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Message: [QUOTE="BlueSkyGLW, post: 5069067, member: 11281"] This roster doesn't really matter who starts, it is more important who should be on court at the most crucial moments but that depends on the opponent, whether more offense is needed or more defense. The players certainly understand this. But since Coach will look at everything knowing that this is Paige's last year, Aubrey's too, Caroline's still iffy health and uncertainty about what Azzi will eventually decide re: staying or leaving for the WNBA, there are lots to find out about which combinations offers the best floor and ceiling potential and then how to develop capabilities and chemistry of the rest with NC in mind as the forever goal. Right now, taking everything into account, the combination that, to me, offers the best potential (everything taken into account) is: Paige, Azzi, Sarah, Jana and Kaitlyn. Though Paige and Azzi haven't played together much at UConn, they have long practiced together at UConn and on their own, so their chemistry is not in question and when healthy their scoring potential is unmatched. They are both healthy now. Azzi has shown to be a fairly good defender and Paige has improved a lot, even against forwards. Coach would want to find out early what they can finally do together plus, he knows that Paige recruited Azzi so they can play together. This is their last chance as two top-ranked recruits to play together. Incoming, Sarah does everything you want a point forward to do, very well indeed: pass, shoot, defend and rebound, albeit against players her age both at home and internationally. Given this, Coach would want to find out whether she can translate those skills against older, many more skilled competition. If she succeeds, it maximizes that position's effective contributions to go along with her 3 level offense. Jana offers the size with a well-rounded skill set to go along with an aggressive and focused approach to the game on both sides of the ball, that no one else in the team can. Similarly, Coach would want to find out quickly with an eye to accelerate her development and integration with the team. She, too, has a 3 level offense. I was thinking of KK as the primary ballhandler but I decided that Kaitlyn's experience and IQ are important elements to develop chemistry with the rest for another stabilizing hand in the most crucial moments against tough opponents, especially during tournament time. This would allow KK to grow at a better pace than last year while coming off the bench. As the year progresses, if her play shows she is able to contribute more or something than Kaitlyn, nothing will stop the Coach from giving her more time. All 5 can shoot from long and mid range and can also drive. They are all fast enough to play with the pace UConn wants. After that, Coach can do what he wants: use a hockey substitution pattern, mix and match to give everyone minutes against weaker opponents, etc. But he can also change the mix depending on whether he wants a pressing defense. For this, Aubrey's and likely KK's numbers will be called. If hockey subbing, the next five can also be good on offense and defense, and able to shoot from distance. If Caroline is cleared, that next five could be Ice, Caroline, Aubrey, KK, and Ashlynn. Good luck Coach in trying to give everyone minutes, mostly during the regular season to develop them just in case they will be needed come tournament time. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach