Looking Ahead

[Rb335]

Sarah quietly goes about her business. She’ll be consistently great next year, and I expect will be our best player and perhaps NPOY. For Azzi, she needs to work on consistency. The beautiful thing about Paige’s game was she was consistent every night. We can’t have Azzi shoot 10-18 one night, then 2-4 another. A lot rides on her bringing her final four game for a full season.

Beyond that, KK needs to be in the gym working on her shot. Jana needs to be working on her conditioning. They’ll be starters and part of the core. I like Shade on the 6th woman role. She played it perfectly this year.

Beyond that, we’ll need Blanca to come in with a bang or one of Allie/Morgan to fill the wing. I liked Morgan’s game and I think she’d be a great 3 and D wing player with size.

After that we have a lot of potentials in freshman, Ayanna, Ice and Caroline. We’ll see who commands playing time but the cupboard isn’t bare. Losing Paige will show at times, and she’s a massive loss. But with who we have and portal possibilities I think we’ll be in the mix again.

 

[David54]

There was considerable discussion as Paige approached 90% ft of the 50 40 90 and how rare that is. I’m thinking Azzi has a real good shot at doing that next year. She had the 90 and the 40 this year.

 

[msf22b]

Caroline I'm hoping will be back next season. She has come along way and still has a way to go before she can give us 25 minutes every nite. She could be the third scorer.

Any pollster who picks any preseason team ahead of UConn imo is silly. We still have a proven defense. They also proved that you dont need a big to win it all.

1. Caroline: Could certainly be the 3rd scorer...Wouldn't that be something!
2. Any pollster: Right on...I'm with you 100% on that one.

 

[Bone Dog]

I rewatched the video of the UCLA game. It’s really surprising how unenergized the Bruins seemed. The USC game was much more intense. But against UCLA, the whole affair was quite low key. I’d say something similar about the second half of the final against SC. It’s like the fight was missing from everyone on SC except for Maddie and Milaysia.

This really makes me wonder about what sort of coach Cori is, if she can’t get her team up for a final four game. I gather she’s quite nice personally and her players like her. But that really isn’t enough. And in her post game presser she congratulated herself on the idea that all her players were returning. Wow! Talk about not reading her own locker room.

 

[my2cents]

Like this past year, Ash will continue to play a relegated role along with KK. For a couple of reasons: First, they are the absolute best at what they do and are instrumental in Geno's strategy. Second, Ash plays the 2 and as long as Azzi's there she will not start. The reason UConn is a championship program is due to players like Ash who fit a role and are willing to give their all in that capacity.

I totally disagree. Ash will be starting and be the third biggest offensive contributor. She has shown that she can make 3's , pull ups and finish. She has also done it in big games. Her 3 threes at South Carolina was the reason we were up 20 at halftime. Dawn Staley said her three at halftime was the dagger that killed SC's momentum at the Final.
Her aggressive defense and ability to make plays is up there with everyone else's.

 

[Skeets]

I totally disagree. Ash will be starting and be the third biggest offensive contributor. She has shown that she can make 3's , pull ups and finish. She has also done it in big games. Her 3 threes at South Carolina was the reason we were up 20 at halftime. Dawn Staley said her three at halftime was the dagger that killed SC's momentum at the Final.
Her aggressive defense and ability to make plays is up there with everyone else's.

I agree. Ash is a big part of the "Agents of Chaos".

 

[Bigboote]

Jana needs to work on her hand strength. She seems to lose many rebounds. She could work with Sarah, who has excellent hands, and also is great around the basket. Jana seems to be on the threshold of greatness. Just needs to hold on to rebounds and make those shots around the basket.

For Azzi, she needs consistency. There is a wide gap between her best game and her worst game. I wonder how much is mental, and how much is physical. She will be counted on every game next year. No pressure.

Excited to see how these two develop.

