UConn stats... Ashlynn Shade, Geno's Swiss army knife...

[DavidinNaples]

Ashlynn Shade did not play in her 2nd game in a UConn uniform. Geno later said it was due to an oversight during a tough loss to NC State. Ash has played in every other of UConn's 78 games in her two seasons. She has started a total of 45 games and has come of the bench 33 times. Her role as a freshman was changed from sub to emergency starter when Azzi went down after just 2 games & Caroline was hurt after 4. Her stats freshman year were eye opening:
1. Minutes played = 1,194 or 31.4 minutes average every game.
2. Points scored = 419 (3rd most on team)
3. Three point shots = 180 (2nd most to Paige at 202)
4. Three point accuracy = 35.6% (3rd best on team)
5. Free throw % = 91.2% (21-23)
6. Started 33 of 38 games.

With the return of Azzi last season, Geno invented a new role for Shade and KK Arnold. They became the Terror Twins coming off the bench with energy, defense and scoring. Many of Ashlynn's stats were even better as a sophomore despite fewer minutes on the court:
1. Thee point shooting improved to 41.1% (53-129)
2. Steals went from 37 to 57.
3. Turnovers decreased from 39 to 24.
4. Assist to turnover ratio jumped to 2.21...

Her points total fell to 308, but the team scored 3,269 points, highest total since 2017-18. Rebounds held steady as measured on a per minute basis and assists were almost unchanged at 55 vs 53, again despite way fewer minutes. Overall shooting % for the two seasons was 48.1% and 48%. Clearly Ash excels whether starting or coming off the bench. Geno uses her in a variety of positions/lineups and had said several times he just needs her on the court doing all the things she does so well. Shade's adaptability to whatever role Geno needs is remarkable. This season will no doubt be just as amazing..!!

Have another great season Ashlynn....!!
Go Huskies..!!

 

[oldude]

The other thing that changed significantly was Ashlynn’s play during March Madness. As a freshman, Ash was less sure of herself, as she frequently “disappeared” during the big games in March. This year, Ash consistently impacted every game during the championship run with a combination of scoring, rebounding or defense.

Success breeds success. Having been a key factor in UConn’s championship season, Ashlynn’s confidence will be off the charts this coming season. Along with fellow returning champions, Azzi, Sarah, Jana, KK & Ice, UConn’s championship experience will be a formidable advantage against every other team that hopes to knock the Huskies off of the mountaintop.

 

[Bone Dog]

The other thing that changed significantly was Ashlynn’s play during March Madness. As a freshman, Ash was less sure of herself, as she frequently “disappeared” during the big games in March. This year, Ash consistently impacted every game during the championship run with a combination of scoring, rebounding or defense.

Success breeds success. Having been a key factor in UConn’s championship season, Ashlynn’s confidence will be off the charts this coming season. Along with fellow returning champions, Azzi, Sarah, Jana, KK & Ice, UConn’s championship experience will be a formidable advantage against every other team that hopes to knock the Huskies off of the mountaintop.

This is such an interesting question with regard to Ash. Lots of folks on the BY criticized her performance in big games late in her freshman season, and she didn't disappoint anyone this season, even in the tournament. But the circumstances were different between the two seasons. As a freshman, she was on a very short rotation and was the primary backcourt shooting threat after Paige. This made it easier for opponents to focus on her in order to isolate Paige. If they shut down Ash, then it's just a matter of contending with Paige and Aaliyah, and a consequence was that the two big stars often got quite tired vying the end of big games -- consider the second half of the games against Duke and USC that season. This season, with Azzi back and Sarah starting, Ash is became the 4th scoring option. Fatigue of the Big Three was no longer an issue and often Ash could only be lightly defended.

So, I don't know how much to attribute to Ash's improvement and maturity as a sophomore, and how much is just that opposing teams simply couldn't focus their defense on her. I imagine it's a combination of the two factors. Also, Ash's responsibilities on defense seemed to expand as a sophomore and she rose to meet new challenges as a rebounder and a deny/shutdown one-v-one defender.

