Ice Brady on getting to Storrs "I’m just cheesing just thinking about it. I can’t wait.”

[CocoHusky]

Once again, we agree. You shouldn't resist me so much. We're actually BY soulmates.

 

[Stymie]

Obviously, you don’t want to answer my question. SC outrebounded just about everyone this past season. Would SC have outrebounded a healthy UConn team by +24 with everyone healthy? Two seasons ago, SC was +13 in an overtime loss of to UConn. In the game in the Bahamas, without Aubrey and with less than strong efforts from Dorka & Aaliyah, SC was +17. Fast forward to the championship game, without Dorka and Aubrey, along with injuries/illness to Liv, Evina & Azzi, SC was +24. So YES, the rebounding differential was most definitely impacted by injuries to UConn players.

Last year’s win “the immaculate” 3 point bounce/basket-UCONN creamed on the boards.
This past years first meeting- UCONN creamed on the boards.
Championship game-UCONN destroyed on the boards.
I don’t care if SC out rebounds “ just about everyone”.
I only care about how they do against UCONN.
Does that answer your question?
Obviously, Coach also considers it a major failing.
Noted and hopefully addressed by incoming talent.
If I’m off regarding this shortcoming-so is the Coach.
And he ain’t wrong.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Geno probably diagnosed this problem years ago. Do you think that is why he targeted Ayanna and Ice in the first place? I’m hoping for a strong rotation of bigs next year where each one of them work their tails off. I’d even like to see 3 bigs in the game at once sometimes to handle the rebounding differential with teams like SC. Ayanna is pretty quick. I think she could really emerge as a rebounding force. Put her in and just tell her to go get the ball. She’s a potential game changing rebounder.

 

[HopJim]

I agree with both @CocoHusky and @meyers7 . We needed more rebounding and toughness, yes, but the fact that Juhasz was out, ONO injured and Griffins lost for the season suggests a problem of circumstance more than personnel.

But as far as “rebounding wins championships,” if that were true then Tennessee would have at least one more championship and we would have one fewer. It’s possible even, due to my vague memories, that Tennessee might be ahead of us right now in championships if “rebounding wins championships” was the rule.

Agree plus you left out Azzi's illness and Paige operating at 80%. 50% of the top 3 players likely played at less than full speed.
While I always value rebounding, toughness does not always relate to size and strength. During Paige's frosh year, I would vote her one of the toughest Huskies out there. When Paige was out and much of the team was injured, Caroline was exceptionally tough when carrying the UConn offense. While we were soundly beaten in the Championship, I wouldn't let one game diminish what I expect to be a very tough team.

 

[oldude]

Last year’s win “the immaculate” 3 point bounce/basket-UCONN creamed on the boards.
This past years first meeting- UCONN creamed on the boards.
Championship game-UCONN destroyed on the boards.
I don’t care if SC out rebounds “ just about everyone”.
I only care about how they do against UCONN.
Does that answer your question?
Obviously, Coach also considers it a major failing.
Noted and hopefully addressed by incoming talent.
If I’m off regarding this shortcoming-so is the Coach.
And he ain’t wrong.

When someone asks me a direct question, I try to answer it directly without obfuscation. So in response to your question, “Does that answer your (my) question?” My answer is “No!”

My question for the 3rd and final time is, “Would SC have outrebounded a healthy UConn team by 24?” Rather than going on a lengthy diatribe about past games between UConn & SC, I would suggest three possible answers: 1) Yes 2) No 3) Not sure.

 

[diggerfoot]

Agree plus you left out Azzi's illness and Paige operating at 80%. 50% of the top 3 players likely played at less than full speed.
While I always value rebounding, toughness does not always relate to size and strength. During Paige's frosh year, I would vote her one of the toughest Huskies out there. When Paige was out and much of the team was injured, Caroline was exceptionally tough when carrying the UConn offense. While we were soundly beaten in the Championship, I wouldn't let one game diminish what I expect to be a very tough team.

