Ice Has Arrived | The Boneyard

Ice Has Arrived

oldude

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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? :cool:
 

Huskee11

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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.
 
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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
 
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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.
 

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