Recovery timeline(s) for Ayanna and Morgan?

[mainerhuski]

I have seen a few posts mentioning where the posters think that Morgan & Ayanna will fit into the lineup next year. Does anyone have an update on their recovery timeline(s)?

 

[Centerstream]

I have seen a few posts mentioning where the posters think that Morgan & Ayanna will fit into the lineup next year. Does anyone have an update on their recovery timeline(s)?

Should be fine by October (fingers crossed) is my guess/hope.

 

[Bald Husky]

I believe Ayannas surgery was the minor type, so she may already be doing workouts. Morgan, I don't really know what was wrong with her foot but whatever it was she should be ready by late summer at least. My opinion of course, and when am I wrong? hehe

 

[MilfordHusky]

Morgan was on crutches in early April. I think she was in a boot by the end of the month.

 

[Stagnant]

It is pretty important for Morgan that she is ready to go when fall practice starts. She missed a ton of practice during season 1. I think she is talented, but not generational. She needs the reps if she is going to play a pivotal role on this team.

 

[NW-MW]

Yanna seemed fully energized and going out with her reactions during the final 4 so I think she is generally ready. She is also the one I am most excited for. I think we all forget how much of a natural athlete and rebounder she is, so with the experience of even just being at UCONN for 3 years she can provide a lot for us.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I hope Morgan is ready soon. I’m curious to see if Geno plays her in the frontcourt (as he did last season) or in the backcourt.

 

[cgshuskie]

I'm excited for Yanna's return. I think we will see amazing newness to her game resulting from Sarah Strongs great play. I wonder by Morgan is not included in the PG discussions. She can play a big PG.

 

[Happydad745]

We are blessed with UConn having so much talent coming into the new season....

 

[MHD789]

Yanna seemed fully energized and going out with her reactions during the final 4 so I think she is generally ready. She is also the one I am most excited for. I think we all forget how much of a natural athlete and rebounder she is, so with the experience of even just being at UCONN for 3 years she can provide a lot for us.

Hope she has learned & evolved more into a "basketball player" versus big athlete. That would be exciting to see.

 

[JellyBean]

I can't wait to see Ayanna playing again! Same with Morgan. Ayanna reminds me of Deanna Nolan (Georgia/Detroit Shock) in terms of her energy, athletic ability, and overall game. People said Deanna couldn't do "X" or "Y" but all she did was help Georgia become a major program back in the day and become a 3x WNBA champion with the Shock. Ayanna is in that mode. She has that raw energy that is ready to take over! I can't wait!!

Morgan grew on me last season. I hope that she is able to bounce back from her injury, in due time. No need to rush back. If the doctors are saying X day you are cleared, take an additional week or two. But Morgan has so much potential and I hope that she just takes her time healing.

 

[CL82]

Hope she has learned & evolved more into a "basketball player" versus big athlete. That would be exciting to see.

I hope her raw athleticism has not been in anyway reduced via injury. If it hasn't, she may be the best "athlete" on the team. I think of her as a bigger and stronger version of Aubrey Griffin, in terms of physicality and leaping ability.

 

[Geew1992]

Yanna posted on her IG working out. No contact, but shooting and moves around the backet. Maybe someone who was at any the tournament games can answer whether or not she was doing warm-ups with the team. That may give a clue

 

[Geew1992]

I believe Ayannas surgery was the minor type, so she may already be doing workouts. Morgan, I don't really know what was wrong with her foot but whatever it was she should be ready by late summer at least. My opinion of course, and when am I wrong? hehe

Not sure how minor the surgery would be if she missed the entire season. Morgan had ankle surgery.

 

[Bigboote]

Not sure how minor the surgery would be if she missed the entire season. Morgan had ankle surgery.

Did we find out what Ayanna’s shoulder injury was?

I had arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and there was nothing minor about it. The weirdest things happened. About four months post-op I started to bottle a batch of beer. I had to switch hands, because I literally couldn’t lift an empty 12 oz bottle to the spigot in front of me. That was after lifting a 5-gallon carboy up to the same table. But that was a different motion.

 

[Longtime fan]

I hope Morgan is ready soon. I’m curious to see if Geno plays her in the frontcourt (as he did last season) or in the backcourt.

Foot injuries, and the subsequent surgeries to correct them, are not insignificant. Morgan could be out until December. But we have no information at all,

 

[Jim]

I had arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and there was nothing minor about it. The weirdest things happened. About four months post-op I started to bottle a batch of beer. I had to switch hands, because I literally couldn’t lift an empty 12 oz bottle to the spigot in front of me. That was after lifting a 5-gallon carboy up to the same table. But that was a different motion.

When I was younger, I did a lot of 12 oz lifts, but none of those involved filling the bottle.

 

[Fossil]

I can't wait to see Ayanna playing again! Same with Morgan. Ayanna reminds me of Deanna Nolan (Georgia/Detroit Shock) in terms of her energy, athletic ability, and overall game. People said Deanna couldn't do "X" or "Y" but all she did was help Georgia become a major program back in the day and become a 3x WNBA champion with the Shock. Ayanna is in that mode. She has that raw energy that is ready to take over! I can't wait!!

