Who will be the most improved UConn player this year?

[donalddoowop]

You're right. If she was a guard or Auriemma thought she could be one, he wouldn't have moved her inside. He would have continued to develop her outside. She can't handle the ball at the collegiate level.

She was recruited as a guard. Have you seen her handle the ball? When has she been given the opportunity to show her ball handling for you to say she can't handle the ball at the collegiate level? She has the handles! If so many people believed Katy Lou should be a successful shooter in college based on her high school play, why is it so hard to believe Gabby can't be a good ball handler at the college level based on her high school play?

 

[cbraarj]

Gabby missed her last 2 years of BB in High School with injuries.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Chong will be the most improved. After putting on her "Big Girl Panties" that she found at the Shea Ralph section of Dicks Sporting Goods she will take a senior leadership role and come out with all guns blazing. Of course if they do not fit all bets are off.

After reading your posting---I looked all over Dicks Sporting Good---even asked the Manager --where are the "Big Girl Panties" --unfortunately MY Store does not carry them. Which store did you find them in. If it's Manchester, my sister can get them for me.

 

[BroadwayVa]

She was recruited as a guard. Have you seen her handle the ball? When has she been given the opportunity to show her ball handling for you to say she can't handle the ball at the collegiate level? She has the handles! If so many people believed Katy Lou should be a successful shooter in college based on her high school play, why is it so hard to believe Gabby can't be a good ball handler at the college level based on her high school play?

I won't speak of Gabby!
Katie LOU is a great shooter, exceptional in HS, started last season not so great--ended the year,before injury, as a great shooter, basket attacher, top of the key shooter, and corner to corner very good 3 ball shooter. That's why we Uconn Fans believe Katie LOU will be exceptional this new season.
Hey you don't have to love Katie LOU--I do--
Opinions are opinions until proven factual or not so factual.
You state anything you want about WBB----some of us have strong opinions--if the coming season is to be better than good--Katie LOU shall lead us there.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Chong was under Stewie, Morgan and Moriah for the past 3 years.
When I said most improvement, not only her technical but also her mental ability.

What does Stewie or Morgan have to do with Chong's improvement???? I'm not suggesting that she has to have improved on a level of those three but improved where she actually performed at a noticeably higher level than her previous years and that has never happened. Maybe a little more confident but there hasn't really been substantial changes over her career in Storrs.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Gabbie is going to have a Moriah year.
This is the year she will "get it."
The others will be inspired to raise their games accordingly.
Another NC coming. Any losses this year will give Geno the ammunition necessary for keeping the dynasty alive come March.

Moriah had 4 good even great years---the issue wasn't Moriah's talent or ability--it took Geno to be told by the other guards "TRUST MORIAH". GENO--GOT IT!! Moriah had IT all along..
I too hope Gabby will now have the latitude to be all she can be--and that's pretty good.

I suspect a loss or 2--remember Geno has won NC's and or Final 4's with teams without perfect records. It's is exceptional for any team to will 100 percent of their games in any given year.. Have we been spoiled rotten ????

 

[Kaizen]

. Maybe a little more confident but there hasn't really been substantial changes over her career in Storrs.

Is "a little more confident" an improvement ???

 

[rugbymate]

Just voted for Kia...in addition to the great skills we lost in the Big 3 , we lost their individual and collective leadership. IMO, Kia will step into the void and be the de facto leader of the team. She will bring the intensity every night and set the tone for unselfish offense and all in defense. She will not let the younger players take a play off. While she may not light up the stat sheet compared to last year( although its not a stretch to see her averaging 13-15 a game) her intangible contributions will be extremely valuable. If she does this as well as many of us think , she'll lead the team in minutes.

