What Caroline’s return does

[Longtime fan]

Dorka had the big steal and Aliyah had one bucket in the post and some key rebounds but that 4th qrtr run was driven by Caroline, Nika and Lou (19 pts by my rough count). How long has it been since we had a run that wasn't driven by post play? Having CD on the floor just forces the defense to play us more honestly. It opens up everybody's game.

We also got some much needed " luck." Creighton had a wide open lay-up off an under the basket throw in, and the player mishandled the ball and created a turnover instead of a bucket. We also got a phantom call on the block of Caroline's shot in the waning seconds. A call which allowed her the chance to sink two critical free throws. replays showed the Creighton player got all ball. The refs must close their eyes and blow the whistle on any really good defensive play, imagining it cannot be made without a foul.

Sometimes, it is better to be lucky than good.

 

[Bone Dog]

The challenge is to use this one body to give all the starters 4-5 minutes rest per game. AE right now is getting no break and she needs a breath every now and then.

And Caroline is better in the half court offense than Aubrey. There's a trade-off here, but the net gain is greater than what it costs.

 

[Longtime fan]

I must say the BY may be over analyzing the Aubrey vs Caroline situation. Aubrey wasn’t as effective offensively against Creighton’s defense which packed the lane. At the same time, Aubrey was, by far, UConn’s most active defender, providing help defense all over the court against Creighton’s motion offense and bevy of shooters.

With UConn down in the 4th qtr by double digits, and struggling to score, Caroline was a better option to not only score points, but also to spread the floor giving Lou and the rest of her teammates more room to operate.

It was a situational substitution by Geno because he absolutely needed points at that time in the game. If, for instance, UConn is hanging on to a small lead against Villanova on Saturday in the 4th qtr, you can expect Aubrey to be in the game, locking down Maddy Siegrist

We should be fine if we hold Maddy to 40.

 

[Littlemin]

Exactly, which is why I believe if Azzi is 50% or better and available at tournament time, the starting 5 should be Azzi, Lou, Caroline, Edwards, and Dorka. Nika and Aubrey off the bench for “spark”, and defense. I realize how important Nika is, but Azzi, Lou, and Caroline can handle the ball, and put up points, which is what we need more of. Waddauthink?

With all due respect, what I think is that this obsession with some of you posters of getting Muhl to the bench has reached the height of absurdity.

 

[browns]

Exactly, which is why I believe if Azzi is 50% or better and available at tournament time, the starting 5 should be Azzi, Lou, Caroline, Edwards, and Dorka. Nika and Aubrey off the bench for “spark”, and defense. I realize how important Nika is, but Azzi, Lou, and Caroline can handle the ball, and put up points, which is what we need more of. Waddauthink?

As as been discussed for 2 years Nika is the point guard and she will remain the point guard as well as she should

 

[Littlemin]

Wow, it's not there.... Posting from my phone maybe? Well it was intended... Mea culpa.

All good!

 

[BRS24]

My bad then for sure, but frankly, I went back and looked and there is no emoji on your post that I can see. Assuming there is one and for some reason it is not appearing to me, my apologies for my reply.

Wow, it's not there.... Posting from my phone maybe? Well it was intended... Mea culpa.

I've also had this happen. If I try to use emojis from the keyboard, they don't show up, so perhaps it's only the ones "preloaded" in this BB website?

 

[BBallF]

Exactly, which is why I believe if Azzi is 50% or better and available at tournament time, the starting 5 should be Azzi, Lou, Caroline, Edwards, and Dorka. Nika and Aubrey off the bench for “spark”, and defense. I realize how important Nika is, but Azzi, Lou, and Caroline can handle the ball, and put up points, which is what we need more of. Waddauthink?

You don't like the idea of Caroline and Azzi coming off the bench? How do you defend that? If Azzi starts Aubrey will sit, not Nika. Personally, I would project that all things being equal, the starting 5 now is the starting 5 in April.

 

[wingsfan055]

CD & eventually Azzi will provide exponential benefits, and not just linear benefits based on their own talents. The reason is they make the players around them better. Teams can no longer "cheat" by double teaming Lou or clogging the paint and inside passing lanes. This is critical in the type of systems and schemes that Geno runs. The odds of a Final Four and another Title have gone up, although SC will remain the obvious favorite barring injuries.

 

[The deacon]

You don't like the idea of Caroline and Azzi coming off the bench? How do you defend that? If Azzi starts Aubrey will sit, not Nika. Personally, I would project that all things being equal, the starting 5 now is the starting 5 in April.

If Azzi is back, that would not be our best starting five.

As as been discussed for 2 years Nika is the point guard and she will remain the point guard as well as she should

I assume Geno has received your instructions?

You, browns, plus Littlemin and others call it absurd to try to field the best possible team the Huskies can muster. Why is it absurd to consider that a team with a healthy Azzi, a healthy Caroline, plus Aubrey, Dorka and Aaliyah might be the best team possible? Sounds pretty darned good to me.

It is not about sending Nika to the bench. It's about making the Huskies the best they can be... we have a difference of opinion. I know, I know, Geno said this, Geno said that.... Geno says a lot of things, and will do what's best for the team at any given time.

