Mid-July way too early preason predictions

[victor64]

We have heard from Geno and the players enough thIs summer to make some way too early predictions.

1. Paige will log fewer minutes, average fewer points per game and lead the nation in assists. She will hate the first, could care less about the second, and be proud of the third.
2. Azzi will be as good as advertised. She will team with Paige to form the nation’s best guard tandem.
3. Bringing Dorka sent a message to Liv. Geno’s post season conference with Liv probably was not pleasant but she stayed. I would say the starter at 5 is unknown but Dorka came to play and I think she starts.
4. Evina will emerge as the most valuable (I didn’t say best or most talented) player. Her versatility, clean bill of health and off the chart leadership will be the glue to the team. She may not, however, start but play as close to as many minutes as last year.
5. Nika will successfully address every weakness that Geno identified at the end of the season , including improving her outside shot. Azzi and Paige will be too good sending Nika to the bench as a valuable early game sub.
6. Saylor’s back will fully heal. She will end up getting more minutes than Caroline Ducharme. Poffenberger will prove to be a better perimeter defender. She is not the shooter Caroline Ducharme is but is a heck of a lot better than what she showed last winter.
7. Mir will show the most dramatic sophomore leap. A clarified role and a better understanding of the playbook and expectations will be the contributing factors.
8. Aubrey’s lack of consistent outside shot finally catch up to her and she gets passed on the depth chart.
9. Piath not transferring tells me that she is ok for now with the plan that Geno has for her. I hope her medical issues don’t prevent us from seeing what the plan is. I think the weight loss was step one.
10. I think CW continues to thrive in her found role of defensive stopper and provides the consistent play that boneyarders have been hoping for.

Have at it. What did miss? What did I get wrong?

 

[BostonBay]

Will Nika start or not?? That's the hottest topic on this forum this summer! Vegas could get serious money placing that bet.

 

[Mdoggie]

I disagree with #6. Geno, CW and Paige have all commented on just how good Caroline Ducharme is. She will log more minutes than Saylor.
I do agree on Westbrook. I think healed she is gonna shock and awe a few of y’all.

 

[AAADog]

I disagree with #6. Geno, CW and Paige have all commented on just how good Caroline Ducharme is. She will log more minutes than Saylor.
I do agree on Westbrook. I think healed she is gonna shock and awe a few of y’all.

I completely agree with you about #6, I also disagree with #7. I think McLean & Griffin may have difficulty getting playing time this year. I look for Edwards to make the biggest sophmore leap.

 

[Happydad745]

Did you leave AE off the chart? Did she transfer into a Marvel superpower or something?

 

[victor64]

Did you leave AE off the chart?

Is it possible that an Olympian won’t start for her college team? I seriously doubt it. I think her Olympic experience has positive and negative aspects. Her confidence will be off the charts. I worry about fatigue and the impact of being away from the team while training with Canada

 

[Mdoggie]

AE is a future All American from Canada. An All Americanadian

 

[bluedevil]

There is no evidence to support #6. My biggest fear is the resurgence of Covid this fall combined with a bad flu season...

 

[BBallF]

We have heard from Geno and the players enough thIs summer to make some way too early predictions.

1. Paige will log fewer minutes, average fewer points per game and lead the nation in assists. She will hate the first, could care less about the second, and be proud of the third.
2. Azzi will be as good as advertised. She will team with Paige to form the nation’s best guard tandem.
3. Bringing Dorka sent a message to Liv. Geno’s post season conference with Liv probably was not pleasant but she stayed. I would say the starter at 5 is unknown but Dorka came to play and I think she starts.
4. Evina will emerge as the most valuable (I didn’t say best or most talented) player. Her versatility, clean bill of health and off the chart leadership will be the glue to the team. She may not, however, start but play as close to as many minutes as last year.
5. Nika will successfully address every weakness that Geno identified at the end of the season , including improving her outside shot. Azzi and Paige will be too good sending Nika to the bench as a valuable early game sub.
6. Saylor’s back will fully heal. She will end up getting more minutes than Caroline Ducharme. Poffenberger will prove to be a better perimeter defender. She is not the shooter Caroline Ducharme is but is a heck of a lot better than what she showed last winter.
7. Mir will show the most dramatic sophomore leap. A clarified role and a better understanding of the playbook and expectations will be the contributing factors.
8. Aubrey’s lack of consistent outside shot finally catch up to her and she gets passed on the depth chart.
9. Piath not transferring tells me that she is ok for now with the plan that Geno has for her. I hope her medical issues don’t prevent us from seeing what the plan is. I think the weight loss was step one.
10. I think CW continues to thrive in her found role of defensive stopper and provides the consistent play that boneyarders have been hoping for.

Have at it. What did miss? What did I get wrong?