 

[CPD016]

This is my take on Chong. When she was replaced by Nurse in the starting lineup I believe her spirit was broken. Being injured at various times did not help matters either. But now there is a guard opening - she has the talent to take it - will she? As a senior she knows this is her last chance - maybe that will inspire her. What are the team dynamics-will the others players rally around her? What will Geno say to her - if anything? We all want our players to do well - lets see how this plays out

 

[cbraarj]

Saniya should have improved playing with the Big 3. She would have a day or 2 even a week and would just fall into her lack of confidence self. They will not let her play meaningful minutes nor should they. KLS was playing well the last 2 or 3 months of the season and was contributing scoring rebounding, assist and defense. Stewie had a tough midseason her freshman year but was great in the tournament. That team needed her to play like that vs ND. Lou will be fine. Kia will take ownership of this team and will start mentoring Crystal just like Mo did for her. Gabby was hurt her last 2 yrs of HS but is ready to lead after learning from Tuck and Stewie. Miss Collier is going to shock WCBB in my opinion and will be the player Geno thought they were getting. She can drive to the hole, can hit mid range jumper, rebound, play defense and block shots. Near the end of the year she wasnt getting rattled. She reminded me of Morgan in that regard. The 4 Core will be fine and should start with Miss Dangerfield. It is the other players with the unknowns.

 

[Carnac]

If Gabby was the 3 point threat you seem inclined to hint she was (being recruited as a guard, supposedly) you would have seen her shooting them, at least more than she did. She was (is) a phenomental athlete and could get away with a lot of things on a high school level but she was NEVER a shooter and her shooting skills are only now starting to improve to a decent level. It's pretty apparent her athleticism might have actually hindered her development as a shooter prior to coming to Storrs. Gabby was a track star and quite possibly wasn't INTO basketball initially and got a late start.

Buzzyboy, allow me to share with you my posture on this which you may, or may not agree with. First of all, let's remove all the names (players) from this discussion.

First, I think we can agree that Gabby was recruited by Geno as a guard. That was her position in high school. There are only two types of guards. A point guard, and a shooting guard. Can we agree that Gabby IS NOT a point guard? If so, then she is viewed/perceived as a shooting guard. CAN WE ASSUME...........that if a coach recruits a high school player as a shooting guard, would it be fair to assume that said player has proven on more than one occasion (several H/S and AAU games attended by the coaching staff) to be reasonably proficient at shooting the 3 ball?

Point guards pass and set up other players. Shooting guards shoot, they don't pass (unless the play calls for them to). Question........why would any coach recruit a shooting guard that can't shoot? Especially from beyond the arc? Again, I suggest to you that Gabby was not allowed (given the green light) to shoot 3's during the last two years. Geno had 5 starters that could shoot 3's. He did not need Gabby to do that. Geno needed Gabby to do other things to help the team win. That's what Gabby did. You know if as a player, you don't do exactly what the coach tells you to do, you don't play. He/she has got to be able to trust you before they put you on the floor. Coaches don't like renegades or Rambos. Those types of players have no place in a set offense/defense.

Buzzyboy, I'm assuming that every guard in a division one program can shoot a 3 with some degree of consistency, or they would not have been recruited to play at this elite level.
Guards that can't shoot, play at the division 2/3/NAIA (or they don't play at all) level. There are too many high school guards that CAN shoot 3's, that would be glad to come to your program on a free ride, as opposed to you bringing in a guard that can't.

Guards shoot (and drive the lane). That's what they do. Many times they're asked to shoot 3's. Just like post players are usually very tall, and generally operate in the vicinity of the paint. When was the last time you saw a 5'9" post player in Division 1 college? If you're a guard (even on the end of the bench) in D-1, you can shoot the 3!!! Again, I suggest to you that girls/boys who start playing basketball at a young age, start shooting 3's shortly thereafter. They don't wait until they get to college to try an extend their range. So, it's my position that to suggest that Gabby can't shot the 3 is absurd. Every guard on UConn's roster can shoot the 3. C'mon Buzzy, you know better than that.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Saniya should have improved playing with the Big 3. She would have a day or 2 even a week and would just fall into her lack of confidence self. They will not let her play meaningful minutes nor should they. KLS was playing well the last 2 or 3 months of the season and was contributing scoring rebounding, assist and defense. Stewie had a tough midseason her freshman year but was great in the tournament. That team needed her to play like that vs ND. Lou will be fine. Kia will take ownership of this team and will start mentoring Crystal just like Mo did for her. Gabby was hurt her last 2 yrs of HS but is ready to lead after learning from Tuck and Stewie. Miss Collier is going to shock WCBB in my opinion and will be the player Geno thought they were getting. She can drive to the hole, can hit mid range jumper, rebound, play defense and block shots. Near the end of the year she wasnt getting rattled. She reminded me of Morgan in that regard. The 4 Core will be fine and should start with Miss Dangerfield. It is the other players with the unknowns.

