How dominant will UCONN be in 2015-16?

[PhillyCoach]

I think they figured she had the talent and as a senior and with the C spot open she'd play 30 minutes and score more. You have to remember that Butler was likely the #2 option at Georgetown. She won't be the #2 option at UConn no matter who is on the floor with her.

It's quite possible Butler will be a real factor given 17 minutes. I just don't expect her to get more than that. And to me that's fine. Stokes was barely used towards the end of this season and UConn did okay. If Butler develops into an impact player over the next couples years it'll be a bonus. I think it's more likely she'll be a nice cog this upcoming year rather than an impact player, but we'll see.

Good morning Slu - IMHO 17 minutes of playing time is a darn good estimate. Here is why I think Butler will get in the low 20 minutes and she will have quite a few double-doubles. First, the premise is Butler will start (Gabby, Collier, Lou, Chong will be competing hard for that starting spot, but Butler fills the bill.) Next, Geno has a basic goal of "all 5 starters scoring in double figures." That should be fulfilled. Cut Butlers Gtown minutes in half and she has 7 points. The 4 starters from last year all had 100+ assists--bingo- 3 more points for Butler's double figures. Also, Geno likes to create a smooth flowing, syncronized, comfortable feel for the 5 starters and plays them together for 20+ minutes a game. As we know, even in blow-outs, the starters play most of the first half and always start the 2nd half. They play together until Geno clearly sees the level he demands---even if they are up by 40! Finally, Butler was a rebounding machine at Gtown. Cut her 36 minutes in half and you still have 7 rebounds. A few more minutes and she has her double-double. Of course, we don't know what will happen, but it has been done, it has been shown, and Geno & CD had one year to create the Butler they envision for this season. I can't wait.

 

[Tonyc]

I think right now Gabby Williams starts. Her ability to score and rebound and her quickness will be to much for opponents to handle. Can you imagine MoJeff and Gabby on the floor together? Next season we have the same lineup with Gabby unless somebody else improves greatly. Gabbys ability to score a lot of point in a short time is huge for this team. Play MoJeff and Gabby at the same time and defenses will have a problem guarding them and offenses will have a problem with their quickness

 

[rvwsleep]

I think right now Gabby Williams starts. Her ability to score and rebound and her quickness will be to much for opponents to handle. Can you imagine MoJeff and Gabby on the floor together? Next season we have the same lineup with Gabby unless somebody else improves greatly. Gabbys ability to score a lot of point in a short time is huge for this team. Play MoJeff and Gabby at the same time and defenses will have a problem guarding them and offenses will have a problem with their quickness

Gabby starting was my initial thought also. I just think the bench is more balanced with Butler there. The more I think about how much time Butler gets the closer I get to Slu's estimate. Stokes played just a touch under 18 minutes per game. Will a sophomore Butler be a more effective player than the senior Stokes ? It's possible but I think it will all depend on how the offense flows with her in the game. I'm really anxious to see Butler play.
Principally because, despite playing a year of division 1 ball and another year of participating in UConn practices, she is almost a complete unknown to me. I've watched exponentially more game video of KLS and Collier than I have of Butler. She could wind up playing 27 minutes a game or 14 minutes a game. I really don't have a good feel on how much playing time she'll get this year.

 

[connboy77]

I love Gabby, but I seriously doubt that she will start. As of now I don't see anyone except Butler starting. A case could possibly be made for KLS or Collier, but it won't be Gabby. Against the bigger teams like USC and Texas UCONN would be at a major disadvantage.

 

[hoophuskee]

I love Gabby, but I seriously doubt that she will start. As of now I don't see anyone except Butler starting. A case could possibly be made for KLS or Collier, but it won't be Gabby. Against the bigger teams like USC and Texas UCONN would be at a major disadvantage.

Though I don't think it would be a major disadvantage - but I agree. I can't see Gabby starting. I think it's Butler too. I can see Collier or KLS starting but they would have to be sensational in practice. IMO It's Butler's to lose.

 

[rvwsleep]

I love Gabby, but I seriously doubt that she will start. As of now I don't see anyone except Butler starting. A case could possibly be made for KLS or Collier, but it won't be Gabby. Against the bigger teams like USC and Texas UCONN would be at a major disadvantage.

Last year UConn started Stewie, Tuck and KML in the game against USCe. Stokes played 11 minutes in that game. Gabby certainly wouldn't put UConn at any more of a "major disadvantage" than KML did.

