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Message: [QUOTE="#12in21, post: 3934919, member: 10763"] As early this season many here seem to discount what Nika brings to this team. It was no coincidence that both the team defensive intensity and offensive flow gelled when Nika became a regular starter. Several times Geno has said as much and shown it by keeping her in the lineup. Going into the tournament the team was playing it's best team ball, having built steadily as a cohesive unit with great communication and movement since the Arkansas loss. Many have pointed out that Paige should be the point guard going forward. I don't argue that having her play with the ball in her hands a good amount of the time isn't an advantage for our squad but I don't believe that equates to her needing to run the point. I think her strength in coming around a screen or moving to a open spot and getting a quick feed for a quality shot are equally as significant. I would argue that Geno wants her to do both. With Azzi coming in we fill a need of another deadeye three point threat. Depending on matchups, because we will also have great options at 4 and 5, I think Nika at the point with Paige, Crstyn and Azzi would present a tough matchup for opponents, having to guard against both quick high percentage threes and equally as efficient slashes and pull-ups. Nika came into this past season having only been playing basketball for about 4-5 years, understanding that she needed to improve her shooting and most importantly with a hunger to grow and a desire to do that as a Husky. She adjusted from being foul prone early on to being a tenacious disruptive defender. She challenged herself offensively to become a threat from outside and to take the ball into the paint. I would guess she knows she needs to continue to step her offensive game up and I have no doubt that that is exactly what she will focus on between now and the next time we see her in a Husky uniform. Nika is still becoming the player she will eventually be, with a great many strengths already and a very high ceiling. I think Geno sees and believes this as well and doesn't expect to see her sitting on the bench next season waiting to be called upon to play mop up minutes. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach

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