Starters are unknown

[Tonyc]

Last season UConn had great defense and played very good together. Now without Aaliyah and Nika we need replacements. I expect team chemistry and defense to lead the way this season. With that said Paige KK Shade will continue to start. The other two positions will be filled by whoever Geno feels is ready.

I expect our returning injured to see minutes based on their health. How many minutes and who we dont know. The underclassman will see minutes based on their health and development. IMO the other two starters will be Jana because she is an athletic big and Ice who has experience. Kaitlyn will see good minutes because of her experience and Sarah because of her talents.

We went as far as we did last season because of our defense and team chemistry. That will be the key this season. I feel we are a more talented team and deeper this season and how that works out will be based on our health. As great as our roster is we have alot of players coming back from injury. I feel they will get minutes based on their health. The freshman Allie and Morgan will get minutes as they earn them and depending on who is healthy enough to play. It is key we get our underclassman minutes and developed because of the graduation of our seniors and our tuff schedule. It is also key to get our injured up to speed for the same reasons. Predicting our lineup and who will/can play is tricky and frustrating and the unknowns are just that ... we dont know yet.

 

[JellyBean]

@Tonyc
Great post as always. The starting five will work itself out in due time. I am not worried. The players and coaching staff will determine all of that. For me, in the end, I want to see five on the floor that work well together. It might not be the five best players but as long as the five on the floor at that particular time, are working well, that is all that matters.

 

[Alydar]

Last season UConn had great defense and played very good together. Now without Aaliyah and Nika we need replacements. I expect team chemistry and defense to lead the way this season. With that said Paige KK Shade will continue to start. The other two positions will be filled by whoever Geno feels is ready.

I expect our returning injured to see minutes based on their health. How many minutes and who we dont know. The underclassman will see minutes based on their health and development. IMO the other two starters will be Jana because she is an athletic big and Ice who has experience. Kaitlyn will see good minutes because of her experience and Sarah because of her talents.

We went as far as we did last season because of our defense and team chemistry. That will be the key this season. I feel we are a more talented team and deeper this season and how that works out will be based on our health. As great as our roster is we have alot of players coming back from injury. I feel they will get minutes based on their health. The freshman Allie and Morgan will get minutes as they earn them and depending on who is healthy enough to play. It is key we get our underclassman minutes and developed because of the graduation of our seniors and our tuff schedule. It is also key to get our injured up to speed for the same reasons. Predicting our lineup and who will/can play is tricky and frustrating and the unknowns are just that ... we dont know yet.

There have been seasons when 3 or even 4 starters were known and all the chatter was about which of the remining players would start. This season we can be certain of only one starter but that isn't the nightmare that it would normally indicate. Instead there is a large group who could all start. It's a wealth of talent, admittedly inexperienced, and a pleasant dilemma for the coaches to figure out.

 

[MooseJaw]

Last season UConn had great defense and played very good together. Now without Aaliyah and Nika we need replacements. I expect team chemistry and defense to lead the way this season. With that said Paige KK Shade will continue to start. The other two positions will be filled by whoever Geno feels is ready.

I expect our returning injured to see minutes based on their health. How many minutes and who we dont know. The underclassman will see minutes based on their health and development. IMO the other two starters will be Jana because she is an athletic big and Ice who has experience. Kaitlyn will see good minutes because of her experience and Sarah because of her talents.

We went as far as we did last season because of our defense and team chemistry. That will be the key this season. I feel we are a more talented team and deeper this season and how that works out will be based on our health. As great as our roster is we have alot of players coming back from injury. I feel they will get minutes based on their health. The freshman Allie and Morgan will get minutes as they earn them and depending on who is healthy enough to play. It is key we get our underclassman minutes and developed because of the graduation of our seniors and our tuff schedule. It is also key to get our injured up to speed for the same reasons. Predicting our lineup and who will/can play is tricky and frustrating and the unknowns are just that ... we dont know yet.

With all you have written, for me the one sentence that says it all is your last. All the rest for me is wanting the season to get here where we can see how the team jells, and as always who gets the majority of the minutes, who is in the game when the games get close. With the players on the team Geno could go with a 5 guard lineup if he wants to. I hope he integrates more than one big into the lineup.

 

[oldhusky]

There have been seasons when 3 or even 4 starters were known and all the chatter was about which of the remining players would start. This season we can be certain of only one starter but that isn't the nightmare that it would normally indicate. Instead there is a large group who could all start. It's a wealth of talent, admittedly inexperienced, and a pleasant dilemma for the coaches to figure out.

