Most Improved

[ubasketball]

Dorka! Evina and Aaliyah have improved a lot, but mainly by getting back to where they were last year and then some. As for Caroline and Azzi, I think it was more the opportunity to play and reveal their talents rather than improvement. Dorka is harder to judge because I did not see her much for OS, but if she played in the Big Ten, the way she started the season here, her improvement has been remarkable. She has consistently been a good shooter so I think that aspect of her game is a wash. However, in every other way as a Big, I think she was weak at the start of the season. Her offensive and defensive rebounding was poor, her defense was weak and late, her passing was unexceptional, and she often seemed confused and out of sync with our offense. All of that has changed dramatically since the start of the year. She’s become very physical on defense and with rebounding, a much more active and aggressive inside shooter, a shot blocker, and a decent passer. She exudes UCONN character, skill set and team mentality. I’ve gone from thinking that it would not matter one way or the other if she comes back next year as a replacement for Olivia to believing that if she does choose to come back, it will go a long way to solving our Big question marks next season. I understand why she won't comeback, but I hope she does,

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I agree Liv has improved every year and is a lot stronger than people think and a great passer..I think Monika Czinaro could be taken ahead of her..although only 6'3" she is a wide body that has terrific foot work and is a scoring machine..think Dave Cowens of the Celts playing center at 6'9"..and Shakira Austin will be the 1st center taken

Respectfully disagree on Czinaro vs Liv. Liv will be taken far ahead of Czinaro, for the simple reason that Czinaro is a fish out of water if she’s more than 8 feet from the basket. She has absolutely no outside shot, whereas Liv is tall and is an excellent shooter from anywhere, including beyond the 3pt line. Not sure, but I don’t think Czinaro has ever made a three in her college career. Down low she’s a beast though, and is a good foul shooter. She will need to develop some kind of outside shot to be a high pick in the draft. Same goes for her ball handling and footwork.

 

[TCC Kid]

Of the Nasty Nine, all but Paige have improved since early in the season. Liya looks like Thor of Yore! Nika was ready to rip someone’s heart and lungs out last night. Christyn was really pumped and is now the Queen of the Post-season—first player to be on the All-Conference Tourney Team 4x since Stewie. That’s pretty heady company.

Of the NINE I expect Fudd, your find, to have a breakout, attacking, scoring, Tourney. Along those lines I expect Caroline The Chamer to play up to her true potential. Scoring, Defending, cheering, just being the C factor.

 

[TCC Kid]

Dorka! Evina and Aaliyah have improved a lot, but mainly by getting back to where they were last year and then some. As for Caroline and Azzi, I think it was more the opportunity to play and reveal their talents rather than improvement. Dorka is harder to judge because I did not see her much for OS, but if she played in the Big Ten, the way she started the season here, her improvement has been remarkable. She has consistently been a good shooter so I think that aspect of her game is a wash. However, in every other way as a Big, I think she was weak at the start of the season. Her offensive and defensive rebounding was poor, her defense was weak and late, her passing was unexceptional, and she often seemed confused and out of sync with our offense. All of that has changed dramatically since the start of the year. She’s become very physical on defense and with rebounding, a much more active and aggressive inside shooter, a shot blocker, and a decent passer. She exudes UCONN character, skill set and team mentality. I’ve gone from thinking that it would not matter one way or the other if she comes back next year as a replacement for Olivia to believing that if she does choose to come back, it will go a long way to solving our Big question marks next season. I understand why she won't comeback, but I hope she does,

I like your nice words for Dorka, Evina I agree. I do think after being Freshmen, regardless of the opportunities, they both improved in each game. Caroline is my favorite. Both she and AZZI improved. I expect them both to be factors as Geno runs the 6 game ahead. Edwards, was this good last year. But she go her Mo jo back. I also agree both Azzi, Dorak, Caoline, even Williams got opportunities to show how good they could be. There is opportunity and there is making the most of it. These Freshmen made the most of it..

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Obviously the most improved is Paige's knee. Remember how many BY "fans" and "doctors" were expressing the opinion that Paige should not play at all this year?

In all seriousness, Azzi and Caroline started the year as high school kids having to play on the best D1 team in the country. Considering where they started from and where they are right now, I'll go with Caroline. I will say that I can't really disagree with any of the posts in this thread.

I love Azzi and Caroline, and their play over the 2nd half of the season, but over the past 6 or 7 games I think the winner (if not then the equal of Azzi and Caroline in improvement) is Edwards.

