Who is in next year's "Big 3?"

[DEpup]

I think at this point with who I've seen and who is presently healthy, I'd have to say Shade.

It could end up being a whole host of folks but it's just unknown right now.

I do think it would be best if that person is a slasher/creator versus spot up shooter unless Azzi chooses to develop more and lean into slashing/creating.

I think this big 3 works because Strong is front court, Azzi is stand up wing shooter, and Paige was creator and probing/slasher with the ball. They didn't get in each other's way.

Therefore, for me what is Azzi going to lean into and then what is available for the new 3rd person.

 

[Urshurak]

Serah or Blanca will be the third.

KK and Ash have different roles. Ash, on some occassions, can light it up, but not on a consistent basis. I think the third BIG 3 is not here yet. KK has been great at providing that spark. Nobody else on UConns current bench can fill that role. Of course, who can fill Paiges shoes? Nobody.

The one unknown, I think, is AP. When she is 100%, what kind of an impact will she have in the rotation? I hope a BIG one, but we shall see.

Thats my $.02

 

[Bone Dog]

Ok, this is my come to Jesus moment. From all the recent videos I've seen, Blanca could be the third leg. She's got a decent perimeter shot, she finishes at the rim well, she's a sticky-fingered thief, she's a shot blocker, and she can run. I'd add that she's big and has long arms, but sadly I've only seen height measurements in Hartley units. She could be anywhere from 5'11 to 6'3. The only real question for me is how long it will take her to fit herself into Geno's schemes. But if she does it quickly, we might see a Sarah--Azzi--Blanca big 3 before the end of December.

 

[Blond D.]

I usually say a freshman has to prove themself before I really give them accolades. But both Paige and Sarah has proved that theory is not 100%.
Blanca might be the "next big thing" to hit UCONN. Or Jana might could have a fantastic summer.
I'm gonna pick Morgan. Just because I like her never quit attitude and she did get a lot of playing time for a freshman.

 

[uconnfan68]

I have a different feeling; 1. Azzi Fudd 2. Sarah Strong 3. Blanca Quinonez

Doubt me...check this out:

Already some old news. Makeer going elsewhere.

 

[jeff30189]

#1 and #2 should be the same for everyone (Sarah and Azzi) so the only question is around #3.

If I had $100 to wager and Serah is on the team:

• $40 on Serah
• $30 on Ash
• $25 on KK (not points necessarily, but assists, steals and general defensive chaos)
• $5 on one of Jana, Ice, or Blanca

Without Serah on the team:

• $50 on Ash
• $40 on KK
• $10 on Jana, Ice or Blanca emerging as a post player that the other team has to game plan for

 

[Jonathan14]

Portal, portal, what do you got?
We need a little, not a lot.

That's a good thing, too, because we only have one roster spot available!

 

[oldude]

While I have already suggested that next year’s Big 3 would be Azzi, Sarah & Blanca, here’s another thought:

Azzi, Sarah & Gianna Kneepkens…

 

[ec33]

While it won't hurt to have Fudd and Strong, I suspect the calling card for next year's team (again, outside of two superstars) is going to be the incredible versatility they might be capable of playing with. Bringing in a true center like Williams would allow them to potentially play a rather big lineup (Williams, El Alfy/Brady, Strong, Quionez/Cheli/Ducharme, and Fudd for example) or with five guards (KK, Shade, Fudd, Strong, Quinonez/Cheli/Ducharme) depending on what matchups Geno might be looking to exploit.

The ability to move between these units would give opponents fits and perhaps make use of the great depth that UConn could potentially have next season.

 

[MHD789]

Let me be a tad controversial: our real need is a Chen-type point guard as well as an experienced 5. The team roster is large, but most of the players aren't going to be of much help. No one can replace Paige, that's obvious, but we need someone more disciplined than KK, who should remain dynamic off the bench. Ash isn't a reliable enough scorer to start, IMO. Like KK, Ash is a disrupter, an avid rebounder. an occasional long-range shooter. Azzi won't bring the ball up regularly; her role is as shooting guard. She is also Buckets' heir apparent as the next authentic Husky star.
W/out steady guard play at the point and a big to share the under-the-basket duties with Sarah, the team will have shortcomings going forward. Hope, however, springs eternal.
Portal, portal, what do you got?
We need a little, not a lot.

I have to agree. I'm a bit shocked (and it's unfair) when I read expectations that Caroline (major physical limitations), Jana (defensive & offensive skill & experience limitations) and Blanca (athletic but can only make layups at present) are to be expected to contribute the 15-20 points per night that we're losing. We don't realistically have the third consistent scorer on the roster right now.

The Serah Williams scenario looks perfect on paper (20pts/10rebs). She could take pressure off of Sarah (points & rebounds) and free her to play whatever role is required is a given game (remember, UCLA is going to be even bigger next year with top recruit Siena Betts). I'm also concerned about Azzi no longer benefiting from attention previously focused on Paige and agree that she definitely can't be the primary ball handler. I loved Chen but am also very encouraged that KK was finally finishing on some of here drives into the paint/basket.

