Kutztown Postgame Thread | Page 5 | The Boneyard

Kutztown Postgame Thread

oldude said:
At long last UConn WBB is back, as we all get our first extended look at this year’s team. In an exhibition, with liberal player substitution by Geno, against an overmatched D2 team I don’t focus much on shooting, MOV or execution. But there are several things I do look for:
  • Fitness level – This is Andrea Hudy’s 2nd season at UConn. Her training program should be solidly in place. I am looking for UConn WBB to be leaner, stronger and fitter. Maybe it’s just me, but Dorka, Aaliyah, Azzi and Nika all looked leaner and fitter and were generally more active than I recall from last season.
  • Back from injury/surgery - Aubrey, Dorka & Caroline are all back from surgery. Azzi dealt with a nagging foot injury all last season. How are they all moving on the court? Is anyone tentative about contact? Aubrey, Dorka & Azzi all looked healthy and moved well. Aubrey in particular was not at all afraid of mixing it up inside. We’ll have to wait a little longer to assess Caroline, due to a neck strain keeping her on the sidelines today.
  • Who’s in charge? – From the moment Paige showed up in Storrs, UConn WBB was “Paige’s team.” With Paige out for the season, who’s running the show? Clearly Nika is the leader on the court right now, and she was all over the court, but the Huskies need Dorka, Azzi and other players to also step up and lead.
  • Has anyone developed anything new? We have all been hearing about Aubrey’s rediscovered jump shot, but we didn’t see it…yet, although she was her typical rebounding tough defender. Aaliyah has been working on her low post game and it showed.
  • How do the Newbies look? Freshmen will typically play like freshmen at this point in the season, but to some extent we can assess their potential. Ayanna is a beast as we all expected. Once she polishes up her game, Ayanna will be a very important contributor. Ines got some 4th qtr PT and she looked OK. Her dish to Ayanna was Showtime. Lou is a different story. She is the real deal and she fits right in seamlessly with the Huskies.
  • Random thoughts –
    • In the first half alone, Nika had a game that only Nika could have: 2 pf’s while drawing 3 pf’s on Kutztown, 4 pts, 4 rbs, 4 ast, 3 stl, 2 bl, 1 to.
    • Whenever Azzi misses a 3-pt shot I find it impossible to understand why it didn't splash the net? :rolleyes:
    • Once Lou and Azzi learn to play off each other, along with Caroline, the Huskies will be hell to defend on the perimeter.
    • Dorka looks primed to have a breakout year as UConn’s center.
    • While I did not expect to see a lot of Ines in today’s game, I must confess that I am disappointed that we didn't see Amari until the 4th qtr.
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Nice analysis. Really liked the comments on Nika.
Ines, is new new, new. New to Uconn, new to USA College Basketball, New to the (person to person) Language. Give her time. I liked what I saw.
I'm happy for Ayanna, she thinks score, attack the basket, I liked her energy, no lazy husky here. Lou, WOW, I'm impressed. Div2 isn't Div 1, but you couldn't see the difference in Lou today.
Amer--Geno sees much you and I don't see. She CAN score--but Uconn has 6 scorers, Ayanna and Dorka can't do it alone, Ameri is needed.
Azzi--Makes KML look like an average shooter (Not really but Azzi is impressive) KML was truly amazing and she has her STEP DAD to thank for her skills--wonderful, just wonderful.
Edwards, Dorka, did exactly as I expected and both are still evolving.
I got a chill up my back as Morgan cheered Azzi's performance as she departed the floor--how to go Morgan. Nika has a great role model in Morgan.
 
Beemer said:
Overall I was happy with Nika's play (she only got 2 fouls the ENTIRE game, that has to be a record for The Gnat! :)) but I still want her to shoot more. She took just 4 shots the entire game. Now I get it a lot depends on what the defense of their opponent is making available to the Huskies but shooting is an attitude as well as a mechanical process. She's still looking to pass too much IMO.
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When Azzi, Lou & Dorka are knocking down shots like they did today, Nika doesn’t need to take a lot of shots. Nika had 11 assists, many of which were easy passes to open teammates at the 3-pt line.

There will be a time when Nika has to take more shots. But I was fine with her pushing the ball up the court and distributing to her teammates today.
 
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LwrcasefaN said:
I fell in love with the pace of this team. Player movement and ball movement was the best I've seen in a while at UCONN. I'm going to start calling them the "giddy up" girls if this continues.
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Heh heh heh.........giddy up. :cool:
 
OMG!!!!

