I understand ur thkn but in every sport you'll hear the phrase " A player has been there " experience in the heat of a big moment shouldn't be underestimated and it's only gained by being in those moments. I envision Geno telling KK to learn to watch and let the game come to you, it'll slow down and become much easier to get in the flow. Some people are saying she'll steal minutes from Nika which is incorrect, she'll share minutes with Nika, there's no way Nika should be forced to log the heavy minutes tht she put in last year, as we've all witnessed fatigue takes a heavy toll on the body and mind. Your time to lead will come Grasshopper. On a side note a lot of posters seem to ignore Geno whn he constantly tells us how important Nika is to the team, they act as if they were a .500 team with her as the vocal, emotional, and trusted leader of the team, there's a lot of teams tht would Love to have the year they had, we are very spoiled. I've not heard much from the " KK will start in place of Nika " pundits lately, most have digressed to the " KK will be starting by this date or tht date, just remember there's always room on the Muhl train..hop aboard kick back and enjoy the ride......carry on.
KK Arnold ready to contribute
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Dillon77
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CAREER HONORS
Last I checked, all these spectacular bullet points belong to one Nika Muhl. As an observer and admirer of UConn, not to mention an opponent, I have great respect players who can get it done for Geno, who is a demanding coach. Nika fits the bill. I was among those who went on record last summer as saying she should start. She delivered.
As an opponent, the idea of Nika playing her tough defense and dishing off to catch and shoot specialists like Paige, Azzi and Caroline is borderline petrifying.
I watched enough of KK's HS and AAU videos when ND was in hunt for her services to know she's extremely active and sees the floors well.
I think @Charliebball is onto something: she can offer a change of pace and/or intensity when she comes in.
It's tough being a frosh starter who will have the ball in her hands a lot of the time. Sometimes easing into isn't such a bad thing.
For instance, that's something one of KK's freshman peers -- Hannah Hidalgo -- won't have the luxury of doing on Monday against S. Carolina.
My gut is Geno will bring her into the fold in a way that's best for UConn and KK. Good luck to all concerned.
- 2023 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
- 2023 All-BIG EAST Second Team
- 2022 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
- Set the UConn single-season assists record in 2022-23 (284 assists)
- Set the UConn single-game assist record (15, vs. NC State, Nov. 20, 2022), passing classmate Paige Bueckers
Last I checked, all these spectacular bullet points belong to one Nika Muhl. As an observer and admirer of UConn, not to mention an opponent, I have great respect players who can get it done for Geno, who is a demanding coach. Nika fits the bill. I was among those who went on record last summer as saying she should start. She delivered.
As an opponent, the idea of Nika playing her tough defense and dishing off to catch and shoot specialists like Paige, Azzi and Caroline is borderline petrifying.
I watched enough of KK's HS and AAU videos when ND was in hunt for her services to know she's extremely active and sees the floors well.
I think @Charliebball is onto something: she can offer a change of pace and/or intensity when she comes in.
It's tough being a frosh starter who will have the ball in her hands a lot of the time. Sometimes easing into isn't such a bad thing.
For instance, that's something one of KK's freshman peers -- Hannah Hidalgo -- won't have the luxury of doing on Monday against S. Carolina.
My gut is Geno will bring her into the fold in a way that's best for UConn and KK. Good luck to all concerned.
diggerfoot
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Whether this is better or not, Auriemma has consistently started experienced guards when he has them, even with better talent on the bench. Players like Sales, Ralph, Taurasi, Hartley came off the bench. Whether or not this is related Auriemma also has stated that he prefers to know what he is getting, having relatively mistake free playing, at the start. I presume that enables him to make more precise adjustments.
None of the guards who started over Sales, Ralph or Hartley had bona fides close to that of Muhl (though Doty might have been great if injury free).
I realize your comments were about minutes, but you responded to a comment about starts and I know you usually focus on mcbb, so I provided this background.
As for @meyers7 comment, some may not have picked up that for Arnold to start at pg, both Muhl and Bueckers would have to be injured, and it’s doubtful that Arnold would start at any other position given UConn’s roster. So I heartily agree with him, if Arnold starts that is bad news for UConn.
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If Arnold starts it’s bad news automatically? That’s not very fair what if she just happens to be a better player who in turn makes more space for Paige and Fudd amongst others? I mean you guys know more than me but on video alone KK is a much better offensive threat already. Muhl is solid, don’t want to disregard what she brings to the table. Let’s just watch, hope I’m wrong for all of yours sake.
