It's that time again. The "Who starts?" debate.

[reno tony]

The starting line will change by the end of the season. I think Geno may start the season out:
1 Bria
2 Brianna
3 KML
4 Breanna
5 Stef

Moriah or Morgan... will be the first off the bench.

All 9 will get plenty of play time. It will be interesting to see what the starting line up is by the end of the season.

I think if Brianna plays like she was when she got hurt, there will be a great battle between her and Moriah for the point. As much as I like Morgan, I hope Kiah really turns it on this year and gives her a run for the first big off the bench. I truly believe some of the best women's basketball will be played during the UCONN practices.

 

[vtcwbuff]

IMO Stewart earned a starting job.

Dolson
Mosqueda-Lewis
Hartley
Stewart
Banks/Jefferson

Banks if she's good to go, Jefferson if Banks needs more time.
Tuck as the 6th man
My big question mark - Stokes. If she "gets it" the way Banks figured it out last year then it's "Katie bar the door" 'cause UConn will be hard to stop.

 

[Zorro]

By first sub time, we should generally be ahead by 15+. I don't think it will make an iota of difference who starts. Or even a smidgeon. We could prolly start Watergirl and be up by 20 after 10. This going to be a season of just sitting back and enjoying the artistry, mojo be hanged.

 

[Sonny44]

There is not an editorial writer alive who doesn't have a pet issue to dust off about every six months and reiterate on his/her op-ed page or similar forum.

Similarly, Boneyard posters are perpetually afflicted by an irresistible compulsion to help Geno coach (but invariably following up their unappreciated and unwelcome advice with what I call the Poster's Disclaimer: "Just sayin.'"

Elsewhere, the Boneyard consensus seems to be that the UConn starting lineup will be Moriah (1), Bria (2), Kaleena (3), and Stef (5), and then Stewie, presumably the 4.

Which would logically establish Morgan as first off the bench ("sixth 'man'").

But wait just a minute!

The concept of having a really really good player to come off the bench and energize the team was created by Red Auerbach andthe first player to fulfill this role was Frank Ramsey. John Havlicek was the legendary -- some say immortal -- "sixth man." (How good was he in this role? Eight NC rings and 26,395 points good.) But I digress.

Aside from skill and stamina, what distinguished Hondo was that he could play two positions at an all-star level (btw, 13 NBA All-Star appearances).

For just a moment, let's think like Red as we consider our "sixth man" and rule out anyone on the UConn roster who is limited to one position. May I suggest that would realistically omit Stef (5), Moriah (1) and Morgan (4) from this equation. Still under consideration are Bria (1, 2), Kaleena (2, 3) and Stewie (take any number(s) you want).

Surely you know where I am going with this. Start Morgan (4), bring Stewie in at first time out to create the mother of all match-up problems and wreak havoc. Replace any starter with a cold hand, two fouls or a hangnail.

I nominate Stewie for "UConn Sixth Man." Another Havlicek.

Breanna not starting? Insane!

 

[MarlboroughMike]

My pedestrian experience with organized ball, leads me to think the 6th man offers a great psychological advantage. In my experience, when the other team subbed in, it was always a relief - it's going to get easier. To have someone like Stewart coming in as the 6th, and thus upgrading the talent level, it can be depressing to the opposition.

I like the idea, but think it should be taken up a notch. Starters: 1-Mojeff 2-Saniya 3-Brianna 4-Morgan 5-Kiah. At the first timeout, send in KLM, Breanna, Stef and Bria, keeping Morgan at the 4. It would create a huge psychological advantage and a psychological shock so great that the opposing team would fall to the floor, unable to get up. We would thus win by forfeit, thus saving potential injuries with the added benefit of being fresh for the tournament. (Actually I was a big Havlicek fan.) The above designated starters most likely win the AAC.

 

[Kibitzer]

Breanna not starting? Insane!