 

[Geno-ista]

I agree though I can't see anyone but Stewie being the number 1 pick though sure MoJeff can get NPOY. These two players are beasts.

One thing of many I'm looking forward to this year is if KLS can play the 2-guard. Which means she would play with say Collier -- while having any other 2 players of these in the lineup:
Stewie Tuck, Butler, Gabbie and Boykin.

There are so many lineups I can't wait to see this year -- watching maybe a Gabby, Collier and KLS lineup.

Or a Butler, Stewie, KLS, Ekmark, MoJeff lineup. Potentially 4 fabulous outside shooters and one real big post. -- Just sayin would be fun to watch-- so many variations.

I agree. Each year, even losing 1-2 key players, how different the team will be. This year we seam to have more options than we've had in a long time!

 

[hoophuskee]

Last year UConn started Stewie, Tuck and KML in the game against USCe. Stokes played 11 minutes in that game. Gabby certainly wouldn't put UConn at any more of a "major disadvantage" than KML did.

I agree in a way but last year Gabby didn't play that well when it counted vs the real big elite teams. We got hammered vs ND on the glass in our last game -- if Gabby would have helped I'm sure Geno would have put her in.

I think the move will be to put someone like Gabby in off the bench - in which she can provide a great spark with the multitude of things she can do. I expect Butler to be solid but not "change the game" type. I think Geno will want to increase pace - change the game - with speed from his bench rather than size.

I think he'll change the game with pace when he bring is in Gabby, Collier and KLS for Butler, Tuck, and Nurse.

 

[Tonyc]

This will be a development year for UConns freshman and soph classes. I expect this to be Saniya's breakout year. I also expect to see Gabby start. Her quickness sets her apart from everybody else who is a non starter. Gabby can score and defend and her quickness on both sides of the ball especially on defense is the key. Against taller teams Butler will see a lot more playtime.

The amount of playtime non starters see this season will depend on a few things. Against taller teams I expect Butler to see more minutes and against most teams I expect Gabby to see more minutes and that will change depending on the talent we face and their ability to score on Gabby and Natalie. Once again I expect embarrassing blowouts with no team coming within double digits of UConn. It will be tuff to get within 20 pts of UConn as Geno continues to Beat His Best season after season. This season will be no different. As many teams bring back 3-5 starters so does UConn however UConn brings back 3 1st team AA's and no other team does that.

Our underclassman will go through their mental tuffness test when they arrive at UConn. Expectations are high as they should be. This is one of the most talented classes UConn has had and it only will get better as the season continues. The talent level of this team is off the charts. Our current roster and incoming class is unbelievably talented. The future is very bright for UConn. Our nucleus is still there so to bring players in and out of the lineup as they learn to play together as a unit is in tact. The team chemistry will be caught not taught because of the nucleaus of players returning. We will not be dependent on any one player with the talent we have. We have 3 go to players which makes it tuff for opposing defenses. This is a great place to be if your coming to UConn or an underclassman on the roster. Playing and learning from the best cant be taught it must be experienced. These underclassman are in the perfect place, a place where all top players should want to be because they will only get better.

 

[hoophuskee]

[QUOTE="Tonyc, post: 1315940, member: 73 I also expect to see Gabby start. Her quickness sets her apart from everybody else who is a non starter. Gabby can score and defend and her quickness on both sides of the ball especially on defense is the key. Against taller teams Butler will see a lot more playtime.

[/QUOTE]

I just don't see her starting. I think her quickness and speed yet without the shooting skill is the reason why you'll see her come in off the bench. While Gabby can play against the smaller teams - I think she naturally struggles against the very big elite teams. Until she can counter that with her shooting and setting up of players- I just don't see it- the starting this year. VS any team Butler can start and have an impact. That is where I think you'll want a player that can fit vs nearly any team rather than a player that is explosive but has struggled to match up against the elite teams.

Plus I love the possibility of Gabby with KLS meshing unbelievably well. They would be dynamic off the bench - potentially an awesome duo. Gabby guards the quicker of the 2 if the quicker is more of a threat. On the other side Gabby could work 15 feet and in while KLS would naturally spread the floor for Gabby which only enhances Gabby. And potentially KLS can benefit from a slashing Gabby plus one in transition that has guard skills that can find KLS for spot up 3's like KML used to do.

So many possibilities. Plus I'm a big fan of "shooting." I'm looking forward to seeing what Ekmark can do with a year under her belt.

