KK Arnold appreciation thread

[EricLA]

When Geno says "When you take out your primary ball handler, things can get wonky", you know it's a really high compliment, and that primary ball handler is KK Arnold.

I know we jumped out to a 23 point lead after Q1 vs. PC (most of which can probably be attributed to subbing in Blanca), but most of the 2nd half was lackluster, and to that end, Geno's comments about KK really highlight how important she is to the team.

I often say in the post-game threads regarding KK things like "even if she doesn't score a point, she's just so essential to the team and does such a great job", etc. Her offense is spot on, she scores when open, her 3 point % is solid (37%), her court vision is elite (as evidenced by her A/TO ratio of 61/13 or 4.69, and her defense is DPOY worthy IMHO.

She's a whirling dervish demon out there, but always seems to be under control - something very difficult for players as quick/fast as she is to achieve. So glad we have her - get well soon, and am thrilled she's "only" a junior!!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Just amazing, 30 views no appreciation. You are our leader KK. Now get back to work. You don't dribble with your nose. Yes, breathing is fundamental, but I have faith in you.

 

[DEpup]

KK is way more than any stats could show and we saw what happens when she isn't out there. Let's not do it again....

I'm hoping she can get a bandit mask appropriate for the ball rustler she is by Saturday!

Honestly, the game is just not as fun to watch without KK.

 

[Charliebball]

UConn's full court press is simply at another level when KK is out there.....

 

[bayern7]

People take her for granted, I made a comment in the live chat during the game that I hope today’s performance was a reminder of why KK is OUR floor general. She sets the tone on both ends of the floor for this team, and she is another in a long line of great UConn PG. I made the comment to remind those who were on the K9 should be the starting PG bandwagon, there should be no doubt who the stud PG is on this team after today’s game 😤

 

[oldude]

I am struggling with the fact that KK is out….not because I think UConn will lose without her. It’s because Sarge just opened his thread for the Seton Hall game in 3 days, and I have no idea what to expect. Seton Hall is playing really well. Will KK be ready? If not, are we looking at a 10-15 pt margin…..single digits?

My head hurts.

 

[BRS24]

At UConn, KK Arnold learned from the best. Now it's her team

 

[oldude]

For what it’s worth, when Aaliyah Edwards broke her nose during the 1st game of the BE tournament in 2024, at the time, Geno described it as, “a bad break.” Aaliyah missed the next 2 rounds, with Ice filling in nicely for her. But she was back on the court exactly 2 weeks later for the 1st round of the Big Dance, wearing her superhero mask and playing great.

Yesterday, Geno described KK’s “nasal fracture” in more subdued terms, indicating that he expects her back soon. While I suspect she won’t be on the court vs Seton Hall on Saturday, it would not surprise me to see her back as early as Jan 7 vs SJ, 9 days after the injury.

 

[BBallF]

I am struggling with the fact that KK is out….not because I think UConn will lose without her. It’s because Sarge just opened his thread for the Seton Hall game in 3 days, and I have no idea what to expect. Seton Hall is playing really well. Will KK be ready? If not, are we looking at a 10-15 pt margin…..single digits?

My head hurts.

No not happening at PeoplesBank for single digits. Seton is a small team by our standards and they will not have an answer for our size or for Sarah. The defense should shut down their offense. The ball going underneath to Serah, Sarah and Jana will likely be a theme in the game and I don’t see anyone on that team being able to handle Blanca. I actually think that Kayleigh will be very important in this game. She is a very good interior passer. This is not the game to worry about.

 

[victor64]

I am struggling with the fact that KK is out….not because I think UConn will lose without her. It’s because Sarge just opened his thread for the Seton Hall game in 3 days, and I have no idea what to expect. Seton Hall is playing really well. Will KK be ready? If not, are we looking at a 10-15 pt margin…..single digits?

My head hurts.

Enjoy the game Saturday oldude! You get maybe watch a close game without having to create the Post Game thread! I can't wait to read your thoughts about what you saw live. I went to the Butler game and got a totally different perspective.

They need to play close games. I say don't force KK to return until her breathing is normal. They may not win by 30 on Saturday but they will win.

 

[CL82]

She's a whirling dervish demon out there, but always seems to be under control - something very difficult for players as quick/fast as she is to achieve.

As often as the case, it took until her junior year to really find the balance of how and when to use her speed. She's always been a fun player to watch, but she is very impressive this year and looks very comfortable leading the team.

I love the dichotomy between her natural fun loving personality and her serious demeanor on the floor this year. To me, she looks like a WNBA point guard out there.

Her absence yesterday highlighted how good she makes every other player on the floor look.

 

[LuvBball]

Thanks for this post. The off season and all the speculation around PG made my head hurt. KK gets it done on both ends. Period.

