Natalie Butler and Saniya Chong

[Icebear]

One of the nice things I saw in Natalie's game was nice soft hands releasing a very soft shot from several positions on the court. I, especially, loved the turn around from up high.

 

[vtcwbuff]

I remember describing Dolson as "lumbering" during her freshman year. She came to UConn with some conditioning issues. Look how much that changed during her 4 years at UConn. I would not be surprised to see the same sort of improvement in Butler but I didn't think that she was particularly slow in last night's game.

The UConn gold standard for getting up and down the floor was Tina Charles. I hope no one is expecting that kind of speed from Butler.

 

[Icebear]

I remember describing Dolson as "lumbering" during her freshman year. She came to UConn with some conditioning issues. Look how much that changed during her 4 years at UConn. I would not be surprised to see the same sort of improvement in Butler but I didn't think that she was particularly slow in last night's game.

The UConn gold standard for getting up and down the floor was Tina Charles. I hope no one is expecting that kind of speed from Butler.

Nor did I. She was not the last one down the court except when she gathered the rebound and waited to clear it.

 

[KevCav]

I remember describing Dolson as "lumbering" during her freshman year. She came to UConn with some conditioning issues. Look how much that changed during her 4 years at UConn. I would not be surprised to see the same sort of improvement in Butler but I didn't think that she was particularly slow in last night's game.

The UConn gold standard for getting up and down the floor was Tina Charles. I hope no one is expecting that kind of speed from Butler.

I believe that Natalie needs to be somewhat cautious about falling down and reinjuring her thumb. That said, she moved well, asserted herself, rebounded, blocked and even shot well. She has a soft sweet touch. Tina was one of a kind. What Natalie has going for her is that she had a year plus of conditioning and practicing with team before she ever got into a real game. Dolson was unique as well, but I think Natalie might pattern her game after Stef more than Tina. Tina was in the doghouse her first year but then she emerged as one of the truly great Huskies of all time.

 

[Icebear]

I believe that Natalie needs to be somewhat cautious about falling down and reinjuring her thumb. That said, she moved well, asserted herself, rebounded, blocked and even shot well. She has a soft sweet touch. Tina was one of a kind. What Natalie has going for her is that she had a year plus of conditioning and practicing with team before she ever got into a real game. Dolson was unique as well, but I think Natalie might pattern her game after Stef more than Tina. Tina was in the doghouse her first year but then she emerged as one of the truly great Huskies of all time.

Even more like Kara in her game than Stef. Kara, also, transformed her body and conditioning.

 

[KevCav]

I believe that Natalie needs to be somewhat cautious about falling down and reinjuring her thumb. That said, she moved well, asserted herself, rebounded, blocked and even shot well. She has a soft sweet touch. Tina was one of a kind. What Natalie has going for her is that she had a year plus of conditioning and practicing with team before she ever got into a real game. Dolson was unique as well, but I think Natalie might pattern her game after Stef more than Tina. Tina was in the doghouse her first year but then she emerged as one of the truly great Huskies of all time.

Also, I agree that Tina is the gold standard for a center going up and down the court but she had nothing over Stewie's speed racing down the court and making an intimidating block as Stewie has done so often. Regarding centers, Dolson excelled in the high post - no one in past years could pass and pick like Dolson - she thrived on it, whereas I think Natalie will "ow
n" the paint. Let KLS and Collier and Moriah fly down the court because Natalie will be dominating the defensive board and will be passing to those race horses. Everybody has their niche.

 

[UcMiami]

Also, I agree that Tina is the gold standard for a center going up and down the court but she had nothing over Stewie's speed racing down the court and making an intimidating block as Stewie has done so often. Regarding centers, Dolson excelled in the high post - no one in past years could pass and pick like Dolson - she thrived on it, whereas I think Natalie will "ow
n" the paint. Let KLS and Collier and Moriah fly down the court because Natalie will be dominating the defensive board and will be passing to those race horses. Everybody has their niche.

