Next year...

[huskyrob1]

That's a gigantic IF. Coombs as a starter would be quite a stretch, Regardless, it's doubtful she would jump over Walker. That leaves the bench about the same as it was this year unless Williams and Ono adapt much better than the corp of frosh did this year. Either way it would appear that we will be considerably less talented defensively.

What's wrong with Combs? Why "that's quite a stretch"? Good defense can be taught, Nurse is a good example of that.

 

[BigBird]

I wouldn't call Nurse a star... maybe on defense but that's it. Steady and experienced yes, but she was never a great shooter, missed way more than she made, and I wish I had a dollar for every chippie she missed during her career. Who said Meghan Walker would be the next Maya??? Williams is that good and will elevate the team next year, as will Ono. As for a deeper bench, if Stevens stays, then we have Williams, Walker, and Ono all on the bench which is a luxury we didn't have this year.

Is it really necessary to slam one of our players in order to extoll another?

 

[huskyrob1]

Is it really necessary to slam one of our players in order to extoll another?

Please explain to me how giving an honest evaluation of a players skills is a "slam"?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I'm saying what I said about Williams not because of what I read but because of watching her play. Have you seen her play? She's phenomenal, she plays beyond her years. Despite her recent operation, Ono really impressed me, saw her for the first time in the MD All Star game.

I've seen Williams, but that was against below average competition in Arkansas and in an all-star game. Again, I like her skill set a lot, and by all accounts she's a terrific competitor. I have high hopes for her but am cautious about an immediate impact.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

I've seen Williams, but that was against below average competition in Arkansas and in an all-star game. Again, I like her skill set a lot, and by all accounts she's a terrific competitor. I have high hopes for her but am cautious about an immediate impact.

I know it was vs other HS players, But MVP in McDonalds All Star game speaks volumes. And on top of that she had the self confidence to "call it"... although I am not normally a "fan" of that much confidence, it tells me a lot about CW and what she will bring to UConn. I believe she will be a factor on the team next year, much like Kia and Lou became starters as freshmen. Timing will be up to Geno... and of course to CW's effort and learning speed.

 

[huskyrob1]

I've seen Williams, but that was against below average competition in Arkansas and in an all-star game. Again, I like her skill set a lot, and by all accounts she's a terrific competitor. I have high hopes for her but am cautious about an immediate impact.

Maybe not the first few games, Lol, but by mid season she will be an impact player. Same for Ono but may not see as much PT with all the height on the floor already. I wonder if Geno might experiment a little and try out KLS at the point when CD sits? KLS with her height seeing the floor and her passing ability could pick out Williams and Ono either down low or beyond the arc. That's one way to get freshman involved is with easy buckets or wide open shots. That's what got Maya going in her freshman year.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I know it was vs other HS players, But MVP in McDonalds All Star game speaks volumes. And on top of that she had the self confidence to "call it"... although I am not normally a "fan" of that much confidence, it tells me a lot about CW and what she will bring to UConn. I believe she will be a factor on the team next year, much like Kia and Lou became starters as freshmen. Timing will be up to Geno... and of course to CW's effort and learning speed.

Napheesa Collier could've been named the MVP of the McDonald's game and was named the MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic. She was a nice, complimentary bench player as a freshmen. On the other hand, KLS couldn't throw it in the ocean in the McAA game.

I hope Williams is awesome next year. I just don't have confidence in it.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

Napheesa Collier could've been named the MVP of the McDonald's game and was named the MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic. She was a nice, complimentary bench player as a freshmen. On the other hand, KLS couldn't throw it in the ocean in the McAA game.

I hope Williams is awesome next year. I just don't have confidence in it.

Trying lighten the mood on the BY...if just a little. Lots of time to see what happens. Positive Vibes.

 

[huskyrob1]

I know it was vs other HS players, But MVP in McDonalds All Star game speaks volumes. And on top of that she had the self confidence to "call it"... although I am not normally a "fan" of that much confidence, it tells me a lot about CW and what she will bring to UConn. I believe she will be a factor on the team next year, much like Kia and Lou became starters as freshmen. Timing will be up to Geno... and of course to CW's effort and learning speed.

She was uncredited for several assists in the MD All Star game, that bullet one armed rifle pass almost the length of the floor to a streaking teammate for a layup was vintage Taurasi.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Trying lighten the mood on the BY...if just a little. Lots of time to see what happens. Positive Vibes.

