Who will average the most PPG this season...

[EricSD]

i wanted to test out the poll feature again and see how many possible responses it allowed. looks like a max of 10. Sorry Lauren!!

 

[Phil]

I picked Stef. I could be wrong, but if it is PPM, I feel more confident. If Doty stays healthy, she might be my pick.

 

[EricSD]

I picked Stef. I could be wrong, but if it is PPM, I feel more confident. If Doty stays healthy, she might be my pick.

i really think it will be Stef or Tiff. i have a hard time imaging KML having the consistency to average over 15 PPG... but maybe she's just that good!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Wild guesses:

Stef 16--primary option, easy buckets inside, good FT shooter
Kaleena 15--best shooter ever at UConn
Tiff 14--senior with a complete arsenal
Bria 12--will hit key shots, but focus on distributing
Kelly 8--will focus on things other than scoring
Caroline 7--will get good PT and focus on distributing
Brianna 7--great in some games, typical frosh in others
Kiah 5--focus on defense and rebounds, but will hit double figures in games
Heather 4--also focus on defense and rebounding
Lauren 3--improved play over last year, but hard to get minutes
Michala 2--same as Lauren

The total is 93. However, some players will not play in some games for various reasons. I think we average 82-85 ppg as a team.

 

[MilfordHusky]

i really think it will be Stef or Tiff. i have a hard time imaging KML having the consistency to average over 15 PPG... but maybe she's just that good!

Yes, she is. But I have Stef at 1 point higher.

 

[jdubct]

The percentages add up to more than 100%.

 

[EricSD]

The percentages add up to more than 100%.

probably because in this case, multiple votes are allowed.

 

[MilfordHusky]

The percentages add up to more than 100%.

And Tiff shot 4 for 3 and Heather 2 for 1 in one game in Italy.

 

[BrianUC]

Especially if she gets significant playing time at shooting guard (with Caroline or Brianna at PG) I see Bria as being the top scorer. Then Stef.

 

[johnnyc]

My pick is the senior leading the way.

 

[connboy77]

I voted for Kaleena because she is a pure shooter that can score at will. Stef was my second choice.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Bria

 

[Forty_four]

My Wild guesses:

Stef 15--primary option, easy buckets inside, good FT shooter
Kaleena 14--best shooter ever at UConn
Tiff 12--senior with a complete arsenal
Bria 12--will hit key shots, but focus on distributing
Kelly 6--will focus on things other than scoring
Caroline 6--will get good PT and focus on distributing
Brianna 5--great in some games, typical frosh in others
Kiah 4--focus on defense and rebounds, but will hit double figures in games
Heather 2--also focus on defense and rebounding
Lauren 2--improved play over last year, but hard to get minutes
Michala 2--same as Lauren

The total is 80. Conservative thinking, tempered by team and player history where revalent.

 

[Scotter]

i really think it will be Stef or Tiff. i have a hard time imaging KML having the consistency to average over 15 PPG... but maybe she's just that good!

In the last decade four players have been able to avg over 15 ppg in any season. They were Renee 1x, Tina 2x, Diana, 2x, and Maya 4x. As someone that has seen KML play a pretty decent amount I don't expect 15 ppg from her next season either. In fact I would be surprised if any player averages 15 per game. In the last 12 seasons only six times has a team had at least one player avg more than 15 points per game. I think people can figure out which years from the names above.

 

[itsasport]

Kaleena because she will raining in 3's both went they matter and in blow-outs. Gino will have her in there to give her playing time, to give the other starters a rest, and to make certain that the other team doesn't make a comeback.

 

[jdubct]

In the last decade four players have been able to avg over 15 ppg in any season. They were Renee 1x, Tina 2x, Diana, 2x, and Maya 4x. As someone that has seen KML play a pretty decent amount I don't expect 15 ppg from her next season either. In fact I would be surprised if any player averages 15 per game. In the last 12 seasons only six times has a team had at least one player avg more than 15 points per game. I think people can figure out which years from the names above.

Maya came in when there was a substantial need for scoring. This year, KML is in a similar situation, this time filling the scoring gap created by Maya graduating. While it won't necessarily be easy, I think KML will average at least 15 ppg.

 

[Scotter]

Maya came in when there was a substantial need for scoring. This year, KML is in a similar situation, this time filling the scoring gap created by Maya graduating. While it won't necessarily be easy, I think KML will average at least 15 ppg.

