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Nika appreciation thread

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My all-time favorite by a landslide due to her tough-as-nails work ethic and the example she sets for the rest of the team. Paige may be the face of UConn women's basketball, but Nika is the unquestioned heart, soul and leader. Not even Paige disputes this.

I pray that she comes back for her fifth year. Yes I realize that may impact recruiting and player development, but the current freshman having another year of Nika as a role model balances that out. Paige coming back probably nudges her in this direction anyway. They are the rare duo that plays for the genuine love of the game without any thought of personal accolades. Team first. That's irreplaceable.
 
BBallF said:
Hi Nan. I know you have posted this before but do you have handy the All-Time assists list? I'm sure she will break it when she returns next year!
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ASSISTS (career)

1. 659 Moriah Jefferson (2012-16) Maya Moore (2007-11)

2. 648 Diana Taurasi (2001-04)

3. 637 Jennifer Rizzotti (1993-96)

4. 632 Renee Montgomery (2006-09)

5. 599 Crystal Dangerfield (2016-20)

6. 585 Sue Bird (1999-02)

7. 559 Bria Hartley (2010-14)

8. 546 Pam Webber (1992-95)

9. 545 Kelly Faris (2009-13)

10. 544 Maya Moore (2007-11)
 
UConn all-time career assist leaders:
1. Moriah Jefferson - 659
2. Diana Taurasi - 648
3. Jen Rizzotti - 637
4. Renee Montgomery - 632
5. Crystal Dangerfield -599
6. Sue Bird - 585
7. Bria Hartley - 559
8. Pam Webber - 546
9. Maya Moore - 544
10. Nika Muhl - 543
 
Nika is my favorite player on the current team, and I like all the posts here, but she isn't losing out on any more assists than her predecessors. I've been watching for almost 25 years and I don't remember any team that didn't miss way too many layups.
 
fomalhaut said:
Nika is my favorite player on the current team, and I like all the posts here, but she isn't losing out on any more assists than her predecessors. I've been watching for almost 25 years and I don't remember any team that didn't miss way too many layups.
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Well said!
 
It’s wonderful to see the appreciation and genuine affection that Nika has earned from UConn WBB fans. It wasn’t always so. I remember getting into heated exchanges with a number of Nika naysayers on the BY who seemed to relish criticizing her every mistake. After setting the single season assist record on her way to the all time career record, along with being named BE DPOY, the Nika naysayers have largely been silenced.

Anyone who’s been to a game and watched Nika and her slime spend an extended amount of time after the game talking with fans, signing autographs and taking selfies with young girls who dream of growing up to play basketball at UConn, knows what a wonderful young lady she is. Darko & Roberta have raised a pretty amazing daughter.

After setting the UConn career assist record this year, I hope Nika comes back for a 5th year to extend that record to some “Ruthian” level never to be approached again.
 
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oldude said:
It’s wonderful to see the appreciation and genuine affection that Nika has earned from UConn WBB fans. It wasn’t always so. I remember getting into heated exchanges with a number of Nika naysayers on the BY who seemed to relish criticizing her every mistake. After setting the single season assist record on her way to the all time career record, along with being named BE DPOY, the Nika naysayers have largely been silenced.

Anyone who’s been to a game and watched Nika and her slime spend an extended amount of time after the game talking with fans, signing autographs and taking selfies with young girls who dream of growing up to play basketball at UConn, knows what a wonderful young lady she is. Darko & Roberta have raised a pretty amazing daughter.

After setting the UConn career assist record this year, I hope Nika comes back for a 5th year to extend that record to some “Ruthian” level never to be approached again.
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Nice post OD, loved her from the beginning, will be one of the unsung heros in the programs history.
 
oldude said:
It’s wonderful to see the appreciation and genuine affection that Nika has earned from UConn WBB fans. It wasn’t always so. I remember getting into heated exchanges with a number of Nika naysayers on the BY who seemed to relish criticizing her every mistake. After setting the single season assist record on her way to the all time career record, along with being named BE DPOY, the Nika naysayers have largely been silenced.

Anyone who’s been to a game and watched Nika and her slime spend an extended amount of time after the game talking with fans, signing autographs and taking selfies with young girls who dream of growing up to play basketball at UConn, knows what a wonderful young lady she is. Darko & Roberta have raised a pretty amazing daughter.

