UConn will be fine

[Bigboote]

Great to have a fresh dose of Tonyc sunshine. I will offer this up as a recipe for UConn to get back to another FF. With Nika, Aaliyah, a healthy Aubrey and 2 physically gifted freshmen UConn has the potential to be a brutally tough defensive team, not even considering the contributions of Dorka, Azzi, Caroline, Lou & Amari It may not always be pretty, but UConn will field a team capable of “winning ugly” against any team in the country.

I looked up where UConn was ranked in scoring defense for the last several years. Been between 10 and 20 for a few years. Before that, around top 10. The last couple of Stewie-Moriah-Tuck years, #1.

UConn has a couple of incredible offensive talents in Azzi and Caroline, and they should have a good inside-out attack with the four trees, plus a lot of second-chance points with Aubrey and the trees. But Geno et al. always spend a lot of time working the kids on defense, and I'm with OD in thinking that's where they'll need to win games.

I also have a Tonyc-type optimism that the offense will surprise some people.

 

[Bone Dog]

Stanford shot 2 for 16 they just couldn't shoot. Probably worn out from Texas game.

Yup. The team playing defense against them had nothing to do with it. That's the way it always is.

 

[socal613ws]

Yup. The team playing defense against them had nothing to do with it. That's the way it always is.

if you watched the game Stanford had really clean looks from 3pt line and even jumpers, I even think Geno said postgame the team got lucky on some of the shots Stanford usually hits.

 

[Bone Dog]

if you watched the game Stanford had really clean looks from 3pt line and even jumpers, I even think Geno said postgame the team got lucky on some of the shots Stanford usually hits.

Geno was being kind. Yes, they missed a few open shots, but they looked rushed and out of sorts all game, and folded under the pressure. That's what it means to miss shots you normally make. Either the opposing defense forced the misses, or the team choked. Not Haley Jones, of course -- nothing seems to faze her! But I'll go with the generous reading of Stanford's play: the Huskies played great D.

And, hey, Stanford played good D, too, and we missed some open looks and made some mistakes, especially in the 4th quarter -- that muffed inbounds pass between Evina and Aaliyah, the missed pass from Evina to Christyn on the break, and Azzi's turnover on the inbounds play. And even with those mistakes, we still won. My image of the game, looking back on it now: Azzi sinking the free throws at the end. That's a freshman for you!

 

[TeamFirst!]

Nika's going to get the bulk of time at the PG position right? Which is a big step down from Paige and it basically triples the PT I projected for Nika. Everyone will say I'm crazy for saying Azzi at PG makes some sense, because she's a clear shooting guard, but if you study her game she 1) makes very few errors and 2) she has a great Rori Harmon type pullup game. Maybe not as quick as Rori but she has more size, can hit a pull up jumper and she penetrates more than Nika.

Our best team lineup at this point probably has Azzi at PG with Lou and Caroline at the wings. OK, lots of people will disagree and I get it. I'm just a proponent of putting the best 5 on the floor generally and a penetrating point guard is a tremendous asset. Nika is not a penetrating point guard. It's not like Azzi is unaware of the point position. She had the ball in her hands A LOT in AAU. She can create her shot and distribute. I think Geno should at least consider it.

 

[socal613ws]

n

Geno was being kind. Yes, they missed a few open shots, but they looked rushed and out of sorts all game, and folded under the pressure. That's what it means to miss shots you normally make. Either the opposing defense forced the misses, or the team choked. Not Haley Jones, of course -- nothing seems to faze her! But I'll go with the generous reading of Stanford's play: the Huskies played great D.

And, hey, Stanford played good D, too, and we missed some open looks and made some mistakes, especially in the 4th quarter -- that muffed inbounds pass between Evina and Aaliyah, the missed pass from Evina to Christyn on the break, and Azzi's turnover on the inbounds play. And even with those mistakes, we still won. My image of the game, looking back on it now: Azzi sinking the free throws at the end. That's a freshman for you!

no what won them the game was Evina Westbrook hitting 3's, she had gone a span of 0-15 from 3 and I think Stanford said if she beats us from 3 so be it, and it happened.

 

[Bone Dog]

Our best team lineup at this point probably has Azzi at PG with Lou and Caroline at the wings. OK, lots of people will disagree and I get it. I'm just a proponent of putting the best 5 on the floor generally and a penetrating point guard is a tremendous asset. Nika is not a penetrating point guard. It's not like Azzi is unaware of the point position. She had the ball in her hands A LOT in AAU. She can create her shot and distribute. I think Geno should at least consider it.

I think you're right about Azzi at point guard. The time will probably be split between Nika and Azzi. But Azzi can contribute from either guard position, and Nika can't really. This means Azzi is likely to be on the floor for 35 mins/game, with 10-15 of that at point guard.

For at least some of the 20-25 mins Nika is on the floor, I wouldn't be surprised to see Geno go with his pressing D team -- Nika, Azzi, Caroline, Aubrey, Aaliyah.

When it's Azzi at point guard, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit of the perimeter team -- Azzi, Caroline, Lou, Ayanna, Dorka.

