What's Next

[BfromCT]

Now that the season is over one victory from a national championship and we have had time to reflect on the loss to South Carolina, it is time as many have already noted to turn the page and to begin seriously to think about next season.

As of this time, we have Piath Gabriel in the transfer portal, not to mention the two players who bailed during the season. Fairfield’s Lou Lopez-Senechal will be playing for UConn next season. The 6.1 guard who averaged over 19 points last season appears to be a good pickup. Two intriguing additional possibilities are Latisha Lattimore, an injured 6.4 frosh who played for Texas and is a friend of Aaliyah Edwards, and 6.4 forward Kadi Sissoko from Minnesota. Given all the injuries the Huskies sustained last season, the addition of both a guard and a big girl seems wise.

The team has the core for success in returning players and two highly touted recruits coming to Storrs. In theory we have eleven players, but given the injuries over the past season this is not enough and a number of questions exist about the future.

First, can we expect Aubrey Griffin to return and play with the intensity she did before her back surgery? I am doubtful, yet hopeful.

Is it possible for the Huskies to undergo a season without serious injuries?

Will we see the 100% recovery of Paige, Dorka, Caroline, and Azzi and will Azzi be able, if completely healthy, to create her own shots?

Will DeBarry use the summer to make herself into a player who will be a major contributor to the team the upcoming season?

Will Brady and Patterson be significant contributors to the team next season?

Since Gabriel is on campus to finish the semester, is it possible that she will change her mind and return to Storrs for next season?

Lastly, what benefit will the team get from the transfer portal? What we have seen so far is promising.

The transfer questions should shake out in a few weeks and we can hope that the team will be able to successfully compete with big and physical teams like South Carolina for it appears that the Gamecocks have established a new parameter for success on the national stage. Moreover, both South Carolina and Baylor have mastered the rent-a-player scenario.

 

[nastynatty]

Is it possible for the Huskies to undergo a season without serious injuries?

Will we see the 100% recovery of Paige, Dorka, Caroline, and Azzi and will Azzi be able, if completely healthy, to create her own shots?

If the Huskies have a season even slightly less grueling (injury-wise) than the last, I’ll consider it to be a blessing. Hoping for a season without injuries at all might be overly optimistic.

I think the 100% recovery of Paige and Azzi is highly likely. I’m hopeful for Caroline and Dorka as well. And Azzi’s ability to create her own shot will only get better from here on out.

 

[hoophuskee]

Now that the season is over one victory from a national championship and we have had time to reflect on the loss to South Carolina, it is time as many have already noted to turn the page and to begin seriously to think about next season.

As of this time, we have Piath Gabriel in the transfer portal, not to mention the two players who bailed during the season. Fairfield’s Lou Lopez-Senechal will be playing for UConn next season. The 6.1 guard who averaged over 19 points last season appears to be a good pickup. Two intriguing additional possibilities are Latisha Lattimore, an injured 6.4 frosh who played for Texas and is a friend of Aaliyah Edwards, and 6.4 forward Kadi Sissoko from Minnesota. Given all the injuries the Huskies sustained last season, the addition of both a guard and a big girl seems wise.

The team has the core for success in returning players and two highly touted recruits coming to Storrs. In theory we have eleven players, but given the injuries over the past season this is not enough and a number of questions exist about the future.

First, can we expect Aubrey Griffin to return and play with the intensity she did before her back surgery? I am doubtful, yet hopeful.

Is it possible for the Huskies to undergo a season without serious injuries?

Will we see the 100% recovery of Paige, Dorka, Caroline, and Azzi and will Azzi be able, if completely healthy, to create her own shots?

Will DeBarry use the summer to make herself into a player who will be a major contributor to the team the upcoming season?

Will Brady and Patterson be significant contributors to the team next season?

Since Gabriel is on campus to finish the semester, is it possible that she will change her mind and return to Storrs for next season?

Lastly, what benefit will the team get from the transfer portal? What we have seen so far is promising.

