How good is Blanca

[CTBballfan243]

You must not have seen the videos I've seen.......Blanca is extremely talented and can do things on the court that Caroline and Morgan can only dream of ..........I assume it will take a bit of time for her to adapt to the UConn system but some of her finishes at the basket are almost freakishly good and she has some of the same anticipatory defensive skills that Sarah made famous last season......I'll be disappointed if she doesn't grab 20 minutes plus a game as the season progresses..

Can she play defense the way Geno demands? If she can’t then I am sure she will see some time on the floor. If she can’t then we all know where she will be.

 

[jeff30189]

So we're saying Blanca is this year's Sarah Lite?

What we really need is a thread that discussed who ISN'T going to see any playing time next year, because every game only 200 minutes to spread around and by my count (going by BYers) at least 8 who should be getting 25-30 minutes a game... 9 if Heckel signs.

Sure it all changes if there's another rash of injuries, but assuming last year's health, who gets those 5 minutes a game in a blowout?

 

[oldude]

So we're saying Blanca is this year's Sarah Lite?

What we really need is a thread that discussed who ISN'T going to see any playing time next year, because every game only 200 minutes to spread around and by my count (going by BYers) at least 8 who should be getting 25-30 minutes a game... 9 if Heckel signs.

Sure it all changes if there's another rash of injuries, but assuming last year's health, who gets those 5 minutes a game in a blowout?

If the games were played in the Multiverse UConn would not be limited to only 200 minutes per game…….

 

[donalddoowop]

Can she play defense the way Geno demands? If she can’t then I am sure she will see some time on the floor. If she can’t then we all know where she will be.

Your last two sentences don't make sense.

 

[Molisanos]

Is funny that nobody gives credit to the opinion of someone who watched almost every Blanca’s game live. Not videos, real games, and saw a lot of Italian leagues games and a lot of ncaa games… and not even the WNBA scout opinions… better like this, hope she can get some minutes in her senior year when she will transfer to Wichita State!

 

[jazz]

So we're saying Blanca is this year's Sarah Lite?

What we really need is a thread that discussed who ISN'T going to see any playing time next year, because every game only 200 minutes to spread around and by my count (going by BYers) at least 8 who should be getting 25-30 minutes a game... 9 if Heckel signs.

Sure it all changes if there's another rash of injuries, but assuming last year's health, who gets those 5 minutes a game in a blowout?

Fireworks will fly if you do that. So here goes.

There are going to be some really good players who don't get any or much time in big games. I think CD will hardly play. Maybe Gandy takes a redshirt year. Then I wonder how Allie plays much, unless she significantly improves here defense and the rest of her game outside of shooting. She is a one trick pony at this point, but she is exceptional at that one trick, so we will see.

Then I think there will be a battle between Morgan, Yanna and Ice as to who is the second big to sub in and get most of that time (after Jana who I think will take an incremental step forward). There is also Kelis who may be a better version of KK, although not a true point guard which I think helps her to bully her way into playing time. But, there is also Heckel, so if she signs, then it may come down to Kelis and Heckel.

This assumes GA sticks to his 8 or so rotation but he may expand it to 10, but in big games (assuming the score is close), I doubt it. Then he will have a litany of line-ups based on matchups, etc. Go big, go small, go traditional, etc.

We are loaded and unfortunately, like I said, some really good players are not going to play much.

 

[FormerCTrez]

Geno succeeded at small ball because he had Strong. Besides her offense she may be the best rebounder in the country. What she did against SCar, twice, was domination in the paint. The fact that she was also out front in transition or taking the ball away from elite guards behind the arc is just ridiculous.

I'd like to see a lot of substitutions in November because it will mean that a lot of players are impressing the coaches. So many possible combinations!

Yes, I agree with you. And I’ll add that it’s my hope, as well as many other Boneyarders, that both Ice and Jana put in a lot of work during the summer. They both have the potential to literally add power to the team, but they have to do the prep work.

 

[Doctor G]

Yes, that's probably what motivated it initially. But it quickly showed other virtues and became choice-worthy in its own right. By March, other coaches were wondering if they should go small to counter it.

But I take your point that we could have a lineup with a front court that runs the floor really well. I can hardly wait to see what they're capable of!

Strong at the 5 was our most potent lineup. Though small, they proved impossible to match up with when on offense and they were fierce defenders, too.

