Next year's team | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Next year's team

DICKG said:
The final four??? They have nine players next year, three of whom he refused to play this year. There will be negative firsts next year. It is interesting the eastern regionals are not in the northeast for the first time in a long time. I would be surprised if the first two rounds are held in Gampel because they will not be deserving.
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Amazing. Let’s see how the year plays out before deciding who is deserving. ND loses a load of talent. Louisville loses the reason they got as far as they did. Baylor loses a difference maker as does MSU. Maybe they don’t deserve home court.
 
cohenzone said:
Amazing. Let’s see how the year plays out before deciding who is deserving. ND loses a load of talent. Louisville loses the reason they got as far as they did. Baylor loses a difference maker as does MSU. Maybe they don’t deserve home court.
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Baylor loses a lot in Kalani but we have so much coming back too! Baylor’s team this year was more than Kalani! I feel cox was more important to the teams success this year than Kalani
 
I'm keeping hope alive for a VG guard from Europe and a solid fundamentals Big from Europe this summer.
 
lebronfan23 said:
Why would we tank? CW is going to be the best player in country next season (Sabrina isn’t coming back). Crystal will be the best PG. ONO will get stronger and MW will finally get show people why she was the #1 player coming out of HS. Oh and Geno will be to finally figure out to use Coombs and Tooly. Those other teams will tank. Every top 10 team in the country is losing important pieces too especially Norte Dame.
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We need a fifth starter and at least 2 off of the bench that can contribute significantly. We will not have that with the current team makeup. Mikayla would have to become an offensive dynamo just to get significant court time, Molly and Kyla will not improve significantly and who knows what Batouly is going to provide because I believe her knee is a lot worse than we know.
 
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Geesworld said:
Once Cox is done Baylor will come back to the pack.
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Back to the pack is going to be E8 level on average for Baylor as long as Kim can keep recruiting like she has. That’s pretty good unless you’re UConn, and I don’t think of it as “the pack”. YMMV.

I think the synergy between Cox and Brown is being undervalued by some who think Baylor is the preseason #1 next year. But Kim kept them at E8 level between Griner leaving and the current Brown-Cox front line. I don’t see that changing, especially with Texas and OU reduced to speed bumps on Baylor’s annual road to the B12 title.
 
biobioprof said:
Back to the pack is going to be E8 level on average for Baylor as long as Kim can keep recruiting like she has. That’s pretty good unless you’re UConn, and I don’t think of it as “the pack”. YMMV.

I think the synergy between Cox and Brown is being undervalued by some who think Baylor is the preseason #1 next year. But Kim kept them at E8 level between Griner leaving and the current Brown-Cox front line. I don’t see that changing, especially with Texas and OU reduced to speed bumps on Baylor’s annual road to the B12 title.
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Great point!
Please allow me to clear up my "Back to the Pack", statement. I meant that the field would be wide open after Cox graduates. I don't see next year being to much of a fall off. Nayla Smith and Cox well bring even more intangibles than current Twin Towers. Baylor will always be in contention because they recruit well.
 
DICKG said:
The final four??? They have nine players next year, three of whom he refused to play this year. There will be negative firsts next year. It is interesting the eastern regionals are not in the northeast for the first time in a long time. I would be surprised if the first two rounds are held in Gampel because they will not be deserving.
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Amazing. Let’s see how the year plays out before deciding who is deserving. ND loses a load of talent. Louisville loses the reason they got as far as they did. Baylor loses a difference maker as does MSU. Maybe they don’t deserve home court.
 
lebronfan23 said:
Why would we tank? CW is going to be the best player in country next season (Sabrina isn’t coming back). Crystal will be the best PG. ONO will get stronger and MW will finally get show people why she was the #1 player coming out of HS. Oh and Geno will be to finally figure out to use Coombs and Tooly. Those other teams will tank. Every top 10 team in the country is losing important pieces too especially Norte Dame.
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Texas A&M was not a top ten team this year but next year they will be and they are bringing everybody back. They are a real threat for next year!
 
Bayloralum said:
And? Cox and company are going to be scary good next year! Smith, Egbo, and Decosta are going to be scary good the next 3 years
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Everything depends on Cox. With Brown gone, Lauren will have a much more difficult time repeating her performances. But she is a great player and is capable. If others can contribute and take pressure off her, they can be very, very good.
 
Topsail said:
I will predict CW is all American next year and averages 20 points a game, just wait.
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Based on what? CW is a very good solid player, but she is no Ionescu nor has she shown herself to be an AA level player.
 
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Back on topic. UConn will be very good again, next year. The issue for UConn is defense. UConn has never had problems putting up points. What has kept UConn from the championships is the inability to stop the other teams best player. This has been a theme ever since Jefferson left. Arike, William (Miss St), Durr, all glaring examples of UConn not having a defensive stopper, when it needed most.