The transfer questions should shake out in a few weeks and we can hope that the team will be able to successfully compete with big and physical teams like South Carolina for it appears that the Gamecocks have established a new parameter for success on the national stage. Moreover, both South Carolina and Baylor have mastered the rent-a-player scenario.

They don't need to pick up any additional players. As you said they got to the Finals last year.
And this team should be even stronger. It would be "nice" but they don't "need."

And as far as Baylor being a master. Baylor is not UCONN so UCONN doesn't need to emulate them. They need to emulate UCONN.

 

[jchusky]

They don't need to pick up any additional players. As you said they got to the Finals last year.
And this team should be even stronger. It would be "nice" but they don't "need."

And as far as Baylor being a master. Baylor is not UCONN so UCONN doesn't need to emulate them. They need to emulate UCONN.

agreed, don't need players losing more playing time. The player that transferred fits because she is not expected to start and just a role player off the bench. They keep adding transfers someone else is going to keep losing minutes. As much as depth is great, look at Stanford. Tara could not butcher a team more than she did in that final 4. Unlimited depth and she had no clue what she was doing.

 

[oldude]

While we can all speculate on players in the portal who might help UConn next season, Geno and his staff actually know and assess the players they have, and whether or not they need to supplement their roster with somebody from the portal.

• With 4 solid guards and 2 more on the way in 2023, UConn’s decision to add Lou2 for one year as a graduate transfer makes a lot of sense. She provides needed depth at G, and her size, versatility and ability to score will be a welcome addition to UConn’s roster.
• UConn has 6 potentially solid frontcourt players on the roster for next season. There are a number of questions concerning Dorka & Aubrey’s health, Ice & Ayanna’s ability to learn to play at the college level and, most importantly, Amari’s ability to raise her game. Clearly, Geno and his staff evaluated frontcourt players in the portal and determined they are better off playing the hand they were dealt.

 

[visitingcock]

Now that the season is over one victory from a national championship and we have had time to reflect on the loss to South Carolina, it is time as many have already noted to turn the page and to begin seriously to think about next season.

. . .

The transfer questions should shake out in a few weeks and we can hope that the team will be able to successfully compete with big and physical teams like South Carolina for it appears that the Gamecocks have established a new parameter for success on the national stage. Moreover, both South Carolina and Baylor have mastered the rent-a-player scenario.

Rent a player scenario for South Carolina? Cardosa had 3/4 years of eligibility when we picked her up. She's still on the roster and probably will be again this time next year. That's a long time to "rent."

We picked up one senior point guard this year who may, or may not, get significant playing time. That's rent-a-player? If so, what's Dorka?

 

[uconnfan68]

Rent a player scenario for South Carolina? Cardosa had 3/4 years of eligibility when we picked her up. She's still on the roster and probably will be again this time next year. That's a long time to "rent."

We picked up one senior point guard this year who may, or may not, get significant playing time. That's rent-a-player? If so, what's Dorka?

Even if you didn’t have Boston, you would have been formidable, but she raised to a different level. Not sure how you lost any games.

 

[sun]

While we can all speculate on players in the portal who might help UConn next season, Geno and his staff actually know and assess the players they have, and whether or not they need to supplement their roster with somebody from the portal.

• With 4 solid guards and 2 more on the way in 2023, UConn’s decision to add Lou2 for one year as a graduate transfer makes a lot of sense. She provides needed depth at G, and her size, versatility and ability to score will be a welcome addition to UConn’s roster.
• UConn has 6 potentially solid frontcourt players on the roster for next season. There are a number of questions concerning Dorka & Aubrey’s health, Ice & Ayanna’s ability to learn to play at the college level and, most importantly, Amari’s ability to raise her game. Clearly, Geno and his staff evaluated frontcourt players in the portal and determined they are better off playing the hand they were dealt.