OK, so I am crazy and those who would start the game (start, not finish!) with Moriah, Bria, Morgan, Stef or Kaleena on the bench are the smart/sane experts?

I made my case. Make yours.

 

[Icebear]

My case: anyone jumping out of planes into war zones is at least partially insane. Oh, sorry, Kib, you meant the case for who starts. Thanks as always for service insane or not.

 

[Waquoit]

OK, so I am crazy and those who would start the game (start, not finish!) with Moriah, Bria, Morgan, Stef or Kaleena on the bench are the smart/sane experts?

I made my case. Make yours.

What is gained by having the best player in the country on the bench to start the game? I say nothing. The starting line-up is cut and dried. No reason to get cute or overcoach. You do realize that Havlicek was a 6th man over 40 years ago. The "6th man" thing was basically a sell job by Red to help preserve team chemistry. The vets had already won many rings by the time Hondo joined the team. Though Havlicek was good enough to start, the team he joined was winning every year. Why should a incumbent starter lose his job off a title? Once the Celts old guard moved on Hondo was a starter. Your plan is a reverse Hondo. You want the veteran player with a ring to sit. For no real benefit. How many games will this team need a spark of the bench, really?

 

[Kibitzer]

What is gained by having the best player in the country on the bench to start the game? I say nothing. The starting line-up is cut and dried. No reason to get cute or overcoach. You do realize that Havlicek was a 6th man over 40 years ago. The "6th man" thing was basically a sell job by Red to help preserve team chemistry. The vets had already won many rings by the time Hondo joined the team. Though Havlicek was good enough to start, the team he joined was winning every year. Why should a incumbent starter lose his job off a title? Once the Celts old guard moved on Hondo was a starter. Your plan is a reverse Hondo. You want the veteran player with a ring to sit. For no real benefit. How many games will this team need a spark of the bench, really?

We may not agree ("The vets had already won many rings by the time Hondo joined the team" and "The '6th Man' thing was basically a sell job by Red...." ) but I commend you for an otherwise solid argument to shoot me down. And I thank you for helping to stimulate this off-season discussion.

 

[Bestiarius]

I like the idea, but think it should be taken up a notch. Starters: 1-Mojeff 2-Saniya 3-Brianna 4-Morgan 5-Kiah. At the first timeout, send in KLM, Breanna, Stef and Bria, keeping Morgan at the 4. It would create a huge psychological advantage and a psychological shock so great that the opposing team would fall to the floor, unable to get up. We would thus win by forfeit, thus saving potential injuries with the added benefit of being fresh for the tournament. (Actually I was a big Havlicek fan.) The above designated starters most likely win the AAC.

And we'll set a new record as the only team to ever have a bench player make all-american, maybe 3 or 4 bench player AA's.

 

[Geno-ista]

Original as ever, I too commend Kib's imaginative proposal.

Hu will join me in supporting this wily tactic?

Tuck can play the 3 or 4.

DD- u think she could play the 3 effectively? She has a quick first step, she can pull up or drain a three(which I think she will do more of this season) she seams like a better 4/5 to me than a 3/4. Having said that, she is my personal favorite, And I think she can do almost anything !

 

[Geno-ista]

Love it. In watching the final four games over and over, I was amazed how often Geno played KML at the 2 with Dolson, Stewart and Tuck and Hartley at the point. And how effective they were.

I don't believe we have seen a healthy Dolson and a confident Stewart in the game at the same time.

This team has so much potential to be so good- it is scary- Scary!!! I can't wait for Stanford game. We will double them up!!!

 

[Geno-ista]

Geno has lots of options.... Regular = MoJeff, Hartley, KML, Stewie and Stef. Big = Hartley, KML, Stokes, Stewie and Stef. Fast = MoJeff, Hartley, Banks, KML and Stewie. No Seniors = MoJeff, Banks, KML, Tuck and Stewie. Really Big = KML, Stewie, Tuck, Stokes and Stef. Really Fast = MoJeff, Banks, Chong, KML and Stewie. You get the point.......

