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.
