Hypothetical: Z and Crystal Dangerfield Both Start - Who Doesn't? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Hypothetical: Z and Crystal Dangerfield Both Start - Who Doesn't?

If Azura and Crystal both started next year, which of this year's starters wouldn't?

  • Kia

    Votes: 41 57.7%

  • Gabby

    Votes: 10 14.1%

  • Lou

    Votes: 10 14.1%

  • Napheesa

    Votes: 10 14.1%
  • Total voters
    71
I voted, but I don't believe in the original premise for second.
 
I voted KLS in this hypothetical very unlikely scenario just because her game is somewhat limited right now. We already have better players on the interior (Collier/Gabby), better defenders (Kia/Gabby), better 3-point shooters (Kia), better ball handlers (Kia), and taller players (Z).
 
Plebe said:
If Z and CD both start, that means there's an injured player and she's the one sitting.
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Please don't use the injured player ---story line!! I'm not superstitious---I just hate thinking of it.
I believe we'll see a rotation of starter---smaller teams Collier bigger teams Z- and in tough games both--I'm pretty sure the bench will consist of : Butler, Molly, Kyla, AEH, Walker (for a short spell), Alexi, Batuloy (subbing for Collier) feel like I'm missing one or 2///
 
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Those that earn it in practice will start/ play. And they will be the ones that Geno trusts
 
My vote was for Kia because the others are retuning All Americans, and I can't think of the last time a retuning All American wasn't a starter. Now sure someone could have a Houston type of year( really good Jr year, not so good senior year) but I don't see that happening, but after putting some more thought into it, if someone was to lose a starting spot to Z it could be Collier. I think Collier is a really good scorer who got a lot of points off Gabby Williams passing abilities, so it's possible that Z can have a season similar to the one Collier just had with Gabby at the high post.
 
j66kicker said:
Everybody seems to be assuming that either Crystal or Azura will start next year, but not both. Just as a force ranking exercise (real world), what if BOTH of them start? Which of last years starters comes off the bench?

This isn't a, "That's not gonna happen - we can't do that to one of this year's starters" poll. If that's your answer, then feel free not to participate. But, what if.....?
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I don't see that scenario happening, unless someone, God forbid, gets hurt...
meyers7 said:
So you are going to sit an AP/USWBA/WBCA 1st AA? Brilliant, just brilliant.
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or the starting point guard for the Canadian Olympic Team? Uh, no...eh..
 
Shenandoah said:
I don't see that scenario happening, unless someone, God forbid, gets hurt...

or the starting point guard for the Canadian Olympic Team? Uh, no...eh..
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Any one of the six who sits will be justified in starting. The only one who doesn't have a rather large resume at the time is Dangerfield but her talent is obvious and Geno knows it considering his reported gloating over her future ability late in the year. There really is no right answer here and the staff is going to have one heck of a decision to make.
 
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I hope it's a tough decision, because that will mean that Danger has made a big leap from her freshman to sophomore season. At present, I think it's an easy decision with the 4 returning starters + Z.
 
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ochoopsfan said:
This is going to be a long 7 months with topics like this. Head bang
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I understand exactly what you mean and your emotican says it all. How can you not start 3 All Americans, and the point guard of the Canadian National Team?

Where does this thinking come from, hypothetical or not?

I am going to feed the horses and put some hay out for the elk.
 
There actually is a danger (pun alert!) in this incredible embarrassment of riches.

If Crystal DOESN'T start--and I agree that that's the likeliest scenario even if it means UConn starts the season without a true point--she may not really fulfill her destiny as a premier point guard. The games when Kia was hurt showed she played well when given lots of playing time. If she doesn't get the big minutes next year, she'll essentially start her junior year with a big burden, with very talented players behind her.
 
Danger will get lots of PT next season. The real question is, will she be as effective coming in off the bench. Some players have difficulty getting into the flow of the game when they come in off the bench, while others make an impact as soon as they step on the floor. I think of legendary Celtic 6th man John Havilacek as one of those immediate impact players.

Danger will be better next year, hopefully a lot better. I can foresee Geno putting her in games anywhere from the 5 minute mark to the end of the 1st qtr to create an immediate change of pace, speeding games up and hopefully breaking them wide open.
 
bags27 said:
There actually is a danger (pun alert!) in this incredible embarrassment of riches.

