Where UConn's Starting Lineup is Heading

[ERWUC65]

Agreed. Two areas for Ice to improve are strong posting up for entry passes and gym work on eye hand coordination to reduce the fumbling, she does when accepting passes. A third area is better rebounding positioning. Jana is big and plays big. Our bigs coach needs to coach them up better. All our bigs need to improve their outlet passes after defensive rebounding. Look downcourt or sideline for our breaking guards, not a backcourt handoff all the time.

Controlling of defensive rebounds is more than getting the ball. It is what you do after that that can devastate a team. We have the top quick guards with great hands to effect devastating fast breaks. Paige, KK, Chen, Arnold, Sarah, wow!

Hope the coaches are looking at our pace of play. Under Chen, I'm seeing a slowdown offense. We need to coach the Princeton offense out of her. Perhaps this was by design. But the second half of the last game resulted in long stretches of poor offense.

What a difference when KK found a willing well posted Jana for baseline entry passes. Jana sealed the defense for serious offensive moves not seen on this team in a long time. Thanks!

The slowdown in the 2nd half was by design. Geno stated in the postgame that with the lead he wanted to experiment with the half court offense and try different combinations of players.

 

[PJCLaw]

Surprised that KK is not getting the attention I think she deserves , maybe because of recent injury? Anyway, how soon some forget her play against Duke and Iowa in the tourney. So solid against Iowa with the 14 pts., 5 assists. I have all along that she has the most potential of UConn soph class, but maybe will lose some of the time needed for development this year because of Chen. I like Chen, but system not fair to recruits like KK. Oh, and personally I'm not sure Chen is the better player, despite her experience.

It is clear KK is the PG of the future, but numbers wise this year, Geno probably prefers a 5th year player (Chen) over a sophomore to start. I believe KK is okay with this because she started last year and still will have two more years to be the starter. This will be an embarrassment of riches if they can all remain healthy once everyone gets back. Certainly, a good problem to have.

 

[Kat]

Geno has always liked a point guard who can take it to the hoop. That's KK. She's also a disruptor on defense.

 

[DennieEddy]

I was practicing “fuzzy math.”

Make Math Great Again!

 

[DennieEddy]

The slowdown in the 2nd half was by design. Geno stated in the postgame that with the lead he wanted to experiment with the half court offense and try different combinations of players.

It was by design, but it seemed to wind down to a crawl. And sometimes sloppy. Hopefully they can take their foot of the pedal, but still keep it on cruise control of 50 instead of 80.

 

[ERWUC65]

It was by design, but it seemed to wind down to a crawl. And sometimes sloppy. Hopefully they can take their foot of the pedal, but still keep it on cruise control of 50 instead of 80.

I agree, it was difficult to watch. Apparently a half court needs a director, initiator, Paige type player more so than a full court press/transition type of offense. Perhaps Azzi when she returns?

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

It was by design, but it seemed to wind down to a crawl. And sometimes sloppy. Hopefully they can take their foot of the pedal, but still keep it on cruise control of 50 instead of 80.

Understandable because the first priority in practices so far has been fast play chemistry and coordination and defense (including switching, pressing, etc) so, they have to now work more on half-court play

 

[Hayven]

Paige, Sarah, and Ashlynn are locks. Jana will eventually start if she continues to progress. I say this will happen by early January. I hope she can keep the foul count down though. Azzi will eventually start but I don’t see this happening until late into the season. Just to get her through the season healthy. I say the middle of February, or even when the BE conference tournament starts.

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

Paige, Sarah, and Ashlynn are locks. Jana will eventually start if she continues to progress. I say this will happen by early January. I hope she can keep the foul count down though. Azzi will eventually start but I don’t see this happening until late into the season. Just to get her through the season healthy. I say the middle of February, or even when the BE conference tournament starts.

That's too late.....she needs to have lots of game time with the other starters to ensure syncing.....no problem with Paige but the other three are new to her in game conditions. Coordination is not just offense, as important as that is, but more so on defense where a lot of read and react decisions and switching are done and split second timing is crucial.

Azzi is supposedly projected to return in December. Aside from moving parts syncing on offense and defense, she also has to build up her in game conditions strength and stamina - it's never good to just rely on practice. Although she won't start on Day 1 of her return, she could at any time after she gets her game legs going.

Finally, Azzi loves to play period, but she also came to UConn to play with Paige. Coach G is not going to be insensitive to the wishes of those two #1 ranked recruits in Paige's last year at UConn - he doesn't have to apologize for starting them together.....and preparing them together for the tournament is mandatory to maximize their chances. (BTW, it could also be Azzi's last year, though I think she may return for another year)

For what it is worth, I really hope they stay healthy and win #12, Fate has been cruel to them with all those injuries.

