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

[CTtoSanDiego]

In my "best of all possible worlds" scenario, Caroline will be our starting small forward next year. Because that would mean she has fully recovered and is playing at the level we all saw before she started getting banged in the head. I realize the chances of that are small, so if not CD, I'd want Blanca at the 3, because that would mean all the things we heard about her skill and athleticism are true and give us a bit more size. I have nothing against Ash -- I like her a lot. Her shooting skill (tho sometimes streaky) and especially her hustle and aggressiveness. With KK probably in the starting lineup, I'd love to have Ash take over the "disrupter" role off the bench. Having said all that, I would not be bummed if Ash was a starter (especially if she grows two inches or so over the summer).

 

[Just.A.Fan]

In my "best of all possible worlds" scenario, Caroline will be our starting small forward next year. Because that would mean she has fully recovered and is playing at the level we all saw before she started getting banged in the head.

Yes, that is my hope as well. If she can once again play at the high level she did, we will be very strong.

 

[HuskieDawg]

To me there is one open spot (technically) in the starting 5 if you go under the assumption that Sarah, KK, Azzi and Jana (or insert another post player) make up the first 4. A lot of very talented players, but as we saw this year whether you start or not you can have a big roll in the success of the team.

I think a win for Caroline is playing a full season healthy and pain free.

 

[Rb335]

Getting quicker, stronger, and into game shape for the start of next season is the most important. Then working on getting comfortable playing through contact. She has the skills to contribute if she can regain that form. I’d love to see her be a part of the rotation, but she has a long way to go to get there. Just seeing her on the court was a blessing this year.

 

[MHD789]

To me there is one open spot (technically) in the starting 5 if you go under the assumption that Sarah, KK, Azzi and Jana (or insert another post player) make up the first 4. A lot of very talented players, but as we saw this year whether you start or not you can have a big roll in the success of the team.

I think a win for Caroline is playing a full season healthy and pain free.

Agree. Sarah is our small forward; ideally we get an experienced transfer to be our starting big while Jana continues to develop (yes, she "started" but was not a "starter" level player) and then our three best players (including another potential PG transfer like Chen assuming a spot opens up).

 

[Next 12]

I don't know what "Gods" has against Caroline, but I hope for 25 they forget she exists. Caroline would have been a great player for Uconn after her freshman year. She had all the potential to be right up there wit Paige,Azzi snd Sarah in scoring and being the BIG 4. .I fell in love with her ,her freshman year when Paige got hurt and Caroline stepped in and took over the team. AA for sure. Then Caroline got the concussion protocol and nothing but heartache. It was a thrill to se her on the floor even for the few minutes that they were. When she comes back next year ( I'm thinking positive! ) Uconn will have it's starting 5 again. GO CAROLINE!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!

 

[ConnMotors]

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.

 

[MHD789]

In my "best of all possible worlds" scenario, Caroline will be our starting small forward next year. Because that would mean she has fully recovered and is playing at the level we all saw before she started getting banged in the head. I realize the chances of that are small, so if not CD, I'd want Blanca at the 3, because that would mean all the things we heard about her skill and athleticism are true and give us a bit more size. I have nothing against Ash -- I like her a lot. Her shooting skill (tho sometimes streaky) and especially her hustle and aggressiveness. With KK probably in the starting lineup, I'd love to have Ash take over the "disrupter" role off the bench. Having said all that, I would not be bummed if Ash was a starter (especially if she grows two inches or so over the summer).

To be fair, take a look at Caroline's career stats (or just her first year if you prefer). I'd love her to have a healthy and productive final year but she was not the impact player that some people seem to recall. Shoots less than 30% for 3 point line and was not a really athletic/dynamic defender/rebounder. I just don't think it's fair to expect her to be able to start and be an all-big east caliber player next year.

 

[jeff30189]

In a perfect world where Carolina is fully recovered from head and neck injuries, sure she could be a starting small forward. In reality she's going to be next year's Ash - one of the first off the bench to keep the pressure on, a designated shooter with a green light. To expect starter minutes is unrealistic and quite frankly irresponsible given her history. Manage her minutes, save her for when you need her shooting.

 

[cgshuskie]

It would be great to see Caroline return to her first year form. That is probably unrealistic, though. Coming off the bench, short term, spot up shooter is more realistic.

 

[Stagnant]

I view Caroline as a player transitioning into coaching. That is the trajectory I am observing anyway.

 

[Kat]

The concept of the starting five is out of date. It's eight players getting most of the PT. KK and Ashlyn regularly got as many or more minutes than Kaitlyn. Their coming in off the bench was Geno's way of maintaining the flow. For next year, Sarah, Azzi, KK, Ash, Ice, Jana, and Morgan look locked in for that core, with the eighth player being Allie, a frosh, or a transfer. Caroline will get playing time but not as much as the eight. Ayanna will also get minutes.

