KK Brings More Than Basketball | The Boneyard

KK Brings More Than Basketball

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Charliebball said:
KK is going to bring some much-needed speed to the UConn program........hoping she gets a chance to play a bit of meaningful basketball next year.........
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With Nika, Paige, and Azzi likely starting I think she'll be an important reserve that should have a shot at a decent about of playing time. She'll be competing with Ines and fellow freshman Ashlyn as the first backcourt sub for Paige or Nike I would imagine.
 
I think many posters here need a dose of reality about the three entering Freshman guards. There are currently six returning guards, including two Player of the Year candidates and another who just obliterated the UConn season assists record. There is is no playing time available , which is why I and several others think we will see four guards on the floor simultaneously quite often.
 
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Boreifs said:
I think many posters here need a dose of reality about the three entering Freshman guards. There are currently six returning guards, including two Player of the Year candidates and another who just obliterated the UConn season assists record. There is is no playing time available , which is why I and several others think we will see four guards on the floor simultaneously quite often.
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6 returning guards??? I count four. Ines, Azzi, Paige, and Nika. Where are the other two?
 
KK must have an extremely high ratio of fast twitch muscle bundles/ fibers.
That ratio is said to contribute to what makes some elite athletes have very unique & exceptional qualities.
Players like that aren't often found sitting on the bench for very long because they get fast tracked.
 
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Oh she is going to be a problem next year. I think her presence is going to make all the other guards step their game up too, as she seems to be that confident type of player, similar to how Paige was coming out of high school.
 
hoopsnloops32 said:
With Nika, Paige, and Azzi likely starting I think she'll be an important reserve that should have a shot at a decent about of playing time. She'll be competing with Ines and fellow freshman Ashlyn as the first backcourt sub for Paige or Nike I would imagine.
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She might, but since the team figures to be very deep next year, there are other alternatives that don't involve either freshmen that are very good., so KK or Ashlyn will have to be very good to get much time. I think your starting lineup is the most likely, but when Nika is out I fully expect Paige to be at the point, and when Paige or Azzi hit the bench Caroline and Aubrey might be picked ahead of either freshmen.

That is consuming almost all the 1-3 position minutes with 5 very good players. Geno could use 6 for those positions, but if healthy he probably doesn't have to. Obviously injuries changes all of that, and another factor is Aubrey might be needed for backup minutes upfront which could open up more time for the guards. With this depth Geno could press a great deal and that might extend the rotation too, but while I hope to see that, I am not really expecting it. In that case both Aubrey and Caroline could play more at the 4 in a smaller quicker lineup.
 
I'm now imagining an all-guard lineup, or three paired teams to alternate, like the old Celtics did with Cousy/Sharman and Sam and KC Jones. This could end up being the best backcourt ever assembled in the WBB. KK faked me out, and I was just watching!
 
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Boreifs said:
I think many posters here need a dose of reality about the three entering Freshman guards. There are currently six returning guards, including two Player of the Year candidates and another who just obliterated the UConn season assists record. There is is no playing time available , which is why I and several others think we will see four guards on the floor simultaneously quite often.
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If the team is as good as advertised, they should see plenty of PT. Paige, Azzi, Aaliyah, etc, shouldn’t have to play upwards of 30-35 minutes a game.

Stewie, Morgan and Moriah all averaged 30 minutes or less their last year. Hopefully we’ll see a repeat of that.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
The Huskies Dance Company also gets a strong recruit.

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I like her already and she isn't even here yet. As I'm sitting in the front row of Amari's cheering section (and have been all season), I also have reservations for a front-row seat in KK's cheering section. I have no doubt she will be an instant and constant contributor to this team from day 1. I think we're going to like what we see from her. She's a "Baller." ;)
 
Hoops66 said:
I'm now imagining an all-guard lineup, or three paired teams to alternate, like the old Celtics did with Cousy/Sharman and Sam and KC Jones. This could end up being the best backcourt ever assembled in the WBB. KK faked me out, and I was just watching!
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Get your popcorn ready. Next year's team will be a thrill-a-minute to watch. She can create her own shot. Any player that has handles and can shoot as well as she does is dangerous. One thing is for sure....she's already got her "driver's license."

