the azzi i've been waiting for

[PacoSwede]

it was exciting to see azzi's performance wednesday night. she clearly decided to take charge and be the player she can be. i hope it's because she has full confidence in her body, which has been her biggest enemy, and can now feel confidence in her play. ... which she was lacking previously.

i was very impressed -- and surprised -- by her improved speed and quickness and that she exploited it. she finally put forward her full offensive game: NOT simply waiting patiently for clear chances to bomb from outside the arc but cutting and attacking inside and taking advantage of her exceptional midrange and slashing abilities, which she largely has failed to do.

and her defense has gotten even better thanks to her improved physicality and, hopefully, confidence in it. please, basketball gods, let that mentality continue.

 

[Next 12]

I pray that this year will be AZZI's best yet. AZZI deserves a full year playing with PAIGE and her other team mates. I want to see what we've been missing the last 3 years of their greatness and skill.AZZI should start every game from now on and get her stamina up to par and NO 12, here we come. GO AZZI!!! GO FRESHMEN!!!! GO SOPHOMORES!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[BRS24]

Ditto. On one of Azzi's drives, I said to my hub - she looks much quicker than last year. And Ioved that she didn't camp at the arc. When her shot selection includes the mid jumper and drives to the hoop, she's much harder to guard.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Azzi and the rest of these Huskies deserve a full healthy season!

 

[Bone Dog]

In the postgame presser Geno said Azzi was in the best shape since her junior year in high school. I assume he was relaying what she told him. This was a happier bookend to his report of what Ayanna told him about her latest setback, that she felt her body was older than his. On the other hand, he also mused about how wonderful it would be to have her and Aubrey ready to enter the mix for games like this one.

 

[oldude]

Azzi has always had that pull up jumper as well as her ability to drive to the hoop. It was mostly overshadowed by her lethal 3-pt shooting. But while she’s still finding her range from the arc, her ability to put the ball on the floor and score off the dribble is just about as good as anyone in WBB.

 

[BRS24]

In the postgame presser Geno said Azzi was in the best shape since her junior year in high school. I assume he was relaying what she told him. This was a happier bookend to his report of what Ayanna told him about her latest setback, that she felt her body was older than his. On the other hand, he also mused about how wonderful it would be to have her and Aubrey ready to enter the mix for games like this one.

Rehab and recovery from injuries changes so much year to year. When she was hurt in HS, the rehab was probably good then. With her full year of rehab with a lot of specialists, I'm betting they were not only prepping her for this year, but to create a foundation for her in years to come.

 

[huskyd]

it was exciting to see azzi's performance wednesday night. she clearly decided to take charge and be the player she can be. i hope it's because she has full confidence in her body, which has been her biggest enemy, and can now feel confidence in her play. ... which she was lacking previously.

i was very impressed -- and surprised -- by her improved speed and quickness and that she exploited it. she finally put forward her full offensive game: NOT simply waiting patiently for clear chances to bomb from outside the arc but cutting and attacking inside and taking advantage of her exceptional midrange and slashing abilities, which she largely has failed to do.

and her defense has gotten even better thanks to her improved physicality and, hopefully, confidence in it. please, basketball gods, let that mentality continue.

Kudos to the UConn staff who kept Azzi out until she was fully ready to play, and to Geno for insisting that she get enough reps to begin to reconstitute into the great Fudd she has always been.
We had 3 top recruits in the last game, but Azzi made the difference. As her high school coach said, "Azzi is just better at basketball than anyone else." So true.

 

[Centerstream]

Kudos to the UConn staff who kept Azzi out until she was fully ready to play, and to Geno for insisting that she get enough reps to begin to reconstitute into the great Fudd she has always been.
We had 3 top recruits in the last game, but Azzi made the difference. As her high school coach said, "Azzi is just better at basketball than anyone else." So true.

Not trying to deflect from this thread, but IMHO, Paige is the best at basketball.
Sorry.
But Azzi can be the 2nd, when healthy. Like now!

 

[Bone Dog]

Not trying to deflect from this thread, but IMHO, Paige is the best at basketball.
Sorry.
But Azzi can be the 2nd, when healthy. Like now!

There was that moment when Azzi stemmed the Ole Miss run by scoring a quick 5 points in a row, and I couldn't help wondering if Paige saw that and felt she had to outdo Azzi. Their mutual competitiveness is so comical, and it may be what will provoke each of them to wreak havoc on opponents this season.

 

[dtbtbtb]

By the way, kudus to Tim Fudd (Azzie's father) for being the loudest cheerleader in the games.

 

[Scud49]

I'd say Azzi is the wicked smooth princess:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1861961457862410634

 

[yhun89]

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

 

[UConnCat]

Agree with everything said here. Azzi looked quicker than I've ever seen her look. She is much improved defensively, Once she finds the range from 3 and her rhythm on offense, look out.

 

[ConnMotors]

At least we know our rotation in tight games. Feel sorry for Ash as Azzi will be starting soon.

 

[UConn990411]

Ideally, she’ll be in the starting lineup by the new year. There just isn’t enough scoring around Paige in the starting lineup, especially with Chen, Brady, and Shade bring so inconsistent to start the season.

 

[hoophuskee]

I recall around the time Azzi was being recruited there was a game in which her and Paige were on the same team when Azzi was a soph over the summer and they were both starting. Azzi looked "quick."

This game vs Ol Miss gives a glimpse of how amazing UOONN can be. A game plan of "blitzing" Paige will be much harder to do. And frankly, as we know Azzi is a better shooter than Sarah. This means Azzi is going to get a lot of open looks in that Paige and Sarah are aloe tremendous passers. You add in either KK or Chen with less ball pressure on them and to work this full season in on working on their passing among other things in which they are 4th or 5th option on the court, getting the ball to more efficient scorers makes this team one scary team!

What happens week to week imo not that important as long as they hold serve enough in wins. Because this team is poised for an amazing March run despite what happens in December.

A healthy Azzi is a force! Happy Thanksgiving!