Westbrook

[JordyG]

It may have escaped your notice, but Geno started and played 3 guards this past season: Crystal, Christyn & Lou. Based on everyone who is committed to UConn at this point, Westbrook would be the 5th starter, and it's not even close.

Agreed. Also, who is to say that Paige or Nika would be able to start as freshmen? If past Geno is prologue we then know how rare and difficult that is. There is no substitute for talent plus experience.

 

[JordyG]

Totally agree. As a LV fan you would know better the specifics since presumably you follow your team more closely than most UCONN fans do. When one poster referred to her mom as a "helicopter mom" - someone that Geno would want no part of, I corrected them with your version of what I understood. That's the ONLY instance where I heard anything about Evina's mom being involved in her hoops career at Tenn. And what parent would have done differently if they were in her mom's shoes anyway?

I think many took the story and blew it out of proportion which is exactly what happens in the 'telephone game' - something gets retold over and over and by the time you get to the end, the story is nothing like the original. Same with the "vicious attacks". I know Vol fans were displeased with her turnovers and mistakes, but I'm not sure if it's any different from UCONN fans' "observations" of Coombs lack of offense or Irwin's lack of athleticism etc.

I say this with love in my heart - I know this is an anonymous message board, but I wish fans would be more careful or do more research before forming and posting opinions about "helicopter mom" or "chemistry problem". There is almost zero evidence of either. The helicopter mom thing was well explained by you. Aside from Evina's answering the Tennessee horde's repeated badgering questions about the coaching etc, she finally admitted that changes were needed. Your story, and the one I just shared are literally the ONLY instances I can find anywhere of evidence to support some of the things posters have said/worried about on here. And the evidence doesn't come close to supporting any of the potentially negative things posters have worried about.

I assume with 99.99% certainty that if she does choose to come to UCONN, fans will realize it's with the complete blessing of the coaching staff AND the team. I would expect fans to be incredibly excited in welcoming her to the UCONN family. And enough with the opinions based on unsubstantiated data.

Like a million plus.

 

[Triad]

I am scratching my head to figure out why Westbrook coming to UConn makes sense for either party. If she is permitted to play in 2019-20 (certainly no sure thing), she would certainly play behind Crystal and Chrystyn, which means that she would come off the bench -- surely not what she wants or could obtain at Oregon or Oregon State.

Then in 2020-21, Christyn would be a sure starter, and Evina would have to compete with Paige and Nika for the other guard slot. She could easily land on the bench for her entire UConn career! Whereas, in Eugene, she could have an almost guaranteed starting slot for two years, playing close to home for a very good coach and a Top 5 team.

So why would she want to come to UConn? And why would Geno want to invite her, knowing that she would never be content as a third guard, and also knowing that she can be troublesome if she is not happy?

One thing that Geno doesn't need is yet another guard.

@JoePgh . Don't be certain she may demand to start. BB Players want to play, you are right about that but coming off the bench for REAL PT is just as good to many. I think having Geno teach/coach her may be worth coming off the bench. Who knows she may work into a starting spot. Geno would ONLY invite her if he sees a high upside to having her on his team. Let the Master choose.

 

[Triad]

Agreed. Also, who is to say that Paige or Nika would be able to start as freshmen. If past Geno is prologue we then know how rare and difficult that is. There is no substitute for talent plus experience.

I agree, again, Geno has to see something extraordinary about having a frosh starting. CW was a special case. She actually wasn't ready ready but her up side starting was higher than those sitting. With Geno there is no guarantee of ANYONE starting, it's usually an earned, with talent, spot.

 

[HuskyNan]

Agreed. I ain’t one of the crazy Vol fans y’all speak of!

I haven’t been on the Summitt since it went pay-for but it seemed only about 10% of them were die hard UConn haters. Some were just nuts, honestly, but they were prolific posters so it seemed worse.

There are about 5 people on VolNation that either drifted over from The Summitt or is cut from the same cloth as the haters

 

[Triad]

I haven’t been on the Summitt since it went pay-for but it seemed only about 10% of them were die hard UConn haters. Some were just nuts, honestly, but they were prolific posters so it seemed worse.

