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It all depends on who steps up: My best day as a UCONN fan: Maria Conlon, a designated shooter who wouldn't shoot, plays almost the entire victorious NC game as PG with zero turnovers.
Yes she had an the injury - but all year she couldn't get better? I don't know how much her injury bothered her in February, do you? If so can you provide the links in which it states her injury was still bothering her going after rebounds in Febraury? The excuse I was referring in terms of the injury was that it festered into the entire year and she didn't look like a rebounder even in February. I heard at GTOWN she was a tenacious offensive rebounder. I didn't see that - at all.
So I said "maybe" the injury plagued her THROUGHOUT the year. I did say "maybe" the injury plagued her THROUGHOUT the year. I did say "maybe" the injury plagued her THROUGHOUT the year. I did say "maybe" the injury plagued her THROUGHOUT the year.
Further, I said I'm not going to predict big things from her. I have no reason to do so because I'm skeptical how long that injury bothered her. I said I'm "skeptical." I didn't say I'm "definite." I hope no one clobbers me for that.
And it's okay if we agree to disagree-- that's okay, right? And if I called NB "maybe a Will Corckett" is that so bad? We don't win a title without Will Crockett.
And third, more to the point of agree to disagree- do I really need to explain "if we play small" what lineup it is? You mean you couldn't understand KLS/NC/GW/KN and Cd or Chong is the lineup whenever ANYONE references they want UCONN to play small? And please I hope if anyone replies that they don't come back with KLS "isn't small." She's tall but she "plays small." I expect all of us fans that follow UCONN a lot know of this along with the Geno and CD comments that KLS doesn't rebound like her sister(s) - i.e. "they didn't get the rebounding sister." So if KLS and NC and GW are your 3/4/5 then you are "playing small."
Same here- please don't take my comments the wrong way. I don't mean it to be. -- Thanks blair!!!!
Remember, Baylor, SC, and Texas will have better teams this season. Past performances will probably not apply to this season's teams.
The bit about Geno saying KLS wasn't the rebounding sister--I don't remember hearing or reading that---if you know where I can see that--I'd appreciate having a look at it.
First, they have to be able to defend competently.... second they have to know their role within the team defensive scheme ..... third they have to understand how to move within team offensive schemes and be aggressive.
Coach values team defense above all else.
How would you rank the player defensively? Nurse, Williams, Collier, Chong, Lou, Butler
How would you rank the player offensively? Chong, Lou, Nurse, Williams, Collier, Butler
So. until Coach actually shows us what kind of offense he will run this year, and the returning players display their improvements over the summer, and the freshmen prove their skills and pick up the schemes; I think the starting five is obvious.... BUT as always whether they start or come off the bench I don;t think it really says much. I think Collier and Butler will get equal minutes.
--none of us has a Crystal ball so we'll all look and see what comes--and I shall enjoy it.
I have a sneaking suspicion that when MW finally picks a school, there's going be a large number of "u shouldda known", "didn't cha know", "knewit's".... ;-)
If Willnet played like that all the time. She could have been an AA IMO.Thanks-- and for what you say- what is wrong with Will Crockett? She wasn't flashy. and we won because of her effort. If I were to see her - she'd deserve a big hug from me!! Wasn't she outstanding vs Texas? Unreal for someone that worked away from the ball and her defense on their post.
Neither of them better than Mitchell on offense and definately not on defense. Sessions also better on D.South Carolina picks up alot more offense on the perimeter with the addition of Kaela Davis and Alisha Gray. Both players are upgrades when compared to what they lose.
Im not sure why you are so agitated. The bit about the SMALL team was a joke.
Geno said about Katie Lou---I got the best Samuelson Sister. Maybe early in the season she wasn't great--so he motivated her with your sister comment--he does that. But at seasons end, he wasn't saying that any longer.
I don't take your comment in any way negative. I find them a bit protective--as with someone who has strong views.
Agree or dis agree. The Boneyard does not have rules against either. OPINION's are just OPINION's --none of us has a Crystal ball so we'll all look and see what comes--and I shall enjoy it.
If Katie lou, Napeesa, Gabby are playing SMALL--then what team plays big--by adding Butler?? Except for Butler--it looks like you are saying the team is small? KLS 6--3, Gabby 5-11, Collier 6'1 (or)2, add Kyla at 6'2 that's all there is in height --there ain't no more.
