The new starting 5 will be...

[cbraarj]

Geno will play the 5 players who have experience against a good team on the road and the ones the coaches trust the most. As far as i know the freshman have no experience and butler has limited mins against a tough team on the road mostly in mop up time.

At the end last year he said Saniya has matured off the court not on it. He said she will play great for a day or 2 maybe a week then she goes back to the player who has no confidence and you dont know if you can trust her out there. That is why she didnt play until the end of the game against Oregon St. and Syracuse. She does not deserve to start and Crystal is going to suprise everyone. Freshmen guards who started right away at Uconn Bird, Nicole Wolf, Rene Montegomery and Bria Hartley. Dangerfield has played with Collier and Samuelson for USAB. Chong off the bench for a spark on offense but starting no way.

 

[calpedaler]

At the end last year he said Saniya has matured off the court not on it. He said she will play great for a day or 2 maybe a week then she goes back to the player who has no confidence and you dont know if you can trust her out there. That is why she didnt play until the end of the game against Oregon St. and Syracuse. She does not deserve to start and Crystal is going to suprise everyone. Freshmen guards who started right away at Uconn Bird, Nicole Wolf, Rene Montegomery and Bria Hartley. Dangerfield has played with Collier and Samuelson for USAB. Chong off the bench for a spark on offense but starting no way.

The oft forgotten Caroline Doty also started as a freshman.

 

[CocoHusky]

That is why she didnt play until the end of the game against Oregon St. and Syracuse. She (Saniya) does not deserve to start and Crystal is going to suprise everyone. Dangerfield has played with Collier and Samuelson for USAB. Chong off the bench for a spark on offense but starting no way.

That Saniya was not healthy all year was the reason she did not play much. Why doesn't Saniya "deserve" to start considering she been a UCONN starter before?

 

[OldAlum]

I hope Saniya can play up to her capabilities! Was it last season or the season before when Geno was saying how well she was doing pre-season? A few games in and she wasn't playing much and a reporter asked what happened to her and Geno said something like "We started playing games."

 

[cbraarj]

That Saniya was not healthy all year was the reason she did not play much. Why doesn't Saniya "deserve" to start considering she been a UCONN starter before?

Why does she deserve to start? Because she is a senior. NO The offense runs smother with her? No She is real good defender? No Can she score Yes. She would be better coming off the bench to provide instant offense ala John Gwynn used to do for the mens team. Huskies All Access at the end of last February Geno said Saniya has matured off the court but not on it. She will have 1 or 2 great practices maybe a week then back to the lack of confidence player we see. After 3 years I am suprised you even asked that question.

 

[cbraarj]

The oft forgotten Caroline Doty also started as a freshman.

One of my favorites, shame on me! If she had no injuries Maya wins NC in Sr. year and Caroline IS AA,IMO.

 

[easttexastrash]

I hope Saniya can play up to her capabilities! Was it last season or the season before when Geno was saying how well she was doing pre-season? A few games in and she wasn't playing much and a reporter asked what happened to her and Geno said something like "We started playing games."

Gotta love Geno...he tells it like it is.

 

[CocoHusky]

Why does she deserve to start? Because she is a senior. NO The offense runs smother with her? No She is real good defender? No Can she score Yes. She would be better coming off the bench to provide instant offense ala John Gwynn used to do for the mens team. Huskies All Access at the end of last February Geno said Saniya has matured off the court but not on it. She will have 1 or 2 great practices maybe a week then back to the lack of confidence player we see. After 3 years I am suprised you even asked that question.

You have done a great job of answering your own questions. Now let me try.
No one "deserves" to start or not start- that is an entitlement mentality not indigenous to UCONN. The right to start is earned in practice and reinforced by in game performance. Saniya two years ago accomplished the former (in practice) but failed on the latter (in game). Saniya will be fine, sounds like she on her way to doing both.

 

[itsasport]

Originally, I had Butler to start,; but, based on Geno's statement that he would prefer for Nurse not to the point guard, and his praise for how Chong was doing, I'm going to switch for her to start. This allows Butler to come in against a tired 1st string center or a backup.

My hopes for this team were that Gabby would develop a 3-point shot, she has. That Butler
would pull a "Dolson," she did. That Dangerfield would be the real deal, she is.
And that Chong would be healthy, she is. And, regarding the post on the biggest surprise and most improved player. I think she will be.

This gives Uconm two sets of 1 and 2 guards (Gabby as the other

And, another surprise, the freshmen look like they couldeventually get first-half playing time.

This is going to be fun- a UConn team with no pre-season All Americans, picked out of the top four, who could win a championship.

This will be the undeniable proof that the reason for all the championships is not just recruiting
the best high school All Americans -it is the UConn system and having players who embrace it.

 

[CocoHusky]

Originally, I had Butler to start,; but, based on Geno's statement that he would prefer for Nurse not to the point guard, and his praise for how Chong was doing, I'm going to switch for her to start. This allows Butler to come in against a tired 1st string center or a backup.

