Who replaces Nika?

[Stinger92860]

I believe whomever plays Nika’s minutes will provide more offense. The questions is can her D be replaced to an acceptable level.

 

[Inthepaint]

All of the players who have stood out in one way or another in UCONN WBB have moved on.
Yet the program finds and trains others to keep the spirit alive and winning.
We don’t forget the Nikas
We appreciate what they contributed and know that those who come after will take their mojo and run with it

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm NOT referring to a point guard. We have at least 3 players who will be that with NC-level competence (paige, kaitlyn, kk) plus others who could fill the role in a pinch (morgan in particular, eventually azzi, and even sarah).

I AM referring to a very rare combination of virtues nika provided: fire, great leadership, intensity and savvy on the court, energy and never-say-die toughness. she could be seen as uconn's 'engine' (as alyssa thomas was for the mohegan sun).

paige obviously provides leadership, and perhaps some of nika's other attributes. but can she add the glue that nika did? maybe. that's asking a lot from paige, who's providing so much and is dealing with immense pressure already.

does uconn need a nika clone? hopefully it can succeed without one, because her contributions -- not including her defense, assists and feeble-though-timely scoring -- are hard to find.

who on the '24-'25 squad will show she has what it takes? that would be a huge plus that the BY overlooks.

Paige Paige Paige Paige. She's an all-time great at UCONN. The one year she doesn't play UCONN's FF record goes down the tubes (granted too many other injuries.). Then she carries a team last year that had no buisness going to FF and UCONN is seconds and possibly an over-zealous refs call away from the Finals,. And looking back at Nika to start the year you still had posters on here not believing in her game so much some would state KK needed to start over her. Let's face it, Nika just got "better" as well. That's what you expect with seniors.. Expect Paige to be even better across the board. Paige has been a natural leader. She's put her team's on her back throughout other than her frosh year in FF Just expect more this year. Whether they can win it all, is another question. Tooo many "unknowns" for this team.

 

[DefenseBB]

The primary Nika-quality that may be hard to replace is fire. Paige has some of it, as do KK and Kaitlyn. But Nika didn’t just have fire. She was fire incarnate. The player who may be closest to Nika in this regard may be Jana. I like to think of her as Big Nika.

Wait, i thought you said Jana reminded you of a Stewie-Svet combo? Now you’re adding in Nika? So, can we abbreviate and call her SSN?

BTW I completely and utterly disagree with both of these assertions as nothing in Jana’s game or her build is similar to Stewie or Svet. Go to any of the FIBA games on YouTube and rewatch.

Nothing in those games demonstrates the “Nika tenacity” either so….

 

[Bone Dog]

Wait, i thought you said Jana reminded you of a Stewie-Svet combo? Now you’re adding in Nika? So, can we abbreviate and call her SSN?

BTW I completely and utterly disagree with both of these assertions as nothing in Jana’s game or her build is similar to Stewie or Svet. Go to any of the FIBA games on YouTube and rewatch.

Nothing in those games demonstrates the “Nika tenacity” either so….

You seem to be in a refute-y mood this afternoon. Lord knows why or to what purpose. In any event I never said Jana was just like Stewie, and I don't recall mentioning Svet who'd be a bit small for a comparison with Jana. If I did, so be it. What I did say is she's a mobile big with decent handles, a decent perimeter shot, good post moves, and long arms. That's a package that ought to remind even you of Stewie. Go to any of her HS games on YouTube and rewatch... or even watch them for the first time. Of course, you can still pretend I'm claiming that she and Stewie are twins if you like. And if you feel like rewatching the FIBA games, I'd encourage it. In those games, she definitely is the "hype woman" for her team, as well as the person fearlessly charging into double and tripe teams in the paint to grapple with the opposing front court.

Jana's build is not the same as Stewie's -- I don't know where that came from, but again, whatever. nor are her skills as well-developed as Stewie's were then. But Jana does have long arms and she moves well. She is also a lot more solid and muscular than freshman Stewie was. In that respect, you could say she resembles Mama Stef more. Oh, wait, in the world you're imagining for us no one can be said to resemble anyone else.

 

[Willowglen]

Ashlynn Shade is the best conditioned college player I have seen.

This means her play in the second half will stand out. She doesn’t need to shoot much but with her fitness she can play great defense when every other player is tiring.

 

[Cuango]

Paige Paige Paige Paige. She's an all-time great at UCONN. The one year she doesn't play UCONN's FF record goes down the tubes (granted too many other injuries.). Then she carries a team last year that had no buisness going to FF and UCONN is seconds and possibly an over-zealous refs call away from the Finals,. And looking back at Nika to start the year you still had posters on here not believing in her game so much some would state KK needed to start over her. Let's face it, Nika just got "better" as well. That's what you expect with seniors.. Expect Paige to be even better across the board. Paige has been a natural leader. She's put her team's on her back throughout other than her frosh year in FF Just expect more this year. Whether they can win it all, is another question. Tooo many "unknowns" for this team.