Most of the teams (I said most not all) Uconn faces this year the biggest player they will go against is 6-3 or less. Turner --6-3 or 4
Wilson 6/3---Baylor a 6'6' or more none over that (that's enough),
Neither one of us knows for sure how long Natalie's injury bothered her--physically or mentally--as you pointed out it was obvious she was not meeting her former GT numbers--so my assumption (opinion) was that something bothered her. She will never be a Stewie, or Tuck or maybe not a Steff--if she comes close to her GT numbers she'll be great for UC.
The bit about Geno saying KLS wasn't the rebounding sister--I don't remember hearing or reading that---if you know where I can see that--I'd appreciate having a look at it.
Also, I am very high on expectations fof Katie Lou she showed me great progress and abilities at the end of the past season--until HER injury. I have similar expectations for the rest of the team .
Opinions are just opinions ---if what you write isn't correct--the hangman won't come calling. Opinions are for FUN--you don't make any money here if you state your opinion strongly or are wrong.
Enjoy this--I do. THANKS BLAIR!!!
Actually that was CD who came up with the gem. Lou did ok with 5, but Karlie had 12 boards. I'm sure that Geno and CD will be reminding Lou to hit the boards this year, given that Morgan and Stewie are gone.
I get it---you are skeptical!
Willnet was ok, not great. I prefer to compare Butler to Steff as a Frosh.
No one will clobber you--
Maybe is understood as maybe--that is what an OPINION says--maybe they will be this or that.
No issues here--keep on keeping on.. I really don't see us disagreeing---
Neither of them better than Mitchell on offense and definately not on defense. Sessions also better on D.
I thought you were non-insulting but aggravated with me for criticizing NB. It's hard to tell when someone is joking. Anyhow below is the the link in which Chris Dailey says "we didn't get the rebounding Samuelson." It's near the bottom. Further, if someone can provide a postgame -- you'll see Geno and CD talk about her- CD mentions that they didn't get the rebounder and then I specifically remember Geno say "No. . . We did not."
The Geno quote is not there but the CD is. This is the 2/27 game - so you can see even at the end of the year they were harping on her rebounding because she is soft. There is a reason why the coaches spoke of her rebounding because it was.
UConn, Samuelson To Take On USF
My expectation of NB has diminished. Simple as that. I hope you, Blair and others are right. We could use a very good big. And I just want to reiterate for anyone else that read- I'm not saying NB stinks. And frankly - if NB is Will Crockett - defense and rebound - imo that would be terrific for this team.
And I'm with you on KLS. I think she is an all-american candidate. I believe she has a feel for the game like Larry Bird. Just hoping she can remain healthy throughout her career. I think we're an E8 team if healthy with possibility of more depending on the E8 game matchup and potentially other games matchups.
They should have more room but defense wins NCs.As good as Sessions was on defense she was even better at being a liability on offense. Coates and Wilson played double teams all last year because our opponents knew Sessions and Dozier weren't scoring threats.
Cuevas, Gray and Davis are scoring threats so Wilson and Coates should have much more space down low.
They should have more room but defense wins NCs.
Over the course of the 2016 season Karlie averaged 3.5 rebounds in about 30 minutes per game; Lou averaged 3.35 in about 23 minutes per game. Maybe UConn did get the rebounding Samuelson.
The concern is we dont know what to expect from this years team. The talent is there the question marks leave us to wonder and some doubts for some fans as to what to expect. One thing UConn has always been is a team. They play as a team. It may take a few games for this team to gell but they will play as a team. However they can out talent many of the teams they face until they pull it together. This season may be a work in progress. This team is not flawless they will make mistakes unlike last years team whos those mistakes were backed up by MoJeff Tuck and Stewie. Again we can not compare this team to last years team but we can look at players individually and what they can contribute.
There are alot of posts about Natalie. I dont care if she was Georgetowns go to player or not she put up the numbers. At UConn she will be part of the team. She will not be the go to player in every game but she is a threat to score from 15 ft in and opponents will have to guard her. She is also taller then most post players in WCBB and taller then most posts we will face on our schedule. It will be interesting on how opponents defend her because she can pass over most opponenets posts and shoot over them. She can rebound score shoot the 15 footer and make foul shots. At 6'5 she can hold down the middle. She will be fine.
Katie Lou will receive alot of attention from defenses. I expect alot of pick and rolls, screens set, and drives to the basket because thats where she has the advantage. She will rebound and I say that because Im sure Geno and CD know thats one thing she needed to work on this summer. So that should not be a problem.
