Sarah strong hype

[RoadMaster]

 

[reelfan]

We have Sarah and you don't.

 

[mauconnfan]

I am not saying Sarah is not good, she's very good but Geno has a history of pumping up the players before the season. She needs to be everything that you and others have hyped if we want to win a title as we are not as deep in the front court and her skills will most definitely be needed but NO WAY do I think she's "best freshman in a very long time" as just 3 years ago we had the first freshman who was the only freshman to win POY....that's my point.

Now all that said, I did look back over the last 7 #1 ranked players who have come to UConn and the rather interesting stat is of the 242 games played in their freshman season at UConn, the prior year #1 HoopGurlz prospect only started 124 games or 51% of the time! This speaks to the volume of talent the team already possessed.

To wit:
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis started only 1 game her Freshman year of 38. The team had Hayes, Hartley, Dolson, Faris, Doty
Stewie only started 17 of 39 and the team had KML, Dolson, Doty, Faris and Hartley
Katie Lou Samuelson started 22 of 37 on a team with Stewie, Tuck, Mo, Kia, Gabby and Saniya
Megan Walker did not start any games of her 36 on a team with KLS, Phee, Kia, Gabby, Crystal Dangerfield and Azura
Christyn Williams started all 38
Paige started all 29
Azzi started 17 of 25

I disagree on Geno hyping up his freshman consistently. He’s normally the opposite from what I recall no?

 

[Bone Dog]

Geno on Media Day recalling Sarah as a junior in high school: “If we get her to come to our program, she’s going to change the trajectory of our program.”

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Geno on Media Day recalling Sarah as a junior in high school: “If we get her to come to our program, she’s going to change the trajectory of our program.”

Didn’t he famously say “we have Diana and you don’t”?

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I disagree on Geno hyping up his freshman consistently. He’s normally the opposite from what I recall no?

He didn’t do it a lot, but he did for 3 or 4 of them. Shea Ralph and Diana as freshman were two that I remember.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

If this was posted in another thread, I missed it. Seems to fit here though.



UConn coach Geno Auriemma told reporters that Strong is shy, introverted and studious off the court. Auriemma said Strong had that same cautious approach on the floor in September and early October but has become more assertive lately while showcasing the skills that made her such a prized recruit.

He can’t wait to see what’s next from her.

“I can honestly say that she’s probably as impressive as any freshman that we’ve had in a long, long time with all the things that she’s capable of doing on the court,” Auriemma said. “I’m excited because every day she does something I haven’t seen before from her. I’m anxious every day to go to practice to see what’s the next step that she can take – a little baby step, but the next step.”

From Strong to Justice, meet some of the top freshmen in women's basketball

UConn’s Sarah Strong doesn’t need to look far to find inspiration as she gets ready to begin her college career.

ca.sports.yahoo.com

 

[Steelerone]

From everything I’ve seen, folks indicate that when she is off of the court, she is demure, quiet, almost bashful in personality. In essence, she is not banging on reporter’s doors, nor out on social media with “look at me” stuff. Probably something that she is going to have to learn to do more of frankly.

Geno indicated earlier this week, paraphrasing, “Every single day, she shows me something new that I didn't know she could do. She is the best freshman that we have had here at UConn in a very long time”. He did not include the statement “with the exception of…”. No idea of what his definition of very long time is, but four years ago he had a freshman who was National Player of the Year; it was the only time in history in which that award was given to a freshman!

Why should she have to learn to be something she's not?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

NBC Got Next:

 

[Cuango]

IMO her limitation this year will be determined by specifically a few of her teammates; Paige, Azzi, and Jana, and Kaitlyn. I believe Chen's best chance for pro ball on Offense and best chance for UCONN utilizing her is that she also works on her ability to set up players and become a more efficient shooter. So, it comes down to how much is she going to shoot. I don't expect her to be shooting 2nd or 3rd in terms of attempts and maybe not even 4th. This then paves the way for when Azzi is healthy, we also have Paige, Jana and Sarah. Paige is going to be the shot leader. But she is a natural scorer,. So, what's the expression "You can take the dog out of the fight, but you can’t take the fight out of the dog?" At some level Chen is going to at least be a scorer to a degree especially when that lane is open.

