UConn stats.... Are Geno's subs going to be better than his starters?

[PacoSwede]

Other than Jana, who can successfully defend Laurn Betts, Raegan Beers, Audi Crooks, Madina Okot, etc.

defense is a 'whole team' proposition

 

[Bone Dog]

defense is a 'whole team' proposition

Serah defended Lauren quite poorly last season — held her to 24 on 11-12 shooting — but I attribute it mainly to having a weak and undersized defensive team around her. I have a suspicion she’ll defend the likes of Beers Betts Okot just fine with a UConn lineup around her.

 

[SVCBeercats]

defense is a 'whole team' proposition

Nice cliché.

 

[Bald Husky]

Most of us consider KK being the best option to start at point guard this year. I agree, not only has she done a great job coming off the bench, but she certainly has earned that honor. Still, K9 is also a very capable point guard that will have plenty of playing time whether she starts or not. My only concern is that last year with KK coming off the bench she provided a defensive shock to our opponents, changing the pace, getting in the grill of their guards and causing havoc all around. I don't think what she accomplished by doing that can be dismissed as not that important, and I think Geno will think about that when he decides which way to go. This decision is not the only one that Geno has to decide on, but with so many options at his disposal it will be a tough task to find the right combinations. Chaos will be what the team looks like in November, but within the confines of Gampel the championship team will emerge and become the amazing force that took the title last year.

 

[Bone Dog]

Lots to think about in this thread. One thing that strikes me is the question whether KK or K9 starts. If the rumors are accurate that Juju and Kiki got special treatment at USC and that’s why so many of the freshmen left, I’d expect all K9 really wants is to have her effort and her talent recognized and rewarded. If she works as hard as KK and Ash and Azzi I imagine Geno’s rotation will reflect exactly that.

A second thought that occurs to me is the importance of the first five mins of the third quarter. Nika had a way of disrupting opponents at that point. The opposing coach will have made adjustments to counter what UConn had been doing in the first half, and then Nika would punch them in the face (metaphorically speaking) and put the game out of reach. Watch the Tennessee game from three years ago to see a prime example of this. I have a feeling both KK and K9 will be able to do exactly this, and it may make starting the second half as important as starting in the first. This might even be a moment to go really small right after halftime, maybe use 4 guards before the opposing team can even get their feet set.

 

[NYFan]

KK can definitely be our starter but I hope she comes off the bench. No one in the country have a 6th man coming off the bench and creating the havoc that KK creates ! I think she is more important coming off the bench. Being a starter is not that important on this team. That is important for the fans that have their favorite players.

We've seen what KK can do coming off the bench, but isn't it possible that K9 can cause a similar level of havoc??? I'm sure there were people years ago who loved seeing Nika come off the bench as a freshman or sophomore... should she have continued in that role just because she was so successful with it? Had things gone a little differently 2 seasons ago, it could very easily have been Nika starting and KK coming off the bench!

I think both KK and K9 would be qualified, successful starters, but I give the edge to KK because she's earned it, she's got seniority, and she knows the system (and the system knows her). But I think whoever comes off the bench will be a headache for our opponents...

 

[Bone Dog]

but I give the edge to KK because she's earned it,

Can KK have “earned it” already, before the season (or even most of the practices) has begun? That sounds very unlike Geno. I also expect KK will start, but only because she’s likely to earn it over the next month, and that’s because I imagine she has an advantage in knowing the system better.

PS: forgive me for disagreeing so sharply on a petty issue. It’s been a bugaboo for me lately.

 

[WiseWillie]

That could clearly help Jana, but my bigger concern about Jana is the same one I have regarding ICE. As they are now one more year away from their serious injuries. Hopefully both of them will be able to elevate much better this year than last year. I watched so many games from last year, (multiple times) and Jana was constantly out rebounded by much shorter players. I hope that problem is less of an issue this year as she is one more year removed from her serious injury and same with ICE.

As one who has had an achilles tear I suspect that Jana was quite aware of leaping or jumping up since that plays a huge role in creating lift off. It is something after recovery that lingers, not physically but subconsciously. Since it should be fully recovered by this season and sure the UConn trainers have kept a close watch she should be less reluctant to exert her full force.

 

[ucmiami2]

It is an interesting question on how you define 'better' - you often see WNBA +/- ratings for a team being higher for the bench than for the starters because the bench players are often playing against either tiring starters or the bench for the opponent. So ...
Could Uconn's bench which is really deep repeat this when they are playing against less deep opponents? Yes. Would they fare as well as the starters if they switched roles? No.

 

[cferraro04]

Logistically, the answer is no; however, I believe that both the starters and the subs will shellack opposing teams...Teams will be left thinking that there was no drop off after the starters came out of the game. They may give rise to the myth that UConn's subs are better than their starters. This season is going to bring new meaning to the question, "Who let the dogs out"... lol