One writer's thoughts on Caroline Ducharme

[Bone Dog]

I think scoring is not going to be a problem on this team. We have plenty of scorers on this team even without Paige. I think Lou steps right in and is a major scoring threat from day one. Ice is already a better shot than any of the bigs we had last year. I find a 3 big lineup to be very compelling on this team. Call me crazy but I could even see Inez eventually getting significant PT at PG. She might even help us offensively over Nika and penetrate more. This is still a deep team.

I’m with you on the scorers, and getting them in the game sooner. That probably points to Ice. But I don’t think a 3 big lineup can carry us for more than a few mins a game. I harp on this too much, I know, but that may be too slow as a unit. That said, if Ice finds her shooting touch early, she may be in the rotation with Dorka and Aaliyah pretty quickly.

 

[MSGRET]

"IF" Ayanna does (at some point) start over Caroline, that means doom and gloom for their opponents. I think most of us can guess what we're going to get from Caroline. If Ayanna can still beat her out, humph.!! I assumed Azzi has grown and matured a little over the summer, and the effects of that growth and development will be easy to see. She said in a recent interview that she's more at ease now. She knows what's coming. No more surprises at this point. She's been around the block once already. Let's just hope that her foot issues that plagued her last year are a thing of the past.

When one stops to contemplate just for a moment, the potential of this team individually and collectively, it makes you shake your head in wonderment. If each player on this roster plays to just 80% of their potential, UConn will be very hard to beat night in and night out.
Other top ten programs have talented teams, but not top to bottom like UConn. There are no projects on this team. Except for the newbies, everyone else is plug and play.

Every player on the roster comes in with an impressive resume. I'm expecting some big things from Brady. A no non sense post player that just wants to come in and help the team any way she can. I think she will impress, and impress early. Look for her to demand more minutes as the season goes on. Geno should have no problem or reservations about putting anyone of his reserves in the game. This includes the newbies once they learn the system. They want to "eat" also.

The exhibition game against Kutztown State (Sun Nov 6), will give us a glimpse of what's to come, but the 2nd game of the season against Texas (home game) on Nov 10 will be the perfect "litmus test" for this program. The Longhorns will come in and give Geno and UConn all they want. Here's a breakdown of the UConn roster without Paige Bueckers...................

Carnac the 2nd game is against Northeastern on 11/10, Texas is the 3rd game on 11/14. I do agree that Texas is the perfect "litmus test" in the early season.

 

[cbraarj]

Is Aubrey really a wing? Wings can handle the ball fairly well and should be above average shooters. Has she proven she can do both well enough to be a wing at UConn. Serious question. I see her more as an undersized 4. A rebounder and scrapper.

No she hasn't proved she can play the wing at all.

 

[cbraarj]

By the way, Aubrey Griffin was a guard in high school averaging over 20 pts. per game. What some are getting caught up in is the definition of the Wing. On this team, Edwards, Patterson, Ducharme, and Griffin can all play in the front court. Ducharme and Griffin have also advanced the ball in past games.

Aubrey stalls the offense in the half court set. Playing HS as a guard is totally different than Div 1. She hasn't shown she is capable yet.

 

[Skeets]

I think scoring is not going to be a problem on this team. We have plenty of scorers on this team even without Paige. I think Lou steps right in and is a major scoring threat from day one. Ice is already a better shot than any of the bigs we had last year. I find a 3 big lineup to be very compelling on this team. Call me crazy but I could even see Inez eventually getting significant PT at PG. She might even help us offensively over Nika and penetrate more. This is still a deep team.

Nika cannot play 40 minutes. Ines may get some playing time, but I doubt it will be significant playing time. Maybe a couple of minutes here and there, more at the end of blow out games. Towards the end of the season, and depending on how she progresses, maybe her role expands a little bit more. Then again Geno might see Azzi as a better alternative to spell Nika at PG. Remember Geno's tendency is to rely on 6 or 7 players and I don't see Ines being one of those players this year.

