Which player is your biggest "mystery" going into new season?

[wbfree]

Lunch time here, and slow time in the Yard. Hoping to prime the pump a bit, which player provides you with your biggest mystery (leaving out the unknowns regarding those with injuries) as you look forward to the season.....and why?
I'll go with Chong. Why? She came in as Parade POY, no less, and with an established rep as a GREAT three-point shooter. I still picture that practice video where Geno tells her, "Make a three" and she looks at him and he repeats, "Make a three"..and she bangs one it, just like that. Early on in games, she did the same rather reliably.
Then, I thought she seemed to lose both her shot and her confidence, in no particular order. So, how she will perform this year is my biggest mystery (again, leaving out the injury issues), as I go down the roster list. I'd not only like to see her play very well, but I'd also like her to unleash the personality that beams thru on that uplifting thread about Fathers Day, showing the young women with their dads. Relax and do your great thing, Saniya.

I think our biggest mystery is who is our backup center?

 

[JoePgh]

I don't think Kiah's offensive limitations, even if they remain, are going to cause Stewie to be overwhelmed with defenders. Kiah can stand under the basket, and if she does, she has to be guarded. Anybody who helps off Kiah to double-team Stewie will be giving up a layup.

Will Kiah have enough offensive moves to beat a competent post defender or even draw a double-team herself? That is to be determined. But even if she doesn't, she won't be left unguarded in the paint.

With regard to the backup center, I think it is clear that will be one Breanna Stewart. When Kiah goes to the bench, Stewie will become the 5 and Morgan (in most cases) will be the 4. A more interesting question: who will be the 4th player in the paint, when that is needed? Probable answer: KML, and then one of the freshmen comes in to play the 3.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I don't think Kiah's offensive limitations, even if they remain, are going to cause Stewie to be overwhelmed with defenders. Kiah can stand under the basket, and if she does, she has to be guarded. Anybody who helps off Kiah to double-team Stewie will be giving up a layup.

Will Kiah have enough offensive moves to beat a competent post defender or even draw a double-team herself? That is to be determined. But even if she doesn't, she won't be left unguarded in the paint.

With regard to the backup center, I think it is clear that will be one Breanna Stewart. When Kiah goes to the bench, Stewie will become the 5 and Morgan (in most cases) will be the 4. A more interesting question: who will be the 4th player in the paint, when that is needed? Probable answer: KML, and then one of the freshmen comes in to play the 3.

I think Kiah will hold her own, even on the offensive end, but if Stewie gets triple-teamed, we have one of the best shooters in the world working her way along the 3-point line. And her understudy with the blonde ponytail is pretty good too according to Geno.

 

[VAMike23]

I think there are any number of possible candidates, but I'll go with Sadie Edwards as well.

I liked Geno's tidbit about her ability to get into the paint (notwithstanding Mo's ability) and how rare that is for Huskies of recent vintage.

I have lots of questions going in but Sadie might be the most "under-the-radar" , hence my vote.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Morgan Tuck & Gabby Williams because of healing serious surgeries! How far along are they? Can they stay relatively injury free the rest of their UCONN careers? Can they regain the ability level they had pre-injury/surgery?

 

[winlots]

Looks like Chong as biggest mystery for most. Next looks like the freshmen, both individually and collectively; interestingly, there is a pretty even balance of votes among those four, although the bulk of the Williams "mystery" seems to relate only to her injury, in contrast to the unknowns about the other three frosh. Stokes and Tuck right up in there with the frosh, in terms of votes, athough some of the Tuck seems to be injury related.
Posters obviously feel pretty settled about what to expect from the other scholarship players, Lewis, Stewart, Jefferson, as none of them get a mention. I think Banks might have garnered non-injury mystery votes had she stayed. Haven't heard yet where she landed, but could have missed it.

 

[HuskyPhan]

I agree with others who have posted that the biggest mystery has to be the incoming freshman as we haven't seen them play-outside of youtube videos. There is no doubt that they all can 'bring it' and a couple have already been pre-ordained as stars. It's hard not to be impressed with the credentials and pathways of Courtney and Kia to Storrs-nor Gabby's incredible athleticism!

