Sarah Strong article from Mike Anthony

[Sluconn Husky]

“We probably saw most of what Sarah has to offer last year in the NCAA Tournament,” Auriemma said. “She may have had the best rookie NCAA Tournament of anybody, ever, given the impact she had and some of the numbers she put up. You could say, well, it's hard to build on that. But I think her impact is going to be significant. Maybe because people are seeing some of it already, it may not be as big a deal but I think the impact is going to be pretty significant, even more so than last year.


“Defensively, I think she's got a whole other level and you'll see that. The last couple years, we used Paige as our 'Everywhere.' Guard big guys, guard guards. And I think this year Sarah could be that person. She'll be guarding the point guard. She'll be guarding the center. She'll be everywhere on the floor and scoring a lot of the same ways as she did last year and maybe even more in other ways.”


....


I think having that kind of success motivated Sarah to do even more. She's in better shape than she was, because she knows more. She is more confident, because she's already done it. Even more assertive than she was. Even more of someone self-assured. Whatever word you want to use, it's all evident. So compared to last year's first week of practice, it's completely different.”

https://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/article/sarah-strong-geno-auriemma-ncaa-21074684.php

 

[PvP]

You can write her name in this year's POY ballot as far as I'm concerned! And maybe the next two as well....

 

[LwrcasefaN]

If she’s guarding point guards…that may be a problem with no solution.

 

[PhillyCoach]

This article shows me again how UConn develops the players in EVERY way possible. Also, Geno is one of the best coaches because of his psychology and understanding the mental and emotional end. Just watched the Diana T. documentary and Diana said it too. Geno understood her and then she gave in -- a little bit. His old school training and practice methods are golden, but his mental/emotional skills are tops. One more thing--Geno hires the people who know more than him in the areas that are important. Of course, his sidekick co-coach compliments him perfectly (which he knew day one when he hired her.)

 

[FanSince17]

If she’s guarding point guards…that may be a problem with no solution.

If she’s guarding point guards…that may be a problem with no solution.

Speaking of versatility, which we have already seen from Sarah. She defended the posts predominantly last year. If posts, traditionally speaking move block to block and maybe up to the high post, that’s where Sarah defended. If she’s a wing, she’ll be involved in switches and traps out front. Do we think that she cannot do that? When she ventured out to the 3-point line and beyond, she blocked shots and she stole the ball and converted on the other end. She’s also terrific at closing out on shooters. Her help D is spot on, often creating steals and blocks and recovering loose balls.
Could she already be the best defensive player in America?
Something not mentioned a lot is IMO Geno’s responsibility in developing his players. We’ve seen, especially lately, that players come to UConn to get better. He somehow balances team success with player development. Sometimes the two just mesh naturally, like his pushing Paige to think scoring more and Paige having to defend all positions.
I think Geno knows Sarah needs to be a wing at the next level, so IMO one big reason Geno will be inclined to use a big lineup this year will be for Sarah’s development. (full disclosure- I totally love the small lineup)

 

[FanSince17]

This article shows me again how UConn develops the players in EVERY way possible. Also, Geno is one of the best coaches because of his psychology and understanding the mental and emotional end. Just watched the Diana T. documentary and Diana said it too. Geno understood her and then she gave in -- a little bit. His old school training and practice methods are golden, but his mental/emotional skills are tops. One more thing--Geno hires the people who know more than him in the areas that are important. Of course, his sidekick co-coach compliments him perfectly (which he knew day one when he hired her.)

Oops, I wanted to give you a thumbs up

 

[Bone Dog]

You can find videos of Sarah in high school playing defense at midcourt. Grace Academy’s press was designed to funnel opposing guards toward her. She got a lot of steals this way and seemed to be quick enough to get back into halfcourt position too. She got some steals in the FIBA games this way too. She got a steal off Raven Johnson in the first SC blowout in just this way. Her hands are really quick, but also really strong. If she gets a finger on the ball, it’s all over. I wonder if Geno is thinking of using this sort of defense more this season.

One thing this suggests to me is that besides using KK Azzi and Ash in such a press, Morgan could be really good in it too. Her high school coach typically used her as the ‘tip of the spear’ in their press and she was really good in that role. Her size and speed in that final season were really suited to such a challenge. Of course, a lot depends on her completing whatever rehab she needs.

I also suspect Blanca might play a significant role in such a press. Having fleet and long defenders at the front of a press opens up a lot of possibilities. But the key could well be having Sarah waiting at mid court for the harried opponent.

 

[diggerfoot]

If she’s guarding point guards…that may be a problem with no solution.

The “Everywhere” used in this context is not referring to a Faris type player assigned to Chelsea Gray in one game and Alyssa Thomas in another. Bueckers is not at that Faris type level. However, she is competently versatile, able to adjust to defend multiple positions as well as adapt to switches and other changing situations. In this context, Strong will never have a Faris type assignment of sticking to an elite PG like glue, but will be more like a free safety on coverage.

I hope the few critics of Bueckers defense (very ill informed or unobservant) will add the versatility being referenced here to her satisfactory steals, blocks and rebound stats from the guard position.

 

[FanSince17]

She defends 2-5, no problem IMO. Add one more idea: Does she impact the game defensively in all those spots? I think so. She's big, strong, long, quick, agile, with incredible anticipation. What else is there? When we watch the games from a distance we don't understand the impact that strength makes on the floor. (the reason why many here still don't appreciate Nika. She was a real forceful player on the floor.)

