Who are our starting five next year?

[MilfordHusky]

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.

First, I think that Azura and Crystal will play approximately the same number of minutes as each other, regardless of who starts. So, whether Z starts or Crystal starts does not make a huge difference.

Second, though undersized, Gabby and Pheesa did a great job this year and created mismatches with their quickness. If they do get in foul trouble, we have Z and Batouly, as well as Nat, to back them up.

Third, while the other 4 starters can handle the ball well for their positions, no one handles the ball as well as Crystal. She also sees the floor better than anyone, except possibly Gabby.

Fourth, the easiest transition for the team is for players to keep their positions--at which they excelled in a 36-1 season--and replace the missing starter. Thus, plug in Crystal for Saniya.

Fifth, though Z had 2 good years at Duke and apparently has played very well in practice, Crystal has more experience in actual games in Geno's system.

Sixth, when Diana, Maya, Kaleena, and Stewie were freshmen, they were probably the best players on the team, but none of them started, at least until the starters were injured. They basically played starters minutes, but were not starters. Though Z should be very good, I doubt she's better than those four.

I think we start games with a small, quick lineup, then mix in several bench players. As noted, Z will get starter's minutes.

 

[Geno-ista]

Yes but too lite on the ball handling.
If Kia nurse ever gets hurt we are in huge trouble

Dangerfield came up big in many big games when we needed her. I think she ended way ahead of Moriah's freshman yr. she's got it. She'll be the first on off the bench resting almost everyone of the starting 5. Batouly will be next resting the bigs- we'll have a million options next year.

 

[mhshuskies]

I think Crystal was amazing at times, but inconsistent. She had some bad turnovers also, but she was only a rookie. If she makes that freshman to sophomore jump it would hard to keep her on the bench. One problem with Crystal starting is that we are smaller than even this year. I just can't see how Z isn't starting or off the bench very early in a game.

 

[JellyBean]

I love the possible roster look for next year plus the freshmen coming in. Can't wait!! Hurry up, October 2017!! Jeez.

 

[hoophuskee]

First, I think that Azura and Crystal will play approximately the same number of minutes as each other, regardless of who starts. So, whether Z starts or Crystal starts does not make a huge difference.

Second, though undersized, Gabby and Pheesa did a great job this year and created mismatches with their quickness. If they do get in foul trouble, we have Z and Batouly, as well as Nat, to back them up.

Third, while the other 4 starters can handle the ball well for their positions, no one handles the ball as well as Crystal. She also sees the floor better than anyone, except possibly Gabby.

Fourth, the easiest transition for the team is for players to keep their positions--at which they excelled in a 36-1 season--and replace the missing starter. Thus, plug in Crystal for Saniya.

Fifth, though Z had 2 good years at Duke and apparently has played very well in practice, Crystal has more experience in actual games in Geno's system.

Sixth, when Diana, Maya, Kaleena, and Stewie were freshmen, they were probably the best players on the team, but none of them started, at least until the starters were injured. They basically played starters minutes, but were not starters. Though Z should be very good, I doubt she's better than those four.

I think we start games with a small, quick lineup, then mix in several bench players. As noted, Z will get starter's minutes.

Okay -- though there is nothing I agree with you on. We can agree to disagree.

1--- Geno has said after two years he expects AZ to go 1st in the draft. She already was an honorable a/a. No way I see them playing the same minutes unless an injury happens. Too much of a ceiling for AZ.

2-- While you say "though undersized"- I say "yes it was a weakness that they were undersized." Part fo the weakness was that they were getting into foul trouble because they were so small because they were playing out of position. Why go into a game acknowledging you are playing players out of position in which you've seen for yourself that they often have gotten into foul trouble? SO now you think ti best to take Gabby out of the game for a half because she picked up two tick-tack quick fouls all because you want more ball-handling?

3-- Regarding your point on Danger being "the best ball-handler"-- so what? If being "the best" at one aspect is such a big deal - then no one can defend the perimeter better than Gabby, correct? Or Collier-- forced to paly centers. SO you can keep Gabby or Collier out of foul trouble more often because at 5'11 and 6'1 they aren't playing out of position and getting into quick foul trouble. So you are getting better defense when you slide each player away from the center spot and to their natural position. How does ball-handling in which we already have good ball-handlers trump that?

4-- The team didn't win a championship at 36-1. Weaknesses of getting beat by rebounding was exposed. Geno had said all year he was surprised how well the team did for a reason- imo the major weaknesses were rebounding and size which caused foul issues with Collier and Gabby.

5-- In-game experience from this past year will have little impact of AZ vs Danger for the end of next season. AZ will have enough in-game experience by that time. My point has never been the 1st two eeks etc. Danger won't start by the end vs the other 5 mentioned imo.

6-- You can't use DT, Stew and Maya. They were incoming high school vas already established players like AZ is now. Anyhow each player by the end started though injuries played a factor.

