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Except the most important thing: durability.
Geno said today Caroline was returning this week and that Azzi was going to be back very soon.Let's not put the cart before the horse.
We have no idea if and when Caroline and Azzi will return to the line up. We can have this discussion when it is announced both will return.
The trouble is, Aubrey might be our best defender, even compared to Nika, and she also is so dangerous on fast breaks because of her speed.Ease Azzi into the lineup by coming off the bench until she’s fully ready to go. After that, Aubrey becomes the 6th-Woman again.
I think Aubrey is the best option because she can sub for the Guards and Bigs.
I said replace because she is one of the best players in the country and when she is healthy she will move back into the starting lineup. My underlying thought was would Geno put Dorka or Aubrey in the 6th person role? I like Dorka's length and I like Aubrey's quickness and defense.Why would you look at it as "replacing" which has such a negative connotation. Azzi will only be adding to the team. She will help give Nika and Lou breathers. Azzi is not the best perimeter defender (personally i give that to aubrey). However, Azzi doesn't need to be "the best". She needs to be damned good, which is is. She is a big guard and a good defensive rebounding guard. And she will open up the pain on the offensive end which is invaluable.
Coached say time and again that once you get to the elite 8/final 4 ALL teams play good defense. you have to be able to score in the presence of good defense to win it all. You know what Muffets first advice to Megan Duffy was? "you need to be able to score against them (UConn)." The top teams all have great defense (SC, Stanford, UConn). Azzi will be a good defender, and a GREAT offensive threat. That is not "replacing" anything, only adding to the team making us stronger.
No, Geno did not say that. He said that IF she can get through two consecutive practices with no bad after-effects, then we might be looking at a return against Marquette or Georgetown. Obviously that is a "big if".Geno said today Caroline was returning this week and that Azzi was going to be back very soon.
Starters won’t matter. Time will be shared by all. The current starters need more rest, and Azzi and CD should prevent a dropoff in production.I said replace because she is one of the best players in the country and when she is healthy she will move back into the starting lineup. My underlying thought was would Geno put Dorka or Aubrey in the 6th person role? I like Dorka's length and I like Aubrey's quickness and defense.
No he didn’t say if she can get through two consecutive practices. He said if she manages to get through practices in one piece she’ll plan this week. You make it sound like she hasn’t been able to get through consecutive practices when we know that’s not the case.No, Geno did not say that. He said that IF she can get through two consecutive practices with no bad after-effects, then we might be looking at a return against Marquette or Georgetown. Obviously that is a "big if".
Regarding Azzi, he endorsed her statement that she should be returning "a lot sooner than March". That is a forecast, not a promise.
Who started and came off the bench when Azzi came back earlier in the season? Azzi started and Aubrey subbed for post and backcourt players. No change.I see a lot of comments about how much better the team will be once Azzi returns. She is an incredible shooter and that helps on offense but who will she replace and how will that impact the defense?
Absolutely! The quote below tells you when Azzi is back she will start and play 30+ minutes per game against the top 10 teams. Thanks to JoePgh for quote.Before it’s all over, we’ll end up with the rotation Geno designed for the Texas game. More or less. Nika Azzi Lou Aaliyah Dorka. That’s how Geno envisioned the team.