 

[Bone Dog]

That's too late.....she needs to have lots of game time with the other starters to ensure syncing.....no problem with Paige but the other three are new to her in game conditions. Coordination is not just offense, as important as that is, but more so on defense where a lot of read and react decisions and switching are done and split second timing is crucial.

Azzi is supposedly projected to return in December. Aside from moving parts syncing on offense and defense, she also has to build up her in game conditions strength and stamina - it's never good to just rely on practice. Although she won't start on Day 1 of her return, she could at any time after she gets her game legs going.

Finally, Azzi loves to play period, but she also came to UConn to play with Paige. Coach G is not going to be insensitive to the wishes of those two #1 ranked recruits in Paige's last year at UConn - he doesn't have to apologize for starting them together.....and preparing them together for the tournament is mandatory to maximize their chances. (BTW, it could also be Azzi's last year, though I think she may return for another year)

Completely agree. Azzi’s projected to return in early December. She’s made some noises about returning in late November. I suspect she’ll be in the starting lineup by early January. That lineup will likely be:

• Paige Azzi KK Sarah Jana
• And the rest of the rotation will be Ash Chen Aubrey Ice and Ayanna

By mid February the rotation will have contracted even more, perhaps to only three players. My guess is it will be

• Ash Chen and Aubrey. But I can see a case for fitting Ice in there.

On a side note: if Ice can’t sort out her offense, I wonder if she’ll fall behind Ayanna on the depth chart, who is almost as big, perhaps a little stronger, and a bit quicker in transition. Offense was what might have distinguished the two of them. But Geno doesn’t lose any rebounding strength or defense going with Ayanna.

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

Completely agree. Azzi’s projected to return in early December. She’s made some noises about returning in late November. I suspect she’ll be in the starting lineup by early January. That lineup will likely be:

• Paige Azzi KK Sarah Jana
• And the rest of the rotation will be Ash Chen Aubrey Ice and Ayanna

By mid February the rotation will have contracted even more, perhaps to only three players. My guess is it will be

• Ash Chen and Aubrey. But I can see a case for fitting Ice in there.

On a side note: if Ice can’t sort out her offense, I wonder if she’ll fall behind Ayanna on the depth chart, who is almost as big, perhaps a little stronger, and a bit quicker in transition. Offense was what might have distinguished the two of them. But Geno doesn’t lose any rebounding strength or defense going with Ayanna.

Not sure about KK ove KC but she can improve her play in running the team by slowing things down in her mind. Currently, KC looks more controlled with better offense.

I don't think Coach G will shorten the rotation to 7 come March by anticipating that (longer rotation) earlier to build their stamina. I think, if he is able to get them in shape, he will keep a longer rotation than he historically has done and it to at least 8 or 9 but it will depend, in part, on Caroline becoming fully healthy (for 9). Either Ice or Ayanna or both will be part of the frontcourt rotation, depending on opponent (situational).....he will remember that having such a short rotation with no choice in prior years, his team of Gabby/Napheesa were walking wounded and exhausted by FF (how they were able to stretch the winning streak to 111 is a credit to them) and it hasn't gotten any better during Paige's time.

Now that he has depth, I am sure he will work hard to prepare them for more than the usual 6 or 7 in the playoffs.

 

[The deacon]

Completely agree. Azzi’s projected to return in early December. She’s made some noises about returning in late November. I suspect she’ll be in the starting lineup by early January. That lineup will likely be:

• Paige Azzi KK Sarah Jana
• And the rest of the rotation will be Ash Chen Aubrey Ice and Ayanna

By mid February the rotation will have contracted even more, perhaps to only three players. My guess is it will be

• Ash Chen and Aubrey. But I can see a case for fitting Ice in there.

On a side note: if Ice can’t sort out her offense, I wonder if she’ll fall behind Ayanna on the depth chart, who is almost as big, perhaps a little stronger, and a bit quicker in transition. Offense was what might have distinguished the two of them. But Geno doesn’t lose any rebounding strength or defense going with Ayanna.

Not sure about KK ove KC but she can improve her play in running the team by slowing things down in her mind. Currently, KC looks more controlled with better offense.