Of course, we'll also see a lot of the "standard" lineup -- Nika, Azzi, Caroline, Aaliyah, Dorka. This is the lineup where Amari and Ice will see most of their time as subs.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Lou is really almost limited to being a shooting guard but she has a averaged around 40% from 3 for the last 3 years in a row as the primary scoring threat on her team. She’s very experienced as a catch and shoot, shoot off screen type of player. She can fill the role Azzi had last year very well. Caroline is a clear 3. A strong case could be made that Azzi maximizes her potential in basketball if she develops as a point guard. She’s kind of a 3 point specialist now with average D. She can become more. Let’s give her the opportunity. For this team to be great maybe it needs to become Azzi’s team with Azzi at the point. I’m not saying she dominates the team for it to be great but a lot of teams have made it all the way to the finals really with just one great player ( Larry Bird in college, Danny Manning …etc). Maybe we need find an even better way for Azzi to create offense than we got from her last year. I think Rori Harmon is the model. The entire Texas team revolved around Rori creating offense.

 

[hoophuskee]

Geno was being kind. Yes, they missed a few open shots, but they looked rushed and out of sorts all game, and folded under the pressure. That's what it means to miss shots you normally make. Either the opposing defense forced the misses, or the team choked. Not Haley Jones, of course -- nothing seems to faze her! But I'll go with the generous reading of Stanford's play: the Huskies played great D.

And, hey, Stanford played good D, too, and we missed some open looks and made some mistakes, especially in the 4th quarter -- that muffed inbounds pass between Evina and Aaliyah, the missed pass from Evina to Christyn on the break, and Azzi's turnover on the inbounds play. And even with those mistakes, we still won. My image of the game, looking back on it now: Azzi sinking the free throws at the end. That's a freshman for you!

Great post.

 

[Bone Dog]

Maybe we need find an even better way for Azzi to create offense than we got from her last year. I think Rori Harmon is the model. The entire Texas team revolved around Rori creating offense.

This is a good take on the possibilities. The comparison to Harmon is an interesting one -- she's at least a half-step quicker than Azzi, though she's not the shooter (or rim finisher) Azzi is. But speed counts for a lot, as does chutzpah, which Harmon has by the truckload. Azzi could learn something from her example.

I also wonder where Lou can play. As you say, shooting guard seems like a natural fit. She's 'nominally' long enough to play the wing, though she may not be physically assertive enough for that spot... yet. If she discovers a love for cutting into the lane on rebounds and pic-n-rolls, she may earn some time at that spot, too.

 

[TeamFirst!]

It would seem likely that the plan going into this year was to have Caroline and Lou as the primary 3 slot but I think Geno had Lou in mind to run some of the same plays Paige was given as well. The plan was for Lou to spell Paige, Azzi and Caroline.

I just don't see Caroline or Lou as the PG. It really needs to be Azzi and Nika. I think Lou gets a lot more PT now, mainly in the 2 and 3 slots.

It seems like Azzi was playing point a lot when I watched her in AAU. She can clinically dissect a team. And score clutch baskets. I want the ball in Azzi's hands at crunch time. Look at how many teams sloughed off of Nika at point and clogged the middle on us. They can't do that to Azzi. They will have to be right there with her at point, opening up everything else.

If Azzi gets to the foul line she kills you. If Azzi gets her pull up jumpers from the T she kills you. If Azzi gets open 3's she kills you. Put the ball in her hands for 32 minutes a game.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Audrey needs to spell Caroline and Lou in order to get much PT at all. We have tons of depth as bigs this year and I think they all can play. I don't see Ayanna as a 3. I don't think the outside shot is nearly good enough. I think she's a great 4 though. I think Ice will get a lot of PT also, as a 4 or 5.

I find the 3 big lineup intriguing though. Inserting both Ice and Ayanna at the same time even, with Dorka or AE. Ice can maybe play some 3 offensively but defense is probably an issue. Ayanna can play the 3 defensively but offense is an issue. The Canadian national team wanted AE as a 3 so maybe that evolves some. AE needs to move in that direction from a career perspective. Maybe now is the time.

There are a ton of permutations.

 

[tjhusky]

Nice, but simple breakdown of UConn without Paige. This doesn’t even address the new players.
It will hurt, but barring additional injuries we will be fine.

 

[Going4Natty]

How about if we get some more of this Aaliyah? Does that make a difference?

 

[JellyBean]

Totally agree. The team will be fine. If everyone starts the year off 100% healthy, the team will be fine.

 

[GoChips20]

I have a slightly different take on the impact of the injury (which is an enormous loss for all of the college basketball landscape. Paige is quite possibly the most purely skilled player in the game). Given the season hasn’t started and the team will have time to adjust to her absence, the identity of the 2022-23 UConn team is unknown to us, unlike last year. To me the major impact is that UConn now has no margin of error for another major injury, which is concerning given Fudd and Ducharme’s previous health issues (plus the factor of random chance, which can always strike). Most teams can afford to get by without a major contributor if they have to, but lose another and it’s an uphill battle. Hopefully they can stay healthy!

