When Ice and Morgan Return To The Court ...?

[ucbart]

Geno mentioned Morgan was out until January. And he specifically mentioned he hasn’t talked to her about redshirting. Wait until we are about a week deep into January before pushing on her guys.

And go watch the Michigan and Iowa games. That’s my suggestion. Because I kind of get it. I think we might need Morgan. The rotation really shrinked in both of those games. Geno immediately pulled Heckel against Iowa. We really didn’t see Allie until the end of the second quarter. Even Blanca; he barely used her against Michigan. I don’t think Geno is completely sold on the depth even though he talks glowingly about it. Morgan may be viewed as a possible need for the run in March.

Agree. I think Morgan would be player 7 in the rotation right now, behind Blanca, if she were healthy. She is a big guard who can pass...and Geno loves that.

 

[victor64]

With the schedule looking the way it is, there is no reason to rush Morgan or Ice's return until they are 100% ready.

Even though, they won't get much challenge in the Big East, I can't see Geno changing his sub pattern that much. Azzi and Sarah will still get close to 30 minutes a game for example. Morgan and Ice will probably be taking time from those who aren't getting much to begin with.

 

[donalddoowop]

Morgan hasn't played in a game in over a year. I don't think she would take minutes from players, esp Ash, that have been on the court all season.

Not true about Morgan. I don't remember her getting hurt before Christmas. Maybe I am wrong.

 

[BobbyJ]

Not true about Morgan. I don't remember her getting hurt before Christmas. Maybe I am wrong.

Correct. Cheli’s injury occurred around the first of February and she missed three games before having surgery around Feb. 20th.

 

[Charliebball]

Agree. I think Morgan would be player 7 in the rotation right now, behind Blanca, if she were healthy. She is a big guard who can pass...and Geno loves that.

she's also aggressive and tough as nails......

 

[PJCLaw]

When was the last game Blanca was in foul trouble?

I can't recall, and she has cut her TOs way down.

 

[DemonDeac22]

Good discussion by all. Have we heard anything about Morgan’s status? Is she running right now or doing any basketball drills or is she just doing physical rehab?

 

[Longtime fan]

When was the last game Blanca was in foul trouble?

Good point. And she isn't creating unforced errors either. Not many, in any case.

 

[Longtime fan]

Good discussion by all. Have we heard anything about Morgan’s status? Is she running right now or doing any basketball drills or is she just doing physical rehab?

I have heard nothing. From any source. Nor has Gandy ever been mentioned. I think we all know she wasn't going to play, but is there even an anecdote about her ability?

 

[BBallF]

she's also aggressive and tough as nails......

And a solid 6'2".

 

[Soxx]

I suspect if Morgan gets back up to speed, she will take Allies minutes. At least quite a few of them.

I kind of agree about her red-shirting this year especially if she isnt ready by the end of January.

I agree and always felt she brought more to the the team last year (before her injury) than Allie. For this reason, I don't see Geno red-shirting her, if she is fully recovered and ready to play.

 

[ConnMotors]

Of all the current players Morgan is my favorite. However, her coming back in January to play minimal minutes makes no sense. Redshirt should be discussed between her, her family and the coaching staff.

Ice on the other hand is a different story. She has played this season and am not sure that she can take another medical year. Then again I doubt if she would want to.

Geno’s rotation is all set.

He has Serah and Sarah playing in the post. Serah Williams is improving with each game and SS is arguably the best overall player in the country. I am still bewildered at how talented she is and how much she can improve. Definitely a Maya clone.

Around the arch you have Ashlynn, KK and Azzi. These three should have parts in a Nightmare on Elm Street movie. On defense the three of them are literally a pain in the ass.

AS when on her pull-up jumpers are daggers like Sue Birds were. And when on point she can bury threes aka Sue as well. KK may not be a sharp shooter but she doesn’t need to be. Just get players the ball without turning the ball over. That she has been doing regularly and is second in the country in doing so. Plus, she can still nail an open three or drive the lane for a spectacular looking layup. is a true marksman. She may miss shots like against Iowa and before you blink she sunk five from downtown. I thought that I saw a few last game from logo land aka Caitlin Clark. Her release is as fast as I have ever seen.