I think with her obvious touch at the free throw line you will see Natalie playing a fair amount of time in that Dolson spot - depending on her ability with an entry pass which we really did not see last night, she could be deadly bringing the central defense out to her and then passing over them to either Stewart or Tuck at the basket. She did not play a whole lot with either Tuck or Stewart in the game and the other Uconn forwards are not as developed as post up players. And based on the shots she did take, I suspect she may extend her range like Dolson to the top of the key over the next few years further opening the lane for other players.

 

[VAMike23]

I remember describing Dolson as "lumbering" during her freshman year. She came to UConn with some conditioning issues. Look how much that changed during her 4 years at UConn. I would not be surprised to see the same sort of improvement in Butler but I didn't think that she was particularly slow in last night's game.

The UConn gold standard for getting up and down the floor was Tina Charles. I hope no one is expecting that kind of speed from Butler.

Tina would regularly beat not only the opponents' bigs down the floor -- she would beat their wings and even their guards sometimes, too!!

She could really haul a*s. Honorable mention to Stef who, as a JR/SR, could definitely "move with purpose" up and down the floor as well.

 

[JoePgh]

Kiah Stokes, when motivated, could run the court as fast as Tina. If there was a shot to block, she was motivated. But if the only carrot was a chance to beat the opposing center and get a layup, she was often content to jog. That was a big part of why her offensive potential was unfulfilled at UConn.

I agree that Natalie is more in the mold of Stef than of Kiah, and that will make her a very effective player on offense, and probably on defense as well.

I agree that there don't seem to be a lot of "big and fast" centers among the other top teams this year. The Florida State center may be one example of that. A'ja Wilson (if she is playing without Coates) is certainly another, as is Brianna Turner of Notre Dame. On February 8, Dawn Staley may decide not to play Wilson and Coates together, since that makes it easier for Stewie to guard Wilson and Natalie to guard Coates. I don't think Natalie would be able to guard Wilson, so that might leave her to guard a perimeter player, which would also be a problem.

But in general, even against Top 10 teams, Natalie can certainly be effective based on what we saw last night.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I think we can all agree that with both Saniya & Natalie healthy, added to the improving freshmen & the vets, things are looking ROSES for UCONN this season & the future!

 

[huskyd]

My guess is that Natalie runs the floor better than Stef Dolson as a senior.

Saniya Chong [aka the Sing Sing Assasin..g]: her trey daggers take no prisoners. Whatever new treatment is receiving from Rosemary...keep it going. She was fabulous.

Glad someone mentioned Stef because when Natalie dropped a couple of 15-footers I was reminded of one of the skills that made Dolson special. Stef was no high jumper, but footwork and positioning served her well--as they will with Butler. But Dolson's real specialty was as a passer. She was often called the best passing big in WCBB. As a result, Geno ran the offense through Stef, starting most sets from the high post. Will he do the same with Natalie? Time will tell; my guess is YES.

 

[vtcwbuff]

An added plus - apparently Butler has studied Tina Charles' ability to pad her offensive rebound stats. A couple of times last night Butler missed a chippy but got the ORB and the put back.

 

[Fiftyish]

Sinaya looked great, moved with ease and shot the ball with confidence.

Really happy to see her have a couple of great games. Also great to have a legit 3 point shooter coming off the bench. It took her awhile but it looks like she is now a capable defender and an offensive threat. Good for her!!

 

[HuskyNan]

Also, I agree that Tina is the gold standard for a center going up and down the court but she had nothing over Stewie's speed racing down the court and making an intimidating block as Stewie has done so often.

Stewie, despite her size, is not a center. She's a 4 that can play the 3.

 

[Jim R]

Stewie, despite her size, is not a center. She's a 4 that can play the 3.

And some might argue.....the 2 & the 1 as well!

 

[topogigio]

I remember describing Dolson as "lumbering" during her freshman year. She came to UConn with some conditioning issues. Look how much that changed during her 4 years at UConn. I would not be surprised to see the same sort of improvement in Butler but I didn't think that she was particularly slow in last night's game.

The UConn gold standard for getting up and down the floor was Tina Charles. I hope no one is expecting that kind of speed from Butler.

