Is it too eary for the first "who starts" thread of the off-season?

[Bone Dog]

Brionna Jones of the Sun is expected to be ready for the season opener. That's a recovery time for the Achilles tendon injury of about 11.5 months. That should put Jana at July/early August.

I like the sound of that. I am really looking forward to seeing what Jana can do in husky blue.

My dream 5+2 lineup for March— ignoring all injury caveats — is Paige Azzi Sarah Caroline Jana with Aubrey and Ayanna first off the bench. It’s not necessarily the best lineup, nor the quickest. But it’s the one I’d really like to see. Maybe I just want to see them together for one quarter and then the rest of the roster can run wild over opponents.

And wouldn’t it be cool to see a pure youth 5+2 lineup for one quarter with KK Ash Allie Q Ice, with Kaitlyn and Morgan first off the bench?

 

[JoePgh]

Brionna Jones of the Sun is expected to be ready for the season opener. That's a recovery time for the Achilles tendon injury of about 11.5 months. That should put Jana at July/early August.

And her teammate Alyssa Thomas recovered in nine months to play all of the 2023 WNBA season, and to play at a very high level, with mucho minutes in most games.

 

[maple]

Chen played 3 (outstanding) years using the UConn system under Carla. Not a problem.

I don’t consider it the same as actually playing at UConn.

 

[yhun89]

there’s two possible starting lineups:
PG Chen, Azzi, F Paige and Sarah, and C Jana
Or
PG KK, Ash, F Paige and Sarah, C Jana
It depends on whether he wants veteran leadership or not. Personally, I think Chen is more likely at the PG and the two of them switch. KK being so fast gets gassed easily (evident in the NCAA tourney) and this way she has a substitute.

I think the rest are coming off the bench. Aubrey is a player that’s meant to come off the bench as a sudden spark of energy, and Allie and Morgan have competition at their spots: Azzi and Ash, and Q and Caroline. Although I personally believe Allie will come off the bench to space the floor when the defense is tight. Having Allie and Azzi would really help divert teams with suffocating defense away from triple and double teams.

 

[yhun89]

November opening day: Paige KK Ash Ice Jana [they know the system or are the only big, and are healthy]

December: Paige Azzi KK Sara Jana

January: Paige Azzi KK Ice Sara [in case Jana needs some time to work on her defense]

February: Paige Kaitlyn Azzi Sara Jana [the lineup that will carry them to the tournament]

March: Paige Azzi Allie Sara Jana [the lineup that starts in the tournament]

Of course, if all goes well, the starters [other than Paige] won't play much more than 20 mins/g, and so this distinction won't be quite as important as it has been recently. There should be plenty of minutes for KK Kaitlyn Ash Q Morgan Ayanna Ice Caroline and Aubrey.

Geno is no longer using PB as a point guard. My guess is that the early months will be PB Chen Jana Sara and Azzi to try and get Sarah and Jana used to the system, especially because they’re the most important with our limited frontcourt. Minutes between Allie, Morgan, Q, Caroline and others probably operate like Dawn’s team, switch every 5 minutes or so to avoid exhaustion and avoid injuries.

It can operate like SC did: One starting lineup, but every other switch off is just as talented.
Switch wise:
Chen-> KK
Paige->Ash->Caroline->Q
Azzi->Ash-> Allie
Sarah->Aubrey->Ice->Morgan->Ayanna (if healthy)
Jana-> Ice

Morgan's tough, because she's a PG who is built like a forward. She can play 1-4, so she really could switch for anybody but the SG's because she's not as consistent with her shot. So technically she could switch with Chen; her handles are solid.
Aubrey can also be KK's switch, she brings the same defense and energy that she does. This just means Chen has to be at point, or Paige takes over.
Other things to note is with 3+ sharpshooters, floor spacing is viable as a strategy. Throw any combo of Allie/Azzi/Ash out there with Paige, Jana and Sarah, and the defense must spread out. No more triple teams on Paige. This leaves either a SG, Paige, or the forwards open.

 

[Bone Dog]

Geno is no longer using PB as a point guard. My guess is that the early months will be PB Chen Jana Sara and Azzi to try and get Sarah and Jana used to the system, especially because they’re the most important with our limited frontcourt. Minutes between Allie, Morgan, Q, Caroline and others probably operate like Dawn’s team, switch every 5 minutes or so to avoid exhaustion and avoid injuries.

It can operate like SC did: One starting lineup, but every other switch off is just as talented.
Switch wise:
Chen-> KK
Paige->Ash->Caroline->Q
Azzi->Ash-> Allie
Sarah->Aubrey->Ice->Morgan->Ayanna (if healthy)
Jana-> Ice

Morgan's tough, because she's a PG who is built like a forward. She can play 1-4, so she really could switch for anybody but the SG's because she's not as consistent with her shot. So technically she could switch with Chen; her handles are solid.
Aubrey can also be KK's switch, she brings the same defense and energy that she does. This just means Chen has to be at point, or Paige takes over.
Other things to note is with 3+ sharpshooters, floor spacing is viable as a strategy. Throw any combo of Allie/Azzi/Ash out there with Paige, Jana and Sarah, and the defense must spread out. No more triple teams on Paige. This leaves either a SG, Paige, or the forwards open.

