UConn still the team to beat

[DeeHusky]

If Azzi is the best or second best player on the team next season, UConn will surely be the best team in all of WBB. Why?? Because I believe Evina, Williams, Paige, ONO and Edwards will be much improved. So in order to be the player you said she will be Fudd will have to be at least as good as Paige was this past season. That is not including Nika who should be playing at a much higher level also.

I forgot about Nika, that’s another guard who will be in front of them on the seniority rotation. There’s also Poffenbarger who does the same thing as Caroline. Minutes will be interesting this upcoming season. I’m not used to UConn having so much talent. For past several years, Geno only plays 6/7 players all year. Wonder if that changes.

 

[AmeriConn]

Understandable, since the Huskies had to rely so much on a trio of freshmen, a couple of inconsistent juniors, and another junior struggling to overcome injuries. That the team was able to perform at a high level for most of the year was a pleasant surprise to me.

Preach!

 

[Carnac]

Yeah that game at South Carolina next season is gonna be tough. Took everything Paige had plus OT to win in Storrs this past season. South Carolina is becoming the new top program. Dawn is one heck of a recruiter.

Whenever that game is played this coming season, the two programs should be ranked 1-2. I completely agree with Huskiemaniac: "Cardoso would have made UConn a better team. She makes S.C. a better team" However, I have no doubt that UConn will prevail this year in making it to the championship game, and hoisting the trophy.

I didn't think last year was UConn's year. They were too young and inexperienced. That won't be the case THIS year. I believe THIS is their year!! On you Huskys.

This was us last year:

This is us next season:

 

[hart2hart]

Jumpstart-Luckily for us Dorka committed to UConn. Watching clips, I like Dorka’s game much better.

 

[hoophuskee]

I forgot about Nika, that’s another guard who will be in front of them on the seniority rotation. There’s also Poffenbarger who does the same thing as Caroline. Minutes will be interesting this upcoming season. I’m not used to UConn having so much talent. For past several years, Geno only plays 6/7 players all year. Wonder if that changes.

I don't understand your pov at all. Below is your quote in bold. If Azzi is best and she is better than Paige who was the best player in WCBB - then it would mean UCONN has the 2 best players in WCBB. CWill and Evina are WNBA players. At Liv's very worst at least she's a very good defender. And AE is a better player than Liv. So with that - and even though Jorka who was all B1G in an apparently very good conference, are you disqualifying her? Otherwise UCONN has in the post very good player in AE and Jorka and very good defender in Liv. With the 2 best player's in WCBB, that's not enough to say that maybe they are at least even? SC didn't win last year either.

Or is it that Raven or one of their other frosh is just as good as Paige and Azzi that you'd call one of the frosh a top 5 National player?

Otherwise how can it be said undoubtedly SC is better? Is it that fans of UCONN that think SC is better because they believe that Boston is better than Bueckers? And even if Azzi is better than Bueckers or just as good-- are they thinking that Cardoso is no-doubt better than Azzi?

Although I do expect Azzi to be the best or second best player on team.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Or is it that Raven or one of their other frosh is just as good as Paige and Azzi that you'd call one of the frosh a top 5 National player?

Otherwise how can it be said undoubtedly SC is better? Is it that fans of UCONN that think SC is better because they believe that Boston is better than Bueckers? And even if Azzi is better than Bueckers or just as good-- are they thinking that Cardoso is no-doubt better than Azzi?

Although I do expect Azzi to be the best or second best player on team.

SC also has Saniya Rivers who some believe a better prospect than Azzi.

 

[DeeHusky]

I don't understand your pov at all. Below is your quote in bold. If Azzi is best and she is better than Paige who was the best player in WCBB - then it would mean UCONN has the 2 best players in WCBB. CWill and Evina are WNBA players. At Liv's very worst at least she's a very good defender. And AE is a better player than Liv. So with that - and even though Jorka who was all B1G in an apparently very good conference, are you disqualifying her? Otherwise UCONN has in the post very good player in AE and Jorka and very good defender in Liv. With the 2 best player's in WCBB, that's not enough to say that maybe they are at least even? SC didn't win last year either.

Or is it that Raven or one of their other frosh is just as good as Paige and Azzi that you'd call one of the frosh a top 5 National player?

Otherwise how can it be said undoubtedly SC is better? Is it that fans of UCONN that think SC is better because they believe that Boston is better than Bueckers? And even if Azzi is better than Bueckers or just as good-- are they thinking that Cardoso is no-doubt better than Azzi?