We also have Paige, Azzi, Jana and Sarah as potential big scorers. Paige is going to be the shot leader. And Azzi is the best overall shooter. and if we hear Geno right that Jana is a beast (and more than likely that a big strength is her inside play), and we know that an amazing passer Sarah is/going to be, then she won't accumulate as many points. While she still would be "super" it would be / could be very, very "understated." And in a way she seems to prefer in personality to be "understated."

Though you know- I think she is tremendous. But I can see if the other "pieces connect” she would be spectacular but not be showmanship prolific year 1. This would result high team efficiency in which she would be utilizing her gifted passing skills/abilities.

While I do believe Azzi has the best shot I remain unconvinced that she is the “best overall shooter“. I believe that title belongs to Paige. Admittedly, it is certainly possible that Azzi could potentially earn that title if she can stay healthy. I am doubtful though, simply because Paige plays at a level that I’ve never seen before. Certainly however, Azzi has otherworldly potential herself if she can stay healthy.

It is difficult to put into words just how lethal a (fully healthy) Paige & Azzi combination could be! Imagine Paige shooting 53% overall and 43% from three (clearly possible) joined by Azzi shooting 50%+- and 40+-. Now throw in Ash at 49% & 38%, KK at 48% & 35%, Allie at 47% & 40%, and Sarah at 50% & 37%! Obviously, everyone but Paige would be an educated guess ( an easily defensible one though, imo) but even if all shoot 2% lower than my guess, that s as much firepower as I’ve ever seen on one roster! This team, healthy, has the ability to post some staggering numbers and that’s not even counting the posts, who also have some serious scoring potential! Then, on top of all that, we have Q & Aubrey, with hopefully, Caroline perhaps joining in later on in the season!

 

[Bone Dog]

It is difficult to put into words just how lethal a (fully healthy) Paige & Azzi combination could be

Excellent post. I’ve been in the habit of imagining a duo, the Paige & Azzi show. But I have a feeling we ought to start thinking of a trio: Paige Azzi & Sarah, Inc. They may turn out to be the constants around whom the rest of the team revolves. They may be the only ones who regularly get 25+ minutes per game.

Paige plays at a level that I’ve never seen before.

This is also my sentiment on most days. But then it hits me that I’ve seen someone playing at this level before, with the smarts, the swagger, the killer instinct and the transcendent trash talking: Diana. I’m not saying they’re identical, but they share some traits. It’s just that the way they each carry themselves and then carry a team is distinctive. Neither of them is an isolation-type scorer or a ball-hog. They each move well without the ball and are deadly passers as well as shooters. Diana’s career traced a path worth emulating and so far Paige has been thwarted by injury, hers and those of others. But perhaps this season we’ll finally get to see what her career could look like.

From the beginning of her recruitment, Geno has thought of Sarah as someone who could “change the trajectory of the program.” This season we may get to see what an overlap of three transcendent talents will look like again. What a lucky star Sarah arrives in Storrs under. If all goes well, she gets to play with one or two of the greats, players eager to prove themselves and leave a mark on the wall. And then Sarah will inherit the program and make her own mark. These are heady times and I hope the malign fate that’s haunted Storrs for the past few years gets out of their way.

 

[oldude]

Excellent post. I’ve been in the habit of imagining a duo, the Paige & Azzi show. But I have a feeling we ought to start thinking of a trio: Paige Azzi & Sarah, Inc. They may turn out to be the constants around whom the rest of the team revolves. They may be the only ones who regularly get 25+ minutes per game.


