Kaleena

[Icebear]

Caroline's effectiveness at this point in her career is her leadership which is best empowered at the point runnng the team. The better organizing of the offense since she returned to the lineup is the example of what she brings and why she belongs at the point. It is where she can best exert her will on the game. She is now stronger at the point than the 2 for these reasons.

 

[Icebear]

Moriah will get lots of PT and learn from Grandma Doty. She'll get the keys to the car the following year.

Exactly.

 

[Phil]

Given that Moriah is the highest rated point guard, since forever, to play for UConn.

How is it possible, if she is as advertised, that she doesn't start?

DT may be the best player ever, and even for those who disagree, she is in that conversation. She didn't start as a freshman. Geno doesn't like to start frosh, when he does, it isn't so much that they are so darned good they deserve it, but lack of alternatives. Moriah might turn out to be the best basketball player in the history of the universe, but I predict she won't start early in her frosh year.

 

[sarals24]

Plus, she might need to bulk up a bit...in high school she can take it to the hoop and absorb contact well, but she is pretty slight and might not be able to get away with that in college.

 

[PacoSwede]

Couple of posts sound like people would be surprised if Huskies prevail Monday.

I highly doubt anyone will be surprised by a UConn victory. I wouldn't be surprised the other way, either.

Regarding chatter about starters: Don't know if Geno would/could go this way, but with this team and so much talent, I would be very inclined to change starting line-ups a lot on the basis of match-ups. And I don't buy any argument that changing line-ups would hurt flow/chemistry. In time -- by tournament time -- they'll all find ways to play together in any combination ... or find themselves sitting.

BTW, I've been impressed by Lauren in these first two games. Not that I expect her to be a starter, but she absolutely in very talented and she's hustling and seems more comfortable than last year. Also, it seems to me she's slimmed down, too, like Stef (and apparently, from reports, Kaleena) and is quicker, more mobile.

 

[HuskyNan]

While she may be more suited mentally (I don't have an opinion), it's much better for UConn if Kelly starts. We don't need more offense, but we can always use more defense, rebounding, hustle, pressure etc. If Kelly's on the bench, we give up too much to get more offensive firepower in the game.

I'd start Kelly over either Briah, KML OR Tiff. In terms of importance, imo, the most important starters are Steph then Doty/Faris (for diff reasons), then the trio of Tiff/KML/Briah, with Tiff probably leading that pack.

There is no way on God's green earth that Geno is going to sit a senior that's been valuable enough and productive enough to start for 3 years. Ain't gonna happen no way, no how.

 

[Replicant]

Regarding chatter about starters: Don't know if Geno would/could go this way, but with this team and so much talent, I would be very inclined to change starting line-ups a lot on the basis of match-ups. And I don't buy any argument that changing line-ups would hurt flow/chemistry. In time -- by tournament time -- they'll all find ways to play together in any combination ... or find themselves sitting.

BTW, I've been impressed by Lauren in these first two games. Not that I expect her to be a starter, but she absolutely in very talented and she's hustling and seems more comfortable than last year. Also, it seems to me she's slimmed down, too, like Stef (and apparently, from reports, Kaleena) and is quicker, more mobile.

Good points. To piggy back your thoughts, I was immediately struck looking at the post game photos on UConn's website by the incredible muscular tone of every single player, in every single pic. There isn't a player on the squad that doesn't appear to be in mid-season form! We've always had a strength and conditioning program second to none, but it seems it's improving still. Now, adding all that superior conditioning to the fullest stable of quality guards and wings I can ever remember us having at one time, we're literally gonna run most teams into the hardwood with wave after wave of talent. I bet conditioning alone wins at least a dozen games.

 

[intlzncster]

There is no way on God's green earth that Geno is going to sit a senior that's been valuable enough and productive enough to start for 3 years. Ain't gonna happen no way, no how.

I agree. I wasn't saying Geno would or should sit Tiff. I was just discussing in terms actual importance on the floor; Faris provides something that Tiff/KML/Briah don't (or at least not to the same extent). Replacing Faris is harder than replacing any of those three. She adds a different sort of value that you cannot take out of the starting lineup. I only threw Tiff in there to emphasize Kelly's (different) value on the court.

My point was, if I was forced to pick between two players to start, and I was given a choice between only Tiff or Faris, I personally would choose Faris because of the unique things she brings to the table. Whereas, there is a little more overlap between Briah, KML, and Tiff (though they certainly aren't the same players).

 

[ladybears4eva]

I believe it is the 98, but they explicitly said she graded out higher than any other PG for as long as they have been doing this.

reading this just got me thinking...then what in the world happens in the USA try outs, i can't understand why she wouldnt make a single team.

 

[ladybears4eva]

sit farris, does she even attempt to score? she can come in if there's someone who is failling to guard an opposing player.

just a thought for topic.

 

[Icebear]

reading this just got me thinking...then what in the world happens in the USA try outs, i can't understand why she wouldnt make a single team.