Although I do expect Azzi to be the best or second best player on team.

You don’t understand because you’re putting words in my mouth. Maybe you believe those things because nowhere did I mention SC or either of it’s players and say there were better.

 

[BostonBay]

SC & Stanford will be ranked ahead of UConn. They should be. Both teams have much better defenses & can score "easier" by using their defense to generate offense. UConn again will have to rely on their perimeter outside shooting to score - not easy to do in the FF. Again, they are not balanced. Grabbing Cardosa would have given them more balance - scoring easy buckets down low & forcing TOs on fast breaks. Instead, she tipped the scale heavily in SC's favor. I can see UConn having to beat Stanford in the semis & SC in the Finals next year - low odds.

 

[BBallF]

I have no doubt that we will get to another FF, this time from the Bridgeport Regional. It's the National Semis that I always worry about and this year will be no different.

Clearly, both UCONN and SC improved themselves under the basket with their respective new transfers. We will be able to answer many questions in the regular season but at the end of the day, it will be whether we play the same way we have played the last few years in the Semis or with the eye of the tiger.

No matter what happens, I believe this coming year will grow the sport more so than any recent year. People will want to see these great players and these very, very good teams play against each other. Maybe as an unintended consequence, the new transfer portal will actually draw more attention to the women's game because, despite the attempted mollifications of the protagonists of this new rule, the top tier of the game will significantly improve at the expense of those not there, who now have virtually no future chance of ever getting there themselves.

 

[wolfe613]

to quote Geno after one of the Uconn losses "It's ok for Uconn to have a bad game and for SC to have a great game, it's allowed to happen" It's ok that if South Carolina or Stanford are the favorite, it's not the end of the world. They both have earned the right this yr

 

[huskeynut]

UConn is probably one of three teams to beat. The other two are South Carolina and Stanford.

SC - with Cardoso, the are an improved team. Better than UConn - not yet. Dawn will have a big problem with playing Cardoso and Boston at the same time. Uonn leads the series 8 - 1.

Stanford - better and more versatile team than SC. Very similar to UConn. History - UConn leads the series 11 - 7.

So let the season begin.

 

[lebronfan23]

Before Azzi committed to UConn everyone was calling her the female Jordan and as soon she commits everyone starts talking as if she’s just an average player

 

[Dognusty]

SC & Stanford will be ranked ahead of UConn. They should be. Both teams have much better defenses & can score "easier" by using their defense to generate offense. UConn again will have to rely on their perimeter outside shooting to score - not easy to do in the FF. Again, they are not balanced. Grabbing Cardosa would have given them more balance - scoring easy buckets down low & forcing TOs on fast breaks. Instead, she tipped the scale heavily in SC's favor. I can see UConn having to beat Stanford in the semis & SC in the Finals next year - low odds.

I don't think you will get much agreement in this board. I actually think Stanford may be the most balanced team. I think both Uconn and SC have some questionable areas. Uconn the consistent post play hasn't always been there. For SC outside shooting hasn't been consistent. For me it's 1. Stanford 2. SC 3. Uconn.

 

[Dognusty]

Before Azzi committed to UConn everyone was calling her the female Jordan and as soon she commits everyone starts talking as if she’s just an average player

Major knee surgery is a big thing. Some players never get the confidence in there body after an injury. Hopefully she comes back strong as ever. I think one big thing she may struggle with in the beginning is the speed of the game being out for this long plus the restrictions of the pandemic,I think she may have some cobwebs to shake off.

 

[Littlemin]

Interesting viewpoints and back and forth but CWBB has certainly matured to the point where the “best team” is far from assured of anything in a one and done national tournament. Arizona certainly showed that this year.

 

[hoophuskee]

SC also has Saniya Rivers who some believe a better prospect than Azzi.

Sure my question to Dee - I'll put to you-- Dee said Azzi could be the best on the UCONN Team but even with that seemed to imply that SC was clear-cut number 1 (If I misconstrued that Dee I'm sorry - please let me know. Though it's why many of my comments to Dee were questions albeit leading ones. Though questions applicable to what I thought Dee meant.)

I said if Dee felt that Azzi was the best on UCONN it would mean Azzi and Paige would be the best 2 players on the floor. In italics and what I underline below I specifically asked if Dee thought that if one of the other frosh from SC could be top 5 Nationally top 5. At that point I can probably understand a confident view that SC would be the top program (as long as the gap between 1vs 5 was not large).

