Our size

[willtalk]

What is always left out is postition consistency. Every player has their good and subpar games. The better teams do not rely on continual production from on either their posts of perimeter players. One group often has to compensate for the other. UConn definitely has improved both inside and out from the past few years. How much is tha question though. They certainly were not overwhelmed by either Tenn or South Carolina in the paint. Still they were just two games. Both those teams have not really shown consistency game to game. Tenn in respect to their consistency of play game by game and South Carolina in that Bosten is not dominating the paint like she appeared to last season.

This season will all depent on match ups and timing. Match ups in respect to not being over matched at either the inside or outside. Timing in how well teams perform on any given day compared to the other teams effort on any given day. There are a number of team that have a shot at winning it all but those odds vary from team to team based on matchups and depth at postitions.

A problem this season is that since their were so few "out of conference" relative conference strengths are pure guess work. So we do not really know the actual strength of each conference. So how well players did against other playerss in their own conference will be a mystery untll the NCAA's. In UConns case no team in their conference really had a snowballs chance in hell of beating them unless a lot fo factors in respect to matchups and timing came together. They were just that much better than their conference. Of course we could put Baylor in that same catagory. I actually think they have far more questions to answer than UConn does. They are very fortunate their game with UConn was cancelled because UConn would have beaten them badly. Had that game happened at that time.

 

[j66kicker]

2021-22 Starters
Bueckers - 1
Fudd - 2/3
Williams - 2/3
Edwards - 4
ONO - 5

Major minutes
Muhl -1
Makurat -2/3
Griffin - 4

Must find minutes for / could displace "major minutes" above
Ducharme - 2/3
Poffenbarger - 2/3
DeBerry - 4/5

 

[bluedevil]

2021-22 Starters
Bueckers - 1
Fudd - 2/3
Williams - 2/3
Edwards - 4
ONO - 5

Major minutes
Muhl -1
Makurat -2/3
Griffin - 4

Must find minutes for / could displace "major minutes" above
Ducharme - 2/3
Poffenbarger - 2/3
DeBerry - 4/5

So Nika who is starting now and will make a sophmore leap isn't going to start next season? Why?

 

[j66kicker]

So Nika who is starting now and will make a sophmore leap isn't going to start next season? Why?

Initials are A.F.

 

[BostonBay]

AE changes the equation quite a bit. It means 10 fouls in the post while having quality play in case we play a big team like SC. Didnt have that in recent years.

 

[Ozimoto]

It will be interesting to see how this all washes out. Nika is currently the starting point guard. She is also a very tough defender and Christyn has become a much better on ball defender as well. Geno values defense. Not sure Paige or Azzi will be able to provide what Nika and Christyn brings to the floor defensively (Paige will if she decides that's what she wants to do). My opinion, for what it's worth, is that Nika and Christyn will start to set the tone defensively. Azzi will come in to provide offensive firepower and floor spacing to open things up for the front court players.
They all will get minutes, that's for sure.

 

[Bills Fan]

I am intrigued by the issues involved with determining the starting 5 next year, but don't care, at least at this point, in playing along. There are so many what ifs that could occur. Just to throw out a few; what if 's leg is impacting her play? what if CW has a bad 2021 NCAA tournament, again having problems with top level teams? what if our real team leader (watch every game team huddles) EW a. leaves for the WNBA; b. is hurting or c. is healthy and playing at the top of her game??? and so on and so on...

However, one of the recent posts shows Paige as starting PG and Nika as her back up. If that would happen, GA will need a hard hat when discussing PT minutes with PB because Nika is NOT going to be limited to 5 minutes a game that Paige doesn't play! She has proven herself to be way too good for that.

Also, where are the AG and MM friends and family? Two really good players who have no chance of even getting into the discussion of next year's starting 5. Hopefully they will enjoy being part of NC teams, even if non-starters.

Aw, the problems with having too much talent. Poor Geno.

 

[Cuango]

So Nika who is starting now and will make a sophmore leap isn't going to start next season?

Azzi is better! Do you not believe Geno should start his best players?

 

[MD#12Fan]

Azzi is better! Do you not believe Geno should start his best players?

A starting lineup IMO is a UNIT. like 5 cogs in a machine. IMO we're not talking about an all-star team, in which case you would start the 5 best players. IMO Nika has a unique skill set. Totally different from what we've seen of Azzi. Actually, I am hard-pressed to compare Nika to anyone I've seen. I'm thinking. More like a North-South type of running back.
Great teams need "Glue-guys".
Come on, enjoy this team! It's one of my favorite teams ever and I'm an old fart.

