The new season will be a good one. I for one am looking forward to this version of the Huskies as they integrate the new talent into the current group of "kids" which was battle tested last year. We'll see what they learned. No mama E to look after them. Who will step up and take that role this year? Enquiring fans want to know.
I don't know if they will continue the Final Four streak (although I think they certainly have a great shot). There are two teams out there that I feel may be more talented than the Huskies this year and I'm sure we all know who those two teams are. Other teams have outstanding players as well (though maybe not in the quantity of the "big three") that will have something to say about how the season goes. So, for me, I will be overjoyed if they get NC No. 12 and will be sad, but not crushed, if they don't get it. I think most fans likely feel that same way.
And when a game doesn't turn out the way we would like, I would hope that we don't pillory the players or the coaching staff. It's ok to discuss what did or didn't work without making it personal. Every player has their strengths and weaknesses and the games reveal that. Constantly harping on it gets old and tiresome. I had to step away from the site a few times last year because of the negativity after certain games. Maybe it was a reflection of the pandemic or the mindset of the country overall, but last year got brutal at times. I would prefer that we find a way to "Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative, and don't mess with Mr. In Between." It will make for a much more enjoyable season.
I particularly believe that the ability to slash to the basket and finish at the rim, combined with stop & pop mid-range (good brakes) and multiple 3 pt threats on offense {
Nika (improved 3 ptrs),
Paige (always, & fully healed and stronger than ever),
Azzi (showed it at tournament time), the new
Lou (so far so good - yes, it is practice),
Caroline (fully healed and stronger than ever) plus strength and efficiency in the post(s) [high/low:
Dorka (fully healed and stronger than ever),
AE (confident & better than she finished during tournament time),
ICE (stronger & faster than she is showing & dominating in U18 in Argentina),
AP (having people foul her elbow without missing any games & showing that her 3X3 skills translates well in 5 on 5), and
Amari (rapidly becomes consistently good in what Geno is looking for in her), and I look forward to a fully healed & quick
AG.
I do not remember a time when UCONN had five of eleven women coming off of surgery in an eighteen month period. Prayers sent for fully healed Huskies, and continued good health for all eleven (and practice players faces...), and let each team member be rapid learners of "the system" as each year is a "new" team [three excellent seniors graduated to the WNBA, and effectly four 'new' women as AG was out with back surgery, and Lou, ICE, & AP in for their first year with the Huskies].
After the last year [called "the toughest" year ever by Geno], may this be Geno's easiest year ever by having all of last year's starters (six of them in double digit starts, but none starting every game - you all know the history) stepping up to more than fill the gap of leadership (in a positive way) left by the three graduates to the WNBA.
Go Huskies!!! Much success on the quest of NC #12!