UConn Scary Good

[Suebird10fan]

I hope she gets used do to her ability and not out of necessity (injuries to Hartley, Jefferson and Banks). We are a little short on guards next year.

Well, one thing with Geno, things have to get really bad for him to play someone out of necessity. He'll go six deep if he doesn't think #7 deserves the PT.

 

[Zorro]

Ten is when?

Ten
Is when
We nail number nine
and then
We do it again.

 

[meganmatthews]

WOW what a run. Finally UConn got healthy, except for Stef and although she wasn't 100% she was effective. I can only imagine how much better UConn will be next season. Will they have any competition? Winning 6 games in the NCAAs by an average of 35 pts makes me wonder. The offensive show will be unbelievable next season. Unstoppable comes to mind, so does undefeated.
Saniya will see a lot of time. BB will be back, Stef will be healthy. Kiah we hope will be ready. Another question will be how many points will they average and how many points will they give up. Duke MD and Stanford are on the schedule and hopefully ND maybe the Jimmy V Classic and maybe Cal in MSG for the Maggie Dixon Classic. I really don't see any team standing in UConns way unless UConn sustains major injuries and even if they do this season they lost to ND and Baylor and Diggins and Griner are gone. The skys the limit for UConn for the next couple of years. Pick up a good post and Geno just may have 15 NCs.

I disagree Tonyc. You are forgetting about the Miami Heat. In my opinion, Lebron James is too good of a player to let Uconn . . . . . . . wait . . . . . . . that's a different league, right? Hmmm. . . On second thought, you may be right. Yeah. I agree. Pretty unstoppable. My mistake.

 

[UcMiami]

I think in conference we will see a lot of time for mop up duty and rest for starters and with Chong as good at both passing and scoring as she is, the end of games could be quite prolific.

 

[HGN]

Given how well Brianna Banks was playing before her injury we are going to have great competition for the PG position and the 2.

Consider a line up of Dolson 6'5" (5), Tuck 6'2" (4) Stewart 6'4" and KML 6'0" (3 and 2) and your choice of Bria, MoJeff or Brianna at the (1). Size, shooting, defense, yikes!

Ice , I think you could be on to something.........KML could easily slide over to the 2-guard spot , allowing for Morgan to come in at the 3 or 4-spot. With Dolson at the 5 , Stewie at the 3 or 4 spot , Morgan at the 4 or 3 . With either Bria , MoJeff , or Banks at the 1 . Talk about a devastating offensive lineup !! And all that with Kiah and Chong ready to come in off the bench.........Scary.

 

[DanDar]

I am not sure whether KML's handle is good enough for a full time 2. I like KML at 4 with stewie at 3 or vice versa. I'd play Hartley at 2 and MJ at 1. She only had trouble with Diggins and she is gone. MJ took apart Maryland and Kentucky which tells me that she will be good enough to run the point.

Only if Saniya is not good enough I'd slide KML to 2 to give rest to either Hartley or Jefferson. Tuck can come in to help rest KML or Stewie. That should be good for 20 minutes per game. Stokes can come in to rest Dolson and that should be good for 15 minutes per game. It should be a nice 8 player rotation next year. 7 if Chong can't play which I doubt.

 

[Sonny44]

I said in another post that I think UCONN's season record for PPG (91.2 PPG in 1998) will be in jeopardy. We simply have too many offensive weapons and too much experience across the board.

I think BB will come along slowly, but by the time it's important (NCAA tournament) she will be a solid part of the rotation again. Until then, much will depend on MoJeff's sophomore jump or lack thereof. If she makes the big sophomore jump, as Geno says all the top players do, we will be truly frightening. If not, then we will still be thin at the guard spot but with a healthy Bria we will still be in good shape. I am not relying on the freshman Chong to be an impact player -- if she is, it's like icing on the cake. I'm putting more on MoJeff's shoulders. If healthy, Bria will be a fantabulous 2-guard for us next year, running the point here and there as needed, particularly if BB is on the court at the same time.

I am going to assume that Stewie will continue to be great, though of course she could have more ups and downs. But I think she made a huge breakthrough in the Tournament. Even if she gets no better next year, where she's at now is already spectacular.

This is why I think the "key" is MoJeff. If she really takes control and can handle the point against top competition for 25-30 mins per game, this should be a legendary squad even by UCONN standards. Maybe she can spend a little time this summer at Point Guard College. It has worked well for other UCONN guards in the past.