 

[cbraarj]

I don't believe for a minute that CW will not be a starter. No way no how, unless she leaves or is injured. She is as sure a lock as Paige and Liv. Just saying not Geno's style to demote a productive senior, she may not see as many minutes but I would bet your farm that she starts day one.

He did in 2000 when he sat Sauer and Hansmeyer because he needed to play Jones, Cash, Williams and Schumacher more that year.

 

[Littlemin]

Azzi is better! Do you not believe Geno should start his best players?

Not hardly, he should start his best team. Frankly, Uconn became a legitimate NC contender when Muhl became healthy and started getting major minutes. Offense makes box scores interesting but defense wins championships. The difference Muhl has made to this team is profound. I have never seen Fudd play and I never say never but IMO she starts next year if Westbrook leaves or someone gets hurt.

 

[chrissaran]

I believe I mentioned it last year...the fact that other top teams look so big and strong compared to us. Yes, we now have at least reduced that issue 50% with AE and NM adding size and grit to our team.....they are still freshmen and I love them....but from my tv observations, there are some teams that are are huge and talented as well, with more upper-class women. Our kids really haven't faced that kind of size and experience this year.
Ours is an incredible group.....CW and EW among them...Paige's size doesn't seem to matter, she overcomes everything! I am certain that our wonderful 4 coaches are preparing for this issue, usually by having male players play against the girls. AE is already a monster, Nika is another Rizzotti and CW is a lot tougher and stronger than a lot of people believe.
Our team is so young and unusual that it is difficult to predict anything.....but the youth is definitely a factor. You know that the Master of coaching recognizes this and probably the the toughness will be catching. Nika is something else....it will stem from the coaches to Nika to the team. Wouldn't it be great to see UConn push their way to final 4 and, let's hold our breath, the NC. This geezer is up and ready for the tv challenge....I know my fellow BYers are with me. What an exciting week of anticipation!

Who the heck is South Carolina then? They're big and experienced, or don't they count?

 

[chrissaran]

Everyone who deserves to play will play, this year and next.

 

[DefenseBB]

Azzi is better! Do you not believe Geno should start his best players?

I would say to all on this thread, not just Cuango, a little trip back in time to the 2000-01 season would be wise to see a certain Diana Taurasi, the best recruit to ever come to UConn (up to that time) did not start until an injury occurred to Svetlana.

It amazes me that for such an astute group of loyal, knowledgeable and history minded fans, always underestimate Geno's loyalty factor to upperclassman and returning starters.

If Evina does return, she starts. If E does go pro, my guess is Geno will determine which lineup makes the most sense for offensive flow with Azzi or Aaliyah. Nika on her intensity and defense will start at the beginning of the year. Azzi could be just like Diana as instant offense off the bench and be viewed as the "go to" scorer same as DT was that season.

As is said so many times, it's not who starts but who finishes. Azzi, Aaliyah, Abrey and Anna is a pretty impressive "A" list of subs...

 

[oldhusky]

So Nika who is starting now and will make a sophmore leap isn't going to start next season? Why?

This is why next year is so difficult. If you assume Aaliyah moves into the starting lineup, and Evina leaves, you still have a very tough decision. Obviously Paige starts so it comes down to Nika, Christyn, and Azzi. Two of those three start and one doesn't.

Your point is well taken with Nika, if you start this year and improve next year how can you lose your starting position? By the same token how could Christyn a three year starter be in jeopardy, or how could Azzi the number 1 recruit in the country and considered a generational talent not start. The point is when you graduate nobody and bring in several very talented players someone has to sit that is very talented. If Evina came back she probably would be vulnerable too! Not just from the extra wing/guard competition (Azzi), but also from Aailyah if we start a true PF instead of another wing.

It also applies to the rarely used players. It is quite conceivable that Mir and Piath could come in much improved next year and get less, not more playing time next year. If Evina returns is it likely that Mir or Piath can overtake one of the 8 in the current rotation? Not likely. Then you add the number one player in her class and the top rated big to the mix. Azzi and Amari added to the existing rotation gets us to 10, which is already more players than Geno usually uses.

Mir and Piath, 9th and 10th this year, could easily be 11th and 12th next year. Even that assumes that Carolyn and Saylor don't pass either of them. Now I think Evina likely leaves and that moves these players up one notch, but the numbers crunch is a reality. One of this year's starters may not start next year even if they show great improvement.
Some bench players that are rarely used this year could improve and get even less time next year. It is what it is.

 

[bluedevil]

This is why next year is so difficult. If you assume Aaliyah moves into the starting lineup, and Evina leaves, you still have a very tough decision. Obviously Paige starts so it comes down to Nika, Christyn, and Azzi. Two of those three start and one doesn't.