This is also my sentiment on most days. But then it hits me that I’ve seen someone playing at this level before, with the smarts, the swagger, the killer instinct and the transcendent trash talking: Diana. I’m not saying they’re identical, but they share some traits. It’s just that the way they each carry themselves and then carry a team is distinctive. Neither of them is an isolation-type scorer or a ball-hog. They each move well without the ball and are deadly passers as well as shooters. Diana’s career traced a path worth emulating and so far Paige has been thwarted by injury, hers and those of others. But perhaps this season we’ll finally get to see what her career could look like.

From the beginning of her recruitment, Geno has thought of Sarah as someone who could “change the trajectory of the program.” This season we may get to see what an overlap of three transcendent talents will look like again. What a lucky star Sarah arrives in Storrs under. If all goes well, she gets to play with one or two of the greats, players eager to prove themselves and leave a mark on the wall. And then Sarah will inherit the program and make her own mark. These are heady times and I hope the malign fate that’s haunted Storrs for the past few years gets out of their way.

Agree on the Paige, Azzi, Sarah combination, a potentially lethal trio of 3 #1 recruits on the court at the same time. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, because that combination will require everyone to be healthy and playing to form. But the vision of 3 UConn superstars carving up opponents is a beautiful thing.

 

[Bone Dog]

Agree on the Paige, Azzi, Sarah combination, a potentially lethal trio of 3 #1 recruits on the court at the same time. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, because that combination will require everyone to be healthy and playing to form. But the vision of 3 UConn superstars carving up opponents is a beautiful thing.

Now you’ve done it. You poked my turban and a crystal ball rolled out. It’s absurd prediction time.

The trio of Paige Azzi and Sarah will average ~60 points per game. The future is always hazy and I can’t see exactly how it will play out yet, but signs point to only Paige averaging over 20, perhaps as much as 25 points. Of course any of the three is capable of dropping 30 on a given night. The rest of the roster merely has to come up with another 25 to bring the total up to 85 or so.

 

[oldude]

Now you’ve done it. You poked my turban and a crystal ball rolled out. It’s absurd prediction time.

The trio of Paige Azzi and Sarah will average ~60 points per game. The future is always hazy and I can’t see exactly how it will play out yet, but signs point to only Paige averaging over 20, perhaps as much as 25 points. Of course any of the three is capable of dropping 30 on a given night. The rest of the roster merely has to come up with another 25 to bring the total up to 85 or so.

As info, there was one other year when UConn WBB fielded a team with 3 #1 HS players. That was the 2018-19 season with Lou, Megan # Christyn. That team lost a tough one to ND in the national semifinals. Hopefully this year’s version goes 1 game farther and ends the season with a win.

 

[Ace565]

Why should she have to learn to be something she's not?

This is Uconn, do you have to ask that? Geno coaches all his players to be the best version of themselves on and off the court. Doing more on the court makes you a better player and elevates you to the next level. All playahs strive to get to the next level. Uconn has many of those.

 

[DefenseBB]

Now you’ve done it. You poked my turban and a crystal ball rolled out. It’s absurd prediction time.

The trio of Paige Azzi and Sarah will average ~60 points per game. The future is always hazy and I can’t see exactly how it will play out yet, but signs point to only Paige averaging over 20, perhaps as much as 25 points. Of course any of the three is capable of dropping 30 on a given night. The rest of the roster merely has to come up with another 25 to bring the total up to 85 or so.

No, they won't average 60 Points a game. Where do you come up with these insane postulations? Seriously, never in the history of the program have 3 players averaged 60 points combined. That is just NOT UConn basketball-passing and distribution are.

Stewie-Morgan-Mo averaged 43.7 in 2016 (19.8, 13.7, 12.6); KLS, Phee, Gabby averaged 44.9 in 2017; KLS, Phee and Azura average 47.2 in 2017 (17.4, 16.1, 14.7) which are still far cries from 60 points. Heck, back in 2001 Svet, Swin, Sue Bird and Diana only averaged 48.1 (14.1, 12.2, 10.9, 10.9). But hey feel free to show me any other 3 who have come close to 60.

I know you enjoy "learning" from your gaffs so I am more than happy to oblige when you post illogical comments. So, before you say "anything is possible", you do have to have some semblance of data to support why a C+ student will get into Harvard.

