Twin towers

[HuskyNan]

Did anyone else notice that Ice and Jana got a number of minutes together on the court late Q3 and early Q4? Looks like Geno’s tinkering with potential lineups for the postseason.

The two posts combined for 13 points (6-7, 1-1 threes), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 0 turnovers. Jana had 4 fouls, as freshmen post players are wont to do. Move your feet, big girl.

 

[oldhusky]

It was interesting and fairly successful in two ways. First combining Aubrey with Sarah as a 4/5 combination was good and perhaps our best starting combination, and second with both Ice and Jana available off the bench , it enabled Ice to play at the 4 which is her best position anyway. Before Aubrey's return Geno pretty much had to use Ice mostly at the 5, but Aubrey at the 4 allows Sarah to move to the 5 and Ice to the 4 more, which seems to work well for both of them.

 

[Centerstream]

Now that only Ayanna is unavailable, we have our March team. The BE Tournament should be fun as Geno fiddles with the lineup to see how all of our players fit in. Really, really exciting that he has multiple options to go "big", especially with the apparent return of March Ice!!!!
I was hoping that Caroline could be a factor but I think she won't have the time to get game ready and re-emerge as Freshman Caroline. But I love that she has returned.

 

[DEpup]

Yes I did and it was great. With Aubrey back at full force and Sarah demonstrating she can play the 5, he can afford to play Jana and Ice together.

 

[hookshot]

Did anyone else notice that Ice and Jana got a number of minutes together on the court late Q3 and early Q4? Looks like Geno’s tinkering with potential lineups for the postseason.

The two posts combined for 13 points (6-7, 1-1 threes), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 0 turnovers. Jana had 4 fouls, as freshmen post players are wont to do. Move your feet, big girl.

Could be a longer look to next year as well, conditioning Brady who has a nice facing shot to be a PF with the hope that at least one of the two 6" 5" +bigs next year emerges as a reliable starting post. Hard to picture many current post season situations where you would see Jana / Brady together - maybe versus TX . Much more likely to see lineups with Audrey and KK together with the 3 scorers against athletic teams like SC, Tn, etc

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Now that only Ayanna is unavailable, we have our March team. The BE Tournament should be fun as Geno fiddles with the lineup to see how all of our players fit in. Really, really exciting that he has multiple options to go "big", especially with the apparent return of March Ice!!!!
I was hoping that Caroline could be a factor but I think she won't have the time to get game ready and re-emerge as Freshman Caroline. But I love that she has returned.

Morgan is also out with the ankle surgery, but all others seem to be able to shift into high gear (or another gear for those at full speed)...

 

[Tonyc]

I like Morgan as a possible guard. She is a great facilitator and with Paige and Kaitlyn graduating she may be better at the guard position at 6'2. Now Gandy 6'6 comes in next season with Blanca 6'2 Blanca I was told could start for UConn right now. Now Dream Big the following year I think we get the Big O Oliva Vucasa 6'4 post out of NY.

 

[Centerstream]

Morgan is also out with the ankle surgery, but all others seem to be able to shift into high gear (or another gear for those at full speed)...

You're right...can't believe I didn't remember Morgan

 

[PacoSwede]

I like Morgan as a possible guard. She is a great facilitator and with Paige and Kaitlyn graduating she may be better at the guard position at 6'2. Now Gandy 6'6 comes in next season with Blanca 6'2 Blanca I was told could start for UConn right now. Now Dream Big the following year I think we get the Big O Oliva Vucasa 6'4 post out of NY.

you seem to be forgetting ayanna, who may well be a major star. ... i like her

 

[Bone Dog]

Whenever I look at Jana, I can't help but think, "Next year, big girl."

The Huskies will be BIG next season if all the injuries can be left in the past. Jana, Ice, Gandy, Ayanna, Caroline, Blanca and Morgan. That's a really big team, 7 players 6'2" or bigger. I don't think there's a bigger team in D1.

