I agree. Caroline is very nice and does some good things, but I guess I do not see why she should be a starter. In almost every “big game” she tends to get lost. Lots of driving to the basket with no plan, often resulting in turnovers. Loved what I saw from Q today and aubrey also brings great D.
Including
@Paul1969 ,
@JBK on this reply.
But does she get lost? I remember that when she was a frosh in 2021-22 and UConn was brutalized by injuries, she basically helped bail the team out with her inspired play. Played in 31 games with 11 starts, scoring double figures in 14. Do any of these count as "big games?"
... scored 24 points and added eight rebounds vs. a very good Louisville team (12/19)
... had 22 points at Oregon (1/17
... set personal best with 28 points at St. John's (1/23) ... notched 19 points vs/at DePaul (1/26)
... scored 13 points at Creighton (2/2)
As a sophomore:
... notched 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals vs. Iowa (11/27).
... had 13 points adn seven rebounds at Maryland (12/11)
... notched season-high 19 points and added seven rebounds vs. Marquette (12/31)
My take on this was more akin to that of Andraya Carter, the ESPN analyst: UConn scored enough points, but gave up a bunch more than they're used to; largely because of North Carolina States's aggressive downhill attacks. Plus, the Huskies ran into a career-best performance from a player and team playing at home.
I don't see Geno altering starting line-ups based on the opposition: gotta have some degree of belief in your starters (and Geno, tradtionally, does). However, one can adjust defense approach/personnel depending on how the game unfolds. Have to adjust.
As a long-time UConn observer and admirer, but definite ND fan, I've noted the last two posts I've made on the "UConn side of the board" have been in defense of UConn players: Caroline and, previously, Nika. Keep the faith!
p.s. All of us will get some answers soon enough, because you'll match up with Maryland, a team that just got whacked by S. Carolina (save as ND did in their opener). I suspect Geno will make some tweaks.