Serah Williams Commits to UConn

[Woof 101]

Will spend the afternoon reading Volnation, CockyTalk, and the LSU women's board. I don't know why I enjoy the "salt in the wound"!

Understandable.... But do not add any salt in the wound needed. Lets take the high road. The UConn way!

 

[ERWUC65]

The starting lineup at the beginning of the season and moving forward will be determined by the respective talents of those who play best at each position within Geno's system. All this will come from practice and the pre-tournament schedule. I believe the loss of Paige and the addition of Serah will change the focal point of the team to be more paint dominant and less guard dominant. In this structure there will be less dependence on the PG (1) position and either KK, Kelis or Kayleigh (should she commit) would be sufficient there. With Azzi /Ash at the SG (2), the success of the season may be determined by who plays the SF (3), where we could have an interesting competition between Blanca, Morgan or Caroline.

 

[Crossover]

The starting lineup at the beginning of the season and moving forward will be determined by the respective talents of those who play best at each position within Geno's system. All this will come from practice and the pre-tournament schedule. I believe the loss of Paige and the addition of Serah will change the focal point of the team to be more paint dominant and less guard dominant. In this structure there will be less dependence on the PG (1) position and either KK, Kelis or Kayleigh (should she commit) would be sufficient there. With Azzi /Ash at the SG (2), the success of the season may be determined by who plays the SF (3), where we could have an interesting competition between Blanca, Morgan or Caroline.

A more paint dominant team would entail more dependence, not less, on point guards. Post players need someone to get them the ball on time and on target.

 

[ucmiami2]

A more paint dominant team would entail more dependence, not less, on point guards. Post players need someone to get them the ball on time and on target.

Isn't that why coaches like twin towers? Easier pass when you can see over your defender!

 

[Goodgood]

Isn't that why coaches like twin towers? Easier pass when you can see over your defender!

Depends on the towers. Great if you have David Robinson and Tim Duncan, a little different if you have Jana and Ice...

 

[oldude]

Depends on the towers. Great if you have David Robinson and Tim Duncan, a little different if you have Jana and Ice...

I don’t think Jana & Ice constitute twin towers. On the other hand, Jana & Serah certainly do.

But here’s what I think we’ll get a big dose of next year. During the 2016-17 season after 4 national championships, the Big 3 left for the W. Geno came up with the unconventional formula of playing the super-athletic 5’11” Gabby Williams at center on defense and also largely ran his half court offense through her at the high post with Pheesa in the low post. The Huskies came very close to winning a 5th straight national championship.

With Paige gone to the W, I have a sneaking suspicion that Geno will recreate that combination with a supercharged version for next season. I think he will run his half court offense through Sarah at the high post with Serah, who is a superb finisher around the basket, in the low blocks.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Dogstar]

WOW...This young woman's gonna be a major problem for defenses and she seems to be a pretty good passer, the guards better be ready for plenty of kick outs. Once again...WOW!

 

[HopJim]

There is a report that Geno made a statement in which he expected both players to commit after their visits. I don’t have any idea how credible that report is/was, it doesn’t sound like sometime he would say but I did see it.

Unless an alien took over Geno's body, "unlikely" would be an understatement.

 

[Bone Dog]

The last time Geno ran a twin towers lineup was Olivia and Dorka. Before that it was Stewie and Stef. And before that it was Rebecca and Kara. This is a style of play he is very familiar with and knows how to win NCs with. He even occasionally tried to run it with Piath and Amari.

Its central feature is hi-low post passing, which is a mode Geno uses even without twin towers. Olivia and Aaliyah or Aaliyah and Dorka played in this format very frequently. Olivia in particular was quite skilled as a hi-post passer. I’m confident we’ll see a good deal of this between Sarah and Serah, just as @oldude pointed out above, even if this won’t exactly be an example of twin towers.

I wonder if we’ll see more of this with Jana and Ice. Neither of them seems particularly skilled at passing from the hi-post. This is an aspect of their games that needs development. I’d be surprised if Geno doesn’t give this some attention. This season it was really noticeable how the hi-post game was diminished as soon as Sarah left the game. Ice and Jana are limited to handoffs and perimeter passing when they’re stationed at the top of the key and made almost no passes into the lane.

I also suspect Geno will want to have Serah pass from the hi-post and not merely receive passes into the low post. A big who is a scoring threat from the elbow and beyond creates unique challenges for opposing defenses. Sarah posed this sort of challenge in the small lineup this season. I suspect Geno will want to do something even more challenging with his big lineup as well. He may also want to give Jana and ice practice as hi-post passers while Serah is here.

I don’t expect any of next season’s bigs to become passers on the level Sarah is in only one season. She spent a lifetime developing her skills. It’s ingrained in the way she thinks about the game. But any improvements the others can make will surely be welcome.

