Natalie Butler will be the 5th starter...don't doubt me on this..!

[Shenandoah]

I have to agree with the OP. Starting Butler frees Stewie to become an even more of a matchup nightmare than last year.
FREE STEWIE!!!

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Natalie Butler WILL start! MoJeff, Stewie, Morgan, and Nurse will join her!
IMO Natalie Butler will be a Steph Dolson clone in ability and personality! She's lost a heck of a lot of weight already and has perfected her UCONN moves/technique in this year-off! In videos out there her personality is "out there" as Miss Dolson was/is! She'll be able to run the court and keep UCONN moving on all cylinders! They won't miss a beat!
As I've and some others have stated often, this will be the coaching staffs most athletic team ever!
This will be as enjoyable a group to watch perform as any from 1995 on has been!

 

[EricLA]

David, you could easily be right, but it's no sure thing. The biggest argument against your conclusion is that a Natalie / Stewie / Morgan / Kia / Moriah lineup would have two potential weaknesses: (a) there would be no major threat from the 3-point line in that lineup; and (b) it would force Morgan to play at the 3, which is not her optimal position on either offense or defense. Is she really quick enough to guard a fast, penetrating wing? Can she really be enough of an outside shooting threat to force defenses to guard her jump shot?

No major 3 point threat? Moriah had a 3-point % that was better than KML's for stretches last season and she ended at .496 - higher than KML's .488. Nurse ended the season at over 40%. Morgan's 3 point shot was horrid at the start of the season but she managed to hit more in the 2nd half and bumped her average to just under 30%. That's quite an accomplishment since at the midpoint it was about 16%. Stewie had a lousy year from the 3 point line, I'll grant you that.

Last year, our best lineup was when Stokes was in the game, IMHO. What Stokes gave up on offense to Nurse was offset by what she provided on defense. I know it's possible that Geno will go with another lineup, but I think Mo, Kia, Morgan, Stewie and Natalie will give UCONN it's most potent team on offense AND defense. Having Chong, Williams, Collier, Boykin and Samuelson off the bench gives Geno guards, wings and forwards to bring in. If Butler comes out, Stewie can slide over.

I don't expect to see much of Ekmark next year unless she makes huge strides over the summer. This will be the first time in many years that Geno has legitimately 10 players who are good to great to choose from...

 

[hoophuskee]

I have to agree with the OP. Starting Butler frees Stewie to become an even more of a matchup nightmare than last year.
FREE STEWIE!!!

I read this often. I don't understand it. Why do you think she'll be more free with Butler? Last year if a center guarded her - she could shoot from anywhere outside. There were 4 shooters surrounding her last year. No with Butler the player that guards her will sag off and help inside. SO if Stewie wants to post things get more jumbled. SO how does that "free Stwart more?" When Stokes came in - was STeiw more free?

I do agree Butler can be a better pick setter.

 

[hoophuskee]

No major 3 point threat? Moriah had a 3-point % that was better than KML's for stretches last season and she ended at .496 - higher than KML's .488. Nurse ended the season at over 40%. Morgan's 3 point shot was horrid at the start of the season but she managed to hit more in the 2nd half and bumped her average to just under 30%. That's quite an accomplishment since at the midpoint it was about 16%. Stewie had a lousy year from the 3 point line, I'll grant you that.

Last year, our best lineup was when Stokes was in the game, IMHO. What Stokes gave up on offense to Nurse was offset by what she provided on defense. I know it's possible that Geno will go with another lineup, but I think Mo, Kia, Morgan, Stewie and Natalie will give UCONN it's most potent team on offense AND defense. Having Chong, Williams, Collier, Boykin and Samuelson off the bench gives Geno guards, wings and forwards to bring in. If Butler comes out, Stewie can slide over.

I don't expect to see much of Ekmark next year unless she makes huge strides over the summer. This will be the first time in many years that Geno has legitimately 10 players who are good to great to choose from...

I don't agree with the bold at all in terms of context. . Not saying some games like Texas and the 1st ND game she wasn't. But games like South Carolina and Dayton she didn't or couldn't play according to the coach.

 

[Waquoit]

Has anyone here actually seen Butler play? Does she have the athleticism to start for this squad? (I'm just asking, I have no idea)

 

[msf22b]

The forgotten player in this thread is Napheesa Collier.

I'm not insinuating she will start right off the bat but if you want a Swin clone, she strikes me as the nearest best thing.

She's perhaps the most defensively mature as a freshman and could even challenge Kia at the 2.
This kid is going to demand minutes (in the most polite way).

Gabby... I have no idea where she fits in (or at what position).