Like Alydar I think there is only one lock to start and that is Paige, and even with her we don't know what position that will be. She could start anywhere from 1-4, and where will depend largely on the competition for the other starters. We are blessed that she is versatile enough to give us All American level performance at whichever of those positions she is needed the most.

People want to pencil in KK and Ashlyn as starters because they were last year, and probably did as well or better than we could have expected. That may be true, but you could argue that Azzi and Caroline were effective starters their freshmen year too, and only lost their starting position due to injuries. In addition their PER numbers their freshmen year were both better than either KK or Ash, despite both being bothered by injuries that year, Azzi with her foot, and Caroline with concussions.

Kaitlin is obviously a returning starter too, maybe not for us but for a good program and with numbers as good or better than the above mentioned four. Then we have two incoming guards in Allie and Morgan who certainly could be better their first year than the above, maybe not quite as likely due to experience, but their class rankings are similar to KK, Ash and Caroline, with only a completely healthy Azzi being a significant notch above.

Aubrey was a very good starting 3 for a season out of necessity, but even though I think she is better at the 4, most teams would be thrilled to have her at the 3. Sarah could be similar, better for us at the 4, but can't be ruled out of the competition for the 3 either, and Q was good enough her first year you can't rule out her starting, although it appears she has a ton of players that may be ahead of her.`

So I don't buy the incumbency lock for KK and Ash. We have 7 starters who have played well at one of the 3 perimeter positions on this roster, Paige, KK, Ash, Azzi, Caroline, Kaitlin and Aubrey. Aubrey won't be ready early and is probably needed more upfront as is Sarah, but there are three other very talented contenders Allie, Morgan and Q.

I would not be surprised if one or both of KK or Ash started, but believe that whoever those starters wind up being, they will likely have to be significantly better that KK or Ash were last year. The starters last year were good, this year they will have to be significantly better to earn a start. If Azzi is healthy I think she is close to a lock with Paige with incredible competition for the remaining perimeter starters.

In some ways Jana may be more likely to start than anyone not named Paige, and Sarah might be next. Their situation is entirely different, no returning starters or even proven high level bigs as serious competition. Sarah's biggest competition at the 4 is probably not from Ice or Ayanna, but from Uconn going small and playing one of the talented wings there, possibly Paige again, or maybe Caroline or Morgan. I see the more likely situation is Sarah starts, but for the backup minutes, if Ayanna disappoints, using Paige, Caroline or Morgan for a few minutes there.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Like Alydar I think there is only one lock to start and that is Paige, and even with her we don't know what position that will be. She could start anywhere from 1-4, and where will depend largely on the competition for the other starters. We are blessed that she is versatile enough to give us All American level performance at whichever of those positions she is needed the most.

People want to pencil in KK and Ashlyn as starters because they were last year, and probably did as well or better than we could have expected. That may be true, but you could argue that Azzi and Caroline were effective starters their freshmen year too, and only lost their starting position due to injuries. In addition their PER numbers their freshmen year were both better than either KK or Ash, despite both being bothered by injuries that year, Azzi with her foot, and Caroline with concussions.

Kaitlin is obviously a returning starter too, maybe not for us but for a good program and with numbers as good or better than the above mentioned four. Then we have two incoming guards in Allie and Morgan who certainly could be better their first year than the above, maybe not quite as likely due to experience, but their class rankings are similar to KK, Ash and Caroline, with only a completely healthy Azzi being a significant notch above.

Aubrey was a very good starting 3 for a season out of necessity, but even though I think she is better at the 4, most teams would be thrilled to have her at the 3. Sarah could be similar, better for us at the 4, but can't be ruled out of the competition for the 3 either, and Q was good enough her first year you can't rule out her starting, although it appears she has a ton of players that may be ahead of her.`

So I don't buy the incumbency lock for KK and Ash. We have 7 starters who have played well at one of the 3 perimeter positions on this roster, Paige, KK, Ash, Azzi, Caroline, Kaitlin and Aubrey. Aubrey won't be ready early and is probably needed more upfront as is Sarah, but there are three other very talented contenders Allie, Morgan and Q.

