We didn't add anyone from the portal, but... (and it's a big BUT)

[sun]

I agree with your post except I'd like to offer an alternative to your last few comments above.

Perhaps Nika is the 2nd (maybe 3rd if it's Azzi) best passer on this team and along with her stellar defense gives UCONN the best chance to win close games rather than young inexperienced freshmen and sophomores can provide.

Last year when the team got bogged down with scoring, Geno said that he wanted more one on one BB action.
One on one is not exactly Nika's strongest suit.
If players other than Nika can stimulate scoring against tough teams by using one on one action, then consider the reason why Geno may do some substituting in new ways.
Not everything is based on doing things exactly as in the past, sometimes the coaches & players need to improvise to freshen up the team's look & to improve the team's performance.
It's a way to change up the way things are done so that the team doesn't become too predictable & beatable.
Why not use more of the weapons on the team if it can help take the defensive heat off of Paige & Azzi.
KK may be able to provide a real spark to the team when it really needs one.

 

[Happydad745]

One of the most often asked questions in sports.........which is harder to do, win a championship, or win 2 back to back? BOTH are extremely hard to do. As well all know, UConn was the last to do it in 2015-2016 (the Breanna Stewart era). Ask South Carolina how hard it is to do. They just missed doing it by the length of a fingernail. Ask any of the other schools that have won one since 2017.

Mulkey had Griner and won once; Staley had Aja Wilson and A. Boston and won once each....We have Paige, it is her turn to get one.

 

[wingsfan055]

Having either Paige or Azzi pass the ball rather than shoot the ball limits UCONN's halfcourt Offense unless their pass leads to an uncontested 5 footer. Paige Bueckers shot 46.4% from 3 as a freshman. as the team's #1 option (the opposing defense tries its best to shutdown). That's equivalent to 69.6%. And if her 2pt shooting gets better than her frosh year, realistically who is going to shoot better than her other than near layups for others, or maybe a healthy Azzi?

The problem with UConn's half court offense the last several years is that it often gets bogged down. Players just pass side to side until the clock runs out and someone has to make a play. If Paige has the ball she opens the offense up in many ways. She can take her man off the dribble or screen and shoot from the perimeter.she can drive to the hoop and pull up for a short jumper or she can drive and dish to an open player. The problem I have with Nika sometimes at the point is she's basically pass first and shoot last. She also has trouble beating her man off the dribble because she's not quick enough.Teams know that and will just back off and double either paige or another shooter.

 

[Cuango]

Then why not start Nika? What difference would it make for Paige if Nika starts or not? Anyhow, wasn't the point I replied to was that Alydar had said Paige is the best pg and you don't move the best pg away from her natural position? That's the big reason why Alydar and others don't want Nika to start, isn't it? If that wasn't Alydar's point, then I apologize. But below is the partial-post I responded to and it reads to me that even if Nika comes in, Alydar seems to suggest that you don't move Paige off the pg spot.

"To me putting her anywhere but pg would be like asking Picasso to paint the floor of the Sistine Chapel instead of the ceiling."

She has to rest sometime, as does Azzi and everyone else!

 

[hoophuskee]

Last year when the team got bogged down with scoring, Geno said that he wanted more one on one BB action.
One on one is not exactly Nika's strongest suit.
If players other than Nika can stimulate scoring against tough teams by using one on one action, then consider the reason why Geno may do some substituting in new ways.
Not everything is based on doing things exactly as in the past, sometimes the coaches & players need to improvise to freshen up the team's look & to improve the team's performance.
It's a way to change up the way things are done so that the team doesn't become too predictable & beatable.
Why not use more of the weapons on the team if it can help take the defensive heat off of Paige & Azzi.
KK may be able to provide a real spark to the team when it really needs one.

Last year Paige was hurt, Azzi was hurt, Caroline was hurt and Ice who may also be a good scorer was hurt. With all these injuires more offense was needed. And the 1st two aforementioned are off the charts efficent scorers when healthy. the last thing UCONN needs is KK taking shots away from Paige and Azzi.

Not everything needs to be changed up. It's been clear injuires were the problem.

More less efficient scorers (taking shots away from Paige and Azzi) is not a good thing unless Defense is factored in.

And UCONN could have a real spark between Nika, Aubrey, and Caroline whoever of them that comes off the bench. As of this moment in time, my money would be on the 3 upperclassmen being superior to KK,.

 

[hoophuskee]

The problem with UConn's half court offense the last several years is that it often gets bogged down. Players just pass side to side until the clock runs out and someone has to make a play. If Paige has the ball she opens the offense up in many ways. She can take her man off the dribble or screen and shoot from the perimeter.she can drive to the hoop and pull up for a short jumper or she can drive and dish to an open player. The problem I have with Nika sometimes at the point is she's basically pass first and shoot last. She also has trouble beating her man off the dribble because she's not quick enough.Teams know that and will just back off and double either paige or another shooter.