That argument equates KML with Maya, which is something that's not true. KML is a talented scorer, but she does not compare to Maya. Maya was already averaging 16.5 pts per game before Kalana got hurt and Maya was only coming off the bench. Maya would have likely averaged over 15 points per game on any UConn team as a freshman, and probably lead most of them in scoring. Maya was unique. No other freshman in UConn history has averaged 15 points per game including about a dozen All-Americans who have their number up on the wall in Gampel.

 

[jdubct]

That argument equates KML with Maya, which is something that's not true. KML is a talented scorer, but she does not compare to Maya. Maya was already averaging 16.5 pts per game before Kalana got hurt and Maya was only coming off the bench. Maya would have likely averaged over 15 points per game on any UConn team as a freshman, and probably lead most of them in scoring. Maya was unique. No other freshman in UConn history has averaged 15 points per game including about a dozen All-Americans who have their number up on the wall in Gampel.

No I don't equate the two. However, KML can shoot with anyone in the country including Maya. There's a need and she'll have plenty of opportunities to score. We shall see.

 

[EricSD]

No I don't equate the two. However, KML can shoot with anyone in the country including Maya. There's a need and she'll have plenty of opportunities to score. We shall see.

Actually, KML is a better pure scorer than Maya is/was. it remains to be seen if she will get to 15 PPG and if she will start or come off the bench. Geno has said she not only shoots and scores, but she does a lot of other things well too.

 

[Scotter]

Actually, KML is a better pure scorer than Maya is/was. it remains to be seen if she will get to 15 PPG and if she will start or come off the bench. Geno has said she not only shoots and scores, but she does a lot of other things well too.

Stating that KML is a better pure scorer than Maya is quite a statement. What are you basing that on?

 

[Scotter]

No I don't equate the two. However, KML can shoot with anyone in the country including Maya. There's a need and she'll have plenty of opportunities to score. We shall see.

But she can't run the fast break like Maya, she can't offensive rebound like Maya, she can't finish at the basket like Maya, and she can't elevate on her jump shot like Maya to get it off. KML is a talented player, but Maya was indeed that much better. Shooting alone doesn't allow a UConn player to average 15 pts per game. It is a much higher threshold than people think it is.

 

[EricSD]

Stating that KML is a better pure scorer than Maya is quite a statement. What are you basing that on?

Their high school statistics. KML was better in several categories. she scored 2,744 total points to Maya's 2,664. KML had 874 rebounds to Maya's 613. she also had 337 total 3-pointers in high school - i'm not sure how many Maya had, but i doubt it was that many. on top of that KML averaged 2.5 assists/game and 2.2 steals/game over her high school career. but i was talking about pure scoring. not scoring, rebounding, etc.

it remains to be seen what kind of impact KML will have on the team and what sort of career she will have.

 

[Scotter]

Their high school statistics. KML was better in several categories. she scored 2,744 total points to Maya's 2,664. KML had 874 rebounds to Maya's 613. she also had 337 total 3-pointers in high school - i'm not sure how many Maya had, but i doubt it was that many. on top of that KML averaged 2.5 assists/game and 2.2 steals/game over her high school career. but i was talking about pure scoring. not scoring, rebounding, etc.

it remains to be seen what kind of impact KML will have on the team and what sort of career she will have.

High School stats? As someone who has watched a number of Kaleena's games, she's not a better pure scorer than Maya. Which shouldn't be a surprise that she's not as good as the best scorer by far in UConn history and one of the best in NCAA history.

I don't want to create the impression I'd down on Kaleena because I'm a huge fan of the way she plays and especially her all around game. I'm just trying to offer what I consider realistic expectations as someone who has watched a decent number of Kaleena's games and knows UConn history and statistics fairly well.

 

[EricSD]

High School stats? As someone who has watched a number of Kaleena's games, she's not a better pure scorer than Maya. Which shouldn't be a surprise that she's not as good as the best scorer by far in UConn history and one of the best in NCAA history.