That sounds like the analysis of a coach. I look at Napheesa and Katie LOU, Kia, Gabby as the CORE that the rest need to revolve around. The UP side of the first 3, to me, is huge. (I just re-read your posting--seems I posted thinking it my thoughts)--It is my belief after seeing her play last year that Dangerfield will get PT sooner rather than later--Geno needs to trust her as he finally did Moriah. Crystal is NOT Moriah--but she has many of her attributes. I'm not sure what to think of KIA--she could be exceptional or a bull in a china shop (or both). Chong--I'm not sure if healthy she has the desire to be the top guard she could have been. That Leaves Kyla and Molly. I know where you stand on Kyla (her up side is good)--what are your thought on Molly.

 

[Carnac]

This is my take on Chong. When she was replaced by Nurse in the starting lineup I believe her spirit was broken. Being injured at various times did not help matters either. But now there is a guard opening - she has the talent to take it - will she? As a senior she knows this is her last chance - maybe that will inspire her. What are the team dynamics-will the others players rally around her? What will Geno say to her - if anything? We all want our players to do well - lets see how this plays out

Well said CPD016. Since she was replaced in the starting line-up in November of 2014, (after the Stanford loss) by Kia Nurse, this is the first time there has been an opening at the guard position. If Chong was to have a time, that time is now!! She knows the plays, and she has 3 years of experience. She has as good a chance as anyone else as official practice begins this week end (boy that sounds good), to win/earn herself a position in the starting line-up.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Buzzyboy, allow me to share with you my posture on this which you may, or may not agree with. First of all, let's remove all the names (players) from this discussion.

First, I think we can agree that Gabby was recruited by Geno as a guard. That was her position in high school. There are only two types of guards. A point guard, and a shooting guard. Can we agree that Gabby IS NOT a point guard? If so, then she is viewed/perceived as a shooting guard. CAN WE ASSUME......that if a coach recruits a high school player as a shooting guard, would it be fair to assume that said player has proven on more than one occasion (several H/S and AAU games attended by the coaching staff) to be reasonably proficient at shooting the 3 ball?

Point guards pass and set up other players. Shooting guards shoot, they don't pass (unless the play calls for them to). Question...why would any coach recruit a shooting guard that can't shoot? Especially from beyond the arc? Again, I suggest to you that Gabby was not allowed (given the green light) to shoot 3's during the last two years. Geno had 5 starters that could shoot 3's. He did not need Gabby to do that. Geno needed Gabby to do other things to help the team win. That's what Gabby did. You know if as a player, you don't do exactly what the coach tells you to do, you don't play. He/she has got to be able to trust you before they put you on the floor. Coaches don't like renegades or Rambos. Those types of players have no place in a set offense/defense.

Buzzyboy, I'm assuming that every guard in a division one program can shoot a 3 with some degree of consistency, or they would not have been recruited to play at this elite level.
Guards that can't shoot, play at the division 2/3/NAIA (or they don't play at all) level. There are too many high school guards that CAN shoot 3's, that would be glad to come to your program on a free ride, as opposed to you bringing in a guard that can't.

Guards shoot (and drive the lane). That's what they do. Many times they're asked to shoot 3's. Just like post players are usually very tall, and generally operate in the vicinity of the paint. When was the last time you saw a 5'9" post player in Division 1 college? If you're a guard (even on the end of the bench) in D-1, you can shoot the 3!!! Again, I suggest to you that girls/boys who start playing basketball at a young age, start shooting 3's shortly thereafter. They don't wait until they get to college to try an extend their range. So, it's my position that to suggest that Gabby can't shot the 3 is absurd. Every guard on UConn's roster can shoot the 3. C'mon Buzzy, you know better than that.

Carnac---why did you post this?? You've made assumptions --. Shooting guards---because they are guards they should be ball handlers, assist, and shoot--shooting is in many options, drivers like USF Williams (who can hit a three now an then), proficient 3 ball shooter, or jump shooters ---but it is possible a shooting guard may have to become better in College than HS at the 3--.
I think if you asked Geno--he'd want all of his people regardless of position to hit a three if wide open- Thankfully Katie LOU, a post/wing/guard--is proficient in all the shooting functions described above. So

Gabby isn't a post or a guard--she's a guardpost. If you asked Geno to put Gabby into a category--he wouldn't--he'd say she's a basketball player---no need for a title --unless it's Queen of the Courts.

