Here we go again

[Tonyc]

Well this season we appear to be more healthy then the past seasons and we must make sure we continue to stay healthy and to get healthier as the season progresses. That means manage playing time and this season we have a roster that will allow us to do that. Those coming back from injury will have their minutes managed which will allow for our underclassmen to play and develop. We have alot of experience at the guard positions which will allow us to execute and help develop our underclassmen. Paige Kaitlyn and KK will get everybody else involved.

Paige is at a level that I believe no one else in WCBB is. If she plays like she did her freshman year this is going to be a season of seasons for UConn. I believe Paige will play at a better level then she did her freshman season and with the players surrounding her she will be the catalyst that makes everybody on this team better. I believe we have a team that is almost unbeatable and that is for a couple of reasons. Number 1 is Paige who can take over a game, Number 2 is our defense, Number 3 is our depth. This is all true if we stay healthy. We will get a better idea of where we are after the North Carolina game. Another checkpoint/ measuring stick will be after the USC game late December.

This is a team that has alot of potential to be one of the greatest UConn teams of all time. Staying healthy and our development will take time to get to where we want to be. I can confidently say if both those things happen sooner then later then the only games on the schedule that is a concern is USC in December and in the second half of the season is @ South Carolina.

I hear Genos remarks regarding Sara and Jana. I can only anticipate what the two of them are capable to do on the floor together. I am also counting on Kaitlyn and Paige holding things down until a healthy Azzi gets back . Dont kid yourself either Ashlyn is going to make her mark at even a higher level this season. Im thinking ICE and Jana will spend alot of time in the middle. The competition between the two will only make them better.

Allie and Morgan will be developed, they are our future. Our injureds coming back will have their playtime managed. They are the reinforcements that will carry us as the season progresses. For now the beginning of the season will be 9 players seeing action. This is where we need our veterans to shine until our injured get back and our freshman are developed playing with confidence.

This is going to be an exciting season. We are really really good with the best player in WCBB. Remember what we did last season and look how much better we are this season. Thats all she wrote

 

[my2cents]

"Here we go again" title sounded like we had another major injury to report. Happy that wasn't the case.

 

[oldude]

The thread title reminded of the lyrics to the song by White Snake:

“Here I go again on my own,
Going down the only road I’ve ever known.”

Hoping that road leads UConn to #12.

 

[yhun89]

I just had a heart attack seeing the title.

 

[Hoops66]

I just had a heart attack seeing the title.

Hey, no fan-team injuries either! There's just too many great games ahead to see, so everyone needs to stay healthy.

 

[Bone Dog]

That means manage playing time and this season we have a roster that will allow us to do that.

When I saw this, the thought flashed before my mind: situational lineups. Geno has tended to settle on a rotation and develop it as he goes. But maybe this year, a bit more situational variation might serve to limit minutes overall.

For example, against teams with a problem player, like Citron on ND… maybe this is a game for Morgan and Allie to get extra minutes and to be assigned to guard Sonia. A good challenge for them and they have the length and speed for it, and it would free up Paige and Kaitlyn and KK to focus on containing Hannah and Olivia.

Or the USC game. Maybe Sarah gets more minutes in order to focus on Kiki. She has the size for it, and maybe forces Kiki to guard her on the perimeter thereby freeing up Jana or Ice to go one v one against whoever’s left in the paint. Sarah is going to get a lot of minutes sooner or later, but the USC game might be her coming out party. Juju is still Paige’s assignment, but it could be easier if Kiki is contained by Sarah. This may also be a game in which Kaitlyn shines against TVO.

In effect, Geno might use the OOC schedule to give a few players big minutes, to set them a challenge and let them grow, while limiting everyone else’s minutes.

 

[msf22b]

Looking forward
Happy new season Tony.

 

[oldhusky]

When I saw this, the thought flashed before my mind: situational lineups. Geno has tended to settle on a rotation and develop it as he goes. But maybe this year, a bit more situational variation might serve to limit minutes overall.

For example, against teams with a problem player, like Citron on ND… maybe this is a game for Morgan and Allie to get extra minutes and to be assigned to guard Sonia. A good challenge for them and they have the length and speed for it, and it would free up Paige and Kaitlyn and KK to focus on containing Hannah and Olivia.

