UConn's Geno Auriemma says sorting out loaded roster will be hard

[DEpup]

She also has the 14th ranked freshman whom she has identified as the most ready to play at this point.

I doubt we see the "twin towers" on the court together very often - except maybe against Stanford.

IF (IF IF IF) we face each other in the early season tournament, it will be interesting to see how much Geno and Dawn experiment with lineups. The outcome of that potential early match-up is not nearly as important as the learning opportunity for both teams.

Oh yes, let the games begin!

More likely to see Boston and Amihere on the floor together.

 

[Carnac]

She also has the 14th ranked freshman whom she has identified as the most ready to play at this point.

I doubt we see the "twin towers" on the court together very often - except maybe against Stanford.

IF (IF IF IF) we face each other in the early season tournament, it will be interesting to see how much Geno and Dawn experiment with lineups. The outcome of that potential early match-up is not nearly as important as the learning opportunity for both teams.

Oh yes, let the games begin!

I’d rather not see Boston and Cardoso on the floor together. Of the teams on our schedule, I think without a doubt, Dawn has the deepest and most talented team we’ll see this year. She will have them ready to play. I think both teams have this game circled on their calendars. Stanford is also very talented, but they’re not on our schedule, and there’s no guarantee our paths will cross this year (late in the tournament).

Like UConn, South Carolina doesn’t figure to lose any home games. If they lose, it will be on the road. 18 thousand rabid screaming hysterical fans in the Colonial Life Arena are not going to provide a wholesome or welcoming atmosphere to visiting teams. They will not let the Gamecocks lose.

 

[eebmg]

More likely to see Boston and Amihere on the floor together.

Aaliyah should be well motivated to defend Amihere after being outplayed by her in international play.

 

[Inthepaint]

IF (IF IF IF) we face each other in the early season tournament, it will be interesting to see how much Geno and Dawn experiment with lineups. The outcome of that potential early match-up is not nearly as important as the learning opportunity for both teams.

Oh yes, let the games begin!

I think both will be thinking strategically.
A win by either in the early season might provide a seeding advantage in the NCAA tourney.
Also, as far-fetched as it might seem at this point, an undefeated season might be very much in the cards for either program.
Dawn & Company came within a fraction of an inch against both UCONN & Stanford last year.
Geno & Company have to see So.Carolina as the chief obstacle to taking care of some unfinished Husky business.
If they wind up playing each other in the Bahamas, it WON'T be a kinder, gentler contest.
Just because both teams and their HC's respect each other, doesn't mean they won't be pulling out all the stops to come out on top.

 

[visitingcock]

I think both will be thinking strategically.
A win by either in the early season might provide a seeding advantage in the NCAA tourney.
Also, as far-fetched as it might seem at this point, an undefeated season might be very much in the cards for either program.
Dawn & Company came within a fraction of an inch against both UCONN & Stanford last year.
Geno & Company have to see So.Carolina as the chief obstacle to taking care of some unfinished Husky business.
If they wind up playing each other in the Bahamas, it WON'T be a kinder, gentler contest.
Just because both teams and their HC's respect each other, doesn't mean they won't be pulling out all the stops to come out on top.

I don't see the potential early match as being very important to seeding. The old adage is loose early if you must. I see the late January matchup as much more important.

But if one team wins both . . .

 

[JonathanXIV]

You known at some point Dawn will have both of them in the game together. Geno will have to counter with two of his 6’5” post players. Who guards who? Dawn will also welcome the number 2,3 and 4 ranked freshmen from the 2021 class. No predictions now, but I can guarantee that we will learn more about our team playing SC than we will playing Georgetown. Let the games begin. It should be a fun ride.

If South Carolina has both Boston and Cardoso on the floor at the same time, I don't think that UConn has to match them with two centers. UConn could decide to go relatively small and put five shooters on the floor. Who is Cardoso going to chase at the three point line? And last I looked, three points is more than two points. You are right about one thing, the big games this year will be about match ups, and I think UConn is primed to be a match up nightmare for other teams.