Gotta' agree with you there. It appeared to me that Butler was light years ahead of Dolson in similar stages of development. Dolson was a "lumberer" for her first two years, before she really got into shape. Butler gives solid effort running down the floor, and has a sweet touch from 10'. She is going to make this team much, much better - and that is a very scary concept for upcoming opponents.
As for Saniya, if you watch video of her in high school - she looks now like the same player - very confident, who can score at will.

 

[Monte]

Are you only looking at the box score or did you see the game on TV?

KLS was making a visit to Chateau Bow-wow tonight. She didn't enter the game until about a minute was left in the third quarter, with UConn up by about 35 or 40 points. The announcers showed her on the bench in the first half, looking puzzled but not overly upset. The announcers said that she had been a full participant in the morning shoot-around and in the pregame warmups, so they did not attribute her benching to either injury or illnss. After the game, Geno was asked about this and said (basically) that she needs to work harder and play with more intensity. When she finally got in, she seemed to try to do that, going for several steals (usually not successfully).

On the other hand, Natalie Butler came into the game in the first quarter and played short minutes frequently throughout the game. She really impacted the game while she was in and generated excellent stats for her limited minutes.

Running the court, she seemed slow -- the last UConn player down the court in transition when I noticed her. She will have trouble guarding other posts who can run the floor. But I think she will be able to play effectively against opponents like Alaina Coates, who is not known for her gazelle-like floor play either.

I agree with your statement that Butler did appear "slow" running the floor. I would like her to get in better shape. The thumb injury would not hamper this. If she has the will, she can do it. Dolson got herself in better shape as time progressed......time will tell.
It is too bad, that the only real test for ALL players will not be until South Carolina.

 

[iri10]

I agree with your statement that Butler did appear "slow" running the floor. I would like her to get in better shape. The thumb injury would not hamper this. If she has the will, she can do it. Dolson got herself in better shape as time progressed.time will tell.
It is too bad, that the only real test for ALL players will not be until South Carolina.

It's been a little while since Dolson played for UConn, but she really was not fast at any point in her career. The speed at which Dolson ran the floor wasn't really any faster than how Butler ran yesterday. Butler's actually ahead of where Dolson was, comparing early sophomore Dolson to RS sophomore Butler.

The main difference between the current Butler and the junior/senior Dolson is stamina. That version of Dolson could stay in most of the game, whereas I doubt Butler could come close to that without gassing to exhaustion. It's only her first game back, but she was breathing hard during her longer stretches of play time.

That is one thing that I do expect to improve, at least to Dolson levels and possibly beyond...given time.

 

[Kmoney]

My first impression of Natalie is that she runs very hard. She may not be fast, but she sprints as hard as she can. It does appear that she is a quick thinker. She is quick with the ball and makes good decisions with it. I love how quickly she turns on her jumper. It is amazing that she had not played a game in @21 months. It will be interesting to see her against players her size. I want to see if she can fake the jumper and dribble past her defender.

Saniya is so calming and confident with her play. She is just the opposite from this time last year. You can see how happy Geno is with her.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Did you mean?

My post was a take off on this song.

 

[DaddyChoc]

On the other hand, Natalie Butler came into the game in the first quarter and played short minutes frequently throughout the game. She really impacted the game while she was in and generated excellent stats for her limited minutes.

Running the court, she seemed slow -- the last UConn player down the court in transition when I noticed her. She will have trouble guarding other posts who can run the floor. But I think she will be able to play effectively against opponents like Alaina Coates, who is not known for her gazelle-like floor play either.

and those others are who?

Jefferson, Chong, Collier and Nurse will impede any "post" from breaking away... but which team got behind UConn's D for the baseball/pass easy lay-ins (Cincy or Maryland... I watched each back to back on "friday night" for the 1st time). that was interesting

 

[DaddyChoc]

Saniya is so calming and confident with her play. She is just the opposite from this time last year. You can see how happy Geno is with her.

this time last year she burned Stanford... we she call her "The Microwave"

 

[Icebear]

Also, I agree that Tina is the gold standard for a center going up and down the court but she had nothing over Stewie's speed racing down the court and making an intimidating block as Stewie has done so often. Regarding centers, Dolson excelled in the high post - no one in past years could pass and pick like Dolson - she thrived on it, whereas I think Natalie will "ow
n" the paint. Let KLS and Collier and Moriah fly down the court because Natalie will be dominating the defensive board and will be passing to those race horses. Everybody has their niche.

