Now that Serah is on Board. What is the starting 5 for next year?
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oldude
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Speed kills and Blanca definitely plays at another gear. The only player currently on the roster who is similar is KK, although I think Kelis also looks like she will be able to play really fast once she gets used to the college game.
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‘This isn’t the end of my story’: How UConn’s Caroline Ducharme made it back on the court
By Dom Amore | damore@courant.com | Hartford Courant
PUBLISHED: May 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT
For 2 1/2 years, Caroline Ducharme was lost. Separated from basketball, though not her UConn teammates, feeling healthy and fit for one day, or part of a day, and then terrible in the next moment.
“I would have a good day, a good game, a good stretch,” Ducharme said. “And I would have this newfound hope that it’s over, I’m back, I’m feeling like myself again. But then something would happen. So I would often find myself not even able to enjoy when I was feeling good, or playing good, because I was just waiting for the next shoe to fall. ‘This is going to last until I get hit again or have my next migraine.'”
www.courant.com
By Dom Amore | damore@courant.com | Hartford Courant
PUBLISHED: May 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT
For 2 1/2 years, Caroline Ducharme was lost. Separated from basketball, though not her UConn teammates, feeling healthy and fit for one day, or part of a day, and then terrible in the next moment.
“I would have a good day, a good game, a good stretch,” Ducharme said. “And I would have this newfound hope that it’s over, I’m back, I’m feeling like myself again. But then something would happen. So I would often find myself not even able to enjoy when I was feeling good, or playing good, because I was just waiting for the next shoe to fall. ‘This is going to last until I get hit again or have my next migraine.'”
‘This isn’t the end of my story’: How UConn’s Caroline Ducharme made it back on the court
Caroline Ducharme suffered the effects of concussions for two years, but with UConn’s support and a clinic in Florida, she’s making it back.
www.courant.com
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God bless her! There are few things I’ve ever wanted more in sports than for Caroline to be able to play again as she used to. She is in my prayers and I am hoping for a fully recovered Caroline playing real, contributing minutes next season! Furthermore, aside from the human, compassionate side of things, let’s not forget she could be a big time addition to this roster if she can get back to 95-100% of what she was before all the concussions.
Ready hard to project at this time because of summer developments and Kayleigh. As of right now though it's KK, Azzi, Serah, Sarah and either Blanca or Ash. You need at least 3 serious threats from beyond the arc at all times or you allow for doubling on Azzi which creates a serious scoring concern. KK was not that shooter last year. I am not that concerned with rebounding with both Serah and Sarah on the floor so I don't see that much of a detriment in starting Ash. You are giving up size but gaining speed and scoring. If we play a very big team you can always have Jana or Ice in there also. As for Jana/Ice and Serah and Sarah out there together, it becomes a "pound it in" offense which can also work at times but Geno loves to press and have depth doing it and it was so successful last year.
Agree with probabilities but wouldn't it be great if some other guard(s) clearly outperformed KK and/or Ash in preseason. One of the UConn guards is probably going to be semi-ignored due to Big Three and how wonderful to have a consistent three point shooter to crush the opponents soul when that happens (i.e., the role that was envisioned for Allie).
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We need to exploit the Sarah Strong era. I truly thinks she's the best all-around player in the country. Three more consecutive titles.
Then Geno will retire when she graduates.
Not convinced that speed is super high differentiator on the evaluation checklist for BB players? A nice-to-have for occasional fast break situations? If she is a great three point shooter then the sky is the limit.
PS -- I suspect everyone on this forum has watched pretty much every video available out there and is also hoping the UConn staff can corral her athleticism and help her develop into the best Blanca she can be (which is likely nothing like PB).
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The starting five will be whoever Geno decides. I think that Serah will start due to her size. After that the only player you can pencil in for every start is Sarah. KK now has the experience and brings the energy needed. After that it's going to be some really hard choices for Geno.