 

[oldude]

Strong at the 5 was our most potent lineup. Though small, they proved impossible to match up with when on offense and they were fierce defenders, too.

Even with Serah and all the Bigs Geno will have on his roster next season, he will find it very difficult to completely abandon his small lineup with Sarah at the 5. You need only look at how that small lineup sliced through UCLA’s big frontline with beautiful movement, sharp passing and deadly outside shooting to realize that no team in the country could defend it.

 

[PacoSwede]

Strong at the 5 was our most potent lineup. Though small, they proved impossible to match up with when on offense and they were fierce defenders, too.

that was last season (with the amazing paige) ... who knows about the totally new uconn team (which is what matters)?

 

[donalddoowop]

Allie is more than a one trick pony. She can handle with either hand and is good at going to the basket.

 

[jazz]

Fireworks will fly if you do that. So here goes.

There are going to be some really good players who don't get any or much time in big games. I think CD will hardly play. Maybe Gandy takes a redshirt year. Then I wonder how Allie plays much, unless she significantly improves here defense and the rest of her game outside of shooting. She is a one trick pony at this point, but she is exceptional at that one trick, so we will see.

Then I think there will be a battle between Morgan, Yanna and Ice as to who is the second big to sub in and get most of that time (after Jana who I think will take an incremental step forward). There is also Kelis who may be a better version of KK, although not a true point guard which I think helps her to bully her way into playing time. But, there is also Heckel, so if she signs, then it may come down to Kelis and Heckel.

This assumes GA sticks to his 8 or so rotation but he may expand it to 10, but in big games (assuming the score is close), I doubt it. Then he will have a litany of line-ups based on matchups, etc. Go big, go small, go traditional, etc.

We are loaded and unfortunately, like I said, some really good players are not going to play much.

Forgot to mention Ash, does she start at the three? I was impressed with her weakside rebounding and even though she gives up a few inches, that means a three is going to have to chase Ash around the arc. She also brings a fiery temperament, has a solid pull-up, plays very good D, help D included, and is a smart, opportunistic player. She seems to make a lot of little plays that help win games, not to mention big shots like the one that sent SC crying going into half-time.

GA is going to have his hands full sorting out his rotation next year....

 

[jazz]

Allie is more than a one trick pony. She can handle with either hand and is good at going to the basket.

hope you are right, but seen very little of it. Seen a glimpse a couple times though.

I don't think she really shot it great from three this year..maybe 30-35%, but her picture perfect form tells me she is capable of shooting 40% plus in future years. That may be enough to get her on the court for meaningful minutes, but maybe not until Azzi leaves.

 

[Zonepress]

Fireworks will fly if you do that. So here goes.

There are going to be some really good players who don't get any or much time in big games. I think CD will hardly play. Maybe Gandy takes a redshirt year. Then I wonder how Allie plays much, unless she significantly improves here defense and the rest of her game outside of shooting. She is a one trick pony at this point, but she is exceptional at that one trick, so we will see.

Then I think there will be a battle between Morgan, Yanna and Ice as to who is the second big to sub in and get most of that time (after Jana who I think will take an incremental step forward). There is also Kelis who may be a better version of KK, although not a true point guard which I think helps her to bully her way into playing time. But, there is also Heckel, so if she signs, then it may come down to Kelis and Heckel.

This assumes GA sticks to his 8 or so rotation but he may expand it to 10, but in big games (assuming the score is close), I doubt it. Then he will have a litany of line-ups based on matchups, etc. Go big, go small, go traditional, etc.

We are loaded and unfortunately, like I said, some really good players are not going to play much.

you are correct a14 player roster leaves at least
5 players out of the rotation most or all who have the ability to play at Uconn level
seems.even more difficult in the new era of the portal especially with only 3 seniors

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Your last two sentences don't make sense.

I'm sure that most folks recognized that his first "can't" was meant to be a "can".

 

[Longtime fan]

This is exactly what I have been thinking. We won an NC this season with a smallish team, which ought to put paid to all the noise about having to have super-bigs to compete. Next season, we'll be bigger in a few ways: 1) we have 3 post players who are >6'4", 2) and 6 medium big players at 6'2" or taller 4 of whom have very good handles in the open court, and 3) of these 9 players, 5 have excellent speed and quickness. Blanca is at the core of this feature of the team.

