UConn in Slate [MERGED THREAD]

[meyers7]

Since Stewart graduated, there hasn’t been another star of her magnitude to fill the void.

Anywhere, on any team, in WCBB.

 

[oldude]

Since Stewart graduated, there hasn’t been another star of her magnitude to fill the void.

Anywhere, on any team, in WCBB.

Of course you’re correct, but frankly, it’s unfair to compare other players to Stewie. Players like Stewie come along once in a generation. She has literally redefined the role of a post player in WBB and is already in the discussion as the GOAT.

 

[meyers7]

Of course you’re correct, but frankly, it’s unfair to compare other players to Stewie. Players like Stewie come along once in a generation. She has literally redefined the role of a post player in WBB and is already in the discussion as the GOAT.

Exactly. It isn't UCONN failed to fill the void, there isn't anyone, anywhere in WCBB to fill the void. (Maybe in a couple years with Fudd??)

 

[Fairfield Fan]

The author writes: "And then Stevens left for the pros. Perhaps she realized last year’s draft was weaker than this year’s. Or perhaps she left because she didn’t like her lack of playing time. Whether Geno benched her because he trusted his system too much or because he was too loyal to his seniors, it’s possible that his choice cost UConn the 2018 and 2019 national titles."

This might be correct. We are a #2 seed this year, and certainly would have been a #1 seed with Azure. We did lose the title last year, and we all would admit that we're not the odds-on favorite this year. So as much as we might not like seeing a critical essay like this one, he's not talking through his hat. If we're honest, we can admit that he's entitled to a critical viewpoint.

 

[Jmsdawg]

Not a bad article, but time is not on UConn's side. Geno isn't going to weather another five (or six or seven) year drought at his age. He will eventually get annoyed at the headwinds he is facing that he cannot change. Recruiting is hard work, more so now than ever before, and today's kids are fickle, distracted, and easily influenced by shiny objects. The conference we are stuck in certainly does us no favors either.

You say “conference we are stuck in” is that correct? It would seem to me the conference UConn should be in is the Big East. Is it not possible to make an application for Big East membership?

 

[Fairfield Fan]

And he's right about this: "Since Stewart graduated, there hasn’t been another star of her magnitude to fill the void. UConn has been led by Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier, two seniors who are great players but not among the greatest of all time."

Connecticut wins national championships with All-Time Great Players: Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Tina Charles (together), and Brianna Stewart. We don't win NC's when we don't have great players. KLS and Pheesa are excellent players, even first-round picks in the WNBA. But even we can't ignore that they're not going to go among the first selections. Indeed, a recent mock draft has KLS barely remaining in the first round. That could be because of injuries, including her recent back problems. But that will be a question mark in the upcoming tournament as well.

The author is pointing out what many of us would like not to see: we're vulnerable. And next year will be a far greater challenge.

 

[UConnCat]

I say we nominate Mr Bronsteen for a Pulitzer. Such brilliance.

 

[oldude]

You say “conference we are stuck in” is that correct? It would seem to me the conference UConn should be in is the Big East. Is it not possible to make an application for Big East membership?

The BE would welcome UConn with open arms. It would reduce travel costs and re-establish historic rivalries with St Johns, Villanova and others.

The problem is that it would necessarily eliminate D1 football at UConn. While some of us see that as a blessing, the UConn community has put a lot of money and effort into the football program, and there is a reluctance to abandon football.

 

[JB123]

I say we nominate Mr Bronsteen for a Pulitzer. Such brilliance.

Serious question: What would you have written if Slate had asked you to write this article about the current state of UConn women's hoops? You probably know more than most if not all of the people who write these articles, so what do you think they should say?

 

[Jmsdawg]

The BE would welcome UConn with open arms. It would reduce travel costs and re-establish historic rivalries with St Johns, Villanova and others.

The problem is that it would necessarily eliminate D1 football at UConn. While some of us see that as a blessing, the UConn community has put a lot of money and effort into the football program, and there is a reluctance to abandon football.

ND is in the ACC for basketball but is an independent for football, can UConn not do the same? Usually football teams benefit from a conference because there is a sharing of post season bowl funds, is that what UConn would want to stay in ACC? To me UConn membership in the BIg East for basketball makes sense.

 

[UConnCat]

Serious question: What would you have written if Slate had asked you to write this article about the current state of UConn women's hoops? You probably know more than most if not all of the people who write these articles, so what do you think they should say?

I would decline of course. I might tell Slate that if they were serious about publishing a piece on women's basketball UConn every 2-3 years that they might want to look at a journalist who actually covers the sport and who might be willing to do some real reporting rather than hiring a law professor who researches on the internet. Then again, I'd probably tell Slate to stick to politics.

 

[oldude]

ND is in the ACC for basketball but is an independent for football, can UConn not do the same? Usually football teams benefit from a conference because there is a sharing of post season bowl funds, is that what UConn would want to stay in ACC? To me UConn membership in the BIg East for basketball makes sense.

ND is a special case. As part of their affiliation with the ACC, ND is contractually obligated to play at least 5 games a year against ACC opponents. No conference wants UConn football enough to allow them to join/remain part of the conference without bringing along their flagship basketball program.

