Aaliyah Edwards to UConn!!!

[JoePgh]

ZERO chance!

As long as she is healthy Williams will start EVERY game she has remaining at UConn! She needs to "make a big jump"? She is averaging 15pts/5rbs/2ast!

1. Westbrook
2. Williams
3. Walker
4. Edwards
5. Nelson-Ododa

You and SVCBeercats appear to differ on only one of the five starters: will it be Christyn or Anna? If it comes down to that choice, I would be inclined to favor Anna because of her size (although that's less important if both Aaliyah and Olivia are on the floor), her shooting, and her passing. But I agree it is a close call, and depends really on which player will be more consistent in her productivity.

I think most Boneyarders expect to see Paige in the starting lineup, and I agree that is possible at some point in the season. If that happens, I think Christyn will be the one who sits down (at the start of the game) to make room for her.

I think Evina, Meg, and Olivia will be 30-35 minute players (barring injury or foul trouble) and there will be a shuttle service between Paige and Christyn in the backcourt, and between Anna and Aaliyah in the front court. But I think Geno will attach a high priority to getting Megan out on the wing, so she doesn't have to defend opposing bigs in the paint.

 

[donalddoowop]

Don't be surprised if Mir starts before any of the other freshmen. In the early 2000s Geno would redshirt a freshman. I suppose that would not work today,

 

[cohenzone]

I’ll answer that. Aaliyah would start at power forward in place of whomever initially starts at the wing: Anna, Evina, Aubrey? Megan then moves to the wing.

If all the recruits deliver early on on their promise, the starters won’t matter that much. Lots of different looks might be possible.

 

[oldude]

If all the recruits deliver early on on their promise, the starters won’t matter that much. Lots of different looks might be possible.

Absolutely. Geno could go big. He could put 5 shooters on the floor. He could also put 4-5 lockdown defenders on the court. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching it all evolve.

 

[Jingo]

ZERO chance!

As long as she is healthy Williams will start EVERY game she has remaining at UConn! She needs to "make a big jump"? She is averaging 15pts/5rbs/2ast!

1. Westbrook
2. Williams
3. Walker
4. Edwards
5. Nelson-Ododa

I like Paige and Ania at the "1" and the "2" .. EW hasn't played competitively for a long time and is coming off two surgeries, she's an unknown quantity .. and I don't think she is remotely close to PB as a pg .. and Ania is a better passer, rebounder and scorer than CW.
If "defense and rebounding win championships", then I like my 2-2-1 zone press with Aubrey and Mir on top, Aaliyah and Paige/Ania in the back and Liv protecting the rim. So there!

 

[soxfan23]

I like Paige and Ania at the "1" and the "2" .. EW hasn't played competitively for a long time and is coming off two surgeries, she's an unknown quantity .. and I don't think she is remotely close to PB as a pg .. and Ania is a better passer, rebounder and scorer than CW.
If "defense and rebounding win championships", then I like my 2-2-1 zone press with Aubrey and Mir on top, Aaliyah and Paige/Ania in the back and Liv protecting the rim. So there!

We are all certainly entitled to our own opinions, no matter how outlandish they may be.

 

[soxfan23]

Don't be surprised if Mir starts before any of the other freshmen. In the early 2000s Geno would redshirt a freshman. I suppose that would not work today,

She is too raw offensively at this point.

 

[Steelerone]

Wonderful news from Crestwood Prep. With the addition of Aaliyah Edwards to an already uber-talented recruiting class, UConn has now secured a complete set: 1 Center, 2 Guards & 2 Forwards. A few random thoughts:

