With Nika the Nat going to the league who will ascend to the mantle of "Stopper" this up coming season? My vote goes to KK if she can learn to cut down on her fouls, it took Nika almost 2 years to learn to control/adjust her umm.....temperament. Also who'll be the stopper at the forward/wing and Center positions?
The next defensive Dawg?
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KK has already shown she is
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I'm hoping it will also be Aubrey once she's well enough, and I have high hopes for Q.
CL82
NCAA Woman's Basketball National Champions
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Very true. If Jana is back to erase any mistakes, that puts all our defenders, but particularly KK in a position to be very aggressive to the three-point line.
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I agree.
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I agree with almost every poster on this issue. Looking at the next starting 5, I felt KK is the new Nika. KK is very good (not quite a full Nika yet). KK has a good assist record and her 3 point shot is coming along. Why KK can replace Nika?---KK is quicker, KK has a better handle, and KK is a much better scorer. Along with Paige, KK can penetrate. Of course, She needs to learn to dish a little sooner. She also needs to stop and Pop that jumper. KK was a better defender as a frosh then Nika was as a frosh. KK played mucho minutes too.
I know the focus was on replacing Nika on D, however, as a total package, KK as a soph can be equal to or even better than Nika. If Jana is as good as Geno says, then the team D will be even better than last year.
I know the focus was on replacing Nika on D, however, as a total package, KK as a soph can be equal to or even better than Nika. If Jana is as good as Geno says, then the team D will be even better than last year.
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Please don't overlook the brilliant and smothering defense ASH played all season. She isn't as quick as KK, but who is?
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I agree with the above comments on KK. She seems to me the natural successor to Nika as a defensive stopper among the guards. That said, she gives up a few inches to Nika, which may limit her against certain opponents. I can see Ashlynn getting the call in some of those situations. I also think having Aubrey back in the rotation will be a tremendous asset defensively, especially against bigger, athletic guards and wings like Juju.
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As of today, it has to be KK. Aubrey will be part of the group when she returns. I think Ash has the potential once she gets the confidence to get closer to her man. Right now she has a tendency to put too much space between her and her man. She surely has the conditioning for it....
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I think both Ash and KK benefited a tremendous amount having Nika mentor them. It isnt just quickness but knowing what ur opponent is trying to do and being there first. Nika taught them the shortcuts and how to read defense. You could see it as both got defensively better. So I'm saying its gonna be the pair of them that will be the stoppers along with Paige.
I havent seen enough of Morgan, Allie or Sarah to add them to the mix their first year.
I havent seen enough of Morgan, Allie or Sarah to add them to the mix their first year.
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KK is that Dawg! I am looking forward to seeing her turn up the defensive intensity this season. She got her feet wet. She got a taste of the competition. Now just a matter of her will vs the other person's will. Will she make it personal? We will see. I hope so.
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I think they will have to rely on team defense next year. KK is a good defender on the perimeter but any coach worth a dollar will just post her up and make her defend the post. If everyone is healthy I don't expect KK to even be a starter next season. They (Geno) won't be playing to win the Big East next season and he knows they will need size to win it all and they will have the roster next year to put that size on the court. I do expect her to be the first player off the bench and a huge part of their overall rotation and success next year though.
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I don’t see how the first part of this sentence fits the second. Team defense is what Geno always relies on and it specifically means opponents can’t easily post up against a player of their choosing.
The rest of your post makes sense to me. KK may not be a season-long starter, though mainly because of depth rather than size considerations. I suspect she’ll start in November mainly because Geno might want to start the players who are already a unit, so to speak, and are really experienced in the system, and are healthy. Right now that’s likely to be these four: Paige KK Ash and Ice. What happens once Azzi Ayanna and Caroline are up to speed is anyone’s guess.
As for that fifth starting spot in November, I can see Geno going with Jana or Sarah. Personally, I want to see both of them on the court as soon as possible. So, even if Jana starts earlier, I have a feeling Sarah will start by January.
And as always, who starts in November is a totally different question from who starts in February or April. The one sure thing for starting all year is Paige. If healthy, Azzi too. I just rewatched Azzi’s OOC games from early last season and after that reminder of how great she can be it’s hard to imagine that Azzi not starting as soon as possible.
Even with these things in mind, I wouldn’t bet against KK starting for much of the season.
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KK needs to make her layups !!
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And better decisions on when to drive to the basket. Seems to me that KK is prone to force the drive when it's not open. I like the aggressiveness, but KK needs to be a little more smart about it.
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Nika could be a gnat on offense too. I think of those moments when she’d grab a defensive rebound and just gallop down the floor, determined to get the offense going before the defense could set up. She didn’t need a steal to start the break. This is how she thought about rebounds and would do this a few times every game.
You know who else does this? I loved those moments when KK improbably came up with a defensive rebound among the tall trees and just galloped down the floor…. She didn't always know how to finish these impromptu fast breaks this season, but I’m sure they had the effect of intimidating opponents. If a missed shot can result in a break, shots become more tentative.
Next season, I expect Geno will want to see more of these rebound breaks from KK. If all goes well Morgan will get in on the act too. This was one of her things in high school. When the team is clicking, I expect we’ll see this a lot.
You know who else does this? I loved those moments when KK improbably came up with a defensive rebound among the tall trees and just galloped down the floor…. She didn't always know how to finish these impromptu fast breaks this season, but I’m sure they had the effect of intimidating opponents. If a missed shot can result in a break, shots become more tentative.
Next season, I expect Geno will want to see more of these rebound breaks from KK. If all goes well Morgan will get in on the act too. This was one of her things in high school. When the team is clicking, I expect we’ll see this a lot.