Who are our starting five next year?

[hoophuskee]

I was considering Kia a natural ball handler!!!! I'm saying we need a second such ball handler on the court!! I'm saying we need a balanced line up and hope danger can start.

You don't think Gabby is a good ballhandler? On defense doubtful that Gabby will be guarding the post as much when we have Stevens, Collier, Lou and Kia. So what's wrong with Gabby being the 2nd ball-handler?

 

[hoophuskee]

The other thing to consider is we just lost our fastest player in Saniya. By not replacing her with Crystal means Geno is willing to go with a really slow starting line up.

"Fastest?" IMO "the fastest team" has little to do with fundamentals. It gets you nowhere without fundamentals. And UCONN has incredible fundamental players. I think Saniya's attribute of being "fast" isn't very relevant. How much did her speed impact the game vs her other attributes? And it's not like she was an a/a. Anyhow imo saniya's bets attributes were her ability to not make turnovers - she averaged just a bit over 1 per game (she averaged 4 assists but that can be picked up) and her ability to shoot. These attributes are "fundamentals-of-basketball related". Her speed is not. UCONN lost vs Miss State also with rebounding which is fundamental related. Because UCONN had to play all season with such small size imo that factor also trumps speed. There is no reason to risk Gabby or Napheesa to have to play big centers.

Add that up with Collier and Stevens I doubt are considered "very slow" for their positions and Gabby is fast. I wouldn't call Kia Nurse "very slow." So why do you say "very slow?"

 

[hoophuskee]

Most seem to think Azura starts and Crystal comes off the bench. That's a possibility. Geno has seen Azura practice now for a year. But I still like Crystal starting as the 1. For most of the games I paid attention to, either Crystal or Saniya were on the court at almost all times. To me that meant that Geno preferred one of them as the 1 over Kia (or Lou or Gabby).

The real question is at what point does Geno start subbing? Clearly he has a dearth of talent and I suspect somewhere at the 5 min mark he will start rotating. the problem with that is cohesion and flow. I just don't know how he will acclimate fully 10 kids who could easily be good enough for serious PT on any other team.

Danger, Kia, Lou, Gabby, Napheesa is my guess for starters.

.

Again just my opinion. No idea how the kids improve during the season. I hope all of them get really good really fast...

IMO that happened because he didn't trust Nat as much, and Gabby was evolving / settled in incredible as the 4. Now imo he'll prefer better quality in Stevens. What I saw as the season progressed was the evolution of Gabby Williams. Further in games vs Mss State and Texas and Fla State and Baylor (Baylor what helped was getting Brown into foul trouble. Can't "expect" that.) we were having a he problem on the glass. So we had 4 games in which that has to be fixed along with the threat of Gabby and Collier being so small that one of them to start the game was forced to play out of position.

I think the size and quality of play from Stevens supersedes the quality Danger brings.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Some of us think Crystal will start, with Z being the first off the bench.

Sports Reporter: So Geno, are you starting Stevens or Dangerfield?
Geno to Sports Reporter: Hmmmmm, tough question. Let me see ...

Stevens 6'6" - Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America, WBCA Region I All-America, selected to the Wade Watch Top 30 list, All-ACC Tournament Second Team, John R. Wooden Late Season Top 20, USBWA Midseason Watch List for National Player of the year, Naismith National Player of the Year Watch List, All-ACC First Team selection by both the Blue Ribbon Panel and league head coaches - Did I mention she is an athletic 6'6" tall?

Dangerfield 5'5" -

Geno to Reporter: Hmmm, I'm leaning towards Z.

Who jumps for the opening tap? Gabby or Z, if Z starts?

Whichever jumps the highest and fastest with great timimg will jump opening tap.

 

[bizarro aj]

The way geno works things, is you have to earn the starting spot. So that means there are no locks for starting positions. As i said earlier they have 5 preseason games in Italy to figure out lineups.