Morgan grew on me last season. I hope that she is able to bounce back from her injury, in due time. No need to rush back. If the doctors are saying X day you are cleared, take an additional week or two. But Morgan has so much potential and I hope that she just takes her time healing.

I don’t remember stokes at UConn what her offense was like but in the pros she always finds a place to play due to defense and rebounding. If Ayanna can match that type of contribution she will be impactful.

 

[Longtime fan]

If we get to see a one year of a healthy Ayanna it will be miraculous.

 

[Longtime fan]

I don’t remember stokes at UConn what her offense was like but in the pros she always finds a place to play due to defense and rebounding. If Ayanna can match that type of contribution she will be impactful.

And I hope to see Allie break out as well. As coach says, "Allie can do whatever Allie wants to do." In other words, she can emerge as a starting guard, or remain fourth choice off the bench, It is up to her. C'mon Allie!

 

[MHD789]

I hope her raw athleticism has not been in anyway reduced via injury. If it hasn't, she may be the best "athlete" on the team. I think of her as a bigger and stronger version of Aubrey Griffin, in terms of physicality and leaping ability.

I remember her HS dunking videos (in warm-ups). I was so fired-up to see her in action.

 

[sno-cat]

I remember her HS dunking videos (in warm-ups). I was so fired-up to see her in action.

I’m still waiting for any UConn player to be courageous enough to dunk the ball during one of our games! They can’t all be afraid of Geno’s reaction can they?

 

[Bone Dog]

Ayanna’s injuries have been really unfortunate for her in terms of the timing of a career at UConn. She missed two prime years to develop her talent and a chance to have a major role in an NC run. Now she’s returning to a roster with much tougher competition at her position than when she was last healthy.

I think Ayanna is fully capable of cracking the rotation this fall, but it will be a real challenge with Blanca’s arrival and Morgan and Carol returning. Two years ago, with Ice’s injury rehab she had a starting spot practically lined up for her next to Aaliyah, and she could have made a difference in yet another NC run. It’s not hard to see that loss to Iowa going differently with her in the lineup.

Ayanna’s skills don’t fit one version of Geno’s new style. As a muscular and quick footed defender and rebounder she can complement Serah as a backup to Sarah in a traditional lineup. But her limited offensive skills don’t suit the small-ball lineup as well. Key to this lineup is forcing the opposing center to try to guard Sarah on the perimeter. Having Ayanna on the floor would allow the opposing center to remain in the paint on defense. Carol or Blanca or even Allie may be better fits given their offensive skills.

 

[Jim R]

Ayanna’s injuries have been really unfortunate for her in terms of the timing of a career at UConn. She missed two prime years to develop her talent and a chance to have a major role in an NC run. Now she’s returning to a roster with much tougher competition at her position than when she was last healthy.

I think Ayanna is fully capable of cracking the rotation this fall, but it will be a real challenge with Blanca’s arrival and Morgan and Carol returning. Two years ago, with Ice’s injury rehab she had a starting spot practically lined up for her next to Aaliyah, and she could have made a difference in yet another NC run. It’s not hard to see that loss to Iowa going differently with her in the lineup.

Ayanna’s skills don’t fit one version of Geno’s new style. As a muscular and quick footed defender and rebounder she can complement Serah as a backup to Sarah in a traditional lineup. But her limited offensive skills don’t suit the small-ball lineup as well. Key to this lineup is forcing the opposing center to try to guard Sarah on the perimeter. Having Ayanna on the floor would allow the opposing center to remain in the paint on defense. Carol or Blanca or even Allie may be better fits given their offensive skills.

Would agree….her skill set is centered around the “muscular and quick footed defender and rebounder” we needed pre Sarah Strong…with her arrival and performance, she provided the much needed front court (could we have asked for more?) presence we were looking for…having said that, you can never have too many rebounders….the luxury is, Ayanna will have time to transition back in and refine her offensive skills….you gotta love being a Husky fan with the line-up we’ll have over the next 3-4 years

 

[Bigboote]

Ayanna’s skills don’t fit one version of Geno’s new style. As a muscular and quick footed defender and rebounder she can complement Serah as a backup to Sarah in a traditional lineup. But her limited offensive skills don’t suit the small-ball lineup as well. Key to this lineup is forcing the opposing center to try to guard Sarah on the perimeter. Having Ayanna on the floor would allow the opposing center to remain in the paint on defense. Carol or Blanca or even Allie may be better fits given their offensive skills.

Just a couple of comments on this: As he showed this past season, Geno doesn't have a single style. He mixed up his regular lineup, the small lineup, and occasionally before Morgan was hurt, a bigger lineup.

Along with this, UConn doesn't need five scorers on the floor at all times. What percentage of Aubrey's baskets were from plays run for her, or came in the flow of the half-court offense? I'd bet that way more than half of her baskets were from offensive rebounds or breakaways. With four scorers on the floor, Ayanna's value would be in rebounding and generating offense with her defense.