Sadly, it's possibly a moot point if Azzi isn't close to 100 percent come tournament time.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Seeing Caroline on the court last night was a welcome sight. More than being a positive that this admirable young woman is recovered from her concussion, Caroline brings some tangible benefits:

• An extra body to give the starters a breather, yes, but more than that, a proven scorer and confident shot of energy off the bench. Before Caroline’s return, Geno was reluctant to sub in when he needed a scoring punch off the bench, now he’s got someone he trusts to maintain - or improve- the level of play set by the starters.
• Another ball-handler. It’s true Caroline is a wing/forward but I’d rather have her dribbling in the paint than Dorka or Aaliyah
• Someone besides Lou that can create a shot. Caroline and Lou were moving, moving, moving when they were on the court together in the 4th quarter and the defense was working really hard to keep track of them. That opened up the lane a bit and moved defenders away from the perimeter. Give Caroline or Lou a peek of daylight and they can find a way to create a shot. Invaluable.
• Speaking of Lou and Caroline and what they do for each other, watch the clip below. Both are on the perimeter and Lou gets the ball. Two defenders collapse on the team’s best three point shooter, leaving Caroline wide open in the corner. I’ve been waiting weeks to see this again. Just imagine when Azzi gets back

Teams can’t afford anymore to double up Lopez Senechal with Caroline on the floor and vice versa. Parties over!!!!

I also think Caroline see the floor and understands the flow of a game better that anyone on the team.

 

[Wheeling]

Starting 5 right now have earned it. Fudd will come off the bench which she should if she comes back at all this season. Great having Caroline back. She will come off bench the rest of the season and will start next season.

 

[RedStickHusky]

We also got some much needed " luck." Creighton had a wide open lay-up off an under the basket throw in, and the player mishandled the ball and created a turnover instead of a bucket. We also got a phantom call on the block of Caroline's shot in the waning seconds. A call which allowed her the chance to sink two critical free throws. replays showed the Creighton player got all ball. The refs must close their eyes and blow the whistle on any really good defensive play, imagining it cannot be made without a foul.

Sometimes, it is better to be lucky than good.

That fumbled inbounds was critical.

 

[topogigio]

If Azzi is back, that would not be our best starting five.

I assume Geno has received your instructions?

You, browns, plus Littlemin and others call it absurd to try to field the best possible team the Huskies can muster. Why is it absurd to consider that a team with a healthy Azzi, a healthy Caroline, plus Aubrey, Dorka and Aaliyah might be the best team possible? Sounds pretty darned good to me.

It is not about sending Nika to the bench. It's about making the Huskies the best they can be... we have a difference of opinion. I know, I know, Geno said this, Geno said that.... Geno says a lot of things, and will do what's best for the team at any given time.

Sadly, it's possibly a moot point if Azzi isn't close to 100 percent come tournament time.

I believe what you are saying is exactly what my point was with the starting five at tournament time. If all are healthy, and ready to go, you put your 5 best player to play the most minutes. Of course, match-ups dictate a lot, and who is hot and who is not, but find me five better overall available players than Azzi, Lou, Caroline, Dorka, and Aliyah for the respective positions. Sure, some players may do one or two things better, but I believe you will be hard pressed to find a better 5 unit anywhere in the nation. No disrespect to any other player, or "wanting" them on the bench. Rather, the object of the game is putting the ball in the basket, and they are them!

 

[RedStickHusky]

I believe what you are saying is exactly what my point was with the starting five at tournament time. If all are healthy, and ready to go, you put your 5 best player to play the most minutes. Of course, match-ups dictate a lot, and who is hot and who is not, but find me five better overall available players than Azzi, Lou, Caroline, Dorka, and Aliyah for the respective positions. Sure, some players may do one or two things better, but I believe you will be hard pressed to find a better 5 unit anywhere in the nation. No disrespect to any other player, or "wanting" them on the bench. Rather, the object of the game is putting the ball in the basket, and they are them!

If you have six that you're comfortable giving 30 minutes to, that leaves 20 to either play the hot hand or, given the chance, go deeper on the bench. Even if you assume Aubrey is #6, she'll still get her minutes.

 

[hoopsfan22]

I know, I know, Geno said this, Geno said that.... Geno says a lot of things, and will do what's best for the team at any given time.

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.

 

[MSGRET]

Actually, I think the Creighton game was a great opportunity to have both Caroline and Aubrey in together as Creighton isn't full of very tall players. Have either Aaliyah or Dorka get some rest while out on the court is Caroline, Aubrey, Lou, Nika and either Aaliyah or Dorka as the designated big. With that group, UConn has 5'9 Nika, 6'1 Aubrey who also is team's best defensive player, 6'1 Lou, 6'2 Caroline, and either 6'3 Aaliyah or 6'5 Dorka. Now you have good shooters, good defenders and good rebounders, and you can take advantage of the fast break opportunities too.

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

 

[BBallF]

If Azzi is back, that would not be our best starting five.

I assume Geno has received your instructions?

