Yanna is just happy to be playing ball again

[DEpup]

Ayanna will be relegated to a bench role, not a “first eight” position. Her skills were lacking beforehand. Two years away from competition will have further eroded her development.

I don't agree with this comment. She came into UConn injured and then got more injured. No one can say they've actually seen her demonstrating the skills she has in a healthy body. I'm reserving my judgement until then.

 

[BBallF]

Minutes are discussed because that is what motivates players. I can speak from D-1 experience, even “team-first” players want to play. Diluting the minutes per player can and will have an effect. The generic “ trust in the coaches” arguments don’t solve the quite real problem.

It's not the subject of minutes, every player wants to always play. It's the construct that there are this amount of minutes for the starters and this amount for everyone else. That is not going to happen this year. It actually didn't happen at times last year. In the NC game, as an example, Ice played more minutes than Jana, who started, and KK played only a few minutes less than KC. Ash played more than both of them. The way a player is playing and for Geno practicing will have the most impact on their playing time. Not some pre-determined number of minutes for the starters and subs. One of the reasons we were so strong in the FF is because for the first time in years, we had a real bench. This year we have a super bench. Geno will use it and if it means he gets to rest his starters more, that becomes a huge advantage.

I'm not sure who you think is making a "trust the coaches" argument as the solution because I don't think there is or will be a problem. I do trust Geno to have a system that will best suit the players and talent, just like small ball last year did. I also played college basketball and while it is true that every player wants to always be playing, the whole idea of team first and doing your job goes with the territory here at UCONN and will surprise no one who is wearing this uniform.

 

[Bald Husky]

Let's not forget that Ayanna is legally blind in one eye. When she played as a freshman she always (I think I am remembering correctly) wore goggles during her time on the floor. I don't see the goggles during these practice clips, but I hope she does wear them during games to protect her other eye. I think she will surprise many people, as we forget she was a top 5 recruit, with rebounding her forte with the ability to dunk. I am really looking forward to seeing her play.