 

[huskeynut]

We all know this or should - Geno will play those he trusts.

 

[Rudy2014]

By year end at crunch time in games, Williams, Collier, Nurse, Stevens and Walker. Gabby is a workaholic and will improve her shooting range. (Note the open 18-fters she passed up in the MSU game.) Collier was great but could use more confidence in the Madness. Kiah needs to be the leader. Stevens has been champing at the bit. Walker, if she can learn the rotations and be an effective passer.
KLS has trouble rebounding, guarding, blocking, creating and stealing. I shuddered every time she brought the ball up. She still has time to develop her game. Hope she does. 1st team All American? Not. Bball is more than 3 pt shots.
CD is a year away. Coombs? The Kentucky kid?
All in all, a great season. The 7 filled in the puzzle pieces as best they could, especially GW, NC and KLS. The key guys were young. Geno did a hell of a job.
Though we lost to MSU, it was the most dramatic game of the year.
I would challenge MSU and SC to still beat UCONN if they played the Final Four again right now.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Anyone wanna guess how many threads we will have about this before November??

Should be this one and only this one. Until one of them shows to be unworthy of starting; it should be as Carnac says with a bit of clarification.

Collier - All-American 1st team
Williams - All-American 1st team
Samuelson - All-American 1st team
Nurse - All-American honorable mention
Stevens - All-American honorable mention

 

[SVCBeercats]

???!!?? We know Gabulous has hops. I don't know if Z has any or not (not all tall people can jump). At this time, I don't have sufficient data to give you a definitive answer.
Let me get back to you on that one.

I think she will push Gabby for jumping opening tap. There is a lot air below her feet. Did anyone mention, she has a 7 inch head start (pun intended)? And don't give me no gas about camera angles!

 

[flncfan]

I hope Kia makes a big jump like all the preseason accolades suspected she would. I think if she doesn't her PT would be significantly cut and giving to Crystal Dangerfield. Kia at times was impressive, but I saw her equally to Saniya Chong at times and a lot of people knew that's why we were always referred to a"Big 3". I just hope Kia rest this summer (stay away Canada basketball) because she really needs it. I think Crystal Dangerfield only mission this summer would be being a starter next season. So my five are Lou, Gabby, Phee, Azura, Kia (if she isn't producing then it would be Crystal Dangerfield like when Geno use to make Doty start and replace her with Hartley a couple of minutes after).

 

[HGN]

Geno will have 5 starters.....That start. But essentially he has 10 starters , or players , capable of starting. Which is a great thing. DEPTH up the ying-yang. Something he didn't have this past season.

It will be hard not to start any of the current AA. Plus Kia.....That 5th starter will have to earn the right and privilege.

 

[HopJim]

"Fastest?" IMO "the fastest team" has little to do with fundamentals. It gets you nowhere without fundamentals. And UCONN has incredible fundamental players. I think Saniya's attribute of being "fast" isn't very relevant. How much did her speed impact the game vs her other attributes? And it's not like she was an a/a. Anyhow imo saniya's bets attributes were her ability to not make turnovers - she averaged just a bit over 1 per game (she averaged 4 assists but that can be picked up) and her ability to shoot. These attributes are "fundamentals-of-basketball related". Her speed is not. UCONN lost vs Miss State also with rebounding which is fundamental related. Because UCONN had to play all season with such small size imo that factor also trumps speed. There is no reason to risk Gabby or Napheesa to have to play big centers.

Add that up with Collier and Stevens I doubt are considered "very slow" for their positions and Gabby is fast. I wouldn't call Kia Nurse "very slow." So why do you say "very slow?"

Not sure if Saniya would win races but she was the only one with the foot speed to guard quick guards throughout playoffs. More than rebounding, viewed the main issue UConn had against top competition was allowing guards to drive the lane.

