC) with Morgan’s injury is filled; there is no need for OOC backup PG triage thus giving Geno and CD more bandwidth from the start;
  • Compared to this year (high on expectations, long on incomers + walking wounded + players in new roles with only Paige as the certain commodity), next year’s team has a running jump start (below);
  • Thus, next year’s team’s competitive minutes against all teams from the start of the season will be less of an adventure than this year’s team up to the TN game;
  • Hence more “garbage” time which is likely going to be “quality garbage” time — no need to wait for the Big East schedule to start the annual team metamorphosis to peak postseason form;
  • I imagine that Geno’s mix-match experiments will be more quality fun stemming from intense quality 15-player practices, where most player development happens and the quality versatility of most players;
  • Thus, over 40 minutes, the quality of game play will be less choppy, and player’s game minutes, even in garbage time, will not be “zero-calorie” minutes.
At bottom:
  • Next year’s team has a running jump start compared to this year’s team;
  • Geno’s large roster minutes distribution which he first deployed in the early TASSK years, and which he deployed again this year with a (5)+4 rotation will be deployed again next year with a possibly (5)+6 rotation;
  • The running jump start is due to this year’s 6 peak-team-postseason-form players having offseason improvements vs this year’s players at the start of the season who would later mature together with Geno’s long experimentation with Board anguished “are we there yet” commentary — during the season;
  • The running jump start is also due to having less longer runway players (incomers + walking wounded + rusty players) of which there were 9 this year (5 incomers + 4 walking wounded) vs 6 next year (5 incomers + 1 walking wounded (Morgan)); Caroline and Ayanna have the off-season to remove some rust;
  • The 5 incomers next year include much shorter runway players (Serah who will start right away, Kayleigh as a quality PG backup and Blanca who will start, maybe after a very short &1 acclimation period);
  • The running jump start is also due to the carryover of chemistry and playbook (small ball, half-court, running game, defense, etc.) rejiggered with the loss of Paige’s great (pantheon by UConn’s standards) versatility and efficiency, Kaitlyn’s steadiness and Aubrey’s x-factor play and the addition of Serah;
  • Paige and Sarah’s versatile effectiveness coupled with Azzi’s late bloom made Geno’s large-roster-mix-matching this year very formidable;
  • Next year, instead of the Big 3 (which only simultaneously performed as the Big 3 after the TN game), the team will possibly have (from the start) a Big 2+3, with Azzi rediscovering and honing her versatile game (positions (1)-(3), a la Paige sans (4) position); the “2” in Big 2+3 are Azzi and Sarah and the “3” are Ash (or Caroline, should she regain her form), Serah and Blanca (potential comparable to Jazzy Davidson);
  • Serah’s arrival turbo-charges the running jump start as Geno will have early and larger bandwidth to improve on this year’s template with more, more experienced and offseason-targeted-improvementpost players playing at their (other) natural positions (e.g. Ice at the (4), Sarah also playing the (3)/(4) with Blanca / Morgan / Caroline who will also play the (3)/(4)); Ayanna will be available at the (4)/(5);
  • The early and significant focus on post-play farm system (Serah and Sarah improving the other post players in practice) will also improve this year’s anemic passing into and within the post;
  • The running game, which Geno didn’t fully unleash this year until his half-court schemes and defensive schemes were mastered, will be available from the start with this deep agile roster;
  • Geno has the luxury for more strategic substitutions and feeding the hot hand which can vary from game to game;
  • Thus, next year will possibly be even a better poster child for “position-less” pick-your-poison large-roster beautiful basketball; maybe, the board’s fevered “are we there yet” flavor next year will be less intense(?).
Geno’s large-roster template in the portal/ NIL/ Super team arms race era will be achieving a sustainable state with some of its main draws being:
  • perennially vying for championships (one of Geno’s stated reasons for foregoing retirement);
  • best-in-class farm system development of players with acclaimed exposure and pedigree for post-college basketball careers (at the next level or in other basketball-adjacent careers);
  • this development involves stark player base assessments, mentoring on the beautiful basketball that John Wooden enjoyed, and best “basketball player” polishing trajectory within the confines of a collegiate career and heading into the next level for those who get drafted.
&1 For continuity from this year’s peak postseason team and to prioritize Serah’s acclimation into the starting lineup, Ash may be the better choice to start at the “3” than Blanca in the early OOC.
  • Blanca will also will benefit from a smoother transitional glide path with a short adjustment into U.S. collegiate life (her Italian experience helps), Geno’s schemes (especially defense and 3-pt shooting), and any language barriers (Geno’s colorful Italian helps);
  • With a clear team 40-minute hell mix-match template (thanks, Paige), every player has clear off-season high-reward development goals such as shooting (KK and Blanca, particularly), natural position offense (Ice, Jana, Ayanna, Caroline, Allie), passing into the post (everyone), vocal leadership (Azzi, Sarah, KK), etc.
Expand ...
Would you repeat the question.
 