 

[meyers7]

But Slu, Why would anyone think Stokes would average a double-double when she had a three year history of no offense.

Don't know, but there were some who thought that. Even when they were informed that only 3 other players in UCONN history had ever avg. a double-double (Lobo, Najarien and Walsh). (not Wolters, not Charles, not Moore, not Stewart). The likelihood that Butler will avg a double-double next year is pretty damn small. If she could get around 7/7, I'd be exstatic.

 

[PhillyCoach]

Don't know, but there were some who thought that. Even when they were informed that only 3 other players in UCONN history had ever avg. a double-double (Lobo, Najarien and Walsh). (not Wolters, not Charles, not Moore, not Stewart). The likelihood that Butler will avg a double-double next year is pretty damn small. If she could get around 7/7, I'd be exstatic.

meyers7 - I appreciate the vital fact that only 3 other players averaged DD's -- knowledge is power. I agree that it will not be likely that Butler will avg. a double double---however, I do believe that she will have several double-doubles over the full season. Who wants to set the over-under for Butlers double-double count? How about the 8-10 game range?

 

[Carnac]

Based on this poll, a majority predicted UCONN would go undefeated this year (myself being one of those people).
http://the-boneyard.com/threads/will-uconn-go-undefeated-in-2014-15.58678/#post-931488

That said, I think excluding the Stanford game, UCONN will be as dominant next season. Besides the one fluke (which was truly a fluke) at the beginning of the season, UCONN rolled to another title with minimal competition. No one could stay within 10 points, the majority of teams couldn't stay within 25-30 points.

The two factors I look at are:
1. How big was the gap between UCONN and everyone else in the nation this year?
2. How much does UCONN improve/decline compared to other teams?

For the answer to 1, Notre Dame was the only team that could compete with Connecticut, and they were able to lose by 'only' ten, while needing a relatively poor offensive game from UCONN. Everyone else was 25+ points worse than Connecticut. The gap was probably as big as it has ever been in women's basketball. When you look at the tiers of women's basketball it was UCONN in Tier 1, Notre Dame in Tier 2, and everyone else in Tier 3.

For 2, I do think some other teams improve more than UCONN will this year, but UCONN stays firmly planted at Tier 1, and I don't see any teams rising for being a 3rd Tier team to a 2nd Tier one. Notre Dame was shaping up to have a team that could compete with and potentially upset UCONN next year, but losing Loyd eliminates that option. Notre Dame can still get to the title game, but doesn't have the horses to knock off UCONN. Other top programs like Florida State, South Carolina, Baylor and Louisville should improve as they return most of their key players, but all of these teams were soundly beat by Notre Dame or Connecticut. They will be better, but still two steps behind UCONN.

I completely agree with your take. 2015 -16 will still find the rest of WCBB playing "hide-n-seek" with UConn. Kara Lawson said it first right after the championship game a few weeks ago: "There's UConn, a BIG gap, then there's everybody else". Last year, the Huskies ran off and hid from the rest of WCBB.

Some would suggest that the departure of KML may affect UConn's ability to consistently score from beyond the arc. Somehow, I don't think that's going to be a problem. Geno has too many players at his disposal that can score for that to be a concern.

They forget the "choking" defense UConn plays on a consistent basis. DEFENSE has, and will continue to be be the main dish on the menu on game day for the Huskies. Opponents will get "served" heaping portions of freshly prepared defense made to order.

Offense will be also on the menu, but defense will always be featured. UConn is hard to beat year in and year out because they consistently beat you on BOTH ends of the court. As last year, opponents will have to score in the 70's (or higher) if they hope to beat the huskies. How many UConn opponents broke 70 last year? Only 3 teams: Stanford, Dayton and USF.

 

[NewCorn]

Chris, UConn was second in the nation in rebound margin this past year. Butler's not likely to get more minutes than Stokes did; I don't see a big rebound uptick.

My guess is that Butler starts, is a major factor on both ends of the court, and gets considerably more minutes than Kiah did. I'm not sure KLS has the defense to start early on.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

My guess is that Butler starts, is a major factor on both ends of the court, and gets considerably more minutes than Kiah did. I'm not sure KLS has the defense to start early on.

Considerably more minutes would put her somewhere in the mid-20's, starter's minutes. That would leave about 70-75 for the 6 players on the bench.

