Some Perspective

[Surly1]

Sarah Strong is the most complete freshman in the country, and one of the best players in WCBB. Her performance on the court has been spectacular, but I would be remiss not to point out her transition was made easier playing alongside Paige and Azzi.

Think back 4 seasons ago when the Paige Bueckers show arrived in Storrs. Geno handed her the keys to the engine. Along with the keys came exceedingly high expectations. Fortunately, the upperclassmen recognized Paige's talent and helped facilitate her leadership on the court, and accept her as the face of the program. NIL just started and its impact on the game has loomed larger year by year. While it has been beneficial to the players financially, it also comes with more requests and impositions on free time.

I read an article in which Allison Feaster, Sarah's mother, stated she was grateful Sarah could play alongside Paige and Azzi, taking the weight of expectations off her daughter's shoulders. Sarah is shy, humble, blessed with amazing talent, content in the background. She didn't face the added strain of being the face of the program like Paige as a freshman. Recently, Azzi commented on the demands placed on Paige throughout her career both on and off the court. Part of Azzi returning next season is learning to assume more of a leadership role.

Although Sarah came to UConn as the #1 recruit, media focus mostly centered on Paige entering the season. Most discussions began with the question if this is the year the "drought" ends. Talk about a pressure cooker opening.

Fast forward to the Sweet 16, Sarah has largely been able to focus on basketball, while receiving a master class in handling PR duties & other off court responsibilities. As the season progressed, Paige and Sarah's chemistry evolved to a telepathic level as great recognizes great.

While expectations for a NC rest on Paige's shoulders (per the national media), Sarah's role and performance is as vital as Paige and Azzi's in making it happen.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Sarah Strong is the most complete freshman in the country, and one of the best players in WCBB. Her performance on the court has been spectacular, but I would be remiss not to point out her transition was made easier playing alongside Paige and Azzi.

Think back 4 seasons ago when the Paige Bueckers show arrived in Storrs. Geno handed her the keys to the engine. Along with the keys came exceedingly high expectations. Fortunately, the upperclassmen recognized Paige's talent and helped facilitate her leadership on the court, and accept her as the face of the program. NIL just started and its impact on the game has loomed larger year by year. While has been beneficial to the players financially, it also comes with more requests and impositions on free time.

I read an article in which Allison Feaster, Sarah's mother, stated she was grateful Sarah could play alongside Paige and Azzi, taking the weight of expectations off her daughter's shoulders. Sarah is shy, humble, blessed with amazing talent, content in the background. She didn't face the added strain of being the face of the program like Paige as a freshman. Recently, Azzi commented on the demands placed on Paige throughout her career both on and off the court. Part of Azzi returning next season is learning to assume more of a leadership role.

Although Sarah came to UConn as the #1 recruit, media focus mostly centered on Paige entering the season. Most discussions began with the question if this is the year the "drought" ends. Talk about a pressure cooker opening.

Fast forward to the Sweet 16, Sarah has largely been able to focus on basketball, while receiving a master class in handling PR duties & other off court responsibilities. As the season progressed, Paige and Sarah's chemistry evolved to a telepathic level as great recognizes great.

While expectations for a NC rest on Paige's shoulders (per the national media), Sarah's role and performance is as vital as Paige and Azzi's in making it happen.

I just watched the ESPN interview (Lisa Leslie & Renee Montgomery) with Sarah and her mom. Both Sarah and her mom really appreciated how the UConn teammates made them feel like family.

It seems Sarah is able to not "feel" the pressure to be more than she is right now, just do "Sarah-type" things and all is well.

For the current run, the Big 3 can be Paige, Sarah and anyone else that is shooting "lights out" that night (or afternoon). At times it doesn't even have to be Paige (had Sarah, Azzi and Ash vs. Ark State all 20+ pts) in the Big 3 for scoring, as long as all 5 on the court are playing tough defense. The team has been tremendous on the defensive end of the court since the Tennessee game in Knoxville, and the offense has sprouted since then as well, just as it was designed. Just continue to embrace the process!!!

Sarah's mom is proud that her daughter has more wins in the NCAA tourney already, and that Sarah has a good chance at earning her first NC as a freshman on a team that is peaking at the correct time: late March & April!!!

