When Azzi is healthy, she will become UConn's most important player

[Cuango]

Not sure where this incessant need for Azzi to be better than Paige comes from? Paige is the best player I’ve seen since Dee, Maya, Stewie! She could stand with those three right now (minus the titles)! I won’t say Azzi will never be as good as Paige but for now there is simply no comparison! Hopefully, she (Azzi) just needs to get healthy and will then be able to live up to some of the hype we have been hearing for the past couple of years. I truly hope so! I truly hope she makes Paige pale in comparison and becomes the GOAT! I must say though, imo that is very unlikely. What are the odds that you would have two transcendental/generational players in consecutive years come to the same school?

 

[willtalk]

I would wait on the speculation in respect to Fudd. She was very good in High School, but she is coming off an injury so we do not really know what effect it might have on her. While her situation is entirely different from Williams, it can still be a lesson in counting ones chickens before the hatch. With Williams it was transferable talent to the college level, but with Fudd it is possibly injury effects related- either chronic or residual. Most ACL's due to advances in medicine do not carry over long term negative affects, but there are always exceptions. Waiting and being cautious in regards to speculation does nothing to affect the ultimate results. Jumping the gun in such matters , however, can lead to disappointment.

 

[Alydar]

Not sure where this incessant need for Azzi to be better than Paige comes from? Paige is the best player I’ve seen since Dee, Maya, Stewie! She could stand with those three right now (minus the titles)! I won’t say Azzi will never be as good as Paige but for now there is simply no comparison! Hopefully, she (Azzi) just needs to get healthy and will then be able to live up to some of the hype we have been hearing for the past couple of years. I truly hope so! I truly hope she makes Paige pale in comparison and becomes the GOAT! I must say though, imo that is very unlikely. What are the odds that you would have two transcendental/generational players in consecutive years come to the same school?

I knew how good Bueckers was 3 years ago and didn't need her to prove a thing but many needed to see her do it in college. And 2 years ago there was a legit debate over whether Bueckers or Fudd was the better player. That debate was real. There was no hype! That's how good she was at that point. And she was competing against all the current college juniors and sophomores and beat them all out for the NPOY award. Since then she has had an ACL injury and dropped a dumbell on her foot last summer. (I don't see how the foot injury has anything to do with coming back too soon?)
I accept that some need to see it with their own eyes. But wanting both Bueckers and Fudd shut down whether or not they are healed and able to play is being over-cautious. Both players have been surrounded by outstanding trainers for years. Both of them have goals beyond UConn and are mature enough to see the big picture.

I hope they both play ASAP and I'll let Bueckers & Fudd and their medical staff decide when that is.

 

[Vowelguy]

Is this before or after she becomes the new PG?

 

[ballerfan]

So I guess we should doubt any comment made by a UConn fan simply because they are biased by their fandom "and incapable of trying to give an objective analysis"???

Hello Alydar and HuskyNan. That’s not what I said. I wish you both a happy new year.

 

[AzzisBraids]

According to you, Fudd has been hampered by injuries, serious injuries, for 3+ years but she is going to get “healthy and aggressive” for the NCAA tournament? All this while currently sitting out? Is that fair or incredible wishful thinking?
The only positive performance she has had was when Fernandez decided to not play her like “white on rice” and let her take essentially unopposed 3 pointers. Defensively to date, she has shown an inability to cover at this level.
I am rooting for the young lady to recover physically and show off her skills not affected by her seemingly recurring injuries but I would think a touch of reality is required here.

You're valid and I can't defeat your logic. The previous data just doesn't support my the thesis in reality. I'm such a big fan of your posts too. Thanks for your honest take

 

[AzzisBraids]

Uh...I guess you haven't noticed that Paige iS a "pass first point guard". And as long as she is here and healthy, she will be our most important player.

I don't think Geno wants her to pass to anyone when she's in the game. He wants her to shoot that thing until her hands fall off. And I would too because that's the only thing I would trust. Passing to Azzi gives her reprieve from shooting so much because it is the second most consistent chance at putting points on the board.

 

[AzzisBraids]

The one game Stewie lost in her final 3 years was because of the defense not being able to make stops. That's why Kia Nurse became a starter the next game.
Good defense can always turn into offense creating easier shots.