 

[oldhusky]

If South Carolina has both Boston and Cardoso on the floor at the same time, I don't think that UConn has to match them with two centers. UConn could decide to go relatively small and put five shooters on the floor. Who is Cardoso going to chase at the three point line? And last I looked, three points is more than two points. You are right about one thing, the big games this year will be about match ups, and I think UConn is primed to be a match up nightmare for other teams.

I am in a wait and see mode on this, but we might be able to pull one of their twin towers out to the 3 point line with Dorka. She has stats that are very hard to figure or project into this season. Usually poor free throw shooters are rarely good 3 point shooters, but she has shot quite a few the last two seasons, one year with a very good percentage and one year very bad so hard to tell.

If we try to counter their size with shooters, I hope we also pressure the ball and try to fast-break often as well in addition to spreading the floor in the halfcourt offense.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Some of us pointed out this elephant in the room months ago, only to be berated by BY'ers. Clearly, this situation is front and center for the players and for Coach Geno. Even with the suggestion of first off the bench by position, i.e., the 5-plus-5 plan, it still leaves four players on the bench most of the time.

The only positive factor, if one can call it that, is the fact that at least four players are dealing with serious physical problems. It could be that between chronic injuries and the big bench, it works out. Sort of.

 

[Alydar]

As I look up and down the schedule, South Carolina appears to me right now to be the best most formidable team UConn will play this year. I co-sign with your opinion that Geno and fans will learn a lot from that game.

SC already had the post player that many believe is the best best in the country if you believe and acknowledge all of the awards she won and received during her freshman and sophomore years. Now she’s joined by 6’7” sophomore transfer (Syracuse) Kamila Cardoso. Together they should form a formidable version of “twin towers.”

You known at some point Dawn will have both of them in the game together. Geno will have to counter with two of his 6’5” post players. Who guards who? Dawn will also welcome the number 2,3 and 4 ranked freshmen from the 2021 class. No predictions now, but I can guarantee that we will learn more about our team playing SC than we will playing Georgetown. Let the games begin. It should be a fun ride.

No, he doesn't have to. Edwards is perfectly capable.

I once fell into the "twin tower's" trap back when Jacksonville had Gilmore and Burrows. I thought they would beat UCLA that had but one tower.

 

[Dancingbear]

Oh poor Liv with the delicate feelings! Of course Geno will leave her in despite her, as you say, picking up fouls for the good of the team. After all, we really have no one to replace her.

Tongue planted firmly in cheek., Liv has had 3 years to get this figured out and I appreciate all the things she does well. I also believe if she show a lack of offensive production this year it will be a short hook.

 

[Carnac]

No, he doesn't have to. Edwards is perfectly capable.

I once fell into the "twin tower's" trap back when Jacksonville had Gilmore and Burrows. I thought they would beat UCLA that had but one tower.

Edwards is 6'3". She gives away 2 " to Boston and 5" to Cardoso. But......she brings a lot of grit and aggressiveness to the table. We have it good authority that Edwards as returned from the summer break even more aggressive than before (woo hoo). If she proves she can handle either of both of these taller post players, then I say go for it. Her aggressiveness might cancel out the height difference here.
I'm very interested in seeing the new and improved ONO 4.0. This should be the season she puts it all together, and has a banner year. I'm on the front row of her cheering section. Alydar, with respect to Edwards, you do know I'm from Missouri don't you? You know what THAT means.

 

[Carnac]

Some of us pointed out this elephant in the room months ago, only to be berated by BY'ers. Clearly, this situation is front and center for the players and for Coach Geno. Even with the suggestion of first off the bench by position, i.e., the 5-plus-5 plan, it still leaves four players on the bench most of the time.

The only positive factor, if one can call it that, is the fact that at least four players are dealing with serious physical problems. It could be that between chronic injuries and the big bench, it works out. Sort of.