 

[Stymie]

I’m pretty sure last year’s injury decimation has Coach rethinking his reliance on 6 or 7 players.
Everyone needs to be ready to step into the breach.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think the core of the team is going to be Azzi Caroline Aaliyah, barring injury. Everything will revolve around them. Dorka will get paying time before any of the other bigs. Nika will likely start at pg, and play as long as she isn’t an offensive liability. Lou will play as long as she isn’t a defensive liability. All the others will fit in to give the core a breather.

I expect we’ll look back at this year’s team as being mainly the achievement of these three, Azzi Caroline Aaliyah. When Paige returns next year, it will be to a veteran core, and she will lead them to #13, or #2 of the Paige era. Maybe she’ll stay for #14. I hope she does. Two solid years of The Four will be worth it to her, I suspect.

And when they leave, it will be up to KK Ashlynn Ice Ayanna to continue the next foursome.

 

[hoophuskee]

I think the core of the team is going to be Azzi Caroline Aaliyah, barring injury. Everything will revolve around them. Dorka will get paying time before any of the other bigs. Nika will likely start at pg, and play as long as she isn’t an offensive liability. Lou will play as long as she isn’t a defensive liability. All the others will fit in to give the core a breather.

I expect we’ll look back at this year’s team as being mainly the achievement of these three, Azzi Caroline Aaliyah. When Paige returns next year, it will be to a veteran core, and she will lead them to #13, or #2 of the Paige era. Maybe she’ll stay for #14. I hope she does. Two solid years of The Four will be worth it to her, I suspect.

And when they leave, it will be up to KK Ashlynn Ice Ayanna to continue the next foursome.

IMO Dorka is also a core player.

 

[hoophuskee]

Patterson, who recorded a team-high 17 points in a win over Hamilton Southeastern late Tuesday afternoon, is distinguished immediately by her length and strength — the 6-foot-3 wing is an absolute force on the glass and an intimidating presence in the paint — but it's her athleticism that really grabs your attention when watching her play.

Ayanna Patterson on Geno Auriemma: 'It shows a lot of love and it really means a lot.'

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma was in attendance for Tuesday's Homestead-Fishers game in Fort Wayne.

www.yahoo.com

She can definitely be a wing defensively just as Aubrey had also been a wing many times defensively. And the other following players I believe have better outside shooting than her who can possibly / or do play at least some offensively on the perimeter which are: Caroline, Lou, Dorka, Edwards, Brady, and Amari. UCONN doesn't build it's offense around offensive rebounding, so as Geno has said many times "What is it that you're good at?" One thing we saw in the 3 on 3 from Patterson is her freak athleticism and rebounding. Like Aubrey she can be a freak rebounder early in her career and that is best suited for the 4/5 spots.

So unless it's a blowout and Geno is just tinkering, Patterson will probably play the 4/5 spots offensively barring any catastrophes.

 

[sun]

UConn will be presenting a lot of different looks to the opposing teams this year even during the same game as they switch personnel throughout the lineup.
Every player will be assessed based on making good decisions and their ability to make the high percentage shots.
The 3 pointers are going to become daggers rather than to be relied on as the 1st scoring option.
UConn has the tools to play a nasty mid range game.
There will be those with solid contributions that will need to make up for those who don't contribute as much when they play.
They will all step it up and contribute in different games.
The trend in a lot of sports is to spread out the PT among more players.
That will help to keep them fresh, injury free and to gain more valuable experience as the season gets played out.
If Carol becomes the leading UConn scorer, you know that opposing teams will adjust and try to shut her down.
The same with Azzi.
It's important that Geno has different player packages to increase UConn's scoring options.
IMO it's going to be hard for players to get more than 25 minutes of PT per game unless circumstances permit it.
UConn won't need to rely on any one player to win games, there's plenty of scoring talent on the team.
The main differences between players will be based on their decision making, making the high percentage shots and contributing by not making mistakes.
Too many missed shots or turnovers can be a sign of mistakes or poor judgment.
The players will continually grow throughout the season, and hopefully they all stay healthy so they can stay on the court and max out their PT each game.

