The Battle for Playing Time & a Spot on the Rotation

[HuskyNan]

I can see why Morgan has fallen out of the rotation. She hasn’t done enough offensively the last couple of games to overcome some of her deficiencies on defense. Back doors are a weakness for her. And both Creighton and DePaul got easy layups on her a couple of times. Meanwhile, ice has responded really well to being benched. And ice is a much bigger threat as a scorer/shooter.

Just a reminder the team had 3 games in one week, the last 2 on the road. High school kids are not used to that.

 

[Husky fanatic]

I would have agreed until the Creighton game when Morgan broke down a couple times on defense during the 1st half, earning her a spot on the bench for the rest of the game. During the 2nd half, Morgan’s minutes were taken over by Ice who played solidly.

With Morgan’s continued reluctance to shoot when open, her minutes will continue to diminish.

 

[Longtime fan]

You must also think the Yankees are going nowhere without getting much much more from Oswaldo Cabrera or Clarke Schmidt.

How did you know?

 

[Longtime fan]

With Morgan’s continued reluctance to shoot when open, her minutes will continue to diminish.

She has mostly shown an ability to make great passes under the basket, setting up easy scores for others. But this only happened once or twice per her time on the court. She doesn't wish to shoot and doesn't make them when she does. She is going to fade off the charts as we get into march. There must be something there, but we are seeing little of it so far.

 

[The deacon]

She has mostly shown an ability to make great passes under the basket, setting up easy scores for others. But this only happened once or twice per her time on the court. She doesn't wish to shoot and doesn't make them when she does. She is going to fade off the charts as we get into march. There must be something there, but we are seeing little of it so far.

Agreed, Longtime, but she is shooting 40 percent from three (admittedly with fewer attempts than her teammates), so I can't quite go along with your 'Doesn't make them when she does.' It might be overreaction to some of the good things Morgan has done, but I think she'll be one of the Huskies' best players in the near future. Like you, I just wish she'd go for it with the ball in her hands.

 

[oldhusky]

I think Morgan has slumped a bit, but dropping a notch in the rotation was completely and totally expected on Aubrey's return. Aubrey is a very high level proven performer at the 3 or 4 and has not yet come back to her usual form, but in time will. When Azzi, Paige or Aubrey were out the need for Morgan in the rotation was greater.

That doesn't mean Morgan is out of the big game rotation, but does mean the rotation needs to be bigger by one on Aubrey;s return for Morgan to be in it. Geno could use only 8 until Aubrey regains her form, but ultimately the minimum will likely be 9 with her, and Morgan if she is used would be #10.

Although I consider Aubrey way ahead of Morgan at the 3 or 4 overall, because they are so different as players, there could still be situations where Morgan's skill set and versatility is needed. Perhaps a rotation of 9 or 10 depending on game and opponent. Regardless I think Geno will use Morgan on a regular basis against BE competition to keep her used to playing with the rotation players, because it appears that if any other rotation player is not available, Morgan is the likely solution due to her versatility and others that could switch positions.

 

[HuskyNan]

4-Out-1-In Motion Offense

 

[oldude]

While all of us would like to see Morgan pull the trigger more often when it comes to shooting the basketball, the reason her PT has dropped is primarily the result of her lapses on defense….and yes, Aubrey is back and that’s another player who needs PT. But during the last game, Morgan’s PT was not lost to Aubrey. It was lost to Ice, who came off the bench 1st for Jana, altering the prior substitution pattern which had Morgan 1st off the bench for Jana.

 

[HuskyNan]

While all of us would like to see Morgan pull the trigger more often when it comes to shooting the basketball, the reason her PT has dropped is primarily the result of her lapses on defense….and yes, Aubrey is back and that’s another player who needs PT. But during the last game, Morgan’s PT was not lost to Aubrey. It was lost to Ice, who came off the bench 1st for Jana, altering the prior substitution pattern which had Morgan 1st off the bench for Jana.

I thought Ice had a good game vs DePaul. She was much more aggressive and looking to score when she got the ball under the basket

 

[oldude]

I thought Ice had a good game vs DePaul. She was much more aggressive and looking to score when she got the ball under the basket

Yes, and as much as I like Morgan, I think UConn is a better team with Ice in the lineup.

 

[Zarathustra]

I thought Ice had a good game vs DePaul. She was much more aggressive and looking to score when she got the ball under the basket

As a reminder (to some): Ice had 6 points on 2/2 shooting and 2/2 from
the foul line in 10 minutes of play (DePaul Game stats). She had one
OFFENSIVE rebound (just one rebound) and two personal fouls. All of
Ice's points were in the second half AND in the first half she had the
task of defending JORIE ALLEN (a significant contribution on Ice's part).
IMHO a nice game for the "ICE" girl. She 'Cometh'!

 

[ConnMotors]

Morgan, will be a part of the rotation more than likely until the Sweet Sixteen. Then you will see Paige, Kaitlyn, Sarah, Azzi on the court for 28+ minutes. KK, Ashlynn with get the second most minutes. Followed by Aubrey, Jana and Ice.

 

[oldude]

Morgan, will be a part of the rotation more than likely until the Sweet Sixteen. Then you will see Paige, Kaitlyn, Sarah, Azzi on the court for 28+ minutes. KK, Ashlynn with get the second most minutes. Followed by Aubrey, Jana and Ice.

Hmmm. That sounds very similar to the OP for this thread……

 

[HuskyNan]

All of
Ice's points were in the second half AND in the first half she had the
task of defending JORIE ALLEN (a significant contribution on Ice's part).
IMHO a nice game for the "ICE" girl. She 'Cometh'!

