Natalie Butler's progress

[Sluconn Husky]

Butler left Tuesday’s practice a little early for a follow-up appointment on her thumb. While she received a positive report, she still had to wear the splint against Tulsa and will do so again when the Huskies kick off a three-game road trip at Houston on Friday (9 p.m., ESPN2).


“Everything looks great. There are no issues with it as of right now. I have to continue wearing this splint,” Butler said. “Hopefully I can work my way off of it towards the end of the season.

http://www.nhregister.com/article/NH/20160107/SPORTS/160109654


UConn coach Geno Auriemma is pleased with her progress.


“It’s going to take a while for Nat to get caught up with as much as she has missed,” Auriemma said. “She’s not 100 percent yet. But for the minutes that she plays, she’s getting a lot done. Slowly but surely we will get her back to 100 percent.”

http://www.centralctcommunications....cle_1f6e2912-b5ae-11e5-a590-9bd84d94f161.html

 

[NVUConnFan]

Awesome! Go big Nat!

 

[caramel]

She will be a force that is needed the remainder of her college career.She may become the Kiah with a devastating offense.I predict that the post area will become Nat country,and you will not be allowed entry without a passport,by her senior year.

 

[Jimbo]

More about Natalie's progress:
https://www.sny.tv/uconn/news/butlers-progress-slow-but-sure/161262054/

Geno: "Any time you have someone who can take up that much space in the lane, I think it frees up Stewie to do more things. The less we have to put Stewie in the middle of the lane, the better for us because what Stewie is really good at is coming from the weak side and blocking shots. When she is in the middle of the lane she doesn't get as many opportunities to do that. If we get enough chances to move her out of there, I think that's good for us. It also gives us another player to throw the ball to in the post that hopefully the other team will have to pay a lot of attention to."

I think this is a major reason why a lot of people thought Butler would start this year. Having her on the floor could make Stewie's life a lot easier, especially defensively. Also, when Butler's thumb kept her out, Geno wasn't able to change things up with a really big lineup the way he sometimes did the two prior seasons. There was a stretch in the Tulsa game where Butler, Stewart, and Tuck were all on the floor together, and if Natalie keeps progressing, I'd expect to see that more and more often (regardless of whether she starts or not).

 

[vtcwbuff]

Butler has 10 more games to scrape off the rust and get comfortable in game situations. I hope she gets lots of minutes in every game. I have visions of Stewart, Tuck and Butler all on the floor at the same time in the USC game.

Did anyone notice how slow Butler was in the Tulsa game?

 

[JavaMan]

More about Natalie's progress: ...I think this is a major reason why a lot of people thought Butler would start this year. Having her on the floor could make Stewie's life a lot easier, especially defensively. Also, when Butler's thumb kept her out, Geno wasn't able to change things up with a really big lineup the way he sometimes did the two prior seasons. There was a stretch in the Tulsa game where Butler, Stewart, and Tuck were all on the floor together, and if Natalie keeps progressing, I'd expect to see that more and more often (regardless of whether she starts or not).

Correct! When Butler, Stewart, and Tuck were all on the floor together, Megan Culmo commented about how big UConn was down low with those three in together. And I smiled with delight when later an even bigger Butler, Stewart, and Lou were all on the floor together.

 

[meyers7]

Correct! When Butler, Stewart, and Tuck were all on the floor together, Megan Culmo commented about how big UConn was down low with those three in together. And I smiled with delight when later an even bigger Butler, Stewart, and Lou were all on the floor together.

At one point prior to Meghan's comment UCONN had Butler (6-5), Stewart (6-4), Tuck (6-2), KLS (6-3) and Nurse (6-0) on the floor. About as big as we can go.

 

[chrissaran]

I don't know why some of you think Natalie is slow. Every time she runs the court, she is running hard. If you expect her to beat Moriah, Saniya, and some of the others, you're crazy.

 

[JavaMan]

I don't know why some of you think Natalie is slow. Every time she runs the court, she is running hard. If you expect her to beat Moriah, Saniya, and some of the others, you're crazy.

I think you may have misunderstood the ""

 

[Ukonnfan]

Natalie's doing great. She has very "soft" hands, and a great shot. Kevin Garnett like threat in the womens game, maybe in the future. Like to see a three attempt once in a while. Im sure she can shoot em. Keep the defense from sagging, opening up the area under the hoop. Injury free of course, she will do nothing but get better and better and be a real star.

 

[Jimbo]

At one point prior to Meghan's comment UCONN had Butler (6-5), Stewart (6-4), Tuck (6-2), KLS (6-3) and Nurse (6-0) on the floor. About as big as we can go.

This really got me thinking…is that the tallest UConn lineup in recent memory? I remember thinking when Geno went big in late 2014 that a Dolson-Stokes-Stewart frontcourt was incredible to see, but even with KML at the 2, that team couldn't field any guard tandem as tall as KLS and Nurse.

