I disagree mildly on one minor detail. I think Aubrey will be needed as depth behind Azzi and Caroline at the two wings. Nika is a point guard and UConn needs more than four guards, particularly if someone is injured. I know the transfer portal is an option, but realistically who is going to come to a team that already has Paige, Azzi and Caroline? Not a lot of minutes left there.
So you have no faith in our two super Freshmen?! I also wonder how SC feels about going against Paige, Azzi and Caroline.
SC already beat UConn by double digits with Paige, Azzi, and Caroline, so they probably feel pretty good actually.
I have it on double secret authority that
Aubrey is another versatile athlete that can play a number of positions for the Huskies. My overriding hope is simply that she’s able to come back healthy.
Interesting comment, since Azzi was playing injured and Caroline didn’t play.
Let's not forget that Geno once said Dorka has a lingering injury that hasn't gone away and they are trying to watch her minutes....except when they don't have any choice (like when ONO went out for a few games). She has grown comfortable and has a good thing going with Azzi.....her defense has improved. But what is it with her and Aaliyah - they keep falling down a lot fighting for the ball in the post.
Azzi still played 10 minutes in a game where three of the starters almost went the full 40, and it was ultimately the coach's decision not to use Caroline. South Carolina also lost Raven Johnson for the year about a week before our game if we're going to go down the injury rabbit hole. I prefer to say South Carolina beat us fair and square and leave it at that. No injury excuses, no the ball was too orange excuses, etc. If we meet again we'll see what happens as both teams are improved since that November game, but I'm pretty sure they're not afraid of or apprehensive about playing UConn as they already know they can beat us.
I understood the plan this year was to play Aubrey more at guard (wing) since the post was getting crowded and will get more so next year, if Dorka stays.
To create an effective post of Dorka/ONO's quality takes years. Dorka is now just beginning to be as good as she may get.While I certainly hope she stays, UConn will be far stronger up front than most teams they will face next year baring any transfers........Cunningham is the only upgrade available in the 2023 class at the post and many have doubts she's leaving the left coast.........of course if Toomey comes to UConn adding an athletic 6'4" forward would be good enough for me......
interesting
You are probably correct by the end of next season. Few kids are Paige, Fudd, Caroline that hit the floor running, scoring and defending. Posts, few in the past--even Dolson, throw at Griner as a Frosh, took time and help to become DOLSON. Tina, tough as nails, became TINA as a JR. Jessica Moore took much more time.
Caroline didn't play in that game, Azzi, Nika and Dorka were all nursing summer foot injuries and soon after were on the bench for a few games. I'd love to play them again healthy.
Absolutely, they won the first game, absolutely they don’t fear us, absolutely we would like to see a second game.
Azzi and Caroline are freshman. look what happened to Diana Taurasi her freshman year in NCAA tournament. She went 1 for something. Not easy a high pressure game.
as Geno advises, you only get one senior day = 1 bite of the apple.
I think Brady is college ready on the offensive end, while Patterson should be a dominant defensive and rebounding presence from the jump......if Edwards can become more consistent that's a pretty physical front line without even discussing Deberry and Gabriel......will they be perfect? heck no but they will be formidable.......
The players might feel good going in, but I doubt Dawn feels like it's a lock to win. She will be working her players very hard to make sure they don't feel any complancy
nope against the rules
I thought Bruno was retiring after this year? I would think she would want to go where she can improve her game. Lots of players leave home / family to play with the best. Anyone remember Lou Lou Lou? Just sayin.
In the Nov. game versus SC, UConn solidly won the 1st quarter and was ahead at half. Fudd and Muhl barely played, Dorka was coming off injury and didn't play much, Caroline didn't play at all and Paige had one of her worst nights shooting. Suspect both schools know that they can win versus the other but the UConn team SC beat is almost a totally different team today.
Until we hear different. Seems odd though that she will participate in senior day activities if she plans on coming back next year. We're getting conflicting signals here. No doubt she'll make her plans known for next year within a week or two after the season. These young adults can change their minds from one year to the next. We don't know if she has aspirations of playing in the W, or in the European leagues. I think UConn would be a much better team next year with her on the roster.
Morgan hinted that she was not sticking around at the AAC media day in September before the start of her senior season, so I don't count her in the same way as someone like Dorka who has been a part of the program for all of 9 months and seemed pretty firm that she was staying for 2 years.