Off the bench: Blanca, this young lady brings it on the minute she steps on the court. The defense is out of this world for a tall player. After a steal her three strides to the basket remind me of Sveta. All of her three point shots always appear to be downward which means that she is elevating prior to shooting.

I’m one for seeing just these six players play in the Final Four Championship Game. If Geno needs others to play when it all counts then Kayleigh, Allie and Jana will get turns. With K9 seeing the floor more so than the others. Then again it comes down to whom your opponents will be. Jana can be a factor against taller, bigger players like Betts or Crooks.

All players will get minutes in the first three rounds on the NCAA Tournament. Then the bench will have a piece of tape on it saying Do not cross this line. That is unless we are up 20 in the fourth, Unfortunately, this is about winning a championship. That’s when Caroline, Ice, Kelis, Ayanna and Gandy will set their feet on the court.

 

[Geew1992]

Of all the current players Morgan is my favorite. However, her coming back in January to play minimal minutes makes no sense. Redshirt should be discussed between her, her family and the coaching staff.

Ice on the other hand is a different story. She has played this season and am not sure that she can take another medical year. Then again I doubt if she would want to.

Geno’s rotation is all set.

He has Serah and Sarah playing in the post. Serah Williams is improving with each game and SS is arguably the best overall player in the country. I am still bewildered at how talented she is and how much she can improve. Definitely a Maya clone.

Around the arch you have Ashlynn, KK and Azzi. These three should have parts in a Nightmare on Elm Street movie. On defense the three of them are literally a pain in the ass.

AS when on her pull-up jumpers are daggers like Sue Birds were. And when on point she can bury threes aka Sue as well. KK may not be a sharp shooter but she doesn’t need to be. Just get players the ball without turning the ball over. That she has been doing regularly and is second in the country in doing so. Plus, she can still nail an open three or drive the lane for a spectacular looking layup. is a true marksman. She may miss shots like against Iowa and before you blink she sunk five from downtown. I thought that I saw a few last game from logo land aka Caitlin Clark. Her release is as fast as I have ever seen.

Off the bench: Blanca, this young lady brings it on the minute she steps on the court. The defense is out of this world for a tall player. After a steal her three strides to the basket remind me of Sveta. All of her three point shots always appear to be downward which means that she is elevating prior to shooting.

I’m one for seeing just these six players play in the Final Four Championship Game. If Geno needs others to play when it all counts then Kayleigh, Allie and Jana will get turns. With K9 seeing the floor more so than the others. Then again it comes down to whom your opponents will be. Jana can be a factor against taller, bigger players like Betts or Crooks.

All players will get minutes in the first three rounds on the NCAA Tournament. Then the bench will have a piece of tape on it saying Do not cross this line. That is unless we are up 20 in the fourth, Unfortunately, this is about winning a championship. That’s when Caroline, Ice, Kelis, Ayanna and Gandy will set their feet on the court.

I believe Ice has only played 2-3 games. So, the redshirt can happen upon request. My understanding is she has inflamation in the knee she injured her freshman year. So, I would't rush her back. IHer best bet may be to redshirt

 

[JRRRJ]

I can't recall, and she has cut her TOs way down.

You can answer this question very simply with the Per40 spreadseheet. Double-click on any stat in Blanca's row in the summary (pivot) grid on the first tab. A new tab will open with the stat rows from all of Blanca's games.

This shows Blanca had 3 fouls in the Iowa, Xavier and Michigan games in 21, 19 and 8 minutes respectively. Only one or 2 fouls in each of the other games in 18 to 23 minutes. Michigan was the only game that stands out from the foul perspective, especially considering how aggressive she always is on defense and that one game murders her Per-40 rate.

