UConn doesn't really need Stewie to.....(Stewie part 2)

[DavidinNaples]

To be clear, of course UConn needs Stewie!!

UConn needs her to score, rebound, shoot 3's, block shots, play defense, etc... But does she need to lead the team in scoring, rebounds, or any other statistical category? Not really. My recent post about Stewie generated some great analysis from fellow posters (alex, meyers, icebear, to name a few) who pointed out the balance and depth of the UConn roster, both last year and the season coming this October. Given the talents of her teammates, UConn could probably get by without Stewie leading in points, rebounds, 3's, steals or assists. But don't tell that to Stewie...

Stewie led the team (or tied) in points scored in a game 12 times last season. That was second to KML who led the team 19 times and just ahead of Dolson's 9 times. In fact, 7 different players were leading scorers in one game or another. Six of those players (KML, Dolson, Bria, Tuck, Banks and Stewie) return this year. That is great balance and depth.

Stewie led (or tied) for the team lead in rebounds in 10 games. Again, that was second best. Dolson led 12 times and Faris and KML were just behind with 8 and 7 respectively. Of the 8 different players that led the team in rebounds in one game or another, six return this year. Stewie led the team with 22 games with the most blocks. But 6 others also led the team in a game, with blocks, including Dolson with 16 and Stokes with 8. They, along with KML and Tuck all return better than ever.

Stewie never led the team in any game in assists, but 8 other players did. Six of those (Dolson, Bria, Jefferson, KML, Tuck and Banks) will be on the roster in the fall. Same thing with steals. UConn loses Faris who had 96, but returns 5 players who had more than 40. Banks, with 25 before her injury, would certainly been in that group. With Jefferson, Banks, Bria, KML and even Chong, Stewie needs to contribute assists and steals, but not lead the team.

According to last year's statistics, UConn's best 3 point shooter and overall scorer was KML, the best rebounder was Dolson and best returning assist & steal leader was Bria. They will all be back. Stewie was third in points, third in rebounds and sixth in combined assists and steals. No doubt her stats in all those categories will get better, probably much better. (Maybe even really, really better.) To be sure, UConn needs "Stewie to be Stewie", but is there a dire need for her to push to lead the team in any statistic? ...other than blocked shots? But that is a discussion for another day...

This coming season can't start soon enough..!! Go Huskies.

 

[HGN]

All Stewie needs to do is , be Stewie............Just play her game and everything else will fall into place. Just like this past season. Geno and staff has had the foresight to surround her with talent. So she nor any other player , has to be the focal point of the attack. Any one(1) player can lead the team to victory in any category , on any night when you have the weapons that UConn's has. And that's a good thing. Because on any given night a player can have an off night ; be out injured ; or just be in Geno's dog house. And the team can still win by riding any of the other weapons in the arsenal.

Stewie has an immense skill set.......No doubt about it. But she is not counted on to pull the entire load. We are fortunate that UConn has a stable of other talented horses to help pull that load to the NC.