Is Evina UConn’s best ever transfer?

[AmeriConn]

How can you have anything but praise for Evina. She has filled a lot of voids for the Huskies. Love her style of play, her seasoned personality and leadership qualities.

 

[bballnut90]

That is very well said. How's this for even more irony or is this just plain bad luck. 1) UCONN failed to submit a transfer waiver for Azura which would have made her immediate eligible to add to team that had one loss. 2) Morgan Tuck decided to go pro. 3) In the season that Azura becomes eligible Natalie Butler transfers & Batouly is mostly injured. 4) Azura decides to go pro relegating Megan walker to being a post player for the next two season.

The 2016-17 team had incredible chemistry and was a solid unit, I'm not sure who comes off the bench if Stevens is immediately eligible or if Tuck returns to UCONN. As good as Tuck was I thought Collier in 2017 really thrived being the main front court player and getting so many touches. I think Collier was probably better player in 2017 than Morgan would have been had she returned. Having either likely helps their chances of beating Mississippi State.

Butler was never able to be a meaningful contributor to UCONN and knew she was buried on the depth chart after not being an effective player in 2017-18. Her transfer made a lot of sense with Stevens becoming eligible. No idea how effective Camara wouldve been if she was healthier.

Stevens leaving definitely left a hole in the middle for 2018-19. Especially going against big physical teams like Notre Dame and Baylor. Collier thrived without Z there but I think they wouldve definitely been a better team with Stevens.

 

[Aluminny69]

I just hope that she decides to stay one more year. With the other 3 young ladies that come to UConn next year, they could have one of the most impressive teams in UConn history.

I'm not sure if my beef is with the player or NCAA, but it bothers me that player can get two years worth of scholarship for one year of playing, effectively twice what all other get. Transfers should have to declare how long they intend to stay, maybe. I don't know, there is no simple answer.

 

[donalddoowop]

Westbrook impressed me at UT because her skill was evident even if it didn't translate to the best shooting numbers. I said for 2 years that Westbrook isn't a point guard even though she was put in that role. She can be a facilitator and team leader for sure and whether her problems at UT were coaching, teammates, chemistry or her attitude (and likely all played some factor) she's put those behind her and has been a great addition to UConn.

I have a feeling she bolts for the WNBA but if she stays UConn's backcourt will be the envy of the country.

UConn's backcourt will be the envy of the country with or without Westbrook. Fudd's addition and Muhl's continued progress will ensure that.

 

[MSGRET]

I'm not sure if my beef is with the player or NCAA, but it bothers me that player can get two years worth of scholarship for one year of playing, effectively twice what all other get. Transfers should have to declare how long they intend to stay, maybe. I don't know, there is no simple answer.

Actually you can blame it on the NCAA, they are the ones that force the students too sit a year. It was them that would give some teams waivers (ND) while others (UConn) had the same type of requests were denied. Although it seems to have worked out with E because I don't believe that she could have been effective last year because of her injury. This year the NCAA gave a blanket waiver and I believe next year a new process begins where they are immediately eligible for playing.

 

[CocoHusky]

UConn's backcourt will be the envy of the country with or without Westbrook. Fudd's addition and Muhl's continued progress will ensure that.

UCONN's backcourt is the envy of the country right now. Next year that envy might turn into straight up anger!
I still think we will need better front court play to secure 12.

 

[donalddoowop]

UCONN's backcourt is the envy of the country right now. Next year that envy might turn into straight up anger!
I still think we will need better front court play to secure 12.

I believe the front will court will be better. A more experienced Edwards, Griffin, McClean and even Gabriel will make that happen. Also, Poffenbarger may add some help. I still have hope for Ono.

 

[Sanka541]

I would love Evina to stay, but if she does decide to leave for WNBA it will only be because of her knee's and wanting to get the most out of her pro career. Stevens didn't have injury issues and could have stayed, the two situations are not the same. Similar to Walker last year, I feel she would have been better served staying an extra year but you can't argue against their choices without understanding their own personal reasons.

 

[bballnut90]

I would love Evina to stay, but if she does decide to leave for WNBA it will only be because of her knee's and wanting to get the most out of her pro career. Stevens didn't have injury issues and could have stayed, the two situations are not the same. Similar to Walker last year, I feel she would have been better served staying an extra year but you can't argue against their choices without understanding their own personal reasons.

If she goes pro it'll be for additional reasons other than just injury related. She'll have her degree and may be ready for the next step in her life. She will also likely be a high draft pick in 2021 but is unlikely to be picked as high in a much stronger 2022 class.

 

[ABCDFE]

That is very well said. How's this for even more irony or is this just plain bad luck. 1) UCONN failed to submit a transfer waiver for Azura which would have made her immediate eligible to add to team that had one loss. 2) Morgan Tuck decided to go pro. 3) In the season that Azura becomes eligible Natalie Butler transfers & Batouly is mostly injured. 4) Azura decides to go pro relegating Megan walker to being a post player for the next two season.

Yes, that was a string of some very unfortunate events in terms of pushing us over the top during those years after Stewie.

 

[Urshurak]

Lots of words here, but may I simply say the answer to the OP's question is...YES

 

[dtbtbtb]

I don't know if E is the best ever transfer UConn had (Z and Hunter were probably better players) but i do think that she is the most important transfer in UConn history. Can you imagine what this team would look like without her leadership...She is the heart and soul of this team!

 

[diggerfoot]

People may have different meanings for “best” and “transfer,” but the most impactful transfer UConn had by anything measurable was Rita Williams, three-year starting PG after Rizzotti. She needed JC experience to get her academics in order before coming here, so I can understand her being overlooked on that account, she was always UConn bound. In terms of what she contributed to the team over three years there has been no parallel from a transfer since then.

 

[darkstar1]

It’s not just numbers. Evina is the “heart and soul” of the team, according to her teammates. Azura was never that person.

Have to agree. Azura had stats, but they alone do not win games or measure heart.

 

[CocoHusky]

People may have different meanings for “best” and “transfer,” but the most impactful transfer UConn had by anything measurable was Rita Williams, three-year starting PG after Rizzotti. She needed JC experience to get her academics in order before coming here, so I can understand her being overlooked on that account, she was always UConn bound. In terms of what she contributed to the team over three years there has been no parallel from a transfer since then.

Can anyone provide some stats on Rita Williams? Her name has come up a couple of times in PG discussions and I just don't recall.

 

[BobbyJ]

Can anyone provide some stats on Rita Williams? Her name has come up a couple of times in PG discussions and I just don't recall.

Best I can do is career 7PPg and 3 RPG. Starting PG jr and sr years and Big East Tourney MVP her Sr. year. Graduated in '98.

 

[hart2hart]

Evina=Excellent!
In All Ways! She gets my vote for best transfer!
I hope she stays, as I would love to see per play in-person next year!!

 

[diggerfoot]

Best I can do is career 7PPg and 3 RPG. Starting PG jr and sr years and Big East Tourney MVP her Sr. year. Graduated in '98.

Thanks. I forgot Rizzotti and Williams overlapped one year. Williams went on to play in the WNBA for 8 years and was the first Fever player to become an all-star.