 

[HopJim]

I hope Kia makes a big jump like all the preseason accolades suspected she would. I think if she doesn't her PT would be significantly cut and giving to Crystal Dangerfield. Kia at times was impressive, but I saw her equally to Saniya Chong at times and a lot of people knew that's why we were always referred to a"Big 3". I just hope Kia rest this summer (stay away Canada basketball) because she really needs it. I think Crystal Dangerfield only mission this summer would be being a starter next season. So my five are Lou, Gabby, Phee, Azura, Kia (if she isn't producing then it would be Crystal Dangerfield like when Geno use to make Doty start and replace her with Hartley a couple of minutes after).

Respectfully, Kia was money after she came back from her injury. Not a good defender in playoffs, but since this has always been a strength, have to give her credit for playing at the level she did while hurt. Suspect we will learn the injury was worse than most thought. Not sure what you saw in Crystal Dangerfield. Glad she is on team but inconsistent and often a defensive issue due to size.

 

[JustinesGuy]

Your point is clear. But respectfully I just don't agree with it. In addition to Kia, Gabby & Lou are exceptional ball handlers who both had over 100 assists this season and were successfully used at times to bring the ball up against pressing defenses. In addition, Pheesa is no slouch and Z is also capable of putting the ball on the floor and passing the ball.

This is a team that set an all-time record for assists in a season. Saniya was certainly a big part of that, but the players coming back next year will all be better and will more than make up for Saniya's loss.

As for Danger, she will have a bigger role next year, but likely off the bench. The most glaring weakness of this year's team was size, and that should be addressed by starting Z.

Ok. Fair enough. I respect your point of view.

 

[JustinesGuy]

You don't think Gabby is a good ballhandler? On defense doubtful that Gabby will be guarding the post as much when we have Stevens, Collier, Lou and Kia. So what's wrong with Gabby being the 2nd ball-handler?

I think gabby is an amazing player and can certainly handle the ball. I do notice that she is usually guarded by a 3 or 4 or even a 5. If she can bring the ball up against a pressuring 2 then I'm happy. But can she?

 

[CL82]

I tend to agree that Crystal Dangerfield is the first player off the bench. I do think that people are overlooking the huge step up that occurs between freshman and sophomore years. I fully expect Crystal to make this jump. That said, it's probably too much to expect her to develop sufficient skills to bump anyone from the starting five. It's not that she's not talented, she clearly is, it's just that Kia brings more to the table and it is tough to make an argument against Gabby being on the floor.

 

[Carnac]

Your not getting it. Kia is terrific. I'm not worried about her. I'm worried about a line up without danger when ball handling is at a premium. Maybe I'm not making my point clear enough.

We're talking about the starting 5 . I can't see Dangerous starting next year. I do see her starting when Kia leaves. I believe Crystal will be the starting pg her last 2 years.
I also believe that Geno will insert Crystal at any point in a game where/when he thinks her presence in the game is critical to UConn winning the game. Just because she does not start does not mean she can't/won't finish.

I could be wrong. None of us know at THIS point in time, what the starting line up is going to be that first game this summer, or in November. Geno probably knows, but he's not saying at this point. Unless we attend every practice, and sit in on the coach's meetings, we don't see what they see, or know what they know. All any of us can do is guess.
Today, I see Dangerous coming off the bench getting a lot of playing time all season. Whether she starts or not is not important. What she does when she's on the floor is!!.
It's always fun to guess and predict who Geno is going to send out on to the court that first exhibition game this summer. Until he does, we won't know.

Two things we do know at this point:
1. ALL of the returning starters will remain starters until and unless they are moved out by a bench player.
2. None of the incoming freshmen are going to start during the summer games. I see Stevens starting. I don't see anyone else on the team beating her out. From the reports we've been getting, Stevens was killing them in practice. I heard on more than one occasion (from an announcer) during a game that the best player on UConn's team was on the bench, dressed in street clothes. I'm going with that.

