POLL: NOW that the roster is complete, choose your starters...

[EricLA]

Well it looks like people are pretty set on KK, Azzi, Ash, Sarah, and Serah. Honestly, I vacillate between Ash and Blanca - I tend to think Blanca will be more dynamic and overall a better player, but with such a plethora of depth, Geno may well go with the more "experienced" (in the UConn system) Ash. But OMG...

If the starters are as above, How about Kayleigh, Morgan, Blanca, Ice and Jana off the bench? Then followed up by Kelis, Allie, Caroline, Ayanna and Gandy? Talk about an embarrassment of riches...!!!

 

[Majic Hands]

I usually don't participate, but i did. Here's my choices:

KK
Azzi
Ash
Sarah
Serah

You & I are on the same page for the beginning of the season.

If the UConn system is difficult to learn and incorporate for new/young players how can you expect a newbie to go right out of the gate. Discounting the notable exceptions which I don’t believe is in this year’s freshman class.

I’m looking forward to this next season to see how everything falls out and then comes together.

 

[Stagnant]

I am surprised less than a quarter of the people here think Blanca will start.

I wonder if we had this thread last year how well Sarah did in the voting.

 

[Vowelguy]

I am surprised less than a quarter of the people here think Blanca will start.

I wonder if we had this thread last year how well Sarah did in the voting.

We did (I ran it). Sarah did pretty well. I'll dig up the results ...

Recruiting services didnt even have Blanca as the #1 international recruit. I consider her a big time wildcard -- could be really good; could have a ways to go.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I am surprised less than a quarter of the people here think Blanca will start.

I wonder if we had this thread last year how well Sarah did in the voting.

Well, maybe at least some BYers are beginning to take a wait & see attitude. Perhaps they realize that in reality, videos of foreign players and high school highlight video clips rarely equate to the talent necessary to play (much less start) at the D1 level of college basketball.

 

[funkraider]

Whose the knucklehead that didn't vote for Sarah Strong to start?

 

[ERWUC65]

Regardless of who will start at PG, no one currently on the roster satisfies all the criteria for that position: experience, BBIQ, handles, shooting and durability. KC, even after her time at Princeton, finally got there at tournament time. Nika got there as a senior. Other examples outside UConn last year would be Van Lith, Blakes, Amoore, Miles, Booker, etc. It's a key position for sure and more so when Geno goes small. There is more of a probability that the Huskies will go PG by committee with KK first and run an offense more dependent on wings and bigs than guards. The other good news is that many of the other contenders also have a problem with that position more so by having to depend on the ISO types to run their offense.

 

[DemonDeac22]

I'm with you on this one. That would be a slow lineup.

Don’t count the Sarah-Serah-Jana combo out - Geno may see a matchup advantage if he needs both size and skill on both ends of the court.

 

[Next 12]

Here comes Mr. Possible. I predict Uconn will go undefeated in the B.E. this year. There's no team in the BE that can touch Uconn. I also predict undefeated season No.7 and N.C. No. 13.True we don't have Paige, but we have everyone else and that will be more than enough to go all the way. I believe with all my heart that with this 12th NC, GENO is really re=energised to win again, and who would doubt him?Right now I'm so charged up for the season to start and it WILL be a glorious season to be remembered. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!

 

[Geew1992]

Whomever is playing point guard.

So you don't think KK is going to stay in the starting lineup?

 

[and one]

Whose the knucklehead that didn't vote for Sarah Strong to start?

I would guess that either Morgan or Kayleigh got the benefit of a fat finger aiming for one small box and hitting one close by. Or, that someone is pretty much totally ignorant of UConn b'ball or someone knows something extremely important that isn't known to anyone else. I'm going with the fat finger theory.

 

[CL82]

If I’m reading correctly, at least 6 people picked Sarah Serah AND Jana as starters.

I will bet HEAVILY against that.

I'm inclined to agree with you, but I could see a lineup of Jana at the 5 Serah at the 4 and Sarah at the 3 with Azzi at shooting guard and KK at point. I didn't vote for it, but I can see it as a possibility.

(My starting five was KK, Ash, Azzi, Sarah,and Serah.)

 

[Boreifs]

I think the more relevant question is how many in the rotation? Eight, nine or 10? I vote 10. The squad is too good for the depth to be ignored.

 

[Vowelguy]

I'm inclined to agree with you, but I could see a lineup of Jana at the 5 Serah at the 4 and Sarah at the 3 with Azzi at shooting guard and KK at point. I didn't vote for it, but I can see it as a possibility.

Absolutely no friggin way that's the starting lineup on day 1.

(Or any other day.)

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think picking the starting lineup is harder than ever. In my opinion, the only locks are Azzi and Sarah. I will predict that we have at least 8 different players start in at least one game.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I would guess that either Morgan or Kayleigh got the benefit of a fat finger aiming for one small box and hitting one close by. Or, that someone is pretty much totally ignorant of UConn b'ball or someone knows something extremely important that isn't known to anyone else. I'm going with the fat finger theory.

Yup. AKA a mouse-agraphical error.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Barring injury, I can't envision an initial starting lineup that is not KK, Ash, Azzi, Sarah, and Serah. If someone can crack that, all the power to them.

Regarding Morgan as PG: I've posted in the past that I don't support Morgan playing point in college. And since Geno checks in with me every week or so, there's simply no way she'll be playing there at UConn.

Regarding the Jana-Sarah-Serah trio: I could see Geno putting them together a few times as he did Stewie, Stef Dolson, and Kiah Stokes in 2014. He would sub Kiah for Moriah, move Kaleena to the two and go to a 2-3 zone. The three bigs, all outstanding shot blockers, made up a virtually impregnable force to devour anyone daring to drive to the basket. And if the opponents missed a shot, the only things surer than UConn getting the defensive rebound were death and taxes.

 

[MHD789]

I don’t know if it will be a surprise but Blanca will be next season’s Sarah Strong…. She will start on Day one!!!

I would think that anyone that isn't a UConn fan that frequents this forum would be stunned (and have never heard of Blanca). Sarah was an extremely well known recruit, second team All-American and I believe the most impactful player in the country last year. I know you're not alone with this prediction and hope you're correct. It would be mind blowing!

 

[EricLA]

Here comes Mr. Possible. I predict Uconn will go undefeated in the B.E. this year. There's no team in the BE that can touch Uconn. I also predict undefeated season No.7 and N.C. No. 13.True we don't have Paige, but we have everyone else and that will be more than enough to go all the way. I believe with all my heart that with this 12th NC, GENO is really re=energised to win again, and who would doubt him?Right now I'm so charged up for the season to start and it WILL be a glorious season to be remembered. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!

You need to change your name to "Next 13"! LOL

 

[CL82]

Absolutely no friggin way that's the starting lineup on day 1.

(Or any other day.)

Again, I'm inclined to agree with you, but it works as lineup.

 

[CL82]

Regarding Morgan as PG: I've posted in the past that I don't support Morgan playing point in college. And since Geno checks in with me every week or so, there's simply no way she'll be playing there at UConn.

Tell him I said "hi."

 

[broooce]

If Blanca, Strong and Williams are starters, then we have our version of Qui-Serah-Sarah. Contributors to what will be our 13th natty.

 

[Vowelguy]

Again, I'm inclined to agree with you, but it works as lineup.

To paraphrase inigo montoya,
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

 

[CL82]

To paraphrase inigo montoya,
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Go back, reread our posts and try again. I have confidence in you!

 

[Dogstar]

Wondering what the second 5 might be

2nd 5?...you make it sound like Geno’s gonna be doing hockey substitutions.