For one thing I believe she was considerably younger than everyone on the team except Breanna. She was trying out for the U19 team.

 

[intlzncster]

DT may be the best player ever, and even for those who disagree, she is in that conversation. She didn't start as a freshman. Geno doesn't like to start frosh, when he does, it isn't so much that they are so darned good they deserve it, but lack of alternatives. Moriah might turn out to be the best basketball player in the history of the universe, but I predict she won't start early in her frosh year.

Yup. Maya wasn't starting either until KG/Mel got hurt. In addition to the freshman thing, I think he really likes to bring a super potent weapon off the bench. UConn then gets the advantage against the other team's 2nd wave of players, or forces the other team to play their starters longer to keep up (thereby tiring them).

This is why I see KML coming off the pine, unless maybe we are playing a bigger team.

 

[MilfordHusky]

reading this just got me thinking...then what in the world happens in the USA try outs, i can't understand why she wouldnt make a single team.

Some said Alexis Jones performed better. USA Basketball, which inexplicably had not picked Moriah the prior year, passed on her again. They chose more senior players, I believe Hartley and Massengale. Jones made it but played little.

In discussing the 2012 recruits, Geno said that she was not chosen because she was a little immature--chronologically, emotionally, and physically. In terms of talent and performance, he loves her. She'll be fine. If you have not seen them, track down the videos of her. Very, very impressive!

 

[connboy77]

Ding Ding Ding.

We only lose Tiffany next year, so the returning starters are Dolson, Faris, Hartley and Doty. My best guess is Lewis joins them and off the bench would be Stewart, Banks, Jefferson, Stokes, Johnson, Buck (if she comes back) and Engeln.

Whew.

How do you not start Breanna Stewart? I think Bria Hartley sits with KML at the 3, Breanna at the 4, Stef at the 5, Kelly at the 2, and Caroline at the 1.

 

[pap49cba]

How do you not start Breanna Stewart? I think Bria Hartley sits with KML at the 3, Breanna at the 4, Stef at the 5, Kelly at the 2, and Caroline at the 1.

Easy. Same way they didn't start DT, Maya, etc. Bring her in at the first tv break and watch as the Death Grip grows ever tighter. Plus, Geno is on record as saying he likes to have his young players watching the games.... as long as they know what they're watching. It was a luxury he didn't have last year with Bria and Stef.

 

[Kibitzer]

I see the NFL teams often wearing "throwback" jerseys (but no leather helmets w/o face guards) of the pre-TV era, so maybe we should go back to the ooooold rules of wcbb and start six players. That would work on the court but then Boneyarders would have to go back to talking about that foul call on Diana vs. VaTech.

 

[NCorBust]

DT may be the best player ever, and even for those who disagree, she is in that conversation. She didn't start as a freshman. Geno doesn't like to start frosh, when he does, it isn't so much that they are so darned good they deserve it, but lack of alternatives. Moriah might turn out to be the best basketball player in the history of the universe, but I predict she won't start early in her frosh year.

.
Agree. Even Maya started because of a couple of knee injuries. Without those knee injuries, Maya may have been only (did I say only?) a three time All-American.
.

 

[NCorBust]

Regarding chatter about starters: Don't know if Geno would/could go this way, but with this team and so much talent ...

.
Talent? Perhaps unquantifiable talent or immature talent, since both Geno and CD say they don't know what they can get out of several of the players at this point in the season. They don't know what they can count on. Certainly the potential is there. By January it will interesting to look back and see how much individuals and the team as a whole have improved.
.

 

[UConn990411]

How do you not start Breanna Stewart? I think Bria Hartley sits with KML at the 3, Breanna at the 4, Stef at the 5, Kelly at the 2, and Caroline at the 1.

I've seen several other people predict Hartley will come off the bench, and I can't for the life of me figure out why. She's started every game since her freshman year (averaging over 12 points per game), and is already a better player than Faris and Doty.

She won't be coming off the bench...uh...ever.

 

[NCorBust]

sit farris, does she even attempt to score? she can come in if there's someone who is failling to guard an opposing player.

.
Actually Kelly "accounts" for many points with her defense. She defensively starts many fastbreaks. Other get the layups but without Kelly they don't. Same with her rebounding. If she averages 1o or so points and does everything else well, then she is the one.
.

 

[pap49cba]

I've seen several other people predict Hartley will come off the bench, and I can't for the life of me figure out why. She's started every game since her freshman year (averaging over 12 points per game), and is already a better player than Faris and Doty.

She won't be coming off the bench...uh...ever.

Sorry, not buying what ya'll are selling here.

 

[UConn990411]

I'm a big Faris fan and appreciate Doty as much as the next person...but I'm not sure how people are still debating that Hartley isn't the best player of the three.

It's amazing how much people on this board continue to underrate how good Hartley is/is going to be.

