Vanguard Pre-Game Press

[hoopsfan22]

Geno:

 

[hoopsfan22]

Starters (no surprise): Crystal Dangerfield, CW, KLS, Megan, Collier

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Batoully ... how to read that? I know how I do, but no point in putting it out there.

 

[UConn82]

Does anyone know precisely what is wrong with Batouly now?

She is our one big body, and I would think we need her against ND and Baylor.

 

[CocoHusky]

Batoully ... how to read that? I know how I do, but no point in putting it out there.

Had a similar reaction to Geno's Mikayla, Lexi, Molly comment. "No predictable upward arc among the three of them, more like a daily rollercoaster. Is this how it will be in games? We'll see. "
My take: We won't see it (rollercoaster) or then during games.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Batouly:

 

[CocoHusky]

Does anyone know precisely what is wrong with Batouly now?
She is our one big body, and I would think we need her against ND and Baylor.

Batouly injury history includes shoulder surgery shortly after her transfer from Kentucky and a Bone Bruise in her right knee last season.

 

[UConn82]

Thank you. I actually knew that. I was wondering specifically about what is bothering her physically now. A bone bruise will heal in 7 months.

 

[Carnac]

Does anyone know precisely what is wrong with Batouly now?

She is our one big body, and I would think we need her against ND and Baylor.

You bet we're going to need her against those two. Both teams feature ALL-AMERICAN post players in Kalani Brown and Brianna Turner, both of whom begin the season healthy. Turner said she threw her knee brace in the trash months ago.

This personal interview with Touly is what we've all been waiting for. To get it straight from her mouth how she's doing physically, and whether or not she'll be ready to go 100% when the buzzer sounds to begin the season.

 

[eebmg]

When Geno listed his starting 5 as being no secret, he was so down.. Clearly, he wanted some of the others in practice to step up and at least make it less of a certainty.

 

[hoopsfan22]

ONO:

 

[hoopsfan22]

When Geno listed his starting 5 as being no secret, he was so down.. Clearly, he wanted some of the others in practice to step up and at least make it less of a certainty.

The reality is there is a pretty big talent gap on this team. It would not matter how good Lexi, Kyla, Bent, ONO, Coombs, or Batouly looked in practice. They simply are not as good as the five starters. Here is the starting line up:

Crystal Dangerfield - #2 recruit in class of 2016
CW - #1 recruit in class of 2018
KLS - #1 recruit in class of 2015
Megan - #1 recruit in class of 2017
Collier - #6 recruit in class of 2015

For Geno this one was a no-brainer. Also I think this is why some think the team is loaded this year despite losing 3 top 10 WNBA draft picks. With 3 #1 recruits in the starting lineup, we should #DoDamage.

 

[DEpup]

Had a similar reaction to Geno's Mikayla, Lexi, Molly comment. "No predictable upward arc among the three of them, more like a daily rollercoaster. Is this how it will be in games? We'll see. "
My take: We won't see it (rollercoaster) or then during games.

That's just the normal Geno poking and prodding. Not sure why anyone is surprised.

 

[Kaizen]

Very happy to see Batouly is very positive and feeling good ...

 

[Carnac]

The reality is there is a pretty big talent gap on this team. It would not matter how good Lexi, Kyla, Bent, ONO, Coombs, or Batouly looked in practice. They simply are not as good as the five starters. Here is the starting line up:

Crystal Dangerfield - #2 recruit in class of 2016
CW - #1 recruit in class of 2018
KLS - #1 recruit in class of 2015
Megan - #1 recruit in class of 2017
Collier - #6 recruit in class of 2015

For Geno this one was a no-brainer. Also I think this is why some think the team is loaded this year despite losing 3 top 10 WNBA draft picks. With 3 #1 recruits in the starting lineup, we should #DoDamage.

They will win the games they're suppose to win. The question is will they win games they are not necessarily favored to win? i.e., road games with Notre Dame & Baylor, the two biggest and most formidable games on their schedule. Win or lose, the BY will be abuzz with observations and comments by all with either unbridled praise or serious introspective concerns.

BTW, ONO has got to have the longest eye lashes on the team.

