Starting Five and....

[Bills Fan]

#1 Paige, Azzi, Caroline, Aaliyah, Ice!
#2 Paige, Azzi, Caroline, Aubrey, Aaliyah!
#3 Nika, Paige, Azzi, Aaliyah, Ice!
#4 Nika, Paige, Azzi, Aubre, Aaliyah!

Going out on a limb, there???

 

[freekimchee]

It's all about the matchups. Coach can probably get away with a three guard rotation (with Nika) and Aubrey and Edwards rounding out the five in the Big East. He's gaining defense and rebounding having both NM and AG in the starting five but losing height and offense.

Personally, I think Nika and Aubrey would be more potent coming off the bench (they both will get plenty of minutes regardless) so my ideal starters are Paige, Azzi, Carol, Edwards and Ice (we lose out on defense but gain height and offense). With that said, I think the starters at the beginning of the season will be Nika, Paige, Azzi, Aubrey and Edwards.

 

[HuskylnSC]

no brainer

You got that part right! Nika starts. Caroline is instant offense of the bench.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Most veteran players he has are Muhl and Edwards.

And Aubrey

 

[Jaml]

Nika will start, she is the tone setter.

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

I think I will start a new post about who will be our starting 5 this year. That would be something new and different, right?

 

[CL82]

Nika has been a loyal soldier who has been one of the players to be there through all of the troubles not to mention a 2 time conference player of the year. There is no way Geno stabs her in the back her senior year and doesn't start her. The question is do you go defense and rebounding with Aubrey or as potent and offensive attack as possible with Caroline?

Aaliyah - Paige - Azzi - Nike; absolute locks to start
Aubrey - Caroline; could go either way - both worthy of starting
Everyone else

It's got nothing to do with "stabbing anyone in the back". It's got everything to deal with sports being a meritocracy. If Nika starts, and that's certainly likely, it won't be out of Geno's loyalty to her. Instead, it will be because her presence helps the team to win predominantly by facilitating baskets and providing lockdown defense.

Here's the thing though even if she doesn't start, she'll get starters minutes. I'm hopeful that this year's team will be a throwback to the old days when Connecticut star players would only log in at less than 30 minutes a game. That should allow us to play at peace throughout the whole game and, hopefully, keep the girls healthy throughout the whole season.

 

[meyers7]

Aubrey is the most veteran.

No, she missed a year. She hasn't play near as much as the other two.

 

[meyers7]

And Aubrey

Eh, not as much as the other two.

 

[Carnac]

In Aubrey and Nika, Geno has two of the best defenders in the country.

I suspect that with the depth he has that he will want to press a lot on defense right off of the bat.

In the games that really matter he will need to shut down one or more stars on the other team to prevent us from getting down early and not simply try to match baskets. He is not going to have Nika come off the bench all year and then start her against Iowa.

Nika and Aubrey are capable scorers but with Azzi, Paige and Aaliyah on the floor, offense will not be a problem. Plus Nika is a great facilitator on offense, things work better when she is out there, and Aubrey made great strides in fitting into the offensive flow last season.

So Nika and Aubrey start.

Caroline if healthy will see a lot a minutes. Ice as well. After that it is a crap shoot but I am confident at least two of them will emerge and I suspect one of them is Ashlynn.

That is why they're in my starting lineup. In Paige, Azzi, and Aaliyah, he has scorers that can basically get what they want when they want it. Scoring points this year will not be an issue for UConn. Geno needs at least one "lockdown" defender on the floor. Aubrey and Nika are lockdown defenders. Some would have them come off the bench. I want them on the court from the jump. Nika brings an energy her teammates feed off of. There will always be good-to-great players (opponents) you would like to see disappear for the entire game. These two can make it happen. Timing is everything. You can always bring in subs at the appropriate time.

When you can take a team's leading scorer that's averaging 15-20 ppg, completely out of the mix, you also upset their chemistry, and someone else will have to make up that deficit. There may not be another player on that team that can do that. i.e., if you neutralize Caitlin Clark (Iowa), or in her case slow her down with 15 or less, who takes up the slack? Clark often scores 25-33 % of her team's points. You're just trying to in the game. Not make any statements.