• I am truly impressed that a 17-year-old can stand up in front of a crowd and speak contemporaneously for 15-20 minutes. Aaliyah’s obvious emotion during one of the most important days in her life was genuinely moving.
• While UConn’s 2020 Recruiting Class will have to compete for PT with some really talented players, both ahead and behind them, most schools in the country would happily take this class as their starting 5 for the next 4 years. They have talent, incredible athleticism, size and enormous potential.
• Over the past few years, some of us may have felt Geno was losing a step or two after missing on several high-profile recruits. But there are a couple things that we should never forget about Geno: he adapts better than any other WBB coach and he is a fierce competitor. From the moment last season ended Geno and his staff were incredibly active patching up this season’s holes in the roster with talented transfers/international players and then going out and landing 5 really talented players for next year.
• As for Aaliyah, while I certainly don’t know the details concerning her recruitment, I will speculate that a couple assists should be handed out. I’m certain the four prior 2020 commits worked hard on her to seal the deal this past weekend at First Night, but I also suspect that Paige took it as a personal challenge to land Aaliyah as her teammate. I am already fantasizing about Paige racing down the middle of the court with the ball in her hands, leading a fast break, with Mir on one wing and Aaliyah on the other. SHOWTIME!!!
• In addition, I suspect that another assist should be handed out to a young lady who also hails from north of the border and was a member of the Canadian National Team while still in HS. To UConn fans, Kia Nurse was a fierce competitor and relentless defender. To Canadians, particularly young WBB players, Kia Nurse is something of a Rock Star. For those that don’t know, Crestwood Prep is a “basketball factory” in Canada. It’s my understanding that there are several really talented young ladies at Crestwood who are dreaming about playing for UConn, where they can follow in Kia, and now Aaliyah’s footsteps.
• Finally, we can dispense with any additional speculation. I’m calling it now. UConn’s 2020 recruiting class will be the #1 Class in the Nation.

Very informative Old Dog.. It appears that with the next couple of recruiting classes coming in that the Boneyard will be chattering day and night.

 

[Steelerone]

Her whole announcement was a lot of thanking people and programs who helped her along the way. She got emotional when talking about the pride in playing for Team Canada. Got emotional when talking about her family. Said the program she was choosing has everything she wants and needs to help her get thru 4 years of college and grow and improve and move on to the next level.

Also said the program she's choosing can really help her be the person she wants to be and how much she appreciates the coaches and her teammates and thanked them for their interest in her.

The whole auditorium erupted when she announced UCONN...

She strikes me as an incredibly thoughtful and humble kid. We are all going to love her. Welcome to OUR family Aaliyah! Clearly yours has raised a gem!

She appears to be the personification of the type of player Geno trys to recruit and, thankfully, is usually successful in doing so.

 

[Steelerone]

Agree with everything you said. As far as rankings, Both Gabriel and Muhl are not listed on the top 100 for HG. Both are graded as level 90. I have no doubt Muhl is a top 20 kid (much as most of us felt Nurse was a top 10 kid). And Gabriel will probably rise to the 70's or so. Regardless, It's a tremendous class no matter what the "experts" tell everyone...

On edit, Gabriel is listed as #41 per PN...

I remember when Kara Wolters was recruited. The best thing being said about her was that she was Willy Wolters kid so maybe she can play. I think she might be the model in terms of getting the very most out of her talent.

 

[Jingo]

We are all certainly entitled to our own opinions, no matter how outlandish they may be.

Nah! .. not outlandish at all .. my landlady likes my picks!

 

[Steelerone]

2020-21 (11)

SR: Walker (F)
SR/JR: Westbrook (G)
JR: CW (G), Ono (C)
SO: Griffin (F), Makurat (G)
FR: Bueckers (PG), McLean (W), Edwards (W), Muhl (G), Gabriel (F)

2021-22 (10)
SR: CW (G), Ono (C)
JR: Griffin (F), Makurat (G)
SO: Bueckers (PG), McLean (W), Edwards (W), Muhl (G), Gabriel (F)
FR: Poffenbarger (G)

Add Amari Deberry to the 21-22 class.

 

[Carnac]

ZERO chance!

As long as she is healthy Williams will start EVERY game she has remaining at UConn! She needs to "make a big jump"? She is averaging 15pts/5rbs/2ast!

1. Westbrook
2. Williams
3. Walker
4. Edwards
5. Nelson-Ododa

This is why we’re going to have some long healthy debates about the 5 players Geno sends out for that first exhibition game in November. Lots of different opinions on this, but that’s a good thing. This would be a boring place if we all agreed on everything.

 

[Steelerone]

It appears that Geno won't have to stay up nights worrying about rebounding next year. Don't worry, though, he always manages to find somethiing. If Geno struck gold in his back yard he would shake his head and tell you that "This is going to raise hell with my garden next year".

 

[MilfordHusky]

Absolutely. Geno could go big. He could put 5 shooters on the floor. He could also put 4-5 lockdown defenders on the court. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching it all evolve.

How’s this for a press?

Liv
Aubrey
Aaliyah
Mir
Paige

Save Meg, Evina, and Christyn for the halfcourt offense.

