Starting 5 predictions for 2020

[HopJim]

FWIW, newest 2021 mock draft with Evina slotted 10th.

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Wow! One of weakest drafts I can remember. Would love to see Evina stay but withdrawing some of my previously posted comments and say this may be a good year for her to declare pro.

 

[uncle v]

This is her year.. Nobody's in her way... she's not sitting on the bench... watch and see... I'm all in with Christyn...

absolutely rite ktuck911,the most overall talented player on team,,her year for sure!!

 

[DefenseBB]

I don't see that Coco posted on this thread.

Hey Hoop, not sure if you’re joking or not but Coco posted 4 times so if you really are not seeing any posts then maybe you have our fine colleague on “Ignore”.

 

[hoophuskee]

Hey Hoop, not sure if you’re joking or not but Coco posted 4 times so if you really are not seeing any posts then maybe you have our fine colleague on “Ignore”.

No I didn.t Hmm I don't I dont think. I got a new computer. Maybe I'm messing up something. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[hoophuskee]

I did three times I think. Maybe you have me on ignore.

Oops. I guess I did. Now it's undone.

 

[DEpup]

I think everything hinges on Westbrook’s health. If her knee holds up, and she’s good to go, she starts. If not Bueckers starts at guard and learns “OJT“, just like Christyn and Kia did.

I’ve noticed that more and more posters have Aubrey in their starting 5. That was not the case back in April/May. Aaliyah was the consensus to fill that spot back then.

Not having the same summer preparation and early school year workouts has the biggest impact on freshman. UConn system is unique and takes time. Geno works on confidence when it comes to starting and playing time which logistically will be harder for freshmen to earn. It's more about covid then it is about Aaliyah for me.

 

[Carnac]

Not having the same summer preparation and early school year workouts has the biggest impact on freshman. UConn system is unique and takes time. Geno works on confidence when it comes to starting and playing time which logistically will be harder for freshmen to earn. It's more about covid then it is about Aaliyah for me.

Sometimes I wonder if some of our posters forget that. "UConn system is unique and takes time." It appears that some of them think a freshman is going to just waltz in there and start from day one, with no problems. I always thought that first, they had to learn the system enough to play and function in it, then second, earn Geno's trust.

Aubrey Griffin (I'm a HUGE fan of hers) reminded us last year what it looks like when a player is on the floor that does not completely know/understand the system. They never ran plays for her on offense. On several occasions, other players had to direct her into position on the defensive end of the floor. She got progressively better as the season went along.

EVERY YEAR (usually at his golf tournament), Geno reminds the media that it takes the average freshman a full year to learn his system, and be able to function in it. That means knowing their assignments on BOTH ends of the floor.

Official practice starts in 5 days. After that, the freshmen have 42 calendar days they can practice (with some days off of course) and get ready before UConn can play a game on Wednesday Nov 25. I'm very interested in seeing the complete official schedule. We know they play in The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame game at the Mohegan Sun Arena on the weekend of November 28 & 29. I'm wondering if they'll add a game on Wednesday Nov 25 to begin the season.

O/T: Anyone else here watching the new Star Trek TV series Discovery on CBS? Where are my Trekkies at?

 

[Carnac]

Don't think there's that much uncertainty although there is some. ONO and Williams are locks to start. The other three spots will almost certainly be made up from the group of Westbrook, Bueckers, Griffin and Makurat. Much as I'm a fan of Aaliyah Edwards I doubt she's ready to start yet or that Geno wants a freshman not named Bueckers in that position. Griffins's ability to make plays, defend, and rebound should make her all but a lock. If Westbrook isn't healthy enough then the choices make themselves. Otherwise Geno has an interesting decision. Personally, I think it's likely to be Bueckers and Westbrook, again assuming EV's healthy. Makurat would still play a lot.

I’ve suggested that Anna start since March, but as we get closer to the first day of official practice, I’m starting to soften my stance on the starting 5.

I agree with your observation that it is quite possible that Paige is so dynamic, that Geno has to start her. I agree that ONO and Williams are locks, and that because she was the 6th man last year (they usually start for Geno the next year), coupled with what Geno said about her being one hundred times better than last year, makes her all but a lock.

Christyn reported that Edwards is “tough”, real tough. Even though she’s a freshman, will that toughness and her experience of being a member of Canada’s Women’s National BB Team be enough to merit her a starting role this year?

These are the things we don’t know yet, and are merely speculating about, with November 25 only 41 days away.

Edwards is going to make freshman mistakes. Anna won’t. Can her overall play out weigh those mistakes? We’ll have a better idea in 6 weeks who the 5 should be.

