That's not how it work. Among the UCONN starters last year only 1 (ONO) shot more than 50%. UCONN as a team shot 47.9 % and held their opponents to 33.1 percent shooting. When both UCONN and the opponent are shooting less than 50% that means there is tons of rebounds available. Getting more rebounds than you opponent gets you more shot attempts which gets you more points.
Winning the rebounding margin doesn't guarantee that you win the game but it would be foolish to think UCONN can get out rebounded and still have a successful season. You can put a small tam out there if you want but as Pat Reiley would tell you: "
No rebounds, No rings"
Christyn Williams
was not named Honorable mention AA last year. As I have pointed out before, to pencil in two UCONN players as AA in 2020 is dubious. Dubious specifically because of the players returning to play college basketball in 2020 see reference below. BTW WCBB returns 5 of the top 10 rebounders in 2020.
The Associated Press announced today the All-Americans of the 2020 Division I women's basketball season.
www.ncaa.com
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Thanks for the post. I enjoy the discussion.
Your entire tone on 1st paragraph I disagree with which is fine- I enjoy. As far as fg% teams that shoot a lot of 3's still might be more efficient than than a teams that shoot mostly 2's and at 50+%. For example, Ray Allen never shot above 50% in the NBA and he is regarded as one the greatest shooters in NBA history. He's in the HOF because of his 3pt shot. So the FG% number you point out imo need context. Diana Taurasi never shot above 50% in her 4 years at UCONN. so big deal UCONN doesn't shoot above 50%.
Secondly, sure getting more rebounds helps, but so does better offensive execution. In a perfect world we would love both - but suppose we don't have both? You go with your bets option. So, in fact you have made comments on here that you felt Edwards is too young. I agreed with that. If I agreed she is too young and I fear she'll get eaten up, during preseason I can't possibly say to start her when as a counter I have another option to win by playing "better players" that will execute offensively much better. BTW, what is your prediction on Edwards? Unless you are confident in her-- and maybe she will be fine as a pf-- then great. But by just our preseason prognostications, I am not confident in her. And I agreed with her you- she is too young(you said the before on older posts on other threads, right?) - so in that case you should look to play the better player. More than likely the elite team is going to take you down if she can't hold up. You have a better chance beating the elite teams with offensive execution in this case, and run and trap more.
As far as the bold, I don't understand. Are you saying that there is only one successful season and that is winning a championship? Secondly, can't I counter your point by saying "it would be foolish to think that if UCONN gets out-executed offensively that UCONN could still have a successful season . . . " Though I think I disagree with how you define a successful season.
As far as what Pat Riley said -- sure that is 90's basketball. Pat Summit said similar thing,. The beauty is Diana Taurasi proved that wrong. UCONN got wiped out on the glass - completely wiped out in either 2003 or 2004 - not just beaten but wiped out and still beat Tennessee. And UCONN can possibly outrebound teams or keep it close by forcing teams to play their style. Do you think Golden State plays the same way as Riley's Knicks?
Anyhow, below is a link regarding rebounding from several years ago -- oops can't link it here. In addition if we look at the NBA -- Toronto won the championship and had the 17th best rebounding in NBA. Golden State -- who regularly plays small ball had the 11th. And if we look at the WNBA - Washington Mystics won. They were 10th in a 12 team league in rebounding-- the had best reg season record and won it all per the 2nd link showing they were that at the bottom tier of rebounding. Not sure about the other link either bt anyone can research and see Wash was 10th.
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If Edwards can be vs elite teams a good rebounder as a frosh and be decent enough on offense (and ofc on-the ball-defend) then hell yeah I'm with you! Play her a lot- start her etc. Can you assure me though that she is? So I'm skeptical what she brings which is why I put her as a backup 4/5 -- and then see how she looks.
But if she can help us win the battle of the boards then I'm with ya with her. We both have concerns though about her youth, right? How good do you think she ultimately will be this upcoming year? I'm skeptical of what she can produce other than backup vs the elite teams. 
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