I’d like to see Jana, Ice, Ayanna, and Sarah do some drills with CD and Jamelle. Sarah already has the hands and the ability to get to her spot. CD and Jamelle shouls analyze what she does and show te others what works, and they should work together to make sure they all get it. Ayanna is strong as all get-out, and the others should work keeping her off her block and trying to get to theirs against her. It won’t be exactly fun, but it might make each of them better.

Morgan and Allie should work with Azzi and Ashlynn. I’m not worried about Azzi at all—she was coming off an injury and was largely getting her wheels back under her in games. Shw has a wealth of knowledge to share. Morgan to my eyes was just about there before her injury, just kind of a bigger Ashlynn. Allie looked like she needed to speed up her reactions some, working with the upperclassmen can help that.

I don’t know about basketball, but in academics I always found that showing other students how to do stuff helped things gel in my mind.

 

[Bone Dog]

I don’t know about basketball, but in academics I always found that showing other students how to do stuff helped things gel in my mind.

This is the central pedagogic principle of my little college — our students learn by trying to explain what they think they understand to each other. If things are going well, I hardly speak in class at all.

But I’m not so sure it works as well in non-intellectual things. Azzi is one of the most “coached” kids ever. She didn’t just figure out that shot (and so much else about her game) merely by playing against other kids in pickup games. Ash is similar. Paige may be sort of an exception, since she probably developed some of her game from playing with her friend Jalen Suggs growing up. You can see it most clearly in the similarity of their passing verve. But Paige was also coached a lot. Jalen too.

Still, I’d have to agree that playing pickup games against someone like Ash or KK or Caroline or Ayanna or Ice or Jana would be really good for Morgan and Allie, and probably Kelis and Gandy and even Serah. I left Azzi off this list merely because she may not be in Storrs much this summer, at least judging from last summer.

But seriously, I think you learn a lot about your teammates by playing with them even casually, and this may be more important than any technical skills you might get that way. Allie could learn a lot about Ash’s indomitable will in pickup games. Morgan could learn a lot about having the nerve to finish at the rim — which she seems to need — by trying to stop Caroline in the paint. Ice is remarkably strong when it comes to setting screens, and she could learn how to be strong boxing out from playing with Ayanna. If Serah chooses UConn and reports to Storrs early, she could give all the bigs an example of how to face bigger stronger opponents.

Just thinking about Ash while watching clips of Paige getting off that step back jumper she used to such great effect in the tournament — this is a missing element of Ash’s game. She has a beautiful midrange jumper. But she isn’t as nimble as Paige. A coach can teach her the footwork to get a step back jumper off, or to lean into the dribble-stop jumper coming off a screen. But the nerve and the verve needed is sure to be helped by playing pickup games against her teammates over the summer.

And setting screens, which is not typical of pickup games, imagine developing the intuitive sense of one’s teammates by setting screens for each other in that context. Pic-n-rolls, back cuts, stuff like that, if you can improvise plays like that together, think how well you’ll be able to do it in formal practices and official games as part of set plays.

 

[Crossover]

I totally disagree. Ash will be starting and be the third biggest offensive contributor. She has shown that she can make 3's , pull ups and finish. She has also done it in big games. Her 3 threes at South Carolina was the reason we were up 20 at halftime. Dawn Staley said her three at halftime was the dagger that killed SC's momentum at the Final.
Her aggressive defense and ability to make plays is up there with everyone else's.

Are you saying that Geno will start three players 5' 10" or under (Azzi, Ash, and KK), or is your assumption that KK will come off the bench? If the latter, who will bring the ball up and initiate the offense? Not exactly Ash's forte, and while Azzi can play the point, I would rather her energy be spent off ball on offense and playing aggressively on defense.

 

[ERWUC65]

I’d like to see Jana, Ice, Ayanna, and Sarah do some drills with CD and Jamelle. Sarah already has the hands and the ability to get to her spot. CD and Jamelle shouls analyze what she does and show te others what works, and they should work together to make sure they all get it. Ayanna is strong as all get-out, and the others should work keeping her off her block and trying to get to theirs against her. It won’t be exactly fun, but it might make each of them better.