Saniya imo will start at the point. She is the quickest player on the team and can drive to the basket. Expect opponents to sluff off her and Geno to have plays that open up the middle for her to drive and score. She can play in big moments and make big plays. One thing she can do is score. On defense we will need to double down not only for our guards but for everybody. Last season we had Stewie who covered up many of the defensive faults and who allowed everybody else to over play because she was always there. No team has that kind of player. She was a luxury that we may not see for along time. So this year we will go back to playing BB the way it is supposed to be player and that is help help on defense.
Kia will share the PG position with Saniya and Crystal. Those 3 by mid season will be very very good and fighting for playtime. The competition at the guard position this season will make them all better and change the look UConn has had in the past. Gabby and Collier will are great athletes and team players. They will play their games and get their points and rebounds. They will make some great plays during the game.
This is a really really good team and many of our doubts come from how great and overpowering last years team was. A team like that comes around every 10 years. We dont know what to expect this year but I can promise you we will be top 4. I can also tell you that when we beat Baylor many fans will think we are the best team in the country and if we should lose to Baylor some fans will think we are dead this season. lol Thats what fans do. Im excited for this season. There will be alot of surprises as we watch this team take on its own identity.
I'm not sure about Gray---Cuevas, played out of control and had a shot that seemed to fade with a bit of pressure. Dawn pulled her often in big games- put her in and pulled her again-is that the stuff I'm smoking??As good as Sessions was on defense she was even better at being a liability on offense. Coates and Wilson played double teams all last year because our opponents knew Sessions and Dozier weren't scoring threats.
Cuevas, Gray and Davis are scoring threats so Wilson and Coates should have much more space down low.
If Willnet played like that all the time. She could have been an AA IMO.
I'm not sure about Gray---Cuevas, played out of control and had a shot that seemed to fade with a bit of pressure. Dawn pulled her often in big games- put her in and pulled her again-is that the stuff I'm smoking??
I think that KLS is an appreciably better outside shooter that Bre was (is) though she's also going to need to get easy points from inside including put back baskets. I think Napheesa improving from last year and becoming more of an offensive threat is going to help balance UConn's attack more and make life easier for KLS.As the summer heat dissipates, and we turn to fall, a young man's fancy turns to WCBB.
This site has been full of interest in next year's recruits and the clear expectation that our next NC is just around the corner (2018). Some have started to speculate on the purported strength of this year's team, particularly on the defensive end. The outlook there is good. We have athletic and ferocious rebounders and defenders in Napheesa, Gabby, and Kia. Lou will add some D, too, and I expect Kyla to be a big help. But what about the offense?
Last season the Big 3+Kia contributed around 55 points/game. When Lou started hitting her shots, the five starters became unbeatable—by wide margins. Whatever others chipped in was welcome but not decisive. So where are the points coming from this year? No one knows for sure.
Most of the offensive production should come from Lou. Can she approach Bre's average of almost 20 points/game? Yes—IF she shoots more often closer to the rim where the high percentage shots come. Lou must drive to the basket, take short jumpers, put in some defensive rebounds, AND score from the perimeter. Kia will give the team a reliable 10 for a total of 30 points. Collier and Gabby contributed seven and nine respectively last year; this year we'll hope to get more like 10 from each (total of 50 points from 4 starters). Depending on her health, Saniya might also score 10 per, and let's assume that Crystal gets about the same (last year the guards scored about 20+ per); total is up to 70. I'm going to pencil in 10 from Kyla, too, so we're up to 80. Except for Butler, who got almost 6 last season, that's it.
Best case scenario: 80 points/game. (This assumes health and few fouls because the bench is non-existent—and no Polly at the Buzzer.) With the predictably stingy defense, UConn should do very well. Only Lou will feel the weight of scoring expectations in my scenario, the others just need to get a consistent handful of points to get to 80.
Couple strong D with steady O and you get DO; the Huskies may do it again. I feel better already.
Good to great coaches use their fall back position as Seniors. It sounds like we see Cuevas pretty much the same.Broadway-- What about Gray are you not sure about? That she's a scoring threat? She scored over 1,000 points in just two years at UNC and was a 1st team All-ACC player. She can score.
Cuevas' problem is consistency, which she improved on later in the season. She's a capable scorer as well. You can't leave her open like you'd leave Sessions open.. she's a better shooter and can beat you off the dribble. Sessions didn't have nearly the offensive arsenal that Cuevas has. Cuevas was often inserted into games for her spark, which she provides well., she oftentimes jumpstarted the team offensively and defensively but Sessions was a steady senior. Dawn always leans on her upperclassmen.