the azzi i've been waiting for

[PvP]

4 in the top 10? Paige/Azzi/Sarah...and who?

I would posit Jana as the potential fourth. She simply has enormous, yes, potential. Even in as few games as she has played and given the year she lost due to injury, she is clearly a stat line stuffer! Simply looking at how much she might well add to her game is to appreciate how she might well be that fourth in UCONN'S dominance.

 

[oldhusky]

Azzi had two major leg injuries in two years, and somehow, got faster on her feet and stronger on defense. Comeback POTY.

I think we need to remember that Azzi was rarely healthy her first two years, even in the games she did play. She was wearing a boot on her foot before her freshmen season and had trouble pushing off on that foot and playing defense all year. On offense she was pretty much just a three point shooter, but we didn't see much of the rest of her offensive game. Just because she played, doesn't mean she was healthy or anywhere close to 100%.

After a full summer to recuperate we got a quick glimpse of what she could be the first 6 games of her sophomore season, arguably the only healthy games she has played until now. She was playing like an All American, and then Aaliyah fell backwards on her knee and she was never the same the rest of the season, even though she played a number of games after that.

In short, 6 healthy games in her first three years, and not one of them with a healthy Paige, which is occurring for the first time this season. The limited stats for the first three games are very interesting because Azzi is substantially better at rebounds, assists, and many categories, with the only area that is lagging being her three point shooting, which we are confident will come soon.

 

[oldude]

I think we need to remember that Azzi was rarely healthy her first two years, even in the games she did play. She was wearing a boot on her foot before her freshmen season and had trouble pushing off on that foot and playing defense all year. On offense she was pretty much just a three point shooter, but we didn't see much of the rest of her offensive game. Just because she played, doesn't mean she was healthy or anywhere close to 100%.

After a full summer to recuperate we got a quick glimpse of what she could be the first 6 games of her sophomore season, arguably the only healthy games she has played until now. She was playing like an All American, and then Aaliyah fell backwards on her knee and she was never the same the rest of the season, even though she played a number of games after that.

In short, 6 healthy games in her first three years, and not one of them with a healthy Paige, which is occurring for the first time this season. The limited stats for the first three games are very interesting because Azzi is substantially better at rebounds, assists, and many categories, with the only area that is lagging being her three point shooting, which we are confident will come soon.

Just a minor clarification. Aaliyah was shoved into Azzi by ND freshman KK Bransford, who was caught behind a screen and made the questionable decision to barrel through Aaliyah, leading to a foul on Bransford and an injury to Azzi.

 

[TheGOAT23]

I doubt that it’s her confidence. At the direction of Geno and every UCONN Armchair Coach, Paige is taking more shots this year and making them at a higher clip, Sarah is in the starting lineup and now Azzi is back. That’s less shots for her and rightfully so.

 

[UConn990411]

I think she’s adjusting to a different role this year, especially as they try to integrate (and re-integrate) more players into the offense. I’d be surprised if her slump lasts for much longer.

 

[oldude]

For what it’s worth. Last season Ashlynn shot .481 from the floor and .356 from the arc. This season she’s shooting .447 from the floor and .364 from the arc. Very little difference. As others point out, Ash is taking fewer shots this season. The stats show very little variation in shooting %. By the end of the season, who knows. The one thing that is observedly better this season is Ashlynn’s defense.

 

[Bone Dog]

If it's useful, here's the per-game stats through the Ole Miss game.

 

[Cuango]

I wasvery excited by the recent photo of her (Azzi) looking at the camera in a basketball stance! She just looked “perfect”, happy, strong, clearly in incredible shape! I’m not surprised to hear she’s in the best shape since high school! She actually looked like a different player during that third quarter spurt that essentially turned he game around!

I’m actually glad she didn’t go off with three pointers as everyone can now see that she brings a lot more to the table than just spotting up for threes! If she can continue to play like that and gradually blend in 38-43% three point shooting, we’re gonna be a real problem again! Just stay healthy! That’s my prayer for this team! Not just for winning but because these young women have gone through so much and I‘d love to see all of them have a healthy, productive, and satisfying year!