 

[The deacon]

Respectfully disagree on Czinaro vs Liv. Liv will be taken far ahead of Czinaro, for the simple reason that Czinaro is a fish out of water if she’s more than 8 feet from the basket. She has absolutely no outside shot, whereas Liv is tall and is an excellent shooter from anywhere, including beyond the 3pt line. Not sure, but I don’t think Czinaro has ever made a three in her college career. Down low she’s a beast though, and is a good foul shooter. She will need to develop some kind of outside shot to be a high pick in the draft. Same goes for her ball handling and footwork.

I agree, Conn, that Liv will be taken ahead of Czinano, but your opinion that Monika is a fish out of water more than eight feet from the basket doesn't equate with her being an 84 percent free throw shooter. The young woman has a great stroke and touch and I believe could well develop into a good three-point shooter, most likely better than Liv will be. Why would she shoot 3s for Iowa? Both players have strengths and weaknesses but I wouldn't discount how the right team might well capitalize on Czinano's amazing repertoire of shots and her footwork (without traveling) in the paint.

 

[JellyBean]

Nika. She’s cleaned up the things that needed cleaning and speeded up her learning curve.

Yup. I agree 100%. Nika has improved so much. Her decision making on/off the ball, her assist to turnover ratio has improved, and her has gotten better with her rebounding. Definitely my first choice of player that has improved.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I agree, Conn, that Liv will be taken ahead of Czinano, but your opinion that Monika is a fish out of water more than eight feet from the basket doesn't equate with her being an 84 percent free throw shooter. The young woman has a great stroke and touch and I believe could well develop into a good three-point shooter, most likely better than Liv will be. Why would she shoot 3s for Iowa? Both players have strengths and weaknesses but I wouldn't discount how the right team might well capitalize on Czinano's amazing repertoire of shots and her footwork (without traveling) in the paint.

Your statement shows you don’t know basketball. Do you know what a jump shot is??? And how important the legs are beyond 10 feet? A foul shot is basically a set shot, or even an underhand shot as some famous pros have used, or a slow release jump shot without the jump. Foul shots and jump shots are quite different. So trying to “equate” good foul shooting with good shooting from downtown is faulty. A good “stroke” as you call it from 18 feet needs a quicker release than at the foul line, leg power (and strong forearm flexors and extensors) which gives power and arc to the shot AND the ability to shoot over any outstretched hands. Beyond 18 feet, say 20 ft and a few inches which is where the line is now, although that will change soon, needs even more arc, I think they are moving it to 22 and change.

 

[CL82]

Nika. She’s cleaned up the things that needed cleaning and speeded up her learning curve.

I hadn’t thought about her. I’d add to that that she seems to have come to terms with the idea that she doesn’t need to hold the other team to a shut out, or score every bucket. She seems really comfortable in focusing on the things that she can do to help the team win. Coaches talk about “identity” quite a bit. Nika seems very comfortable with hers.

 

[Valleyfan]

Isn't it amazing that three pages of posters have in turn
nominated every single member of the "nasty-nine."
to be the "most improved" player

Must be a helluva team.

Totally agree, this is a fun team to watch and root for. Not only have the players all improved, even Geno seems to have improved too. This was the year he was most deserving of the coach of the year. Go Huskies

 

[CL82]

I agree… from adversity comes change and a new sacrifice/challenge. Bravo Ladies!

This year‘s adversity wasn’t fun, but undoubtedly it’s shaped this team into something special. The hottest fires make the hardest steal.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

This year‘s adversity wasn’t fun, but undoubtedly it’s shaped this team into something special. The hottest fires make the hardest steal.

The adversity wasn't fun yet it made the season more fun.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

This year‘s adversity wasn’t fun, but undoubtedly it’s shaped this team into something special. The hottest fires make the hardest steal.

Yeah, so hot it can even change the spelling.

 

[CL82]

Yeah, so hot it can even change the spelling.

I'd like to say "pun intended" but it was just a clean miss by me. (Still, our girls have made some pretty hot steals this year!)

 

[HuskyNan]

I hadn’t thought about her. I’d add to that that she seems to have come to terms with the idea that she doesn’t need to hold the other team to a shut out, or score every bucket. She seems really comfortable in focusing on the things that she can do to help the team win. Coaches talk about “identity” quite a bit. Nika seems very comfortable with hers.

Geno said earlier this year that he told players he only expected them to be the best player at what they do, not at everything. It seems to me Nika has embraced that.