How many 3's did Gabby throw up the past 2 years? How many did she make?? The knock on Gabby at the end of her first year was 2 fold--free throw shooting and 3 shooting. She improved dramatically with FT's. Did she actually make say 30 percent of her 3's?
A shooting guard would make at least 30.

I truly dislike disagreeing with you--so obviously this is not a disagreement--just a different opinion

 

[BroadwayVa]

Well said CPD016. Since she was replaced in the starting line-up in November of 2014, (after the Stanford loss) by Kia Nurse, this is the first time there has been an opening at the guard position. If Chong was to have a time, that time is now!! She knows the plays, and she has 3 years of experience. She has as good a chance as anyone else as official practice begins this week end (boy that sounds good), to win/earn herself a position in the starting line-up.

I like what you say--for Chong--IF NOT NOW? WHEN? You can bet a can of soda pop (I think thats R.I) that the coach staff have been peeking at the "pickup games" this summer and have a fair idea today where Chong will fit in. My desire is that she is 100 per cent and shoots in her HS form--there is a huge need for that. The experience of knowing the Geno Defense/Offense system is her major asset.

 

[johnnyc]

Napheesa will be because Katie Lou improved greatly during her freshman year. Katie Lou will improve even more, but it will be difficult because she will be the focal point of the other teams' D.

Well if Katie Lou handles a more difficult situation than wouldn't it be that she has improved more?

 

[Carnac]

Carnac---why did you post this?? You've made assumptions --. Shooting guards---because they are guards they should be ball handlers, assist, and shoot--shooting is in many options, drivers like USF Williams (who can hit a three now an then), proficient 3 ball shooter, or jump shooters ---but it is possible a shooting guard may have to become better in College than HS at the 3--.
I think if you asked Geno--he'd want all of his people regardless of position to hit a three if wide open- Thankfully Katie LOU, a post/wing/guard--is proficient in all the shooting functions described above. So

Gabby isn't a post or a guard--she's a guardpost. If you asked Geno to put Gabby into a category--he wouldn't--he'd say she's a basketball player---no need for a title --unless it's Queen of the Courts.

How many 3's did Gabby throw up the past 2 years? How many did she make?? The knock on Gabby at the end of her first year was 2 fold--free throw shooting and 3 shooting. She improved dramatically with FT's. Did she actually make say 30 percent of her 3's?
A shooting guard would make at least 30.

I truly dislike disagreeing with you--so obviously this is not a disagreement--just a different opinion

Of course I made assumptions. I have never let facts get in the way of a good post. I was trying to make a point to buzzyboy who suggested that Gabby (who is listed on the 2014-2015 roster as a guard): 15 Gabby Williams 5-11 Guard FR Sparks, Nev., could not shot 3's. We know that that is not he case. Of course 2 guards must be able to handle the ball. Theoretically, pg's are the best ball handlers on the team. Who was a quicker-better ball handler than Mo on the roster her junior/senior year?

Point guards usually bring the ball up the court. They run the offense. Everyone except the 5 should be able to bring the ball up. Shayla Cooper (Louisville) a 6'2" post player can bring the ball up, and has on many occasions, I've seen her do it. We both know, Gabby was not a good F/T shooter her freshman year. A lot of players suck at the FT line. There are some pros (men & women) that can't shoot 70% from the line.
A dynamic she corrected the next year.

Gabby was not allowed to shoot 3's anymore than Kiah Stokes (who took 2 3's that year, and made 1) was. If you've only got 3 players that can shoot 3's at a decent percentage, then those are the ones you want shooting the 3. The best shooters in WCBB shoot 3's at under 50%. What was KML's percentage rate her senior year? 48.8%. She was the best during her time in college.

