Questions for next season

[npignatjr]

It’s not magic, just lots of hard work.

You used the word magic. Is it bigs not improving year over year and during a year on the players, the coaches, both? Right now I see a older UConn coaching staff. Younger coaches have left and been replaced by older staff.

 

[oldude]

You can X-out Piath and Amari from that list. They are just not going to play. It's quite clear that Coach Geno has no faith in them, nor intends for them to fulfill meaningful roles. If he did, he would have used them vastly differently than he did. Ice Brady is listed at 6'3", with Ayanna at 6'2". So we have one big post-size player in Dorka. Will Aubrey come back and play effectively as a small forward after major back surgery? We'll have to see....But we're not looking at a NPOY-type post player on this roster.

I hope you are prepared to eat some crow next season. Amari almost certainly has the skill set to be a player. She needs to improve her conditioning and play with a better “motor”. Jamelle will see to it that Amari makes a sophomore leap.

Piath is certainly more of a project. But Geno has praised both Piath & Amari for their hard work this season and I am not prepared to dismiss her as a contributor just yet.

 

[oldude]

You used the word magic. Is it bigs not improving year over year and during a year on the players, the coaches, both? Right now I see a older UConn coaching staff. Younger coaches have left and been replaced by older staff.

Not sure what your point is?

 

[hookshot]

You can X-out Piath and Amari from that list. They are just not going to play. It's quite clear that Coach Geno has no faith in them, nor intends for them to fulfill meaningful roles. If he did, he would have used them vastly differently than he did. Ice Brady is listed at 6'3", with Ayanna at 6'2". So we have one big post-size player in Dorka. Will Aubrey come back and play effectively as a small forward after major back surgery? We'll have to see....But we're not looking at a NPOY-type post player on this roster.

Geno is a poker player and knows not to discard face-cards (e.g. AD) early, particularly when you are not currently holding all that strong a hand.

 

[Fossil]

I haven`t delved into what the numbers say, but my sense is that both Caroline and Dorka play much better as starters. Dorka in particular would often be in too much in a hurry coming off the bench.

Nika should get 20-25 minutes. I love the way she plays. She has shown that she can impact the game coming off the bench. If the team gets off to a slow start in a particular game I would get her in early for someone. If the team is starting slow consistently, she would possibly find herself in the starting lineup. She should spend the summer working on her mid-range game, particularly getting proficient at pull up jumpers from around the foul line. Paige and Azzi have that shot down pat so she should learn from them.

We should add another one or two year player as a backup to Azzi. Meyers from Princeton perhaps? Scalia from Minnesota?

I think it unlikely Geno will add another big, given the current depth already in place.

Grad transfer!!!!

 

[Beemer]

Help me out - I'm not getting the joke!

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[hookshot]

You used the word magic. Is it bigs not improving year over year and during a year on the players, the coaches, both? Right now I see a older UConn coaching staff. Younger coaches have left and been replaced by older staff.

Old dudes know stuff too

 

[npignatjr]

Old dudes know stuff too

Need a mix. Otherwise the words get stale. I'm an old dude, always had a combination of ages on my staff.

 

[npignatjr]

Not sure what your point is?

Your words "Looking forward to Jamelle working her magic on Amari, Piath, Ice & Ayanna, to go along with Aaliyah, giving UConn a real chance at banner #12"

My point is I haven't seen any "magic" from the coaching staff pertaining to players making vast improvements in their games either during the year or year to year recently. If I missed someone I will listen.

 

[hookshot]

Need a mix. Otherwise the words get stale. I'm an old dude, always had a combination of ages on my staff.

I R 1 2

 

[browns]

Maybe missing the point? DT's frosh season ended in 1-13 or something like that in the semi loss to ND. My comparison is that Fudd had a less than normal outing in the NC yesterday as she was sick, and it wasn't something she probably expected. So yes, I think she will come back stronger, smarter, and better as a sophomore. I was not comparing her to DT the GOAT, but what happened between F and So years. Sheesh

Well said, BRS24.

As a freshman, Diana had considerably more assists than Azzi, but Azzi was much the better shooter. A comparison to Taurasi is fair... my point of contention would be that they're very different type players. (I'm also of the belief that Maya and/or Stewie are/is UConn's GOAT. I now that won't go over big here... LOL!)

DT--3Naty's in a row..2 basically by herself...Maya=2...Stewie =4 with 2 AA's and #2&3 in the WNBA draft to play with her for 4 years..Dt is called the G.O.A.T by her peers for a reason

 

[CB360]

We should recruit Morrow

I'm thinking as a Coach on how to be aggressive and rebound......

 

[Fossil]

I'm thinking as a Coach on how to be aggressive and rebound......