I can imagine the discussion:

Geno: Nika, what are you really good at?
Nika: I’m a good defender.
Geno: Then be the best defender on the court and don’t worry so much about scoring. Your defense will lead to offensive opportunities.

Doesnt it seem her offense picked up when her defense went from great to amazing?

 

[TeamFirst!]

Regarding Czinaro vs Liv, gotta say that being a great free throw shooter is an indicator of being a good shooter period. Czinaro has put up consistently great numbers. How that will play at the pro level is yet to be determined. Tough call. Czinaro has shot over .67 % for the last 3 years in a row, and scored between 16 and 21 points a game, trending up consistently. She probably is a decent power forward but she doesn't rebound all that well.

 

[The deacon]

Regarding Czinaro vs Liv, gotta say that being a great free throw shooter is an indicator of being a good shooter period. Czinaro has put up consistently great numbers. How that will play at the pro level is yet to be determined. Tough call. Czinaro has shot over .67 % for the last 3 years in a row, and scored between 16 and 21 points a game, trending up consistently. She probably is a decent power forward but she doesn't rebound all that well.

Good take, TeamFirst, on the exchange I had with Conn78SEJ, who wasn't so tactful on his/her response to me. It's hard to imagine anyone who's ever seen Czinano play could doubt she has the potential to shoot three-pointers with proficiency. Whether she ever develops other aspects of her game sufficiently to make the grade in the WNBA is another matter.

It was handy to get CONN78SEJ's response, however, since I learned about the difference between the set shot and the jump shot, the basic physiology involved in each, and that I know nothing about basketball. That last bit was especially profound news to me.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Regarding Czinaro vs Liv, gotta say that being a great free throw shooter is an indicator of being a good shooter period. Czinaro has put up consistently great numbers. How that will play at the pro level is yet to be determined. Tough call. Czinaro has shot over .67 % for the last 3 years in a row, and scored between 16 and 21 points a game, trending up consistently. She probably is a decent power forward but she doesn't rebound all that well.

You don’t know what you are talking about. I shot 75% from the FT line in high school, and beyond 18 feet I was awful. Czinaro has not made a three point shot in all four years at Iowa. Period

I guarantee you if you compare the UConn womens all time 3pt shot leader list with the all time FT percentage leader list, they are very different.

Czinaro is a beast under the basket, gets fouled a lot, and is a good foul shooter which explains her gaudy numbers.

 

[The deacon]

You don’t know what you are talking about. I shot 75% from the FT line in high school, and beyond 18 feet I was awful. Czinaro has not made a three point shot in all four years at Iowa. Period

She is a beast under the basket, gets fouled a lot, and is a good foul shooter which explains her gaudy numbers.

I'm sorry about your own three-point shooting, but I'm thankful for your reminder that I have much to learn about basketball. Fortunately we're surrounded here by many folks who do know something of the sport...

Here's hoping that if the Huskies meet Iowa in the tournament UConn's three-point shooting will make Czinano's efforts - from wherever they might take place - a moot point..

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I'm sorry about your own three-point shooting, but I'm thankful for your reminder that I have much to learn about basketball. Fortunately we're surrounded here by many folks who do know something of the sport...

Here's hoping that if the Huskies meet Iowa in the tournament UConn's three-point shooting will make Czinano's efforts - from wherever they might take place - a moot point..

It’s very simple, the human mechanics of foul shooting are quite different from the mechanics of shooting at the basket from almost 21 feet away with defenders trying to get a hand in your face.

 

[Childhood]

If ONO plays well in the tournament, I will give my vote to ONO. She definitely improves a lot beyond my expectations.

 

[ProSkeptic]

Dorka gets my vote. In the beginning of the year, I didn't understand why Geno signed her. Now she is in constant motion, throwing her body around seemingly enjoying the physical aspect of the game. Has also become one of the more consistent 3 point shooters.

Am I the only one who finds it hard to take my eyes off her when she’s on the court? I love the way she moves without the ball. She’s never out of position. She can mix it up under the boards, heave a trey, throw a screen, and throw a pinpoint pass, all seemingly without breaking a sweat. Sure, it took her time to adjust, but she’s an integral part of the team and I’d hate to see UCONN without her.

 

[The deacon]

You don’t know what you are talking about. I shot 75% from the FT line in high school, and beyond 18 feet I was awful. Czinaro has not made a three point shot in all four years at Iowa. Period

I guarantee you if you compare the UConn womens all time 3pt shot leader list with the all time FT percentage leader list, they are very different.

Czinaro is a beast under the basket, gets fouled a lot, and is a good foul shooter which explains her gaudy numbers.