If you can take out a team's two best scorers, the result shouldn't be hard to figure out. I would tell them (Aubrey/Nika) they only have ONE JOB to do......make their man disappear. I wouldn't care if Nika or Aubrey didn't score a point or got a rebound the entire game. Neutralize your man, and you've done your job. I've got other players that can/will score and rebound. Pull the tiger's teeth, then they become harmless and can't hurt you. It won't always be that dramatic, but there will be teams UConn will play that feature a dynamic player(s) that needs to be "dealt" with.

 

[Slovak blue]

I think we need to ease Paige back slowly into the rotation. Start Nika. Paige would be the ultimate spark off the bench.

 

[Carnac]

Not going down the rabbit hole this time. Geno will decide who starts based off pre-season practice performance based on the combination of players who are most productive in his system.

Awww c'mon Ozi.....you're no fun. Get down here is where the action is. Anybody can stay topside and play it safe.

 

[Bigboote]

One argument against Nika being first off the bench: She only plays one position. You want someone coming off the bench who can play more than one position (direct quote from Red Auerbach). Aubrey (3/4) or Caroline (2/3/4) would be a better sixth player.

 

[JBK]

OK......here we go. I've already posted my starting 5. I'm staying out of this debate. I'll read every post in this thread to try and keep up though. I'm always interested in the thoughts and concerns of my fellow boneyarders. I've posted several times recently that Paige, Azzi, and Aaliyah are the only locks!!! No one on the team can/will start in front of them. I suggested that there are 4 other players besides these 3 that Geno could very well promote to starters. Nothing has changed my take on this.

We're a tight-knit group on most things, but not on who the starting 5 will be this far out. I see a group of 7 players Geno can choose his starters from.

Agreed. I am a big Nika fan and last years turnover problem was a team issue. - twenty something in our last game. Caitlin Clark broke the OState press and made them remove it in a few short minutes.
I would just say that I would like the ball in Paige’s hand for the majority of the time she is on the court. But for the 15 minutes she may be sitting initially - Nika is my choice.

 

[Next 12]

Awww c'mon Ozi.....you're no fun. Get down here is where the action is. Anybody can stay topside and play it safe.

Good one. I love it!! What I have not seen being posted is that our core 5 and 2 subs have been practicing together for 3 years and they should have a good cohesiveness and stability between them that some of the better teams might not have. I count that as a PLUS, It might not have been in game time, but with Geno's practices ,it would be like in game time. I have the utmost confidence in this team and it's destiny, which is GREATNESS!!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[Bone Dog]

Wait, you guys had a starting 5 thread going all day and you didn’t tell me?!?! Well, then I’m going to have to make an authoritative pronouncement in my deepest stentorian voice.

The starting five in November will be…

Paige Azzi Nika Caroline Aaliyah.

There, I have spoken.

Sorry, not Aubrey. Why? You know why. Because she’s best off the bench. Maybe the best 6th woman in D1.

Yes, Nika. Why? Because we’re going to start the season running and gunning, and Nika is great at directing that sort of game. And just like the beginning of last season, Geno will want to feature in your face defense at the top of the key. Plus, Geno may want to let Paige ease into the season from the 2.

And yes, Caroline. Why? Because it’s about damn time she got to strut her stuff.

How many AAs are we allowed to have? Because the core starting 6 (yeah you read that right) are all candidates.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

To start

Paige Bueckers
Azzi Fudd
Nika Muhl
Aaliyah Edwards
Aubrey Griffin

first subs
CD
Ice

the rest TBD

Not a good rebounding starting five. A good recipe for some losses. Nika’s minutes go down this year, maybe a lot. If Ducharme is 100% she definitely starts, Ice also starts or shares minutes 50/50 with Griffin. If KK and Shade are the real deal, Nika’s minutes definitely go down. She just isn’t a threat to score. It also allows the opposing defense to easily double Paige or Azzi.