There was one play where Allen turned towards the basket on the baseline and Ice was standing, immobile, with her arms straight up. Allen lowered her shoulder and tried pushing Ice but Ice never budged. Allen airballed her shot. Defense - shades of Asjha Jones!

 

[Cornell Lt]

I can see why Morgan has fallen out of the rotation. She hasn’t done enough offensively the last couple of games to overcome some of her deficiencies on defense. Back doors are a weakness for her. And both Creighton and DePaul got easy layups on her a couple of times. Meanwhile, ice has responded really well to being benched. And ice is a much bigger threat as a scorer/shooter.

Fallen out of the rotation ? That's just not true. Yes she sat the second half of the Creighton game, but every other game she has come off the bench in both halves, just like she has all season.

 

[Longtime fan]

Agreed, Longtime, but she is shooting 40 percent from three (admittedly with fewer attempts than her teammates), so I can't quite go along with your 'Doesn't make them when she does.' It might be overreaction to some of the good things Morgan has done, but I think she'll be one of the Huskies' best players in the near future. Like you, I just wish she'd go for it with the ball in her hands.

I am glad to hear that her stats are better than my impressions.
Last game, when she put up her one shot from the outside, I immediately said, ( out loud ) " no way." And she missed. So I generalized a bit. I tend to agree that she will be a good one. Geno obviously sees something there. I hope for the same from ALLI , although she seems much further away from being a real contributor ( ie in big moments of big games. ). She did score 17 in her " homecoming game," but it was against a weak team in garbage time when no one guarded her. Mostly, she gets off one shot per game, maybe. Not really much for such a highly rated guard, coming out of HS.

 

[packwrap]

I'm not sure who, exactly, ICE is competing with for minutes. She seems not a candidate for replacing Jana in the post, but more giving a breather to Sarah at power forward.

It takes some careful tracking to follow this, but in current 'big' line up Jana and Ice have been at center with Sarah at power forward.

In the small line up, Sarah moves to center, and Morgan and Aubrey (and newly even Azzi) have been at forward.

And yes that means Ice has been playing center rather than her favored forward spot to help team. I'm surprised we have yet to see the 'biggest' line up with Ice at 4 and Sarah at 5 yet in a Big East game; perhaps next year.

I don't think anyone except Allie and Q are out of the Ncaa rotation yet. Tenn and SC will show how Geno feels now about big vs small options. He may still keep tinkering with both all the way into first weekend of ncaa. Geno seems to really be hoping that Jana or Ice makes a big breakthrough at 5. Still 2 months til elite 8.

 

[Stagnant]

For Morgan, I just think it is hard to shoot the ball when Sarah, Azzi, and Paige are on the floor.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I'm not sure who, exactly, ICE is competing with for minutes. She seems not a candidate for replacing Jana in the post, but more giving a breather to Sarah at power forward. And Morgan is an anomaly as well. Sort of a wing in stature, but with guard ball handing skills. Not big enough to play power forward. Ans ( so far ) not the deadly shooter that lies dormant within ALLI.

If you think Jana has more immediate potential than Ice does in the post then with all due respect I have to say you’re out of your mind. She is a much better passer either kicking it back out or from the top of the key to Sarah or to a cutter, she is much tougher to move out of the way, she is a much better shooter, and never goes 0-6 missing chippies. Jana will learn more as the season goes on but not at the expense of the whole team. Ice, Sarah, Paige, Azzi, and Ash or KK, is Geno’s best option right now, with Kaitlyn and Jana being first off the bench. There is not a defense out there that can match up with that offense.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

For Morgan, I just think it is hard to shoot the ball when Sarah, Azzi, and Paige are on the floor.

Actually, it might in fact be easier for Morgan to shoot with those three on the floor, the second one of Paige, Azzi or Sarah gets the ball near the basket, Morgan should be wide open.

 

[Stagnant]

That’s the only time you would shoot the ball though. If you aren’t wide open, you pass the ball to them and hope they get a shot.

It is a little like that practice clip of Geno telling the team “no one better shoot the ball but Azzi.”

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Actually, it might in fact be easier for Morgan to shoot with those three on the floor, the second one of Paige, Azzi or Sarah gets the ball near the basket, Morgan should be wide open.

Have you not been watching the games (replays on YouTube)? If you had, you would realize that your theory is incorrect. When one of the Top 3 has the ball, they are first and foremost looking another of the other Top 3 to pass to. They definitely aren't looking to pass the ball to a player they know is hesitant to shoot ... even when wide open. And, when she does shoot she usually misses at this stage of her career.

Oh, and Kaitlyn, by the way, won't be coming off the bench anytime soon. She is a starter and will remain a starter. Have you not noticed that she is beginning to score ... repeatedly? Perhaps you should try watching the games for your answers on occasion!

 

[UCTitleTown]

I was looking at QS's stats from last year and this year. She shot almost 100 threes last year and made 35.4% which is very good (only 21% this season on way fewer shots). Her assist to turnover ratio was much better last season. It's 1:7 this season which is not good. I love her movement and energy when she gets in, but her 7 mpg vs 12+ last season, doesn't seem to allow her to get in the offensive flow. I know the team is deeper than last year, but I think she can contribute more. I was expecting her numbers to improve this season, but she only gets garbage time minutes. She's a great athlete on a team that's somewhat lacking in athleticism.

 

[HuskyNan]

HaHaHa……..

Knock it off