She's going to scare the hell out of a lot of teams and coaches during her time at UConn. Must see TV if you can't make it in person. :cool: I would love to see at least one game in person next year. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky. :rolleyes:
 
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oldhuskie said:
She might, but since the team figures to be very deep next year, there are other alternatives that don't involve either freshmen that are very good., so KK or Ashlyn will have to be very good to get much time. I think your starting lineup is the most likely, but when Nika is out I fully expect Paige to be at the point, and when Paige or Azzi hit the bench Caroline and Aubrey might be picked ahead of either freshmen.

That is consuming almost all the 1-3 position minutes with 5 very good players. Geno could use 6 for those positions, but if healthy he probably doesn't have to. Obviously injuries changes all of that, and another factor is Aubrey might be needed for backup minutes upfront which could open up more time for the guards. With this depth Geno could press a great deal and that might extend the rotation too, but while I hope to see that, I am not really expecting it. In that case both Aubrey and Caroline could play more at the 4 in a smaller quicker lineup.
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Of course we don't need them to have a good team next year. My point was that there is clear opportunity for them if they are ready to take it. Without them, I think we are pretty thin in the backcourt. Depending on how our existing frontcourt develops and if we fill the last open scholarship in the portal or not we could have to play Caroline and Aubrey in the PF positions a lot next year which wouldn't give them a ton of flexibility to help with backcourt depth. If Aubrey and Aaliah are our starting front court next year, CD could be the first sub to relieve Aubrey.

Right now with what we know we will have, we don't have a ball handler coming off the bench and having one or two in the rotation would be very valuable.
 
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oldhuskie said:
I think your starting lineup is the most likely, but when Nika is out I fully expect Paige to be at the point, and when Paige or Azzi hit the bench Caroline and Aubrey might be picked ahead of either freshmen.
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I don't think either Caroline or Aubrey is a good pg substitute. I can picture Caroline at the 2, 3, or 4, and Aubrey at the 3 or 4. But if we have to have either of them at the 1, we are going to be pressed. I suspect Geno (like every coach before him in Paige's life) has wanted to have her at the 2 position, and the presence of KK, Inês and Nika is going to make that a sort of default. I also suspect Paige and Azzi (and probably Caroline and Aubrey too) will not play more than 30 mins/g each next year. This is the same problem Dawn faced this year -- a long bench means a long rotation and the stars tend not to play more than 30 mins, and folks start sniping at the stars for having lower stats. The question for me is whether Aaliyah will play 35+ mins next year.
 
Bone Dog said:
I don't think either Caroline or Aubrey is a good pg substitute. I can picture Caroline at the 2, 3, or 4, and Aubrey at the 3 or 4. But if we have to have either of them at the 1, we are going to be pressed. I suspect Geno (like every coach before him in Paige's life) has wanted to have her at the 2 position, and the presence of KK, Inês and Nika is going to make that a sort of default. I also suspect Paige and Azzi (and probably Caroline and Aubrey too) will not play more than 30 mins/g each next year. This is the same problem Dawn faced this year -- a long bench means a long rotation and the stars tend not to play more than 30 mins, and folks start sniping at the stars for having lower stats. The question for me is whether Aaliyah will play 35+ mins next year.
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Doggie, you're a closet seer. This is how I perceive Geno's dilemma next season as well, but one I'm sure he'll relish.
 
Bone Dog said:
I don't think either Caroline or Aubrey is a good pg substitute. I can picture Caroline at the 2, 3, or 4, and Aubrey at the 3 or 4. But if we have to have either of them at the 1, we are going to be pressed. I suspect Geno (like every coach before him in Paige's life) has wanted to have her at the 2 position, and the presence of KK, Inês and Nika is going to make that a sort of default. I also suspect Paige and Azzi (and probably Caroline and Aubrey too) will not play more than 30 mins/g each next year. This is the same problem Dawn faced this year -- a long bench means a long rotation and the stars tend not to play more than 30 mins, and folks start sniping at the stars for having lower stats. The question for me is whether Aaliyah will play 35+ mins next year.
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Let's hope she won't need to.
 