 

[Happydad745]

To start the season

Paige Bueckers
Azzi Fudd
Nika Muhl
Aaliyah Edwards
Aubrey Griffin

Off the bench at the 4 & 5
Ice Brady
Carol Ducharme
Amari Deberry
Ayanna Patterson

Off the Bench 1,2 & 3
Carol Ducharme
KK Arnold
Ashylnn Shade
Quadence Samuels
Ines Bettencourt

This all depends on who is healthy and if we play a big team Geno might adjust
but we are going to run and gun with the first 5. 93 pts per game average

This is an extremely quick starting 5....

 

[HuskyNan]

This thread….

 

[Geew1992]

Not a good rebounding starting five. A good recipe for some losses. Nika’s minutes go down this year, maybe a lot. If Ducharme is 100% she definitely starts, Ice also starts or shares minutes 50/50 with Griffin. If KK and Shade are the real deal, Nika’s minutes definitely go down. She just isn’t a threat to score. It also allows the opposing defense to easily double Paige or Azzi.

This is sarcasm right

 

[Alydar]

Nika has been a loyal soldier who has been one of the players to be there through all of the troubles not to mention a 2 time conference player of the year. There is no way Geno stabs her in the back her senior year and doesn't start her. The question is do you go defense and rebounding with Aubrey or as potent and offensive attack as possible with Caroline?

Aaliyah - Paige - Azzi - Nike; absolute locks to start
Aubrey - Caroline; could go either way - both worthy of starting
Everyone else

Stab in the back? For not starting? Since when has Geno said that loyalty results in a starting position? Last year Muhl was not going to be a starter until Bueckers was injured.

Uconn has more than five potential starters. I see seven and three are locks.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Eh, not as much as the other two.

Over the past 3 years, Aaliyah played 102 games, and Nika played 92 games. Over the past 4 years, Aubrey played 96 games. I think they are similar.

 

[Bills Fan]

That is why they're in my starting lineup. In Paige, Azzi, and Aaliyah, he has scorers that can basically get what they want when they want it. Scoring points this year will not be an issue for UConn. Geno needs at least one "lockdown" defender on the floor. Aubrey and Nika are lockdown defenders. Some would have them come off the bench. I want them on the court from the jump. Nika brings an energy her teammates feed off of. There will always be good-to-great players (opponents) you would like to see disappear for the entire game. These two can make it happen. Timing is everything. You can always bring in subs at the appropriate time.

When you can take a team's leading scorer that's averaging 15-20 ppg, completely out of the mix, you also upset their chemistry, and someone else will have to make up that deficit. There may not be another player on that team that can do that. i.e., if you neutralize Caitlin Clark (Iowa), or in her case slow her down with 15 or less, who takes up the slack? Clark often scores 25-33 % of her team's points. You're just trying to in the game. Not make any statements.

If you can take out a team's two best scorers, the result shouldn't be hard to figure out. I would tell them (Aubrey/Nika) they only have ONE JOB to do......make their man disappear. I wouldn't care if Nika or Aubrey didn't score a point or got a rebound the entire game. Neutralize your man, and you've done your job. I've got other players that can/will score and rebound. Pull the tiger's teeth, then they become harmless and can't hurt you. It won't always be that dramatic, but there will be teams UConn will play that feature a dynamic player(s) that needs to be "dealt" with.

Kinda like Nika did last year to Clark! I remember during the game, Clark being quoted during a timeout to get that bug (or something like) that off of her Nika was driving her crazy.
Then of course there is that top 25 returning players, ranking where Nika is #13. We're going to be something really special if the 13th best returning player in the USA can't make our starting lineup!!!

 

[Bills Fan]

Not a good rebounding starting five. A good recipe for some losses. Nika’s minutes go down this year, maybe a lot. If Ducharme is 100% she definitely starts, Ice also starts or shares minutes 50/50 with Griffin. If KK and Shade are the real deal, Nika’s minutes definitely go down. She just isn’t a threat to score. It also allows the opposing defense to easily double Paige or Azzi.

My goodness you have zero concept of what Nika brings to this team. I'll take 5 pts /game from her and be overjoyed. We don't need, or probably want, 5 scorers on the court at all times. Somebody has to get those outstanding scorers the one ball that is used in a game Have you ever listened to Geno and Chris talking about what she brings to the team---leadership, intensity, 100% hustle, passing to the open "scorer", and all-conference defense.