I'm sold on Blanca. I don't think she will be a Paige as far as long range shooting (i.e. shooting threes) goes but she will make up for it in speed and attacking at the rim (slashing). She is faster than Paige and may be a better slasher. Hope runs eternal...
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I think she'll be more like Aubrey but with better finishing and ball handling skills. And Aubrey was pretty good at those things herself. What both of them also share is so-so perimeter shooting skills.
cferraro04
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I will approach this differently: Whoever wins these match-ups will be our starting five. My guess would be Serah Williams, Sarah Strong, Caroline Ducharme (if healthy), Azzi Fudd, and KK Arnold. Depending on Geno's need during a game, the first subs will be: Jana at the 5; Blanca at the 4; Ayanna at the 3; Ashlynn at the 2, and Allie at the 1. Maybe Ice moves over to the 4 (would make sense). Gandy is just plain interesting at 6'6", (big body, and mobile). Morgan Cheli could play the 3, but she was a point guard in high school and would fit better as a 2 in UConn's system. The Allie vs Kelis match-up at the 1 is also interesting. We know that Allie can shoot the basketball, and Kelis is quick and a great on-ball defender. Then there is Kayleigh Heckel, should we get her...she could vie for a spot at the 2 or the 1 but I don't see her starting over Azzi and KK.
Serah Williams vs Jana El Alfy vs Ice Brady vs Gandy Malou Mamel
Sarah Strong vs Blanca Quinones
Caroline Ducharme vs Ayanna Patterson
Azzi Fudd vs Ashlyn Shade vs Morgan Cheli
KK Arnold vs Allie Ziebell vs Kelis Fischer
Kayleigh Heckel?????
Serah Williams vs Jana El Alfy vs Ice Brady vs Gandy Malou Mamel
Sarah Strong vs Blanca Quinones
Caroline Ducharme vs Ayanna Patterson
Azzi Fudd vs Ashlyn Shade vs Morgan Cheli
KK Arnold vs Allie Ziebell vs Kelis Fischer
Kayleigh Heckel?????
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I think you meant to include Ms. Fudd as "penciled in"? Then the consensus appears to be a "true" PG (which it's possible may not be the case if Geno thinks all our combo guards can handle it) and a good shooter in the form of another guard (e.g., Ash, Morgan, Allie) or small forward (e.g., Caroline, Blanca). I'd guess additional rebounding support should not be an issue if both Sarah & Serah are on the floor.
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I would love to agree with you and I will if Azzi can stay healthy. Unfortunately, this has not been the case which is why I'm not sure she will be a permanent starter.
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I think that the more often a coach brings in players from the portal then the more often they are going to get players they might have recruited to transfer. Geno is at the present time doing it just the right way. A player at a time. If I'm a recruit right now who plays the guard position, and I look at the roster knowing that Geno is trying to bring another guard in from the portal I'm probably dropping Uconn from my list.
I agree with you that Blanca reminds me of Aubrey with her skill set. She has more of a scorer's mentality than Aubrey. She has good form on her outside shot, and I am sure she will be working on that part of her game while she is at UConn. She is very quick to the hoop with her slashes, so they will have to play off of her, and that will make entry passes into Serah easier.
That would be so sad. Not how the story is supposed to end. She faired pretty good this year after an early season scare.
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And I hope and pray it continues. She is not only a five star player, she's a five star person.
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Nice choices but I'd switch Caroline and Ash for the start, better offense, better defense and her intangibles and endurance are off the chart...she's earned it
Majic Hands
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I truly enjoy the lineups proposes 6 months before anyone takes the floor. 
However, it doesn’t seem to me that many of my fellow BYers actually listen to Geno A whenever he’s discussed Ms Ash.
Just Say N.
However, it doesn’t seem to me that many of my fellow BYers actually listen to Geno A whenever he’s discussed Ms Ash.
Just Say N.
seems more interesting to find out who are the 8-9 players in the rotation
I think Kelis is 3rd off the bench - a perfect backup to KK and can sub Azzi as well.