 

[Carnac]

I think she will push Gabby for jumping opening tap. There is a lot air below her feet. Did anyone mention, she has a 7 inch head start (pun intended)? And don't give me no gas about camera angles!
View attachment 21459

I must admit, THAT picture of Z is very impressive. If girlie has some "serious" hops, all the better. I hope she does. She can give Gabby and Napheesa some help on the boards...........................on both ends of the court!! We know Gabby and Napheesa are "board hounds". If Z wants to make it a three-some, I'm sure Gabby and pheesa would welcome her presence. You'll get no gas here sir. This picture depicts one of the many reasons why I think Z will start!!! You just don't keep athleticism like this on the bench. I also don't believe Geno brought her in to come off the bench.

 

[hoophuskee]

I think gabby is an amazing player and can certainly handle the ball. I do notice that she is usually guarded by a 3 or 4 or even a 5. If she can bring the ball up against a pressuring 2 then I'm happy. But can she?

You don't necessarily use your guards often vs pressure you use size too. Unless someone can prove different, from what I remember this year and even last year Geno liked to use Lou in the backcourt when teams did a zone pressure trap because she could easily see over the guards ta the fron of the trap. And I know it wasn't you - but sort of disputes anyone saying she's not much of a ball-handler. I know it's not you. You are referring to"pg ball-handling."

Anyhow with a lineup of Stevens 6-6, Collier 6'1, Gabby 5'11, Lou 6'3 and Nurse 6'0 -- if you trap UCONN in a zone Lou will be in the backcourt just as she has always been the past two years. SO what is the point fo having a 2nd ball-handler fi we have used Lou so often when teams zone press us? It hasn't affected us back then so no point saying that type of defense will affect UCONN next year.

Now if you go into a man-press - what are you saying if you are the opposing coach? You're going to use a small guard ot press Gabby? Okay -- well then how is the small guard going to defend Gabby in the man-to-man set then if UCONN "at least" brings the ball over half-court? DO you remember Lawrence Taylor? You put a running back in or tight end to block him he overpowers you. You use an offensive tackle he'll use his quickness. I don't believe a guard can defend Gabby inside. Therefore the smaller of the two players that are pressing will defend Lou and Kia - and not Gabby. If you put a bigger player on her- then press won't affect UCONN

You cold try to man press and then go into a zone? The problem is when you go into a zone quickly you'll have trouble finding zone shooters. If Gabby is bringing up the ball, unlike the past two years under full-court pressure she wasn't, in this case the other 4 players are very good three point shooters (Stevens is supposedly).

It could work-- but now that we have the size and imo our defense will be better because there is no way Danger is near Stevens on defense imo - our defense and rebounding will be better therefore less opportunities for opposing team to bother us with a full court press.

Because our defense and rebounding will be so tough how much can an opposing teams full court pressure bother us when they won't have as many chances to press because they can't score as much?
Therefore how much pressure is Gabby really having over the course of a game because at some point at least Danger and if not Walker (or Coombs etc) will play minutes and also be quick ball-handlers that will have at least some minutes?

All-in-all imo you may find one or two teams. If they do that - and it's a problem then you put in Danger. Not many teams have the ability to bother UCONN on a press next year in which they also have to score.

On the flip-side playing small could force Collier and Gabby into 2 quick fouls. Defense is also a consideration.

 

[hoophuskee]

By year end at crunch time in games, Williams, Collier, Nurse, Stevens and Walker. Gabby is a workaholic and will improve her shooting range. (Note the open 18-fters she passed up in the MSU game.) Collier was great but could use more confidence in the Madness. Kiah needs to be the leader. Stevens has been champing at the bit. Walker, if she can learn the rotations and be an effective passer.
KLS has trouble rebounding, guarding, blocking, creating and stealing. I shuddered every time she brought the ball up. She still has time to develop her game. Hope she does. 1st team All American? Not. Bball is more than 3 pt shots.
CD is a year away. Coombs? The Kentucky kid?
All in all, a great season. The 7 filled in the puzzle pieces as best they could, especially GW, NC and KLS. The key guys were young. Geno did a hell of a job.
Though we lost to MSU, it was the most dramatic game of the year.
I would challenge MSU and SC to still beat UCONN if they played the Final Four again right now.