 

[Tonyc]

you seem to be forgetting ayanna, who may well be a major star. ... i like her

So do I. I haven’t forgot her

 

[Bone Dog]

We are a hair's breadth from having a full on lineup thread for next season.

 

[Rowdy831]

I think you will see a lot of Aubrey and Sarah playing in the post in the tournament. With that said there will be a team or two that might require more hieght and that Jana and Ice might be the edge UConn will need in those games. If Azzi, Sarah and Paige play close to their potential in the tournament UConn will be very difficult to beat. You add in another player or two with them and they could come in with number 12.

 

[hookshot]

you seem to be forgetting ayanna, who may well be a major star. ... i like her

nice girl, strong, good aggression, some quickness to the ball, but lets start with a private first class layup before promotion to a "major" star - she'll show us what she got, when she's ready

 

[AzzisBraids]

UConn has more frontcourt (and backcourt for that matter) options than they've had in 5 years

 

[Bone Dog]

Now that we all have a better sense of Sarah than we did last summer, I think it should be clear that the twin towers won't have to carry the scoring load. With a narrower mission next season, I think it will be a lot easier for Jana Ice Gandy and Ayanna to find their comfort zone. I think what we mainly want from them is to be rebounders and rim protectors. If we get a combined 15 pts from the low post players other than Sarah, that will be more than enough. We will of course need the backcourt to fill it up and unless Azzi returns, we won't know what to expect from them until we actually see them play in November.

 

[huskeynut]

I said in the post game thread that with Sarah, Jana, Aubrey and Ice, we are in very good shape in the front court. We know we have a very good backcourt.

We can play big and I beleive Geno will be working that into his tournament game plan. We already know the smal lineup and it is deadly. Add our defense and the pressure it can exert on teams, UConn is a difficult to team plan for and to play.

 

[Next 12]

Now that we all have a better sense of Sarah than we did last summer, I think it should be clear that the twin towers won't have to carry the scoring load. With a narrower mission next season, I think it will be a lot easier for Jana Ice Gandy and Ayanna to find their comfort zone. I think what we mainly want from them is to be rebounders and rim protectors. If we get a combined 15 pts from the low post players other than Sarah, that will be more than enough. We will of course need the backcourt to fill it up and unless Azzi returns, we won't know what to expect from them until we actually see them play in November.

I agree with what you have said' Even if AZZI doesn't come back .Uconn has the core of 5 fantastic shooters next year and with our BIGS for rebounding and our stellar defense, Uconn should be in consideration for the NC. The five shooters are Sarah, Ashlynn Bianca, Allie and Ice.l YES Ice. She will come into her own and have a 3p also. Geno if he doesn't win the NC this year has all he needs to win it next year. That is scoring. rebounding and shut down defense.GO HUSKIES11111

 

[Zarathustra]

I agree with what you have said' Even if AZZI doesn't come back .Uconn has the core of 5 fantastic shooters next year and with our BIGS for rebounding and our stellar defense, Uconn should be in consideration for the NC. The five shooters are Sarah, Ashlynn Bianca, Allie and Ice.l YES Ice. She will come into her own and have a 3p also. Geno if he doesn't win the NC this year has all he needs to win it next year. That is scoring. rebounding and shut down defense.GO HUSKIES11111

I am no expert on body language, but I watched AZZI during the post
game presser after the Marquette Game. She was rather (IMHO) focused on
the comments that Paige was making (about Paige's enjoyment and Paige's
appreciation of UCONN and playing for the love of the game). That
gave me the idea that "moving on" to the corporate world of the WNBA
may not be a primary for Azzi. Or was it just my imagination??

 

[Bone Dog]

I am no expert on body language, but I watched AZZI during the post
game presser after the Marquette Game. She was rather (IMHO) focused on
the comments that Paige was making (about Paige's enjoyment and Paige's
appreciation of UCONN and playing for the love of the game). That
gave me the idea that "moving on" to the corporate world of the WNBA
may not be a primary for Azzi. Or was it just my imagination??