You, browns, plus Littlemin and others call it absurd to try to field the best possible team the Huskies can muster. Why is it absurd to consider that a team with a healthy Azzi, a healthy Caroline, plus Aubrey, Dorka and Aaliyah might be the best team possible? Sounds pretty darned good to me.

It is not about sending Nika to the bench. It's about making the Huskies the best they can be... we have a difference of opinion. I know, I know, Geno said this, Geno said that.... Geno says a lot of things, and will do what's best for the team at any given time.

Sadly, it's possibly a moot point if Azzi isn't close to 100 percent come tournament time.

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.

 

[cancontent]

Wasn't it said that Azzi hasn't been cleared for any contact during the broadcast last night? All this speculation as to rotations may be a bit presumptuous.

 

[MSGRET]

Yeah, that’s what they did; the fully reported and commented on gradual increase in activity from no contact, to light contact, to full contact, to playing was all just a smoke screen when they really just threw “her out there and see what happens“. Come on, really?

I believe that @RedStickHusky was being sarcastic to another poster who seemed to questioning the playing of Caroline and putting her at risk.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Wasn't it said that Azzi hasn't been cleared for any contact during the broadcast last night? All this speculation as to rotations may be a bit presumptuous.

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.

 

[SJF]

Caroline being back unclogs the lane this will allow AE more space to move. AE will have a big game Sat.

 

[MSGRET]

We also got some much needed " luck." Creighton had a wide open lay-up off an under the basket throw in, and the player mishandled the ball and created a turnover instead of a bucket. We also got a phantom call on the block of Caroline's shot in the waning seconds. A call which allowed her the chance to sink two critical free throws. replays showed the Creighton player got all ball. The refs must close their eyes and blow the whistle on any really good defensive play, imagining it cannot be made without a foul.

Sometimes, it is better to be lucky than good.

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.

 

[BBallF]

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.

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.

 

[PacoSwede]

I believe what you are saying is exactly what my point was with the starting five at tournament time. If all are healthy, and ready to go, you put your 5 best player to play the most minutes. Of course, match-ups dictate a lot, and who is hot and who is not, but find me five better overall available players than Azzi, Lou, Caroline, Dorka, and Aliyah for the respective positions. Sure, some players may do one or two things better, but I believe you will be hard pressed to find a better 5 unit anywhere in the nation. No disrespect to any other player, or "wanting" them on the bench. Rather, the object of the game is putting the ball in the basket, and they are them!

you just don't get nika's value to the team. her leadership is immense.

 

[cancontent]

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.

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.

 

[Tonyc]

All this talk about who should start. We have scoring problems. Lou Caroline and Azzi can score, they can shoot the heck out of the ball at a very high percentage. They can dribble drive and they can create their own shot. They demand defenses to guard them. Now tell me any player as of the past few games who can do all that. Having Lou Caroline and Azzi on the floor will cut down on TO's too because you dont have to look to force the ball to anyone. They will create their own shot or if open arent afraid to shoot it. Again we need scorers and they are scorers . Most likely not all 3 will be on the floor together. Geno like offense off the bench and Azzi and Caroline will have managed minutes to avoid further injuries.

Since opponents have caught on to pack it in and shadow Lou UConn has had problems scoring. With Caroline back everything changes and when Azzi gets back well you can just forget it because I dont think there are any defenses that can hold UConn down. Those 3 make everybody better because defenses will be forced to cover everybody one on one.

The focus for me now is March. If we lose to Nova and get Azzi back for March we are gonna be a very tuff out as long as we all stay healthy. When were hitting from the outside there arent gonna be alot of rebounds alot of TO's and alot fear except for opponents.

We are in a better place with Caroline back and it will only get better from here on out.

 

[JoePgh]

I'm quite surprised that in 87 posts in this thread, no one has referred to Geno's comments in his postgame press conference about his anxiety regarding perimeter defense when Caroline and Lou are on the floor at the same time.

They are both somewhat slow and somewhat foul-prone, and a team with one or more small, fast guards could potentially dance right through them to the basket. That team is not Creighton and not Villanova or Marquette, but in the Big East it might be Seton Hall, DePaul, or St. John's. Against teams like that, it sounds like we will see a lot of Aubrey and not very much of Caroline and Lou on the floor together.

Another thing that Geno will probably deploy (as he did a bit against Creighton) is a 3-2 zone defense, which makes it somewhat easier for defenders like Lou and Caroline to contain penetration.

 

[Gordo]

puts our best defensive player (and possibly the Big East Defensive Player of the Year), Aubrey Griffin on the Bench for 1/2 the game .... [Geno will sub in Caroline for Aubrey and not Lou Lopez Senechal).

It doesn't have to work that way and it certainly didn't last night. Aubrey will get her minutes and the better she plays the more she'll get. Caroline will sub for whoever Geno thinks it is appropriate and will most likely stay in the game as she gets in better and better shape ... physically and mentally.

 

[Gordo]

• Speaking of Lou and Caroline and what they do for each other, watch the clip below. Both are on the perimeter and Lou gets the ball. Two defenders collapse on the team’s best three point shooter, leaving Caroline wide open in the corner. I’ve been waiting weeks to see this again. Just imagine when Azzi gets back

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.