Looking forward to next season. | The Boneyard

Looking forward to next season.

MinneHusky

MinneHusky

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We'll get to see Ice in a Husky uniform. Fingers crossed Paige can stay healthy. Another offseason of keeping this amazing chemistry building that they already have. Yes Dorka and Lou will be missed of course they will. Jana as we know has already been practicing and getting adjusted to the system. Things are looking really good already. This season ended not like we were hoping, but time to get ready and excited for next season. Ok maybe I"m jumping the gun, but it's going to be here before we know it. I'm calling it now, UConn Huskies 2024 National Champs!!

I can't wait to see UConn when they come play here vs Minnesota. I hope I get tickets and are sitting by other UConn fans.
 
I think this one will have to hurt for a while yet, but pretty soon the Boneyard will be full of interest in the portal, where Lou and Dorka get drafted, ongoing interest in recruiting, and of course the annual debate on what the starting lineup should be. that will keep us busy in the offseason.
 
If I have observed anything here it is that we seem to expect too much of our freshmen and sophomores, especially our opinions in the offseason. I agree that on paper we will look very good, but in reality, we have no idea what our current freshman and incoming freshmen will bring to the court. We most likely will need another big to help Aaliyah have a truly AA season. That means we are going to expect Jana, Ice and Ayanna to come forward. Let's see what happens next November and December.
 
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Sometimes we have to be realistic.

With what the kid's have delt with over the last two years. . . Making the sweet sixteen is an accomplishment.

Unfortunately our kids weren't up to playing well enough to make the officiating unnoticeable.
 
Hey Adrien! said:
Two straight injury-riddled seasons makes this two-year “slump” seem flukey.

So much returning talent next year. Easy to-five preseason pick.
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We have been amazing considered that we have had injuries to 3 or 4 grat players last 2 years. While I revere Geno I think his inability to develop a decent backup big has really hurt us we just do not have enough depth when one of our bigs gets in foul trouble.
 
Hat tip to the Buckeyes, they had a plan and executed it. Hat tip to the Huskies who left it all on the floor today and battled adversity all season long. Fair winds to Lou and Dorka. Dang. Last time this happened, I was so... less old.
 
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MinneHusky said:
We'll get to see Ice in a Husky uniform. Fingers crossed Paige can stay healthy. Another offseason of keeping this amazing chemistry building that they already have. Yes Dorka and Lou will be missed of course they will. Jana as we know has already been practicing and getting adjusted to the system. Things are looking really good already. This season ended not like we were hoping, but time to get ready and excited for next season. Ok maybe I"m jumping the gun, but it's going to be here before we know it. I'm calling it now, UConn Huskies 2024 National Champs!!

I can't wait to see UConn when they come play here vs Minnesota. I hope I get tickets and are sitting by other UConn fans.
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Why can’t we go into a season without always claiming we will be dominant, we will win the NC, etc? Many Huskies fans are just not paying attention to the fact that there are now multiple title contenders, a plethora of outstanding players ( who would have predicted a freshmen front court player would outplay our bigs today?), and many good coaches. We love our players, but they are no more special than all the players on others teams who are chasing the same dreams and are beloved by their fans. There is no aura of invincibility or exceptionalism, we are a great program among an increasing number of great and good programs. You heard Geno say how hard it is to win in the tournament. Can’t we just cheer on the team and hope for the best and not make silly proclamations of greatness and guaranteed championships?
 
Already looking forward to next season however I will turn my head to those who say we will win it all. Even with the personnel returning and coming in, we can only hope that they can put it together and bring back a trophy to Storrs. It may not be like the men's side yet but the landscape of WCBB has become more competitive and any team can be beaten at any time.
 
