Honestly, I Really Think This Year Will Be Very Interesting.

[BBallF]

That's not the usual thing to say this time of year I know. What does interesting even mean? We want to win, period. Isn't that really all there is to a season? It would be a shame if we all felt that way because there is just too much fun to be had as a fan with this year's team.

Last year we were fretting from the very beginning. We knew it was Paige's last year. We had the post issue. The depth issue. The schedule issue. We lost OOC games. It seemed like a rerun of the last several years. An FF team, probably at best, but not a championship team. We were watching what was happening every game and while many were moaning the weak Big East , Geno was working, formulating, honing and creating. If you can truly say that you saw "small ball" as "championship ball" I would say "yeah, right." A few saw Jana's development and were optimistic. Only a few. Our weaknesses as perceived became our strengths. In fact, we were an historic juggernaut.

This year is very different. No Paige but at least 2 AAs on the team, lots of size, talent and experience and the most depth in memory. Who starts? What combinations will work out there? Can Jana and Serah be in the lineup the same time? Is Ayanna bigger and stronger and better? How good will Blanca be against this competition? How will Kayleigh fit in? Who will lead? Who is improved? Is Morgan better? Is Caroline back? If we press, what's the best team out there? There are 3003 possible combinations on this team and about the same number of questions.

It's really going to be very interesting to see them answered. Let's all learn from last year though. It's a process, just like a true metamorphosis is. Geno is learning with each game and so are our players. Let's just let it unfold and come to life. Watch carefully as the March team becomes formed little by little and then suddenly unleashed.

I will only say this with a good degree of certainty. If you love basketball, you will love this team.

 

[Bone Dog]

It's not just about basketball. This team will also be a very human team. There's a phrase in Greek that captures this: τα ανθρώπινα, the human things. We love them because they're tremendous athletes. But also because they are tremendous human beings. The experiences they build together this year will be wonderful to watch from a distance.

 

[Bills Fan]

Bone, your last sentence is absolutely on point. Watching all the videos over the past few weeks should make us all proud of the character of all these players, except for the unknown still in Europe.

The amount of talent Geno has to work with I believe will produce # 13. My only concern is picking the team who will get the minutes at NCAA time. We all thought we had plenty of depth as last year began and we did, until injuries became the solution rather than the problem. Geno wound up with a solid 9-player roster in March/April.

This year the opposite could be the problem. Who sits out important minutes as we head into The Beast tourney ? Certainly none of the returners from the top 9 last year (Jana, Sarah, Azzi, Ash, KK and ICE).
Added to that group of 6 is Serah , K9, if healthy Morgan, Caroline and Ayanna which gets us to 11 and if Blanca is as good as advertised that's 12. Already that is too many for NCAA tournament time. Are the other 3 going to be satisfied with minimal minutes compared to the other 12? There is loads of talent in Allie, Kelis and Gandy, enough to start on 3/4 of the other D 1 teams.

 

[Skeets]

That's not the usual thing to say this time of year I know. What does interesting even mean? We want to win, period. Isn't that really all there is to a season? It would be a shame if we all felt that way because there is just too much fun to be had as a fan with this year's team.

Last year we were fretting from the very beginning. We knew it was Paige's last year. We had the post issue. The depth issue. The schedule issue. We lost OOC games. It seemed like a rerun of the last several years. An FF team, probably at best, but not a championship team. We were watching what was happening every game and while many were moaning the weak Big East , Geno was working, formulating, honing and creating. If you can truly say that you saw "small ball" as "championship ball" I would say "yeah, right." A few saw Jana's development and were optimistic. Only a few. Our weaknesses as perceived became our strengths. In fact, we were an historic juggernaut.

This year is very different. No Paige but at least 2 AAs on the team, lots of size, talent and experience and the most depth in memory. Who starts? What combinations will work out there? Can Jana and Serah be in the lineup the same time? Is Ayanna bigger and stronger and better? How good will Blanca be against this competition? How will Kayleigh fit in? Who will lead? Who is improved? Is Morgan better? Is Caroline back? If we press, what's the best team out there? There are 3003 possible combinations on this team and about the same number of questions.

It's really going to be very interesting to see them answered. Let's all learn from last year though. It's a process, just like a true metamorphosis is. Geno is learning with each game and so are our players. Let's just let it unfold and come to life. Watch carefully as the March team becomes formed little by little and then suddenly unleashed.