oldhusky said:
I understand some concern, but view the recruiting over question a little differently. I don't think KK and Ashlynn were recruited over. KK was cheering on the pursuit of Heckel, and probably viewed her as solidifying backup PG, not as a threat to her presumed starting position next year.

Ashlynn remains the best backup choice behind Azzi, and the first or second best choice at the 3 with Blanca. Kayleigh might get some minutes at the 2, but if she does it is probably because Ashlynn is being used a lot or starting at the 3, not because she jumps ahead of her as Azzi's backup.

The argument of recruiting over is stronger for Allie and Kellis, but the former never cracked the rotation in her first year, and the later is an unproven freshmen that at least by Uconn standards was not a particularly high rated recruit. Maybe they could join the rotation this year, maybe not, but my point is neither had yet earned rotation status.

Morgan was barely in the rotation last year, but mostly as a small ball option at the 4 with Ayanna and Aubrey out with injuries. She might not have been if everyone was healthy, so it's not like she was firmly established in the rotation and lost her spot because of Kayleigh. Morgan will probably have more playing time opportunities at the 3 and then the 4 anyway.

So I don't think anyone who had a strong position in the rotation was affected much (KK and Ashlynn), and anyone who has not established themselves yet in the rotation, should not feel entitled to be off limits to being recruited over, particularly if they have already had a year in the program.

So I think recruiting over third stringers or presumed third stringers is fair game, and potentially even a rotation player if that player was not performing at Uconn standards. There are trade offs of course, and it is a delicate subject, but retaining your core players is the goal that Geno has largely achieved, and some turnover at the end of a big roster is the new normal with so much portal activity.
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I come to similar conclusions but through a different set of reflections. An example is Ash (or Kash :D) backing up Azzi. I assume she’ll start at the 3 initially, but may be overtaken by Blanca. Then she’ll end up backing up Azzi at the 2 and Blanca at the 3. She’ll get plenty of minutes between the two lineups this implies. The thing is, I can’t imagine her ever feeling aggrieved over not starting at either position. Certainly not at the 2 over Azzi — no kid in the country could imagine they’d start over the tournament MVP in her final season — and not at the 3 if Blanca proves herself in the big lineup, because that would mean she was great things at both ends and bringing a third big to the lineup. I mean, Blanca is 4 or 5 inches taller and not any slower than Ash. If she can hit perimeter shots, get out on the break, cause some disruption on defense, there’s a no way a consummate team player wouldn’t understand why Blanca got her starting spot.

Admittedly, it is not a transfer situation with K9. But a similar calculus will govern how the others think about it. She fits an obvious slot for a second PG and sets a standard for how stiff the competition for playing time will be in practice. This is what they all came to Storrs expecting: tough competition and a chance to be part of an NC contender. I can’t believe Geno promised any of them more than this.

You don’t come to Storrs because you feel entitled. You come for a chance to compete with the best. Geno has held up his end of whatever implicit bargain they made.
 
We are bringing back a nucleus that defensively was intimidating, suffocating and just controlled games. Our mentally committed defensive team is a big reason we held 20 pt leads over some of the best teams in WCBB. We have added athletic players who can do so much and will be able to showcase their skills.

We lost Paiges scoring and leadership and brought in a post player (Serah) who averaged 20 pts and 10 rebounds. Serah will demand attention and help take the pressure off Azzi and Sarah much like Paige did. This years version of the Huskies will have Azzi Sarah and Ash attacking imo much more with dribble drive pull up jumpers. Kelis KK Blanca and Serah have the athletic abilities to score in a verity of ways. IMO a key will be to get Allie involved from the outside. We will have that luxury this season as we will need another threat from the outside. I expect Allie to blossom this year.

We have a great roster coming into this season. We still have the injured reserves that will need time to reacclimate themselves and work their way back into the lineup. I am praying for Caroline to get back to where she was. I can only imagine how much better we would be if that were to happen. One important fact is we have ballhandlers and great passing.

