Starting 5 predictions for 2020

[Carnac]

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[Carnac]

I would have said Evina would have started but after listening to Geno today, I am not sure Evina is ready physically and the fact he said she is not really a great shooter but more a scorer was enlightening. And he is very very pleased with Paige in every way it seems to me so I am switching over to team Paige.

Me too. All summer, my starting 5 included Evina. During the last two weeks of hearing players and Geno extol about Paige and her virtues, then hearing Evina say that some days are better than others, and she is not 100% yet.

Like you, I'm switching over to team Paige. I think she starts, and Evina comes off the bench. None of our players should ever be "gassed" during a game. There are plenty of very capable reserves on the bench this year. The deeper into the season they go, the more capable they'll become.

 

[Sam.the.Man]

Anna is a good one, you're right .. but IMHO I see Liv as the best player on the Huskies .. and Aaliyah as the most indispensable

Correct me if I am wrong, but Aaliyah has yet to play a single minute for the Huskies. Seems doubtful she could be considered 'most indispensable' at this point. Liv has so far proven to be incapable of scoring against and/or guarding a Big of equal or greater talent without having to leave the game in foul trouble. That fact would generally rank her far from 'best' in my book. Regardless, I am looking forward to watching them all grow this season.

 

[hoophuskee]

Correct me if I am wrong, but Aaliyah has yet to play a single minute for the Huskies. Seems doubtful she could be considered 'most indispensable' at this point. Liv has so far proven to be incapable of scoring against and/or guarding a Big of equal or greater talent without having to leave the game in foul trouble. That fact would generally rank her far from 'best' in my book. Regardless, I am looking forward to watching them all grow this season.

Liv has shown progression from Frosh year through Soph year. And last year UCONN got blitzed by the top 3- - Vs Baylor, then Oregon then SC. You do expect improvement, right?

So per below stats Liv seemed consistent around 9 rebounds vs the Big 3. Her point production after game 1 wasn't bad. Game 2 it was pretty good on a prorated basis. And while in games 1 and 2 she had 3 fouls in just 23 minutes which prorated would mean she'd have fouled out at around in 30 minutes, but in game 3 vs S.C. she lasted 39 minutes. Thus she showed improvement.

Now with possibly better guard play and one more year experience and her team maybe better able to control tempo - why wouldn't you expect further improvement?

Game 1 Baylor: Minutes 23 Fouls 3. Points 0 Rebounds 6.

Game 2 Oregon: Minutes 23 Fouls 3. Points 8 Rebounds 6.

Game 3 S.C.: Minutes 39 Fouls 5. Points 10 Rebounds 9.

As far as Edwards-- I'm not arguing about "most indispensable" - but if she can play tough inside - - maybe for example she could backup Liv at center- that would mean for example in Game 3 vs S.C., Liv doesn't foul out. And maybe if Edwards really is 6'3 she could also guard centers for a short spell while playing with Liv giving less chance that Liv gets into foul trouble while Edwards becomes more indispensable. The point is-- maybe some think Edwards potential defense and rebounding will help Liv become better because of the idea teams will look to exploit UCONN in the paint.

 

[Sam.the.Man]

@hoophuskee - Maybes don't count for much, neither do hopes and prayers. In fact, they are strictly an unknown resulting from pure speculation.

 

[Hoops66]

By late January, starters will be:
Bueckers
Westbrook
Williams
Edwards
Nelson-Ododa

Bench players, in order of minutes:
Makurat
Griffin
Muhl
McLean
Gabriel
Chassion

Looks good to me, and I can see Makurat and Griffin in the closing five or in any critical situation.

 

[Hoops66]

Hmmm, the way I see it Anna is/will be the best player on this team so it's hard to imagine her not being in the starting lineup. With her I expect the following: Williams, Nelson-Ododa, Westbrook (unless not physically unable), and Bueckers. It also won't surprise me if Griffin replaces any of these except Anna.

I agree on Anna and all the more on getting her sister over here too. Yes, and Nika's sis as well!

 

[Jingo]

@hoophuskee - Maybes don't count for much, neither do hopes and prayers. In fact, they are strictly an unknown resulting from pure speculation.