We don't know whether Geno tried to recruit additional players from the portal or from Europe or not.
It's not right to say that Geno and staff knows what the right thing to do really is.
If UConn was unsuccessful trying to get more players then that wasn't Geno's decision based on evaluation at all, that's only the result of what happened and then he lives with the result by playing with the hand that he's dealt.
Just because fans like to speculate doesn't mean that they're right or wrong, they could be thinking just like Geno except Geno's hands are tied by the decisions of potential players about choosing to attend UConn or not.

The only thing that we can really agree on is that if UConn plays well enough next year then anything can happen and they can win a NC.
And if they don't play well enough then they won't win.
It's not rocket science, it's just that we're all in the dark about what UConn attempts to do and why the roster ends up being what it is.

Time will tell whether UConn will add more players or not for next year.
But we still won't know if Geno attempted to add more players to the roster or not, or who they were.
And we'll just need to wait for next year's team to play out their season.
For all anyone knows, Piath could change her mind and ask Geno to come back and play for UConn.

 

[Stymie]

My thoughts:
**Much affection for Aubrey, but not sure how much she will be able to contribute.
Back injuries always a tough bounce back.
**Dorka maybe not 100% either, but still a very valuable contributor.
**Azzi and Paige will be ready to rock and roll. Caroline hopefully.
**Portal guard pickup insurance for Caroline.
**would be pleasantly surprised if DeBerry makes a huge leap, but this Is a MAJOR unknown. Key factor for next year.
**another Key factor-will Aayliah continue her ascension from second half of last year, or will she revisit her first half regression? She is now the go to big. Is she prepared to handle the pressure/responsibility?
**two freshman coming onboard may make nominal contribution early, maybe more substantial later on?
Lastly, a question. Is Piath going to remain? Entered the portal but unsure of status for next year. Well she remain and work with DeBerry in the gym 24/7? Would it even matter?
If she goes, Coach may reach for another biggie. But he may decide to push hard on incoming freshman and chance that they’ll respond (more than Amati did).
If Aaliyah continues her uptrend, Dorka returns in stride and Amari takes a LEAP forward, UCONN may be cutting down the net in next years Final Four.
(Caveat- concerns about Caroline’s surgery-cannot discount her value to this team)

 

[Fossil]

While we can all speculate on players in the portal who might help UConn next season, Geno and his staff actually know and assess the players they have, and whether or not they need to supplement their roster with somebody from the portal.

• With 4 solid guards and 2 more on the way in 2023, UConn’s decision to add Lou2 for one year as a graduate transfer makes a lot of sense. She provides needed depth at G, and her size, versatility and ability to score will be a welcome addition to UConn’s roster.
• UConn has 6 potentially solid frontcourt players on the roster for next season. There are a number of questions concerning Dorka & Aubrey’s health, Ice & Ayanna’s ability to learn to play at the college level and, most importantly, Amari’s ability to raise her game. Clearly, Geno and his staff evaluated frontcourt players in the portal and determined they are better off playing the hand they were dealt.

Or are they are just waiting for an answer from one of the available Bigs. UConn has a strong back court and still went out and got a one-year experienced guard but somehow that doesn’t equate to the front court with?‘s on Aubrey and Dorka and having two unproven freshman and a sophomore who needs to improve greatly. It’s like playing Russian roulette where we are hopeful that we don’t shoot ourselves. Hoping that the freshman step up and the sophomore makes great strides over the summertime. Hoping that Dorka and Aubrey are fit and healthy to go and even Caroline now with the hip surgery. That seems like a lot of question marks for a team that’s vying for a national championship. I understand the playing time situation and the loyalty to your recruits but with the three seniors leaving that creates a lot of playing time to be spread out.

 

[Fossil]

Rent a player scenario for South Carolina? Cardosa had 3/4 years of eligibility when we picked her up. She's still on the roster and probably will be again this time next year. That's a long time to "rent."

We picked up one senior point guard this year who may, or may not, get significant playing time. That's rent-a-player? If so, what's Dorka?

A godsend!!!!!