And anyone of those starting fives could win NC! If Banks still has most of her explosiveness by the spring! U r right- opposing teams have a match up nightmare!

 

[Geno-ista]

We may not agree ("The vets had already won many rings by the time Hondo joined the team" and "The '6th Man' thing was basically a sell job by Red...." ) but I commend you for an otherwise solid argument to shoot me down. And I thank you for helping to stimulate this off-season discussion.

Kibitzers- thought provoking- and not totally out of the question. Heck- if Banks , when ready, has her quickness and lightning fast first step, she could possibly become that person also. Stewie may not be out of the question!

 

[TroyHouse66]

Are you forgetting Red Auerbach's reserve secret weapon... Red's- 7th man off the bench concept?
Will we assume 'Becca Pope would be in the "Jungle Jim" Luscutoff role... (was that called "the 7th man" or just termed a "defensive tackle")

 

[Vowelguy]

There is a higher probability that I will start than there is that Stewart won't.

 

[meyers7]

As for Bird, for all his greatness, he was neither as durable nor as versatile as Havlicek.

Talent wise though, Bird was light years ahead Havlicek.

 

[Icebear]

Talent wise though, Bird was light years ahead Havlicek.

Yeah, she would kick his butt.

 

[meyers7]

My pedestrian experience with organized ball, leads me to think the 6th man offers a great psychological advantage. In my experience, when the other team subbed in, it was always a relief - it's going to get easier. To have someone like Stewart coming in as the 6th, and thus upgrading the talent level, it can be depressing to the opposition.

I think in general, the opposition is going to be depressed before the first sub comes in anyway. I doubt for most games we are going to need a 6th man spark off the bench.

Jefferson, Hartley, KML, Stewart and Dolson start. Tuck, Stokes, Banks, Chong get subbed in whenever Geno feels like it. He won't have need to do the quick sub (16 minute mark) for Doty this year either.

It will be interesting to see all the different combinations on the floor this year.

 

[meyers7]

Give him a break. He meant Banks. Turner was a typo.

Yea, I can see where one might get the letters B-A-N-K-S mixed up into T-U-R-N-E-R.

 

[doggydaddy]

DD- u think she could play the 3 effectively? She has a quick first step, she can pull up or drain a three(which I think she will do more of this season) she seams like a better 4/5 to me than a 3/4. Having said that, she is my personal favorite, And I think she can do almost anything !

I certainly do think she can play the three. After watching her play on the U19 team, where she showed her handle, her passing ability and her surprising quickness, no doubt that she can play the three.

So can Stewart, so when they are on the floor with a center (Dolson or Stokes), you won't be able to tell who is playing what...lol.

 

[Waquoit]

We may not agree ("The vets had already won many rings by the time Hondo joined the team" ...

Isn't 5 rings enough to be called several?

 

[Phil]

Breanna not starting? Insane!

Insane?
Yes!

But maybe just insane enought to work!
(best delivered in that voice used when the movie actor proposes a crazy idea. Curiously, in the movies, the crazier the idea, the more likely it is to work. a 1 in ten shot? Maybe will happen. 1 in a hundred, very likely to happy. 1 in a million? Count on it, dead certain. No wonder people today was so math illiterate, they pick up their knowledge of probilities from the movies).

 

[doggydaddy]

Here we are again. I think anyone that thinks Geno is not starting Stewart and playing her 25-30 minutes every game is nuts.

Now, if YOU would have Stewart come off the bench? Still crazy, but that is only my opinion. And it's an interesting idea. I wouldn't do it, but with the talent on the team, it doesn't matter.

 

[Kibitzer]

My final comment.

When I started this thread, my intent was to make the case for someone to be ideally suited to have the greatest impact as "sixth man," based primarily on her versatility; i.e., skill at playing two or more positions. So that's how I was drawn to Stewie.

A lot of stimulating discussion has followed.