I shudder everytime I hear this over-exaggeration negativity. There is no way no way no way if there are multiple crunch games that you can make a blanket statement of Walker over Lou.

Tell me - did you ever watch Steve Kerr or John Paxson play? Why do you think they played in so many end games? How was there "rebounding, blacking, guarding, creating and stealing?"

Lou can pass the ball and shoot -- her defense was good enough for UCONN to only lose one game all year. Lou is 6'3. Therefore all she needs is a pick to get off her own shot.

There are three fundamentals in basketball- -- shoot, pass, rebound. Lou has 2 of the 3. Nowhere is there "create your own shot." You do need some of that but this UCONN does not NEED that. Therefore Geno is as likely to stay away from the fundamentals as a wcbb DIV 3 school is as likely to beat UCONN.

I remember years ago arguing with htose that used to say Angel was greater than Maya because she can create her own shot more easily. The "creation of your own shot" does NOT make one player better than another. And when you are 6'3 like Lou is- you can easily get off shots with a simple offensive option invented many moons ago called "a pick." That is why Maya over the course of her college career was always more superior than Angel. Inevitably Angel's shot was suspect and game-over-game she was forced to force the ball in traffic despite her superiority of the creation of her own shot.

 

[JLH123]

By year end at crunch time in games, Williams, Collier, Nurse, Stevens and Walker. Gabby is a workaholic and will improve her shooting range. (Note the open 18-fters she passed up in the MSU game.) Collier was great but could use more confidence in the Madness. Kiah needs to be the leader. Stevens has been champing at the bit. Walker, if she can learn the rotations and be an effective passer.
KLS has trouble rebounding, guarding, blocking, creating and stealing. I shuddered every time she brought the ball up. She still has time to develop her game. Hope she does. 1st team All American? Not. Bball is more than 3 pt shots.
CD is a year away. Coombs? The Kentucky kid?
All in all, a great season. The 7 filled in the puzzle pieces as best they could, especially GW, NC and KLS. The key guys were young. Geno did a hell of a job.
Though we lost to MSU, it was the most dramatic game of the year.
I would challenge MSU and SC to still beat UCONN if they played the Final Four again right now.

Lou, quite obviously, came from the womb launching 3-pointers (she is a Samuelson, after all), and has coasted to her accolades. It doesn't take much to have one of the most successful sophomore campaigns in UConn history, and her selection to every single AA team this season was a fluke and gross misjudgment.

Lou just can't rebound (3rd among starters, 4th on the team overall, and highest among perimeter players).
Lou just can't block shots (4th on the team and again highest among perimeter players) - or get steals (3rd on the team and, again, highest among perimeter players).
Lou just can't create her own shot (plz ignore second-half of Maryland game - pull-up jumper And-1, as well as drive into the lane lefty finish. Also, 131 FTAs - total fluke).

I mean, Gabby will definitely work on that mid-range jumper this summer, but Lou... hope she will at least take a break from the beach at some point.


Gimme a break... there's a full season box score, and the data speaks for itself.

 

[AussieHusky]

Excellent analysis! The LT analogy was especially brilliant.
You said exactly what I think will happen next season. Starting 5 - Kia, Gabby, Lou, Pheesa & Azura! I have thought all along that Gabby is, using the normal basketball nomenclature, a 1/2 who has shown over the course of the last 2 years that she will be an effective 3 at the next level. During the just ended season she played the 4 or 5 (and succeeded to some extent due to her superior athleticism) out of necessity for the team but seemed to get worn out towards the end. She definitely has to work on her consistency to succeed at the 1/2. I agree with you and other posters that the 5th starter next season will be Azura. Her size (which we sorely lacked this past season) will allow the perimeter players to exert pressure (just as Moriah and Kia did with Stewie and Tuck behind them) and not worry too much about being beaten off the dribble and rebounding. It will especially allow Gabby to be more disruptive defensively without worrying too much about boxing out the other team's Bigs and protecting the paint.

