Ice and Jana....what am I missing?

[CONN78SEJ]

Need Jana to start and to be more aggressive and stratrhgic about fouls. She's got to let an opponent know it won't be easy if
they come into the lane. Need Tina Charles to come to Uconn to work with her.

What the timeline for Aubrey Griffin coming back?

 

[hart2hart]

What the timeline for Aubrey Griffin coming back?

I hope soon!

 

[Zarathustra]

Do you know the percentage of U.S. women 6’5” (77 inches) or taller? It’s a very small percentage of the population and elite players that are 77 inches or taller are an even smaller percentage

How many 6’5” girls do you see listed in the top 100 players of 2025? And while you’re looking at the list, see where #73 is going

2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - espnW 100 - ESPN

Get the inside scoop on the top ranked high school girls' basketball players. In-depth player briefings, film and more on ESPNHS.com.

www.espn.com

View attachment 105456

Another reference to that unnamed recruit for the 2025 H.S. class, (i.e.
Gandy Malou Mamel!! = 6'5"). Here are Gandy's stats from her play on
the Irish National Team: seven games: 10.6 ppg, 10.0 rbpg and an
efficiency rating of 15.9. Someone posted that Gandy could be 6'6",
but the reliable FIBA web site has her as 195 cm = 6'5". IMHO Gandy
runs the floor (almost) like a deer. Very mobile!

 

[mainerhuski]

I think Geno is going to go with Sarah and Aubrey at the 4 and 5 when Aubrey is back.

If Aubrey is back to her old self, I’d love to see a Kaitlin, Azzi, Paige, Aubrey, Sarah lineup!

 

[Zonepress]

If Aubrey is back to her old self, I’d love to see a Kaitlin, Azzi, Paige, Aubrey, Sarah lineup

If Aubrey is 80 percent of what she was would be shocked if u don’t see that lineup

 

[CONN78SEJ]

If Aubrey is back to her old self, I’d love to see a Kaitlin, Azzi, Paige, Aubrey, Sarah lineup!

I think Geno would probably start Ash over Kaitlin but you never know. Or maybe Ice, Azzi, Paige, Aubrey, Sarah as a starting five. Then there’s Caroline too, not sure what her prognosis is.

 

[NutmegDog]

Put me down as Kaitlin starting, with Ash as first off the bench. As far as front court goes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Morgan getting as many or more minutes than either Ice or Jana. The latter two are fine to bang with players like Cardoso, but their scoring issues make Morgan the better choice, with more upside over time.

 

[Dogstar]

Put me down as Kaitlin starting, with Ash as first off the bench. As far as front court goes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Morgan getting as many or more minutes than either Ice or Jana. The latter two are fine to bang with players like Cardoso, but their scoring issues make Morgan the better choice, with more upside over time.

It's not all abt scoring.....defense matters too, and Crooks is up next.

 

[HopJim]

Watching the small lineup play reminded me of the 6 players that took UConn to the Final 4 last year. The movement and pick and roles when the bigs were not in the lineup were fun to watch. Until Jana regains some foot speed, not sure where she will factor in at year's end.

 

[hookshot]

Watching the small lineup play reminded me of the 6 players that took UConn to the Final 4 last year. The movement and pick and roles when the bigs were not in the lineup were fun to watch. Until Jana regains some foot speed, not sure where she will factor in at year's end.

Lack of foot speed is the least of Jana's problems. Jana is wonderfully aggressive but just isn't a very good player as yet. She has poor fundamentals, poor footwork, poor shooting skill from the post. With her great, positive attitude, she will likely get there some day (hopefully yet this season) but maybe needs to attend one of those big girl camps over the summer. The assumption was that she was further along being a coach's kid and playing at a high international level but watch her play, when she gets the ball in a good low post position, the next thing she does almost always brings her further away from the basket than when she received the pass, and her shots are accordingly short or off the mark. Yes she is a valuable asset for this year but a long way from being a finished product. You may see, more and more of a 5 out smaller lineup when Aubrey returns, with Jana in there when a specific match up is needed

 

[JoePgh]

One overall comment on this game, as well as the last several (but pertinent because of Sarah's 14 rebounds against Georgetown):

I am extremely impressed with Sarah's leaping ability on rebounds. You would not expect that someone with her rather heavy-set build would have those kind of hops. I did expect her to be (um) a strong rebounder, but I didn't think she could go as high for rebounds as she has been demonstrating.

