Regarding starting

[HuskyNan]

We have “Who’s starting” threads all the time here and the threads seem to imply that the best perceived players will be the starters. I’m not sure Geno looks at it that way. He’s said that he likes to bring players off the bench that will somehow change the way the game is being played, for example, changing tempo, bringing defensive energy, going big/small, etc. So, the starters will be whoever gives Geno what he’s looking for, whatever that may be

BTW, Ash and KK played starters minutes despite coming off the bench

On edit - sorry for the syntax and grammar and sorta incomplete thoughts. I was typing on my phone while on a plane just as were told to go into airplane mode

 

[victor64]

Great post.

Ash may have the talent to start but her disposition and style of play make it a perfect fit for her to continue to come off the bench. She thrived in the role.

KK is ready to be the starter. Two years of experience running the offense is invaluable for this team. If she increases her shooting percentage (especially around the basket), Kayleigh and Kelice can be brought a long slowly.

Geno seemed, more so than in past years, experienced with lots of different lineup combinations including playing 5 guards at a time. If they stay healthy, hopefully Geno is comfortable experimenting some more. I, for one, would love to see a "big" lineup with Jana, Serah and Sarah and maybe even CD or Morgan on the floor at the same time.

Even though I recognize the talent, still not sure how Blanca fits into the equation. Start? Perimeter player? 3 point shooter? Guard the 4? I have read lots of opinions but I don't think the questions can be answered yet.

 

[dtbtbtb]

One of the main strengths of last season championship team was that KK and Ash came of the bench and changed the dynamics of the game with their energy, tenacity and top-notch defense. I'm sure that Geno will be looking for a similar effect with this years team. Does it mean that KK and Ash will come from the bench again....probably not but Geno will look for the right players to fit this kind of role.

 

[donalddoowop]

I believe players coming off the bench to bring energy, tenacity, and top-notch defense should not be needed. The right starters should have established that already. I can remember a player on another team that used to play her best in the fourth quarter and people would get excited about that. Geno asked why she does not play like that from the start of the game? With the number of players UConn will have this coming season there should be no need for an energizer player to come off the bench. The energy should already be there. Just saying.

 

[EricLA]

The great thing about this incoming team is that for the first time in a LONG while, Geno will have multiple players who can be "game changers" coming off the bench. Allie with lights out shooting (I think she blossoms this season). Ash (if she doesn't start) with intense overall play and great defense. Blanca (if she doesn't start) with great athleticism and length. Kayleigh will have a different style than KK. Jana with her strong physical presence in the post.

I'm not discounting the rest (Ice, Yanna, Carol, Morgan, Kelis and Gandy), as at least 2 may be fairly high on the depth chart, but I'm not sure they bring game changing play off the bench. Solid for sure, though!

 

[Conndog]

3 guards and 2 bigs to start- Azzi, KK, and Ash, with Sara and Jana.

 

[Next 12]

I believe players coming off the bench to bring energy, tenacity, and top-notch defense should not be needed. The right starters should have established that already. I can remember a player on another team that used to play her best in the fourth quarter and people would get excited about that. Geno asked why she does not play like that from the start of the game? With the number of players UConn will have this coming season there should be no need for an energizer player to come off the bench. The energy should already be there. Just saying.

That's what I've been saying. Play your top players as starters and by half-time build a 50 or 60 point lead and then put in the position players as you see fit to learn the system or control the game. The talent on this team is Immeasurable and should be exploited to it's fullest potential. This coming year will be the most exciting year to come. even better than 24/25.GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PacoSwede]

That's what I've been saying. Play your top players as starters and by half-time build a 50 or 60 point lead and then put in the position players as you see fit to learn the system or control the game. The talent on this team is Immeasurable and should be exploited to it's fullest potential. This coming year will be the most exciting year to come. even better than 24/25.GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!

depends what you feel is exciting/
many folks -- even some BYers -- may get totally bored when watching a season of big blowouts night after night which is the way i expect the season to go. lack of competition kind of ruins the fun.