I don't think Coach G will shorten the rotation to 7 come March by anticipating that (longer rotation) earlier to build their stamina. I think, if he is able to get them in shape, he will keep a longer rotation than he historically has done and it to at least 8 or 9 but it will depend, in part, on Caroline becoming fully healthy (for 9). Either Ice or Ayanna or both will be part of the frontcourt rotation, depending on opponent (situational).....he will remember that having such a short rotation with no choice in prior years, his team of Gabby/Napheesa were walking wounded and exhausted by FF (how they were able to stretch the winning streak to 111 is a credit to them) and it hasn't gotten any better during Paige's time.

Now that he has depth, I am sure he will work hard to prepare them for more than the usual 6 or 7 in the playoffs.

Has Morgan left the building?

Geno raves about her. It's strange virtually no one here is giving her a shot at PT. She looked competent and confident vs. BU, although not wholly impactful, and we need to remember that was her first competitive outing.

 

[Bone Dog]

Not sure about KK ove KC but she can improve her play in running the team by slowing things down in her mind. Currently, KC looks more controlled with better offense.

I don't think Coach G will shorten the rotation to 7 come March by anticipating that (longer rotation) earlier to build their stamina. I think, if he is able to get them in shape, he will keep a longer rotation than he historically has done and it to at least 8 or 9 but it will depend, in part, on Caroline becoming fully healthy (for 9). Either Ice or Ayanna or both will be part of the frontcourt rotation, depending on opponent (situational).....he will remember that having such a short rotation with no choice in prior years, his team of Gabby/Napheesa were walking wounded and exhausted by FF (how they were able to stretch the winning streak to 111 is a credit to them) and it hasn't gotten any better during Paige's time.

Now that he has depth, I am sure he will work hard to prepare them for more than the usual 6 or 7 in the playoffs.

You make a good point. It’s a long season, and a longer rotation could save wear and tear. But there is a natural tension you are neglecting between rest and repetition. More time together on the court makes for a crisper, sharper rotation. Merely expanding the rotation might address one side of the equation, the rest side, but the repetition side will suffer. There is some compromise position that has to be found each year, and Geno has mostly found it at 5+3 or even 5+2. And by rotation, I mean the players who get substantial minutes, i.e. >10 minutes.

Every year, when hopes run high for a healthy season, half the BY (including me) dreams of a deep rotation (10 or more) that presses and runs tirelessly for 40 minutes a game. But most years, somewhere in the middle of conference play, that dream gives way to a shorter, seasoned rotation that plays really sharp basketball.

Will the rotation in March be 5+3, or will Geno expand it to 5+4 or 5+5 this season? Whatever he does, it won’t be just based on counting minutes. It will be based on what combinations he thinks play well enough together to win a championship. And it takes most of a season to figure this out.

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

You make a good point. It’s a long season, and a longer rotation could save wear and tear. But there is a natural tension you are neglecting between rest and repetition. More time together on the court makes for a crisper, sharper rotation. Merely expanding the rotation might address one side of the equation, the rest side, but the repetition side will suffer. There is some compromise position that has to be found each year, and Geno has mostly found it at 5+3 or even 5+2. And by rotation, I mean the players who get substantial minutes, i.e. >10 minutes.

Every year, when hopes run high for a healthy season, half the BY (including me) dreams of a deep rotation (10 or more) that presses and runs tirelessly for 40 minutes a game. But most years, somewhere in the middle of conference play, that dream gives way to a shorter, seasoned rotation that plays really sharp basketball.

Will the rotation in March be 5+3, or will Geno expand it to 5+4 or 5+5 this season? Whatever he does, it won’t be just based on counting minutes. It will be based on what combinations he thinks play well enough together to win a championship. And it takes most of a season to figure this out.

Not neglecting that at all.....the point is, if his prime 6/7 rotation players plays 35+ minutes per game from the turn of the year, niggling injuries and diminished stamina begin to set in and his insurance is/are not prepared at the same level in performance level. That then results in reduced performance effectiveness for the team. So, he has to find a way to lengthen the rotation which prepares him twofold: more players he can rely on come tournament time and margin for unforeseen events, such as injuries - even minor ones which would diminish performance.

If he has learned anything at all....he must because he now knows from this long title drought that very short rotations forced upon him by short or diminished healthy rosters has not been successful for one reason or another (injuries, physical and mental fatigue, etc), regardless of the cohesion the primary players have gained.

If he is not thinking like that now, why then does he have 14 in the current roster and it will be at that level again or 15 next year, which is a change from the past 20 years maybe. During those years he probably had only 9/10 rotation candidates and the rest of the roster were basically passengers/cheerleaders. This time, there is very little dropoff in potential for the tailend of the scholarship roster.