The following was taken from the archives on the UConn women's BB official website: MOSQUEDA-LEWIS, K.. (g/s, g/p): 38/38 (total minutes played/avg): 1092/28.7 (fga/fgm): 205/396 (fg%): .518 - (3 pt fgm/3pt fga) 121-248 3pt fg%): .488 (free throws): 34-38 .895

I agree that guards along with every other player strive to become better in college. Isn't why they practice as much as they do? Everyone connected with the program expects them to get better everyday. Mo/Stewie/Morgan were not the players as freshmen that they were as seniors. Don't forget, Mo did not start or see a lot of playing time as a freshman.

Bria Hartley was the starting point guard. Bria was like Mo, she seldom got tired, thus she played a lot o minutes. Bria passed the baton to Mo when she left. I remember Mo saying that when she was a freshman, when she did get in the game, the thing that scared her the most was making a mistake, and having Geno yank her out of the game. She was more afraid of that, than any opponent she every faced. Mo became my favorite player the rest of the way during the Baylor game in Waco her sophomore year. She impressed me to no end that night.

From her sophomore year on, she knew she was Geno's floor general, and if she made a mistake or two, she was not coming out of the game. BTW: I respect your opinions. We've already agreed to disagree at times. Sometimes you see the glass as half empty, I see it as half full. Same glass of water, different points of view. I'm sure this won't be the last time you question one of my takes.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Of course I made assumptions. I have never let facts get in the way of a good post. I was trying to make a point to buzzyboy who suggested that Gabby (who is listed on the 2014-2015 roster as a guard): 15 Gabby Williams 5-11 Guard FR Sparks, Nev., could not shot 3's. We know that that is not he case. Of course 2 guards must be able to handle the ball. Theoretically, pg's are the best ball handlers on the team. Who was a quicker-better ball handler than Mo on the roster her junior/senior year?

Point guards usually bring the ball up the court. They run the offense. Everyone except the 5 should be able to bring the ball up. Shayla Cooper (Louisville) a 6'2" post player can bring the ball up, and has on many occasions, I've seen her do it. We both know, Gabby was not a good F/T shooter her freshman year. A lot of players suck at the FT line. There are some pros (men & women) that can't shoot 70% from the line. A dynamic she corrected the next year. Gabby was not allowed to shoot 3's anymore than Kiah Stokes was. If you've only got 3 players that can shoot 3's at a decent percentage, then those are the ones you want shooting the 3. The best shooters in WCBB shoot 3's at under 50%. What was KML's percentage rate her senior year? 48.8%. She was the best during her time in college.

The following was taken from the archives on the UConn women's BB official website: MOSQUEDA-LEWIS, K.. (g/s, g/p): 38/38 (total minutes played/avg): 1092/28.7 (fga/fgm): 205/396 (fg%): .518 - (3 pt fgm/3pt fga) 121-248 3pt fg%): .488 (free throws): 34-38 .895

I agree that guards along with every other player strive to become better in college. Isn't why they practice as much as they do? Everyone connected with the program expects them to get better everyday. Mo/Stewie/Morgan were not the players as freshmen that they were as seniors. Don't forget, Mo did not start or see a lot of playing time as a freshman. Bria Hartley was the starting point guard. Bria was like mo. She seldom got tired. Bria passed the baton to Mo when she left. I remember Mo saying that when she was a freshman, when she did get in the game, the thing that scared her the most was making a mistake, and having Geno yank her out of the game. She was more afraid of that, than any opponent she every faced. From her sophomore year on, she knew she was Geno's floor general, and if she made a mistake or two, she was not coming out of the game. BTW: I respect your opinions. We've already agreed to disagree at times. Sometimes you see the glass as half empty, I see it as half full. Same glass of water, different points of view. I'm sure this won't be the last time you question one of my takes.

 

[easttexastrash]

I voted Collier. I think she has the most upside of any of the players from last season.