I agree we were a tough, resilient team. I should have been more careful in my wording rather than just repeat words.

But for what I really meant, neither Fudd nor Bueckers was an omission. We did not have the healthy resources to make things difficult for SC in the paint.

 

[Stymie]

When someone asks me a direct question, I try to answer it directly without obfuscation. So in response to your question, “Does that answer your (my) question?” My answer is “No!”

My question for the 3rd and final time is, “Would SC have outrebounded a healthy UConn team by 24?” Rather than going on a lengthy diatribe about past games between UConn & SC, I would suggest three possible answers: 1) Yes 2) No 3) Not sure.

No diatribe.
Welcome to McDonalds— “have it your way”.
Or, as Warner Wolfe used to say— “let’s go to the video tape”.
Mauled on the boards the last three meetings.
Coulda been because of a hangnail.
Coulda been because of a groin injury.
Coulda been because of a phase of the moon.
Would a healthy Dorka closed the rebounding “gap”( chasm)?
Some, but recent past history indicates not enough.
Rebound numbers from last three meetings render your excuses invalid/inadequate.
Numbers don’t lie.
That’s why they keep score.

 

[Stymie]

I agree we were a tough, resilient team. I should have been more careful in my wording rather than just repeat words.

But for what I really meant, neither Fudd nor Bueckers was an omission. We did not have the healthy resources to make things difficult for SC in the paint.

B-I-N-G-O

 

[oldude]

No diatribe.
Welcome to McDonalds— “have it your way”.
Or, as Warner Wolfe used to say— “let’s go to the video tape”.
Mauled on the boards the last three meetings.
Coulda been because of a hangnail.
Coulda been because of a groin injury.
Coulda been because of a phase of the moon.
Would a healthy Dorka closed the rebounding “gap”( chasm)?
Some, but recent past history indicates not enough.
Rebound numbers from last three meetings render your excuses invalid/inadequate.
Numbers don’t lie.
That’s why they keep score.

I’ll take that as a somewhat long-winded “yes.”

 

[hoophuskee]

But as far as “rebounding wins championships,” if that were true then Tennessee would have at least one more championship and we would have one fewer. It’s possible even, due to my vague memories, that Tennessee might be ahead of us right now in championships if “rebounding wins championships” was the rule.

+1.

 

[DEpup]

I think Brady will be a revelation............a strong big with the ability to score from every area on the court has been a rarity at UConn...........and most other schools too.......

Every time I see her I just think Morgan Tuck... 4 championships ain't bad....

 

[hoophuskee]

There has been a lot of speculation on the BY as to whether Geno would tap into the portal for another Big, and why he ultimately didn’t. I think the answers to why he didn’t are “Ice” and “Ayanna.”

Really looking forward (no pun intended) for all 3 - included is Amari.

 

[Charliebball]

Every time I see her I just think Morgan Tuck... 4 championships ain't bad....

I'd gladly take that..........I think Brady has a better outside game than Tuck but I haven't spent enough time analyzing her footwork close to the basket.........if it's even 70% as good as Tuck's we'll all be very pleased with the results.......

 

[Charliebball]

I'm happy that she's joining the program. She's super talented and seems like a great kid.

I'm interested to see how the big rotation works this upcoming season. I thought Liv was very good last year and will be missed. I kinda feel like AE is the only one who is for sure going to play a lot of minutes. I'm a big Dorka of fan, but with her injury and stiff competition, I could see her getting similar minutes to last year instead of increasing her role. I wouldn't be in favor of that but coach seems excited about Amari and Ice so they may be ready to play this year.

I think Dorka will get starter's minutes as long as she is contributing on the boards and defensively..........I expect Brady to have a major impact in her freshman season at both ends of the court...........I don't think you'll find a more athletic tandem of forwards than Edwards and Patterson................they should be relentless on the glass..........where Deberry fits in the picture is an interesting question..........if she proves she can score she plays some minutes, if she proves she can play defense she'll play more minutes......