 

[Bone Dog]

No, they won't average 60 Points a game. Where do you come up with these insane postulations? Seriously, never in the history of the program have 3 players averaged 60 points combined. That is just NOT UConn basketball-passing and distribution are.

Stewie-Morgan-Mo averaged 43.7 in 2016 (19.8, 13.7, 12.6); KLS, Phee, Gabby averaged 44.9 in 2017; KLS, Phee and Azura average 47.2 in 2017 (17.4, 16.1, 14.7) which are still far cries from 60 points. Heck, back in 2001 Svet, Swin, Sue Bird and Diana only averaged 48.1 (14.1, 12.2, 10.9, 10.9). But hey feel free to show me any other 3 who have come close to 60.

I know you enjoy "learning" from your gaffs so I am more than happy to oblige when you post illogical comments. So, before you say "anything is possible", you do have to have some semblance of data to support why a C+ student will get into Harvard.

I see you're in debate mode again. What on earth makes you even want to refute a tongue in cheek prediction offered from under a turban? This is just a category error. When someone offers a prediction, they're really inviting you to make your own prediction.

And you're absolutely right, no previous team has lived up to my prediction. And I also think it's only a distant possibility this time around. But here, indulge me. How do you think it will actually shake out?

• Will Paige replicate last year's 22/game or fall short of this? I could see her ending up with ~19/game or with ~26/game.
• What about Azzi? She may only play in 25 or 30 games, and she may have reduced minutes. Will she be good for only ~12/game or 15/game or better?
• On Sarah, we have very little to go on. But we can speculate in a fan forum. Is she good for 12/game or more?

What's your crystal ball showing you?

 

[PacoSwede]

I see you're in debate mode again. What on earth makes you even want to refute a tongue in cheek prediction offered from under a turban?

this is the question -- if @DefenseBB is willing to answer -- that would interest me. the rest of the exchange is a drag.

an answer to this would be intriguing/revealing, however.

thanx.

 

[Boreifs]

Now you’ve done it. You poked my turban and a crystal ball rolled out. It’s absurd prediction time.

The trio of Paige Azzi and Sarah will average ~60 points per game. The future is always hazy and I can’t see exactly how it will play out yet, but signs point to only Paige averaging over 20, perhaps as much as 25 points. Of course any of the three is capable of dropping 30 on a given night. The rest of the roster merely has to come up with another 25 to bring the total up to 85 or so.

Name one trio in the history of college basketball that averaged 60 points a game.

 

[hoophuskee]

While I do believe Azzi has the best shot I remain unconvinced that she is the “best overall shooter“. I believe that title belongs to Paige. Admittedly, it is certainly possible that Azzi could potentially earn that title if she can stay healthy. I am doubtful though, simply because Paige plays at a level that I’ve never seen before. Certainly however, Azzi has otherworldly potential herself if she can stay healthy.

We can agree to diasgree on better shooter. But maybe our definition is different. IMO Paige is the better scorer. But if Azzi were healthy imo she is the better shooter. Too hard to prove either way. Paige gets more easy baskets for example this past game she got about 5 baskets inside 5 feet thus her fg%'s will be higher. To me that type of shooting is not my defintion of a "shooter." And both have been hurt and played hurt. And because Paige is better quite a bit is that she can do more on her own.

For the record I'm with you, I think Paige is all-time great. Frustrating to read those refer to her as "Passive." While she said it about herself, players often use hyperbole. We need to "fight more," etc. You can't be passive with all the results she has had. An occassional play, sure. But there is no such thing as a perfect player. Especially 21 yo. Therefore expectations somtimes get extreme.

And of expecatations that Paige isn't great because she hasn't won it all are absurd. Paige has kept UCONN relevant in the quest year-over-year to get championships. Always available the last week to compete. And as Geno has said 'That's all that matters." - He made stipluations if his team was a powerhouse. Paige's teammates have not been powerhouses - maybe AE was but overall not really.