Serah Williams Commits to UConn

[uh-no]

There are several different versions of this online video on the internet that purports to outline UConn’s analytics based approach to recruiting Serah. While it is very interesting, it’s not based on any available facts.

These videos started floating around over a week ago, contending that UConn had already met with Serah and made this presentation, when she only showed up at Storrs for her visit this week. In addition, whatever approach UConn took with Serah, there is absolutely no way UConn would share those details with some nameless blogger.

That would be similar to a pro football coach leaving around Shadeur Sanders phone number so that his 21 year old son could prank call Sanders during the NFL draft.

pretty sure the script of that video is ai generated garbage.

 

[oldude]

Thanks Nan. The numbers really tell the story this year. Having the best defense and best field goal percentage makes the best scoring margin a very likely outcome. Two numbers that jump out at me from these statistics that are going to change next year right away because of Serah are being 337th in free throw attempts per game and being 263rd in offensive rebounds per game. A sophomore season for Jana after a summer of training and skill work outs will also help both categories and the addition of Blanca, a slashing driver, is just one other factor among many that will help the free throws also.

When you lead the nation in shooting percentage there aren’t a lot of opportunities for offensive rebounds.

 

[my2cents]

Here's another perspective - players come to UConn for different reasons, however if you want to win a natty, want to play in the W, UConn is a great training ground. And even if it doesn't work out in the W, look at all the alumni that are having success either on air, or with W & NBA teams. Imaging going through a season where players aren't playing more than 20-25 mins per game, there's less wear and tear, and Geno can implement a UConn style of what TN is doing, but with his typical sets and play calling? That's why Heckel might choose UConn. I'm betting that everyone knows exactly what to expect with playing time - you earn it.

You go to West Point to become an Army Officer. You come to UConn to become a professional basketball player. It's that simple.

 

[BBallF]

When you lead the nation in shooting percentage there aren’t a lot of opportunities for offensive rebounds.

Yes, that's the real reason for the statistic being that dramatic. One very pleasant surprise last year on the offensive rebounding end was Ash. Great timing on the jumps even over taller players.

With more shots underneath this year, those rebounds are not as long or random as with longer outside shots and with Serah and Sarah, the latter who may be the best rebounder ever at UCONN, both of whom understand the value of positioning and sealing, we are going to see more shots underneath, more boards underneath and hence more fouls underneath. I also see a lot of high-low passes from Sarah to Serah and vice versa. The real key here is that you have to guard both of them closely from 15 feet and both have explosive drive moves from a head fake.

 

[browns]

Excellent news..This takes care of the one weakness Uconn may have had.Never mind her offense but All big 10 on defense! She will fit right in with Geno's defense
Now if they can get Kayleigh and and her and KK share the point or play together sometimes like Chen and KK did last year I won't make a foolish statement like some people that they will be unbeatable but I will say they will be awfully tough to beat

 

[BBallF]

You go to West Point to become an Army Officer. You come to UConn to become a professional basketball player. It's that simple.

I know what you mean but is it though? Is it that reductive? That makes it almost seem like the way Kentucky was in men's basketball about a decade ago. I think it's a lot more than that. Serah will be in the W, no doubt, and she will improve her skills and get great exposure here. But it's also being a part of the basketball royalty here, which stretches back in time 40 years. It's being part of a team and culture that has a fan base that is probably the most knowledgeable anywhere, the most loyal, and the most willing to adopt the players as family members. You play here you are part of the same tradition and lineage as the greatest players of all time. More than that, you get molded by this experience, of being pushed, of potentially being the player and person you never dreamed you would be and of always having that on your c.v.- "I played for Geno at UCONN". I'm hiring you for anything because I know you will go through a brick wall to get the job done.

 

[Tonyc]

The New UConn. A combination of going down low on offense which will open up the outside and having a big who can score and defend I think that combo will not only keep opponents from scoring and help UConns scoring but will help make up for some of the scoring we lost this season. The defense should be even more devastating.

 

[HuskyNan]

You go to West Point to become an Army Officer. You come to UConn to become a professional basketball player. It's that simple.

I dunno. Rebekka Brunson went to Georgetown, EDD went to Delaware, and Courtney Williams went to Miami. They’re just a few from less elite schools that have had great to outstanding pro careers. If a player is good enough, she’ll go pro.

That said, Geno & staff can dig out and refine skills beyond scoring to make a more rounded and desirable player. For the record, so can Dawn and other top coaches. As a UConn fan, I can believe Geno does that better than anyone else, but I’m a homer, so….

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Just watched a highlights reel on her. I'd put it here but I don't want a time out if the source is not approved. Anyway what struck me was how many 2 handed layups she makes.

One other thing struck me. Her first Gampel crowd is going to blow her mind in a good way.

 

[msf22b]

I dunno. Rebekka Brunson went to Georgetown, EDD went to Delaware, and Courtney Williams went to Miami. They’re just a few from less elite schools that have had great to outstanding pro careers. If a player is good enough, she’ll go pro.

That said, Geno & staff can dig out and refine skills beyond scoring to make a more rounded and desirable player. For the record, so can Dawn and other top coaches. As a UConn fan, I can believe Geno does that better than anyone else, but I’m a homer, so….