I believe Doug and Geno are friends that wouldn’t go over well.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

I hope you are prepared to eat some crow next season. Amari almost certainly has the skill set to be a player. She needs to improve her conditioning and play with a better “motor”. Jamelle will see to it that Amari makes a sophomore leap.

Piath is certainly more of a project. But Geno has praised both Piath & Amari for their hard work this season and I am not prepared to dismiss her as a contributor just yet.

And, in post game final four "scrum" Geno praised Amari, talked about her skill set, and she has "committed to spend all summer working on her post moves" I believe at Storrs. Sounded like she is going to be a part of the rotation next season.

 

[oldude]

Your words "Looking forward to Jamelle working her magic on Amari, Piath, Ice & Ayanna, to go along with Aaliyah, giving UConn a real chance at banner #12"

My point is I haven't seen any "magic" from the coaching staff pertaining to players making vast improvements in their games either during the year or year to year recently. If I missed someone I will listen.

IMO Jamelle, who puts in a lot of time with UConn’s forwards, has done a really good job of developing both Liv & Aaliyah.

 

[Dynastic]

Yeah I agree with most saying it's going to be Paige, Azzi, CD, AE, Dorka, with Nika getting starter minutes off the bench. Aubrey will help off the bench if healthy, but that's likely a huge if. If she's not, Patterson probably gets decent minutes. DeBerry and Brady will be in a battle for 3rd big minutes.

Another experienced guard in the transfer portal would be nice, if they came in knowing they were only playing 10-15 mins a game.

We should bring in a Sparkplug , quick and fast who can shoot with confidence, preferably a Grad Transfer.

 

[Dynastic]

I don't know. From what I see most of the posts here are untested and unproven. It's been that way for 23 years.

Oh yes I see you!

 

[Longtime fan]

I think AE and Dorka can do the job at the 4 and 5. We really need AE to play a little smarter foul-wise (screens) and both to be more aggressive on the glass. AE showed spurts at the end of the season, but I'd like to see both get stronger and more aggressive.

AE showed an increasing reliability with her outside shooting as well. We would all like that to continue. She needs some skill set work on ball handling. That will help her maintain possession, and facilitate her passing and receiving. She is a real talent.

 

[Longtime fan]

I think if Aubrey is healthy you start her and see how she works her way in or out

Paige
Azzi
Aubrey
Aaliyah
Dorka

There's a lot of moving parts to consider with a lineup and it depends how these players develop over the off season (especially Nika, Aubrey, and Carloline). I think this lineup gives you experience and rebounding which if you look at the other top teams next year and their size we're gonna need... Also allows you to bring Nika and Caroline in to give a different look on both sides of the ball while also making more similar switches for Paige and Azzi to rest (A PG for a PG and a W for a W). Andddd shifts towards a more post dominant line-up which suits our depth. I'm really interested to see what Piath and Amari look like in 7 months... I think out of the two recruits Ayanna will be able to have the most immediate impact, but Isuneh may surprise (you don't have to teach size and physicality). And then throw in a possible transfer or two and who knows...I just hope Geno finds a way to utilize all the size and athleticism he'll have on this roster, in the post. 3-5 positions you have...

6'1" Aubrey G/F
6'2" Caroline G/F
6'3"Ayanna F
6'3" Aaliyah F
6'4" Isuneh F
6'5" Amari F
6'5" Piath F
6'5" Dorka F

so use it!

Hold on a moment. folks. We already ( with Aubrey back ) have 11 ( I think). If everyone is much better next season ( our hope 0 , that doesn't leave enough minutes for 11. I mean, we know it can work out. My point is; I don't see Geno looking to add someone from the outside.

 

[Dynastic]

So was that 10 foul gap because they were faster and more physical that us, or was it just bad officiating?

It’s obvious from the officiating perspective that SC was GOING to win the game. Watch the game again, I don’t want to lol but it’s there…

 

[Dynastic]

Hold on a moment. folks. We already ( with Aubrey back ) have 11 ( I think). If everyone is much better next season ( our hope 0 , that doesn't leave enough minutes for 11. I mean, we know it can work out. My point is; I don't see Geno looking to add someone from the outside.

I think you have to every year from now on (transfers)… it’s like the lottery, “you have to play to WIN it all”.

 

[ABCDFE]

Hold on a moment. folks. We already ( with Aubrey back ) have 11 ( I think). If everyone is much better next season ( our hope 0 , that doesn't leave enough minutes for 11. I mean, we know it can work out. My point is; I don't see Geno looking to add someone from the outside.

