My take on Katie Lou

[hoophuskee]

I hope you are right. I've often said there are 2 different types of #1 players - the types like Taurasi, Griner, Parker, Moore, Stewie, Delle Donne, Ogwumike etc (Tina Charles is as close to this list as I think you can get, without actually being on it - i'm not sure i'd put her in the same league as Dee, Maya and Stewie).

I'd put Tina above the Ogwumike sisters.

 

[Buzzyboy]

In fairness to both, I have felt that Tara's system has in the last few years done a disservice to Stanford's 3 point shooters as she became Ogwumike fixated. Last year, for just one game (wink GRRRH) she figured something different out of course.

I think that there is some truth to your feeling Tara had somewhat of an obsession with Ogwumike and her athleticism. I think her athleticism far exceeded her basketball acumen and yet that focus on her was one of the reasons that some of the other players on the roster "underachieved" or never had the opportunity to really evolve.

 

[Orangutan]

I think that there is some truth to your feeling Tara had somewhat of an obsession with Ogwumike and her athleticism. I think her athleticism far exceeded her basketball acumen and yet that focus on her was one of the reasons that some of the other players on the roster "underachieved" or never had the opportunity to really evolve.

I don't understand that line of argument at all. Ogwumike (Chiney) was by far the best player on her team. She put up 26 and 12 as a senior (60% FG%) despite everyone knowing that. Focusing on Chiney and maximizing her abilities was the only way that team was making the Final Four.

 

[Phillyconn]

Totally agree. I think KLS will be a much better overall player than KML. She has an inside game and, from the couple times I saw her play in high school, I think that charming smile is only for off the court. She has a nasty little mean streak when it comes to challenging her - like, "Oh Yeah?!?!?" She'll get stronger, and she'll learn to pay defense, and she'll be a true superstar.

Can't get that much better than KML, at least offensively.

 

[UcMiami]

Can't get that much better than KML, at least offensively.

KML is great and I am in no way trying to diminish her accomplishments, but in the genetic lottery in terms of basketball physique KLS won. No idea how Lou's time at Uconn will go, but she comes in with the same kind of shooting pedigree as KML had with better foot speed and 4 more inches in height which translates to probably six more inches in reach. In basketball terms those are huge advantages.
(Her high school coach has said that coaching KML was a once in a life time experience in terms of her shooting, and his surprise when a year after she left he experienced the same again! or words to that effect.)

 

[Phillyconn]

KML is great and I am in no way trying to diminish her accomplishments, but in the genetic lottery in terms of basketball physique KLS won. No idea how Lou's time at Uconn will go, but she comes in with the same kind of shooting pedigree as KML had with better foot speed and 4 more inches in height which translates to probably six more inches in reach. In basketball terms those are huge advantages.
(Her high school coach has said that coaching KML was a once in a life time experience in terms of her shooting, and his surprise when a year after she left he experienced the same again! or words to that effect.)

I really hope that KLS is an all-time great at UConn. KML was clutch. Am I the only person that recognizes just how great KML was in her 4 years here. Keep in mind that KML played second or third fiddle in her years here. IMHO, she was unstoppable. She shot the three better than just about anybody in UConn history.
She's got the mid-range jumper, she can score down low. She's strong enough to battle in the post for rebounds and put backs. I put her in the top five, scoring wise, in UConn history. With out KML, we wouldn't have won 3 straight titles. She opened things up in the post because teams had to game plan for her. Much better player than what she gets credit for. I appreciate what KML did for our team. Was she quick? No but neither was LB. Did she have height? No, but neither did CB.

As for KLS, if she's a better scorer than KML, she's in that DT and Maya conversation. If, she a better shooter than KML, she is the best ever! I hope she wins 4 straight. I'm anxious to see her play. If she can put the ball on the floor and score, like EDD, then greatness is in her future. More titles! More titles!

 

[j66kicker]

Can't get that much better than KML, at least offensively.