The answer could be ONO. If ONO can become the defensive force inside, the team can focus on putting pressure on the perimeter and over play, knowing ONO has their back. Easier said than done, but that is one possibility. CD definitely has to improve her defensive game and make better decisions on offense. She is the key, IMO. UConn is not going away.
 
As an outsider, I'm surprised there isn't more discussion of Dangerfield's role in next year's UConn team.
 
If ONO gets on the same weight and nutrition plan that turned Crystal Dangerfield from a scrawny freshman to pure guns, we’re going to be okay.

Obviously Geno has his eye on Anna Makurat in Poland, but I’d be shocked if we didn’t end up with a grad transfer.

The sky isn’t falling unless the first day of school rolls around with Griffin as the only new face on the roster.
 
BroadwayVa said:
Really good posting! ONO, is doing pretty good with out muscles bulging. Anyone that thinks she isn't a defensive and Offensive in the making is not seeing the REAL ONO. Some fouls she is called for are like Stewie as Frosh/Soph--refs think: she can't do that without fouling, but she can and does. Yet she took Shepherd out of the game and for many minutes contained both Turner and Jessica, hey, she's a freshman??? Remember 6 ft 5 in Butler? Bigger, wider, Taller than ONO. As a senior (Red shirt Jr) she wasn't as capable as ONO is as a frosh or with as much court awareness. Steph is my example of a near project that excelled in all phases of her game, neither Butler or ONO are/were Steph let us wait and see how ONO turns out. For my money; I'll take ONO over Stevens every day any day. ONO isn't a one trick pony.
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Don't you wonder what ONO will be like as a senior leading UConn to national championship?
Bayloralum said:
And? Cox and company are going to be scary good next year! Smith, Egbo, and Decosta are going to be scary good the next 3 years
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Topsail said:
Next year Baylor and Oregon( Ionescu if she returns) will be the teams to beat. I think UCONN could make the final four again if CW becomes the player we all think she can be ( dominant), Ono gets stronger and becomes a force, Meg needs to be a consistent and the fifth starter is able to make a meaningful contribution.
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I live in PAC-12 Colorado so I watch a lot of Oregon ball thanks to PAC-12 Network. It may be toughest league top to bottom and that competition prepares them. We will know in a few hours if Ionescu returns. If she does, Oregon is team to beat. Baylor has quality players but Brown was a brute who masked obvious weaknesses that Oregon exploited. I figure Baylor to win Sunday since ND can't play defense.
 
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PacoBlaze said:
We need a fifth starter and at least 2 off of the bench that can contribute significantly. We will not have that with the current team makeup. Mikayla would have to become an offensive dynamo just to get significant court time, Molly and Kyla will not improve significantly and who knows what Batouly is going to provide because I believe her knee is a lot worse than we know.
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AND Maria Conlon will never start a game for UConn!!
 
Checkmate 2.0 said:
not with the roster they have now. They must add two posts to be competitive. As well as ONO getting much stronger. They were thin this year, barring transfers they will be thinner next year.
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I think we all need to wake up. Next year’s team, as presently constructed is not close to the quality of the team that just lost to ND.

1. Katy Lou was an exceptional leader, player and scorer. A tough 6’3” presence and a complete player. No one on the roster is close.

2. Pheesa was a superb player, capable of taking over most games. And with her wing span and athleticism, double doubles were routine. Who on the current roster is the talent that she is?

3. Dangerfield will remain one of the best point guards in the country. But not the best. That won’t change.

4. Walker is becoming a reliable presence, and is fully capable of becoming a star. But she has not reached the level of distinction that a high school player of the year typically attains by the end of her second year.

5. The new recruit from Ossining HS, and so far the only one, looks like a fine player, but she brings nowhere near the accolades that Walker and Williams brought to UCONN. How can she be expected to start?

6. Williams had a very fine freshman season. Too much was probably expected of her. But she bubbles with upside potential. For UConn to be great next season, she has to return as a consistent, reliable, dominating superstar. A lot to ask of a sophomore.

7. Olivia probably did about what coach expected. She got better, but didn’t make a difference. We all hope and believe she will become dominant, but have little basis for our opinion. She really never did much.

8. The only bench player with any future is likely Mykala. She may become a substitute guard who can handle the ball, defend, and drive to the hoop. But do not expect her to morph into an all around player, and an offensive scoring machine.

9. Kyla and Molly are phenomenal teammates. Batouly has shown little and I’m surprised she still wants to play at this level.

But unless Geno finds some future all Americans, with size , speed, and athleticism in Latvia, we are fielding a substantially diminished team next season. It is just the way things worked out. Everyone is doing the best they can.
 
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SLY63 said:
Yes, but Cox will receive all of the attention once Kalani is gone
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Exactly; 6'7" players don't grow on trees.

As far as your "demise" is concerned, who else will have 2 former number 1 recruits on their team?
 
cockhrnleghrn said:
Exactly; 6'7" players don't grow on trees.

