Roster of 12?

[mainerhuski]

Is this what other folks are envisioning at each position with a roster of 12? )Hope I’m not missing anyone!)
1-KK, K9, Lil Fish, JoPop
2-Ash, Allie, JoPop, K9?
3-Blanca, Morgan, Olivia V?
4-Sarah, Olivia V, Gandy
5-Jana, Olivia V, Gandy
I hope that the women play 15-25 mins in the “easier” games so that everyone has a chance to contribute, show their skills & prepare for the postseason! ❤️🐺🏀

 

[oldude]

That’s the roster. While we don’t know if Geno “kicked the tires” on anyone in the transfer portal, it now appears that UConn will stand pat next season. Geno gave something of a hint on this all the way back at the beginning of this past season when he was asked about the challenge of managing a 15-player roster. He indicated that, “We will not have that many players next year.”

Any team that starts with the consensus NPOY is going to be pretty good. With everyone hopefully healthy, I would rate UConn’s current roster only behind SC. Geno and his staff will perform their magic. The players will all improve. I absolutely expect the Huskies to return to the FF. Whether they can win it all remains to be seen. But UConn will certainly be fun to watch.

 

[Bald Husky]

Do we have enough firepower? Last year the team at times couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with their 3 point shooting, and that was with Azzi Fudd. I know Morgan was highly thought of coming out of high school including by me, but with most players coming back from injuries, I forget how good she was. Can Allie get her confidence to shoot when open, not worrying about missing? On paper we have all we need, but there is always a little doubt when you see some of the players in the portal, and I cringe whenever Dawn or Mulkey come up with a great player from there. I believe we have enough, so if JP and OV can come in here and contribute, then that may solve the nervousness problem. Next years OOC schedule is daunting, and with none of them scheduled at home it just makes me uneasy that we may not get through them unscaved. Anyway, if Geno stays pat then I trust him and won't think anything about it. We will have a great team, but just like last season, so will many other schools. It will be exciting.

 

[Jim]

Last season Geno frequently used a small lineup with Sarah at the 5. Just wait until next year when he puts out the BIG lineup:
5 - Jana
4 - Olivia
3 - Sarah
2 - Blanca
1 - Morgan

The scary thing is that all of them can shoot from outside as well as get to the rim.

 

[Bills Fan]

Is this what other folks are envisioning at each position with a roster of 12? )Hope I’m not missing anyone!)
1-KK, K9, Lil Fish, JoPop
2-Ash, Allie, JoPop, K9?
3-Blanca, Morgan, Olivia V?
4-Sarah, Olivia V, Gandy
5-Jana, Olivia V, Gandy
I hope that the women play 15-25 mins in the “easier” games so that everyone has a chance to contribute, show their skills & prepare for the postseason! ❤️🐺🏀

Good list, just a couple of possible changes. I would delete Gandy from the 4 and add Sarah to the 5, and Morgan to the 2 and 4 spots. I think your list is correct when Geno plays a "normal" lineup, while my changes for Sarah and Morgan will be utilized when Geno decides to employ either a small or a big lineup.

 

[oldude]

Last season Geno frequently used a small lineup with Sarah at the 5. Just wait until next year when he puts out the BIG lineup:
5 - Jana
4 - Olivia
3 - Sarah
2 - Blanca
1 - Morgan

The scary thing is that all of them can shoot from outside as well as get to the rim.

I know how you will answer my question, but I have to ask it anyways. Who is the pg in your BIG lineup?

 

[oldhusky]

Is this what other folks are envisioning at each position with a roster of 12? )Hope I’m not missing anyone!)
1-KK, K9, Lil Fish, JoPop
2-Ash, Allie, JoPop, K9?
3-Blanca, Morgan, Olivia V?
4-Sarah, Olivia V, Gandy
5-Jana, Olivia V, Gandy
I hope that the women play 15-25 mins in the “easier” games so that everyone has a chance to contribute, show their skills & prepare for the postseason! ❤️🐺🏀

What it is likely to be this year, how the returning players were used last year, and how they could be used if we added a top big of course are three very different things. Positions 1,2,and 5 are pretty good. i would put K9 in the 3rd place at the 2 and i would have JoPop ahead of Lil Fish at both the 1&2, with both of those players being combo guards that could play any position.

At the 5, I would reverse Olivia and Jana as starters and hope those are the players that are used there. Our 5's last year combined did not play 40 minutes a game, our 4's didn't play 40, and our 3's didn't play 40. The solution to a 5,4,or 3 not being in the game was almost always a guard, generally a 2. Our 2's played way way more than 40 minutes a game. So I hope Sarah doesn't play significant minutes at the 5, Blanca a lot at the 4, and Ash a starter at the 3, but since they were often used that way last year it is a possibility the same will happen, maybe to a lesser extent this year.

Your projection suggests no small ball, and going beyond traditional to even big ball on occasion to the extent you have Olivia at the 3 or 4. I don't think Olivia will be used at the 3 at all, but Sarah might,and Olivia being able to play the 4 might be what enables Sarah to slide over there. I also don't think Gandy would be used at the 4, and we probably will see Blanca some at the 4 and Ash at the 3.

