UConn Bigs

[Bone Dog]

What does Geno actually want from a big? Judging from the past several years, he wants an offensive threat — not necessarily a high volume scorer, a threat, as well as a solid screener. Range out to the arc is important, though I doubt he wants them taking more than a few shots from there per game. He also wants a passer from the high post as well as the low post. Finally, he wants a rebounder and defender, especially one with the quickness to guard on high hedges.

How often has he gotten a big with all three attributes? Sarah, of course. Dorka and Aaliyah also come to mind. Olivia Nelson Ododa had most of them, though she wasn’t a credible shooter from beyond the elbow, and even that was iffy. But she was a very good defender and a great high post passer. Stewie and Stef were great at all these aspects. So were Phee and Gabby, though they were a bit undersized for the spot. We don’t need to go back further than that to complete the survey. This is enough to see the rough outline of the position as Geno conceives it.

Serah and Jana have only had some of these skills and it limited the offense when they were on the floor. Same with Ice. What do we think Olivia Vukosa, the new Olivia, will bring to the post position?

From the looks of her, Olivia could have the full array of skills. She’s a decent 3 pt shooter, a very good midrange shooter and a good defender in the paint. There is no reason to think she won’t settle in to the pace of D1 ball soon enough, if not right away. It would be huge if Olivia could develop a high post passing game too. That way, the offense doesn’t become 2-dimensional whenever Sarah goes out of the game. The only real question is how quickly she can adapt to the pace of D1 play and UConn play.

To be honest, I don’t see any other bigs in the portal who can provide all these things. The closest might be Aliyah Moore. The portal pickings look pretty slim otherwise. Does Trygger look like a possibility in terms of this skillset? Does anyone else see any good prospects?

 

[Topdawg]

You need four things:
1. Rebounds
2. Rim protection
3. Shooting from close in
4. Ability to pass to outside shooters
5. (Bonus) shooting from the outside

Any player, including those we already have, who can get really good at these skills will be well suited to succeed at UConn!

 

[hoopsfan22]

I'd add these attributes to my wish list for a big:
1. Good hands
2. Knows where to position themselves with respect to the basket
3. Doesn't bring the ball down or try to dribble when they catch a pass around the hoop and in traffic

 

[Topdawg]

I'd add these attributes to my wish list for a big:
1. Good hands
2. Knows where to position themselves with respect to the basket
3. Doesn't bring the ball down or try to dribble when they catch a pass around the hoop and in traffic

All good adds. I was trying to rank items in the order that gets a big some time on the court in a game!

 

[Charliebball]

What does Geno actually want from a big? Judging from the past several years, he wants an offensive threat — not necessarily a high volume scorer, a threat, as well as a solid screener. Range out to the arc is important, though I doubt he wants them taking more than a few shots from there per game. He also wants a passer from the high post as well as the low post. Finally, he wants a rebounder and defender, especially one with the quickness to guard on high hedges.

How often has he gotten a big with all three attributes? Sarah, of course. Dorka and Aaliyah also come to mind. Olivia Nelson Ododa had most of them, though she wasn’t a credible shooter from beyond the elbow, and even that was iffy. But she was a very good defender and a great high post passer. Stewie and Stef were great at all these aspects. So were Phee and Gabby, though they were a bit undersized for the spot. We don’t need to go back further than that to complete the survey. This is enough to see the rough outline of the position as Geno conceives it.

Serah and Jana have only had some of these skills and it limited the offense when they were on the floor. Same with Ice. What do we think Olivia Vukosa, the new Olivia, will bring to the post position?

From the looks of her, Olivia could have the full array of skills. She’s a decent 3 pt shooter, a very good midrange shooter and a good defender in the paint. There is no reason to think she won’t settle in to the pace of D1 ball soon enough, if not right away. It would be huge if Olivia could develop a high post passing game too. That way, the offense doesn’t become 2-dimensional whenever Sarah goes out of the game. The only real question is how quickly she can adapt to the pace of D1 play and UConn play.

To be honest, I don’t see any other bigs in the portal who can provide all these things. The closest might be Aliyah Moore. The portal pickings look pretty slim otherwise. Does Trygger look like a possibility in terms of this skillset? Does anyone else see any good prospects?

The BIg "O" should be the best offensive post that UConn has had in quite some time........she has it all, from three-point shooting to her midrange game and all kinds of offensive moves close to the basket with either hand......she's also shown to be a good and willing passer so I think she will be ideal for the UConn system.........its at the defensive end where I see needed improvement.......

 

[GoCardinal]

In recent years, I think Juhasz is the type of big he prefers. Moves up and down the floor well, can shoot, pass and defend. I think if she would’ve had a full 4 years at UConn, she would’ve been an AA type player.

 

[my2cents]

You need four things:
1. Rebounds
2. Rim protection
3. Shooting from close in
4. Ability to pass to outside shooters
5. (Bonus) shooting from the outside

Any player, including those we already have, who can get really good at these skills will be well suited to succeed at UConn!