 

[ec33]

We like “Who’s starting” threads all the time here and the threads seem to imply that the best perceived players will be the starters. I’m not sure Geno looks at it that way. He’s said that he likes to bring players off the bench that will somehow change the way the game is being played, for example, changing tempo, bringing defensive energy, going big/small, etc. So, the starters will be whoever gives Geno what he’s looking for, whatever that may be

BTW, Ash and KK played starters minutes despite coming off the bench

Maybe that is why KK was such a fan of bringing in Heckel. If Geno wants high energy off the bench (and KK was that energy), the latest addition allows KK to start and still have that high-energy player off the bench in the form of Heckel. /s

Sitting here in May, the most anticipated starting decision does seem to be Shade or Quiñonez (with most here choosing the vet). It may well not come down to experience, but as you point out, how the dynamic of the game changes between the two -- or how well the non-starter plays with the other early subs vs. the other starters.

And again, who starts is not necessarily the most important thing and opponent and score will dictate PT.

 

[CTBballfan243]

I can foresee Sarah Strong averaging about 37 minutes per game. The remaining minutes will be distributed among the rest of the team.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I believe players coming off the bench to bring energy, tenacity, and top-notch defense should not be needed. The right starters should have established that already. I can remember a player on another team that used to play her best in the fourth quarter and people would get excited about that. Geno asked why she does not play like that from the start of the game? With the number of players UConn will have this coming season there should be no need for an energizer player to come off the bench. The energy should already be there. Just saying.

Agreed energy and tenacity are team wide hallmarks. Most games fall into a rhythm of ebb and flow. We call them runs. New players bringing differing skills, with energy, are used to displace the opposition’s flow and cause them to ebb allowing the newer players to either add to a lead a or close the gap. Not all players have that ability to come off the bench and play effectively like KK and Ash.

 

[Suebird10fan]

I can foresee Sarah Strong averaging about 37 minutes per game. The remaining minutes will be distributed among the rest of the team.

Safe to say you are talking about in close games ….

 

[hookshot]

I can foresee Sarah Strong averaging about 37 minutes per game. The remaining minutes will be distributed among the rest of the team.

She won't

 

[Bone Dog]

I was moved by @PacoSwede's observation. If Storrs becomes blowout central, we may get bored and stop paying attention so intently.

As for who starts and whether "game changers" should come off the bench, I'd only say games change in many directions. Start KK and Kash [yeah, I went there. Deal with it.] and you'll get an opponent who is exhausted by the end of the 1st quarter. Then your game changer is to bring in the big lineup and pound them into submission. Start K9 and Blanca, you probably get the same result. Who does Geno need to start to get a different result? Maybe Ice, Jana and Ayanna along with Azzi and Blanca. Deal with that, opposing teams!

 

[hookshot]

Great post.

Ash may have the talent to start but her disposition and style of play make it a perfect fit for her to continue to come off the bench. She thrived in the role.

KK is ready to be the starter. Two years of experience running the offense is invaluable for this team. If she increases her shooting percentage (especially around the basket), Kayleigh and Kelice can be brought a long slowly.

Geno seemed, more so than in past years, experienced with lots of different lineup combinations including playing 5 guards at a time. If they stay healthy, hopefully Geno is comfortable experimenting some more. I, for one, would love to see a "big" lineup with Jana, Serah and Sarah and maybe even CD or Morgan on the floor at the same time.

Even though I recognize the talent, still not sure how Blanca fits into the equation. Start? Perimeter player? 3 point shooter? Guard the 4? I have read lots of opinions but I don't think the questions can be answered yet.

I don't think Kayleigh came here to be 'brought along slowly'. Although not as steady and battle tested as Chen (who started), she appears to be somewhat more talented, right out of the box, and with more upside. If it is important to start KK from an experience and leadership standpoint or because she has certainly earned it, than that is what we may likely see. But, for example, if I were picking sides for a 3 on 3 pick up game, make no mistake, I'd be picking Kayleigh Heckel over KK, simply because she has a more developed and diverse repertoire of offensive moves and shots from most anywhere on the court, and a pesky defender as well. If we are talking 5 on 5 (which we are), while KK may be somewhat more dynamic on both defense and offense, Kayleigh Heckel has a Nika Muhl type characteristic of constantly pushing pace up court and finding the lead sprinter on the break. So my guess is that it will sort itself out and PG will be more or less shared between KK and Kayleigh Heckel, with Kellis to be brought along slowly.