 

[Cuango]

I think it will be Paige, Christyn, Evina, Anna, and Liv. Of course, if Aubrey has somehow become a competent shooter/scorer I might think differently. I doubt seriously that she has suddenly (in one chaotic, uncertain off season) become that! She is clearly a tremendous weapon as a defensive spark plug/stopper who can (almost singlehandedly) completely change the momentum/flow of the game and that imo is where she is best suited this year. The other factor that will impact her (Aubrey) is Evina’s health. Obviously, if Evina is hampered by her knee, then Aubrey’s
starting position becomes much more likely. Regardless, I believe we are about to witness another run by UConn that may well rival anything we’ve seen before! Better get your popcorn ready!

 

[Jingo]

I think it will be Paige, Christyn, Evina, Anna, and Liv. Of course, if Aubrey has somehow become a competent shooter/scorer I might think differently. I doubt seriously that she has suddenly (in one chaotic, uncertain off season) become that! She is clearly a tremendous weapon as a defensive spark plug/stopper who can (almost singlehandedly) completely change the momentum/flow of the game and that imo is where she is best suited this year. The other factor that will impact her (Aubrey) is Evina’s health. Obviously, if Evina is hampered by her knee, then Aubrey’s
starting position becomes much more likely. Regardless, I believe we are about to witness another run by UConn that may well rival anything we’ve seen before! Better get your popcorn ready!

I m still an Aubrey fan .. she's a winner just like fellow Noo Yawkuhs Bre&Sue...

 

[bluedevil]

first

Sometimes I wonder if some of our posters forget that. "UConn system is unique and takes time." It appears that some of them think a freshman is going to just waltz in there and start from day one, with no problems. I always thought that first, they had to learn the system enough to play and function in it, then second, earn Geno's trust.

Aubrey Griffin (I'm a HUGE fan of hers) reminded us last year what it looks like when a player is on the floor that does not completely know/understand the system. They never ran plays for her on offense. On several occasions, other players had to direct her into position on the defensive end of the floor. She got progressively better as the season went along.

EVERY YEAR (usually at his golf tournament), Geno reminds the media that it takes the average freshman a full year to learn his system, and be able to function in it. That means knowing their assignments on BOTH ends of the floor.

Official practice starts in 5 days. After that, the freshmen have 42 calendar days they can practice (with some days off of course) and get ready before UConn can play a game on Wednesday Nov 25. I'm very interested in seeing the complete official schedule. We know they play in The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame game at the Mohegan Sun Arena on the weekend of November 28 & 29. I'm wondering if they'll add a game on Wednesday Nov 25 to begin the season.

O/T: Anyone else here watching the new Star Trek TV series Discovery on CBS? Where are my Trekkies at?

I've watched the 3 episodes(don't get CBS access) and I'm underwhelmed so far..plot boring..characters uninteresting...so far anyway.

 

[Carnac]

first
I've watched the 3 episodes(don't get CBS access) and I'm underwhelmed so far..plot boring..characters uninteresting...so far anyway.

I agree. Not what I expected.

 

[Cuango]

I m still an Aubrey fan .. she's a winner just like fellow Noo Yawkuhs Bre&Sue...

I am also a huge Aubrey fan! I simply think she may be better suited to act as a defensive stopper/spark plug this year.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think some of the starters are obvious. Others are not, though some are more likely than others. Before I explain my choices, recall that some players (Kaleena and Kiah) didn't start, but played major minutes. Conversely, some players limited by injuries (Caroline and Brit) started, but weren't able to play major minutes. I think a more meaningful exercise would involve ranking players by minutes played, minutes played in the first 2-3 quarters, and minutes played against ranked teams. Teams do not always start their best 5 players.

Christyn and Olivia will start. They are our most experienced players and arguably our two best players. Both have started for 2 years already. Evina also has started for 2 years, though not at UConn. If her health is ok, I think she starts.

That gives us 3 starters. I see what Anna adds in terms of moving the ball, scoring, and defending. She was a starter last year and did nothing to lose her starting position. I see her as the 4th starter.

The 5th starter is a really tough call. Aubrey, as the most experienced of the other returners, seems like a viable possibility and would likely play the PF slot. However, Geno may want to consider keeping her for the "energy player off the bench."

In terms of the newcomers, I think Paige and Aaliyah are the most likely to be starters. However, more than 300 teams would love to have Mir or Nika in their starting lineups. I don't see that for the Huskies.

