Starting Lineup

[LasVegasYank]

Your proposed starting lineup is going to be a nightmare to guard. 5 players that can beat you from behind the arc, with a pass, from mid range, or at the rim. Still think the season comes down to defense and getting a few key stops when we come up against a team that can score with us.

Defense, or I should say the lack thereof, is what cost them the game against ND and, subsequently the National Championship last season.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Thank you for pointing that out.

My lasting memory is of Kiah taking a three early in the shot clock late in the game. I love her to death but that was a misplay, to be polite.

Does anyone remember whether we scored off the tip?

 

[oldude]

Well, heck and golly begosh!

“Fearless and talented!” I guess that settles that.

The only unfortunate aspect of this is that Geno, Lou & Crystal just preempted about 500+ BY posts speculating on who the 5th starter will be.

 

[eebmg]

“Fearless and talented!” I guess that settles that.

The only unfortunate aspect of this is that Geno, Lou & Crystal just preempted about 500+ BY posts speculating on who the 5th starter will be.

Fearless and supremely talented.

And I am glad the BY can transfer its talents from the starting 5 to other pursuits.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

“Fearless and talented!” I guess that settles that.

The only unfortunate aspect of this is that Geno, Lou & Crystal just preempted about 500+ BY posts speculating on who the 5th starter will be.

You call that unfortunate. I call it a blessing. But, fear not, there will be 499 posts about how that starting 5 will last 1 exhibition game. This BY crew never lacks for the New England penchant for worry and over thinking things.

 

[Carnac]

I was hoping that one or more of the returning players would at least give her a battle for a few games into the season.

Me too. I was counting on it. That at least two of the returning reserves would vie for the two open starting positions once official practice began. It appears that Williams didn't get that memo. Unless another player surges ahead in the next two weeks, Christyn will be that 5th starter. Except for Walker, Geno is not being overly complimentary about any other players thus far. This suggests that no other player has impressed him as much as Megan and Christyn have. We all know that Geno is not easily impressed, especially by freshmen.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

That pretty much had to be the starting lineup but, boy, is it a small one.

All those people who think UConn just hides all-americans on its bench need to watch this season.

 

[UConnCat]

That pretty much had to be the starting lineup but, boy, is it a small one.

How does it compare to the size of the starting lineup in 2016-2017?

 

[eebmg]

That pretty much had to be the starting lineup but, boy, is it a small one.

All those people who think UConn just hides all-americans on its bench need to watch this season.

Those people will see #1 , #1, #1, #3, and the runt of the litter a #6 in the starting 5.

 

[UConnCat]

The starting lineup in 2016-2017:

Nurse
Chong
Samuelson
Collier
Williams

 

[Sluconn Husky]

The starting lineup in 2016-2017:

Nurse
Chong
Samuelson
Collier
Williams

Also a small lineup but Williams played far bigger than she was.

 

[UConnCat]

Also a small lineup but Williams played far bigger than she was.

She did and Megan Walker, who is bigger than Williams, will need to do the same.

 

[Golden Husky]

Didn't I read somewhere--here, undoubtedly--that a part of Notre Dame's game plan against UConn in the semis was to make Husky players dribble the ball because the Irish didn't believe UConn had an abundance of players who could create their own shot? And isn't CW a player who can do just that? Maybe that's a factor?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Didn't I read somewhere--here, undoubtedly--that a part of Notre Dame's game plan against UConn in the semis was to make Husky players dribble the ball because the Irish didn't believe UConn had an abundance of players who could create their own shot? And isn't CW a player who can do just that? Maybe that's a factor?

The whole create theirown shot thing is a crock, but I gave you a like because CW certainly is one. Unless you drive to the hoop like a Hobbit with a bowling ball you can't create your own shot according to way too many basketball creatins.

 

[Carnac]

That pretty much had to be the starting lineup but, boy, is it a small one.

All those people who think UConn just hides all-americans on its bench need to watch this season.

This will be a small lineup. Instead of pounding opponents into submission with with size and girth, UConn will have find success using speed, cunning, physical fitness and agility and wear them down slowly with 1,000 paper cuts.

 

[DEpup]

Didn't I read somewhere--here, undoubtedly--that a part of Notre Dame's game plan against UConn in the semis was to make Husky players dribble the ball because the Irish didn't believe UConn had an abundance of players who could create their own shot? And isn't CW a player who can do just that? Maybe that's a factor?

I don't disagree with you. Thinking about Bird, DT, and Maya in the G/SF mold who can just throw a shot up from anywhere and make it hasn't been around for awhile. For as good as KLS is, she has shown that she can be bothered if you invade her space unlike the aforementioned greats. I'm really looking for KLS to get beyond that tendency. If she does, #12 is in the bag in my opinion.

 

[Carnac]

Didn't I read somewhere--here, undoubtedly--that a part of Notre Dame's game plan against UConn in the semis was to make Husky players dribble the ball because the Irish didn't believe UConn had an abundance of players who could create their own shot? And isn't CW a player who can do just that? Maybe that's a factor?

