donalddoowop
Who put the Bop in the Bop Shoo Bop?
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Wouldn't Chen's addition give UConn a roster of fifteen?
UConn (only) recruiting (only) speculation
- Thread starter HuskyNan
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Never said that, nor do I think it. I’m merely reflecting on something Geno has said a few times over the years, that he would often favor a younger player over the senior (pre-Covid exception) because he has to think longer term about the program. Even if Chen is better than KK, Geno still needs to bring along his “franchise” pg more than he needs to give minutes to a grad transfer. And I suspect Chen was a better scorer than KK last season, though it’s probably apples and oranges. But even if that’s a given, it may not be enough to dislodge KK. This is what I was thinking. It’s not about a guaranteed spot for KK. It’s about prioritizing the program over a single season player. Chen needs to accept this before Geno will make her an offer.
The threat to KK’s spot won’t come from Chen, as I see it. But it may come from Morgan. She’s a capable pg who can push pace just like KK. And she’s in the mold of Evina, a big quick ball handler who can be a formidable defender. It’s worth remembering that Evina often played pg even when Nika was available, or even in the game.
No. She would make 14 with still one spot for a big.
The truth!
With two spots, presumably one for a big and one guard, pursuing Chen now does not have anything to do with the big pursuit. That could still be the top priority, but Chen or another one year player does not impact future recruiting, and if Chen is your first choice for a guard you can make that decision now, before the guards dry up, and still pursue the two bigs that seem to be taking their time for a decision.
The only potential decision that would be altered would be if we had considered the possibility of using the two spots for two bigs. Obviously Beers or Iriafen is the wish list, and either with Chen would be terrific, but if not one of the two great bigs, Vonleh or Weimar would seem like plan B candidates, and if not them, it may not be worth pursuing any other bigs. The choices are limited.
UConn only has one true point guard and that is KK...If she were to get hurt? They would be in trouble against Ohio St., SC, ND or any of the power houses next year...That is what I feel Geno is thinking?
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Bald Husky
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Well, I guess if we get desperate, we could use Paige Bueckers as a point guard.
Let’s review
Paige Bueckers, what is the national player of the year as a point guard?
In her injury play sophomore year she played is the point guard as well
HuskylnSC
North is a direction; South is a lifestyle
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I see subtlety is your forte
Paige better have the ball in her hands ALL the time. KK will be very good for us but she should be the back up point guard period. Of course at times they will play together, but I think it hurts Paige not to totally be running things. Nika was awesome but Paige will do a much better job of running our offense. Her BBIQ is second to none and there is not a question in my mind that with a healthy team, she will lead us to the title. With her running point, our offense will look like it’s supposed to.
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KK is one of the best defensive guards in the league. With UConn year after year getting burned by smaller, quick quards, KK will get her minutes.
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uconnever- - What does Nika Muhl have to do to earn your respect?
With the records she's broken and the love and respect shown by her teammates and coaches she's earned her place among UConn's great players!
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cohenzone
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So is the definition of a “true point guard” a player who really is limited to playing point? Because the only reason Paige doesn’t meet that definition is because she can play so many other roles. As pointed out, if she ain’t a point guard nobody is. Personally, i don’t know why Geno would want to add another experienced guard who will almost have to see a lot of floor time. A big who can rebound and defend Ilcan see.
Geno would want to add a guard (that can also score) to allow Paige to move to spots from where she can create mismatches. If she attracts double and triple teams, you would want other players who are eager to score.
KK has the opportunity, over the next 3 years, to improve her shooting and to learn to play smarter (e.g., less fouls) while maintaining her tenacity.
Chen may want to come to UConn to improve on her defensive skills and become a better facilitator.
A second experienced player on the roster is added insurance so we can worry less about turn overs and rookie mistakes.
KK has the opportunity, over the next 3 years, to improve her shooting and to learn to play smarter (e.g., less fouls) while maintaining her tenacity.
Chen may want to come to UConn to improve on her defensive skills and become a better facilitator.
A second experienced player on the roster is added insurance so we can worry less about turn overs and rookie mistakes.
BRS24
LisaG
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Except every time Nika had to sit with 3-4 fouls, or fouled out, the offense wasn't as crisp, and numerous times, ended in a loss. Paige's role has changed since her frosh year, where she's better when the ball isn't in her hands a majority of the time. It lets Paige do Paige things.
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You're beating a dead horse
HuskylnSC
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Except the guy with all the say says he wants Paige playing off ball. When she is off ball it is tougher on the defense because they have to focus on her AND the ball. I agree with him.