SEbluebood said:
Why can’t we go into a season without always claiming we will be dominant, we will win the NC, etc? Many Huskies fans are just not paying attention to the fact that there are now multiple title contenders, a plethora of outstanding players ( who would have predicted a freshmen front court player would outplay our bigs today?), and many good coaches. We love our players, but they are no more special than all the players on others teams who are chasing the same dreams and are beloved by their fans. There is no aura of invincibility or exceptionalism, we are a great program among an increasing number of great and good programs. You heard Geno say how hard it is to win in the tournament. Can’t we just cheer on the team and hope for the best and not make silly proclamations of greatness and guaranteed championships?
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Agreed. Being back in Albany ( I think ) is an advantage for us
 
Way too much angst over people predicting greatness, championship, etc! How does them making predictions hurt anyone? I’m pretty sure you would see the same thing in every fan forum in the country. With far less reason, I might add. Best to stay in your own lane and simply disagree rather than trying to tell others what to say! By the way, our players are more special to most UConn fans than players from other teams. Not as human beings but certainly as our players!
I too believe next year’s team, if healthy will/should be a favorite to win it all. How does that, right or wrong, hurt anyone or belittle other teams?
 
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LwrcasefaN said:
Everything that was missing this year...is already here. All things considered....this was a special season.
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Right on, @LwrcasefaN This about says it all as far as I’m concerned. Don’t need no transfers, don’t need to build a juggernaut. The team will be really sharp.

Remember when Paige and Nika and Aaliyah first came to Storrs and the team was young? That was an awesome season and I loved the feeling of watching the team grow around Paige and not knowing where it might end up. I look forward to that feeling again with KK, Q, Ashlynn, Jana, Ayanna and Ice all being guided by our veterans, Paige, Azzi, Nika, Caroline, Aaliyah Amari and Aubrey.
 
MinneHusky said:
I can't wait to see UConn when they come play here vs Minnesota. I hope I get tickets and are sitting by other UConn fans.
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I trust Geno will try to schedule a homecoming game for Paige and if this happens, pretty sure the contingent of Husky fans from WI will be joining you.

And in a few years you can come to KK’s game in WI, assuming her time at UConn works out as we hope!
 
We have some known factors. We have a former NPOY guard Paige, a guard who played at NPOY contender level to start the season in Azzi, and our assist record holder Nika returning. On the wing we have Ducharme who has shown when healthy to be a complimentary player, and Aubrey who is a disruptive defender and rebounder. Inside, we have Edwards who has played most of the season near AA level. That’s 6 players who we know. If healthy, which is a big if, that’s a great start.

The rest is all speculative. 5 players including ice who’ve never played a college game, and then Ines, Amari, and Ayanna. Ayanna is a good example that you can’t place NC expectations on the back of a freshman based on high school recruiting ranking. Sometimes it takes time!

We have a great foundation, and a ton of potential to fill out the gaps. But until all of the dust settles with the portal, and we know injury status etc to start the season, it’s all speculative. But I’d bet we’re once again a great team, and they’ll be a joy to follow once again!
 
cabbie191 said:
I trust Geno will try to schedule a homecoming game for Paige and if this happens, pretty sure the contingent of Husky fans from WI will be joining you.

And in a few years you can come to KK’s game in WI, assuming her time at UConn works out as we hope!
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Isn't Minnesota already on next year's OOC schedule?

Geno has done it again. UConn’s 2023-2024 non-conference schedule includes: -ND -SC -TN -NC -MD -TX -NC STATE -MN -LOUISVILLE
 
Centerstream said:
If I have observed anything here it is that we seem to expect too much of our freshmen and sophomores, especially our opinions in the offseason. I agree that on paper we will look very good, but in reality, we have no idea what our current freshman and incoming freshmen will bring to the court. We most likely will need another big to help Aaliyah have a truly AA season. That means we are going to expect Jana, Ice and Ayanna to come forward. Let's see what happens next November and December.
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Why shouldn't we expect McDonalds All Americans to come in and have an impact as freshmen and especially as sophomores? Where would the UConn men's team be without Alex Karaban and Donovan Clingan?
 
Hope springs eternal in sports and on paper UConn has a lot to look forward to next season.

I've truly never seen a program have this many injuries over a two year period. This year's team did well considering the odds against them. I thought the current squad was peaking at the right time but by Q2 yesterday I could sense it would be unlikely the team would turn it around enough to win.

This year may have ended some incredible streaks but it was still a fine season that most programs envy. For now, the ladies need to get plenty of rest and take a short break before getting back to work.
 
