Shout-out to Saniya Chong

[Bigboote]

Saniya is playing her best basketball. I think she is auditioning for the draft as a by-product of trying to help her team win another championship.

Saniya and Tierney just became the top class in the history of college basketball: 152-1. They passed the great Stewie, Moriah, and Morgan tonight.

First, I think this is an amazing accomplishment; I don't care if they played with Stewie and Moriah and Tuck for three years. They have earned this.

I think someone posted a link to an article recently about college coaches recruiting winners. It surprises me how many early draft choices for the W are from not-that-great teams.

I've thought all along that Saniya would be selected, probably in the second or third round. Now I'm thinking first round, but maybe I'm attaching too much importance to her winning so many games and championships? Any thoughts?

And, Rixxx, that was an all-time highlight for me (and any die-hard UConn fan).

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Saniya and Tierney as the only seniors have taken on a new job description. They have become team leaders! Look at who gives the pregame pep talk in the player huddle, and who is totally engaged in game action commenting from the bench, Tierney, and Saniya is always pointing something out to a team mate at stoppages for foul shots and out-of-bounds.
Both of them show the true strength of the UCONN WBB program, you don't have to be a superstar to be a valuable team leader!

 

[MilfordHusky]

I was hopeful that Saniya would add some scoring punch this year. As Geno noted, she was a big-time scorer in high school. I'm not surprised by that.

The things that do surprise me are (1) her defense, which is usually quite good; (2) her ball-handling, which I previously thought was average at best for a PG; and (3) her A/TO ratio, especially her low number of TOs.

Saniya has exceeded my expectations and fits in this lineup. Though she is the only starter not averaging in double-digits, she is not a weak link on the team. She makes major contributions on a regular basis.

I'm very happy for Saniya. She got a HUGE ovation last night and really is improving her pro prospects.

 

[DaddyChoc]

her boxing-out and offensive rebounding is amazing

 

[connie]

I posted this in another thread, but wanted to throw in my hat here:

Saniya was great against Oregon and has been playing at the top of her game--the best of her career. She was very energetic on defense, read the passing lanes well (hence, her steal and score at 3:15 mark of the first quarter). Her basketball intelligence is terrific. She is regularly sneaking looks around her and behind her, reading the retreat on an opposing rebound, and looking to the open man and the developing play on the fast break. She made a nice feed to Lou under the rim (1st quarter, around 3:53) that would have been a sure low post score. (Lou couldn't quite handle the pass, had to re-grab the handle, then got stuffed but saved the play by bouncing the loose ball off an Oregon player ala DT as the ball headed out of bounds.) Saniya also may have been fouled on the 3-point shot that was blocked and snatched out of the air by Gabby for a two-step drive and score (1st quarter, 3:27).

More generally, Saniya came out hitting her shots right away, thus making her a scoring threat and relaxing the defense on other players. She knows when to slow the tempo. She looks to Geno if necessary when bringing the ball up court. And she is an excellent open floor dribbler, capable of deftly extricating herself from traps and double-teams.

No doubt about it, she rounds out what is almost certainly the best starting five in the game.

 

[MilfordHusky]

No doubt about it, she rounds out what is almost certainly the best starting five in the game.

What she said!

 

[warbler1055]

I saw Leslie Chong in a UConn gear talking about UConn coaching staff and her daughter and I cannot help but rooting for Saniya. After 3 years of struggle, Saniya has blossomed into a very good and consistent PG in a great team. She is also the first in her family to graduate from college. What a great story about perseverance and hard work overcoming adversity.

 

[JustinesGuy]

I saw Leslie Chong in a UConn gear talking about UConn coaching staff and her daughter and I cannot help but rooting for Saniya. After 3 years of struggle, Saniya has blossomed into a very good and consistent PG in a great team. She is also the first in her family to graduate from college. What a great story about perseverance and hard work overcoming adversity.

I really believe if it wasn't for IT BAND she would have had a very very similar year last year as she did this year. Can we get a medical redshirt for last year? That injury really messed her year up...