You won’t get any critical comments from me today. They were even better than I expected, and you guys know what an optimist I am. A couple of random observations:

1. Lou is bigger than I expected. She’s usually listed at 6’1” or 6’2”, just like Caroline. If Lou is only 6’1”, she’s a long 6’1”. She will create a ton of matchup problems for Texas especially. Last year, when she played against them she stuck as a 3/4. But when we meet them this tear, she’ll be a 2/3. ND may be able to have Citron guard her. But play Caroline next to her and that will blow up that plan.

2. Aubrey and Ayanna bring a ton of energy and muscle to the 4. And Ayanna is quicker than I expected. She looks rough now, but that will get smoothed out by January. I think she’ll be a terror for other bigs. She’ll wear them out.

3. I can picture a small unit of Nika Azzi Caroline Lou Ayanna that could run other teams off the court.

4. We are HUGE! Dorka Aaliyah Ayanna Aubrey Caroline Lou — that is a huge team. Even Azzi is almost 6 feet. We’re not just tall, but also long and strong.
 
I thought that there were several visible areas of improvement and one very noticeable area of no improvement in the returning players. I also was thought that there were very unexpected positives in the new players.

Nika- More muscular, greater strength and stamina, looking up court whenever she gets the ball, passing with a purpose, much stronger on drives, better stroke, a true point guard.

Azzi - Smarter and stronger, stroke is even better, moving better without the ball to get open, can do yeoman's work as a substitute PG.

Dorka- Smoother stroke, about to emerge as a true star underneath.

Liya- Developed that quick drive move to the right, great free throw form, seems much smarter as a basketball player out there with much better court sense and sense of where she should be in a given set, more athletic.

Aubrey- We really did miss her. No one causes chaos and confusion like her, went to the hole strong, just needs some games to get her timing back . Seems leaner and stronger and not hesitant.

Amari- Just disappointed. No real change in strength or skill in this game today and hopefully she will work really hard from now on or she will be a 3 minute player like last year.

Lou- Smart, complete offensive player, a bona fide scorer with every shot there is and moves well without the ball. Blends in seamlessly.

Ines- Surprisingly stronger than the film I saw of her. Has the European glide speed which has to be quickened but is not afraid (behind the back pass in front of Geno). Kid is a player. Good passer with strength and zip on the passes right or left and can go to the hoop.

Ayanna- As billed. She will have to adjust to bigger players than today but having an underneath power player is a great addition. A double double in her first outing is very promising.

All in all, there are a lot of weapons on this team and with CD coming back, it can be an offensive juggernaut. We will be very up tempo, with 3 dead eye 3 point shooters in Azzi, Lou and CD, of whom Lou and CD are nose for the basket type scorers, and a variety of low post scorers in Ay and Liya and an inside out threat in Dorka. Nika and Aubrey have stronger drive moves too.

The defense? Ay, there's the rub but the defense has some genuine stars in Nika and Aubrey and of course Liya. That will be a work in progress more so than the offense but as was posted several times, that's the February metamorphosis, not the November live birth.
 
ucbart said:
I'm only going to say something about one player:

When Alliyah Edwards was a freshman, she never looked that poised on the FT line, going 3-3, she never looked that poised on an 18' jumper, and she would've travelled on that pump fake and drive to the opposite side of the basket for a layup.

I feel like she's sort of gotten lost in the post-game comments, but what I saw from her today is the makings of a consistent and legitimate force in the low post. I really hope she puts it all together this year, because she could be unstoppable.
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Alyiah Edwards was the MVP of the Global cup this summer. She looked poised and her outside shot was money. Think she will do more when she is required,
 
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34F8CA02-DB4A-482B-8CF7-7B2EBE55CBA5.jpeg

Nika Muhl, rebounding machine.
 
ucbart said:
I'm only going to say something about one player:

When Alliyah Edwards was a freshman, she never looked that poised on the FT line, going 3-3, she never looked that poised on an 18' jumper, and she would've travelled on that pump fake and drive to the opposite side of the basket for a layup.

I feel like she's sort of gotten lost in the post-game comments, but what I saw from her today is the makings of a consistent and legitimate force in the low post. I really hope she puts it all together this year, because she could be unstoppable.
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eebmg said:
I think Aaliyah has refined her shooting and FT's and one drive in particular where she faked left with a slight shoulder twitch and went hard right is something she did not have. And she is just as disruptive on defense as she has ever been But she may suffer a bit by being compared to Ayanna's physical gifts which are surreal.
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Didn't get to see the game, but it sounds like how she played during the summer has carried over. I noted that her jump shot seemed more fluid/smoother when I watched Globl Jam. Her goal is to be more consistent. If she is able to accomplish this, she will be very fun to watch.

