I wouldn't be too quick on making Mir the face of the Program, or even one of the faces, next year. Love everything about her EXCEPT her height. Her main strength in HS seemed to be rebounding and I don't think she will have that much success playing against top-quality UCONN opponents, including BEAST teams twice. I hope I am wrong, but I see her as more of a Guard than a rebounding SF and I have not heard anything about her skills which wound be necessary to play one of the two Guard spots. Combine the preceding with the fact that we will have some superior talent at the 1 and 2 spots (PB, EW, CW, AM and NM) next year and it's possible (likely) that Mir will struggle for playing time next year.
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Carnac
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I was speaking "photogenically" only. There are too many higher profile players in front of her for HER to be the face of the program. My suggestions where using her to be the "front woman" for posters and electronic announcements for the program. I agree with all of your concerns and observations. Aubrey, Paige, ONO, Christyn and Aaliyah will be the face of the program before she will because they are (IMO) higher profile players. Megan Walker was the FOP last year because SHE was the "go to" player, and the team's leading scorer. The cream ALWAYS rises to the top. A player's production on the court will nominate them for the face of the program.
CocoHusky
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I'm sure someone will respond to your post by pointing out that Gabby played in the post at that same size.
Gabby had PG like passing skill and an ungauardable 1st step. Mir does not. I agree that she will struggle for post minutes at UCONN and not just next season either.
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"Face of the program," no. But there's ample reason to believe she can be a very good player at minimum. If you're concerned about her height, I'd point to Nina Davis--probably generously listed at 5-11--who was a similar type player to Mclean though Mir might have more all-around skills.
Based on what I've seen, Mclean is not a guard in any way. She is a disruptor, a rebounding machine, and a potential defensive stalwart. There are quite a few similarities between her and Aubrey Griffin.
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You think Megan was the FOP last year? I would have said Christyn (or Dangerfield). The first requirement for being the face of the program is that you actually have to want to be there. Megan was like the Mookie Betts of UConn. The broody never really happy to be there type, but knew it was a necessary stepping stone for long term bidness purposes.
Carnac
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I should have "qualified that comment with "In my opinion". Usually (not always) the best player on a team is the FOP. She did make all three "1st team ALL-America teams", along with being the American Conference player of the year, and the conference tournament MVP. I won't argue if others think Crystal could have been the FOP.
I like Dangerfield, but I just think Walker had a better over-all season. At this point, it's moot. They're both gone.
Let's look to the future. Who will be the new FOP for the 20-21 season? Evina, ONO, or perhaps Christyn? No seniors on this team unless Geno brings in a graduate transfer. Technically Evina is a senior. This will be her 4th year of college with 2 years of athletic eligibility left. I must admit, I'm harboring just a tinge of skepticism that she stays for both. If she gets feedback/opinions from scouts or WNBA coaches that she'll go in the first round if she comes out, I'm guessing she gone. I thought Megan would stay to play with her next season since they're BFF's, and Megan was the main reason she came to UConn.
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HuskylnSC
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You know, I bet that in a couple of years, this unit of 5 can do a lot of damage.
CocoHusky
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Davis was a terrific player for Baylor but I'm not sure Davis would have worked out for UCONN or that Mir will either. Davis was an offensive liability as evidence by her career A/TO ratio of almost 1 & lack of range on her jumpshot. That lack of a jumpshot is mainly what kept Davis from being drafted into WNBA. Davis made a living off being at the basket and reacting quicker than anyone else. The UCONN offense simply demands more, Mir will have to be mobile, a ball mover, good screen setter and able to deliver pass to open teammates and be willing to shoot when open. Recall that Mikayla had a good enough set of defensive tools but did not see the floor because she was an offensive liability.
Sluconn Husky
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Davis sure produced for having such poor offensive skills: 15.6 PPG, 56% shooting.
As for the assist-turnover ratio, Swin Cash had 175 assists and 276 TO's in college. Swin was a similar type of player and wasn't half bad.
I know you were a big Asjha Jones fan. She had 194 assists to 253 TO's.