 

[UConnCat]

Putting Natalie with the other 4 starters would create terrible spacing on offense. On defense, that lineup would be slow(er) and not very athletic thus requiring Geno to play zone. When was the last time Geno started off a game playing zone?

I think he'll start either Lou (help space the floor on offense) or Gabby (athleticism on defense) in Kaleena's spot. Both Gabby and Lou create issues on one end of the floor but not both ends of the floor like Natalie would in that lineup.

 

[CocoHusky]

Moriah = 50% 3pt for the 2015 season
Nurse = 41% 3pt for 2015
Stewie = 33% 3pt career

Great shooting numbers indeed but also a very incomplete analysis, with the missing ingredient being volume. KML attempted 248 Three point shots last year and shot it at almost 50%. 6.5 Three point shot attempts per game will need to be replaced in the UCONN offense and based on that I think KLS is best equipped and more likely to start than Butler .

 

[Bgillon]

Last year, before the season began, I caught a lot of flack right here on the Boneyard, for posting: "Morgan Tuck is too good to not start."

So she started 38 or 39 games, all victories and an NC.

I will now double down, so to speak. For the upcoming season, I believe that:

"Katy Lou Samuelson is too good to not start" (at least 35 games)​

The analogy is not that convincing. Morgan had displayed what she could do at the UCONN level, KatieLou has noy (yet). On the other hand, Butler has displayed what she can do at the UCONN level. I suspect KatieLou will be eased into a role her first year.

 

[CL82]

Last year, before the season began, I caught a lot of flack right here on the Boneyard, for posting: "Morgan Tuck is too good to not start."

So she started 38 or 39 games, all victories and an NC.

I will now double down, so to speak. For the upcoming season, I believe that:

"Katy Lou Samuelson is too good to not start" (at least 35 games)​

Great call on last season on Morgan. I did not expect her to come back so far, so fast.

Geno tends to avoid starting freshmen. KLS will get significant minutes though.

Butler is 'too good not to start' as well. I see Stewart being, well being Stewart, but her skills allow her to play the three, comfortably. I see Morgan as the 4. On defense, I suspect that we will use 'zone principals.' I'd guess an aggressive triangle and two as the go to defense. The Geno version will be unique though. The guards will be able to be very aggressive with Stewart, Butler and Tuck cleaning up any penetration.

 

[hoophuskee]

Putting Natalie with the other 4 starters would create terrible spacing on offense. On defense, that lineup would be slow(er) and not very athletic thus requiring Geno to play zone. When was the last time Geno started off a game playing zone?

I think he'll start either Lou (help space the floor on offense) or Gabby (athleticism on defense) in Kaleena's spot. Both Gabby and Lou create issues on one end of the floor but not both ends of the floor like Natalie would in that lineup.

I don't agree. What you'll have is Butler setting picks for Stewie or Nurse or KLS or NC to come off screens. Butler imo isn't going to see 25 minutes. Say about 20. In those 20 she'll see a lot variation of teammates. Stewie's shot and Tuck's shot should improve and in addition Butler should be a strong post option. If Butler is an aggressive low post player and as advertised can offensive rebound a bit - she'll be fine.

If Stewarts outside shot improves like Monty and Farris did in sr year and Tuck's outside shot improves - and you already have MoJeff and Nurse as very good shooters, spacing shouldn't be a problem. Tuck has shooting skills. Geno used to say with Griner he wouldn't have pinned her in the paint. If Butler is as good as advertised this gives Tuck a great opportunity to work on her game away from the basket andshe'l probably have more open looks when Butler is in which possibly may improve her perimeter confidence.

 

[hoophuskee]

Great shooting numbers indeed but also a very incomplete analysis, with the missing ingredient being volume. KML attempted 248 Three point shots last year and shot it at almost 50%. 6.5 Three point shot attempts per game will need to be replaced in the UCONN offense and based on that I think KLS is best equipped and more likely to start than Butler .

I don't think UCONN needs to replace 6.5 3'ss a game. UCONN doesn't have to be the greatest 3pt shooting team in the history of wcbb or 2nd etc.

Last year we were all worried about losing Dolson's size/height. We found a different way to win. This time we can be real good shooting 3's just not as great as last year. IMO that is fine.

 

[hoophuskee]

Great call on last season on Morgan. I did not expect her to come back so far, so fast.

Geno tends to avoid starting freshmen. KLS will get significant minutes though.

Butler is 'too good not to start' as well. I see Stewart being, well being Stewart, but her skills allow her to play the three, comfortably. I see Morgan as the 4. On defense, I suspect that we will use 'zone principals.' I'd guess an aggressive triangle and two as the go to defense. The Geno version will be unique though. The guards will be able to be very aggressive with Stewart, Butler and Tuck cleaning up any penetration.