There are about 5 people on VolNation that either drifted over from The Summitt or is cut from the same cloth as the haters

I agree, one title does not fit all on Vol Nation, Summit or the BY. Decent people exist everywhere. Rare are the arm holes that rant and rave or cut and paste or just plain hate. The BY has more than a fair share of REALLY decent posters.

 

[LoTrader]

Oregon St. will have Pivec, Slocum, Goodman and Tudor (hopefully recovered from knee injury) most likely vying for 3 starting slots. There's no guarantee Westbrook would be an immediate starter at OSU. Oregon is probably a different story with less returning experienced back court players.

Different story should Westbrook have to sit out next year. OSU loses Pivec and Tudor after the 2019-20 season

 

[oldude]

Different story should Westbrook have to sit out next year. OSU loses Pivec and Tudor after the 2019-20 season

While your point is certainly true, I have to believe that Westbrook is approaching her transfer with the expectation that she will be eligible to play next year. Who knows what the NCAA will do? But at a minimum, I would expect that whichever school Westbrook ends up at will commit up front to applying for a waiver on her behalf from the NCAA to make her immediately eligible.

Certainly UConn would want her to be immediately eligible. Otherwise there's a 2-year logjam at the g/w spots starting the year after next with jr's Christyn & Evina, sophs Ania & Aubrey & freshmen Paige & Nika.

 

[mbr33ct]

So what I am getting from all the different transfer portal threads is that as soon as someone is rumored to be transferring that they are coming to UConn without an iota of proof...it's just daily speculation to see where the BYers take it.
This is just so much fun.

Fixed your post, the "in" word for these transfers now seem to all accompany the word "portal" in them. As far as the rest of your post, it's so when they "don't" show up at UConn, there would be more additional threads to pump out, as to reason why they didn't come here.

EDIT: ...see what I mean?

 

[JoePgh]

It may have escaped your notice, but Geno started and played 3 guards this past season: Crystal, Christyn & Lou. Based on everyone who is committed to UConn at this point, Westbrook would be the 5th starter, and it's not even close.

Lou, mainly because of her size, was a multi-purpose player. She could play on the back line of a zone defense or guard players such as Lauren Cox and Jessica Shepard, AND, as a senior, she could rebound! Westbrook is a great "pure" guard, but she cannot fill that kind of a role. She (unlike Lou) CAN guard players of the Ogunbuwale type, but I think she would have a hard time guarding players who are 6-2 or bigger.

The 5th starter next year will have to provide a lot of help on the boards -- I would say that will be that player's primary responsibility. The most plausible candidates are Ania, Aubrey, Batouly, and Evelyn -- not Westbrook. Without a very capable rebounder in that position, UConn is way too small against good teams, and will once again suffer on the boards.

So I don't see Geno using a 3-guard lineup unless there is a guard (Ania?) who can plausibly grab a lot of rebounds. That means Westbrook, if she is here, would be a third guard.

 

[oldude]

Lou, mainly because of her size, was a multi-purpose player. She could play on the back line of a zone defense or guard players such as Lauren Cox and Jessica Shepard, AND, as a senior, she could rebound! Westbrook is a great "pure" guard, but she cannot fill that kind of a role. She (unlike Lou) CAN guard players of the Ogunbuwale type, but I think she would have a hard time guarding players who are 6-2 or bigger.

The 5th starter next year will have to provide a lot of help on the boards -- I would say that will be that player's primary responsibility. The most plausible candidates are Ania, Aubrey, Batouly, and Evelyn -- not Westbrook. Without a very capable rebounder in that position, UConn is way too small against good teams, and will once again suffer on the boards.

So I don't see Geno using a 3-guard lineup unless there is a guard (Ania?) who can plausibly grab a lot of rebounds. That means Westbrook, if she is here, would be a third guard.

If Westbrook comes to UConn and if she’s eligible next year, I guess we’ll know. For the record, Westbrook averaged 3.6 rbs, which is pretty darn good for a pg on a team with a lot more size than UConn. In addition, I don’t know of another WBB team in the country next season who will start a wing in excess of 6’2”.

 

[EricLA]

If Westbrook comes to UConn and if she’s eligible next year, I guess we’ll know. For the record, Westbrook averaged 3.6 rbs, which is pretty darn good for a pg on a team with a lot more size than UConn. In addition, I don’t know of another WBB team in the country next season who will start a wing in excess of 6’2”.

