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

[Bone Dog]

While Morgan, Sarah & Blanca are all capable ball handlers, I view them more as wings/forwards. But your point is well taken. There are a bunch of players on UConn’s roster next season that can handle and pass the basketball.

Just to flog that same old horse, while Paige was technically the PG much of the time, and KK and Kaitlyn some of the time, what Geno really had was a bunch of excellent ball handlers on the floor at any one time. And how often did folks complain that Paige -- the PG of choice for many -- would pass the ball after crossing midcourt and then take her spot on the wing or move into the weave? I'll wager that the entire team knows the playbook and knows where to go to initiate any particular play. Some perhaps are not as adept -- see Ice's turnover in the final game when she got caught out of position near midcourt. But I doubt we'll see a single lineup that doesn't have at least 3 capable ball handlers or, as I like to say, PG-equvalents. In the beginning of the season, it will be Azzi KK Ash Sarah and Morgan (and maybe Caroline), and later in the season that list will include Kelis and Blanca.

And just to think through the numbers, Azzi Paige and Sarah rarely played 30 mins/game. This season, I expect that trend to continue, only now it will be Azzi Sarah Ash and KK who will rarely play 30 mins. Maybe Blanca or Morgan will get some of Ash's minutes, maybe Kelis will get some of KK's. But there will be no shortage of PG skills on the floor at ay one time.

 

[Steelerone]

I believe many people are overlooking KK. She is going into her Jr. year and has shown great improvement in each of her first two years. There is no reason to believe that she won't continue to improve in several area, one of which is the discipline in which she plays. She is more athletic and brings a more dynamic, especially on defense than Ashland and might just be that third person we are looking for including that on-court voice.

 

[Hist-teacher]

It amazes me how quickly some BY’ers are ready to dump the players who were instrumental in bringing UConn a 12th national championship for some unnamed player in the transfer portal.

Let’s flash back to last season when Ash & KK were forced to start as freshmen due to all the injuries UConn had to deal with. Ash was the runaway CFOY and KK shot a very respectable 33% from the arc.

With Kaitlyn coming in and Azzi eventually back healthy, first KK and then Ash ended up not only coming off the bench, but actually embraced their roles as “super subs” who’s energy off the bench often lead to UConn steamrolling their opponents.

One of the hardest things to do in basketball is come in off the bench and knock down shots. Yes Ash was inconsistent at times. But consider her performance vs Iowa State when she was still a starter, torching the Cyclones by going 7/10 from the arc, or how about the huge game in Columbia against SC, when Ash took the lid off the basket for UConn, hitting her first 3 shots from the arc.

As for KK, she has one of the highest A/TO ratios in the nation, attacks the basket as well as any player UConn has and is the toughest on ball defender on the team. Who exactly is UConn going to bring in from the portal who can provide anything close to what KK does?

Finally, do you think Ash and KK will not get any better heading into their junior season, particularly if they get starter’s minutes? If Geno brings in another guard from the portal, it’s because he sees the opportunity to enhance his already deep and talented roster. But if he decides to rely on Azzi, KK, Ash, Allie and Kellis to handle the guard duties next season, I am absolutely fine with that.

That's pretty harsh. It's just my opinion and that's what I thought we were all doing here in the Boneyard. Nothing I said diminished their tremendous contributions toward #12. I can't comment on whether or not they'll improve their shooting for next year and nether can you. I hope they do but that's an unknown at this point in time.

 

[oldude]

That's pretty harsh. It's just my opinion and that's what I thought we were all doing here in the Boneyard. Nothing I said diminished their tremendous contributions toward #12. I can't comment on whether or not they'll improve their shooting for next year and nether can you. I hope they do but that's an unknown at this point in time.

Frankly, I consider your criticisms of KK & Ash to be incorrect, harsh and unwarranted, and yes you did diminish their tremendous contributions toward #12.

 

[MHD789]

I believe many people are overlooking KK. She is going into her Jr. year and has shown great improvement in each of her first two years. There is no reason to believe that she won't continue to improve in several area, one of which is the discipline in which she plays. She is more athletic and brings a more dynamic, especially on defense than Ashland and might just be that third person we are looking for including that on-court voice.

I won't be able to remember their names (player from a small school in Texas, Montgomery, and lady from Tennessee) but there was a time when we had a run of fantastic small PGs. If KK could consistently finish drives and make an outside shot, she'd be in the same class. She started finishing drives and/or drawing fouls at the end of the year so maybe she can make a big jump next year.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I won't be able to remember their names (player from a small school in Texas, Montgomery, and lady from Tennessee) but there was a time when we had a run of fantastic small PGs. If KK could consistently finish drives and make an outside shot, she'd be in the same class. She started finishing drives and/or drawing fouls at the end of the year so maybe she can make a big jump next year.

