Time for the final starting 5 poll before Geno tells us who it will be...

[Dokey]

Well, I don't. ONO was only 2nd team in the AAC in 2020 and 2nd team BE last year. Not sure what all the dynamics of those awards are, but the results don't seem equal to me.

In big games, ONO wasn't a positive points factor. Something seems to be missing when the pressure is on.

Tennessee - 7 pts
Arkansas - 2 pts
South Carolina - 6 pts
Iowa - 4 pts
Baylor - 3 pts
Arizona - 1 pt.

One other stat that got my attention too was rebounds. Last year ONO only had 28 more defensive rebounds than Paige. By comparison, Aliyah Boston had 152 more defensive rebounds than Zia Cooke.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of ONO. She brings a lot to the team. But, on the court I think UConn can do better, and I think Geno was/is thinking the same thing with his pursuit of Dorka. He's hinted that she's going to help take the team to the next level, and we'll have to wait and see how the two of them perform and fit into his plans. Ideally, they can each force each other to be the best they can be.

Dorka
May not start first game but will start last game.

 

[Dokey]

The foam is starting to come from the mouth of the Husky faithful!! Who will start and who will perform? We have many who favor different camps. I for one think who starts against Fort Hays won't be who starts by the Big dance comes around. Seniority will affects who starts in the beginning of the year and talent who factor in who starts at the dance. With no injury's her are my first game starting 5 and my Big dance sarting five.
Fort Hays
1. Paige
2. CW
3. Evina
4. LIv
5. Aaliyah

Big Dance
1. Paige
2. Azzi
3.Dorka
4. Aaliyah
5. CW

My guess as well, with Caroline getting substantial minutes.

 

[Stymie]

Suspect in practice, Aaliyah has the ability to dominate Dorka. Too strong. Too quick. Geno not likely to ignore what he sees every day.

If that is true, then Aaliyah tramples Liv.
I don’t believe that to be true.
And we don’t know what Geno sees every day.
Dorka has much more experience against top flight competition.
Experience counts for something.
And She FINISHES.

 

[Dokey]

Folks, you do know only one person’s vote counts?

 

[Ozimoto]

But where is the fun in conceding that and not speculating?

 

[DEpup]

I don't know why we are so concerned about which forwards start.... I still believe that the post position is much more grueling than being a guard so if you want your post players able to give 110% while they are out there then you should keep their minutes in the 20-24 mpg area tops. The way I look at it there are 80 minutes to split between Olivia, Dorka, Aaliyah, and some developmental minutes for others...(Evina for me is the 3/SF in this scenario and would only get minimal minutes at the 4) I think that is plenty of minutes to keep a post player engaged and playing all out aggressive every play. The reality is that Olivia has had to manage her energy over the years with no help beyond a freshman Aaliyah and a too small Aubrey. I'm looking forward to seeing an Olivia with less weight on her shoulders. I have to think the weight of being the only big option in top tier games messes with your head. She knew a couple fouls and the game could be over for them and she would let all UConn nation down. Not everyone is Paige with no fear. I think this board often underestimates the pressure these still young adults are under and how that plays out in games. For Liv, I think she defaults to her strength which is defense and becomes tentative on offense. This shows in the big games where her points have been almost nill but her rebounds and other defense stats were good. I am hoping this year in big games she can sustain the defense and get about 10 pts with less pressure on her shoulders with Dorka and an older Aaliyah working with her.

 

[Vowelguy]

The person who didnt vote for Paige should be banned from the board for lack of intelligence (but given a free membership to the SummiTT ).

Paige, CW, Ono are no brainers.

I still go with Nika & EW, but a slight chance Aaliyah gets in there.

 

[JonathanXIV]

The person who didnt vote for Paige should be banned from the board for lack of intelligence (but given a free membership to the SummiTT ).

Paige, CW, Ono are no brainers.

I still go with Nika & EW, but a slight chance Aaliyah gets in there.

My theory is that a voter checked five boxes and clicked submit before realizing they forgot Paige. Given the choices and talent available, not a hard thing to do.

 

[Vowelguy]

My theory is that a voter checked five boxes and clicked submit before realizing they forgot Paige. Given the choices and talent available, not a hard thing to do.

That excuse is so unacceptable, you are now on a "watch" list.

 

[oldhusky]

Of the 8 players on the list (excluding freshmen Azzi and Caroline) I think it is conceivable that not one of them will play more minutes per game than last year. If they had an over/under bet on minutes per game this year vs. last year, I would take the under on everyone except probably Aaliyah.

Even in her case, she would probably need to start for that to be true.

 

[Vowelguy]

Of the 8 players on the list (excluding freshmen Azzi and Caroline) I think it is conceivable that not one of them will play more minutes per game than last year.

.

Absolutely true.
More players to play, more games over earlier, and less of a dropoff between starters & bench allowing easier substitution.

 

[Carnac]

I would have liked to see more participation in this poll from our fan base. At least one thousand fans. It was interesting reading others reasons for their votes. Nika and Aaliyah are only 20 votes apart (as of 7:00 pm er on 10/27).

 

[JonathanXIV]

That excuse is so unacceptable, you are now on a "watch" list.

Well, the alternative is unthinkable. (BTW I had Paige on my ballot).

