Who's the 5th starter?

[meyers7]

Forgive my impolite correction, Meyers, but you simply cannot mess up the name of the second greatest basketball coach of all time (after Geno) from the greatest sports movie ever made...it's Norman DALE. (not the computer guy)

Sorry, I should have known that. I probably did know that. (In my defense I have been looking at buy a new computer. ) One of my favorite sports movies.

 

[Gabbyfan]

well, my handle says it all. I think Gabby is a sure all american candidate if she improves those parts of her game that are needed to achieve this level (mid range jumper and free throw shooting). I agree with those who believe it is better that Butler is better coming off the bench replacing either Tuck, Gabby or Stewie. This is Geno's challenge as I have said before in my first ever thread....putting this talented team together in a way that takes advantage of match ups and newly found chemistry between certain players. I am sure everyone is excited to see how this all unfolds and what Geno uncovers as the practices and season begins.

 

[Bigpetunia]

Because this team boasts such an embarrassment of riches, and because its in-conference schedule will permit endless opportunities for "tinkering." All of our conjecture is, of course, just that....but I suspect that Geno's thinking was likely altered somewhat by last season's experience.

Just as we all know that the three most important things in baseball are pitching, pitching and pitching, and that in real estate it's location, location, etc., I think Geno has come to regard the three most critical factors in UConn basketball as speed, speed, and more speed, and the salutary effect that factor has both on transition and on team defense. Just my opinion, but I thnk he may be more willing than ever to depart from traditional starting lineup preferences in favor of going initially with more quickness and athleticism...ergo, Gabby.

 

[Godfather]

It's really not about who starts, you can start a player that only plays 5mpg and not start a player that plays 15-20mpg

 

[meyers7]

It's really not about who starts, you can start a player that only plays 5mpg and not start a player that plays 15-20mpg

While true Geno has done that in the past, I don't really think that is applicable this year. The starters are going to play good minutes. In the past he had done that with Seniors for their leadership qualities at the beginning of the games (Doty, Duran, Rose). But this year the leadership is already starting (Tuck, Stewart, Jefferson). So Nurse and the 5th starter are going be in there because of their talent, not just because they're experienced leaders.

 

[CL82]

Godfather you and I are kind of on the same page. Against the vast majority of teams we play, there will plenty of minutes to go around regardless of who starts.

 

[CajunHusky]

Well, I know who is the 5th starter for Senior night...... Brianna Pulido!!!

 

[chrissaran]

Nothing against Saniya because her playing well benefits the team; however, she played almost not at all in the tournament. She needs to be more consistent and less nervous when it's crunch time.

 

[CajunHusky]

Nothing against Saniya because her playing well benefits the team; however, she played almost not at all in the tournament. She needs to be more consistent and less nervous when it's crunch time.

Coach has said on more than one occasion that when the tournament his 5 starters go the distance. I wouldn't read anything into minutes in the NCAA.

But even with her limited minutes I didn't see any nervousness on Saniya's part ... in fact I thought she was confident and aggressive. I was particularly impressed with how she was anticipating the passing lanes on defense. On the other hand Tuck, Nurse and Williams all seemed to have some serious jitters ...

 

[rugbymate]

Butler. She brings to the team an upside that some of the other potential starters don't . As had been said, you can't teach height( and possibly desire) and Butler clearly has it. If Butler can stick the mid-range jumper, which forces the opposing big to pop out and defend, then she will make Stewie and Tuck much more efficient players, particularly in the paint. Should she prove ineffective offensively it will open up playing time and possibly a starting role for the more athletic Gabby or Collier.
Lots of options...all of which are good.

 

[Tonyc]

One point no one has mentioned. Not this seasons lineup but what will next seasons lineup be without Stewie and Mojeff. Who replaces them and who do we need at each position. Who will be ready to start? Nurse Tuck and who else? I would think Butler, Katie Lou and Collier but who plays the point? A lot will depend on how things play out this season. This season is a really big deal because UConn should blow through every game and needs to be ready for next season.

 

[baggerbob]

Didn't UConn win the first two of their three straight championships with Stef at center. If Natalie can slow the motion a bit like Stef did, I'll take that again and again.

Having Natalie in the post gives Stewie the ability to face up, and see the defense, shoot, pass, or drive. If Natalie can shoot the 15 foot jumper, you have someone who can actually get the ball to Stewie in the post. Stef was good at getting the ball to Stewie, last year too many times Stewie had the defender sealed, and didn't get the ball, or it went out of bounds.

 

[HoopsFan21]

One point no one has mentioned. Not this seasons lineup but what will next seasons lineup be without Stewie and Mojeff. Who replaces them and who do we need at each position. Who will be ready to start? Nurse Tuck and who else? I would think Butler, Katie Lou and Collier but who plays the point? A lot will depend on how things play out this season. This season is a really big deal because UConn should blow through every game and needs to be ready for next season.

I think Chong plays alongside Nurse with heavy spells of CD to get her ready to take the point the following season when Chong graduates.

 

[Bronxjeff]

Natalie is 6'5" with a great attitude.

 

[meyers7]

One point no one has mentioned. Not this seasons lineup but what will next seasons lineup be without Stewie and Mojeff. Who replaces them and who do we need at each position. Who will be ready to start? Nurse Tuck and who else? I would think Butler, Katie Lou and Collier but who plays the point? A lot will depend on how things play out this season. This season is a really big deal because UConn should blow through every game and needs to be ready for next season.