Bone Dog said:
I don't think either Caroline or Aubrey is a good pg substitute. I can picture Caroline at the 2, 3, or 4, and Aubrey at the 3 or 4. But if we have to have either of them at the 1, we are going to be pressed. I suspect Geno (like every coach before him in Paige's life) has wanted to have her at the 2 position, and the presence of KK, Inês and Nika is going to make that a sort of default. I also suspect Paige and Azzi (and probably Caroline and Aubrey too) will not play more than 30 mins/g each next year. This is the same problem Dawn faced this year -- a long bench means a long rotation and the stars tend not to play more than 30 mins, and folks start sniping at the stars for having lower stats. The question for me is whether Aaliyah will play 35+ mins next year.
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I have a feeling that in many games the starters, including Aaliyah will not have to play more than 30 minutes. Geno will be able to play the bench more frequently then this year not only because of who is on the bench, but because the starting five will build large enough leads that subbing won't change the outcome.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
The Huskies Dance Company also gets a strong recruit.

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Does she always go left after the "shake and bake" move she does?? Seems like that's the way she goes most of the time. Hope she can mix it up or in D1 WBB it will be easy to scout and know how to stop her.
 
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Bone Dog said:
I don't think either Caroline or Aubrey is a good pg substitute. I can picture Caroline at the 2, 3, or 4, and Aubrey at the 3 or 4. But if we have to have either of them at the 1, we are going to be pressed. I suspect Geno (like every coach before him in Paige's life) has wanted to have her at the 2 position, and the presence of KK, Inês and Nika is going to make that a sort of default. I also suspect Paige and Azzi (and probably Caroline and Aubrey too) will not play more than 30 mins/g each next year. This is the same problem Dawn faced this year -- a long bench means a long rotation and the stars tend not to play more than 30 mins, and folks start sniping at the stars for having lower stats. The question for me is whether Aaliyah will play 35+ mins next year.
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No way Geno goes to a long rotation. I see no more than 8 players playing more than 15 minutes and 9 playing 10 minutes per game. My best guess, if everyone is healthy:

PG: Nika (20), Paige(10), KK (10)
SG: Paige (20), Azzi(15), Nika (15)
F: Azzi (20), Caroline (10), Aubrey (5), Paige (5)
F: Aubrey (20), Caroline (10), Aaliyah (5), Ice (5)
C: Aaliyah (25), Ice (10), Jana (5)

Obviously Patterson, Ashlyn, Ines, Samuels and Amari can all break into the rotation and swap their names for others but I see Paige, Azzi and Aaliyah (if all healthy) playing the majority of minutes next year (30-35) with Nika, Caroline, Aubrey and Ice all in the 15-30 minute rage depending on the game.
 
hoopsnloops32 said:
With Nika, Paige, and Azzi likely starting I think she'll be an important reserve that should have a shot at a decent about of playing time. She'll be competing with Ines and fellow freshman Ashlyn as the first backcourt sub for Paige or Nike I would imagine.
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Should be a great problem for Geno, but I love when a healthy Paige has the ball in her hands.
 
Bone Dog said:
I don't think either Caroline or Aubrey is a good pg substitute. I can picture Caroline at the 2, 3, or 4, and Aubrey at the 3 or 4. But if we have to have either of them at the 1, we are going to be pressed. I suspect Geno (like every coach before him in Paige's life) has wanted to have her at the 2 position, and the presence of KK, Inês and Nika is going to make that a sort of default. I also suspect Paige and Azzi (and probably Caroline and Aubrey too) will not play more than 30 mins/g each next year. This is the same problem Dawn faced this year -- a long bench means a long rotation and the stars tend not to play more than 30 mins, and folks start sniping at the stars for having lower stats. The question for me is whether Aaliyah will play 35+ mins next year.
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I agree that Caroline and Aubrey are not good choices to play PG, but they don't have to, even if the player they are coming in for is Nika. In my scenario Nika and Paige are never on the bench at the same time, and whenever Nika sits Paige is the PG. Caroline or Aubrey could come in for any of the three small starters and usually play at the 3, Paige might start as the 3 but when Nika comes out moves to the point, and if Azzi sits for Caroline or Aubrey, Paige becomes the 2.

Nika plays pretty exclusively as a 1, Azzi as a 2, Paige at all three positions, and Caroline and Aubrey mostly at the 3, but occasionally at the 2. Those 5 players could handle the 120 minutes at those three positions in a rotation of 5. Geno could obviously go beyond that, but I see the potential minutes from KK and Ashlyn coming mostly at the expense of Caroline and Aubrey which is a pretty high bar for a newcomer to clear.

