Hoping that Nika is back and healthy this weekend. But unlike prior UConn teams when an injury to a key player would have really strained the Huskies ability to compensate for that loss, this team has genuine depth at its disposal.
Aaliyah stepped in for Nika against Syracuse and she was fantastic. UConn also got solid minutes off the bench from both Anna & Aubrey. They could even throw Mir out there in a pinch if they had to. Geno hasn’t had this kind of roster depth in many years.
Nika offers something different than Edwards and Griffin. UCONN doesn't move the ball as well without Nika. Further, Edwards foul trouble is an issue. It does exist. And now with more minutes- at some point with fouls it may resort into playing more careful in a big game than she otherwise would. And as for Anna - she has missed the whole year. There's very little rhythm with her now. IMO so far she hasn't shown to be the player she was at end of last year - yet (ofc it could be she ends up being fine.). . And Aubrey is a fine as an 8th player- and not to worry if Anna and Edwards are very good. But Aubrey still is too short for bigger/tougher posts, and doesn't have a perimeter game. So if Anna is off in terms of playing well -- and if she isn't shooting well--- then UCONN loses a shooter -- something UCONN has desperately needed this year.
If Nika is not healthy-- they lost a better player than Griff and possibly even Anna. UCONN didn't have much margin for error anyway. Losing a better player if Anna can't step up - doesn't make them better.
IMO a team is always stronger when they have different ways to win. On the surface, Nika's combination of passing, shooting, and perimeter defense from her position can't be replicated. Anna is the closest one to how Nika plays. If she is close then that is fine. Which I'm 100% with you about the bench- if she is But if she isn't- and Nika is hurting - no matter how good Edwards is - she does have a ceiling - she can't do what Nika does. Geno didn't "accidentally" start Nika. While Edwards overall I think is a better player- her and Liv had better be extremely productive vs the top tier teams. Nika gave UCONN another alternative. And unless your team is very dominant in one aspect of the game-- alternatives are always better.
There's a reason why I was so giddy about the three freshmen. Now that one night be gone or seriously limited - I can't minimize that -- ofc unless Anna is very good. So I hope you're right. But I'll just add the teams UCONN will face in next round and hopefully each round thereafter are better than Syracuse.
