Next Season the TTP

[MilfordHusky]

7'+

Is that like +1 times 7?

 

[MilfordHusky]

Anyone know that measurement for Griner?

I believe that ESPN showed the following over the weekend:

Griner, 6'8" in height, wingspan of 7'4"

Anthony Davis, 6'10" in height, wingspan of 7'5"

BG does play like a guy.

 

[meyers7]

No, I am not selling Moriah Jefferson short...I believe she will be a great UConn point guard...but, UConn is not guard challenged. There are unfortunately for Moriah, a few guards that Geno will remain loyal to and he will make sure they get their playing time. On the other hand, Geno knows what side of his bread is buttered on and he will be sure to give Moriah minutes in each game and he will give her more minutes in blow-outs as he will want to position her as a starter in 2013-14 season. JMHO

I just think she might make her way into that "shortened" lineup.

 

[VAMike23]

I believe that ESPN showed the following over the weekend:

Griner, 6'8" in height, wingspan of 7'4"

Anthony Davis, 6'10" in height, wingspan of 7'5"

BG does play like a guy.

And I am pretty sure Breanna's vertical is higher than Griner's, so the effective differential between Bre's 7'1" and BG's 7'4" wingspan starts to shrink in certain cases. At other times, pure height and size wins out. But properly deployed, Breanna will affect other teams' offenses similarly, and will even present some interesting moments for BG herself when they meet next year.

 

[Bestiarius]

Reading this thread makes me smile. So much disagreement, and all of it plausible. An embarrassment of riches.

 

[Bestiarius]

Moriah is going to be interesting. I don't see her as a key to next year's team, but she is a key for the next three after that.

I've only seen her play a couple of times, but I agree with alex. Moriah has so much natural ability and flash. I think initially, that flash will get her in trouble and it will take a while to harness all that talent and work it into the system. There will be many photos of Geno giving Moriah what she had no idea she wanted (as per my avitar).

 

[VAMike23]

I've only seen her play a couple of times, but I agree with alex. Moriah has so much natural ability and flash. I think initially, that flash will get her in trouble and it will take a while to harness all that talent and work it into the system. There will be many photos of Geno giving Moriah what she had no idea she wanted (as per my avitar).

And it might not just be Geno....! I can see the Honey Badger with gettin' on Mo (in a constructive way) during practice...

 

[Icebear]

Breanna is a player who can play in front of Griner and deny the entry pass. There are extremely few in WCBB who can do that. Put Breanna in front of her and Stef or Kiah or Heather behind her and you start to create a problem. Playing in front of Griner, Breanna can, also, release to provide assistance on the perimeter making sure that guards and 3s are forced well back.

 

[Tonyc]

UConn with all that talent will be crazy good next season and the following seasons too. There wont be a team to compete with them except for Baylor and after Griner graduates I dont see a team who will compete with them. Next season if our 3 new freshman adapt to college ball like we think they will they will get plenty of play time and time to develop. Just think about KML and Bria at the guards. You have 2 great scorers. Breanna and Stef underneath two more great scorers and with all our height great defenders too. It will be silly good. The UConn circus show will draw alot of fans. The buildup to the Baylor game which I think is in January will be crazy. Both teams will be at a level that no team in WCBB has ever reached and dont forget UConn will still be made up of alot of underclassman. Now thats really scary. Genos biggest problem wont be getting fans to the games, it just maybe keeping them in their seats because of the blowouts.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Breanna is a player who can play in front of Griner and deny the entry pass. There are extremely few in WCBB who can do that. Put Breanna in front of her and Stef or Kiah or Heather behind her and you start to create a problem. Playing in front of Griner, Breanna can, also, release to provide assistance on the perimeter making sure that guards and 3s are forced well back.

Exactly, Coach Icebear!

 

[MilfordHusky]

And I am pretty sure Breanna's vertical is higher than Griner's, so the effective differential between Bre's 7'1" and BG's 7'4" wingspan starts to shrink in certain cases. At other times, pure height and size wins out. But properly deployed, Breanna will affect other teams' offenses similarly, and will even present some interesting moments for BG herself when they meet next year.

