Who will be Geno’s starting point guard in the NCAA tournament?

[Skeets]

These PG discussions sometimes get ridiculous. How about watching some of the games from LY and see what player is mentioned most by the commentators. Sure, you may blame the Ohio State debacle on Nika, but Azzi was terrible, Aaliyah, who is the press buster in the middle, was on the bench. She got no help, so the team just stunk during that time in the game. Also remember, not only was Nika the BE DPOY, and maybe it doesn't matter to some of you, but she was in the final 5 for the Nancy Lieberman Trophy as the best PG in the country. So, if the media and coaches think she is a great PG, why would any fan of UConn dispute that fact. Get over it, she is, and she always be our starting PG until somebody besides Paige proves different. I mention Paige because she will be at her best position, SG.

The best post in this whole thread.

 

[oldhusky]

Looking forward to if UCONN is healthy an undefeated reg. season or at tops 1 loss leading into NCAA with Nika Muhl running the fastbreak with Azzi on one side and Paige on the other. The elite scoring potential from both Wings might be the most explosive Wing scores/passer combos UCONN has ever had.

To add to that, any big team that tries to pound UCONN in the paint, every time they don’t; get the rebound, we'll punish them with an example of this three-player juggernaut fastbreak group (among other combos as well).

Then after UCONN punishes the opposing team on the break, what will they do? They will press. And press more. That's what many of us have loved to see for a long time. Its' just that you just don’t press against "Butler." You press against the big teams. Posters talk about how the other team would wear us down with their size if we have Paige as an example the SF. That's nonsense if UCONN is healthy. When you press, more than likely you're looking to wear out the other team's posts if that is their advantage. If Paige is cleared to play and has played the whole season, let's stop with this "being too roughed up." We heard that when she was a frosh how all these teams were going to low post her. We heard as s a soph how Stewie was going to get "roughed up palying the PF> We heard how the 01-02 team was going to get plastered by a team with size. All myths.

And for every miss from the other team which UCONN gets the rebound, UCONN runs the ball down their throat. For every made basket the other team makes, UCONN looks to run the ball down the bigger team’s throat even after a make. It doesn't mean you take a shot every 5 seconds but it means the opposing big players are either running all the time or fighting for rebounds all the time or getting stuck on swtiches on Defense being forced to defend our guards. And by the end of the season as Tourney starts, it should be the big teams that are more worn out. Did I mention that their bigs when they touch the ball the are being pressed too if their guards are trapped etc?

And for those that believe pressure is about elite quickness and steals, they don’t understand what "press" means. You can even press to slow down a game. But in this case, UCONN could press just to push pace. So, for the big teams, force their guards to make plays by playing fast so their bigs can't get as involved. At some point the more raggedy the game gets, that favors the team with superior guard Wing play that looks to push pace.

And that's what's exciting about the Muhl as pg, and Azzi/Paige on the Wing combos especially at Tourney time.

Like you, I see a fastbreak with Nika pushing the ball up the middle with Paige and Azzi on the wings as about as good an offensive scenario as any team could envision or even hope for. With a deeper bench and more pressing, hopefully we will be in that mode far more often this season. In addition I think the argument for those three in a half court offense is also very strong, but not quite as strong as the the fast breaking situation.

In that case Nika still has two great 3 pt shooters to get the ball to if they can get open, but importantly both Paige and Azzi can create their own shot if an easy look doesn't develop, and if they drop off Nika, she has been around a 34% 3pt shooter herself. Nika doesn't need to do any more than that as far as scoring is involved, and in the meantime with defenses stretched because of Paige and Azzi, will will have two great passers to get the ball inside to Aaliyah and other bigs, who should have more room to operate.

Having said that, I can think of a lineup where Nika at the point might not make sense. My only reservation would be when Aubrey is at the 3. That scenario would be similar to a stretch where Uconn did have some difficulty scoring last year. When Nika was playing with two shooters everything was fine. When Azzi and Caroline were injured, Nika only had one shooter in with her at a time, teams concentrated on taking away the fastbreak and focusing their defense on Lou. The ability to get the ball inside also tended to dry up with that combo. In short with that lineup there was a pretty good defensive gameplan to hold us down.

