Utility and Role Players

[AzzisBraids]

There's a specific kind of player missing or not yet emerged on this current roster that has been a mainstay for UConn's success, and that's the defensive utility player.

Think of the Kelly Faris, Kia Nurse, Nika Muhl, Kiah Stokes, Evina Westbrook, Nelson-Ododa, Gabby Williams and notable others who specialized in being the glue that keeps the roster going by being expert defenders, hustle players and doing some things offensively that keeps the team going. Momentum building hustle plays, steals, three, lockdown defenders, this kind of player is what this roster is missing right now. They have one loading, Aubrey Griffin had all the tools pre-injury to fit the billing and hope she remains that in this next frame.

Do you remember when Moriah Jefferson would harass guards into turnovers? Nelson-Ododa's elite post passing and rebounding? How Kia Nurse put Kitia Latska of South Florida in hell everytime they met and then would pop 3's like they were candy, or how Stokes would block and rebound like she was clocked into to work? That for me, is the missing ingredient in the recipe of this season. A lockdown defender that doubles as a playmaker of sorts.

 

[JellyBean]

I think we have those players. You mentioned Aubrey. Once she is cleared, she will give us another option out there. For me, I see KK & Ashlynn as players who fit that role of being the "glue" like player. They bounce from starter/bench/starter. They don't care about scoring, play defense, guard the toughness player, all of the little things that help a team reach its success. I mean Ashlynn can score in buckets but that is not her primary goal out there. Whatever the team needs, KK and Ashlynn are front and center.

 

[HuskyNan]

Morgan could be that player.

 

[Bigboote]

Aubrey, KK, Ashlynn, Morgan — they all have great motors. I knew Morgan would be versatile, but I didn’t realize what an energy player she was. She goes after every ball as though it’s hers and she deserves it. Now, to reduce the player-control fouls. . .

If these guys are the second unit, that would be quite a look.

 

[Centerstream]

I agree that Morgan can be a versatile and important player but she seems to be a foul magnet, and not in the good way. For some reason, some refs just seem to have her in their sights. I'm happy that she was able to play 21 minutes against USC and only be called for two fouls but against Iowa State (and Dee Kantner), she fouled out in 12 minutes. That last foul was really unbelievable, IMO, considering the time remaining and the score...

 

[Bone Dog]

Morgan could be that player.

Exactly what I was thinking. Her history as a pg in high school really points in this direction, as does her size and intensity.

 

[hoophuskee]

There's a specific kind of player missing or not yet emerged on this current roster that has been a mainstay for UConn's success, and that's the defensive utility player.

Think of the Kelly Faris, Kia Nurse, Nika Muhl, Kiah Stokes, Evina Westbrook, Nelson-Ododa, Gabby Williams and notable others who specialized in being the glue that keeps the roster going by being expert defenders, hustle players and doing some things offensively that keeps the team going. Momentum building hustle plays, steals, three, lockdown defenders, this kind of player is what this roster is missing right now. They have one loading, Aubrey Griffin had all the tools pre-injury to fit the billing and hope she remains that in this next frame.

Do you remember when Moriah Jefferson would harass guards into turnovers? Nelson-Ododa's elite post passing and rebounding? How Kia Nurse put Kitia Latska of South Florida in hell everytime they met and then would pop 3's like they were candy, or how Stokes would block and rebound like she was clocked into to work? That for me, is the missing ingredient in the recipe of this season. A lockdown defender that doubles as a playmaker of sorts.

Aubrey.

 

[Next 12]

I was going to post " Sachre Bleu! , This is like Pepe Le Pew ", but , I thought it was too harsh , so I toned it down. GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[Next 12]

The above post was supposed to be on Game day summery , but I posted it on the wrong site. My apologies.

 

[freshler40]

There's a specific kind of player missing or not yet emerged on this current roster that has been a mainstay for UConn's success, and that's the defensive utility player.

Think of the Kelly Faris, Kia Nurse, Nika Muhl, Kiah Stokes, Evina Westbrook, Nelson-Ododa, Gabby Williams and notable others who specialized in being the glue that keeps the roster going by being expert defenders, hustle players and doing some things offensively that keeps the team going. Momentum building hustle plays, steals, three, lockdown defenders, this kind of player is what this roster is missing right now. They have one loading, Aubrey Griffin had all the tools pre-injury to fit the billing and hope she remains that in this next frame.

Do you remember when Moriah Jefferson would harass guards into turnovers? Nelson-Ododa's elite post passing and rebounding? How Kia Nurse put Kitia Latska of South Florida in hell everytime they met and then would pop 3's like they were candy, or how Stokes would block and rebound like she was clocked into to work? That for me, is the missing ingredient in the recipe of this season. A lockdown defender that doubles as a playmaker of sorts.

And some consistent rebounding.

 

[sledog]

Q pulled in 3 boards immediatrely after checking in and another later in brief minutes of play!

 

[Zarathustra]

I agree that Morgan can be a versatile and important player but she seems to be a foul magnet, and not in the good way. For some reason, some refs just seem to have her in their sights. I'm happy that she was able to play 21 minutes against USC and only be called for two fouls but against Iowa State (and Dee Kantner), she fouled out in 12 minutes. That last foul was really unbelievable, IMO, considering the time remaining and the score...

Only one foul in 13 minutes for Ms. Cheli.... NICE PROGRESS... GO MORGAN!!

 

[Zarathustra]

Q pulled in 3 boards immediatrely after checking in and another later in brief minutes of play!

FOUR REBOUNDS in 8 minutes... Way to GO, girl!!

 

[my2cents]

There's a specific kind of player missing or not yet emerged on this current roster that has been a mainstay for UConn's success, and that's the defensive utility player.

Think of the Kelly Faris, Kia Nurse, Nika Muhl, Kiah Stokes, Evina Westbrook, Nelson-Ododa, Gabby Williams and notable others who specialized in being the glue that keeps the roster going by being expert defenders, hustle players and doing some things offensively that keeps the team going. Momentum building hustle plays, steals, three, lockdown defenders, this kind of player is what this roster is missing right now. They have one loading, Aubrey Griffin had all the tools pre-injury to fit the billing and hope she remains that in this next frame.

Do you remember when Moriah Jefferson would harass guards into turnovers? Nelson-Ododa's elite post passing and rebounding? How Kia Nurse put Kitia Latska of South Florida in hell everytime they met and then would pop 3's like they were candy, or how Stokes would block and rebound like she was clocked into to work? That for me, is the missing ingredient in the recipe of this season. A lockdown defender that doubles as a playmaker of sorts.

You must not have seen todays game. They forced 31 Turnovers and Shade and KK had numerous steals and deflections.

 

[and one]

I'm not concerned about the defense. KK, Ash, Paige, and Sarah all play good D.