Returners, newcomers fighting for minutes on deep, talented team

[DEpup]

That is probable very true but regarding Aubrey specifically her defensive contributions are undeniable =best perimeter defender on the team. The down side of Aubrey is not so much her inability to put the ball in the basket but her overall impact on the offensive flow when she is in the game. The ball sticks when Aubrey is in the game and her movement is hesitant as if she is not sure what to do next or where to go on the floor. As a freshman Geno attempted to simply things for Aubrey and early in her Sophomore year Aubrey appeared to gain and understanding of the UCONN offense but that hesitancy returned about mid way through the season-perhaps do to her injury.

Preach to me. I completely agree. On offense the ball sticks when Aubrey is in the game. Mir has the same challenge. Aubrey always looks panicked when she gets the ball and like a hot potato just goes to the rim whether that is the best shot or not. Watching her face sometimes, its like she doesn't know what the play is. If she can get to that complete player stage, watch out because she has the talent and athleticism to do it.

 

[LoboDays]

There is someone not on the list who belongs there. Amari. She is already the 2nd best 6’5” player on the roster behind Dorka.

 

[Heytherego]

There is someone not on the list who belongs there. Amari. She is already the 2nd best 6’5” player on the roster behind Dorka.

What?? I think you’re forgetting Liv. Her and Dorka are also far above Amari. And most of the other players below 6’5 are as well. Someone has already stated (maybe in a different thread) but Amari couldn’t break the rotation for FIBA and the huskies have a lot more talent, so I think she’ll again have a hard time getting into games.

 

[Reypl21]

There is someone not on the list who belongs there. Amari. She is already the 2nd best 6’5” player on the roster behind Dorka.

Is ONO 6'4" now? Or are you suggesting something else?

 

[Zanzman]

There is someone not on the list who belongs there. Amari. She is already the 2nd best 6’5” player on the roster behind Dorka.

Keep trying you’ll be funny someday

 

[Waquoit]

it seems to me there is a faction in the BY that undervalues contributions of defense and energy and highly overvalues the specialty of putting the ball through the ring

That's the way the game is evolving, O trumps D. Evolve or die.

 

[Stymie]

I do agree that Aubrey needs to get a midrange shot at least and be able participate in the offense. And what I am saying is that Aubrey and Mir need to do more than clean up the glass and get the ball and go to the rim. They need to learn how to be complete players and participate in working the ball around and getting to a great shot for someone else too....in my opinion.

I’m going to sort of agree- but there is a big difference between cleaning the boards and CLEANING THE G/D BOARDS.
If you can give me 10-15 boards a night, sweeping up the offensive end, I’ll FIND playing time for you.
Clean the boards, kick it out to shooters/scorers and chip in with some points from the line (from fouls on the offensive end), you will be MORE than earning your keep.
That works for me.
Biggley.

 

[Stymie]

There is someone not on the list who belongs there. Amari. She is already the 2nd best 6’5” player on the roster behind Dorka.

I do not know that in fact.

 

[DEpup]

I’m going to sort of agree- but there is a big difference between cleaning the boards and CLEANING THE G/D BOARDS.
If you can give me 10-15 boards a night, sweeping up the offensive end, I’ll FIND playing time for you.
Clean the boards, kick it out to shooters/scorers and chip in with some points from the line (from fouls on the offensive end), you will be MORE than earning your keep.
That works for me.
Biggley.

And kick out is the operative phrase in your post. More often than not, Mir and Aubrey will just go back up rather than kick out even when they are in a terrible position on the court to go back up... I would love it if both of them could kick out consistently because that would be participating in the offense.

 

[Carnac]

Yeah, Geno said 8-9. I count 10:

Paige
Nika
Liv
Christyn
Evina
Aaliyah
Aubrey
Dorka
Caroline
Azzi

Is there someone on that list who doesn't belong?

