Indirect request from Marisa & Shea to everyone-

[Geno-ista]

After the draft this past week, I had a brief chat with our two favorite asst coaches the other night.
After thanking them on behalf of a grateful Husky nation, and yada, yada, yada---- I then said, but oh man, next season is going to be grind with a lot of nail biters- but it will be fun! Marissa said to be sure to tell everyone I could tell that next year will be a "fun season" and for everyone to enjoy it and have fun!!!! They were both laughing, with some expressions of apprehension and rolling of the eyes simultaneously! Then I said it really would be fun, then I leaned in and said, but you two really have your work cut out for you. I hate to put any added pressure on you guys! Then we shared a look and parted! And they both looked stunning!!!

 

[triaddukefan]

If Coach Marissa isnt married, then I have a personal request

 

[Geno-ista]

I don't blame you- I am married and she's on my short list! And her personality matches her beauty!

 

[JordyG]

After the draft this past week, I had a brief chat with our two favorite asst coaches the other night.
After thanking them on behalf of a grateful Husky nation, and yada, yada, yada---- I then said, but oh man, next season is going to be grind with a lot of nail biters- but it will be fun! Marissa said to be sure to tell everyone I could tell that next year will be a "fun season" and for everyone to enjoy it and have fun!!!! They were both laughing, with some expressions of apprehension and rolling of the eyes simultaneously! Then I said it really would be fun, then I leaned in and said, but you two really have your work cut out for you. I hate to put any added pressure on you guys! Then we shared a look and parted! And they both looked stunning!!!

They don't look stunning, they are stunning. You know I've said this before, but just once I want to be a button on your shirt.

 

[CocoHusky]

If Coach Marissa isnt married, then I have a personal request

I'm pretty sure you have to get at the back of a very very long line.

 

[Beemer]

It's always challenging when a team has 3 starters graduate at the same time. I'm sure it has even happened before at UConn.

UConn will be fine. Probably not as dominant as they have been for the past 4 years, but they will still win a ton of games & have a great shot at winning NC#12.

 

[MilfordHusky]

It's always challenging when a team has 3 starters graduate at the same time. I'm sure it has even happened before at UConn.

UConn will be fine. Probably not as dominant as they have been for the past 4 years, but they will still win a ton of games & have a great shot at winning NC#12.

We graduated WNBA picks 1, 2, 4, and 6 in 2002. And we won the next 2 championships with a transcendent talent from Chino Hills.

 

[Henry]

Fans just have to be realistic and not be surprised when they lose a few games. They should still be a very good team with an outside chance of getting to the Final Four.

 

[VAMike23]

I think that "having fun" next year, with some expected losses, will actually be easy! Last time I can remember us being a clear underdog heading into a game was the game at Baylor when KML was a freshman, IIRC. KML was amazing in the 1st half and Bria really showed out as well. A little better execution and composure in crunch time and we could have pulled that one out.

I really miss those kinds of games.

This season has the potential for one of the most remarkable "maturations" from October to April that we have seen at UCONN in a long time. The returning players are now playing without a safety net. The (collective) net has turned pro!

Early on we will see quite a bit of:
followed by:
which (if our players have the 'right stuff') will lead to as they buckle down within the crucible.
As winter progresses, we should start seeing here and there as the squad gels and matures as a unit, improving incrementally via small daily and weekly victories that we as fans won't often see (most will occur on the practice court). This will most assuredly be leavened with the occasional when the stars just aren't aligned on a given day and Geno holds his head in his hands, cursing softly (loudly?) in Italian.
With any luck, in late March we will be treated to some or at least some after surprising the WCBB world with our performance.

I have zero predictions re: how far we will go in the Tourney in 2017. Instead, I'll just sit back and watch 3 major items:

i. Growth & maturation of Napheesa and Gabby
ii. Butler - what will she become?
iii. The Real Danger - early flashes of greatness are almost certain . . . but what happens when she hits the freshman wall in Jan/Feb? And what will she bring by NCAA time?