Still we have Yana Caroline and Morgan coming off injuries and have no idea how long it will take them to get up to speed. Then we have Gandy and Kelis who need time to learn and play within UConns system. Thats 5 players leaving us 10 who should be ready to go. I am not gonna talk about starters or playtime. That will happen based on Geno's assessment. He has a full roster and the competition at practices will be intense. Our defense first mentality will carry us.. as we have the scorers. Much like last season our defense first mentality helped carry us.

Serah Kayleigh and Blanca add finesse athleticism and experience to the team. I expect as the season progresses they will put on a show. We are better then good. As we saw last season even with a small lineup that Geno put together we had a team that beat some very athletic teams and teams with dominate bigs. Genos team last season proved you dont need a dominate big to win. Speed balance and defense were key last season and this season we are even better. Its not about who starts or who scores alot of points. Its about playing as a team within a team system and committing to the system.

I expect this season to be a continuation of last season and at a higher level. We are deep athletic and bringing back a nucleus that no other team in WCBB can match. Add in at least 2 AAs and yeah we should win it all.
 
Bone Dog said:
I come to similar conclusions but through a different set of reflections. An example is Ash (or Kash :D) backing up Azzi. I assume she’ll start at the 3 initially, but may be overtaken by Blanca. Then she’ll end up backing up Azzi at the 2 and Blanca at the 3. She’ll get plenty of minutes between the two lineups this implies. The thing is, I can’t imagine her ever feeling aggrieved over not starting at either position. Certainly not at the 2 over Azzi — no kid in the country could imagine they’d start over the tournament MVP in her final season — and not at the 3 if Blanca proves herself in the big lineup, because that would mean she was great things at both ends and bringing a third big to the lineup. I mean, Blanca is 4 or 5 inches taller and not any slower than Ash. If she can hit perimeter shots, get out on the break, cause some disruption on defense, there’s a no way a consummate team player wouldn’t understand why Blanca got her starting spot.

Admittedly, it is not a transfer situation with K9. But a similar calculus will govern how the others think about it. She fits an obvious slot for a second PG and sets a standard for how stiff the competition for playing time will be in practice. This is what they all came to Storrs expecting: tough competition and a chance to be part of an NC contender. I can’t believe Geno promised any of them more than this.

You don’t come to Storrs because you feel entitled. You come for a chance to compete with the best. Geno has held up his end of whatever implicit bargain they made.
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Starting and playing time at UConn is never guaranteed. Tough practices which should be by nature tougher than games are guaranteed until "the game slows down" for players' anticipation and then intuition takes over.

The larger roster allows for "dinged up" players to rest (and rehab) for certain games to have them ready when the games truely matter (March AND April). The work ethic for all this next year's "kennel" of Huskies appears to be off the charts in a good way, and I look to KK's response as the leading indicator for the rest of the team. Definitely NOT luke-warm!!!

My advice (which you can feel free to disregard, as this is the Boneyard after all): Don't look for problems that are not there. Leave that for UCLA, Notre Dame & Tennessee, et al.

In the famous words of that great philosopher, Woody the Cowboy in the original Toy Story (voice of Tom Hanks): "Be happy Slink!"

Go Huskies!!!
 