After setting the UConn career assist record this year, I hope Nika comes back for a 5th year to extend that record to some “Ruthian” level never to be approached again.
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I remember many of those early debates, including a few who said she couldn't play defense!
 
oldhusky said:
I remember many of those early debates, including a few who said she couldn't play defense!
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i reserved judgment early on. she was unknown to us, except for the fact that geno recruited her (so she must have had husky promise) as did some respected programs.

gotta admit, i was a bit skeptical. maybe she had been recruited as an adequate backup for her coveted, 'generational' co-freshman, paige. if we were lucky, perhaps nika could be a modern day molly bent.

but there previously had been a mystery recruit who didn't speak english and was totally new to america and she -- sveta --turned out to be pretty good, so let's give the croatian a chance. at the least, she would give the team exposure to another culture, as anna makurat did. and anna, an unknown, had also proved to be a welcome contributor on the court too. why not nika?

then, after a few months at uconn, it was clear -- at least to me (and to geno too) -- that the team played better when nika was on the floor. the stats weren't there: she was not a scorer and she didn't seem to be much as a defender. she was a solid ballhandler and could be a spectacular passer. in general, nika wasn't notable as a player. she clearly had shortcomings. but for whatever unknown reason, the team was better when nika was out there.

geno, perhaps, could explain this. maybe not. but he admitted he saw it. and yet there were some in the BY who didn't. that's OK. there were not any obvious reasons to believe this kid who didn't score or make a lot of steals or contribute statistically would make the team better.

but, oddly, some responded by tearing nika down rather than simply accepting this good fortune: the team did better, why look a gift horse in the mouth. i don't get it. i wish someone could explain it to me.

at least, since nika has been putting up some impressive stats (which, to some, justify her value, i guess) the nika critics have been largely silenced.
 
The word Croat appears to come from a root meaning guardian or defender. May have had something to do with threats coming from the east.

Nika certainly defended UConn from the Big East. Her offense was limited at first, but her willingness to lead on the court was always apparent. It may have taken a few games for the team to follow. But follow they did and the dividends really paid off in her junior year when she became the tip of the spear and the floor general.

In the meantime, her offense has improved. At first only transition layups and mortar shot 3s, she developed more confidence driving the lane in half court sets and lately she’s unveiled a dribble-stop jumper. This is really the last ingredient and I love seeing it.

And rebounding! She doesn’t always get a ton. But in close games she is a Tasmanian devil going for rebounds and loose balls. In the last Stanford game she actually outrebounded Brink! Like Aubrey, she is the queen of the little things, and she rules them with an iron fist.

A classic moment against seton hall, Aaliyah grabs a long rebound and instantly outlets it to sprinting Nika who takes one dribble before she fires a laser to Q who scores in stride with no dribble. Total elapsed time from rebound to score? 2 seconds, maybe? This sort of thing doesn’t happen by accident.
 
HuskyNan said:
She needs to be first team All American to make the Wall and people that vote on AA awards usually don’t recognize defense and assists as much as gaudy scoring numbers
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True words, but what an AA team you would have with 4 guys with gaudy scoring numbers plus Nika! An assist on every possession.
 
PacoSwede said:
i reserved judgment early on. she was unknown to us, except for the fact that geno recruited her (so she must have had husky promise) as did some respected programs.

gotta admit, i was a bit skeptical. maybe she had been recruited as an adequate backup for her coveted, 'generational' co-freshman, paige. if we were lucky, perhaps nika could be a modern day molly bent.

but there previously had been a mystery recruit who didn't speak english and was totally new to america and she -- sveta --turned out to be pretty good, so let's give the croatian a chance. at the least, she would give the team exposure to another culture, as anna makurat did. and anna, an unknown, had also proved to be a welcome contributor on the court too. why not nika?

then, after a few months at uconn, it was clear -- at least to me (and to geno too) -- that the team played better when nika was on the floor. the stats weren't there: she was not a scorer and she didn't seem to be much as a defender. she was a solid ballhandler and could be a spectacular passer. in general, nika wasn't notable as a player. she clearly had shortcomings. but for whatever unknown reason, the team was better when nika was out there.

geno, perhaps, could explain this. maybe not. but he admitted he saw it. and yet there were some in the BY who didn't. that's OK. there were not any obvious reasons to believe this kid who didn't score or make a lot of steals or contribute statistically would make the team better.

but, oddly, some responded by tearing nika down rather than simply accepting this good fortune: the team did better, why look a gift horse in the mouth. i don't get it. i wish someone could explain it to me.

at least, since nika has been putting up some impressive stats (which, to some, justify her value, i guess) the nika critics have been largely silenced.
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What do you mean Sveta, “didn’t speak English?”

