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Message: [QUOTE="JoePgh, post: 4215114, member: 1131"] To me, one of more significant things that happened this evening happened before the opening tip-off. Liv was restored to the starting lineup, but Caroline was not. Since they both seem to be at the same (nearly complete) level of recovery from their injuries, this suggests to me that (at least for now) Azzi has taken Caroline's place in the UConn starting lineup. While it is unkind for someone to lose her starter's status because of an injury, I think Caroline may find herself "Drew Bledsoe-d" by Azzi "TB12" Fudd. Given the way Azzi has played and shot the ball in the time she has been a starter, it is hard to argue with Geno making this decision. Caroline will still make a major contribution off the bench. What a luxury for Geno to have the "3" position covered by a depth chart of Azzi / Evina / Caroline! They could play together if need be, meaning that one or two of them would also cover the "2". I think it's pretty clear that when Paige returns (no longer saying "if" after Geno's latest comments), she will replace Nika in the starting lineup, and the two of them will cover the PG position very adequately. Nika will still have a major role since I don't think Paige will play more than 20-25 minutes in any game this season. Suddenly the front court is looking like the least deep part of the roster. I hope that after the last two games, no one still thinks the either Amari or Piath is ready for significant minutes in a "win or go home" game. Two other comments, mostly unrelated to the above: [LIST=1] [*]Those who think Christyn should get far fewer minutes are still failing to identify who else we have on the roster who can successfully defend an opponent's fast guard. Evina is not particularly quick, Azzi less so, and Caroline Ducharme is not quick at all. Nika and Paige are not fast enough to do that job, and Paige in particular should not be asked to do that in the next six weeks. [*]Caroline scored OK in tonight's game (though I can't remember her missing a layup like she did tonight), but she has a real problem with turnovers. This was true even before her injury, and it continues to be true. If there is a concrete reason why she should get fewer minutes than Azzi or the current version of Evina, that is it. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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