I don't think we should assume that Ines will have to compete to get time from the incoming guards. It is just the opposite, the incoming freshmen will have to compete to earn minutes. Ines is already proving her worth and earning her spot.
Wooden said "Be quick, but don't hurry." Pretty much the same thing!
I'm pretty sure this is not how Geno thinks about it, though I could be wrong. He often says everyone earns their playing time by their work in practice. And we all saw that he put Anna (and even Christyn occasionally) behind freshmen Paige and Nika in starts and playing time two years ago. Of course, he also joked about this last year as the time of Paige's return approached. He said something like, "We'll have to see if she can earn some minutes," and then he laughed.
All true but I meant that, from day one, we should not think that-- highly regarded as they are-- the two freshmen guards will have a pass to the front of the line and Ines will have to displace them from that somehow to get on the court. That appears to be the way people are thinking. As you say, Ines will have a grasp of the system, she will be up to speed on the velocity of the D1 game, will have a working chemistry with the seniors and juniors, will have competed in the NCAA tournament. In short, will be a long stride ahead of the freshmen. In won't be easy to displace her.
I completely agree with your analysis, and I am rooting for Inês to hold her own on the team. But I am also curious about what KK will bring to the team. It may not reach "full expression" in her first year. But she has an explosive (overused adjective) first step, and finishes at the rim through contact really well. I think she may have more offensive weapons than Inês does, or at least than high school Inês did. Next year, Inês will probably have a leg up over KK in experience, but she may also have to develop her game to sustain that advantage... and I'm really looking forward to watching it happen!
I hope KK explodes to be somewhere near the expectations here on the BY. But, Inês will have 1 year of experience, and you can't teach experience. Yes there will be a lot of competition for minutes with Nika, Paige, Azzi and maybe KK once she gets used to the water. (I'm thinking mainly PG competition here.)
I feel like there is a country song in this quote.
I don’t remember that people thought Nika wouldn’t play at all. I believe it was more hat people thought she would be a useful backup but not the driver of the bus. Yes, Nika is great, she’s doing a fine job. However, let’s not kid ourselves that she isn’t where she is largely because of injuries to superior players.As Nan has pointed out, Ines did not turn 18 until September (Paige turned 19 on Oct 20 her freshman year and Azzi turned 19 on Nov 11 of her freshman year by comparison) and didn't arrive at UConn until late August missing the June/July acclimation practice time with the team. To literally see the game-to-game improvement before our eyes is a joy to watch.
I also want to caution those that continue to harp on the players to come theme that when Nika signed on, many questioned and stated she would ride the bench all 4 years yet she's proven to be an integral part. What does the future hold for Ines, who really knows but as she is proving worthy now, I give you the phrase, "a bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush" so I am will be happy if KK is all that is advertised but also know that Ines can handle the demands.
Post o' the thread!