 

[asuwish]

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.

Have you seen Meeker play. She is long aggressive athletic and as of right now way ahead of who Caroline is now. Caroline is one of the true ? On this team. If she can be her old self she can be a major help, if not hopefully she can be effective of the bench.

 

[CL82]

Ayanna will also get minutes.

She is the forgotten woman by many fans. She was incredibly athletic coming out of high school with a functional dunk that could actually be used in a game. I'm looking forward to seeing her healthy.

 

[MHD789]

She is the forgotten woman by many fans. She was incredibly athletic coming out of high school with a functional dunk that could actually be used in a game. I'm looking forward to seeing her healthy.

That would be cool. My concern is that she is an extraordinary athlete but not a particularly special basketball player. That she just over-powered kids in HS for rebounds and layups. If she has developed basketball skills along with her strength and athleticism, that would be really fun to watch.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

IF (and that's a very big if at this point) Caroline can actually play the game again at a high level, Geno will start her. She is NOT a come off the bench type player. She has always needed to warm into a game (meaning she's generally a slow starter). However, she has something hard to measure and that's the ability to score points when we need them the most. She has won games for us in the past on that basis! She has never shot 3s to live up to pre-UConn expectations and that has been a mystery to many of us. It should be very interesting to watch her development next season.

 

[tower1]

To me there is one open spot (technically) in the starting 5 if you go under the assumption that Sarah, KK, Azzi and Jana (or insert another post player) make up the first 4. A lot of very talented players, but as we saw this year whether you start or not you can have a big roll in the success of the team.

I think a win for Caroline is playing a full season healthy and pain free.

I rather have KK coming in off the bench. She changes the pace of the game. When she stays out too long she gets a little careless. We could use a quick scoring point guard off the portal to replace Paige.

 

[Crossover]

That would be cool. My concern is that she is an extraordinary athlete but not a particularly special basketball player. That she just over-powered kids in HS for rebounds and layups. If she has developed basketball skills along with her strength and athleticism, that would be really fun to watch.

I'm glad that you framed this as a concern rather than a statement of fact as some on the board are wont to do. . I just hope that Ayanna has the opportunity to develop her basketball skills. Also that we fans have the opportunity to get to know her a bit. I am struck by the fact that when asked "Who on the team has the most rizz?", both Azzi and Sarah answered, without hesitation, "Ayanna".

 

[maccca3232]

To be fair, take a look at Caroline's career stats (or just her first year if you prefer). I'd love her to have a healthy and productive final year but she was not the impact player that some people seem to recall. Shoots less than 30% for 3 point line and was not a really athletic/dynamic defender/rebounder.

I wrote a post in 2022 about her Freshman year stats.

There was a 12 game period (11 GS) between when Paige got hurt and when she got hurt.
32.8 MPG, 16.3 PPG on .453 FG% (.289 3FG%), 4.4 RPG.

The other 19 games (0 GS)
13.5 MPG, 5.6 PPG on .458 FG% (.286 3FG%), 2.4 RPG.

 

[Bone Dog]

To be fair, take a look at Caroline's career stats (or just her first year if you prefer). I'd love her to have a healthy and productive final year but she was not the impact player that some people seem to recall. Shoots less than 30% for 3 point line and was not a really athletic/dynamic defender/rebounder. I just don't think it's fair to expect her to be able to start and be an all-big east caliber player next year.

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.

 

[mainerhuski]

She is the forgotten woman by many fans. She was incredibly athletic coming out of high school with a functional dunk that could actually be used in a game. I'm looking forward to seeing her healthy.

I would love to see a 100% healthy Ayanna!

 

[Just.A.Fan]

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.

Well stated!

 

[Skeets]

Caroline has (or had) excellent skills. She carried the huskies when there were few other options. She looks like she's coming back. It's now or never for Caroline. If that's not motivation, then I don't know what is. I'm rooting for Caroline!

 

[uconnfan68]

That would be cool. My concern is that she is an extraordinary athlete but not a particularly special basketball player. That she just over-powered kids in HS for rebounds and layups. If she has developed basketball skills along with her strength and athleticism, that would be really fun to watch.

Not sure we ever saw her athleticism. If she regains that, rebounding and shotblocking will be most welcome. Maybe an alley oop or two.

 

[browns]

I don't see getting too much from Caroline..people bring up her freshman year but that was like an 8 game stretch where she played really well and she shot 28.8% from the 3
She was never really quick but a lot slower now than she was 4 years ago and seems quite a bit heavier
One thing I will say is she probably has the 2nd best bb IQ next to Sara and like everyone else I'll be rooting for her