Well, you CAN get taller and faster, and just as good an outside shooter.....??

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I really hope that KLS is an all-time great at UConn. KML was clutch. Am I the only person that recognizes just how great KML was in her 4 years here. Keep in mind that KML played second or third fiddle in her years here. IMHO, she was unstoppable. She shot the three better than just about anybody in UConn history.
She's got the mid-range jumper, she can score down low. She's strong enough to battle in the post for rebounds and put backs. I put her in the top five, scoring wise, in UConn history. With out KML, we wouldn't have won 3 straight titles. She opened things up in the post because teams had to game plan for her. Much better player than what she gets credit for. I appreciate what KML did for our team. Was she quick? No but neither was LB. Did she have height? No, but neither did CB.

As for KLS, if she's a better scorer than KML, she's in that DT and Maya conversation. If, she a better shooter than KML, she is the best ever! I hope she wins 4 straight. I'm anxious to see her play. If she can put the ball on the floor and score, like EDD, then greatness is in her future. More titles! More titles!

Only person, hardly. KML is and will always be in the Huskies Hall of Fame. Don't confuse enthusiasm for KLS for a dis of KML. We are just getting our preseason revs up!

 

[Phillyconn]

Well, you CAN get taller and faster, and just as good an outside shooter.....??

Doesn't mean better.

 

[Phillyconn]

Only person, hardly. KML is and will always be in the Huskies Hall of Fame. Don't confuse enthusiasm for KLS for a dis of KML. We are just getting our preseason revs up!

I know, I know. Just seems like some people, really do not appreciate what KML has meant to the program. I've heard a lot of negativity thrown her way in the past. I guess stuff like that offends me.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Watched both KLM and KLS at HS and club level. KLS gets her shot off much quicker than KML.

KLS has a great Basketball IQ.

Should be fun for the next 4 years.

 

[j66kicker]

Doesn't mean better.

Nope, we'll just have to wait and see. For now we can only predict (and there's nuthin' else to do). I predicted KLS will be MUCH better, and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Phillyconn]

Nope, we'll just have to wait and see. For now we can only predict (and there's nuthin' else to do). I predicted KLS will be MUCH better, and I'm sticking to it.

I hope your right! Because if she's MUCH better, she'll be the greatest husky of all time.

 

[j66kicker]

I hope your right! Because if she's MUCH better, she'll be the greatest husky of all time.

Could be. I'm not predicting that, but who knows?

 

[UcMiami]

Phillyconn - KML is one of the Uconn greats and I agree she was integral to the last three championship teams.

But interestingly, we are now awaiting the first game action for another recruit from KML's high school which allows as much of a direct comparison as you can get for players who played HS ball in different years. And who happens to have the same kind of dead eye reputation as a three point shooter as KML had when she arrived at Uconn. We all now know how KML's 4 years turned out. We have no idea how Lou's 4 years will unfold, but we can anticipate with a little more accuracy based on their shared background playing for the same coach four years apart. He has already made comparisons in comments to the horde, that speak to both players amazing skills. And we can look at the HS and USA stats, and we can look at the physical attributes and note the most obvious difference - 4 inches in height - something that in basketball terms can be significant. Maya at 5'8" would still be an amazing basketball player, but if everything else is equal, everyone would prefer the original at 6'0"; Moriah at 5'7" is pure electricity, but at 5'11" with everything else the same would be atomic! If KLS develops over 4 years what she has already shown in HS in the same ways that KML developed during her 4 years, she will be phenomenal, so she has the potential to 'surpass' KML - it is all just potential at this point, but a 6'3" KML bombing from the arc, and posting down low is a pretty enjoyable vision.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Doesn't mean better.

