Morgan Tuck - All American

[JavaMan]

Morgan Tuck has dreams of joining the Huskies of Honor.

Winning a fourth straight national championship is her No. 1 priority. But the UConn junior forward has made no secret that another goal is to be a WBCA All-American, which is the criteria to get her name on the wall at Gampel Pavilion.

“The thing about Tuck is that she is just good enough at everything that basketball players are supposed to be good at,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said.

“Without question on our team, Tuck is the easiest person to coach, ...Tuck is like another coach on the floor, in the locker room, on the bus, in the hotel, on the plane. Tuck has it all figured out. She really does.

“Even last year she should have been a first-team All-American. She may have been the most important player on our team. Those other guys all get more attention, but Tuck is pretty special.”

“Morgan is just somebody that we can count on every night,” Auriemma said.

[LINK] to full article.

 

[JoePgh]

"If she were a baseball player, you could play her at any position on the field, and she would bat third or fifth."

That is a good analogy. Moriah leading off with a bunt single; Kia singling to right and moving her to third base; Gabby doubling high off the wall; Stewie with a triple into the triangle in right center; and Morgan (after hitting a 350-foot drive just to the right of the foul pole) dropping down a squeeze bunt to score Stewie.

Pretty good lineup.

 

[VAMike23]

Morgan's game is so 'sound' -- and she has the best recognition of any Husky I can remember.

If she had a few more inches on her vertical and no knee injuries, she'd be at Stewie's level as far as her overall game. Her instincts are that good. (Not she would play the game like Stewie does or do the same things that only Stewie can do on the court - Morgan's game is different.)

Even without those two things, there are nights where she performs at Stewie's level anyway.

 

[Kmoney]

I love me some Captain Morgan

 

[Goodgood]

Her name on the wall is the only thing left. If she makes it this year, she will leave the Stewie and Mo. If not, she will try to make it next year. (only if she is 2nd team AA and has a chance for nest year).

 

[BroadwayVa]

Morgan Tuck has dreams of joining the Huskies of Honor.

Winning a fourth straight national championship is her No. 1 priority. But the UConn junior forward has made no secret that another goal is to be a WBCA All-American, which is the criteria to get her name on the wall at Gampel Pavilion.

“The thing about Tuck is that she is just good enough at everything that basketball players are supposed to be good at,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said.

“Without question on our team, Tuck is the easiest person to coach, ...Tuck is like another coach on the floor, in the locker room, on the bus, in the hotel, on the plane. Tuck has it all figured out. She really does.

“Even last year she should have been a first-team All-American. She may have been the most important player on our team. Those other guys all get more attention, but Tuck is pretty special.”

“Morgan is just somebody that we can count on every night,” Auriemma said.

[LINK] to full article.

Javaman---I'm not the least bit knowledgeable on what it takes to be an AA. Tuck to me is among the best of the best. A bit too quiet, doesn't thump her chest, lets her game speak.
With the graduation of Stewie and Moriah --with new guys and some supporting players--heresy I speak--Uconn does not win another (5th/12th) NC what does that do to Tucks AA dreams??

 

[EricLA]

Is there any AA list that does a 1st, 2nd and 3rd team? Even tho I think she's deserving, I have a hard time seeing her as a 2nd team AA this season if her stats hold a they are now. She's under 15 PPG (even tho 2nd on the team in scoring just ahead of Moriah) and 3rd on the team in rebounding at 6.8 per game. Do I think she's deserving? Of course, but unless there is a huge PR push by someone, I don't see her on a 1st or 2nd team list. Probably next year, though...

 

[Geno-ista]

She's amazingly quick for a big girl and with bad knees. Her footwork is amazing and she has an explosive first step.
I love her to death- who wouldn't?
AA 'n would be a tough call for me Right now. I'd really have to see the competition more. There are a lot of really good forwards. And she's one of them!