From a purely personal POV, I'd like to see Geno "habitually" clear the bench early in the 4th quarter of games that have long since been decided. Rest the core 7, and let the remaining 7 players have a run.

 

[hoopsfan22]

From a purely personal POV, I'd like to see Geno "habitually" clear the bench early in the 4th quarter of games that have long since been decided. Rest the core 7, and let the remaining 7 players have a run.

Geno would love to do that, but as he says he can't afford to not have at least one starter (usually a guard) out there otherwise things quickly devolve to put it nicely and you end up with a 4th quarter where we score like 7 points because everyone is aimless.

 

[eebmg]

From a purely personal POV, I'd like to see Geno "habitually" clear the bench early in the 4th quarter of games that have long since been decided. Rest the core 7, and let the remaining 7 players have a run.

Geno has often stated that it is important that the team play with a certain level of competence which is expected for a UConn team. A team that looks out of synch is not good for the fans or program and makes Geno physically ill. Other teams can get away with that but not UConn.

 

[Alydar]

Edwards is 6'3". She gives away 2 " to Boston and 5" to Cardoso. But......she brings a lot of grit and aggressiveness to the table. We have it good authority that Edwards as returned from the summer break even more aggressive than before (woo hoo). If she proves she can handle either of both of these taller post players, then I say go for it. Her aggressiveness might cancel out the height difference here.
I'm very interested in seeing the new and improved ONO 4.0. This should be the season she puts it all together, and has a banner year. I'm on the front row of her cheering section. Alydar, with respect to Edwards, you do know I'm from Missouri don't you? You know what THAT means.

Inches don't always dictate who are the most dangerous posts. Boston is a junior and Cardoso a sophomore. Both ONO and Juhasz are seniors. Your point is that S car has 2 massive posts and that UConn has to respond. But If we look back a half dozen or so years SCar had 3 highly touted posts and yet UConn managed to win, fairly easily. UConn's edge is in their perimeter and mid-range scoring. I'd have options but before I responded I would need to see how the twin towers play together.
For five years running UConn has had to play a bit soft on defense to stay out of foul trouble. Teams would try and exchange fouls thinking they would win on attrition. That is no longer an option.
And what did Cardoso add other than depth. SCar was already known as one of the most physical teams in wcbb. Cardoso is lily gilding plus an insurance policy in case Boston is out. SCar is very small in their backcourt and that's where they need size. Quick for sure and dynamite in transition but as we saw in the UConn game neither was able to guard Bueckers and now we added Fudd. So does the coach sit one of her upper class guards and give some of the freshmen a chance? The other problem in playing twin towers is that Saxson and Beal sit. They have a similar problem to UConn in that regard.

 

[Gus Mahler]

No, he doesn't have to. Edwards is perfectly capable.

I once fell into the "twin tower's" trap back when Jacksonville had Gilmore and Burrows. I thought they would beat UCLA that had but one tower.

Who was the one tower? Wicks at 6'8 or Patterson at 6'9?

 

[Alydar]

Who was the one tower? Wicks at 6'8 or Patterson at 6'9?

I always considered Wicks a forward. Towers had to be 7'+. So neither actually. But UCLA unlike most teams could create nice open looks on the perimeter and made a lot of them. That is what I expect UConn will do against SCar.

 

[CocoHusky]

Some of us pointed out this elephant in the room months ago, only to be berated by BY'ers. Clearly, this situation is front and center for the players and for Coach Geno. Even with the suggestion of first off the bench by position, i.e., the 5-plus-5 plan, it still leaves four players on the bench most of the time.

The only positive factor, if one can call it that, is the fact that at least four players are dealing with serious physical problems. It could be that between chronic injuries and the big bench, it works out. Sort of.

When you were being berated it was because you failed to understand that there is no elephant in the room and no dilemma. The fact that some very good players will be sitting on the bench at any given time is not a dilemma. It is a reality and has always been the the case since UCONN became the premier WCBB program in the country. It is not important that you understand this, only that the players do. The player on the bench are not hostages. They have freely chosen to be part of the most competitive BB environment imaginable because that environment is the best preparation for life.