So, who is the 5th starter? It may depend on how Geno wants to play. Looking at skills and size, I think Aaliyah may be our most natural PF. If Geno wants to go with a traditional, bigger lineup, she starts. If Geno is comfortable going smaller, or Evina has limited minutes, he may go with Paige as a starter.

I recall Geno and Sue noting that, the day Diana arrived on campus, she was the best player on the team. I heard the same about Maya. I don't recall the same about Stewie, but it may have been true. As much talent as there is on our team, I think Paige may be our best player from early on. She may defer a little, but she plays with an edge. She will be sensational soon. Paigemania comes to Storrs in the autumn of 2020.

 

[JordyG]

I've gone on record early saying that on day one Paige will not start, and that as the season progresses she will see more minutes. I've gone on record saying Liv, Christyn, Aubrey, Anna, and Evina will open the season as his starting 5. I've also seen or heard nothing that changes my mind.

Now, in a perfect world, Paige and Edwards will dominate practices, show enough maturity, leadership, and make enough shots to start now, which would make UConn's starting lineup big and nasty. However, every year on the BY, and I mean every year, posters predict one or more freshmen will start, that has rarely been the case, and when they have, most have run into problems. Some early, some late. As phenomenal as Paige's talents may be, and again I've said this before, she is going to have problems leading this team at the PG early on, running the offense, playing defense, and not getting pushed around by bigger opposing players. She may adapt quickly or after the new year, but adapt she must...and will. I just don't see that happening by the first game. Some of the lineups speculated upon here seem more wishful thinking than basketball reality. With some of the lineups I see here I wonder who is going to make shots? Where's the offense coming from? Who's going to be the clutch player? Who's going to be the stopper, especially at the PG position?

 

[RoadWarrior]

I think some of the starters are obvious. Others are not, though some are more likely than others. Before I explain my choices, recall that some players (Kaleena and Kiah) didn't start, but played major minutes. Conversely, some players limited by injuries (Caroline and Brit) started, but weren't able to play major minutes. I think a more meaningful exercise would involve ranking players by minutes played, minutes played in the first 2-3 quarters, and minutes played against ranked teams. Teams do not always start their best 5 players.

Christyn and Olivia will start. They are our most experienced players and arguably our two best players. Both have started for 2 years already. Evina also has started for 2 years, though not at UConn. If her health is ok, I think she starts.

That gives us 3 starters. I see what Anna adds in terms of moving the ball, scoring, and defending. She was a starter last year and did nothing to lose her starting position. I see her as the 4th starter.

The 5th starter is a really tough call. Aubrey, as the most experienced of the other returners, seems like a viable possibility and would likely play the PF slot. However, Geno may want to consider keeping her for the "energy player off the bench."

In terms of the newcomers, I think Paige and Aaliyah are the most likely to be starters. However, more than 300 teams would love to have Mir or Nika in their starting lineups. I don't see that for the Huskies.

So, who is the 5th starter? It may depend on how Geno wants to play. Looking at skills and size, I think Aaliyah may be our most natural PF. If Geno wants to go with a traditional, bigger lineup, she starts. If Geno is comfortable going smaller, or Evina has limited minutes, he may go with Paige as a starter.

I recall Geno and Sue noting that, the day Diana arrived on campus, she was the best player on the team. I heard the same about Maya. I don't recall the same about Stewie, but it may have been true. As much talent as there is on our team, I think Paige may be our best player from early on. She may defer a little, but she plays with an edge. She will be sensational soon. Paigemania comes to Storrs in the autumn of 2020.

I am rather neutral regarding the 5th starter when the season starts. I do think, however, that Edwards will likely be a starter when we play taller ranked teams both during the season but especially in the tournament. Not having enough real size with athleticism and versatility has really hurt the team when playing teams like Baylor.

 

[Go/huskies]

I think Edwards will be used as a back up to live since she’s now listed as a forward. I think Paige will be giving the Lou freshman treatment but eventually land a starting role over Griffin. Anna is now listed at 6’2 and I believe she was matched up with KiKi in the South Carolina game, and would also match up with whoever was playing the 4 when she would check in Baylor, if other natural small forward like Walker or KML could play the 4 in the UConn system I don’t see why Anna can’t.

Im sticking with my Paige, Evina, Williams, Ana, Liv starting 5 for this season.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Im sticking with my Paige, Evina, Williams, Ana, Liv starting 5 for this season.

Unless DePaul suddenly shows up on the schedule, I find it beyond hard to believe that the team will start four backcourt players. Even with taller guards that is too small a lineup. Griffin almost has to start, not because she's particularly tall, but because they will need her rebounding and defensive abilities.