I noticed that too.

 

[donalddoowop]

I agree with what you have said' Even if AZZI doesn't come back .Uconn has the core of 5 fantastic shooters next year and with our BIGS for rebounding and our stellar defense, Uconn should be in consideration for the NC. The five shooters are Sarah, Ashlynn Bianca, Allie and Ice.l YES Ice. She will come into her own and have a 3p also. Geno if he doesn't win the NC this year has all he needs to win it next year. That is scoring. rebounding and shut down defense.GO HUSKIES11111

Her name is Blanca, not Bianca. Also, Caroline is an accurate shooter.

 

[ERWUC65]

I agree with what you have said' Even if AZZI doesn't come back .Uconn has the core of 5 fantastic shooters next year and with our BIGS for rebounding and our stellar defense, Uconn should be in consideration for the NC. The five shooters are Sarah, Ashlynn Bianca, Allie and Ice.l YES Ice. She will come into her own and have a 3p also. Geno if he doesn't win the NC this year has all he needs to win it next year. That is scoring. rebounding and shut down defense.GO HUSKIES11111

If no Azzi - then no captain/leader, no one with Paige type skills and maturity to run the offense and no one to be PG until maybe Kelis gets up to speed.

 

[packwrap]

If no Azzi - then no captain/leader, no one with Paige type skills and maturity to run the offense and no one to be PG until maybe Kelis gets up to speed.

No need to underestimate our dynamic duo of KK&Ash. No they are not Paige/Azzi, Sue/Diana or Hidalgo/Miles, but they can be 2nd team all Americans, if playing starter's minutes.

They are an excellent tandem now with 2 years experience behind them. These 2 plus soph Sarah and Caroline can provide plenty of UConn caliber leadership.

Turnover on 4yr college teams is a constant. This group is very capable to lead...even hopefully with Azzi back too.

 

[Bone Dog]

If no Azzi - then no captain/leader, no one with Paige type skills and maturity to run the offense and no one to be PG until maybe Kelis gets up to speed.

It’s a valid concern. KK is a PG and a ferocious defender. But she may not be the floor general Nika was, not yet, and expecting her to fill Paige’s shoes is asking a lot. Even Azzi may not be capable of that — 2 years ago she was the heart of the team before the injury, but Nika bore much of the burden of team leadership.

Ash and Caroline and Allie and Sarah and even Jana were the leaders of their high school teams. But other than Jana, they were all low key leaders. They carried their teams but weren’t vocal and commanding. I’m not sure Kelis has the experience to lead a D1 team full of stars, but she may have the personality for it. Only time will tell.

One person who may have the personality and the experience is Morgan. She did exactly this on a nationally ranked high school team. And she was more than a floor general. She was also a coach on the floor. Very vocal and commanding.

If Morgan is capable of running the team, Geno and CD will already have recognized it. They know these kids a lot better than we do.

 

[HuskyNan]

It’s a valid concern. KK is a PG and a ferocious defender. But she may not be the floor general Nika was, not yet, and expecting her to fill Paige’s shoes is asking a lot. Even Azzi may not be capable of that — 2 years ago she was the heart of the team before the injury, but Nika bore much of the burden of team leadership.

Ash and Caroline and Allie and Sarah and even Jana were the leaders of their high school teams. But other than Jana, they were all low key leaders. They carried their teams but weren’t vocal and commanding. I’m not sure Kelis has the experience to lead a D1 team full of stars, but she may have the personality for it. Only time will tell.

One person who may have the personality and the experience is Morgan. She did exactly this on a nationally ranked high school team. And she was more than a floor general. She was also a coach on the floor. Very vocal and commanding.

If Morgan is capable of running the team, Geno and CD will already have recognized it. They know these kids a lot better than we do.

Why would a sophomore that missed the last third of her freshman season be more prepared than a junior that started her freshman year and was first off the bench the second year?

