Is UConn's Roster A Forward Short?

[Charliebball]

Yes I am a worrier and a bit of a pessimist but am I wrong in thinking that the Huskies face a potential shortage of forwards next season? Last season the team was relatively injury free with Chong and Tuck the only players to miss considerable time. So what happens next season if there are injuries in the front court? I count four forwards including Gabby Williams and KLS and that includes a true freshman KI............am I forgetting anybody?............I know Geno doesn't worry about the traditional guard/forward/center roles and that he frequently carries a short (#) bench but is he cutting it a little too close?

51 Natilie Butler 6-5 Center
12 Saniya Chong 5-8 Guard
24 Napheesa Collier 6-1 Forward
22 Courtney Ekmark 6-0 Guard
20 Tierney Lawlor 5-7 Guard
11 Kia Nurse 6-0 Guard
33 Katie Lou Samuelson 6-3 Guard/Forward
15 Gabby Williams 5-11 Guard
Kyla Irwin 6-2 forward/center
Crystal Dangerfield 5-6 Guard
Molly Bent 5-10- Guard

 

[CocoHusky]

It is not a "potential shortage of forwards" it is the reality of the roster for next year. Many of us have been saying this for a while now and don't assume this is a 1 year problem either. UCONN needs to sign a contributing PF/C soon.

 

[Charliebball]

It is not a "potential shortage of forwards" it is the reality of the roster for next year. Many of us have been saying this for a while now and don't assume this is a 1 year problem either. UCONN needs to sign a contributing PF/C soon.

Thus my pleading for Azura Stevens!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mdakota]

Most Uconn recruits can play multiple positions. And if they can't when they are recruited.. they learn by the time they leave. Ekmark and Nurse could potentially move over to the Fowards... Gabby wasn't a forward when she was recruited... Nothing to worry about... Geno knows what he's doing

 

[ucbart]

I think Lou is going to have to play a lot closer to the basket this year. I think Lou will take over Stewie's position and Pheesa will be Tuck's.

 

[CocoHusky]

Thus my pleading for Azura Stevens!!!!!!!!!!

Many of us were pleading long before Azura became an option. Being a transfer she cannot help the 2016-17 team.

Most Uconn recruits can play multiple positions. And if they can't when they are recruited.. they learn by the time they leave. Ekmark and Nurse could potentially move over to the Fowards... Gabby wasn't a forward when she was recruited... Nothing to worry about... Geno knows what he's doing

Geno will be the first to tell you he never won anything without great player. Playing players out of position is the what will be done. Just saying we wish Geno had enough horses so that he wouldn't have to do that.

I think Lou is going to have to play a lot closer to the basket this year. I think Lou will take over Stewie's position and Pheesa will be Tuck's.

KLS playing closer to the basket on defense or offense is a bad idea-she is just not strong enough to occupy the post on a regular basis and you negate her best skill which is as a perimeter scorer.

 

[TFintheMix]

While a bit of more height is good, I can live with the roster as is. Coach has erred on the side of talented shooters over specific positions. This team may not be tall but you have players who play taller like Napheesa Collier and Gaby Williams.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

The lack of height is a huge problem. Though we have talented players, we still need a big presence underneath. We've had that great presence for years. Dobson developed into an amazing center, which certainly surprised me after her McDAA game performance. We have Kia Stokes, who was a far more intimidating presence underneath than she was ever given credit for. Then Breanna. And Tuck never came close to receiving the credit she deserved for being a game-changing presence inside. So how many years was that, during which our really talented outside/guard talents were allowed to run wild around the court?

Gabby is amazing, and so is Napheesa. But they're not tall, and when it counts, that weakness will show through.

Need 6'3" and taller in a big way.

 

[Waquoit]

I think UConn is short on players overall. They only have 4 coming back.