The offense has been bogged down this year and last year (the past 2) because of mostly injuries. And the prior year their 2nd/3rd options have not been near the same as the past great teams.

 

[Cuango]

I don't understand why a healthy Paige would prevent Nika from starting. When Paige and Nika were freshmen (2020-2021) Geno put Nika in the starting lineup halfway through the season. I recall Geno saying Nika made the team better. Nika started 15 games, all of which Paige also started.

What am I missing?

Maybe, if everyone is healthy, there may be other combinations that play better. Maybe not. We’ll find out if and when everyone is 100%! Virtually every action, lineup, playing time decision Geno has made for two years has been colored/influenced by our injury situation! No one knows what would have happened or what will happen if the entire roster was/is fully healthy.

 

[hoophuskee]

She has to rest sometime, as does Azzi and everyone else!

Yes. But that wasn't Alydar's point from what I read. Again I apologize if I misread his post but KI believe he's been saying that when they are both in togther, Paige is the Picasso, so the assumtion is that Nika is the wing. That's part of the reason given why Nika can't start is what some think,

 

[UConnCat]

Maybe, if everyone is healthy, there may be other combinations that play better. Maybe not. We’ll find out if and when everyone is 100%! Virtually every action, lineup, playing time decision Geno has made for two years has been colored/influenced by our injury situation! No one knows what would have happened or what will happen if the entire roster was/is fully healthy.

Of course, but some here are suggesting Paige and Nika can't both be starters because they're both point guards. My point is they both were starters as freshman and that team made the Final Four. Injuries didn't force that decision. Nika is a much better player now than she was then.

 

[sun]

The problem with UConn's half court offense the last several years is that it often gets bogged down. Players just pass side to side until the clock runs out and someone has to make a play. If Paige has the ball she opens the offense up in many ways. She can take her man off the dribble or screen and shoot from the perimeter.she can drive to the hoop and pull up for a short jumper or she can drive and dish to an open player. The problem I have with Nika sometimes at the point is she's basically pass first and shoot last. She also has trouble beating her man off the dribble because she's not quick enough.Teams know that and will just back off and double either paige or another shooter.

There was a similar problem with Ines not being a confident enough ball handler or able to penetrate the lane.
Maybe some of the our European PG's didn't dedicate themselves to learning how to dribble circles around defenders at an early enough age like Paige & KK have shown.
Maybe some PG's were forced to develop the skill because they really love to excel or because they played against tougher competition.
Or maybe it's a skill that's based on innate talent that some players just don't have.
If they do have it then they haven't displayed it to the level of proficiency of Paige & KK yet.

Last year Paige was hurt, Azzi was hurt, Caroline was hurt and Ice who may also be a good scorer was hurt. With all these injuires more offense was needed. And the 1st two aforementioned are off the charts efficent scorers when healthy. the last thing UCONN needs is KK taking shots away from Paige and Azzi.

Not everything needs to be changed up. It's been clear injuires were the problem.

More less efficient scorers (taking shots away from Paige and Azzi) is not a good thing unless Defense is factored in.

And UCONN could have a real spark between Nika, Aubrey, and Caroline whoever of them that comes off the bench. As of this moment in time, my money would be on the 3 upperclassmen being superior to KK,.

You say that you don't want KK taking shots away from Paige, but if KK enters the game it will probably be to replace Paige or Nika at the PG position.
KK wouldn't be taking shots away from Paige because she would be manufacturing shots by creating diversions for our other shooters if she didn't penetrate or make some shots herself.
Paige is the 1st one to tell teammates that if the ball gets passed to you then shoot it.
That's why the team has rebounders.
It's all about baptism by fire.
Maybe some NIka fans are worried that KK will be too good when she eventually gets to play.
That's food for thought but you know that KK will get multiple chances to display her skills & will score on 3 levels.

 

[Alydar]

In a normal season (the last was certainly not normal), Geno determines who are his top 7-8 players. They are the ones who will get the majority of minutes, regardless of the game score. Why? Because Geno believes that his best players need to continuously work together under game conditions. Personally, I agree with that and it's a system that has been highly successful here. There are 200 minutes available per game. So, with eight (8) players averaging 25 minutes each there's nothing left. That means with a roster of 14, regardless of their potential abilities six (6) players aren't going to see much action.

While a player may only average 6 min/game they could have had five or six games where they got 12-15 min and made contributions. If any of the new players show competence and total effort in practice they will get an opportunity in a game. That's the way Geno has run things.

Besides, I refuse to discuss the "problem" of a too deep roster. I'd like to experience that this coming season.