 

[AussieHusky]

Lou, quite obviously, came from the womb launching 3-pointers (she is a Samuelson, after all), and has coasted to her accolades. It doesn't take much to have one of the most successful sophomore campaigns in UConn history, and her selection to every single AA team this season was a fluke and gross misjudgment.

Lou just can't rebound (3rd among starters, 4th on the team overall, and highest among perimeter players).
Lou just can't block shots (4th on the team and again highest among perimeter players) - or get steals (3rd on the team and, again, highest among perimeter players).
Lou just can't create her own shot (plz ignore second-half of Maryland game - pull-up jumper And-1, as well as drive into the lane lefty finish. Also, 131 FTAs - total fluke).

I mean, Gabby will definitely work on that mid-range jumper this summer, but Lou... hope she will at least take a break from the beach at some point.


Gimme a break... there's a full season box score, and the data speaks for itself.

I 100% agree! Data speaks, in spite of our "post-truth" current state! Like you I can not fathom this being said about this young lady. This kid (no disrespect intended...) has worked hard and done everything (to the best of her ability and beyond!) that has been asked of her. Rebounding, getting steals, blocking shots, and taking charge after charge, to help this team succeed. The entire team far exceeded expectations this past season. She earns AA status as a result, not too shabby! Does she need to improve, hell yes! They all need to improve for next season. Gabby (consistent mid-range, cut down on turnovers, etc.), Pheesa (defense w/o fouling, confidence and assertiveness, etc.), Kia (mid-range, dribble pull ups, better decisions on dribble drives, etc.) and off course Lou (continue to work on rebounding, improve shot blocking, and consistency of your shots - 2/3 fg.).

 

[AussieHusky]

You don't necessarily use your guards often vs pressure you use size too. Unless someone can prove different, from what I remember this year and even last year Geno liked to use Lou in the backcourt when teams did a zone pressure trap because she could easily see over the guards ta the fron of the trap. And I know it wasn't you - but sort of disputes anyone saying she's not much of a ball-handler. I know it's not you. You are referring to"pg ball-handling."

Anyhow with a lineup of Stevens 6-6, Collier 6'1, Gabby 5'11, Lou 6'3 and Nurse 6'0 -- if you trap UCONN in a zone Lou will be in the backcourt just as she has always been the past two years. SO what is the point fo having a 2nd ball-handler fi we have used Lou so often when teams zone press us? It hasn't affected us back then so no point saying that type of defense will affect UCONN next year.

Now if you go into a man-press - what are you saying if you are the opposing coach? You're going to use a small guard ot press Gabby? Okay -- well then how is the small guard going to defend Gabby in the man-to-man set then if UCONN "at least" brings the ball over half-court? DO you remember Lawrence Taylor? You put a running back in or tight end to block him he overpowers you. You use an offensive tackle he'll use his quickness. I don't believe a guard can defend Gabby inside. Therefore the smaller of the two players that are pressing will defend Lou and Kia - and not Gabby. If you put a bigger player on her- then press won't affect UCONN

You cold try to man press and then go into a zone? The problem is when you go into a zone quickly you'll have trouble finding zone shooters. If Gabby is bringing up the ball, unlike the past two years under full-court pressure she wasn't, in this case the other 4 players are very good three point shooters (Stevens is supposedly).

It could work-- but now that we have the size and imo our defense will be better because there is no way Danger is near Stevens on defense imo - our defense and rebounding will be better therefore less opportunities for opposing team to bother us with a full court press.