“I not come 5,000 mile to play defense!” :cool:
 
From the moment she play her first game I was a fan!!! I saw the energy, desire, toughness needed in a pg to lead the team.

Her defense has been amazing. Love the fire with which she plays.

She is the leader on the court. That has been confirmed many times by Geno.

Her game has grown in her years at UConn. It defines her work ethic to improve her game.

Two time BE Defensive Player of the Year!!!!

As to the naysayers - oh well.
 
Bald Husky said:
Watched the old interview with Nika at the NBA program of foreign players held at the 2019 final 4. Always loved that interview, but what I realized was how her English has gotten to the point that I don't hear an accent anymore. She is an all-American girl at this point in her UConn stay. Would love to have her stay a little longer, maybe 1 year longer.
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In addition to her English I remember her reaction when the reporter asked her what it was like to have Geno come to see her play. Apparently she knew he was supposed to be there but hadn't seen him in the crowd, so she was kinda surprised. She had already come up with a short list (I think 4) before Uconn indicated an interest. Then added Uconn to the list and quickly committed without making a campus visit. We kind of swooped in at the 11th hour to get her.
 
oldhusky said:
In addition to her English I remember her reaction when the reporter asked her what it was like to have Geno come to see her play. Apparently she knew he was supposed to be there but hadn't seen him in the crowd, so she was kinda surprised. She had already come up with a short list (I think 4) before Uconn indicated an interest. Then added Uconn to the list and quickly committed without making a campus visit. We kind of swooped in at the 11th hour to get her.
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I think Jose is still PO'd at Geno for that swoop.:rolleyes:
 
oldude said:
I remember getting into heated exchanges with a number of Nika naysayers on the BY who seemed to relish criticizing her every mistake. After setting the single season assist record on her way to the all time career record, along with being named BE DPOY, the Nika naysayers have largely been silenced.
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I was on another site as well as this one and there remained posters minimizing her play last year. Even so me on here after the season was over remained complainers of her play. Completely underrating what she does. Instead they look for "flash." Plus her shooting from 3 range has always been downplayed. Once she got her feet wet frosh year around the time (or just before) Geno started her, from that time on she shot over 37% from 3. But because she wasn't flashy this always got swept under the rug.

As does her style of play that the people that only like "flash" and "one-on-one" probably could never appreciate. For me, the play on Offense that best personifies Nika was vs Iowa 3rd qtr about 3:55 left UCONN losing by 3, Azzi missed all her 3's. Nika catches a pass, rushes up the floor toward Azzi, the Defense is back but Nika knows at just past halfcourt Azzi is behind her. Seh deliberately slows down but then takes a few more dribbles to become "a threat" to drive in for a layup. She just needed to show "she was a threat." Then at 3:53/3:52 she stop the dribble and turns the deliberately making herself "wide" setting a pick as she shuffles the pass to the oncoming Azzi. Now the Defense is completely screened giving Azzi a wide open 3. Which she drilled and subsequently hit more after. There was no "flash." That is Nika. The ones who don't appreciate her - that's what they mostly want to see is flash and one-on-one play.

The complainer would say things like "She could have dribbled to the basket and gotten a layup." Or "Azzi bailed her out because she was double teamed." Or "Anyone could make that shuffle pass." The complaining was/is all nonsense. The beauty of her game is that she goes in the gamne with a full heart/full intent to do whatever she can to do to get the ball to the super scorers rather than hunt shots for herself. She does need to shoot the ball however -- and how great was it to hear her say she has been working her butt off on shooting while her frosh/soph years she might have said something different?

