Official 25-26 Starters Thread | The Boneyard

Official 25-26 Starters Thread

1st: KK (3) - Azzi (4) - Shade (3) - Strong (2) - Ice (3)/Jana(2)/Transfer

2nd: Kelis (1) - Cheli (2) - Ducharme (4) - Blanca (1) - Ice(3)/Jana(2)

tbd: Allie (2) - Patterson (2) - Q (3) - Gandy (1)

===============

I put Ducharme on 2nd team just because I dont know where she'll be with recovery. Certainly her pre-injury level is first-team worthy. But I'm being cautious with CD 2.0.
 
Thank you to Aubrey, Paige and Kaitlyn.

Next year we are looking at an awesome group of players. Hopefully, everyone stays. We have one opening right now. I’m sure that Geno will make it work.

1) Azzi
2) Caroline
3) KK
4) Ashlynn
5) Qadence
6) Ice
7) Ayanna
8) Jana
9) Sarah
10) Morgan
11) Allie
12) Kelis
13) Blanca
14) Gandy
15) Open
 
I would hope that Geno would reward Ashlynn's 6th Women award by starting her, with Caroline coming off the bench. And it hurts for me to say that because Caroline has been my favorite Husky ever since she arrived. But I think even with a full summer to work on her game, her on court time could be regulated. Imagine freshman Caroline coming off the bench and lighting up the box score.
But hey, I think we found out this year (finally), if you have more than five starter worthy players, Geno will find the time and correct situation for them all.
 
MilfordHusky said:
I've got:

KK/Azzi/Sarah/Blanca/Jana or Transfer
Expand ...
Agree with this 100%.

KK: There is no one on the team who will be better at running it, and her elite defense will make KK a complete demon from the jump. I hope she continues to work on her 3 point shooting. People who want to point to that as a weakness are technically correct that her % is not great for the season (22%, actually lower than Jana), but she was much better the 2nd half AFTER Geno had that chat with her and basically said "use your energy and aggression driving more to the basket opening up opportunities either for you to score, or to dish to an open teammate". I still think sometimes she plays out of control, but you can't fault her effort.

Azzi: 2 years ago she started the season absolutely on fire (in a season Paige was out) and was being talked about as a possible NPOY candidate early on before her injury. Azzi has a COMPLETE game on both sides of the floor - and is much more than an elite 3 point shooter. I pray that she has a full season of 100% health and shows the country just how good we all know she can be...

Blanca: Having seen video of her, I believe she is one of the elite recruits of the class. I totally get that Geno doesn't like starting freshmen, but much like Sarah, I think Blanca will be too good to NOT start her. BUT if it's close, I could totally see Ash starting here...

Sarah: What more can you say about her? I knew she'd be good. I had no idea she'd be this good. (Sadly) with no Juju next season, I expect Azzi, Sarah, Hidalgo, Booker... to be among the folks being discussed early on as NPOY candidates. Can you imagine Sarah with a sophomore leap? The rest of WCBB should be worried about that LOL.

Center Transfer: If it's not Serah, I think Geno will go after another high quality center. Jana has shown she's just not quite ready. I do believe she has the talent and drive to be great, but it's a big ask for a freshman center to be great out the gate, especially after coming back from an injury. I think (obviously just IMHO) Geno has been a little too hard on her in yanking her out of games, and not putting her back in after dumb plays, but he knows what he's doing. Still, I'm not convinced, even with a sophomore leap, that Jana will start, unless he gets no one in the portal.

I hope Morgan comes back 100%. If so, we know what we will get from her, Ash, and Ice. I hope that Allie has a serious sophomore leap because as the #7 recruit out of HS, she was underwhelming this season. I also hope Jana has a nice sophomore leap. Then there are the question marks - Qadence, Ayanna, Carol, Gandy and Kelis.

Ayanna has never been healthy, but Carol has already seen time on the floor. I pray for both of them that they have great seasons - they deserve some good luck health-wise! I think Gandy will be a project. I don't see her as having AA potential, but will she be closer to Tina Charles or Heather Buck? Honestly I'd be thrilled if she was anywhere near close to ONO. Kelis is not highly ranked (top 30 for the most part), but has done well at AAU events. Qadence - she seems to have had no sophomore leap, and still is relegated to the end of the bench with minutes at the end of games. Not sure I see that changing next season.

