Strong to UConn [merged thread]

[hoophuskee]

I don’t think starting is as distinctive in November as it will be in January.

I think the November lineup will start Paige KK Ash Ice and Sarah. But Jana Ayanna Morgan Allie and Q will probably come in as a second unit. Then the mix-n-match can begin.

And when Azzi and Aubrey and Caroline return even more fun will commence.

By the end of January, who knows how the first and second units will sort themselves out? I have a feeling we could see something like Paige Azzi Ash Ayanna and Jana starting at that point.

Will Geno play 10 deep or more? He’s played deep lineups in the past, but in some seasons it’s also coalesced around 5+2. I have a feeling this bench is too strong to go with less than 5+4.

This looks like a super competitive group, which makes me think Geno may need to play a deep bench just to keep everyone happy. And this could also mean we’ll see a high energy defense for much longer in the season than has been usual recently. How else to keep Morgan Ash KK Sarah Allie Ayanna Aubrey and Azzi busy?

Also, for those wondering, I think we’ll all be really pleasantly surprised by what Jana can do. She’s a player!

I don't know how the bench will turn out nor starting lineups. Fun to guess. . But just making a point-- Geno's job is not to keep everyone happy.

In an off-topic way-- I see they refer to him this year as their "grandpa." If they are healthy -- that word might not be being used next year.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Don’t think you can make that distinction yet until we seem this class play.

Are you saying Geno has lost his touch with finding great recruits? Sounds to me like you’re 2nd guessing the greatest basketball coach in history. Are you a basketball referee?

 

[Kaizen]

If Jana is as good as Geno is claiming, then she has to be a starter.

I forgot Jana and yes at 6'5" she should be a good starter.

 

[BobbyJ]

Has this been posted?

Why is this Sarah Strong stuff interrupting another next year’s lineup thread?

 

[Ralph]

I was thinking like others, I did not like the time of Sarah's announcement. But as I thought further, maybe she was expecting UConn to beat Iowa, like Lobo, and she thought her announcement could give the team a good feeling before the game against NC State. Just did not work out.

As for next we have a large lineup for next year (at the end, assuming no ton of injuries). Early on I don't expect the injured to be in top form, with it all depending on the type of injury and when it occurred. Jana probably the most advanced in recovery, Fudd in the middle, Aubrey still early. Ducharme, I don't know is she is/should come back, don't risk bad health for a lifetime. But hopefully she does make it. Amari and Ines I don't expect to get much time, much as I love them as persons. Now I fear Q has moved to that same doghouse. Seems so weird, Geno says is sorry for not putting her in, she says all is fine, next game he puts her in, then against Iowa, back to not one minute. Wasn't he saying how great she was in practice last Fall? So early we may not be as deep as we hope. But by March next year...... I am smiling. S Car will be really good too.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

We have the depth now where we can play all out without worrying too much that refs will get in the way. This ultimately came to bite us in the end because I could tell Shade and Paige didn’t want to be ultra aggressive defensively knowing the fouls from Nika and KK were accumulating.

With depth at each position (hopefully full health mid way through the season), this allows Geno and the team to really press and do what Geno loves which is have a top defense, which has always been a hallmark of the great teams.

My guess is that at some point the solidified staring five will be Jana, Strong, Azzi, Paige, and Kk. Geno loves Aubrey off the bench and I think Shade will do well with a second unit at the 2 where she doesn’t feel she needs to defer, which is when she’s at her best. Caroline will get limited minutes at the 2 or 3, same for Allie. Morgan will play 1-3. Yanna will play the 4. . Ice will fill in at the 4/5. Q will play the 2/3 backup.

Amari and Ines last to come off bench in limited garbage time.

I wouldn’t put Qadence so far down the bench, she played well this past season for a frosh. I don’t think I ever saw her miss a three. I’m also not sure about your 3 guard offense, I’d make KK first off the bench and go with Jana, Sarah, Azzi, Paige and either Aubrey or Caroline.

 

[oldhusky]

Because players were out of position this year (Paige at 4, Aaliyah at 5) it gets confusing projecting the new starting lineup. One way to look at it is who replaces the missing seniors Aaliyah and Nika. The obvious answer to me is Sarah and Azzi even though Sarah will likely be a 4 and Azzi a 2 for us. Paige is a given somewhere, and I think Jana badly needs to start at the 5 for us to be a great team.

After that it could be what player emerges from a big pack of possible candidates, and separates themselves from the competition. I am hoping with all the possibilities, somebody is performing at a level way above the freshmen this year, a clear upgrade.The 5th could be as big as Ice or as small as KK, or one of many in between. Paige can play almost anywhere, most likely the 1 or the 3. if Aubrey or Ice was that player and earned a start next to Jana, Sarah could even start at the 3.

My main point is we have a bunch of players, any one of which who may stand out from the rest. If so that is your 5th starter, whether it be a PG like KK, or a big like Ayanna or Ice. Paige's versatility and others allows us to do that. But we need Sarah and Jana to join Paige and Azzi as the core four, then the rest will work out IMO with at least one or two players showing a major improvement.

 

[browns]

Sarah will not play the 5. But with Jana at 6’5” and Ice at 6’3” and Ayanna Sarah Morgan and Caroline all at 6’2” we may finally be big enough. If Amari could find a way onto the floor at 6’6” we’d be practically the biggest lineup in D1.

Amari couldn't play this year she certainly isn't going to play next year

 

[ConnMotors]

If you think that KK is not the starting point guard next year then you have not watched this past season of basketball. She is quick. She is not afraid to drive to the basket. She takes shots. She can pass to countless options. And she has a year under her belt.

 

[Centerstream]

Thanks @mhshuskies

 

[Bone Dog]

Geno's job is not to keep everyone happy.

It is if they’re all good enough to start.

 

[ScottCT]

There's absolutely no way kk is not a starter next year.

 

[cferraro04]

6.022 x 10^23 times YES!!!! [For all the Huskies fans who know their Chemistry!]

This was the PERFECT Day for fantastic News!!!

Hopefully, the ENTIRE Womens Team Can go cheer on the GUYS as they win their Final Four game and AGAIN on Monday night, as a Pre-View of Next Year's run to NC #12!

Or, quantum physics...

 

[huskeynut]

Paige is the only guarenteed starter.

Everyone else is going to have to earn their minutes. And that is as it should be.

Caroline, Azzi, Ayanna, Aubrey and Jana have yet to be cleared. None of us know those timetables. None of know how there game has been affected by the injuries.

How will the freshmen fit in. TBD. What about KK, Ash, Ice and Q? Those four were so important to the team.

Way to earlier to predict any lineup.

 

[Kaizen]

.

I really like this girl. She is so humble, polite and friendly

 

[bayern7]

No way Geno gets KK out of the starting lineup! She is the quickest guard we have and isn't afraid to take it to the hoop. Caroline will come off the bench along with Ashlynn.

We’ll see about that. I just think they’ll have the depth if they’re healthy to run multiple strings of players together for most of their games next season and it doesn’t make sense to have your two point guards on the floors at the same time for most of the game…

 

[HuskyNan]

Is this a Sarah thread or another staring lineup thread?

 

[GG]

I think,
Paige, Azzi, Aubrey and Caroline are UConn starters but not sure who is #5? Possible KK or Shade.

I do not understand why everyone is saying, Caroline will start. We do not even know if she’ll be able to play. Beyond that, she’s not terribly effective when she does play.