Plus just as a side note... Crystal is 5'6". She routinely covers guards closer to 6' tall. Phee was 6'1" and had to cover centers who were in the 6'5" range. I see why people get concerned about height but a few things.

First, we have Olivia. Staying in Storrs for the summer to work on her game and strength will pay big dividends next season IMHO. So boom - we already have some size.

Second, IF we get Evina and IF she's eligible right away, I agree she's the 5th starter. Crystal, Christyn, Evina, Megan, Olivia. Geno often played zone when ONO was in the game last season, but if he goes more man-man this year, then likely there will be times "smaller" Meg at 6' or so will be covering bigger players. She's already gotten much stronger and this past year when only Phee was on the court (no ONO), she basically had to do the same thing.

My point is UCONN players were routinely covering kids at least 3-4 inches taller than them and we still made it to the final 4. Geno is a master of morphing his team into the best offensive and defensive unit they can be by enhancing strengths and masking weaknesses.

There are very few teams who will be able to match UCONN in sheer talent. Baylor lost Brown to graduation (and their starting PG) and no longer has Mompremier so they don't have a huge 6'5"+ post presence any more. Oregon has a very talented Hebard in the post, but she's not a giant (altho she is very strong). UCONN should be able to match up with them and our 5 starters should give even those 2 teams fits when they try to defend us.

Last thing - UCONN has already added post depth. Adebayo should be solid for us and provides welcome depth. Besides Westbrook is there another surprise out there? Stay tuned...

 

[j66kicker]

While your point is certainly true, I have to believe that Westbrook is approaching her transfer with the expectation that she will be eligible to play next year. Who knows what the NCAA will do? But at a minimum, I would expect that whichever school Westbrook ends up at will commit up front to applying for a waiver on her behalf from the NCAA to make her immediately eligible.

Certainly UConn would want her to be immediately eligible. Otherwise there's a 2-year logjam at the g/w spots starting the year after next with jr's Christyn & Evina, sophs Ania & Aubrey & freshmen Paige & Nika.

I wonder if Westbrook's decision will include her evaluation of which elite school has the best chance of getting her a waiver. For instance, Oregon has the "needed to come back close to home" factor working for it, and UConn has the "Tennessee would absolutely throw a fit" factor working against it. ??

 

[oldude]

I wonder if Westbrook's decision will include her evaluation of which elite school has the best chance of getting her a waiver. For instance, Oregon has the "needed to come back close to home" factor working for it, and UConn has the "Tennessee would absolutely throw a fit" factor working against it. ??

There should be no difference in the way the NCAA looks at Westbrook’s waiver request, regardless of which school she ends up at. I know, we’re UConn and we’re used to being screwed by the NCAA.

The only exception would be a medical hardship waiver that would allow Westbrook to have immediate eligibility if she transfers to a school within 100 miles from her home. But for that waiver to be granted, Westbrook would need to document that a family member had a serious health problem, and that’s not the case as far as I know.

 

[uconnfan68]

Plus just as a side note... Crystal is 5'6". She routinely covers guards closer to 6' tall. Phee was 6'1" and had to cover centers who were in the 6'5" range. I see why people get concerned about height but a few things.

First, we have Olivia. Staying in Storrs for the summer to work on her game and strength will pay big dividends next season IMHO. So boom - we already have some size.

Second, IF we get Evina and IF she's eligible right away, I agree she's the 5th starter. Crystal, Christyn, Evina, Megan, Olivia. Geno often played zone when ONO was in the game last season, but if he goes more man-man this year, then likely there will be times "smaller" Meg at 6' or so will be covering bigger players. She's already gotten much stronger and this past year when only Phee was on the court (no ONO), she basically had to do the same thing.

My point is UCONN players were routinely covering kids at least 3-4 inches taller than them and we still made it to the final 4. Geno is a master of morphing his team into the best offensive and defensive unit they can be by enhancing strengths and masking weaknesses.

There are very few teams who will be able to match UCONN in sheer talent. Baylor lost Brown to graduation (and their starting PG) and no longer has Mompremier so they don't have a huge 6'5"+ post presence any more. Oregon has a very talented Hebard in the post, but she's not a giant (altho she is very strong). UCONN should be able to match up with them and our 5 starters should give even those 2 teams fits when they try to defend us.