 

[Alydar]

Unless DePaul suddenly shows up on the schedule, I find it beyond hard to believe that the team will start four backcourt players. Even with taller guards that is too small a lineup. Griffin almost has to start, not because she's particularly tall, but because they will need her rebounding and defensive abilities.

I think DePaul is already on the schedule, twice. And looking at the BE rosters there is a dearth of big power forwards. UConn has a wealth of big perimeter players and size will favor them in almost every game. Last year Ionescu proved to me that a guard can be a great rebounder.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I think DePaul is already on the schedule, twice. And looking at the BE rosters there is a dearth of big power forwards. UConn has a wealth of big perimeter players and size will favor them in almost every game. Last year Ionescu proved to me that a guard can be a great rebounder.

It may take me a while to realize UConn is in the Big East again.

Yeah, that's fine against DePaul. But I can't see Geno wanting to go four guards/wings except in rare matchups.

 

[hoophuskee]

I am rather neutral regarding the 5th starter when the season starts. I do think, however, that Edwards will likely be a starter when we play taller ranked teams both during the season but especially in the tournament. Not having enough real size with athleticism and versatility has really hurt the team when playing teams like Baylor.

I'm neutral as well. Too many possibilities this year. Too many unknowns.

However, I will be disappointed (though I will still understand the decision) if UCONN feels they need to "match up" with opposing teams. For example the situation you give with Edwards, if she wasn't good enough to start at all prior to the big game, but you are only starting her to match up, it goes contrary to what UCONN likes to do. Not saying "don't do it." And ofc how much of a difference is there if she doesn't start but ends playing 30 minutes anyway?

It's just that I can recall many years ago Chris Dailey interviewed postgame on WTIC and she was asked about her team matching up to another- and to paraphrase she said "We don't look to match up to other teams. We want to force the other teams to match up to us."

I'm hoping UCONN won't be "forced" into matching up with "Baylor." I'm hoping regardless of what lineup we put out there, the opposing team will be forced to match up with us.

 

[hoophuskee]

It may take me a while to realize UConn is in the Big East again.

Yeah, that's fine against DePaul. But I can't see Geno wanting to go four guards/wings except in rare matchups.

If all 4 perimeter players are terrific (not hard to believe), and if Muhl is solid (not hard to believe), to go along with ONO-- you still have an elite team playing small.

We were 5th in the country last year and got to Final Four the year before with a very small team.

Other than ONO being the center and only the center- all other positions UCONN has potentially terrific versatility (including Griff, Edwards, Evina, AMak, CWill and Paige). For example, even Paige can be a sg instead of a pg.

.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

If all 4 perimeter players are terrific (not hard to believe), and if Muhl is solid (not hard to believe), to go along with ONO-- you still have an elite team playing small.

We were 5th in the country last year and got to Final Four the year before with a very small team.

Other than ONO being the center and only the center- all other positions UCONN has potentially terrific versatility (including Griff, Edwards, Evina, AMak, CWill and Paige). For example, even Paige can be a sg instead of a pg.

.

That team from two years ago's big problem was size though, and it was as much a reason as any that they lost to ND in the Final Four. Lack of size killed them against South Carolina last season too. I don't think it's fair to ONO to have to take on so much responsibility by herself with those lineups.

 

[CocoHusky]

If all 4 perimeter players are terrific (not hard to believe), and if Muhl is solid (not hard to believe), to go along with ONO-- you still have an elite team playing small.
We were 5th in the country last year and got to Final Four the year before with a very small team.
Other than ONO being the center and only the center- all other positions UCONN has potentially terrific versatility (including Griff, Edwards, Evina, AMak, CWill and Paige). For example, even Paige can be a sg instead of a pg.

My question would be are you content being elite and making it to final 4s or do you want to be a Champion?
UCONN's most recent losses in the final four has been when the leading scorer or rebounder has been 6'1 or shorter and that includes a pretty elite players by the name of Maya Moore.

 

[hoophuskee]

That team from two years ago's big problem was size though, and it was as much a reason as any that they lost to ND in the Final Four. Lack of size killed them against South Carolina last season too. I don't think it's fair to ONO to have to take on so much responsibility by herself with those lineups.

I agree that you are probably right. I'm just offering alternatives. And I don't think what's "fair" to ONO matters if her perimeter players produce.

I agree lack of size has hurt- but it still can be good enough if you have perimeter players. For example, in 18-19 that UCONN team was very, very small (they couldn't count much on ONO as a frosh). It was a 1 point game with one minute left - and this year ONO is a probable A/A. Further UCONN shot 8-28 from 3. Despite getting as blitzed as bad as they did- and not shooting well- they were right there.