Agree, MoJeff will decide whether we are just great or unbeatable.

 

[Sonny44]

I hope so. However I am not expecting too much from her next year. I don't expect her to have as much impact as Jefferson did this year. And I didn't think Jefferson had that much impact. Jefferson came in as one of the highest rated PGs ever. Chong isn't nearly as highly rated.

But I hope the ratings people were wrong. I would love to be pleasantly surprised.

Can't agree, I think MoJeff had great impact even in the last two games.

 

[alexrgct]

Agree, MoJeff will decide whether we are just great or unbeatable.

I think MoJeff is the key to whether Uconn is unbeatable by the rest of wcbb in the 2013-14 season or one of the greatest teams ever assembled.

 

[meyers7]

Can't agree, I think MoJeff had great impact even in the last two games.

She had more towards the end of the season, but still not a lot throughout the season.

 

[meyers7]

I am not sure whether KML's handle is good enough for a full time 2. I like KML at 4 with stewie at 3 or vice versa. I'd play Hartley at 2 and MJ at 1. She only had trouble with Diggins and she is gone. MJ took apart Maryland and Kentucky which tells me that she will be good enough to run the point.

Only if Saniya is not good enough I'd slide KML to 2 to give rest to either Hartley or Jefferson. Tuck can come in to help rest KML or Stewie. That should be good for 20 minutes per game. Stokes can come in to rest Dolson and that should be good for 15 minutes per game. It should be a nice 8 player rotation next year. 7 if Chong can't play which I doubt.

Don't forget you will probably have Banks to come in before Chong. But I would agree, I'd prefer not using KML at the 2 all that much.

 

[Suebird10fan]

a

I think MoJeff is the key to whether Uconn is unbeatable by the rest of wcbb in the 2013-14 season or one of the greatest teams ever assembled.

Agreed Alex. The next two years are gonna be fun.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Saniya will have an impact next year. WIth all the talent surrounding her, and her willingness to be a part of a team, she will be incredible. Most people only know how many points she scored. An incredible passer, rebounder, defender, and shot blocker, she is going to surprise many by how well she plays her freshman season.

I think she is pretty skilled at the one thing that is extraordinarily difficult to teach. Shooting! She is a natural scorer and her ability to shoot from distance will help open up things for KML, Dolson and Stewart, not that this kids need any help! I'm hopeful Brianna Banks gets back to where she was by midseason and is a big contributor by years end.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I hope so. However I am not expecting too much from her next year. I don't expect her to have as much impact as Jefferson did this year. And I didn't think Jefferson had that much impact. Jefferson came in as one of the highest rated PGs ever. Chong isn't nearly as highly rated.

But I hope the ratings people were wrong. I would love to be pleasantly surprised.

What I think is that the key element that Jefferson had coning in was blazing speed but she spent a considerable amount of the season learning to make an adjustment on utilizing that speed. Sometimes she played too quickly and was somewhat out of control. Beyond that, she is not nearly the shooter that Chong is. Chong has better size and a pretty impressive outside shot that should help the Huskies a lot. I personally think she'll be a bigger contributor in the UConn lineup than was Jefferson this past year, at least during the regular season. I thought that by season's end Jefferson had finally gotten control of her speed and quickness and as a result had a very impressive postseason where her speed created issues both offensively and defensively for our opponents.

 

[Zorro]

Big problem for Geno, though; when it is time to put the scrubs in, there just ain't no scrubs!

 

[reno tony]

Tony:
Why did you chuckle when I said UConn by 23 over ND, and UConn over lv by 20 at the half and 40 at the end...???
But here's the summer plan:
Breanna S, 30 pounds of the bench 5 inches in the dead vertical jump
Stefanie D, 25 pounds on the bench, 6 inches in the vertical, 10-15 pounds down
Moriah J, quick release 3 pt shot ... point guard school
Kiah S. Review Tina C. senior films, 30 pounds off the bench
Morgan T, One on One with Kiah and TC moves, 20 pounds on the bench
Kaleena M-L, Elevated 3 Pt
Bria H, full speed pull, 1st step travel,
Brianna B, Get well.
All guards pick and punch steal timing, How to study opposition guard films.
Going to send the 6"8" Big, to Stonington and let Heather train her for 2 years...
Anything else you need...TC ..???

I would like to see Moriah with a nice pull up jumper like Bria. Since you are asking.