So are you saying that if Dee's post is correct that Azzi becomes the best player on UCONN (barring injury) that you fully expect Rivers to be top 5 Notionally? If not, then your post to me is completely irrelevant because I was addressing Dee's POV that EVEN IF Azzi is (i.e. better than Paige.) is better than Paige that SC would still be so clear number 1. So I asked if any frosh would be top 5 Nationally. My questions and reply was specific to Dee's prior post.

Or is it that Raven or one of their other frosh is just as good as Paige and Azzi that you'd call one of the frosh a top 5 National player?

 

[hoophuskee]

I don't think you will get much agreement in this board. I actually think Stanford may be the most balanced team. I think both Uconn and SC have some questionable areas. Uconn the consistent post play hasn't always been there. For SC outside shooting hasn't been consistent. For me it's 1. Stanford 2. SC 3. Uconn.

Why do you think with AE - for what she showed as a frosh and for what Jorka showed in a very good B1G conference, that UCONN does not have a post game?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Sure my question to Dee - I'll put to you-- Dee said Azzi could be the best on the UCONN Team but even with that seemed to imply that SC was clear-cut number 1 (If I misconstrued that Dee I'm sorry - please let me know. Though it's why many of my comments to Dee were questions albeit leading ones. Though questions applicable to what I thought Dee meant.)

I said if Dee felt that Azzi was the best on UCONN it would mean Azzi and Paige would be the best 2 players on the floor. In italics and what I underline below I specifically asked if Dee thought that if one of the other frosh from SC could be top 5 Nationally top 5. At that point I can probably understand a confident view that SC would be the top program (as long as the gap between 1vs 5 was not large).

So are you saying that if Dee's post is correct that Azzi becomes the best player on UCONN (barring injury) that you fully expect Rivers to be top 5 Notionally? If not, then your post to me is completely irrelevant because I was addressing Dee's POV that EVEN IF Azzi is (i.e. better than Paige.) is better than Paige that SC would still be so clear number 1. So I asked if any frosh would be top 5 Nationally. My questions and reply was specific to Dee's prior post.

Or is it that Raven or one of their other frosh is just as good as Paige and Azzi that you'd call one of the frosh a top 5 National player?

I believe Paige is the better of the two. While I think Azzi has a chance to be great at some point, maybe soon, I wanna see how close to 100% she is when she arrives. The question about Azzi is the same as it was about Paige and about other great prospects: when will they become impactful?

But Rivers can't be left out of the equation anymore than Fudd can with the same question pending.

 

[Cuango]

The most puzzling thing about this whole Cardosa/o situation is the assumption by most on this board that it is some kind of failure on Geno’s part that she is not now a Husky. As I recall, most here believed that she was actively wanting to come to UConn. If that is/was true, then it follows that she was turned down (or not offered). Yet no one seems to want to address that possibility. Instead, it is “a disaster”, a failure on Geno’s part, “a game changer” ! It seems very likely to me that she either was not offered or ( if she was approached) that she was not (for unknown reasons) open to the opportunity that was presented to her. Either way, it has probably worked out best for all involved. I, for one, think that this coming season is the beginning of another long (2-5 seasons) period of dominance by UConn! While it is true there are two other monster teams and 2-4 very good teams out there, I am confident that, five years from now we will not be looking at 11 championships. Imo, we have struggled (UConn standards) since our last true Alpha (Stewart) left. We now have (at least one, possibly more) another true Alpha surrounded by the right mix of other players and I believe we will see the results of that beginning next season.

 

[FridaFriend]

With regard to height, arguably the best women's college basketball team ever was the 2001-2002 UCONN team of Bird, Taurasi, Cash, Williams, and Jones. Their heights were 5'9", 6'1", 6'2", 6'2", and 6'2". Just sayin'.

 

[Huskie02]

With all thats been going on win WCBB imo UConn is still the team to beat. UConn is loaded and they have 3 HS number 1 guards and a number 2 HS guard. There has been alot of fans upset we didnt get Cardoso. Hey it wouldve been great to have a 6'7 post player but its better to have what we have in the long run. If she came whoat wouldve happened with our other bigs???? We're loaded with bigs who can play and with our freshman and incoming class next season well I like where we are right now with depth and the spacing of bigs.