 

[Cuango]

I have been hoping that we would be able to get Kate Harpring next year and this has lessened my enthusiasm for the recruiting of Heckel. I believe Harpring to be the superior point guard between the two and, as we need a top pg….. plus, to be honest, I just don’t think she is really needed anyway.
However, (I’m a little slow) I am now wondering whether Harpring has rejected our overtures and that is why Geno is going full bore after Heckel? If that is true, I have two responses: Go Geno, and thank you Kate. I like to think that most kids will tell a coach early if they are absolutely not interested but I’m also convinced that some won’t. It is surely invaluable for a coach to know this early so he/she can pivot to another, more receptive target.
Having said all this of course, I expect an announcement from Kate that she is committing to UConn.

 

[MooseJaw]

That's why I said it's just my feeling. We have a long wait before any basketball is played, so we still want to talk basketball until then. Heck, Charlie Creme wrote his first 2025 bracketology projection a week ago.

I'm with you Jaml: write basketball any time you like there are many here who enjoy what you write even if we don't agree with everything you write. Heck if I only wrote only what some others wanted, I'd be on another group chat. Keep up the good posts, so far, I have read every one I've seen.

 

[MSGRET]

The last time Geno ran a twin towers lineup was Olivia and Dorka. Before that it was Stewie and Stef. And before that it was Rebecca and Kara. This is a style of play he is very familiar with and knows how to win NCs with. He even occasionally tried to run it with Piath and Amari.

Its central feature is hi-low post passing, which is a mode Geno uses even without twin towers. Olivia and Aaliyah or Aaliyah and Dorka played in this format very frequently. Olivia in particular was quite skilled as a hi-post passer. I’m confident we’ll see a good deal of this between Sarah and Serah, just as @oldude pointed out above, even if this won’t exactly be an example of twin towers.

I wonder if we’ll see more of this with Jana and Ice. Neither of them seems particularly skilled at passing from the hi-post. This is an aspect of their games that needs development. I’d be surprised if Geno doesn’t give this some attention. This season it was really noticeable how the hi-post game was diminished as soon as Sarah left the game. Ice and Jana are limited to handoffs and perimeter passing when they’re stationed at the top of the key and made almost no passes into the lane.

I also suspect Geno will want to have Serah pass from the hi-post and not merely receive passes into the low post. A big who is a scoring threat from the elbow and beyond creates unique challenges for opposing defenses. Sarah posed this sort of challenge in the small lineup this season. I suspect Geno will want to do something even more challenging with his big lineup as well. He may also want to give Jana and ice practice as hi-post passers while Serah is here.

I don’t expect any of next season’s bigs to become passers on the level Sarah is in only one season. She spent a lifetime developing her skills. It’s ingrained in the way she thinks about the game. But any improvements the others can make will surely be welcome.

Actually he ran Kiah and Stewie between the Olivia/Dorka and the Stef/Stewie lineups.

 

[Bone Dog]

Actually he ran Kiah and Stewie between the Olivia/Dorka and the Stef/Stewie lineups.

You're right, sort of. But I wouldn't have considered that a twin towers situation since Kiah is only 6'3". In that respect, it wasn't much different from the Olivia/Aaliyah or Dorka/Aaliyah lineups, which also weren't exactly twin towers either. Still, I probably shouldn't fuss so much about an inch or two here and there. It ought to be more a question of 'how big' do they play, and both Kiah and Aaliyah played very big.

 

[MSGRET]

You're right, sort of. But I wouldn't have considered that a twin towers situation since Kiah is only 6'3". In that respect, it wasn't much different from the Olivia/Aaliyah or Dorka/Aaliyah lineups, which also weren't exactly twin towers either. Still, I probably shouldn't fuss so much about an inch or two here and there. It ought to be more a question of 'how big' do they play, and both Kiah and Aaliyah played very big.

Kiah might be only 6'3" but she was a blocking machine at UConn and is still one of the top defensive players in the W.

 

[Crossover]

I don’t think Jana & Ice constitute twin towers. On the other hand, Jana & Serah certainly do.

But here’s what I think we’ll get a big dose of next year. During the 2016-17 season after 4 national championships, the Big 3 left for the W. Geno came up with the unconventional formula of playing the super-athletic 5’11” Gabby Williams at center on defense and also largely ran his half court offense through her at the high post with Pheesa in the low post. The Huskies came very close to winning a 5th straight national championship.

With Paige gone to the W, I have a sneaking suspicion that Geno will recreate that combination with a supercharged version for next season. I think he will run his half court offense through Sarah at the high post with Serah, who is a superb finisher around the basket, in the low blocks.