We have all next summer to talk about that, Tony. Patience grasshopper, patience.

 

[DobbsRover2]

We have all next summer to talk about that, Tony. Patience grasshopper, patience.

Indeed, and in deference to one of the recently departed, "Come along and share the good times while we can." Enjoy each of these seasons to the max while they're happening, and no reason to go dwelling two years down the road at this point. Every one of these seasons is very special, and it's especially good that SNY can bring a lot of the games to us in exhaustingly deep and cheerful detail.

 

[CocoHusky]

One point no one has mentioned. Not this seasons lineup but what will next seasons lineup be without Stewie and Mojeff. Who replaces them and who do we need at each position. Who will be ready to start? Nurse Tuck and who else? I would think Butler, Katie Lou and Collier but who plays the point? A lot will depend on how things play out this season. This season is a really big deal because UConn should blow through every game and needs to be ready for next season.

Tony this is clearly a rules violation for which I intend to report you! The 2016-17 UCONN starting lineup CANNOT & MUST NOT be speculated about prior to April 15, 2016-but I like where you were going with it.

 

[meyers7]

Last day to get your vote in. So far it's Butler starting. We'll have to make sure Geno gets the results of the poll.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Last day to get your vote in. So far it's Butler starting. We'll have to make sure Geno gets the results of the poll.

And it would be good for Natalie to have this thing all squared away now so she can just sit back, rest up, and take it easy until that first OSU game. No reason to get yourself all sweaty and exhausted for three months if you don't have to, and I'm reasonably assured that Geno would agree.

 

[johnnyc]

Last day to get your vote in. So far it's Butler starting.

So far? What..... you expect a flood of absentee ballots or something?

We'll have to make sure Geno gets the results of the poll.

I nominate you to hand deliver it to him.

 

[meyers7]

So far? What..... you expect a flood of absentee ballots or something?

It's never over until the fat lady sings, (or Muffett chooses not to foul ).

I nominate you to hand deliver it to him.

If someone could get me a face-to-face.

Although I think that a BY endorsement would pretty much doom Butler to the bench.

 

[meyers7]

 

[wbfree]

wbfree said: "Not so sure Nurse is a lock to start."

[/ QUOTE]
I'm entitled to my opinion. I'm sure Gabby, Napheesa, KLS, Saniya, Courtney don't think she's a lock, so they must be crazy too. I'm sure Geno doesn't think she's a lock. He doesn't give anything away. Yes, she'll probably start, but what if Gabby or one of the other competing guards make a huge jump. What if she loses her jump shot? Nothing in sports is a sure thing.

 

[wbfree]

wbfree said: "Not so sure Nurse is a lock to start."

 

[johnnyc]

I'm entitled to my opinion. I'm sure Gabby, Napheesa, KLS, Saniya, Courtney don't think she's a lock, so they must be crazy too. I'm sure Geno doesn't think she's a lock. He doesn't give anything away. Yes, she'll probably start, but what if Gabby or one of the other competing guards make a huge jump. What if she loses her jump shot? Nothing in sports is a sure thing.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I believe Geno has Kia Nurse penciled in as a starter.

 

[Kaizen]

I will be really happy to see anyone in the team as the 5th starter.
Just pray everyone is healthy in the 2015-2016 season.

 

[meyers7]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I believe Geno has Kia Nurse penciled in as a starter.

The kind of limb you can build a treehouse on.

Probably pen her in.

 

[meyers7]

I'm entitled to my opinion.

Yes you are. Even the crazy ones.

I'm sure Gabby, Napheesa, KLS, Saniya, Courtney don't think she's a lock, so they must be crazy too.

Yea, I think they would be.

I'm sure Geno doesn't think she's a lock.

I'm betting he does. I'm guessing he thinks she damn well better be.

Yes, she'll probably start, but what if Gabby or one of the other competing guards make a huge jump.]

She'll start anyway. Injury is the only thing gonna keep her from starting.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Natalie Butler will join Stewie, MoJeff, Tuck, and Nurse in the starting lineup! Gabby and her off the charts athletic ability is a game-changer coming off the bench! Geno loves that! That's what Swanier and Dixon brought to the games! Butler is a Stefanie clone and will bring all her +'s plus the same wacky personality! I think the 3 rookies will be allowed to bring their talents along slower than Stef and Bria had to their freshmen year! Anyway it's not where you start it's where you finish! In close BIG games, it's who's on the floor the last 5 minutes that will tell the story!
TonyC- - I'm thinking, in 2016-2017, Butler at C, Nurse at PG, Tuck at PF, Collier at SF, KLS at SG will start with Gabby at SF and Saniya at PG, early off the bench!

 

[chrissaran]

CajunHusky, it's easy not to have jitters when you're not starting and you're not asked to do much. Watch Saniya when she plays defense. Her feet move a mile a minute, but she's not going anywhere. If we had to rely on her last year as the fifth starter, the road to the championship would have been much more difficult. Kia is by far the better player. She was a freshman starting on the best team in college basketball. How long did Saniya start? Two games. Also, did you watch the Pan Am games. There is no debate. Natalie will start because she brings a physical presence. Is Morgan going to guard Mercedes Russell if they play UT? Four inches shorter and I don't know how many pounds lighter. Morgan is not a great jumper or rebounder. You want to get that fast break started, start Natalie, already a much better rebounder and more athletic than Stef, who was fantastic her last two years. Gabby, Napheesa and Katie Lou will get their minutes; they just won't be starting.