If you look at past UConn teams we won with great guard/ perimeter play for the most part. Some fans are abscessed with height. I will take Diana and Sue and Paige Azzi Christyn Nika and Evina in a minute over taller players. A couple of thoughts. Guards dont get in as much foul trouble as bigs. Bigs have a tendency to get into foul trouble more. Bigs dont score as much as good guards and perimeter players. Now there are exceptions. UConn is loaded for the next few seasons. So are SC and Stanford. With Paige Azzi and Caroline, there isnt a team in WCBB with a backcourt that comes close to them with the ability to score. UConn will put on a show this season. As good and as loaded as UConn is and the talent is off the charts as is the potential I dont think we can loose barring injuries.

There's been alot of complaining and frustration about height. Well we are 6'5 6'5 6'5 6'4. Now Liv imo will be a much improved scorer this season. Dorka will be another version of Edwards/Thor(thanks Milford Husky and we have Amari a freshman and Piath who will gain experience and both will see more minutes as the season moves into February. Then we've got the best backcourt in WCBB. Maybe I see things differently then some of you. UConn is really really really good and I dont think there is a team in WCBB that can beat them.

Now the argument will be well SC is 6'7 and 6'5 and Stanford will be 6'7 6'5 and they have a great incoming classes to. I have to agree theyre really good. Hey we beat SC last season with a team that was lead by underclassman. Now SC got Cardoso, Stanford got Betts and UConn got Fudd and company. Fudd has been said to be a generational player and she is. Paige is NPOY and NFOY. Its gonna be a show and both are great shooters scorers and unselfish players. BTW my cousin played against Paige in HS and played with Azzi in her backyard. My cousin Sara Scalia is a soph who plays for Minnesota and starts as a sophomore. She too is a great shooter and flew under the radar during the recruiting process. My cousins say Azzi is on a level like Maya Moore. Now think about this. We know who great Paige is and add Azzi and Caroline in the mix. In addition we are big inside with strength and depth. I remember watching Diana and how she lead her team against a very big Tenn team and we have 2 players in Paige and Azzi who are much like Diana. I have no worries. Yeah we may not win every game by 40 pts and maybe not every game by double digits but we're gonna win and we're gonna be in the FF again and again and again.

When you get to the tourney you need a 6’7” post player ala kara wothers. she was big and took up a lot of space in the lane and could make layups unlike some of our current players. Both men and women college players seem to be getting bigger and stronger each year. Even at 6’5” liv has trouble against the best posts. Next year you will need to contend with Cardosa and a loaded South Carolina team. The year after its Betts and Brink at Stanford plus Cardosa and team at South Carolin. While UConn has some great recruits coming in this year and next and a terrific transfer in Dorka, they are still in that 6’2” to 6’4” mold. They are basically giving up 3 to 5 inches. If we are to win another championship we need a bigger post presence.

 

[Dognusty]

Why do you think with AE - for what she showed as a frosh and for what Jorka showed in a very good B1G conference, that UCONN does not have a post game?

AE played well nothing to make a big splash about. I thought she show flashes, but like I said it was much to sway me to a point to say post play was consistently good. Ono had some terrible games. Dorka did well and maybe she will give more consistency to the post. But that still has to be proven on the court in a Uconn uniform. I would say the same for SC Johnson and Rivers on paper should upgrade the backcourt for SC, but that isn't proven at this point so until results are show its a question mark. Stanford has shown better balance with the proven players they have coming back.

 

[hoophuskee]

AE played well nothing to make a big splash about. I thought she show flashes, but like I said it was much to sway me to a point to say post play was consistently good. Ono had some terrible games. Dorka did well and maybe she will give more consistency to the post. But that still has to be proven on the court in a Uconn uniform. I would say the same for SC Johnson and Rivers on paper should upgrade the backcourt for SC, but that isn't proven at this point so until results are show its a question mark. Stanford has shown better balance with the proven players they have coming back.

I'm not quite certain what you are saying about AE and Jorka. So please don't take offense. I'm asking--

You are saying AE didn't play very well overall? And you don't expect her to improve much either to give you any confidence that UCONN will have a post game? ?
And you are saying you have little expectation for Jorka?

Yet many have high expectation for Carodso? Sure Cardoso is better but Jorka being all B1G - even though the B1G showed it was a very good conference - you have little to no expectation for her?

So for you and anyone that agrees with you- I am just asking this -- we slam UCONN for being in the Big East. Then when we get a very good performer from the P5 conference in which that conference showed itself well- but yet we can't make assumptions that that player will be good?

