True but Christyn is not the same player as last year as measured by intensity & quickness. Last year she was a shot hunter and won more than her share of those 50-50 lose balls. The shot hunter part may be the most disturbing because at least last year she would have been deferring to the two AA seniors. That should not be happening this year and Christyn Williams should be building her own AA resume instead of a "also ran". 9 games into last season she had already won "bad ass" of the game award. This year she has not even been mentioned.
While Aubrey played out of sync at times with rest of team, I think Geno hoped her wild approach might disrupt DePaul in short bursts. She and CW play alike but CW is better controlled. They will eventually spell each other. Anna and Kyla fulfill similar roles, though Anna has more skills, but can likewise spell each other. Both can step in for Liv (Anna had 7 boards), Liv has height, Anna muscle.
The best players initiate or make plays. IMO, when she does that, Williams seems to have her best stretches of play. Too often she’s hesitant and has to react instead of controlling the action like she has the ability to do. She should try watching video of Bueckers, that’s how you attack a game and it can be done within the framework of UConn’s offense as Auriemma encourages Dangerfield to do. But you have to have that drive between the ears to do it and we’ll see if she’s got it.
Yes, Dangerfield was the only player ranked in top 100 by Hoopgurlz (ESPN). Irwin was ranked #44 by Bluestar. Bent wasn't ranked in top 100 by any services that I know of.
I watched the first half again and 10 of the 11 first half turnovers were unforced, IMO. Luckily DePaul did not convert much, maybe one basket.
yea, CW scored but only 13 not the 28 she dumped on ND last year. Failure to execute I would guess.Wait, Christyn really scored?
We shall have the option to see Paige's videos as a College player, then the comparison means something.
It's just that I think Aubrey's the only one that will be able to contribute against teams like Stanford, Oregon, etc. But she isn't ready to do that yet. She needs lots more minutes, and maybe even then she may not be ready. Kyla has been in the system for 3+ years, and if you watched her closely last night, I don't see how anyone can see her really competing against the best teams. Off the bench to spell someone for a couple of minutes,ok. Reduce her minutes, increase Aubrey's, and maybe Crystal has a chance at a championship.
The problem with that plan is that it reduces Anna’s minutes and she is far, far more valuable. Aubrey should spell CW.
it doesn't matter who goes in for whom. Anna should be starting, and get Aubrey into the game for anyone, except Dangerfield. the way offenses are run these days , it really doesn't matter. bottom line, I just think Kyla's getting minutes that can be better used somewhere else. jmo
I think it's fair to say that the team when Collier and Samuelson were frosh is a bit different than this year's team. This team starts 2 upperclassmen that are players, plus 2 sophs and a frosh( I'm referring to Anna, who should be starting),Yes, there is a bigger picture here. Come March, April if Aubrey has only been getting her feet wet, there's not much chance that she will be able to contribute. This team can't win with 4 players. Can Aubrey get to the point where she is contributing? there's only one way to find out, imho.
Aubrey is already at the point where she is contributing. She is the team's best perimeter defender and only instinctive rebounder. She will be a better contributor in Mach and April. Trust the process that Geno has perfected.
Christyn has already proven to us that she can play at a very high level. Last night was not stellar and her last 5 games have been lethargic. Here is specifically what I saw and I wish I could point out when exactly during the game. In the 2nd quarter there was a lose ball scramble above the DePaul basketball. UCONN basketball demands that you get on the floor and get the ball. Instead of going to the floor Christyn bent over and lost the scramble. A few minutes later she gave up two offensive rebounds when DePaul beat her to the inside along the baseline. Again UCONN basketball demands that you don't give up inside position and if that DePaul player was that determine to get inside you ride her out of bounds. Christyn got beat repeatedly on technique and effort neither of which were acceptable nor were her 6 turnovers.
Enjoy your day and I'm sorry about the cold weather here in Vegas.No, she graduated in May. It’s her BFF. She’s a real sweetheart from Hawaii. Big day tomorrow with an after graduation party for family and friends at Bally’s.
Agreed. This would have been the year to do so for Oregon State. The Beavs have done recent home-and-away agreements with Tennessee and Notre Dame, but committing to do the same with UConn has either not been pursued or hasn't worked out for the two parties.
I think Bruno trains his kids well drawing them. She is normally one of the best scorers under the basket either in transition or just penetrating said:
That is a plan that would work. It gets Aubrey minutes in which to develop in UConn system while providing needed stability in CD, CW, Liv, MW and AM—those five will drive team, AG will provide spark and relief, the remaining players relief with most minutes going to Kyla.
Geno spent season searching for fifth starter before finally settling on Lou, only to see her injured.
Guilty of scheduling Missouri State, DePaul, and Miami, who have been in the AP TOP 25 at one time or another this season. Difficult to predict which teams are going to be tough competition one year (or more) in advance of making your schedule (BYU for example). When you play in the toughest conference in D1 WCBB, there is no issue with Rueck scheduling a few OOC cupcakes to break in his new players to D1 Collegiate basketball. Teams like UConn who play in a weak conference have no choice but to schedule a tougher OOC schedule. And UConn has consistently done so. It's all good!
Uconn had the toughest OOC when they were in the old big east which was the best conference before they broke up.
No worries. Just the Boneyard showing its appreciation for a sophomore getting a double-double against a ranked opponent...
LOL ....Only to see her injured in the FF, during an undefeated championship season?