I suspect that Geno will do that some of the time. However, running the offense through Sarah in the high post would not maximize Sarah's varied skill set. Better to have her in motion all around the court most of the time.

 

[BobbyJ]

I have been hoping that we would be able to get Kate Harpring next year and this has lessened my enthusiasm for the recruiting of Heckel. I believe Harpring to be the superior point guard between the two and, as we need a top pg….. plus, to be honest, I just don’t think she is really needed anyway.
However, (I’m a little slow) I am now wondering whether Harpring has rejected our overtures and that is why Geno is going full bore after Heckel? If that is true, I have two responses: Go Geno, and thank you Kate. I like to think that most kids will tell a coach early if they are absolutely not interested but I’m also convinced that some won’t. It is surely invaluable for a coach to know this early so he/she can pivot to another, more receptive target.
Having said all this of course, I expect an announcement from Kate that she is committing to UConn.

It's probably more the opposite on this. And a reason why some of these recruitments drag on for a long time. 1) Most of the kids being recruited (and parents and friends) like the attention the schools throw out (Strong being a possible exception). For a lot of them it's a status/social media thing. 2) Almost all of the kids absolutely hate having to tell coaches that they're not coming so they'll put it off as long as possible, which could explain why Strong took so long to commit while leaving SC, NC, and Duke thinking they had a legitimate shot at signing her. We found out later that UConn was in the driver's seat all along. That's why, when coaches have say 4 recruits they're waiting on to fill 2 roster slots they will subtlety let kids know (unless it's an elite recruit) that it's going to be kind of a first come, first served deal. They'll obviously keep a slot open and wait for the very top players.

 

[ERWUC65]

I have been hoping that we would be able to get Kate Harpring next year and this has lessened my enthusiasm for the recruiting of Heckel. I believe Harpring to be the superior point guard between the two and, as we need a top pg….. plus, to be honest, I just don’t think she is really needed anyway.
However, (I’m a little slow) I am now wondering whether Harpring has rejected our overtures and that is why Geno is going full bore after Heckel? If that is true, I have two responses: Go Geno, and thank you Kate. I like to think that most kids will tell a coach early if they are absolutely not interested but I’m also convinced that some won’t. It is surely invaluable for a coach to know this early so he/she can pivot to another, more receptive target.
Having said all this of course, I expect an announcement from Kate that she is committing to UConn.

Very good point here, the Heckel decision carries much more weight as it is for 3 years and can affect '26 and '27 PG candidates. I expect the delay to be on Geno's part, keeping his options open for a while, mostly with an eye on the future. Better question might be is Kayleigh going to wait on the offer?

 

[ec33]

KK and Shade have played on two ff teams. One they started on and the other they were first off the bench. Both played in a NC game and contributed to the win. But now, there are UConn fans who want to sit them in favor of a player who has played one season and never played in a FF and was a sub. We have seen KK and Shade play for two seasons now and know what they can do. How many games have we seen Heckel play in order to determine just how good she is? Based on what I saw of her in high school, I believe she is good enough to start on many D1 teams. But, for the life of me, I don't understand why there are so many posters who think that a player who has yet to learn the UConn system will be a better fit than two who have the system ingrained in them and have proven it.

Geno knows what he has in KK and Shade. And he wants on Heckel on the team.

I would think Geno has earned our trust. If he thinks she would be valuable, then this would be a good player to have on the team.

Why that doesn't suffice is what I fail to understand.

 

[oldude]

It's probably more the opposite on this. And a reason why some of these recruitments drag on for a long time. 1) Most of the kids being recruited (and parents and friends) like the attention the schools throw out (Strong being a possible exception). For a lot of them it's a status/social media thing. 2) Almost all of the kids absolutely hate having to tell coaches that they're not coming so they'll put it off as long as possible, which could explain why Strong took so long to commit while leaving SC, NC, and Duke thinking they had a legitimate shot at signing her. We found out later that UConn was in the driver's seat all along. That's why, when coaches have say 4 recruits they're waiting on to fill 2 roster slots they will subtlety let kids know (unless it's an elite recruit) that it's going to be kind of a first come, first served deal. They'll obviously keep a slot open and wait for the very top players.

There’s one other thing I reluctantly mention. These kids are also students. Kayleigh Heckel is completing her freshman year of college with finals next week. She’s been traveling for visits to Michigan, Vandy, ND & UConn over the past few weeks. Perhaps she’s studying?

 

[oldude]

I suspect that Geno will do that some of the time. However, running the offense through Sarah in the high post would not maximize Sarah's varied skill set. Better to have her in motion all around the court most of the time.