My hopes for this team were that Gabby would develop a 3-point shot, she has. That Butler
would pull a "Dolson," she did. That Dangerfield would be the real deal, she is.
And that Chong would be healthy, she is. And, regarding the post on the biggest surprise and most improved player. I think she will be.

This gives Uconm two sets of 1 and 2 guards (Gabby as the other

And, another surprise, the freshmen look like they couldeventually get first-half playing time.

This is going to be fun- a UConn team with no pre-season All Americans, picked out of the top four, who could win a championship.

This will be the undeniable proof that the reason for all the championships is not just recruiting
the best high school All Americans -it is the UConn system and having players who embrace it.

Who is going to be defending the center position for UCONN with Natalie on the bench?

 

[BroadwayVa]

Who is Chystal?

]
It's a stalled Chrysler

 

[MilfordHusky]

Didn't realize Nykesha was joining the UCF coaching staff....

The coaching tree is growing. Both Morgan Valley and Jasmine Lister are now at the University of Washington.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I believe Geno will begin with a veteran line-up, including Soniya and Nurse at guard. Katie Lou and Naphessa will also start. So that leaves one spot.

I would be amazed if Butler can earn it, as she simply doesn't seem very athletic or reliable. So Gabby is logical, unless coach wants her off the bench. Maybe one of the freshman will earn a spot. I don't think it will be Crystal, although I expect her to start after the first month to 6 weeks of the season.

It will be interesting to watch.

I think the game to watch and the TWO to watch --are Butler and Crystal --in the USF game.
If both get more than 20 minutes--in a tough game--you are looking at players Geno trusts .
Starting is nice but not important until later. I suspect that if Butler gets 20 minutes and the game is going well--she'll sit as early as possible saving energy for the game 2 days away. I'm not sold on Saniya --Geno likes her practices--but didn't say she'd start--he effectively said KiA, KatieLOU, Collier, Gabby would be his CORE (i read as starters)---also said Crystal will start early.
If Butler does not provide Uconn SoME of the interior play Geno needs--my projections will not stand.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Who is going to be defending the center position for UCONN with Natalie on the bench?

Napheesa, most likely. I think Geno said that Lou is working on her interior defense as well. Perhaps Kyla will get minutes too.

 

[itsasport]

Who is going to be defending the center position for UCONN with Natalie on the bench?

That is the weak point in taking Butler out: but, UConn didn't play a true center last year at all in meaningful minutes. The added offense might make up for less height on defense.

 

[UcMiami]

So I went with option 5 because I answered based on the first game of the year. I think it will change over time (not every game - option 6) but to start the season he will go with non-freshman and will keep Williams in her 6th person role where she has thrived. If Dangerfield plays really well and Chong struggles or if Butler struggles, I think Dangerfield/Williams could be in the starting lineup by game 10.

 

[Kmoney]

I wanted to bump this so that everyone who predicted the starters can see how poorly they did, including me. I am astonished that no one was able to predict the correct starting lineup. Carnac and ktuck911 were one starter off (I only searched page 1).In fact, the projected starters were not even an option on the poll.

 

[CBear01]

"Much has been made of who is not wearing UConn blue: Breanna Stewart, Morgan Tuckand Moriah Jefferson have graduated. In their place, UConn returns four players who contributed last season: Katie Lou Samuelson, Kia Nurse, Napheesa Collier and Gabby Williams.

Those four will start Tuesday, along with senior guard Saniya Chong. Auriemma and his staff are looking for the right mix and want see how various lineups handle various situations."


I guess the others have it, or possibly even the doesn't matters since we are still in exhibition (starting tmro) and it could change on the fly. My bad for not including this option!

I think just as many are surprised to see Chong in the starting lineup (presumably over Butler even tho they are different positions) as there are those who knew she'd get the shot. I'm sure one thing we all agree on is hoping Chong looks great and stays healthy enough to keep the spot.

 

[Carnac]

Who is going to be defending the center position for UCONN with Natalie on the bench?

THAT is the $64,000 question. I'm guessing either Samuelson or Williams. I'm leaning towards Samuelson. Unless Gabby has learned to defend without fouling. Against bigger and taller opponents, Gabby (5'11") would have two fouls in the first 5-7 trips down the floor, especially if the other team is smart enough to capitalize on and exploit the obvious mismatch they would have on the block.

 

[Carnac]

I think the game to watch and the TWO to watch --are Butler and Crystal --in the USF game.
If both get more than 20 minutes--in a tough game--you are looking at players Geno trusts .
Starting is nice but not important until later. I suspect that if Butler gets 20 minutes and the game is going well--she'll sit as early as possible saving energy for the game 2 days away. I'm not sold on Saniya --Geno likes her practices--but didn't say she'd start--he effectively said KiA, KatieLOU, Collier, Gabby would be his CORE (i read as starters)---also said Crystal will start early.
If Butler does not provide Uconn SoME of the interior play Geno needs--my projections will not stand.

the USF game.