You seem to be converting a “who starts?” thread into a “substitution pattern” thread. I love those too, and agree with many of your predictions. I am especially eager to see how Morgan fits into Geno’s schemes.

 

[yhun89]

You seem to be converting a “who starts?” thread into a “substitution pattern” thread. I love those too, and agree with many of your predictions. I am especially eager to see how Morgan fits into Geno’s schemes.

Whoops. Got off track.

 

[Bone Dog]

Whoops. Got off track.

It happens, to me as much as to anyone. Don’t sweat it. Still, it’s a nice post.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

November-December (Front-Loaded Tougher Out-of-Conference Schedule):

• Kaitlyn, KK, Paige, Sarah, Jana
• 5+4+ running game (a la TASSK first year) to start.
• Half-court offense (2023 offense, Stewie offense but with more mobile bigs) introduced and perfected within period.

January-March (BE season play before the full return of Azzi):

• Regular: Kaitlyn, KK, Paige, Sarah, Jana
• Big Lineup: Kaitlyn, Paige, Sarah, Ice, Jana
• 5+4+

After Azzi’s Full Return:

• Regular: Kaitlyn, Azzi, Paige, Sarah, Jana
• Big Lineup: Paige, Azzi, Sarah, Ice, Jana
• 5+4+

Kaitlyn and KK will have similar minutes with game-by-game variations due to who is performing well in a given game. This is Kaitlyn’s only season with UConn and Geno typically gives his seniors with next-level aspirations the platform to be noticed.

Geno will play different schemes and pace with this roster, with smooth transitions. Smooth transitions was a potential concern with adding Raegan.

 

[Bone Dog]

This is Kaitlyn’s only season with UConn and Geno typically gives his seniors with next-level aspirations the platform to be noticed.

It probably is what he actually does. But he claims to prioritize the next cohort over the seniors. I suppose some sort of compromise has to sort itself out in his mind each year.

 

[Happydad745]

I don't think Geno would have picked up Chen if he didn't think she was a potential starter.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

It probably is what he actually does. But he claims to prioritize the next cohort over the seniors. I suppose some sort of compromise has to sort itself out in his mind each year.

Crystal didn’t start until her Junior year. Saniyah (Senior) started in Crystal’s first year. Kia (Senior) started in Crystal’s second year.

There have been exceptions to this Senior rule such as Kiah Stokes (same class as KML) and Aubrey Griffin (6th year senior), who are already known commodities in the UConn system that have found their best lane coming off the bench.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I don't see Azzi, Aubrey, and maybe Caroline ready to play in early season!
They will be wrapped in bubble wrap early like Paige was in June, July, August, September and October giving her the maximum recovery time she needed!
When they do come back they'll be going all out!
NO restrictions!

 

[yhun89]

I don't see Azzi, Aubrey, and maybe Caroline ready to play in early season!
They will be wrapped in bubble wrap early like Paige was in June, July, August, September and October giving her the maximum recovery time she needed!
When they do come back they'll be going all out!
NO restrictions!

Azzi maybe, she’s had more time to rest than Aubrey. I wouldnt even count on Caroline, given how she couldn’t stay in the stadiums unless she had earplugs in even at the end of the season. I’m guessing she’s a permanent cheerleader, or she gets 5 minutes off the bench when they REALLY need her.

 

[JellyBean]

And her teammate Alyssa Thomas recovered in nine months to play all of the 2023 WNBA season, and to play at a very high level, with mucho minutes in most games.

AT is just built different. I can't even imagine being her teammate complaining about sitting out for an injury and getting that look from AT. Yikes! It better be a serious injury.

 

[Bone Dog]

I really can’t wait to see who starts, and just generally to see who plays. It’s the magic of Husky white and blue.

I may be more curious about Jana than any player since Paige arrived. But Sarah and Morgan and Allie should be fascinating coming off the bench, and maybe even starting from time to time.

And I can’t wait to see what Q can do with her game. She hits 3s but there’s so much more she can do. What will she become next season? Glimpses of her finishing breaks in transition were dazzling.

And if Caroline comes back, I’ll be through the roof with joy. Her game is so mesmerizing when she’s on. She always seems to be a little quicker, a little longer, a little stronger than opponents expect… and a whole lot craftier.

So, who’ll start? Paige and a few of her friends. OMG!!!

 

[huskeynut]

November-December (Front-Loaded Tougher Out-of-Conference Schedule):

• Kaitlyn, KK, Paige, Sarah, Jana
• 5+4+ running game (a la TASSK first year) to start.
• Half-court offense (2023 offense, Stewie offense but with more mobile bigs) introduced and perfected within period.