I think that Bre may block and alter more shots than anyone ever except for Griner.

 

[Icebear]

Exactly, Coach Icebear!

Hey, I have always enjoyed game scheming.

 

[Samanthabrown3]

What do you want to wager that Doty starts and Stokes doesn't? And Doty gets 15 minutes a game for the season?

I believe you are underestimating the value Geno sees in Doty's minutes.

I agree. I think Caroline will start, and she'll usually get more than ten or fifteen minutes.

 

[John Fryer]

Next season, like this season, our only AA Bria will get more PT than any other player.

Next season our only AA will in all likelihood be joined by our second AA KML.

There is no question, at least for me, that Morgan will start at the 4 spot.

Given the talent of the incoming class, and the experience of coaching the Olympic team, hopefully, to the Gold Medal, coach A will realize that stubborness is a receipe for defeat.

He will coach to win and the starting five next season will be the five best players on the team.

Lastly, IMHO, coach A has never ever valued loyalty over talent.

Peace,

John Fryer

 

[speedoo]

Next season, like this season, our only AA Bria will get more PT than any other player.

Next season our only AA will in all likelihood be joined by our second AA KML.

There is no question, at least for me, that Morgan will start at the 4 spot.

Given the talent of the incoming class, and the experience of coaching the Olympic team, hopefully, to the Gold Medal, coach A will realize that stubborness is a receipe for defeat.

He will coach to win and the starting five next season will be the five best players on the team.

Lastly, IMHO, coach A has never ever valued loyalty over talent.

Peace,

John Fryer

You keep repeating yourself, despite the lessons of history.

How many times has Geno replaced an upperclassman, who had previously played substantial minutes as a starter or 6th man off the bench, with an incoming frosh?

 

[sarals24]

Next season, like this season, our only AA Bria will get more PT than any other player.

Next season our only AA will in all likelihood be joined by our second AA KML.

There is no question, at least for me, that Morgan will start at the 4 spot.

Given the talent of the incoming class, and the experience of coaching the Olympic team, hopefully, to the Gold Medal, coach A will realize that stubborness is a receipe for defeat.

He will coach to win and the starting five next season will be the five best players on the team.

Lastly, IMHO, coach A has never ever valued loyalty over talent.

Peace,

John Fryer

Is that last part a joke? No one is debating that KML is more talented than CD, or probably Faris. But that's not the argument. He puts the five on the floor that he thinks will get the win. He wasn't being stubborn by starting the team he had this year. He thought it was the best unit to start the game with, and it got the team to the final four, and an OT away from the NC game. Soooo....recipe for defeat? Kind of drastic, no?

 

[HuskyJohn]

Many Boneyarders have noted the significant increase in bench depth we will have next fall. I agree that it’s fun to speculate while keeping in mind that the degree of improvement will depend upon how fast and how much development takes place before tournament time. We still will have a fairly young team. I am assuming that the Big East conference and tournament titles are unlikely to be at issue.

If development proceeds as we all hope it will, the depth will be evident in a number of areas as other have noted such as:

Reduced player fatigue so that we will be able to press as needed (as our best seems were able to do) and be able to for example play man-to-man or zone based on strategy rather than concern about endurance or risk of fouling.

A reduced threat of foul trouble for key players through much substitution options.

Much more flexibility of player substitution when any player (most likely a 3-point shooter) is having an off-night. Of course, on this last point, Geno is generally quite adept at encouraging his players to find other ways of contributing when their shots are not dropping. I should think that one critical improvement we should have next year is a vastly improved inside offensive presence with Bre, Morgan and the continuing development of Stef and Kiah. I hope the KML also continues to improve her inside game which showed improvement near the end of the season. Since inside offense is generally much more reliable than outside shooting, it will be so nice to be less dependent next year on making the outside shot.

As many have said, it will be so much fun to watch!

 

[John Fryer]

You keep repeating yourself, despite the lessons of history.

How many times has Geno replaced an upperclassman, who had previously played substantial minutes as a starter or 6th man off the bench, with an incoming frosh?

I don't mean to appear obtuse. But it appears that I have failed to make my point clear.

