Official 25-26 Starters Thread

[meyers7]

Geno calls her Carol. I tend to feel he is more qualified to determine whether that is an appropriate appellation than you.

Nope, I've never ever heard her called Carol, by anyone, let alone Geno until Eric did it.

She is definitely NOT a "Carol".

Let's not make up stuff. We have plenty of names for her already that we can use.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Nope. Never, ever heard him say that. Nor anyone, EVER. Except you. I suppose you think USC is S. Carolina too, huh?

You've been on here almost as long as me, you know I'm never wrong.

I've heard Geno call Caroline Carrol multiple times in interviews

 

[mudcat]

KK, Azzi, Ashlynn, Sarah, Jana.

I agree for the returning players, but the big question is who doesn't start if Blanca is as good as she looks in the videos I've seen?

 

[Bone Dog]

As in such threads in previous seasons, I think many of us think the "who starts" question is not more important than "who gets the decisive minutes." And there's not as much overlap between these two themes as one might think. If Blanca proves her mettle, she still might not start. But she is likely to be in games when it really matters -- when the big runs are engineered, when the opponent makes a surge, or in the closing minutes of a close game -- whether she starts or not. This is exactly how KK and Ash are used right now, and they are rightly celebrated for it. I think Caroline could well be in a similar position as Blanca next season.

The interesting difference could be who defends the bigs. For example, it may not matter that much whether an opposing big scores 20 points in the course of a game, if we are building a big lead. But at the end of a close game, when a few timely buckets might get the other team back in the game, Geno will want to have good post defenders in the game. That will undoubtedly include Sarah, but also whoever else among the bigs has shown how good they are. And that second big doesn't have to have started the game.

So, the list of starters could be Azzi KK Ash Sarah Jana, because they're great, but also because they can set the tone, and they know the system really well. Or it could include Caroline for the same reason. Or it could even be Morgan because she's surging and Geno thinks she poses a particular problem for an opponent. Or it could be Blanca, because she turns out to be too good to keep on the bench. But any of them (except for Azzi and Sarah) could also prove to be as useful coming off the bench at key moments.

 

[ec33]

Nope, I've never ever heard her called Carol, by anyone, let alone Geno until Eric did it.

She is definitely NOT a "Carol".

Let's not make up stuff. We have plenty of names for her already that we can use.

I am with you on this. Yes, it is her actual name and what everyone calls her, but "Carol" doesn't fit her (at least in my mind).

That said, I do hope she is the SF starter, because that says a lot about her health.

If not her, I am hoping Blanca, because Ash sets a pretty high bar and if Blanca can clear that then UConn is in fine shape.

 

[PvP]

Nope, I've never ever heard her called Carol, by anyone, let alone Geno until Eric did it.

She is definitely NOT a "Carol".

Let's not make up stuff. We have plenty of names for her already that we can use.

You might not be aware that things you may have missed still may have happened! The other BYers who "liked" my letting you know that Geno has indeed called her "Carol" have obviously heard him as well. So, if you have a problem with what Geno calls her, why not just take it up with him.

 

[Basingstoke]

I guess I really don't have strong feelings before the fact as to who Geno would or should start, but I'm excited to think about all the varied possibilities for him to experiment with in the laboratory and develop throughout the season.

 

[EricLA]

Nope, I've never ever heard her called Carol, by anyone, let alone Geno until Eric did it.

She is definitely NOT a "Carol".

Let's not make up stuff. We have plenty of names for her already that we can use.

Ok not to get snarky, and hopefully we can put this to bed, but maybe you should listen to a few more Geno media availability videos. And take it from the 5 or so posters on here who confirm I did not "make up stuff". BTW early in her career, he called her Caroline. The last year or 2, literally every time I've heard him refer to her, it's been Carol. Not sure why you are like a dog with a bone on this, but I guess it IS the boneyard, after all LOL.

Frankly I'd much rather discuss the starting lineup and hope this thread isn't locked, so say it with me... "You are wrong"

 

[meyers7]

You might not be aware that things you may have missed still may have happened! The other BYers who "liked" my letting you know that Geno has indeed called her "Carol" have obviously heard him as well. So, if you have a problem with what Geno calls her, why not just take it up with him.