Maybe that's why the independent writer ranked her as the 13th best returning player in the country in the other thread posted tonight.

 

[Alydar]

Agreed. I am a big Nika fan and last years turnover problem was a team issue. - twenty something in our last game. Caitlin Clark broke the OState press and made them remove it in a few short minutes.
I would just say that I would like the ball in Paige’s hand for the majority of the time she is on the court. But for the 15 minutes she may be sitting initially - Nika is my choice.

The turnover issue was almost entirely due to UConn having only two guards, with one of them being totally inexperienced. Fans forget that Senechal was a 6'1 wing forced into playing guard.
This year UConn has 6 or seven guards and three of them will rotate, keeping them fresh all season and giving UConn easily the most powerful backcourt in the country.

PS I'm one of the lucky posters who will be eating free pizza a few months.

 

[AgStatesman]

It's clear some of you have never been anywhere near a sports team. The coach/player relationship only works if there is trust. It is paramount to building a successful team. Another way to say trust is loyalty. When a player has done everything asked of them for 3 years, yes, there is an expectation that the coach will reward that.

Geno and I are both similar in that we know the psychology of the game better than you guys. There is zero chance of Nike not starting. If she is not the starting PG opening day, I will jump off the George Washington Bridge. I guarantee beyond any shadow of a doubt that she starts. If not because of her talent, then because Geno knows the right thing to do ethically, morally, honorably, principally, and conscionably.

 

[Alydar]

Kinda like Nika did last year to Clark! I remember during the game, Clark being quoted during a timeout to get that bug (or something like) that off of her Nika was driving her crazy.
Then of course there is that top 25 returning players, ranking where Nika is #13. We're going to be something really special if the 13th best returning player in the USA can't make our starting lineup!!!

Exactly. That's how good we may be.

 

[hoophuskee]

My argument for Nika coming off the bench, which I know is a hard decision given her record assists last season but, both Azzi and Paige are back...redundancy may not be in UConn's best interest

The problem with your comment is that you are suggesting that if Page and Azzi were on the Wing with Nika out front that the "redundancy" is a bad issue.

Why would you think (1) having two of arguably the most efficient scorers in wcbb along with (2) both being terrific passers along with (3) both can put the ball on the floor and at an elite level hit mid-range jumpers (4) while being among the best in doing this is an in any way a bad redundancy?

And before anyone jumps in about Paige should be the pg. She WILL ALSO BE the pg. UCONN will have TWO pgs on the floor. Even if Paige runs the offense while Nika is in, Nika is also a PG and vice-versa. Because UCONN does not play "Iowa" basketball. They play TEAM basketball. UCONN has two pgs. It just so happens one the two pg's is also a super scorer.

UCONN runs a motion offense. UCONN runs a motion offense. The pg will NOT dominate the ball like Clark does for Iowa. Thats why UCONN has beaten Iowa. Because they have a TEAM, And it's why they continue to get top recruits. Because they don't feature just one player.

SO if UCONN is making 3, 4, 5 passes - wouldn't it stand to reason that Paige or Azzi would have at least touched the ball? How is this bad? We have to stop disrespecting Paige and Azzi. They are so much "more" than "just a pg." Or "Just a sg." They are potential superstars period. The only way we should be referring them as being redundant, is redundant in greatness (if they hit their ceiling or near it).

 

[Cuango]

Stab in the back? For not starting? Since when has Geno said that loyalty results in a starting position? Last year Muhl was not going to be a starter until Bueckers was injured.

Uconn has more than five potential starters. I see seven and three are locks.

Geno’s job is not to base his starting lineup on loyalty but rather on who gives this team the best chance of winning! I seriously doubt Nika would have a problem with coming off the bench if it meant a better chance of winning! Clearly, whether she starts or not, Nika will be a vital cog in this team. I don’t care who starts! Just win!

 

[Geew1992]

No, she missed a year. She hasn't play near as much as the other two.

They’ve all played 3 years. But Aubrey has been there longer