If Crystal DOESN'T start--and I agree that that's the likeliest scenario even if it means UConn starts the season without a true point--she may not really fulfill her destiny as a premier point guard. The games when Kia was hurt showed she played well when given lots of playing time. If she doesn't get the big minutes next year, she'll essentially start her junior year with a big burden, with very talented players behind her.
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oldude said:
Danger will get lots of PT next season. The real question is, will she be as effective coming in off the bench. Some players have difficulty getting into the flow of the game when they come in off the bench, while others make an impact as soon as they step on the floor. I think of legendary Celtic 6th man John Havilacek as one of those immediate impact players.

Danger will be better next year, hopefully a lot better. I can foresee Geno putting her in games anywhere from the 5 minute mark to the end of the 1st qtr to create an immediate change of pace, speeding games up and hopefully breaking them wide open.
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Very compelling arguments for Crystal to start next year. And IMO Azura will definitely start. So who DOESN'T start?
 
j66kicker said:
Very compelling arguments for Crystal to start next year. And IMO Azura will definitely start. So who DOESN'T start?
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I'm not making the argument that Danger should start next year, just that I think she'll be good and will provide a great change of pace off the bench. I have always believed that the 4 returning starters plus Z will be UConn's starting lineup next season.
 
HoopsFan21 said:
I voted KLS in this hypothetical very unlikely scenario just because her game is somewhat limited right now. We already have better players on the interior (Collier/Gabby), better defenders (Kia/Gabby), better 3-point shooters (Kia), better ball handlers (Kia), and taller players (Z).
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I tend to agree. I just don't believe sitting such an incredible offensive and defensive player such as Collier is smart. Remember the team suffers in tough situations without her. Sit Lou in this situation. But the big assumption here is Z is POY material. I believe Wilson will have something to say about that.
 
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oldude said:
I'm not making the argument that Danger should start next year, just that I think she'll be good and will provide a great change of pace off the bench. I have always believed that the 4 returning starters plus Z will be UConn's starting lineup next season.
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I know what you meant, but to me you are making the argument that Crystal Dangerfield should start :cool:
 
Geno treats transfers as freshman so the starting 5 should be the same as this year with Dangerfield taking chongs spot to start the season. From there it goes by how well they do in practice as to how much playing time they get.
 
j66kicker said:
I know what you meant, but to me you are making the argument that Crystal Dangerfield should start :cool:
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John Havelicek was my favorite basketball player. It's because of Hondo that the NBA invented the 6th Man Award in the 1st place. Just like Hondo, Danger will get her opportunity to start, probably as a junior, but next season she's going to win my 6th man award by terrorizing opponents off the bench.
 
SVCBeercats said:
Make it easy why don't you! :eek: Assuming as they stand without expected improvements.
I say Lou sits. Collier and Nurse have more complete games than Lou. Both shoot the 3 ball as well or better (as they did this year). Nurse's leadership is needed. Can't see pulling 300+ rebounds and respectively 69% and 58% FG% each by Collier and Williams. Can't see sitting Williams with 190 assists and 100 steals. Pull the team's engine? No.
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You are saying that you would sit a first team all-american (Katie Lou) for a still unproven player(Crystal)? Unbelievable!
 
bizarro aj said:
Geno treats transfers as freshman so the starting 5 should be the same as this year with Dangerfield taking chongs spot to start the season. From there it goes by how well they do in practice as to how much playing time they get.
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Geno's not treating Azura Stevens as a freshmen, no way, no how. He was practically giddy discussing her a couple months ago.
 
bizarro aj said:
Geno treats transfers as freshman so the starting 5 should be the same as this year with Dangerfield taking chongs spot to start the season. From there it goes by how well they do in practice as to how much playing time they get.
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Cite your sources?
 
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connboy77 said:
You are saying that you would sit a first team all-american (Katie Lou) for a still unproven player(Crystal)? Unbelievable!
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The proposed question said both Stevens and Dangerfield MUST start. So since KLS's total game is not as good as Nurse, Collier, and Williams, she sits. Nurse has proved she is the better 3FG shooter as is Collier. I suppose you would sit Nurse since she is "only" an AA honorable mention even though she and Gabby are the team leaders?