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Had a few hours to lick my wounds from yesterday’s game. So it’s way past time to turn my attention to next year’s team. ;)

I’m going to start out with what will be the first of many posts and threads on next year’s starting 5, by going out on a limb quite a bit. Assuming everyone is healthy :oops:, after a few games to sort things out, here is the starting 5 that will carry UConn to the championship in 2023-24:

  • Paige
  • Azzi
  • Aaliyah
  • Jana :rolleyes:
  • KK :eek:
 
MinneHusky said:
We'll get to see Ice in a Husky uniform. Fingers crossed Paige can stay healthy. Another offseason of keeping this amazing chemistry building that they already have. Yes Dorka and Lou will be missed of course they will. Jana as we know has already been practicing and getting adjusted to the system. Things are looking really good already. This season ended not like we were hoping, but time to get ready and excited for next season. Ok maybe I"m jumping the gun, but it's going to be here before we know it. I'm calling it now, UConn Huskies 2024 National Champs!!

I can't wait to see UConn when they come play here vs Minnesota. I hope I get tickets and are sitting by other UConn fans.
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Yeah, I am looking forward to next season as well. Looking forward to seeing what a full healthy roster looks like on the court. Looking forward to seeing which players worked on their skill development over the summer and seeing which players did not.

Chemistry side of things, we have it. The team just seems to have a great bond. I love the bench reactions. Every player on the bench, win or lose, has such positive body language and that speaks volumes. On the court, it was the same. Everyone understood their role and did not step too far from their roles. Lou and Dorka. They will be missed. Greatly appreciate them. It is rare that you get transfers, especially Lou, who come to a team and in blend in so well. Lou in only that year, made such a positive impact. I hate to say it but having players out with injuries helped Lou greatly. She was thrown into the fire at the jump and that helped her and the team. Had others been healthy, who knows what would have happened with Lou and how she blended in with the rotation. I feel the same about Dorka. Just a positive player with such a great future ahead of her at the next level here or overseas.

As for us Minnesota folks who are UConn fans. Yeah, we should all get together for that game when UConn comes to the Barn. That would be pretty cool. I can not wait see what coach Plitzuwedoit does with the Gophers and who she can pull in from the transfer portal.
 
Next years team barring injuries will have so many interchangeable parts. Shooters like , AS, AZ, CD will be open because of penetration from PB and KK and hopefully Nika can and will add this to her game. The PG’s will be multi dimensional scorers. Big wings like AG, CD, QS will be nightmare matchups and can all play the 4. Jana can play a point forward and IMO be one of the biggest weapons. Edwards and Ice plus Amari and Patterson at the 5. Teams will have problems guarding UCONN next year.
 
Shenandoah said:
Why shouldn't we expect McDonalds All Americans to come in and have an impact as freshmen and especially as sophomores? Where would the UConn men's team be without Alex Karaban and Donovan Clingan?
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Sitting at home with the rest of McDonalds AA from other programs. We all know that just because a player gets that Mickey D's AA label, they do not workout all the time. There are a host of things that can happen in that process. I tip my hat to Alex and Donovan. Things are working out for them.
 
What happened yesterday no one expected. There was numerous times that I wanted to switch channels but didn’t. That would not be right. With AE in the game at the beginning we were ahead. Fouls and turnovers killed us. So be it.

This was the year that streaks were broken by other teams. Teaching the Final Four one hurts the most. That’s because you as a team are on the biggest stage. Again so be it.

Let’s look towards the upcoming season. We sadly say good bye and thank you to Dorka and Lou. But we get phenomenal players in Arnold, Shade and Samuels. Plus, Jana has been on campus learning the system from Egypt. Two players one of which, is Paige has nothing to prove but show her skills. Ice will make an impact.

The team will be traveling to Croatia over the summer to play, interact, eat, sightsee and bond. This is much needed. I fully expect to see them in the Final Four once again. Crossing fingers here. Please no one get hurt.

It’s really time that the doubters that keep saying the Dynasty is done and it’s good for the game get an ear full. I believe Paige will stay for two years. She wants to play with Azzi. If so, hopefully they can make it happen.
 
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