Nan

We have to remember that it was not so long ago...that Geno would complain about the level of coaching in college ball...so many inferior coaches...And that Geno through his generosity and standards that others could observe, almost single-handedly raised that standard nationwide.

 

[my2cents]

I dunno. Rebekka Brunson went to Georgetown, EDD went to Delaware, and Courtney Williams went to Miami. They’re just a few from less elite schools that have had great to outstanding pro careers. If a player is good enough, she’ll go pro.

That said, Geno & staff can dig out and refine skills beyond scoring to make a more rounded and desirable player. For the record, so can Dawn and other top coaches. As a UConn fan, I can believe Geno does that better than anyone else, but I’m a homer, so….

I don't think Lou Lopez-Senechal or Kaitly Chen would have been drafted based on their Fairfield or Princeton careers.
You are correct that Geno's system prepares players for other opportunities. But the UConn program gets these players exposure against the best competition in WCBB.
How many times did Serah Williams get national TV exposure while playing for Wisconsin?
Would she have been drafted , probably , but winning a Championship will get her drafted much higher.

 

[oldude]

I don't think Lou Lopez-Senechal or Kaitly Chen would have been drafted based on their Fairfield or Princeton careers.
You are correct that Geno's system prepares players for other opportunities. But the UConn program gets these players exposure against the best competition in WCBB.
How many times did Serah Williams get national TV exposure while playing for Wisconsin?
Would she have been drafted , probably , but winning a Championship will get her drafted much higher.

I would go even further on Serah. All things being equal, her decision to transfer to UConn has already elevated her draft stock to perhaps a top 5 pick and maybe even a lottery choice. When you consider who will be available around the country, other than possibly Betts, Azzi, Latson & Miles, I don’t see any other senior going ahead of Serah in the draft.

It’s worth noting that despite putting up big numbers in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, while earning 1st team all-conference overall and defensively, Serah was not named on a single AA team, even honorable mention. That speaks to the obscurity she played in at Wisconsin.

Well, Serah is coming to the Basketball Capital of the World. The last thing she will ever be in Storrs is obscure.

 

[tower1]

Blanca, Morgan, Caroline, Shade, Jana, Ice, and Allie. There is no shortage of players who will supply the points. However, for some of the posters who are predicting an undefeated season or another NC, just remember SC, UCLA, and LSU are feeling the same way about their team. I think like ERWUC65: Nothing is given.

What ever happened with Heckel? Is she still a a possibility to join Uconn ?

 

[psconn]

Something to consider. After winning the national championship in dominant fashion and losing the best player in WBB to the W, the Huskies just might be better next year. For sure adding Serah makes UConn better on defense, following a season when the Huskies lead the nation in defense. Offense will take some work. But all those pieces to mix and match, including now a legitimate low post scoring Big who can also step out and hit midrange shots.

When does the season start?

With ZERO actual game-based evidence, proposing that any team will be better without a player of Paige's enormous on- and off-the-court impact is a flight of purest bleed-blue fantasy. I do admire the optimism though, and you appropriately used the qualifier "might".

COULD this team be better than the one that just ripped through the post-season like a buzz saw? That is one of of the many segments of the possibility pie, but absent any real world input, no more likely than many of the others. Chemistry and adaptation will critical. Roles will change and playing time will be precious. Geno will be challenged to make these talented players a championship quality team without a vocal, swaggy superstar pulling the train. He's a good'un though - the G.O.A.T.

As always, the season will be a process and I'm going to love watching it unfold with great hope and modest expectation.

Have you read Geno's "The Same River Twice"? If not, I recommend it for all UConn fans. Highly apropos.

 

[angelo]

Nice pick! But championships must be earned.....Second thing, not so important really : she looks a bit shorter than 6'4'', for instance compared to Iriafen.

 

[oldude]

With ZERO actual game-based evidence, proposing that any team will be better without a player of Paige's enormous on- and off-the-court impact is a flight of purest bleed-blue fantasy. I do admire the optimism though, and you appropriately used the qualifier "might".

COULD this team be better than the one that just ripped through the post-season like a buzz saw? That is one of of the many segments of the possibility pie, but absent any real world input, no more likely than many of the others. Chemistry and adaptation will critical. Roles will change and playing time will be precious. Geno will be challenged to make these talented players a championship quality team without a vocal, swaggy superstar pulling the train. He's a good'un though - the G.O.A.T.

As always, the season will be a process and I'm going to love watching it unfold with great hope and modest expectation.

Have you read Geno's "The Same River Twice"? If not, I recommend it for all UConn fans. Highly apropos.

As I have said many times, “I am a glass half full guy.” I refuse to traffic in Chicken Little doom and gloom. Through the years, I have been right a lot more often than I have been wrong. That doesn’t make me prescient when it comes to UConn WBB. It just means that I trust Geno to put the best product on the court that he possibly can each and every season. With all the talent he will have next season, that product should be amazing.

