Nika Muhl will have expanded role

[Bone Dog]

Still, if Azzi and Caroline are healthier than last season and either or both of Lou and Ines prove positive assets, it's very difficult for me to see the Huskies' fortunes being better served with Nika playing 20 minutes or more per game. Of course, a new and improved offensive version of Nika would be most welcomed.

This just about catches it for me, with one addition, as embodied in this question:

If Nika doesn't play 20+ mins/g, who does?

We have 5 guards and 120+ mins (including times we play 4-out), and if Nika can't be relied on for 20+, and Ines is not ready for that, and Lou's D doesn't stand up to what we need, we're looking at keeping Azzi and Caroline on the floor 35+ mins/g each. That's asking a lot of two players recovering from serious injury.

My wish list is, then:
1. Nika picks up her offense
2. Lou picks up her defense
3. ...so that we can get 50 mins/game between them
4. Ayanna and Aubrey prove capable of giving 5 mins/g between them at the 3 in addition to whatever they give at the 4
5. Ines is able to give us 5 mins/g at pg
6. ...so that Azzi and Caroline can play no more than 30 mins/g each
7. ...and so that Azzi plays only minimal mins/g at pg

 

[GEAinAustin]

CocoHusky, my statement about Griffin is a reference to the amount of production vs. the minutes she has played /no more, no less.

 

[Alydar]

Ignores the fact that Geno (who flew to Croatia to meet with Nika and her parents when recruiting her) really likes and lauds her game. It's just that he wants her to, and expects that she will, improve her offense and reduce her stupid fouls.

As a Mühl lover I say I never expected her to be a 3 way scorer or a shutdown defender because she would have started somewhere else. Mühl came to UConn be the backup pg and a spot starter. UConn was lucky (and is lucky) that she signed, and "But it's UConn" was a factor. No elite HS pg was going to be willing to sit behind Bueckers for 3 or 4 years. I'd wager it kept 2019 pg's away too.

Mühl will have had 3 months of personal coaching from Bueckers before the season. She is a willing pupil. I'm confident that she will be more than adequate.

 

[Skeets]

Dennis Rodman (Bulls version), Draymond Green, & Rajon Rondo (Celtics Version) each took the floor with a minimum of two HoF caliber players as teammates. On the current UCONN roster only Paige is of that caliber and Azzi potentially. The need for Nika to score more and be more aggressive was evident over the past two season because she became a starter due mostly to injuries. That need is now more critical since Paige will be lost for the season. It is not just Nika that needs to step up and be more aggressive it is the entire team. This is not an either or proposition- it is and. While the BE DPOY is an excellent award Nika will need to continue to play excellent defense and improve her offensive production.

Coco, I can't argue with that. I'd just like to add, if you attend UConn games and are close enough to the court to hear what is going on, when in the game it's Nika calling out what needs to be done on offense and defense. The other 4 on the floor react to Nika's instructions. That's what you would expect from a point guard. I would also expect that from a leader.

 

[Skeets]

The Big East coaches vote on the DPOY.

One thing Nika always does is hound the opposing guard bringing the ball up. When she does that, it takes 2-5 seconds off the shot clock. This both delays the opponents setting up their offense and allows UConn to set up their defense.

I suspect this factored into the decision to give her the award, but even if it didn’t, the opposing coaches thought she was the most disruptive defender.

I would imagine the coaches voted for the player that annoyed/disrupted them the most. It came up the gnat.

 

[Skeets]

My thoughts about the DPOY award for Nika is: wasn't this award given
based on the voting by the HEAD COACHES in the BIG EAST?? In my way of
thinking, the stats mentioned in some of the comments (supra vide, huh, are
not as important as the sentiments of those coaches who had to deal with
the reality of our "gnat" flying around in the faces of their respective teams!
Go Nika, train Ines well!! GO HUSKIES!

I posted the same thing before I read your post. Go gnat!

 

[CocoHusky]

Coco, I can't argue with that. I'd just like to add, if you attend UConn games and are close enough to the court to hear what is going on, when in the game it's Nika calling out what needs to be done on offense and defense. The other 4 on the floor react to Nika's instructions. That's what you would expect from a point guard. I would also expect that from a leader.

