Most underrated player

[Geew1992]

I don't think she is underrated. We know who she is and what she brings to the team. She starts so she's rated just right

I think the reason she’s underrated is because she isn’t talked about enough. I don’t remember anyone talking about her pursuit of offensive rebounds, keeping the ball alive. Even when she isn’t scoring, she’s effecting the offense.

 

[Dove]

Welcome to the Boneyard Thread Drift!

Well, the thread title doesn't mention Ashlyn's name. And SVC didn't even write an opinion. Just posted a video.

Left door open to add a player.

 

[HopJim]

I don't believe she's a natural pg. As a result, imo her time will be determined as to how well she can hit 3's and next year how well Jovanna is. Kellis looks like to me a scorer (1st) that can pass (2nd). With UCONN scoring is not an issue this year and probably not next year either. So for this year and next UCONN probably needs floor generals to assist in ball movement or knock down shooters. While Kellis wouldn't need to be "Knock down," she does need to be "good" imo. Kellis is amazing to watch because her athleticism appears to be electric. But the top teams have in some combo of strong athleticism, strong coaching, solid fundamental defense, and a certain amount of size which limits a small guard's ability score efficiently inside the 3. If she can hit the 3 then she is "different" than KK and K9 and who knows with Jovanna as to how good she is. She won't surpass KK but I don't think she is the floor general K9 is either. So, she might be underrated because she is so gifted it seems to score, but a scoring less effcicent small guard is tough to say :"underrated" for this team. I'll just say again her athleticism is electric. But hey all of this is subjective. she certainly can be as you point out. 😀I'm excited toi watch her play.

Would add that UConn will need a "point guard that plays defense." Not saying that Kellis can't play this role but we don't know. Most of the top teams play a 3 guard lineup with 1-2 super quick players that like to drive to the basket. Today, Kellis backs off the player she is guarding, unlike KK, Ash, or Azzi. Her offense often looks like a highlight reel but time will tell if she can make these moves against the 1st or 2nd teams, versus the low subs from other teams.

 

[JellyBean]

Like others, I just love watching Ashlynn play. She brings that "innocent" element to the game. That pure joy of playing. From the way she plays all out on both ends of the floor. You can see she is having fun out there and of course when she hits a 3 ball and that awesome smile with that fist pump. You gotta love seeing that stuff!! Ashlynn is definitely a joy to watch.

 

[Inthepaint]

Ash plays like she means it

 

[Bone Dog]

Just to defend Ash, she has been doing exactly what Geno wants from her from day one. Missed shots or no missed shots, there is so much more to her game, and Geno values the whole package. The only person whose opinion really matters is Geno’s, and he shows how he rates her by how he uses her. There may come a time when Blanca replaces Ash in the starting lineup, but that’s not a guarantee. I think it’s not only possible but even likely that Ash will keep that starting spot all season. And next season, too, if Geno goes with a lineup of Sarah Blanca Ash KK and Allie. In that case, Ash will have been a starter for three of her four seasons, which puts her (and KK) in some pretty august company.

I think it’s an interesting question whether Ash can make it in the W. She’s a tough, feisty, relentless, high energy guard, not undersized, who can hit 3s and has an excellent midrange game and hunts rebounds, in addition to everything she does on defense. I think there are coaches in the W who know how to use a player like that.

 

[FanSince17]

Just to defend Ash, she has been doing exactly what Geno wants from her from day one. Missed shots or no missed shots, there is so much more to her game, and Geno values the whole package. The only person whose opinion really matters is Geno’s, and he shows how he rates her by how he uses her. There may come a time when Blanca replaces Ash in the starting lineup, but that’s not a guarantee. I think it’s not only possible but even likely that Ash will keep that starting spot all season. And next season, too, if Geno goes with a lineup of Sarah Blanca Ash KK and Allie. In that case, Ash will have been a starter for three of her four seasons, which puts her (and KK) in some pretty august company.

I think it’s an interesting question whether Ash can make it in the W. She’s a tough, feisty, relentless, high energy guard, not undersized, who can hit 3s and has an excellent midrange game and hunts rebounds, in addition to everything she does on defense. I think there are coaches in the W who know how to use a player like that.

Glue Guys. Every great team has ‘em. Mistake teams make is not having them.
Celtics fan- they’ve gone from sub-500, 9th in the east to 17-11, third in the east, when they inserted first Minott and then Walsh into the starting lineup. I like them a lot now, whatever happens.