I also would not be surprised to see Geno go after a backup PG. Not one he expects to start, but one who can backup KK. not sure Kelis will be ready for 15 MPG as the primary backup. Perhaps he uses Azzi in that role. Or even Morgan.

UConn loses a ton. Paige, Cait, Aubrey - but they also have a lot coming back, and another terrific freshman coming in. Go UConn!
 
EricLA said:
Agree with this 100%.

KK: There is no one on the team who will be better at running it, and her elite defense will make KK a complete demon from the jump. I hope she continues to work on her 3 point shooting. People who want to point to that as a weakness are technically correct that her % is not great for the season (22%, actually lower than Jana), but she was much better the 2nd half AFTER Geno had that chat with her and basically said "use your energy and aggression driving more to the basket opening up opportunities either for you to score, or to dish to an open teammate". I still think sometimes she plays out of control, but you can't fault her effort.

Azzi: 2 years ago she started the season absolutely on fire (in a season Paige was out) and was being talked about as a possible NPOY candidate early on before her injury. Azzi has a COMPLETE game on both sides of the floor - and is much more than an elite 3 point shooter. I pray that she has a full season of 100% health and shows the country just how good we all know she can be...

Blanca: Having seen video of her, I believe she is one of the elite recruits of the class. I totally get that Geno doesn't like starting freshmen, but much like Sarah, I think Blanca will be too good to NOT start her. BUT if it's close, I could totally see Ash starting here...

Sarah: What more can you say about her? I knew she'd be good. I had no idea she'd be this good. (Sadly) with no Juju next season, I expect Azzi, Sarah, Hidalgo, Booker... to be among the folks being discussed early on as NPOY candidates. Can you imagine Sarah with a sophomore leap? The rest of WCBB should be worried about that LOL.

Center Transfer: If it's not Serah, I think Geno will go after another high quality center. Jana has shown she's just not quite ready. I do believe she has the talent and drive to be great, but it's a big ask for a freshman center to be great out the gate, especially after coming back from an injury. I think (obviously just IMHO) Geno has been a little too hard on her in yanking her out of games, and not putting her back in after dumb plays, but he knows what he's doing. Still, I'm not convinced, even with a sophomore leap, that Jana will start, unless he gets no one in the portal.

I hope Morgan comes back 100%. If so, we know what we will get from her, Ash, and Ice. I hope that Allie has a serious sophomore leap because as the #7 recruit out of HS, she was underwhelming this season. I also hope Jana has a nice sophomore leap. Then there are the question marks - Qadence, Ayanna, Carol, Gandy and Kelis.

Ayanna has never been healthy, but Carol has already seen time on the floor. I pray for both of them that they have great seasons - they deserve some good luck health-wise! I think Gandy will be a project. I don't see her as having AA potential, but will she be closer to Tina Charles or Heather Buck? Honestly I'd be thrilled if she was anywhere near close to ONO. Kelis is not highly ranked (top 30 for the most part), but has done well at AAU events. Qadence - she seems to have had no sophomore leap, and still is relegated to the end of the bench with minutes at the end of games. Not sure I see that changing next season.

I also would not be surprised to see Geno go after a backup PG. Not one he expects to start, but one who can backup KK. not sure Kelis will be ready for 15 MPG as the primary backup. Perhaps he uses Azzi in that role. Or even Morgan.

UConn loses a ton. Paige, Cait, Aubrey - but they also have a lot coming back, and another terrific freshman coming in. Go UConn!
Expand ...
You are underrating Kelis.........she's quick, aggressive, fearless, is a solid passer and can get her own shot......she's going to see more minutes than you think.......teamed with KK that's one nasty backcourt to play against.....
 
EricLA said:
Agree with this 100%.

KK: There is no one on the team who will be better at running it, and her elite defense will make KK a complete demon from the jump. I hope she continues to work on her 3 point shooting. People who want to point to that as a weakness are technically correct that her % is not great for the season (22%, actually lower than Jana), but she was much better the 2nd half AFTER Geno had that chat with her and basically said "use your energy and aggression driving more to the basket opening up opportunities either for you to score, or to dish to an open teammate". I still think sometimes she plays out of control, but you can't fault her effort.

Azzi: 2 years ago she started the season absolutely on fire (in a season Paige was out) and was being talked about as a possible NPOY candidate early on before her injury. Azzi has a COMPLETE game on both sides of the floor - and is much more than an elite 3 point shooter. I pray that she has a full season of 100% health and shows the country just how good we all know she can be...

