Ice Has Arrived

[oldude]

Ice Brady has been something of an enigma at UConn. Coming out of HS in California as the #5 rated recruit in her class, there were high expectations for Ice when she showed up at the Basketball Capital of the World. But she dislocated her patella tendon less than 2 months into her freshman year, forcing her to miss the entire 2022-23 season. During most of her redshirt sophomore year, coming back from injury, Ice was inconsistent. Throughout the season, the one thing Ice did accomplish was to dramatically transform her fitness level for the better.

Ice got her first real opportunity to contribute only after Aaliyah had her nose broken during the BE Conference Tournament. In that tournament Ice played a critical role on a depleted UConn roster, earning All-Tournament Honors while helping UConn to the tournament championship. During the Big Dance, Ice played solidly off the bench, fueling expectations as Aaliyah’s replacement this season.

Coming into this season, Ice is in the best shape of her life. But as the season began Ice didn’t particularly impress in either the exhibition game or the first game vs BU. She was a little better vs UCF, but I think many here on the BY, including yours truly, were just counting the days until Jana inevitably stepped in as the starter at center.

Fast forward to Friday night in Greensboro against a nationally ranked UNC team with a big and talented front court. Ice stepped up, playing her very best game as a Husky. She scored, rebounded, set screens, passed and played relentless defense in the post. On UNC’s first possession, 6’4” Maria Gakdeng scored with Ice all over her on an awkward hook shot. That was her one and only shot of the game. With Ice locked on her, Gakdeng was not able to establish solid position in the low blocks again, nor was she able to effectively rebound on the offensive boards.

I no longer believe that Jana starting at center this season is inevitable. The job belongs to Ice. She will be every bit as good a player as Aaliyah, imo. At the same time Jana will continue to develop, providing UConn with a 2-headed monster in the post. We know UConn is loaded at guard/wing. The question has always been whether the Huskies can match up with the big frontlines of teams like USC, UCLA and SC. Not only do I firmly believe that the answer to that question is an emphatic, “YES!” But I will also suggest that UConn’s frontcourt may be superior when you also consider super-freshman Sarah Strong along with a healthy Aubrey and Ayanna.

It's taken awhile, but Ice has arrived! She will only continue to get better. A big question has been answered for the Huskies. Now the question is just how far can the Huskies go this season?

 

[Huskee11]

Let's hope. From December 12 to the 21st, three key games - Notre Dame, Iowa State, and Southern Cal. UConn will need someone to neutralize Crooks and Iriafen in the latter two games. Above all, stay out of foul trouble.

Notre Dame poses a different challenge. Last year, Hidalgo scored 34 against UConn, with a lot of those coming off a high pick that left her wide open in the lane for jumpers, floaters, etc. We need our bigs to literally step up.

I was happy to see her hit a three against North Carolina. Her outside shot tends to be too flat and many of them clang off of the back rim. I thought that she softened it up towards the end of last season. She and Jana are a combined 1 for 4 from three this season. It would add a dimension and open things up if one or both of them could become a consistent three point threat.

Ice is 8 for 13 shooting overall and she has been finishing well around the basket.

 

[Conndog]

Ice is a good shooter, she does best just hoisting it up without hesitation or thinking about it. Rebounding when she takes outside shots might be an issue; need someone else to be in position to grab them. I’m really looking forward to Aubrey’s return- for rebounding, fast breaks, and elite defense

 

[FanFromMaine]

Ice reminds me a little of Kiah Stokes.

My guess is that both Kiah and Ice must not have had to polish their footwork in high school as they were both so physically gifted.

Against UNC, i saw Ice moving much better especially on defense and her stamina seemed much better. But, in my opinion, the UNC guards helped her out because they couldn’t/didn’t feed the post much.

And Ice’s improvement can absolutely give Jana the opportunity to adjust to the college game so we can have the luxury of 2 bigs.

 

[Charliebball]

Ice Brady has the skills to be a dominant offensive force, but we have yet to see it on a consistent basis.......I'm hoping this is just the start of what Ice will contribute as there's no reason, she shouldn't be averaging 14-16 points and 7-8 rebounds a game.....