She may get overlooked on the board, however she can't be by the teams that have to face her. I think that's more important overall.
 
Bone Dog said:
OMG!!!!

You won’t get any critical comments from me today. They were even better than I expected, and you guys know what an optimist I am. A couple of random observations:

1. Lou is bigger than I expected. She’s usually listed at 6’1” or 6’2”, just like Caroline. If Lou is only 6’1”, she’s a long 6’1”. She will create a ton of matchup problems for Texas especially. Last year, when she played against them she stuck as a 3/4. But when we meet them this tear, she’ll be a 2/3. ND may be able to have Citron guard her. But play Caroline next to her and that will blow up that plan.

2. Aubrey and Ayanna bring a ton of energy and muscle to the 4. And Ayanna is quicker than I expected. She looks rough now, but that will get smoothed out by January. I think she’ll be a terror for other bigs. She’ll wear them out.

3. I can picture a small unit of Nika Azzi Caroline Lou Ayanna that could run other teams off the court.

4. We are HUGE! Dorka Aaliyah Ayanna Aubrey Caroline Lou — that is a huge team. Even Azzi is almost 6 feet. We’re not just tall, but also long and strong.
Expand ...
@Bone Dog I find myself agreeing with u often and u hit the bullseye on the first point. That's y I really liked when she drove and attacked the basket today. She has great size. I also thought she looked good handling the ball which I was concerned about.
I loved what I saw from Aubrey. I can't help myself so based on today, I think this is how the minutes may shake out.

AE 28
32
NM 27
DJ 26
Lou 26
CD 26
AG 20
AP 15
 
I'd start Lou and bring Caroline off the bench. Lou is a better shooter. Her defense is adequate and will get better. Caroline is a sure thing where Caroline is an expectation and hope.
 
jdote33 said:
@Bone Dog I find myself agreeing with u often and u hit the bullseye on the first point. That's y I really liked when she drove and attacked the basket today. She has great size. I also thought she looked good handling the ball which I was concerned about.
I loved what I saw from Aubrey. I can't help myself so based on today, I think this is how the minutes may shake out.

AE 28
Azzi Fudd 32
NM 27
DJ 26
Lou 26
CD 26
AG 20
AP 15
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Yup, it looks like we're going to play 5+3 this year.
 
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cancontent said:
Didn't get to see the game, but it sounds like how she played during the summer has carried over. I noted that her jump shot seemed more fluid/smoother when I watched Globl Jam. Her goal is to be more consistent. If she is able to accomplish this, she will be very fun to watch.

She may get overlooked on the board, however she can't be by the teams that have to face her. I think that's more important overall.
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Nan has it posted at the top of the UConn Woman's Basketball Forum.
 
Ayanna Patterson got a double double in her first (exhibition) game at Uconn. The future belongs to her. Following PB....she will get even better this year!!!!!!!
 
reelfan said:
Did not see Carolina on the bench today. Any particular reason ???
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Caroline was on the bench, she didn't play due to neck issues.
 
cgshuskie said:
I'd start Lou and bring Caroline off the bench. Lou is a better shooter. Her defense is adequate and will get better. Caroline is a sure thing where Caroline is an expectation and hope.
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I’m leaning that way too. I think the neck will make it that way anyways because coach said it may linger.
 
While watching the post-game handshake line, I was touched to see how many of the Kutztown players were genuinely thrilled to shake Geno's hand. I think we sometimes forget the fact that he is a legend. He's just Geno to us.
 
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cgshuskie said:
Ayanna Patterson got a double double in her first (exhibition) game at Uconn. The future belongs to her. Following PB....she will get even better this year!!!!!!!
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awesomesauce.
she was our funnest player today for the hope v. reality thing.
double double first time she steps on the floor. hot dang.
 
MSGRET said:
Caroline was on the bench, she didn't play due to neck issues.
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I'm concerned about Caroline, hopefully needlessly... she was on the bench until early in the second half, but she left at that point and didn't return. Geno commented afterward that her neck issue might be something she'll need to deal with all season. I hope we hear something more definitive soon, and/or that Caroline's back in business Thursday vs. Northeastern!
 
The deacon said:
I'm concerned about Caroline, hopefully needlessly... she was on the bench until early in the second half, but she left at that point and didn't return. Geno commented afterward that her neck issue might be something she'll need to deal with all season. I hope we hear something more definitive soon, and/or that Caroline's back in business Thursday vs. Northeastern!
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They "need" her badly.

You knw what what a damn shame last year and this year was/is. And even two years ago Walker left early.

IMO teams perform best with continuity. I just hope she doesn't wind up "in and out" or we just see throughout she is affected.
 
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