 

[ERWUC65]

Just to defend Ash, she has been doing exactly what Geno wants from her from day one. Missed shots or no missed shots, there is so much more to her game, and Geno values the whole package. The only person whose opinion really matters is Geno’s, and he shows how he rates her by how he uses her. There may come a time when Blanca replaces Ash in the starting lineup, but that’s not a guarantee. I think it’s not only possible but even likely that Ash will keep that starting spot all season. And next season, too, if Geno goes with a lineup of Sarah Blanca Ash KK and Allie. In that case, Ash will have been a starter for three of her four seasons, which puts her (and KK) in some pretty august company.

I think it’s an interesting question whether Ash can make it in the W. She’s a tough, feisty, relentless, high energy guard, not undersized, who can hit 3s and has an excellent midrange game and hunts rebounds, in addition to everything she does on defense. I think there are coaches in the W who know how to use a player like that.

Ash may start, but I would expect relative equal playing time with her and Blanca until tournament time. Then opposing lineups will dictate how and when each is used. As far as the W is concerned, Ash's height, form and consistency with her offensive shooting will put her at a disadvantage in the selection process.

 

[Bigboote]

Just to defend Ash, she has been doing exactly what Geno wants from her from day one. Missed shots or no missed shots, there is so much more to her game, and Geno values the whole package. The only person whose opinion really matters is Geno’s, and he shows how he rates her by how he uses her. There may come a time when Blanca replaces Ash in the starting lineup, but that’s not a guarantee. I think it’s not only possible but even likely that Ash will keep that starting spot all season. And next season, too, if Geno goes with a lineup of Sarah Blanca Ash KK and Allie. In that case, Ash will have been a starter for three of her four seasons, which puts her (and KK) in some pretty august company.

I think it’s an interesting question whether Ash can make it in the W. She’s a tough, feisty, relentless, high energy guard, not undersized, who can hit 3s and has an excellent midrange game and hunts rebounds, in addition to everything she does on defense. I think there are coaches in the W who know how to use a player like that.

Posters sometimes say a player isn't doing this or that, and will lose her position in the lineup if she doesn't start doing this or that, but she's playing 20-30 minutes a game. Well, if she wasn't doing what Geno wants her to do, she wouldn't be playing that much. Ashlynn can score and does score when others are having an off game. And Geno has said he's more comfortable when she's on the floor.

Re: the W, I think she'll make a team. One thing you forgot about her is that she's quite athletic. Not blazing speed, but she's fast, quick, jumps well, and she's really strong, plus has great fundamentals and a great motor. As Cheryl Reeves has said about UConn players, she'll get to training camp ready. She won't be a star, may just be a role player, but there are plenty of teams who could use her. Just look at how well the Valkyries did last year with a bunch of players just like her.

 

[Bone Dog]

As far as the W is concerned, Ash's height, form and consistency with her offensive shooting will put her at a disadvantage in the selection process.

Disagree, at least as far as height is concerned. At 5’10” she’s right in the sweet spot for guards in the W. As for “form” I have no idea what you mean. She may be a streaky shooter at times. But she is good enough to do exactly what Geno wants, namely to prevent defenses from focusing too much on Azzi and Sarah. This is also a valued property in the W.

 

[mudcat]

I don't believe she's a natural pg. As a result, imo her time will be determined as to how well she can hit 3's and next year how well Jovanna is. Kellis looks like to me a scorer (1st) that can pass (2nd). With UCONN scoring is not an issue this year and probably not next year either. So for this year and next UCONN probably needs floor generals to assist in ball movement or knock down shooters. While Kellis wouldn't need to be "Knock down," she does need to be "good" imo. Kellis is amazing to watch because her athleticism appears to be electric. But the top teams have in some combo of strong athleticism, strong coaching, solid fundamental defense, and a certain amount of size which limits a small guard's ability score efficiently inside the 3. If she can hit the 3 then she is "different" than KK and K9 and who knows with Jovanna as to how good she is. She won't surpass KK but I don't think she is the floor general K9 is either. So, she might be underrated because she is so gifted it seems to score, but a scoring less effcicent small guard is tough to say :"underrated" for this team. I'll just say again her athleticism is electric. But hey all of this is subjective. she certainly can be as you point out. 😀I'm excited toi watch her play.

I don't know why you would say that: she played point guard for her high school, she handles the ball well, and has demonstrated in her limited minutes a willingless and ability to pass the ball. She is also the same height as both KK and K9 and whether she could "surpass KK" or be a better floor general than K9 is something that can only be determined by her play on the floor as she develops. Right now she shows as much talent as either KK or K9 displayed as freshmen. You may turn out to be right (or wrong), but I don't see any evidence to support your assertion.