Better Next Year? Really?

[psconn]

The optimistic view is that with additional growth by Stewie, Mo and Tuck, the addition of a Dolson clone in Butler, the outside shooting of KLS to replace K's shooting, the amazing skill set of Collier and hard working Boykin, not to mention Gaby, Kia, Chong and Ekmark who we all expect to be better next season, should make UConn even better than this last season. A lot of things can happen that can change it (injuries, lack of chemistry, slow transition to the college game by the fr., etc) but as things are looking so far, the optimism seems justified.

 

[psconn]

The optimistic view is that with additional growth by Stewie, Mo and Tuck, the addition of a Dolson clone in Butler, the outside shooting of KLS to replace K's shooting, the amazing skill set of Collier and hard working Boykin, not to mention Gaby, Kia, Chong and Ekmark who we all expect to be better next season, should make UConn even better than this last season. A lot of things can happen that can change it (injuries, lack of chemistry, slow transition to the college game by the fr., etc) but as things are looking so far, the optimism seems justified.

Optimism is great, but when you make those two statements I gotta back off a bit. Way too soon for comparisons to the amazing Stefanie Dolson. Probably a bit unfair to Natalie also. KML left as the most prolific 3-point shooter in the history of the NCAA. Lou should be good, but REPLACE Kaleena's shooting? Possible but unlikely. Neither of these guys needs to be as great as those past players to make a significant impact on next year's team and I'm optimistic that they will do that much.

 

[Waquoit]

The team will be better…Much better

Nope, the team just lost the best 3 point shooter in history. No one coming in can replace that. I can't believe that people have forgotten what a weapon that has been.

 

[oneresult]

The coach that had both these 3 pt greats and he said:
you haven't seened a 3pt shooter as good as KLS
Can't wait

 

[psconn]

The coach that had both these 3 pt greats and he said:
you haven't seened a 3pt shooter as good as KLS
Can't wait

 

[CL82]

You know we always tend to hype the immediate impact to the incoming freshman. Often, although we can see the skills that they bring, it takes a while to learn Geno's worldview and adjust to the speed of elite WCBB. The obvious exceptions from last year are Sadie and Kia Nurse.

Sadie had an excellent year for a freshman and adjusted to a new position to be a real lift of the bench. Kia, in my view, was other worldly (appropriate since I guess she is an alien right?) in her ability to step in and play right away. She faded a bit at the end, with just a tough of self doubt, but overall it is tough to imagine a better freshman season.

It may be too much to expect lightening to strike twice, so I'm not putting a lot expectations on our incoming trio. They are enormously talented but I'm not expecting them to carry the load this year.

That leaves us with Natalie Butler. I think she will be huge (pun intended) for us this year. The addition of a more traditional post presence allows Geno to use Stewart's tremendously broad skill set to great advantage. I think Natalie is the "x" factor on next year's team. I suspect she will be a very pleasant surprise to the casual fan.

 

[nd2tty]

You know we always tend to hype the immediate impact to the incoming freshman. Often, although we can see the skills that they bring, it takes a while to learn Geno's worldview and adjust to the speed of elite WCBB. The obvious exceptions from last year are Sadie and Kia Nurse.

Sadie had an excellent year for a freshman and adjusted to a new position to be a real lift of the bench. Kia, in my view, was other worldly (appropriate since I guess she is an alien right?) in her ability to step in and play right away. She faded a bit at the end, with just a tough of self doubt, but overall it is tough to imagine a better freshman season.

It may be too much to expect lightening to strike twice, so I'm not putting a lot expectations on our incoming trio. They are enormously talented but I'm not expecting them to carry the load this year.

That leaves us with Natalie Butler. I think she will be huge (pun intended) for us this year. The addition of a more traditional post presence allows Geno to use Stewart's tremendously broad skill set to great advantage. I think Natalie is the "x" factor on next year's team. I suspect she will be a very pleasant surprise to the casual fan.

I think that might be giving a bit too much credit to Sadie Edwards, given that she played in 6 games, averaged 5 mins, and then transferred.

 

[CL82]

I think that might be giving a bit too much credit to Sadie Edwards, given that she played in 6 games, averaged 5 mins, and then transferred.

Ugh, that was embarrassing...complete mind fart on my part of course I meant Gabby Williams....

 

[nd2tty]

Ugh, that was embarrassing...complete mind fart on my part of course I meant Gabby Williams....

