On the starters for next year...

[hoophuskee]

The case for Butler.


In a half court set Geno can play her in an infinite number of ways. Depending on the matchups she can call for the ball down low or set a screen for Morgan. Or she can set up away from the basket where a defender will have to come out on her. She can set screens there or become the passer. Maybe Stewie will want to set up low with her back to the basket.

While I love Gabby's athleticism and uncanny ability to score from in close, I think Butler brings too many assets not to start. And this doesn't even address what she brings to the defensive end.

While I agree Butler will start, why does the defender have to come out on her? She shot for the season 49% from the floor. She is probably shooting much higher inside the second lane which means she isn't real great from the perimeter. So if I'm the other team why would I send a defender at her from the outside so it would allow her easier way to pass the ball inside to Stewie or Tuck?

 

[EricSD]

How versatile a scorer is Gabby Williams? How many points has she scored from more than 8-10 feet away? I can't even imagine her shooting a three point shot based on what she's shown this year. Don't get me wrong, I love her game and her athleticism is crazy good but I need a lot of convincing that she could play the two or three!

Totally agree. I think it's likely she's still a forward next year as she works on expanding her game. As we saw, her FT accuracy was awful, even tho the shot and arc looked nice. To me that's an indication of good mechanics, but just poor skills at shooting.

Her drives to the basket indicate decent ball handling skills. But while Geno may have been somewhat sarcastic, when asked about her being PG in high school, he said "How? She can't dribble, can't pass, and can't shoot." For the most part I think he is correct. Which is why she needs to "re-develop" those skills (assuming she had them at some point in HS).

 

[chrissaran]

Gabby was not a point guard in high school. She was a 2.

 

[Bgillon]

I think it is ridiculous to suggest that Kia might not start next year. In fact I think it is an insult to her and counter productive to post that comment. It's one thing to speculate on how some people might contribute but to start a discussion about a valuable starter who far exceeded Geno's expectations in her first year at UCONN is a poor way to start the drive for the 11th.