 

[cgshuskie]

I quite agree with 'Bone Dog' regarding the emergence of Blanca Quinonez as then 3rd star on next years Huskies women basketball team. Also, however, I'm high on the development of Morgan Cheli. Morgan was a point guard in HS and could develop big girl skills when she recovers from her present injuries. I expect great things from Cheli........

 

[Dogdude]

I'm not sure there is a big three... I'm more on the side of big two and another almost-as-big three. You can't discount Ash and KK's contributions over the past two years, and we need to see Morgan and Blanca for a bit to see if they're major contributors. Anyway you look at it, even with our graduates, we're still in excellent shape.

 

[ERWUC65]

While I have already suggested that next year’s Big 3 would be Azzi, Sarah & Blanca, here’s another thought:

Azzi, Sarah & Gianna Kneepkens…

She's another shooting guard, granted more experienced than Blanca, but we need a top point guard to replace Kaitlyn.

 

[PacoSwede]

this ain't a prediction, but i think by mid-season we all will being raving about morgan, not for her scoring but her intangibles (like a taller nika). leadership is valuable. some here have already mentioned morgan as a 'big 3' candidate. ... they may be right. she was a high school Naismith finalist (top 5) -- along with sarah!

 

[oldude]

She's another shooting guard, granted more experienced than Blanca, but we need a top point guard to replace Kaitlyn.

It’s funny how so many BY’ers felt that Kaitlyn was unnecessary when UConn announced her transfer. Not saying that was you. But a lot of UConn fans couldn’t understand why Geno wanted another pg.

As for bringing in yet another pg. Geno and his staff will have to evaluate who they have (KK, Azzi as a combo, Allie & Kellis) vs who’s available (Hechel?).

As for Kneepkens, she’s a lot more than a shooter. She can play inside, rebound and play defense. As I said in another post, I am most impressed by her toughness.

 

[freekimchee]

If Serah goes elsewhere which I think she would, the one I really really want from the portal is Gianna Kneepkens. If the staff wants a true pg then I say go after K9.

 

[ERWUC65]

It’s funny how so many BY’ers felt that Kaitlyn was unnecessary when UConn announced her transfer. Not saying that was you. But a lot of UConn fans couldn’t understand why Geno wanted another pg.

As for bringing in yet another pg. Geno and his staff will have to evaluate who they have (KK, Azzi as a combo, Allie & Kellis) vs who’s available (Hechel?).

As for Kneepkens, she’s a lot more than a shooter. She can play inside, rebound and play defense. As I said in another post, I am most impressed by her toughness.

Please, it was evident to all BY'ers that after the 2023-2024 season that Geno needed an experienced PG and Kaitlyn fit the mold. KK wasn't going to fill the bill and he wanted Paige to play the 2 and direct the offense from midcourt. A year later, he wants Azzi operating at the 2, thus again, he needs another experienced PG. KK still isn't there, Kelis is too new, Allie and Morgan too inexperienced and I will repeat, that while Kneepkens is tempting, especially for the one year, she is not a true PG.

 

[Skeets]

We could be surprised at who #3 turns out to be. In fact, I hope that turns out to be the case.

 

[MHD789]

I quite agree with 'Bone Dog' regarding the emergence of Blanca Quinonez as then 3rd star on next years Huskies women basketball team. Also, however, I'm high on the development of Morgan Cheli. Morgan was a point guard in HS and could develop big girl skills when she recovers from her present injuries. I expect great things from Cheli........

Can someone help me understand why there is such a high opinion of Blanca? The league she plays in is considered less challenging than the NCAA and she averages 9-10 points per game and her outside shooting stats are relatively poor (i.e., she is "slasher"). The highlight video poste shows her throwing up airballs from the outside. I hope she is the first Ecuadorean all-American but the odds seem very low.

We absolutely need some transfer talent infusion to beat the best programs next year. South Carolina just got the NCAA top scorer.

 

[oldude]

Can someone help me understand why there is such a high opinion of Blanca? The league she plays in is considered less challenging than the NCAA and she averages 9-10 points per game and her outside shooting stats are relatively poor (i.e., she is "slasher"). The highlight video poste shows her throwing up airballs from the outside. I hope she is the first Ecuadorean all-American but the odds seem very low.

We absolutely need some transfer talent infusion to beat the best programs next year. South Carolina just got the NCAA top scorer.

Who exactly considers the Italian pro league “less challenging than the NCAA?” I would describe Blanca as a tremendous athlete who can attack the basket, score from midrange with a developing shot from the arc. She is also a tremendous defender and rebounder. In addition, at a very young age she’s been holding her own against grown women, not HS kids.

SC got Latson. So what? Let’s see how good she is with KK in her grill all game. The sky is not falling. UConn has the best player in the country and she’s only going to be a sophomore next year.