 

[chrissaran]

Napheesa was not playing behind Breanna and Morgan. She had her chance to start, and it didn't go well enough for her to stay a starter. Katie Lou proved to the best freshman and the right player to be the fifth starter. Once she started hitting 3s, driving and pulling up for a 2, and driving to the hoop, it took pressure off the other starters. She opened up the court, and Katie Lou gave Breanna more freedom to move to different places on the floor.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Not much to disagree with---except my glass isn't empty--I'm a slow drinker.
I guess I'm the only one who read this at the end of the Regular season when Moriah was a frosh---
A blurb came out of Uconn that all the guards went to Geno and said TRUST MORIAH--he did and she played more and effectively.
Geno, saw Moriah get beaten ONCE by Diggins (her classic slap the ball from behind and steal the ball) --she was a Frosh and pulled her.
Geno has an inherent distrust of Freshmen. Doty replaced Moriah and Diggins and ND took the ball from her 3 times. Obviously Moriah was better (at this stage in Doty's life) than doty. Obviously, as all Freshmen Moriah learned a lot her Frosh year--but the talent , drive, ability, athleticism were all present then and later--experience is what she gained. At the time and now I believed Moriah (like Dangerfield) deserved more PT and to show early her skills --which were many.
Sorry --I got carried away--I get burned when I read how vastly better Moriah got after her first year--she learned but she was great from the get go... OBVIOUSLY--my opinion. So next year expect the same post from me about Crystal...

 

[BroadwayVa]

Napheesa was not playing behind Breanna and Morgan. She had her chance to start, and it didn't go well enough for her to stay a starter. Katie Lou proved to the best freshman and the right player to be the fifth starter. Once she started hitting 3s, driving and pulling up for a 2, and driving to the hoop, it took pressure off the other starters. She opened up the court, and Katie Lou gave Breanna more freedom to move to different places on the floor.

I too am a believer in Katie LOU--But I'm not sure that Collier and Gabby (who were used interchangeably) didn't get all the PT possible.
Geno, when the game is on the line (first halves last year) keeps his steady eddie 5 on the floor, when the game loosened up--he started bringing in relief. The Staff probably knew of Napheesa's hip problems and that too may have added to limit her time. Collier is a talent--did you see her in the USA games in 2015?? I did and I became a believer. Seems to me I remember her starting a few games--
Honestly I don't have a clue why she didn't start beyond that--Geno however did some mixing and matching trying out combinations--

 

[wallman]

Shayla Cooper plays for Ohio ST, unless you have heard of her transferring for that 18th spot on the Louisville roster?

 

[Buzzyboy]

Is "a little more confident" an improvement ???

No. I think it probably has a lot to do with her being more comfortable in the system and having a better understanding of her role. She has probably gotten herself in better shape through work in the weight room and the rigorous workouts that Geno and Chris subject them to.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Gabby was rated one of the top four guards in the country in high school. In order for her to get playing time, Geno needed her to use her inside skills. She would not have been rated as high as she was without those skills. How does athleticism hinder a player's shooting skills? Did you watch her mix tape? Not using her guard skills for two years and not playing guard for two years could hinder her outside shooting. Just because her outside shot was not needed does not mean Geno did not want her to continue developing it.

When she was in high school and easily the best athlete on her team along with probably the best athlete on the court almost all the time, she could probably dominate a game with her speed, her leaping ability, her rebounding, etc. and score twenty or twenty five points a game. Her need to be a good outside shooter wasn't significant because she could score in other ways and help her team out. She didn't have to work on her outside shot to be as successful as she would have had if her athleticism wasn't so off the charts. Often kids who aren't as athletic have to work on other facets and develop skills that aren't necessarily athleticism related. For example,Marie Conlon was not anywhere near a great athlete in high school but she had developed a wonderful outside shot and that's what helped get her a scholarship to Storrs. She worked on her shooting skills early in her development and obviously Gabby didn't have nearly the same need to work on that element of her game to get the attention of Division 1 teams. Beyond that, Gabby was probably not focused on basketball until later in her childhood and so her skills weren't quite as developed as they might have been had she not focused on utilizing her athleticism in track. There are many UConn men's basketball players they've recruited who only took up basketball as they grew older and started shooting up in height and they've had rough spots catching up in skillsets to those players who've focused on basketball since their early years. It's a big disadvantage and shooting is a skill that's built on repetition and hard work and long hours in the gym. I think Gabby has only really put in that kind of time in recent years and her shooting abilities are only now really evolving.

 

[iri10]

Gabby's shooting skills were almost certainly badly degraded by the absence from the game caused by her two knee injuries. By the time she got to Storrs, not even her free throws were working, let alone her jump shots. As a freshman her shooting was cringeworthy. Her handle was similarly off/on. By her sophomore year, the shooting and other skills were already decent enough to add some reliable midrange jumpers. She was starting to look more like the multi-capable basketball players Geno prefers.