The following year, add Amari and Saylor the Ballhawk.

 

[SVCBeercats]

I agree 100% with Meyers on this, she's got potential to be awesome off the bench the way Aubrey is this year but as far as staring in January over ONO, CW, MW, Anna or Evina, I don't see it. Add Paige into the mix and definitely don't see it. Let's be honest, Paige will start before Aaliyah BUT BOTH will see significant minutes. Just as long as we win, who cares who starts...

Let's be honest! Yes, I agree. Let's be honest and admit UCONN needs post help far more than guard help in order to win the NCAA. Olivia is a very good player but not Stewart. Having said that, Stewart did have post help across her 4 years - Dolson, Stokes, Tuck. Geno will be fast tracking Aaliyah a al Dawn fast tracking Boston. It can be done. She already has experience playing against serious competition above and beyond high school and about 2/3 of UCONN next season opponents.

 

[Jingo]

How’s this for a press?

Liv
Aubrey
Aaliyah
Mir
Paige

Save Meg, Evina, and Christyn for the halfcourt offense.

The following year, add Amari and Saylor the Ballhawk.

Love it! .. perfect! .. you are wise beyond your years .. besides steals and disruptions, this squad would be a terror on the boards, incomparable!!! Defense and rebounding win championships!
I assume you are envisioning a 2-2-1 zone press w/ Mir & Aubrey on top and Liv protecting the rim, eh? Wonderful...

 

[meyers7]

Love it! .. perfect! .. you are wise beyond your years .. besides steals and disruptions, this squad would be a terror on the boards, incomparable!!! Defense and rebounding win championships!

You sound like a TN coach. You gotta be able to put the ball in the hoop.

 

[oldude]

You sound like a TN coach. You gotta be able to put the ball in the hoop.

Actually, a TN coach would simplify it even further to, “We just have to play harder.”

 

[JonathanXIV]

You know that Jingo has been beating this drum for months. Needs to have something to do as Aubrey apparently won't lead the team in scoring this year.

 

[Jingo]

You sound like a TN coach. You gotta be able to put the ball in the hoop.

Are you possibly saying that Liv, Paige, Aaliyah, Mir & Aubrey can't put the ball in the hoop? Amazing!

 

[Jingo]

You know that Jingo has been beating this drum for months. Needs to have something to do as Aubrey apparently won't lead the team in scoring this year.

Yes mebbe not lead the team in scoring but I did point out, early on, how special she was and certainly capable of scoring in bunches, eh?

 

[meyers7]

Are you possibly saying that Liv, Paige, Aaliyah, Mir & Aubrey can't put the ball in the hoop? Amazing!

Ummm no, I'm not saying that. Wasn't even talking about the players themselves. Was talking about the antiquated philosophy that Rebounding/Defense wins championships. How has that worked out for TN lately?

As for players, if you bring in athletes instead of basketball players, you kind of got to go with that philosophy though. But you're not winning championships. Again, just ask TN.

There's a reason UCONN usually never has all that many offensive rebounds. They put the ball in the basket.

 

[Littlemin]

Are you possibly saying that Liv, Paige, Aaliyah, Mir & Aubrey can't put the ball in the hoop? Amazing!

Really, more amazing that after your off the charts prediction for Griffin was so wrong you would go off on someone wondering if 3 players who have never played a minute of D1 ball, plus a reserve has not shown much offensive versatility could consistently score at this level as a group. And for the record, Griffin has generally played very well in a specialist role, I am only commenting on her offense.

 

[meyers7]

Yes mebbe not lead the team in scoring but I did point out, early on, how special she was and certainly capable of scoring in bunches, eh?

Mebbe not lead the team in scoring???? How about she's not even in the top 5. Like we told you it was gonna be, unless really, really bad things happened to this team. And one of them, Westbrook denied, did happen. And she's still not in the top 5.

Come on, put on your big boy pants and admit you were wrong. "Yea, I was completely out to lunch, I don't know what I was thinking."

Look, we knew she was as athletic as h*ll. And we hoped/thought she could have an impact on the team, which she has. But lead the team in scoring???? No freaking way.

p.s. She's most likely not leading the team in scoring next year either. Look, she might (might) eventually be as good as Gabby Williams (which would be unbelievable if she could get there), but still, Williams never led the team in scoring. Even as a 2 time AA.