Paige on Senior Nite video Un-be-live-able

[Charliebball]

I have now watched a number of Paige’s games and to start for UConn her defense will have to improve dramatically. I also wonder if she has the body frame for college ball. I also question her speed, especially on defense. Hope I’m wrong. She’s a very, very good high school player.

yes she's pretty slow and skinny...............do you think she might get a start by her senior season?

 

[Golden Husky]

There are other videos on here but a must see Paige is un be live able. If she plays like that at UConn she will be POY as a freshman. Woozer

If one of Paige's shots ever hits the rim before going in, some Boneyard devotee will start a thread on her regression.

 

[sdhoops]

I remember when a reporter asked Geno about Shoni Schimmel during her junior season prior to the championship game, he said something along the lines of "I need to find me one of those." Paige is a more disciplined Schimmel in many respects and plays better defense! I've been waiting for the day that Geno found his "Sho-time" so that I could reference that remark. Paige is a game changer!

 

[eebmg]

I remember when a reporter asked Geno about Shoni Schimmel during her junior season prior to the championship game, he said something along the lines of "I need to find me one of those." Paige is a more disciplined Schimmel in many respects and plays better defense! I've been waiting for the day that Geno found his "Sho-time" so that I could reference that remark. Paige is a game changer!

Probably falls under buttering up your opponent.

 

[DefenseBB]

My only real question after watching that highlight is what number will she wear at UConn as #1 is verboten...or will Geno/CD reconsider that?

 

[eebmg]

My only real question after watching that highlight is what number will she wear at UConn as #1 is verboten...or will Geno/CD reconsider that?

Well she wore #5 in USA Basketball and did well.

 

[Tonyc]

Well she wore #5 in USA Basketball and did well.

IMO she should wear the number "3" To all time greats wore 3. Diana and Babe Ruth

 

[mbr33ct]

There are other videos on here but a must see Paige is un be live able. If she plays like that at UConn she will be POY as a freshman. Woozer

They bring in the "Washington Generals" for this senior night game?

 

[Argonaut]

Well she wore #5 in USA Basketball and did well.

I've said for a while that she will take Crystal's #5 and people didn't seem to think that would be the case...

IMO she should wear the number "3" To all time greats wore 3. Diana and Babe Ruth

Megan going to change numbers for her senior year?

 

[Alydar]

STARTING LINE-UP

At the 1 - Paige Beuckers
At the 2 - Christyn Williams
At the 3 - Anna Mukurat;
At the 4 - Megan Walker
At the 5 - Olivia Nelson Ododa

ROTATION

Coming off the bench at the 1: Nika Muhl...
Coming off the bench at the 2: Evina Westbrook
Coming off the bench at the 3: Aubrey Griffin
Coming off the bench at the 4: Mir McLean
Coming off the bench at the 5: Aaliyah Edwards; Piath Gabriel

As usual, a thoughtful and well reasoned post. I'll only alter that starting lineup by putting Westbrook in for Bueckers. (and maybe listing both Makurat and Walker as 3/4's)

Historically:
1. Geno loves having a 6th man who can change the tempo/energy of the game. Bueckers fills that in spades and would also rouse up the crowd, both home and away.
2. Geno has a history of not starting freshman unless forced to by his roster. UConn will be deep, talented and experienced at 1-3.
3. Geno has a history of playing seniors. He also has a history of playing those who are looking for a high draft position (Walker & Westbrook). A big part of UConn's allure is their pipeline to the W and with the new proposed transfer rule that pipeline becomes an even bigger lure.

Specific to Bueckers
1. Bueckers can be effective at the 1 or the 2. And Geno can move Westbrook from the 1 to either the 2 or 3. That gives Geno the choice of who comes out for Bueckers.
2. Geno likes to make sure his star freshmen succeed when they play. Bueckers will be much better if she can observe the play for a while and see what needs to change, who needs the ball more, what is working and what isn't. She is a prodigy and a basketball savant, of that I have no doubt. But she lacks experience running an offense like UConn. Having her on the bench initially allows him to mentor her early in the game.
3. Bueckers doesn't have either the strength nor the stamina to play long minutes over an entire college season. If she were to start and be successful it would mean Geno wouldn't want to take her out and she could be over-used. I remember the beatings Taurasi took, especially in her last 2 years. Now I know Bueckers has a fighter's mentality and would play through the rough stuff but she would be much better off late in the season if her legs were still fresh.
4. Bueckers can watch her defensive assignment live and that can only help her.

(BTW) We met at Dave Fletcher's. Don't remember who UConn played but I enjoyed the pizza, beer and even that horse-sized lap dog of Dave's. LOL

 

[Fore!]

The starting point guard position will be open next year, so her timing is perfect with respect for coming to UConn at just the right time.

Is there a player waiting in the wings to assume that role? I don’t think so. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. Westbrook will be eligible to play next year, and it is assumed by all that she will start. Will it be at the point?