 

[vtcwbuff]

I think you may have misunderstood the ""

I think so too.

 

[PhillyCoach]

At one point prior to Meghan's comment UCONN had Butler (6-5), Stewart (6-4), Tuck (6-2), KLS (6-3) and Nurse (6-0) on the floor. About as big as we can go.

Hey Myers - even better than that ---4 out of those 5 will be back next year. Throw in Collier and you have a heck of a start towards a good season next year. But let's slow down. This year still has to be completed and work has to be done yet!

 

[CocoHusky]

More about Natalie's progress:
https://www.sny.tv/uconn/news/butlers-progress-slow-but-sure/161262054/

Geno: "Any time you have someone who can take up that much space in the lane, I think it frees up Stewie to do more things. The less we have to put Stewie in the middle of the lane, the better for us because what Stewie is really good at is coming from the weak side and blocking shots. When she is in the middle of the lane she doesn't get as many opportunities to do that. If we get enough chances to move her out of there, I think that's good for us. It also gives us another player to throw the ball to in the post that hopefully the other team will have to pay a lot of attention to."

I think this is a major reason why a lot of people thought Butler would start this year. Having her on the floor could make Stewie's life a lot easier, especially defensively. Also, when Butler's thumb kept her out, Geno wasn't able to change things up with a really big lineup the way he sometimes did the two prior seasons. There was a stretch in the Tulsa game where Butler, Stewart, and Tuck were all on the floor together, and if Natalie keeps progressing, I'd expect to see that more and more often (regardless of whether she starts or not).

Very key observation Jimbo. If you go back and look at the Maryland (by design I'm sure) Brenda ran mostly offensive sets where Stewie could not come from the weak side and help in the lane. The UCONN help on Jones was coming from Gabby and Kia. Had Natalie been healthy that would have been a new wrinkle for Brenda.

 

[JavaMan]

What a great new UConn look for 2016!

​

 

[RockyMTblue2]

She's pretty damn imposing! Motivated, with tools.

 

[toadfoot]

To be honest at my age it gets hard to remember back to when Steph was a sophomore, but my recollection is that Natalie not only runs the floor as well (or better) than Dolson did, but has a better shot from 12-15 ft at the same point in their development. Whether she ever equals Dolson's passing ability is another issue, but she's totally lived up to my expectations so far. I believed at the season's outset that she could be a game changer and I've seen nothing yet to dissuade me from that opinion.

 

[JavaMan]

To be honest at my age it gets hard to remember back to when Steph was a sophomore, but my recollection is ...

Speaking of Stef ...Happy Birthday!

​

 

[Goodgood]

Nat is on her way to becoming an outstanding center. Steph always had great footwork around the basket. She could make baskets at almost impossible angles.

 

[UcMiami]

Nat is on her way to becoming an outstanding center. Steph always had great footwork around the basket. She could make baskets at almost impossible angles.

This is my one area of caution with Butler. Dolson even as a relatively out of shape freshman as you say always had great footwork around the basket and I would go as far as to say had 'quick' feet. In the very small sample size with Natalie coming off her injury, the one negative I notice is her footwork/foot speed. She seems to get off balance quite a bit because her feet are not moving as quickly as her weight is shifting, offensively and defensively. I hope that is rust and that it improves. On the plus side, she seems to be quicker end to end than Dolson and she has at least as soft a touch from the free throw area and I think a higher release point.

 

[Monte]

Butler has 10 more games to scrape off the rust and get comfortable in game situations. I hope she gets lots of minutes in every game. I have visions of Stewart, Tuck and Butler all on the floor at the same time in the USC game.

Did anyone notice how slow Butler was in the Tulsa game?

Yes, I did notice. I would like to know if she can jump. Has anyone seen her feet get off the floor? She's looked good, otherwise. I wish her the best.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Can she dunk like Stewie?

 

[Goodgood]

This is my one area of caution with Butler. Dolson even as a relatively out of shape freshman as you say always had great footwork around the basket and I would go as far as to say had 'quick' feet. In the very small sample size with Natalie coming off her injury, the one negative I notice is her footwork/foot speed. She seems to get off balance quite a bit because her feet are not moving as quickly as her weight is shifting, offensively and defensively. I hope that is rust and that it improves. On the plus side, she seems to be quicker end to end than Dolson and she has at least as soft a touch from the free throw area and I think a higher release point.

This is when being in the AAC helps. Nat can get a lot of minutes, along with Phee and KLS. This will show in March when everyone is needed. And the three Amigos can also get a lot of rest.

 

[Topdawg]

This really got me thinking…is that the tallest UConn lineup in recent memory? I remember thinking when Geno went big in late 2014 that a Dolson-Stokes-Stewart frontcourt was incredible to see, but even with KML at the 2, that team couldn't field any guard tandem as tall as KLS and Nurse.

If you put Lou at the point and replace Kia with Napheesa, you get a taller line up. May not be as good at ball handling though..