 

[HuskyNan]

.
Actually Kelly "accounts" for many points with her defense. She defensively starts many fastbreaks. Other get the layups but without Kelly they don't. Same with her rebounding. If she averages 1o or so points and does everything else well, then she is the one.
.

I agree. Last year Kelly, only a sophomore at the time, was:

5th in scoring (7.8 ppg)
2nd in rebounding (6.7 rpg)
2nd in assists (142 or 3.7 apg)
2nd in steals (70 or 1.8 spg)
3rd in blocks (22 or .6 bpg)
and unofficially 1st in tipped passes
usually while guarding the opponent's best player

Some of the things Kelly does isn't quantifiable, either. Two years ago, UConn was in Morgantown WV playing WVU and the Huskies started to flounder a bit, turning over the ball and clearly losing the momentum in the game. Kelly, only a freshman, came into the game and within about 10 seconds got a key steal and an assist on a quick bucket that perked the Huskies up. She singlehandedly turned the game around but the stats line is only going to show a steal and a assist. I don't know how you describe someone like that to a person that hasn't seen her play.

 

[intlzncster]

I'm a big Faris fan and appreciate Doty as much as the next person...but I'm not sure how people are still debating that Hartley isn't the best player of the three.

It's amazing how much people on this board continue to underrate how good Hartley is/is going to be.

I guess it depends what exactly you are evaluating. Hartley might be the best overall player of the three, but Faris is a better defender/rebounder/maybe even passer and a smarter player (although that's certainly debatable). Caroline is probably more effective for us at the point than Hartley (at this time), only because Hartley is such a devastating scorer. It kind of diminishes her value a little bit to put her at the point; I'd like Hartley to think 'score first' every time. I also like how Caroline runs the team, her knowledge of the system, her fire, etc.

Briah has the highest upside of all these players.

 

[Scotter]

reading this just got me thinking...then what in the world happens in the USA try outs, i can't understand why she wouldnt make a single team.

Geno had an explanation that I thought summed it up nicely. Moriah was just too young. Young in actual age, but also physically, mentally, and emotionally. She has some growing up to do, but it worth waiting on that maturity because of her talent and competitiveness.

 

[pap49cba]

Bria may be the weakest defender of the starting five. BB is more than just scoring points.

 

[Scotter]

I guess it depends what exactly you are evaluating. Hartley might be the best overall player of the three, but Faris is a better defender/rebounder/maybe even passer and a smarter player (although that's certainly debatable). Caroline is probably more effective for us at the point than Hartley (at this time), only because Hartley is such a devastating scorer. It kind of diminishes her value a little bit to put her at the point; I'd like Hartley to think 'score first' every time. I also like how Caroline runs the team, her knowledge of the system, her fire, etc.

Briah has the highest upside of all these players.

If by best player you mean most talented then Bria is the best player of those three, although Caroline before the injuries was arguably more talented. If you mean best player in terms of actually helping her team impact the score board on offense and defense I would argue that Kelly is the best player based on the evidence I have seen.

 

[boontonbomber]

I'm a big Faris fan and appreciate Doty as much as the next person...but I'm not sure how people are still debating that Hartley isn't the best player of the three.

It's amazing how much people on this board continue to underrate how good Hartley is/is going to be.

she was third in minutes last year, and probably will lead in minutes this year. she is fearless, and geno loves fearless. her frosh stats were as good as almost any frosh in uconn history. shot 47%, was the leading 3 point shooter, almost 4 rebounds,and did the majority of the ballhandling. her ballhandling is criticized roundly, though averaged less than 3 per game(only 14 more than kelly for the year). i too am amazed at the lack of appreciation .

 

[DaddyChoc]

boy folks are hard on Bria... shame that we have to debate who better of players on the same team (bad enough doing it against former rival or current opponents)

 

[VAMike23]

boy folks are hard on Bria... shame that we have to debate who better of players on the same team (bad enough doing it against former rival or current opponents)

C'mon, DC - It's not a question of having to debating anything -- who's better, who's up, who's down, who's better in this situation, against this team, against that team, who should start, who shouldn't start -- it's just part and parcel of the BY madness. I haven't seen anyone slamming any of our players, Bria included. If anything, there are several posters who, like a couple weeks ago, seem to take umbrage if everybody doesn't just outright agree that Bria is our best player period, end of story, like it's not even open to question. This is crazy. We are blessed with a ton of guard talent, and if someone doesn't line up and say "Bria is the best", that is not at all the same thing as trashing or underappreciating Bria. I can say that Kelly still sometimes looks like she's shooting bricks, or that Bria's defense is not always great, or whatever, and I still love both these players and appreciate everything they do.

IMHO we don't have a clear "best" player at this point. There is no Maya. Each of the players-not-named-Stef that get talked about the most on this subject has their relative strengths and weaknesses. People are going to go back and forth on this kind of thing. Let's not confuse people's varying opinions on the relative s&w of players with their absolute level of support for all who play for Connecticut.