 

[hoopsfan22]

ND is in the ACC for basketball but is an independent for football, can UConn not do the same? Usually football teams benefit from a conference because there is a sharing of post season bowl funds, is that what UConn would want to stay in ACC? To me UConn membership in the BIg East for basketball makes sense.

The Big East is not much better than where we are now. There has been a ton of debate about this in the conference realignment board. We're a flagship public university, not some small private Catholic school. Our profile academically and athletically is more in line (better than most if we're being honest) with the P5 schools. Also, half of our modern era old rivals now are in the ACC.

 

[HopJim]

This post is probably closest to my feelings. What really drove me nuts was that the article strongly implied that Azure went to the WNBA because of misuse. Please. She went because she saw a 1st round opportunity. Azure had a strong game against ND and I could see where he might have been criticized for his rotations in that game but overall, she was a mercurial player with significant weaknesses (remember her 3pt shooting/ limited rebounding etc) which Geno wanted to help her improve in her senior year.

While always difficult to understand someone else's mind set/emotions, it seemed Azure preferred pros to UConn. Did Geno's rants and her inconsistent playing time contribute? Not sure. "Significant weaknesses? Ha ha. Why so defensive? All players except a Stewie level have some but she was one of the best players in country as measured by draft.

 

[uconnell]

Tell me jmsdawg do you watch Fox Sports channel much? I don’t. I watch ESPN. I don’t think I have watched Fox Sports and the BE within the last year or so. Have you?

 

[oldude]

The Big East is not much better than where we are now. There has been a ton of debate about this in the conference realignment board. We're a flagship public university, not some small private Catholic school. Our profile academically and athletically is more in line (better than most if we're being honest) with the P5 schools. Also, half of our modern era old rivals now are in the ACC.

I have to disagree on several points. After UConn, there is no team in the AAC as good as either Marquette or Depaul. The AAC is a mix of both public and private universities spread all over the country and makes no sense from a travel perspective, or traditional rivals. Just about all of the schools in the BE were there when UConn was in the BE. Not all universities in the BE are in fact Catholic schools.

UConn plays in the AAC for one reason only. There is no football in the BE.

 

[eebmg]

While always difficult to understand someone else's mind set/emotions, it seemed Azure preferred pros to UConn. Did Geno's rants and her inconsistent playing time contribute? Not sure. "Significant weaknesses? Ha ha. Why so defensive? All players except a Stewie level have some but she was one of the best players in country as measured by draft.

Not sure what you mean by defensive? Significant weaknesses relative to the potential Geno saw in her. Imho, she is a nice 2nd tier player in the WNBA and perhaps she will find the inner drive and coaching to push her foreward but Geno saw so much in her that he wanted to harness.

Oh well, the best laid plans.

 

[JoePgh]

I forced myself to read the entire article and thought that it was balanced, and the conclusion is unarguable -- either UConn will return to the level of consecutive NC's in the next few years, or it won't. (Does anyone want to disagree with that?) I agree that he downplayed excessively the play of Megan and Crystal during the current season.

On the specific issue of Azura's reasons for going pro, I think it is possible that she knew that if she stayed, Geno would coach her to be a traditional center, and (like A'ja Wilson) that is not really what she wanted to be. Geno is always going to coach players based on the needs of the team, rather than their individual desires regarding roles. So it may have been a case of "irreconcilable differences".

 

[oldude]

On the specific issue of Azura's reasons for going pro, I think it is possible that she knew that if she stayed, Geno would coach her to be a traditional center, and (like A'ja Wilson) that is not really what she wanted to be".

I have a different take on this. Geno loves post players who can play out on the floor and spread the offense, as well as playing strong in the paint. Think Stewie and EDD, who Geno finally got the opportunity to coach in the Olympics.

When Z first got to UConn, she had a tendency to float around on the perimeter. Geno & CD worked hard to expand her game to also encompass post play. The problem for Z is that she fell into a season long shooting slump from the arc, so that by the end of the season there was really no reason for her to hang around the perimeter.

There is no doubt in my mind that, had Z returned to UConn for another season, she would have been a far more complete player, with the ability to play both in the paint and out on the perimeter.

At the end of the day, I think Z’s decision was more about wanting to get on to the pros and earn a living then any perceived problem with Geno wanting her to be a traditional Center.

 

[Argonaut]

I've always looked at Z's departure as being a combination of two things:

1. She didn't want to be in a draft class with McCowan and Brown.
2. She was finished with school.

She was #6 in last year's draft and the #2 big. Would having stayed another year in school improved her draft position? Probably not. If she was projected to go in the second round last year, I think she'd be back this year.

And I haven't seen anyone consider the possibility that UConn may not have had a master's program she was interested in.

Selfishly, I wish she was back this year because I think she is the missing piece that would make UConn the stand-out favorite to win the NC. From a draft and academic standpoint, she seems to have made the most logical choice.