Blanca: Having seen video of her, I believe she is one of the elite recruits of the class. I totally get that Geno doesn't like starting freshmen, but much like Sarah, I think Blanca will be too good to NOT start her. BUT if it's close, I could totally see Ash starting here...

Sarah: What more can you say about her? I knew she'd be good. I had no idea she'd be this good. (Sadly) with no Juju next season, I expect Azzi, Sarah, Hidalgo, Booker... to be among the folks being discussed early on as NPOY candidates. Can you imagine Sarah with a sophomore leap? The rest of WCBB should be worried about that LOL.

Center Transfer: If it's not Serah, I think Geno will go after another high quality center. Jana has shown she's just not quite ready. I do believe she has the talent and drive to be great, but it's a big ask for a freshman center to be great out the gate, especially after coming back from an injury. I think (obviously just IMHO) Geno has been a little too hard on her in yanking her out of games, and not putting her back in after dumb plays, but he knows what he's doing. Still, I'm not convinced, even with a sophomore leap, that Jana will start, unless he gets no one in the portal.

I hope Morgan comes back 100%. If so, we know what we will get from her, Ash, and Ice. I hope that Allie has a serious sophomore leap because as the #7 recruit out of HS, she was underwhelming this season. I also hope Jana has a nice sophomore leap. Then there are the question marks - Qadence, Ayanna, Carol, Gandy and Kelis.

Ayanna has never been healthy, but Carol has already seen time on the floor. I pray for both of them that they have great seasons - they deserve some good luck health-wise! I think Gandy will be a project. I don't see her as having AA potential, but will she be closer to Tina Charles or Heather Buck? Honestly I'd be thrilled if she was anywhere near close to ONO. Kelis is not highly ranked (top 30 for the most part), but has done well at AAU events. Qadence - she seems to have had no sophomore leap, and still is relegated to the end of the bench with minutes at the end of games. Not sure I see that changing next season.

I also would not be surprised to see Geno go after a backup PG. Not one he expects to start, but one who can backup KK. not sure Kelis will be ready for 15 MPG as the primary backup. Perhaps he uses Azzi in that role. Or even Morgan.

UConn loses a ton. Paige, Cait, Aubrey - but they also have a lot coming back, and another terrific freshman coming in. Go UConn!
Expand ...
Carol? WTF is Carol? We got a Ducharme, a CD, a CFD, a Caroline Ducharme or a Caroline. But ain't no Carol.

Agree though, not sure what you're gonna get from Ducharme. She's played a couple games, looked pretty good Sat, but then had to sit out yesterday. I could see her next season playing a couple games, then sitting out a week or two, then a couple games, etc. I hope I'm wrong.
 
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.
 
1. KK, Azzi and Sarah are locks.
2. Ash is so good coming on the bench. She has the mentality to do it and got comparable starter minutes this year.
3. If a transfer big arrives or Gandy is a head of schedule, I would move Ice out to three or four. She does not have great hands and after two years still does not look comfortable at the post.
4. Better post entry passing would make Jana look better down on the block. Plus, this summer she needs to add a 15 footer to her game. Teams cheat off her and the offense slows because of it. Aaliyah developed it and she became effective at the high post.
5. I read that Kelis may not be a true point. I hope she proves to be a worthy backup to KK. If not, I hope Morgan is healthy enough to fill the role.
7. I hope we get an injury free year from Ayanna. She has the potential to be a rebounding, inside presence.
8. Allie must not show much defensively in practice. Or isn't as quick as hoped. I do love the stroke and composure she plays with.
9. Blanca will start eventually, just not early. Her adjustment time will be longer than Sarah.
10. I think Q improved a bunch this year. I am cheering for her to continue to be patient and wait for her time.

My wishful thinking groups:

1--KK, Azzi, Sarah, transfer, Ice
2--Kelis, Ash, Blanca, CD, Jana
3--Morgan, Allie, Q, Ayanna, Gandy
 
meyers7 said:
Carol? WTF is Carol? We got a Ducharme, a CD, a CFD, a Caroline Ducharme or a Caroline. But ain't no Carol.

Agree though, not sure what you're gonna get from Ducharme. She's played a couple games, looked pretty good Sat, but then had to sit out yesterday. I could see her next season playing a couple games, then sitting out a week or two, then a couple games, etc. I hope I'm wrong.
Expand ...
Sorry but you are wrong. Geno calls her Carol all the time. Take it up with him. ;)
 
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