With two truly great outside shooters that doesn't happen, so if Aubrey is at the 3 we probably need Paige at the point and Azzi at the 2. If we are able to get out on the break and are pressing a great deal, Nika with Aubrey can be quite good, but in the halfcourt not so much. So regarding floor spacing ( the argument for Caroline vs. Nika), with two great shooters and Nika (who can hit an open 3) it is not a problem, and Nika can make Paige, Azzi, Aaliyah and others more effective. With only one very good outside threat the need for more spacing has more merit IMO, but with Paige and Azzi or Caroline as long as we have two, who can also create for themselves it is not a problem.

As for the wear and tear on Paige at the 3. She could start there but play quite a few minutes elsewhere. Paige is the first choice to back up Nika and Azzi. No matter who comes out we can bring in a 3 (Caroline or Aubrey) and move Paige to PG or SG. Almost everybody except for Paige can stick to their best position, and Paige might be our best player at all three. If it was a problem matchup for Paige we can go with Caroline or Aubrey. I think Paige will handle it very well, but we have terrific options if in a particular matchup it is a problem.

The nice thing this year is if something isn't working we have the tools and depth to change it. Last year we were stuck with limited options, some of which we did not have a good counter for.

 

[Jumper33]

These PG discussions sometimes get ridiculous. How about watching some of the games from LY and see what player is mentioned most by the commentators. Sure, you may blame the Ohio State debacle on Nika, but Azzi was terrible, Aaliyah, who is the press buster in the middle, was on the bench. She got no help, so the team just stunk during that time in the game. Also remember, not only was Nika the BE DPOY, and maybe it doesn't matter to some of you, but she was in the final 5 for the Nancy Lieberman Trophy as the best PG in the country. So, if the media and coaches think she is a great PG, why would any fan of UConn dispute that fact. Get over it, she is, and she always be our starting PG until somebody besides Paige proves different. I mention Paige because she will be at her best position, SG.

Anyone who thinks the blame for the Ohio State game lies solely or even primarily on Nika is flat out wrong.

The 25 turnovers were a team effort. In that unfortunate stretch in the second quarter, almost every player had at least one. They lost as a group (except for Lou who played well) and next year they will go back to winning as a group.

As others have said, this predicament of debating who should/will be point guard is a good “problem” to have. Geno is fortunate to have multiple high level ball handlers with good court vision.

 

[DEpup]

I think Nika as PG is the best energy saver for Paige. A defensive strategy is to wear the PG down by hassling them as they bring the ball up. It can take its toll in a tough game where the starters have to play a lot of minutes. If she has Nika to handle that part then she can race down the floor and set herself up to create in the half court for the team as well as score herself.

And I still think Nika will make improvements in her scoring.. Yeah that is the weakness in her game but I think she has improved with each year. A healthy Paige, Azzi, and Caroline will be the best thing for Nika's scoring. She'll be wide open all the time.

 

[Cedar]

These PG discussions sometimes get ridiculous. How about watching some of the games from LY and see what player is mentioned most by the commentators. Sure, you may blame the Ohio State debacle on Nika, but Azzi was terrible, Aaliyah, who is the press buster in the middle, was on the bench. She got no help, so the team just stunk during that time in the game. Also remember, not only was Nika the BE DPOY, and maybe it doesn't matter to some of you, but she was in the final 5 for the Nancy Lieberman Trophy as the best PG in the country. So, if the media and coaches think she is a great PG, why would any fan of UConn dispute that fact. Get over it, she is, and she always be our starting PG until somebody besides Paige proves different. I mention Paige because she will be at her best position, SG.

Azzi wasn’t “terrible” in the Ohio State game. She had a subpar shooting game — 6-17, or 35.3%— but she still managed to score 14 points, only 1.1 point below her season average. She also had 3 rebounds, above her season average of 1.9, and she had an impressive 5 steals, or 25% of her season total.

Nika deserves credit for winning the Big East DPOY award, but IMO, that award shows that the voters weren’t fully in touch with the data. Dorka, Aaliyah, and Aubrey had considerably better defensive ratings than Nika had, for example.

Geno undoubtedly will put Paige in the SG position at some points during the season, but if he puts her in that spot, then she will bump Azzi out of her optimal position, unless he employs something like a 1-2-2-4-4 lineup that Bone Dog proposed. He could also have Paige and Azzi both play as wings.

You’re basically saying that Geno will have a player with a 7.1-point scoring average (Nika) as his de facto point guard, rather than a player with an 18-point scoring average (Paige). Yeah, right.