One thing about Mclean I'm not too sure of is her passing ability. But making shots and passes, in my opinion, would be the cherries on top of her game. She's going to make lots and lots of plays with her quickness, athleticism, hustle, and smarts. Developments in the other areas could make her special.
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Gabby Williams carved out a nice UConn career playing at the same height as McClean. Rebounding and defense will go a long way in Storrs.
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Excellent points made. And from what I've seen, and despite the high ranking from the gurus, she'll need to learn most offensive and defensive fundamentals from scratch to be able to meet the demands of the UConn systems. Being quick and able to jump only gets you so far and her HS preparation was less than optimum in my opinion. Good luck to her and I hope she's a fast learner.
oldude
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Mir is clearly an exceptionally athletic and multi-talented player. The challenge for Mir is the same challenge that exists for a number of current and future UConn players. Over the next several seasons the Huskies should be loaded with talent at the SF/PF positions.
Potentially, all of the following players could end up at either the 3 and/or 4 spots in the Husky lineup: Anna, Aubrey, Aaliyah, Mir, Saylor, Caroline, Amari & Ice. The battle for PT among this group of players will be absolutely EPIC.
Potentially, all of the following players could end up at either the 3 and/or 4 spots in the Husky lineup: Anna, Aubrey, Aaliyah, Mir, Saylor, Caroline, Amari & Ice. The battle for PT among this group of players will be absolutely EPIC.
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CocoHusky
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Sometimes words come out of peoples mouth because they've fallen in love with the sound of their own voice. When someone says something like that to me I stare at them for a few seconds before saying "I'm sorry. You thought I was talking to you."Once I was chastised by a female HR manager for describing a woman interviewee as well groomed. She said horses are groomed, not people. I can only imagine how she would react to a young woman being thought of as a thoroughbred.
I agree. I see her getting minutes playing the 3/SF position rather than competing with the guards mentioned in a previous post. I think she can be a really good disrupter and perimeter defender in the Big East conference games where there won't be a lot of big line ups at SF and PF positions. Imagine her against a maybe inch or two taller but slower less athletic Forwards in the Big East. I think she'll be quite succesful. I think willnet crocket when I see her.
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Geno did say Mir reminds him a little bit of Swin Cash, who was also an undersized post, yet she beat out the likes of Jones and Williams for a starting role early on in her playing career. Mir did avg 2 assists this past season while beating out Reece for Maryland GPOY. I think she’s the underrated one of the 2020 class, and will prove some people wrong, it’s seems like UConn has a position open at the 4 spot, and Mir could be the one to grab it like she’s going to grab a tone of rebounds throughout her UConn career.
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Wondering what posters think are the best positions for our recruits and how they would fit with others?
Here are my thoughts.
Nika- Pure point guard and probably just point guard, but could play with Paige playing the SG. Could do the same with Westbrook or CW. As a pressing defense & fast-breaking unit with unbelievable ballhandling/passing, I would find a combo of Nika, Paige, Ana, Aubrey and Alliah very interesting.
Paige- Great pure point guard but could be very good at SG as well. That probably only happens when in the game with Nika. When she and Westbrook are both on the court I think Paige is the point.
Mir- Hard to figure out. Somewhat like smaller Aubrey and has been compared to Gabby as a leaper, but Gabby had a stronger body to bang with the bigs. At PF I believe Alliah and Aubrey would be ahead of her. Maybe she could find a role at SF with a very different skillset from Ana. When you want defense and rebounding use her and Ana for shooting and passing.
Alliah- I think she will be a natural PF who could also back up Olivia at C and play some at SF as well. Ideally I think she beats out Aubrey for starting PF and when Olivia sits Alliah moves to C and Aubrey comes in to play PF. I think her versatile game insures she will get significant minutes along with Paige. If Piath is better than hoped for early on Alliah might not need to play C much, but I consider that more of a hope than an expectation.
Piath- I haven't seen enough video to have much of an opinion, but I presume she will be considered just as a C who depending on her offensive skills might be possible with Olivia but probably not. I suspect she won't get regular minutes but who knows. If you have enough size and can run the floor you might be able to contribute with rim protection and rebounding right away.