1) He doesn't answer my calls. 2) I've never heard him, nor anyone else....EVER...call her that (besides Eric on here). So why would I take it up with him? I'll take it up with the poster who is making things up.

 

[meyers7]

Ok not to get snarky, and hopefully we can put this to bed, but maybe you should listen to a few more Geno media availability videos. And take it from the 5 or so posters on here who confirm I did not "make up stuff". BTW early in her career, he called her Caroline. The last year or 2, literally every time I've heard him refer to her, it's been Carol. Not sure why you are like a dog with a bone on this, but I guess it IS the boneyard, after all LOL.

Frankly I'd much rather discuss the starting lineup and hope this thread isn't locked, so say it with me... "You are wrong"

Ok, "you are wrong". How's that?

And to keep it on the starting lineup, even though we don't even know who we have "officially" for next year yet.

Arnold/Fudd/Shade/Strong/hmmmm, Brady

But that's a very WAG.

 

[Longtime fan]

I don’t think we are disrespecting Ash. I think some of us are married to a more conventional lineup. PG, SG, SF, etc. and to me Azzi and Ash are shooting guards. So in the shooting guard competition; who would you start? I went with Azzi.

I think ASH will start, but I agree with your point about traditional line-ups. ASH can handle the ball well, but she is not a point guard. KK and Kelis Fisher are the two we have. I'm not sure what Allie's natural guard position is. but she has to push her way onto the floor before we can assign her a starting spot. But ASH is a 100% player; energy, defense, rebounding, shooting...she has to start as a junior. At a small forward, I guess. Sarah needs no mention. She is the beating heart of the team. I think the next question is "do we have a portal transfer coming in?" Rumor is that a post player from Wisconsin could be a good match. If that happens she will be our fifth starter. What Geno is building is a team with great depth and resources, where he can mix and match to the talent. Maybe Blanca is spectacular, maybe Cheli is. Maybe Paterson will surprise the world, or even Jana. It will be fun to watch.

 

[Longtime fan]

I agree for the returning players, but the big question is who doesn't start if Blanca is as good as she looks in the videos I've seen?

Jana is not close to starting, in my view. And by that, I don't mean what she is doing now ( she does " start."). By "starting" I mean; she gets most of the court time at the post position (30 minutes, eg?) and is regular , dependable contributor. I hope she improves to that level, but she isn't there yet.

 

[Longtime fan]

Ya really looking forward to seeing her.
Really missed your advanced stats charts the past two games.

True enough, she is unknown to me. I hope she is brilliant and can start from day one.

 

[Centerstream]

Nope, I've never ever heard her called Carol, by anyone, let alone Geno until Eric did it.

She is definitely NOT a "Carol".

Let's not make up stuff. We have plenty of names for her already that we can use.

It is not being made up!!! Geno often calls her Carol. Many here on the BY refer to her as Carol.
Why is it a big deal to you? I know that she is referred to as Carol by many but I ALWAYS will refer to her as Caroline.
Check out my avatar...if I had not ever heard Geno refer to her as Carol, and many times even, do you think that I would be defending EricLA???

 

[EricLA]

1) He doesn't answer my calls. 2) I've never heard him, nor anyone else....EVER...call her that (besides Eric on here). So why would I take it up with him? I'll take it up with the poster who is making things up.

Maybe the mods can put you in a time out because you have now derailed 2 threads arguing incessantly about no one ever calling Caroline "Carol". Yikes.

 

[Blond D.]

Azzi, KK, Ashlynn, Sarah and Morgan. I know a lot of people have Blanca starting but shes a freshman and has to show me something before I start her. Blanca played in Ecuador and thats a lot different than the USA.

 

[Bone Dog]

Azzi, KK, Ashlynn, Sarah and Morgan. I know a lot of people have Blanca starting but shes a freshman and has to show me something before I start her. Blanca played in Ecuador and thats a lot different than the USA.

Blanca played in a pro league in Italy, not Ecuador.

 

[PvP]

1) He doesn't answer my calls. 2) I've never heard him, nor anyone else....EVER...call her that (besides Eric on here). So why would I take it up with him? I'll take it up with the poster who is making things up.

I can see you are one of those guys who doesn't want to be confused by the FACTS. When you are clearly wrong you just double down.