KML didn't come to UConn with much of a midrange game. If you remember, she wasn't much of an interior player either but inevitable she got very good in the paint and developed a pretty good midrange touch. KLS's quicker release means that she'll potentially get off shots that KML would never have attempted maybe not got off. KLS still has to prove herself on this bigger stage but she's already proved a lot at their high school Alma Mater. No one is denigrating KML but it appears you feel she is somehow getting slighted and I haven't heard anyone say anything that suggests that. Her will to win was another key attribute that she had but I'm inclined to think KLS has that characteristic as well, based on everything said about her and her doing absolutely nothing but win, win, win everywhere she's played up to this point. I can't fathom that changing but that doesn't alter the fact that, yes, we all love and respect KML for all she's done during her time in Storrs. She's a winner and beyond that, she's been a tireless recruiter for UConn and the best possible teammate you could ask for.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Phillyconn - KML is one of the Uconn greats and I agree she was integral to the last three championship teams.

But interestingly, we are now awaiting the first game action for another recruit from KML's high school which allows as much of a direct comparison as you can get for players who played HS ball in different years. And who happens to have the same kind of dead eye reputation as a three point shooter as KML had when she arrived at Uconn. We all now know how KML's 4 years turned out. We have no idea how Lou's 4 years will unfold, but we can anticipate with a little more accuracy based on their shared background playing for the same coach four years apart. He has already made comparisons in comments to the horde, that speak to both players amazing skills. And we can look at the HS and USA stats, and we can look at the physical attributes and note the most obvious difference - 4 inches in height - something that in basketball terms can be significant. Maya at 5'8" would still be an amazing basketball player, but if everything else is equal, everyone would prefer the original at 6'0"; Moriah at 5'7" is pure electricity, but at 5'11" with everything else the same would be atomic! If KLS develops over 4 years what she has already shown in HS in the same ways that KML developed during her 4 years, she will be phenomenal, so she has the potential to 'surpass' KML - it is all just potential at this point, but a 6'3" KML bombing from the arc, and posting down low is a pretty enjoyable vision.

I couldn't agree more!!!! Very well said!!!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I know, I know. Just seems like some people, really do not appreciate what KML has meant to the program. I've heard a lot of negativity thrown her way in the past. I guess stuff like that offends me.

Clearly it stuck in your craw Philly, but don't give it continued life; because KML sure made her detractors eat crow in her senior season. So:

 

[Phillyconn]

KML didn't come to UConn with much of a midrange game. If you remember, she wasn't much of an interior player either but inevitable she got very good in the paint and developed a pretty good midrange touch. KLS's quicker release means that she'll potentially get off shots that KML would never have attempted maybe not got off. KLS still has to prove herself on this bigger stage but she's already proved a lot at their high school Alma Mater. No one is denigrating KML but it appears you feel she is somehow getting slighted and I haven't heard anyone say anything that suggests that. Her will to win was another key attribute that she had but I'm inclined to think KLS has that characteristic as well, based on everything said about her and her doing absolutely nothing but win, win, win everywhere she's played up to this point. I can't fathom that changing but that doesn't alter the fact that, yes, we all love and respect KML for all she's done during her time in Storrs. She's a winner and beyond that, she's been a tireless recruiter for UConn and the best possible teammate you could ask for.

I thought KML, had the full arsenal, in high school

 

[Phillyconn]

KML didn't come to UConn with much of a midrange game. If you remember, she wasn't much of an interior player either but inevitable she got very good in the paint and developed a pretty good midrange touch. KLS's quicker release means that she'll potentially get off shots that KML would never have attempted maybe not got off. KLS still has to prove herself on this bigger stage but she's already proved a lot at their high school Alma Mater. No one is denigrating KML but it appears you feel she is somehow getting slighted and I haven't heard anyone say anything that suggests that. Her will to win was another key attribute that she had but I'm inclined to think KLS has that characteristic as well, based on everything said about her and her doing absolutely nothing but win, win, win everywhere she's played up to this point. I can't fathom that changing but that doesn't alter the fact that, yes, we all love and respect KML for all she's done during her time in Storrs. She's a winner and beyond that, she's been a tireless recruiter for UConn and the best possible teammate you could ask for.