As for the other newcomer Westbrook, I believe her best position for Uconn will be shooting guard, but she can play PG and if playing smallball, SF as well. If she earns a starting position it is more likely to be at PG or SF instead of Ana. I am hoping she is not used much at point guard, because we already have Paige and Nika.
I hope with the anticipation of a much deeper bench, the starter minutes come way down and we press and fast break far more often. With these pieces you can put together units that emphasize ballhandling, shooting, defense and rebounding depending on what is needed. I hope next year at least 9 get regular minutes.
Here are my thoughts.
Nika- Pure point guard and probably just point guard, but could play with Paige playing the SG. Could do the same with Westbrook or CW. As a pressing defense & fast-breaking unit with unbelievable ballhandling/passing, I would find a combo of Nika, Paige, Ana, Aubrey and Alliah very interesting.
Paige- Great pure point guard but could be very good at SG as well. That probably only happens when in the game with Nika. When she and Westbrook are both on the court I think Paige is the point.
Mir- Hard to figure out. Somewhat like smaller Aubrey and has been compared to Gabby as a leaper, but Gabby had a stronger body to bang with the bigs. At PF I believe Alliah and Aubrey would be ahead of her. Maybe she could find a role at SF with a very different skillset from Ana. When you want defense and rebounding use her and Ana for shooting and passing.
Alliah- I think she will be a natural PF who could also back up Olivia at C and play some at SF as well. Ideally I think she beats out Aubrey for starting PF and when Olivia sits Alliah moves to C and Aubrey comes in to play PF. I think her versatile game insures she will get significant minutes along with Paige. If Piath is better than hoped for early on Alliah might not need to play C much, but I consider that more of a hope than an expectation.
Piath- I haven't seen enough video to have much of an opinion, but I presume she will be considered just as a C who depending on her offensive skills might be possible with Olivia but probably not. I suspect she won't get regular minutes but who knows. If you have enough size and can run the floor you might be able to contribute with rim protection and rebounding right away.
As for the other newcomer Westbrook, I believe her best position for Uconn will be shooting guard, but she can play PG and if playing smallball, SF as well. If she earns a starting position it is more likely to be at PG or SF instead of Ana. I am hoping she is not used much at point guard, because we already have Paige and Nika.
I hope with the anticipation of a much deeper bench, the starter minutes come way down and we press and fast break far more often. With these pieces you can put together units that emphasize ballhandling, shooting, defense and rebounding depending on what is needed. I hope next year at least 9 get regular minutes.
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I think they are going to be Grrrrrreat Coco Husky!
donalddoowop
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I think they will all be very good and that includes Mir, even though you don't think highly of her. I believe she will surprise you, especially when she learns the system.
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I think you nailed everything.
Nika-- a pg (1) only. I have no idea what to expect from her. None. Don't know if she'll be in regular rotation or maybe be terrific. And I don't know if she can play fast or mostly just play in halfcourt. Obviously it would be super if she can be a legit pg able to play in nay style and do it well.
Paige-- a pg (1) a sg (2) and a sf (3). It's hard to separate the 2 and 3 spots. In addition some teams small forwards play like sg's. And some bigger teams purposely play their sf outside because their 4's and 5's are more suited to being inside or 15 feet and in.
Evina-- a pg (1), a sg (2), a sf (3), a pf (4). I really don't know about her at the 4 but I wish I could watch the the below game. And I'm not sure if she a natural pg. In regards to her playing pf-- not every team plays big. Secondly, not every team that plays big can defend well. I'm not suggesting her as a full-time pf but maybe situational in which most teams don't have good bigs. Maybe a situational 4 as well as a situational 1. But again maybe she can't play it all. I can't find much videos on her in good games and the link below maybe she was just lucky grabbing 8 rebounds in a tight game of which 5 were OREB.
I definitely though see her as you do as a wing. But how knows? Maybe in wcbb and maybe for this team she can play up to the 4 at times or maybe more? Unless Anna at times can be a 4? Right now I see Aubrey at the 4. But what makes soph Aubrey a 4 vs sr aged Evina? Probably the 1 in ch in height? Probably. Obviously not ideal.
Edwards-- I see her just as you. A 4/5. I don't see her as a sf at all. She is another wish I had more tape.