 

[visitingcock]

Then why not start Nika? What difference would it make for Paige if Nika starts or not? Anyhow, wasn't the point I replied to was that Alydar had said Paige is the best pg and you don't move the best pg away from her natural position? That's the big reason why Alydar and others don't want Nika to start, isn't it? If that wasn't Alydar's point, then I apologize. But below is the partial-post I responded to and it reads to me that even if Nika comes in, Alydar seems to suggest that you don't move Paige off the pg spot.

"To me putting her anywhere but pg would be like asking Picasso to paint the floor of the Sistine Chapel instead of the ceiling."

Picasso? Sistine Chapel? Who the heck are you quoting, Yogi didn’t know Paige, did he?

 

[Alydar]

The problem with UConn's half court offense the last several years is that it often gets bogged down. Players just pass side to side until the clock runs out and someone has to make a play. If Paige has the ball she opens the offense up in many ways. She can take her man off the dribble or screen and shoot from the perimeter.she can drive to the hoop and pull up for a short jumper or she can drive and dish to an open player. The problem I have with Nika sometimes at the point is she's basically pass first and shoot last. She also has trouble beating her man off the dribble because she's not quick enough.Teams know that and will just back off and double either paige or another shooter.

The brilliance of Bueckers' play makes any other pure pg look bad, simply due to Bueckers' scoring skills which puts pressure on the defense and gives her teammates more and better looks. A lot of Muhl's to's came trying thread a needle because the defense didn't respect her offense enough. If Muhl can elevate and make 12-15's she would be much more dangerous.

I don't think Muhl is spending her summer building her tic toc audience. I would be shocked if she isn't an even more complete player and a stronger player next season.

 

[Alydar]

Morrow is not a center...

nor is she a grad transfer as my post clearly stated.

 

[Alydar]

Picasso? Sistine Chapel? Who the heck are you quoting, Yogi didn’t know Paige, did he?

The quotes were done by the poster, not me. They took one sentence out of my post. You need to look for my entire post.

 

[oldude]

Picasso? Sistine Chapel? Who the heck are you quoting, Yogi didn’t know Paige, did he?

Evidently, Michelangelo didn’t get around to finishing the ceiling, so a couple hundred years later, the Pope called over to Spain to ask Picasso to do some touch up work. Considering that Picasso was both an avowed atheist and communist, it was nice of Pablo to finish up one of the most religious frescoes in all of Christianity…

 

[oldhusky]

I don't understand why a healthy Paige would prevent Nika from starting. When Paige and Nika were freshmen (2020-2021) Geno put Nika in the starting lineup halfway through the season. I recall Geno saying Nika made the team better. Nika started 15 games, all of which Paige also started.

What am I missing?

In addition he ultimately made Nika the principle ballhandler late in that season. It didn't start that way when they were together. Initially Paige was at the point and Nika was often hanging out in the corner as a spot up 3pt shooter. That use of the two didn't work very well and he switched Nika to the point most of the time, and the results were better. Geno has already tried it both ways and liked Nika at the point better when both were in the game.

 

[hoophuskee]

You say that you don't want KK taking shots away from Paige, but if KK enters the game it will probably be to replace Paige or Nika at the PG position.
KK wouldn't be taking shots away from Paige because she would be manufacturing shots by creating diversions for our other shooters if she didn't penetrate or make some shots herself.
Paige is the 1st one to tell teammates that if the ball gets passed to you then shoot it.
That's why the team has rebounders.
It's all about baptism by fire.
Maybe some NIka fans are worried that KK will be too good when she eventually gets to play.
That's food for thought but you know that KK will get multiple chances to display her skills & will score on 3 levels.

I have KK coming in when either UCONN is comfortably ahead or in blowouts. KK is behind Nika. For me that is obvious. And when Paige is the PG, if Nika is not in, then KK is behind Azzi, Caroline, and Aubrey as far as wings go if she is not the pg. At the point she comes in UCONN will be far enough ahead then yes, she can take shots away from Paige and Azzi. Paige and Azzi don’t need to continue to be huge scorers throughout a game when they are over 20 ahead.

You say what Paige says. I'll quote what Geno says. He wants Paige and Azzi to shoot. He wants them to shoot because they are obscenely efficient scorers. When you have efficient scorers, you don’t have to rely on offensive rebounding as much.

It's all about efficiency and performance. Not about "baptism of fire."

And if KK beats out Nika great. Number 1 ranked recruits or near tend to be able to play right away and KK isn't that. If you think KK is going to beat out Nika - more power to you if she is able to outplay this year's version of Nika. But I tend to believe some of you get infatuated with the new toy. I recall a few years ago how many on her were infatuated with Saylor Poffenbarger in that she was going to come in the 2nd half of her H/S year and beat out experienced UCONN players. That never came close to happening. There is too much new toy envy here.