I have been to UCONN games and seen exactly what you are describing and to her credit Nika was providing a necessary ingredient to winning basketball. Being a "the glass is half empty" type of guy I didn't necessarily think this was a good thing. I understand that Paige was not present to provide the required on court leadership. My question was this: Where are the seniors two of who were 4 years starters in WCBB and the other a 3 year starter.

 

[Skeets]

I have been to UCONN games and seen exactly what you are describing and to her credit Nika was providing a necessary ingredient to winning basketball. Being a "the glass is half empty" type of guy I didn't necessarily think this was a good thing. I understand that Paige was not present to provide the required on court leadership. My question was this: Where are the seniors two of who were 4 years starters in WCBB and the other a 3 year starter.

Yeah, I don't know. The PG is the one I would expect to be the most vocal. Paige commands respect when she plays PG or anywhere else, but Nika is definitely louder and more vocally involved in the game. Some people are vocal and loud, and some aren't. (Paige is loud on the bench .)

BTW, I've played with a loud mouth (maybe we all have) and I did not appreciate him...

Here is a mystery. Why isn't the center the most vocal on the court? In the half court they see everything in front of them on both offense and defense. I think of Meadowlark Lemon dancing in the paint calling out plays

 

[MSGRET]

I suppose that’s possible. The pg is the most important position And it needs an outsize personality to be great in it. But it also needs mastery of every aspect of the offense, including ones own scoring, and it is not clear Nika has achieved this. We spent the last few weeks arguing over whether Nika will make herself a credible scoring threat. No one has suggested she’ll be a great one. It’ll be her team if she can consistently finish at the rim (through contact) and sink the midrange jumper in the half court set. This is what Jen, Sue, Renee, Moriah, Crystal all brought to the pg role. If she can’t live up to that standard and is merely a serviceable passer and ball handler, we may well have a great season but it won’t be her team no matter how much passion she brings to the floor.

Moriah did not become a scorer until her Junior year, she hardly played in her Freshman year and her Sophomore year she was basically a passing guard who took very few shots. She even admitted it during her Junior year that she had to improve her offensive game.

 

[CocoHusky]

I posted the same thing before I read your post. Go gnat!

Do both of you honestly believe that Nika was more of a gnat to the big East Coaches than Morrow was?

Morrow 30.4 MPG:13.8 RPG: 89 Steals :60 blocks
Nika 21.7 MPG : 3.0 RPG : 47 Steals : 6 Blocks

Even when you look at it on a per minute played basis if Nika was a gnat, Morrow must have been a sledgehammer.

 

[CocoHusky]

Moriah did not become a scorer until her Junior year, she hardly played in her Freshman year and her Sophomore year she was basically a passing guard who took very few shots. She even admitted it during her Junior year that she had to improve her offensive game.

Not really. At the beginning of her sophomore year teams were sagging off of Moriah and daring her to shoot. At Christmas break she went home got in the gym fixed her stroke and never looked back. As a sophomore she actually lead the team in FG% and here is the real eye popping part. For both her sophomore and junior seasons Moriah Jefferson would shoot a higher 3PT FG percentage that KML.

 

[CocoHusky]

Now we're talking! 12 at 21, you stole my thunder! I hold Husky Nan responsible for , while historically forbidding boneyarders from overtly criticizing the play of individual huskies, allowing a vicious constant assault on the play of Nike Muhl, on the part of(husky Nan, allowing me to turn the tables)jc husky, coco husky, Bobby J, the deacon, team first!, and some brand new guy who just introduced himself, likely just to further trash Nika Muhl. The deacon may come up with "Nika Muhl only had the 5th best +/- on games played on an island ". JORDY G(OVERLOOKED HIM) during a discussion of the pyramids of Egypt will find a way to add why Nika muhl sucks a player. This is not a love affair with Nika, coco husky, but I AM a fan of her play. She is one of the players who can take us to the TOP! She is an excellent defender, a very good, potentially excellent assister(/), a truly outstanding rebounding guard, an opportunistic thief, and if given the chance(in her own mind, also) a likely contributer with her own hoops. And I honestly think she DOES get a raw deal on fouls; Stef Dolson could murder a cow and not get called for a foul- Nika gets called every time, if it's even close! But this previous core of "Nika Nockers"(title meant as a dismissal of their unfair tactics, and not in any admiring way) is determined to undermine her play. Now this new boneyarder, this director of hundreds who follow exactly what he says has decided that his own word holds more weight. I think his companies are bound to fail, if what he has written here in the past week is all he's got! In conclusion, I'm not sure why these people are trying to lead people to believe that Nika is just getting worse and worse, even since she last played. Her 3point % was not bad, but to hear them, she never gets within five feet of the rim. I don't understand it at all, but one may guess at the reason. It may be simple jingoistic anti-euro feelings, but I doubt it. I believe this is the greatest forbidden to mention prejudice, surfacing in the umlaut thread. Just my opinion.