Mir-- I agree with you. Not sure offensively where she fits in. Is she better guarding quick laterally or better guarding the post as long as they aren't too big? IS she a good passer meaning maybe she shoots better than Aubrey so you could put her the high in a high low? And just because you have her on the high as a high low it may not means you have to run the offense through the high. If for example Evina and Paige are in together they could hit Mir for mid range shots. Or even if you have her on the perimeter-- and she isn't much of a threat you could still have Paige, Evina and either Anna or CWill with Olivia and you still would be able to run a good offense.
I think you nailed everything.
Nika-- a pg (1) only. I have no idea what to expect from her. None. Don't know if she'll be in regular rotation or maybe be terrific. And I don't know if she can play fast or mostly just play in halfcourt. Obviously it would be super if she can be a legit pg able to play in nay style and do it well.
Paige-- a pg (1) a sg (2) and a sf (3). It's hard to separate the 2 and 3 spots. In addition some teams small forwards play like sg's. And some bigger teams purposely play their sf outside because their 4's and 5's are more suited to being inside or 15 feet and in.
Evina-- a pg (1), a sg (2), a sf (3), a pf (4). I really don't know about her at the 4 but I wish I could watch the the below game. And I'm not sure if she a natural pg. In regards to her playing pf-- not every team plays big. Secondly, not every team that plays big can defend well. I'm not suggesting her as a full-time pf but maybe situational in which most teams don't have good bigs. Maybe a situational 4 as well as a situational 1. But again maybe she can't play it all. I can't find much videos on her in good games and the link below maybe she was just lucky grabbing 8 rebounds in a tight game of which 5 were OREB.
I definitely though see her as you do as a wing. But how knows? Maybe in wcbb and maybe for this team she can play up to the 4 at times or maybe more? Unless Anna at times can be a 4? Right now I see Aubrey at the 4. But what makes soph Aubrey a 4 vs sr aged Evina? Probably the 1 in ch in height? Probably. Obviously not ideal.
Edwards-- I see her just as you. A 4/5. I don't see her as a sf at all. She is another wish I had more tape.
Mir-- I agree with you. Not sure offensively where she fits in. Is she better guarding quick laterally or better guarding the post as long as they aren't too big? IS she a good passer meaning maybe she shoots better than Aubrey so you could put her the high in a high low? And just because you have her on the high as a high low it may not means you have to run the offense through the high. If for example Evina and Paige are in together they could hit Mir for mid range shots. Or even if you have her on the perimeter-- and she isn't much of a threat you could still have Paige, Evina and either Anna or CWill with Olivia and you still would be able to run a good offense.
Some additional thoughts, I think the offense can survive one athlete that might not fit in the scheme like Mir or Aubrey but it would be difficult if they were both in at the same time. As for Nika, I have watched her videos and feel confident that her passing is near Paige, she pushes the ball every chance she gets to create a fast break opportunity, and in the half court creates for others off the pick and roll, and goes hard to the basket as well. On defense she gets many clean breakaway steals of the dribble and looks good and aggressive on that end.
The downside is I think her shot is suspect. I don't know if defenses will lay off her or not. She hits some mid-range pull ups, but I think her shots are usually a three or a hard drive to the hoop. She also puts up good rebounding numbers at least in her league, so to me the scoring/shooting is the only concern, everything else looks good at least from the highlights.
HuskyNan
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Anybody asking the men’s team players to smile pretty for promotional materials?If the sports advertising and promotion department is smart, they would capitalize on her beautiful smile, and feature her on some posters/team advertisements in the near future. She's very photogenic. I wish I had a smile like that.
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MSGRET
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HN this is not basketball related, but WHO is your avatar? She is familiar but I can't place her. It must be my old age catching up with me, or the fact that I've been basically under house arrest because of my son's orders that I stay inside as much as possible since I have underlying conditions.
CocoHusky
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Surprises can work both way. I presume you mean in a good way and I hope you are right. Last UCONN player to surprise me in the way I presume you are thinking? Stephanie Dolson
HuskyNan
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She is Yennefer of Vengerberg, a sorceress in the Netflix series called The Witcher.