Isn't that what this forum is mostly about: SPECULATION .. ??? ... that's where the fun comes from, eh?

 

[hoophuskee]

@hoophuskee - Maybes don't count for much, neither do hopes and prayers. In fact, they are strictly an unknown resulting from pure speculation.

Okay but I just want to reiterate I never said anything was assured though. I just offered possibilities.

But I'd like to add further- a top 5 recruit (Liv) that has shown improvement - and even in the Big 3 Games she showed improvement - in which she is being coached by the greatest WCBB of all-time. Isn't it a bit more than "hopes and prayers" that she'll at least be "decent" as now being an upperclassman?

So I think for me is more positive regarding Liv than the tone you are using of "hopes and prayers." Because imo I've seen improvement from Liv and expect she'll continue to improve because of talent and super coaching. IMO that is more than the tone you are using.

As far as Edwards I don't know what she is until I see her. But what of those who have seen her a lot - and say she is real good? I can't bash them over the head for that. And because some of them have posted on here a long time and proven ot be very good with their assessments-- in which I have a certain respect and trust in them because in the past they've proven to be darn good- would I be wrong to think they are possibly right - considering this is just a board to also talk a lot of "maybes" anyway?

For example-- all the recruits that have given verbals maybe will sign in November. Until they do, can't we talk "maybe" she will be good at this position or that position etc? A lot is "maybe." "Maybe" some don't sign.

 

[Sam.the.Man]

@hoophuskee - You must not have much to do! So, let me add "possibilities" to the list of meaningless when it comes to facts and realities. It is my sincere hope that UConn goes undefeated for the next 5-6 years and adds an equal number of National Championships. I pray that Liv demonstrates some real improvements on both ends of the court throughout an entire season. Maybe this season both she and Williams will start living up to all the hype before they arrived here.

-30-

 

[hoophuskee]

@hoophuskee - You must not have much to do! So, let me add "possibilities" to the list of meaningless when it comes to facts and realities. It is my sincere hope that UConn goes undefeated for the next 5-6 years and adds an equal number of National Championships. I pray that Liv demonstrates some real improvements on both ends of the court throughout an entire season. Maybe this season both she and Williams will start living up to all the hype before they arrived here.

-30-

I don't understand your comment "have much to do." My only point was that I gave you possibilities. Sure I agree with your comments above other than I would use "expect" instead of "pray." I expect both to play well. But who knows they might not be what I expect. Okay- I'm done. No harm done.

 

[EdSaid]

Totally agree with comments. ONO a potential All American but not very physical and tends to get in foul trouble when she is. Surrounding her with 3-4 guards can work but not ideal. Predict by end of year, Edwards will be getting significant playing time.

I think Edwards will be getting significant playing time right off the bat. I think she kinda has to.

 

[eebmg]

I think Edwards will be getting significant playing time right off the bat. I think she kinda has to.

Geno said as much explicitly.

 

[DefenseBB]

By late January, starters will be:
Bueckers
Westbrook
Williams
Edwards
Nelson-Ododa

Bench players, in order of minutes:
Makurat
Griffin
Muhl
McLean
Gabriel
Chassion

1. I Hope my esteemed Texas colleague is well, healthy and ready for the “unique season”.
2. I completely agree with your 8 players and love the depth of scoring and passing this team possesses as we have not seen this in a few years.
3. Where we part ways is, in my view there is NO WAY Anna, after earning the starting job last year will be relegated to 1st off the bench. Geno doesn’t think that way, especially with a player of Anna’s skill set. All 8 will get significant minutes. Mir is the 9th player and in my assessment of skills I have seen of her, she’s got more to do to earn time that these others will be getting. She will be very good eventually.
It was noted earlier that “unless We played DePaul, UConn will not to with 4 guards” whereas we are now in the BigEast and the top teams are DePaul, Marquette who is also guard oriented, Butler (guard oriented) and as I review the rest of the BE, no one has size to force UConn to shy away from the 4 guard lineup. Heck even Louisville who we added, not a lot of size. Only Baylor and SC have size to force a change in philosophy potentially.
I for one, am looking to that stellar UConn ball movement and high team assist totals with so many passers and shooters.
Humbly submitted,
DefenseBB