Meyers posted the same objection to me. Here is my response to him and now you. "Thank you, I thought so! Brilliant! Yes, of course. Who are you going to sit in this never to happen hypothetical question with no correct answer or opinion?" :D Meyers, to his credit understands it is only a hypothetical question. He understands this is just a marking time question.

Why is it so unbelievable to sit probably the 5th best player on the team? :eek::rolleyes: Heh! Heh! I see a twitch near your left eye. A really fast one. :p Hell even Geno implied he would sit KLS if she did listen to coaching and improve her whole game. He said he had to play people this year, next year he will not have to play any given player.

Relax! Rest assured the starters WILL be Collier, Williams, Nurse, Stevens and Samuelson. Dangerfield and Camara will get plenty of minutes off the bench. Perhaps one or two of the freshmen will develop into positive contributors. So has the valium taken effect. ;)
 
I think Uconn has 2 many players who can play the 4 for Camara to have a big impact this season. I think her time will come next year and beyond, I think Walker will be the one pushing for playing time, ever time she talks about Uconn walker is very businesslike, maybe not a deadly shooter, I think with her skill set Geno will use Walker as a 2,3, and 4. It also wouldn't be such a bad idea for Geno to try and run the offensive thru Williams.
 
bizarro aj said:
Geno treats transfers as freshman so the starting 5 should be the same as this year with Dangerfield taking chongs spot to start the season. From there it goes by how well they do in practice as to how much playing time they get.
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I will disagree with you. Stevens and Camara have been with the program for a season now. They are no longer "freshman." As for the practice, I agree.
 
j66kicker said:
Very compelling arguments for Crystal to start next year. And IMO Azura will definitely start. So who DOESN'T start?
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IMO there has never been a compelling argument for Crystal. It's the mistaken belief that you need a better ball-handler when UCONN would have 5 pretty good ball-handlers without her to start the game. Pushing the ball-handling issue while ignoring the defense - is similar to a movie I remember called The Fugitive. Tommy Lee asked the detectives why Kimble killed his wife and they said "For the money." They were nearly laughed at - and told the Detectives that Kimble was a doctor so he was already rich. And the detectives said "well she was more rich."

It's the same story here. Our ball handling is pretty good but it is the rebounding and size that's the problem. There's enough ball-handling (UCONN is rich enough with ball-handling.) There is no way Geno is going to reward Danger when she didn't do that much this year. Maybe early on he might because he wants to light up some other players - maybe even Stevens. But if you have his interview when he's on the floor for the UCLA game he says UCLAA was a bad matchup.

Two big reasons for the bad matchup was the pg difference and the physicality/size of the posts from the other team crashing the boards. He said that about UCLA's rebounding. Next year with one swoop he can take of the rebounding by using Az- an HM A/A whom he has said could be the number 1 pick in 2 years. He's not going to reward Danger until she shows she can control the elite quick guards. But he's not going to put Gabby and Napheesa at risk because some of you perceive "he needs ball-handling" when we do KNOW he does need more size to rebound so he can put Collier and Gabby in their natural positions.

I love Danger but she only brings one thing - offense - and she wasn't that efficient at it this year. And she is a detriment on defense at the moment. AZ brings offense and defense. And I wouldn't rule out that Danger starts out in the doghouse next year.
 
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Go/huskies said:
I think UConn has 2 many players who can play the 4 for Camara to have a big impact this season. I think her time will come next year and beyond, I think Walker will be the one pushing for playing time, ever time she talks about UConn walker is very businesslike, maybe not a deadly shooter, I think with her skill set Geno will use Walker as a 2,3, and 4. It also wouldn't be such a bad idea for Geno to try and run the offensive thru Williams.
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I don't think Walker will be a 4.
 
It should be noted that Jefferson was given the starting PG role immediately as a soph and developed quickly. Not out of the realm of possibility that Dangerfield can do the same.

Dangerfield and Jefferson had eerily similar stats per minute played as freshmen with the exception of Dangerfield's advantage in assists.
 
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