 

[visitingcock]

Even if you didn’t have Boston, you would have been formidable, but she raised to a different level. Not sure how you lost any games.

Loss to Mizzou: Lack of intensity. We had come off a grueling undefeated, early season schedule against teams like NC State, Uconn, Stanford, Kansas St. etc. We could relax against the lower tier SEC teams, couldn't we? Nope. Mizzou looked like an easy win with the team reading its own press clippings . Mizzou also did a good job of stopping us from ever getting the big run like we had shown against Stanford and UConn.

Kentucky: No excuse for losing the SEC tourney championship game. Looking forward to the NCAA tournament? Sure, a bit, but that doesn't excuse the loss. Probably the worst defensive performance by a our bigs all year.

Without Boston? Sweet 16 and maybe elite 8. Doubtful we could have been a final four team without her.

 

[oldude]

Or are they are just waiting for an answer from one of the available Bigs. UConn has a strong back court and still went out and got a one-year experienced guard but somehow that doesn’t equate to the front court with?‘s on Aubrey and Dorka and having two unproven freshman and a sophomore who needs to improve greatly. It’s like playing Russian roulette where we are hopeful that we don’t shoot ourselves. Hoping that the freshman step up and the sophomore makes great strides over the summertime. Hoping that Dorka and Aubrey are fit and healthy to go and even Caroline now with the hip surgery. That seems like a lot of question marks for a team that’s vying for a national championship. I understand the playing time situation and the loyalty to your recruits but with the three seniors leaving that creates a lot of playing time to be spread out.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think so. Most of the top Bigs in the portal have made their decisions. UConn transfers are usually announced early on, as most of these players know pretty quickly whether UConn is the right place for them and vice versa.

As I commented in my previous post, as far as the frontcourt is concerned we can only speculate. Geno and the coaches have far more information to go on, and at least up to now, they’ve decided to stand pat.

 

[LarryLegend]

My thoughts:
**Much affection for Aubrey, but not sure how much she will be able to contribute.
Back injuries always a tough bounce back.
**Dorka maybe not 100% either, but still a very valuable contributor.
**Azzi and Paige will be ready to rock and roll. Caroline hopefully.
**Portal guard pickup insurance for Caroline.
**would be pleasantly surprised if DeBerry makes a huge leap, but this Is a MAJOR unknown. Key factor for next year.
**another Key factor-will Aayliah continue her ascension from second half of last year, or will she revisit her first half regression? She is now the go to big. Is she prepared to handle the pressure/responsibility?
**two freshman coming onboard may make nominal contribution early, maybe more substantial later on?
Lastly, a question. Is Piath going to remain? Entered the portal but unsure of status for next year. Well she remain and work with DeBerry in the gym 24/7? Would it even matter?
If she goes, Coach may reach for another biggie. But he may decide to push hard on incoming freshman and chance that they’ll respond (more than Amati did).
If Aaliyah continues her uptrend, Dorka returns in stride and Amari takes a LEAP forward, UCONN may be cutting down the net in next years Final Four.
(Caveat- concerns about Caroline’s surgery-cannot discount her value to this team)

IMO spot on with your comments on Aubrey and DeBerry. Hoping that Dorka makes a full recovery, like her a lot.

 

[LoboDays]

Nothing but questions that can’t be answered Neil they are answered next season. All the “If this and if that’s” will remain “ifs” till then.

What we know is that SC had the best team in the Country last season and they will be touted as the best team in the Country next season until some team can prove that wrong.

What I want to know is how do the deer know that they are supposed to cross the road at these signs?

 

[visitingcock]

Nothing but questions that can’t be answered Neil they are answered next season. All the “If this and if that’s” will remain “ifs” till then.

What we know is that SC had the best team in the Country last season and they will be touted as the best team in the Country next season until some team can prove that wrong.

What I want to know is how do the deer know that they are supposed to cross the road at these signs?

By all the bullet holes in the signs?