 

[JellyBean]

I don't see Morgan pushing K-9 or Blanca out of their spots. We do know that Morgan, if 100%, will get some minutes. Might not be a lot for the moment, but she will get minutes, and I am sure those minutes will increase based on overall performance.

 

[Ct Dog]

My guess -- and that's all it is -- Morgan gets minutes before Ice. If that's right, then she'll sub in for Ash, and Blanca will sub in for Serah more often.

If the first 5 is:
Azzi Sarah Serah Ash KK

the second 5 will be:
Blanca Kayleigh Allie Morgan Jana.

Of course, Geno won't use 'hockey line' substitutions, which means he'll filter the second 5 into the first 5 gradually allowing a bunch of different combinations.

That second 5 looks like a top 10 team to me!

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

I hope Morgan can play soon. I still believe she has a huge upside to her game and what she can do on the court.

 

[Longtime fan]

I hope Morgan can play soon. I still believe she has a huge upside to her game and what she can do on the court.

What you say may be true, but she has lost some status or, more to the point, some other players have " moved ahead of her." And Allie is one of them. Not to mention Blanca.

 

[stamfordhusky]

The last we heard from Geno (maybe two weeks ago) is that Ice and Morgan are not going to return until "at least" the new year. Since there are only two games left in 2025, what are the implications if one or both of them returns in the first game of January, which is at home against Seton Hall on January 3?

His problem in the new year will be that both Ice and Morgan were solidly in last year's regular rotation, and they earned their place there. Ice was the first front court player off the bench (behind Jana and Sarah). She had developed a fairly reliable midrange jump shot that proved critical in a few games, something that Serah Williams has yet to show. And she rebounded at least as well as Serah has done this year. But she never showed the kind of close-in post moves that Serah has demonstrated, and Geno noted that she preferred to take jump shots than to really mix it up in the paint.

Thus far, Serah’s rebound rate is significantly better this year than Ice’s rebound rate last year. For the year, Serah gets 14.4% of available rebounds while she is on the floor. Last year Ice got 10.6% of available rebounds. Serah‘s offensive rebounding, in particular, is way ahead of that of Ice.

 

[EricLA]

That second 5 looks like a top 10 team to me!

I mentioned this in another thread - our 2nd 5 not only isn't a top 5 team, they aren't a top 25 team. In fact probably not even a top 50 team.

I mentioned this in the Marquette post game thread precisely because of comments like yours. I'm not picking on you - a lot of people over the years have opined at where a team comprised of our subs would be ranked. The Marquette game perfectly illustrated how "bad" a team of starters based on our subs would be.

We were outscored in Q4 by 8, but at one point Marquette went on an 11-0 run with Blanca, Allie, Kayleigh, Caroline and Jana on the floor. It got even worse when Ayanna and Kelis came in, but then settled as Marquette took their starters out.

Don't get me wrong. Our subs are super. Pairing them with several starters on the floor has given other starters rest and let our core subs shine at various times. Blanca, Kayleigh, and Allie have all been terrific at times, and Jana has often been solid.

But putting them all out there without any starters - they are an average team at best.

 

[HopJim]

I mentioned this in another thread - our 2nd 5 not only isn't a top 5 team, they aren't a top 25 team. In fact probably not even a top 50 team.

I mentioned this in the Marquette post game thread precisely because of comments like yours. I'm not picking on you - a lot of people over the years have opined at where a team comprised of our subs would be ranked. The Marquette game perfectly illustrated how "bad" a team of starters based on our subs would be.

We were outscored in Q4 by 8, but at one point Marquette went on an 11-0 run with Blanca, Allie, Kayleigh, Caroline and Jana on the floor. It got even worse when Ayanna and Kelis came in, but then settled as Marquette took their starters out.

Don't get me wrong. Our subs are super. Pairing them with several starters on the floor has given other starters rest and let our core subs shine at various times. Blanca, Kayleigh, and Allie have all been terrific at times, and Jana has often been solid.

But putting them all out there without any starters - they are an average team at best.