If the 5 starters consist of Lou, Pheesa, Crystal, Megan and Christyn, Lou would be the only one that can't consistently create her own shot. That's 4/5, I'll take that. Lou does not have to create her shot. As the designated 3 pt specialist, she'll set up her office behind the arc, and get fed (the ball) like she's Ezekial Elliott........and make it rain!!

 

[DEpup]

If the 5 starters consist of Lou, Pheesa, Crystal, Megan and Christyn, Lou would be the only one that can't consistently create her own shot. That's 4/5, I'll take that. Lou does not have to create her shot. As the designated 3 pt specialist, she'll set up her office behind the arc, and get fed (the ball) like she's Ezekial Elliott...and make it rain!!

I just feel like KLS has to get beyond just being a 3pt shooter for them to win #12.

 

[DEpup]

I just feel like KLS has to get beyond just being a 3pt shooter for them to win #12.

I don't count Pheesa in this because she has to be fed the ball down low in order to get her shot. It's different in my mind than the traditional thought of create your own shot away from the basket.

 

[Carnac]

I just feel like KLS has to get beyond just being a 3pt shooter for them to win #12.

She will. She'll be all over the place. She's a tough match up for anyone. She can handle the ball. She brings it up on occasion. She was a guard / forward in high school.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I just feel like KLS has to get beyond just being a 3pt shooter for them to win #12.

She has been more than that for the past 2 years.

 

[MilfordHusky]

The lineup may be small, but Pheesa, Megan, and Christyn all have long arms and play bigger than they are. Christyn is one of the best rebounding guards I've seen. She has hops, strength, and a good sense of anticipation. I'm excited about seeing them in a few weeks.

 

[j66kicker]

Here’s a new Courant article:

Mike Anthony: Napheesa Collier, Katie Lou Samuelson And Crystal Dangerfield Are UConn's Core Of Answers

The final paragraph:

“Collier, Samuelson and Dangerfield will be joined in the starting lineup by Megan Walker, a sophomore forward who couldn’t assert herself last season, and freshman guard Christyn Williams, who, like Walker the year before, was the consensus top high school recruit in the nation.“

I think it sounds authoritative because it’s a no-brainer. Seriously, who else is really going to start?

 

[UConnCat]

She has been more than that for the past 2 years.

That’s right. In the past 2 seasons 52-55% of Lou’s shots were from beyond the arc. We need Lou and Pheesa to take more shots this season.

 

[CajunHusky]

Can Megan do the same things as Gabby? Then yes I see the two new starters as MW and CW.

Otherwise, MW takes Kia's spot and Batouly moves in to Gabby's spot with ample rotation for Irwin and Ono.

 

[meyers7]

This thread is giving me a Groundhog Day vibe. But there is no Andy McDowell to ease the pain.

To ease your pain.

 

[Bama fan]

To ease your pain.

Thanks for the analgesic, Meyers!

 

[oldude]

Can Megan do the same things as Gabby? Then yes I see the two new starters as MW and CW.

Otherwise, MW takes Kia's spot and Batouly moves in to Gabby's spot with ample rotation for Irwin and Ono.

Megan has the potential to replace Gabby quite nicely. She is strong, athletic, a solid rebounder, and capable of taking over a game on offense with her ability to drive to the basket and, unlike Gabby, she can knock down 3's. While Megan is not the defensive player that Gabby was, yet, I believe it's just a matter of time before she becomes a force on the defensive end.

 

[CajunHusky]

Megan has the potential to replace Gabby quite nicely. She is strong, athletic, a solid rebounder, and capable of taking over a game on offense with her ability to drive to the basket and, unlike Gabby, she can knock down 3's. While Megan is not the defensive player that Gabby was, yet, I believe it's just a matter of time before she becomes a force on the defensive end.

I tend to agree with you ..... Megan put in a lot of work this summer with Phee and Alex Bassell

 

[MilfordHusky]

Megan has the potential to replace Gabby quite nicely. She is strong, athletic, a solid rebounder, and capable of taking over a game on offense with her ability to drive to the basket and, unlike Gabby, she can knock down 3's. While Megan is not the defensive player that Gabby was, yet, I believe it's just a matter of time before she becomes a force on the defensive end.

Gabby was an elite high jumper. Megan is more of a traditional basketball player who is also a physical specimen (think Maya or Tina). Gabby's talents are unique. Meg has more basketball experience at a comparable age. While Gabby sat out most of two high school seasons due to injury, Meg led her team to 3 straight Virginia championships. Though Meg was tentative last year, she is inherently more aggressive offensively than Gabby. I don't expect Meg to be the passer that Gabby became or the DPOY, but she should be a solid rebounder, especially for her size, and an aggressive scorer. In short, I don't expect Meg to be another Gabby, but she is as good an option as I can think of to fill the void created by Gabby's departure. Megatron!