The Girls finding out they can play | The Boneyard

The Girls finding out they can play

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We talked about a lot of things over the summer. Yesterday (9/22) was the first day of Autumn, the summer season is officially gone. The season begins in 63 days. We never did arrive at a consensus on who the starting 5 will be. Those that posted comments had their favorites, and gave chapter and verse why their 5 should start. We'll never ALL agree on a starting lineup. Now that we know for sure there will be a season this year (thank goodness), that is one matter we need to clean up and finish.

I took a wait and see approach on whether or not Paige would start, because she is a freshman, and does not know the system or plays yet. As point guard and floor general, you've got to know the plays and the system, as you are directing the flow of the offense. As we get closer to November 25, and the team gets more practice time (together) under their belts, I may have to revise my position. We all know that at some point, she will become a starter. "When" is the question. There is a lot of talent and experience in front of her.

Right now, I like Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Evina Westbrook, Aubrey Griffin and Anna Makurat to begin the season as starters. Williams, ONO and Westbrook are the most experienced players on the roster, Makurat is a returning starter and Griffin was the 6th man last year. Usually, Geno's 6th man starts the next year. Geno recently said that Griffin is now a "hundred times better" than last year. :eek: I would have started her anyway, but after hearing that, she definitely starts.

Most of the freshmen will see lots of time on the floor, especially Bueckers and Edwards, who I expect to be the first two players off the bench. Both may move into the starting lineup before season's end (if they do, who sits?). Who is willing to make the poll? :rolleyes:
 
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Carnac said:
We talked about a lot of things over the summer. Yesterday (9/22) was the first day of Autumn, the summer season is officially gone. The season begins in 63 days. We never did arrive at a consensus on who the starting 5 will be. Those that posted comments had their favorites, and gave chapter and verse why their 5 should start. We'll never ALL agree on a starting lineup. Now that we know for sure there will be a season this year (thank goodness), that is one matter we need to clean up and finish.

I took a wait and see approach on whether or not Paige would start, because she is a freshman, and does not know the system or plays yet. As point guard and floor general, you've got to know the plays and the system, as you are directing the flow of the offense. As we get closer to November 25, and the team gets more practice time (together) under their belts, I may have to revise my position. We all know that at some point, she will become a starter. "When" is the question. There is a lot of talent and experience in front of her.

Right now, I like Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Evina Westbrook, Aubrey Griffin and Anna Makurat to begin the season as starters. Williams, Griffin and Westbrook are the most experienced players on the roster, Makurat is a returning starter and Griffin was the 6th man last year. Usually, Geno's 6th man starts the next year. Geno recently said that Griffin is now a "hundred times better" than last year. :eek: I would have started her anyway, but after hearing that, she definitely starts.

Most of the freshmen will see lots of time on the floor, especially Bueckers and Edwards, who I expect to be the first two players off the bench. Both may move into the starting lineup before season's end (if they do, who sits?). Who is willing to make the poll? :rolleyes:
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That's the day one lineup I predicted months ago. My opinion hasn't changed. However, I will add what I've said before. Things may change after the New Year.
 
JordyG said:
That's the day one lineup I predicted months ago. My opinion hasn't changed. However, I will add what I've said before. Things may change after the New Year.
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Agreed!!! I don't expect the line up that begins the season will be the lineup that ends the season. ;)
 
I enjoy the "who starts" discussions but at this point without knowing what is going on in workouts and scrimmages it is a fool's errand making a prediction. There are 8 freshmen and sophomores and 3 upperclassmen. One upperclassman has 2 years experience but with another program. Given all this the starters are a crap shot. I would guess that the coaches may have a clue but with so many players 5'11" - 6'1" it will be a month at least before even they know.
 
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Carnac said:
Right now, I like Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Evina Westbrook, Aubrey Griffin and Anna Makurat to begin the season as starters. Williams, Griffin and Westbrook are the most experienced players on the roster, Makurat is a returning starter and Griffin was the 6th man last year. Usually, Geno's 6th man starts the next year. Geno recently said that Griffin is now a "hundred times better" than last year. :eek: I would have started her anyway, but after hearing that, she definitely starts.
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I agree. You have to go with experience. Bueckers may be the next biggest thing at the guard position, but she's never played a college game in her life. Same goes for Edwards. I think the team is positioned nicely going forward with some good options off the bench (with reinforcements arriving next season) and time to develop them since everyone in the proposed starting lineup has at least two years left, so it should allow for smooth transitions at key positions.
 
hoopsfan22 said:
I agree. You have to go with experience. Bueckers may be the next biggest thing at the guard position, but she's never played a college game in her life. Same goes for Edwards. I think the team is positioned nicely going forward with some good options off the bench (with reinforcements arriving next season) and time to develop them since everyone in the proposed starting lineup has at least two years left, so it should allow for smooth transitions at key positions.
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Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Evina Westbrook, Aubrey Griffin and Anna Makurat

It's a logical list, all the upperclassmen. But among the 5 of them there is a total of 6 years of UConn experience. That isn't what I would call a veteran starting unit.
 
Whoever earns the starting job will play. I wouldn't bet against Paige; otherwise, you don't have a point guard starting.
 
Carnac said:
Agreed!!! I don't expect the line up that begins the season will be the lineup that ends the season. ;)
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Why did you leave out Nelson-Ododa? Sorry, I read it wrong.
 