Now, what does this suggest about next season? I'll expect the 3pt percentage to be the same (there's not a lot of room for improvement with a 40% shooter), but as she herself said, we may see more aggressiveness in seeking her own shot. I hope this means more midrange jumpers (she's great at those) but also more moves to the rim. She's a good finisher and such a great free throw shooter that driving the lane more is likely to be a net plus. I also suspect the rest of the lineup is going to be stronger, which means she'll have even more freedom to score and rebound. Paige is gone, but Azzi and Sarah are likely to be even better this season, and Serah will complement them really well. The 3 prongs of the offense last season were two guards and a forward. This season it looks to be two forwards and a guard supported by three more top level guards and 4 more top bigs. In that context, I expect Ash will thrive.

 

[oldude]

This is such an interesting question with regard to Ash. Lots of folks on the BY criticized her performance in big games late in her freshman season, and she didn't disappoint anyone this season, even in the tournament. But the circumstances were different between the two seasons. As a freshman, she was on a very short rotation and was the primary backcourt shooting threat after Paige. This made it easier for opponents to focus on her in order to isolate Paige. If they shut down Ash, then it's just a matter of contending with Paige and Aaliyah, and a consequence was that the two big stars often got quite tired vying the end of big games -- consider the second half of the games against Duke and USC that season. This season, with Azzi back and Sarah starting, Ash is became the 4th scoring option. Fatigue of the Big Three was no longer an issue and often Ash could only be lightly defended.

So, I don't know how much to attribute to Ash's improvement and maturity as a sophomore, and how much is just that opposing teams simply couldn't focus their defense on her. I imagine it's a combination of the two factors. Also, Ash's responsibilities on defense seemed to expand as a sophomore and she rose to meet new challenges as a rebounder and a deny/shutdown one-v-one defender.

Now, what does this suggest about next season? I'll expect the 3pt percentage to be the same (there's not a lot of room for improvement with a 40% shooter), but as she herself said, we may see more aggressiveness in seeking her own shot. I hope this means more midrange jumpers (she's great at those) but also more moves to the rim. She's a good finisher and such a great free throw shooter that driving the lane more is likely to be a net plus. I also suspect the rest of the lineup is going to be stronger, which means she'll have even more freedom to score and rebound. Paige is gone, but Azzi and Sarah are likely to be even better this season, and Serah will complement them really well. The 3 prongs of the offense last season were two guards and a forward. This season it looks to be two forwards and a guard supported by three more top level guards and 4 more top bigs. In that context, I expect Ash will thrive.

You’re point on Ash’s scoring is certainly valid. Hell, I could have hit a couple baskets a game if I was on the court with Paige, Azzi & Sarah.

But rebounding and defense are all about effort. Ash didn’t wait around to impact games. She charged into the trees to come down with key rebounds, got her hands in passing lanes, relentlessly bodied up opponents on defense and ran the court in transition at every opportunity.

Geno once stated, “At UConn we don’t teach effort!” Even for UConn, Ash’s effort this past year was extraordinary. Clearly, she bought into the adage that you don’t have to score to impact the game.

 

[Bigboote]

You’re point on Ash’s scoring is certainly valid. Hell, I could have hit a couple baskets a game if I was on the court with Paige, Azzi & Sarah.

But rebounding and defense are all about effort. Ash didn’t wait around to impact games. She charged into the trees to come down with key rebounds, got her hands in passing lanes, relentlessly bodied up opponents on defense and ran the court in transition at every opportunity.

Geno once stated, “At UConn we don’t teach effort!” Even for UConn, Ash’s effort this past year was extraordinary. Clearly, she bought into the adage that you don’t have to score to impact the game.

I love everything about this girl, but I think what I love the most is her attitude. I can imagine the conversation.

Geno: Ash, we’ll be asking you to come in off the bench.

Ash: Great, lemme know what you want me to do when I go in.

As the season went on, I was more and more amazed how much Ash and KK changed almost every game when they entered.

 

[Centerstream]

One of the many things that impressed me about Ashlynn's play last season was her ability to tie up an opponent to force, or almost force, a jump ball. This seemed to happen many times that the other team was attempting to get the rebound. Her grip on the ball was ferocious!
(I could be mistaken about the game, but I think her holding onto the ball while her opponent was grabbing her arm was one of last season's big late game plays. Not sure which game but she was impressive. If I to guess it was in one of the SoCar games because I can still picture Dawn arguing with the ref over the foul called on her player.)

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Her energy level and fearlessness is always top drawer.