Of course there are other story lines, e.g. Nurse taking the reins, Saniya's final charge, Ekmark - but the 3 items above are of particular interest to me.

 

[HuskyNan]

I'm telling everyone right now that next year I don't want to see any posts questioning the reason anyone got a scholarship, trashing kids for not performing up to some fan's expectations, or anger at the team because - heaven forbid! - there are losses (there will be losses) or, even worse, wins by less that 10 points.

 

[intlzncster]

i. Growth & maturation of Napheesa and Gabby
ii. Butler - what will she become?
iii. The Real Danger - early flashes of greatness are almost certain . . . but what happens when she hits the freshman wall in Jan/Feb? And what will she bring by NCAA time?

Of course there are other story lines, e.g. Nurse taking the reins, Saniya's final charge, Ekmark - but the 3 items above are of particular interest to me.

KLS foot -> short offseason. How will that shake out?

 

[VAMike23]

KLS foot -> short offseason. How will that shake out?

I was talking to someone about that earlier this week - great point. Should have been my #1 point actually! Think my mind was on the season itself so I forgot about Lou's recovery. I hope that the healing process won't take 'months and months' - guess we'll have to wait and see. Sucks for Lou because otherwise you know she'd be in there getting work done ASAP, all summer long.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I think that "having fun" next year, with some expected losses, will actually be easy! Last time I can remember us being a clear underdog heading into a game was the game at Baylor when KML was a freshman, IIRC. KML was amazing in the 1st half and Bria really showed out as well. A little better execution and composure in crunch time and we could have pulled that one out.

I really miss those kinds of games.

This season has the potential for one of the most remarkable "maturations" from October to April that we have seen at UCONN in a long time. The returning players are now playing without a safety net. The (collective) net has turned pro!

Early on we will see quite a bit of:
followed by:
which (if our players have the 'right stuff') will lead to as they buckle down within the crucible.
As winter progresses, we should start seeing here and there as the squad gels and matures as a unit, improving incrementally via small daily and weekly victories that we as fans won't often see (most will occur on the practice court). This will most assuredly be leavened with the occasional when the stars just aren't aligned on a given day and Geno holds his head in his hands, cursing softly (loudly?) in Italian.
With any luck, in late March we will be treated to some or at least some after surprising the WCBB world with our performance.

I have zero predictions re: how far we will go in the Tourney in 2017. Instead, I'll just sit back and watch 3 major items:

i. Growth & maturation of Napheesa and Gabby
ii. Butler - what will she become?
iii. The Real Danger - early flashes of greatness are almost certain . . . but what happens when she hits the freshman wall in Jan/Feb? And what will she bring by NCAA time?

Of course there are other story lines, e.g. Nurse taking the reins, Saniya's final charge, Ekmark - but the 3 items above are of particular interest to me.

Clever post, Mike.

 

[bags27]

The returning players are now playing without a safety net.

Great point!I have a feeling they are excited about it. It's their team now.

 

[Eggman]

I'm telling everyone right now that next year I don't want to see any posts questioning the reason anyone got a scholarship, trashing kids for not performing up to some fan's expectations, or anger at the team because - heaven forbid! - there are losses (there will be losses) or, even worse, wins by less that 10 points.

Don't worry husky, I'm sure the players will be perfect as usual. Oh, I did get my rose colored glasses, obviously.

 

[Eggman]

Don't worry husky, I'm sure the players will be perfect as usual. Oh, I did get my rose colored glasses, obviously.

Actually I agree with your sentiments nan, you just came across a little too 'strong'(for lack of a more distasteful wwII description) for my tastes.

 

[Longtime fan]

I think that "having fun" next year, with some expected losses, will actually be easy! Last time I can remember us being a clear underdog heading into a game was the game at Baylor when KML was a freshman, IIRC. KML was amazing in the 1st half and Bria really showed out as well. A little better execution and composure in crunch time and we could have pulled that one out.

I really miss those kinds of games.

