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Message: [QUOTE="BlueSkyGLW, post: 4203368, member: 11281"] The reason for optimism? Everyone has had a chance to shine and Geno's shuffling and nudging is relieving self-imposed pressures from some excellent BB players (Evina, Christyn, Olivia) that has enabled them to contribute mightily in some games - that builds confidence. In my opinion, the early season disjointed display came from having to work with 14 players, with as many as 10 candidates for solid rotation minutes (that included Aubrey). With 11 underclassmen involved, the preseason is too short for this. The injury and C19 issues gave each one of 9 possible candidates for rotation minutes extended time to grow both as player and confidence in different player combinations. The encouraging thing is that even in this constant carousel of players, the short rotation they have had to play with because of injuries have shown that different combination of players are developing chemistry (Dorka and Azzi in the last two games). I submit this continuing development has opened their minds: a growing feel for how each one plays....even those sitting on the bench learn by watching and I would bet they talk about it. The result: they begin to feel confident that whoever are out there on the floor in any given moment will know how to play together: the four recent games should help persuade them and turn it into fact, yes including the Villanova game because of what they did in the 4Q. I don't worry about Paige: she has been watching from the sidelines and the film room. She will fit on her return, first as a playmaker to continue encouraging growth among the scoring options that emerged in her absence - to deliver in crucial situations, then with growing contributions to scoring. Evina has grown comfortable coming off the bench and playing her best since her return to action last year - this deepens the UConn bench more than sheer numbers because she can lead not only the second wave but also some of the starters when Geno wants her to. But I think the biggest growth has been in the team's mental outlook: they have been through hell and they survived! No one can stop them now! Defense? There will be 9 legitimate rotation players. Geno doesn't have to wait until the 4Q like against Marquette to turn them loose. Half court offense? Work in progress but the return of Paige will help that. While I have concerns about Paige's timing and stamina when she comes back, I have concluded it is not as much a problem as it can be: she can start as PG playmaker and slowly ramp up her scoring (including in practice, between tournaments). It is also the best path forward to prepare for the tournaments so opponents will not concentrate on stopping her as the primary scorer because she doesn't have to be. When she needs relief from ball handling, she can turn to Nika with confidence. Watching them play from the bench also allows her to see better where each one needs to be to contribute to scoring, etc., etc. As I said before, can't wait to see Paige and Azzi on the court together. Paige the true floor general will be on display then. [/QUOTE]

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