I would not be surprised if one or both of KK or Ash started, but believe that whoever those starters wind up being, they will likely have to be significantly better that KK or Ash were last year. The starters last year were good, this year they will have to be significantly better to earn a start. If Azzi is healthy I think she is close to a lock with Paige with incredible competition for the remaining perimeter starters.

In some ways Jana may be more likely to start than anyone not named Paige, and Sarah might be next. Their situation is entirely different, no returning starters or even proven high level bigs as serious competition. Sarah's biggest competition at the 4 is probably not from Ice or Ayanna, but from Uconn going small and playing one of the talented wings there, possibly Paige again, or maybe Caroline or Morgan. I see the more likely situation is Sarah starts, but for the backup minutes, if Ayanna disappoints, using Paige, Caroline or Morgan for a few minutes there.

I agree with this, minus the last paragraph. I don't think we play Paige at the PF again unless we get decimated by injuries again this year. I think Sarah's biggest competition to start is Jana, Ice and Ayanna. Maybe Carol and Morgan can play there for a few minutes but not as starters, please dear God.

Otherwise I agree, Paige is the only real lock to start with Jana as a close second due to being the only real center on the roster. I could see Ice beating her out for that spot due to a years worth of playing experience and having a full healthy offseason to get better. I know everyone is harsh on Ice due to her season last year but there is no reason to expect Jana to be significantly better than Ice last year coming off a serious injury and playing her first year of college basketball. We will see.

I think its more likely than not KK and Ashlyn don't start based on comments from Geno this offseason already but they will both get starter minutes so imo. The starting guard position will come down to defense and shooting imo and I think Chen and Azzi will win out.

 

[JSB60]

I agree that the starting lineup is unknown, but I would be pretty sure of two if healthy, Paige and Azzi.

 

[uconnfan68]

I agree that the starting lineup is unknown, but I would be pretty sure of two if healthy, Paige and Azzi.

I would add Sarah Strong. As close to Maya as we’ve seen in a while.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I admire those of you who engage in debates like this. Me, I find it too much like work. Might be different if we could have basketball cards, like baseball cards in my youth. Then I could lay them all out and maybe make sense of it all.

 

[Bone Dog]

I admire those of you who engage in debates like this. Me, I find it too much like work. Might be different if we could have basketball cards, like baseball cards in my youth. Then I could lay them all out and maybe make sense of it all.

I hate debates. Social media is very much unsuited to debating. I enjoy musing about possibilities (and reading others' musings) while I wait for the slowest summer to pass. OMG, does it seem to the rest of you like November is taking forever to get here???

 

[JoePgh]

OMG, does it seem to the rest of you like November is taking forever to get here???

No, because I find that both the Connecticut Sun and the 5x5 US Olympic team are very enjoyable to follow and root for. I suggest that you give them a try.

 

[Skeets]

Starting positions for KK and Ash are theirs to lose. Can someone be so dominating in practice to replace them? With the talent on this team, yes. It's a nice problem to have. Geno: lots of luck keeping everyone happy.

 

[meyers7]

I hate debates. Social media is very much unsuited to debating. I enjoy musing about possibilities (and reading others' musings) while I wait for the slowest summer to pass. OMG, does it seem to the rest of you like November is taking forever to get here???

No, it's going way too fast. I never wish away the summer.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Starting positions for KK and Ash are theirs to lose. Can someone be so dominating in practice to replace them? With the talent on this team, yes. It's a nice problem to have. Geno: lots of luck keeping everyone happy.

Remember this is a game I don't play, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Kaitlyn starting. Wow, that wore me out.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Starting positions for KK and Ash are theirs to lose. Can someone be so dominating in practice to replace them? With the talent on this team, yes. It's a nice problem to have. Geno: lots of luck keeping everyone happy.

I don't think that's true at all.

 

[my2cents]

I believe there is a Strong possibility that Sarah starts.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I believe there is a Strong possibility that Sarah starts.

Clever!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I believe there is a Strong possibility that Sarah starts.

I see what you did there. Somebody had to say it. It's a rule.

 

[JSB60]

I would add Sarah Strong. As close to Maya as we’ve seen in a while.

I’m never sure if Geno will start a freshman. If Diana came off the bench….

 

[JoePgh]

I believe there is a Strong possibility that Sarah starts.

After Sarah grabs a few dozen contested rebounds, I predict that her nickname on The Boneyard will be "Very".