 

[Sonny44]

Most Uconn recruits can play multiple positions. And if they can't when they are recruited.. they learn by the time they leave. Ekmark and Nurse could potentially move over to the Fowards... Gabby wasn't a forward when she was recruited... Nothing to worry about... Geno knows what he's doing

I keep hearing that, but Geno went after multiple"bigs" that we didn't get. So logically even Geno must think we are a bit short, even though he can't say it.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think UConn is short on players. They only have 4 coming back.

UCONN WBB?

 

[Waquoit]

UCONN WBB?

I mean there players and then there are players.

 

[CocoHusky]

I mean there players and then there are players.

I see where you are going. I would agree 4 coming back and a couple questions marks. Also have 1 coming in and a couple more questions marks.

 

[Charliebball]

I keep hearing that, but Geno went after multiple"bigs" that we didn't get. So logically even Geno must think we are a bit short, even though he can't say it.

There were a number of highly rate big girls this year who ended up at Baylor, Louisville, Maryland, etc.....other then Cox, I'm not sure what level of interest UConn showed................better be a repeat of last year when nobody fouled out........I think some of that should be credited to Stewart who alleviated a lot of driving down the lane which is where so many fouls are committed......

 

[Aluminny69]

No one mentioned DeJanae Boykin? Her decision to leave contributed to this void. Geno walks a fine line. He doesn't want more players than he needs, but when one or more leave, or is injured, a shortage is created.

 

[Charliebball]

No one mentioned DeJanae Boykin? Her decision to leave contributed to this void. Geno walks a fine line. He doesn't want more players than he needs, but when one or more leave, or is injured, a shortage is created.

Great point............how quickly we forget!!

 

[Charliebball]

I see where you are going. I would agree 4 coming back and a couple questions marks. Also have 1 coming in and a couple more questions marks.

Does anybody know how many players are on the rosters of the most competitive WBB teams on average? I know Jeff W always collects extras at Loiusville, Baylor seems to be stretching for scholarship room, etc..........Is UConn the only programs that always leaves 2-3 spots open every season?

 

[CocoHusky]

There were a number of highly rate big girls this year who ended up at Baylor, Louisville, Maryland, etc.....other then Cox, I'm not sure what level of interest UConn showed......better be a repeat of last year when nobody fouled out...I think some of that should be credited to Stewart who alleviated a lot of driving down the lane which is where so many fouls are committed.

UCONN showed interest in the following 2016 post players.
Cox -UCONN in home visit and UCONN campus visit-BAYLOR
McCoy- UCONN in home visit, No campus visit and for whatever reason no UCONN formal offer-tOSU
Abbie Wolf- Some UCONN interest quickly fizzled-NORTHWESTERN
Mallory McGwire- Geno went to watch her play Jan 2014.
UCONN never showed any public interest in Shook and Johnson- LOUISVILLE
UCONN also never showed any public interest in in Stati of Maryland.

 

[Orangutan]

Does anybody know how many players are on the rosters of the most competitive WBB teams on average? I know Jeff W always collects extras at Loiusville, Baylor seems to be stretching for scholarship room, etc.....Is UConn the only programs that always leaves 2-3 spots open every season?

I know Muffet has said that she thinks 12 is the perfect number for her. ND has been in the 11-13 range for the last few years depending on transfers, redshirts, etc. But she aims for 12.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I realize I'm confused most of the time, but I've become MORE confused than usual.
UCONN has just lost 2 bigs, both AA's Stewart at 6'4" Forward and Tuck at 6'2" Foward/Center. Not only are there openings at Forward/Center but it's with the best team in WCBB with the best coaching staff in Div. I. Lauren Cox #1 HS player at F/C signs with Baylor who has 3 very talented bigs that are 2 freshmen , and a sophomore that are all 6'4" or taller! Limiting Cox's PT to about 12 to 18 minutes a game.
Now A. Stevens a 6'6" very talented sophomore is transferring from Duke and rumor has it she might be interested in SoCar where they have 3 very talented freshmen and sophomores, all 6'4" or taller. An her playing time will be cut also.
What are these and other big girls afraid of, and I know some say they want to stay close to home, but when a kid goes to college he/she is making the break and they basically won't go home again to stay, they'll graduate get a regular job or go on to play pro BB either in the WNBA or for a Foreign team. They've become an adult and cut the strings.
IMHO this is an easy out, they'll still have individual glory, their WCBB team might have a slim chance to win a National Title, and they can coast through 4 years but they don't have to give everything they've got every second of every practice and every game!
I also know I'll be condemned here on the BONEYARD because I'm being nasty to 18 & 19 year old girls, but it's an easy choice really, there are openings at UCONN for talented Forwards & Centers and there's not many players with guts to sign on for the hardest but best experience they'll have in WBB!

