UConn still the team to beat

[Bald Husky]

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?

Jane Appel from Stanford, and oh yea, some girl from Baylor named Giner.

 

[HuskyNan]

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?

Dorka Dorka Dorka

 

[hoophuskee]

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.

But it doesn't have to be "the same." And she is is going to have a lot less attention paid to her.

I'll just say we can agree to disagree. I think without question she can and will fill a need for UCONN regardless of the pecking order. I fully expect her to be a 4-6th option. I cannot assume a title. But I will assume a definite low post game though if SC goes twin towers - can't have a conventional low post game.

Having Paige as the number 1 player in wcbb, and having Azzi as projected to be the shooter she is- and from what I've seen a little on tape and read about Dorka and what I've seen from AE - I fully expect a low post game. But the low post game is not as great as the perimeter game. The perimeter game is the strength vs the elite teams. .

 

[hoophuskee]

Dorka Dorka Dorka

Sorry!!!!

 

[DeeHusky]

Jane Appel from Stanford, and oh yea, some girl from Baylor named Giner.

I think those players are at least/almost 10 yrs older than Appel and Griner

 

[HuskyNan]

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?

The best center was Chantelle Anderson, 6-6, Vandy. 2x AP, USBWA, and Kodak ALL-American, 3x Naismith POY finalist, ESPN 2002 Center of the Year

Others on the schedule that season:
Candace Sutton, 6-6; Jenni Laaksonen, 6-3, North Carolina
LaChina Robinson, Wake Forest, 6-4
Ayana Walker, 6-3 AP All American HM; Takeisha Lewis, 6-2; Cheryl Ford, 6-3, AP All American HM, LA Tech
Michelle Snow, 6-5, Tennessee (twice)
Amanda Barksdale, 6-3, Notre Dame
Kim Mackie, 6-3, Boston College (twice)

Since the team was 39-0, I’m guessing they did pretty well against the big girls

 

[Jim R]

JimR-I’m not looking to the next two or three years. I’m looking at next year. I’d rather have Dorka than Cardoso. Oh and BTW, how many championships did Griner win? What’s her height again? Just saying.........

I would agree👍🏻

 

[Cuango]

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.

My question is this: when is Boston going to live up to the “generational talent” label that people have been attaching to her since she was in high school. Clearly she has not lived up to it yet. Maybe next year?

 

[wolfe613]

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.

until Fudd plays the word "generational" should not even be considered, that term gets used way too much now as if every year that happens.

 

[DeeHusky]

My question is this: when is Boston going to live up to the “generational talent” label that people have been attaching to her since she was in high school. Clearly she has not lived up to it yet. Maybe next year?

Already has. I don’t know where you been living.

 

[CocoHusky]

My question is this: when is Boston going to live up to the “generational talent” label that people have been attaching to her since she was in high school. Clearly she has not lived up to it yet. Maybe next year?

The answer is your observation is erroneous AKA WAY OFF. Absolutely NOBODY was touting Boston as a "generational talent" when she was in high school. She never even achieved #1 in the class. NONE of the South Carolina fans that post here EVER described her as such. One BY person @BostonBay use that term to describe Boston probably because he was salty about her going to South Carolina. Boston has achieved being the best post player in the Country and AA status as a sophomore. There is no "wait till next year" for her -She is actually getting it done!

 

[DeeHusky]

until Fudd plays the word "generational" should not even be considered, that term gets used way too much now as if every year that happens.

Well adjust your eyes and ears if you feel it’s been used too much, I can’t help you with that. Fudd is a generational talent, if she doesn’t live up to it then so be it, but for right now my opinion stands

 

[JonathanXIV]

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.

Can South Carolina actually win something before we crown them the “new top program?”

 

[wolfe613]

Well adjust your eyes and ears if you feel it’s been used too much, I can’t help you with that. Fudd is a generational talent, if she doesn’t live up to it then so be it, but for right now my opinion stands

I won't jump to conclusions like that until she plays in college, I see many hs players that are labeled great and then flame out in College and mostly are due to believing their own hype or maybe the pressure got to them hearing so much what they were going to be

 

[CocoHusky]

Can South Carolina actually win something before we crown them the “new top program?”

South Carolina has won a championship more recently than UCONN- that count for anything?

 

[donalddoowop]

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.

No, that is not true. UConn needs a better post presence.

 

[DeeHusky]

I won't jump to conclusions like that until she plays in college, I see many hs players that are labeled great and then flame out in College and mostly are due to believing their own hype or maybe the pressure got to them hearing so much what they were going to be

I agree. However, there are players that can play across periods of time and sustain a high level of play regardless of age. That’s what I consider generational talent. You can see that about them before they get to college. There’s great, legendary, then there’s supernova. You can just tell the difference. Moore, Parker, Paige, Azzi, Taurasi, Stewart, Griner, Delle Donne, Wilson...and more(please don’t tell me who I didn’t list)—she won the Gatorade NPOY as a SOPHOMORE. Do you know how many good juniors and seniors she beat out for that award in that year?

 

[BobbyJ]

Already has. I don’t know where you been living.

Breanna Stewart wants to know why the bar for a “generational talent” has been lowered so much. She’s noticed that all you have to do now is average double figures in Pts. and Reb. for a very good team and you’re in.

 

[hoophuskee]

The answer is your observation is erroneous AKA WAY OFF. Absolutely NOBODY was touting Boston as a "generational talent" when she was in high school. She never even achieved #1 in the class. NONE of the South Carolina fans that post here EVER described her as such. One BY person @BostonBay use that term to describe Boston probably because he was salty about her going to South Carolina. Boston has achieved being the best post player in the Country and AA status as a sophomore. There is no "wait till next year" for her -She is actually getting it done!