As far as SC- They got wiped out everywhere. They were 22-61 from the flor as well. For a small team that depends on shooting = they were 4-17 from 3. They has 12 assists and 15 turnovers. Walker, Williams and AMak were a combined 1-9 from 3.

This year's team's perimeter could be much better than last year's as a result outcome is possible to be different even when playing small.

I just think this team has an amazing ceiling - because I expect ONO to be solid-- and would it shock anyone if Paige, Evina, and CWill were all tremendous? And with these three with such high potential-- they would also naturally make AMak one scary threat from 3.

Overall I lean with what you're saying in terms of Edwards and Griff - but I say this with limited viewing of Edwards and Evina. I look at Evina and don't know if she'll be just slightly above average or POY. Similar with CWill - above average or a legit All-American. I know Paige is going to be terrific regardless but again her ceiling is extremely high too even as a frosh. If these 3 players "hit" to near their potential-- they have a tremendous, tremendous, tremendous perimeter game.

IMO what makes this backcourt potentially so different than in the recent past is that they have potentially two guards that consistently can be a force slashing to the basket along with the ability to shoot. And when they slash potentially there are two very good 3pt shooters (CWill ofc has to shoot better but defitniltey has the capability of doing so.).

 

[hoophuskee]

My question would be are you content being elite and making it to final 4s or do you want to be a Champion?
UCONN's most recent losses in the final four has been when the leading scorer or rebounder has been 6'1 or shorter and that includes a pretty elite players by the name of Maya Moore.

Not sure how to define "content." Yes last two years we were small. Last 4 years we have not won a title yet 3 years ago we had the 6'5 center in Stevens and we went no further than the prior year in which we were small as well. But I also look at that and the recent other seasons we haven't won- and compare them vs our championship teams - and all but one title we also had a 1st team all-american at a guard position. Thus we were less apt to go "22-61" from the floor in those big games like we did recently vs SC during reg. season this year. We haven't had the all-american guard step up in the 3 Final Fours that we've been beaten in the past few years.

I'm also scared of getting picked off before the Final Four such as E8 or S16. So to answer your question partially - I am more content going to FF rather than possibly losing in prior round. IMO it's partly why we continue to be so amazing recruiting; We're always always always playing the last week of the season. No other team can say they have done it near as well as UCONN has for so long. You go to UCONN you KNOW right off the bat you're playing in front of the largest National Audience year-over-year.

That's why I agreed with Carnac and posted on another thread to that other poster when it came to Azzi Fudd between UCONN and UCLA in which he or she made a comment about Ionescu and Nat'l Exposure. The point is- you go to UConn - you can count on getting enormous exposure because in part you always play in the final week- which generates the most excitement for the year.

 

[Go/huskies]

My question would be are you content being elite and making it to final 4s or do you want to be a Champion?
UCONN's most recent losses in the final four has been when the leading scorer or rebounder has been 6'1 or shorter and that includes a pretty elite players by the name of Maya Moore.

Then it could he a while before UConn wins a championship, Paige will probably lead the team in scoring for a while in the future, unless DeBerry or Brady does/can lead the team in scoring and I don’t think that will happen.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Then it could he a while before UConn wins a championship, Paige will probably lead the team in scoring for a while in the future, unless DeBerry or Brady does can lead the team in scoring and I don’t think that will happen.

My question would be are you content being elite and making it to final 4s or do you want to be a Champion?
UCONN's most recent losses in the final four has been when the leading scorer or rebounder has been 6'1 or shorter and that includes a pretty elite players by the name of Maya Moore.

Pretty limited definition of "recent," since Maya won two championships (and was the leading scorer) just before she lost in her senior year.

 

[donalddoowop]

I believe the five who start are the five who know the system and play well within the system, at least initially. That gives the advantage to the returning players.

 

[CocoHusky]

I believe the five who start are the five who know the system and play well within the system, at least initially. That gives the advantage to the returning players.

Or it gives the advantage to the fastest learners. Which is why I would not count out Paige and Aaliyah as starters. Paige has been running a UCONN type offense since she was in middle school. She has also shown the ability to adept to different systems and style of play at USA basketball. Team Canada also runs a similar system which was one of the thing that shortened Kia Nurse's learning curve at UCONN and could do the same for Aaliyah. For Evina this will be a new system, a new position, while coming off two surgeries and 19 Months (April '19- November'20 ) off from game level basketball activity.