I will only say this with a good degree of certainty. If you love basketball, you will love this team.

Maybe the biggest reason I'm a huge WBB fan is that over the course of 4 years we get to watch high school girls grow into young women, some ready to play professionally. Wow, in just 4 years. Talk about a metamorphosis. The guys? It's hard to become truly invested in players who might only stick around to a year or 2,

 

[jcoton56]

Much like last season, it won’t be perfect - until it has to be.

 

[Jim R]

That's not the usual thing to say this time of year I know. What does interesting even mean? We want to win, period. Isn't that really all there is to a season? It would be a shame if we all felt that way because there is just too much fun to be had as a fan with this year's team.

Last year we were fretting from the very beginning. We knew it was Paige's last year. We had the post issue. The depth issue. The schedule issue. We lost OOC games. It seemed like a rerun of the last several years. An FF team, probably at best, but not a championship team. We were watching what was happening every game and while many were moaning the weak Big East , Geno was working, formulating, honing and creating. If you can truly say that you saw "small ball" as "championship ball" I would say "yeah, right." A few saw Jana's development and were optimistic. Only a few. Our weaknesses as perceived became our strengths. In fact, we were an historic juggernaut.

This year is very different. No Paige but at least 2 AAs on the team, lots of size, talent and experience and the most depth in memory. Who starts? What combinations will work out there? Can Jana and Serah be in the lineup the same time? Is Ayanna bigger and stronger and better? How good will Blanca be against this competition? How will Kayleigh fit in? Who will lead? Who is improved? Is Morgan better? Is Caroline back? If we press, what's the best team out there? There are 3003 possible combinations on this team and about the same number of questions.

It's really going to be very interesting to see them answered. Let's all learn from last year though. It's a process, just like a true metamorphosis is. Geno is learning with each game and so are our players. Let's just let it unfold and come to life. Watch carefully as the March team becomes formed little by little and then suddenly unleashed.

I will only say this with a good degree of certainty. If you love basketball, you will love this team.

Well said…..but, on this board…. “Let's just let it unfold and come to life.” …as someone once said..”We’re doomed”! (It should be great year….we’ve got a bunch of thoroughbreds, and the coaching staff to boot…it should be loads of fun!).

 

[BBallF]

Much like last season, it won’t be perfect - until it has to be.

And man, it truly was the last 2 games.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

That's not the usual thing to say this time of year I know. What does interesting even mean? We want to win, period. Isn't that really all there is to a season? It would be a shame if we all felt that way because there is just too much fun to be had as a fan with this year's team.

Last year we were fretting from the very beginning. We knew it was Paige's last year. We had the post issue. The depth issue. The schedule issue. We lost OOC games. It seemed like a rerun of the last several years. An FF team, probably at best, but not a championship team. We were watching what was happening every game and while many were moaning the weak Big East , Geno was working, formulating, honing and creating. If you can truly say that you saw "small ball" as "championship ball" I would say "yeah, right." A few saw Jana's development and were optimistic. Only a few. Our weaknesses as perceived became our strengths. In fact, we were an historic juggernaut.

This year is very different. No Paige but at least 2 AAs on the team, lots of size, talent and experience and the most depth in memory. Who starts? What combinations will work out there? Can Jana and Serah be in the lineup the same time? Is Ayanna bigger and stronger and better? How good will Blanca be against this competition? How will Kayleigh fit in? Who will lead? Who is improved? Is Morgan better? Is Caroline back? If we press, what's the best team out there? There are 3003 possible combinations on this team and about the same number of questions.

It's really going to be very interesting to see them answered. Let's all learn from last year though. It's a process, just like a true metamorphosis is. Geno is learning with each game and so are our players. Let's just let it unfold and come to life. Watch carefully as the March team becomes formed little by little and then suddenly unleashed.

I will only say this with a good degree of certainty. If you love basketball, you will love this team.

Excellent ... simply excellent! So many questions, so few answers. I've been a fan of UConn women's basketball since 1995. I don't think I have ever been more excited looking forward to a season of basketball as I am for next season ... when all those questions get answered.

Much like last season, it won’t be perfect - until it has to be.

Then again, it might just be perfect from start to finish.

 

[CL82]

.” …as someone once said..”We’re doomed”!

Someone?

 

[huskeynut]

The key will be evolution. Once everybody is on campus, the process will begin. The team chemistry will begin.

Geno and company will do what they do best - teach. He will have a lot of games to give all the players game time. We get to watch this all happen.