Geno can still play his small-ball lineup which was so effective this season. But he has other options besides the traditional 'big front court -- quick backcourt' scheme. Blanca again could open these up for him. I can hardly wait to see what becomes possible next season. This season, he worked on a lineup featuring Morgan at the 4 and Sarah at the 5 along with 3 of the speedy guards. The key was to have perimeter shooters, but also to have a lot of team speed. When Morgan went down to injury, the small lineup got a little smaller, and maybe a bit better, since they were even quicker and the defense was even fiercer. Picture someone as speedy as Blanca in some version of this lineup.

I don't think the noise about super bigs is just noise. It depends on who the super Big is and what surrounds her. South Carolina with Boston and Wilson dominated for nearly 8 years, and had everyone calling South Carolina " the new Uconn." And when they had the 6'7" player from Brazil ( by way of Syracuse ), they won again. In pretty easy fashion. This year, the test welcome from UCLA, I think. Betts, Betts and more. UCONN, of course, will be a well rounded contender with a great ( and big ) front court, as well as terrific guards and forwards.

 

[Bone Dog]

Forgot to mention Ash, does she start at the three? I was impressed with her weakside rebounding and even though she gives up a few inches, that means a three is going to have to chase Ash around the arc. She also brings a fiery temperament, has a solid pull-up, plays very good D, help D included, and is a smart, opportunistic player. She seems to make a lot of little plays that help win games, not to mention big shots like the one that sent SC crying going into half-time.

I agree about Ash. I suspect she'll start in November but maybe not after December. It all depends on how Blanca and maybe Morgan develop.

 

[jazz]

I agree about Ash. I suspect she'll start in November but maybe not after December. It all depends on how Blanca and maybe Morgan develop.

I like Ash coming off the bench and if she does, then it means the Blanca or maybe Yana or even Morgan as you suggest, are playing really well. My guess is in the order I named them.

 

[HuskyNan]

Tamika Catchings. (one of the 3 Meeks) . And I've read/heard the same thing.

“I have a major superstar on my team: Blanca [Quiñones] from Ecuador; 15 years old, no way,” [former LA Tech guard Betty] Lennox said. “She reminds me so much of Tamika Catchings. She has a huge upside, and… I don’t think Tamika was that good at this age.”

The worlds best prospects take on NBA Academy
www. the next hoops.com/features/the-worlds-best-prospects-take-on-nba-academy

Copy and remove the spaces, it should say www period thenexthoops period com

It’s like they don’t want people to read their articles

 

[HuskyNan]

I don't think the noise about super bigs is just noise. It depends on who the super Big is and what surrounds her. South Carolina with Boston and Wilson dominated for nearly 8 years, and had everyone calling South Carolina " the new Uconn." And when they had the 6'7" player from Brazil ( by way of Syracuse ), they won again. In pretty easy fashion. This year, the test welcome from UCLA, I think. Betts, Betts and more. UCONN, of course, will be a well rounded contender with a great ( and big ) front court, as well as terrific guards and forwards.

It’s not enough to just be big, the player also needs to be talented, like Lauren Betts.

6-9 Abby Boutilier, Texas - DNP - injured freshman & sophomore seasons

6-8 Arek Angui, UCF -> Auburn - freshman season, 2 games 2.5 points, 1.5 rebounds

6-8 Phillipina Kyei, Oregon - 32 games, 19.6 min per game, 7.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg

6-8 Nene Sow, Utah senior - 7 games, 2.1 min avg, .7 ppg, .7 rpg

Tallest women’s college basketball players for 2024-25 season

The tallest women’s college basketball players for the 2024-25 season include underclassmen ready to make their mark on the court.

bvmsports.com

 

[jazz]

How tall is Blanca? I see 6, 6'1, 6'2 and 6'3 on the internet. Most often, I see 6'1. But maybe she has grown some over the years. She looks at least 6'2 to me. She looks really tall standing out on the three point line.

The competition she has faced looks pretty good to me and many players have some height, strength and some skill. The game speed and some athleticism from the competition is also there. So, overall seems like good competition.

She may be a day 1 starter. No matter what happens, I can't see how she does not make the rotation and has some kind of impact for us this coming year. I'm hoping for more though.

 

[jaundicedeye]

“I have a major superstar on my team: Blanca [Quiñones] from Ecuador; 15 years old, no way,” [former LA Tech guard Betty] Lennox said. “She reminds me so much of Tamika Catchings. She has a huge upside, and… I don’t think Tamika was that good at this age.”