Or the USC game. Maybe Sarah gets more minutes in order to focus on Kiki. She has the size for it, and maybe forces Kiki to guard her on the perimeter thereby freeing up Jana or Ice to go one v one against whoever’s left in the paint. Sarah is going to get a lot of minutes sooner or later, but the USC game might be her coming out party. Juju is still Paige’s assignment, but it could be easier if Kiki is contained by Sarah. This may also be a game in which Kaitlyn shines against TVO.

In effect, Geno might use the OOC schedule to give a few players big minutes, to set them a challenge and let them grow, while limiting everyone else’s minutes.

I think your first paragraph hits the two key points. Yes, Geno does tend to settle on a rotation, seemingly wanting to develop consistency and familiarity with each other. For that reason, I think he will only use situational substitutions where he thinks it is a big strategy advantage, also thinking that something is lost when you put players on the floor that are not used to being a unit.

Having said that, unlike the last three years, he will have pieces on the bench that could inject more rebounding, defense, passing, three point shooting etc. when needed. Those switches could be for a whole game, or as short as one possession, such as either an offensive or defensive unit for the last possession of a quarter. He could have a pressing unit that gets used to playing with each other and all kinds of other strategic possibilities.

One option I particularly look forward to is when Aubrey returns. Because of injuries elsewhere, she has had seasons where she had to be the starting 3, or had to be used mostly at the 4 because we were limited upfront. Free to be used where needed as a defensive stopper for positions 1-4, while still scoring efficiently and providing plenty of rebounds will be a tremendous and versatile weapon. There are many others of course, but not having Aubrey locked into a position by need could be his best situational and strategic option off the bench.

 

[Cuango]

It is truly amazing that, in addition to having this incredibly talented roster, we are going to be able to add (relatively soon) a #1 rated, dominant when healthy, off guard in Azzi Fudd and a proven, very experienced defensive stopper with the demonstrated ability to absolutely take over a game defensively! Now if we can just get Caroline healthy!

 

[Next 12]

Well this season we appear to be more healthy then the past seasons and we must make sure we continue to stay healthy and to get healthier as the season progresses. That means manage playing time and this season we have a roster that will allow us to do that. Those coming back from injury will have their minutes managed which will allow for our underclassmen to play and develop. We have alot of experience at the guard positions which will allow us to execute and help develop our underclassmen. Paige Kaitlyn and KK will get everybody else involved.

Paige is at a level that I believe no one else in WCBB is. If she plays like she did her freshman year this is going to be a season of seasons for UConn. I believe Paige will play at a better level then she did her freshman season and with the players surrounding her she will be the catalyst that makes everybody on this team better. I believe we have a team that is almost unbeatable and that is for a couple of reasons. Number 1 is Paige who can take over a game, Number 2 is our defense, Number 3 is our depth. This is all true if we stay healthy. We will get a better idea of where we are after the North Carolina game. Another checkpoint/ measuring stick will be after the USC game late December.

This is a team that has alot of potential to be one of the greatest UConn teams of all time. Staying healthy and our development will take time to get to where we want to be. I can confidently say if both those things happen sooner then later then the only games on the schedule that is a concern is USC in December and in the second half of the season is @ South Carolina.

I hear Genos remarks regarding Sara and Jana. I can only anticipate what the two of them are capable to do on the floor together. I am also counting on Kaitlyn and Paige holding things down until a healthy Azzi gets back . Dont kid yourself either Ashlyn is going to make her mark at even a higher level this season. Im thinking ICE and Jana will spend alot of time in the middle. The competition between the two will only make them better.

Allie and Morgan will be developed, they are our future. Our injureds coming back will have their playtime managed. They are the reinforcements that will carry us as the season progresses. For now the beginning of the season will be 9 players seeing action. This is where we need our veterans to shine until our injured get back and our freshman are developed playing with confidence.

This is going to be an exciting season. We are really really good with the best player in WCBB. Remember what we did last season and look how much better we are this season. Thats all she wrote

Way to go Tonyc. As usual I agree with your post. What I will be waiting for this season, is watching Paige, Ashlynn, Sarah, Allie , Azzi and Qadence playing and shooting their 3's. This should be one of Uconn's best years for making 3's. Scoring 90 points a game will be hard to NOT happen. GO HUSKIES!!!! GO FRESHMEN!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!

 

[Centerstream]

1 hour to go and I am ready. Fingers crossed that there's no issues with the broadcast on the UConn+ app.
Does anyone know if there will be live stats available?

 

[Bone Dog]

1 hour to go and I am ready. Fingers crossed that there's no issues with the broadcast on the UConn+ app.
Does anyone know if there will be live stats available?

I had exactly the same question