I thought that too then I look at Uconn offensively in the fourth quarter and that's been the only difference in games. 4th quarter offensive production and UConn is undefeated.

 

[AzzisBraids]

I knew how good Bueckers was 3 years ago and didn't need her to prove a thing but many needed to see her do it in college. And 2 years ago there was a legit debate over whether Bueckers or Fudd was the better player. That debate was real. There was no hype! That's how good she was at that point. And she was competing against all the current college juniors and sophomores and beat them all out for the NPOY award. Since then she has had an ACL injury and dropped a dumbell on her foot last summer. (I don't see how the foot injury has anything to do with coming back too soon?)
I accept that some need to see it with their own eyes. But wanting both Bueckers and Fudd shut down whether or not they are healed and able to play is being over-cautious. Both players have been surrounded by outstanding trainers for years. Both of them have goals beyond UConn and are mature enough to see the big picture.

I hope they both play ASAP and I'll let Bueckers & Fudd and their medical staff decide when that is.

Fudd is the only prospect that has as much or more hype than Paige and that's all I'm saying. We saw how the latter panned out. The best guard anyone has seen since Ionescu.

 

[temery]

You're valid and I can't defeat your logic. The previous data just doesn't support my the thesis in reality. I'm such a big fan of your posts too. Thanks for your honest take

What just happened? Someone on the internet was wrong and nice at the same time. Very confusing.

 

[eebmg]

I don't think Geno wants her to pass to anyone when she's in the game. He wants her to shoot that thing until her hands fall off. And I would too because that's the only thing I would trust. Passing to Azzi gives her reprieve from shooting so much because it is the second most consistent chance at putting points on the board.

I think Geno's shoot first until her arm falls off is really meant for the 1st Q where Paige is often trying very hard to distribute to everyone before herself and sometimes leads to really non aggressive starts. As Geno said, first get your 20 points, draw the defense to you (more than usual) and than feed everyone else. Paige often does it in the opposite order.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I am shocked by this notion that when Azzi returns she is the most important Husky. She has done nothing to earn that accolade, not that she might be capable of having a run at that. Why don't we have her come back and carry a top 10 win with Paige having an off night; you now only 17 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals. That would be a start. Paige has earned her place at the head of the line and it will take a monumental effort to dethrone her.

 

[sun]

I am shocked by this notion that when Azzi returns she is the most important Husky. She has done nothing to earn that accolade, not that she might be capable of having a run at that.

Azzi hit 6 out of 9 three pointers in a span of 27 minutes playing against USF.
That is hardly nothing.
It seems that some folks get their panties in a bunch whenever Azzi's name is mentioned as being the top ranked freshmen, and an important piece of our team puzzle.
We had Paige last year and we still lost the FF.
Now we have some upgrades and some folks still don't want to trust Azzi.
She showed a flash of brilliance yet some folks don't want to believe or remember it.

 

[huskeynut]

How about we bury this "who's better" or "whose more important." It's getting a little annoying.

Basketball is team sport in case some of you forgot. Five players on the court, working together to win the game. Does it really matter who scores the most points?

Too many posters championing their favorite player over the team and in the process questioning Geno and his staff on their coaching acumen.

We have 8 healthy players and four injured. Let's focus on supporting and rooting for those 8 who are doing their best to compete, as frustrating as that will be for many. Keep praying our wounded heal and can return to the court.

I am a UConn women's fan since 1994 when I first caught a game on CPTV. I remain a UConn fan thru the good and the bad.

Now I will retire to return another day.

 

[ballerfan]

We've all seen what a healthy Paige Bueckers can do per her unprecedented freshman year. Up until her injury, she looked just as good (minus the odd 3 point shooting) She just doesn't have consistent perimeter help

The seniors are what they are at this point and should honestly focus more on continuing to play good defense. UConn's woes this season haven't been on the defensive end, it's executing on offense when they need it most. Jeff Walz said it best when he mentioned that we just don't have enough shooters to keep the defense from cheating.