 

[hoophuskee]

Azzi wasn’t “terrible” in the Ohio State game. She had a subpar shooting game — 6-17, or 35.3%— but she still managed to score 14 points, only 1.1 point below her season average. She also had 3 rebounds, above her season average of 1.9, and she had an impressive 5 steals, or 25% of her season total.

Nika deserves credit for winning the Big East DPOY award, but IMO, that award shows that the voters weren’t fully in touch with the data. Dorka, Aaliyah, and Aubrey had considerably better defensive ratings than Nika had, for example.

Geno undoubtedly will put Paige in the SG position at some points during the season, but if he puts her in that spot, then she will bump Azzi out of her optimal position, unless he employs something like a 1-2-2-4-4 lineup that Bone Dog proposed. He could also have Paige and Azzi both play as wings.

You’re basically saying that Geno will have a player with a 7.1-point scoring average (Nika) as his de facto point guard, rather than a player with an 18-point scoring average (Paige). Yeah, right.

Yes, Azzi was terrible. Her efg% was 41.18% from one of our top scorers that we needed to rely on to score. An efg% of 41% is bad. Posters on here jump on Muhl for not being able to shoot but she isn't relied upon to do it- Azzi is. And Nika shoots 34.9% from 3 and yet posters still attack her shooting yet we're supposed to say that Azzi shooting 41% from the floor isn't bad for a player whose main role is to score?

Secondly, she had just 1 assists vs 4 turnovers. The team was being pressed and as a guard, what did Azzi do about it? She contributed to that day’s turnover UCONN machine.

She's a guard that didn't shoot well or pass well so she gets 14 points on very inefficient shooting and terrible on passing in which our guards were most challenged by the pressure, so to say she didn't play bad imo is way off base.

And as far as the poster you are replying to with Paige. Read his comment again. He starts the paragraph with "Paige as a backup" to Azzi at the sg. You’re implying the poster said "bump" - which he didn’t.

Anyhow this is what makes Paige so special. This stuff about not utilizing her as a pg only is hogwash. Her best utilization is through her versatility at the 1,2 or 3 spots. So, when we play Ohio State again, you can put her at any spot of the 3 and still be in successful attack mode on paper. She fills a void at its weakest point of needed and turns into a NPOY caliber strength. That's why many super guards and super Wings are so great. They have great versatility to help their team. And "team" as a whole is much more important than an individual's supposed favorite spot.

 

[#12in21]

I haven't rewatched tOSU game but IMO if Aaliyah had not gotten into foul trouble the results would have been very different. In earlier games when we were pressed she received the inbound pass up high and quickly dished to a guard, which I would have expected to be how we would have tried to address it when pressed by tOSU. Without her on the floor that option was gone and with her sitting the proverbial wind was out of the sails. I think her having to sit was a huge emotional letdown for a team that had to fight for everything all season. I think it was finally the straw that broke the camel's back and the team emotionally just had no fight left in them. As Nika said entering the tournament, they felt that they had been broken so much throughout the season that they now felt they were unbreakable...after that game she said they finally broke. Everybody played a part in that loss just like they all played a part in that incredible run to open the season. They are a team win or lose.

 

[oldhusky]

The debates here have been very interesting with many good points being made, but if this was a political race the networks would be calling it by now!

 

[Steelerone]

Anyone who really thinks that Geno is going to put a player on the floor because of "loyalty" hasn't bothered to follow what has happened in woman's basketball. He is being paid millions, not to sooth someone's feelings or to reward anyone. His paycheck is based on winning games, and he is going to put the five players out there who he feels has the best chance of doing exactly that. And no matter what your opinion is of Nikki's talent Azzi and Paige give us a better chance of winning. No matter who starts the first few games by the sixth or seventh Nikki will be the first one off the bench.

 

[DEpup]

Yes, Azzi was terrible. Her efg% was 41.18% from one of our top scorers that we needed to rely on to score. An efg% of 41% is bad. Posters on here jump on Muhl for not being able to shoot but she isn't relied upon to do it- Azzi is. And Nika shoots 34.9% from 3 and yet posters still attack her shooting yet we're supposed to say that Azzi shooting 41% from the floor isn't bad for a player whose main role is to score?

Secondly, she had just 1 assists vs 4 turnovers. The team was being pressed and as a guard, what did Azzi do about it? She contributed to that day’s turnover UCONN machine.

She's a guard that didn't shoot well or pass well so she gets 14 points on very inefficient shooting and terrible on passing in which our guards were most challenged by the pressure, so to say she didn't play bad imo is way off base.

