In her four years at UConn Liv has been the target of more individual criticism than any UConn Husky I can think of. When two-time, All-Big Ten Center, Dorka Juhasz announced her decision to transfer to UConn this past summer, many UConn fans assumed that she would quickly replace Liv in the starting lineup. But 13 games into a season filled with injuries, illness and upsets, Liv is not only UConn’s best player, but she is playing as well as just about any post player in the country not named Aliyah Boston.
Liv leads UConn in FG percentage, rebounds and blocked shots by a wide margin. She also leads the team in steals and is only a single assist behind Evina for the team lead. Liv has improved just about every aspect of her game: passing, help defense, establishing strong position in the low blocks, finishing through contact, outside shooting and staying out of foul trouble. Liv has apparently rid herself of the tomahawk chop, shot blocking technique that got her into foul trouble so often in the past. She now uses both hands, extended upward to block shots, and has become an intimidating defensive presence in the paint.
Don’t let Liv’s lean frame fool you. She is strong, fit and able to go toe-to-toe with any Big in the nation, as she did heroically, battling SC’s trio of Bigs in the Bahamas earlier this year, in what at times looked like a one on three matchup. More important than her basketball skills and physical talent, in Paige’s absence, Liv has assumed much more of a leadership role for this team. Once considered quiet and cerebral, Liv has become far more vocal and demonstrative on the court.
Liv is experiencing that wonderful transformation when the game slows down for a player. She’s making all the right decisions like when to pass, when to shoot, when to help on defense, when to jump a passing lane, which hand to use when contesting a shot, etc. For those of us who have always appreciated Liv for her intelligence, hard work and ability, her development this year into a complete basketball player has been inspiring.
Geno will always tell you that his most important goal as a HC is to help every one of his players achieve their potential. So far, in a season of disappointments, Liv stands out as a wonderful success. Credit to Geno and Jamelle in particular for Liv’s steady development as a player.
As disappointing as this season has been for UConn WBB fans, Liv’s play, along with the emergence of Caroline, holds out some hope for redemption come March. That all assumes that Paige is back healthy, dusts off the rust and quickly reintegrates her incredible brand of basketball with her teammates, potentially engineering a remarkable Tournament run. It would be a story for the ages.