Broadway, you're saying "USF" here. May I/we assume you're referring to the "Florida State" game 2 weeks from today on Nov 14, or am I in error?
We don't play the University of South Florida (USF) until January 1, 2017. UConn's first AAC conference game of the season. Needless to say, all questions about everything/everyone will be answered by then.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Geno says that Saniya starts tomorrow. It looks like:

Kia
Saniya
Gabby
Lou
Napheesa

 

[bizarro aj]

I wanted to bump this so that everyone who predicted the starters can see how poorly they did, including me. I am astonished that no one was able to predict the correct starting lineup. Carnac and ktuck911 were one starter off (I only searched page 1).In fact, the projected starters were not even an option on the poll.

I did on page 3.
Whats all this talk about gabby fouling too much? I don't recall her fouling out of any game last year.
It doesn't matter who is guarding the post, because uconn makes it tough for the other team to pass it inside.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Broadway, you're saying "USF" here. May I/we assume you're referring to the "Florida State" game 2 weeks from today on Nov 14, or am I in error?
We don't play the University of South Florida (USF) until January 1, 2017. UConn's first AAC conference game of the season. Needless to say, all questions about everything/everyone will be answered by then.

You got it correct---even if I am not---I'll always have them confused, it's one of those black holes in space--I get sucked into one and it rarely changes. But I appreciate the correction- Yep, it's the guys Uconn play on the 14th.

 

[CocoHusky]

I did on page 3.
Whats all this talk about gabby fouling too much? I don't recall her fouling out of any game last year.
It doesn't matter who is guarding the post, because uconn makes it tough for the other team to pass it inside.

Gabby did not foul out of any games last year but she did pick up some cheap "perimeter" fouls that had her sitting on the bench for extended minutes like in the Ohio state game.
It matters very much who is guarding the post if you are going to be giving up 6 inches like Gabby would be.

 

[CocoHusky]

That is the weak point in taking Butler out: but, UConn didn't play a true center last year at all in meaningful minutes. The added offense might make up for less height on defense.

Yea but..... that 6'2" F from Bolingbrook, IL that played the center position for UCONN did a bang up job on both ends of the floor against some of the best centers in the country. I think UCONN was undefeated with her starting in that position.

 

[bizarro aj]

Gabby did not foul out of any games last year but she did pick up some cheap "perimeter" fouls that had her sitting on the bench for extended minutes like in the Ohio state game.
It matters very much who is guarding the post if you are going to be giving up 6 inches like Gabby would be.

Do you actually believe gabby is affraid or can't guard a bigger player? I would take gabby over any player bigger then 6'4". Just as i would take maya over any wbb player ever to play bb.

 

[CocoHusky]

Do you actually believe gabby is affraid or can't guard a bigger player? I would take gabby over any player bigger then 6'4". Just as i would take maya over any wbb player ever to play bb.

This is not a boxing match, it's basketball height & size matter when you are talking about guarding the post. Gabby is not afraid of anything she will guard the post to the best of her ability. Not sure what Maya has to do with this but I'd take DT.

 

[Carnac]

Yea but..... that 6'2" F from Bolingbrook, IL that played the center position for UCONN did a bang up job on both ends of the floor against some of the best centers in the country. I think UCONN was undefeated with her starting in that position.

That's is exactly why 6'2" Molly Bent may be forced into action at the post position this year sooner than expected. This IS NOT going to be a "typical" year for Geno and staff. He may have to reach way down to the bottom of his bag of tricks (Felix the cat), and pull out something he hasn't used/needed in a while. It would not surprise me to see players playing out of position a few times this year either.

 

[Carnac]

Gabby did not foul out of any games last year but she did pick up some cheap "perimeter" fouls that had her sitting on the bench for extended minutes like in the Ohio state game.
It matters very much who is guarding the post if you are going to be giving up 6 inches like Gabby would be.

Gabby didn't foul out of any games last year because of Geno's superb clock and personnel management. No doubt she spent a lot more time on the bench than Geno would have liked. If you've played organized basketball at any level, you know that once you get that 4th foul, you immediately grow a pair of "alligator arms" if you want to stay in the game. You then have to play defense with your feet and not reach/grab anymore, which is probably how you got those 4 fouls in the first place.

 

[CocoHusky]

Gabby didn't foul out of any games last year because of Geno's superb clock and personnel management. No doubt she spent a lot more time on the bench than Geno would have liked. If you've played organized basketball at any level, you know that once you get that 4th foul, you immediately grow a pair of "alligator arms" if you want to stay in the game. You then have to play defense with your feet and not reach/grab anymore, which is probably how you got those 4 fouls in the first place.

If you been coached by Geno, like I have, you move your feet all the time and you don't wait until your 4th foul to make adjustments.