"Shooting from the outside" at the minimum should mean making wide open shots from the foul line.

 

[Pharos]

I'd add these attributes to my wish list for a big:
1. Good hands
2. Knows where to position themselves with respect to the basket
3. Doesn't bring the ball down or try to dribble when they catch a pass around the hoop and in traffic

I'd add movement, fluidity, even quickness. Able to run the court for extended minutes.
And maybe a jump hook...

 

[Shenandoah]

"Shooting from the outside" at the minimum should mean making wide open shots from the foul line.

absolutely agree. When our bigs are so reluctant to shoot the short jumper outside of "baby hook" range, it enables the other team to dominate the boards. It doesn't matter in the Big East, but once the NCAA's come, it does.

 

[Charliebball]

absolutely agree. When our bigs are so reluctant to shoot the short jumper outside of "baby hook" range, it enables the other team to dominate the boards. It doesn't matter in the Big East, but once the NCAA's come, it does.

Not going to have that issue with Ms Vukosa......

 

[JoePgh]

I think that the biggest question about Olivia V is "movement, fluidity, even quickness" (as stated by a poster above). I don't think it's critical for a 5 in UConn's system to have those qualities on offense (there is enough of it at the other positions), but on defense, a serious shortcoming in that area is a recipe for foul trouble.

The Big O (I think) will need to learn to defend a quick, shifty, agile opposing center who wants to snake her way to the rim and get an and-one. If she gets in a lot of foul trouble while learning that, other posts such as Jana and Ice will need to soak up those lost minutes. (I would have liked to add Ayanna to that list, but I guess not ...)

 

[UConnGabby]

Miss that rare zone defense back in the day.

Breanna Stewart	#1 career block shots	#5 career rebounds
Kiah Stokes	#4 career block shots
Stefanie Dolson	#7 career block shots	#6 career rebounds

 

[MooseJaw]

Not going to have that issue with Ms Vukosa......

Hope you are right. Big disappointment in the McDonalds all-star game. Big O showed one speed in the game, and that was lumbering. Often just hanging out a half court. I know all-star games are freaky in regard to talent. With little teamwork, one can still show hustle and desire. Both were lacking in big O's game. Don't believe it, go back and watch the game.

 

[Reignman79]

Hope you are right. Big disappointment in the McDonalds all-star game. Big O showed one speed in the game, and that was lumbering. Often just hanging out a half court. I know all-star games are freaky in regard to talent. With little teamwork, one can still show hustle and desire. Both were lacking in big O's game. Don't believe it, go back and watch the game.

Those all American games are always dominated by the guards/wings! They rarely ever pass the ball. I watch a good portion of the game and it was mostly 1V1 basketball. I wouldn’t put much stock in it as a predictor of how V will do at UConn!

 

[mainerhuski]

Hope you are right. Big disappointment in the McDonalds all-star game. Big O showed one speed in the game, and that was lumbering. Often just hanging out a half court. I know all-star games are freaky in regard to talent. With little teamwork, one can still show hustle and desire. Both were lacking in big O's game. Don't believe it, go back and watch the game.

Often players who shine in a well-organized team defense & offense, like UConn’s, can’t show their strengths in the melee of an all star game.

 

[Bedford fan]

I saw that. I also have watch some of her HS games. Both are hard to compute. I agree she looked disinterested in the all star game. She's definitely not a hot shot. The HS games are more to your point. The competition is small and overmatched. Olivia does look slow in these games but out running her guards makes no sense. She needs to get much stronger to impact the college game. That's doable. She has good skills but doesn't try to dominate. Sounds familiar for a UCONN recruit? We shall see.

 

[freshler40]

I'd add these attributes to my wish list for a big:
1. Good hands
2. Knows where to position themselves with respect to the basket
3. Doesn't bring the ball down or try to dribble when they catch a pass around the hoop and in traffic

Interior footwork.

 

[HopJim]

I think that the biggest question about Olivia V is "movement, fluidity, even quickness" (as stated by a poster above). I don't think it's critical for a 5 in UConn's system to have those qualities on offense (there is enough of it at the other positions), but on defense, a serious shortcoming in that area is a recipe for foul trouble.

The Big O (I think) will need to learn to defend a quick, shifty, agile opposing center who wants to snake her way to the rim and get an and-one. If she gets in a lot of foul trouble while learning that, other posts such as Jana and Ice will need to soak up those lost minutes. (I would have liked to add Ayanna to that list, but I guess not ...)

While BigO has been playing in All Star games for several years, it wasn't long ago that she only turned 18. The typical UConn practice will likely be harder than any of her past games. Having seen many videos of her past season, I expect her to start or at least get 25+ minutes a game. No other current UConn Big has her shotblocking and 3-point shot, assets that will be able to offset potential issues related to her learning curve. She can bump with the few true bigs like Jana today.

 

[UConnGabby]

"Big O showed one speed in the game, and that was lumbering"

Kara Wolters and Stefanie Dolson were not fast. But both players shined in UConn's offensive and defensive schemes. Thanks to excellent coaches, practices, workouts, etc.