 

[Carnac]

Geno would love to do that, but as he says he can't afford to not have at least one starter (usually a guard) out there otherwise things quickly devolve to put it nicely and you end up with a 4th quarter where we score like 7 points because everyone is aimless.

If this happens, then those players will prove to Geno (and themselves) they can't be trusted to hold or maintain a lead, and don't deserve more minutes.

 

[msf22b]

When you were being berated it was because you failed to understand that there is no elephant in the room and no dilemma. The fact that some very good players will be sitting on the bench at any given time is not a dilemma. It is a reality and has always been the the case since UCONN became the premier WCBB program in the country. It is not important that you understand this, only that the players do. The player on the bench are not hostages. They have freely chosen to be part of the most competitive BB environment imaginable because that environment is the best preparation for life.

Coco...
I'm sorry, I don't completely agree,
Seemingly, apparently, there are more excellent, deserving players than typical playing time allows for.

This may have happened once or twice before, but this year may be the most difficult in this regard.
I recall the Stewie first year in which I felt that Moriah was being underutilized.
This seems far more congested.

I believe Geno was truth-telling in his comment
It's up to him to find a workable solution.

Perhaps he can initiate a lend-lease program with other teams in the conference (joke)..

 

[Inthepaint]

The elephant in the room is injuries.
There, I said it.
Do not want to put the evil eye on the team, but last year we had Ana out for a bunch of games, Nika out for a few, Paige out for 1, AE out for one,Aubrey out for one and so forth and so on.
This doesn't count people playing with some minor aches and pains that they were expected to play through.
We have some major cogs in the machine returning after surgeries. As of now, all is hunky dory.
May it continue to be so
BUT.... If something goes wrong, we can't just shake somebody awake on the end of the bench and tell them to go in and fill in for someone who has been starting. 6-9 would be tapped to do that but 10-14 better be at least prepared to play more minutes in the 2nd tier and PRODUCE.
Geno said that 14 highly motivated, talented people are going to be vying for maybe 8 or 9 spots in the rotation.
So what do the other 5 do when we aren't playing in the BE and up by 30 in the 3rd quarter?
Maybe the starters will change over the course of the year. Maybe they will change depending on the opposition.Maybe the "other 5" will be inserted in the 8 or 9 rotation as needed and as minutes are earned.
Also, let's put people in situations where what they do and how they play make a difference.
Let's hope for the best while preparing for the worst..

 

[Fairfield Fan]

When you were being berated it was because you failed to understand that there is no elephant in the room and no dilemma. The fact that some very good players will be sitting on the bench at any given time is not a dilemma. It is a reality and has always been the the case since UCONN became the premier WCBB program in the country. It is not important that you understand this, only that the players do. The player on the bench are not hostages. They have freely chosen to be part of the most competitive BB environment imaginable because that environment is the best preparation for life.

I think what you do not understand is that from the perspective of the players habitually relegated to the bench, it is a dilemma.

 

[UConnCat]

The only positive factor, if one can call it that, is the fact that at least four players are dealing with serious physical problems. It could be that between chronic injuries and the big bench, it works out. Sort of.

OMG. I'm obviously out of the loop. Who are the 4 players we know about? I assume one of them is Piath. What are the "serious physical problems?" Is that the same as a serious physical injury? How much time will they miss? Please link the story.

Thanks!

 

[Geew1992]

OMG. I'm obviously out of the loop. Who are the 4 players we know about? I assume one of them is Piath. What are the "serious physical problems?" Is that the same as a serious physical injury? How much time will they miss? Please link the story.

Thanks!

I wouldn't say serious as the article def did not

 

[hoophuskee]

The elephant in the room is injuries.

BUT.... If something goes wrong, we can't just shake somebody awake on the end of the bench and tell them to go in and fill in for someone who has been starting. 6-9 would be tapped to do that but 10-14 better be at least prepared to play more minutes in the 2nd tier and PRODUCE.