If, you're speculating that KLS, is MUCH better than KML, then we could be looking at the greatest player ever. Give her time before we anoint her. Even BS, took time to get it going. I hope she is the greatest.

 

[Phillyconn]

Clearly it stuck in your craw Philly, but don't give it continued life; because KML sure made her detractors eat crow in her senior season. So:

Very funny.

 

[Bonpland]

While it's fun to get excited about our recruits (let's face it at this time of year it's what we have) it's tricky trying to predict what lies ahead for them.

Some of our most anticipated recruits have not had the careers we hoped that they might. Several (Nicole Wolf, Mel Thomas, Caroline Doty...) suffered injuries that interrupted their careers, and some others just did't acheive greatness while here. Who remembers that Charde Houston scored a California state record 3,837 points in High School but averaged fewer than seven points a game as a UCONN senior?

We're used to (and spoiled by) seeing less heralded recruits become All-Americans (in this area Stephanie Dolson and Kara Wolters are the standards by which all others should be judged), but as far as what we can reasonably expect out of each recruit we should be cautious.

Phillyconn said that even Stewie suffered through an adjustment period and that may or not be what happens to KLS (and her terrible twin Ms. Collier), but what I've learned watching Geno coach over the years is that he'll get from a player all that they are willing to give.

This class and the ones to follow will be filled with talent, but after a summer of speculation from board members with a great deal more insight into the relative talents of our new recruits than I have, I have no idea which one will garner the most playing time, or if they will be able to keep any of their upper class teammates on the bench while they play.

In 23 days we'll all begin to get some answers.

 

[Buzzyboy]

If, you're speculating that KLS, is MUCH better than KML, then we could be looking at the greatest player ever. Give her time before we anoint her. Even BS, took time to get it going. I hope she is the greatest.

I'm suggesting that she has the capability to be BETTER but she has work to do and I'm not sure HOW MUCH better she could possibly be. It just appears with her quicker release, additional size and quickness that there's potential to be VERY, VERY SPECIAL! I hope along with everyone on this site that she succeeds and has us talking in some of the same terms four years from now that we are talking about Stewie! Time will tell!!!!

 

[Buzzyboy]

While it's fun to get excited about our recruits (let's face it at this time of year it's what we have) it's tricky trying to predict what lies ahead for them.

Some of our most anticipated recruits have not had the careers we hoped that they might. Several (Nicole Wolf, Mel Thomas, Caroline Doty...) suffered injuries that interrupted their careers, and some others just did't acheive greatness while here. Who remembers that Charde Houston scored a California state record 3,837 points in High School but averaged fewer than seven points a game as a UCONN senior?

We're used to (and spoiled by) seeing less heralded recruits become All-Americans (in this area Stephanie Dolson and Kara Wolters are the standards by which all others should be judged), but as far as what we can reasonably expect out of each recruit we should be cautious.

Phillyconn said that even Stewie suffered through an adjustment period and that may or not be what happens to KLS (and her terrible twin Ms. Collier), but what I've learned watching Geno coach over the years is that he'll get from a player all that they are willing to give.

This class and the ones to follow will be filled with talent, but after a summer of speculation from board members with a great deal more insight into the relative talents of our new recruits than I have, I have no idea which one will garner the most playing time, or if they will be able to keep any of their upper class teammates on the bench while they play.

In 23 days we'll all begin to get some answers.

I don't feel that the players you listed as heralded recruits with the possible exception of Charde Houston fit that criteria. Carolyn Doty, Mel Thomas and Nicole Wolf were considered quality recruits but never put in the same league as the Maya's, Breanna's, the KML's or the KLS's. Even then, Carolyn's injuries as well as Mel's and Nicole's really stunted their being the players that they might have evolved into. Charde truly underachieved, based on what the expectations were, upon her arrival. I think a lot of that had to do with her mindset though she did show flashes of brilliance. Maya may have been the only player that I felt played exceptionally from her first day on the court while at Storrs. I never saw anything that could have been construed as a slump and she just continued to get better and better throughout her time in Storrs. I'm hopeful that KLS comes in and from Day 1 shows what made her the number one player in the class of 2015.

