UConn-SCSU postgame thread

[Bone Dog]

Prediction time:

We’ll probably see 5+2 in March. But against NC St and Md, I suspect we’ll see 5+4: Nika Azzi Paige Caroline Aaliyah + Ice Aubrey KK and Ashlynn. Qadence Inês and Amari will only see end of game minutes if it’s not close.

Once Ayanna comes back, PT will be distributed even more widely, since I expect she’ll come in before Ice in some games. In conference, i won’t be surprised to see 5+5, and if Qadence finds the range and learns to hit her spots it could become 5+6.

From what I saw yesterday, it looks like Geno is going to be cautious about letting Paige or Azzi, and maybe Caroline too, go over 20 mins. And he hinted at something similar for Aubrey. That means lots of minutes for the freshmen.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Prediction time:

We’ll probably see 5+2 in March. But against NC St and Md, I suspect we’ll see 5+4: Nika Azzi Paige Caroline Aaliyah + Ice Aubrey KK and Ashlynn. Qadence Inês and Amari will only see end of game minutes if it’s not close.

Once Ayanna comes back, PT will be distributed even more widely, since I expect she’ll come in before Ice in some games. In conference, i won’t be surprised to see 5+5, and if Qadence finds the range and learns to hit her spots it could become 5+6.

From what I saw yesterday, it looks like Geno is going to be cautious about letting Paige or Azzi, and maybe Caroline too, go over 20 mins. And he hinted at something similar for Aubrey. That means lots of minutes for the freshmen.

I agree with this minus 5+2 in March. I think we’ll solidly be 5+3 in March because I think match up wise we’ll need to use KK, Ice and Caroline and Aubrey along with the core 4 starters.

 

[oldude]

Aubrey is the absolute perfect 6th woman! She is better suited for this all important role than any other player on the team! Although it is doubtful that Geno has made up his mind on a starting five yet, for me it's a genius move to start Caroline (or Nika for that matter) over her. In my opinion, if Caroline is healthy (and she apparently is) she belongs in that starting lineup without question! Aubrey can and does have the ability to ignite the team instantly (offensively or defensively).

I agree that Aubrey’s energy off the bench is exceptional. But I like to see her start for one reason. No other player on the team can create as much havoc at the point of the diamond press as Aubrey. We didn’t see much in the way of a press vs SCT. But I strongly suspect we will see a lot of pressure defense this season. Geno still has the image in his head of what tOSU did to UConn in the Sweet 16 last year. This year, he has the depth and talent to speed up opposing teams, force turnovers and generate easy transition baskets.

I have described Aubrey as a human vacuum. With her length and athleticism, she snatches basketballs out of the air like a spider grabbing a fly. Add Paige and Nika on the wings of the press and UConn has a pack of thieves ready to jump passing lanes and create havoc. I want to get back to a time when 1st qtr blowouts by the Huskies were SOP. Opponents never knew what hit them, and games were effectively over by the half.

 

[oldude]

Stand corrected. But not wall qualifying

Serious question, is a player on 2nd or 3rd team AA considered an All-American?

Making an AA team, any AA team, is one hell of an accomplishment. While it might not get you on the UConn HOH, I certainly consider 2nd, 3rd or even HM to signify that player as an AA.

 

[DEpup]

Aubrey is the absolute perfect 6th woman! She is better suited for this all important role than any other player on the team! Although it is doubtful that Geno has made up his mind on a starting five yet, for me it's a genius move to start Caroline (or Nika for that matter) over her. In my opinion, if Caroline is healthy (and she apparently is) she belongs in that starting lineup without question! Aubrey can and does have the ability to ignite the team instantly (offensively or defensively).

I think she will be 6th player after Geno's interview comments. He said he intends to do 3-4 minute bursts with her to try and keep her healthy. That doesn't lend itself to being a starter.

 

[oldude]

I think she will be 6th player after Geno's interview comments. He said he intends to do 3-4 minute bursts with her to try and keep her healthy. That doesn't lend itself to being a starter.

That burst could be at the start of the game: 2-3 steals, a couple rebounds, 2-3 fast break layups, UConn up 12-0, sit Aubrey down and bring in Caroline to knock down a few 3’s….

 

[Redux]

That burst could be at the start of the game: 2-3 steals, a couple rebounds, 2-3 fast break layups, UConn up 12-0, sit Aubrey down and bring in Caroline to knock down a few 3’s….

Who knew it would be that easy. A lot less wear & tear on me over the course of a long season; looking forward to it.

 

[Bigboote]

One small but significant thing I noticed yesterday that I haven't seen mentioned:

When a shot went up and Shade was near the basket she didn't turn to the basket. She looked around for the nearest opposing player, and even if that player was several feet further from the basket, Shade would go out and put a body on her. Getting a body on an opponent is a very simple concept, which should be drilled into players from a very young age, but it's surprising how often players forget to do it.

I love this kid already.

 

[Notyetready]

One small but significant thing I noticed yesterday that I haven't seen mentioned:

When a shot went up and Shade was near the basket she didn't turn to the basket. She looked around for the nearest opposing player, and even if that player was several feet further from the basket, Shade would go out and put a body on her. Getting a body on an opponent is a very simple concept, which should be drilled into players from a very young age, but it's surprising how often players forget to do it.

I love this kid already.

Shade impressed me, also, with her leaping ability under the basket.

I believe Geno was saying something about her future when he put Shade in the post game interview with Aaliyah and Azzi-- that is elite company to be in after scoring only 8 points.

He sees something special in her that he wants to reward and that he wants other people to notice. Jeez, it was only her first collegiate game.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Q posted on IG that she loves her teammates. That’s very nice to see!