You should be ashamed of yourself. Stefanie Dolson would never murder a cow .....unless the cow deserved it.
Jingoistic anti-euro feelings are not simple, they are highly complicated.

 

[Skeets]

Do both of you honestly believe that Nika was more of a gnat to the big East Coaches than Morrow was?

Morrow 30.4 MPG:13.8 RPG: 89 Steals :60 blocks
Nika 21.7 MPG : 3.0 RPG : 47 Steals : 6 Blocks

Even when you look at it on a per minute played basis if Nika was a gnat, Morrow must have been a sledgehammer.

I didn't vote. You didn't either. The BE coaches felt she was DPOY. Maybe you should contact them with your concerns.

 

[CocoHusky]

I didn't vote. You didn't either. The BE coaches felt she was DPOY. Maybe you should contact them with your concerns.

 

[Billineckz]

The Big East coaches vote on the DPOY.

One thing Nika always does is hound the opposing guard bringing the ball up. When she does that, it takes 2-5 seconds off the shot clock. This both delays the opponents setting up their offense and allows UConn to set up their defense.

I suspect this factored into the decision to give her the award, but even if it didn’t, the opposing coaches thought she was the most disruptive defender.

Not a good look for whoever those coaches are, especially knowing the importance of Rebounds, Steals, Blocks, interior presence, minutes played (Morrow) is to winning games. I don't think a credible coach would say being a disruptive defender would supercede any of the outlined. But it's a good quality to have though.

 

[Alydar]

Didn't Morrow win another award?

 

[Cuango]

It's interesting to read different perspectives on Nika. She's the classic u hate to play against her but love her when she's on ur team, and thankfully she's on my team. But during last season and I'm sure at times this upcoming season, she seems to be a bit of a lightning rod. She did win big east defensive player of the year. Geno has consistently said the team looks different when she's in the game. I mean she kinda took E's spot in the starting lineup last year.
I'm actually in the minority that doesn't think she needs to be more aggressive or score more. I think if she just plays her game she'll be fine. I feel like she is Dennis rodman, Draymond green, rajon rondo. Stats don't really do her justice, but you just want her on the floor. She's probably the penned in starter that I'm least concerned about.

The problem with simply accepting Muhl’s scoring/free throw deficiencies is that it/they really only hurt us (generally) in big competitive games. Those games unfortunately, are the ones that are most likely to determine whether we win #12! This is why some of us are so focused on Nika’s necessary improvement. If she can be a legitimate scoring threat that requires defensive attention and she can get her free throw percentage up above 75 then I will be very happy with her.

 

[Bone Dog]

If she can be a legitimate scoring threat that requires defensive attention and she can get her free throw percentage up above 75 then I will be very happy with her.

My feelings exactly. Or, for those who remind us that she was only ever meant to be Paige’s backup, and shouldn’t be expected to improve, she can continue in that role and back up Azzi this year and KK next year, who will be Paige’s primary backup. Sadly, this will mean Azzi and Caroline will have to play a lot more minutes and risk reinjury. I’d have preferred to see her as Azzi and Caroline’s partner in the main rotation. But if this is what Nika’s so-called defenders prefer, who am I to disagree?

 

[#12in21]

My feelings exactly. Or, for those who remind us that she was only ever meant to be Paige’s backup, and shouldn’t be expected to improve, she can continue in that role and back up Azzi this year and KK next year, who will be Paige’s primary backup. Sadly, this will mean Azzi and Caroline will have to play a lot more minutes and risk reinjury. I’d have preferred to see her as Azzi and Caroline’s partner in the main rotation. But if this is what Nika’s so-called defenders prefer, who am I to disagree?