 

[victor64]

I don't think Kayleigh came here to be 'brought along slowly'. Although not as steady and battle tested as Chen (who started), she appears to be somewhat more talented, right out of the box, and with more upside. If it is important to start KK from an experience and leadership standpoint or because she has certainly earned it, than that is what we may likely see. But, for example, if I were picking sides for a 3 on 3 pick up game, make no mistake, I'd be picking Kayleigh Heckel over KK, simply because she has a more developed and diverse repertoire of offensive moves and shots from most anywhere on the court, and a pesky defender as well. If we are talking 5 on 5 (which we are), while KK may be somewhat more dynamic on both defense and offense, Kayleigh Heckel has a Nika Muhl type characteristic of constantly pushing pace up court and finding the lead sprinter on the break. So my guess is that it will sort itself out and PG will be more or less shared between KK and Kayleigh Heckel, with Kellis to be brought along slowly.

I said "slowly" because it is going to take time for K9 to form chemistry with her new teammates. I am not questioning the skill set. Same with Blanca. Neither Kayleigh or Blanca need to rushed into the fray. I still think that if KK's shooting improves significantly percentage wise, KK is better IMO.

Conversely, I think Serah beats out Jana for the starting 5 spot.

 

[Next 12]

depends what you feel is exciting/
many folks -- even some BYers -- may get totally bored when watching a season of big blowouts night after night which is the way i expect the season to go. lack of competition kind of ruins the fun.

For me, I like blowouts as I can watch the game and not WORRY about the game. I watch Uconn basketball simply because they WIN so consistantly. I am, in my opinion a blue blood fan that roots for Uconn and sees no downside to a 40 or 50 point win. I love ALL of Uconns records and want them to make many more.I let the other teams fans worry about their teams and that should br their job. I have no statistical concern and root for Uconn to win always and the players have the greatest time while playing for Uconn. For me 9 years was a Long wait for No. 12 and with this team I KNOW i will not have to wait for No. 13. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!

 

[ERWUC65]

I believe players coming off the bench to bring energy, tenacity, and top-notch defense should not be needed. The right starters should have established that already. I can remember a player on another team that used to play her best in the fourth quarter and people would get excited about that. Geno asked why she does not play like that from the start of the game? With the number of players UConn will have this coming season there should be no need for an energizer player to come off the bench. The energy should already be there. Just saying.

Why would Geno change anything from his strategy that was so successful in the tournament winning each game by at least 10 points and many by more. This years starters begin down 20 -25 points (Paige), so that has to come from somewhere and it is going to require an even better contribution from the bench than last year. Outside of the BE, many notable programs have added depth and an emphasis on mass substitutions (TN), keeping the game at a high tempo from start to finish. Even the best of the best lose something after 30 min at that pace, again, showing the need from a renewed energy source to compete for the full 4 quarters.

 

[huskeynut]

As fans, my wife and I enjoy the blowouts. It does not get boring.

Blowouts also allows Geno to play almost everybody. He did that this past season with the Big East season. It paid big dividends. He gets to see in game situations who works well with each other. And as tournament time approaches, Geno will pare down who plays and who doesn't.

Each year's team is different. Players change but the philosophy of how the game is played doesn't. How it all plays oiut remains to be seen.

As to who starts, that will be Geno and company's decision. I would just caution some who say that so and so did great in their roles this past season and should remain in those roles. I guess you have never coached. You do not "pigeon hole" a player into one role. You give every player a legitimate chance to improve their skill levels and earn a starting berth. Starting still means something to players.

 

[Cuango]

I believe players coming off the bench to bring energy, tenacity, and top-notch defense should not be needed. The right starters should have established that already. I can remember a player on another team that used to play her best in the fourth quarter and people would get excited about that. Geno asked why she does not play like that from the start of the game? With the number of players UConn will have this coming season there should be no need for an energizer player to come off the bench. The energy should already be there. Just saying.

KK’s impact off the bench was about more than “energy”. She brought a completely different look in terms of speed, aggressiveness, and style. Sure, you could say “energy” but I believe her effectiveness was more about the complete difference in how she played against an opponent who had already adjusted to guarding Chen or Azzi. It is similar to why a really good change-up pitcher can make really good batters look absolutely silly sometimes. Chen (or whomever KK was replacing) was not lacking in energy, what made KK so dynamic coming off the bench was the complete difference in style, speed, athleticism, and aggressiveness.