 

[oldude]

Ice Brady has the skills to be a dominant offensive force, but we have yet to see it on a consistent basis.......I'm hoping this is just the start of what Ice will contribute as there's no reason, she shouldn't be averaging 14-16 points and 7-8 rebounds a game.....

Player development is seldom achieved on a straight line. There will be some bumps along the way for Ice. But I do anticipate an upward trend line for Ice where she will become a really good player that UConn can count in from one game to the next.

 

[BobbyJ]

Ice Brady has the skills to be a dominant offensive force, but we have yet to see it on a consistent basis.......I'm hoping this is just the start of what Ice will contribute as there's no reason, she shouldn't be averaging 14-16 points and 7-8 rebounds a game.....

Brady knows what she’s doing and has very good fundamental skills. Right now, she and Patterson are opposites. If Brady had Patterson’s athleticism and quickness she’d already be one of the best posts around. It’s just taking a while for her to learn how to make her compensations and develop her strengths.

 

[Lambeau]

"The job belongs to Ice" is an awfully definitive statement based on one game; so far, Ice is averaging same as last year per 40 min.
Jana per 40 min has twice the points (22) and twice the rebounds (18.7) over the first three games.

 

[oldude]

"The job belongs to Ice" is an awfully definitive statement based on one game; so far, Ice is averaging same as last year per 40 min.
Jana per 40 min has twice the points (22) and twice the rebounds (18.7) over the first three games.

Clearly, the job belongs to Ice right now. In no way do I imply that Jana can not earn the starting spot later in the season. But it’s not “inevitable” as some of us believed.

 

[DeepThreat]

What I noticed in the UNC game was the synergy and playing relationship she and Sarah are developing. If that continues to grow (which I'm confident it will), it will open many more options for UCONN's offense.

 

[DefenseBB]

Sorry @oldude as this seems just like your BET declaration on her. It is still too soon to make anything declarative. Ice had some good moments in the UNC game but also had some bone head plays as well. She, by default, is our most experienced front court player so she HAS to play. Her defense was pretty good on Friday and she stayed within the arc and was not drawn to the perimeter which had been her thought process before. She still thinks she’s a Wing and takes too many jumpers for my preference as she hasn’t shown to be a good shooter yet. We have better options out there. Remember, Ice was the #5 prospect in 2022 in a class that had Timea Gardiner, Raegan Beers, Ashlyn Watson, Grace Van Slooten and Cotie McMahaon all who were ranked below her.
To say she’s “arrived” is not accurate as more evidence is needed and which will be apparent when we play Ole Miss, Louisville, ND, Iowa State, USC coming up. I really hope you are right but I can’t agree yet.

Again, she has to play due to Jana’s inexperience and Ayanna’s injury.

 

[JoePgh]

It seems to me that the discussion in this thread has avoided focusing on the elephant in the room: foul trouble. Neither Ice nor Jana have consistently been able to avoid foul trouble. Against UNC, Ice had 4 fouls in 25 minutes, and Jana had 3 fouls in just 12 minutes. So, even if the plan were to split the minutes at the center position by giving them 20 minutes each, it's not clear that either of them could manage to stay on the court that long.

That is why Morgan Cheli got minutes against UNC at the 4 position, with Sarah as the 5. It's also why Sarah had to play a team-high 38 minutes. Until Ayanna and/or Aubrey return, I would expect that to continue. It's not a bad option: Morgan got 2 rebounds including 1 offensive rebound in 5 minutes (and also one foul, which is concerning). Like most Boneyarders, I have been impressed by Morgan's competitiveness in the paint and on the boards. She positions herself well, boxes out, seems to have an adequate leap, and holds on to the ball once she has it. She has an opportunity for more minutes at least until the injured forwards return.

Another related observation: In 38 minutes, Sarah had exactly one foul (while pulling down 13 rebounds and blocking 5 shots)! Will she be the first inexperienced front court players in UConn history to avoid getting into foul trouble in most games?