 

[Alydar]

For what it’s worth. Last season Ashlynn shot .481 from the floor and .356 from the arc. This season she’s shooting .447 from the floor and .364 from the arc. Very little difference. As others point out, Ash is taking fewer shots this season. The stats show very little variation in shooting %. By the end of the season, who knows. The one thing that is observedly better this season is Ashlynn’s defense.

Thank you. Lower scoring isn't proof of a decline. Nor is not starting if that should happen. IMO if Shade was 3 inches taller she'd be Kia Nurse.
If nothing else, Shade sets the tone for intensity in practice. I witnessed that in early October. She and Arnold took it upon themselves to replace Muhl's defense and her intensity in games and they are doing a good job of it.

 

[Aluminny69]

100% positive video from the Aussie podcaster. I believe Nan has deemed his videos safe for the boneyard.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Good possibility by the end of the season we could have 4 of the top 10 players in college basketball.. 3 in the top 5

Well in fairness you have three former #1 high school recruits so I would certainly hope so. Geno is too good a player development coach to let that much talent languish!

 

[Doctor G]

If it's useful, here's the per-game stats through the Ole Miss game.

View attachment 105105

Strong is playing too many minute but until AG gets back into game shape the only trusted player who can really sub for Strong … is Paige.

 

[Alydar]

Strong is playing too many minute but until AG gets back into game shape the only trusted player who can really sub for Strong … is Paige.

Geno is trying to squeeze a year of experience into a month. She is special and Geno wants her, Fudd and Bueckers to play together a lot. Teams play lots of two man sets. Collier and Samuelson did it a lot and Strong with either Bueckers or Fudd is a tough matchup. Strong's minutes will likely go down in Jan and Feb to rest for the march push, along with Bueckers and Fudd.

 

[Alydar]

For what it’s worth. Last season Ashlynn shot .481 from the floor and .356 from the arc. This season she’s shooting .447 from the floor and .364 from the arc. Very little difference. As others point out, Ash is taking fewer shots this season. The stats show very little variation in shooting %. By the end of the season, who knows. The one thing that is observedly better this season is Ashlynn’s defense.

Both Shade and Arnold are expending a lot of energy on defense. I think both of them realized after last season that with Fudd Ziebell, Cheli and Chen arriving simply scoring wasn't going to be enough and they both have become very good on-ball defenders and physically stronger players. The horror of last season has a silver lining in that they wouldn't have played in as many big games if Fudd, Patterson, El Alfy and griffin had been healthy. UConn may have more guards this year with FF minutes than any team in the country except SCar.

 

[oldude]

Both Shade and Arnold are expending a lot of energy on defense. I think both of them realized after last season that with Fudd Ziebell, Cheli and Chen arriving simply scoring wasn't going to be enough and they both have become very good on-ball defenders and physically stronger players. The horror of last season has a silver lining in that they wouldn't have played in as many big games if Fudd, Patterson, El Alfy and griffin had been healthy. UConn may have more guards this year with FF minutes than any team in the country except SCar.

We all get excited about high-powered offense and the concept of a UConn lineup with Paige, Azzi & Sarah carving up opposing defenses. But for UConn to win #12 this season, their defense will have to come up big against high-scoring teams like USC, SC and others.

Currently, UConn ranks 6th nationally in points per game allowed at 48.7. Only one opponent, Ole Miss managed 60 points against the Huskies. Clearly, every player on the roster buys in to what Geno and his staff are preaching about tough, relentless defensive effort, and it’s only going to get worse for opponents once Aubrey & Ayanna are back on the court.

 

[dogpause]

Azzi looks so much quicker and more athletic. She's don a great job of becoming a better player and athlete. Love that she now blows past defenders rather than just looking for the 3-ball.

 

[Tonyc]

My eyes dont lie. We knew what Azzi could do, we saw what she did and she imo did more then I thought. Now we have a third option. Not many teams have 3 prolific scorers. How do you defend them? Hey we're not even finished yet. We still have players who are coming off injury. We have players who are new and havent reached their potential yet. We are much better now with Azzi back and we are gonna be alot more better as we come off injury and are newbies are developed. Its hard to imagine.