And as far as the poster you are replying to with Paige. Read his comment again. He starts the paragraph with "Paige as a backup" to Azzi at the sg. You’re implying the poster said "bump" - which he didn’t.

Anyhow this is what makes Paige so special. This stuff about not utilizing her as a pg only is hogwash. Her best utilization is through her versatility at the 1,2 or 3 spots. So, when we play Ohio State again, you can put her at any spot of the 3 and still be in successful attack mode on paper. She fills a void at its weakest point of needed and turns into a NPOY caliber strength. That's why many super guards and super Wings are so great. They have great versatility to help their team. And "team" as a whole is much more important than an individual's supposed favorite spot.

Not unlike Stewie in the front court. She can excel at the 3, 4, or 5 depending on what the situation is. Throughout Stewie's UConn career they moved her amongst those 3 positions and she was just fine and so was UConn. I don't see why Paige can't move between the 1, 2, and 3 in the same way.

 

[Cedar]

Yes, Azzi was terrible. Her efg% was 41.18% from one of our top scorers that we needed to rely on to score. An efg% of 41% is bad. Posters on here jump on Muhl for not being able to shoot but she isn't relied upon to do it- Azzi is. And Nika shoots 34.9% from 3 and yet posters still attack her shooting yet we're supposed to say that Azzi shooting 41% from the floor isn't bad for a player whose main role is to score?

Secondly, she had just 1 assists vs 4 turnovers. The team was being pressed and as a guard, what did Azzi do about it? She contributed to that day’s turnover UCONN machine.

She's a guard that didn't shoot well or pass well so she gets 14 points on very inefficient shooting and terrible on passing in which our guards were most challenged by the pressure, so to say she didn't play bad imo is way off base.

And as far as the poster you are replying to with Paige. Read his comment again. He starts the paragraph with "Paige as a backup" to Azzi at the sg. You’re implying the poster said "bump" - which he didn’t.

Anyhow this is what makes Paige so special. This stuff about not utilizing her as a pg only is hogwash. Her best utilization is through her versatility at the 1,2 or 3 spots. So, when we play Ohio State again, you can put her at any spot of the 3 and still be in successful attack mode on paper. She fills a void at its weakest point of needed and turns into a NPOY caliber strength. That's why many super guards and super Wings are so great. They have great versatility to help their team. And "team" as a whole is much more important than an individual's supposed favorite spot.

We’ll have to agree to disagree. You and Bald Husky think that Azzi was terrible in the Ohio State game, and I do not. I said Azzi’s shooting was subpar, which was not surprising given Ohio State’s well-executed defense. But her overall performance wasn’t terrible. She was only 1 point below her season scoring average, which is the mark of a gritty player who is able to score points even when she’s not having a good shooting day.

You said that Azzi had 4 turnovers. Correct. But she had 5 steals, so she was a net positive on possessions. Contrast that with Nika, who had 7 turnovers and 1 steal against tOSU.

I didn’t say that Bald Husky said the word “bump.” That was my word to describe what could happen to Azzi under the scenario he described with Nika as the PG and Paige playing SG. Azzi could get bumped out of her optimal position. Bald Husky specifically said that Paige would be playing at the SG position. The post I replied to didn’t say Paige would be a backup to Azzi at shooting guard. If you think Bald Husky’s post said “Paige as a backup” to Azzi at SG, then you may be confusing him with another poster.

 

[hoophuskee]

We’ll have to agree to disagree. You and Bald Husky think that Azzi was terrible in the Ohio State game, and I do not. I said Azzi’s shooting was subpar, which was not surprising given Ohio State’s well-executed defense. But her overall performance wasn’t terrible. She was only 1 point below her season scoring average, which is the mark of a gritty player who is able to score points even when she’s not having a good shooting day.

You said that Azzi had 4 turnovers. Correct. But she had 5 steals, so she was a net positive on possessions. Contrast that with Nika, who had 7 turnovers and 1 steal against tOSU.

I didn’t say that Bald Husky said the word “bump.” That was my word to describe what could happen to Azzi under the scenario he described with Nika as the PG and Paige playing SG. Azzi could get bumped out of her optimal position. Bald Husky specifically said that Paige would be playing at the SG position. The post I replied to didn’t say Paige would be a backup to Azzi at shooting guard. If you think Bald Husky’s post said “Paige as a backup” to Azzi at SG, then you may be confusing him with another poster.