The biggest asset that KK brought to this team was her tenacious defense which turned more than one game around. In fact it was her defense abilities that turned this team into perhaps the best team defensive squad I've seen. There are few players, even at the highest level of college ball, that are almost perfect in everything they do. KK is not perfect, but without her this past season, there is a pretty good chance we would not have won our 12th.

 

[DemonDeac22]

This is absolutely key. I expect KK and Ash have a long summer of "self-improvement" ahead of them... and I have a feeling it will be the time of their lives.

Also, worth mentioning this oft neglected fact: Azzi is a premier PG if she wants to be. We mustn't forget how her sophomore season began, when she shared the PG duties with Nika. Go back and watch that Texas game or the NC State game to see what I'm talking about. Of course, it helped to have a "pass-first" PG who didn't like taking too many shots playing next to her. And guess what, she'll have that again in KK in the fall.

Finally, one more word on Ash: two season's ago, she got that midrange shot off a lot more regularly. Some of them came off of O-boards she was corralling near the free throw line. From there, she could dribble-step right and go straight into her shooting motion. What's changed is her new role has her clawing back rebounds from opposing bigs directly under the rim. This doesn't give her the space to put the ball back up among the trees, and so she has to kick it out. Her game is a complex set of little tradeoffs, and it may be that the current set seems more productive from Geno's perspective than the previous one. I mean, this was central to the small-ball lineup. If we expect to see that lineup again next season, then we should expect to see more of Ash in the low post.

I’m not so sure about Azzi as a PG. I have a horrific memory from 2 years ago in the Sweet 16 when Azzi and Nika both looked so uncomfortable and scared facing the Ohio State full court press. Azzi is a great shooting guard who can create her own shot so we should leave the PG duties for someone else.

 

[Bone Dog]

I’m not so sure about Azzi as a PG. I have a horrific memory from 2 years ago in the Sweet 16 when Azzi and Nika both looked so uncomfortable and scared facing the Ohio State full court press. Azzi is a great shooting guard who can create her own shot so we should leave the PG duties for someone else.

Yes, three weeks back from injury, Azzi wasn't quite up to speed in that Sweet Sixteen. But how about watching the games from the beginning of that season when she was lauded as an NPoY contender as a PG.

 

[Majic Hands]

I’m looking forward to seeing how many of our walking wounded are able to contribute next season and at what level they get to by the post season.

I’m looking forward to seeing the growth from all our returning players. They’ll be a year older. Should be smarter (wiser?). Some will be in their 2nd season posts injury, or actually close to 100%.

IF. If 1-2 portal players are brought in I have no doubt they will be player’s the coaching staff, and as I understand it, our players, think will fit in and contribute.

I don’t think portal players are necessary to get us into the postseason. I see them as insurance against injury. It’s a bonus when they turn out like Dorka, Lou, and Kaitlyn. We have the players. We’re just a little greedy and I’m good with that.

As a personal note. This time last year I was working hard to be alive to watch the kids play. Made it. My expectation is to be here for another season. So. No matter what happens. You’ll not see me complaining.

 

[Happydad745]

I've read too much support for Bianca to be a starter or a big boom next year...I have to see her play 5-10 games for UConn before taking that plunge. Ashlynn Shade is ready to make a big move up the ladder, she has the shots, the energy and the talent to be a big part of our offense and defense next year.

 

[HopJim]

First two are easy: Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong.
My third is a rotation: Ashlyn Shade (40% of time); Jana El Alfy (25% of the time); KK Arnold (15% of the time); B. Quinonez (10% of the time); someone else (multiple players: 10% of the time).

That is what will make the UConn Huskies the team to beat again next year. It was telling that at each round of this year's NCAA tournament that UConn was the betting odds favorite, and the Huskies outscored the point spread 5 of 6 games (but some bet early with a lower spread, and in their case(s) it was a 6 for 6 rate).

I enjoyed the Sue & DT show for the FF match up with UCLA on Friday night, and had it recorded Sunday, and will watch it tomorrow. Pretty cool that all the Alums present got in the pictures.

Go Huskies!!!!

The answer to this question depends on what your goal for UConn is next year. While I predict that Shade will be the #2-3 scorer many times this coming season, would be difficult to base a national championship on anyone else currently on the roster. TBD would be my current answer.

 

[Bone Dog]

would be difficult to base a national championship on anyone else currently on the roster

I have to agree with your sentiment. But I can’t help channeling JFK as I think about how difficult it could be. “We don’t go to the moon because it’s easy…”

or something to that effect.

 

[DennieEddy]

We may be overlooking our other sharpshooter, Allie Ziebell, and our versatile guard/forward Morgan Chelli

Yea, I was surprised Morgan, Allie, and Patterson didn't crack into too many posts.