To say that the UConn women have faced difficult and rocky times is surely an understatement. Some half a dozen games have been canceled or postponed, including the canceling of match ups against national powers Mississippi State, Louisville, and Baylor. Thus far the team has played just nine games with two large gaps between them. It is extremely difficult for a team to get into a rhythm under these circumstances.
With those suiting up in 2020-21 being granted an extra year of eligibility (a move I initially opposed but now support because of all the disruptions of the season), it is interesting to think about what effects this might have. One positive already is that Saylor Poffenbarger is in Storrs and may be playing in a few games toward the end of the season. If nothing else, she will be better prepared to take the court next fall. A second positive concerns Piath Gabriel, a raw talent. A fifth year of eligibility should do wonders and she could well be an outstanding player in another four years, if not much sooner.
Aside from the game against DePaul, the match against Tennessee last night represented the only other game against a top 25 team and the first with real height and length. As could be seen, this caused the Huskies a lot of problems and too many ill considered 3-pointers. If the Lady Vols are a good measure, a Final Four may be a stretch.
With regard to the existing team -
Paige Bueckers has lived up to and exceeded expectations, but she struggled mightily against the big and quick Lady Vols, sometimes looked uncomfortable on the floor, but no one can question her toughness and she hit the crucial shot of the game on a gimpy leg. She is the best player on the best team in the Big East. She will be on the all-conference first team and probably should player of the year and perhaps an All-American. Only one other person in the storied history of UConn has been as good in her first season and that player is, of course, Maya Moore.
Assuming Bueckers in POY, then Aaliyah Edwards may well garner freshman of the year honors. She has also been as good, if not better, than expected.
As of this juncture, I do not think either Christyn Williams or Olivia Nelson-Oboba as All-Americans unless they play much better from now on. ONO has a better chance than Williams and has raised her game more, but I do not see the UConn center as one of the top three in the nation. She did not hold up well against Tennessee. Williams is too inconsistent, although she played at All-American standards against Tennessee. Evina Westbrook is getting the rust out of her system as the season has progressed and she may well decide to turn pro if she anticipates being a high draft choice.
Aubrey Griffin appears to have made a major leap from freshman to sophomore if her play in the last three games is any indication.
The verdict is still out on the rest of the team, although Makurat, Muhl, and McLean have all had good (and not so good) moments. Gabriel has the potential in a year or so of being a significant factor on the team and Autumn is the best walk-on the Huskies have had in some time as she is not afraid to shoot.
With those suiting up in 2020-21 being granted an extra year of eligibility (a move I initially opposed but now support because of all the disruptions of the season), it is interesting to think about what effects this might have. One positive already is that Saylor Poffenbarger is in Storrs and may be playing in a few games toward the end of the season. If nothing else, she will be better prepared to take the court next fall. A second positive concerns Piath Gabriel, a raw talent. A fifth year of eligibility should do wonders and she could well be an outstanding player in another four years, if not much sooner.
Aside from the game against DePaul, the match against Tennessee last night represented the only other game against a top 25 team and the first with real height and length. As could be seen, this caused the Huskies a lot of problems and too many ill considered 3-pointers. If the Lady Vols are a good measure, a Final Four may be a stretch.
With regard to the existing team -
Paige Bueckers has lived up to and exceeded expectations, but she struggled mightily against the big and quick Lady Vols, sometimes looked uncomfortable on the floor, but no one can question her toughness and she hit the crucial shot of the game on a gimpy leg. She is the best player on the best team in the Big East. She will be on the all-conference first team and probably should player of the year and perhaps an All-American. Only one other person in the storied history of UConn has been as good in her first season and that player is, of course, Maya Moore.
Assuming Bueckers in POY, then Aaliyah Edwards may well garner freshman of the year honors. She has also been as good, if not better, than expected.
As of this juncture, I do not think either Christyn Williams or Olivia Nelson-Oboba as All-Americans unless they play much better from now on. ONO has a better chance than Williams and has raised her game more, but I do not see the UConn center as one of the top three in the nation. She did not hold up well against Tennessee. Williams is too inconsistent, although she played at All-American standards against Tennessee. Evina Westbrook is getting the rust out of her system as the season has progressed and she may well decide to turn pro if she anticipates being a high draft choice.
Aubrey Griffin appears to have made a major leap from freshman to sophomore if her play in the last three games is any indication.
The verdict is still out on the rest of the team, although Makurat, Muhl, and McLean have all had good (and not so good) moments. Gabriel has the potential in a year or so of being a significant factor on the team and Autumn is the best walk-on the Huskies have had in some time as she is not afraid to shoot.
