It's not just what Geno says, it's what Geno does, and every time he's tinkered with the lineup the last three years, he has always come back to Nika in the lineup because he thinks the offense runs better when she's the one running it.
Geno did have the two on the floor for around 8 minutes with Dorka sitting. I don't know if it helped, but it is great that he can now rest not only Aubrey, but both Dorka and Aaliyah if he wishes to. Both Lou and Nika will get very little rest until Azzi is able to play
There is no way it will be Azzi, Caroline, Aubrey, Aaliyah and Dorka. You are going to sit your point guard, the heart and soul of your team and the nation's leader in assists and have Azzi play a position she has played only sparingly the last two years? Also, no Lou? Not happening. She is a scorer, a 5th year player, mature, seasoned and has earned her stripes. I would think he will keep the 5 who have bonded and jelled, and then use CD and Azzi, although perhaps with much more playing time than perhaps a starter or 2. If Azzi is back to form, it will be Aubrey who sits and Lou who slides to the 3. You want a second shooter/scorer out there as much as possible. Last night proved that. Either CD, Lou or Azzi can take advantage of a weaker defender or in CD's case, a smaller one. With one outside shooter they clog the middle, tie up the bigs, and dare us to shoot while at the same time muscling Lou to the ball. I think Aubrey is a much better shooter than she thinks she is but she has been hesitant to shoot and Nika is hot and cold. Lou was the shooter before last night. Now they have to shut down 2 of them. It opens the middle. In the case of CD she can create her own shot so she has to be closely guarded with the ball and without it she moves like an old time Knick.
I believe that @RedStickHusky was being sarcastic to another poster who seemed to questioning the playing of Caroline and putting her at risk.
Yeah she is doing some exercises with Coach Valley, but she's not practicing yet as far as we know. It's not a concussion protocol, so the progression could be much quicker where she goes from not participating in full fledge practices to a game in the span of days instead of weeks. Or, we might not see her on the court again until summer session. Who knows. Geno only uses seven or eight in March anyway, so I feel pretty good going into the NCAAs if #6 and #7 are Caroline and Azzi. Can't imagine too many teams have those kind of players as their 6 and 7.
There were phantom calls on both sides, it is what it is in basketball. The ref that called it was down low on the opposite side of the camera angle that SNY showed, which was inconclusive, maybe she actually saw the hand hitting Caroline's.
Exactly my point. You are bringing in about 25-30 points off the bench. It just creates pressure on the defense, makes them guard the 3 religiously and thereby opens up the middle for 1on 1s with our bigs, not our bigs trying to force against double teams like last night.
you just don't get nika's value to the team. her leadership is immense.
Considering she suffered a set back from when the knee was originally injured, I'm not so sure. If she's only doing exercises, it sounds like it's still some time until anyone will know whether she can compete at a level to help the team. I'd rather see her back fully healthy for next season versus pushing herself and it being too soon.
Yes, I hope this becomes a reality. Been waiting all season for the three of them to be in the game together setting the nets on fire.
No, don’t put words in my mouth please. What is absurd to me is that you think that is the best possible team the Huskies can muster. And, oh by the way, the post I answered describing as “absurd” talked about making the change if Fudd was above 50%, so you changed the post I answered from that to a “healthy” or “close to 100 per cent” Fudd. Regardless, while I disagree with a Bueckers at point being UConn’s best team, it is an understandable argument, the one without her and not starting Muhl is ridiculous.
Not my argument but as far as SC last year, I suspect the loss of Dorka probably had at least as much to do with that outcome than the decision to start Paige over Nika.
Sorry my opinion is absurd and ridiculous, Littlemin. I'll strive against great odds to reach your level of wisdom in years to come.
Luck tends to run both ways. I read the box score before I saw the replay and asked myself how could we get out-rebounded by a much shorter team? After watching the game I knew the answer. Creighton got lucky repeatedly by getting those long range offensive rebounds after missed 3 pt attempts. Sometimes two times during a single procession usually resulting in a three. Our luck came at the most critical moments of the game making it appear that we were just lucky or Creighton was unlucky.
