Sarah and Maya

[Bone Dog]

A little Paige perspective.

Since we’re thinking about historical comparisons, here’s one. Paige has played 100 games, and is currently the all time PPG leader at UConn at 19.8. She is slightly ahead of Maya. If this is her last season, she will likely end up with a total of ~120 games played. At her current pace, she’ll end up with ~2400 pts for her career, which would put her ~3rd on the all time list behind only Maya and Stewie, and ~tied with Phee. But she’ll have done it in ~30 fewer games than any of the greats.

Also, in terms of durability, Paige is second in minutes/g with 32.3 behind only Christyn Williams. Maya comes in 7th with 30.4 mpg. If this is an indirect measure of how indispensable she’s been, given the talent assembled around her, Paige has been more of a workhorse for Geno than any of the all time greats.

If Paige were somehow to get to 150 games (which would require her to return next season) she’d be very close to matching or surpassing Maya’s record. So, as a general rule, I think we should remember that Paige’s accomplishments are likely to have occurred in the equivalent of 3 seasons, while the other greats had 4 seasons to notch their records.

NB: I haven’t said anything about the greater competitive parity of WCBB in Paige’s era. In other words, a case could be made that Paige is one of the UConn GOATs.

 

[packwrap]

Sarah's first basket against Villanova was a pass that landed at her feet just about under the hoop. She caught the "short hop" and went right up to make the hoop in one motion.
Very few, if any players could even do that.
Comparing her to a Hall of Famer maybe early , but man, she is very special.

This! She makes difficult look routine. Also when you see the highlights, every contribution comes from a different spot on the floor, in a different way. Really unbelievable as a frosh...add in she's so mellow and mature.

 

[Centerstream]

Like you, I am for EVERY Huskie to be performing at their peak at the same time for the 6 game NCAA tourney!

Sarah is currently ahead of Maya's amazing numbers in 3 out of 4 categories, and we all know that "two out of three ain't bad":



Go Huskies!!!

Swerve: Love posts featuring Meat Loaf... thank you.

 

[packwrap]

That is a huge compliment for Sarah. She really is a very good player and right now is as good as anyone I have seen this year in college ball. I do think that playing the small lineup though will not benefit her growth and I hope Geno doesn't decide to use her like he did Paige. These kids deserve to be developed to play at the next level and for Sarah that is going to be a 3.

Sarah really gives up very little playing either 4 with Jana, or 5 with Morgan/Paige in the UConn system.

In both cases she's free to be out on the perimeter, or in the post. In small ball, as 5 she will also be passing/shooting from high post.

She can and has already shown her whole skillset. It's not like she's only buried down low waiting for an entry pass or a putback.

On defense, she's been guarding both opposing forwards and centers, depending on the matchup.

If Jana and Ice reach their potential, however, a future line up of Jana 5, Ice 4 and Sarah 3, would have all of them at their best positions. I just don't think that will be viable yet this year for NCAA tourney.

 

[AzzisBraids]

Sooner than later Sara will be pushing Paige as the best player this season.

That ship has sailed

 

[AzzisBraids]

I'm not trying to be controversial but it's apples and oranges. Maya is a singular UConn talent, she's UConn's all time leading scorer, one of the best players to step foot in Storrs and inspired a generation of women. The Caitlyn's, JuJu's, Paige's and Sarah's picked up a ball in no small part, due to her. And that's not my words, they said that.

Sarah is an exceptional freshman and her numbers are comparable, but there's just no comparison. Maya Moore was a shot hunter, exploiter, take advantager and she just knew that her impact was using her skills to put her team ahead. Geno said it "No way Maya Moore turns down a shot when she's open, she doesn't turn down a shot when she's guarded by 3 people." Sarah is learning that but defers at times.

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm not trying to be controversial but it's apples and oranges. Maya is a singular UConn talent, she's UConn's all time leading scorer, one of the best players to step foot in Storrs and inspired a generation of women. The Caitlyn's, JuJu's, Paige's and Sarah's picked up a ball in no small part, due to her. And that's not my words, they said that.