If you get Paige and Azzi down to 30 minutes or so that would open up more opportunities, and I would love to see Geno go 10-11 deep and press frequently because players like KK and Ashlyn have earned some rotation minutes, I'm just not thinking that is very likely. I would love to be surprised though.
 
Charliebball said:
KK is going to bring some much-needed speed to the UConn program........hoping she gets a chance to play a bit of meaningful basketball next year.........
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Charlie--you sound like you know something not stated here. Geno, in the past, you and I both complained about--didn't play Freshmen. Recently he has. So, if KK has the talent, speed, and defense she'll get minutes. Caroline, Paige, Fudd speak loudly for Freshmen playing.

If the kid is ready---she'll play.
 
Carnac said:
Doggie, you're a closet seer. This is how I perceive Geno's dilemma next season as well, but one I'm sure he'll relish.
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Bone Dog said:
I don't think either Caroline or Aubrey is a good pg substitute. I can picture Caroline at the 2, 3, or 4, and Aubrey at the 3 or 4. But if we have to have either of them at the 1, we are going to be pressed. I suspect Geno (like every coach before him in Paige's life) has wanted to have her at the 2 position, and the presence of KK, Inês and Nika is going to make that a sort of default. I also suspect Paige and Azzi (and probably Caroline and Aubrey too) will not play more than 30 mins/g each next year. This is the same problem Dawn faced this year -- a long bench means a long rotation and the stars tend not to play more than 30 mins, and folks start sniping at the stars for having lower stats. The question for me is whether Aaliyah will play 35+ mins next year.
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Well said, Bone Dog, TCC KId and Carnac... from what I've seen here and on previous KK videos, she has the handle, passing skills and shooting ability to step in as the point guard at most DI programs. Fortunately, at UConn she won't need to (although I suspect she will be often over the next four seasons).

It looks to me that she's slimmed down a bit and is even quicker than in earlier videos. As numerous of you have said, she'll drive other teams batty at both ends of the court.

KK might need to moderate her theatrics, yet I love her evident self-confidence and that she seems to have the support of her teammates. That has always been a crucial ingredient for the Huskies.

With all the talent hopefully awaiting Geno's bidding next season, I believe the lynchpin still will be whether Paige can come back and be as good or close to as good as she was a freshman. Great teams generally are led by great players, and begging my pardon for all others on the roster, Paige is still the most conspicuous candidate to be a great player.

Finally, regardless of all the talk and discussion about who'll be the 1, 2 or 3, best thing for the '22-23 Huskies could be that whether it's Paige, Nika, KK, Azzi or Ines bringing the ball up the court, they're all well schooled as point guards and all of them can shoot... in Geno's ideal offense, who'll bother keeping track of the 1s, 2s and 3s?
TCC Kid said:
Charlie--you sound like you know something not stated here. Geno, in the past, you and I both complained about--didn't play Freshmen. Recently he has. So, if KK has the talent, speed, and defense she'll get minutes. Caroline, Paige, Fudd speak loudly for Freshmen playing.

If the kid is ready---she'll play.
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Bone Dog said:
I don't think either Caroline or Aubrey is a good pg substitute. I can picture Caroline at the 2, 3, or 4, and Aubrey at the 3 or 4. But if we have to have either of them at the 1, we are going to be pressed. I suspect Geno (like every coach before him in Paige's life) has wanted to have her at the 2 position, and the presence of KK, Inês and Nika is going to make that a sort of default. I also suspect Paige and Azzi (and probably Caroline and Aubrey too) will not play more than 30 mins/g each next year. This is the same problem Dawn faced this year -- a long bench means a long rotation and the stars tend not to play more than 30 mins, and folks start sniping at the stars for having lower stats. The question for me is whether Aaliyah will play 35+ mins next year.
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With the load of guard Geno shall have--that is a great problem to have. Caroliine CAN play PG, should she, probably not when she is better close to the basket and hitting 3's. Aubrey is a different story, because she is a different type of player. She is the only, current, basket attacking and post defending player on the team. Her skills are well suited for the PRO's. I keep thinking UTILITY when I think Griffin. Who, how, when players get minutes hasn't really been an issue for nearly 30 years (or ever how long it has been since SEVETA). That's one problem that won't keep Geno nor Christine awake nights.
 
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