Life is good!!

 

[BBallF]

Excellent ... simply excellent! So many questions, so few answers. I've been a fan of UConn women's basketball since 1995. I don't think I have ever been more excited looking forward to a season of basketball as I am for next season ... when all those questions get answered.

Then again, it might just be perfect from start to finish.

That's exactly when I became a fan. MLK Day 1995. And I feel the same way with the excitement. It's not just because we have what we hope is a great team but it's also because there are so many tantalizing unknowns.

I saw Ayanna drive and finish on one of those clips and I thought "Who the hell was that?". Then I saw Caroline and I said" She looks really good." Then I saw Jana move fluidly and make a soft layup. Then I started thinking, "Who would you put out on this floor together?". "Who is my pressing team?"

I have no real idea about Kelis, Blanca or Gandy. except for some video. For that matter, nor about Serah and Kayleigh either except for clips for Serah and one game against UCLA and the two USC games for Kayleigh. I see Serah seal her defender in the UCLA game and I think "We haven't had a player like that here in years". We went from "We don't have a post game" to "we have a great post game" and a big part of that also is Jana, whom Geno developed magnificently.

Then I remember. It's a process. He is making soup. The vegetables go into the broth fresh cut, irregular and angular and after they cook and simmer they come out smooth. uniform and complementary when they are served in March.

 

[my2cents]

The only minus we had last year was consistent post play which we solved with the Serah Williams transfer.
Our non-starters, whomever they may be, would be a top ten ranked team.
13 is not a given, but it wouldn't be a surprise either.

 

[BBallF]

The only minus we had last year was consistent post play which we solved with the Serah Williams transfer.
Our non-starters, whomever they may be, would be a top ten ranked team.
13 is not a given, but it wouldn't be a surprise either.

I can't even start thinking about that. I really think this is almost an intellectual season long exercise from the sidelines this year watching the combinations and the offenses and defenses and what he decides on. I mean, "small ball" was a master stroke. What's coming this year? You can christen it. I am just going to really enjoy this ride.

 

[Bone Dog]

The key will be evolution. Once everybody is on campus, the process will begin. The team chemistry will begin.

Exactly! This is the story of every season. We've all savored watching it happen every time. This season, I see 4 players who have a huge leg up on chemistry:

• Azzi Sarah KK and Ash. They've played together, they know each other. They understand Geno's way of doing things, and they know what it takes to get to a Final Four. That's a substantial core to start from.
• After them, I rank Serah, Kayleigh Jana and Ice. This is a serious group who will develop chemistry pretty quickly because in one way or another that've seen similar things at this level before.
• Next is those returning from injury or who didn't get rotation minutes last season: Carol, Ayanna, Allie, Morgan.
• And last but not least is the new kids: Kelis, Gandy and Blanca. There maybe a case for placing Blanca in the second group, because her experience is of a higher level of basketball. Only time will tell.

 

[JellyBean]

I agree 100%. This year is going to be very interesting. For me, like always, it is how much of this team is going be unleashed. With so many talented players, I always wonder how will coach utilize the talent. Who has improved. Who is that "Dawg" of the group. Who steps up. Who is kicking butt in practice. With this group and the transfer players, who is going to just lay back in the weeds and let others shine or who is going to assert themselves. Those are the things that make it interesting for me.

 

[Bone Dog]

I agree 100%. This year is going to be very interesting. For me, like always, it is how much of this team is going be unleashed. With so many talented players, I always wonder how will coach utilize the talent. Who has improved. Who is that "Dawg" of the group. Who steps up. Who is kicking butt in practice. With this group and the transfer players, who is going to just lay back in the weeds and let others shine or who is going to assert themselves. Those are the things that make it interesting for me.

Well said.

I tend to think Ash sets the bar for the others. You want to crack the rotation, you have to play to Ash's level. She is sort of like a gatekeeper. She is who will guarantee the team will play to the highest level of intensity in March.

 

[JellyBean]

Well said.

I tend to think Ash sets the bar for the others. You want to crack the rotation, you have to play to Ash's level. She is sort of like a gatekeeper. She is who will guarantee the team will play to the highest level of intensity in March.

So true. Ash is so impactful! Her intensity does not get talked about much. Ash, and KK, bring that intensity.

 

[WiseWillie]

That's exactly when I became a fan. MLK Day 1995. And I feel the same way with the excitement. It's not just because we have what we hope is a great team but it's also because there are so many tantalizing unknowns.