Okay we agree to disagree. I believe a player’s efficiency counts apparently a lot more than you do. I view your pov near extreme on this subject with so focused on points scored and little to do with efficiency. I can be okay with poor efg% if the player scores with a lot free throws. But anyway, that's why I always use efg% and always will. And as far Azzi's 5 steals - it doesn’t balance her poor shooting and passing. Only, playing 50% effectively on the floor is a bad game if your title aspirations and you're a supposed big star. A palyer liek Patterson is okay if they play well onyl on Defense. Not yoru superstar. So, its not "even" if Azzi was onyl good at 1 side. You have to be better than 50% between offense and defense if you are the one of the team's top player/s. . And shooting lousy efficiency at 41% is not good - its bad. IMO you're excusing poor effcicency. You''re so worng imo.

And you're right Ohio State played good defense because in part a player UCONN relied on for good offense had both a crummy shooting and passing day. The stars are supposed to be better than the other team. Azzi was supposed to be better than Ohio Stet's defenders guarding her. She wasn't. So, yes they forced Azzi Fudd into a poor offensive game. That's also a reflection on Azzi.

And as far as Paige -- you're right my mistake. Not sure though why you brought up anything about Paige bumping Azzi because I didn't see the poster saying that but anyway not important because I don’t believe that was the intent of the poster. If you did, fine. I missed it. We agree though that Paige will not bump Azzi. Never even a thought.

 

[Skeets]

Azzi wasn’t “terrible” in the Ohio State game. She had a subpar shooting game — 6-17, or 35.3%— but she still managed to score 14 points, only 1.1 point below her season average. She also had 3 rebounds, above her season average of 1.9, and she had an impressive 5 steals, or 25% of her season total.

Nika deserves credit for winning the Big East DPOY award, but IMO, that award shows that the voters weren’t fully in touch with the data. Dorka, Aaliyah, and Aubrey had considerably better defensive ratings than Nika had, for example.

Geno undoubtedly will put Paige in the SG position at some points during the season, but if he puts her in that spot, then she will bump Azzi out of her optimal position, unless he employs something like a 1-2-2-4-4 lineup that Bone Dog proposed. He could also have Paige and Azzi both play as wings.

You’re basically saying that Geno will have a player with a 7.1-point scoring average (Nika) as his de facto point guard, rather than a player with an 18-point scoring average (Paige). Yeah, right.

" the voters weren’t fully in touch with the data."

The voters are the best basketball minds in the Big East. But that pales in comparison to your opinions.

 

[Bald Husky]

When I said that Nika would be the PG and Paige would be the SG I think it would be a mistake if people thought I was taking Azzi out of the starting line-up. First, Nika pushes the transition and what better players to have running in position than Paige and Azzi. Further, since they play a motion offence, both Paige and Azzi would be circling the wagons trying to get open for one of Nikas passes. The point is, our two best shooters would be free to go wherever they want, and Nika would find them. They still would be able to create their own shot, which would be easier for Paige if she wasn't saddled with the ball always in her hands. We have a great play maker in Nika, and based on her game the previous 3 years, we know what her priority is when bringing the ball down. Why would we not have someone whose major purpose would be to set up our best shooters be not in the game. It's a no brainer and I don't know why there are some people that don't recognize that fact.

 

[Bone Dog]

When I said that Nika would be the PG and Paige would be the SG I think it would be a mistake if people thought I was taking Azzi out of the starting line-up. First, Nika pushes the transition and what better players to have running in position than Paige and Azzi. Further, since they play a motion offence, both Paige and Azzi would be circling the wagons trying to get open for one of Nikas passes. The point is, our two best shooters would be free to go wherever they want, and Nika would find them. They still would be able to create their own shot, which would be easier for Paige if she wasn't saddled with the ball always in her hands. We have a great play maker in Nika, and based on her game the previous 3 years, we know what her priority is when bringing the ball down. Why would we not have someone whose major purpose would be to set up our best shooters be not in the game. It's a no brainer and I don't know why there are some people that don't recognize that fact.

I’m with you on this one, @Bald Huskie but your post got me thinking about the 3 guard lineup. The best case for Paige as pg is probably the run up to the finals in 2022. The three games against Indiana NC St and Stanford featured that offense. Paige Azzi Christyn with Liv and Aaliyah. Aubrey was unavailable so the rotation was Dorka (until she went down) Evina and Nika. When Liv and Aaliyah ran into foul trouble we shifted over to 4-out formations with Evina at the 4.