 

[HGN]

If Morgan keeps playing at her ' Steady As She Goes' pace she should be an AA.................No , she doesn't get the attention some others get , and she doesn't seek it. But she plays at a very high level every game , she holds her own against bigger and more mobile players , and most of all , she Delivers. On both ends of the court.

Tuck has been a vital part of 3 NC teams. Not just a part , but a vital part. When she was out on a Redshirt she was lending her BB IQ to the players in side-bar conversations , encouraging teammates , and working in the gym to get back on the court. Now back playing she can be seen Delivering, Playing defense and controlling the paint. Scoring in double figures and rebounding.

Tuck may not be the high scorer , or the high assist player , or its high rebounder , but when you look across the stat sheet you find that she is a vital part of the win. And that her contribution was the glue that brought it all together.

 

[uconnfan68]

She's amazingly quick for a big girl and with bad knees. Her footwork is amazing and she has an explosive first step.
I love her to death- who wouldn't?
AA 'n would be a tough call for me Right now. I'd really have to see the competition more. There are a lot of really good forwards. And she's one of them!

Should have stopped after "who wouldn't?"

 

[Geno-ista]

Should have stopped after "who wouldn't?"

On this board- u r right --- going back to edit now!!! honest opinions are not always smart to post!

 

[easttexastrash]

If she is not an AA this year and goes to the WNBA, maybe UCONN should make an exception and put her on the wall anyway. That is within UCONN's control, getting her on an AA team is not.

 

[UcMiami]

If she is not an AA this year and goes to the WNBA, maybe UCONN should make an exception and put her on the wall anyway. That is within UCONN's control, getting her on an AA team is not.

Slippery slope, that, as there are a number of very, very important Uconn women who do not currently qualify, starting with pre 1995. The rules are not set in stone, but first team AA was the initial qualification used, and seems to be a pretty solid demarcation line that keeps the list expanding at a moderate pace without getting too big. Many of those who do not qualify are at least represented on the wall with their NC teams.

 

[j66kicker]

Her name on the wall is the only thing left. If she makes it this year, she will leave the Stewie and Mo. If not, she will try to make it next year. (only if she is 2nd team AA and has a chance for nest year).

I was thinking that too, and wondering the timing of the WBCA AA announcement. Think it's well after senior night (day before the final 4, or day before the NCAA tourney starts?). So, if that were her plan, I wonder what she would do for her "optional" senior night.....?

 

[EricLA]

Just to point out to people who continue to say that she will leave after this year - unless Morgan is lying to us, she's not leaving early and will be back for her 5th year. That's what she's said, and what she's been quoted as saying.

Of course it's possible that she changes her mind, but pronouncements like "If she makes (AA) this year, she will leave with Stewie and Mo" is a direct contradiction to quotes from Morgan herself. Just sayin...

 

[j66kicker]

Just to point out to people who continue to say that she will leave after this year - unless Morgan is lying to us, she's not leaving early and will be back for her 5th year. That's what she's said, and what she's been quoted as saying.

Of course it's possible that she changes her mind, but pronouncements like "If she makes (AA) this year, she will leave with Stewie and Mo" is a direct contradiction to quotes from Morgan herself. Just sayin...

Morgan did not promise us she was staying. I believe she said that was her "plan" - a hedge if I ever heard one (and a very intelligent thing to do!).

 

[Scud49]

Watching her last year, I really felt she was the quiet backbone of the team, allowing Stewie and the others to do their magic.

I just marvel at her solid fundamental moves down low, her rebounding, defense, and assists.

And, to keep em honest, she can pop that 3 from time to time too!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Morgan had a big game against ND--again--and was the key, per Muffett.

Today, she shot 10-11.

I think she takes KML's spot on the 10-player AA lists.

Geno's comments will get her votes.

 

[ballhawk]

Last year's no. 1 ranked UConn team had 3 WBCA AAs. If this years team is no.1 ranked and Morgan continues to play her all-around complete game, averaging about 15 points/game, (same as KML) she will be this year's third WBCA AA.

 

[DaddyChoc]

name 10 players better than her this season... (even if her numbers stay about the same)