I’m not suggesting any offensive set 100% of the time. Next year, Geno will have the roster to beat teams a lot of different ways. Sarah at the high post is just one way.

You will also see Sarah & Azzi in the 2-man game that was so devastating with Sarah & Paige this season. You will see a 5-out offensive set with KK attacking her defender off the dribble, like she did repeatedly in the national championship game vs SC.

You could spend all day coming up with offensive sets for UConn to run next year with the personnel that the Huskies will have, and you will barely scratch the surface of the number of options that Geno has in his head.

 

[BobbyJ]

There’s one other thing I reluctantly mention. These kids are also students. Kayleigh Heckel is completing her freshman year of college with finals next week. She’s been traveling for visits to Michigan, Vandy, ND & UConn over the past few weeks. Perhaps she’s studying?

I wasn't referring to Heckel at all. I was addressing in general the point in post #341 about "I like to think that most kids will tell a coach early if they are not interested".

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I’m not suggesting any offensive set 100% of the time. Next year, Geno will have the roster to beat teams a lot of different ways. Sarah at the high post is just one way.

You will also see Sarah & Azzi in the 2-man game that was so devastating with Sarah & Paige this season. You will see a 5-out offensive set with KK attacking her defender off the dribble, like she did repeatedly in the national championship game vs SC.

You could spend all day coming up with offensive sets for UConn to run next year with the personnel that the Huskies will have, and you will barely scratch the surface of the number of options that Geno has in his head.

What I am looking forward to seeing next year (particularly in the post-season run of BE & NCAA) is the "two-hands out + double shoulder shrug" that Hailey Van Lith gave when she "had nothing" to slow down, let alone contain, Caitlyn Clark, by the defenders of Azzi, Serah, Sarah, Ash, KK, and hopefully many others of the upcoming edition of the Huskies.

Second to the above are the multiple steals, blocks, and fast break express in each game that extremely tough defense will generate!

Go Huskies!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno knows what he has in KK and Shade. And he wants on Heckel on the team.

I would think Geno has earned our trust. If he thinks she would be valuable, then this would be a good player to have on the team.

Why that doesn't suffice is what I fail to understand.

People are discussing the potential transfer and its implications for the team. That’s fine. The Boneyard is here for people to discuss the team

 

[The CDR-Ret]

There’s one other thing I reluctantly mention. These kids are also students. Kayleigh Heckel is completing her freshman year of college with finals next week. She’s been traveling for visits to Michigan, Vandy, ND & UConn over the past few weeks. Perhaps she’s studying?

Agreed - something about great minds think alike, but I believe great minds think great thoughts, get together, argue civilly, and agree to make great conclusions and decisions.

Same idea that I posted in "Little Husky coming to town..." thread post #16 discussing time constraints...

Go Huskies and future Huskies!!!!

 

[jazz]

I’m not suggesting any offensive set 100% of the time. Next year, Geno will have the roster to beat teams a lot of different ways. Sarah at the high post is just one way.

You will also see Sarah & Azzi in the 2-man game that was so devastating with Sarah & Paige this season. You will see a 5-out offensive set with KK attacking her defender off the dribble, like she did repeatedly in the national championship game vs SC.

You could spend all day coming up with offensive sets for UConn to run next year with the personnel that the Huskies will have, and you will barely scratch the surface of the number of options that Geno has in his head.

How about Serah and Sarah. How you going to defend that? If somehow you manage, Sarah makes a quick dish around the perimeter to Azzi. Shade and KK in the corners stretching the defence. Can't double on Serah bc you have 4 three point threats to defend. I think this will be a main set for next year. I really don't see how you can defend it.

 

[BRS24]

Officially official.

 

[BRS24]

UConn Signs Serah Williams for 2025-26 - University of Connecticut Athletics

UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma announced the addition of transfer forward Serah Williams to the program for the 2025-26 season.

uconnhuskies.com

 

[RockyMTblue2]

How about Serah and Sarah. How you going to defend that? If somehow you manage, Sarah makes a quick dish around the perimeter to Azzi. Shade and KK in the corners stretching the defence. Can't double on Serah bc you have 4 three point threats to defend. I think this will be a main set for next year. I really don't see how you can defend it.

I like your trend of thought, but KK has yet to matriculate into the 3 point club. She'll hit the occasional 3, usually from the left corner, but reliability is not there yet. I hope it is one the top of her summer training list.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

UConn Signs Serah Williams for 2025-26 - University of Connecticut Athletics

UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma announced the addition of transfer forward Serah Williams to the program for the 2025-26 season.

uconnhuskies.com

"When I first stepped on campus at UConn and met the players and staff, it felt like the right place for me to spend my last year in college both on and off the court," Williams said. "The winning environment and atmosphere were everything I was looking for."