The Caroline Factor

[Gordo]

Could not agree more with Florida Fan. She is not the player she was, and we have to accept that she may never be that player again. This is not to knock the poor kid who, like her team, cannot catch a break. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we cannot believe that she is the key to a great season. That puts too much pressure on her and simply ignores the fact that her ability to heal and to play well operates on a timeline that is completely independent of the team's game schedule. IF the team gets good minutest from her, consider it a bonus.
Having seen the three freshmen play, I think that some combination of them will be key to the team's success for at least the next few games. I initially thought Samuels didn't look like much, but she's made me a believer. KK looks like the real deal. Shade is tenacious, though whether she can play against top-level competition is an open question.

You make very good points, even though they are hard to accept. Caroline had All American potential written all over her as a freshman. A potential UConn great. She, Azzi and Paige were going to take UConn to the promise land. She still showed glimpses of that potential as a sophomore and it gave us hope for this season. Now, at least at present, she seems to be getting worse not better and apparently there isn't anything that can be done about it. I could just cry to be honest. I feel so bad for her and Azzi.

 

[hoophuskee]

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we cannot believe that she is the key to a great season. That puts too much pressure on her and simply ignores the fact that her ability to heal and to play well operates on a timeline that is completely independent of the team's game schedule. IF the team gets good minutest from her, consider it a bonus.
Having seen the three freshmen play, I think that some combination of them will be key to the team's success for at least the next few games. I initially thought Samuels didn't look like much, but she's made me a believer. KK looks like the real deal. Shade is tenacious, though whether she can play against top-level competition is an open question.

Not sure your points in bold mean the same thing. A great season also includes a championship. UCONN could have a great season even without a title. But if we're talking "title" -- the chances that three freshmen, and two unproven sophomores are going to make it all the way through - in which by their youth we can expect inconsistency- I find the chances extremely minimal. The only thing is -- UCONN has Paige -- and Aaliyah for scoring that can be relied upon night-in-and-night-out for the Tourney.

Another consistent scorer is key. And we can throw Nika in the mix as to trying to score. Anyhow, Geno is starting Caroline for a reason. He is hoping that she can be a consistent scorer which this team desperately needs now. I guess whether Caroline is key or not -- at least a 3rd reliable scorer would be extremely extremely helpful whoever that may be. Musical chairs could work but that would be relying on just random luck game-to-game in Tourney.

Heck, last year we saw Azzi miss everything in 1st half vs Iowa and hit everything in 2nd half. Ofc you didn't give up on Azzi but the freshmen, are more volatile from shot to shot never mind quarter to quarter and half-to-half vs high quality teams.

Also, there has been such worry over height and size which was understandable and now UCONN is even more susceptible because they have a slimmer margin to "shoot their way" past it. Now on off nights UCONN is going to have a much tougher time even with the Nova's, Marquette’s, and Creighton's etc. They are going to pack the paint and dare everyone but Paige to shoot from the perimeter.

 

[Gordo]

We'll just have to see how it all unfolds. By the way, there are four (4) freshmen on this team, not three.

 

[Ozimoto]

The silver lining to this (if there is one) is that this year's freshman class should be primed and ready for three solid seasons starting next season.

 

[Longtime fan]

With the injury to Azzi, we need Caroline to become a consistent offensive presence on the floor now more than ever. Her movement without the ball, her array of shots, her nose for the basket, and her ability to get to the line that we saw on display her freshman year when we desperately needed her are greatly needed again right now. Whatever has been holding her back, I hope is soluble and does get resolved and soon. It would be great to see her have a good game tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

You know by now, then, that Caroline will not play against CLA ( and likely Kansas ) due to a neck injury. Daniel Jones?

Could not agree more with Florida Fan. She is not the player she was, and we have to accept that she may never be that player again. This is not to knock the poor kid who, like her team, cannot catch a break. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that we cannot believe that she is the key to a great season. That puts too much pressure on her and simply ignores the fact that her ability to heal and to play well operates on a timeline that is completely independent of the team's game schedule. IF the team gets good minutest from her, consider it a bonus.
Having seen the three freshmen play, I think that some combination of them will be key to the team's success for at least the next few games. I initially thought Samuels didn't look like much, but she's made me a believer. KK looks like the real deal. Shade is tenacious, though whether she can play against top-level competition is an open question.

You are right about Caroline. And, if she has the kind of neck problem Daniel Jones had, it is serious and may require surgery and extensive downtime. Don't worry about Ash. She haas more skills than most. She just needs to get comfortable at this level.