 

[NewCorn]

I love Gabby, but I seriously doubt that she will start. As of now I don't see anyone except Butler starting. A case could possibly be made for KLS or Collier, but it won't be Gabby. Against the bigger teams like USC and Texas UCONN would be at a major disadvantage.

I would not be surprised to see Gabby moved to guard. When Mo leaves we need another guard. If Gabby can get to be reliable with her outside shot, she would be a fantastic solution.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I had a back-an-forth disagreement with Meyers (I think it was him?) about when is best to get UConn. For me I had thought ND would be a measuring stick. If they have Loyd - they can compete. Without Loyd they are still very good - but obviously not the same. Loyd is a super super player. I thought in 2015-2016 they could always be a threat and then if a team or two could ever beat them - they'd show an ability to play some super ball. And then that would made them threat. I just thought this year ND was too young to beat us and USC didn't have the capability to score enough.

Now going into next year -- I don't know if teams like MD, Baylor and many others can score enough. And the way ND beat us up on he boards and the threat of USC pounding us inside now with UCONN having Butler - I don't see that as a huge threat. Without ND I just think it would have to be a lot of things need to go wrong or some of the teams -- everything works out super perfect. As of now I don't see it. So I say ---->UCONN goes undefeated 10-plus.

hoophuskee- - - Jewell Loyd answered all our questions when she took the early road out of Dodge! She knew in her heart that ND even IF she stayed had NO SHOT to beat UCONNfor the NCAA Title and she had no shot at any of the big individual awards vs Stewie so she hit the road!
If there was any chance for ND to win she would have stayed to have been a major part of that, but by leaving she will be getting on with the professional side of her BB career!

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

The thing that makes UCONN so deadly even with 3 rookies playing important minutes next season is that this will be the most ATHLETIC teams Geno and the staff has had! They can use so many different matchups and combos that no matter what Baylor, SoCar, ND, SoFl, MD, and the other possible "problems" bring to the table UCONN can matchup and surpass all of them! Using a BIG lineup, using a small lineup, a mix & match, UCONN can put on the court without losing their edge! Geno will have about 9 to 10 players that can excel at multiple positions, NO-ONE else can attempt that and keep their advantage! UCONN could use Natale B. at PF and C so they could have a lineup of 6' to 6"5' on the court or MoJeff, Chong, Nurse, Gabby, and Stewie and go smaller/quicker!
Gabby won't be moving to guard as she gives UCONN the same nightmare that Nina Davis gives Baylor the most athletic girl on the court that no one can stay with!

 

[Bigpetunia]

The thing that makes UCONN so deadly even with 3 rookies playing important minutes next season is that this will be the most ATHLETIC teams Geno and the staff has had! They can use so many different matchups and combos that no matter what Baylor, SoCar, ND, SoFl, MD, and the other possible "problems" bring to the table UCONN can matchup and surpass all of them! Using a BIG lineup, using a small lineup, a mix & match, UCONN can put on the court without losing their edge! Geno will have about 9 to 10 players that can excel at multiple positions, NO-ONE else can attempt that and keep their advantage! UCONN could use Natale B. at PF and C so they could have a lineup of 6' to 6"5' on the court or MoJeff, Chong, Nurse, Gabby, and Stewie and go smaller/quicker!
Gabby won't be moving to guard as she gives UCONN the same nightmare that Nina Davis gives Baylor the most athletic girl on the court that no one can stay with!

I am not a big fan of the AAC...nor of UConn's presence in it. But here is one area that provides Geno with a slew of luxuries, mainly the ability to experiment with different combinations as you accurately predict. This is why whenever we start talking about Overs and Unders on individual players floor minutes, the smart money for this particular team in this particular conference should always be on Under. I don't know whether Butler or Williams will emerge as the starter, though I strongly suspect the latter, but in either case they will be shuttling back-and-forth off the bench, along with Frosh, as the experimentation process goes forward. I suspect that Collier, in particular, will emerge as a talent hard to keep on the bench. I never like to predict undefeated seasons, but this is a team that will steadily improve as the year progresses, and the improvement, as always, will come from lineup experimentation and situational options with which the coach will inevitably be provided.

 

[Kibitzer]

Hey theres only 1 number 1.

Once again, Tony, you overwhelm us with irrefutable logic.

 

[Kibitzer]

The strongest element of UConn teams coached by Geno is its team defense. Go to the stats/scores and you will consistently see our Huskies limiting very good opponents (e, g., USC-East, ND, etc.) to score 20+ fewer points than their pre-UConn game average.