NycUcWbbFan said:
Paradoxically, Kayleigh’s addition means minutes distribution will be flatter than it would have been if she didn’t come to UConn:
  • UConn will now be 3-deep at every player’s natural position - taking liberties with Serah since she will play the “5” most of her minutes at UConn (for optimal play (below), hedge against contingencies, and optimal 4-year farm system (below));
  • The “hole” at backup PG (which I worried about in the OOC) with Morgan’s injury is filled; there is no need for OOC backup PG triage thus giving Geno and CD more bandwidth from the start;
  • Compared to this year (high on expectations, long on incomers + walking wounded + players in new roles with only Paige as the certain commodity), next year’s team has a running jump start (below);
  • Thus, next year’s team’s competitive minutes against all teams from the start of the season will be less of an adventure than this year’s team up to the TN game;
  • Hence more “garbage” time which is likely going to be “quality garbage” time — no need to wait for the Big East schedule to start the annual team metamorphosis to peak postseason form;
  • I imagine that Geno’s mix-match experiments will be more quality fun stemming from intense quality 15-player practices, where most player development happens and the quality versatility of most players;
  • Thus, over 40 minutes, the quality of game play will be less choppy, and player’s game minutes, even in garbage time, will not be “zero-calorie” minutes.
At bottom:
  • Next year’s team has a running jump start compared to this year’s team;
  • Geno’s large roster minutes distribution which he first deployed in the early TASSK years, and which he deployed again this year with a (5)+4 rotation will be deployed again next year with a possibly (5)+6 rotation;
  • The running jump start is due to this year’s 6 peak-team-postseason-form players having offseason improvements vs this year’s players at the start of the season who would later mature together with Geno’s long experimentation with Board anguished “are we there yet” commentary — during the season;
  • The running jump start is also due to having less longer runway players (incomers + walking wounded + rusty players) of which there were 9 this year (5 incomers + 4 walking wounded) vs 6 next year (5 incomers + 1 walking wounded (Morgan)); Caroline and Ayanna have the off-season to remove some rust;
  • The 5 incomers next year include much shorter runway players (Serah who will start right away, Kayleigh as a quality PG backup and Blanca who will start, maybe after a very short &1 acclimation period);
  • The running jump start is also due to the carryover of chemistry and playbook (small ball, half-court, running game, defense, etc.) rejiggered with the loss of Paige’s great (pantheon by UConn’s standards) versatility and efficiency, Kaitlyn’s steadiness and Aubrey’s x-factor play and the addition of Serah;
  • Paige and Sarah’s versatile effectiveness coupled with Azzi’s late bloom made Geno’s large-roster-mix-matching this year very formidable;
  • Next year, instead of the Big 3 (which only simultaneously performed as the Big 3 after the TN game), the team will possibly have (from the start) a Big 2+3, with Azzi rediscovering and honing her versatile game (positions (1)-(3), a la Paige sans (4) position); the “2” in Big 2+3 are Azzi and Sarah and the “3” are Ash (or Caroline, should she regain her form), Serah and Blanca (potential comparable to Jazzy Davidson);
  • Serah’s arrival turbo-charges the running jump start as Geno will have early and larger bandwidth to improve on this year’s template with more, more experienced and offseason-targeted-improvementpost players playing at their (other) natural positions (e.g. Ice at the (4), Sarah also playing the (3)/(4) with Blanca / Morgan / Caroline who will also play the (3)/(4)); Ayanna will be available at the (4)/(5);
  • The early and significant focus on post-play farm system (Serah and Sarah improving the other post players in practice) will also improve this year’s anemic passing into and within the post;
  • The running game, which Geno didn’t fully unleash this year until his half-court schemes and defensive schemes were mastered, will be available from the start with this deep agile roster;
  • Geno has the luxury for more strategic substitutions and feeding the hot hand which can vary from game to game;
  • Thus, next year will possibly be even a better poster child for “position-less” pick-your-poison large-roster beautiful basketball; maybe, the board’s fevered “are we there yet” flavor next year will be less intense(?).
Geno’s large-roster template in the portal/ NIL/ Super team arms race era will be achieving a sustainable state with some of its main draws being:
  • perennially vying for championships (one of Geno’s stated reasons for foregoing retirement);
  • best-in-class farm system development of players with acclaimed exposure and pedigree for post-college basketball careers (at the next level or in other basketball-adjacent careers);
  • this development involves stark player base assessments, mentoring on the beautiful basketball that John Wooden enjoyed, and best “basketball player” polishing trajectory within the confines of a collegiate career and heading into the next level for those who get drafted.
&1 For continuity from this year’s peak postseason team and to prioritize Serah’s acclimation into the starting lineup, Ash may be the better choice to start at the “3” than Blanca in the early OOC.
  • Blanca will also will benefit from a smoother transitional glide path with a short adjustment into U.S. collegiate life (her Italian experience helps), Geno’s schemes (especially defense and 3-pt shooting), and any language barriers (Geno’s colorful Italian helps);
  • With a clear team 40-minute hell mix-match template (thanks, Paige), every player has clear off-season high-reward development goals such as shooting (KK and Blanca, particularly), natural position offense (Ice, Jana, Ayanna, Caroline, Allie), passing into the post (everyone), vocal leadership (Azzi, Sarah, KK), etc.
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There's so much to think about in your excellent post. But I hesitate to respond to it here at the end of a long thread of posts moving in various directions for fear it would get lost. I think this merits a thread of its own.
 
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