 

[The CDR-Ret]

She defends 2-5, no problem IMO. Add one more idea: Does she impact the game defensively in all those spots? I think so. She's big, strong, long, quick, agile, with incredible anticipation. What else is there? When we watch the games from a distance we don't understand the impact that strength makes on the floor. (the reason why many here still don't appreciate Nika. She was a real forceful player on the floor.)

Now if the refs had believed (or if the Croatian "mind-meld" had been effective against the refs) that Nika had very rarely fouled, Nika's records (assists in particular) would be even more amazing with 40.00 mins on the court every game!!!

 

[FanSince17]

100%
I just watched the Elite Eight game vs. USC 2023-24 season. That was an amazing team. They had 60 points a game sitting on the side in sweats. Nika was a big factor. She took risks too. She got her 4th foul, like 2 minutes into the 2nd half, Geno left her out there, he did take her off of JuJu (Paige did a super job on her). She hit 2 big-time 3's, lots of assists, including a sweet one for an Aaliyah layup, and some big rebounds. (Remember, our guards had to rebound their butts off on that team. KK, Ash, and Paige are all good rebounders. Wonder if Azzi will rebound more this year).

 

[Cuango]

You can find videos of Sarah in high school playing defense at midcourt. Grace Academy’s press was designed to funnel opposing guards toward her. She got a lot of steals this way and seemed to be quick enough to get back into halfcourt position too. She got some steals in the FIBA games this way too. She got a steal off Raven Johnson in the first SC blowout in just this way. Her hands are really quick, but also really strong. If she gets a finger on the ball, it’s all over. I wonder if Geno is thinking of using this sort of defense more this season.

One thing this suggests to me is that besides using KK Azzi and Ash in such a press, Morgan could be really good in it too. Her high school coach typically used her as the ‘tip of the spear’ in their press and she was really good in that role. Her size and speed in that final season were really suited to such a challenge. Of course, a lot depends on her completing whatever rehab she needs.

I also suspect Blanca might play a significant role in such a press. Having fleet and long defenders at the front of a press opens up a lot of possibilities. But the key could well be having Sarah waiting at mid court for the harried opponent.

I’m sure I’ve said this before but I think Sarah has the best hands I’ve ever seen! Her hand strength and quickness are simply off the charts! This shows up not only in her defensive play but also on offense. My memory fails me in regards to which games but I remember several occasions where she received passes either sooo far under the basket that I simply thought, “turnover” or at such a weird angle/position relative to the basket that it was seemingly impossible to score and somehow managed to flip the ball up (often with one hand) and score anyway! She is a physical marvel and it is almost frightening to think she is only a sophomore. I am soooo grateful she chose UConn!

 

[hoopsfan22]

You can write her name in this year's POY ballot as far as I'm concerned! And maybe the next two as well....

What about Azzi?

 

[PvP]

What about Azzi?

It's just my opinion that Sarah will be more consistent than Azzi with similar scoring but massively more rebounds (as in last year's tournament) and more assists- just a more productive player overall.

 

[Bone Dog]

It's just my opinion that Sarah will be more consistent than Azzi with similar scoring but massively more rebounds (as in last year's tournament) and more assists- just a more productive player overall.

I agree that Sarah has to be a main contender for NPOY in the coming seasons. But Azzi’s recent presser and her parents’ recent interview both suggest that she may be in the best condition, physically and mentally, of her entire UConn career. She was on a ‘torrential tear’ (to borrow Ryan Ruoco’s apt phrase) starting with the first blowout of SC, and played lockdown defense too. Those two steals against Milaysia, wow! She was beginning to look like the Azzi of the first handful of games of her sophomore season, the one who was a clear contender for NPOY.

I don’t know if there’s some sort of rule that will preclude two players from the same team making it to the short list of these awards. Because if they both pick up where they left off last season, Sarah and Azzi are going to be obvious contenders, even favorites. Maybe they can each win one of them?

 

[fomalhaut]

Since Watkins is out for the season, who are the other frontrunners for the various POY awards (besides Strong and Fudd)?

 

[victor64]

Since Watkins is out for the season, who are the other frontrunners for the various POY awards (besides Strong and Fudd)?

Lauren Betts, Hannah Hidalgo, Joyce Edwards, Madison Booker. Off the top of my head...

 

[DEpup]

I agree that Sarah has to be a main contender for NPOY in the coming seasons. But Azzi’s recent presser and her parents’ recent interview both suggest that she may be in the best condition, physically and mentally, of her entire UConn career. She was on a ‘torrential tear’ (to borrow Ryan Ruoco’s apt phrase) starting with the first blowout of SC, and played lockdown defense too. Those two steals against Milaysia, wow! She was beginning to look like the Azzi of the first handful of games of her sophomore season, the one who was a clear contender for NPOY.

I don’t know if there’s some sort of rule that will preclude two players from the same team making it to the short list of these awards. Because if they both pick up where they left off last season, Sarah and Azzi are going to be obvious contenders, even favorites. Maybe they can each win one of them?

I wouldn't mind a duo like Sarah and Azzi both at the end vying for NPOY like Maya and Tina did.