This may be true but it really doesn't match the tone of Cuango's comments imo. Paige is a generational talent yet you still have media sources spouting Boston is better. I don't think it is then unreasonable to assume some are putting Boston as "generational" even if we can't find a specific post here on the BY. And imo that was Cuango's point.

I guess he said High school and that's correct Boston was not thought of as a generational in H/S as he mentioned/implies whatever. SO sure. But to take the next step when he asks the question "what year will she be" - there are opinions that Boston is better right now as of this moment. Faulty that they may be.

What makes this fun is that I'm sure there are many boneyarders here that favor the low post game. If they favor the low post game I'm sure there would be some out there that outwardly or inwardly believe Boston is better. To those that do, they would believe Boston is "generational" wouldn't they?

And we know some posters on here love love low post basketball over perimeter hoop.

 

[DeeHusky]

Breanna Stewart wants to know why the bar for a “generational talent” has been lowered so much. She’s noticed that all you have to do now is average double figures in Pts. and Reb. for a very good team and you’re in.

Had Boston been playing for UConn you all the other Boston haters would be singing a different tune and that tune would probably be as loud and obnoxious as I think opera is

 

[chrissaran]

You forget Britney Griner her freshman year. When we faced them in the tournament, Tina ran Britney to death. She even asked Kim if she could come out of the game. Kim said no; we need you in there. Dorka is the better player than Cardoso by a lot. She can shoot the three, the two, she can drive to the basket, she rebounds and plays D. Azzi, Caroline, Amari and Saylor will all contribute to UConn. Geno has to give them a chance and not get frustrated to where he's not going to play them. Going undefeated is almost impossible. Time to start working on depth, so UConn can run other teams off the court.

 

[hoophuskee]

Had Boston been playing for UConn you all the other Boston haters would be singing a different tune and that tune would probably be as loud and obnoxious as I think opera is

Many would be on the hate club if Boston didn't win a championship! Right?

 

[BobbyJ]

Had Boston been playing for UConn you all the other Boston haters would be singing a different tune and that tune would probably be as loud and obnoxious as I think opera is

You should contact ESPN about starting a new yearly award. They could call it the Top Ten New Generational Players. But to get more people involved a player can only win it once to be more inclusionary.

 

[DeeHusky]

You should contact ESPN about starting a new yearly award. They could call it the Top Ten New Generational Players. But to get more people involved a player can only win it once to be more inclusionary.

You should stop hating and accept that great players can play for other teams. Hating is not good for the heart.

 

[BobbyJ]

You should stop hating and accept that great players can play for other teams. Hating is not good for the heart.

I can see that you’re covering for the fact that you didn’t even understand what I wrote. Sorry it went right over your head.

 

[sivad40]

Breanna Stewart wants to know why the bar for a “generational talent” has been lowered so much. She’s noticed that all you have to do now is average double figures in Pts. and Reb. for a very good team and you’re in.

Are you sure that you're really talking about yourself and not Stewart?

 

[DeeHusky]

I can see that you’re covering for the fact that you didn’t even understand what I wrote. Sorry it went right over your head.

Have a good night. Pray about it.

 

[DeeHusky]

Are you sure that you're really talking about yourself and not Stewart?

Right

 

[Cuango]

An inch or two isn't going to make a difference-when you are Morgan Tuck. To paraphrase Rick Pitino "Morgan Tuck is not coming through the door". If you think we have a player in the front court capable of playing even close to Morgan Tuck ability please peep me to to her because I haven't seen it.
What is mostly out of proportion to reality is you invoking Griner's name. Reality is that South Carolina added a terrific 6'7" post player to go along with the best post player in all of WCBB.

I guess I just don’t understand the pedestal that people keep putting these two players (especially Boston) on. Boston’s career stats are 13 ppg, 10 rbds, 1 assts while shooting 24% on threes.That is over her first two seasons. Cardoso averaged 13, 8, and 1 while shooting (and missing) one three in her only season. Furthermore, Boston’s shooting percentage went from .608 last year to .485 this past season. Now clearly she is a good post player but I just don’t see the “generational” player that so many are raving about. Perhaps I’m missing something, but I just think it’s ludicrous that she (Boston) was rated higher than Paige. Nalyssa either, for that matter, though she imo is closer to Paige than Boston. Of course, the list was from ESPN, not exactly known for objectivity. As for Cardoso, I certainly would agree that she has a lot of potential and is perhaps terrific, but I doubt that many coaches would say more so than Azzi and certainly not more than Paige, who has already banked a far superior season. I’m sincerely puzzled about this so if anyone out there can explain why Boston is “generational” I’m all ears. I mean, Caitlin Clark blew Boston out of the water statistically and produced a freshman season for the ages and is two places behind her! ESPN is a joke and is hemorrhaging credibility daily!

 

[Bajan Best]

Late to this party, but might as well add my two cents worth...

Look, with regards to Cardoso Camillia possibly making UConn a better team next year if she came to UConn, apparently, Geno and his staff didn't think so and I agree with them totally. The Transfer we currently have gives us way more options, which is absolutely better for our style of play.

Boston is a good player at her position, But I have been saying now for years that she has under-achieved in my opinion, based solely on her numbers. just not that impressive to me, I know many have a different opinion but oh well, I'm sticking to my assessment. One of the preseason player of the year candidates going in an un-injured to the best of my knowledge ended up being average at best which opened the door for two freshmen to contend for player of the year honors..

If Geno doesn't win next year with not one but two "Generational PLayers" on his team when none of the other teams have a single generational player on theirs, plus the envious collection of talented players to accompany those two, he should be fired for goodness sake... What else does the best coach to play the sport need to win it all? UCONN has to be favored, anything else just doesn't make sense. NO disrespect to the other teams but not winning the NC next year would be a huge disappointment to the program, me and most likely Geno himself..