I saw Ayanna drive and finish on one of those clips and I thought "Who the hell was that?". Then I saw Caroline and I said" She looks really good." Then I saw Jana move fluidly and make a soft layup. Then I started thinking, "Who would you put out on this floor together?". "Who is my pressing team?"

I have no real idea about Kelis, Blanca or Gandy. except for some video. For that matter, nor about Serah and Kayleigh either except for clips for Serah and one game against UCLA and the two USC games for Kayleigh. I see Serah seal her defender in the UCLA game and I think "We haven't had a player like that here in years". We went from "We don't have a post game" to "we have a great post game" and a big part of that also is Jana, whom Geno developed magnificently.

Then I remember. It's a process. He is making soup. The vegetables go into the broth fresh cut, irregular and angular and after they cook and simmer they come out smooth. uniform and complementary when they are served in March.

Love it. Geno and staff making vegetable soup. Of course to make the best soup you have to start with the best ingredients and this year the soup will be robust. Ask any cook about making a great soup and they will tell you to add a little vinegar; not a lot just enough. That's what this team will demonstrate: aggressive energy or in other words "p - - - and vinegar".

 

[HopJim]

No precedent for a 15-person team where all are on scholarship. Have watched Geno for 20+ years and he always went with his top 7-8 players, maybe 9 in the year Lou, Collier, Gabby were frosh. How will he react? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Alydar]

That's not the usual thing to say this time of year I know. What does interesting even mean? We want to win, period. Isn't that really all there is to a season? It would be a shame if we all felt that way because there is just too much fun to be had as a fan with this year's team.

Last year we were fretting from the very beginning. We knew it was Paige's last year. We had the post issue. The depth issue. The schedule issue. We lost OOC games. It seemed like a rerun of the last several years. An FF team, probably at best, but not a championship team. We were watching what was happening every game and while many were moaning the weak Big East , Geno was working, formulating, honing and creating. If you can truly say that you saw "small ball" as "championship ball" I would say "yeah, right." A few saw Jana's development and were optimistic. Only a few. Our weaknesses as perceived became our strengths. In fact, we were an historic juggernaut.

This year is very different. No Paige but at least 2 AAs on the team, lots of size, talent and experience and the most depth in memory. Who starts? What combinations will work out there? Can Jana and Serah be in the lineup the same time? Is Ayanna bigger and stronger and better? How good will Blanca be against this competition? How will Kayleigh fit in? Who will lead? Who is improved? Is Morgan better? Is Caroline back? If we press, what's the best team out there? There are 3003 possible combinations on this team and about the same number of questions.

It's really going to be very interesting to see them answered. Let's all learn from last year though. It's a process, just like a true metamorphosis is. Geno is learning with each game and so are our players. Let's just let it unfold and come to life. Watch carefully as the March team becomes formed little by little and then suddenly unleashed.

I will only say this with a good degree of certainty. If you love basketball, you will love this team.

Not all of us. There were a lot who said that by March they would be unbeatable. We saw the talent and the work ethic and while we knew that it would take time for the team to gel we were confident how it would end. I sat next to a young girl at the Dec game vs USC. UConn didn't look very good that day but I reassured her that she would be smiling in April.
Of course those who only read ESPN would have thought that there were too many unanswered questions and little hope that UConn could win it all.

This coming season will not have a learning curve. I expect greatness from game 1.

 

[Bone Dog]

This coming season will not have a learning curve. I expect greatness from game 1.

I expect greatness from game 1, like you, but I also think this is compatible with a learning curve. Perhaps it will be a short curve.

Also, there's more change in this roster than there is sameness. Yes, Azzi Sarah KK and Ash could conceivably pick up where they left off. But I sincerely hope that Jana and Ice show us something new, and that will require some adjusting to for the rest of the team. Similarly, Serah and Blanca may have solid experience, but it's not UConn experience. They will need some time to fit their talents into the overall scheme. And I haven't even gotten to the youngsters.

I also worry about teams that peak too early. This is my main concern, as I share your exuberance in pretty much every other way. We will be great from game 1, but mainly in the sense of being more talented and further along the chemistry building curve than every one else.

 

[Alydar]

I expect greatness from game 1, like you, but I also think this is compatible with a learning curve. Perhaps it will be a short curve.