We certainly need some of those. Gonna throw up after watching this ugly display from ND and MSU. I felt so good about this year and next just a year ago. Friday popped my balloon.

 

[Sam.the.Man]

Maybe not the first few games, Lol, but by mid season she will be an impact player. Same for Ono but may not see as much PT with all the height on the floor already. I wonder if Geno might experiment a little and try out KLS at the point when CD sits? KLS with her height seeing the floor and her passing ability could pick out Williams and Ono either down low or beyond the arc. That's one way to get freshman involved is with easy buckets or wide open shots. That's what got Maya going in her freshman year.

Having Lou at the point on occasion makes a lot of sense (and is something I too have thought about) for next year. She needs to take more control of the offense, be more aggressive, and a bit less unselfish next year.

 

[ucalum]

Next year we will struggle. [mod edit] I thi k we make the sweet 16 next year at best.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I think the 5th starting spot next year is Walker's to lose. I have every confidence she will make a big leap. Coombs also.

 

[my2cents]

This board has gone off the rails.
Kia Nurse was a great UCONN player....
I thought she was just named the best defensive player of the year.
She was always given the job of guarding the other teams best player, and did that superbly.
In a game that she was off shooting, she had the "stones" to sink a three to cut the lead to 2 and then stole the ball to tie the game.
Her poise and and game will be missed.

 

[enigmatic]

As I'm now officially over the loss, I'm already anxious, excited, and looking forward to what next season will bring. Lots of variables that I ponder about:

Will we be a more physical team?
Will we better defend opponents off the dribble?
Will we attempt to be more aggressive slashing through the lane and draw fouls?
Can Dangerfield get fully healthy and be more effective on defense?
Will Walker have a breakthrough sophomore year?
Free throws?
Can Geno and staff put together in real confidence a 7-8 player rotation?
Can CW be that instant impact player since Maya?

Other than that, when the official schedule is released, I will have the ND game at Purcell and Baylor (with Brown and its #1 recruiting class) in Waco circled.

 

[Teacherdeb]

Next year we will struggle. I thi k we make the sweet 16 next year at best.

Such smug certainty.
Why bother watching then?
And your credentials are...?
You know what a group of athletes in the best women’s basketball program are going to accomplish right now over the next 7 months- wow.

 

[Wally East]

Having Lou at the point on occasion makes a lot of sense (and is something I too have thought about) for next year. She needs to take more control of the offense, be more aggressive, and a bit less unselfish next year.

You want her at the point AND to be more selfish?

 

[Charliebball]

Are you out of your mind? Are you saying that Williams, Ono, Coombs, and Walker are all going to be useless as subs??? They didn't get to be very highly ranked All-Americans in a "crap shoot" as you call it, they are all highly skilled players. Your pessimistic viewpoint is based on what exactly?

the snarky answer is ......based on last year's highly skilled recruits barely playing..........luckily Geno is going to have to play somebody off of that bench like it or not and Williams should gain his trust early..........

 

[tomcat]

I think the OP is out of his/her mind. Especially with Stevens gone, it promises to be a good year by the standards of most teams and a real challenge by UConn's standards. I believe freshmen are god when they show they are. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they are not. I sure do hope Megan is ready for next year, but she really did not show much with consistency during this year. And the freshmen will be freshmen, as good as they may become over time.

 

[ochoopsfan]

This player is available. She seems to be good at getting rebounds too. She had 26 points against ND and 14 rebounds. She also had 17 rebounds vs Miss State and 16 vs So Carolina in games this year.

 

[ochoopsfan]

She is a Graduate so she should be available next year.
Bret McCormick on Twitter

 

[ochoopsfan]

Texas A & M Bio on Anriel Howard Anriel Howard - 2017-18 Women's Basketball Roster - Texas A&M University Athletics Department

 

[Sluconn Husky]

This player is available. She seems to be good at getting rebounds too. She had 26 points against ND and 14 rebounds. She also had 17 rebounds vs Miss State and 16 vs So Carolina in games this year.

Wouldn't UConn have to get in a Power 5 conference first?

 

[HoopsFan21]

Wouldn't UConn have to get in a Power 5 conference first?

Good point. Doubt she's interested in a mid-major.

 

[MilfordHusky]

As Eric noted, everyone’s nerves are raw after Friday’s game, and narrowly missing out on Ezi and losing Azura within a 6-day span just compound things.

Here’s one point I think we all can agree on: There will be question marks next year, and those question marks are larger than we are accustomed to.