Somehow an unfortunate comparison of Larry Bird crept in. I say unfortunate because Larry Bird's role was to be arguably the greatest forward to ever play in the NBA. His game (played at the immortal level) was unsuitable for the role played by John Havlicek, who defined the "sixth man" role. So this was akin to comparing Cy Young to Babe Ruth or Sandy Koufax to Joe DiMaggio.

My fellow Boneyarders most certainly made a compelling case for wcbb's best current player to start. Fair enough. But as most did so, I believe they were too quick to assign Morgan to the bench, possibly because (injuries) that's where she spent last season. My view is that OK, Stewie will start. And so will Morgan.

So, then, who will be most likely first off the bench? My WAG is. . .

Moriah.

 

[Vowelguy]

My view is that OK, Stewie will start. And so will Morgan.

I don't see Tuck starting.

For one, that puts KML at the 2, which is not her best position I'd say. As we saw last year, she can be an effective rebounder. And though I havent played close attention, she has struck me as an adequate but not great ball handler.

And it puts more pressure on Hartley. As a senior, I'd hope she could handle it, but even Geno admitted that he had "simplified" Bria's responsibilities down the stretch. Moriah's presence helped that.

Also starting Tuck leaves 3 guards on the bench and just 1 front line.

 

[Paul1969]

Sorry Brianna Banks---too much Coffee. LOL

 

[Paul1969]

Brianna Turner is a Husky now? News to me!

Oops..Banks

 

[DavidinNaples]

Geno used 8 different starting line ups last year. Changes were due mostly to minor injuries. Kelly Faris was the only player to start all 39 games. She and Doty (32 starts) are gone so starting spots are available. Stewie started only 14 games, and in fact was the perfect 6th man kib described. IMO Geno will start her all the time if healthy. She just creates too many problems for other defenses. KML and Stef each started 38 of 39 games and only sat when sick or injured. There is the starting front line. Tuck could start on every other team in the country and Geno may use her as a "spot" starter 10-15 times in place of KML, Stewie or Stef. Most likely against weaker teams or if someone has a minor injury. Stokes is still a bit of an unknown. She is the heir apparent to Stef, so look for the staff to use her a lot, test her progress. Maybe as a starter on occasion, but not in big games. Still, Geno has 5 options for 3 positions and the match ups are nightmares for opponents.

Faris and Doty were guards, so that is where spots are available. When healthy, Hartley was a starter until the NCAA tournament. IMO she came off the bench as a "spark plug" and so Doty could start. She should start every game if healthy, and she certainly looked 100% this summer in Russia. Banks is still not 100% and Chong is a Freshman, so MoJeff starts if healthy. Once Banks is completely back to form, she could spot start for either Hartley or MoJeff at 1 0r 2. Geno has four guards, three of whom can play either 1 or 2 spots, that provides real flexibility.

While he has not done it much in the past, Geno may even use different starters for the 2nd half. Especially if up by 20-30 pts vs weaker teams. One thing for sure, pretty much any 5 on the floor gives UConn an awesome lineup. Go Huskies..!!

 

[VAMike23]

I certainly do think she can play the three. After watching her play on the U19 team, where she showed her handle, her passing ability and her surprising quickness, no doubt that she can play the three.

So can Stewart, so when they are on the floor with a center (Dolson or Stokes), you won't be able to tell who is playing what...lol.

Tuck has perhaps the best recognition skills on the team, re: spotting an opening and taking the ball to the rim from the outside. She really is a no-nonsense player. She sees something in the defense and she exploits it without a lot of messing around. And like you said, she has a surprisingly quick first step. Her jumper is good but should get better this year as she gains experience. IMHO, that's the only area where she is lacking compared to the best wing players.

She takes care of the ball very well, too.

Having said all this, she is just as solid--if not more so--posting up as a 4. She is going to be a handful for whoever guards her, because she will take the bigs outside and post the smaller players up with equal skill.