 

[Zarathustra]

I think the core of the team is going to be Azzi Caroline Aaliyah, barring injury. Everything will revolve around them. Dorka will get paying time before any of the other bigs. Nika will likely start at pg, and play as long as she isn’t an offensive liability. Lou will play as long as she isn’t a defensive liability. All the others will fit in to give the core a breather.

I expect we’ll look back at this year’s team as being mainly the achievement of these three, Azzi Caroline Aaliyah. When Paige returns next year, it will be to a veteran core, and she will lead them to #13, or #2 of the Paige era. Maybe she’ll stay for #14. I hope she does. Two solid years of The Four will be worth it to her, I suspect.

And when they leave, it will be up to KK Ashlynn Ice Ayanna to continue the next foursome.

I still believe DORKA will play a very significant role this year. But... I 'll wait and watch!!

 

[hoophuskee]

.
1-- The trend in a lot of sports is to spread out the PT among more players.

3--- IMO it's going to be hard for players to get more than 25 minutes of PT per game unless circumstances permit it.
UConn won't need to rely on any one player to win games, there's plenty of scoring talent on the team.

2--and max out their PT each game.

1--- This has not been the trend. When Stanford won for example their pg averaged 40 minutes from E8 to Finals. And Hull averaged about 36.

2--- The key is not maxing out players PT time but playing your best players if they are quite better than the bench players.

3-- Azzi will definitely get over 25 minutes a game if healthy.
Edwards probably will.

Then: Potentially:
Depending on performance Dorka and Caroline will.

Then Potentially:
Darkhorses are Lou and 1 of the 2 freshmen for 25+.

 

[sun]

1--- This has not been the trend. When Stanford won for example their pg averaged 40 minutes from E8 to Finals. And Hull averaged about 36.

2--- The key is not maxing out players PT time but playing your best players if they are quite better than the bench players.

3-- Azzi will definitely get over 25 minutes a game if healthy.
Edwards probably will.

Then: Potentially:
Depending on performance Dorka and Caroline will.

Then Potentially:
Darkhorses are Lou and 1 of the 2 freshmen for 25+.

MLB starting pitchers are averaging less innings then ever.
Most don't even make it to pitch in the 6th inning or the 3rd time through the batting order.
Analytics are playing a greater role in decision making in sports.
Preventing stress injuries to Azzi's feet is just another example, as was Carol being benched for a non-concussion injury last year.
We're now in the age of the transfer portal and I doubt that Geno wants to lose any of his recruits at this late stage of what might be his last coaching contract while in quest for #12.
I doubt that UConn can afford to lose any talent.
UConn is all about building team chemistry and emotional bonds among the players on the team.
An unselfish team and a coach that does his best to share PT among players who are all highly touted gym rats may become a hallmark of this year's team, especially considering Paige's absence.
The new players not only need experience & growth, but they may actually be able to play as well as the returning veteran players.
So Geno may want to keep everyone happy by giving every UConn player a fair chance to eat and to taste success.
Geno started the new trend last year and I think will continue due to having more new & talented players this year plus Aubrey.

 

[Stymie]

I agree.
This is what she came back for.
I believe she will be a leader and deliver big time.

 

[hoophuskee]

MLB starting pitchers are averaging less innings then ever.
Most don't even make it to pitch in the 6th inning or the 3rd time through the batting order.
Analytics are playing a greater role in decision making in sports.
Preventing stress injuries to Azzi's feet is just another example, as was Carol being benched for a non-concussion injury last year.
We're now in the age of the transfer portal and I doubt that Geno wants to lose any of his recruits at this late stage of what might be his last coaching contract while in quest for #12.
I doubt that UConn can afford to lose any talent.
UConn is all about building team chemistry and emotional bonds among the players on the team.
An unselfish team and a coach that does his best to share PT among players who are all highly touted gym rats may become a hallmark of this year's team, especially considering Paige's absence.
The new players not only need experience & growth, but they may actually be able to play as well as the returning veteran players.
So Geno may want to keep everyone happy by giving every UConn player a fair chance to eat and to taste success.
Geno started the new trend last year and I think will continue due to having more new & talented players this year plus Aubrey.