Sarah is an exceptional freshman and her numbers are comparable, but there's just no comparison. Maya Moore was a shot hunter, exploiter, take advantager and she just knew that her impact was using her skills to put her team ahead. Geno said it "No way Maya Moore turns down a shot when she's open, she doesn't turn down a shot when she's guarded by 3 people." Sarah is learning that but defers at times.

Disagree, with respect. As I pointed out above, Paige’s achievements are comparable to some of Maya’s. And by comparable, I mean of similar value. If Sarah can play on the same court as Paige and not be eclipsed, then she can be compared to Maya and the other GOATs.

 

[uconnfan68]

Disagree, with respect. As I pointed out above, Paige’s achievements are comparable to some of Maya’s. And by comparable, I mean of similar value. If Sarah can play on the same court as Paige and not be eclipsed, then she can be compared to Maya and the other GOATs.

They all could seamlessly play together. And each would make the others better, and none would want credit for it.

 

[AzzisBraids]

Disagree, with respect. As I pointed out above, Paige’s achievements are comparable to some of Maya’s. And by comparable, I mean of similar value. If Sarah can play on the same court as Paige and not be eclipsed, then she can be compared to Maya and the other GOATs.

You cannot compare a freshman to a hall of fame talent by court association of another player. Fractioning Maya Moore's freshman year and comparing it to Paige or Sarah is reductive, at best.

There isn't a comparison to Maya Moore yet for either of them in value, or any other metric unless you segment them, by class and Maya wins the totality.

I love how passionate everyone is and I think Paige and Sarah are generational players But Maya played 128 games in a UConn uniform, averaged 19.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.5 steals a game. Won 2 chips, never not played in the Final 4 and had a 150-4 record. Sarah and Paige are writing their story, Maya, Diana, Tina, Rebecca, Sue, and Breanna on a secluded island.

 

[packwrap]

You cannot compare a freshman to a hall of fame talent by court association of another player. Fractioning Maya Moore's freshman year and comparing it to Paige or Sarah is reductive, at best.

Completely agree Maya on top of Mountain.

On the stat front, it's just amazing that despite Paige having a pass first mentality, and Sarah still being a deferential freshman, that both their stat lines are right there with the shot seeking Maya.

All 3 are so much fun to watch and different types of player. Paige a guard, who does something creative and unusual every game, Sarah a large human, who is somehow quick, explosive and has guard skills, Maya the classic small forward with both hoops skills and ridiculous athleticism.

With Sarah obviously still a long, long way to go before complete evaluation.

Add Taurasi and Charles and that's a pretty complete all star team.

 

[Bone Dog]

You cannot compare a freshman to a hall of fame talent by court association of another player. Fractioning Maya Moore's freshman year and comparing it to Paige or Sarah is reductive, at best.

There isn't a comparison to Maya Moore yet for either of them in value, or any other metric unless you segment them, by class and Maya wins the totality.

I love how passionate everyone is and I think Paige and Sarah are generational players But Maya played 128 games in a UConn uniform, averaged 19.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.5 steals a game. Won 2 chips, never not played in the Final 4 and had a 150-4 record. Sarah and Paige are writing their story, Maya, Diana, Tina, Rebecca, Sue, and Breanna on a secluded island.

I totally agree about equating a freshman to a hall of famer. It’s purely speculative, but fun. And don’t worry, Maya’s at the top of the mountain for me too.

My only point is that Paige is not a callow freshman. She is also scaling the mountain and has already matched Maya’s scoring average record. Sadly, Paige will not get the 150+ games Maya had to match her total points record. It’s likely she will tie or come close to Phee’s 3rd place spot on the all time scoring list in the little time she has left which is little more than 3 season’s worth of games.

We all basked in the afterglow of Maya’s brilliance for 4 years. And I distinctly remember the feeling after she left, like a fish stranded on the beach after a storm wondering if the tide would ever return to take me back into the ocean. Thankfully, Stewie came along and brought the joy back.

Well, the fact is Paige has been doing monumental things right before our eyes and I refuse to miss it or somehow ‘relegate’ her because injuries have kept her from winning a chip and will likely end up having stolen a season from her. Paige is ‘magnificent’ too.