I’m not going to predict anything at this time. Someone will start at the point, that we know. The question is who? Paige may not start as a freshman (or maybe she will), if she can make plays at this level like those in the video, and spark the offense, she’s got a real good chance.

I think it will be impossible to keep her on the bench. She appears to be a player that is not bothered or influenced by big game bright lights. Paige is not going to be special, she’s already special. This just in...................play makers do not sit on the bench!!!

There are a number of adjustments she needs to make between now and then, she’ll make them. We’ll see in November where she is in her transition from HS to “elite” wcbb. I’m excited as anyone that she’s coming, but I’m going to temper my expectations and enthusiasm until I see her play against Division 1 competition. I’ll root for her, and will be one of her biggest fans. Don’t be surprised if she becomes the face of the program before the end of her sophomore year.

I'm most concerned about her slight frame and how she will deal with the strength and size of more physically mature college players. The rest of her game is pretty special.

 

[Carnac]

I'm most concerned about her slight frame and how she will deal with the strength and size of more physically mature college players. The rest of her game is pretty special.

Wikipedia has Paige listed at 5’11” - 146 lbs. Crystal is listed at 5’5”. I doubt if she weighs more even though she’s been in the weight room for the last 3 years. The speed and the physicality at this level will be 2 of the adjustments Paige will have to make. I’m betting she cross those bridges during the summer in the pickup games on campus with her new teammates. I'm not the least bit concerned. Ballers ball!!!

 

[DefenseBB]

I've said for a while that she will take Crystal's #5 and people didn't seem to think that would be the case...



Megan going to change numbers for her senior year?

@Tonyc may be having a "Senior moment" as when was the last time he was at a game this year to see Meg in it?

I am curious about the number though...11 seems logical to me as well and it's not up on the wall yet and it fits @Carnac logic of 5'11 for Paige and 5'5" for Crystal Dangerfield. While #5 isn't up on the wall either, hopefully that will change this year...

 

[SVCBeercats]

ALSO, do not sleep on Nika Muhl. She is a player!

Spot on!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fore!]

Here are some thoughts about next year's line-up and rotation:

1. Paige Beuckers will have some challenges next year taking the starting point guard position.... But, given the returning players and where they should naturally play, I think Geno will have a lot of difficulty keeping Paige off the floor. 2. Christyn Williams with her sophomore slump way behind her will show everyone why she was a number one recruit out of high school...she will start next years. year at her natural position.
3. Anna Mukurat has shown a real aptitude for the game...her passing is incredible, she sees the floor...is a decent rebounder and when she is shooting well it is a beautiful thing to watch. She...should start next year 4. No way you keep Megan Walker out of the line-up....she starts and she crushes it next year.
5. I believe Olivia Nelson Ododa will show UConn fans that she is an All American post player. Odo starts next year and will do amazing things.

Evina Westbrook does present a problem because of her level of talent...and her history as an elite player. We are going to be very happy with having Evina Westbrook available to play...Evina was the number 2 player she started for Tennessee, at point guard. Her transfer to UConn from former arch rival Tennessee was not without its contentious moments as many of her Tennessee fans thought the transfer was sacrilegious. It is going to be a tough decision for Geno...especially given that the kid sat out a year of ineligibility. But, I think Geno will have Evina and Christyn splitting time. I also see her spending some time at the 1...

STARTING LINE-UP

At the 1 - Paige Beuckers
At the 2 - Christyn Williams
At the 3 - Anna Mukurat;
At the 4 - Megan Walker
At the 5 - Olivia Nelson Ododa

ROTATION

Coming off the bench at the 1: Nika Muhl...
Coming off the bench at the 2: Evina Westbrook
Coming off the bench at the 3: Aubrey Griffin
Coming off the bench at the 4: Mir McLean
Coming off the bench at the 5: Aaliyah Edwards; Piath Gabriel

After last weeks Coach's Show (iHeart ESPN) Geno spent another hour taking questions from the audience in attendance and regaling us with anecdotes in his own inimitable way. Someone asked for his thoughts regarding his incoming recruits for next year, to which he responded that he is very excited about next years group; Geno mentioned Paige, Nika, as well as Evina, who he said is a terrific player. It'll be exciting to watch.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Bueckers doesn't have either the strength nor the stamina to play long minutes over an entire college season.

I wonder if you had the same opinion about Stewie? If Geno had your opinion would he have recruited her? Normally I'm with you, but not on this point.

 

[FanHam]

Good Lord! I don't see Geno retiring while Paige is at UConn.

 

[Steelerone]

Like all the other Boneyarders I am hoping that Paige is the "real thing". In the end there is only one opinion that counts and he happens to be the head coach and, by all accounts, he looked like a child opening their Christmas present when she committed to Uconn. Barring any conclusive evidence to the contrary I'll go along with his opinion.

 

[Steelerone]

She will probably show up at Uconn during the summer session during which time she will be introduced to the weight room along with some of the other instruments of the torture chamber. I don't think it will take her too much time to evolve from a high school to a college basketball frame.

