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.

 

[HopJim]

Ice is way better offensively than Kiah Stokes. As for Yanna, I guess we’ll have to wait and see but I’d have to say she’s probably better too. Of course, Kiah was a defensive monster compared to either.

Not sure I understand the comparison to Kiah Stokes. Kiah was a monster on the boards, a great defensive player, and, due to her rebounding, a surprising offensive asset via her many putbacks/layups. Not sure how much her injuries hurt Yanna, but she was one of the weaker defensive players her first year. Poor defense is not a good way to get playing time at UConn.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I think those preaching that some players will get sort of "left behind" in playing minutes are really underestimating this roster of women!
IMHO if relatively healthy all year this will definitely be the greatest team in Division I history!
Geno and his staff have so many options, that the third mix could make the Elite 8!
Except for possibly Gandy and Ferris there are 13 talented young ladies that could terrorize their opponents!
The practices will be legendary for their intensity!
Geno might have to call off the dogs some times!
His starters might start out with major minutes, but by late January Geno will see that he can go deeper and still maintain the pressure on our opponents!
We will have to wait and see but I'm betting the farm on the above!
I turned 78 yesterday so I'm feeling lucky (not healthy) to preach the above!

 

[uconnfan68]

Not sure I understand the comparison to Kiah Stokes. Kiah was a monster on the boards, a great defensive player, and, due to her rebounding, a surprising offensive asset via her many putbacks/layups. Not sure how much her injuries hurt Yanna, but she was one of the weaker defensive players her first year. Poor defense is not a good way to get playing time at UConn.

Poor Kiah. She was the best rebounder and shotblocker we've ever had, but it wasn't good enough for some.

 

[Conndog]

Plus, wasn’t Kiah 6’4 versus 6’2 Ayanna?

 

[Bone Dog]

Plus, wasn’t Kiah 6’4 versus 6’2 Ayanna?

I’ve seen conflicting information on this. Sometimes Kiah is listed at 6’3”, and Ayanna seems to be a big 6’2”. So I’m not sure how much of a difference there is between them.

I seem to recall a center out Creighton (maybe) a few decades ago who was listed at 7’2”, but he had a very long neck. Judging from the height of his shoulders and the length of his arms he might have played like he was only 6’10”.

 

[WiseWillie]

I’ve seen conflicting information on this. Sometimes Kiah is listed at 6’3”, and Ayanna seems to be a big 6’2”. So I’m not sure how much of a difference there is between them.

I seem to recall a center out Creighton (maybe) a few decades ago who was listed at 7’2”, but he had a very long neck. Judging from the height of his shoulders and the length of his arms he might have played like he was only 6’10”.

Wow. Guess we really should be considering the complete anatomy of players, not just height. Arm length. Palm dimensions. Neck length. Would hair height count? Just having a little fun. Now back to the more serious stuff. 😄

 

[Dugway]

I think those preaching that some players will get sort of "left behind" in playing minutes are really underestimating this roster of women!
IMHO if relatively healthy all year this will definitely be the greatest team in Division I history!
Geno and his staff have so many options, that the third mix could make the Elite 8!
Except for possibly Gandy and Ferris there are 13 talented young ladies that could terrorize their opponents!
The practices will be legendary for their intensity!
Geno might have to call off the dogs some times!
His starters might start out with major minutes, but by late January Geno will see that he can go deeper and still maintain the pressure on our opponents!
We will have to wait and see but I'm betting the farm on the above!
I turned 78 yesterday so I'm feeling lucky (not healthy) to preach the above!

Happy Birthday! It's probably just like the one you got your driver's license?

 

[Cuango]

Not sure I understand the comparison to Kiah Stokes. Kiah was a monster on the boards, a great defensive player, and, due to her rebounding, a surprising offensive asset via her many putbacks/layups. Not sure how much her injuries hurt Yanna, but she was one of the weaker defensive players her first year. Poor defense is not a good way to get playing time at UConn.

It was a response.

 

[BBallF]

I think those preaching that some players will get sort of "left behind" in playing minutes are really underestimating this roster of women!
IMHO if relatively healthy all year this will definitely be the greatest team in Division I history!
Geno and his staff have so many options, that the third mix could make the Elite 8!
Except for possibly Gandy and Ferris there are 13 talented young ladies that could terrorize their opponents!
The practices will be legendary for their intensity!
Geno might have to call off the dogs some times!
His starters might start out with major minutes, but by late January Geno will see that he can go deeper and still maintain the pressure on our opponents!
We will have to wait and see but I'm betting the farm on the above!
I turned 78 yesterday so I'm feeling lucky (not healthy) to preach the above!

Belated Happy Birthday. I have been saying something similar for months. Geno coaches the team he has. All great coaches do. Last year he played 9 solid players during the major course of a game and Aubrey, if not injured the year before, being one of those 9, would have seen a lot more minutes. That's because he had 9 quality players. This year he has at least 11 if not 12 or 13 who can go into a game and make an impact. This is not a team that has 6 quality players and then just end of the game subs. It's not just the numbers it's the unique and high level type of players coming off the bench.

So let me just put KK, Sarah, Serah, and Azzi aside for a moment. Now I look at Ash- Quick, instant offense, excellent defender, surprising offensive rebounder, a happy warrior. Has to play maybe start. Kayleigh- Smart natural point guard, good handle, can drive left or right, pull up, shoot the three and get the ball underneath. Has to play. Ice- Does her job. Has a soft touch from 15, total team player, solid back up underneath who proves herself at the biggest moments. Has to play. Caroline- A 6'2' guard with a nose for the basket who moves without the ball almost as well as Pheesa. Has a good 3, a pull up J and loves to post up. Smart and gutsy who has a lot of mental toughness and a reason to play her best. A senior who has to play. Jana- I hope everyone realizes that we don't win it last year without her. It's a no brainer. Has to play. Morgan- If back to even 90%, was a Geno favorite. A 6'2" strong player who can defend, deflect, rebound and get on the floor. She actually has good offensive skills but we rarely saw them. Has to play if healthy. Blanca- Oldude's X factor. From what I've seen in clips she is a solid 6'2', slashes, can shoot the 3, is strong, good handle left and right and agile and flat out has to play. Ayanna- As strong a player coming off the bench as we have had in a long time. So far I have only seen clips of her driving. It's terrifying. Has to play. So that's 12. I have 3 left and of the 3, I think Allie has to play. A pure 3 point shooter she wants the ball and can break open a game and has a year under her belt now.

I think we are going to see pressing with several substitutions, high -low options with 6'2",6'4" and 6'5" players, an inside power game the likes of which we haven't seen since Tuck, Stewart and Stokes and maybe Jones, Cash and Williams, high energy, constant half court pressure defenses, and great inside and transition passing. We will run with fresh legs as a steady diet and if someone is having an off night, no worries we got someone else. It's a tall but happy task for Geno but he is the best ever so we have a lot to look forward to.

So yes, it's a lot of players but they are each different in history, strengths, specialties, and talents. When he blends them together in February as he always does, they will make for one hell of a brew.

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[mauconnfan]

Ice is way better offensively than Kiah Stokes. As for Yanna, I guess we’ll have to wait and see but I’d have to say she’s probably better too. Of course, Kiah was a defensive monster compared to either.

Ice can’t rebound the ball so if Ayanna can go get it she’ll see time for sure. Strong is the only solid board getter returning and they will need to rebound the ball. Would like her to get a shot, great story so we will see.