We've unfortunately drifted far from the 'most improved' theme of this thread, CONN78SEJ, but I thought it might be interesting for others here to know that four of the top eight free-throw shooters in Huskies history are also among the top eight in three-point shooting percentage: Sue Bird (the leader in both), KML (second in both), KLS and Moriah.

I'd be curious to know their thoughts on your guaranteed hypothesis about the lack of a correlation between shooting
free throws and three-pointers. For that matter, how about checking Azzi's technique?

As for the 'most improved,' I'm with those who suggest we need to know whether it's measured from season's start to now (maybe Dorka or Caroline?) or from, say, mid-season to now (Evina or Aaliyah?).

What a wonderful quandary we have since so many have improved so much, and the team as a unit even more so, such that many of us now believe the Huskies capable of winning the NCAA title.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

We've unfortunately drifted far from the 'most improved' theme of this thread, CONN78SEJ, but I thought it might be interesting for others here to know that four of the top eight free-throw shooters in Huskies history are also among the top eight in three-point shooting percentage: Sue Bird (the leader in both), KML (second in both), KLS and Moriah.

I'd be curious to know their thoughts on your guaranteed hypothesis about the lack of a correlation between shooting
free throws and three-pointers. For that matter, how about checking Azzi's technique?

As for the 'most improved,' I'm with those who suggest we need to know whether it's measured from season's start to now (maybe Dorka or Caroline?) or from, say, mid-season to now (Evina or Aaliyah?).

What a wonderful quandary we have since so many have improved so much, and the team as a unit even more so, such that many of us now believe the Huskies capable of winning the NCAA title.

Well on most improved, I would not count Caroline’s 3pt or 2pt shooting stats after she came back from the head injury. I don’t think it’s fair. As for your info on the 3pt and foul shooting stats leaders, do you have a link? I’d love to see it, and take a larger sample, say top 10 or 12, instead of top 8. Also as I said in a previous post, the mechanics of a foul shot, and a jump shot from beyond the paint are quite different.

 

[NU2BY]

My choice is of course Caroline Ducharme, but what's truly special is to look at how many of us have made so many different valid picks. For me, that's the most exciting thing to have witnessed this season.

 

[The deacon]

Well on most improved, I would not count Caroline’s 3pt or 2pt shooting stats after she came back from the head injury. I don’t think it’s fair. As for your info on the 3pt and foul shooting stats leaders, do you have a link? I’d love to see it, and take a larger sample, say top 10 or 12, instead of top 8. Also as I said in a previous post, the mechanics of a foul shot, and a jump shot from beyond the paint are quite different.

You are persistent to your point, I'll give you that. I just gave you names that show the best free-throw shooters in school history are also the best three-point shooters and still you doubt that there's a correlation, as TeamFirst had said? I find it hard to believe you won't admit there's anything to the reality that good shooters from 15 and in can also be good three-point shooters, your own experience notwithstanding.

The source? The UConn website. It lists only the top 10s so feel free to go after a larger sample to your heart's content. At this point, I'm more interested in the tournament brackets.

Regarding Caroline, I'd agree.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Well on most improved, I would not count Caroline’s 3pt or 2pt shooting stats after she came back from the head injury. I don’t think it’s fair.

Classic feeling>facts response. What does 'fair' have to do with improvement?

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Classic feeling>facts response. What does 'fair' have to do with improvement?

Maybe you should grab a magazine and go lock the door.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

You are persistent to your point, I'll give you that. I just gave you names that show the best free-throw shooters in school history are also the best three-point shooters and still you doubt that there's a correlation, as TeamFirst had said? I find it hard to believe you won't admit there's anything to the reality that good shooters from 15 and in can also be good three-point shooters, your own experience notwithstanding.

The source? The UConn website. It lists only the top 10s so feel free to go after a larger sample to your heart's content. At this point, I'm more interested in the tournament brackets.

Regarding Caroline, I'd agree.

You only gave four names of the top 8 leaders in each category. Why didn’t you give the names of the other four leaders in the respective categories? Why not give all 8 names? Maybe that wouldn’t have helped your case much? Thanks for the info, do you know how to post a web address link or is that beyond your capabilities? Lol

 

[ClifSpliffy]

me. i should get the most improved Huskie (fan) award cuz i went from almost losing my poptarts (choc filled, choc covered) every time i came here during 'the troubles,' where half the team was in the mayo clinic, and many here were losing their minds, when all we needed was health.
we got well, and now i can keep the poptarts down. improvement.