I just think if you have players equal in performance or in this case AZ is superior vsCD-- and the superior player fills a weakness like AZ can-- you don't go give the starter position to a lesser player by the end of end of the season just because she is better at ball-handling. The team is already pretty good at ball-handling without her. And her size on defense is an issue. There are no issues other than early season UCONN style from AZ.

 

[mhshuskies]

Okay -- though there is nothing I agree with you on. We can agree to disagree.

1--- Geno has said after two years he expects AZ to go 1st in the draft. She already was an honorable a/a. No way I see them playing the same minutes unless an injury happens. Too much of a ceiling for AZ.

2-- While you say "though undersized"- I say "yes it was a weakness that they were undersized." Part fo the weakness was that they were getting into foul trouble because they were so small because they were playing out of position. Why go into a game acknowledging you are playing players out of position in which you've seen for yourself that they often have gotten into foul trouble? SO now you think ti best to take Gabby out of the game for a half because she picked up two tick-tack quick fouls all because you want more ball-handling?

3-- Regarding your point on Danger being "the best ball-handler"-- so what? If being "the best" at one aspect is such a big deal - then no one can defend the perimeter better than Gabby, correct? Or Collier-- forced to paly centers. SO you can keep Gabby or Collier out of foul trouble more often because at 5'11 and 6'1 they aren't playing out of position and getting into quick foul trouble. So you are getting better defense when you slide each player away from the center spot and to their natural position. How does ball-handling in which we already have good ball-handlers trump that?

4-- The team didn't win a championship at 36-1. Weaknesses of getting beat by rebounding was exposed. Geno had said all year he was surprised how well the team did for a reason- imo the major weaknesses were rebounding and size which caused foul issues with Collier and Gabby.

5-- In-game experience from this past year will have little impact of AZ vs Danger for the end of next season. AZ will have enough in-game experience by that time. My point has never been the 1st two eeks etc. Danger won't start by the end vs the other 5 mentioned imo.

6-- You can't use DT, Stew and Maya. They were incoming high school vas already established players like AZ is now. Anyhow each player by the end started though injuries played a factor.

I just think if you have players equal in performance or in this case AZ is superior vsCD-- and the superior player fills a weakness like AZ can-- you don't go give the starter position to a lesser player by the end of end of the season just because she is better at ball-handling. The team is already pretty good at ball-handling without her. And her size on defense is an issue. There are no issues other than early season UCONN style from AZ.

I think you both have some valid points. I would think Z will start with Crystal coming off the bench to add energy, create havoc, etc. With Z as the last line of defense at the rim, the defense can be extended similarly to when Stewie was back defending the rim. That should make the D even better. Can you imagine Gabby out on the perimeter harassing everyone! Maybe Crystal Dangerfield starts her junior year?

 

[mhshuskies]

What may be more intriguing is what will be the starting lineup the following year? With Gabby and Kia gone there will be two holes to fill with Lou and Pheese as seniors. Would it be Lou, Pheese, Z, Crystal Dangerfield and Megatron? Only one true guard with that lineup, but super talented.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Okay -- though there is nothing I agree with you on. We can agree to disagree.

1--- Geno has said after two years he expects AZ to go 1st in the draft. She already was an honorable a/a. No way I see them playing the same minutes unless an injury happens. Too much of a ceiling for AZ.

2-- While you say "though undersized"- I say "yes it was a weakness that they were undersized." Part fo the weakness was that they were getting into foul trouble because they were so small because they were playing out of position. Why go into a game acknowledging you are playing players out of position in which you've seen for yourself that they often have gotten into foul trouble? SO now you think ti best to take Gabby out of the game for a half because she picked up two tick-tack quick fouls all because you want more ball-handling?

3-- Regarding your point on Danger being "the best ball-handler"-- so what? If being "the best" at one aspect is such a big deal - then no one can defend the perimeter better than Gabby, correct? Or Collier-- forced to paly centers. SO you can keep Gabby or Collier out of foul trouble more often because at 5'11 and 6'1 they aren't playing out of position and getting into quick foul trouble. So you are getting better defense when you slide each player away from the center spot and to their natural position. How does ball-handling in which we already have good ball-handlers trump that?

4-- The team didn't win a championship at 36-1. Weaknesses of getting beat by rebounding was exposed. Geno had said all year he was surprised how well the team did for a reason- imo the major weaknesses were rebounding and size which caused foul issues with Collier and Gabby.

5-- In-game experience from this past year will have little impact of AZ vs Danger for the end of next season. AZ will have enough in-game experience by that time. My point has never been the 1st two eeks etc. Danger won't start by the end vs the other 5 mentioned imo.

6-- You can't use DT, Stew and Maya. They were incoming high school vas already established players like AZ is now. Anyhow each player by the end started though injuries played a factor.