I have no problem with a veteran player continuing to be a starter, if there isn't a better player at that position sitting on the bench.

For example, this past season we were pretty successful with Caroline starting and bringing KML in off the bench. (That was a winning strategy and I applaud it.)

However, my concerns are about next year when we have three of the top recruits in the country joining the team.

Apparently there are a lot of BYs who believe that the only near certain starter will be Breanna. I have consistently agreed that is likely what will happen.

My problem arise when there is discussion about Moriah and Morgan. I have real trouble getting my head around arguments that Kelly will outperform Morgan at the 4 spot.

Similarly, I have even more difficulty in seeing Caroline be able to outperform Moriah in practice and certainly not on the floor during a game.

As I see it, Breanna, Moriah and Morgan will have all summer to learn and become familiar with the UConn system. And by the time the season get on the way in November their comfort level in the system will be similar to KML's this past season.

IHMO, elite players expect to be treated like elite players. That is why I believe that KML's sixth man days are over.

So, in my mind, all three members of our incoming class would start in just about every Division 1 program except ND and Baylor. (Moriah would have to sit behind Diggins or Sims. I can't envision any program in which Breanna wouldn't start.)

All of these are, of course, just my opinions.

Peace,

John Fryer

 

[doggydaddy]

I don't mean to appear obtuse. But it appears that I have failed to make my point clear.

I have no problem with a veteran player continuing to be a starter, if there isn't a better player at that position sitting on the bench.

For example, this past season we were pretty successful with Caroline starting and bringing KML in off the bench. (That was a winning strategy and I applaud it.)

However, my concerns are about next year when we have three of the top recruits in the country joining the team.

Apparently there are a lot of BYs who believe that the only near certain starter will be Breanna. I have consistently agreed that is likely what will happen.

My problem arise when there is discussion about Moriah and Morgan. I have real trouble getting my head around arguments that Kelly will outperform Morgan at the 4 spot.

Similarly, I have even more difficulty in seeing Caroline be able to outperform Moriah in practice and certainly not on the floor during a game.

As I see it, Breanna, Moriah and Morgan will have all summer to learn and become familiar with the UConn system. And by the time the season get on the way in November their comfort level in the system will be similar to KML's this past season.

IHMO, elite players expect to be treated like elite players. That is why I believe that KML's sixth man days are over.

So, in my mind, all three members of our incoming class would start in just about every Division 1 program except ND and Baylor. (Moriah would have to sit behind Diggins or Sims. I can't envision any program in which Breanna wouldn't start.)

All of these are, of course, just my opinions.

Peace,

John Fryer

No, we all understand what you are saying. I, for one, just don't agree with you that Geno would remove Caroline and Kelly from the starting lineup for freshman next year.

It's just not going to happen. It may be what you would do, but you're not the coach.

Caroline I can amost understand why you would do that. But Kelly? the heart and soul of this team? The player that everyone wants to be like in effort?

It's just not going to happen.

Of course it's just my opinion, but historically, it's how Geno handles things.

 

[cferraro04]