What exactly are you saying here? If it is that 'Nika's so-called defenders' feel that she shouldn't be expected to improve and prefer she remain a backup this season ? Did you accidentally insert defenders for detractors? If not I don't get it. Every Uconn fan wants to see Nika continue to improve and the vast majority of 'Nika's so-called defenders' have acknowledged the improvements she needs to come back with this season, those same folks believe she can and will and expect her to be partners in the main rotation (in the backcourt) with Azzi and Caroline.

 

[CocoHusky]

Didn't Morrow win another award?

Yes. Morrow was named the National Freshman of the year by WBCA. Despite her overwhelming numbers she was not named BE POY nor the BE Defensive POY and thus the rub. Morrow led the nation in RPG and was 11th in scoring. Let a UCONN player put up those kinds of numbers and not be selected for the awards and the BY would go up in flames.
The coaches voted but that still does not make it right.

 

[Bone Dog]

What exactly are you saying here? If it is that 'Nika's so-called defenders' feel that she shouldn't be expected to improve and prefer she remain a backup this season ? Did you accidentally insert defenders for detractors? If not I don't get it. Every Uconn fan wants to see Nika continue to improve and the vast majority of 'Nika's so-called defenders' have acknowledged the improvements she needs to come back with this season, those same folks believe she can and will and expect her to be partners in the main rotation (in the backcourt) with Azzi and Caroline.

I meant what I said. Folks trying to defend Nika from any criticism are effectively consigning her to continued backup status the next two years. If her role is going to expand, a possibility explored in a couple of recent threads, she needs to develop a fuller range of skills — this seems obvious to all, and tons of examples of previous players who’ve done so have been offered. Despite this, we still hear excuses and vitriol directed at anyone who should actually think this situation through.

Here’s the truth: it’s not cruel to identify the challenge Nika actually faces to expand her role. She doesn’t want to let the team down, and I’m sure she loves the challenge itself, the idea that she might accomplish more than lots of people expected of her two years ago. It will be difficult, but she thrives on difficult things. She didn’t choose UConn to do easy things. And it’s possible she won’t succeed, but that’s in the nature of all challenges. Go, Nika!

 

[ballerfan]

You should be ashamed of yourself. Stefanie Dolson would never murder a cow .....unless the cow deserved it.
Jingoistic anti-euro feelings are not simple, they are highly complicated.

You’re right. Jingoistic anti-euro feelings are complicated. But for those in Europe, as I am, it can be difficult to watch. Discussing men’s Olympics basketball, Nick Wright on FS1 (available in clips on YouTube) said something like this, « Nobody likes French people. » Really, that’s okay to say on American TV? I think Wright rooted for Slovenia during the Olympics, so it’s not as simple as being anti-euro, but imagine if he had said on American TV, « Nobody likes Mexicans. » Fortunately here in France almost no one knows Nick Wright.

 

[CocoHusky]

You’re right. Jingoistic anti-euro feelings are complicated. But for those in Europe, as I am, it can be difficult to watch. Discussing men’s Olympics basketball, Nick Wright on FS1 (available in clips on YouTube) said something like this, « Nobody likes French people. » Really, that’s okay to say on American TV? I think Wright rooted for Slovenia during the Olympics, so it’s not as simple as being anti-euro, but imagine if he had said on American TV, « Nobody likes Mexicans. » Fortunately here in France almost no one knows Nick Wright.

You are howling at the wrong full moon here.
Nobody gives a rats behind that Nika is from Europe at least I don't.
Stop regionalizing this and stick to basketball before you get this thread shut down.

 

[BobbyJ]

You’re right. Jingoistic anti-euro feelings are complicated. But for those in Europe, as I am, it can be difficult to watch. Discussing men’s Olympics basketball, Nick Wright on FS1 (available in clips on YouTube) said something like this, « Nobody likes French people. » Really, that’s okay to say on American TV? I think Wright rooted for Slovenia during the Olympics, so it’s not as simple as being anti-euro, but imagine if he had said on American TV, « Nobody likes Mexicans. » Fortunately here in France almost no one knows Nick Wright.

The majority of people in the US don’t know Wright either. And the ones that do already know he’s just a click bait dope.

 

[ballerfan]

You are howling at the wrong full moon here.
Nobody gives a rats behind that Nika is from Europe at least I don't.
Stop regionalizing this and stick to basketball before you get this thread shut down.

I know you don’t. I wasn’t criticizing you.

Sorry for my post. Truly. I guess it relates to basketball only through my regional eyes. Wishing you a good day.