Can you imagine being a fly on the wall of Geno's office as he discusses with the asst coaches the progression (we hope) of the four freshman after week 1, 2, 3, etc of the preseason? Man, I would pay good money to sit in on those early meetings/practices!!!

 

[JoePgh]

I agree with others who have posted that the biggest mystery has to be the incoming freshman as we haven't seen them play-outside of youtube videos. There is no doubt that they all can 'bring it' and a couple have already been pre-ordained as stars. It's hard not to be impressed with the credentials and pathways of Courtney and Kia to Storrs-nor Gabby's incredible athleticism!

Can you imagine being a fly on the wall of Geno's office as he discusses with the asst coaches the progression (we hope) of the four freshman after week 1, 2, 3, etc of the preseason? Man, I would pay good money to sit in on those early meetings/practices!!!

Here is what my ultra-secret bugging system (so advanced that it is capable of recording future conversations) picks up for Geno's speech to the team in about the 2nd or 3rd week of fall practice:

"OK -- let me give it to you straight-up about what our plans are for the freshmen. Number one, we need somebody to be the 4th player in the paint, behind Kiah Stokes, Stewie, and Morgan. When two of those guys are on the bench for any reason, we will probably switch Kaleena to the 4 and bring Courtney in to play the 3. Courtney, you have the size to do it; you have the fitness; and it looks like you enjoy mixing it up. Plus you can hit the 3-ball from the wing when we need you to do that. From now on, you are practicing with Marisa and the front court players.

"As for everybody else, we all know that Moriah is going to be our point guard and get the lion's share of the minutes there. That means we have 4 players available for one spot on the floor next to Moriah: Saniya, Gabby, Kia Nurse, and Sadie. We have no idea right now who is going to grab that position. It makes no difference what you did in high school, or in the U-17, U-18, or anywhere else. The only thing the matters is what you do on this floor in the next few weeks. We'll watch you and make a decision as we always do. Once we make a decision, it is subject to change if your performance or your effort changes.

"But I can tell you this: there will be three main factors that influence this decison: (a) who is the quickest learner of how to play in the UConn offense; (b) who is the best defender; and (c) who works the hardest for every single minute of every practice. Right now, Saniya probably has the inside track because she knows the offense from having been here for a year. But all of you are capable of playing defense, and all of you are capable of working hard. If you want to know what working hard at UConn means, watch how Kaleena practices. She didn't know that when she was a freshman, but she learned it from Kelly Faris. You need to learn it from her."

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I just have a feeling that Chong will relax and have a great year coming off the bench! And I think Kiah Stokes will have a monster year at center, she will be one of the top big girls in the nation as a senior! She'll add a 12' to 15' shot and with her inside game and rebounding/blocked shots will kick some serious butt!

 

[msf22b]

And I think Kiah Stokes will have a monster year at center, she will be one of the top big girls in the nation as a senior! She'll add a 12' to 15' shot and with her inside game and rebounding/blocked shots will kick some serious butt!

I was watching yet another re-run of the championship game and there was a play or 2 when ND passed to Ariel Braker at the high post and the UConn defense ignored her. Once she looked over her shoulder, saw no one there, looked confused, and still passed the ball out. Even with a better outside shot, I can imagine Kiah being played in that manner, considering the other scoring talent we have.

The answer: As I suggested last season. Turn around and rumble to the hoop. Bet that Greg drills it into her this summer.

 

[phil sampieri]

I was watching yet another re-run of the championship game and there was a play or 2 when ND passed to Ariel Braker at the high post and the UConn defense ignored her. Once she looked over her shoulder, saw no one there, looked confused, and still passed the ball out. Even with a better outside shot, I can imagine Kiah being played in that manner, considering the other scoring talent we have.

The answer: As I suggested last season. Turn around and rumble to the hoop. Bet that Greg drills it into her this summer.

Yes she can take it to the rim and score and or get a foul. She actually does have a nice jumper from the foul line and needs to haver the confidence to take it when left open

 

[sawxfan23]

I think Kiah Stokes will have a monster year at center, she will be one of the top big girls in the nation as a senior! She'll add a 12' to 15' shot and with her inside game and rebounding/blocked shots will kick some serious butt!