Meanwhile more people "like" my facts so I have wasted enough time trying to help someone who has no interest in facts.

So dream on and wallow in your ignorance....

 

[Steelerone]

No thoughts of who may be using the transfer portal? They will have to be replaced even though they probably spent more time on the bench than in games. And I'm sure Geno is going to go after a big. This is Jana's third year coming up and how much improvement have we seen? Even when Geno starts her she is usually the first one out. K.K., Sarah and Azzi for sure. The rest will depend on who is here next year.

 

[Zonepress]

There's the '25 starters and then there's the '26 starters. Why would they be different? The unknowns - Kelis and Blanca, incoming freshman with interesting potential. KK and Ash certainly in '25, they have earned it, but there's a reason they are not starting this year. It's Kaitlyn over KK due to BB IQ and control. It's Azzi over Ash due to ability to get open and score in multiple ways in tough games. It's also that the defensive abilities of that duo coming off the bench is absolutely one of UConn's unique strengths. Interesting choices there for Geno next year. All of this may be moot if Geno gets a quality BIG and is less dependent on a small lineup.

If you think kk is somehow lacking bb IQ you must be watching different games
Most likely she is not starting as GA valued
KC shooting over Kk defense and ball handling
Azzi starts because she is a better player
Your comment “ there’s a reason they’re not starting this year” gives a negative take
Which to me is completely false
They are both very good college players, who have started in a final four, and you could make the case at Kk was our best player on the floor in the Iowa game

 

[Zonepress]

I think everyone is disrespecting Ash.

I'd say KK, Ash, Azzi, and Sarah are the for sures. It's that 5 spot for me that is up in the air between Jana, Ice, and a mystery transfer.... I think it will be a true big since the wing spot will be a guard IMO.

To be honest, I don't know if I am happy with 14 players, and maybe 15 if we get the girl from Wisconsin. It's not just 15 players, it’s 15 talented players. As far as a line-up, obviously Azzi, Sarah, Ash, KK, Jana. I won't talk about the other players because there is no way that anyone can predict what will happen in the next 8 months. I thought this discussion was early and annoying when it was starting in the summer, but this season is still going on, and the thought that this will go on all summer is crazy. LOL. With so much talent, we could go with 3 line-up that can really play. I certainly don't advocate what Kim Caldwell is doing, but Geno has a lot to figure out when September rolls around.

15 players is not manageable
Hard to play more than 8

 

[Zonepress]

I can see you are one of those guys who doesn't want to be confused by the FACTS. When you are clearly wrong you just double down.

Meanwhile more people "like" my facts so I have wasted enough time trying to help someone who has no interest in facts.

So dream on and wallow in your ignorance....

Lol

 

[Blond D.]

Blanca played in a pro league in Italy, not Ecuador.

Sorry, Blanca is FROM Ecuador. But isnt the Pro league in Italy a lot like the pro league in Egypt that Jana played in?

 

[ERWUC65]

If you think kk is somehow lacking bb IQ you must be watching different games
Most likely she is not starting as GA valued
KC shooting over Kk defense and ball handling
Azzi starts because she is a better player
Your comment “ there’s a reason they’re not starting this year” gives a negative take
Which to me is completely false
They are both very good college players, who have started in a final four, and you could make the case at Kk was our best player on the floor in the Iowa game

KK, in the Iowa game and also in the SDS game was instrumental in the win and as Geno said " changed the game when she came in". My point here is that it's her intensity and defense and disruptiveness that is her hallmark, not directing the offense as a true PG. My comment about " there's a reason they're not starting" was not a negative at all, actually a positive for them providing Geno with something no one else has, two very good college players, who coming in off the bench, make UConn a unique challenge for any opponent. Read it again, please.

 

[Vowelguy]

1) He doesn't answer my calls. 2) I've never heard him, nor anyone else....EVER...call her that (besides Eric on here). So why would I take it up with him? I'll take it up with the poster who is making things up.

I've seen other threads where she was referred to as "Carol" and was annoyed as I thought it was a dumb shortening of the name she actually has.

Then I heard or saw a quote recently where Geno called her Carol. So I had to accept that it is indeed a name used and presumably approved by Ducharme.