UConn Women basketball Early 2023-2024 Starting Five Prediction
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Carnac
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Today is April 28, 2023. Today, I can't argue with this potential starting line-up. During the first week in November, that might change, but I can go with THIS one for now and throughout the summer.
Season, experienced veterans every one of them. All of them have started in the past. You're going to get some "push-back" on the lineup. We do this every summer. There will be posters that may not have Nika or Aubrey in theirs and will give you chapter and verse why. Some might have Caroline starting and Aubrey coming off the bench. I think Paige, Azzi, and Aaliyah are locks to start next season. A lot can happen in 7 months.
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There will be endless conversation about who will start (I'm assuming we're talking about the first game) but Kaizen nailed it right out of the gate. Unless one or more of those five are not available when the season starts there isn't going to be anything we hear between now and November that will put any of them on the bench.
Carnac
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That's all I'm talking about. The first game. Remember Geno benched starters Saniyah Chong and Kiah Stokes after the second game against Stanford in 2014 (that we lost in OT) in favor of freshman Kia Nurse and red-shirt sophomore Morgan Tuck. Chong nor Stokes started another game that year. If I remember correctly, freshman Gabby Williams started 3-4 games that year.
That game was played @ Stanford. I'll bet that was a very quiet plane ride back to Bradley International. We have no idea especially right now who the starters will be that first week in December. A lot can happen between now and then (8 months).
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Bald Husky
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LMAO, are we going to have another debate about Nika? She is the point guard, Paige is the SG, Azzi is the small forward. Aubrey and Aaliyah are the forwards. We need people on the floor that can score, and we need a player on the floor that can get them the ball in the best position possible. @Kaizen has the right line-up, the fight will be who will be the players off the bench, and how many. THAT is going to be the question, who will step up for the bench minutes on this team. No brainer on the starters, but after that, the competition will be fierce. Love that!Today is April 28, 2023. Today, I can't argue with this potential starting line-up. During the first week in November, that might change, but I can go with THIS one for now and throughout the summer.
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Carnac
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Yes!! All summer. You know there are posters that will debate her status as a starter next season. They don't see Nika as you or I do. I know there will be those that want Caroline to start. It's coming. How many different starting lineups did we see in the yard last summer? You remember. I agree with Kaizen's starters right now!!!
Looking ahead at UConn women’s basketball’s roster for 2023-24 season
As the Final Four gets underway in Dallas this week, the UConn women’s basketball team will be back home watching on television instead of playing on the biggest stage for the first time since 2007…
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Yes, I have Nika as the main 5 because Nika is the best ball handling player in this team and we need her. (Paige can be but we will see)
But Caroline has the experience and height advantage. So I think she will be first out the bench then comes Ayanna (6'2") or Jana El Alfy (6.4"). JMHO
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Sorry, too small of a starting lineup. Either El Alfy or Brady will be starting in lieu of Aubrey. She is not a 4 and she is to slight of frame. If you look at previous history, Geno likes to have a true big in the lineup. Furthermore, why take Aaliyah out of her natural position to place her in the center spot?
Aubrey is best utilized coming off the bench with her defensive tenacity and flying up and down the court. Caroline is another who will produce off the bench. Remember, the bench was missing this past season.
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That’s not all I’m talking about.
Paige Azzi Aaliyah are the only locks whether it’s November or January. After them, there’s a significant difference depending on when in the season.
In November, I guess Nika and Aubrey. In January, I guess Caroline and Ice. But it’s complicated.
Aubrey may start that first game in November but I don’t think she’ll start in January. She’s just too good coming off the bench. You can’t be explosive for 30 or 40 mins. Aubrey is best when she’s explosive.
Nika will start that first game in November. But she can also be an explosive player off the bench. I suspect come January Geno will know whether his best lineup is Nika for 30-35 mins from the start or Nika coming off the bench with Aubrey. This may even change game by game all season long. Nika Azzi Paige is a special backcourt but it’s not the speediest one Geno can put out there, or the biggest. By February I suspect we’ll see some games where he starts Paige Azzi Caroline and some where he starts Paige Azzi KK.
Now, who starts next to Aaliyah? In November it’s likely to be Aubrey or Caroline initially. But I expect we’ll see Ayanna Ice and Jana get more and more minutes as the OOC progress. By January, I suspect one of Ice or Jana will start.
And by March, this speculation gets really interesting. Whether it’s Ice or Jana starting next to Aaliyah, good things are in store for the Huskies.
Paige Azzi Aaliyah are the only locks whether it’s November or January. After them, there’s a significant difference depending on when in the season.
In November, I guess Nika and Aubrey. In January, I guess Caroline and Ice. But it’s complicated.
Aubrey may start that first game in November but I don’t think she’ll start in January. She’s just too good coming off the bench. You can’t be explosive for 30 or 40 mins. Aubrey is best when she’s explosive.
Nika will start that first game in November. But she can also be an explosive player off the bench. I suspect come January Geno will know whether his best lineup is Nika for 30-35 mins from the start or Nika coming off the bench with Aubrey. This may even change game by game all season long. Nika Azzi Paige is a special backcourt but it’s not the speediest one Geno can put out there, or the biggest. By February I suspect we’ll see some games where he starts Paige Azzi Caroline and some where he starts Paige Azzi KK.
Now, who starts next to Aaliyah? In November it’s likely to be Aubrey or Caroline initially. But I expect we’ll see Ayanna Ice and Jana get more and more minutes as the OOC progress. By January, I suspect one of Ice or Jana will start.
And by March, this speculation gets really interesting. Whether it’s Ice or Jana starting next to Aaliyah, good things are in store for the Huskies.