 

[ConnMotors]

Chen; Fudd; Bueckers; Strong and Brady. Geno needs Ice not to melt. So will be given the most chance to start. Jana can come in anytime and still get a double double

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Completely agree. Azzi’s projected to return in early December. She’s made some noises about returning in late November. I suspect she’ll be in the starting lineup by early January. That lineup will likely be:

• Paige Azzi KK Sarah Jana
• And the rest of the rotation will be Ash Chen Aubrey Ice and Ayanna

By mid February the rotation will have contracted even more, perhaps to only three players. My guess is it will be

• Ash Chen and Aubrey. But I can see a case for fitting Ice in there.

On a side note: if Ice can’t sort out her offense, I wonder if she’ll fall behind Ayanna on the depth chart, who is almost as big, perhaps a little stronger, and a bit quicker in transition. Offense was what might have distinguished the two of them. But Geno doesn’t lose any rebounding strength or defense going with Ayanna.

I don't see KK starting over Chen, nor do I see Ash sent to the bench. I suspect if Azzi actually makes it back and stays back, that Paige will move to PG. Thus giving us a starting line-up by January of Paige, Azzi, Ash, Sarah and Jana.

 

[Bone Dog]

Has Morgan left the building?

Geno raves about her. It's strange virtually no one here is giving her a shot at PT. She looked competent and confident vs. BU, although not wholly impactful, and we need to remember that was her first competitive outing.

In a thread about the direction of the starting lineup for this season, what role do you forecast for Morgan? I expect she has a bright future in Storrs, and will get PT as the season develops. But barring major injuries, I doubt she’ll start this season. How about you?

 

[Pharos]

Playing time will depend on who plays the best defense... off the bench.

 

[yhun89]

Starting lineup, I expect Jana to eventually start over Ice, so far she has more impact on the floor as the center. Everybody else I expect remains the same. KK is better as a spark off the bench with Aubrey. The two of them together will force other teams to play at UCONN's pace, not their own.

When Azzi returns, I really don't think she'll start over Ash, not immediately. Most injured players sometimes need to get settled in an actual game first, there's a big difference between scrimmages at practice and an actual game. Plus, Ash is easily the 2nd/3rd best player so far.

 

[The deacon]

Has Morgan left the building?

Geno raves about her. It's strange virtually no one here is giving her a shot at PT. She looked competent and confident vs. BU, although not wholly impactful, and we need to remember that was her first competitive outing.

 

[The deacon]

In a thread about the direction of the starting lineup for this season, what role do you forecast for Morgan? I expect she has a bright future in Storrs, and will get PT as the season develops. But barring major injuries, I doubt she’ll start this season. How about you?

I agree Morgan will likely not be a starter, quite possibly all season, but you also listed your rotation players for early January, 10 of them in all, and left out Morgan. That was what prompted my post. If she is even close to what Geno is seeing, I suspect she'll be among those getting regular PT.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

Rotations Analysis: UConn vs BU, 11/7/2024:

• 14 Rotations (Table 1);
• For the (1) position: Kaitlyn and KK;
• For the (5) position: Ice and Jana;
• For the (4) position (2 posts): Sarah;
• For the (4) position (4-guard): Morgan and Qadence / Allie;
• Paige is primarily used as a (3);
• Ash is primarily used as a (2);
• Q and Allie are glue: (3)-(4), sometimes (2).

Best Rotations #2:

• Starting Rotation: ROT 1: Kaitlyn, Ash, Paige, Sarah, Ice
• ROT 3: Kaitlyn, Ash, Paige, Sarah, Jana
• Sophomores + Sarah: ROT 10 #1: KK, Ash, Q, Sarah, Ice

#1: Swap Sarah with Aubrey / Morgan / Ayanna (?) / Caroline (?) and this potentially the second five when the walking wounded return, i.e. with a potential eventual starting lineup of Kaitlyn, Azzi, Paige, Sarah, Jana.

#2 1-game sample size.

 

[Bone Dog]

I agree Morgan will likely not be a starter, quite possibly all season, but you also listed your rotation players for early January, 10 of them in all, and left out Morgan. That was what prompted my post. If she is even close to what Geno is seeing, I suspect she'll be among those getting regular PT.

Still, if you disagree, perhaps you’d care to share your vision of her role in the rotation.

 

[PacoSwede]

Still, if you disagree, perhaps you’d care to share your vision of her role in the rotation.

i think all huskies fans will be delighted to see morgan enter games and wow us (and wonder why we couldn't see it coming).