 

[hoophuskee]

Picasso? Sistine Chapel? Who the heck are you quoting, Yogi didn’t know Paige, did he?

It's not my quote. I guess you didn't understand a word I said nor read the thread? That's okay.

Read the post on this thread from Alydar. I took the sentence from Alydar.

 

[BobbyJ]

The brilliance of Bueckers' play makes any other pure pg look bad, simply due to Bueckers' scoring skills which puts pressure on the defense and gives her teammates more and better looks. A lot of Muhl's to's came trying thread a needle because the defense didn't respect her offense enough. If Muhl can elevate and make 12-15's she would be much more dangerous.

I don't think Muhl is spending her summer building her tic toc audience. I would be shocked if she isn't an even more complete player and a stronger player next season.

A big If. The clock is ticking. She's going into her 4th year at UConn and hasn't developed it yet.

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

I don't understand why a healthy Paige would prevent Nika from starting. When Paige and Nika were freshmen (2020-2021) Geno put Nika in the starting lineup halfway through the season. I recall Geno saying Nika made the team better. Nika started 15 games, all of which Paige also started.

What am I missing?

what you are missing is Azzi..... as I said, I don't know what is going to happen... and I love Nika... but I just don't know if she starts next year....

 

[hoopsfan22]

what you are missing is Azzi..... as I said, I don't know what is going to happen... and I love Nika... but I just don't know if she starts next year....

Has Geno ever moved a three year starter to the bench for their senior season? Let alone one that is the de facto team captain and one of the best defenders in the country, 2nd behind only Caitlin Clark in assists per game, and the 3rd best 3-point shooter on the team?

 

[visitingcock]

It's not my quote. I guess you didn't understand a word I said nor read the thread? That's okay.

Read the post on this thread from Alydar. I took the sentence from Alydar.

Frankly I don’t care what you said.

No offense intended. The hilarity of the quote is what caught my eye. I have pondered it many times and it’s going to be one of my favorites It even tops Belushi’s “when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor.” Right up there with any of the great Yogiisms.
@Alydar

 

[UConnCat]

what you are missing is Azzi..... as I said, I don't know what is going to happen... and I love Nika... but I just don't know if she starts next year....

I’m not missing Azzi. Nika started in the same backcourt with Paige and Christyn Williams. Once again, I addressed the point that some have made in this thread that Paige and Nika won’t be in the starting lineup together because they are both point guards. Geno did exactly that 2 years ago.

I don’t particularly care what the starting lineup looks like in November. I want a healthy team and will trust Geno on putting together the lineup.

 

[meyers7]

The point couldn't have been clearer!

Ummm, nope. That point wasn't in there. It had to be read into. Which I admit, I did not do very well.

 

[Pharos]

UConn looks great on paper. So you're a team that wants to beat them. What do you do? You fill your bench with the best you can find. You plan (and practice accordingly) to play 8, 9, even 10 deep. You plan to be as physical as the refs will allow, and you don't worry about racking up a lot of fouls if the refs call fouls based on the pushing and shoving, because you keep rotating your players; so no one gets in foul trouble. You plan to "hoist 'em up" and crash the boards if the shots don't always go in. And, again, you plan to get very physical under the basket, because, hey, the refs can't call them all.
And... the finese, skilled team loses...

 

[meyers7]

With Paige and/or Azzi on the court, Ashlynn Shade will have a lot of room to operate. No one’s talking about her but she’s another tough-minded, athletic guard that shoots 40% from the perimeter.

Depends on what you mean by athletic. I don't think she's all that athletic in quickness/speed, but I would agree she's athletic in strength/toughness/endurance.

But that's based on what I've seen of her. Which is not a lot. Some, but not a lot.

 

[meyers7]

Because she plays the same position as the best player on the team and is a little turnover prone.

Hmmm, The Kid's career numbers at UCONN are 235/102 for a 2.30 a/to ratio.

Last year Muhl was 279/120 for a 2.32 a/to ratio. So she's not as bad (at this point in her career) as some people think.

And no, I'm not saying Muhl is a better PG than The Kid. However, I don't think Geno has a problem with playing 2 PG's. Especially when one of them can be a combo guard. He certainly has no problem playing 3 guards. Probably prefers it.

 

[meyers7]

I don't understand why a healthy Paige would prevent Nika from starting. When Paige and Nika were freshmen (2020-2021) Geno put Nika in the starting lineup halfway through the season. I recall Geno saying Nika made the team better. Nika started 15 games, all of which Paige also started.

What am I missing?

I don't think you're missing anything. I think it might be some other people missing something. And I don't think they are missing something from a basketball perspective. More from a Geno perspective.....what Geno does/has done.

 

[meyers7]

Besides, I refuse to discuss the "problem" of a too deep roster. I'd like to experience that this coming season.

Amen!!!