January-March (BE season play before the full return of Azzi):

• Regular: Kaitlyn, KK, Paige, Sarah, Jana
• Big Lineup: Kaitlyn, Paige, Sarah, Ice, Jana
• 5+4+

After Azzi’s Full Return:

• Regular: Kaitlyn, Azzi, Paige, Sarah, Jana
• Big Lineup: Paige, Azzi, Sarah, Ice, Jana
• 5+4+

Kaitlyn and KK will have similar minutes with game-by-game variations due to who is performing well in a given game. This is Kaitlyn’s only season with UConn and Geno typically gives his seniors with next-level aspirations the platform to be noticed.

Geno will play different schemes and pace with this roster, with smooth transitions. Smooth transitions was a potential concern with adding Raegan.

Conspicuously absent from your line ups are Ashlynn and Q.

 

[Huskies990411]

Crystal didn’t start until her Junior year. Saniyah (Senior) started in Crystal’s first year. Kia (Senior) started in Crystal’s second year.

There have been exceptions to this Senior rule such as Kiah Stokes (same class as KML) and Aubrey Griffin (6th year senior), who are already known commodities in the UConn system that have found their best lane coming off the bench.

This isn’t accurate. Dangerfield started every game she played in 2017-18 (her sophomore year) and so did Nurse. The starting lineup that season was Dangerfield, Nurse, Samuelson, Williams, Collier.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

This isn’t accurate. Dangerfield started every game she played in 2017-18 (her sophomore year) and so did Nurse. The starting lineup that season was Dangerfield, Nurse, Samuelson, Williams, Collier.

Note to self, verify first impressions from memory:

• You’re right on 2017-2018. Starters
• I correctly remembered 2016-2017. Starters

I was going to also cite Moriah. But like Crystal, Moriah also started by her sophomore year ( Starters vs Starters )

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

Conspicuously absent from your line ups are Ashlynn and Q.

As it was a starting 5 thread, I didn’t address Ash and Q. I did jot down (5)+4+ as shorthand for rotations that Geno will employ to maximize use of this really talented lineup which rivals that of TASSK’s second year.

Observing Geno throughout the years:

• he always has an eye for the post-season — why Paige, Sarah and Jana will start.
• he values a mature starting 5 that will quickly and decisively dictate the tempo of the game and impose its will.
• he gives a platform to seniors with next-level aspirations.
• he already had a 3-point guard offense from the past year which he can quickly dust off, considering he has to quickly incorporate 5 talented incomers.
• he likes to have a quick punch from the bench, and Ash or Q fit that bill once Geno makes a substitution for any of his 3 point guards. Morgan can specifically substitute for Paige as both can play 1-4.

The reasons above are why Kaitlyn will be in the starting five. And why KK and not Ash? With the starting five lineups I listed, all 5 players except possibly Ice in the big lineup, are Creators — players relied in broken play / ticking shot-clock situations and demand constant defensive attention that helps spacing.

The potential for more equitable 5+4+ play will rival or exceed that of the TASSK second year as Geno had players like Paige Sauer or Stacey Hansmeyer, who were not garbage time players, but were not played by Geno as often as the others.

 

[Bone Dog]

The reasons above are why Kaitlyn will be in the starting five.

In my mind it’s more about who starts when. In November it will be a different group than in February. Early season it’s going to be the kids experienced in the system. That’s not Kaitlyn. It’s the experienced group that can “dictate tempo and impose its will.” But in the tough games that will come soon after opening day, if Geno follows his recent pattern, Ash and KK may give way to Kaitlyn and Azzi if they’re up to speed by then. And by January, with more kids getting healthy, it’s a lot harder to predict.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

In my mind it’s more about who starts when. In November it will be a different group than in February. Early season it’s going to be the kids experienced in the system. That’s not Kaitlyn. It’s the experienced group that can “dictate tempo and impose its will.” But in the tough games that will come soon after opening day, if Geno follows his recent pattern, Ash and KK may give way to Kaitlyn and Azzi if they’re up to speed by then. And by January, with more kids getting healthy, it’s a lot harder to predict.

You could be right too, with Kaitlyn being the first guard shot-in-the-arm from the bench.

The great thing is that Geno has no bad options. Kaitlyn may be a Lou-LS who Geno was forced to start. Or not.

 

[Bone Dog]

You could be right too, with Kaitlyn being the first guard shot-in-the-arm from the bench.

The great thing is that Geno has no bad options. Kaitlyn may be a Lou-LS who Geno was forced to start. Or not.

Yup.

I mainly remember so many seasons in which the first few games did not feature the hot new prospects as starters. For example, 3 years ago, Azzi and Caroline were super shiny, and Dorka arrived from tOSU as an intra heralded transfer, and the core starters of the previous season were coming off a disappointing loss to Arizona in the final four. And none of the new kids started in the game against Arkansas. They all got into the game later, and you could see why. They hadn’t mastered the system yet.

Once the new kids figure it out, all bets are off about who starts. It’s almost as if Geno wants the experienced kids to demonstrate to the others what UConn basketball is supposed to look like. Modeling the behavior for them, so to speak.