3) Liv starts. 4) E starts 5) Nika will start and play maybe in rotation but not as a an early exit 6) Caroline Ducharme is a better shooter and will play more 7) We hope. 8) No, she is valuable in other ways. 11) Liv? That is your most improved. She is playing on the Canadian National team and in the Olympics. Evina is 2nd.

 

[Heytherego]

I really don’t like the narrative Geno brought in Dorka to send a message to Liv. Dorka is a talented player and even if Liv was performing at her potential, Dorka would have been a great addition. Geno brought in Dorka because she’s a skilled young lady who wanted to play at Uconn. If a skilled PG/SG transfered to Uconn it wouldn’t be sending a message to Paige.
Geno knows Liv needs to improve, Liv knows it, we know it.

 

[BBallF]

3) Liv starts. 4) E starts 5) Nika will start and play maybe in rotation but not as a an early exit 6) Caroline Ducharme is a better shooter and will play more 7) We hope. 8) No, she is valuable in other ways. 11) Liv? That is your most improved. She is playing on the Canadian National team and in the Olympics. Evina is 2nd.

My error. I meant AE, I expect her to be most improved with Evina after her.

 

[victor64]

I really don’t like the narrative Geno brought in Dorka to send a message to Liv. Dorka is a talented player and even if Liv was performing at her potential, Dorka would have been a great addition. Geno brought in Dorka because she’s a skilled young lady who wanted to play at Uconn. If a skilled PG/SG transfered to Uconn it wouldn’t be sending a message to Paige.
Geno knows Liv needs to improve, Liv knows it, we know it.

Dorka was two time All Big Ten. She is a potential WNBA pick. She did not come to UConn, no matter how great the program, to play 15 to 20 minutes a game as a backup.

If Liv comes up huge against Arizona and has the long awaited strong game against a quality opponent, Geno doesn't pursue Dorka. He would have had Liv, AE and to a smaller extent Deberry and Gabriel to handle the center position minutes.

Geno patiently waited three years for it to click with Liv. After Arizona, I think he decided not to wait anymore.

 

[victor64]

The starting line up topic has been beaten to death in other threads. I think Azzi and Edwards start. Two starters have to now sit. I choose Nika and Evina.

 

[bbfanLA]

I think some people are selling ONO a little short (pun intended). She was an AP Honorable Mention the past two years. Sure, she can improve but that’s not exactly chopped liver.

 

[Zarathustra]

I cannot crystal ball the starting team nor the minutes. But
I would like to see the regular rotation ( prior to time in 4th quarter
blowouts ) be 8 - 9 players. Crazy things happen, e.g. KLS and Olympics!

 

[Heytherego]

Dorka was two time All Big Ten. She is a potential WNBA pick. She did not come to UConn, no matter how great the program, to play 15 to 20 minutes a game as a backup.

If Liv comes up huge against Arizona and has the long awaited strong game against a quality opponent, Geno doesn't pursue Dorka. He would have had Liv, AE and to a smaller extent Deberry and Gabriel to handle the center position minutes.

Geno patiently waited three years for it to click with Liv. After Arizona, I think he decided not to wait anymore.

I agree with what you’re saying but I don’t think bringing her in was to send a message. And I’m not saying Dorka is coming to bench, I agree she’s going to get minutes. Liv might lose out minutes but I don’t think Geno would turn down Dorka if Liv was playing a lot better. My whole point is bringing in a talented player to send a message to someone else isn’t what’s going on. He brought in a player who could help our team. Same way SC didn’t turn down Cardoso just because they already have an AA at the same position. She is going to be a great addition to the team and from what GA said it sounded like Dorka reached out and really wanted to come to Uconn.

 

[Bald Husky]

We have heard from Geno and the players enough thIs summer to make some way too early predictions.

1. Paige will log fewer minutes, average fewer points per game and lead the nation in assists. She will hate the first, could care less about the second, and be proud of the third.
2. Azzi will be as good as advertised. She will team with Paige to form the nation’s best guard tandem.
3. Bringing Dorka sent a message to Liv. Geno’s post season conference with Liv probably was not pleasant but she stayed. I would say the starter at 5 is unknown but Dorka came to play and I think she starts.
4. Evina will emerge as the most valuable (I didn’t say best or most talented) player. Her versatility, clean bill of health and off the chart leadership will be the glue to the team. She may not, however, start but play as close to as many minutes as last year.
5. Nika will successfully address every weakness that Geno identified at the end of the season , including improving her outside shot. Azzi and Paige will be too good sending Nika to the bench as a valuable early game sub.
6. Saylor’s back will fully heal. She will end up getting more minutes than Caroline Ducharme. Poffenberger will prove to be a better perimeter defender. She is not the shooter Caroline Ducharme is but is a heck of a lot better than what she showed last winter.
7. Mir will show the most dramatic sophomore leap. A clarified role and a better understanding of the playbook and expectations will be the contributing factors.
8. Aubrey’s lack of consistent outside shot finally catch up to her and she gets passed on the depth chart.
9. Piath not transferring tells me that she is ok for now with the plan that Geno has for her. I hope her medical issues don’t prevent us from seeing what the plan is. I think the weight loss was step one.
10. I think CW continues to thrive in her found role of defensive stopper and provides the consistent play that boneyarders have been hoping for.