Here's where Azzi comes in. I've read a few comments on how she hasn't proved herself or made a significant impact. I agree that she hasn't been able to showcase what she can do. But she's the real deal and the only player on the roster who can turn Paige into a pass first point guard. Her presence on the floor alone is going to help with the offensive spacing (more driving lanes for Christyn, spacing for the posts and drawing the defense away from Paige when she returns)

Coaches and teams alike know not to give her ANY space. South Carolina was on her like white on rice as soon as she checked into the game. Pretty sure Dawn told Zia "Don't even let her touch it." Because if she manages to put ANY sort of shot up, it could go in no matter what. She's been hampered with injuries since her sophomore year from her ACL, MCL, foot, you name it. That definitely has impacted her aggressiveness and rightfully so. But once she gets healthy and aggressive, she will be UConn's most dangerous threat to score from the perimeter/most important player looking ahead at the NCAA tournament.

Hello AzzisBraids. I made the following comment about your post.

« Because you put Azzi in your pseudo, my first reaction is to dismiss your comments as coming from someone incapable of trying to give objective analysis. But I’ll make an effort to be open to what you say. Welcome to the BY. »

I want to be clear. I was telling you honestly what crossed my mind. But if anything I was criticizing my own reaction, not you, and that’s why I said I would make an effort to be open to what you say. I apologize for my poorly worded response.

You should feel comfortable posting whatever you want, regardless of your pseudo and even if someone disagrees with you, as I did.

As for my own presence on this board, I’m a longtime reader and a recent poster. I’m a big fan of UConn WBB. I find a lot of useful information and interesting commentary here. But I also find the negativity and sarcasm of some people to be unpleasant, and I’ve decided this will be my last post. I’m going back to being just a reader.

As we say in my country, merci à tous et bonne continuation.

 

[sun]

How about we bury this "who's better" or "whose more important." It's getting a little annoying.

Basketball is team sport in case some of you forgot. Five players on the court, working together to win the game. Does it really matter who scores the most points?

Too many posters championing their favorite player over the team and in the process questioning Geno and his staff on their coaching acumen.

We have 8 healthy players and four injured. Let's focus on supporting and rooting for those 8 who are doing their best to compete, as frustrating as that will be for many. Keep praying our wounded heal and can return to the court.

I am a UConn women's fan since 1994 when I first caught a game on CPTV. I remain a UConn fan thru the good and the bad.

Now I will retire to return another day.

Okay.
But what is a huskeynut?
Are you sure that you're not a huskynut?
I can't find h-u-s-k-e-y in the dictionary.
I read that this forum allows folks to change their screen name.
Best of luck with either way that you decide to spell it.

 

[Longtime fan]

I don't know if you are totally correct on AZZI we've only seen her in a couple of games (one great). But the pre-Uconn Azzi had 3 years of hype. She was terrific in HS, does that carry over to College? One great game? Maybe and I hope it was a precursor to things to come.
Offense, wins games. We too often have seen good Defense from Uconn but absolutely not positive Offense. That great D didn''t win their games. With Paige in the games, some defense and Paige Offense won the games. Emphasis on making 90 percent of all Layups could win MOST of Uconn games. Great basketball players play great basketball and SCORE. Uconn greats always scored big.

Kind of a silly question. We haven't even seen her play. The little court time she got was belabored, due to injury. She had a big reputation from HS. We all know that. But who knows?

 

[TCC Kid]

Kind of a silly question. We haven't even seen her play. The little court time she got was belabored, due to injury. She had a big reputation from HS. We all know that. But who knows?

She played one great game. A game that showed her HS scoring was not a fluke. POTENTIAL, we saw. AZZI, I am speaking about. Caroline had a few very good games, I think her GREAT game is still to be seen. I understand your reluctance. Over the years highly touted Freshmen, with loads of clippings of press releases, become superb bench sitters. That isn't, as of now, true of AZZI or Caroline. My belief is Very good Basketball players know how to play and if they were scorers they don't forget the motion--I've been wrong, but generally that has been true. AZZI, I'd put my money on, if I were a betting person. Only Geno know, if anyone does and he is protecting his investments.

 

[TCC Kid]

How about we bury this "who's better" or "whose more important." It's getting a little annoying.

Basketball is team sport in case some of you forgot. Five players on the court, working together to win the game. Does it really matter who scores the most points?

Too many posters championing their favorite player over the team and in the process questioning Geno and his staff on their coaching acumen.