 
PacoSwede said:
gotta admit, i was a bit skeptical. maybe she had been recruited as an adequate backup for her coveted, 'generational' co-freshman, paige. if we were lucky, perhaps nika could be a modern day molly bent.
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I was skeptical too. I recall I believe vs St Johns - Meg saying what crossed through my mind was that Nika didn't seem quick enough (I mistakenly used the word "speed" vs "quick" and got crushed for it I think . . :)) to ever be much of an impact. Later on - shortly after - I flipped (as did Meg :)) - and became giddy of what I saw. :)
 
#12in21 said:
For those who missed it or want to take a stroll down memory lane, here are two videos capturing Nika's offensive contributions last season.

All nika muhl assists 2022-23 season:


Nika Mühl Shooting & Finishing at the rim | UCONN Highlights 22/23
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Great announcing: " NIKA MUHL... Blow by!" She can really work up a head of steam! (see the highlights 22/23 above)
Many thanks to NIKA... A great talent. GRIT is always spelt with four letters: N I K A !
 
hoophuskee said:
I was on another site as well as this one and there remained posters minimizing her play last year. Even so me on here after the season was over remained complainers of her play. Completely underrating what she does. Instead they look for "flash." Plus her shooting from 3 range has always been downplayed. Once she got her feet wet frosh year around the time (or just before) Geno started her, from that time on she shot over 37% from 3. But because she wasn't flashy this always got swept under the rug.

As does her style of play that the people that only like "flash" and "one-on-one" probably could never appreciate. For me, the play on Offense that best personifies Nika was vs Iowa 3rd qtr about 3:55 left UCONN losing by 3, Azzi missed all her 3's. Nika catches a pass, rushes up the floor toward Azzi, the Defense is back but Nika knows at just past halfcourt Azzi is behind her. Seh deliberately slows down but then takes a few more dribbles to become "a threat" to drive in for a layup. She just needed to show "she was a threat." Then at 3:53/3:52 she stop the dribble and turns the deliberately making herself "wide" setting a pick as she shuffles the pass to the oncoming Azzi. Now the Defense is completely screened giving Azzi a wide open 3. Which she drilled and subsequently hit more after. There was no "flash." That is Nika. The ones who don't appreciate her - that's what they mostly want to see is flash and one-on-one play.

The complainer would say things like "She could have dribbled to the basket and gotten a layup." Or "Azzi bailed her out because she was double teamed." Or "Anyone could make that shuffle pass." The complaining was/is all nonsense. The beauty of her game is that she goes in the gamne with a full heart/full intent to do whatever she can to do to get the ball to the super scorers rather than hunt shots for herself. She does need to shoot the ball however -- and how great was it to hear her say she has been working her butt off on shooting while her frosh/soph years she might have said something different?

Expand ...

Thank you to HOOPHUSKEE for this trip down Memory Lane and the link to one of my
favorite games. == The battle of Nika Muhl and Caitlin Clark !! Well done, Nika!!!
NOTE: Hit the "expand" button to watch the game and "the pass" from NIKA to AZZI!
Better yet... rewatch the whole game!
 
hoophuskee said:
I was on another site as well as this one and there remained posters minimizing her play last year. Even so me on here after the season was over remained complainers of her play. Completely underrating what she does. Instead they look for "flash." Plus her shooting from 3 range has always been downplayed. Once she got her feet wet frosh year around the time (or just before) Geno started her, from that time on she shot over 37% from 3. But because she wasn't flashy this always got swept under the rug.

As does her style of play that the people that only like "flash" and "one-on-one" probably could never appreciate. For me, the play on Offense that best personifies Nika was vs Iowa 3rd qtr about 3:55 left UCONN losing by 3, Azzi missed all her 3's. Nika catches a pass, rushes up the floor toward Azzi, the Defense is back but Nika knows at just past halfcourt Azzi is behind her. Seh deliberately slows down but then takes a few more dribbles to become "a threat" to drive in for a layup. She just needed to show "she was a threat." Then at 3:53/3:52 she stop the dribble and turns the deliberately making herself "wide" setting a pick as she shuffles the pass to the oncoming Azzi. Now the Defense is completely screened giving Azzi a wide open 3. Which she drilled and subsequently hit more after. There was no "flash." That is Nika. The ones who don't appreciate her - that's what they mostly want to see is flash and one-on-one play.