 

[UConn82]

Well, it is not really all that important whether we beat ND and Baylor in the regular season. The BIG deal is whether we can beat them in the tournament. We all know that.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Touly spends an hour getting her body ready for practice! God bless her!!!

 

[jaundicedeye]

The reality is there is a pretty big talent gap on this team. It would not matter how good Lexi, Kyla, Bent, ONO, Coombs, or Batouly looked in practice. They simply are not as good as the five starters. Here is the starting line up:

Crystal Dangerfield - #2 recruit in class of 2016
CW - #1 recruit in class of 2018
KLS - #1 recruit in class of 2015
Megan - #1 recruit in class of 2017
Collier - #6 recruit in class of 2015

For Geno this one was a no-brainer. Also I think this is why some think the team is loaded this year despite losing 3 top 10 WNBA draft picks. With 3 #1 recruits in the starting lineup, we should #DoDamage.

Totally agree. It is not so much a focus on where the other players fall short but rather seeing how really good CW is and will be!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Lexi is nursing a sore hamstring. Hence the wrap she has been sporting. UConn Preview: Breaking down the Huskies’ 2018-19 women’s basketball roster

 

[Bama fan]

Batouly:

What a thoughtful, well spoken young woman. Very likable, and appears to want to make her contribution. On and off the court. UConn gets good players, but more importantly, they get good kids! Makes it a joy to be a fan! Go Huskies.

 

[oldude]

The reality is there is a pretty big talent gap on this team. It would not matter how good Lexi, Kyla, Bent, ONO, Coombs, or Batouly looked in practice. They simply are not as good as the five starters. Here is the starting line up:

Crystal Dangerfield - #2 recruit in class of 2016
CW - #1 recruit in class of 2018
KLS - #1 recruit in class of 2015
Megan - #1 recruit in class of 2017
Collier - #6 recruit in class of 2015

For Geno this one was a no-brainer. Also I think this is why some think the team is loaded this year despite losing 3 top 10 WNBA draft picks. With 3 #1 recruits in the starting lineup, we should #DoDamage.

While I get your general point, it should be pointed out that Liv a #5 was a former #1 in her class before missing her junior year with an injury and Mikayla was #13.

 

[eebmg]

The reality is there is a pretty big talent gap on this team. It would not matter how good Lexi, Kyla, Bent, ONO, Coombs, or Batouly looked in practice. They simply are not as good as the five starters. Here is the starting line up:

Crystal Dangerfield - #2 recruit in class of 2016
CW - #1 recruit in class of 2018
KLS - #1 recruit in class of 2015
Megan - #1 recruit in class of 2017
Collier - #6 recruit in class of 2015

For Geno this one was a no-brainer. Also I think this is why some think the team is loaded this year despite losing 3 top 10 WNBA draft picks. With 3 #1 recruits in the starting lineup, we should #DoDamage.

It was a no brainer only because CW probably exceeded early expectations a bit combined with no one else really grabbing it.

Before the first practices, I think everyone was unanimous about MW but there were plenty at the BY who thought at least in the beginning of the season, Batouly or Irwin or Coombs or ONO could have shown enough to crack the starting 5.

 

[Carnac]

I think oldude has a valid point here. Geno's 5 starters are very very good. It would be difficult for anyone to crack that line up. I'd say they maybe the most talented starting unit in the country. Whether they play like they are is a different story. Once they gel, I expect to see them do some great things this year. Scoring will not be a problem for this unit. All 5 players can put the ball in the basket.

The biggest unknown right now is how good can/will they be on defense? How many times during a game can they limit their opponent to 1 shot per possession? How many times can they get a stop or a steal (when one is really needed) without yielding any points on the defensive end of the court? Can they limit their opponents to 59 points or less each game?

The question here is can they all stay healthy, and how much support will they receive from the reserves? As talented as they are, they cannot carry the team on their backs all season. The bench MUST step up and support the starters whenever called upon. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. As I've observed several times already this year, THIS team can not afford to cater to any cheerleaders.

Everyone on this team has a role. Each player needs to "buy in", know and accept that role, and fill it to the best of her ability.

 

[ochoopsfan]

To make the game closer on Sunday Lou will be playing for Vanguard.

 

[eebmg]

To make the game closer on Sunday Lou will be playing for Vanguard.

Please. Lou going behind enemy lines to spread misinformation.