 

[calpedaler]

I don't feel that the players you listed as heralded recruits with the possible exception of Charde Houston fit that criteria. Carolyn Doty, Mel Thomas and Nicole Wolf were considered quality recruits but never put in the same league as the Maya's, Breanna's, the KML's or the KLS's. Even then, Carolyn's injuries as well as Mel's and Nicole's really stunted their being the players that they might have evolved into. Charde truly underachieved, based on what the expectations were, upon her arrival. I think a lot of that had to do with her mindset though she did show flashes of brilliance. Maya may have been the only player that I felt played exceptionally from her first day on the court while at Storrs. I never saw anything that could have been construed as a slump and she just continued to get better and better throughout her time in Storrs. I'm hopeful that KLS comes in and from Day 1 shows what made her the number one player in the class of 2015.

I understand your argument but seriously, it's Caroline Doty and Nicole Wolff.

 

[PhillyCoach]

I'm suggesting that she has the capability to be BETTER but she has work to do and I'm not sure HOW MUCH better she could possibly be. It just appears with her quicker release, additional size and quickness that there's potential to be VERY, VERY SPECIAL! I hope along with everyone on this site that she succeeds and has us talking in some of the same terms four years from now that we are talking about Stewie! Time will tell!!!!

Hey Buzzy - I hear what you are saying. From the perspective of a scout, recruiter, evaluator, coach, player, and/or well informed fan (not me of course) one could see that Lou has the capability to be equal to- or better than KML. Didn't Lou equal all KML's HS records or break them or get hairline close? Didn't the coach of the HS team state that they were both similar & special. (He said he would never see a player like KML cause she was a once in a lifetime player)--then Lou showed up!
In her favor, Lou has many advantages and pathways to equal KML or squeak by her. (Since coming through first KML did not have these or thought needed.)
Here are 5 reasons why Buzzboy and others see the capability of Lou:
Key point - Lou saw KML for 4 years of HS and 4 years at UConn and knows what is needed to equal her/pass her. New generation advantage.
There are new training methods, nutrition, psychological enhancements, etc. that Lou has access to that KML did not.
Lou has 2 sisters who played at a top 10 school and taught her everything they knew and could fill her in on what was needed for a great college career. Plus she had everyday and instant practice with sisters years older. Think about a 12 yr. old playing with 16-17 year old players every day!
Physically, Lou is 4 inches taller. She is also sinewy slender--like Stewie.
Lou knew in advance that she had to work on her defense, her ball handling, and her foot speed. She got a little jump start in HS.

I really liked KML as a player and a person. She had the steely mind of a deadly shooter. As a senior she was a leader, she could post up, she could handle the ball in traffic, and she played defense smartly. She was a winner. She had courage and like all UConn players, she was intense and relentless. She had poise and quiet confidence. IMHO Lou also has many of these qualities.
Lou has the capability to equal or pass KML. Let's see how it all unfolds. I like the odds.

 

[billnaples]

While it's fun to get excited about our recruits (let's face it at this time of year it's what we have) it's tricky trying to predict what lies ahead for them.

Some of our most anticipated recruits have not had the careers we hoped that they might. Several (Nicole Wolf, Mel Thomas, Caroline Doty...) suffered injuries that interrupted their careers, and some others just did't acheive greatness while here. Who remembers that Charde Houston scored a California state record 3,837 points in High School but averaged fewer than seven points a game as a UCONN senior?

We're used to (and spoiled by) seeing less heralded recruits become All-Americans (in this area Stephanie Dolson and Kara Wolters are the standards by which all others should be judged), but as far as what we can reasonably expect out of each recruit we should be cautious.