She, (KK) is simply different from any other player on the roster. I have loved her from day one but over these two years I have come to realize that underneath that bubbly, enthusiastic, engaging exterior is an absolute stone cold competitor that simply explodes onto the court. She is one of my favorite Huskies ever already and I believe we are going to see big things from her next year! (And the year after)

 

[SVCBeercats]

I said "slowly" because it is going to take time for K9 to form chemistry with her new teammates. I am not questioning the skill set. Same with Blanca. Neither Kayleigh or Blanca need to rushed into the fray. I still think that if KK's shooting improves significantly percentage wise, KK is better IMO.

She needs to vastly improve her 3pt shooting - 21%. Bianca is not much better - 28%. Practice lots of 3pters this summer ladies. UCONN lost Paige (42%) and Kaitlin (35%). Will need players with 3pter skill.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Safe to say you are talking about in close games ….

in close games I expect Strong to play 40 minutes.

 

[Cuango]

I can foresee Sarah Strong averaging about 37 minutes per game. The remaining minutes will be distributed among the rest of the team.

Though her talent and impact on the game easily warrants those kinds of minutes, the talent throughout this roster will allow Geno to treat his superstar with a little more care. I think there will be some games (hopefully not many) where Sarah does play 37 minutes but I think her minutes will tend more toward 30. She is simply too great and important to unnecessarily expose her to injury through overuse. This team has plenty of talent to where she is not going to have to carry them every single game.

Though I believe Geno would have done this anyway, the horrific injury to JuJu recently shows the inadvisability of playing your players too many minutes unnecessarily. While there is no proof that her injury was caused by overuse, I think most would agree that she was playing many times when she probably should have been sitting on the bench cheering on the bench squad. One could also point to Paiges first injury against Notre Dame in that same vein. I do not attach any blame for that injury to Geno but I’d be willing to bet that he wishes he had sat her down before it happened.

 

[mainerhuski]

I don't think Kayleigh came here to be 'brought along slowly'. Although not as steady and battle tested as Chen (who started), she appears to be somewhat more talented, right out of the box, and with more upside. If it is important to start KK from an experience and leadership standpoint or because she has certainly earned it, than that is what we may likely see. But, for example, if I were picking sides for a 3 on 3 pick up game, make no mistake, I'd be picking Kayleigh Heckel over KK, simply because she has a more developed and diverse repertoire of offensive moves and shots from most anywhere on the court, and a pesky defender as well. If we are talking 5 on 5 (which we are), while KK may be somewhat more dynamic on both defense and offense, Kayleigh Heckel has a Nika Muhl type characteristic of constantly pushing pace up court and finding the lead sprinter on the break. So my guess is that it will sort itself out and PG will be more or less shared between KK and Kayleigh Heckel, with Kellis to be brought along slowly.

I’m very glad that K9 is joining the Huskies, and her addition adds a fun element to the lineups threads, but let’s not forget that Allie & Morgan were more highly rated as hs seniors. I’m not assuming that Kayleigh Heckel will get playing time over either of them.

 

[Cuango]

I was moved by @PacoSwede's observation. If Storrs becomes blowout central, we may get bored and stop paying attention so intently.

As for who starts and whether "game changers" should come off the bench, I'd only say games change in many directions. Start KK and Kash [yeah, I went there. Deal with it.] and you'll get an opponent who is exhausted by the end of the 1st quarter. Then your game changer is to bring in the big lineup and pound them into submission. Start K9 and Blanca, you probably get the same result. Who does Geno need to start to get a different result? Maybe Ice, Jana and Ayanna along with Azzi and Blanca. Deal with that, opposing teams!

I guess I’m just weird or something but I love blowouts! If you told me we were going to win every game by thirty next season, I’d be overjoyed! My two (actually three) favorite games this season were the blowouts against SC and UCLA! The only way I would have enjoyed them more is if we had won by 45!

I can understand the fun in watching a game that goes down to the wire. I can even enjoy games like that as long as it is not UConn. When my Huskies are playing I would much rather see complete dominance. I can sense the disapproval that some will have for this but….there it is.

PS I guess the other thing I would add is that I probably would/might not feel this way if my team were anyone but UConn. Geno teaches his kids to play such a beautiful style of basketball that the game itself is enough. I don’t need a close score, overtime etc in order to fully enjoy the game.