This was definitely a patchwork squad, but they had a lot of heart and went further than anyone expected. Paige was still hobbled but unstoppable, and Aaliyah had only just recovered her freshman year intensity, and Azzi could be brilliant but also succumbed to the pressure a couple times.

I can’t help thinking we want this kind of lineup again. But we won’t be a patchwork squad this time around. We could think of it as 1-2-2-4-4, or even as 1-1-1-4-4, and occasionally it could look like 2-2-2-2-4. When we play 4-out, we’re still taller than most teams we’ll face.

Anyway, when I think of that run in 2022, I can see why folks don’t favor Nika starting. More precisely I can see how it might not matter whether she starts or not. Re-watch the 3rd quarter of the Indiana game and you’ll see it too.

 

[Cedar]

Okay we agree to disagree. I believe a player’s efficiency counts apparently a lot more than you do. I view your pov near extreme on this subject with so focused on points scored and little to do with efficiency. I can be okay with poor efg% if the player scores with a lot free throws. But anyway, that's why I always use efg% and always will. And as far Azzi's 5 steals - it doesn’t balance her poor shooting and passing. Only, playing 50% effectively on the floor is a bad game if your title aspirations and you're a supposed big star. A palyer liek Patterson is okay if they play well onyl on Defense. Not yoru superstar. So, its not "even" if Azzi was onyl good at 1 side. You have to be better than 50% between offense and defense if you are the one of the team's top player/s. . And shooting lousy efficiency at 41% is not good - its bad. IMO you're excusing poor effcicency. You''re so worng imo.

And you're right Ohio State played good defense because in part a player UCONN relied on for good offense had both a crummy shooting and passing day. The stars are supposed to be better than the other team. Azzi was supposed to be better than Ohio Stet's defenders guarding her. She wasn't. So, yes they forced Azzi Fudd into a poor offensive game. That's also a reflection on Azzi.

And as far as Paige -- you're right my mistake. Not sure though why you brought up anything about Paige bumping Azzi because I didn't see the poster saying that but anyway not important because I don’t believe that was the intent of the poster. If you did, fine. I missed it. We agree though that Paige will not bump Azzi. Never even a thought.

I didn’t give her a pass on her eFG%; I said her shooting was subpar, which means it was below her usual or normal level or standard.

I believe eFG% is important. But at the end of the day, basketball is about scoring points, and keeping your opponent from scoring points. I give Azzi credit for finding ways to score against Ohio State on a day when her shooting was off. As I said earlier, in that game she was only about 1 point below her season scoring average.

 

[Cedar]

" the voters weren’t fully in touch with the data."

The voters are the best basketball minds in the Big East. But that pales in comparison to your opinions.

Nice sarcasm. The voters may be the best basketball minds in the Big East, but I’d like to know why they selected Nika, who had a defensive rating of 87.2, rather than some other players with significantly better defensive ratings, such as Dorka, Aaliyah, or Aubrey. Dorka had a defensive rating that was 9.9 points better than Nika’s.

 

[hoophuskee]

I didn’t give her a pass on her eFG%; I said her shooting was subpar, which means it was below her usual or normal level or standard.

I believe eFG% is important. But at the end of the day, basketball is about scoring points, and keeping your opponent from scoring points. I give Azzi credit for finding ways to score against Ohio State on a day when her shooting was off. As I said earlier, in that game she was only about 1 point below her season scoring average.

No - at the end of the day basketball is about who scores the most points. If your % is very low it probably means you are going to lose at the end of the day. So in this regard you have given her pass.

 

[Bone Dog]

Fair point about not attacking the bucket often enough. But the part about face guarding streakers on a fast break seems implausible.

 

[#12in21]

The only scoring threats will not be Paige and Azzi, Aaliyah will certainly be a target as well and most likely the fifth starter will also be.
None of Paige, Azzi and Aaliyah will be motionless, they all move constantly to get in position. With that group IMO through their motion without the ball atleast one will pull a second defender to them leaving someone else open for the pass. Plus with all the scoring options and two great passers in a motion offense the ball is not going to sit in anyones hands too long. So Nika is unlikely to be the third option as you suggest in your scenario. In the event everyone is covered and there is no open pass, as she showed last season with a significant increase in her willingness to drive into the lane, she would do the same or take the open shot.