I guess we will see if she can out-jump top opposing rebounders as easily as she leaped over Georgetown's inside players. I don't think that she will have any trouble jumping higher than Audi Crooks of Iowa State.

 

[Blond D.]

Getting the opening tip is probably the least most important thg of the game imho

its another chance to score. Its a chance to start the game on the upside. Its better than not getting the opening tip.

 

[Dogstar]

its another chance to score. Its a chance to start the game on the upside. Its better than not getting the opening tip.

In basketball Turnovers and rebounding missed shots particularly on the offensive end gives you more shots and more chances to score. The opening tip is basically ceremonial it just starts the game, they can even call heads or tails and flip a coin It'd be the same. In the case tht there are tie ups the team with the possession arrow at the end of the quarter gets the ball to start the next quarter.

 

[Bone Dog]

I’m not interested in lineup predictions at this point. I have to keep reminding myself that we’ve only seen 10 games, and only a few with Azzi, and none with Aubrey or Caroline. The roster Geno has right now hasn’t fully gelled, and this isn’t even the likely final roster yet.

If I project forward based on what we’ve already seen, and assuming some modicum of progress from everyone, the team Geno can put on the floor in March could be really formidable. It is likely to include Paige, Azzi, Kaitlyn, Sarah, Ice, with Jana, Ash, KK, Aubrey, Morgan backing them up.

Take a breath and think about this list. That’s ten excellent athletes, and no extravagant assumptions are required to think they’ll all see playing time in March. I’ve left off Q, Allie, Caroline and Ayanna, though on other assumptions some of them may contribute too.

When I think about what Ice and Jana might be capable of in March, I first consider who will be playing around them. They will be surrounded by several of the best players in D1, and an few others who would start on most top-25 teams. I think this complement will take a lot of pressure off them offensively and defensively. Neither Ice nor Jana needs to be an All-American in order to support Paige & Co’s bid for an NC. They just need to be solid rebounders and defenders, and occasional scorers. Anything else they can give is just a bonus.

 

[Blond D.]

In basketball Turnovers and rebounding missed shots particularly on the offensive end gives you more shots and more chances to score. The opening tip is basically ceremonial it just starts the game, they can even call heads or tails and flip a coin It'd be the same. In the case tht there are tie ups the team with the possession arrow at the end of the quarter gets the ball to start the next quarter.

yeah but every turn over is one possession just like winning the opening tip. They all count as one possession.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Put me down as Kaitlin starting, with Ash as first off the bench. As far as front court goes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Morgan getting as many or more minutes than either Ice or Jana. The latter two are fine to bang with players like Cardoso, but their scoring issues make Morgan the better choice, with more upside over time.

Why would Geno listen to you and change horses in midstream now well into the season? Ash has been the off guard starter so far this season, she is clearly the better option for hitting three’s or a stop and pop two, while Paige is double teamed.

 

[Dogstar]

yeah but every turn over is one possession just like winning the opening tip. They all count as one possession.

How abt getting multiple offensive reboundeds?

 

[Dogstar]

How abt getting multiple offensive reboundeds?

Sorry I meant multiple offensive rebounds, which give you more shots and more opportunities to score

 

[hookshot]

I’m not interested in lineup predictions at this point. I have to keep reminding myself that we’ve only seen 10 games, and only a few with Azzi, and none with Aubrey or Caroline. The roster Geno has right now hasn’t fully gelled, and this isn’t even the likely final roster yet.