 

[TimeWillTell]

I have seen Saniya play nine times in person. IMHO she has the basketball skills and physical abilities, to be a solid contributor for UConn from day one………and down the road….who knows!

Geno and staff love the fact that Saniya enjoys being a facilitator first (9.1 asst/gm) and a scorer second. She IS a great passer……you’ll see.

Geno and his staff also love the fact that Saniya can put the ball in the hole very effectively (34.4 pts /gm) and do it in a variety of ways: deep, midrange, penetration layup (either hand), teardrop, free throws and create her own shot when need be.

As a 5’9” senior guard, Saniya jumped center for her team, averaged 5.6 rebounds/gm, 4.8 steals/gm and 2 blocks/gm. She’s fast AND quick and has all the physical tools to be a great defender.

My only concern for Saniya, when she arrives at UConn and begins to compete for playing time, is the same concern I have for any of our new freshmen, trying to compete at the elite, Div 1 level. Can she physically and mentally adjust to the speed and physicality of practice and games? What is her mental state like as she tries to absorb the ins and outs of Geno’s defensive & offensive philosophies/schemes? Will she be able to maintain a positive attitude and not be overwhelmed by school, basketball and hitting the freshman wall? Each freshman reacts differently to these situations and I’m hoping that Saniya can successfully navigate to the end of the 2013-2014 season, with a similar mental state as Breanna, Moriah and Morgan had at the end of their freshman season.

From an article on the WBCA all star game:
Her teammates were impressed with Chong’s game.
“She is a great player, very quick, a great shooter and plays really hard,” Reimer said.
“I expect her to do great at UConn.”

 

[baggerbob]

She'll have an easier time I think, because Breanna, Moriah, and Morgan just went through it, and should be able to help, she also won't have to be thrown into the fire so to speak.

 

[UcMiami]

She'll have an easier time I think, because Breanna, Moriah, and Morgan just went through it, and should be able to help, she also won't have to be thrown into the fire so to speak.

Other side of it is she is a 'class of one' so she will not have a teammate or two going through the same transition - I think that is a help and was for the current three. When things just seemed crazy they could go off in a corner and bitch together. Just not the same with the 'old hand' sophomores.
But I suspect she will do pretty well - and being relatively close to home will help.

 

[msf22b]

Speaking of Mo:

Against ND, she bothered the heck out of Skylar and took some of the starch out of her.

In the two previous games she was at times, far and away the best guard on the floor.

No worries about this kid. Geno's figured it out.

She'll lead the team to the promised land…9-10 and onward

 

[Sonny44]

I would like to see Moriah with a nice pull up jumper like Bria. Since you are asking.

I think she is more likely to under the bigs, perfecting her lightning layups.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I have seen Saniya play nine times in person. IMHO she has the basketball skills and physical abilities, to be a solid contributor for UConn from day one………and down the road….who knows!

Geno and staff love the fact that Saniya enjoys being a facilitator first (9.1 asst/gm) and a scorer second. She IS a great passer……you’ll see.

Geno and his staff also love the fact that Saniya can put the ball in the hole very effectively (34.4 pts /gm) and do it in a variety of ways: deep, midrange, penetration layup (either hand), teardrop, free throws and create her own shot when need be.

As a 5’9” senior guard, Saniya jumped center for her team, averaged 5.6 rebounds/gm, 4.8 steals/gm and 2 blocks/gm. She’s fast AND quick and has all the physical tools to be a great defender.

My only concern for Saniya, when she arrives at UConn and begins to compete for playing time, is the same concern I have for any of our new freshmen, trying to compete at the elite, Div 1 level. Can she physically and mentally adjust to the speed and physicality of practice and games? What is her mental state like as she tries to absorb the ins and outs of Geno’s defensive & offensive philosophies/schemes? Will she be able to maintain a positive attitude and not be overwhelmed by school, basketball and hitting the freshman wall? Each freshman reacts differently to these situations and I’m hoping that Saniya can successfully navigate to the end of the 2013-2014 season, with a similar mental state as Breanna, Moriah and Morgan did at the end of their freshman season.

From an article on the WBCA all star game:
Her teammates were impressed with Chong’s game.
“She is a great player, very quick, a great shooter and plays really hard,” Reimer said.
“I expect her to do great at UConn.”

Great post TWT...thanks.

 

[EricSD]

I second that Ozzie - really liked TWT's post. I also wonder who her roomie will be since she's coming in as a 1 person class. Pope was already "part" of the team this year and sometimes it can be hard on the newbie in a 1 person class. I know the team will help make her feel welcome.

