In my "best of all possible worlds" scenario, Caroline will be our starting small forward next year.

[my2cents]

If a player can come back from serious injuries and extended time off is a big question mark. Caroline did not show this year, when she came back that she is anywhere near her former form. We can all hope that she can regain her form.
Same with Ayanna, who has not played in so long that I can't remember her at all.
But to project that they will jump ahead of this year's core players that are returning is pie in the sky thinking. Won't happen.
Also, when you say a player, like Ash, is a streaky shooter, is a complement. It means they have an ability to make lots of shots in a row. We have seen that from Ash lots of times.

 

[cancontent]

When she started playing towards the end of the season I knew that she was returning to UConn for another year. During this time if I am correct Agot Meeker was still a possible UConn recruit for next season. Then boom she commits to South Carolina. Same player basically.

I don't see them as the same player if we're comparing them from a freshman perspective. Caroline was a lot more polished, so to speak, when she joined UConn. Makeer is still raw in comparison even though she's more athletic.

 

[EricLA]

Even at 100% healthy, IMHO there is zero chance Geno starts her. She's a great story and fans love her in part because of her incredibly difficult hoops journey. But she's 1 good head bang away from ending her career. I pray she's healthy, and can do whatever her heart wants basketball-wise, but I don't see any scenario where she starts over Sarah or Ash or even Blanca.

 

[BBallF]

If Caroline starts it will say an awful lot in and of itself. It will mean she is fully healthy, in shape, has her skill level back, and has had a strong summer. Even if Blanca starts instead, you will have a big wing at the 3 who can drive and that makes it a tough position to defend. I still see Ash coming off the bench unless she improves so much over the summer that it becomes a no brainer. She's instant offense and a great defender and became a sneaky good offensive rebounder later in the season because she is very smart, can read the rebound, and can really jump.

 

[Bigboote]

It’s the old “Pray for sun, plan for rain.” I’ll hope with all my heart that she’s fully recovered and prepared, but if she sees limited minutes, I’ll be happy with that, too.

 

[Rowdy831]

Caroline is a great kid and I would love to see her return to the best version of herself on the court. With that said I don't see how she could start considering the level of players the team has now and how they want to play defense. CD was always good on offense but she isn't a good defender but that is what you would expect when you are trying to guard players that are much quicker than you are. Most teams would play a zone and protect her a little but UConn will be loaded with top level talent so no need to use gimmicks to win.

The reality is missing two or more years of play puts you in a tough spot. Her conditioning hasn't been game level for a while, her injury was in the neck and head area which are also very difficult to make a 100% recovery. I see her as a player that can come in and play a few mintues and give the team an offensive lift.

 

[MHD789]

You're right about her perimeter shooting. It was always a bit streaky, maybe partly because of that low release point. But I disagree with some of the rest of your assessment. She is a surprisingly good defender and shot blocker, especially since she isn't especially quick. She has a nose for the ball and knows how to get her shot off in the paint. It wasn't by accident that Geno seemed to prefer having the ball in her hands when a game was on the line.

You can't just rely on stats for Caroline, since they don't really capture everything she does. But if that's all we have to go by, I'd focus on her freshman season, since that one was the most injury free. That year, in crude stats, she averaged 21 mins, 10 pts and 3.3 rebounds. I'd be thrilled to get that production from the wing this season.

Alas, I must confess to being primarily a cold "stat sheet guy".

 

[Rudy1927]

Again it would be nice but I see her out of the top 10 then starting. She has missed so much. She looked lost the little bit of time she played. I think KK wants to push the ball and I think her lack of sped would hurt. Great shooter tough time creating her own shot. Should be interesting. She will have her shot!

 

[BBallF]

It’s the old “Pray for sun, plan for rain.” I’ll hope with all my heart that she’s fully recovered and prepared, but if she sees limited minutes, I’ll be happy with that, too.

Me too. What I saw this year was her basically playing the same game as before but the moves, shots, timing just weren't there. It was sad in a way. From the first time I saw her I knew she was a player and I sincerely hope she gets back to a place where she can contribute on a regular basis. If she was part of an 8-9 player rotation this year it would be great.

 

[mainerhuski]

It is unusual at UConn for a freshman to start the first game & get the minutes all season long that Sarah did. She is an exceptionally mature player, both in demeanor & skills. I don’t expect to see a frosh start, at least not in early games, next year, so I’m envisioning: KK, Ash, Azzi, Sarah & Jana. If Morgan, Ice, Ayanna & Caroline are healthy & Allie, Gandy & Blanca (am I missing one?) play up to their HS rankings… the potential is just wow!

 

[BBallF]

It is unusual at UConn for a freshman to start the first game & get the minutes all season long that Sarah did. She is an exceptionally mature player, both in demeanor & skills. I don’t expect to see a frosh start, at least not in early games, next year, so I’m envisioning: KK, Ash, Azzi, Sarah & Jana. If Morgan, Ice, Ayanna & Caroline are healthy & Allie, Gandy & Blanca (am I missing one?) play up to their HS rankings… the potential is just wow!

Don't forget a potential newcomer as well.

 

[Steelerone]

If a player can come back from serious injuries and extended time off is a big question mark. Caroline did not show this year, when she came back that she is anywhere near her former form. We can all hope that she can regain her form.
Same with Ayanna, who has not played in so long that I can't remember her at all.
But to project that they will jump ahead of this year's core players that are returning is pie in the sky thinking. Won't happen.
Also, when you say a player, like Ash, is a streaky shooter, is a complement. It means they have an ability to make lots of shots in a row. We have seen that from Ash lots of times.

Unfortunately coach's have no definitive knowledge of when a player who has suffered an injury like Caroline will returrn to the lineup. The reality of it is that when a player has been out the number of times and the length that she has the coach has to look for new answers.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Caroline will have the benefit of having 4+ months to work on her stamina and overall fitness. She should be able to regain her previous form in that time frame., if she remains healthy.

 

[BBallF]

Caroline will have the benefit of having 4+ months to work on her stamina and overall fitness. She should be able to regain her previous form in that time frame., if she remains healthy.

Let's hope so. Her defense has to be a lot tighter to see extended minutes.

 

[Stagnant]

I didn’t see many flashes of old Caroline. Her being on the court at all felt like the win to me.

 

[Bone Dog]

I didn’t see many flashes of old Caroline. Her being on the court at all felt like the win to me.

That step through drive down the lane against SD St was vintage Caroline.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Even at 100% healthy, IMHO there is zero chance Geno starts her. She's a great story and fans love her in part because of her incredibly difficult hoops journey. But she's 1 good head bang away from ending her career. I pray she's healthy, and can do whatever her heart wants basketball-wise, but I don't see any scenario where she starts over Sarah or Ash or even Blanca.

She has overcome injuries in high school and overcome injuries here. I think she has done enough. She is very impressive.