No. MLB is not wcbb. Not even close. The comparison is completely off-base no pun intended. So two of the most successful coaches in WCBB History (Geno and Tara) have used played your stars approach and it is your belief to completely ignore the success and instead adopt a baseball strategy? And ignore this past year’s SCs strategy in which Henderson, Boston and Cooke averaged 30, 28 and 27 respectively? So where is the WCBB trend going? You want to ignore how these super coaches have told you the way it is to coach?

And if you are so intent by coaching with fear about not playing Azzi too much, then for Azzi why should she even bother to play if everyone is so scared? She can sit out, train at home, go play in some overseas pro games, then come home when she likes, and be ready for the draft in 2 more years. You can't coach or play in fear.

And you're right, UCONN cannot afford to lose talent. And your proposal is sure to do that because the number 1 recruits will stop coming. You heard how in her frosh year how Paige bugged Geno for minutes. She averaged over 30 and if you recall she once told Geno "You owe me . . . minutes." Those number 1 recruits will stop coming without minutes. Twenty-five or under won’t cut it. And that is the majority of UCONN's championships have been with number 1 recruits. So yes UCONN can't afford to lose this type of talent which is why if they are good enough you should be playing them a lot. Because the super players give you the greatest chance of success.

In conclusion, you want to ignore what the greatest WCBB coaches are “telling you” (by how they give over 25 minutes to their stars), and adopt a strategy in WCBB probably not used successfully as a WCBB Div 1 Champion in at least 20+ years, and instead look to a non-basketball sport as the model?????

 

[Alydar]

Giving more game minutes to bench players has been a popular POV here. Geno has always said is that minutes are earned in practice. At UConn practices that start next month every shot, every drill is recorded. If a player gets minutes it's because they have practiced well.

There was a game late last season when Geno rotated 8 or 9 players all game.

 

[sun]

Giving more game minutes to bench players has been a popular POV here. Geno has always said is that minutes are earned in practice. At UConn practices that start next month every shot, every drill is recorded. If a player gets minutes it's because they have practiced well.

There was a game late last season when Geno rotated 8 or 9 players all game.

A look at the 2021 - 2022 avg. minutes per game for each player shows:

Bueckers - 29.2
Williams - 33.8
Fudd - 27.9
Ducharme - 21.0
Nelson-Ododa - 27.2
Westbrook - 27.4
Edwards - 24.9
Juhasz - 19.8
Muhl - 21.7
Gabrial - 4.9
DeBerry - 5.2

Women's Basketball Cumulative Statistics

@description

uconnhuskies.com

 

[Alydar]

A look at the 2021 - 2022 avg. minutes per game for each player shows:

Bueckers - 29.2
Williams - 33.8
Fudd - 27.9
Ducharme - 21.0
Nelson-Ododa - 27.2
Westbrook - 27.4
Edwards - 24.9
Juhasz - 19.8
Muhl - 21.7
Gabrial - 4.9
DeBerry - 5.2

Women's Basketball Cumulative Statistics

@description

uconnhuskies.com

That list is minutes played per game played. Bueckers' avg is for 17 games. In fact it's impossible to look at minutes last season. A more descriptive stat for looking at last year is "games played".

 

[Alydar]

A silver lining to last year's ordeal is that 9 players started games and 5 of them are back this season. And they didn't start 3 games each. Those five started 88 games, or 17 games each. That is a lot of experience.

 

[Stymie]

With all due respect, both meaningless.
Brand new team, in many respects.
3 starters graduated-1 out for the year
Pretty much a clean slate.
Azzi early dings last season, not starter from the jump, got starter minutes later on.
Dorka same thing, but not due to injury, due to learning curve.
But, but, but..
i almost consider Nika, Dorka and Azzi returning starters due to per game minutes at the end of last season.
Last year is a perfect example of “ what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.
This season is going to be ELECTRIC.