 

[Fossil]

I'm happy that she's joining the program. She's super talented and seems like a great kid.

I'm interested to see how the big rotation works this upcoming season. I thought Liv was very good last year and will be missed. I kinda feel like AE is the only one who is for sure going to play a lot of minutes. I'm a big Dorka of fan, but with her injury and stiff competition, I could see her getting similar minutes to last year instead of increasing her role. I wouldn't be in favor of that but coach seems excited about Amari and Ice so they may be ready to play this year.

I can’t imagine any of the younger posts out playing Dorko she’s going to get as many minutes is a E and possibly more. She’s probably going to be other than page our most valuable player. They are putting a lot of faith in very young players even after Geno said it takes post players the longest to Develop. I hope I’m wrong but I still believe he should’ve gotten an experienced post in the transfer portal.

 

[JellyBean]

I do believe that we lacked a certain toughness and ability to handle the physical play of certain teams. I am hoping that Brady and Patterson can bring that level of toughness and ability to absorb the physicality of teams to the program. We need those tough-minded players out there that can deal with teams that press up on our players. Hopefully they can help with the rebounding. I can't wait for summer reports to get posted. For me, I just hope that these young players come in with desire to be Great. The next UConn legend.

 

[oldude]

I can’t imagine any of the younger posts out playing Dorko she’s going to get as many minutes is a E and possibly more. She’s probably going to be other than page our most valuable player. They are putting a lot of faith in very young players even after Geno said it takes post players the longest to Develop. I hope I’m wrong but I still believe he should’ve gotten an experienced post in the transfer portal.

Steph & Stewie both started as freshman centers at UConn. Tuck & Aaliyah were both key contributors at forward as freshmen at UConn. I have great confidence that Geno knows exactly what he’s doing, and he has confidence in Ice & Ayanna.

 

[CocoHusky]

I'd gladly take that..........I think Brady has a better outside game than Tuck but I haven't spent enough time analyzing her footwork close to the basket.........if it's even 70% as good as Tuck's we'll all be very pleased with the results.......

Brady's footwork is top shelf good, not just at the basket but from all over the floor. A bunch of us have been marveling at her footwork since she committed two years ago. Brady is definitely in the Dolson/Tuck class as far as footwork.

 

[Charliebball]

Brady's footwork is top shelf good, not just at the basket but from all over the floor. A bunch of us have been marveling at her footwork since she committed two years ago. Brady is definitely in the Dolson/Tuck class as far as footwork.

if that's the case then I expect great things from her and I'm hopeful she will be an effective offensive weapon from day one......

 

[Fossil]

Steph & Stewie both started as freshman centers at UConn. Tuck & Aaliyah were both key contributors at forward as freshmen at UConn. I have great confidence that Geno knows exactly what he’s doing, and he has confidence in Ice & Ayanna.

But no way they outplay Dorka for her starting spot. UConn is incredibly lucky that Dorka came back for second year. That may have been her agreement with coach when she came to Connecticut. I hope Geno’s gamble pays off with the freshman and sophomore posts and it is a gamble. I believe in a previous post you stated he’s betting on his ability and his staff’s ability. If any staff can make it happen Connecticut’s is that staff.

 

[oldude]

But no way they outplay Dorka for her starting spot. UConn is incredibly lucky that Dorka came back for second year. That may have been her agreement with coach when she came to Connecticut. I hope Geno’s gamble pays off with the freshman and sophomore posts and it is a gamble. I believe in a previous post you stated he’s betting on his ability and his staff’s ability. If any staff can make it happen Connecticut’s is that staff.

And that’s fine. No transfer was likely to outplay Dorka either. What UConn is looking for is steady development by Amari, Ice & Ayanna to the point where they are capable of playing “meaningful” minutes in big games. I don’t view that as a gamble. It’s more of an educated prediction based on Geno’s 43 years in basketball, successfully evaluating & coaching up players to reach their potential.