I don't understand your numbers here. Because it just seems like you are a great fan absolutely great but a fan that is perpetually scared and/or perpetually concerned. Which is fine. Please don’t take offense. But UCONN has won with predominately 7 player teams. You agree with that 7 player observation, right?

So how many top 9 players are you proposing to take away/plan for not playing in your "elephant in the room scenario?" And when are they taken away? December? Mid-February? March? And how many of the top 5 players? Because, you agree, losing, for example, Paige, affects the team much more than losing a number 9 player, right?

I think some of us believe that there is no elephant in the room. That you’re trying to justify a deeper bench through a catastrophic doomsday scenario in which nearly all /if not all injuries happen late. If not late, then as an example how many months do you believe it takes for a number 11 player to be prepared to be a number 9 player etc if in big games it's a 9 player rotation?

 

[DEpup]

I'm just ready to go back to the days when they were up by 30 or 40 and the bench would come in around the middle of the third and actually build the lead... I am tired of these thin benches that either trade baskets or lose ground in the last minutes of the game... I am hoping this year will be a return to the impactful bench....

 

[Carnac]

I'm just ready to go back to the days when they were up by 30 or 40 and the bench would come in around the middle of the third and actually build the lead... I am tired of these thin benches that either trade baskets or lose ground in the last minutes of the game... I am hoping this year will be a return to the impactful bench....

My narratives were written from a fan’s perspective. I’m a fan of the team. That means ALL of our players. When possible, I’d like to see the entire team participate in their games. I’ve always believed in the theory that the more you play, the more you play. We all understand and agree that there will be games that only 2 players off the bench will be used.

I’m not asking or expecting the reserves on the end of the bench to get double digit minutes every night. That would be foolish. Every game will be different and minutes available for the reserves will vary. It’s understood that in Geno’s system, you earn your minutes. That dynamic is never lost on me. When they do get in, they’re expected to play hard, make plays when the ball comes their way, and try and prove to Geno they are worthy of a little more playing time.

 

[Cornell Lt]

I think what you do not understand is that from the perspective of the players habitually relegated to the bench, it is a dilemma.

It's not a dilemma, it's reality. There are distinct differences in strengths, weaknesses and abilities throughout the roster. Those who rise to the occasion will play and those that don't/can't reach that same level won't.

 

[Inthepaint]

On those 11 national championship teams there were quite a few players who did not have significant minutes on the floor in the majority of games. There are no asterisks next to their names indicating that they had anything less to do with the success of the team that season.
Maybe they all had a few moments that might have contributed.
Don't know how many of them would have been willing to trade the experience of winning the final NCAA tournament game, watching the net cut down, and celebrating with ALL of the other Huskies ...for some extra time on the floor.
I imagine the number would be quite small.

 

[DefenseBB]

I think if you want insight into the probable situation, you have to look no further back than last year's Stanford team which had a tremendous amount of talent and regularly played 9 players >14 min per game. BTW, Stanford won the title last year...
Name........................G....Min....Pos
1 Williams, Kiana...33..32.3....G
2 Jones, Haley........32...27.5....W
3 Hull, Lexie............32...26.4....G
4 Wilson, Anna......33...23.6....G
5 Brink, Cameron..32...18.5....C
6 Jump, Hannah....32...16.1....W
7 Hull, Lacie............31...15.4....G
8 Belibi, Fran..........33...14.7....F
9 Prechtel, Ashten..30...14.1....C

The list shows 4 guards, 2 wings, 1 forward and 2 centers, and I guess Belibi could qualified as a center as well. The position play seems similar to what Geno would have as well at guards-PG, NM, , CW with EW and Caroline Ducharme as the wings, ONO, DJ and AE as the posts/forwards. That would leave a gap of what about Aubrey who we know will play. 10 is a big stretch to get over 10 minutes a game but it is doable based on the above minutes. That leaves Piath, Mir, Saylor and Amari scratching for PT.