Mr. Fryer...I disagree with one basic part of your premise. I don't think Geno is going to be looking at Kelly at the 4. I think Kelly will be playing the 3. I also believe she will start as Geno firmly believes in her consistency and quiet leadership as well as having her on the floor being important to the team's success. Caroline, on the other hand, may very well ask Geno to start someone else in her stead. I think this is possible because of her competitiveness and her unselfish desire to see the team win. I also think that Geno and his staff will be faced with a very difficult decision of balancing Doty's inconsistencies that emerged towards the end of this season with the incoming talent gluttony.
Let's for argument sake say that the only thing that Geno does this season is substitute Breanna Stewart for Kelly Faris at the #4, then he shuffles Kelly over into Tiffany Hayes vacated #3 spot. Making the starting line-up Stefanie Dolson (5); Breanna Stewart (4); Kelly Faris (3); Caroline Doty (2); Bria Hartley (1). This would then have the following on the bench...KML (not likely), Kiah Stokes, Morgan Tuck, Moriah Jefferson, Brianna Banks, Heather Buck, Michala Johnson and Lauren Engeln. There are a few problems with this strategy. To begin with no way KML is coming off the bench next year. She has earned her starting position...end of story so who does she replace Kelly at the three or Doty at the two. I think the answer is obvious and it won't be lost on Geno and his staff. Secondly, Kiah Stokes has earned PT...and she will be coming off the bench to play behind Dolson and quite possibly Stewart, additionally there will be times when Geno will go with all three of them...can you imagine a front court of Dolson, Kiah and Breanna...pretty scary. Then you have two very talented freshmen in Tuck and Jefferson...who no doubt will earn their PT and will be contributors right from the get go. Finally, Brianna Banks, Michala Johnson, Lauren Engeln and Heather Buck are all scholarship players who have by varying degrees deserve to get some minutes as well... Geno will have quite a challenge in balancing the PT among so many talented players. Something has to give. I believe it has to be Caroline Doty. She will have to give up her starting position to KML and she will lose about 5-7 minutes from her 2011-2012 season 20.6 minutes per game. I believe Geno develops a substitution pattern that has Doty come off the bench for about 13.5 minutes per game. I believe the big minute getters will be Bria Hartley - probably around 20-25 minutes; KML 20-25 minutes; Stewart 18-23 minutes; Dolson 18-23 minutes.

 

[speedoo]

I don't mean to appear obtuse. But it appears that I have failed to make my point clear.

I have no problem with a veteran player continuing to be a starter, if there isn't a better player at that position sitting on the bench.

For example, this past season we were pretty successful with Caroline starting and bringing KML in off the bench. (That was a winning strategy and I applaud it.)

However, my concerns are about next year when we have three of the top recruits in the country joining the team.

Apparently there are a lot of BYs who believe that the only near certain starter will be Breanna. I have consistently agreed that is likely what will happen.

My problem arise when there is discussion about Moriah and Morgan. I have real trouble getting my head around arguments that Kelly will outperform Morgan at the 4 spot.

Similarly, I have even more difficulty in seeing Caroline be able to outperform Moriah in practice and certainly not on the floor during a game.

As I see it, Breanna, Moriah and Morgan will have all summer to learn and become familiar with the UConn system. And by the time the season get on the way in November their comfort level in the system will be similar to KML's this past season.

IHMO, elite players expect to be treated like elite players. That is why I believe that KML's sixth man days are over.

So, in my mind, all three members of our incoming class would start in just about every Division 1 program except ND and Baylor. (Moriah would have to sit behind Diggins or Sims. I can't envision any program in which Breanna wouldn't start.)

All of these are, of course, just my opinions.

Peace,

John Fryer

Maybe I missed it but I don't think you even attempted to answer my question. So you continue to ignore history, and that means your opinions carry no weight.

 

[Icebear]

Cf, I agree with you that Caroline is exactly the type of Person who if she thought she did not help the team by starting would take the unselfish action you suggest. At the same time, however, I expect her to be even stronger by next season and that decision unnecessary, especially, at the start of the season when others have so much to learn.

 

[Tonyc]

It comes down to Geno and his decision on when theyre ready to jump into the starting lineup. One reason IMO why freshman dont start unless there is no one else with experience to start is team chemistry and cohesiveness. Until freshman can play within the system they dont start, they get minutes based on how they contribute in practice. Geno dosnt break the rules and his record speaks for itself. When you ready your given a chance, until then you have to earn it in practice.

 

[Icebear]

It comes down to Geno and his decision on when theyre ready to jump into the starting lineup. One reason IMO why freshman dont start unless there is no one else with experience to start is team chemistry and cohesiveness. Until freshman can play within the system they dont start, they get minutes based on how they contribute in practice. Geno dosnt break the rules and his record speaks for itself. When you ready your given a chance, until then you have to earn it in practice.

Exactly, and how much further progress CD' continues to make this off season.

 

[HuskyNan]

Lastly, IMHO, coach A has never ever valued loyalty over talent.

I have no problem with a veteran player continuing to be a starter, if there isn't a better player at that position sitting on the bench.

Pam Weber.
Nykesha Sales.

Whoever started (think it might have been Carla Berube)
Shea Ralph.