I don't agree about the triangle and two. When was the last time you saw UCONN play a junk defense?

If we didn't play a junk defense much when we had Dolson/Stewie and Stokes with KML. Or Stewie/Tuck and STokes with KML, why would we this time?

 

[CL82]

I don't agree about the triangle and two. When was the last time you saw UCONN play a junk defense?

If we didn't play a junk defense much when we had Dolson/Stewie and Stokes with KML. Or Stewie/Tuck and STokes with KML, why would we this time?

Call it what you want but I'm pretty confident that we are going see aggressive guard play to deny long shots and to funnel penetration to bigs. A zone concept protects Natalie and let's us exploit our height advantage.

 

[hoophuskee]

Call it what you want but I'm pretty confident that we are going see aggressive guard play deny long shots and to funnel penteration to bigs.

I like it!!!!!

 

[Kibitzer]

The analogy is not that convincing. Morgan had displayed what she could do at the UCONN level, KatieLou has noy (yet). On the other hand, Butler has displayed what she can do at the UCONN level. I suspect KatieLou will be eased into a role her first year.

So that year in the Big East was "at the UConn level"? You can't be serious.

 

[johnnyc]

So that year in the Big East was "at the UConn level"? You can't be serious.

A season of UConn practices. They are harder than the games we are told.

 

[johnnyc]

Has anyone here actually seen Butler play? Does she have the athleticism to start for this squad? (I'm just asking, I have no idea)

Watched her play on tv a couple of times when she was with Georgetown. I liked her game and brought her name up in discussions about best freshman players. Defense (blocks, altering shots), rebounding and running the floor stood out. The only baskets I saw her make were on put backs.

 

[Boreifs]

This whole discussion should be predicated on two factors:

1) What offense Geno decides to run

2) Who is in the rotation

For example, if Butler starts, any coach would be tempted to run a triple-post offense, with Stewie at the high post. That cuts down on dribble penetration in the lane, but Geno's sets always revolve much more on passing the ball than offense generated off the bounce. I don't think he has ever run a triple post before, although it is so similar to the triangle (which he has run) that the temptation would certainly be there. That offense would also fit very nicely in an eight rotation that included Gabbie as the replacement for Morgan at the four, Collier rotating with Stewie and Natalie (but mostly at the three) and KLS rotating at the guard spot, with Nurse playing the one when MO was sitting. That puts your three best 3-point shooters on the wings and your best passer running the offensive flow from the top of the key.

However, if Geno sticks with his traditional high-low post game, then Natalie is much more valuable as a rotating sub for Stewie and Morgan, with Gabbie most likely starting at the three and Napheesa her most likely sub.

It's very possible he uses both of these sets early in the season, to see which works best offensively and, more importantly, which works best on the defensive end. That latter consideration will certainly be the deciding factor.

I'm not by any means saying that Chong, Boykin and Ekmark are out of the mix for playing time. With 13 players, though, the most likely scenario by midseason is an eight rotation and a backup five.

 

[Huskies Rule]

I would also have to add Tuck with Breanna and Moriah. I believe if it weren't for Stewie, Morgan would be the best player on UCONN. IMHO of course.

SHE WOULD BE, IF MORIAH HAD NEVER LEFT THE STATE OF TEXAS !!

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I'm not by any means saying that Chong, Boykin and Ekmark are out of the mix for playing time.

Chong will play. Getting time for the other two is going to be close to impossible though.

 

[Huskies Rule]

While I'm enthusiastically anticipating what Natalie, Napheesa and Katie Lou will bring to the team next year, after reading all the insightful (yet mostly speculative) comments I'm already starting to feel bad for Saniya, Gabby, Ek and Boykin (Especially Gabby, who provided so many exciting moments last year.) Unless Geno goes deeper into his bench than I'm accustomed to seeing him do, OR unless Saniya, Gabby and Courtney return this year with improved skillsets which they didn't possess last year, OR unless Natalie and the freshmen don't live up to their advanced billing, I fear we're going to have some very unhappy campers seeking playing time.
[Saniya will still get her minutes by being the default 3rd guard]

 

[Bgillon]

So that year in the Big East was "at the UConn level"? You can't be serious.

As opposed to the AAC ? As opposed to high school teams? Now I understand your point. Georgetown's schedule plus a year practising against the two time NC team didn't prepare Butler for UCONN as well as a strong high school schedule. Thanks for the enlightenment.

 

[Kibitzer]

As opposed to the AAC ? As opposed to high school teams? Now I understand your point. Georgetown's schedule plus a year practising against the two time NC team didn't prepare Butler for UCONN as well as a strong high school schedule. Thanks for the enlightenment.

I concede the point