Have at it. What did miss? What did I get wrong?

There we have it, finally. Now we can jump right to November. #5 is half right, Nika will start. You heard it here.

 

[Alydar]

AE is a future All American from Canada. An All Americanadian

Just for information anyone born in the western hemisphere is an American. We in the US like to think it's only us.

 

[Mdoggie]

Just for information anyone born in the western hemisphere is an American. We in the US like to think it's only us.

Thems frighten words to a Canuck!

 

[chrissaran]

Unless Aubrey and Mir learn to shoot from outside, they will have limited roles, Mir more than Aubrey. Aubrey's athleticism, defense are off the charts. She has to learn to shoot a jump shot and not miss so many layups. Same with Olivia and Mir.

 

[Bigboote]

There is no evidence to support #6.

There is footage from high school and the junior national team. Caroline is a better scorer, Saylor is a better passer and defender.

 

[Heytherego]

Unless Aubrey and Mir learn to shoot from outside, they will have limited roles, Mir more than Aubrey. Aubrey's athleticism, defense are off the charts. She has to learn to shoot a jump shot and not miss so many layups. Same with Olivia and Mir.

I agree. I wish it wasn’t true because I love what Aubrey brings. I could see her fitting in a lineup of PB, Azzi, CW/EW, Dorka because they’re all pretty good shooters and Aubrey could be a slasher and possibly get by without a consistent jump shot.

 

[donalddoowop]

I agree. I wish it wasn’t true because I love what Aubrey brings. I could see her fitting in a lineup of PB, Azzi, CW/EW, Dorka because they’re all pretty good shooters and Aubrey could be a slasher and possibly get by without a consistent jump shot.

Aubrey has a consistent jump shot. She had it in high school and Geno said she has been showing it in practice. Also, I don't think Liv having a bad game against Arizona had anything to do with Geno wanting Dorka to play for UConn. I believe if Liv had had an outstanding game Geno still would have accepted Dorka.

 

[Carnac]

The starting line up topic has been beaten to death in other threads. I think Azzi and Edwards start. Two starters have to now sit. I choose Nika and Evina.

Victor64, I agree. I can’t see a starting lineup that does not include Azzi and Aaliyah.

 

[victor64]

Victor64, I agree. I can’t see a starting lineup that does not include Azzi and Aaliyah.

As soon I saw that you had posted in this thread, I realized that I was channeling my inner Carnac. My apologies for stealing your thunder.

 

[BBallF]

There we have it, finally. Now we can jump right to November. #5 is half right, Nika will start. You heard it here.

Of course she will. Great point defense, grit, courage and now experience. Geno said over and over that the team ran better with her.

 

[BBallF]

Aubrey has a consistent jump shot. She had it in high school and Geno said she has been showing it in practice. Also, I don't think Liv having a bad game against Arizona had anything to do with Geno wanting Dorka to play for UConn. I believe if Liv had had an outstanding game Geno still would have accepted Dorka.

He has needed an experienced and strong true back up center for a long time and now he has one. She has intimated that she is staying for 2 years anyway.

 

[itsasport]

Ono will start but, last year, she sat a lot of minutes due to fouls. Dorka will get plenty of playing time. Aubry last year put in some very impactful short-minute stretches in terms of defense and under the basket rebounding and scoring. and also on fast breaks. I think the same will happened this year,

Concerning playing time, I do not think that is the primary concern for the players. If it was, they would not have all some here or would have transferred. If they wanted to play 40 minutes they could have gone to Notre Dame, etc. College ball is not the culmination of their career. It is the training ground.

As Dorka said, she is here to become the best basketball player that she can be- for her professional career. Playing time is the grade they get for their hard work and performance in class (practice)

UConn has the best teaching staff in the country, most of their fellow students will be stars in the WNBA, a good number will be Olympians.

They will have multiple NCAA appearances and championships. And they will enjoy lifetime membership in a unique basketball sorority.

Finally, they will be able to say that they were coached by Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey

 

[Heytherego]

Aubrey has a consistent jump shot. She had it in high school and Geno said she has been showing it in practice. Also, I don't think Liv having a bad game against Arizona had anything to do with Geno wanting Dorka to play for UConn. I believe if Liv had had an outstanding game Geno still would have accepted Dorka.

We haven’t seen her have a consistent jump shot in the college game yet. She’s a liability on offense most of the time and looks hesitant. And totally agree Dorka would be here regardless of Liv’s AZ game.

 

[Alydar]

He has needed an experienced and strong true back up center for a long time and now he has one. She has intimated that she is staying for 2 years anyway.

So........... we want her to have a great year, but not so great as to make her a lottery pick?