Instead naming the 9 that I thought would be included in the rotation, I was going to name those that I thought WOULD NOT. I completely agree with your list. I'm NOT going to suggest who the starters will or should be, only that the rotation Geno mentioned will come from THIS list of players. Geno may or may not already have in mind who his 5 starters will be. We can pretty much GUESS who the first 7 will be.

Who the starters will be is anyone's guess at THIS point. We all know who WE would start. Three returning players I would bet the farm will start are Paige, Olivia and Christyn. It's possible that Dorka and/or Aaliyah could force their way into the stating line up, maybe not. Coaches start their BEST 5 players. IF in practice, Aaliyah and Dorka work their way up to the top 5, than I assume they start. Geno said "no gimmes" this year. Everyone earns their role/minutes. It's possible these two force Geno to start them. Time will tell.

Too early to tell. Those first 7 should get the bulk of the minutes the first half of the season for sure. Games against Notre Dame, Tennessee, Oregon, South Carolina UCLA and Louisville all on the road will no doubt limit how far down the bench Geno will be willing to go. I perceive these games to be UConn's most competitive games on schedule. Arkansas should be competitive, but Chelsea Dungee and her 38 points won't be walking through the door on game day for the Razorbacks.

 

[donalddoowop]

I thought for sure the Tennessee game was a home game.

 

[DEpup]

Instead naming the 9 that I thought would be included in the rotation, I was going to name those that I thought WOULD NOT. I completely agree with your list. I'm NOT going to suggest who the starters will or should be, only that the rotation Geno mentioned will come from THIS list of players. Geno may or may not already have in mind who his 5 starters will be. We can pretty much GUESS who the first 7 will be.

Who the starters will be is anyone's guess at THIS point. We all know who WE would start. Three returning players I would bet the farm will start are Paige, Olivia and Christyn. It's possible that Dorka and/or Aaliyah could force their way into the stating line up, maybe not. Coaches start their BEST 5 players. IF in practice, Aaliyah and Dorka work their way up to the top 5, than I assume they start. Geno said "no gimmes" this year. Everyone earns their role/minutes. It's possible these two force Geno to start them. Time will tell.

Too early to tell. Those first 7 should get the bulk of the minutes the first half of the season for sure. Games against Notre Dame, Tennessee, Oregon, South Carolina UCLA and Louisville all on the road will no doubt limit how far down the bench Geno will be willing to go. I perceive these games to be UConn's most competitive games on schedule. Arkansas should be competitive, but Chelsea Dungee and her 38 points won't be walking through the door on game day for the Razorbacks.

I think Evina is a bet the farm starter too...

 

[Bald Husky]

I thought for sure the Tennessee game was a home game.

It is a home game at the XL center in February

 

[Geew1992]

Instead naming the 9 that I thought would be included in the rotation, I was going to name those that I thought WOULD NOT. I completely agree with your list. I'm NOT going to suggest who the starters will or should be, only that the rotation Geno mentioned will come from THIS list of players. Geno may or may not already have in mind who his 5 starters will be. We can pretty much GUESS who the first 7 will be.

Who the starters will be is anyone's guess at THIS point. We all know who WE would start. Three returning players I would bet the farm will start are Paige, Olivia and Christyn. It's possible that Dorka and/or Aaliyah could force their way into the stating line up, maybe not. Coaches start their BEST 5 players. IF in practice, Aaliyah and Dorka work their way up to the top 5, than I assume they start. Geno said "no gimmes" this year. Everyone earns their role/minutes. It's possible these two force Geno to start them. Time will tell.

Too early to tell. Those first 7 should get the bulk of the minutes the first half of the season for sure. Games against Notre Dame, Tennessee, Oregon, South Carolina UCLA and Louisville all on the road will no doubt limit how far down the bench Geno will be willing to go. I perceive these games to be UConn's most competitive games on schedule. Arkansas should be competitive, but Chelsea Dungee and her 38 points won't be walking through the door on game day for the Razorbacks.

I believe Notre Dame, Tennessee and Louisville (Mohegan Sun) are home games. And isn't UCLA neutral?