The odds of at least one of the three Bigs becoming a regular rotation player are extremely good. If it ends up being 2 or all 3, that’s an added bonus. Then Geno’s challenge will be managing 80 minutes per game of PT among 5-6 talented frontcourt players.

 

[HuskyNan]

You have to go a long way back to remember two stronger, more physically impressive frontcourt players arriving to UConn as freshmen at the same time.

All the way back to 1999

 

[Bone Dog]

The odds of at least one of the three Bigs becoming a regular rotation player are extremely good. If it ends up being 2 or all 3, that’s an added bonus. Then Geno’s challenge will be managing 80 minutes per game of PT among 5-6 talented frontcourt players.

one way to manage distributing 80 mins of pt among 5-6 rotation players is to run more. Revert to the version of UConn that runs opponents ragged. In a pressing D everybody runs.

 

[oldude]

All the way back to 1999


View attachment 76487

That’s what I was thinking.

 

[ABCDFE]

I think Brady will be a revelation............a strong big with the ability to score from every area on the court has been a rarity at UConn...........and most other schools too.......

Yes perhaps. Im hopeful. I mean before Boston stepped foot on the SC campus not many of any one expected her to be this good. People weren’t talking about her as generational as they were Paige and Azzi. But what she has become is the best post in America.

We can hope that Brady can be close to what Boston was as a freshman and Ayanna somewhat like a Brianna Turner was for Notre Dame. If that happens we will have a great shot next year to win. Fingers crossed!

 

[Zarathustra]

I'm happy that she's joining the program. She's super talented and seems like a great kid.

I'm interested to see how the big rotation works this upcoming season. I thought Liv was very good last year and will be missed. I kinda feel like AE is the only one who is for sure going to play a lot of minutes. I'm a big Dorka of fan, but with her injury and stiff competition, I could see her getting similar minutes to last year instead of increasing her role. I wouldn't be in favor of that but coach seems excited about Amari and Ice so they may be ready to play this year.

As a "big" Dorka fan, in my opinion, Dorka's knowledge of Geno's " system"
and her passing skills ( high - low and backdoor passing ), setting screens, etc., are
all big ++. She may develope into the " strong forward" and then the paint will be
for Amari and ICE??? Should be interesting. Go Huskies!!

 

[Littlemin]

‘The time has finally come’: Isuneh ‘Ice’ Brady ready to start UConn career after racking up accolades in senior season

Isuneh “Ice” Brady watched the UConn women’s basketball team throughout the NCAA Tournament, using each game as a learning experience as she tried to pick up as much as she could about Geno Auriemma’s system. Set to join the team as a freshman for the 2022-23 season, Brady envisioned where she...

news.yahoo.com

After UConn lost to South Carolina in the championship Auriemma sent Brady and Ayanna Patterson, the program’s other incoming freshman, a text message.
“What did you guys learn from that game that we just lost?” Brady recalled him asking.
The trio discussed things such as rebounding, physicality and toughness after a game in which the Huskies were outrebounded 49-24 and allowed 22 second-chance points.“Just like that, right there, he told me that he expects that from me coming in,” Brady told The Hartford Courant this week. “I’m just excited to get out there, prove myself and see what I can do.”

I refuse to get off MY broken record, the more apropos question to me since Auriemma chose to bench the player who brought toughness to the court for Uconn WBB every time she stepped on it for two years, what did HE learn from the loss?

 

[CL82]

All the way back to 1999


View attachment 76487

Swin and Bird especially have an aged a day.

 

[CL82]

I refuse to get off MY broken record, the more apropos question to me since Auriemma chose to bench the player who brought toughness to the court for Uconn WBB every time she stepped on it for two years, what did HE learn from the loss?

I’m sure nowhere near as much as you have. You should email him to let him know your thoughts.

 

[HuskyNan]

I’m sure nowhere near as much as you have. You should email him to let him know your thoughts.

Wondering what all the anger is accomplishing? The past is gone, the future looks bright. (Not directed at you @CL82, just musing aloud)