In answering those questions, some folks here are saying very negative things about Meg and that, given our experience with frosh the past 2 years, Christyn and Olivia won’t do much next year. Some others are expecting a lot from those three or think that Batouly or Mikayla or Kyla will make a huge leap.

Last year, Geno said he knew what he would get from the Core 4. Then he added Crystal to the mix of those he could trust. Next year, he may have only 3 players he fully trusts at the beginning of the season. With the others, there are obvious question marks.

I’m fairly optimistic, but I freely admit there are some leaps of faith (or what I might immodestly call semi-educated guesses). I was a little disappointed in Megan’s inconsistency this season, but I see her ability and think she is close. A little patience is required here. I look for a sophomore leap roughly akin to those of Tuck, Gabby, Napheesa, and Crystal. This past season, Meg tended to defer to the upperclassmen. Next year, she will feel a sense of urgency. She’ll have time to process her first year and, with help from the staff, figure out what to work on and follow through. Just as we saw glimpses of Crystal’s talent in 2016-17, we saw some of Meg’s capabilities. Gabby played only token minutes in the 2015 championship game. Look at how she turned out.

I’m not sure how much impact Liv will have early on, but she’ll be our tallest player and only true center. I expect CD to fast-track her as much as possible. Obviously, Liv will need more strength at the next level, but she has burning desire and a strong motor. She’s also very, very smart.

Christyn is as UConn-ready as anyone other than Diana, Maya, and Stewie. I think she will surprise. She doesn’t have blazing foot speed, but she is smooth, crafty and uber-skilled. She also has moxie galore. Look for elements of Asia Durr, Arike Ogumbowale, Diana Taurasi, Chennedy Carter, and James Harden.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

As Eric noted, everyone’s nerves are raw after Friday’s game, and narrowly missing out on Ezi and losing Azura within a 6-day span just compound things.

Here’s one point I think we all can agree on: There will be question marks next year, and those question marks are larger than we are accustomed to.

In answering those questions, some folks here are saying very negative things about Meg and that, given our experience with frosh the past 2 years, Christyn and Olivia won’t do much next year. Some others are expecting a lot from those three or think that Batouly or Mikayla or Kyla will make a huge leap.

Last year, Geno said he knew what he would get from the Core 4. Then he added Crystal to the mix of those he could trust. Next year, he may have only 3 players he fully trusts at the beginning of the season. With the others, there are obvious question marks.

I’m fairly optimistic, but I freely admit there are some leaps of faith (or what I might immodestly call semi-educated guesses). I was a little disappointed in Megan’s inconsistency this season, but I see her ability and think she is close. A little patience is required here. I look for a sophomore leap roughly akin to those of Tuck, Gabby, Napheesa, and Crystal. This past season, Meg tended to defer to the upperclassmen. Next year, she will feel a sense of urgency. She’ll have time to process her first year and, with help from the staff, figure out what to work on and follow through. Just as we saw glimpses of Crystal’s talent in 2016-17, we saw some of Meg’s capabilities. Gabby played only token minutes in the 2015 championship game. Look at how she turned out.

I’m not sure how much impact Liv will have early on, but she’ll be our tallest player and only true center. I expect CD to fast-track her as much as possible. Obviously, Liv will need more strength at the next level, but she has burning desire and a strong motor. She’s also very, very smart.

Christyn is as UConn-ready as anyone other than Diana, Maya, and Stewie. I think she will surprise. She doesn’t have blazing foot speed, but she is smooth, crafty and uber-skilled. She also has moxie galore. Look for elements of Asia Durr, Arike Ogumbowale, Diana Taurasi, Chennedy Carter, and James Harden.

Excellent post MilfordHuskey. Thank you. I see things as you do in this. I look for Lou, Pheesa and Crystal to be the steadying force in the coming year... with their solid play and consistency to build the team through the season. It may be a work in progress thing, with a loss or 2 along the way, but they will be an excellent team by tourney time.

 

[SJF]

The key to next season is getting Lou healthy and keeping her and Pheesa healthy and refreshed all season! As challenging as the UCONN practices are there is no need to have either of them in a 30 point blowout over Memphis or Tulsa past halftime or midway thru 3rd quarter! Big UCONN fan but I believe this has hurt the team at the end the last 2 seasons! Not only have the starters not looked energized but depth not game ready!

 

[bob neal]

Milford hit the nail squarely on the head. Agree with his statements 100 %% !!