 

[The deacon]

You are howling at the wrong full moon here.
Nobody gives a rats behind that Nika is from Europe at least I don't.
Stop regionalizing this and stick to basketball before you get this thread shut down.

Well said, Coco. I noticed I've been grouped with those who 'attack' Nika, although that isn't what I do, so I suppose I'm therefore anti-Euro?

That's nuts. I'm thrilled we've added Lou and Ines and proud and happy that the Huskies have players from five other countries on the '22-23 roster, including four Europeans. Heck, if they're quality people and would help the Huskies, it doesn't matter to me if players come from anywhere in the world.

I've lived my life in the USA, but have travelled about 20 times to Europe because if all it offers, including several long, backpacking trips way back when. I'm a Nika fan, as I am the other 11 players. For the moment, I'll refer those who want to come after to me to Bone Dog's post #81.

 

[oldude]

A few thoughts on this thread and then I will happily bow out of this discussion. There is nothing wrong with identifying the areas a player needs to improve on. But that’s not just true for Nika. It’s true for everyone on the team.

The focus on Nika’s shortcomings here on the BY by some fans has been ongoing since her freshman year. First, some doubted she would ever play meaningful minutes at UConn. Then it was that she would never crack the starting lineup if everyone was healthy. Wrong and wrong again.

What I find most alarming is that some BY’ers seem to be doubling down on their criticism of Nika, to the point of appearing to hope she fails. In a sense, since Liv has moved on to the pros, Nika has become the target of the, “she’s not good enough” crowd on the BY.

With the knowledge that players, friends & family read the BY, I have always taken the position not to levy a criticism of any UConn player that I would never consider making to my own child. I have made this point here on several occasions. IMO, some of the criticism of Nika has become over the top and personal.

Here is what I know about Nika. She is a ferocious competitor, team leader and the toughest player on UConn’s roster. She improved significantly as a junior, earning the BE DPOY.

Nika will never be Paige. But if she is able to step up to become a solid pg, UConn will be a much better team. That will allow Azzi, Caroline & Lou to hunt their shot. It will improve UConn’s transition game resulting in easy baskets. It will disrupt opposing team’s half court offenses by placing constant pressure on opposing pg’s

Nika is a wonderful young lady who’s commitment to the success of UConn WBB is second to none. I am rooting for Nika to succeed as I have for every UConn Husky. We should all feel the same. So before anyone writes another criticism directed at Nika, I ask you to consider your true motivation and in the words of Herm Edwards, “Don’t hit send.”

 

[PacoSwede]

--- There is nothing wrong with identifying the areas a player needs to improve on. But that’s not just true for Nika. It’s true for everyone on the team. The focus on Nika’s shortcomings here on the BY by some fans has been ongoing since her freshman year. First, some doubted she would ever play meaningful minutes at UConn. Then it was that she would never crack the starting lineup if everyone was healthy. Wrong and wrong again.

What I find most alarming is that some BY’ers seem to be doubling down on their criticism of Nika, ...

it seems obvious to me that much of this crap is simply a consequence of Internet egos -- one of things that infests 'social media' and it is shame and is damaging the culture.

 

[eebmg]

You’re right. Jingoistic anti-euro feelings are complicated. But for those in Europe, as I am, it can be difficult to watch. Discussing men’s Olympics basketball, Nick Wright on FS1 (available in clips on YouTube) said something like this, « Nobody likes French people. » Really, that’s okay to say on American TV? I think Wright rooted for Slovenia during the Olympics, so it’s not as simple as being anti-euro, but imagine if he had said on American TV, « Nobody likes Mexicans. » Fortunately here in France almost no one knows Nick Wright.

Nick Wright must be a Knick Fan?

 

[TCC Kid]

It’s not that I disagre exactly. I just think if it isn’t obviously Azzi and Caroline’s team by January, if those two haven’t stepped up in a big way, it won’t bode well for #12.

I like the way you think. But there is a lot of basketball practices and intro games to be played. We have freshmen. I remember at least 3 maybe many more that OWED their teams. Initially for Stewie it was hers, then a lull, and she owed it for 3 plus years.
Maya from day one, DT from the 2nd game if not earlier. Let us give the new kids a shot at ownership before Muhl or Azzi or Even MY Caroline before we give the lead husky to anyone, just yet. But I don't disagree they are the "apparent heirs". .