 

[oldhusky]

That is probable very true but regarding Aubrey specifically her defensive contributions are undeniable =best perimeter defender on the team. The down side of Aubrey is not so much her inability to put the ball in the basket but her overall impact on the offensive flow when she is in the game. The ball sticks when Aubrey is in the game and her movement is hesitant as if she is not sure what to do next or where to go on the floor. As a freshman Geno attempted to simply things for Aubrey and early in her Sophomore year Aubrey appeared to gain and understanding of the UCONN offense but that hesitancy returned about mid way through the season-perhaps do to her injury.

I want to double down on Coco's comments that it is not about her inability to score, but her impact on offensive flow. In terms of offensive production Aubrey is above average in both her rate of scoring and efficiency. Does she produce points efficiently? Yes, but some on the Boneyard have labeled her an unable to score which is just false.

She just doesn't do it in a traditional way or as Coco points out within the offensive flow. Frequently a good spot up three point shooter that can't create their own shot will not score at a higher rate than a good slasher/offensive rebounder because their opportunities are limited to when the defense leaves them open. What they can provide that does not show up in their personal numbers, however, is floor spacing which clearly helps the other players on the floor.

As a backup but undersized PF to Aaliyah I think she is very good even if she doesn't have a well defined role in a set offense, but it would be better if she did. The deeper roster could actually help her in a couple of ways. First if we press more and push the pace on offense that would work to her favor. Second we added superior outside shooting with Azzi, Caroline, and perhaps Dorka and Sailor. If you have some great three point threats on the floor at the other positions, their ability to spread the floor minimizes Aubrey's inability to do the same and may provide more room for her slashing to the basket.

 

[Carnac]

I believe Notre Dame, Tennessee and Louisville (Mohegan Sun) are home games. And isn't UCLA neutral?

Pardon me everyone, an honest mistake. I had the schedule in front of me as I was writing this comment. You're correct. Originally I was only list road games in my comment, then decided to add games against ALL of the ELITE teams they play. I forgot to delete the "on the road" portion. I also failed to catch that when I proof read it. So much for proof reading.

My thought was that against these elite programs, Geno will probably become near sighted and not see beyond the first two players on the bench, maybe 3. Unless UConn is blowing out the opponent in one of these games, players 9-14 on the depth chart shouldn't expect a lot of minutes. IF UConn loses a game during the regular season, it will be to one of the elite teams I mentioned. Tenn and ND will be improved over last year. They ALWAYS play UConn tough. I think Louisville, Oregon and South Carolina will our 3 biggest games.

 

[Stymie]

I want to double down on Coco's comments that it is not about her inability to score, but her impact on offensive flow. In terms of offensive production Aubrey is above average in both her rate of scoring and efficiency. Does she produce points efficiently? Yes, but some on the Boneyard have labeled her an unable to score which is just false.

She just doesn't do it in a traditional way or as Coco points out within the offensive flow. Frequently a good spot up three point shooter that can't create their own shot will not score at a higher rate than a good slasher/offensive rebounder because their opportunities are limited to when the defense leaves them open. What they can provide that does not show up in their personal numbers, however, is floor spacing which clearly helps the other players on the floor.

As a backup but undersized PF to Aaliyah I think she is very good even if she doesn't have a well defined role in a set offense, but it would be better if she did. The deeper roster could actually help her in a couple of ways. First if we press more and push the pace on offense that would work to her favor. Second we added superior outside shooting with Azzi, Caroline, and perhaps Dorka and Sailor. If you have some great three point threats on the floor at the other positions, their ability to spread the floor minimizes Aubrey's inability to do the same and may provide more room for her slashing to the basket.

FINALLY- someone mentions Saylor’s name.
Thought she may have been banished by the BY.
Why such sleeper status??

 

[Oracle9]

Yeah, Geno said 8-9. I count 10:

Paige
Nika
Liv
Christyn
Evina
Aaliyah
Aubrey
Dorka
Caroline
Azzi

Is there someone on that list who doesn't belong?