Morgan and Allie should work with Azzi and Ashlynn. I’m not worried about Azzi at all—she was coming off an injury and was largely getting her wheels back under her in games. Shw has a wealth of knowledge to share. Morgan to my eyes was just about there before her injury, just kind of a bigger Ashlynn. Allie looked like she needed to speed up her reactions some, working with the upperclassmen can help that.

I don’t know about basketball, but in academics I always found that showing other students how to do stuff helped things gel in my mind.

A big question to me here is where Jana will spend her summer. Will she go back to Egypt and work with her dad or stay in the US and go to a summer camp?

 

[my2cents]

Are you saying that Geno will start three players 5' 10" or under (Azzi, Ash, and KK), or is your assumption that KK will come off the bench? If the latter, who will bring the ball up and initiate the offense? Not exactly Ash's forte, and while Azzi can play the point, I would rather her energy be spent off ball on offense and playing aggressively on defense.

I may be mistaken , but in "24 Ash, KK and Paige were the starters on a team that came within 2 points of a national championship game. Ash, KK and Fudd as starters will be fine. As for your preference or mine, it really will be Geno's that counts.

 

[Cuango]

Sarah quietly goes about her business. She’ll be consistently great next year, and I expect will be our best player and perhaps NPOY. For Azzi, she needs to work on consistency. The beautiful thing about Paige’s game was she was consistent every night. We can’t have Azzi shoot 10-18 one night, then 2-4 another. A lot rides on her bringing her final four game for a full season.

Beyond that, KK needs to be in the gym working on her shot. Jana needs to be working on her conditioning. They’ll be starters and part of the core. I like Shade on the 6th woman role. She played it perfectly this year.

Beyond that, we’ll need Blanca to come in with a bang or one of Allie/Morgan to fill the wing. I liked Morgan’s game and I think she’d be a great 3 and D wing player with size.

After that we have a lot of potentials in freshman, Ayanna, Ice and Caroline. We’ll see who commands playing time but the cupboard isn’t bare. Losing Paige will show at times, and she’s a massive loss. But with who we have and portal possibilities I think we’ll be in the mix again.

While it may be a good problem to have, there is a potential logjam next year at the three. Sarah clearly is #1 in this group, while (not likely, but possible) Caroline could be next, followed by Morgan (if she can get fully healthy) who imo has the potential to be a star, and, finally, our newest recruit Blanca, who also looks to have tremendous potential. I know Geno does not play the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 game in terms of set positional play but that is a lot of 6’2” talent!
Of course, the frontcourt (I can’t believe I’m saying this) is going to be equally crowded. We will have Jana, Ice, Sarah, Yanna, and Gandy and potentially, (hopefully) Serah as well! Practice in the front court is going to be brutal next season. Of course, back court practice will be fairly competitive as well with KK, Kelis, Azzi, Ash, Allie, Sarah, Morgan, Blanca, and who knows, perhaps one more from the portal battling it out daily to see who gets the minutes! I’m gonna have to stock up on popcorn next year. This is going to be great!

 

[Blue Ghost]

Ash, I believe, will be a star next season. She accepted her role this year and deferred to the "superstars". I don't buy the "consistency" jab many have given her this year. She was one of the most consistent players on the team her freshman season, and you could count on her 9-12 points per game, and her always amazing hustle. Remember, she played almost the entire game, every game!

As much as I like her tenacity and her 100% effort every game. She hasn't shown that she can consistently score against the top teams. She is limited against athletic guards.

 

[DEFCONN1]

This is the central pedagogic principle of my little college — our students learn by trying to explain what they think they understand to each other. If things are going well, I hardly speak in class at all.

But I’m not so sure it works as well in non-intellectual things. Azzi is one of the most “coached” kids ever. She didn’t just figure out that shot (and so much else about her game) merely by playing against other kids in pickup games. Ash is similar. Paige may be sort of an exception, since she probably developed some of her game from playing with her friend Jalen Suggs growing up. You can see it most clearly in the similarity of their passing verve. But Paige was also coached a lot. Jalen too.