This season has the potential for one of the most remarkable "maturations" from October to April that we have seen at UCONN in a long time. The returning players are now playing without a safety net. The (collective) net has turned pro!

Early on we will see quite a bit of:
followed by:
which (if our players have the 'right stuff') will lead to as they buckle down within the crucible.
As winter progresses, we should start seeing here and there as the squad gels and matures as a unit, improving incrementally via small daily and weekly victories that we as fans won't often see (most will occur on the practice court). This will most assuredly be leavened with the occasional when the stars just aren't aligned on a given day and Geno holds his head in his hands, cursing softly (loudly?) in Italian.
With any luck, in late March we will be treated to some or at least some after surprising the WCBB world with our performance.

I have zero predictions re: how far we will go in the Tourney in 2017. Instead, I'll just sit back and watch 3 major items:

i. Growth & maturation of Napheesa and Gabby
ii. Butler - what will she become?
iii. The Real Danger - early flashes of greatness are almost certain . . . but what happens when she hits the freshman wall in Jan/Feb? And what will she bring by NCAA time?

Of course there are other story lines, e.g. Nurse taking the reins, Saniya's final charge, Ekmark - but the 3 items above are of particular interest to me.

If we have to rely on Ekmark or Butler for anything more than, " clearing the bench," I think we are going to struggle. But it will be fun. The incoming recruits will be interesting. There is no doubt about Crystal, but the other two could be, " under the radar excellent. " A true test of how effective UCONN women recruiting is. We'll see. A long, long, long time to wait.

 

[triaddukefan]

I'm pretty sure you have to get at the back of a very very long line.

I figured as much...... back to plan B

 

[cohenzone]

I think that "having fun" next year, with some expected losses, will actually be easy! Last time I can remember us being a clear underdog heading into a game was the game at Baylor when KML was a freshman, IIRC. KML was amazing in the 1st half and Bria really showed out as well. A little better execution and composure in crunch time and we could have pulled that one out.

I really miss those kinds of games.

This season has the potential for one of the most remarkable "maturations" from October to April that we have seen at UCONN in a long time. The returning players are now playing without a safety net. The (collective) net has turned pro!

Early on we will see quite a bit of:
followed by:
which (if our players have the 'right stuff') will lead to as they buckle down within the crucible.
As winter progresses, we should start seeing here and there as the squad gels and matures as a unit, improving incrementally via small daily and weekly victories that we as fans won't often see (most will occur on the practice court). This will most assuredly be leavened with the occasional when the stars just aren't aligned on a given day and Geno holds his head in his hands, cursing softly (loudly?) in Italian.
With any luck, in late March we will be treated to some or at least some after surprising the WCBB world with our performance.

I have zero predictions re: how far we will go in the Tourney in 2017. Instead, I'll just sit back and watch 3 major items:

i. Growth & maturation of Napheesa and Gabby
ii. Butler - what will she become?
iii. The Real Danger - early flashes of greatness are almost certain . . . but what happens when she hits the freshman wall in Jan/Feb? And what will she bring by NCAA time?

Emoji's, the new shorthand. I think the team will be good, and being in the AAC should certainly make for a very good record, but they and the coaching staff will pleasantly surprise me if they beat most of the experienced, good OOC teams on the schedule. I think the real chance at that would be if KLS becomes that transcendent talent. Our long streaks included Diana, Maya and Stewie, 3 of the most dynamic talents in women's hoops history. Takeover a game type talent. Kia is very good, but not unique the way MoJeff is. Dangerfield could be great, but Mojeff wasn't the Mojeff of today until some point in her second year and she had the first Kia on the team for two years. I like Williams and Collier a lot, but they seem to be high level role players. Agree on Butler. The wild cards are Chong, health and contribution wise, and the other frosh. I don't know if Ekmark has the speed to become a trusted player. Could well be the kind of year we haven't seen for 5 years.
Of course there are other story lines, e.g. Nurse taking the reins, Saniya's final charge, Ekmark - but the 3 items above are of particular interest to me.