I agree that Stokes will be an absolute beast in the paint this year. If she remains confident there is no reason that she won't be a double/double machine this year.

 

[VAMike23]

I agree that Stokes will be an absolute beast in the paint this year. If she remains confident there is no reason that she won't be a double/double machine this year.

Kiah's big adjustment will be mental, being the starter in the middle and having to bring consistency/stability. That's a much different mindset than she was required to have before, even though she clearly got significant minutes in many games. I have every reason to believe that once she grows accustomed to her new role, she will be a rock for us inside.

And when she *does* rumble to the basket, I love it !!!!!! Just like when Stef would put it on the floor. It's so fun to see.

 

[winlots]

MIKE: am thinking that being a starter might just HELP with the mental adjustment......give her a sense of "this if my time to really shine" and /or "I HAVE to get this done and NOW." As a foundation upon which to build, she certainly has had some very fine games during her college career.

 

[winlots]

RSH: certainly hope your optimism about Chong is on target. Does anybody see what I perceive as being a tentativeness about her moves.....almost a "daintiness" about the way she moves? Wondering if this was characteristic of her style in high school?????..........or whether it indicates loss of confidence during her freshman year......or if don't others see thisin her play?

 

[Geno-ista]

Gabby Williams. How fast and far does she come back from injury? Any loss of confidence?

After meeting her in Nashville, I think she has the poise to overcome the confidence issue quickly. Even though I'm sure that is a tough hurdle! Not high jump humor! .)

 

[Geno-ista]

My mystery is Morgan. I think Ekmark Nurse and Gabby (eventually) will be fine! I hope she and we are not robbed from what could have been with her. We hope this more for Morgan more for her sake than ours! "they can't win if they can't score!". That coach of Florida State I think, who was overseas with Morgan last summer, basically said, with Morgan, she hardly needed to coach after the tip off. And forget the huddles- Morgan dominated all the huddles during every break. In a positive way. Like having a great player coach!

 

[dbmill]

No question in my mind, it has to be Chong. To a certain extent, all Freshmen are a bit of a mystery, so it would be hard for me to include one. To me there is no mystery about Tuck. If she is not hurting, then she has shown she can play.

 

[Geno-ista]

No question in my mind, it has to be Chong. To a certain extent, all Freshmen are a bit of a mystery, so it would be hard for me to include one. To me there is no mystery about Tuck. If she is not hurting, then she has shown she can play.

If she can recover and be effective remains to be seen- and is a mystery to me. I think Chong is in a very precarious position. If she doesn't make that big leap this fall, she may not get too many more chances with the group coming in. I actually think she will have a tough time staying ahead of Nurse, and she is lucky Gabby is rehabbing.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

RSH: certainly hope your optimism about Chong is on target. Does anybody see what I perceive as being a tentativeness about her moves.....almost a "daintiness" about the way she moves? Wondering if this was characteristic of her style in high school?????.....or whether it indicates loss of confidence during her freshman year.or if don't others see thisin her play?

winlots- - - I saw several tapes of Chong in HS and she was VERY aggressive! But as Geno said in college you go through so many ups + downs confidence is a big thing! But I really feel she'll work that out over the off season and come back with a fire relit!

 

[dbmill]

If she can recover and be effective remains to be seen- and is a mystery to me. I think Chong is in a very precarious position. If she doesn't make that big leap this fall, she may not get too many more chances with the group coming in. I actually think she will have a tough time staying ahead of Nurse, and she is lucky Gabby is rehabbing.

Exactly. With the four freshmen wing players coming in, Chong is under pressure to step forward and prove herself quickly this season. If she doesn't make the great leap forward, it certainly looks like Geno has plenty of options, and she could very well end up being the last scholarship guard on the bench.

 

[winlots]

winlots- - - I saw several tapes of Chong in HS and she was VERY aggressive! But as Geno said in college you go through so many ups + downs confidence is a big thing! But I really feel she'll work that out over the off season and come back with a fire relit!