Last thing - UCONN has already added post depth. Adebayo should be solid for us and provides welcome depth. Besides Westbrook is there another surprise out there? Stay tuned...

Lauren Cox at Baylor might be the best post in the country. And she’s still 6’4” tall. Close enough.

 

[j66kicker]

There should be no difference in the way the NCAA looks at Westbrook’s waiver request, regardless of which school she ends up at. I know, we’re UConn and we’re used to being screwed by the NCAA.

The only exception would be a medical hardship waiver that would allow Westbrook to have immediate eligibility if she transfers to a school within 100 miles from her home. But for that waiver to be granted, Westbrook would need to document that a family member had a serious health problem, and that’s not the case as far as I know.

I agree with you - in theory. Yogi Berra said, "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."

"Should" is the operative word here. In practice you can apparently make up any BS you want, regardless of what you have been quoted in writing in the past, and the NCAA will consider it based on what side of bed they got up on or Mark Emmert's personal vendettas. IMO the "Close to home" factor helps Oregon's case - in practice - and the "No way Tennessee would sign off" factor hurts UConn - in practice. And even if this isn't true, it could at least help Kelly Graves make the case that it might be.

 

[Carnac]

Westbrook went through this 2 years ago and maybe she wants to ask all the right questions and make a better choice this time. UConn was one stop. Remember, she is still enrolled at Tenn and finals are approaching. She need not make a decision for a while.

I read your post earlier, and read it again a moment ago. I had an epiphany the second time. Westbrook finally realized that committing to Tennessee was not in her best interest.

Now with only two years left in her collegiate playing window remaining, she must now choose what coach/program can best help her make up for the two years she lost with Holly, and get her to the place she wants and needs to be by the time her collegiate eligibility is exhausted.

It has been reported that she has narrowed her choices to Oregon and UConn. She must now look and compare the two coaches, their programs and the number of highly skilled players they have produced. Which program will be best for her in the short term and the long run? She can’t afford to swing and miss again. She has to get it right this time.

To all of the knowledgeable and mature minds here in yard, the choice is an easy one. Let’s hope it’s as clear and easy for her also. One choice would be a gamble, the other would be a sure thing. I wish her all the best wherever she decides to go.

 

[LoTrader]

While your point is certainly true, I have to believe that Westbrook is approaching her transfer with the expectation that she will be eligible to play next year. Who knows what the NCAA will do? But at a minimum, I would expect that whichever school Westbrook ends up at will commit up front to applying for a waiver on her behalf from the NCAA to make her immediately eligible.

Certainly UConn would want her to be immediately eligible. Otherwise there's a 2-year logjam at the g/w spots starting the year after next with jr's Christyn & Evina, sophs Ania & Aubrey & freshmen Paige & Nika.

Westbrook likely has a pretty good idea what are her odds of being eligible to play next year. That will determine Westbrook's stable of candidate schools for her consideration.

 

[jonson]

I read your post earlier, and read it again a moment ago. I had an epiphany the second time. Westbrook finally realized that committing to Tennessee was not in her best interest.

Now with only two years left in her collegiate playing window remaining, she must now choose what coach/program can help her make up for the two years she lost with Holly, and get her to the place she wants and needs to be by the time her collegiate eligibility is exhausted.

It has been reported that she has narrowed her choices to Oregon and UConn. She must now look and compare the two coaches, their programs and the number of high quality players they have produced. Which program will be best for her in the short term? She can’t afford to swing and miss again. She has to get it right this time.

To all of the knowledgeable and mature minds here in yard, the choice is an easy one. Let’s hope it’s as clear and easy for her also. One choice would be a gamble. The other would be a sure thing.

Although there is obviously no contest in terms of how many high quality players have come from UCONN vs. Oregon, I think what's relevant in Oregon's case is what's happening with the current coaching staff. This year, one of two Oregon seniors was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft (Cazorla). Next year, Ionescu will likely be drafted very early in the first round. Hebard will likely also go in the first round as well, but, if not, certainly in the second. The year following Satou Sabally will probably be a first rounder as well. (And it's perhaps worth remembering that Graves coached Courtney Vandersloot at Gonzaga.) That's not too shabby imo. Geno's record is unrivaled and obviously speaks for itself, but I think choosing Oregon (and I have not seen any confirmed reports that Westbrook is actually considering coming to Eugene) surely is more than another swing and a miss or ill-advised gamble.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Westbrook averaged 3.6 rbs, which is pretty darn good for a pg

Granted some PGs don't rebound at all, but that's a fairly modest stat in my mind. Syracuse's 5-6 PG averaged 4.8 last year. I can think of plenty of shorter, less athletic guards than Westbrook who grabbed more boards than that.