 

[sun]

So much emphasis is placed on the need for DeBerry to grow her talent over the summer.
That's true but the reality is that all of the players have room for growth too.
Some more than others but every single one of the UConn players needs to improve their game.
Some of the players have now been beaten in the Final Four twice.
In pro sports, it's often said that the game slows down for players as they gain more experience, which helps them to make great plays and decisions.
That can takes several years for some, whereas others are more pro ready as rookies.
Some of the growth that's needed is mental in addition to the physical.
Some things can be taught but not everything is teachable, they can only learn it through experience if at all.
Every year is probably a new learning experience for Geno too as he tries to figure things out.

 

[oldude]

We don't know whether Geno tried to recruit additional players from the portal or from Europe or not.
It's not right to say that Geno and staff knows what the right thing to do really is.
If UConn was unsuccessful trying to get more players then that wasn't Geno's decision based on evaluation at all, that's only the result of what happened and then he lives with the result by playing with the hand that he's dealt.
Just because fans like to speculate doesn't mean that they're right or wrong, they could be thinking just like Geno except Geno's hands are tied by the decisions of potential players about choosing to attend UConn or not.

The only thing that we can really agree on is that if UConn plays well enough next year then anything can happen and they can win a NC.
And if they don't play well enough then they won't win.
It's not rocket science, it's just that we're all in the dark about what UConn attempts to do and why the roster ends up being what it is.

Time will tell whether UConn will add more players or not for next year.
But we still won't know if Geno attempted to add more players to the roster or not, or who they were.
And we'll just need to wait for next year's team to play out their season.
For all anyone knows, Piath could change her mind and ask Geno to come back and play for UConn.

You’re right. We don’t know. But do you really believe that if Geno really wanted another Big from the portal, he couldn’t find anyone that was talented and willing to attend UConn? Note that ND has 2 Bigs transferring in, one of whom will certainly come off the bench, and TN also has a transfer Big who will back up their current C. I believe kids were available if UConn was really agressive.

One thing that we do know is that before a a transfer is even approached, Geno gets input from both his coaching staff as well as various coaches and others to gauge a potential transfer’s talent and character. If and when a potential transfer visits, Geno also gets input from the team afterwards on whether or not the transfer is a good fit and therefore worth offering a scholarship to.

So another thing we don’t know is whether a Big, or any other transfer, was interested in and/or visited UConn, and never received an offer. My gut tells me that the UConn staff looked at a bunch of kids, but only offered Lou2.

 

[sun]

But do you really believe that if Geno really wanted another Big from the portal, he couldn’t find anyone that was talented and willing to attend UConn?

Yes, ir's possible that Geno was turned down.
For instance, shortly before April 22, 6'5" Jr. center Emily Saunders transferred from Tenn to Youngstown State which has a virual pipeline of recruits from WV where Emily hails from.
She was a Lady Vol for 3 years and there's probably no way that she would consider attending UConn even if she were invited.
Not only does she want more PT, but she wouldn't be able to save face with Tenn fans if she choose UConn just like Evina was spoken about harshly for choosing UConn.
And some top players may have had previous experience being recruited by Geno & UConn, or know of others who have that influenced their own opinions.
If UConn has a reputation for being too regimented etc..., then surely some players won't want to be a part of it.

If and when a potential transfer visits, Geno also gets input from the team afterwards on whether or not the transfer is a good fit and therefore worth offering a scholarship to.

Honestly, have you ever heard of any UConn prospect being denied a scholarship due to player feedback that resulted from their campus visit?
It's hard to believe that any recruit could blow their opportunity for a scholarship by acting or saying something inappropriate to a UConn player during a visit.

 

[SEbluebood]

They don't need to pick up any additional players. As you said they got to the Finals last year.
And this team should be even stronger. It would be "nice" but they don't "need."

And as far as Baylor being a master. Baylor is not UCONN so UCONN doesn't need to emulate them. They need to emulate UCONN.

Not sure how we can draw the conclusion that our team should be stronger after losing three WNBA quality players. There may be potential, but certainly premature to say team should be stronger!