Still, I’d have to agree that playing pickup games against someone like Ash or KK or Caroline or Ayanna or Ice or Jana would be really good for Morgan and Allie, and probably Kelis and Gandy and even Serah. I left Azzi off this list merely because she may not be in Storrs much this summer, at least judging from last summer.

But seriously, I think you learn a lot about your teammates by playing with them even casually, and this may be more important than any technical skills you might get that way. Allie could learn a lot about Ash’s indomitable will in pickup games. Morgan could learn a lot about having the nerve to finish at the rim — which she seems to need — by trying to stop Caroline in the paint. Ice is remarkably strong when it comes to setting screens, and she could learn how to be strong boxing out from playing with Ayanna. If Serah chooses UConn and reports to Storrs early, she could give all the bigs an example of how to face bigger stronger opponents.

Just thinking about Ash while watching clips of Paige getting off that step back jumper she used to such great effect in the tournament — this is a missing element of Ash’s game. She has a beautiful midrange jumper. But she isn’t as nimble as Paige. A coach can teach her the footwork to get a step back jumper off, or to lean into the dribble-stop jumper coming off a screen. But the nerve and the verve needed is sure to be helped by playing pickup games against her teammates over the summer.

And setting screens, which is not typical of pickup games, imagine developing the intuitive sense of one’s teammates by setting screens for each other in that context. Pic-n-rolls, back cuts, stuff like that, if you can improvise plays like that together, think how well you’ll be able to do it in formal practices and official games as part of set plays.

Did you say pedagogic. I have to admit, I had to look that one up. I still do learn something new everyday. Than you Bone Dog.

 

[topogigio]

As much as I like her tenacity and her 100% effort every game. She hasn't shown that she can consistently score against the top teams. She is limited against athletic guards.

Gotta' respectfully disagree. 2023-24: 31.4mpg 11avg 3.5 rebounds/game 1.4assist/game 48.1% shooting accuracy
2024-25: 22.4 mpg 7.7avg 2.7 rebounds/game 1.3assist/game 48.0 shooting accuracy
doesn't get much more consistent. Didn't compare her #'s vs top teams, though. I still think she will be one of the "big three" next year! Plus ,she does so much stuff the box score doesn't reflect.

 

[Bone Dog]

Thinking about Geno's small ball lineup while watching the UCLA game (again), I'm struck by what happened at 1:50 in the 1st quarter. It's really an object lesson in what can go wrong with a big lineup.

Cori had one of her big lineups on the floor: Betts Barker Gardiner Jaquez and Rice. Geno had Page Sarah Azzi KK Ash out there. UCLA tries to run a play for Barker to post up Paige, since she has a 4" height advantage. But Paige has pushed Janiah out to the elbow, and once she sets herself KK double teams her and she gets flustered as she has to rip the ball away from Paige and KK before the play even begins. Then she goes into a frantic drive culminating in a turnaround step-back jumper from ~10 feet.

Just take a second to picture that: Paige has forced a much bigger player into a step-back move. She did something similar to Dugalic in the second half.​

Barker's shot misses and Betts gets the rebound but can't put shot up because Sarah KK and Ash have her surrounded and eventually Ash comes away with the ball. And Gardiner and Barker are nowhere near the action because KK Ash and Azzi have boxed them out of the play. It's effectively Betts in a 1-on-4 situation.

Could Geno use more bigs in the front court? Absolutely. But does he know how to win without this? Yes, absolutely. He tells Holly in the courtside interview that he is wary of exposing Sarah to too much foul risk in the small lineup, but also observes that Sarah poses a matchup problem on the other end of the floor. We now know that matchup problem proved to be insoluble for UCLA and devastating. If Geno plays Sarah at the 3 next season alongside Jana (or Serah) and Ice -- in other words, in a bigger slower lineup -- he may lose that matchup advantage, though he'll probably discover another one that may be even more devastating to opposing teams.