I don’t think there’s any question as to whether we can win it all, the question is whether we will! The answer, of course, is contingent first on whether we can finally stay healthy for a full season. Can Geno et al come up with yet another brilliant effort in coaching this team to its potential. Will the young front court live up to its obvious capability or is it a year away? Can we peak at the right time? Can we get some luck when we really need it?
When you look at the seven year title drought there are a plethora of reasons that have contributed to that drought. However, I believe bad luck has played its part in that streak. We lost two years running on buzzer beaters. Ask Aliyah Boston about buzzer beaters. Very few actually go in the basket. (Even when you’re under the basket!) After those devastating losses, we have essentially been unable to field a fully (or even close to healthy) team until possibly this year! (We’re still not completely healthy but it’s looking like we could have most of our team by January at the latest!) I do believe we have the most talent and potentially, the best team but there are so many great teams out there that I believe we will likely (at some point/s in the season, need the ball to roll our way, a call to go our way, a shot to rim out etc.
Seneca said, “ Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. I’m pretty sure this team will be prepared when we get to March! Not saying we weren’t prepared all those other years, just hoping and praying that it’s finally our turn again!

 

[Bone Dog]

Seneca said, “ Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Maybe this should be the team’s motto this season. Or maybe the similar line from Pixar’s The Incredibles: “Fortune favors the prepared.”

Dane Fortune guarantees nothing to nobody. But she has her preferences. She may also have a fondness for the bold, or so I’ve heard.

 

[hoophuskee]

I don’t think there’s any question as to whether we can win it all, the question is whether we will!

Yes. For me "can" and "will" were synonmous. And it was absolutely bad luck they haven't won it all at least once these past several years as you point out. Then to further this, the fear of height that we've read on here these past few years would have been greatly diminished.

 

[huskeynut]

As is with every new season and new team, things change. That being said, you don't replace Nika. Impossible.

As the program has done for decades, it will reset itself and new leadership, fire, desire will appear. Who it will be? I have no idea, but it will happen.

 

[SVCBeercats]

who on the '24-'25 squad will show she has what it takes? that would be a huge plus that the BY overlooks.

Shade

 

[Dixiedog]

Nika post surgery with two new cats. She had reclaimed her UCONN fire her first (and only) game in Turkey only to tear her ACL and meniscus. Prayers for a speedy recovery. As Huskeynut said "you don't replace Nika. Impossible". Geno called her 'Unique' and said he's only coached a few players like her. Our leadership will have a different look this season but I am confident with Paige as the head of the snake we have a great chance to get #12. Maybe at some point Nika will make a Cameo at Gampel and bring her intensity and fire from right behind the bench!

 

[Bigboote]

View attachment 104554
Nika post surgery with two new cats. She had reclaimed her UCONN fire her first (and only) game in Turkey only to tear her ACL and meniscus. Prayers for a speedy recovery. As Huskeynut said "you don't replace Nika. Impossible". Geno called her 'Unique' and said he's only coached a few players like her. Our leadership will have a different look this season but I am confident with Paige as the head of the snake we have a great chance to get #12. Maybe at some point Nika will make a Cameo at Gampel and bring her intensity and fire from right behind the bench!

I’m jealous. I only have one cat on my lap. At the moment. The other one is a good 6 feet away, but she’s been on my lap some this morning.

 

[Bone Dog]

Here's a possible replacement.

 

[Blacketh’D]

Her contributions were one of a kind and needed for those injury riddled teams when she was the only constan(besides AE). New year, new squad, new skill sets to apply. Her offense was always replaceable but what she meant to the team over the years can’t be duplicated.

 

[PacoSwede]

Here's a possible replacement.

good god! what a night. sis must be proud.

 

[Cuango]

Wow, the scoring Muhl sister!

 

[DefenseBB]

While this is happy news for Hannah and we all hope she has found her “best school” after initially thinking it was Illinois only to see the coaching change occur and have to find another at Ball St where she garnered back up Duties including a nice game against her sister only to transfer again to the MAAC and Manhattan.

What I am confused about is any of these posts suggesting Hannah as a viable UConn recruit as she isn’t. We can and should wish her well but any serious talk of her being good enough to contribute for us is sheer folly. Anyone who seriously thinks this simply doesn’t know quality D1 basketball.

 

[ashfan]

I can't disagree with much that was said above, but I can't stop thinking of last year's overachievement by Ash. I don't think that there was one minute when she wasn't going full out. Diving for possession, making a key rebound, or important basket, moving without the ball, setting screens, all in her first year. She's the kind of player that any coach and every fan would be overjoyed to have. Go get 'em Ash!

By mid-season Ash12 will share team leadership with Paige.

 

[ERWUC65]

By mid-season Ash12 will share team leadership with Paige.

Ash sure has a die hard fan here, but that statement is quite a far reach for a sophomore on a Final Four team with many talented players. She certainly benefited from the amount of playing time last year and no one doubts her conditioning and tenacity, all of which gives her the start this year. I expect Azzi and Sarah, maybe even Allie to be in the mix. We will all know who the leaders are after the 4 game stretch of Louisville, ND, Iowa State and USC.