 

[Go/huskies]

I’m sticking with the 4 guard line up ( due to match up problems) so I went with Paige, Azzi, Williams, E, and Liv. Nika, Edwards, Griffin, and Anna all started at one time last season, so who’s really the 5th returning starter?

 

[D J B]

My theory is that a voter checked five boxes and clicked submit before realizing they forgot Paige. Given the choices and talent available, not a hard thing to do.

Nah. It was someone from another school throwing a Baby Ruth in the pool.

 

[Centerstream]

Nah. It was someone from another school throwing a Baby Ruth in the pool.

DOOKIE!!!!!!!
(not related to that school in Durham NC )

 

[D J B]

DOOKIE!!!!!!!
(not related to that school in Durham NC )

Oh, that's funny! Really funny.

Here's the original vid:

 

[CL82]

She is the best floor player on the team

what does this mean?

 

[Fossil]

So, as long as the game is competitive any of 13 players can carry the team? Really? Say we are tied with SC with 1:30 to go, and you are comfortable with Piath, Amari, Caroline, Aubrey and Mir on the court? Geno, are you listening to this?

I also guess Saylor can go back to the dorm for the season and watch her team on TV?

Why is everyone so down on Sailor

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Why is everyone so down on Sailor

Good question. She played hurt briefly last season and her 3 wouldn't drop. Everybody on this team other than Paige has had such streaks. She's been tweaked in one way or another for much of the off season. She's a player of promise. No one who calls themself a fan should be down on Saylor.

 

[EricSD]

Aubrey who has been overlooked by many here but shouldn't be. She is the best floor player on the team and a junior.

what does this mean?

I think I know...

 

[D J B]

Why is everyone so down on Sailor

Ask Joe, the person I quoted who listed everyone on the team except Saylor.

And it's Saylor, not Sailor.

 

[Heytherego]

Why is everyone so down on Sailor

I don’t think anyone is down on her, more so they’re just not up on her and have higher expectations for some other players. But as other have said she’s been hurt, we haven’t seen much and Geno hasn’t said much; all contributing factors.

 

[BostonBay]

Saylor was literally playing with a broken back last Spring. She needs to be 100%. I wouldnt expect much from her until after January, and then, probably just garbage minutes. If her back is still an issue, maybe she should red-shirt this season.

 

[D J B]

Ask Joe, the person I quoted who listed everyone on the team except Saylor.

And it's Saylor, not Sailor.

Sorry, in a previous reply which I missed, Joe apologized for omitting Saylor, but said he would put her with the forwards.

 

[BBallF]

I think I know...

View attachment 70564

Very clever actually. However, it is an older term but a floor player in basketball is one who does all the little, non-glamorous things to help the team such as play great defense, get steals, saves, pass, box out, get rebounds and put backs but not necessarily be a superior offensive player in their own right. I watched Aubrey's father play at Seton Hall before playing in the NBA and I assure you that at the same times in their respective college careers they were very similar players. Adrian was never a great scorer but you wanted him on the floor because he did the necessary things for the team. Maybe because of that I have a special belief in her and maybe it will be just that but I also believe that she is being overlooked by many and that she is valuable right now and with a 10-15 foot pull up and a stronger drive move from both sides she will add something athletic on offense that we don't have. I also think a lot of it with her is between the ears and that at some point the light is going to go on and it will be great.

 

[Zorro]

It is going to be brutal for most of our opponents. Suppose you are a player or coach for Whatever State. Score at the end of q1 is, say, 31-5, but you are saying to yourself, "well, at least Geno will have some mercy and pull his starters." So he does. And suddenly you are looking at, say, Aubrey, Dorka, Azzi, Alaiyah and Caroline. AAArrghh!! Get out the white flag!

 

[Centerstream]

It is going to be brutal for most of our opponents. Suppose you are a player or coach for Whatever State. Score at the end of q1 is, say, 31-5, but you are saying to yourself, "well, at least Geno will have some mercy and pull his starters." So he does. And suddenly you are looking at, say, Aubrey, Dorka, Azzi, Alaiyah and Caroline. AAArrghh!! Get out the white flag!

Aaliyah. AAArrghh!!

 

[Carnac]

Let me remind everyone what Geno said at the start of practice............"I won't decide who starts, the players will". Some of make excellent arguments and points why a certain player should start. It's possible that a non starter from last year gives Geno no choice but to start her. If a player stands out like a 150 watt bulb in a sea of 25 watt bulbs, what's he going to do?

"To start the season Azzi will come off the bench and Evina will start. With that said Azzi will get alot of minutes. CW and Paige are 100% starting. A little birdie told me. Tony's sources have proven to be very reliable. So that's 3 of the 5. Now all we have to do is figure out the other two.

 

[Carnac]

It is going to be brutal for most of our opponents. Suppose you are a player or coach for Whatever State. Score at the end of q1 is, say, 31-5, but you are saying to yourself, "well, at least Geno will have some mercy and pull his starters." So he does. And suddenly you are looking at, say, Aubrey, Dorka, Azzi, Alaiyah and Caroline. AAArrghh!! Get out the white flag!

Except for the elite teams, I don't see many other programs being able to keep up after/beyond halftime. Bad and rushed shots are usually the result of being behind by a large margin, and trying desperately to catch up. I don't expect there to be a significant drop off in players 6-9 off the bench. The first 5 games should give an indication of what we can expect at least to the holiday break. Of course things can change once conference play starts.