UConn has one scholarship available for next season. I expect that will go to either Serah Williams or Gianna Kneepkens. Either one would be a great addition to a loaded roster.

 

[Bone Dog]

Can someone help me understand why there is such a high opinion of Blanca? The league she plays in is considered less challenging than the NCAA

Who exactly considers the Italian pro league “less challenging than the NCAA?”

This is the wrong question. It seems unlikely to me that a European pro league is weaker than D1 NCAA wcbb. But even if this were not so, there's no way it is less challenging than US high school ball, and that's where all the current recruits she should be evaluated against are coming from.

Almost none of us thought Sarah would be what she became as we speculated on the roster last summer. Out of a group of promising recruits, she seemed to be a bit better, but we all worried about how long it would take her to prove she should start. Well, it took about 45 seconds. Will Blanca follow a similar trajectory? Probably not. But she looks a bit more D1 ready than pretty much all the other recruits I've seen. I'm willing to be surprised by her. And if she does surprise, then she's the third leg of the stool. If not, it could be Caroline, or Morgan -- it could even be Serah, if she and Geno come to some sort of understanding. But this is neither a certainty nor is it really necessary for the Huskies to howl next year.

 

[Hayven]

Azzi and Sarah are both 1 and 2.

Based upon who is on the team rn, I would say Ash. She does all the little things. Or it just may have to be someone new every game.

 

[mainerhuski]

I quite agree with 'Bone Dog' regarding the emergence of Blanca Quinonez as then 3rd star on next years Huskies women basketball team. Also, however, I'm high on the development of Morgan Cheli. Morgan was a point guard in HS and could develop big girl skills when she recovers from her present injuries. I expect great things from Cheli........

I agree. I’m sure that Morgan has been soaking up every word from the coaches & experienced players while she’s been out, in addition to doing as many ball handling & shooting drills as her recovery allows. I hope she follows Paige’s example & takes a good hard look at her diet, hydration,
sleep, core training, etc.

 

[MHD789]

This is the wrong question. It seems unlikely to me that a European pro league is weaker than D1 NCAA wcbb. But even if this were not so, there's no way it is less challenging than US high school ball, and that's where all the current recruits she should be evaluated against are coming from.

Almost none of us thought Sarah would be what she became as we speculated on the roster last summer. Out of a group of promising recruits, she seemed to be a bit better, but we all worried about how long it would take her to prove she should start. Well, it took about 45 seconds. Will Blanca follow a similar trajectory? Probably not. But she looks a bit more D1 ready than pretty much all the other recruits I've seen. I'm willing to be surprised by her. And if she does surprise, then she's the third leg of the stool. If not, it could be Caroline, or Morgan -- it could even be Serah, if she and Geno come to some sort of understanding. But this is neither a certainty nor is it really necessary for the Huskies to howl next year.

Please don't get me wrong. I hope she is incredible.

I was just pushing back on some expectations that she a likely candidate to be the #3 scorer next year (at the D1 NCAA level -- that is why I've made that comparison) and trying to be fair to her. The Serie 1 Italian league is a "minor league" division of the Italian league (think AA if you know baseball or below the G league in the NBA --> which is effectively the NCAA) and the Italian league is not one of the top five women's professional leagues. She has played only an average of 25 games per year in this league. As I previously mentioned, she has averaged approx. 10 points/4 rebounds/1.5 assists/2.5 steals. I'm not trying to diminish her experience or ultimate potential. Just saying that some of the super-high expectations for her next year don't seem appropriate or fair.

I'm not gloomy and doomy about UConn's prospects. I think they have the best player of all time on the roster and I'd love them to be able to exploit it like the previous best player period (i.e., Breanna Stewart). To do that next year, I think they realistically need someone like a Serah Williams (big/scorer/rebounds/defense) and at least a combo guard that can help distribute the ball and hit the outside shot consistently (Kneepkins?). Our toughest competition just seems to be getting bigger and bigger and we can't expect Sarah do everything (and I think expectations for Jana are unfairly high too).

 

[Bone Dog]

To do that next year, I think they realistically need someone like a Serah Williams (big/scorer/rebounds/defense) and at least a combo guard that can help distribute the ball and hit the outside shot consistently (Kneepkins?).

Fair enough, but for the hidden agenda of claiming that a team that just marched to an NC without a big time post player suddenly needs one. We’ve heard this chorus all season long, and here it is again.

Similarly, your reservations about Blanca are reasonable enough. She may not pan out. The same could have been said, and often was, about Sarah last summer and fall. This notion that we need to be fair to Blanca by avoiding expressing any optimism about her prospects really sounds like a stalking horse for the hidden agenda.

No one’s opinion here has any influence on events outside this little forum. We have a long summer ahead of us. Speculating about the great things our favorite team could achieve is one of the few outlets we have.

If you think Geno needs transfers to keep up with the teams he just dominated, that’s fine. I have no objection to hearing this view even if I think it’s mistaken. I certainly won’t criticize a new recruit as cover for my views.