I don't want to create the impression I'd down on Kaleena because I'm a huge fan of the way she plays and especially her all around game. I'm just trying to offer what I consider realistic expectations as someone who has watched a decent number of Kaleena's games and knows UConn history and statistics fairly well.

well we shall see. she scored more than Maya in high school. that's a simple fact. sorry if you disagree but the facts are what they are. you keep referring to her all around game and i'm simply stating she was a better pure scorer in high school than Maya. there's really no argument there as KML simply scored more. and apparently she was a better rebounder too. oh, and of her 2,744 total points in HS, only 1,011 of them came from 3 pointers so it's not like she sat beyond the arc and launched up the 3 ball. 1,733 of her points came from 2 point shots or FT's.

so first you asked me what i based my opinion on - and i answered by stating her high school scoring was better than Maya's. then you follow up by saying you've seen her play and she's simply not as good. not trying to be contrary but i was not arguing she was going to have a better career at UCONN than Maya did. or that she was a better all around player.

i'm not trying to argue for the sake of arguing, and you are clearly one of the more knowledgeable posters on the BY, but you sometimes seem to just want to be contrary. now where's that shrug emoticon when i need it??!!! lol

now will that all translate to the college game? will her lack of athleticism hurt her and make it more difficult to get her shot off? i have no idea. probably. but either way we get 4 years to enjoy this young lady. do i think she breaks Maya's scoring record at UCONN? no. but i think she breaks Tina's, or at least comes very close...

 

[UConnCat]

This discussion about KML and Maya caused me to think back to early in Maya's freshman year. I seem to remember some observers of the high school basketball scene (I'm talking about scouting sites) saying that Maya was not a consistent 3-point shooter and would need to work on that part of her game. I just recall being surprised by how well she shot 3-pointers from the start of her career and that some of the scouting services seemed to underestimate that part of her game. Is my memory wrong?

 

[Scotter]

This discussion about KML and Maya caused me to think back to early in Maya's freshman year. I seem to remember some observers of the high school basketball scene (I'm talking about scouting sites) saying that Maya was not a consistent 3-point shooter and would need to work on that part of her game. I just recall being surprised by how well she shot 3-pointers from the start of her career and that some of the scouting services seemed to underestimate that part of her game. Is my memory wrong?

Your memory is right. What I also find curious about that in relation to recent KML and Maya discussions is that those expectations of Maya's shooting ability somehow seem to be retroactively coloring people's memory of Maya's freshman season. I've seen multiple posters reference Maya not being a great shooter yet as freshman in comparison to expectations for KML, but that was Maya's best 3P% season and she attempted basically the same number of threes as a freshman that she did as a senior.

 

[DaddyChoc]

in HS Maya didnt NEED to shoot the 3 as much so fan may have not been aware of her range. She played in the post (defending Cain & Charles) after harrassing the inbounder on defensive and got tons of garbage points in HS.

 

[Scotter]

well we shall see. she scored more than Maya in high school. that's a simple fact. sorry if you disagree but the facts are what they are. you keep referring to her all around game and i'm simply stating she was a better pure scorer in high school than Maya. there's really no argument there as KML simply scored more. and apparently she was a better rebounder too. oh, and of her 2,744 total points in HS, only 1,011 of them came from 3 pointers so it's not like she sat beyond the arc and launched up the 3 ball. 1,733 of her points came from 2 point shots or FT's.

There's no argument there? So anybody that had 3000 points in HS is automatically a better pure scorer than both KML and Maya? If all you meant is she scored more points than Maya in high school, fine. But at least to me "pure scorer" implies to me quality as well as quantity.

so first you asked me what i based my opinion on - and i answered by stating her high school scoring was better than Maya's. then you follow up by saying you've seen her play and she's simply not as good. not trying to be contrary but i was not arguing she was going to have a better career at UCONN than Maya did. or that she was a better all around player.

No you said she was a better pure scorer which is what I explicitly stated that I disagreed with. And I did so based on actually seeing KML's ability to score, and I am comparing them against each other at the same point in their playing.

i'm not trying to argue for the sake of arguing, and you are clearly one of the more knowledgeable posters on the BY, but you sometimes seem to just want to be contrary. now where's that shrug emoticon when i need it??!!! lol

If a tendency to want to balance the boat is just being contrary then I'm guilty. I am selective about posting, and adding to the echo chamber is not something that entices me nearly as much as providing counterweight. Although posting to be contrary implies to me that I'm posting just to be argumentative rather than posting what I truly believe to be true. I never post just to stir the pot.

now will that all translate to the college game? will her lack of athleticism hurt her and make it more difficult to get her shot off? i have no idea. probably. but either way we get 4 years to enjoy this young lady. do i think she breaks Maya's scoring record at UCONN? no. but i think she breaks Tina's, or at least comes very close...