 

[Charliebball]

I know Muffet has said that she thinks 12 is the perfect number for her. ND has been in the 11-13 range for the last few years depending on transfers, redshirts, etc. But she aims for 12.

Thanks for that info..........I know it should be more about quality then quantity but when you are at 11 it can get a little sketchy.........

 

[Charliebball]

UCONN showed interest in the following 2016 post players.
Cox -UCONN in home visit and UCONN campus visit-BAYLOR
McCoy- UCONN in home visit, No campus visit and for whatever reason no UCONN formal offer-tOSU
Abbie Wolf- Some UCONN interest quickly fizzled-NORTHWESTERN
Mallory McGwire- Geno went to watch her play Jan 2014.
UCONN never showed any public interest in Shook and Johnson- LOUISVILLE
UCONN also never showed any public interest in in Stati of Maryland.

Thanks.............I knew I wasn't imagining that............the fact that two quality bigs went to Louisville in the same class is confusing to me, Cox going to Baylor with 3-4 other 6'4"+ bigs on the roster is also a bit weird but I guess she's just a homebody.................

 

[huskyd]

Many of us were pleading long before Azura became an option. Being a transfer she cannot help the 2016-17 team.

Geno will be the first to tell you he never won anything without great player. Playing players out of position is the what will be done. Just saying we wish Geno had enough horses so that he wouldn't have to do that.

KLS playing closer to the basket on defense or offense is a bad idea-she is just not strong enough to occupy the post on a regular basis and you negate her best skill which is as a perimeter scorer.

Disagree with the last point. The comment about Lou is the same that could have been made about Bre during her freshman year, and look how that turned out. I'm in no way suggesting that Lou is going to become Stewart, but they are pretty similar at this point in their careers. AND I'm pretty sure that KLS will spend more time under the basket next year, something Geno has had her doing increasingly this year. But a smarter guy than we are gets to decide these things.

 

[vtcwbuff]

The lack of height is a huge problem. Though we have talented players, we still need a big presence underneath. We've had that great presence for years. Dobson developed into an amazing center, which certainly surprised me after her McDAA game performance. We have Kia Stokes, who was a far more intimidating presence underneath than she was ever given credit for. Then Breanna. And Tuck never came close to receiving the credit she deserved for being a game-changing presence inside. So how many years was that, during which our really talented outside/guard talents were allowed to run wild around the court?

Gabby is amazing, and so is Napheesa. But they're not tall, and when it counts, that weakness will show through.

Need 6'3" and taller in a big way.

Tuck is 6'2" with limited ups. She made up for that with smarts. Collier at 6'1" plays way taller than Tuck. Geno and Co. will teach her the smarts. Anyone that has watched Williams play knows that she is 6'6" in a 5'11" body.

I realize it's off season but kvetching about who or what the team doesn't have is a waste. Better to consider who the team does have and what their impact might be. IMO Butler will improve in the off season, at least enough to start at center. Samuelson at the wing, Collier a PF, Williams a floater with Nurse and Chong in the back court. My only real question mark for the season is Chong. Will she or won't she? OMG! That's only 6 players in the starting lineup.

I am a born pessimist. I wish I had TonyC's optimism but my glass is usually 90% empty. My prediction - next years team will make the FF.

 

[meyers7]

Great point..how quickly we forget!!

Wait, seriously? You started this thread and you forgot about Boykins?

Holy this is gonna be a long off-season.