Because our defense and rebounding will be so tough how much can an opposing teams full court pressure bother us when they won't have as many chances to press because they can't score as much?
Therefore how much pressure is Gabby really having over the course of a game because at some point at least Danger and if not Walker (or Coombs etc) will play minutes and also be quick ball-handlers that will have at least some minutes?

All-in-all imo you may find one or two teams. If they do that - and it's a problem then you put in Danger. Not many teams have the ability to bother UCONN on a press next year in which they also have to score.

On the flip-side playing small could force Collier and Gabby into 2 quick fouls. Defense is also a consideration.

Excellent analysis! The LT analogy is especially brilliant!
Starting 5 - Kia, Gabby, Lou, Pheesa & Azura! I have thought all along that Gabby is, using the normal basketball nomenclature, a 1/2 who has shown over the course of the last 2 years that she will be an effective 3 at the next level. During the just ended season she played the 4 or 5 (and succeeded to some extent due to her superior athleticism) out of necessity for the team but seemed to get worn out towards the end. She definitely has to work on her consistency to succeed at the 1/2. At the next level she will probably thrive at the 3 (sf) so she needs to work on that consistency in her mid-range shots. She needs to also work on shooting off the dribble, that is dribble pull-ups. Currently she is a spot up or a rim shooter. At the next level she will have to be able to take a dribble or two and then pull up consistently. I agree with you and other posters that the 5th starter next season will be Azura. Her size (which we sorely lacked this past season) will allow the perimeter players to exert pressure (just as Moriah and Kia did with Stewie and Tuck behind them) and not worry too much about being beaten off the dribble and rebounding. It will especially allow Gabby to be more disruptive defensively without worrying too much about boxing out the other team's Bigs and protecting the paint.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Most seem to think Azura starts and Crystal comes off the bench. That's a possibility. Geno has seen Azura practice now for a year. But I still like Crystal starting as the 1. For most of the games I paid attention to, either Crystal or Saniya were on the court at almost all times. To me that meant that Geno preferred one of them as the 1 over Kia (or Lou or Gabby).

The real question is at what point does Geno start subbing? Clearly he has a dearth of talent and I suspect somewhere at the 5 min mark he will start rotating. the problem with that is cohesion and flow. I just don't know how he will acclimate fully 10 kids who could easily be good enough for serious PT on any other team.

Danger, Kia, Lou, Gabby, Napheesa is my guess for starters.

In general, reserves off the bench in this order: Azura, Batouly, Megan, Natalie, Mikayla, Andi, Lexi, Kyla and Molly in that order. I suspect the last 4 will generally see time in the last 4 minutes of games. I see the upside for Andi and Lexi as much higher than Kyla or Molly. But their being ahead of the sophomores on the depth chart will be determined by how hard they work and how fast they pick things up. Andi is an extraordinary scorer, but so was Saniya in high school. NO idea how she translates to college (Andi). Lexi is a hard worker, but I don't see that she has as much potential as the rest of the players ahead of her.

Again just my opinion. No idea how the kids improve during the season. I hope all of them get really good really fast...

You convinced me that Crystal will start, even though that's the unpopular view here.

I think the order off the bench will depend on need. I largely agree with your ranking based on overall talent and experience, though I might swap Megan and Batouly and Lexi and Andi.

In terms of need, if Pheesa gets in foul trouble, Z comes in (assuming she's not a starter). If Lou gets in foul trouble, Meg may be the first sub. If Crystal doesn't start, she'll be the first sub if Kia gets in foul trouble. If there is guard foul trouble, Mikayla comes in before Nat. Assuming no foul trouble, Z/Crystal followed by Meg or Batouly. If Geno wants to press, look for Mikayla in the game.

 

[Los24]

I think we all have to pray danger can be trusted to be our point. We need a balanced line up

Danger( if she makes a big progression)
Kia
Lou
Gabby
Collier



If danger does not progress:

Kia
Gabby
Lou
Collier
Stevens.