 

[meyers7]

I have to disagree on several points. After UConn, there is no team in the AAC as good as either Marquette or Depaul. The AAC is a mix of both public and private universities spread all over the country and makes no sense from a travel perspective, or traditional rivals. Just about all of the schools in the BE were there when UConn was in the BE. Not all universities in the BE are in fact Catholic schools.

True, but 9 out of 10 are. That's pretty Catholic.

 

[Longtime fan]

How does her playing style compare with Saniya Chong?

No disrespect to Soniya, but she was of no help until her senior season. We are going to need a lot more than that, with Katy and Pheesa gone.

 

[oldude]

True, but 9 out of 10 are. That's pretty Catholic.

Well Geno’s certainly a Catholic, and purportedly on a first name basis with the Almighty, so we’ve got that going for us.

 

[Golden Husky]

Since Stewart graduated, there hasn’t been another star of her magnitude to fill the void.

Anywhere, on any team, in WCBB.

Kind of like Joseph Heller's reply when he was asked why he hadn't written another book as good as Catch-22: "Neither has anyone else."

 

[JB123]

I would decline of course. I might tell Slate that if they were serious about publishing a piece on women's basketball UConn every 2-3 years that they might want to look at a journalist who actually covers the sport and who might be willing to do some real reporting rather than hiring a law professor who researches on the internet. Then again, I'd probably tell Slate to stick to politics.

You must have a high opinion of the average piece by journalists who cover the sport. If their real reporting usually tells you valuable things you didn't know, that's great. I personally think it's too bad you'd decline because people could learn a lot from what you have to say.

 

[SVCBeercats]

No marquee recruits? Having watched Aubrey Griffin in person put up 37 & 31 in the NY State semis and finals, I would respectfully submit that this young lady has as much upside as any player in the HS Class of 2019.

Think Diamond DeShields with a little less athleticism and a little more discipline. Aubrey is long and fast.

Shall I assume at least a bit more of team player? Thanks!
Why do you suppose she is ranked at #33? Must be some downside items or rather skills that need to be improved relative to her peers' skills. Relative to college b-ball they all have some downsides.

 

[CocoHusky]

Shall I assume at least a bit more of team player? Thanks!
Why do you suppose she is ranked at #33? Must be some downside items or rather skills that need to be improved relative to her peers' skills. Relative to college b-ball they all have some downsides.

Aubrey is ranked #33 mainly because she missed her Sophomore HS season with an ACL injury. The ratings have also not been updated to reflect three very important things: 1) Aubrey was one of the final cuts at USA basketball U17 team this summer 2) Aubrey was recent selection as a McDonald's AA. 3) Aubrey was recently selected as the NY Gatorade POY. That last item might be the most significant because the highest ranked NY player by ESPN for 2019 is Celeste Taylor #20. Aubrey winning this award is IMO an indication that Aubrey is a comparable player to Celeste Taylor and should be ranked just as high. Notice I said Just as high that's because while Aubrey did not make the USA U17 team this past summer Celeste did.

 

[SVCBeercats]

No marquee recruits? Having watched Aubrey Griffin in person put up 37 & 31 in the NY State semis and finals, I would respectfully submit that this young lady has as much upside as any player in the HS Class of 2019.

Aubrey is ranked #33 mainly because she missed her Sophomore HS season with an ACL injury. The ratings have also not been updated to reflect three very important things: 1) Aubrey was one of the final cuts at USA basketball U17 team this summer 2) Aubrey was recent selection as a McDonald's AA. 3) Aubrey was recently selected as the NY Gatorade POY. That last item might be the most significant because the highest ranked NY player by ESPN for 2019 is Celeste Taylor #20. Aubrey winning this award is IMO an indication that Aubrey is a comparable player to Celeste Taylor and should be ranked just as high. Notice I said Just as high that's because while Aubrey did not make the USA U17 team this past summer Celeste did.

Thanks!

 

[CocoHusky]

Thanks!

BTW just to connect a few more dots. Cleste Taylor plays for Long Island Lutheran. Natalija Marshall plays for Christ the King and is the #12 ranked player in the class of 2020. @donalddoowop has posted the schedule of games and @Alydar has posted a link for the game. You can see for yourself but I would be surprised if Aubrey is not the best player on any of the teams playing this weekend. @oldude you might want to repost that scouting report of Aubrey and spread the knowledge.

Christ The King vs Long Island Lutheran Friday at 2:45 pm EDT
Ossining vs South Shore Friday at 4:30 pm EDT
Championship Game Saturday at 6:45 pm EDT
The Class "A" games will be played at 9:30 am and 11:15 am on Friday. Spellman vs Staten Island Academy
James Madison vs Mendon. Championship game is Saturday at 4:45 pm EDT
All games, including the boys, will be on the NFHS Network.

Ossining/Griffin play in the NY Federation Championships semis on Sat at about 4:30pmEDT. Here's a link to the live stream.
New York State Federation Basketball Tournament - Official Site

 

[MilfordHusky]

Aubrey was under the radar because of her injury. Her father was a tough player, and Aubrey has those genes. Aubrey has a wealth of athleticism and skill. And Geno says she's the nicest kid in the world. I wish we had a larger class, but Aubrey will help us a lot.