I just think if you have players equal in performance or in this case AZ is superior vsCD-- and the superior player fills a weakness like AZ can-- you don't go give the starter position to a lesser player by the end of end of the season just because she is better at ball-handling. The team is already pretty good at ball-handling without her. And her size on defense is an issue. There are no issues other than early season UCONN style from AZ.

I'm not certain I'm right, and I think having Z start is not a bad idea. I just think having a true PG--especially someone with the skills of Crystal--start is a better idea. Yes. we'll agree to disagree and wait 7 months to see.

1. Yes, but Geno is saying that she'd go #1 in the draft AFTER 2 years of playing at UConn. He's not saying that she would have been #1 in 2017. I agree that Z is already a very good player.

2. Being undersized wasn't the reason for committing fouls. They committed many of their fouls on offense and on defense against dribble penetration. Gabby and Pheesa will still be inside players.

3. We have good ball handlers, but not good enough against the quick players of Temple or Morgan William. Saniya broke the press against UCLA. Kia was the point guard for Canada, but she's not Sue Bird or Moriah Jefferson. Crystal has the potential to be the best PG in college. Geno said late in the season that he sees a future for her with USA Basketball, meaning the Olympics.

4. Yes, we had weaknesses, but youth, maturity, and lack of depth were bigger problems than lack of height. Part of the reason we lost to Mississippi State was because we gave up too many offensive boards, but other reasons included giving up too many turnovers and missing shots we normally make. If Z plays starter's minutes coming off the bench, it doesn't make much difference in our rebounding.

5. Azura has played more college ball than Crystal, but she sat out a year. Crystal has in-game experience with UConn. If you are suggesting that Z may not be the starter in November, but may be in March, that is possible, especially if Geno feels he needs to make a change.

6. Z has proven to be a good college player (19 and 9.6 rebounds and HM All-American). While people expect her to be a very good player, I haven't seen anyone put her at the Diana/Maya/Stewie level. Maya finished 2nd in the AP POY voting as a freshman. Before the injuries, Geno said he liked to bring her in off the bench, because the opposition didn't have anyone on the bench to counter her.

I think the argument for stating Z is more than plausible; I also think the argument for starting Crystal is a little stronger.

 

[MilfordHusky]

What may be more intriguing is what will be the starting lineup the following year? With Gabby and Kia gone there will be two holes to fill with Lou and Pheese as seniors. Would it be Lou, Pheese, Z, Crystal Dangerfield and Megatron? Only one true guard with that lineup, but super talented.

I think that is exactly the starting lineup. Meg will be the shooting guard. Look at her ball handling. It's better than Kia's already. Hopefully, CWill will be the first or second guard off the bench.

If Crystal Dangerfield starts next year, then Z steps into Gabby's starting spot the following year. Meg steps into Kia's starting SG spot.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

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.

Thank You!!!! Your stats and detail are excellent...and the season box score makes the case for Lou! I told myself I was not going to comment on this thread because it doesn't matter what we say or think about next year's starting 5 ...because Geno and Staff will make the decisions based on tons of things that we will never see...and as the saying goes, "In Geno We Trust!" Like you, I am amazed that Rudy2014 seems to think Lou's selection to EVERY AA Team is a "fluke"... I always understood there were "teams of experts" who make these selections...can every one of those selection committees be wrong??? How many times did Geno remark how great it was to know he starts every game with 40 points, 20 from Lou, 20 from Phessa..??? How many times did we hear WBB Broadcasters/Analysts (many of whom were NCAA WBB AAs or Hall of Famers themselves), on ESPN, ESPN2, SNY, etc predict that UCONN would have the 3 AAs that were in fact selected. I tend to trust the judgement of these "experts"... to select those who actually deserve to be selected.
As for next year's Starting 5... I don't know, but I can't imagine Lou, Gabby or Phessa (3 AAs) and Kia (as a Senior and 3 year starter)...not having the "first shot" at 4 or the 5 spots. Geno and Staff will figure out what the best combination and chemistry will be. I am looking forward to seeing the TEAM...All of them... next year!!!

 

[JustinesGuy]

I'm not certain I'm right, and I think having Z start is not a bad idea. I just think having a true PG--especially someone with the skills of Crystal--start is a better idea. Yes. we'll agree to disagree and wait 7 months to see.

1. Yes, but Geno is saying that she'd go #1 in the draft AFTER 2 years of playing at UConn. He's not saying that she would have been #1 in 2017. I agree that Z is already a very good player.

2. Being undersized wasn't the reason for committing fouls. They committed many of their fouls on offense and on defense against dribble penetration. Gabby and Pheesa will still be inside players.

3. We have good ball handlers, but not good enough against the quick players of Temple or Morgan William. Saniya broke the press against UCLA. Kia was the point guard for Canada, but she's not Sue Bird or Moriah Jefferson. Crystal has the potential to be the best PG in college. Geno said late in the season that he sees a future for her with USA Basketball, meaning the Olympics.