If I project forward based on what we’ve already seen, and assuming some modicum of progress from everyone, the team Geno can put on the floor in March could be really formidable. It is likely to include Paige, Azzi, Kaitlyn, Sarah, Ice, with Jana, Ash, KK, Aubrey, Morgan backing them up.

Take a breath and think about this list. That’s ten excellent athletes, and no extravagant assumptions are required to think they’ll all see playing time in March. I’ve left off Q, Allie, Caroline and Ayanna, though on other assumptions some of them may contribute too.

When I think about what Ice and Jana might be capable of in March, I first consider who will be playing around them. They will be surrounded by several of the best players in D1, and an few others who would start on most top-25 teams. I think this complement will take a lot of pressure off them offensively and defensively. Neither Ice nor Jana needs to be an All-American in order to support Paige & Co’s bid for an

 

[hoophuskee]

Why would Geno listen to you and change horses in midstream now well into the season? Ash has been the off guard starter so far this season, she is clearly the better option for hitting three’s or a stop and pop two, while Paige is double teamed.

Huh?

 

[hookshot]

Why would Geno listen to you and change horses in midstream now well into the season? Ash has been the off guard starter so far this season, she is clearly the better option for hitting three’s or a stop and pop two, while Paige is double teamed.

Geno likes Kaitlyn at the point. Ash only has started when Azzi has been unavailable. Why would Geno change horses now. Ash is a reliable hard worker that can score as well, she will continue to do that off the bench assuming Azzi stays healthy.

 

[oldhusky]

If Aubrey is back to her old self, I’d love to see a Kaitlin, Azzi, Paige, Aubrey, Sarah lineup!

Aubrey could actually play with Sarah in another way too, as a 3/4 combo. Sarah could be the 3 on the offensive side, but the 4 on the defensive side. I think that would be a very good combo with the big if of whether Ice or Jana can be really good at the 5. In many ways I think a healthy Aubrey is better than our bench guards, Ash and KK, and our two C's, Ice and Jana.

Sarah at least against most teams can play 3-5, and of course in a pinch Paige can play 1-4, so with the versatility of our two stars, we can go big or small with lineup decisions made more based on the best 5 players or combos, than the best by traditional position definitions. That means when Aubrey returns, Ice and Jana might be competing against Ash and KK for playing time in addition to against each other.

Personally I hope our bigs step up a bit and warrant going big, because against the teams that matter most (the top contenders) we will be facing many very good bigs, and I think a small lineup could sweep the Big East but might have difficulties late in the NCAA tournament. Regardless the downside, or floor if you will is pretty high because if you add Aubrey to the mix, a fifth starter could be the best from Ash, KK, Ice or Jana. Hopefully Azzi and Aubrey will both be close to 100% soon and stay that way thru March Madness, and Geno will have many good options.

 

[Bone Dog]

Sarah at least against most teams can play 3-5, and of course in a pinch Paige can play 1-4, so with the versatility of our two stars, we can go big or small with lineup decisions made more based on the best 5 players or combos, than the best by traditional position definitions.

Well said. I’ve been trying to articulate this for myself over the last few days. And we’ve already seen Geno experimenting with smaller lineups, with Kaitlyn and KK on the floor together, or with Paige Sarah and Morgan as the frontcourt. It’s pretty easy to imagine how Aubrey would fit into this sort of experiment.

Ice or Jana still look like the basic, or even primary piece for most lineups, but Geno is a tinkerer.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Geno likes Kaitlyn at the point. Ash only has started when Azzi has been unavailable. Why would Geno change horses now. Ash is a reliable hard worker that can score as well, she will continue to do that off the bench assuming Azzi stays healthy.

I guess we’ll see who Geno likes tomorrow night.

 

[NYFan]

What the timeline for Aubrey Griffin coming back?

The SNY announcers on Sunday's game said that she was targeting around January 1st.