Anna must be assisting on the camera.
 
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Carnac's starting five makes sense, but like others I don't see it weathering the season. Remember, too, that Paige sees herself as a combo-guard, though I have to think Geno is thinking point guard. Going to be very interesting to watch who is getting off the bench when as the season progresses.
 
chrissaran said:
Whoever earns the starting job will play. I wouldn't bet against Paige; otherwise, you don't have a point guard starting.
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I wouldn’t either. She’ll have to prove to Geno that she can run the point to his satisfaction before he adds her to the starting unit. How soon she’s able to do that is up to her. I can guarantee that the coaches won’t do anything to her progress.
 
Alydar said:
Christyn Williams, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Evina Westbrook, Aubrey Griffin and Anna Makurat

It's a logical list, all the upperclassmen. But among the 5 of them there is a total of 6 years of UConn experience. That isn't what I would call a veteran starting unit.
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Agreed, it’s not a veteran unit, but that’s the hand Geno was dealt, and it's the hand he'll have to play. This is the most "veteran" line up he can start. The other 6 players are all freshmen. I’m confident playing any other team, (especially the 3 they lost to a season ago) with these five..........home or away.

Even though she’s not a marquee player (yet), I think the player other teams should be most concerned about is Griffin. I think she has the most potential for “going off” at any time than the other four.
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Carnac said:
Agreed, it’s not a veteran unit, but that’s the hand Geno was dealt, which is what he’ll have to play. I’m confident playing any other team, (especially the 3 they lost to a season ago) with these five..........home or away.

Even though she’s not a marquee player (yet), I think the player other teams should be most concerned about is Griffin. I think she has more potential for “going off” at any time than the other four.
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Don't think I am not optimistic despite the lack of experience. Griffin, ONO and Makurat were different players at the end of last season than at the start. I am also very high on Bueckers who I expect to share minutes with the starters (assuming she starts on the bench).

I don't think Geno is interested in exchanging cards with anyone.
 

Don't think I am not optimistic despite the lack of experience. Griffin, ONO and Makurat were different players at the end of last season than at the start. I am also very high on Bueckers who I expect to share minutes with the starters (assuming she starts on the bench).

I don't think Geno is interested in exchanging cards with anyone.
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Bueckers' gifts will make room for her. As soon as she can play (learn they system and run the offense) the more she'll play. I expect her to learn the system quickly with the help of her coaches and teammates. She should be very comfortable in Geno's system by mid-January.
 
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What about the guards they have who already know the system? She will have to beat them out and they have a head start.
 
donalddoowop said:
What about the guards they have who already know the system? She will have to beat them out and they have a head start.
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True. But Bueckers' skills are unique. She will create good shots for her team mates who will want her on the floor.
 
First things first. Our Sophs need to be developed. They came along way last season but they still arent where they need to be. So Griff and Anna need more time on the floor. Evina needs time on the floor in a real UConn game too. It will take time for cohesiveness continunity and confidence to prevail. Paige will see alot of playtime and be devloped Everybody else we will have to wait and see how they come along in practice. The most important thing is to get the starting 5 up to speed mentally playing with each other in a real college game. As great as Paige was in HS she will need experience and be developed in college. In college you have all really good players. Its another level and Paige will learn and be taught how to adjust to it in the half court game. Once Paiges confidence is there and she believes she can compete with more experienced players shes gonna excel. On the break Paige will be better then in the half court. The half court game in college with defenses switching off and covering for each other will make it tuff for her to operate like she did in HS. HS has kids that dont play defense like they do in college There is more quickness and experience at the college level and better players then HS. Paige will be fine but we as fans will need patience as she develops. It will be fun to watch her develop. We've watched the great ones at UConn have their ups and downs as freshman. Alot will have to do on how they handle Genos riff and their mistakes. Remember this....with out making mistakes its tuff to get better. Your going to fail much more then you will have success's but it those failures that lead to success. Babe Ruth struck out over 2,000 times but everybody remembers his 714 home runs. Ben Franklin took 999 experiments that all failed but his 1,000 experiment he discovered electricity. Paige will be one of the all time greats.
 
Carnac said:
Agreed, it’s not a veteran unit, but that’s the hand Geno was dealt, and it's the hand he'll have to play. This is the most "veteran" line up he can start. The other 6 players are all freshmen. I’m confident playing any other team, (especially the 3 they lost to a season ago) with these five..........home or away.

Even though she’s not a marquee player (yet), I think the player other teams should be most concerned about is Griffin. I think she has the most potential for “going off” at any time than the other four.
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Griffin has a very long way to go before she is considered a great college basketball player, let alone a "marquee player"! She is extremely athletic and fun to watch play, but she is also very one dimensional right now. She scored the majority of her points last year on layups and put backs. She has yet to show a consistent 3 point jump shot, a consistent mid-range game, or the ability to create her own shot.
 

Griffin has a very long way to go before she is considered a great college basketball player, let alone a "marquee player"! She is extremely athletic and fun to watch play, but she is also very one dimensional right now. She scored the majority of her points last year on layups and put backs. She has yet to show a consistent 3 point jump shot, a consistent mid-range game, or the ability to create her own shot.
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That was last season. According to Geno, she is not the same player. You should expect growth in her game.
 
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