4. Yes, we had weaknesses, but youth, maturity, and lack of depth were bigger problems than lack of height. Part of the reason we lost to Mississippi State was because we gave up too many offensive boards, but other reasons included giving up too many turnovers and missing shots we normally make. If Z plays starter's minutes coming off the bench, it doesn't make much difference in our rebounding.

5. Azura has played more college ball than Crystal, but she sat out a year. Crystal has in-game experience with UConn. If you are suggesting that Z may not be the starter in November, but may be in March, that is possible, especially if Geno feels he needs to make a change.

6. Z has proven to be a good college player (19 and 9.6 rebounds and HM All-American). While people expect her to be a very good player, I haven't seen anyone put her at the Diana/Maya/Stewie level. Maya finished 2nd in the AP POY voting as a freshman. Before the injuries, Geno said he liked to bring her in off the bench, because the opposition didn't have anyone on the bench to counter her.

I think the argument for stating Z is more than plausible; I also think the argument for starting Crystal is a little stronger.

Great post.

It's either CD and ball handling or AS and size and skill.

Good problem to have. You know what I think so I'll save u that

 

[Carnac]

I'm with those that say "take it to the bank"

Nurse, Lou, Gabby, Collier and Stevens.

Expect next year Geno to be a tyrant. He'll bench players left and right because next year he can. He "joked around" that on one play or a few Collier let her player score that we saw on tv during the tourney. Next year he won't take that as much. He's going to be in a foul mood at times for reasons that he is such a demanding great coach.

Also, Geno doesn't go overboard with positions. They can all the handle the ball and pass the ball well. If they couldn't bring the ball up the court and make simple passes after the team was so small all year- then they wouldn't be playing. Ball-handling is a basketball fundamental which this past year's great team was bale to do well. There's a reason why we had so many assists. Because they all can pass and dribble.

Danger will not beat out Stevens unless Stevens is highly overrated. IMO there is no way Geno rewards a team this deep at so many positions to a player that isn't as good as the other by starting her unless she's a senior ("been through the wars."). Next year's team does not NEED anything. They just NEED to perform to their talent. "Positions" is "irrelevant." So there is absolutely no NEED to reward a lesser player the position of "starter."

And imo no shot for Gabby to be the pg. She's an absolute beast on offense at the 4 spot / high post and offensive rebounding. But as the pf/4 on offense she will not be reigned in by position. The beauty of the offense is that she can play like a wing or a post and from the 4 she can play like a pg. Why change her excellence? But to stick her out 25 feet from the basket when the opposing team is playing a zone-- it's a complete waste for one of the game's best players.

There may be different starting lineups during the year based on effort injury practice etc. So beginning of the year may be different than end. There will be little fear UCONN will lose to "Tulane" next year so Geno will keep things interesting by reminding the players of Miss State just like how we hear he reminds Lou every day of what her sister does and just how he got on Napheesa for a few defensive shortcomings despite her having a beats offensive game.

I think Geno is sick of being nice. Those kids are gonna be "in for it" next year!! And they'll end up loving it!!!!!!!

Are you saying Geno is going to take the "No more Mr. nice guy" approach to coaching?

 

[Carnac]

The summer games will give Geno and staff an opportunity to get an early look at next season's squad, see what combinations work best, and begin to formulate some kind of idea who the 5th starter should be. He won't have to wait until formal practice begins in October. He'll know by mid August.

Another dynamic that the 2017-2018 team will begin the season with is, they won't inherit an ongoing win streak. They will begin the season "fresh" with a clean slate. They can start their own win streak that is theirs, and they own exclusively.

 

[bizarro aj]

Is anyone from this site going to Italy for the exhibition games? I doubt they will be televised.

 

[meyers7]

Nurse, Williams, Samuelson, Collier are starting next year (barring any injury - knock on wood). Then I imagine either Stevens or Dangerfield. I'm betting on Stevenson for the height. And that gives you an experienced guard of the bench. Also with the height of Stevens in there, I think that would give Williams even more license to roam and create havoc on defense. Having Stevens on offense will also possibly pull a taller (center hopefully) player off of Collier which would make her even more dangerous inside.

Having Stevens will also help our shot blocking and rebounding, which will allow us to run/fast break even more. Which will reduce our need for "ball handling".

Very few teams pressed us this year anyway. And those that did, didn't have much luck. I don't think "ball handling" is a big problem we need to fix. Height/rebounding on the other hand, while not a huge problem, certainly can be improved.

I would be a little surprised to see Dangerfield start, but I've been surprised before. I think she would have to make a huge jump in running the team this summer to do that.

I just think there are bigger advantages (team wise) to having Stevens start over Dangerfield.