I agree with this lineup. Geno will have two starting five- he has to. I would say they rotate based on who they play and/or game strategy (3G or G and F sets). Others will pick up minutes most likely at a time that supports team needs.

 

[Stymie]

Pardon me everyone, an honest mistake. I had the schedule in front of me as I was writing this comment. You're correct. Originally I was only list road games in my comment, then decided to add games against ALL of the ELITE teams they play. I forgot to delete the "on the road" portion. I also failed to catch that when I proof read it. So much for proof reading.

My thought was that against these elite programs, Geno will probably become near sighted and not see beyond the first two players on the bench, maybe 3. Unless UConn is blowing out the opponent in one of these games, players 9-14 on the depth chart shouldn't expect a lot of minutes.

I think he’s going to go deeper.
He’s got the talent.
Gotta run ‘em and see what they got in game situations.

 

[Heytherego]

FINALLY- someone mentions Saylor’s name.
Thought she may have been banished by the BY.
Why such sleeper status??

Likely because she’s injured, Geno/teammates haven’t made any comments about her to the media, she didn’t do anything impressive last season (which is totally not her fault given circumstances) but still a reason. Unlike Caroline who we got a new development of her having the chance of having a prominent role on the team.

 

[Carnac]

FINALLY- someone mentions Saylor’s name.
Thought she may have been banished by the BY.
Why such sleeper status??

I'm purely guessing here, but the "sleeper status" as you call it may be due partly to her still having challenges with her back. She's had 6 full months to rehab and recover since the end of last season. I believe her name was mentioned by someone here that she was on list of their walking wounded. If that is true, and she's still having the same back problems and discomfort form last season, that's not good. You can't count on any player that's hurt or suffering from recurring injuries. If you remember, she played very sparingly after she joined the team because of those physical challenges. She (or any player) can only do what her their body allows then to. If she can't 100% in practice, don't expect to she her play. I'm certainly wishing her all the best this coming season. We can certainly use her.

 

[jchusky]

Yeah, Geno said 8-9. I count 10:

Paige
Nika
Liv
Christyn
Evina
Aaliyah
Aubrey
Dorka
Caroline
Azzi

Is there someone on that list who doesn't belong?

Muhl not a chance she plays the minutes she got last year. Too many inconsistencies in my part to view her as a reliable option. She might be a player that comes off the bench to bring in some "energy", but I don't see her playing in big tournament games meaningful minutes

 

[hoopsfan22]

Muhl not a chance she plays the minutes she got last year. Too many inconsistencies in my part to view her as a reliable option. She might be a player that comes off the bench to bring in some "energy", but I don't see her playing in big tournament games meaningful minutes

She was the best 3-point shooter not named Paige last year. How much more reliable does she need to be?

 

[Carnac]

I think he’s going to go deeper.
He’s got the talent.
Gotta run ‘em and see what they got in game situations.

I hope you're right. But he doesn't think like we do. We won't have long to wait to see what he's going to do. He should have a pretty good idea who can do what after the Notre Dame game on December 5. Two exhibition games, a home game vs Arkansas, 3 games in the Bahamas, a BE conference game against Seton Hall on the road and another home game versus Notre Dame should tell him who his "prime time go-to" players are, at least for the first half of the season. That's 8 games.

No doubt he'll find out about things the newbies during that first exhibition game that he can't disclose or talk about just yet. I believe they will have referees and a clock, but they don't keep score, they just run. My granddaughter was a team manager for the UNLV Lady Rebels for 4 years (2016-2019). Her first road trip that first year was to Eugene Oregon for an exhibition game of this type with the University of Oregon. Closed door, no fans, spectators or media.

I'm not suggesting UConn's game will be the same or similar, because I don't know how they do it now. She said they did have referees, and had a clock, but not keep score on the wall. Of course each team kept score in their own scorebook. She also said they played 2 extra 10 minute quarters, for a total of 60 minutes. Like UConn's "secret" exhibition, this Oregon exhibition was NOT publicized. She said EVERYBODY got plenty of run.