RSH: thanks for taking the time to get back on that,. Sounds very good. (I've only seen a little bit of her high school footage, and can't really remember being struck by that sort of "mincing step" style that struck me at times last season.....happy to see your take on her with your CAPS and your exclamation points. I'm reassured)

 

[mhshuskies]

Tuck. I know she could be an AA, or at least so I once thought. I'm so very curious about her future. After that

I think only her health is a question. If she is healthy she will become an AA.

 

[mhshuskies]

Exactly. With the four freshmen wing players coming in, Chong is under pressure to step forward and prove herself quickly this season. If she doesn't make the great leap forward, it certainly looks like Geno has plenty of options, and she could very well end up being the last scholarship guard on the bench.

Overwhelmingly opinions on Chong being the mystery. By now we know what to expect from all the returning players, skill and contribution wise. Chong is the one that needs to take a big freshmen to sophomore step forward, otherwise she will be a bench player her remaining career and one or more of the incoming freshmen establish themselves. Either way it will be a season to find out who will be the 5th starter for the 10th NC run.

 

[easttexastrash]

She needs to fix her shooting motion, to get it overhead rather than from her chin. She is not big enough to get off very many shots with her current motion. Of course, if she isn't hitting her shots, she will get all the room she needs.

I've seen this with many female players throughout the years. A push-shot is really hard to get off when the opposing playrs are bigger. If she wants to be come an offensive threat with that shooting motion she is going to have to work REALLY hard at working without the ball and getting wide open shots.

 

[easttexastrash]

If the freshman class is as good as advertised, I think that Chong will have trouble getting playing time unless she makes some major improvements. I haven't seen the freshmen play so I cannot predict how good any of them will be. That should be fun to watch.

Tuck, if healthy, is not a mystery to me, at all. She proved that she can be very productive, so if she is healthy, she will be a starter.

Stokes has been a mystery to me for 3 years, so she will be a mystery until I see her play next year. She has tremendous upside if she can come back for her senior year with an improved offensive game. Right now she doesn't seem to have much range on her shot, but if she can develop that she can explode.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Looks like Chong as biggest mystery for most. Next looks like the freshmen, both individually and collectively; interestingly, there is a pretty even balance of votes among those four, although the bulk of the Williams "mystery" seems to relate only to her injury, in contrast to the unknowns about the other three frosh. Stokes and Tuck right up in there with the frosh, in terms of votes, athough some of the Tuck seems to be injury related.
Posters obviously feel pretty settled about what to expect from the other scholarship players, Lewis, Stewart, Jefferson, as none of them get a mention. I think Banks might have garnered non-injury mystery votes had she stayed. Haven't heard yet where she landed, but could have missed it.

I thought of the freshman, Nurse would have far and away the fewest "mystery" designations because of what she's "proved" with the Canadian national team. It seems that experience would be supremely valuable and eliminate a lot of questions in regard to her potential contributions.

 

[Buzzyboy]

My mystery is Morgan. I think Ekmark Nurse and Gabby (eventually) will be fine! I hope she and we are not robbed from what could have been with her. We hope this more for Morgan more for her sake than ours! "they can't win if they can't score!". That coach of Florida State I think, who was overseas with Morgan last summer, basically said, with Morgan, she hardly needed to coach after the tip off. And forget the huddles- Morgan dominated all the huddles during every break. In a positive way. Like having a great player coach!

Morgan has already shown a lot of ability and skill in her 1 1/2 years of actually playing here in Storrs, even though she's never been completely pain free. I can't even imagine how much better she would be (and hopefully WILL BE) if completely healthy. I would have to hope that in the aftermath of her surgery, which was serious, she would at least be as effective going forward as she was prior to having had the surgery. I'm sure she got the best medical available and as a result, I'd be very surprised and very disappointed if her ability to perform was worsened by the surgery.

 

[uconnfan68]

I think our biggest mystery is who is our backup center?

I think Kiah can (and might) play 38-39 minutes a game (just like Stef). She also WILL be the best center in wcbb next year. Rebounding and shot-blocking like a young Bill Russell. The offense will come too.

 

[easttexastrash]

I think Kiah can (and might) play 38-39 minutes a game (just like Stef). She also WILL be the best center in wcbb next year. Rebounding and shot-blocking like a young Bill Russell. The offense will come too.

Coates will be the best center, IMO. She was pretty high on my list last season.