Welcome Back Ashlynn Shade

[Just.A.Fan]

What an incredible performance Ash had. She deserves a headline! Hopefully she will now just relax, enjoy her minutes, and let her (shooting) talents take over.

 

[MSGRET]

It looked like she did some adjustment to her follow thru, her shooting hand appeared to flip down a little bit more than what she did in the ND game. Whatever she did I hope she keeps on doing it. If Ash can keep other teams honest by forcing them to guard her it will open up the court for Paige, Sarah, and whoever is playing down low. If they can play like this against USC they win, then Geno can start bringing in the bench during Big East play and do all the fine tuning to get ready for their road games against Tennessee and South Carolina.

 

[and one]

I think everyone, Ash included, was pleasantly surprised at her historic first quarter shooting exhibition. I couldn't be more happy for her and have no illusions that that kind of shooting will become her norm. It would be fabulous if she can consistently average 15 points per game shooting about 40% overall.

 

[MooseJaw]

I think everyone, Ash included, was pleasantly surprised at her historic first quarter shooting exhibition. I couldn't be more happy for her and have no illusions that that kind of shooting will become her norm. It would be fabulous if she can consistently average 15 points per game shooting about 40% overall.

I hope so too, however if Azzi is able to hold a regular starting position Ash will seldom have that opportunity. If Ash a starter that means Azzi is not able to play, or has heavily restricted minutes. I hope whatever the case that Ash continues on an upward trajectory. I don't know why but I get more joy watching Ash play, than most others. It may be the smile bigger than life when she or a teammate makes a good play. Whatever it is I too would love for your 15/40% to be the norm for her.

 

[Next 12]

My own opinion without any extensive knowledge is why not have 4 shooters on the floor and one BIG, such as Ice The starting five with Azzi back, could be Paige,Sarah Ashlynn, Azzi and Ice. These 5 starters can hold their own on defense and rebounding. Just my thoughts, now let the more knowledgeable posters take over. I, in my opinion ,would not take Ashlynn out of the starting line-up. Chen would come off the bench. GO ASHLYNN!!!!!!

 

[donalddoowop]

All this praise for Shade. Wow! After the ND game some of these same people were saying unflattering things about her. She will, I believe, be at least as good as Hartley was.

 

[BobbyJ]

All this praise for Shade. Wow! After the ND game some of these same people were saying unflattering things about her. She will, I believe, be at least as good as Hartley was.

Do you think she’ll be a two time All American like Hartley was?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

My own opinion without any extensive knowledge is why not have 4 shooters on the floor and one BIG, such as Ice The starting five with Azzi back, could be Paige,Sarah Ashlynn, Azzi and Ice. These 5 starters can hold their own on defense and rebounding. Just my thoughts, now let the more knowledgeable posters take over. I, in my opinion ,would not take Ashlynn out of the starting line-up. Chen would come off the bench. GO ASHLYNN!!!!!!

But this can't be the only answer. There will be opponents where the Big and an Aubrey type, preferably her, can rock and roll. Jana has to catch on in the air and with the ball I don't see anyone else doing it. Aubrey, talk about rust, but she hopefully comes back ready to wow. The 4 and a big will let her work back in. I do not want to be rooting for a team that lives and dies by the 3.

 

[donalddoowop]

Do you think she’ll be a two time All American like Hartley was?

I believe she has the talent to be a two time AA.

 

[Skeets]

My own opinion without any extensive knowledge is why not have 4 shooters on the floor and one BIG, such as Ice The starting five with Azzi back, could be Paige,Sarah Ashlynn, Azzi and Ice. These 5 starters can hold their own on defense and rebounding. Just my thoughts, now let the more knowledgeable posters take over. I, in my opinion ,would not take Ashlynn out of the starting line-up. Chen would come off the bench. GO ASHLYNN!!!!!!

I was wondering why so much of the discussion was "Ash or Azzi". I agree with you another option is slide Paige into the PG spot (I believe she can play there ). We may, actually I hope, that we get to the point where it makes no sense to have Paige/Azzi/Ash/Strong not starting. Chen could still get good minutes subbing. UConn doesn't get hurt with Chen in the game, plus Geno likes her.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I was wondering why so much of the discussion was "Ash or Azzi". I agree with you another option is slide Paige into the PG spot (I believe she can play there ). We may, actually I hope, that we get to the point where it makes no sense to have Paige/Azzi/Ash/Strong not starting. Chen could still get good minutes subbing. UConn doesn't get hurt with Chen in the game, plus Geno likes her.

If we could count on Azzi being there for more than a game or two at a time, then your starting lineup suggestion along with Ice or Jana makes some sense. However, we aren't at a point where Azzi can be counted on and Chen has been doing well in my opinion. Plus she takes pressure of Paige. Team chemistry is very important and it's almost impossible to have with constant starting lineup changes.

 

[Rowdy831]

Ash is a great role player and she showed that against ISU. Here skillset is great for about 98% of the teams but she isn't a player that should be counted on too heavily on this team. Will she have games like ISU? Sure but will she provide that every night or show up in the biggest games? UConn can be a top 10 team with any five players on the floor as long as two of them are Sarah and Paige but how do they become the best?

Every team needs a player off the bench who can light it up and give the team instant energy and I think that is a perfect role for Ash on this team. Next year she may be the center of the offense but right now she needs to be the one to supply the spark. Paige, Azzi and Sarah are the shooters for this team and they need two enforcers Jana and Ice behind them. In my opinion that gives them the best chance to beat the upper level teams.

 

[JellyBean]

I was really happy for Ashlynn in her incredible shot making night. These players are under so much pressure and for them to have a hot shooting night, it does so much to boost their confidence. Keep up the great work, Ashlynn and just go out there and great play.

 

[SCyankee]

Ash is a great role player and she showed that against ISU. Here skillset is great for about 98% of the teams but she isn't a player that should be counted on too heavily on this team. Will she have games like ISU? Sure but will she provide that every night or show up in the biggest games? UConn can be a top 10 team with any five players on the floor as long as two of them are Sarah and Paige but how do they become the best?

Every team needs a player off the bench who can light it up and give the team instant energy and I think that is a perfect role for Ash on this team. Next year she may be the center of the offense but right now she needs to be the one to supply the spark. Paige, Azzi and Sarah are the shooters for this team and they need two enforcers Jana and Ice behind them. In my opinion that gives them the best chance to beat the upper level teams.

The issue is Azzi's durability. Ash/Morgan are the best alternatives, if she is out. Unfortunately she has missed more games than she has played.