As far as your "demise" is concerned, who else will have 2 former number 1 recruits on their team?
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Is this a trick question because you replied to a post about Baylor and UConn has 2 former number 1 recruits.
But maybe it is a trick question because after this is a UConn Huskies forum. :rolleyes:
 
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Scoop said:
I hope Baylor wins BIG Sunday, so that ND can feel the agony of defeat to end the season also.
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Pretty sure ND has been there done that, many more times than UConn. Over the last decade, UConn has won its final game of the season more often than not. No other team can say that. In other words, ND is used to losing, and we're not, but we should probably get more familiar with it because it's going to happen more often going forward.
 
PacoBlaze said:
I have become a doomsday believer due to the devastating losses in the last three Tournaments. As of this morning, there is no way that next year's team will compare to this team's chances to win #12. I am predicting the following:
Our home game win streak will end
Our 0 losses in the AAC will end
Our streak of no losses to an unranked team will end
Our streak of being in the Top 10 during the season will end
We will be hard pressed to get a 4 seed in the Tournament
Our streak of Elite 8s will end
Crystal will have to shoot the lights out most every game in order to become an AA
The win totals between Tara and Geno will widen

Basically all the things that Geno had predicated could happen during the last 3 seasons will, in fact, come true next season.
Also, I think some of this season's top teams will also have worse teams next year unless they get transfers with the ND "immediate eligibility" waiver (yes, I am guessing that ND will get another one or three transfers).

I really, really hate posting this but I don't think that we have a Gabby and Kia type players on the current roster that will step up like the team did after we lost the Big 3, even though we are only losing the "Greatest 2".


Please Huskies, prove me wrong!!!!!!!!

Signed - another Pessimist :(
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I don't know which, if any, of these dire predictions will come to pass. I might have agreed with you on at least some at the half way point in the season. As disappointing as the Trifecta of Pain has been, I am encouraged by what I have seen this year from Olivia and Christyn. If Liv spends the summer on weights, footwork and keeping the ball high, she could make a very big leap [I wonder if Kevin McHale is available to coach her :rolleyes: (a man can dream)].

Christyn looks like she will be the kind of player that will be able to create her own shot if need be... an element you have to have in crunch time. All she needs is continued hard work to build lean muscle and confidence, and an attitude that she will defer to no one - she may only be a sophomore, but she'll need to carry herself like an upperclassman. Gonna be a really good one.

Crystal had a poor game and if you saw the Justine interview after the game, the hurt in her was palpable. Not easy to watch. Do you think she's as good as she can be? Not sure, but I guarantee that Crystal will do everything she can to get better over the summer and will come back on a mission.

I'm hoping that Meg and Mikayla will work like demons to fill the gaps in their games, and Aubrey should at the very least, bolster the bench.

What all that means for wins, losses and records?... I'll stay tuned.

I was an early doomsayer when we went to the AAC, but Geno has kept things together pretty well. I always think back to the gap between 1995 and 2000 when it felt like the '95 championship may well have been a one-off... it wasn't.
 
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Longtime fan said:
I think we all need to wake up. Next year’s team, as presently constructed is not close to the quality of the team that just lost to ND.

1. Katy Lou was an exceptional leader, player and scorer. A tough 6’3” presence and a complete player. No one on the roster is close.

2. Pheesa was a superb player, capable of taking over most games. And with her wing span and athleticism, double doubles were routine. Who on the current roster is the talent that she is?

3. Dangerfield will remain one of the best point guards in the country. But not the best. That won’t change.

4. Walker is becoming a reliable presence, and is fully capable of becoming a star. But she has not reached the level of distinction that a high school player of the year typically attains by the end of her second year.

5. The new recruit from Ossining HS, and so far the only one, looks like a fine player, but she brings nowhere near the accolades that Walker and Williams brought to UCONN. How can she be expected to start?

6. Williams had a very fine freshman season. Too much was probably expected of her. But she bubbles with upside potential. For UConn to be great next season, she has to return as a consistent, reliable, dominating superstar. A lot to ask of a sophomore.

7. Olivia probably did about what coach expected. She got better, but didn’t make a difference. We all hope and believe she will become dominant, but have little basis for our opinion. She really never did much.

8. The only bench player with any future is likely Mykala. She may become a substitute guard who can handle the ball, defend, and drive to the hoop. But do not expect her to morph into an all around player, and an offensive scoring machine.

9. Kyla and Molly are phenomenal teammates. Batouly has shown little and I’m surprised she still wants to play at this level.

But unless Geno finds some future all Americans, with size , speed, and athleticism in Latvia, we are fielding a substantially diminished team next season. It is just the way things worked out. Everyone is doing the best they can.
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I’m totally confused by the lack of respect and confidence shown to Christyn Williams. She was the #1 HS player, and already plays like a senior. She backed off a little due the respect she had for the program and the upperclassmen, but you can be sure she’ll have a complete green light next year. I’m positive Geno will be pushing her to get her shots. I can’t imagine her NOT being an AA.
 
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