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Chen is an experienced PG and as such will provide stability and leadership to very young UConn guards. We clearly need an experienced Big and hopefully Beers or Iriafen are considering UConn.
In regard to Paige: while most probably at the WNBA she'll be a PG, at UConn she needs to score 20+ points a game and that is best achieved with her off the ball.
In regard to Paige: while most probably at the WNBA she'll be a PG, at UConn she needs to score 20+ points a game and that is best achieved with her off the ball.
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I distinctly remember Geno telling reporters that after about a week of practice he knew that Lou was taking someone's minutes. If a transfer comes, they'll be given the same opportunity as every other player to prove their mettle in practice and earn minutes. Period. Iron sharpens iron, and I'm sure the players wouldn't want it any other way
Definitely!
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I like her style. She's not a BIG big, but she's quick and has good instincts.
Coming from Vic's program, I'd expect her to be a real defender. But I'm not sure she actually is. She averaged just under 20 minutes in a loaded front court. I wonder why she's leaving. Is it because she didn't like how demanding Vic's defensive schemes are, or is it because she wanted more minutes? Either one of these would suggest she wouldn't like UConn as a destination.
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I just don’t get this “ one true point guard” stuff. Last time I looked we have probably the best point guard in the entire country on our team! Sure, KK is a PG but she’s certainly not our only or best one!
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I hope this doesn't mean that a certain adult beverage may be headed toward longhornville.
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You’ve gotta be kidding me! Are we still having the Nika thing? You do know she’s in he W now? Surely even the most fervid Nika worshiper would concede that Paige is, and has always been since she arrived at UConn, the best point guard on the roster? Nika was a treasure and did a great job but she has never been the best point guard on this team. That’s not a knock on her either! it just so happened that she was on the same team as Paige Bueckers!
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I agree that Morgan is a capable (and welcome) addition to the pg cadre but I don’t really agree that she’s any threat to KK. They are simply too different. I see them more as complementary, sort of a “change of pace” duo that Geno can mix and match according to particular match-ups.
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At this point, as long as we get at least one big from the portal I’ll be happy. I wouldn’t be upset with Amina Muhammad either. I’ve always liked what I see from her. I especially like that she would only be a junior, so we could have 2 years to develop her more. The more time that goes by, the less I think we’ll get Raegan Beers or Iriafen so I think we need to jump on any opportunity for a big
But why disrupt the scheme if we don't have to. Paige is on a path to develop as an off ball facilitating G/F for her pro career so let's let her do that. We all owe her that. If we have the opportunity to obtain an experienced very good PG who was coached by a UConn family member then we should do it for spot #14 and hold spot #15 for a big. We have 2 spots.
Do we really know Paige wants to play off ball as a pro? Geno moved her off ball when team was decimated, because Nika '23 and KK '24 weren't really suited to do that. (Nika did a nice job playing off ball in a similar situation to Paige, as a senior)
There was just some kid from Iowa, and one recently from Oregon, (and a new one from USC) who showed you can do quite a bit with the ball in your hands and even get a little publicity for it.
The beauty of having Paige on the roster is that she’s so incredibly skilled which makes her able to be really versatile. You can play her at the PG spot and she’ll excel. You can put her on the wing and she’ll excel. And in spite of what I would’ve thought, you could player her at the 4, and she excels. This quality really saved our season. If she wasn’t willing or able to play the 4, we never would’ve had the successful 4 guard lineup we had. Ice would’ve had to play major minutes in place of either KK or Shade.
Her best position may be one thing, but when Geno builds the roster/game plan, he builds the best team. Paige has shown she can be great from anywhere, if someone is an available transfer and can enhance one facet of the game, Paige can be moved to enhance another.
Now with that being said, I do hope we use her to her full potential next year. I thought defensively banging in the post took some away from her offensive game. On paper we have more post options to move her back to the perimeter defensively. But at the end of the day I care more about the team success, than someone like Paige averaging a few extra points or assists per game. Any transfer Geno feels will help accomplish this is welcome in my book.
Her best position may be one thing, but when Geno builds the roster/game plan, he builds the best team. Paige has shown she can be great from anywhere, if someone is an available transfer and can enhance one facet of the game, Paige can be moved to enhance another.
Now with that being said, I do hope we use her to her full potential next year. I thought defensively banging in the post took some away from her offensive game. On paper we have more post options to move her back to the perimeter defensively. But at the end of the day I care more about the team success, than someone like Paige averaging a few extra points or assists per game. Any transfer Geno feels will help accomplish this is welcome in my book.
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