We have 8 healthy players and four injured. Let's focus on supporting and rooting for those 8 who are doing their best to compete, as frustrating as that will be for many. Keep praying our wounded heal and can return to the court.

I am a UConn women's fan since 1994 when I first caught a game on CPTV. I remain a UConn fan thru the good and the bad.

Now I will retire to return another day.

I agree 5 players are on ever Basketball team. But 5 players don't make a team. Many teams have 1,2,3 outstanding players and as we have seen this year, Uconn's 1,2,3 top players sitting dismantled UConn "team" at least the one that win's Championships. There is no ME in TEAM, my words to my team. But I had standouts that without them we won nothing. Even GENO doesn't win 30 games/year without those players like ONO, CW, Edwards, Paige, Nika all hitting on all 5 cylinders every game all the time. Personally, I like to think TEAM really means 12 or 15 players on the roster but truth--which is disgusting--says, key players make it a winner.
Me too, I was here with the field house. (near my lab) (highlighted area above)

 

[TCC Kid]

I am shocked by this notion that when Azzi returns she is the most important Husky. She has done nothing to earn that accolade, not that she might be capable of having a run at that. Why don't we have her come back and carry a top 10 win with Paige having an off night; you now only 17 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals. That would be a start. Paige has earned her place at the head of the line and it will take a monumental effort to dethrone her.

You saw her (AZZI) Potential in her one 18 point game on 6 or 9 shooting. The average to better freshman doesn't do that. Now, Rocky, I'm fairly certain some of this is tongue in cheek but I truly believe, because I'm a fan, that AZZI will fill up those Stats you define above, if she ever returns fully healthy. This is not now nor ever should it be a competition between friends (you and me) or Paige and AZZI. Records are meant to be broken.

 

[Littlemin]

Azzi hit 6 out of 9 three pointers in a span of 27 minutes playing against USF.
That is hardly nothing.
It seems that some folks get their panties in a bunch whenever Azzi's name is mentioned as being the top ranked freshmen, and an important piece of our team puzzle.
We had Paige last year and we still lost the FF.
Now we have some upgrades and some folks still don't want to trust Azzi.
She showed a flash of brilliance yet some folks don't want to believe or remember it.

And it seems that some folks insist on screaming “Superstar” at the mention of her name. Speaking for myself I strictly go by what I see, not what someone tells me happened in the past. I never saw her play until this year, and I am convinced of nothing except she can shoot if left alone but we all know there is so much more to the game than that.

 

[Monte]

We know she is already good. Now, I wish her the best of health so she can continue to improve and be a star at the next level.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

You saw her (AZZI) Potential in her one 18 point game on 6 or 9 shooting. The average to better freshman doesn't do that. Now, Rocky, I'm fairly certain some of this is tongue in cheek but I truly believe, because I'm a fan, that AZZI will fill up those Stats you define above, if she ever returns fully healthy. This is not now nor ever should it be a competition between friends (you and me) or Paige and AZZI. Records are meant to be broken.

It may well be that Azzi will be a stat stuffer and I certainly hope she will be. But the notion that she comes back to supplant Paige is a very long shot. Why anyone would reach for that - any Husky fan - is beyond me.

 

[hoophuskee]

We've all seen what a healthy Paige Bueckers can do per her unprecedented freshman year. Up until her injury, she looked just as good (minus the odd 3 point shooting) She just doesn't have consistent perimeter help

The seniors are what they are at this point and should honestly focus more on continuing to play good defense. UConn's woes this season haven't been on the defensive end, it's executing on offense when they need it most. Jeff Walz said it best when he mentioned that we just don't have enough shooters to keep the defense from cheating.

Here's where Azzi comes in. But she's the real deal and the only player on the roster who can turn Paige into a pass first point guard. Her presence on the floor alone is going to help with the offensive spacing (more driving lanes for Christyn, spacing for the posts and drawing the defense away from Paige when she returns)

South Carolina was on her like white on rice as soon as she checked into the game. Pretty sure Dawn told Zia "Don't even let her touch it."

I've been mentioning after the last two losses that this team needs Fudd. You cite the reasons but imo there needs to be context. Fudd has to get open (and get off her shot effectively/not being rushed/not change her shot directory etc.) for her to realize her potential That is still a question. You spoke of South Carolina being on her so tightly/ "don't let her touch it." But if she is as elite as you say and we all hope, then South Carolina won’t be able to stop her from touching it. Superstar perimeter players if they are superstars don't get denied that often from touching the ball when they want it.