Both sides of this question could be correct. As they stand now, its unlikely our subs would be ranked. IF the women's Huskie subs became their own team, with Geno/CD etc. coaching, they would at worst, be a very good team, perhaps even barely making the Top 20. Compare them to Vanderbilt the past couple years and you could make the case that the talent was comparible. Vaddy had a few weeks in and out of the top 20, doing much better this year.

 

[Skeets]

I mentioned this in another thread - our 2nd 5 not only isn't a top 5 team, they aren't a top 25 team. In fact probably not even a top 50 team.

I mentioned this in the Marquette post game thread precisely because of comments like yours. I'm not picking on you - a lot of people over the years have opined at where a team comprised of our subs would be ranked. The Marquette game perfectly illustrated how "bad" a team of starters based on our subs would be.

We were outscored in Q4 by 8, but at one point Marquette went on an 11-0 run with Blanca, Allie, Kayleigh, Caroline and Jana on the floor. It got even worse when Ayanna and Kelis came in, but then settled as Marquette took their starters out.

Don't get me wrong. Our subs are super. Pairing them with several starters on the floor has given other starters rest and let our core subs shine at various times. Blanca, Kayleigh, and Allie have all been terrific at times, and Jana has often been solid.

But putting them all out there without any starters - they are an average team at best.

I can't argue with your post. Facts are facts. But you are talking about a very small sample size. Even UConn starters get out scored on thankfully rare occasions.

I'm still of the opinion that if 5 subs were drilled and coached as a team, they would be a pretty good D1 team. The talent is there. I'm just guessing here but do they practice as a team? Most probably not. They practice so that they can sub for someone in the starting 5. They work on developing chemistry, but not with each other, but with members of the starting 5. At the end of the day, all this is like discussing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

Merry Christmas to all BY'ers.

 

[Bone Dog]

I can't argue with your post. Facts are facts. But you are talking about a very small sample size. Even UConn starters get out scored on thankfully rare occasions.

I'm still of the opinion that if 5 subs were drilled and coached as a team, they would be a pretty good D1 team. The talent is there. I'm just guessing here but do they practice as a team? Most probably not. They practice so that they can sub for someone in the starting 5. They work on developing chemistry, but not with each other, but with members of the starting 5. At the end of the day, all this is like discussing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

Merry Christmas to all BY'ers.

This is exactly why @EricLA is right. The notion that our ‘second 5’ is a top team in itself only makes sense if we mean that potentially they might eventually become comparable with what other top teams actually are right now. And even this is implausible on its face in almost every case, since it includes so many assumptions that run contrary to our experience. Still, as an expression of our enthusiasm for the non-starters, it is a wonderful bit of hyperbole. As it happens, I am a fan of enthusiasm and hyperbole. But I must also admit that this one can’t be taken nearly as seriously as some of our other habitual enthusiasms.

 

[sun]

I don't know why many folks don't want to acknowledge the need to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances such as nuisance injuries or illness affecting one or more of the team's superstars.
It doesn'r need to be a serious injury, but even Nika was subjected to a concussion. Isn't it relatively routine in WCBB for players to twist their ankle, get a severe, painful hematoma, bone bruise or to get poked in the eye?
I think that UConn needs to have every 3 point shooter availablle & ready to play for each and every game that they can muster.
The Boy Scout motto to "Be prepared" doesn't only apply to the Boy Scouts. Geno makes millions to prepare the team for any and every contingency. To not do so would be irresponisble because UConn is a multi-million operation and being in the running for a NC and/or undefeated season is generally considered to be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I doubt that Geno would want to forfeit his NC bonus money by not being fully prepared for the obvious risks of injury that all players deal with each and every game.

un·fore·seen - not anticipated or predicted.
"insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances"

 

[Bone Dog]

I don't know why many folks don't want to acknowledge the need to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances such as nuisance injuries or illness affecting one or more of the team's superstars.

It's because of standard jinx rules. People generally don't want to think bad luck into existence. Having pointed this out, I will now insert some cotton wadding in my ears and commence the good karma chant: la la la la la la la la la la