UConn's Freshman Mt. Rushmore

[RegisteredUconn]

Who's on it? Or more specifically, is Caroline on it?

Caroline Ducharme has had an unexpectedly (at least to me) productive freshman campaign. But realistically, how good has it been? If we were to divvy up those coveted Mt. Rushmore spots, except restricting contenders to their freshman year only, whose busts would be carved in stone? Paige, obviously. Maya, no doubt. But who else? How does Caroline stack up thus far?

 

[hoopsfan22]

Stewie should be on it. All she did was lead the team to a national title and win MOP of the final four.

 

[eebmg]

Not a UConn Historian but Stewie for her playoff run

 

[JoePgh]

I think you would have to consider both Stewie and Stef for this list. Even though Stewie had a down phase in late January and February of her freshman year, she certainly came through in the NCAA tournament and played a crucial role in winning the NC that year.

Stef was a freshman in 2010-11 (Maya's senior year) and she was the only useful player on the team who was taller than 6-0. She wasn't as good as she later became, but she caused a lot of problems to teams which had no one to match her size. And as Geno said during the season, "She gets better by the day."

 

[Happydad745]

Paige, Mia Moore, Stewie, DT...since I really didn't start following UConn until 2004.

 

[Reypl21]

Didn't KML have a pretty good Freshman season? She led the team in scoring off the bench. Not sure it was a Rushmore campaign, but I remember her being very good

 

[EricLA]

Actually, I think you have to put KML on it. She came off the bench her freshman season and I'm pretty sure she led the team in scoring. @MilfordHusky and I have discussed this a few times in the past. If not for her injury where she missed at least 10 games, she would have been a few ticks higher in several "all-time" categories...

And of course Maya - she was 2nd in the POY voting to Parker... as a freshman. Paige as well. Not sure about Caroline at this point - she'd be an HM for me, but not if you are going to pick out the 4 best freshmen of all time for UCONN. Also consider Sales and Abrosimova... Svetlana "I didn't come here to play defense" Abrosimova was a 3x AA I believe. Not sure how great her freshman year was tho.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Sue Bird, Shea Ralph, Svet, were all impact players their freshmen year.

 

[bballnut90]

Sue Bird, Shea Ralph, Svet, were all impact players their freshmen year.

Bird not so much. Played in I think 8 games and didn't have good numbers.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Paige, Maya, Stewie, Diana.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Possibly/probably the best freshman ever--on any team--were Maya Moore and Paige Bueckers. They would be unanimous selections.

 

[bballnut90]

The obvious picks:
Paige Bueckers-NPOY
Maya Moore-BE POY, 2nd in NPOY voting for AP
Breanna Stewart-F4 MOP



If only 4 spots, the others in contention for the last spot include:

Tina Charles-earned several NFOY awards I believe

Shea Ralph-NFOY

Rebecca Lobo-14ppg

Svetlana Abrosimova-14ppg, would up as go to player

Christyn Williams-AAC FOY, played very well in tournament

Diana Taurasi-Regional MOP

KML-Big East FOY

Ann Strother-very good as a freshman, big impact player in Final Four

Tamika Williams-had arguably her best season as a freshman, 13.5 ppg.




For the 4th spot I'd give it to Charles or Ralph or maybe even KML. If Ducharme keeps up her scoring through the end of the season she could be in contention but realistically I don't expect that to happen.

 

[CocoHusky]

Paige, Stewie, KML, Maya , Tina.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Actually, I think you have to put KML on it. She came off the bench her freshman season and I'm pretty sure she led the team in scoring. @MilfordHusky and I have discussed this a few times in the past. If not for her injury where she missed at least 10 games, she would have been a few ticks higher in several "all-time" categories...

And of course Maya - she was 2nd in the POY voting to Parker... as a freshman. Paige as well. Not sure about Caroline at this point - she'd be an HM for me, but not if you are going to pick out the 4 best freshmen of all time for UCONN. Also consider Sales and Abrosimova... Svetlana "I didn't come here to play defense" Abrosimova was a 3x AA I believe. Not sure how great her freshman year was tho.

Kaleena led the team in scoring both of her first 2 years, ahead of Tiffany as a freshman and ahead of Stewie as a sophomore. Looking at just her collegiate career, she was one of the best. Her elbow injury and mono cost her a 3rd year as All-American, 250 career points, and 30 three-pointers. A missed box out against Notre Dame kept her--not Stewie--from being the first 4-time NCAA champion. People look at her lackluster pro career and forget that she was a huge factor in our success over her 4 years.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

One thing seems obvious about this thread so far. It should dispel any concern about Caroline developing swollen noggin syndrome. You're welcome, Geno.

 

[hookshot]

Actually, I think you have to put KML on it. She came off the bench her freshman season and I'm pretty sure she led the team in scoring. @MilfordHusky and I have discussed this a few times in the past. If not for her injury where she missed at least 10 games, she would have been a few ticks higher in several "all-time" categories...

And of course Maya - she was 2nd in the POY voting to Parker... as a freshman. Paige as well. Not sure about Caroline at this point - she'd be an HM for me, but not if you are going to pick out the 4 best freshmen of all time for UCONN. Also consider Sales and Abrosimova... Svetlana "I didn't come here to play defense" Abrosimova was a 3x AA I believe. Not sure how great her freshman year was tho.

I thought Svet's famous quote was something more like 'I didn't come 3,000 miles to just set picks'

 

[oldhusky]

Paige, Maya, Stewie, Diana.

Since Mt Rushmore only has four spots, I think you got it!

 

[SVCBeercats]

Who's on it? Or more specifically, is Caroline on it?

Caroline Ducharme has had an unexpectedly (at least to me) productive freshman campaign. But realistically, how good has it been? If we were to divvy up those coveted Mt. Rushmore spots, except restricting contenders to their freshman year only, whose busts would be carved in stone? Paige, obviously. Maya, no doubt. But who else? How does Caroline stack up thus far?

Let you know about Paige and Caroline and Azzi is after 4 seasons. Until then this is meaningless.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Let you know about Paige and Caroline and Azzi is after 4 seasons. Until then this is meaningless.

The question only applies to the freshman year.

 

[The deacon]

Since Mt Rushmore only has four spots, I think you got it!

Definitely Shea ahead of Diana as freshmen, perhaps a couple others, too.

It's Maya and Paige 1-2 one way or the other, then Stewie almost entirely because of the tournament. Tough call for the fourth spot, but it's Shea for me.

Caroline's got a way to go, but has the potential, especially if the Huskies have a good NCAA run.

 

[PvP]

You have to give Caroline an Incomplete at this juncture. Her first 6 games were basically on the bench so we have only seen her true impact in 9 games but if she can continue at her current pace and if (with Paige back) the team does well in the Tournament, then we can judge her against all the rest who have complete Freshman years to evaluate. I'm rooting for her!!

 

[SVCBeercats]

The question only applies to the freshman year.

I know. Still meaningless. However, I'll play along. Best four freshmen seasons are Maya, Stewie, Paige, and so far Caroline. D's freshman year was nothing to write home about.