Potential turning into Expectations

[hoophuskee]

This thread started by Tonyc appears to be the successor to the Starting Lineup one.

I was extremely impressed by Notre Dame in its dominant victory over the University of Southern California. I’m not sure that we have an answer to Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles and we should temper our expectations. Hidalgo in particular appears to be unstoppable and is a fine shooter, not to mention her defensive ability. In addition, USC is not chicken feed and nor is UCLA or South Carolina.

It was good to see Azzi Fudd’s return against FDU. She will no doubt play more minutes per game in the Bahamas and she should be ready for the big games against Louisville, Notre Dame, Iowa State, and USC in December. We now have an eight player rotation and I think that the current starting lineup will be unchanged, assuming no injuries, for the foreseeable future with El Afry, Fudd, and Arnold coming off the bench. It is possible, however, that Fudd may start when the schedule gets tougher.

The starters now consist of two star players and three solid and serviceable ones and we should expect better from Chen, Shade, and Brady as the season develops. We need more offense and good decision making from Chen, better shooting from Shade, and continued general improvement from Brady, particularly in rebounding. Last year’s team was vulnerable to quick guards and it remains to be seen what will happen this season. Notre Dame will be a good test in this regard.

ND's Big 3 vs UCON's Big 3 (I don't mean as in tall/physcial player I mena "Big" in terms of impact.). . You think ND has an answer for UCONN on the other side of the court? This is what makes the game so special is that both teams can/will struggle to stop the other. That's a much more fun game for me rather than when UCONN is trying to go "Big" for example in order to slow the game down and make it a defensive match when we talk about / have talked about past teams.
Anyhow if UCONN were to be heatlthy - if ND were to be healthy defintely a fun match up.

 

[Rowdy831]

To me Sarah is not the key to their success this season, at least as it pertains to winning every game. I think Geno needs to get Jana ready to be a full time player and she needs to be in along side Ice and Sarah. With Paige and Azzi you have two great guards so it will come down to how they match up inside.

I do expect Sarah to be highly decorated this year based on what she looks like so far.

 

[Longtime fan]

I thought the game was sloppy. A little out of control at times. NDs guards did most of the scoring and USCs defense just wasn’t there. Paige Azzi and Sarah should put UConn over the top.

The key is : " what does AZZI give us?" Yesterday, UCLA beat South Carolina. Some that was due to a player for UCLA who came off the bench and went 5-5 from the three point arc. That's what we were led to expect from AZZI. But is she still that same player? Time will tell. I think we know what to expect from Paige and Sarah.

 

[Tonyc]

The key is : " what does AZZI give us?" Yesterday, UCLA beat South Carolina. Some that was due to a player for UCLA who came off the bench and went 5-5 from the three point arc. That's what we were led to expect from AZZI. But is she still that same player? Time will tell. I think we know what to expect from Paige and Sarah.

UConn is more then Azzi. Azzi is a huge part of what UConn can be when she is back. When will Azzi be back. When she's back. Cant give a date or time but if she is @ ND I like our chances alot. UConn has a terrific roster and still is recovering from past injuries. When they do look out. UConn is loaded.