 

[FanSince17]

As often as the case, it took until her junior year to really find the balance of how and when to use her speed. She's always been a fun player to watch, but she is very impressive this year and looks very comfortable leading the team.

I love the dichotomy between her natural fun loving personality and her serious demeanor on the floor this year. To me, she looks like a WNBA point guard out there.

Her absence yesterday highlighted how good she makes every other player on the floor look.

I love that 2023-2024 team. Basically 7 guys and an unexpected trip to the Final 4. KK and Shade started all year after like game 8 as freshmen. Both players were super that year. Rewatch one of those games- Beat USC with JuJu in the Elite8, heartbreak against Iowa and Caitlyn Clark in the Final4. Then tell us about “it took until her Junior year”. They were playing 38 minutes a game on a undermanned Final4 team. Without KK, We don’t even get a chance to play for that last second shot.
Yesterday was one of those “Nika moments”. Oh, I guess she’s pretty important.

 

[cabbie191]

I'm sure there are no official stats for this but I'm willing to wager that KK leads the team in "encounters with the floor" - a lot like Nika was.

So given the energy and tenacity she brings, I guess this type of injury in practice isn't totally unsurprising.

What I am more unhappy about is Patterson's concussion - she was already on the long road to rebuild her stamina and skill set from all her previous injuries and having this detour in concerning. Especially since we know from CD's experience that concussions can be exceptionally serious.

 

[Bigboote]

KK is another of those players where her contribution is way more than what we see in the game. I think her energy and joy playing the game are infectious and give the team more energy. I loved the shot right after the Butler game when she was yammering about her Indiana girls with her arms around Ashlynn and Ayanna.

 

[donalddoowop]

KK is another of those players where her contribution is way more than what we see in the game. I think her energy and joy playing the game are infectious and give the team more energy. I loved the shot right after the Butler game when she was yammering about her Indiana girls with her arms around Ashlynn and Ayanna.

All this deserved praise for KK and yet there were posters suggesting that Heckel should replace her as point guard before even watching her run the UConn offense. Fortunately, UConn has her the rest of this season and all of next season.

 

[Dogstar]

At UConn, KK Arnold learned from the best. Now it's her team

I think this settles one of the biggest off season questions after the graduation of Paige, there was actually a poster ( who shall not be named) tht said tht he/she didn't like KK bcus of her personality and spirit...imagine tht!!

 

[cabbie191]

At UConn, KK Arnold learned from the best. Now it's her team

Thanks so much for sharing this.

 

[tomcat]

Just saw the post that said a game wihtout KK isn't as fun to watch. I had not thought about it that way but....
yeah. Exactly.

 

[ERWUC65]

All this deserved praise for KK and yet there were posters suggesting that Heckel should replace her as point guard before even watching her run the UConn offense. Fortunately, UConn has her the rest of this season and all of next season.

KK is a known entity with 2 1/3 seasons under her belt. K9 is learning a new system and appears to have potential to step in if needed. Neither is an AA level PG, but certainly sufficient with the talent on the roster. It appears that for the rest of this year the team will continue to operate best with K9 and Blanca off the bench with a dose of Allie in relief. Predictions for next season regarding the starting PG and who will run the show are premature at best as its importance increases exponentially with the departure of Azzi.

 

[TAK]

KK has earned her starting spot by improving her play every year. She is the floor general the team needs.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. KK is a game within the game…every game.

 

[Henry]

KK's importance to the team was clearly apparent yesterday. I hope she's back soon, but it may be too much to hope that it's this Saturday.

 

[BBallF]

Enjoy the game Saturday oldude! You get maybe watch a close game without having to create the Post Game thread! I can't wait to read your thoughts about what you saw live. I went to the Butler game and got a totally different perspective.

They need to play close games. I say don't force KK to return until her breathing is normal. They may not win by 30 on Saturday but they will win.

I prefer a close game against a top 10 team to edify us, not against a BE team, and not while KK is out. If this game is close it means we were really off on both ends of the court. Seton is a much better team than Providence but not good enough to force us into a close game, particularly in Hartford. We are a match up nightmare for them based upon my "scouting" when I went to see them play earlier this year.

 

[donalddoowop]

KK is a known entity with 2 1/3 seasons under her belt. K9 is learning a new system and appears to have potential to step in if needed. Neither is an AA level PG, but certainly sufficient with the talent on the roster. It appears that for the rest of this year the team will continue to operate best with K9 and Blanca off the bench with a dose of Allie in relief. Predictions for next season regarding the starting PG and who will run the show are premature at best as its importance increases exponentially with the departure of Azzi.

Who but KK should be the starting point guard next season? That may be her best season.