(All except Stanford. )

 

[Kmoney]

I think Gabby is a competitor. She knows the roster and she knows what she is going to have to improve on. She is already an excellent finisher, interior passer, and rebounder. If she can develope a 15 foot jumper and improve her ball handling, she will be unguardable.

I feel that height is way over rated in the women's game, especially at the college level. 99% of the game is played 2 feet or lower below the rim. If your team wins the battle from 0-8 feet, it will win every time. I think lateral quickness, help-side and weak-side defense will overcome height on most occasions. Just ask any Texas Longhorn. What I am trying to say is that I think Geno will start his five best players that defend and rebound the way he wants, with little regard to their height.

I really love the varied opinions on this board and the generally polite nature of the disagreements. Yes, it is easy to be polite when you are winning everything, but this board was like this when you were not.

 

[Carnac]

Here's the thing. There was an excellent NYT column that told the story in retrospect of the Stanford loss and why it happened. Uconn was missing something psychologically. The team thought it could coast. They were proven wrong early, and everything happened as expected from there. I don't think anything like that loss will happen this season. The players returning will know what it takes for a team to come together, the kinds of practices they'll need to have, etc. Geno wasn't very surprised by the Stanford loss, but I bet he'd be completely floored by a loss like that in 2015-16.

I expect this will be a great year for UConn WBB next year, and I don't believe anyone will be able to stop the Huskies.

You are 100% correct. I've been saying the same thing all season. I was at both of the California games. The game against UC Davis was nothing more than a scrimmage. Davis was not even close to being a serious match for the huskies. UConn knew Stanford would be a tougher matchup, but they didn't expect the Cardinal to be that fired up and come to play with the intensity that they did. Tara had them ready to play. That game could have been won. One more basket or free throw in regulation, and we win.

Other teams are closing the gap on UConn this year, but not so much that we should have anything to fear. Remember, as others are getting better, so are we.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

This will be a development year for UConns freshman and soph classes. I expect this to be Saniya's breakout year. I also expect to see Gabby start. Her quickness sets her apart from everybody else who is a non starter. Gabby can score and defend and her quickness on both sides of the ball especially on defense is the key. Against taller teams Butler will see a lot more playtime.

The amount of playtime non starters see this season will depend on a few things. Against taller teams I expect Butler to see more minutes and against most teams I expect Gabby to see more minutes and that will change depending on the talent we face and their ability to score on Gabby and Natalie. Once again I expect embarrassing blowouts with no team coming within double digits of UConn. It will be tuff to get within 20 pts of UConn as Geno continues to Beat His Best season after season. This season will be no different. As many teams bring back 3-5 starters so does UConn however UConn brings back 3 1st team AA's and no other team does that.

Our underclassman will go through their mental tuffness test when they arrive at UConn. Expectations are high as they should be. This is one of the most talented classes UConn has had and it only will get better as the season continues. The talent level of this team is off the charts. Our current roster and incoming class is unbelievably talented. The future is very bright for UConn. Our nucleus is still there so to bring players in and out of the lineup as they learn to play together as a unit is in tact. The team chemistry will be caught not taught because of the nucleaus of players returning. We will not be dependent on any one player with the talent we have. We have 3 go to players which makes it tuff for opposing defenses. This is a great place to be if your coming to UConn or an underclassman on the roster. Playing and learning from the best cant be taught it must be experienced. These underclassman are in the perfect place, a place where all top players should want to be because they will only get better.

Tonyc- - - -I agree with almost all you wrote but IMHO I think Geno will start N. Butler and bring Gabby off the bench! Geno has always loved bringing "pace changers" off the bench! Loren Dixion and Ketia Swanier for examples! Gabby brings a whole new type of athleticism to the forward position! Plus I really see her adding a 10' or 12' jump shot to her bag of tricks! Plus her free-throw shooting has to improve into the 70% area! As I've stated before I think this will be one of Geno's most ATHLETIC teams with so many ways to go to they'll be almost impossible to play!

 

[Carnac]

Tonyc- - - -I agree with almost all you wrote but IMHO I think Geno will start N. Butler and bring Gabby off the bench! Geno has always loved bringing "pace changers" off the bench! Loren Dixion and Ketia Swanier for examples! Gabby brings a whole new type of athleticism to the forward position! Plus I really see her adding a 10' or 12' jump shot to her bag of tricks! Plus her free-throw shooting has to improve into the 70% area! As I've stated before I think this will be one of Geno's most ATHLETIC teams with so many ways to go to they'll be almost impossible to play!