The complainer would say things like "She could have dribbled to the basket and gotten a layup." Or "Azzi bailed her out because she was double teamed." Or "Anyone could make that shuffle pass." The complaining was/is all nonsense. The beauty of her game is that she goes in the gamne with a full heart/full intent to do whatever she can to do to get the ball to the super scorers rather than hunt shots for herself. She does need to shoot the ball however -- and how great was it to hear her say she has been working her butt off on shooting while her frosh/soph years she might have said something different?

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WOW! What a game. Nika's defense was amazing. People who think Ashlyn Shades is a better shooter than Azzi have forgotten how amazing a shooter she is, even with the defense focused on her. Caroline also showed how good of a player on both ends of the floor she was. That second half was fun to watch again.
 
I'd watched some footage of Nika in the European leagues when she was a teenager. I was totally chuffed when UConn signed her. It was obvious she had grit and moxie and that she was just the kind of player UConn needs. I still love a tee shirt she was wearing when Geno visited: FEMALE ATHLETE

She will be my favorite UConn alumna when she leaves.

Aside: I was struck by a car awhile back, and they had to cut my tee shirt off in the ER. I didn't realize that it was my Nika tee, so a couple of months later when I found out, I let out a string of expletives. My daughter thankfully found one to replace it, which I will proudly wear tomorrow.
 
As I watch so many games where Nika releases a 1/2 court pass right on the money to Aubrey, Liya, Q and various other former players, it often strikes me that her skill in making those long passes to the other end of the court, hitting the intended target perfectly in stride, is exactly what only top level NFL QB's are able to do. It's an unbelievable skill.
Then watching her defend C Clark last year and Unique-Drake this year shows just one more non-box score talent. Couple all of the above with her passion and leadership on the court, and I assume in practice, and you have a player who should be the exception to the on the WALL qualification.

And all of that from a young girl from a foreign country who was brought to tears by Geno during a game early in her freshman year, It kinda shows what character this kid has! If only it could be bottled!
 
Bills Fan said:
As I watch so many games where Nika releases a 1/2 court pass right on the money to Aubrey, Liya, Q and various other former players, it often strikes me that her skill in making those long passes to the other end of the court, hitting the intended target perfectly in stride, is exactly what only top level NFL QB's are able to do. It's an unbelievable skill.
Then watching her defend C Clark last year and Unique-Drake this year shows just one more non-box score talent. Couple all of the above with her passion and leadership on the court, and I assume in practice, and you have a player who should be the exception to the on the WALL qualification.

And all of that from a young girl from a foreign country who was brought to tears by Geno during a game early in her freshman year, It kinda shows what character this kid has! If only it could be bottled!
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At some point down the road I see Nika bringing that passion and all her intangibles to being an extremely great coach. Her passion and love of the game will not end when she decides her playing days are over. I just really hope when that time comes she is sitting on the UConn bench, ideally alongside Geno!

It bit off topic but ...In a thread posted on here some player were asked about how they saw Geno and Nika said as a friend which I found really telling of their relationship. Plenty of players who are years away from the program, I have absolutely no doubt, would characterize their relationship with him as friendship but I really don't know that any would have done so when they were actively playing here.

I remember being struck by something that happened in the postgame presser the first game back for Geno after his mother's death, the players spoke first and as Nika left she put her hand on Geno's shoulder as she passed by. A small gesture, but one of true empathy. I think she and Paige have had truly unique relationships as active players with Geno ( as exemplified by their visit to his office freshman year memorialized on youtube or the post game interview when Nika said 'we don't listen to him we listen to Paige' when Mama E was one of the interviewers, or when Paige and Nika both mussed his hair when he was talking to the press - which I don't think he was a fan of!). Perhaps it was an outcropping of the Covid season, when their world was very small. But for whatever reason that class, and I would guess that duo in particular, definitely impacted Geno ( as he has said, that they changed things for the whole staff ).

Even as he has changed the way he has dealt with players post covid and NIL, I think the relationships he has with Nika and Paige and posibily Aaaliyah as well ( all though she has never been as demonstrative) are rather unique. I think it has served them all well and they will always cherish it!
 
MSGRET said:
They didn't swoop on Jana because CD doesn't swoop. She just waltzed in, rode a camel and signed her.;)
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Swoop or not, it seems I recall that she was thought to be Jeff Walz’ player to lose and we “swooped/slid/stepped/waltzed in and suddenly she was a Husky! That’s how I remember it anyway.
 
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