 

[TCC Kid]

With all due respect, both meaningless.
Brand new team, in many respects.
3 starters graduated-1 out for the year
Pretty much a clean slate.
Azzi early dings last season, not starter from the jump, got starter minutes later on.
Dorka same thing, but not due to injury, due to learning curve.
But, but, but..
i almost consider Nika, Dorka and Azzi returning starters due to per game minutes at the end of last season.
Last year is a perfect example of “ what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.
This season is going to be ELECTRIC.

I agree and disagree. Agree it is NOT exactly the same team, But immediately after Paige's injury (2 times) it wasn't the same. Williams, Ono, Evina are gone--it happens every year. You build on what you have.
I'll agree Dorka was learning the Geno system.
Edwards, Nika, Griffin could all Start--COULD. Will they?
The questions are Ameri, ICE, Ayana, Ines, Fairfield transfer will they quickly learn, can they ever fit into Div 1/Geno systems? My bet is on Fairfield, ICE, Ayana, Ines, Ameri--in that order. Dorka, near the end, before her wrist injury, was playing good Uconn BB--not great, good--Caroline and Dorka can lead the way, if the injuries/surgeries get out of their heads. I'm sure Geno has a grin on his face looking at the possibilities.

 

[Blond D.]

I saw Ice and Ayanna play in games with the top players in the country.....I was not impressed. They have a long way to go before they can start at UCONN

 

[TeamFirst!]

I saw Ice and Ayanna play in those same games. They aren’t going to start at the beginning of the season but both get significant PT. Both can contribute well after 3-4 games at the college level. These are 2 top 5 prospects. They play on any college team in the country.

 

[pk1234]

Started reading through this thread.. if Ayanna is actually good enough to take Caroline's minutes or start over her (at the 3) it either means 1) Caroline is still recovering or didn't come back 100% from her surgery or 2) Ayanna is an absolute superstar and this team will compete with SC and Stanford for the NC.

I'd personally be shocked if Ayanna is playing anywhere near Caroline's minutes all season. I expect Caroline to contend with Azzi for leading scorer (15+ PPG) this season and be in contention for all-conference and even all-American honors.

 

[KCD]

I saw Ice and Ayanna play in games with the top players in the country.....I was not impressed. They have a long way to go before they can start at UCONN

At the U18 tournament that Brady played at, to me she was by far the best player on the court (period). The next best US player was the Ohio State commit. I don't think that either ICE or Ayanna will start at the beginning of the year. But I am very impressed with both of them and believe that both will be significant contributors by mid season. They are both self driven and team oriented young ladies and will find ways to contribute and get playing time.

 

[Alydar]

Started reading through this thread.. if Ayanna is actually good enough to take Caroline's minutes or start over her (at the 3) it either means 1) Caroline is still recovering or didn't come back 100% from her surgery or 2) Ayanna is an absolute superstar and this team will compete with SC and Stanford for the NC.

I'd personally be shocked if Ayanna is playing anywhere near Caroline's minutes all season. I expect Caroline to contend with Azzi for leading scorer (15+ PPG) this season and be in contention for all-conference and even all-American honors.

If Patterson (3/4) can do it she will get minutes at wing but it will be less than half her minutes and not an every game thing. L-S will also play the 2/3. I see Ducharme playing some 2 and either L-S or Patterson or Griffin play the 3. A very large team there. UConn has several multi-position players. We could see some interesting offense/defense subbing late in close games. It's going to be fun.

 

[hoophuskee]

I saw Ice and Ayanna play in games with the top players in the country.....I was not impressed. They have a long way to go before they can start at UCONN

IMO you need to look at the strengths they bring and not worry who starts and get caught up in all of that. And most importantly what have we heard Geno say many, many times? "Do what you're good at."

For example just looking at Ayanna for discussion; did you know in Ayanna's junior year she was guarding the sr Caroline and basically shut her down in a summer league game? You think Caroline is a starter, right? Yet the summer before Ayanna shut her down. It's because she is a freak athlete with good size. Don't you agree she will be in the 99% percentile in WCBB athleticism and that she is very strong and has decent 6'2 size? That defense is and always has been welcome at UCONN.