Of course, I agree that none of this makes Sarah equivalent to a hall of famer yet. But we can see some hopeful signs of what she might become by comparing her to a teammate who is absolutely equivalent (in my eyes) to the UConn greats. And I’m all about hope.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

That ship has sailed

As Christopher Cross would say {sing} about Sailing:


But it is Geno & CD's "canvass" to do miracles. We just get to sit back and enjoy the journey to "paradise" through the NC #13..

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I totally agree about equating a freshman to a hall of famer. It’s purely speculative, but fun. And don’t worry, Maya’s at the top of the mountain for me too.

My only point is that Paige is not a callow freshman. She is also scaling the mountain and has already matched Maya’s scoring average record. Sadly, Paige will not get the 150+ games Maya had to match her total points record. It’s likely she will tie or come close to Phee’s 3rd place spot on the all time scoring list in the little time she has left which is little more than 3 season’s worth of games.

We all basked in the afterglow of Maya’s brilliance for 4 years. And I distinctly remember the feeling after she left, like a fish stranded on the beach after a storm wondering if the tide would ever return to take me back into the ocean. Thankfully, Stewie came along and brought the joy back.

Well, the fact is Paige has been doing monumental things right before our eyes and I refuse to miss it or somehow ‘relegate’ her because injuries have kept her from winning a chip and will likely end up having stolen a season from her. Paige is ‘magnificent’ too.

Of course, I agree that none of this makes Sarah equivalent to a hall of famer yet. But we can see some hopeful signs of what she might become by comparing her to a teammate who is absolutely equivalent (in my eyes) to the UConn greats. And I’m all about hope.

Many championships had a Big Three. Right now, this edition of the Huskies has a consistent Big Two [Paige & Sarah].

Now, it may be a rotating "third" [for the Big Three metaphor] with a different Husky each game depending on the game planning by the opponents of whom they want to deny. Each of the other 7 - 9 Huskies playing need to be ready to step up on "their night." It may not even be one of the other starters, possibly KK, Morgan, Ash, etc. off the bench...

I don't mind who has the biggest impact each game, but even better these Huskies don't mind who is making the biggest impact as they are happy for them, which indicates the positive attitude of the entire team.

Go Huskies!!!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Maya played in 154 games and never lost in the State of Connecticut. Over 16 seasons of high school, college, and the pros, she missed 1 game for precautionary purposes. Lou Gehrig/Cal Ripken.

 

[AzzisBraids]

I totally agree about equating a freshman to a hall of famer. It’s purely speculative, but fun. And don’t worry, Maya’s at the top of the mountain for me too.

My only point is that Paige is not a callow freshman. She is also scaling the mountain and has already matched Maya’s scoring average record. Sadly, Paige will not get the 150+ games Maya had to match her total points record. It’s likely she will tie or come close to Phee’s 3rd place spot on the all time scoring list in the little time she has left which is little more than 3 season’s worth of games.

We all basked in the afterglow of Maya’s brilliance for 4 years. And I distinctly remember the feeling after she left, like a fish stranded on the beach after a storm wondering if the tide would ever return to take me back into the ocean. Thankfully, Stewie came along and brought the joy back.

Well, the fact is Paige has been doing monumental things right before our eyes and I refuse to miss it or somehow ‘relegate’ her because injuries have kept her from winning a chip and will likely end up having stolen a season from her. Paige is ‘magnificent’ too.

Of course, I agree that none of this makes Sarah equivalent to a hall of famer yet. But we can see some hopeful signs of what she might become by comparing her to a teammate who is absolutely equivalent (in my eyes) to the UConn greats. And I’m all about hope.

I agree with you and it was that time of the month for me so I was on a tirade but I I like your perspective now that Im rational.

 

[Bone Dog]

I agree with you and it was that time of the month for me so I was on a tirade but I I like your perspective now that Im rational.

I think I was in some sort of mood too. Perhaps it was the aftermath of Paige’s injury that had me on edge.

 

[Rowdy831]

Paige is an exceptional player and in my opinion on of the all time greats to play the game. At UConn she has been asked to play a position that isn't where she played in HS and most likely won't play in the pros yet she still is amazingly efficient.