 

[Carnac]

I wonder if Geno will let her loose? A player with this level of talent and court awareness needs a long leash. The other ladies will have to learn to anticipate the pass at any time.

"I wonder if Geno will let her loose?" - I think it depends on how fast she learns the offense, and can run it to HIS satisfaction. She has to learn the offense first!! She can't be out there "Willy-Nilly". She's got to know what she's doing, and where she's suppose to be......on both ends of the court! Once she learns the offense, Geno is going to have a very hard time keeping her on the bench.

She likes to push the ball up the court, that's good. It's hard to play defense while you're back-pedaling.

 

[Alydar]

I wonder if you had the same opinion about Stewie? If Geno had your opinion would he have recruited her? Normally I'm with you, but not on this point.

While I certainly don't know it for a fact, it is generally been the case that freshmen wear down. I was talking to the idea of her starting, not making a definitive comment on her current conditioning. My next sentence in that post:

If she were to start and be successful it would mean Geno wouldn't want to take her out and she could be over-used.

I tried to look up Stewart's minutes as a freshman but for some reason UConn's season stats from those years have been deleted from the web site. I made a post somewhere a while back about her and my memory says she had about 25 mins /game as a freshman. She had Dolson carrying the weight inside and didn't bring the ball upcourt much.

If Bueckers minutes can be kept at about 25/game I don't see her wearing down, but if she were to get 32+ from November to February I'd worry about what she had left in March/April.

 

[MSGRET]

She will probably show up at Uconn during the summer session during which time she will be introduced to the weight room along with some of the other instruments of the torture chamber. I don't think it will take her too much time to evolve from a high school to a college basketball frame.

She has already been working in the weight room over the past year. Her body is toned more this year than last. In one of her interviews after a game she noted that she has gained weight and muscle mass due to her weight training.

 

[MSGRET]

While I certainly don't know it for a fact, it is generally been the case that freshmen wear down. I was talking to the idea of her starting, not making a definitive comment on her current conditioning. My next sentence in that post:


I tried to look up Stewart's minutes as a freshman but for some reason UConn's season stats from those years have been deleted from the web site. I made a post somewhere a while back about her and my memory says she had about 25 mins /game as a freshman. She had Dolson carrying the weight inside and didn't bring the ball upcourt much.

If Bueckers minutes can be kept at about 25/game I don't see her wearing down, but if she were to get 32+ from November to February I'd worry about what she had left in March/April.

With the current players on the team, including EW, and the ones coming on board, I don't see anyone averaging more than 30 minutes a game. I believe the guards may average around 25.

 

[Alydar]

With the current players on the team, including EW, and the ones coming on board, I don't see anyone averaging more than 30 minutes a game. I believe the guards may average around 25.

That does appear to be the case but I'm not counting on freshmen other than Bueckers, despite their prospects and talent. I will be very happy if McClean & Edwards have seasons like Griffin is having. Any more than that will be frosting on the cake.

 

[MSGRET]

That does appear to be the case but I'm not counting on freshmen other than Bueckers, despite their prospects and talent. I will be very happy if McClean & Edwards have seasons like Griffin is having. Any more than that will be frosting on the cake.

I think that Nika, Aaliyah, and Mir will be playing from 10 to 15 minutes a game. Piath by the end of the season maybe 10 minutes

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I think that Nika, Aaliyah, and Mir will be playing from 10 to 15 minutes a game. Piath by the end of the season maybe 10 minutes

It's going to be hard enough to find minutes for the top seven much less for the other four freshmen.

 

[meyers7]

I tried to look up Stewart's minutes as a freshman but for some reason UConn's season stats from those years have been deleted from the web site. I made a post somewhere a while back about her and my memory says she had about 25 mins /game as a freshman.

23.7 mpg. Started 14 games. Shot 50%/33%/77%. 13.8 ppg. 6.4 rpg.

 

[Alydar]

23.7 mpg. Started 14 games. Shot 50%/33%/77%. 13.8 ppg. 6.4 rpg.

Thanks. I remember when I saw the min/game I was surprised. My memories are of her playing more but the last memories are usually the ones that stick.

I would guess that Bueckers minutes will be a little higher because Westbrook UConn has more need of a pg than UConn did back then for a post.

 

[huskyd]

Paige's ball-handling skills are wonderful--that's obvious. What's also the case is her unreal court vision. She sees and reacts so quickly because she anticipates what's going to happen before it does. As one of you wrote: other players better be ready to catch the ball with little warning. The speed of her play will have everyone on their toes constantly. Her energy is the catching kind. This is exactly the player who can lift a program by turning good players into great ones. We need a lift.

 

[Jingo]

I cannot...who saw DT in hs?

I saw DT in high school .. she played for Don Lugo in the Nike TOC in Santa Barbara '98 or '99 .. she was a bit on the chubby side and her team didn't play in the top division, so DT scored at will. Today the top division is the Joe Smith division but Joe was alive then and we attended most of the games together...