 

[jchusky]

She was the best 3-point shooter not named Paige last year. How much more reliable does she need to be?

there's more to a game than shooting 3's, she was a healthy scratch vs Tenn, she needs to be a consistent player in both ends off the court to get playing time. Also not a fan of her sore loser mentality saying I won't watch tape vs arz. How do you expect to correct your mistakes if you don't want to watch the game that was your worst all season?

 

[Carnac]

Muhl not a chance she plays the minutes she got last year. Too many inconsistencies in my part to view her as a reliable option. She might be a player that comes off the bench to bring in some "energy", but I don't see her playing in big tournament games meaningful minutes

No argument, but don't you expect her to make some sort of sophomore leap or improvement this year? The Nika Muhl you'll see THIS year won't be the same Nika Muhl you saw last year. She's a year older, a little more mature, she knows the system much better, and I'm sure she's adjusted to our (USA) style of women's basketball which is different than the type of basketball they play in her country.

We should not see the same freshman mistakes we saw last year. I agree she won't play as many minutes but that's because Geno has more options now than he did last year. She knows all of the returning players, and she should know what she's doing now. I think for a young lady that came to a different country and adapt to a new lifestyle and culture, to go to school, play for new coaches, play with new teammates most of whom she had never met (and obviously never played with), had to adapt to going to class, learn time management, learn Geno's system, and was expected to perform to program expectations, I'd say she did quite well. Even though she speaks English well, it's not her first language. So there's that too. In spite of all of the challenges I mentioned, she still managed to crack the starting lineup.
Walk a mile in my shoes. A tip o' the turban to Miss Nika Muhl.

 

[Stymie]

She was the best 3-point shooter not named Paige last year. How much more reliable does she need to be?

And hard nosed ball player.
Geno could play Nika and Aaliyah together to give the team a little clamp down physically ‘inclined’ tendency when called for.
Would be nice to see the opposition hit the hardwood once in a while instead of our players.
Now THAT would be a new wrinkle.
I really believe the the opposition will be playing Paige a lot rougher this season.
And UCONN has fouls to give.

 

[hoopsfan22]

And hard nosed ball player.
Geno could play Nika and Aaliyah together to give the team a little clamp down physically ‘inclined’ tendency when called for.
Would be nice to see the opposition hit the hardwood once in a while instead of our players.
Now THAT would be a new wrinkle.
I really believe the the opposition will be playing Paige a lot rougher this season.
And UCONN has fouls to give.

I think she deservees a little slack. How many people could move to the other side of the planet, go to school taught in a language that wasn't their native one where you don't know anyone or have any family, acclimate to differences in the game, and contribute as the starting point guard for one of the most demanding basketball programs on the planet? I couldn't do it. Nika had a lot on her plate and I think she did fine even if she didn't average 20 points a night.

 

[Alydar]

there's more to a game than shooting 3's, she was a healthy scratch vs Tenn, she needs to be a consistent player in both ends off the court to get playing time. Also not a fan of her sore loser mentality saying I won't watch tape vs arz. How do you expect to correct your mistakes if you don't want to watch the game that was your worst all season?

She tried to pull a Willis Read in the Az game, but those high ankle sprains don't heal quickly. It was clear she wasn't 100% and the fact that the coaches tried her knowing she was still recovering says a lot about their opinion of her place on the team.
Mühl is an excellent passer and the best on-ball pressure defender on the team.

I'd rather a sore loser than a "we lost, so what" loser . If nothing else Mühl is an emotional spark. And I think she is much more than that.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think she deservees a little slack. How many people could move to the other side of the planet, go to school taught in a language that wasn't their native one where you don't know anyone or have any family, acclimate to differences in the game, and contribute as the starting point guard for one of the most demanding basketball programs on the planet? I couldn't do it. Nika had a lot on her plate and I think she did fine even if she didn't average 20 points a night.

Oh please, Nika speaks English as well as anyone on the team born in the US. The demands are the same for UCONN players even if they were coming from Mars. The differences in the game are really minor.