 

[oldhusky]

Starting positions for KK and Ash are theirs to lose. Can someone be so dominating in practice to replace them? With the talent on this team, yes. It's a nice problem to have. Geno: lots of luck keeping everyone happy.

You could make a case that there are numerous contenders that have already had seasons as starters that were better than either KK or Ash last year. Yes they were good, but Azzi and Caroline were both significantly better as starters their freshmen season if you look at PER stats. Kaitlin had much better numbers last year, probably even better after adjusting for the difference in level of competition. Aubrey in her full season starting at the 3 was much better.

Even ignoring the possibility of a freshmen standing out, which is possible, or Q breaking out, we have 5 players who have started and had numbers better than our incumbent freshmen starters last year. In Azzi and Caroline's case they were better despite playing with injury issues much of that year.

Also if you assume that Paige returns to one of the perimeter starting positions then saying KK and Ash retain their starting positions means there is no room for Azzi. I think many of us think Paige and Azzi will take two of the three starting perimeter positions. and the third spot is a battle between many.

If we didn't get Sarah the odds of starting 4 guards might have been much higher, and that that would open up another spot, but now I think Sarah makes it more likely we have a more traditional lineup. The possibility of four out is still there, just not as likely IMO.

The competition on the perimeter is incredible, and KK and Ash did pretty well last year, but this year a mild improvement on what they did last year is the floor regarding this year's expectations. Whoever starts will probably need to be significantly better than that this year.

 

[sun]

Allie & Morgan are versatile players, perhaps more versatile than Ash.
It's not so much about which players start, but about which players deserve to keep starting.
Make your shots, make smart decisions, be an effective player & you'll earn more PT.

Paige & Chen will start, then pencil in either Carol, Azzi, Morgan, Allie or Ash, plus Strong & Jana in the front court makes for plenty of PT for everyone who isn't injured or in the doghouse.

IMO KK & Ash will come in off the bench.
If a player is too slow or doesn't have all of the tools, then they'll be put on the back burner.
But I see a lot of nearly equal PT irrespective of which players are the starters, just a lot of different combinations.

 

[Kat]

Last season UConn had great defense and played very good together. Now without Aaliyah and Nika we need replacements. I expect team chemistry and defense to lead the way this season. With that said Paige KK Shade will continue to start. The other two positions will be filled by whoever Geno feels is ready.

I expect our returning injured to see minutes based on their health. How many minutes and who we dont know. The underclassman will see minutes based on their health and development. IMO the other two starters will be Jana because she is an athletic big and Ice who has experience. Kaitlyn will see good minutes because of her experience and Sarah because of her talents.

We went as far as we did last season because of our defense and team chemistry. That will be the key this season. I feel we are a more talented team and deeper this season and how that works out will be based on our health. As great as our roster is we have alot of players coming back from injury. I feel they will get minutes based on their health. The freshman Allie and Morgan will get minutes as they earn them and depending on who is healthy enough to play. It is key we get our underclassman minutes and developed because of the graduation of our seniors and our tuff schedule. It is also key to get our injured up to speed for the same reasons. Predicting our lineup and who will/can play is tricky and frustrating and the unknowns are just that ... we dont know yet.

I'd add Ice Brady to that trio.

 

[Bone Dog]

I watched several Grace Christian HS games last week and one thing really stands out. They play a pressing defense, sometimes full court sometimes half court. Sarah was typically assigned to set the trap at the half court line.

What I noticed is that Sarah doesn’t just wave her arms around the ball handler to disrupt any pass out of the trap. She seems instead to focus on getting her hands directly on the ball. And she gets a lot of steals this way, simply grabbing the ball away. It’s remarkable how big and strong (lol) her hands are. If she gets a hand on the ball, it all over. Very few players can out muscle her for the ball once she gets a hand on it.

Geno is sure to use Sarah in high hedges on defense much as he did with Aaliyah. I have a feeling the transition game is going to start from Sarah getting a sticky hand on the ball in a trap and then flipping it ahead to Paige/Azzi/Aubrey/Ash/Allie/Morgan/Qadence.

 

[ashfan]

The big lineup question for me is, what is the physical condition of Azzi and Caroline? If they are less than 100% and must be brought along slowly, then Ash starts and plays thirty to thirty-two minutes a game. If they are 100%, Ash still starts and gets most of the minutes. Before the season is over, the team will be hers and Paige's. Nest year, UConn is Ash12's team.

But in a few months all of us futurologists sill be silenced.