 

[Boreifs]

While your point is certainly true, I have to believe that Westbrook is approaching her transfer with the expectation that she will be eligible to play next year. Who knows what the NCAA will do? But at a minimum, I would expect that whichever school Westbrook ends up at will commit up front to applying for a waiver on her behalf from the NCAA to make her immediately eligible.

Certainly UConn would want her to be immediately eligible. Otherwise there's a 2-year logjam at the g/w spots starting the year after next with jr's Christyn & Evina, sophs Ania & Aubrey & freshmen Paige & Nika.

To me, it is a moot point. UConn will have five seniors next year; the chances of recruiting five Freshmen who can replace them is a fairy tale. UConn needs two transfers badly, to contribute in 20-21. Recruiting three impact Freshman for that year is certainly a great possibility; five not so much.

 

[Argonaut]

To me, it is a moot point. UConn will have five seniors next year; the chances of recruiting five Freshmen who can replace them is a fairy tale. UConn needs two transfers badly, to contribute in 20-21. Recruiting three impact Freshman for that year is certainly a great possibility; five not so much.

Keep in mind that only one of them has proven to be a consistent and significant contributor for UConn in past seasons. I think EA will put up good numbers this season and I'm really hoping we'll see the healthiest BC we've seen so far, but I wouldn't hang my season on what KI, MB, and BC can produce.

So if you're talking about replacing them body for body, I think finding two replacements (we technically already have two with PB and NM, but I think we'll end up with a bigger body before all is said and done) and three fantastic, well-rounded teammates is doable.

 

[jaundicedeye]

If Westbrook comes to UConn and if she’s eligible next year, I guess we’ll know. For the record, Westbrook averaged 3.6 rbs, which is pretty darn good for a pg on a team with a lot more size than UConn. In addition, I don’t know of another WBB team in the country next season who will start a wing in excess of 6’2”.

6'4" Satou Sabally at Oregon?

 

[oldude]

6'4" Satou Sabally at Oregon?

Sabally is more accurately 6’3”, but more to the point, she fills the 4 spot as a forward. Oregon’s 3 (wing) is 6’2” Erin Boley.

 

[HopJim]

Plus just as a side note... Crystal is 5'6". She routinely covers guards closer to 6' tall. Phee was 6'1" and had to cover centers who were in the 6'5" range. I see why people get concerned about height but a few things.

First, we have Olivia. Staying in Storrs for the summer to work on her game and strength will pay big dividends next season IMHO. So boom - we already have some size.

Second, IF we get Evina and IF she's eligible right away, I agree she's the 5th starter. Crystal, Christyn, Evina, Megan, Olivia. Geno often played zone when ONO was in the game last season, but if he goes more man-man this year, then likely there will be times "smaller" Meg at 6' or so will be covering bigger players. She's already gotten much stronger and this past year when only Phee was on the court (no ONO), she basically had to do the same thing.

My point is UCONN players were routinely covering kids at least 3-4 inches taller than them and we still made it to the final 4. Geno is a master of morphing his team into the best offensive and defensive unit they can be by enhancing strengths and masking weaknesses.

There are very few teams who will be able to match UCONN in sheer talent. Baylor lost Brown to graduation (and their starting PG) and no longer has Mompremier so they don't have a huge 6'5"+ post presence any more. Oregon has a very talented Hebard in the post, but she's not a giant (altho she is very strong). UCONN should be able to match up with them and our 5 starters should give even those 2 teams fits when they try to defend us.

Last thing - UCONN has already added post depth. Adebayo should be solid for us and provides welcome depth. Besides Westbrook is there another surprise out there? Stay tuned...

I remain positive re: coming year but have to question some of your points. ONO likely lead the team in fouls per minute. Even with more experience, likely to go up with more playing time. UConn also routinely got outrebounded last year-see the ND semi for why this is important. Not doom and gloom but wouldn't suggest we can match up underneath with current roster.