A natural backup 4 we don't have and I wish we had obtained one, but Blanca there is passable, but might also involve going small at the 3 with Ash as well. I would like to see blanca with starter minutes at the 3 and not have to be moved around. Other than her the backup 4 options are move Morgan up a position or Olivia down one.

We probably have better options to go traditional regarding lineups this year, and the possibility of going big only if Olivia can be good at the 4 playing with Sarah at the 3, but Geno obviously likes small ball.

 

[BobbyJ]

Last season Geno frequently used a small lineup with Sarah at the 5. Just wait until next year when he puts out the BIG lineup:
5 - Jana
4 - Olivia
3 - Sarah
2 - Blanca
1 - Morgan

The scary thing is that all of them can shoot from outside as well as get to the rim.

I’m hoping that you realize that you’ll never see that lineup on the floor. 😉

 

[oldude]

One thing to keep in mind is that UConn’s regular rotation this past year used 9 players, 7 of whom are returning. Off the cuff, I believe that’s more rotation players returning than any other top team.

Serah’s 17.4 mpg can be easily assumed by some combination that might include Blanca, Jana, Olivia and Gandy, with as good or better results. Azzi’s 28.7 mpg can certainly be assumed by some combination of talented players. But the challenge will be replacing Azzi’s shooting, defense, passing and leadership.

I doubt there is another 1st team AA waiting in the wings to step into Azzi’s spot. The key to replacing Azzi’s production will be that everyone needs to step up in the aggregate. Certainly, I expect improvement from every returning player on UConn’s roster and Olivia and Jovanna both have enormous potential.

As I mentioned previously, I absolutely think this next UConn team gets back to the FF.

 

[Jim]

I know how you will answer my question, but I have to ask it anyways. Who is the pg in your BIG lineup?

Morgan played point guard/forward in HS.

 

[Bone Dog]

Roster of 12?

Perfect.

 

[oldude]

Morgan played point guard/forward in HS.

Yep, I knew that was your answer. As I pointed out when someone else suggested that Morgan played pg in HS, so did Aubrey Griffin. Neither is a college level pg. Morgan is a capable wing when she’s healthy. Putting her at pg would be a mistake imo, likely resulting in an offense that gets stuck and/or an unacceptable level of turnovers.

 

[HuskyNan]

Maybe 12. Geno doesn’t sign players just to sign them. He finds good fits for the team, talent-wise, while ensuring they’ll add to the team chemistry. And he does it in his own good time

 

[Charliebball]

Last season Geno frequently used a small lineup with Sarah at the 5. Just wait until next year when he puts out the BIG lineup:
5 - Jana
4 - Olivia
3 - Sarah
2 - Blanca
1 - Morgan

The scary thing is that all of them can shoot from outside as well as get to the rim.

Too bad none of them is a point guard......

 

[hoophuskee]

Not in order just listing the players and the positions. UCONN potentially has 5 PG’s, 5 SG’s, 4 Small Forwards, 4 Power Forwards (or whatever you want to call them>), and 4 centers. Every player has some sort of opportunity to play in big games other than Gandy imo.

1-KK, K9, Lil Fish, JoPop

2-Ash, Allie, JoPop, K9, Lil Fish

3-Blanca, Morgan, Allie, Ash

4-Sarah, Blanca, Morgan, Olivia V

5-Jana, Olivia V, Sarah, Gandy

 

[BBallF]

Not in order just listing the players and the positions. UCONN potentially has 5 PG’s, 5 SG’s, 4 Small Forwards, 4 Power Forwards (or whatever you want to call them>), and 4 centers. Every player has some sort of opportunity to play in big games other than Gandy imo.

1-KK, K9, Lil Fish, JoPop

2-Ash, Allie, JoPop, K9, Lil Fish

3-Blanca, Morgan, Allie, Ash

4-Sarah, Blanca, Morgan, Olivia V

5-Jana, Olivia V, Sarah, Gandy

Yeah I think that is the more accurate roster by position. I was hoping for a power forward or another great 3 point shooter but it ids what it is.

 

[jabstep]

I like K9 and Ally as shooting guards next year. To help with the scoring load. Also, Blanca should help carry the scoring load. Jana P looks good driving and shooting from outside. Olivia looks like a skilled Big to me. She should fit perfectly at one of the 2 elbow players in our system. It will be another fun year to watch and comment on the Boneyard.

 

[meyers7]

Do we have enough firepower? Last year the team at times couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with their 3 point shooting, and that was with Azzi Fudd. I know Morgan was highly thought of coming out of high school including by me, but with most players coming back from injuries, I forget how good she was. Can Allie get her confidence to shoot when open, not worrying about missing? On paper we have all we need, but there is always a little doubt when you see some of the players in the portal, and I cringe whenever Dawn or Mulkey come up with a great player from there. I believe we have enough, so if JP and OV can come in here and contribute, then that may solve the nervousness problem. Next years OOC schedule is daunting, and with none of them scheduled at home it just makes me uneasy that we may not get through them unscaved. Anyway, if Geno stays pat then I trust him and won't think anything about it. We will have a great team, but just like last season, so will many other schools. It will be exciting.