 

[Zarathustra]

Nice, but simple breakdown of UConn without Paige. This doesn’t even address the new players.
It will hurt, but barring additional injuries we will be fine.

I enjoyed this " Aussie" point of view. Most of the video was familiar to me (as it probably
was to all of the regular BY fans), but the gentleman's points were reasonable, generally convincing, and
allows me to be more than optimistic about next season. Enjoy the tape and
hopefully we get a Spanish guard to supplement our lineup! Z

 

[Bone Dog]

no what won them the game was Evina Westbrook hitting 3's, she had gone a span of 0-15 from 3 and I think Stanford said if she beats us from 3 so be it, and it happened.

Yes, Evina was awesome from 3, wasn’t she? That’s what being outplayed in a pressure game looks like. Paige was also awesome, as was Azzi. And Nika outrebounded Brink!!!

I haven’t actually heard Tara say the game came down to any such thing. But at least you’re now admitting that we outplayed Stanford. That’s important to say on a Huskies board.

 

[Urshurak]

30 minutes (3 quarters) for Nika? Well, hope the fouling is much less and she can score a bit more. Unless something drastic has changed, her going 3 quarters without fouling out is going to be a super tall order and a gamble in big games.

 

[oldude]

30 minutes (3 quarters) for Nika? Well, hope the fouling is much less and she can score a bit more. Unless something drastic has changed, her going 3 quarters without fouling out is going to be a super tall order and a gamble in big games.

Agree with the need for Nika to score more, as does Geno, but I think too many of us are overstating Nika’s fouling problem. One reason why Nika earned the BE DPOY as a sophomore was her ability to play tough defense without fouling.

This past season Nika committed 65 fouls in 715 minutes of playing time. That equates to 1 foul every 11 minutes she was on the court, or 2.7 fouls every 30 minutes. There is no reason why Nika can’t play 30+ minutes per game this coming season without getting into foul trouble.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I think many here are being unjustifiably optimistic about the coming season. Not that they may be proved right, but there is no proof now. It's not just replacing point, rebounds, assists, steals, though that is a tall order. There is also the way Paige directs the offense. She's very active in getting people where she wants them on the floor. Bigger factor is the confidence and calmness she infuses in everyone who takes the floor with her. UConn being "fine" is a tall order. May they pull it off.

 

[Notyetready]

Nice, but simple breakdown of UConn without Paige. This doesn’t even address the new players.
It will hurt, but barring additional injuries we will be fine.

He pretty much buried this line but I think it was his most interesting take, he said he thought that, by the end of the season, Caroline would be the team's top scorer. A lot of BYers may take issue with it but I tend to agree. Caroline is a great cutter, she posts up, hits the 3, runs the floor and has already proven she can carry the team offensively., Caroline's upside is huge. And if Azzi is handling a lot of distribution duties, she will be sending the ball to Caroline, a lot.

 

[Conndog]

I think many here are being unjustifiably optimistic about the coming season. Not that they may be proved right, but there is no proof now. It's not just replacing point, rebounds, assists, steals, though that is a tall order. There is also the way Paige directs the offense. She's very active in getting people where she wants them on the floor. Bigger factor is the confidence and calmness she infuses in everyone who takes the floor with her. UConn being "fine" is a tall order. May they pull it off.

Yet, last season before Paige came back from injury, the team was gelling (sp?) and playing great- looked like they had adjusted and had found their way. I’m hoping for same again, and I think we have more weapons. Yes, this year we lose Liv, Christyn and Evina, but I like having the improved & healthier Azzi and Caroline, Aubrey back in the line-up, Ice and Ayanna joining the team, and Lou also. I think Aaliyah and Dorka will be better too, Nika will be better, and what might we get from Deberry? Of course it hurts losing Paige, but any team in the country should still worry facing UConn even without Paige.

 

[hoophuskee]

He pretty much buried this line but I think it was his most interesting take, he said he thought that, by the end of the season, Caroline would be the team's top scorer. A lot of BYers may take issue with it but I tend to agree. Caroline is a great cutter, she posts up, hits the 3, runs the floor and has already proven she can carry the team offensively., Caroline's upside is huge. And if Azzi is handling a lot of distribution duties, she will be sending the ball to Caroline, a lot.

I don't think so. I think it will be Azzi. IMO she'll be too efficient. Just wasn't worth arguing. I want them both to do great and don't care who will be though.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Yet, last season before Paige came back from injury, the team was gelling (sp?) and playing great- looked like they had adjusted and had found their way. I’m hoping for same again, and I think we have more weapons. Yes, this year we lose Liv, Christyn and Evina, but I like having the improved & healthier Azzi and Caroline, Aubrey back in the line-up, Ice and Ayanna joining the team, and Lou also. I think Aaliyah and Dorka will be better too, Nika will be better, and what might we get from Deberry? Of course it hurts losing Paige, but any team in the country should still worry facing UConn even without Paige.

Jelling. That "playing great" was in the Big East and the team faced close games in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament. I'm all for this team doing great things this year, but I think people are being cavalier about how challenging it will be.