Go Huskies!!!

 

[Rayvin56]

Sarah Strong is the most complete freshman in the country, and one of the best players in WCBB. Her performance on the court has been spectacular, but I would be remiss not to point out her transition was made easier playing alongside Paige and Azzi.

Think back 4 seasons ago when the Paige Bueckers show arrived in Storrs. Geno handed her the keys to the engine. Along with the keys came exceedingly high expectations. Fortunately, the upperclassmen recognized Paige's talent and helped facilitate her leadership on the court, and accept her as the face of the program. NIL just started and its impact on the game has loomed larger year by year. While has been beneficial to the players financially, it also comes with more requests and impositions on free time.

I read an article in which Allison Feaster, Sarah's mother, stated she was grateful Sarah could play alongside Paige and Azzi, taking the weight of expectations off her daughter's shoulders. Sarah is shy, humble, blessed with amazing talent, content in the background. She didn't face the added strain of being the face of the program like Paige as a freshman. Recently, Azzi commented on the demands placed on Paige throughout her career both on and off the court. Part of Azzi returning next season is learning to assume more of a leadership role.

Although Sarah came to UConn as the #1 recruit, media focus mostly centered on Paige entering the season. Most discussions began with the question if this is the year the "drought" ends. Talk about a pressure cooker opening.

Fast forward to the Sweet 16, Sarah has largely been able to focus on basketball, while receiving a master class in handling PR duties & other off court responsibilities. As the season progressed, Paige and Sarah's chemistry evolved to a telepathic level as great recognizes great.

While expectations for a NC rest on Paige's shoulders (per the national media), Sarah's role and performance is as vital as Paige and Azzi's in making it happen.

Nicely written, Surly1!

 

[Jaml]

Given Allison's reluctance to put Sarah in a situation where there would be a lot of pressure and lofty expectations, UConn was the obvious choice. As a freshman, most see Joyce Edwards as SC's best player. I watched her play a number of times now, and the talent level (especially in the all around game), isn't close to Sarah.

 

[Bone Dog]

Given Allison's reluctance to put Sarah in a situation where there would be a lot of pressure and lofty expectations, UConn was the obvious choice. As a freshman, most see Joyce Edwards as SC's best player. I watched her play a number of times know, and the talent level (especially in the all around game), isn't close to Sarah.

I completely agree about Sarah vs Joyce. I don't mean to disparage anyone, but Sarah's game and overall talent set is so much more diversified than Joyce's. And Joyce is probably the 2nd best freshman in D1, and is a tremendous power forward. She will be the anchor at SC for 3 more years. But Dawn would not gladly accept Joyce shooting 3s or passing from the high post, or breaking the press, or guiding the transition offense. A sign of Sarah's distinctiveness was when she picked Raven's pocket outside the arc and beat everyone down the floor for the transition layup. That play is just not in Joyce's arsenal.

By shielding Sarah from the PR responsibilities, and pairing her up with Paige, and gently teasing her about her responses in pressers, Geno has freed her to have a truly great season. I am eager to see what she makes of her role on the team next season, without Paige there to guide and shield her. Will Azzi be able to play the same role for her? Will someone else step up? Perhaps it will be Jana or Caroline. And it's not like Sarah can't stand up for herself -- she's a mighty competitor. She can stand up to the pressure. But it is also nice to be surrounded by teammates who are eager to share the burden.

 

[Jaml]

By shielding Sarah from the PR responsibilities, and pairing her up with Paige, and gently teasing her about her responses in pressers, Geno has freed her to have a truly great season. I am eager to see what she makes of her role on the team next season, without Paige there to guide and shield her. Will Azzi be able to play the same role for her? Will someone else step up? Perhaps it will be Jana or Caroline. And it's not like Sarah can't stand up for herself -- she's a mighty competitor. She can stand up to the pressure. But it is also nice to be surrounded by teammates who are eager to share the burden.

Well said. Paige had to take over from day 1, but it was easier because her personality is a complete 180 from Sarah's. Moreover Paige already had that responsibility with her high varsity team as an 8th grader.