I would bank on gabby and Lou being able to help with ball handling duties.

Here is the issue by not starting Stevens. I would say that most UConn fans acknowledge the two weaknesses of the team was #1 depth and #2 size. #1 is taken care of but #2 is only filled by Stevens. Also, Stevens is already a proven player with many thinking AA potential for next year. Dangerfield still needs maturation. Also, Stevens allows Gabby to defend at a position that is more suitable to her and not wear her down. Contrary to popular believe she did not shutdown top bigs. She does a good job jumping passes but it was a team (doubling) effort to mostly limit TOP bigs to their season averages.

So when we play ND's Tuner or SC's A'ja we should have Stevens sitting? We also get better rebounding, blocks and she is more versatile offensively than Dangerfield overall. She can play down low, elbow or hit from 3. But who knows.........

 

[hoophuskee]

You convinced me that Crystal will start, even though that's the unpopular view here.

I think the order off the bench will depend on need. I largely agree with your ranking based on overall talent and experience, though I might swap Megan and Batouly and Lexi and Andi.

In terms of need, if Pheesa gets in foul trouble, Z comes in (assuming she's not a starter). If Lou gets in foul trouble, Meg may be the first sub. If Crystal doesn't start, she'll be the first sub if Kia gets in foul trouble. If there is guard foul trouble, Mikayla comes in before Nat. Assuming no foul trouble, Z/Crystal followed by Meg or Batouly. If Geno wants to press, look for Mikayla in the game.

I still don't understand. Why put Gabby and Collier at risk defending big centers? Why put them into foul trouble risk when you don't have to? It's not their natural position. Ball-handling should not be the number 1 priority when you already have every starter that can handle the ball.

 

[Los24]

Just hypothetically, suppose that we have sophomore Moriah Jefferson on the team next year. Does she come off the bench, because we start the 4 returning starters plus a tall and talented transfer?

So your comparing Moriah's senior year as the best point guard in the nation on both sides of the ball to Crystal Dangerfield now? So would you start Dangerfield over Stewie if she was transferring in in order to have a "ball handler" on the nation's #1 assist team?

 

[Los24]

By year end at crunch time in games, Williams, Collier, Nurse, Stevens and Walker. Gabby is a workaholic and will improve her shooting range. (Note the open 18-fters she passed up in the MSU game.) Collier was great but could use more confidence in the Madness. Kiah needs to be the leader. Stevens has been champing at the bit. Walker, if she can learn the rotations and be an effective passer.
KLS has trouble rebounding, guarding, blocking, creating and stealing. I shuddered every time she brought the ball up. She still has time to develop her game. Hope she does. 1st team All American? Not. Bball is more than 3 pt shots.
CD is a year away. Coombs? The Kentucky kid?
All in all, a great season. The 7 filled in the puzzle pieces as best they could, especially GW, NC and KLS. The key guys were young. Geno did a hell of a job.
Though we lost to MSU, it was the most dramatic game of the year.
I would challenge MSU and SC to still beat UCONN if they played the Final Four again right now.

You need to check your stats about Lou, you are way off. She played on the wing and had more steals and rebounding than the other two perimeter players on the team... And she does a lot more on offense than shoot 3s. Being one of the few players in UConn history to avg 20pts means nothing? Her and Gabby were the only two that seemed to want it in Q4 of the MS loss. Go check, she is the player that Geno wants on the floor almost all the time, so I think your assessment of her is not shared by Geno....

 

[MilfordHusky]

So your comparing Moriah's senior year as the best point guard in the nation on both sides of the ball to Crystal Dangerfield now? So would you start Dangerfield over Stewie if she was transferring in in order to have a "ball handler" on the nation's #1 assist team?

No--I said Moriah's SOPHOMORE season. Most people think that Crystal is now slightly ahead of where Mo was at the end of her freshman year. If Crystal is given the opportunity, her sophomore season could be comparable to Moriah's.