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Agree and disagree. KK looks like she has a lot to offer on both ends of the floor. She will get more minutes as the season wears on. Plus, she's a more confident scorer than Nika. But Nika has made significant strides on her offense each year -- will she unveil a mid-range jumpshot this season? We'll see.
What KK has yet to show is the likelihood that she'll average 8 assists per game. This is what makes Nika an offensive threat -- she doesn't beat other teams with her shooting. She beats them with a club made up of Paige Azzi Aaliyah Caroline Aubrey, etc.
I fully expect KK to get there eventually. I just don't think she's there yet.
diggerfoot
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Fairness? If Arnold starts that means both Muhl and Bueckers are injured. One was the only NPOY as a freshman and the other holds both the single season and single game assist record for UConn, as well as two time BE DPOY. Arnold could turn out to be the NFOY but having both those players injured still would be bad for UConn. If uninjured, Arnold would have to be better than both Muhl and Bueckers to start.
If only Muhl is injured Bueckers will start at PG. I don’t think anyone in the country doubts that. That means Arnold would have to start at off guard over either Fudd or someone like Ducharme. Even if they move Bueckers to off guard you have the same problem with Fudd and Ducharme. That’s not going to happen either and I don’t see why that is unfair. She will only start if Bueckers is also injured, everyone would think that is bad news.
Was it unfair that Havlicek did not start? Or Sales? Or Ralph? Or Hartley?
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Sorry. But in that case, Paige moves over and Caroline starts before KK.
So you're say in tht case Paige moves to the point and Caroline plays the 2 ?
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The three!
Tht I agree with , 3 is her actual position , not at guard.
meyers7
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Well as Geno said yesterday, he likes playing with 3 guards. So in UCONN's offense the "3" usually is a "guard".
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I think what Nika offers over KK is her experience. She is a great defender (which KK sounds like she might be too but is unproven) and has a couple of years of experience under her belt. KK would have to learn as she goes and likely would make more freshman mistakes. If both were freshmen and competing for the point guard position, that would be interesting.
I like Nika but am really excited about seeing KK in there. The line that touts Nika’s value offensively- “She beats them with a club made up of Paige, Azxi, Aaliyah, Caroline Aubrey, etc.”- wouldn’t KK have the same arsenal available to her? Frankly, wouldn’t any competent point guard?
I think what Nika offers over KK is her experience. She is a great defender (which KK sounds like she might be too but is unproven) and has a couple of years of experience under her belt. KK would have to learn as she goes and likely would make more freshman mistakes. If both were freshmen and competing for the point guard position, that would be interesting.
While this is true one of the guards will be defending a forward which will be Caroline's responsibly, bcus to put it lightly, she's not defending a point guard or running thru screens and picks trying to stop a shooting guard.
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From my recollection, Muhl got most of her assists in the running game. She was/is one of the best I've ever seen at heading the fast break. Half-court offense? That was, imo, UConn's biggest weakness last season. Someone who can generate offense there will be helpful.
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Yes, KK would have the same arsenal. But would she be as good at deploying it as Nika in her first season of D1 ball. That’s asking a lot of a freshman. Paige could do that. Maybe KK will be able to eventually.
In the end, I’m with you: I really want to see what KK can do.
All freshmen have their good and bad games but as you stated with some time and tutoring I definitely believe we'll be watching our next star point guard.
Yeah ur right, but it takes 2 people to make an assist (Except in hockey).
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Geno also said in that same " pre-game" video was that the UCONN coaches were working with
KK to " slow her down " so that her explosive speed could be even more effective. KK apparently
is somewhat stuck in an " overdrive" gear!!!! (That can be a complement., of course, i.e... she will be even better eventually!)
meyers7
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Not really. Lot's of teams use 3 guards. Especially in the BE.
CL82
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That's a good thing. All the "healthy" girls were dramatically overworked last year. Having less minutes means they will be able to play at their best.
CL82
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Reminds me of Talik Brown on the men's team. He would get the basketball and go full speed ahead towards the basket. He'd either end up with a basket, a charge, or draw a foul. Not in frequently it was the charge call. Once Calhoun taught him to use his speed selectively he became a dramatically better player and a national champion.
And for over- speedy freshmen guards, how about MoJo herself?
MilfordHusky
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