 

[Bone Dog]

Why would a sophomore that missed the last third of her freshman season be more prepared than a junior that started her freshman year and was first off the bench the second year?

That’s definitely a fair question too. But it’s not just about experience, as I noted. It’s also about personality. It’s not like we haven’t seen a freshman displace juniors as the team leader before. I love KK as much as any of us. And it’s clear she’s had plenty of experience in this offense, but not much without Paige, or Nika or Kaitlyn next to her.

There’s no guarantee Morgan would succeed in the role, especially given how much less playing time she’s gotten compared to KK. But I watched video of a lot of Morgan’s high school games from her senior year — admittedly not the best evidence — and she seemed to have a leader’s personality, more than what I’ve seen from the other candidates.

But as I said above, Geno and CD will already know what Morgan is capable of and whether she’s a better option than KK or Azzi or even Kelis. I’m just speculating from a sofa.

 

[CTrefugee]

Did anyone else notice that Ice and Jana got a number of minutes together on the court late Q3 and early Q4? Looks like Geno’s tinkering with potential lineups for the postseason.

The two posts combined for 13 points (6-7, 1-1 threes), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 0 turnovers. Jana had 4 fouls, as freshmen post players are wont to do. Move your feet, big girl.

I think Geno superglued her sneakers.

 

[Zarathustra]

If no Azzi - then no captain/leader, no one with Paige type skills and maturity to run the offense and no one to be PG until maybe Kelis gets up to speed.

Every team/family needs a "MOM"!

 

[Zarathustra]

That’s definitely a fair question too. But it’s not just about experience, as I noted. It’s also about personality. It’s not like we haven’t seen a freshman displace juniors as the team leader before. I love KK as much as any of us. And it’s clear she’s had plenty of experience in this offense, but not much without Paige, or Nika or Kaitlyn next to her.

There’s no guarantee Morgan would succeed in the role, especially given how much less playing time she’s gotten compared to KK. But I watched video of a lot of Morgan’s high school games from her senior year — admittedly not the best evidence — and she seemed to have a leader’s personality, more than what I’ve seen from the other candidates.

But as I said above, Geno and CD will already know what Morgan is capable of and whether she’s a better option than KK or Azzi or even Kelis. I’m just speculating from a sofa.

Yes, there is the question of experience. KK has more than enough of that and
AZZI would have years of savvy as a graduate player. Also, everything about Kelis seems very positive even if she will be a first-year player. Perhaps a repeat of
the duet as with Kaitlyn and KK. My main point though is that there is a part of Morgan Cheli's resume that the other players cannot match. Morgan is 6' 2". Also, Morgan's H.S. at Archbishop Mitty was as their PG/floor "general" (with McKenna W.) Imagine the possibilities of Morgan's entry passes to SARAH, JANA, ICE, YANNA, Carol. Morgan would not have to be a tremendous scorer. But we already know she can drive to the rim and is a feisty rebounder! I'm looking to how GENO develops the chemistry of the 2024-2025 Huskies. But for now,
we have a BIG EAST TOURAMENT to WIN! GO HUSKIES!

 

[Zarathustra]

That’s definitely a fair question too. But it’s not just about experience, as I noted. It’s also about personality. It’s not like we haven’t seen a freshman displace juniors as the team leader before. I love KK as much as any of us. And it’s clear she’s had plenty of experience in this offense, but not much without Paige, or Nika or Kaitlyn next to her.

There’s no guarantee Morgan would succeed in the role, especially given how much less playing time she’s gotten compared to KK. But I watched video of a lot of Morgan’s high school games from her senior year — admittedly not the best evidence — and she seemed to have a leader’s personality, more than what I’ve seen from the other candidates.

But as I said above, Geno and CD will already know what Morgan is capable of and whether she’s a better option than KK or Azzi or even Kelis. I’m just speculating from a sofa.

I agree with BONE DOG about the potential for Morgan. Time and GENO will
answer our questions!