Stokes should start

[Vowelguy]

Well, yeah, but not always. I can recall several occasions when a "starter" started on the bench to get her attention. Even D, at least once.

Name 3 examples not involving frosh.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Shea Ralph?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I agree with your conclusion that Geno is not likely to sit Stef, Stew, or KML. But I would add that Geno loves his guards - (you can never have enough good guards) - and therefore if he were to sit either MoJef or Bria it would be for BB or Chong and not for Morgan. I agree that Morgan is a fabulous player, but just not more fabulous than Stew or KML and not able to play Stef's role.

Quite right. But Morgan will get tons of minutes. Seems to me that she was the designated "speller" for Stewie and Stef at the end of last season and I expect this season to start the same way. Could she start...sure. But, alas, we have an embarrassment of riches.

 

[Vowelguy]

Shea Ralph?

As a frosh, Shea Ralph did not play in the first half of the URI game. She was not a starter though.

 

[UcMiami]

Quite right. But Morgan will get tons of minutes. Seems to me that she was the designated "speller" for Stewie and Stef at the end of last season and I expect this season to start the same way. Could she start...sure. But, alas, we have an embarrassment of riches.

People do get overly concerned with 'Starter' and it is generally more important to be a 'finisher' - someone in a competitive game at the end. And absolutely agree that Morgan as well as BB, KS, and SC will be getting plenty of minutes.

 

[Geno-ista]

Actually I like the idea of starting Stokes, Chung, the two walk-ons and Morgan … think of the demoralizing effect that would have on the opponent when they looked at Uconn's bench!!! Three AAs and maybe the most unique talent in CBB and they can't even make it into the starting line-up! We're Doomed!

Classic!!! Really!

 

[Geno-ista]

I agree 100% --

The value I see with Kiah improving this season (if present trends continue) is two-fold:

1. She spells Stef for a much larger # of meaningful minutes (first half and early second half) in 2013-14, in addition to mop-up time. While we really don't have any evidence that Stef's stress injuries are *likely* to recur, if Stokes is performing there is really no reason to have Stef averaging heavy minutes. Last season, Stef averaged about 27 min / game. We could get that closer to 20 mins and really save Stef some wear and tear, keeping her fresh for those occasions and match-ups where Geno really does need her on the floor for big minutes.
Spot on VA- great analysis!

2. She prepares for her senior campaign where she could (should) be the starting center on a team that will still have NC aspirations. This is a much different mental role than she has played thus far, excepting a few games like her freshman-year visit to Duke. She has not been the go-to player and any experience she can gain toward that end in 2013-14 will make next year a more natural transition.

In watching the Huskies with Kiah on the floor, she still seems (to me) to be a better back-up 5 than a complementary 4 alongside Stef. Yes , they have had Stef and Kiah on the floor at the same time for brief stretches here and there. And yes, she has been improving her face-up game per Geno. This combo may be called for in certain situations. But I really the combos with Kiah at the 5 much better - with either Stewie or Morgan on the floor, or even both. I don't see Kiah + Stef as a combo that we need to have on the floor for any real length of time.

 

[Geno-ista]

Morgan does not fit into either of the two openings for starters and I do not expect Geno to change any of the other 3.

Having Morgan as a back up is so comforting- it's euphoric! To me anyway!

 

[DaddyChoc]

As a frosh, Shea Ralph did not play in the first half of the URI game. She was not a starter though.

how do you remember such a thing... you're amazing, or Shea Ralph!

 

[jsloanjr]

Maybe, the NCAA will let UCONN play with 6 players on the floor at 1 time.....then, Kiah can start............Geno will play everybody a ton of minutes and November and December are the seasons toughest games.........Who likes game pressure more than UCONN? They are on a mission to seek and destroy every team early and offen. This team's goal is to not give up 45 points or less this season to any team. That is how Geno keeps their attention..........

 

[John Glass]

Stokes should start what? A pizza restaurant? A car? A Justin Bieber fan club?

If you mean be in the starting lineup, you done lost your mind.

Kia will start

 

[vtcwbuff]

Name 3 examples not involving frosh.

Paige Sauer?

 

[vtcwbuff]

Kia will start

But how well will it perform?

 

[VAMike23]

Kia will start

Our Kia[h] is much more intimidating on Defense ......

 

[DaddyChoc]

Our Kia[h] is much more intimidating on Defense ......

and runs smoother

 

[Vowelguy]

Paige Sauer?

Both Sauer and Hansmeyer did lose their starting positions, but it was permanent. It was not a game-to-game "you didn't give enough effort in practice" thing.

I stand by claims:

• Geno rarely changes starting lineups
• when he does it is almost always evidence of significant problems, and
• he uses playing time (not starting) to reward effort in practice

 

[tomcat]

wrong, you're not gonna get a lotta stats and paragraphs of info from me neither... but I liked what you said about chemistry, hopefully Kiah gets it just as much as the others.

starting her wouldnt hurt in the AAC

Now this -- starting her wouldn't hurt in the AAC -- is probably the real point. when I first read the headline on this post, I, too, was wondering what the OP was smokin'. But the more I thought about it, this might make sense. Let's say UConn doesn't get that #1 prospect who is a center and whose name I am forgetting. Kiah is likely to be the center in 14-15. I would not suggest she start in the big games, but it might not be a bad idea to start her in many of the league games.

This could become particularly important if the things that were physically wrong with Stef last year can come back if she plays too much.

 

[DaddyChoc]

perfect season for her to get going... as I said BStew's ego wouldnt be bruised if she had to come off the bench.

 

[cferraro04]

perfect season for her to get going... as I said BStew's ego wouldnt be bruised if she had to come off the bench.

BStew will never, ever be a bench player again as long as she is in a UConn jersey. Hard to believe that you actually might be thinking otherwise.

 

[DaddyChoc]

BStew will never, ever be a bench player again as long as she is in a UConn jersey. Hard to believe that you actually might be thinking otherwise.

Im sure BHart thought that way too... after her AA season.

you're acting like the bench is the worse place to be

 

[Blueballer]

Im sure BHart thought that way too... after her AA season.

you're acting like the bench is the worse place to be

Exactly, so Stokes shouldn't have a problem with continuing to come off it.

 

[DaddyChoc]

ok...

 

[RockyMTblue2]

DaddyChoc, who is this BStew? Beef Stew? Do we have a new walk on? Imagine the fan chant...BStew, BStew, BStew ... and the bewilderment and consternation in the concession stands bereft of beef stew!

 

[cferraro04]

Nope, not saying that the bench is the worse place to be...but, Stewie is a once in a generation product and I stand by my comment she will be a starter until she leaves UConn. Hartley while she is a special player...is not a player of the year type...Stewie is... Hartley will certainly have a successful pro career but she won't go number one in the draft...Stewie will.

 

[doggydaddy]

Here we are again with the same argument.

What will Geno do and what would you do.

In the first case, there is no way Geno is going to start Stokes. The comparison to the Hartley situation is way off. Hartley volunteered to go to the bench at the end of the season. It was a short term solution to getting Stewart in the starting lineup while still starting Doty.

DC said he would start Stokes. He is welcome to his opinion, like anyone else. I wouldn't. But on here, we all get to play coach. And we all have to be repaired to get hammered when others don't agree.

IMO, Tuck would start before Stokes. And I'm certain that Geno understands that Stokes will probably be the starting center next year and will do everything he can to prepare her for that. I don't believe that includes starting her.