If you look at the twelve games Nika had double digit assists last season, seven had Azzi and Lou on the floor with her and all had our leading scorer Aaliyah on the floor. With Azzi out five of those games, Caroline and or Aubrey had big minutes and scoring nights. Dorka when on the floor was also a huge contributor. Of those twelve games we had multiple players in double figure scoring (3 in 3 games, 4 in five games, 5 in three games and 6 in one game).

In a fast paced motion offense, which we assume will be the case next season, the ball is not going to be sitting in Nika's hands for long stretches, it is going to be moving as are our players. Except in transition runouts I believe there will be multiple passes made and screens set to get the shot. There are no two players better when healthy than Paige and Azzi to move to create angles, create their own space and to release shots quickly with virtually no room. Add to that two exceptional passers in Paige and Nika and Aaliyah coming off a tremendous season when she scored at will over much of the competition and lots of great options for a fifth starter and depth off the bench at all positions, and we have a formula for a season that has no ceiling.

Despite any concerns you or others have expressed regarding Nika, there is no question that she had an incredible jump in many areas of her game this past season. There is no reason to believe that she has come close to her ceiling and I am sure she is dedicating herself to address areas she can still improve in. If she has accepted Geno's advice to finish layups at the basket with both hands, that alone will boost her scoring numbers. She certainly can improve on finishing those layups, but I disagree with your premise that she remains unwilling to take those shots. IMO she will never force those opportunities as many other PG's may whose focus is on scoring over passing. She will always look first for the best pass for a scoring option for a teammate or to get the ball into position for a second pass to an open player - with nothing there she'll take the shot. Nika's game is to set up her teammates and she will have no better group of talent to do so than we'll have this season.

Accept it or not Nika Mühl is a key piece of a championship caliber roster whose best use will be as the starting PG alongside Paige, Azzi, Aaliyah and whomever fills that fifth spot. She isn't simply the energy kid that can disrupt on defense that arrived at Storrs four summers ago, she is a mature leader that impacts the game on both ends of the court for her team.

 

[Bone Dog]

You make a good point. Nika’s virtues are most prominent in the transition game, not so much in the half court offense. For that component of the game, they’ll have to rely on the screening motion offense, as ever. And you’re right that Nika would be better in the half court to the extent she improves her midrange game and her finishing at the rim. In my view she already made huge progress in the latter this past season, and it showed in several important games. But there’s always room to improve.

 

[meyers7]

What's interesting is that UConn played Iowa twice in the past 2 years.
Last year when Nika played 40 minutes, UConn beat Iowa by 7 points with Clark scoring 25.
In 2021 when Nika did not play any minutes, UConn beat Iowa by 20 points with Clark scoring 21.
Clark actually scored more points when Nika played & guarded her.
UConn scored more points when Nika didn't play at all & Paige was the PG & played 37 minutes.

2022 box score:

UConn 86-79 Iowa (Nov 27, 2022) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the UConn Huskies vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAW game from November 27, 2022 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

2021 box score:

UConn 92-72 Iowa (Mar 27, 2021) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the UConn Huskies vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAW game from March 27, 2021 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

2 different teams. Also Clark as a Soph vs Clark as a Jr.

Apples, meet oranges.

The important thing is with or without The Kid, and with or without the Icon, UCONN beat Clark and the Hawkeyes. Clark has never won a NC, Clark has never beaten UCONN.

 

[hoophuskee]

If its a fastbreak then why is it a 3 on 3 and not a 3 on 2? Isn't a fastbreak done because of an advantage in numbers?

So, assume it's 3 on 3 and UCONN is pushing pace and it's not really though a fastbreak then why would you want your worst scorer to attack the basket and not give the ball to Paige or Azzi instead? You're encouraging taking the ball out of not one but both of our superstars hands when the floor is open if it's a 3 on 3. How is that smart basketball?

To further that, if this is a 3-on-3, and Paige and Azzi are being face-guarded, to the point Nika is coming forward at the top of the key, how pathetic must Paige and Azzi's off-ball movement be that neither one of them can make a backdoor cut? At least 1 shoudl break free. You’re making it sound like the defenders guarding Paige and Azzi on the Wing are elite stoppers. It's understanadable with one -- but BOTH? - Neither one is incapable of breaking free to even receive a pass in a not fastbreak situation but with the floor that wide open? ?

UCONN is not playing WNBA teams. To suggest that on a 3 on 3 in the open court that not one but TWO defenders could shut down Paige and Azzi to receive a pass when the floor is that open is really really stretching reaility.