As far as talk about her not being the top pick in the draft goes I would put it like this. Any team that passes on Paige will be making a mistake on par with teams taking players before Michael Jordan. Paige is complete player on offense but more importantly she has proven that she can defend and compete with bigger players which will be an issue for other people competing for the overall spot in the draft.

 

[OldSchooler]

Sarah does pass up some outside open looks early in the clock, but I get the feeling that is by design, not hesitation. The play often develops into a better shot, albeit a 2 rather than a 3. I think that's a sign of her maturity, and her ability to see the court, like the chess player seeing 2 moves ahead. When Paige does that, we understand. But for a freshman to have that ability, it's phenomenal. To analogize further, sometimes a great pitcher would rather entice a batter to hit a ball weakly than going for the K.

 

[MSGRET]

While I think Strong is capable of surpassing Moore’s numbers, it is probably a bad sign if she does.

The roster is loaded with potential. If players besides Bueckers and Strong come closer to their full potential, then the numbers of those two will be less. The guards still have a ways to go, but they are closer to realizing their potential than the posts. For example, Moore had Charles to “compete” for rebounds; Strong has Brady and El-Affy. That’s a stark difference and currently a boost for Strong.

Charles was a Sophomore when Moore was a Freshman, Tina wasn't a rebounding wonder until her Junior year. So to say she had to compete with Charles is a misnomer.

 

[HuskyNan]

Charles was a Sophomore when Moore was a Freshman, Tina wasn't a rebounding wonder until her Junior year. So to say she had to compete with Charles is a misnomer.

Tina was always an excellent rebounder

 

[MSGRET]

Tina was always an excellent rebounder

View attachment 106116

I stand corrected, if you look at her numbers and compare them to Jana and Ice they wipe each other out. So @diggerfoot assumption that Strong is getting more rebounds because Jana and Ice numbers combined is less than Tina's is not correct.

 

[HuskyNan]

My thanks to @MSGRET for reminding me of all the amazing players we've been blessed to see through the years. I took a look at some of the top players at UConn and compared freshman stats from their first 15 games (14 for Stewie, who missed games 15 & 16) or full seasons, where stats weren't available for those players. What talent we've seen! I'm not posting the below to show one player is better than another but to highlight these incredible players.

 

[diggerfoot]

I stand corrected, if you look at her numbers and compare them to Jana and Ice they wipe each other out. So @diggerfoot assumption that Strong is getting more rebounds because Jana and Ice numbers combined is less than Tina's is not correct.

? Currently Brady averages 3,6 rpg, El-Affy 5.0, for a combined 8.6, which is less than Charles 8.9 during Moore’s freshman year. But Charles was not the only center. McLaren averaged 3.4 rpg for a combined 12.3 rpg.

Also, I don’t believe Moore had to play center, certainly not to the extent of Strong, and that’s the rub. If Strong has to carry the load for the posts then we will not be as successful as we would if that load is better balanced.

 

[HuskyNan]

Guys @MSGRET and @diggerfoot , no one is taking anyone's rebounds. The 2007-08 team with freshman Maya and sophomore Tina had an average 15 rebounds more overall than 2024-25. But, hey, look at how many forwards were on that team. Sarah and Maya have similar rebounding stats and current players' stats are similar to others on the 2007-08 roster but no one is stepping up to grab the 9 rebounds Tina averaged or Charde's 4. Maybe Aubrey could help fill the gap.

 

[MSGRET]

? Currently Brady averages 3,6 rpg, El-Affy 5.0, for a combined 8.6, which is less than Charles 8.9 during Moore’s freshman year. But Charles was not the only center. McLaren averaged 3.4 rpg for a combined 12.3 rpg.

Also, I don’t believe Moore had to play center, certainly not to the extent of Strong, and that’s the rub. If Strong has to carry the load for the posts then we will not be as successful as we would if that load is better balanced.

Actually, you need to look at the chart that HuskyNan posted #47. It shows that at 15 games in Tina Freshman season she averaged 8.5 rebounds while Ice and Jana average 8.6 combined rebounds. As the season progresses those two will improve their numbers, just like Tina did in her Freshman season.