Ummmm, we were ranked #2 in the nation for 3pt FG % (38.49). Strong, Fudd and Ziebell shot > 40%, with Quinonez at 39.5% and Heckle at 38%.

That's not chopped liver.

 

[Blond D.]

theres still plenty of time to add another player or two. A pure shooter and another "big" with great rebounding and put back abilities would be nice.

 

[Longtime fan]

Last season Geno frequently used a small lineup with Sarah at the 5. Just wait until next year when he puts out the BIG lineup:
5 - Jana
4 - Olivia
3 - Sarah
2 - Blanca
1 - Morgan

The scary thing is that all of them can shoot from outside as well as get to the rim.

I can't recall a body of evidence that tells me Jana " can shoot from the outside." The same holds for Morgan, although she may have proven it in HS ( don't know ).

 

[Woof]

Ummmm, we were ranked #2 in the nation for 3pt FG % (38.49). Strong, Fudd and Ziebell shot > 40%, with Quinonez at 39.5% and Heckle at 38%.

That's not chopped liver.

In blow outs versus weak teams, they were great. They need to hit them when it matters.

 

[Blond D.]

I can't recall a body of evidence that tells me Jana " can shoot from the outside." The same holds for Morgan, although she may have proven it in HS ( don't know ).

Outside don't always mean 3's. Jana has hit from beyond the foul line and her shot looked good plus she did a lot of scoring from there before she came to UCONN. Same with Morgan Morgan has hit from just about everywhere in her first year.

 

[hoophuskee]

In blow outs versus weak teams, they were great. They need to hit them when it matters.

They were "great enough" to get to the Final Four. This is what Geno has said mutliple times what really matters is that you are there the final week for a chance to win the title. They got the number 1 seed because of those blowouts. They got the draw because of those blowouts. And they won convincingly enough to show that it wasn't very hard to get to get to the FF - and a lot had to do with how other teams needed to prepare to account for that 3pt shooting because of those blowouts.

 

[oldude]

They were "great enough" to get to the Final Four. This is what Geno has said mutliple times what really matters is that you are there the final week for a chance to win the title. They got the number 1 seed because of those blowouts. They got the draw because of those blowouts. And they won convincingly enough to show that it wasn't very hard to get to get to the FF - and a lot had to do with how other teams needed to prepare to account for that 3pt shooting because of those blowouts.

After 9 seasons where UConn WBB had not won a championship, there was a bit of mellowing by many UConn fans, who finally acknowledged what Geno had been saying all along, “Winning a championship is hard.” But after finally winning one championship 10 years after the last one, many UConn fans are right back in the mindset that if the Huskies don’t win a championship, there must be something wrong with the team and the season is a failure.

I try my best to stay positive and avoid these impossible arguments with the naysayers. But I get it. Sometimes it’s difficult to not hit send……. 🤯

 

[Galaxyshooter]

I know how you will answer my question, but I have to ask it anyways. Who is the pg in your BIG lineup?

probably Sarah or Morgan with Blanca on standby...IMP

 

[hoophuskee]

After 9 seasons where UConn WBB had not won a championship, there was a bit of mellowing by many UConn fans, who finally acknowledged what Geno had been saying all along, “Winning a championship is hard.” But after finally winning one championship 10 years after the last one, many UConn fans are right back in the mindset that if the Huskies don’t win a championship, there must be something wrong with the team and the season is a failure.

I try my best to stay positive and avoid these impossible arguments with the naysayers. But I get it. Sometimes it’s difficult to not hit send……. 🤯

I respect so much all the teams that get to the FF. None of those teams are "Cinderella." They're all "dogs" in a good way. I'm just a fan though of enjoying offense. It doesn't have to be 100-99 but 62/51/48/44 is imo horrific. The 09-10 team is one of my favorites ever; but that championship finals game vs Stanford, was one of the most miserably offensively-executed games at that time what I watched with teams having such thigh-level talent, that I could never watch that game ever again. I am still stunned how the scores in this FF can be so low for a game that is supposedly improving. Anyhow, any team that gets to FF is capable of winning. So this title or bust is so silly for anyone that thinks that. I just wonder sometimes if there just isn’t that healthy respect for the quality of the opponent.

Throughout the modern history/era of basketball - a one-and-done format will never be 100% certain that one team will win before the tourney starts. These are 20 year old kids. No matter what you do in the regular season, pressure in that 1 game can take everything away. That's a reason why in part experience matters. Twenty-year olds are more apt to go up-and-down in those moments. I know there is some talk for example to dump the ball down low to Jana as an example in those games UCONN wins by 20+ points so she’ll be "better prepared" vs the opponent. The theory on the surface is right -- but it isn't reality. In one-and-dones - sometimes you don't see a certain type of opponent, other times you don't have the same pressure that you have when you are in FF, or sometimes for example in Lake Placid you have an invincible team have one awful game in which their excellent coach also makes mistakes too such as pull the number1 goalie in the world because of the pressure which impacts the team etc. That's the nature of 1-and-dones.