 

[LoboDays]

If they don’t go into the Portal for a big, it may mean that Geno has high expectations for the 2 incoming freshman in terms of being able to play serious minutes vs Amari and Piath’s garbage minutes.

 

[Cuango]

My thoughts:
**Much affection for Aubrey, but not sure how much she will be able to contribute.
Back injuries always a tough bounce back.
**Dorka maybe not 100% either, but still a very valuable contributor.
**Azzi and Paige will be ready to rock and roll. Caroline hopefully.
**Portal guard pickup insurance for Caroline.
**would be pleasantly surprised if DeBerry makes a huge leap, but this Is a MAJOR unknown. Key factor for next year.
**another Key factor-will Aayliah continue her ascension from second half of last year, or will she revisit her first half regression? She is now the go to big. Is she prepared to handle the pressure/responsibility?
**two freshman coming onboard may make nominal contribution early, maybe more substantial later on?
Lastly, a question. Is Piath going to remain? Entered the portal but unsure of status for next year. Well she remain and work with DeBerry in the gym 24/7? Would it even matter?
If she goes, Coach may reach for another biggie. But he may decide to push hard on incoming freshman and chance that they’ll respond (more than Amati did).
If Aaliyah continues her uptrend, Dorka returns in stride and Amari takes a LEAP forward, UCONN may be cutting down the net in next years Final Four.
(Caveat- concerns about Caroline’s surgery-cannot discount her value to this team)

Is it possible (allowed) that Piath could change her mind and stay? I am pretty doubtful that would happen but am curious as to whether she could?

 

[Bone Dog]

Loss to Mizzou: Lack of intensity. We had come off a grueling undefeated, early season schedule against teams like NC State, Uconn, Stanford, Kansas St. etc. We could relax against the lower tier SEC teams, couldn't we? Nope. Mizzou looked like an easy win with the team reading its own press clippings . Mizzou also did a good job of stopping us from ever getting the big run like we had shown against Stanford and UConn.

Kentucky: No excuse for losing the SEC tourney championship game. Looking forward to the NCAA tournament? Sure, a bit, but that doesn't excuse the loss. Probably the worst defensive performance by a our bigs all year.

Without Boston? Sweet 16 and maybe elite 8. Doubtful we could have been a final four team without her.

I appreciate the forthright response. From my side, I thought the early victory over UConn showed how good Dawn's offseason training program really was. Neither team was in midseason form in terms of execution. But we kept with you for 3 quarters and then ran out of gas. I think the usual experience for both teams midseason is that other teams run out of gas and just can't run with either of our teams. Sadly, in the finals, we just didn't have enough team left to make it as competitive as it might have been. Looking forward to next time!

 

[oldude]

If they don’t go into the Portal for a big, it may mean that Geno has high expectations for the 2 incoming freshman in terms of being able to play serious minutes vs Amari and Piath’s garbage minutes.

I think that’s part of it. Geno knew that Paige was going to be his starting pg as a freshman when she was still a senior in HS. Ice in particular has a big strong body and an exceptional skill set, and Ayanna is incredibly strong and athletic. They have college ready bodies. Geno may view both as regular rotation players next season.

Beyond that, Geno may also have a good medical prognosis on both Dorka and Aubrey for full recoveries, and Aaliyah is certainly poised to take the next step towards stardom.

Finally, I could not help but notice Amari’s washboard abs in the group photo from the Celtics game on Sunday. She’s not even started Andrea Hudy’s summer boot camp, and she looks much stronger & fitter. If Amari can match her basketball skills with improved strength, conditioning and effort, she could be the X-factor for the 2022-23 UConn Huskies.

 

[oldude]

Is it possible (allowed) that Piath could change her mind and stay? I am pretty doubtful that would happen but am curious as to whether she could?

It’s always possible. But as I commented in another post, Geno would have to accept Piath back on the team, and she did not do herself any favors when she missed the Bridgeport Regional due to academic issues.