That said, my hunch is that she was never a phenom at shooting - more of an average D1 guard-level of shooting. Average shooting plus top tier athleticism combined to make her one of the best "guard" prospects of her year.

Even if she gets back up to average-D1 guard shooting, with a serviceable jumper out to the 3 point line, she'll be one of the better college players in the country. If her hard work pays off and she gets properly good at shooting, she'll be an AA contender.

Don't know quite what we're going to get from Gabby this year, but I'm interested in finding out.

 

[Carnac]

Not much to disagree with---except my glass isn't empty--I'm a slow drinker.
I guess I'm the only one who read this at the end of the Regular season when Moriah was a frosh---
A blurb came out of Uconn that all the guards went to Geno and said TRUST MORIAH--he did and she played more and effectively.
Geno, saw Moriah get beaten ONCE by Diggins (her classic slap the ball from behind and steal the ball) --she was a Frosh and pulled her.
Geno has an inherent distrust of Freshmen. Doty replaced Moriah and Diggins and ND took the ball from her 3 times. Obviously Moriah was better (at this stage in Doty's life) than doty. Obviously, as all Freshmen Moriah learned a lot her Frosh year--but the talent , drive, ability, athleticism were all present then and later--experience is what she gained. At the time and now I believed Moriah (like Dangerfield) deserved more PT and to show early her skills --which were many.
Sorry --I got carried away--I get burned when I read how vastly better Moriah got after her first year--she learned but she was great from the get go... OBVIOUSLY--my opinion. So next year expect the same post from me about Crystal...

- "Geno, saw Moriah get beaten ONCE by Diggins (her classic slap the ball from behind and steal the ball) --she was a Frosh and pulled her" - As I said in my post above, Mo was scared to death of making a mistake and getting pulled during her freshman year. Diggins used that "slap the ball from behind" technique a lot. After a player got burned a time or two by that move, they compensated for it. Diggins beat and embarrassed a lot of players during her career. Mo was just one of the many notches on her belt. Diggins was gutsy, quick, talented, vocal and had a ferocious and infectious will to win, which was passed down to the rest of the her teammates.

- "Geno has an inherent distrust of Freshmen" - No argument here. This comes from years of experience, and low expectations. As you know, rare is the freshman that comes in, learns the system right away, and makes the adjustment from high school to college in one month, and is talented enough to supplant a starter (unless that position was open). It's my personal opinion that incoming freshmen should be taught/learn the plays during the summer, so that they can hit the ground running when official practice begins in October.

We must remember that freshmen come in knowing nothing, a step or two slow, having no cachet, and may still be in awe of actually being at UConn with the coach and players they've seen on TV for the last several years. The returning players are also older, faster (quicker), and no doubt in better shape than your average freshman, especially if said freshmen have never been involved in a regimented weight training program. Division 1 college basketball is nothing like high school. The expectations are much greater.

- "Moriah learned a lot her Frosh year--but the talent , drive, ability, athleticism were all present then and later--experience is what she gained" - The experience gained during that first year, and the mentoring she received from Bria Hartley, enabled Mo to quickly learn how to play the point at this level. Mo wanted desperately to please Geno and the other coaches, and gain the acceptance and respect of her teammates.

 

[BroadwayVa]

- "Geno, saw Moriah get beaten ONCE by Diggins (her classic slap the ball from behind and steal the ball) --she was a Frosh and pulled her" - As I said in my post above, Mo was scared to death of making a mistake and getting pulled during her freshman year. Diggins used that "slap the ball from behind" technique a lot. After a player got burned a time or two by that move, they compensated for it. Diggins beat and embarrassed a lot of players during her career. Mo was just one of the many notches on her belt. Diggins was gutsy, quick, talented, vocal and had a ferocious and infectious will to win, which was passed down to the rest of the her teammates.

- "Geno has an inherent distrust of Freshmen" - No argument here. This comes from years of experience, and low expectations. As you know, rare is the freshman that comes in, learns the system right away, and makes the adjustment from high school to college in one month, and is talented enough to supplant a starter (unless that position was open). It's my personal opinion that incoming freshmen should be taught/learn the plays during the summer, so that they can hit the ground running when official practice begins in October.