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What do you think about Ayanna Patterson and Amari DeBerry?
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Good question. I hope each of them start a few games at some point in the season unrelated to injuries. But I doubt either one will start regularly.
If Ayanna starts in front of Jana or Ice, it’s for a specialized situation, an opponent against whom her strength and speed will be be useful.
If Amari starts at the 5, it can only be because she’s won the position from Jana and Ice. I really hope we see this come about because a deep front court with Jana and Ice as understudies to a newly empowered Amari would make us awesome.
Bigboote
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I think Muhl, Bueckers, Fudd, and Edwards are locks. I dunno whether it would be Ducharme or Griffin first game.
I agree with some posters above that it's likely a second big would be starting later in the season. I'm thinking Brady.
I like the idea of both Muhl and Bueckers starting because I like having two point guards. Imagine the OSU game with two point guards. I think it would have changed the outcome. (Heck, I like the intensity and joy they'll bring too -- good cop bad cop.) I think UConn will have two players with 200 assists for the second time. I like having Ducharme and/or Griffin first off the bench because it gives instant offense and/or instant defense. I'm hoping Brady and Edwards will have a classic high/low game, with either in either position.
As Vezzini said in the Princess Bride, Wait till I get going!
I agree with some posters above that it's likely a second big would be starting later in the season. I'm thinking Brady.
I like the idea of both Muhl and Bueckers starting because I like having two point guards. Imagine the OSU game with two point guards. I think it would have changed the outcome. (Heck, I like the intensity and joy they'll bring too -- good cop bad cop.) I think UConn will have two players with 200 assists for the second time. I like having Ducharme and/or Griffin first off the bench because it gives instant offense and/or instant defense. I'm hoping Brady and Edwards will have a classic high/low game, with either in either position.
As Vezzini said in the Princess Bride, Wait till I get going!
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Who ever starts will provide some of the best offense in the country, strong defense, and smart overall teamwork. Predict some of the newer players such as Jana and Arnold will get unforested amount of playing time. With Griffin and others, will be one of the fastest, best defensive UConn teams in many years.
Charliebball
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It will be fascinating to see just how Geno handles this wealth of talent...........I suspect that Ice Brady will work her way into the starting lineup by mid-January............ let's hope that great play in practice determines who plays instead of injuries.......
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I'm thinking Ashlyn Shade will break into the starting line up with Paige and Azzi. My bigs are Jana and Aalijah Edwards with NIka, Aubrey, Caroline, Ayanna and Ice coming off the bench depending on the situation and team needs. Shade will distinguish herself as one of the best and timely shooters along with Azzi. She is also great on defense. A Stalwart IMHO.
Azzi is a question mark. She is a must start but she has demonstrated that she is streaky and not tough/take charge. Injury may have affected her willingness to mix it up. She was tougher in High School. Her performance in the Ohio State game, IMO was very discouraging. Shade may show that she, like Paige, is ready for the big time from Freshman year on......
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I am very sure we will have a starting five. At this point, that's all I'm sure of....
Carnac
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Bald Huskie.....like the guy said on the old Verizon commercials......."Can you hear me now?"
I NOT saying or suggesting anyone of the posters are wrong...Heaven forbid. I'm just saying I knew Kaizen would get some pushback, and he did because others have a different point of view. Official team practice does not begin for 5 months. Once it does, we have no way of knowing whose stock will rise or fall between the first practice and the first (non-exhibition) preseason game in November. That's why I said I will re-evaluate this the night before that first game in November. Any questions we have now about any of the players on the roster including the freshmen should be addressed by the UConn WBB beat writers by then.
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I see Paige as PG, Azzi as SG, Caroline guard/SF, Aubrey PF, and Aaliyah C. Nika first off the bench. More size, more scoring from the start. Of course, everything depends on health!
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IMHO Geno will definitely have Nika in the starting lineup!
Geno is extremely loyal!
Geno is extremely loyal!
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Sorry, Paige is the best ball handler, furthermore, there is nothing on a basketball court except defense that Nika does better than Paige! No disrespect intended toward Nika, just fact. Now I freely admit Nika may start as Geno will obviously make that call. I just think Paige is better choice to start and Nika a better choice for “shock and awe” off the bench. For what it’s worth, I feel the same about Aubrey! Those two are capable of completely changing the flow of any game, which is what you want in really good bench players.
What really matters I that we have so much talent on this team that we all may be wrong about who starts!
MSGRET
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Geno has stated many times that the team is not the same with Paige at the PG vs Nika. He has also said that the teams defense is not as intense with Nika out. The starting 5 at the beginning of the season will be Nika, Paige, Azzi, Aaliyah and either Aubrey or Caroline.
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This is probably the greatest line up in women's basketball history.. With the exception of Breanna, if these players would of played together at their prime, respectively, there isn't another team in the history of women's basketball that would beat them. To put it in perspective, if you assemble a counter team of Sheryl Swoops, Tina Thompson, Lisa leslie, Dawn Staley, and Cynthia Cooper, they still wouldn't beat this uconn line up. That speaks volume about the Uconn basketball program and how effectively they develop their players. Just my humble opinion.
Bald Husky
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UConns best game is the transition game, always has and always will. Watching the old games, Paige does not push the ball in most instances, usually performing her shuttle step jog up the floor. Nothing wrong with that, because her best game is the half court game. Nika provides the push in the offence, and besides, what is wrong with having two great passing guards on the floor at the same time. Paige's scoring is what we need this year, and the ability to run around without the ball can only help her chances of getting her best looks. Enter Nika, who last year showed she could get the ball to the right people at the right time. With Nika at the point, Paige and Azzi can use their energy to get open and let her get them the ball in those open spots.
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