 

[EricSD]

well fair enough scotter. we'll just have to agree to disagree. KML was a better scorer and rebounder in high school than Maya was. hence my opinion that she's a better pure scorer/shooter. you disagree because you saw KML play a few games in person. and apparently KML was a better rebounder too. oh well! on to the season!!

 

[Scotter]

well fair enough scotter. we'll just have to agree to disagree. KML was a better scorer and rebounder in high school than Maya was. hence my opinion that she's a better pure scorer/shooter. you disagree because you saw KML play a few games in person. and apparently KML was a better rebounder too. oh well! on to the season!!

And she's a better rebounder than Maya too? And you wonder why we have these long back and forths? What a way to end an agree to disagree!

 

[Icebear]

Stating that KML is a better pure scorer than Maya is quite a statement. What are you basing that on?

A better pure shooter, I would probably agree, a better pure scorer is yet to be seen against college competition and defenses.

 

[EricSD]

A better pure shooter, I would probably agree, a better pure scorer is yet to be seen against college competition and defenses.

of course it remains to be seen. i never said i thought KML would outscore Maya in college. i still think, never having seen her play, that she has the potential to pass Tina. if she passes Maya, we'll all be in awe.

One other thing that some people seem to want to forget is that KML's high school teammates included Jordan Adams (2012), Niarra Fields (2012) and Alexys Vaioletema (2011), a trio of top 11 recruits in their own right. the fact that KML scored as much as she did with those three outstanding teammates is an indication of how awesome a scorer she is. it would be different if she "only" played with an all american PG who excelled in pushing tempo and dishing assists, but she played with a bunch of all american scorers.

anyway, i know she played with Jordan and Alexys, but i think Niarra might have just transferred to Mater Dei this past year so i'm not sure if KML actually played with her. and i'm not trying to put Maya down. i'm just pointing out that i think KML is a phenomenal scorer coming out of HS.

 

[UConnCat]

anyway, i know she played with Jordan and Alexys, but i think Niarra might have just transferred to Mater Dei this past year so i'm not sure if KML actually played with her. and i'm not trying to put Maya down. i'm just pointing out that i think KML is a phenomenal scorer coming out of HS.

KML did not play with Fields who transferred to MD for the upcoming school year.

 

[Kibitzer]

The most telling phrase in this back-and-forth is "never having seen her play...." I don't think it is possible to reliably evaluate a player from mere review of box scores and perusal of comments by rating services.

Also, just because Player A scores or rebounds more than Player B (any two players) does not mean that Player A is a "better" scorer, shooter, or rebounder than Player B. There are too many variables (especially in high school) that make direct comparisons unreliable.

Finally, I think some of us underestimate just how difficult it is to AVERAGE 15+ PPG for a season. If it weren't so difficult, more players would do it. How often did players like Catchings, Parker, Taurasi, Bird, Maya or McCaughtry actually average 15+ PPG for an entire season? I'll bet very few.

Once anyone digs up those stats, check out freshman seasons.

I expect that at some point during her freshman season (January or February) that KML will get into a groove and compete (maybe successfully, maybe not) for top scorer with Bria and Stefanie.If she does that, it's pretty good.

There are some enthusiastic posters who seem to expect as many as three Huskies to average better than 15 PPG. I believe their optimism to be admirable but over the top.

 

[EricSD]

not sure what difference that makes Kib. when someone tells you that Cheryl Miller, for example, was the all time leading scorer in California history, do you need to see her play to know she's special? and there are many videos of her out there on youtube, etc, that allows people to check her out and see what "kind" of player she is so while very few get to see her in person, many can at least see videos of her. and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of examples like that (Cheryl Miller). but when you combine her prolific scoring with the fact that she was named the #1 player in her class by most every service that made a list, it certainly gives one an idea of how good she is.

of course stats don't tell the entire story. sometimes they don't even tell a majority of the story. and people keep arguing about this magical 15 PPG average. no one on here (at least not me) predicted she'd score more than 15 PPG this year. my point is simply that as a phenom scorer/shooter in HS, and she has a chance to be special. i did predict she'd surpass Tina's scoring record tho.