Official Boneyard 2025-26 Depth Chart Thread

[JoePgh]

I'm well aware that there is an existing thread (running to 4 pages) on who next year's starters will be. As with every year, I think that is a pointless discussion at this time of year, or really anytime before November. I'm quite sure that Geno does not know who next year's starters will be, and won't know until he sees the newcomers in practice -- not to mention the degree of development of the returning players, most especially those coming off of injuries.

I think it makes more sense to talk about next year's depth chart, without trying to identify who will win each position. Here is my shot at that:

5: Jana, Gandy [, Serah?]
4: Sarah, Ice, Ayanna
3: Blanca, Caroline, Morgan, Qadence
1-2: Azzi, KK, Ashlynn, Allie, Kelis

That is an unbelievable amount of depth. I am reminded of Andy Landers's comment about the 2000-2001 UConn roster. Roughly, it was "UConn's starters are the #1 team in the country. Tennessee is the #2 team. UConn's bench is the #3 team in the country." Of course, major injuries late in that season ruined UConn's chances for an NC in 2001, and the same thing could happen in the upcoming season. But we're trying to be optimistic here, not assuming bad fortune before it actually occurs.

And this amazing UConn roster has been recruited and retained during the age of NIL. UConn certainly offers players a chance to make money in true NIL ventures, such as appearing in TV commercials and/or selling uniform jerseys. This has extended even to players who are not national stars -- Amari was in a TV commercial last year, and KK and Ashlynn are on billboards this year. Aubrey was featured in a radio commercial. However, as far as I know, UConn is not yet directly paying its WBB players anything equivalent to a "salary" beyond the scholarship that players have always gotten. This makes UConn strictly non-competitive with other top programs, including South Carolina, which (per my understanding) DO make direct payments to their athletes.

The upcoming year's roster is a testament to the skill and record of Geno and his staff. It won't get the same recognition as the 12th National Championship, but perhaps it should.

 

[Blakeon18]

I have seen so many posts about Serah and UConn [typed some myself] I almost think
of her on next year's team...uhh...without thinking at all. We have to remember that as of now
she isn't on that team. I think we really need her in the 4/5 slots...our chances for Ring #13
would go up if she is here. IMO....she would realistically have a good chance to start.
Hope we see a verbal/signing soon. I do wonder if Geno has his eye on any other post-like
player here or in Europe should Serah go elsewhere....if so, who might that be?

 

[Bills Fan]

Blake,

Two points; 1st, I can see Morgan as a 1-3 not just a 3.

2nd, I know there are all kinds of reasons why a player would pick a school e.g. close to family for games, history with a HC. But there is probably a reason all high level transfers are influenced by and that is the chance to win a NC. I wonder if that thought crossed Beers' mind on Sunday? I think it had to.
That takes me to Serah. She has to look at the returning roster and visualize herself on the podium with a Uconn uniform on along side Sarah Azzi, KK and so on. That might not be the controlling factor, but it has to enter into any decision she makes.

 

[DemonDeac22]

So who are your pure 1’s? I see KK and Kelis as true 1’s. Kk needs to develop a pull-up jumper to complement her driving ability and she would become very dangerous.

Of the 2’s, Azzi I would trust handling the ball but Ash and Allie are traditional spot up shooters today based on this past year.

 

[Rowdy831]

Without looking at the roster I can think of 3 players who will be gone next year from this year's roster based on eligibility. They have three recruits coming in next year so that balances out those three leaving. That leaves on roster spot if everything stays as it is. Is the post really a need for UConn? They don't really coach up the post all that good and they do an unbelievable job with wings and guards so why not bring in one of the top 3 or 4 out there?

The starting lineup next year will be very good. Jana and Sarah will both have a year under their belt and no matter how good you are you will grow for season 2. They have Morgan and Allie who really didn't do much this year but did get a year of experience on the team and could have the growth spurt (in skill) and be big peices next season. Incoming Freshmen will most likely not be key contributers but maybe work their way into the rotation if they are quick enough to defend at the college level.

If they add nobody to next years roster I would still pick them to win it all again. They really have a group on the bench that would be a top 7 seed in the tournament this year and they will only get better.

 

[Bone Dog]

Azzi I would trust handling the ball but Ash and Allie are traditional spot up shooters

I'm not sure about this assessment of Ash, and maybe even of Allie. They are spot up shooters, to be sure. But that isn't all they are. Ash has a deadly midrange jumper that she make off the dribble and Allie has shown she can drive to the rim on a few occasions this season. Azzi is clearly more developed at all 3 levels, but Ash and Allie aren't starting from scratch.

Morgan is the enigma for me. In high school she played PG, but she doesn't have the full range of scoring skills one hopes for from that position. She can hit the 3, though that wasn't a strength in high school. But she doesn't finish at the rim all that well. She can also get off a midrange jumper, but not as seamlessly as Azzi or Ash. What she did really well in high school was imitate the offense and then dive to the rim for O-boards and put-backs. She was a scrapper in the paint rather like Aubrey. I'm not sure Geno wanted to use her that way last season, but perhaps with the arrival of Blanca he'll reconsider.

 

[cgshuskie]

I think developing Morgan as a point guard is a priority. She has the speed and skill to serve as a big guard aka Magic Johnson type. Allie, IMO, needs to work offseason on her speed and strength. She is not as fast as normal big east guards.. I think Morgan and KK can take turns at the point next year, with Kelis as understudy.

 

[my2cents]

Player's role will change next year. This year we had three "Green LIght" shooters, those three could shoot all they want and Geno would keep them in because he was confident they could score.
Next year, Ash will be moving into that category. She showed that offensively she is really good. This year they didn't need it, next year they will.
Morgan was in the "Red Light" category, when you play, take open shots and if you miss , you sit. She showed enough in all other areas, that I believe she could start.
Allie , I think will get more minutes and move into the Red light category.
If Jana and Ice don't improve, they will sit way more next year.