 

[Crossover]

I would go even further on Serah. All things being equal, her decision to transfer to UConn has already elevated her draft stock to perhaps a top 5 pick and maybe even a lottery choice. When you consider who will be available around the country, other than possibly Betts, Azzi, Latson & Miles, I don’t see any other senior going ahead of Serah in the draft.

It’s worth noting that despite putting up big numbers in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, while earning 1st team all-conference overall and defensively, Serah was not named on a single AA team, even honorable mention. That speaks to the obscurity she played in at Wisconsin.

Well, Serah is coming to the Basketball Capital of the World. The last thing she will ever be in Storrs is obscure.

This is all true, and would be true as well if Serah had transferred to LSU or SC or a handful of other quality programs.

 

[Zonepress]

With ZERO actual game-based evidence, proposing that any team will be better without a player of Paige's enormous on- and off-the-court impact is a flight of purest bleed-blue fantasy. I do admire the optimism though, and you appropriately used the qualifier "might".

COULD this team be better than the one that just ripped through the post-season like a buzz saw? That is one of of the many segments of the possibility pie, but absent any real world input, no more likely than many of the others. Chemistry and adaptation will critical. Roles will change and playing time will be precious. Geno will be challenged to make these talented players a championship quality team without a vocal, swaggy superstar pulling the train. He's a good'un though - the G.O.A.T.

As always, the season will be a process and I'm going to love watching it unfold with great hope and modest expectation.

Have you read Geno's "The Same River Twice"? If not, I recommend it for all UConn fans. Highly apropos.

really liked your post
I think, was fair to say, is that Uconn has the potential to be a very good team, that adding SW
could be very significant and they are one of perhaps 5-6 teams that are Nat Championship
contenders

 

[oldude]

This is all true, and would be true as well if Serah had transferred to LSU or SC or a handful of other quality programs.

Maybe. But UConn is the gold standard for WNBA GM’s. How else can you explain Aubrey being drafted while missing a good part of the season due to ongoing knee problems that clearly continued to be a problem right through the end of the season.

 

[Crossover]

Maybe. But UConn is the gold standard for WNBA GM’s. How else can you explain Aubrey being drafted while missing a good part of the season due to ongoing knee problems that clearly continued to be a problem right through the end of the season.

Certainly the gold standard for Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. Of course it helps that she served as Geno's assistant coach when he was head coach of the Olympic team.

 

[browns]

I don't need your advice! People can post their opinions without trying to put my down.

And if Kayleigh commits to come here, she's not doing so to ride the bench! She left USC because of that. Wise up!

Kayleigh and Howell were expected to be the startng backcourt for USC this year

 

[HuskyNan]

I don't think Lou Lopez-Senechal or Kaitly Chen would have been drafted based on their Fairfield or Princeton careers.
You are correct that Geno's system prepares players for other opportunities. But the UConn program gets these players exposure against the best competition in WCBB.
How many times did Serah Williams get national TV exposure while playing for Wisconsin?
Would she have been drafted , probably , but winning a Championship will get her drafted much higher.

Maria Collin played on national tv and won as many championships as Taurasi. It’s not enough to simply have exposure

 

[DemonDeac22]

Maria Collin played on national tv and won as many championships as Taurasi. It’s not enough to simply have exposure

Maria Conlon

 

[Zarathustra]

A wonderful Serah Williams Highlight reel. I was (again)
impressed by Serah's three level scoring, as well as her
rebounding and running the floor (LEADING the transition
game). I look forward to the "upside" to Serah's game
playing on the UCONN ROSTER and in the Husky System!

 

[HuskyNan]

Maria Conlon

Autocorrect

 

[oldude]

Maria Collin played on national tv and won as many championships as Taurasi. It’s not enough to simply have exposure

Not a valid comparison. Maria “Conlon” was a good college basketball player. But she never had the potential to play in the W. Lou & Kaitlyn are both significantly more talented with the potential to play professionally. Per My2cents post, the exposure they got at UConn likely elevated their draft stock. I agree.

 

[my2cents]

Maria Collin played on national tv and won as many championships as Taurasi. It’s not enough to simply have exposure

You still have to back the exposure with "game".

 

[my2cents]

I would go even further on Serah. All things being equal, her decision to transfer to UConn has already elevated her draft stock to perhaps a top 5 pick and maybe even a lottery choice. When you consider who will be available around the country, other than possibly Betts, Azzi, Latson & Miles, I don’t see any other senior going ahead of Serah in the draft.

It’s worth noting that despite putting up big numbers in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, while earning 1st team all-conference overall and defensively, Serah was not named on a single AA team, even honorable mention. That speaks to the obscurity she played in at Wisconsin.

Well, Serah is coming to the Basketball Capital of the World. The last thing she will ever be in Storrs is obscure.

I knew after my post that Old Dude would be able to go , "one step further'. lol.

 

[BBallF]

To my earlier point, Geno had Maria Conlon playing like an AA in the Big Dance. She was never a W player, but she is now the head coach at Western Connecticut State and will do well there and beyond I am sure. She doesn't get that job if she played someplace else. It's not just the basketball here, it's the pedigree.

 

[Rings R Us]

Love Maria Conlon...but can we get back to how great of a pickup Serah Williams is for us?