Phillyconn said that even Stewie suffered through an adjustment period and that may or not be what happens to KLS (and her terrible twin Ms. Collier), but what I've learned watching Geno coach over the years is that he'll get from a player all that they are willing to give.

This class and the ones to follow will be filled with talent, but after a summer of speculation from board members with a great deal more insight into the relative talents of our new recruits than I have, I have no idea which one will garner the most playing time, or if they will be able to keep any of their upper class teammates on the bench while they play.

In 23 days we'll all begin to get some answers.[/QUOTE
Could not agree more re: Doty, Wolfe, Thomas, never know what they could have done.
Got more than we might have expected from Dolson, Wolters (although 6'5" & 6'7" maybe not that much) and Faris elevating to a defensive player of the year w/o Griner. But the best observation is the 23 days until we see real game time. Maybe the exhibitions will show a little. So looking forward to the ball getting tossed up and at least the beginning of the next iteration of Husky heaven.

 

[Kibitzer]

I really liked KML as a player and a person. She had the steely mind of a deadly shooter. As a senior she was a leader, she could post up, she could handle the ball in traffic, and she played defense smartly. She was a winner. She had courage and like all UConn players, she was intense and relentless. She had poise and quiet confidence. IMHO Lou also has many of these qualities. Lou has the capability to equal or pass KML. Let's see how it all unfolds. I like the odds.

I loved Kaleena's game very early, the continuously as sh became such a badass. As for Katie Lou, I think it is completely logical for her to fill Kaleena's (slightly smaller?) shoes. I will stick with what I posted many months ago:

"Katie Lou Samuelson is too good to not start."​

 

[ballhawk]

I have to agree with Phillyconn. KML is one of Uconn's all-time greats. Just re-watch last year's South Carolina game to see how great KML was. KML won the CA state championship as a senior. KLS never won the state title. I saw KLS play twice last year and she wasn't the second coming of Stewie. There is a tendency on this board to mildly denigrate Bria and KML. I don't know why. Any other college in the country would kill to have had either two-time AA. I think KLS will be a WBCA AA. But will she be better than KML? That might be a basket too far.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I have to agree with Phillyconn. KML is one of Uconn's all-time greats. Just re-watch last year's South Carolina game to see how great KML was. KML won the CA state championship as a senior. KLS never won the state title. I saw KLS play twice last year and she wasn't the second coming of Stewie. There is a tendency on this board to mildly denigrate Bria and KML. I don't know why. Any other college in the country would kill to have had either two-time AA. I think KLS will be a WBCA AA. But will she be better than KML? That might be a basket too far.

There are people who saw Stewie play in high school and she wasn't the second coming of Stewie either, depending on when you saw her. She wasn't even Stewie through a good part of her freshman year in Storrs and only became so in the post season of that year, where she emerged. Insofar as KLS not winning a championship as a high school senior, you probably do know that basketball is a team sport and there are many factors that go into a championship run, most significantly that you can't win it all by yourself. Diana Taurasi is credited with winning two championships practically by herself but in what I think was her junior year the Huskies were all but beat by Texas and made a miraculous comeback that had very little to do with DT. There was a kid on that team whose name escapes me who almost singlehandedly pulled that game out and had she not done that, Diana's LEGEND would have been significantly lessened though she (Diane) is obviously an extraordinary superstar! There are many professional athletes who are in their respective Hall's of Fame that never won championships in their respective sports and it means little or nothing to their peers that they failed to do so. Were their sport bowling or golf or skiing, maybe, but in team sports you've got to rely on others, as well, to succeed. There are many Boneyarders who will be extremely disappointed if KLS doesn't have at least as illustrious a career in Storrs as KML and maybe a bit disappointed if she doesn't exceed KML due to her obvious physical advantages and her heritage including her parents and her siblings.