You're right rshermvikes, with playing at such a premium next year, those bench players are going to come in the game and play like they're possessed.

 

[Carnac]

The thing that makes UCONN so deadly even with 3 rookies playing important minutes next season is that this will be the most ATHLETIC teams Geno and the staff has had! They can use so many different matchups and combos that no matter what Baylor, SoCar, ND, SoFl, MD, and the other possible "problems" bring to the table UCONN can matchup and surpass all of them! Using a BIG lineup, using a small lineup, a mix & match, UCONN can put on the court without losing their edge! Geno will have about 9 to 10 players that can excel at multiple positions, NO-ONE else can attempt that and keep their advantage! UCONN could use Natale B. at PF and C so they could have a lineup of 6' to 6"5' on the court or MoJeff, Chong, Nurse, Gabby, and Stewie and go smaller/quicker!
Gabby won't be moving to guard as she gives UCONN the same nightmare that Nina Davis gives Baylor the most athletic girl on the court that no one can stay with!

BINGO!!! Geno's going to have so many options this coming season, he's going to look like a dealer (shuffling cards, moving players in and out of the game) at a card table. He won't be wearing a coat. He'll be wearing a visor, a long sleeve shirt (with a bow tie) with arm bands just above the wrists, and a big smile.

 

[Nuyoika]

I would not be surprised to see Gabby moved to guard. When Mo leaves we need another guard. If Gabby can get to be reliable with her outside shot, she would be a fantastic solution.

That's what I envisioned as well. She is pretty versatile. People forget she is a guard that we used as a post because that's what we needed her to be for that year. Her role could change every year.

 

[EricSD]

I would not be surprised to see Gabby moved to guard. When Mo leaves we need another guard. If Gabby can get to be reliable with her outside shot, she would be a fantastic solution.

That's what I envisioned as well. She is pretty versatile. People forget she is a guard that we used as a post because that's what we needed her to be for that year. Her role could change every year.

I hope both of you are right - she played guard in HS BUT... 2 straight years of injuries derailed her mid range and outside shooting, as well as her ball handling and passing skills. Geno said "She was a guard? She can't pass, can't dribble, and can't shoot".

IMHO it was great for her to try out for the USA team and see what she needs to work on. At 5'11", in spite of her leaping ability, she's obviously not an ideal size for a post player. I hope she spends her summer working incredibly hard on her guard skills as well as her mid and long range shooting. With the size of Butler, Boykin, Collier, and Samuelson coming in, UCONN has more need for Gabby to be a guard rather than a post player...

 

[Rixxx]

I agree that Collier is going to be tough to keep on the bench. KLS in high school games I have watched, played similar as her older sister at Stanford, perimeter positioning, deadly from behind the arc, not too much activity in the paint or within the team's offensive rotations. I don't see Geno using her in that manner. Nevertheless, Collier gives us that all-around threat anywhere and I see her pushing Kia for minutes. It's not my intention of beating down KLS, but to indicate that I am very impressed with Collier.

 

[PhillyCoach]

I am not a big fan of the AAC...nor of UConn's presence in it. But here is one area that provides Geno with a slew of luxuries, mainly the ability to experiment with different combinations as you accurately predict. This is why whenever we start talking about Overs and Unders on individual players floor minutes, the smart money for this particular team in this particular conference should always be on Under. I don't know whether Butler or Williams will emerge as the starter, though I strongly suspect the latter, but in either case they will be shuttling back-and-forth off the bench, along with Frosh, as the experimentation process goes forward. I suspect that Collier, in particular, will emerge as a talent hard to keep on the bench. I never like to predict undefeated seasons, but this is a team that will steadily improve as the year progresses, and the improvement, as always, will come from lineup experimentation and situational options with which the coach will inevitably be provided.

BigP - just remember--a key element of Geno's NC success is he ALWAYS PLAYS his starters most of the first half and in the beginning of the second half. He plays them until he sees the timing and flow that is necessary to win the NC. Most coaches go by the score (up 25 bring in the bench.) Geno goes by execution. If the starters need a few more minutes to get that smoothness he gives them those minutes (even if they are up by 35-40.) That's number one--this year's team. It is secondary to Geno/CD to prepare the frosh for next year. Of course it is part of the plan. It is just a lower priority.