 

[Bone Dog]

… Not many teams have 3 prolific scorers. How do you defend them? … We are much better now with Azzi back and we are gonna be alot more better …. Its hard to imagine.

It’s not hard to imagine at all. In fact this is the problem, as some here like to remind me that I have an overactive imagination. 3 prolific scorers is distinctive of only the top contenders. ND in particular has 3 and could have 4 once Westbeld returns. Fortunately, it’s possible Jana could become that 4th prolific scorer by March — see, there’s my overactive imagination again.

Now let me give my imagination its due: before her injury, Jana typically carried the scoring load for her Egyptian teams. Yes, yes, this wasn’t against top-25 D1 teams, or even top US high school teams. But it also means that she is used to scoring against double and triple teams. She’ll get her touch back and her timing. But we can already see that old ferocity. Now just imagine how she’ll score against teams that can’t risk double teaming her in the low post. This is what Paige Azzi and Sarah can provide her, in addition to great passes into the low post. As Rebecca Lobo commented about Brink’s breakout second season as a scorer, “She always has a clean lane because of Stanford’s perimeter shooters.” Imagine Jana playing with a clean lane.

The sobering part is that Jana won’t have an opportunity like this next season, if Paige goes pro and maybe Azzi too. It’s too horrible to dwell on. Unless… Allie and Ash fill those spaces in the scoring attack. I’d add Morgan to this list, but she was not a prolific scorer in high school. She excelled as a defender and a passer playing PG. That’s what she’s good at. My imagination can’t do that sort of heavy lifting.

Now for my imagination in its maudlin mode: injury stole a year in which Jana could have played with Paige and Azzi. Now she only has one season left with Paige. She needs to make the most of it. Next season, instead of the perimeter shooters opening up the lane for her, Jana may have to open up the perimeter for them by forcing double and triple teams in the paint. Uh oh, now my imagination is getting revved up again: scoring through double and triple teams is what she’s was good at in high school. And Geno always says players should focus on doing what they’re good at.

My imagination is like Godzilla wreaking all manner of havoc on Tokyo. Let’s just focus on Jana getting a little better each game. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

[Doctor G]

My eyes dont lie. We knew what Azzi could do, we saw what she did and she imo did more then I thought. Now we have a third option. Not many teams have 3 prolific scorers. How do you defend them? Hey we're not even finished yet. We still have players who are coming off injury. We have players who are new and havent reached their potential yet. We are much better now with Azzi back and we are gonna be alot more better as we come off injury and are newbies are developed. Its hard to imagine.

The team is a long way from being the flowing, harmonious symphony of talent, tenacious D, and perfect floor spacing we will see by tourney time. If AG returns to her signature instant impact-player form and Jana continues developing her confidence and playing to her strengths, UConn will finally have the confident depth, relentless pace, and physicality needed to get all the way through March Madness in one piece.

 

[baggerbob]

I agree. The presence of Azzi on the floor will alleviate the defensive pressure on Paige, Sarah too. And Kaitlyn and KK will benefit as well. There was plenty of discussion of this over the summer, that the more scoring options Geno has, the less the pressure any one of them will face. Azzi’s return was anticipated all along with precisely this in mind. I also expect Ice and Jana to benefit, especially since they both also know how to pass the ball back out of a double or triple team emerges.

Azzi is the KML for this team, but a better all around player. Paige is the Stewie, this team is loaded, should be like the 2014 team which could have beaten any team, that ever played women's basketball.

 

[diggerfoot]

A thought just occurred to me (I only have one a day, which is why I did not comment on thus earlier). Without going back and watching the games, it seems to me that Fudd’s 3 pointers were on line but usually long. Also, her drives to the basket usually used the backboard, where a little extra oomph on the shot does not matter. (Notice how soft a touch Bueckers often has).

My point being that Fudd has probably been really amped up for her first games back. Once she gets used to it again the 3 FG% will come along.

 

[Crossover]

Azzi is the KML for this team, but a better all around player. Paige is the Stewie, this team is loaded, should be like the 2014 team which could have beaten any team, that ever played women's basketball.

Azzi is the Azzi for this team and Paige is the Paige.