As far as the bold, there is no way you want Paige to be only a pass first point guard. She came to UCONN to expand her game as well. You also want her talents to be rise to be as complete as she can be. If Paige is extremely efficient at scoring (the best in wcbb) then why can't they both score rather than turning one of them to be "pass first?" The more alternatives you have in which players are very efficient (with Paige being last year's best), then the better that is.

 

[hoophuskee]

Fudd has to get open (and get off her shot effectively/not being rushed/not change her shot directory etc.) for her to realize her potential

***Trajectory.

 

[Alydar]

I am shocked by this notion that when Azzi returns she is the most important Husky. She has done nothing to earn that accolade, not that she might be capable of having a run at that. Why don't we have her come back and carry a top 10 win with Paige having an off night; you now only 17 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals. That would be a start. Paige has earned her place at the head of the line and it will take a monumental effort to dethrone her.

You make sense. That also made sense last year when I was convinced about what Bueckers would do. Now I admit that I haven't watched anywhere near the games I saw Bueckers but the people who saw Bueckers and agreed with me about her transcendence were saying the same was true of Fudd and what I did see confirmed that. I said a year and a half ago that UConn was doubly blessed getting 2 players of that level at the same time. So far COVID and injury has screwed things up but I am still convinced.

 

[Alydar]

And it seems that some folks insist on screaming “Superstar” at the mention of her name. Speaking for myself I strictly go by what I see, not what someone tells me happened in the past. I never saw her play until this year, and I am convinced of nothing except she can shoot if left alone but we all know there is so much more to the game than that.

Those who have been watching Fudd & Bueckers for years have seen and believe.
Rewatch the USF game. Fudd needs half a second to get her shot off and several of hers that day display that talent.

 

[Cuango]

Azzi hit 6 out of 9 three pointers in a span of 27 minutes playing against USF.
That is hardly nothing.
It seems that some folks get their panties in a bunch whenever Azzi's name is mentioned as being the top ranked freshmen, and an important piece of our team puzzle.
We had Paige last year and we still lost the FF.
Now we have some upgrades and some folks still don't want to trust Azzi.
She showed a flash of brilliance yet some folks don't want to believe or remember it.

I doubt you could find anyone on the Boneyard who doesn’t hope Azzi makes Paige look like a division 2 player. I think what you are interpreting as dismissive is really just an understanding that players like Paige are extremely rare and in order for us to be convinced that Azzi is at that level we need to see more than one good game out of ?several. She’s had one decent game! That is certainly not enough (for me, anyway) to warrant comparisons to Paige! Now I realize you did not mention Paige in comparison with Azzi but many have been saying she is better than Paige so let’s just pump the brakes and give her a chance to show what she can do.

 

[jdote33]

I honestly just can't wait to see her get a lot of minutes. Similar to Dorka and CD, she never played that many minutes in the early going. I think through the first four games she was averaging less than 20 minutes a game. Add on top of that she's a freshman, who seems to put a lot of pressure on herself, and each of the four games (maybe minus Minnesota) were pretty high pressure games. First game of the season, tight game vs USF, and number 1 vs number 2. It will just be great for the team to get into a routine, and specifically Azzi to have a more carved out role. I do agree with what some have stated in that what we saw from her in her limited minutes was really similar to what we saw this summer in team usa. She mostly made the simple basketball plays and only took shots when she was open, which I really don't think is a terrible spot to be in. It only just makes you wonder about her shot creation and her aggressiveness moving forward. But she literally has years to improve and get better at those things. I really just want her to have the ball in her hands and have a breakout game to build some confidence. I don't think its unreasonable to think by the end of the year she can be a true difference maker.

 

[Littlemin]

Those who have been watching Fudd & Bueckers for years have seen and believe.
Rewatch the USF game. Fudd needs half a second to get her shot off and several of hers that day display that talent.

I don’t need to rewatch. I saw her play four games and she shot well in one when left alone and did little else in any of them. You can tout her all you want, you are more than entitled to your opinion. I will form my own by what I see, not by what you say.