You might be right that Geno doesn’t look outside, but you shouldn’t base it on roster numbers but talent. If there is a player Geno & Co. sees could help them next year why not do so. Aubrey is coming off back surgery. Piath and Amari are unproven and we have to bank on Dorka elevating her game as a starter. We don’t have truly offensive proven post players at this point. We need another guard that can be like E and provide offense and defense.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Wish UConn could get Blackwell, she would add physically to UConn that IMO will be required to beat SC next season

Suspended 5 times for disciplinary reasons. Not going to happen.

 

[Pharos]

I agree with this clarification: It's not just height it's girth, mass, power. The inside players you mentioned, Dolson, Stokes, Tuck all were big bodies who do not get out muscled but actually did that themselves. We have been missing that for 6 years now. SC shoves, pushes, and crowds and will always do so as long as they have Boston and others. You have to match that. With Dorka and Aaliyah you have an inside game with hopefully a decent sub or two next year but it's not yet a power presence. I also think Aaliyah gives a lot back with bad fouls, turnovers and bad hands. The game has changed and the refs call nothing underneath. I hate it.

"The game has changed and the refs call nothing underneath. I hate it."

It is disappointing that play near the basket is just a shoving match... and the pushers get overlooked more than the pushees.

 

[The deacon]

DT--3Naty's in a row..2 basically by herself...Maya=2...Stewie =4 with 2 AA's and #2&3 in the WNBA draft to play with her for 4 years..Dt is called the G.O.A.T by her peers for a reason

I suspect if you asked Diana's teammates if she won two national titles by herself, they might look perplexed. I remember well watching those late-round games both in '03 and '04 and there were plenty of times Taurasi was not the only player on the court for UConn.

Advocate for DT as you wish, but it's overstating to say she won two titles by herself. Certainly she was the team leader, and the player the Huskies looked to in big moments. I'd say the same could have been said of Maya and Stewie. You also left out some rather significant resume items for the latter two which I'd guess you know well but don't help your case here.

 

[The deacon]

IMO Jamelle, who puts in a lot of time with UConn’s forwards, has done a really good job of developing both Liv & Aaliyah.

With respect, Oldude, I believe most observers would say Liv didn't progress as much during her four seasons as everyone would have anticipated back during the 2018-19 season. I won't lay that on Jamelle as much as I do on Liv, but ONO's was not ultimately a success story at UConn.

 

[TeamFirst!]

People complain to me here even when most of the time I didn't even start the conversation on Betts but I've never complained once before about the constant banter about the days of old in Uconndom. Constantly off topic but there you have it. Personally I could care less about any uconn activity before last year but I try not to ruin it for you folks who do care about it. We should live and let live. You don't have to read things folks. The complaints are ridiculous. It ruins it for me. Should I complain every time you folks spend 2 pages of content reminiscing about players and times I barely know about or care about? We should be able to join in here without the insults and complaints over next to nothing. Again, most of the time I'm not even the one bringing it up but you jump on my case anyway.

 

[The deacon]

People complain to me here even when most of the time I didn't even start the conversation on Betts but I've never complained once before about the constant banter about the days of old in Uconndom. Constantly off topic but there you have it. Personally I could care less about any uconn activity before last year but I try not to ruin it for you folks who do care about it. We should live and let live. You don't have to read things folks. The complaints are ridiculous. It ruins it for me. Should I complain every time you folks spend 2 pages of content reminiscing about players and times I barely know about or care about? We should be able to join in here without the insults and complaints over next to nothing. Again, most of the time I'm not even the one bringing it up but you jump on my case anyway.

There's room for both your preference for current analysis, TeamFirst, and for reminiscences of the 'old days' here, I'd suggest. At least, I'd hope so... as you said, no one is being forced to read any particular post, or even thread.

 

[Notyetready]

I enjoy the speculation about the starting players next year. It is interesting to see how everyone can get into Geno's mind. One caution, having suffered from spinal inuries and severe nerve damage to he spine, do not expect too much from Aubrey. She will never be the same again. Maybe her youth will help, however, there may be limitations to her movement and mobility. So please, keep this as a consideration.

How do we know Aubrey had severe nerve damage to her spine?

 

[oldude]

With respect, Oldude, I believe most observers would say Liv didn't progress as much during her four seasons as everyone would have anticipated back during the 2018-19 season. I won't lay that on Jamelle as much as I do on Liv, but ONO's was not ultimately a success story at UConn.

That begs the question, “What is reasonable to anticipate?” Liv does not have a big low-post body nor is she exceptionally quick. So she was never going to be Steph or Stewie, and yet that appears to be what a lot of BY’ers expected from her.

Clearly, Liv improved over 4 seasons. She worked incredibly hard, was a key contributor on 3 FF teams, earned various all-conference accolades and was a wonderful teammate. That she didn’t meet the expectations of some here on the BY is immaterial.