 

[DeeHusky]

Sure my question to Dee - I'll put to you-- Dee said Azzi could be the best on the UCONN Team but even with that seemed to imply that SC was clear-cut number 1 (If I misconstrued that Dee I'm sorry - please let me know. Though it's why many of my comments to Dee were questions albeit leading ones. Though questions applicable to what I thought Dee meant.)

I said if Dee felt that Azzi was the best on UCONN it would mean Azzi and Paige would be the best 2 players on the floor. In italics and what I underline below I specifically asked if Dee thought that if one of the other frosh from SC could be top 5 Nationally top 5. At that point I can probably understand a confident view that SC would be the top program (as long as the gap between 1vs 5 was not large).

So are you saying that if Dee's post is correct that Azzi becomes the best player on UCONN (barring injury) that you fully expect Rivers to be top 5 Notionally? If not, then your post to me is completely irrelevant because I was addressing Dee's POV that EVEN IF Azzi is (i.e. better than Paige.) is better than Paige that SC would still be so clear number 1. So I asked if any frosh would be top 5 Nationally. My questions and reply was specific to Dee's prior post.

Or is it that Raven or one of their other frosh is just as good as Paige and Azzi that you'd call one of the frosh a top 5 National player?

I’m not sure I follow your question but I will answer it to the best of my ability. Azzi Fudd, in my opinion, has the ability to be a generational talent because of her fundamentally sound game and her ability to make almost every shot she takes. With that being said, I believe she has the ability to be the best or second best(after Paige) on the UConn squad. Now will that happen? There’s no way to know that until she is on the floor in a uniform.

Now, there is a where I’m a little confused with your question. How does what I said above mean that she will be better than Rivers or Johnson(S. Carolina prospects?)— I don’t know how that became a part of the discussion of what I mentioned above or implies that the aforementioned players are better. But what I will say is that, they are highly ranked players in their class and among the best in the top 5 of that particular class, however they are not generational talents like Paige, Azzi, Boston. I don’t know how much they’ll even play considering what’s in front of them in the guards/wings spots at South Carolina until they are in Uniform.

 

[BBallF]

With regard to height, arguably the best women's college basketball team ever was the 2001-2002 UCONN team of Bird, Taurasi, Cash, Williams, and Jones. Their heights were 5'9", 6'1", 6'2", 6'2", and 6'2". Just sayin'.

But Liv has not been a Tamika, a Swin or a Jones, and especially not in big games, like the last one where she was 0-7. The Oklahoma team we beat in the Finals in 2002 had one 6'3'' player although the Tennessee team we beat in the semis had two 6'5" players. I don't think it is height, which is still an important factor, as much as it is strength, athleticism and power. Dorka is a big addition in that regard and she is an experienced player as well. We didn't lose the Arizona game underneath the basket, we lost it everywhere. The fact that we will have 3 seniors next year starting, yes I am assuming Evina, CW and Liv will start, is a fact not to be underestimated.

 

[Aluminny69]

With regard to height, arguably the best women's college basketball team ever was the 2001-2002 UCONN team of Bird, Taurasi, Cash, Williams, and Jones. Their heights were 5'9", 6'1", 6'2", 6'2", and 6'2". Just sayin'.

Remind me, who was the best center they had to compete against? How tall was she? How did they do against the center from Notre Dame?

 

[Dognusty]

I'm not quite certain what you are saying about AE and Jorka. So please don't take offense. I'm asking--

You are saying AE didn't play very well overall? And you don't expect her to improve much either to give you any confidence that UCONN will have a post game? ?
And you are saying you have little expectation for Jorka?

Yet many have high expectation for Carodso? Sure Cardoso is better but Jorka being all B1G - even though the B1G showed it was a very good conference - you have little to no expectation for her?

So for you and anyone that agrees with you- I am just asking this -- we slam UCONN for being in the Big East. Then when we get a very good performer from the P5 conference in which that conference showed itself well- but yet we can't make assumptions that that player will be good?

Jorka played well but to assume that the same numbers will translate over to Uconn is unknown and sometimes those numbers do not. Two different systems and the focus of the offense may put her way down in the pecking order. My question is will she fill the need for Uconn? We do not know that. It's all speculation. I have no clue how Cardoso will work, but that isn't a limitation of SC they already have proven good and consistent interior play,. You have to question if Johnson and Rivers will bring consistency and depth to the backcourt. Both questions are unknown. Maybe AE steps up big this season. Last season she showed flashes. Maybe she and jorka can bring some consistency to the post play. Right now everyone is speculating that they will. Ono doesn't seem to be the answer and was a liability moreso at times last year.

