Be careful what you wish for! I'm just gonna store away this post. You do realize that Maryland will be playing UCONN on a regular basis over the next few years which will give Miss Charles and Gillespie ample opportunity to get at The Queen De'Janae Boykins.
Flowers lost only twice that year, both times to Roosevelt, which was a powerhouse. In the second game--in the post-season--the score was ridiculously one-sided. DJB had a lot of early foul trouble. Maybe she was outplayed, but largely she was ineffective due to limited playing time. She was still named the Maryland Gatorade POY. I think Charles may be a really good one, but I'm unaware of anything suggesting that she's a better player then DJB.
I think Lou has a slightly larger frame though shorter arms than Stewart which suggests she may be able to add more bulk in the weight room. And she has pretty good ups on her jump shot which is a lot more accurate than Stewarts - she is in KML kind of territory at least through HS. And she is not bad around the basket either. Early days and all, but do not discount the potential.
Does anybody agree that KLS resembles a young Caroline Kennedy? This may have been mentioned before (and maybe multiple times) but I don't recollect reading about it. In any case, she's going to be an awesome addition to the team, along with her fellow freshmen!
I don't quite understand where you say Breanna has these outstanding ups and that KLS won't ever compare. That's not what I see out of Breanna because I think it's an illusion based on her unbelievable wing span. I'm a super Breanna fan but I have never felt that she had great hops!
Not soon enough for me! I'm dyin' out here.
Sweet Sadie (in my R. Kelly voice)
I thank you for the welcome. I know I can be a little long "winded" but I am always taking the approach that I could actually be read by some common sense, reasonable, and logical people who might have a change of mind given what I present for an argument. I also try to be respectful as long as I can get that in return. In any case I am looking forward to the start of the season, who's the 5th starter, who starts getting minutes early on, etc. Stay healthy and look forward to a great year, maybe the ultimate record setter for Stewie and Mo.
The easy answer is in part it's your job to be skeptical of the "outsiders". Playing time has the potential to be more of an issue this year. Pulido and Lawler are not part of the problem. But if we accept Butler will be the 5th starter that is going to mean Williams, Chong, Ekmark with the 3 frosh will be competing for minutes. Circumstance may dictate if Gabby or Saniya is the first one off the bench. and then if Ekmark can stay ahead of KLS, Boykin, and Collier. All we need is time to answer.
Wasn't she the one that lasted at UConn about five minutes longer than EDD?
The easy answer is in part it's your job to be skeptical of the "outsiders". Playing time has the potential to be more of an issue this year. Pulido and Lawler are not part of the problem. But if we accept Butler will be the 5th starter that is going to mean Williams, Chong, Ekmark with the 3 frosh will be competing for minutes. Circumstance may dictate if Gabby or Saniya is the first one off the bench. and then if Ekmark can stay ahead of KLS, Boykin, and Collier. All we need is time to answer.
Appreciate the perspective. I only said it's my approach, reality is far to many people out here never get past the delusions that they are always right. But I'll keep posting anyway.
Excellent post IMHO, and it goes back to the "debate" in another thread where I called Turner a better athlete that Stewart. a 7" wingspan gives the illusion of incredible athleticism, but Stewart is not incredibly athletic, just incredibly skilled and an incredible basketball player.
I LOVE all the players who come thru UCONN - no matter how they work out. Having said that, it's not unfair nor unkind IMHO to be realistic about players on the team and their skill-sets and potential. Potential, of course, is subjective, but this season presents huge opportunities and challenges for Chong and Ekmark. I think Saniya is in a much better position to carve out PT and a place in the rotation since she can play the 1 as well as the 2, but Ekmark, unfortunately, needs (as you said) a "transformational improvement of epic proportions" (which, btw, was quite eloquent).
No doubt about what you say of Collier. Her U19 showed a real positive side for Uconn. I too don't doubt what you say of Katie Lou, we tend to forget she was playing AAU/HS basketball. Geno saw her huge upside and her lineage. Bonnie was only a shooter until her Junior year then became a defender too. In UConn's loss last year it was Bonnie who slowed down KML. I have great doubts about your last line---maybe hopes. The Sophs and Saniya have put an awful lot of work and emotions into being a Husky. However, if any have desires for something beyond college--they may need another team to show off their real talents, I certainly hope the don't.
Love your remarks about Breanna! Her skillset and wingspan really give some people an illusion of her being a much better athlete than she, in reality, is! Obviously she's a superstar but there seems to be some who might want to anoint her as being comparable athletically as is Maya or some others!
From previous experience with you---you maintain a cool head, positive approach, respectful and intelligence in you comments. Naples must have a market on great UConn supporters!! In your next comment (I just read) I liked that you will wait and see how or who gets off the bench first. Only super freshmen in the past got off the bench first. Which of the newbees has that potential??
Kia was the first Freshmen off the bench last year not Courtney. Look at the replay of the UC Davis and you will see that Kia was on her second rotation before Courtney came in the game. 3 point shooting is not going to be enough to get Courtney in the rotation this year. Courtney must show that she can defend her position and also demonstrate that she can move the ball and hit open teammates. Chong got taken out of starting line up because she could not defend her position after a game where she hit 4 Treys- Stanford.