We must remember that freshmen come in knowing nothing, a step or two slow, having no cachet, and may still be in awe of actually being at UConn with the coach and players they've seen on TV for the last several years. The returning players are also older, faster (quicker), and no doubt in better shape than your average freshman, especially if said freshmen have never been involved in a regimented weight training program. Division 1 college basketball is nothing like high school. The expectations are much greater.

- "Moriah learned a lot her Frosh year--but the talent , drive, ability, athleticism were all present then and later--experience is what she gained" - The experience gained during that first year, and the mentoring she received from Bria Hartley, enabled Mo to quickly learn how to play the point at this level. Mo wanted desperately to please Geno and the other coaches, and gain the acceptance and respect of her teammates.

Moriah -- Was a gutzy kid--if she was frightened, she kept it in. When she was in the game (of ND) with Diggins in there--no fear was apparent. The Slap? Diggins did that to a dozen Uconn players including Hartley, Doty, KML, etc--I don't know if Geno/Staff warned Moriah about that--if they didn't they should have. Moriah was ^ T'ed up about her first 10 second into the game for blocking Diggins viewing--maybe a bit too close but no contact. That kind of set the tone--a bit negative. Yet she aggressively played Diggins.
Faris --a Senior, was stuffed by Diggins , not once but at least twice if not more--and Diggins beat her on nearly every aspect (heresy I know)--. So, for a Freshman--Moriah played excellently and maybe played a bit older than her age.
Do I/Did I like Moriah--you bet! Do I like Crystal, Collier and Katie LOU--I'd be ignorant not to.

I don't disagree with much of what you say except with the comments about her fear--I never read them --I suspect that all decent players on UC team want desperately to please Geno--they know that PT depends on that.

2 things I agree big time about : 1. Weight training for incoming frosh (I'd be surprised Uconn does not do that) 2. Solid BB practices for Frosh in the summer .

Yet most of what you write above is true and positive towards Moriah Jefferson. I have second and third guessed Geno before --I've been right some times and sometimes wish I was wrong and at time's I was no John Wooden. When KML was a Frosh--Muffet et al
in a very tight and close game--tripled teamed KML a couple of times in a live or die situation--that may have effected Moriah's frosh pt.

 

[Carnac]

I've read every comment and take posted here, keep them coming. You've posted some very interesting thoughts comments so far. Things to make one pause and wonder what if. It's nice to have something real and meaningful to comment on other than you know who. I'm still hoping like some others that she has chosen to reveal her decision during UConn's "First Night" festivities this Friday evening.

It's interesting that so many voters think that Napheesa Collier will show the most improvement, and that others believe that Butler has the most room for improvement and is really needed and will be counted on to do so. Butler came to UConn with a lot of hype and fanfare, after being named the freshman of the year in the BIG East Conference. Something tells me we have not seen the real Natalie Butler up to this point. No one knows this better than Butler herself. Many think we'll see Natalie Butler have a break out year in 2016, let's hope so.

The coaching staff has a keen eye for talent. They also know how to coach said talent and bring out the full potential a player has within. Media reports and player interviews should begin to surface from practice sessions by the end of next week. Ahhh finally, the smell of WCBB is in the air.

 

[Carnac]

don't disagree with much of what you say except with the comments about her fear--I never read them --I suspect that all decent players on UC team want desperately to please Geno--they know that PT depends on that.

I could see the fear/concern on Moriah's face and body language. I didn't have to read it. The way see constantly look over at the bench to see how Geno was reacting. In the ND game, she was in slightly over her head, and knew it. That's why she was a little nervous. She knew how good Diggins was. She knew Diggins was going to play UConn and her, with a "no fear" attitude and approach.

Diggins never feared UConn. She was one of the few players that looked forward to the challenge every time they met. Look at at the ND game Mo's freshman year, then look at the ND game her junior and senior years.
Totally different facial expressions, different body language. She knew she was the best guard on the floor and the quickest. Also notice that she seldom glanced towards the bench during the ND game her senior year. When she did, it was for instructions, not to see if Geno approved or not. Her junior and senior year, she knew exactly what Geno wanted her to do, and she did it!!!