 

[BBallF]

I'm not quite certain what you are saying about AE and Jorka. So please don't take offense. I'm asking--

You are saying AE didn't play very well overall? And you don't expect her to improve much either to give you any confidence that UCONN will have a post game? ?
And you are saying you have little expectation for Jorka?

Yet many have high expectation for Carodso? Sure Cardoso is better but Jorka being all B1G - even though the B1G showed it was a very good conference - you have little to no expectation for her?

So for you and anyone that agrees with you- I am just asking this -- we slam UCONN for being in the Big East. Then when we get a very good performer from the P5 conference in which that conference showed itself well- but yet we can't make assumptions that that player will be good?

First of all, Dorka is good and if anyone watched any film of her you would see that she is strong and has versatility including a better 3 point shot than Liv.

Second, AE had a great freshman year but it was freshman year and she will only get better and stronger and we just have to wait to see the extent of any improvement. Another year can mean a lot for both power and speed.

Third, this whole thread has reminded me of the wistful longing for something or somebody lost. It or they is always better in memory. Is Cardoso good? Yes. Is she great? No, not yet anyway. Even up right now, I take Dorka. Better team player above all else and a UCONN type player. Finally, you can try to double Paige or Azzi but that leaves the other one open. So would you want a better shooter than Paige on the court with her at key times? Azzi is. Barring injury or residuals, she comes in as the best high school girls shooter I have ever seen. Ducharme is a great shooter too but I fret over her release against bigger, faster stronger defenders.

 

[hoophuskee]

I’m not sure I follow your question but I will answer it to the best of my ability. Azzi Fudd, in my opinion, has the ability to be a generational talent because of her fundamentally sound game and her ability to make almost every shot she takes. With that being said, I believe she has the ability to be the best or second best(after Paige) on the UConn squad. Now will that happen? There’s no way to know that until she is on the floor in a uniform.

Now, there is a where I’m a little confused with your question. How does what I said above mean that she will be better than Rivers or Johnson(S. Carolina prospects?)— I don’t know how that became a part of the discussion of what I mentioned above or implies that the aforementioned players are better. But what I will say is that, they are highly ranked players in their class and among the best in the top 5 of that particular class, however they are not generational talents like Paige, Azzi, Boston. I don’t know how much they’ll even play considering what’s in front of them in the guards/wings spots at South Carolina until they are in Uniform.

Please don't take this as a slam. Not even an iota. I love your posts on here. And no way even if we wind up disagreeing no way am I slamming. I'm not going to get worked up over pre-season 6 months away from games. And if I'm wrong with you or anyone else here lately that's fine too. I've been wrong 1,000 times before. I enjoy the discussion.

If Paige is number 1 and you are acknowledging that she is generational, then if this upcoming season Azzi becomes the number 1,- then can't we assume for pre-season discussion purposes, that Paige and Azzi are better than all of the SC players including all the freshmen?

I only brought-up the SC frosh in case you felt for example that if Raven or Rivers was generational too.

If they are not generational and Azzi and Paige are playing like they are generational, then how is it that SC is undoubtedly stronger? That's what I was confused on from your posts. We'd have two generational players (when you said if Azzi was the best on the team), and a lot of support for them too. Give "generational" players support- you have manufactured a wild beast.

 

[Dognusty]

First of all, Dorka is good and if anyone watched any film of her you would see that she is strong and has versatility including a better 3 point shot than Liv.

Second, AE had a great freshman year but it was freshman year and she will only get better and stronger and we just have to wait to see the extent of any improvement. Another year can mean a lot for both power and speed.

Third, this whole thread has reminded me of the wistful longing for something or somebody lost. It or they is always better in memory. Is Cardoso good? Yes. Is she great? No, not yet anyway. Even up right now, I take Dorka. Better team player above all else and a UCONN type player. Finally, you can try to double Paige or Azzi but that leaves the other one open. So would you want a better shooter than Paige on the court with her at key times? Azzi is. Barring injury or residuals, she comes in as the best high school girls shooter I have ever seen. Ducharme is a great shooter too but I fret over her release against bigger, faster stronger defenders.

I agree with you on some points. Ive been saying who knows who is going to be better Dorka or Cardoso. I think Cardoso doesn't have to be that good next year because you have Boston and some solid post players. I think for Uconn to be a really great team Dorka has to be much better than Ono was in big games. This is the question mark. We will see once she hits the court.