So not only defense, but she is probably going to be able to offensive rebound, right? And because she is bigger/stronger and to a certain extent more athletic inside than Aubrey Griffin, she'll probably be able to finish inside better too, right? And any player around her size 5'10 to 6'4, she'll probably be able to defend in an excellent manner, right? These things aren't highlighted during these all-star games.

And add to that, did you know she is a good ball-handler? How can she highlight that in the all-star games when the guards want to showcase their talents while she is stuck inside?

UCONN doesn't play one-on-one. She is a tremendous fit for the 4 position. Some think she is more of a 3, I don't agree. The only way she sees significant time at the 3, excluding blowouts, is if Lou just can't cut it. So in summery, early in her career she'll be more athletic than 99% of the competition thus able to defend near any player near her size while also have enough explosive combination of athleticism and strength be able to rebound both offense and defense while also progressing by scoring inside then as her career progresses hit outside shots more effectively. All-the-while she is a good ball handler with quickness for her size in which each year (not much her 1st year) will become apparent.

 

[GEAinAustin]

Once again, to those who question the obvious talent of Patterson, go back and look how hard Auriemma recruited her. When she called him to commit he said he was shocked . She brings a power and overall athletic component that U Conn hasn't had in years.

 

[Bone Dog]

in Ayanna's junior year she was guarding the sr Caroline and basically shut her down in a summer league game

Interesting. I didn’t see that game. If I had to guess, I’d have said she’s a good defensive match for Caroline simply because she’s strong and neither one is super quick. Caroline relies on strength and footwork to muscle past smaller guards, which won’t work as well against Ayanna. But I suspect she’s not going to be able to guard quicker wings as effectively, and probably not against quicker shooting guards.

By contrast, Aubrey at her best two years ago could defend shooting guards effectively. For example, she was able to cover Caitlin Clark and Dijonnai Carrington. She even was able to cover Zia Cooke effectively. This was only for brief stretches, to be sure, and Aubrey is not as big as Ayanna. But she was quite a bit quicker and this matters against players like this.

I think the ceiling is very high for Ayanna for the reasons you cite, even if I don’t think she’s going to be quite as versatile on D as you seem to. For one thing, I suspect she’ll have better offensive skills than Aubrey.

Thinking strategically, however, I picture Ayanna as a serious defensive contributor against SC, where she should be able to shut down Saxton. One of the elements of SC’s attack is a quick front line in Boston and Saxton. I don’t imagine we’ll be able to outplay Boston. But they depend on Saxton, a strong 4 who thrives on rebounding and putbacks. If Ayanna takes that away, I suspect Boston won’t be able to defeat us even if she has a great game. Ayanna is bigger, stronger and quicker than Saxton, and they don’t typically face teams with that much strength and speed on the front line. If Ayanna can shut down Saxton come tournament time, she’ll have done more than enough to earn her spot in the lineup.

If Ayanna can spell Caroline and Lou at the 3 occasionally, I think that will be useful. But I don’t think it’s a lineup we’ll want for long stretches of a game. That would be like putting Aaliyah at the 3. We’ve done that when we had to — watch the UCLA game to see an example — and it came with severe costs against a quick team.

 

[cferraro04]

Boy do we have problems this year...DeBerry might take time away from Dorka,,,Ice Brady might take time away from DeBerry; Ayanna Patterson might take time away from Caroline Ducharme and Aubrey Griffin might take time away from Ayanna Patterson but wait, Aaliyah Edwards might have a break-out year and just be the Huskies most valuable player; Fudd might take over for Muhl...no wait, Muhl according to the UConn staff will have an extended role in this year's version of the Huskies so, Fudd will have to settle for "back-up guard and when she isn't doing that she could spend her time leading the Huskies in scoring knocking down 7-8 three pointers; Lou Senechal might take time from both Fudd and Muhl and then there is Ines Bettencourt...oh my...what is a coach to do? If these are our problems...I take them...all day long.