The worlds best prospects take on NBA Academy
www. the next hoops.com/features/the-worlds-best-prospects-take-on-nba-academy

Copy and remove the spaces, it should say www period thenexthoops period com

It’s like they don’t want people to read their articles

Thanks, Nan. My favorite line in the article by Gabriella Lewis was "But the overall tournament standout is 15-year-old Blanca Quiñones. The 6’3 forward dominated games, led in scoring and had obvious generational court vision."

There's that word "generational" again.

 

[Bone Dog]

I don't think the noise about super bigs is just noise. It depends on who the super Big is and what surrounds her. South Carolina with Boston and Wilson dominated for nearly 8 years, and had everyone calling South Carolina " the new Uconn." And when they had the 6'7" player from Brazil ( by way of Syracuse ), they won again. In pretty easy fashion. This year, the test welcome from UCLA, I think. Betts, Betts and more. UCONN, of course, will be a well rounded contender with a great ( and big ) front court, as well as terrific guards and forwards.

Sure. That’s a fair point. People did say stuff like that. But I seem to recall that UConn nearly beat SC in the regular season with Boston and Cardozo and all we had in the frontcourt was Dorka and Aaliyah and a gimpy Ayanna who only played a few minutes. And we only had the one perimeter threat, Lou and barely 6 healthy players. Nika engineered that which shows how important the backcourt is and how exaggerated most of the demands are that Geno recruit super bigs or we’re doomed. And that point was driven home this season yet again.

 

[Charliebball]

So we're saying Blanca is this year's Sarah Lite?

What we really need is a thread that discussed who ISN'T going to see any playing time next year, because every game only 200 minutes to spread around and by my count (going by BYers) at least 8 who should be getting 25-30 minutes a game... 9 if Heckel signs.

Sure it all changes if there's another rash of injuries, but assuming last year's health, who gets those 5 minutes a game in a blowout?

I'm not.......

 

[Charliebball]

If the games were played in the Multiverse UConn would not be limited to only 200 minutes per game…….

She's certainly not like Sarah except that she has the same kind of natural basketball smarts that are a rarity these days.......their skill sets are very different, but we can hope she makes a percentage of the difference that Sarah made on the team last season........no Sarah....no National Championship...

 

[hookshot]

How tall is Blanca? I see 6, 6'1, 6'2 and 6'3 on the internet. Most often, I see 6'1. But maybe she has grown some over the years. She looks at least 6'2 to me. She looks really tall standing out on the three point line.

The competition she has faced looks pretty good to me and many players have some height, strength and some skill. The game speed and some athleticism from the competition is also there. So, overall seems like good competition.

She may be a day 1 starter. No matter what happens, I can't see how she does not make the rotation and has some kind of impact for us this coming year. I'm hoping for more though.

1.08 Hartley Units

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Sure. That’s a fair point. People did say stuff like that. But I seem to recall that UConn nearly beat SC in the regular season with Boston and Cardozo and all we had in the frontcourt was Dorka and Aaliyah and a gimpy Ayanna who only played a few minutes. And we only had the one perimeter threat, Lou and barely 6 healthy players. Nika engineered that

Actually, UConn had Aubrey as well. Patterson played 14 minutes and was a non-factor. As is always the case against SC, they lost a possession game due to rebounds and turnovers.

South Carolina 81-77 UConn (Feb 5, 2023) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the South Carolina Gamecocks vs. UConn Huskies NCAAW game from February 5, 2023 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

 

[Bone Dog]

Actually, UConn had Aubrey as well. Patterson played 14 minutes and was a non-factor. As is always the case against SC, they lost a possession game due to rebounds and turnovers.

I don’t recall denying that Aubrey played. Lots of details were omitted in the name of brevity. In particular, a close game turned on a blown call on an illegal inbounds pass by SC which forced UConn to start fouling for possessions. Any other questions?

The point is we played the classic “superbig” team practically even with a skeleton lineup and no superbigs.

 

[angelo]

If I remember correctly in an interview she said to be 1.89 m tall

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I don’t recall denying that Aubrey played. Lots of details were omitted in the name of brevity. In particular, a close game turned on a blown call on an illegal inbounds pass by SC which forced UConn to start fouling for possessions. Any other questions?

The point is we played the classic “superbig” team practically even with a skeleton lineup and no superbigs.

I had no questions. I added Aubrey since you didn't while listing the frontcourt UConn went into battle with.