You are forgetting one player who was the role model for Stef playing out of the high post and was a true passing wizard. She did not have Stef's height, shot blocking or other parts of Stef's game but in the high post and shooting and passing from the top of the key she was simply amazing. Do you remember who I am talking about?

 

[VAMike23]

You are forgetting one player who was the role model for Stef playing out of the high post and was a true passing wizard. She did not have Stef's height, shot blocking or other parts of Stef's game but in the high post and shooting and passing from the top of the key she was simply amazing. Do you remember who I am talking about?

Kaili McLaren was outstanding in all aspects from the high post

Also, she had (IMO) the best hands of any UCONN player in the last 10 years, in a 2-way tie with KML.

 

[JoePgh]

Let me reply to a few points in this thread:

1. As I mentioned in a previous post, there are several opposing posts who could beat Natalie down the floor rather easily: Brianna Turner, A'ja Wilson, Bulgak (the center for Florida State), and possibly Brionna Jones (when she isn't winded). The Baylor bigs probably also fall into this category, although I haven't seen them play. This year, Stewie can neutralize those players, but after this year, I am not so sure that Tuck / Collier / KLS can do so because of the height difference. That doesn't mean that Natalie can't play a big role against the teams that those people play for, as Stef did.

2. Kaili McLaren did contribute a lot to the success of UConn in the years that she played, but not without some negatives related to her lack of mobility. The most serious problem was the need for UConn to play a zone (most of the time) when she was in the game, because of her inability to guard many opposing centers and forwards 1-on-1 due to lack of mobility. Stef was fortunately a lot more mobile than Kaili, and unlike Kaili, she did work to get herself into shape over the course of her four years at UConn.

3. When UConn had Stef but did not have Stewie, it was a Final Four team but not a National Champion. If Natalie at her best can be approximately equivalent to Stef, there probably needs to be a second "mobile forward" to keep UConn at an NC level. That might be Napheesa Collier, if she is big and strong enough to match up with the Wilsons, Turners, and Mompremiers of the WCBB world. Or it might be KLS if she is willing and able to add that dimension to her game. Those are the "big" questions for the next two years (pun intended).

 

[Icebear]

There were issues that limited Kaili's conditioning work. Kaili had foot issues that led to surgery post UCONN.

 

[Gus Mahler]

There were issues that limited Kaili's conditioning work. Kaili had foot issues that led to surgery post UCONN.

Someone said she was on campus last spring and looked great. Anyone know if she's playing somewhere?

 

[Kaizen]

Someone said she was on campus last spring and looked great. Anyone know if she's playing somewhere?

She is in Turkey.
http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Kaili_McLaren/Turkey/Urla_Eda_SK_Izmir/120396?Women=1

 

[Gus Mahler]

She is in Turkey.
http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Kaili_McLaren/Turkey/Urla_Eda_SK_Izmir/120396?Women=1

Thanks. Hope she doing well.

 

[Tonyc]

Natalie can shoot rebound and knows how to play the game. She is a soph this season. So this season and the next 2. I predict she will be a beast in the middle. I wont compare her to Tina or Steph or anybody else. She can play and at 6'5 she will create problems for opponents on both sides of the ball. As far as a NC this season its a given. I don't know what it would take for UConn to loose this season but so far there have been some teams who have played over their head and lost by double digits. Next season where so many are concern and imo because we have all been spoiled with so many superstars playing together at UConn it wont be the same. It will be a different team next season and it will be a top team next season again. Will UConn will every game by double digits????? Maybe not. Could they win a NC again. Absolutely. Don't doubt what Geno can do. Saniya and Natalie will be make a huge difference this season and next.