Your point is well taken with Nika, if you start this year and improve next year how can you lose your starting position? By the same token how could Christyn a three year starter be in jeopardy, or how could Azzi the number 1 recruit in the country and considered a generational talent not start. The point is when you graduate nobody and bring in several very talented players someone has to sit that is very talented. If Evina came back she probably would be vulnerable too! Not just from the extra wing/guard competition (Azzi), but also from Aailyah if we start a true PF instead of another wing.

It also applies to the rarely used players. It is quite conceivable that Mir and Piath could come in much improved next year and get less, not more playing time next year. If Evina returns is it likely that Mir or Piath can overtake one of the 8 in the current rotation? Not likely. Then you add the number one player in her class and the top rated big to the mix. Azzi and Amari added to the existing rotation gets us to 10, which is already more players than Geno usually uses.

Mir and Piath, 9th and 10th this year, could easily be 11th and 12th next year. Even that assumes that Carolyn and Saylor don't pass either of them. Now I think Evina likely leaves and that moves these players up one notch, but the numbers crunch is a reality. One of this year's starters may not start next year even if they show great improvement.
Some bench players that are rarely used this year could improve and get even less time next year. It is what it is.

My thought is move Azzi into EW spot .....done..AE is terrific off the bench....I know it makes too much sense so won't happen but AE can start her last 2 years...and still get 28 minutes next year..

 

[MooseJaw]

He did in 2000 when he sat Sauer and Hansmeyer because he needed to play Jones, Cash, Williams and Schumacher more that year.

I don't remember them being on the same level that CW is at this time. I have been wrong before, just don't see it in this case. We will see, until then we have a tourney to enjoy.

 

[donalddoowop]

If UConn goes far in this season's NCAA's and Nika plays well and then comes in next season and shows improvement in practice, I believe it would sink her confidence to a level so low she may not overcome it. Will the incoming non post players be so good that they will cause Nika to be a non-starter?

 

[cbraarj]

I don't remember them being on the same level that CW is at this time. I have been wrong before, just don't see it in this case. We will see, until then we have a tourney to enjoy.

They won a National Championship in their Sophmore Year and the Jr. had 9 blocks in the NC game.

 

[PJCLaw]

Fudd replaces EW.....Nika starts...Cw starts..Liv starts...Paige probably starts too.

Geno is very loyal to seniors who can play, so I envision that EW will still start, but get subbed out for after a few minutes, like CD2 was in her 5th year. EW is a really good glue player and Geno would want that leadership to start the game, but if is the next coming of MM, who by the way did not initially start her freshman year, then she may start out the gate. Either way, what a team we will have on paper next year. A true embarrassment of riches!

 

[Cuango]

A starting lineup IMO is a UNIT. like 5 cogs in a machine. IMO we're not talking about an all-star team, in which case you would start the 5 best players. IMO Nika has a unique skill set. Totally different from what we've seen of Azzi. Actually, I am hard-pressed to compare Nika to anyone I've seen. I'm thinking. More like a North-South type of running back.
Great teams need "Glue-guys".
Come on, enjoy this team! It's one of my favorite teams ever and I'm an old fart.

It’s hard for me to see Azzi not starting next year assuming she, like Paige, lives up to expectations. She is better than Nika in all respects save (possibly) defense and passing, she is the most heralded number one recruit (except possibly Paige) in years, purportedly a “generational talent”, and plays shooting guard to Paige’s point guard, and is , by all accounts, the greatest shooter in decades. While I too love Nika, I think the most likely scenario is Nika coming off the bench to back up Paige. Now, it is possible that Azzi may not be quite as ready as Paige was, in which case Nika may continue to start but I doubt it. Jmo

 

[Cuango]

I am intrigued by the issues involved with determining the starting 5 next year, but don't care, at least at this point, in playing along. There are so many what ifs that could occur. Just to throw out a few; what if 's leg is impacting her play? what if CW has a bad 2021 NCAA tournament, again having problems with top level teams? what if our real team leader (watch every game team huddles) EW a. leaves for the WNBA; b. is hurting or c. is healthy and playing at the top of her game??? and so on and so on...

However, one of the recent posts shows Paige as starting PG and Nika as her back up. If that would happen, GA will need a hard hat when discussing PT minutes with PB because Nika is NOT going to be limited to 5 minutes a game that Paige doesn't play! She has proven herself to be way too good for that.

Also, where are the AG and MM friends and family? Two really good players who have no chance of even getting into the discussion of next year's starting 5. Hopefully they will enjoy being part of NC teams, even if non-starters.

Aw, the problems with having too much talent. Poor Geno.

Paige will slide to shooting guard when NM is in.

