Should Azzi Start over Caroline?

[Conndog]

Azzi is great, she is a deadly shooter, and, well, it looks like she does everything well. I was impressed by her defense, and I loved seeing her energy- she never looked tired. Coming back from a injury, it's always a question mark how long it'll take to get into game shape, but I didn't see her look winded at all- she's fully able to play full game at 100%.

Having even one extra person who can really contribute makes it possible to sprinkle in periods of rest for the team. As a result, I think the 4th quarter collapses that happened a couple times earlier in the season won't happen again.

And Azzi playing so well rubs off on the other players. The other UConn players all looked good today. This was Aaliyah's best game all season; Nika too, and Evina was dynamite. Everyone contributed. Man the passing today was phenomenal, and the help defense was outstanding. What a great game! And I just love the team chemistry.

I'm flat-out assuming Paige will be back this season and she will be playing in the tournament. It doesn't matter to me who starts, but imagine how potent the scoring could be with a line-up of Liv, Aaliyah, Azzi, Paige, and Caroline. This still leaves Christyn, Dorka, Evina and Nika as valuable subs. Swap in anyone you want and there wouldn't be a drop-off.

Minneapolis, here we come!

 

[BostonBay]

Its pretty clear to me anyway that if everyone is healthy, our starting 5 should be Paige/Fudd/CD/AE/ONO, with CW, Nika, EW, and Dorka coming off the bench. Paige is our QB, CD gives us the flexibility to play inside and outside. Fudd will prevent the defense from just loading up the paint. AE is needed to play physical matchups and help on the boards. Some might say we should start the senior CW, but if we're going by productivity, I'd start either Fudd or CD over CW. It might also take pressure off of CW coming off the bench.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

 

[RedStickHusky]

I'm generally not a fan of shutting down threads but I'd make an exception for this one.

 

[Calbysdad]

I seem to recall, not so long ago, that when the game was on the line with seconds left - the final play was designed for Caroline. I think Geno trusts her and her spot is secure.

 

[NU2BY]

Its too late. The Germans already bombed Pearl Harbor.

You've got your history as well as your spelling incorrect.

 

[RedStickHusky]

You've got your history as well as your spelling incorrect.

 

[Boreifs]

The real question should be Azzi or Christyn. Caroline is the closest to a natural 3 we have and has earned her starting role over Evina. Both of those are better overall players than Nika, but we have to have a point guard in the starting lineup and that means Nika until Paige returns.

When everyone is back you have two point guards (Paige and Nika), two shooting guards (Christyn and Azzi) and two small forwards (Caroline and Evina). Yes many can play other positions, but certain combinations are not good such as Nika, Christyn and Evina because Nika doesn't have a great shooter to pass to and of course she is not a big shooter/scorer herself. Nika can play with Paige as demonstrated last year with Paige largely playing off the ball, and Evina can play 4 positions so there are a number of combos that could be good, but we have three great shooters among the guards (Azzi, Paige and Caroline) and three so so ones (Christyn, Evina and Nika).

I think most of the time we need two out of three from the first group on the floor, at a minimum should have one, and should almost never team the three from the second group.

I agree totally with your analysis. I’m not sure Geno does, though. He is not going to use six players at three positions. The only solution when all six are healthy is to frequently use four guard sets. I was dead set against that at the beginning of the season, but hardly anyone anticipated that Caroline would play so well so early in her career. All six of them bring something to the table; none of them should be just an 8-10 minute sub at one position.

 

[RedStickHusky]

He's going to have options, for sure. I do like Dorka rebounding in the 4 spot.

 

[bballnut90]

I haven't read most of the responses but IMO people are crazy if they think Ducharme should come off the bench. She's been the most consistent player all year and has proven capable as a go to player.

Fudd was lights out today but between her or Ducharme, stick with Ducharme and use Fudd as instant offense off the bench. If Fudd is hot and Edwards is struggling, stick with Fudd and play small ball and go with a 4 out 1 in offense. It'll create lanes for Ducharme to drive and there are multiple 3pt threats on the floor. If Fudd has an off night, utilize a bigger lineup.

 

[Happydad745]

Other than Evina, who does Geno think will do the best job coming off the bench? I'm sure somebody will ask him that question soon enough.........not sure he'll answer with anything but "we'll find out."..........

It depends on who is on the bench...

 

[Next 12]

I think some of you are giving Caroline a bums rush. She has been the top scorer in the last 8 games and Azzi has this one game and one other to her credit. Let Caroline start and have Azzi prove herself over say 5 games. Then make the comparison on who starts and who comes in off the bench. Next year it will not make any difference as they will both be starters. Look at what she has done to date and remember.... she's only a freshman. Give her her due!

 

[Carnac]

Jesus, I'm still mind boggled. Who cares who starts but Azzi, Caroline, CW, and Paige all should dominate the guard minutes. What is most exciting to me is that the strength at guard if Paige comes back strong enables Caroline as the 4 with Paige, CW and Azzi at 1,2 and 3. That stretches the floor big time. If the other team has strong rebounding go with ONO and Dorka in the lineup. Now we have lots of scoring coming off the bench for once. Lot's of it. No loss in talent even with the main subs in.

