Jovana Popovic is a Husky! | Page 4 | The Boneyard

Jovana Popovic is a Husky!

Vowelguy said:
That is a statement with many interpretations.

I think some people see that and think that every player Geno recruits is an all star. But that is not the case. He recruits not just for talent , but chemistry, effort, being a good teammate, etc.

Was Molly Bent a good recruit? I think Geno would say so. I think he knew what he was getting with her and he got that.

Just because Geno recruits someone doesn’t mean they are a top 5 talent. They may have another role to play.

I trust that Geno has found a player to fit what the team needs. Whether that’s another Bent or another Nurse, we shall see.
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That was a tough year for UConn recruiting........Geno temporarily lost his touch........besides Crystal, the other two kids were terrific people but pretty average basketball players......
 
Charliebball said:
That was a tough year for UConn recruiting........Geno temporarily lost his touch........besides Crystal, the other two kids were terrific people but pretty average basketball players......
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Molly and Kyla were not Uconn level recruits, but I wonder if it was just a bad recruiting year and the best he could do, or if it was by design to recruit players not to challenge for significant rotation minutes, but to be good third stringers, hard working, good teammates, practice players etc.

Although it wasn't a problem for the 2016 championship team, they were quite vulnerable to significant injuries if several covered the same period. #11 and #12 on that team were walk-ons, that might have had to play important minutes if we had the kind of bad luck with injuries we did for several years after that.

So I wonder if the mindset wasn't if we can't get someone who has a good chance to crack the rotation of a great team, lets find someone who can be a good third stringer and practice player who won't make waves about playing time and at least will be way better than a walk-on in the event of an emergency.

From that perspective Molly and Kyla might have been good fits, but then because of injuries and other things they wound up having a much more significant role than might have been the game-plan. Since then, Geno has seemingly recruited to fill as much of the 15 player roster as possible, and with top talent even for the last spots, knowing that some will leave if they never make the rotation.

I think Ines was an emergency recruit that was never viewed as a likely rotation player if the team was healthy, but with our injury luck even she had some significant minutes her first year. Only foreign last second options with Visa in hand were options after Paige's injury, and Ines was probably way better than any walk-on options at that point.

I think a case could be made for either way of filling out the last spots on a roster. Go for the most talent all the time even if you think a player has a slim chance of cracking the rotation, and may well leave if that doesn't happen, or take someone who is maybe an average player, that is happy to be part of such a famous program, will stay for four years, be a great practice player and teammate that knows the system and can be a passable option in a time of need.

Maybe Geno recruited Molly and Kyla for far down the roster roles, but with the string of injuries and having to use them more than intended, has fallen back on go for the most talent and a near full roster every year.
 
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From Canada said:
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I hate seeing players shoot the 3, then they step back and admire it. Ok if they never miss a shot. I see players on some other teams, and as soon as they shoot, they are heading to the basket for a rebound if the shot misses. They can stay back if their assignment after a shot goes up is to stay back to prevent a fast break the other way. If not, then go for the rebound, do not admire the shot.
 
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BobbyJ said:
Yeah, people that think she's only going to get mop up PT might be in for a surprise. Kids that know how to take care of the ball, see the floor, and make shots find a way to play.
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I'd say point guard play isn't going to be an issue next season.........finding more consistent three-point shooting options to replace Azzi is still a bit of a question mark even with Allie's emergence.......
 
Charliebball said:
finding more consistent three-point shooting options to replace Azzi is still a bit of a question mark even with Allie's emergence
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It sure is, but I’m placing my money on Sarah Allie Blanca Ash Jovana Olivia and maybe even Morgan. It’s also still a question whether Kayleigh will improve her three-ball. That’s a lot of shooters, and a lot of capable ballhandlers, which appears to be Geno’s focus these days. Jovana will definitely fit in with this vision just fine.

One reason to have a lot of perimeter threats is to keep opposing teams from packing the paint on our bigs. But it’s also to open up paths to the rim for our slashers, and we’ll have a few of those: KK Kayleigh Kelis Jovana… and for midrange jump shots, and we have a few of those shooters too, like Kayleigh, Ash and Jovana. KK has been working on this of late, and I’d like to see Allie and Kelis develop this too.
 
Bone Dog said:
It sure is, but I’m placing my money on Sarah Allie Blanca Ash Jovana Olivia and maybe even Morgan. It’s also still a question whether Kayleigh will improve her three-ball. That’s a lot of shooters, and a lot of capable ballhandlers, which appears to be Geno’s focus these days. Jovana will definitely fit in with this vision just fine.

One reason to have a lot of perimeter threats is to keep opposing teams from packing the paint on our bigs. But it’s also to open up paths to the rim for our slashers, and we’ll have a few of those: KK Kayleigh Kelis Jovana… and for midrange jump shots, and we have a few of those shooters too, like Kayleigh, Ash and Jovana. KK has been working on this of late, and I’d like to see Allie and Kelis develop this too.
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Add Blanca to the slashers.
 
Bone Dog said:
It sure is, but I’m placing my money on Sarah Allie Blanca Ash Jovana Olivia and maybe even Morgan. It’s also still a question whether Kayleigh will improve her three-ball. That’s a lot of shooters, and a lot of capable ballhandlers, which appears to be Geno’s focus these days. Jovana will definitely fit in with this vision just fine.

One reason to have a lot of perimeter threats is to keep opposing teams from packing the paint on our bigs. But it’s also to open up paths to the rim for our slashers, and we’ll have a few of those: KK Kayleigh Kelis Jovana… and for midrange jump shots, and we have a few of those shooters too, like Kayleigh, Ash and Jovana. KK has been working on this of late, and I’d like to see Allie and Kelis develop this too.
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UConn will be fine with shooters with the addition of Jovanna and Olivia.

IMG_9369.jpeg


Check out TS%:
  • For reference, Mikayla Blakes has a TS% of 59% at a USG% of 32.7% (the highest USG% for players with TS% >= 58%).
Fast paced mix-match with several high IQ ball handlers and versatile players is here to stay.
  • Geno and CD can make full use of Olivia and Sara Okeke with this style (the average rotation stint minutes is between 2 and 3 minutes).
 
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NycUcWbbFan said:
UConn will be fine with shooters with the addition of Jovanna and Olivia.

View attachment 117459

Check out TS%:
  • For reference, Mikayla Blakes has a TS% of 59% at a USG% of 32.7% (the highest USG% for players with TS% >= 58%).
Fast paced mix-match with several high IQ ball handlers and versatile players is here to stay.
  • Geno and CD can make full use of Olivia and Sara Okeke with this style (the average rotation stint minutes is between 2 and 3 minutes).
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Allie at .460 and Sarah at .406 are the returning core of perimeter shooters. It’s good to see Ash has pulled her 3pt% up to .372 after a very slow start. And Kayleigh at .343 is within range of becoming a real threat. Blanca at .380 has declined from a torrid start to the season. I hope this means she can find her consistency. KK is still below .300 which means she’s got work to do. I’m not sure there’s a path to real success in the W for a 5’9” guard who isn’t a consistent threat from 3.

Add Jovana and Olivia to this mix and things could be surprisingly great on the shooting front. If Olivia shoots as well as Dorka did (~.300) that will be really useful, though frankly a reliable elbow jumper from a big is more than enough of a threat to draw opposing bigs out of the low post.

My guess is Jovana will be at least as good from 3 as Nika was, who started ~.340 but edged above .400 in her last year once she started taking a lot more shots from there. In all other respects Jovana seems to be more offensive minded (and skilled) than Nika was. If she’s half the defender Nika was they’ll be doing just fine.
 
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