 

[Cuango]

If UConn goes far in this season's NCAA's and Nika plays well and then comes in next season and shows improvement in practice, I believe it would sink her confidence to a level so low she may not overcome it. Will the incoming non post players be so good that they will cause Nika to be a non-starter?

It’s difficult to see how being first off the bench and playing a critical role for what is likely to be one of the best teams in recent memory could shatter her confidence.

 

[Littlemin]

The term “generational talent” is thrown around here way too easily. There is a big difference between today’s players and those even 10 or 15 years ago in that today’s players by and large have played basketball virtually year round and continuously for years with private coaching thrown in by the time they get to college. They have played against “the best” with the advent of national AAU schedules. So by and large the room for improvement is much less than it once was for most players. Bueckers is off to a tremendous start to her college career, but generational, not yet by a long shot. She may turn out to be but she has to earn it on the court; not by decree by talking heads, posters on a message board or social media. What you see now may be what you get and that is phenomenal play at an All-American level, but generational? That remains to be seen.
As for Fudd, she has not played a college game yet and is coming off major surgery, as far as I know she has played somewhat sparingly for almost two years. How about letting her get here, practice and play before declaring her anything more than a very exciting, big time recruit? Because right now, that is exactly what she is.

 

[donalddoowop]

It’s difficult to see how being first off the bench and playing a critical role for what is likely to be one of the best teams in recent memory could shatter her confidence.

How would you feel if you started on a team that went to the FF, came back the next year improved, and practiced as well as anyone else and still lost your position? That would not do anything negative to your confidence?

 

[BobbyJ]

The term “generational talent” is thrown around here way too easily. There is a big difference between today’s players and those even 10 or 15 years ago in that today’s players by and large have played basketball virtually year round and continuously for years with private coaching thrown in by the time they get to college. They have played against “the best” with the advent of national AAU schedules. So by and large the room for improvement is much less that it once was for most players. Bueckers is off to a tremendous start to her college career, but generational, not yet by a long shot. She may turn out to be but she has to earn it on the court; not by decree by talking heads, posters on a message board or social media. What you see now may be what you get and that is phenomenal play at an All-American level, but generational? That remains to be seen.
As for Fudd, she has not played a college game yet and is coming off major surgery, as far as I know she has played somewhat sparingly for almost two years. How about letting her get here, practice and play before declaring her anything more than a very exciting, big time recruit? Because right now, that is exactly what she is.

Wait, you didn’t know that here in the BY generations last 1-2 years? There’s generational talents spread all through WCBB now. 😉

 

[DEpup]

I think Azzi's recovery is still in motion coupled with the need to sharpen the defensive skills for UConn will cause Azzi to be freshman and 6th man of the year next year. There are plenty of Mt. Rushmore type players that didn't start as freshman because their teams were that good and they were just fine.

I think the starters will be Nika, Paige, Chrystin, Aaliyah, and Liv. Azzi gets 22-24 min a game, same as Nika. It's just Nika starts and sets the defensive tone so they build a lead in the 1st quarter.

 

[MD#12Fan]

It’s hard for me to see Azzi not starting next year assuming she, like Paige, lives up to expectations. She is better than Nika in all respects save (possibly) defense and passing, she is the most heralded number one recruit (except possibly Paige) in years, purportedly a “generational talent”, and plays shooting guard to Paige’s point guard, and is , by all accounts, the greatest shooter in decades. While I too love Nika, I think the most likely scenario is Nika coming off the bench to back up Paige. Now, it is possible that Azzi may not be quite as ready as Paige was, in which case Nika may continue to start but I doubt it. Jmo

What about Azzi at the 3. We could have 2 bigs. Paige and Nika. That would be my first inclination. I love the dynamics with Paige and Nika. Nika provides on-ball pressure, she does an outstanding job pushing the ball, she hits the floor, she rebounds, she gets in passing lanes. How about Azzi, especially next year, as a KLS or KML like shooter.

 

[Bayareahusky]

TENN has 7 players 6-2 on their roster. Oregon has 8. Those are good teams but hardly unbeatable because of their size. Oregon has a ton of tall young players. That may very well be impactful down the road but not this year. Stanford has 4 players that size or bigger. But it isn't their size that makes them good it's their mobility and shooting range. IMO they are the most dangerous team matchup wise.

I remember not long ago maybe 5 yrs ago.... when Tennesssee led the country in McDonalds All Americans.... and it did not mean anything.... goes to show that in WCBB you MUST have a good head coach, and then a good ball handler and distribution PG.... Height yes you have to have a competitive front... but not the most important thing

 

[Cuango]

How would you feel if you started on a team that went to the FF, came back the next year improved, and practiced as well as anyone else and still lost your position? That would not do anything negative to your confidence?

It certainly wouldn’t sink my confidence so low I might never recover.