I avoid putting NCAA performance expectations on high school players. Especially top 10 players ranked by some organizations or individuals.

McDonald's high school All American games do not necessarily predict future NCAA regular season performances by the players.

NBA All Star games turned into ridiculous video games such as 211-186 in 2024. All Star games obviously do not translate to NBA regular season games.

 

[CGK]

Tina Charles #2

 

[UConnGabby]

Tina Charles #2

Junior and senior year Tina Charles 😉

 

[Cuango]

Hope you are right. Big disappointment in the McDonalds all-star game. Big O showed one speed in the game, and that was lumbering. Often just hanging out a half court. I know all-star games are freaky in regard to talent. With little teamwork, one can still show hustle and desire. Both were lacking in big O's game. Don't believe it, go back and watch the game.

You are absolutely right, she did not cover herself with glory in that game! Quite frankly, I was shocked at her lack of effort/seeming indifference to mixing it up under the basket. She just looked like she was satisfied just being there. I know all-star games tend to produce these kinds of performances as some players seem to be left out of the game plan.(by other players, not coaches) and if you are the kind of player who needs to be fed the ball, you may look like she did. However, there are other aspects of the game where you may be able to impose your will; rebounds, blocks etc. I tend to write it off as deference, being tentative, but who knows?

I’ve never heard any complaints about her effort/play in high school and I’m pretty sure Geno would not have expended the effort he did if she was a low effort player. I still believe we will be very happy with her play (and effort) here at UConn. She looks like a great person who will fit in well here. Let’s just hope that niceness stops at the inbounds line, as we need someone (with her skills) that is not going to take any guff on the court!

 

[Blond D.]

I'd add these attributes to my wish list for a big:
1. Good hands
2. Knows where to position themselves with respect to the basket
3. Doesn't bring the ball down or try to dribble when they catch a pass around the hoop and in traffic

and THAT is where our current bigs fail...on all 3 aspects.
But with a lot of work over the summer, Jana can improve on all 3.
Jana seems to have a pretty good shot just outside the foul line but is afraid or told not to use it. Working on that will help also. If a Big can hit outside shots that goes a long way to opening up the inside cuz the Big on the other team has to go out to guard her.

 

[Charliebball]

Hope you are right. Big disappointment in the McDonalds all-star game. Big O showed one speed in the game, and that was lumbering. Often just hanging out a half court. I know all-star games are freaky in regard to talent. With little teamwork, one can still show hustle and desire. Both were lacking in big O's game. Don't believe it, go back and watch the game.

My one rule of thumb when judging recruits is to ignore watching all-star games........they mean absolutely nothing.......take a look at this video and tell me if she moves OK for a big player...........she will only get quicker after weeks of Geno's practices and running steps/hills with Ashlyn Shade once on campus...

olivia vukosa 2026 highlights - Search Videos

Watch videos instantly on Bing—enjoy direct playback, discover related clips, and dive into trending content all in one place.

www.bing.com

 

[PacoSwede]

jana, olivia, ice (hopefully!). nice potential vs the portal, IMO.

but please, why no mention of gandy? geez - there is immense potential that is outasight, outamind. wake up, BYers!

 

[husky98]

jana, olivia, ice (hopefully!). nice potential vs the portal, IMO.

but please, why no mention of gandy? geez - there is immense potential that is outasight, outamind. wake up, BYers!

Aside from Jana we have no idea what we will get out of any of that crew. How will Ice recover? How will Olivia handle the physicality of the college game? And I have seen nothing from Gandy, so until I see something that changes my mind I won't expect anything.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Miss that rare zone defense back in the day.

Breanna Stewart	#1 career block shots	#5 career rebounds
Kiah Stokes	#4 career block shots
Stefanie Dolson	#7 career block shots	#6 career rebounds

I'm with ya!

 

[PacoSwede]

Aside from Jana we have no idea what we will get out of any of that crew. How will Ice recover? How will Olivia handle the physicality of the college game? And I have seen nothing from Gandy, so until I see something that changes my mind I won't expect anything.

maybe so but we don't know that anyone in the 'portal' would be what we need either. ---- see serah, for instance.

but, natch, the grass is always greener elsewhere. but the shiny new thing isn't always better.

i prefer to go with the bird-in-hand who the huskies were happy to have when they decided uconn was the place for them.

i think it's better to go with the bird-in-hand.

 

[Charliebball]

maybe so but we don't know that anyone in the 'portal' would be what we need either. ---- see serah, for instance.

but, natch, the grass is always greener elsewhere. but the shiny new thing isn't always better.

i prefer to go with the bird-in-hand who the huskies were happy to have when they decided uconn was the place for them.

i think it's better to go with the bird-in-hand.

UConn's bigs will be just fine......,..it's the big forward who can defend and rebound that UConn is missing.....

 

[Husky fanatic]

Once Jana is let loose we’ll see her old self from FIBA days. Take the elbow jumper and the floor will open up