It really does not matter. They’re both going to get starter’s minutes. Both of them will probably be in the game in the waining minutes if the game is still in doubt. In Geno I trust. He’ll put his best unit on the floor to start the game.

 

[hoophuskee]

I think some of you are giving Caroline a bums rush. She has been the top scorer in the last 8 games and Azzi has this one game and one other to her credit. Let Caroline start and have Azzi prove herself over say 5 games. Then make the comparison on who starts and who comes in off the bench. Next year it will not make any difference as they will both be starters. Look at what she has done to date and remember.... she's only a freshman. Give her her due!

I'm not in on this argument but Azzi has had 3 big games (USF, DePaul, and Tenn) not two. Other than that, I think it absurd to not start CW unless she tanks but ofc whatever Gneo sees is super-fine. We have a weakness in allowing guard penetration and she is our most athletic guard in preventing that. Plus she gives good team speed for fast breaks. Plus in halfcourt sets she can set up CD and Azzi. How much does CD set up Azzi? On the flip side, CD is more of a natural SF than CWill. With that said, CWill was the sf last year for a FF team.

With all this said, do we forget that last year CWill had one helluva of an NCAA Tourney? Now all of sudden that doesn't count?

With all this said--- I don't care. I think though CWill is the lock. But overall for the time being I just don't care just as I think nearly everyone I think feels the same way. The ending counts more.

With all this said, most importantly, I want to see UCONN make as many teams as possible in the NCAA Tourney pay for what has happened to us this year. And burn all the snipers snipping at us with their individual pettiness this past year and past couple too. I'm hoping I can watch them all pay. I don't give much of a damn Scarlett who starts.

 

[Boreifs]

I think some of you are giving Caroline a bums rush. She has been the top scorer in the last 8 games and Azzi has this one game and one other to her credit. Let Caroline start and have Azzi prove herself over say 5 games. Then make the comparison on who starts and who comes in off the bench. Next year it will not make any difference as they will both be starters. Look at what she has done to date and remember.... she's only a freshman. Give her her due!

As has been pointed out several times, they play different positions. Azzi can’t play a traditional three; it would only work in two-wing sets when the opponent is consistently playing 2-3 zone.

 

[Cuango]

Caroline should continue to start! Azzi should replace Nika and the guards should be either CD, , and CW or those three + Nika! (We’re really only talking about three to five games anyway, as I believe Paige will be back pretty soon now) Nika is not going to be the long term starter that some people so desperately want her to be! As soon as Paige gets healthy Nika goes back to being the spark plug backup! I think we will see a four guard lineup consisting of PB, , CW, CD, and ONO! Nika, Dorka, AE, and E will all be coming off the bench. Of course, depending on matchups that lineup can and will likely change.

In the unlikely event Nika suddenly starts shooting 48%+ from two and 37%+ from three, all bets are off! Next year Dorka or AE will replace ONO but the guards will remain the same in the starting lineup. At that point, our bench will be a scary thing! Don’t forget, Aubrey should be back and healthy and we will have AD, PG, IB, AP, and perhaps a transfer guard (likely a sharpshooter three point specialist!) l’m looking forward to many happy dreams over the next off-season!!!

 

[NU2BY]

As has been pointed out several times, they play different positions. Azzi can’t play a traditional three; it would only work in two-wing sets when the opponent is consistently playing 2-3 zone.

This just might be the best post in this thread.

 

[jchusky]

As has been pointed out several times, they play different positions. Azzi can’t play a traditional three; it would only work in two-wing sets when the opponent is consistently playing 2-3 zone.

not to mention Caroline is a much much better defender, her length gives other opponents to second guess trying to shoot it over her.

 

[Childhood]

They are not competing for the same position.

 

[Littlemin]

As others have pointed out, a teams five best scorers are very rarely the best five to have on the court. But just beating a dead horse. Having a dynamic scorer off the bench is a beautiful weapon, see John Havlicek, Vinnie Johnson, etc. and I would bet that’s the way Auriemma goes, but we shall see.

 

[CL82]

Fyi current team per player scoring ranking:

Paige 21ppg, Christin 14, Caroline 12, Azzi and ONO 10.
(Sorry I couldn’t get them all in a screenshot points per game from memory - feel free to correct them.)

 

[GoUconn7961]

Who cares who starts?

 

[NU2BY]

@GoUconn7961 - The players!

 

[TCC Kid]

Wondering if Azzi should start over Caroline Its obvious that Azzi is the teams best three point shooter and the more minutes she plays the more opportunities she'll get shooting 3's. It seems when she comes off the bench it takes her awhile to get into the flow of the game, especially on defense. Azzi did miss a lot of shots today, but made up for it by making 7 of 9 three point shots. Today besides scoring 25 points, was Azzi's best game on defense. It seems if Geno wanted to start both Caroline and Azzi then Christyn Williams probably goes to the bench. IMO Nika is needed in the starting lineup as she does a good job running the offense and gets UConn into their transition game. Geno likes starting two post players and I would not sit one of them.

Would you start Azzi over Carolina or do you have a lineup where both would start?

HuskyNan has said it and often. It doesn't matter who starts, it is who plays and plays to their potential.