 

[TimeWillTell]

I would like to see Moriah with a nice pull up jumper like Bria. Since you are asking.

Good call reno tony!

Some people would say that developing a good, midrange to short, pull-up jumper is not essential for an elite, Div 1 guard, as long as they possess a decent outside shot and the ability to penetrate various defenses off the dribble. And I would say to those people……they’re wrong.

A well executed, quick, accurate, pull-up jumper, off the dribble/drive, is a devastating weapon for a guard to have in their repertoire, especially if they can execute it going right, or left. It’s an offensive option that is almost impossible for a defense to stop. A perfect example of someone who possesses a world class pull up jumper would be our own Sue Bird. Two other lesser examples, closer to home, that helped defeat us 3 times this past season are McBride and Diggins. Did you see the Louisville vs Cal game? Did you see Layshia Clarendon and the great pull-up jumper she has! The space it created so she could get the shot off!

My humble advice to ANY player that comes to UConn is, if you have the physical tools to develop a good pull-up jumper, please do so at your earliest convenience.

 

[VAMike23]

I second that Ozzie - really liked TWT's post. I also wonder who her roomie will be since she's coming in as a 1 person class. Pope was already "part" of the team this year and sometimes it can be hard on the newbie in a 1 person class. I know the team will help make her feel welcome.

IIRC, Morgan is in her own room, bc we hear funny stories about Stewie and Mo always ganging up on her with pranks and tricks, and and I believe those two are roomies. So maybe Saniya will room with Morgan? Or maybe they will switch things up and have the two point guards Mo and Saniya together, and put Stewie with Morgan.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Your memory and my memory really aren't the same on that.

Meyers... our memories are clickin on the same page

 

[sTu]

As time goes by I think we may see KML playing some at the 2. Improving her ball handling skills is sure to be a priority in preparation for the WNBA.

It is likely that Saniya's playing time in meaningful minutes will be linked to her progress in assimilating the team's defensive schemes.

 

[Icebear]

Don't forget you will probably have Banks to come in before Chong. But I would agree, I'd prefer not using KML at the 2 all that much.

I would, too, but I wanted to note what would be a really big and talented shooting team we can put out there. It would be unbelievable. 6'5", 6'4", 6'2", 6'0", 5'9" what a nightmare matchup every player capable of hitting the 3. Or go small and speedy with ballhandling using MoJeff, Banks, Bria, KML and Stewie. This will be interesting.

 

[Icebear]

What is almost always underestimated is the time it takes for freshemn PGs and Posts to absorb what UCONN is doing offensively and defensively. It is not enough to understand it and think your way through it, one must understand it to the point of not thinking about it.

We have seen numerous players over the years go through the progression of being completely lost; to understanding and thinking to the solution but executing a play a split second too late because of that thought delay causing the whole O or D to grind to a halt: to being a cog in the machine moving freely and changing gears like the transmission on high end luxary car, so imperceptibly smooth one never noticed the compensations and change of direction beginning with a downshift and a burst of acceleration.

It takes even great players to adjust to new offenses and defenses and to be in sync with everything. By the end of this season we were substitutingfreely from the bench and seeing fewer and fewer misfires. That is a great place to start next season.

Addendum: As I noted in an earlier thread. As a performer of magic as entertainment. I practice moves and techniques, just like players in drills, I then practice routines still focused on what must be done and when for the particular effect, just like the team practicing offensive sets and walk throughs, I then rehearse everything with all the lines and music and go from stop to finish even if I screw up to understand my outs and reentries and recoveries, just like the team in live play in practice, finally, when I think something ready I introduce a routine into my act and perform it knowing I am ready to ENTERTAIN with the piece because whatever else I am doing it is about entertaining and that means like fine jazz reacting to the others and enjoying the moment. Entertaining involves starting, stopping, laughing, teasing, and most of all sharing. That is where UCONN was during the tournament. It was like the Dave Brubeck Quartet playing Take 5 surging rhythms flowing seamlessly with every members sharing the spotlight in turn and in time.

 

[UcMiami]

Icebear - nice post.
I think what we tend to forget though is when needed we have had a lot of solid production at the guard position from freshman. BH, CD and Tiff are just the latest examples, but it actually goes back in my memory to Sue pre-injury.
The nice thing with Uconn is they aren't often needed. It also helps that the typical team has very strong team leaders that help freshman a lot.