Also, there's more change in this roster than there is sameness. Yes, Azzi Sarah KK and Ash could conceivably pick up where they left off. But I sincerely hope that Jana and Ice show us something new, and that will require some adjusting to for the rest of the team. Similarly, Serah and Blanca may have solid experience, but it's not UConn experience. They will need some time to fit their talents into the overall scheme. And I haven't even gotten to the youngsters.

I also worry about teams that peak too early. This is my main concern, as I share your exuberance in pretty much every other way. We will be great from game 1, but mainly in the sense of being more talented and further along the chemistry building curve than every one else.

I agree that the new players will have a learning curve. That's why I don't see them starting. Of course some players learn faster than others but the returnees aren't sitting still either. There are going to be some epic competitions in practices.

 

[BBallF]

Not all of us. There were a lot who said that by March they would be unbeatable. We saw the talent and the work ethic and while we knew that it would take time for the team to gel we were confident how it would end. I sat next to a young girl at the Dec game vs USC. UConn didn't look very good that day but I reassured her that she would be smiling in April.
Of course those who only read ESPN would have thought that there were too many unanswered questions and little hope that UConn could win it all.

This coming season will not have a learning curve. I expect greatness from game 1.

A lot? I read the Boneyard everyday and I can assure you that there were not a "lot" of "we got this" after the Tennessee game. The threads were full of doubt about our inside game and some of our players. Geno himself has pointed to the Lady Vols game as a turning point as was the first SC game.

All the while this year he was molding, experimenting, devising, studying and no doubt encouraging and he created a very special, unstoppable force that was improving with each game even as the season ended. He not only perfected "small ball" but he brought Jana along, through fits and starts, knowing he needed her to play at a high level in the Big Dance, which she did. It was a journey to greatness last year but it was not written, not certain, and not easy to predict or foresee. In 2016 sure. Not last year with what seemed to be such a weakness underneath.

While it was easy to expect Paige's greatness, there were other elements that came together at once. KC found her 3 point shot and became a confident shooter making 4 threats from the arc on our starting team. Sarah got better each game. Azzi left no doubt. Jana became a force in the most needed games. The other players, KK, Ash, and Ice played their roles expertly. The team chemistry was palpable, magnificent, thrilling. None of this was a given, except for Paige.

Expect whatever you want this year, last year was no stroll in the park. It was great coaching, great playing, and great resolve and it led to a great result..

 

[Alydar]

A lot? I read the Boneyard everyday and I can assure you that there were not a "lot" of "we got this" after the Tennessee game. The threads were full of doubt about our inside game and some of our players. Geno himself has pointed to the Lady Vols game as a turning point as was the first SC game.

All the while this year he was molding, experimenting, devising, studying and no doubt encouraging and he created a very special, unstoppable force that was improving with each game even as the season ended. He not only perfected "small ball" but he brought Jana along, through fits and starts, knowing he needed her to play at a high level in the Big Dance, which she did. It was a journey to greatness last year but it was not written, not certain, and not easy to predict or foresee. In 2016 sure. Not last year with what seemed to be such a weakness underneath.

While it was easy to expect Paige's greatness, there were other elements that came together at once. KC found her 3 point shot and became a confident shooter making 4 threats from the arc on our starting team. Sarah got better each game. Azzi left no doubt. Jana became a force in the most needed games. The other players, KK, Ash, and Ice played their roles expertly. The team chemistry was palpable, magnificent, thrilling. None of this was a given, except for Paige.

Expect whatever you want this year, last year was no stroll in the park. It was great coaching, great playing, and great resolve and it led to a great result..

After 3 or so years when everything that could go wrong did go wrong it was understandable that many thought the sky was going to fall forever.
Go back and read those threads and you'll see the posts I and others made in response to the "woe is us" posters. Right from the pre-season and after the Tenn loss. And I never said it was easy, just that I was very confident. I'm guilty of assuming that the coaches are infallible and that hard work is every players' middle name.
There were 3 starters who didn't play for UConn in 2024. On many teams it would take 2 seasons for them to gel but 2 of the 3 were Fudd and Strong. I was over the moon about both while many were worried about Fudd's health, Strong's inexperience and Chen being an ivy leaguer.

 

[Steelerone]

I hate, hate, hate the period between May and October. Dribs and drabs about who we are recruiting, are we going to get this player or that player. The best time of the year is when we finally play our first game. It is then, and only then, that the starting lineup will be revealed. Anyone else curious about that????