Bone Dog, I couldn't agree more! Your phrase "new kids" is interesting. It can cover not only the freshman newbies but also Qadance, Ice, and even KK and Shade, who have three seasons ahead of them.Just as an example, part of me would like to see Paige and Azzi play less than 30 minutes. Maybe 25. It’s because I worry about wearing them out and also want to see the new kids develop more.
But there’s something to be said for letting the stars develop themselves too, and more minutes is key to this. Also a dominant team needs to let its stars carry the load. Finally, thinking about their résumé for the draft, pro teams may not want to get a player like Paige or Azzi only to discover they can’t play at least 30 minutes.
I think Edwards will have to get 20 before long. She may even take some of Chloe’s minutes.WELL, SINCE THIS IS THE GENERAL BOARD;
Lineup w/o Ashlyn Watkins:
PG: Raven 25, Milaysia 10, Maddy 5
SG: PaoPao 20, Milaysia 15, Tessa 5
Wing: Bree 20, Tessa 15, Milaysia 5
C: Feagan 20, Dauda, 10, Tac 5, Walker 5
F: Chloe 20, Edwards 15, Tac 5
I would agree that she may well get 20 minutes as we head down the end of season stretch of the tournaments. She will also get 20 minutes against the Clemson’s of the pre- New Year’s schedule . However, I don’t see big minutes against the UCLAs and NC States of the early season. I could be wrong but I don’t see Dawn going heavy with inexperience early.I think Edwards will have to get 20 before long. She may even take some of Chloe’s minutes.
My wild guess- to start with either (or both) Raven and Mila are "All-Amercans" or near it and Pao as 5th year senior and Bree senior year senior get "minutes." Edwards is too talented as is Dauda and Feagan's experience needed. Need Feagan's paint play. I'm leaving 5 minutes for whoever plays better.WELL, SINCE THIS IS THE GENERAL BOARD;
Lineup w/o Ashlyn Watkins:
PG: Raven 25, Milaysia 10, Maddy 5
SG: PaoPao 20, Milaysia 15, Tessa 5
Wing: Bree 20, Tessa 15, Milaysia 5
C: Feagan 20, Dauda, 10, Tac 5, Walker 5
F: Chloe 20, Edwards 15, Tac 5
Bench points: SCar 39 Iowa 0.If you are in many close games then why wouldn't you want your best players playing more minutes (i.e.,.e over 30)? UCONN just got to Final Four with extremely limited bench. Clark got her team to finals playing huge minutes - so what's the big deal? You think Iowa lost to SoCar because throughout the year Clark played too many minutes? Players getting worn down is highly overrated. A team like UCONN might have only Paige this year if they are healthy because of potentially many blowouts and caution due to so many players coming back from injury. But overall if a team like SoCal has many close games why wouldn't you play Juju over 30?
CC averaged near 35 minutes for her entire career. She didn't wear down. It all depends on your team and circumstance. If you're team's top players are much better than you bench players and they are healthy and the games arent blwouts then you play those type of players over 30 minutes.
First off my post you are replying to was in response to this thread's initial comment of "I say nobody averages over 30 mpg this season. Agree?"Bench points: SCar 39 Iowa 0.
.............................SCar 19 UConn 3 (+15 from Watkins who was an experienced backup and ready)
Of course, fresh legs can help in the fourth, but that's not the only advantage. Players only get experience with PT. An experienced bench is a luxury which allows you the options to:
1. Subbing for an injured player with an experienced backup
2. Subbing for a player with foul trouble with an experienced backup
3. Subbing with an experienced backup for a starter who just doesn't match up that great with a particular opponent
4. Throwing an opponent off what may be working for them.
5. Building experience for next year
6. Showing recruits that they can earn meaningful experience as a frosh even if there is a great starter already enrolled. You can be a Milaysia or a Tessa.
You were on the Old ESPN Board, weren't you? You were a very good poster. Do you recall back in the day when you had Parker that some UCONN fans would say when UCONN would eventually play Tenn that UCONN would use it's bench to wear her down?I think Caldwell will try and even out the minutes. Maybe 20-25 for the starters, and bench.
I was on the ESPN board. I don't remember if that was the quote or not.You were on the Old ESPN Board, weren't you? You were a very good poster. Do you recall back in the day when you had Parker that some UCONN fans would say when UCONN would eventually play Tenn that UCONN would use it's bench to wear her down?
Okay.I was on the ESPN board. I don't remember if that was the quote or not.