 

[Kibitzer]

It may be too much to expect lightening to strike twice,

ahem.

lightning (no e)

All in fun, and gives me an opportunity to recite a favorite Mark Twain quote:

"Thunder is good. Thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work"​

 

[CL82]

ahem.

lightning (no e)

All in fun, and gives me an opportunity to recite a favorite Mark Twain quote:

"Thunder is good. Thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work"​

Kib, I've come to accept that I'm a walking typo generating machine on this forum. By the time I get back round to rereading my posts, the 15 minute (why Tom, just why?) window on edit posts has passed.

 

[UcMiami]

Kaleena was fantastic and her last two years she was so much more than a spot-up three point specialist (and credit to her for expanding her game.) But I do want to point out something that has been bothering me for the last month. Her record proves that she is the most 'prolific' three point shooter in NCAA D1 history which does not actually equate to 'best'. The most efficient three point shooter in Uconn history is Sue Bird who ranks 9th in NCAA history at 45.9% while Kaleena ranks 13th at 44.7%. Kaleena has not actually been the most efficient on her team the last two years - that honor goes to Moriah by a few percentage points. We can debate what makes a player best at a skill, but I wouldn't just hand that title to Kaleena.

I do not think Lou will 'replace' Kaleena in next years team - not the senior Kaleena. But I do think she will provide the same weapon that KML did as a freshman and sophomore before the coaches and KML worked on the expansion of her game. And I think Lou will provide some things that KML did not as a freshman - height and an incredibly quick release will allow her to get her shot off more easily, and while I do not expect Lou to be a defensive demon, her height and agility I think will make her a better defender certainly than the freshman version of KML. Lou also appears to be more comfortable going to the basket and in the mid-range than the early version on KML and likely will get to the free throw line in her career more frequently than KML ever did. The one area that freshman KML will likely over perform Lou is in minutes - she only started one game, but she averaged 28 minutes a game - beyond Moriah possibly reaching those minutes, I'll be surprised if anyone else on next year's team and certainly not freshman will hit that. (KML hit .384 on threes as a freshman - I think Lou could match that.)

Butler - in effect most people see her 'replacing' Kiah in the team make-up. I actually expect her to start (replacing KML as the fifth starter) and expect a mixed bag in comparison to Kiah - much more involved in the offense, and while a good defender and rebounder, not in Kiah's league in terms of blocks per minute or rebounds per minute played. The depth of the team and the superiority of talent to most of the scheduled opponents may limit her total minutes to a similar number to Kiah's.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Kaleena was fantastic and her last two years she was so much more than a spot-up three point specialist (and credit to her for expanding her game.) But I do want to point out something that has been bothering me for the last month. Her record proves that she is the most 'prolific' three point shooter in NCAA D1 history which does not actually equate to 'best'. The most efficient three point shooter in Uconn history is Sue Bird who ranks 9th in NCAA history at 45.9% while Kaleena ranks 13th at 44.7%. Kaleena has not actually been the most efficient on her team the last two years - that honor goes to Moriah by a few percentage points. We can debate what makes a player best at a skill, but I wouldn't just hand that title to Kaleena.

I do not think Lou will 'replace' Kaleena in next years team - not the senior Kaleena. But I do think she will provide the same weapon that KML did as a freshman and sophomore before the coaches and KML worked on the expansion of her game. And I think Lou will provide some things that KML did not as a freshman - height and an incredibly quick release will allow her to get her shot off more easily, and while I do not expect Lou to be a defensive demon, her height and agility I think will make her a better defender certainly than the freshman version of KML. Lou also appears to be more comfortable going to the basket and in the mid-range than the early version on KML and likely will get to the free throw line in her career more frequently than KML ever did. The one area that freshman KML will likely over perform Lou is in minutes - she only started one game, but she averaged 28 minutes a game - beyond Moriah possibly reaching those minutes, I'll be surprised if anyone else on next year's team and certainly not freshman will hit that. (KML hit .384 on threes as a freshman - I think Lou could match that.)

Butler - in effect most people see her 'replacing' Kiah in the team make-up. I actually expect her to start (replacing KML as the fifth starter) and expect a mixed bag in comparison to Kiah - much more involved in the offense, and while a good defender and rebounder, not in Kiah's league in terms of blocks per minute or rebounds per minute played. The depth of the team and the superiority of talent to most of the scheduled opponents may limit her total minutes to a similar number to Kiah's.

Good post.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It takes time for even the best of freshman to adjust to the college game. (remember Stewie and Mo's first year). Butler's transition, with having played one year with GT and practicing another full year with the Huskies, should go much more smoothly. We will miss KML's outside shooting, probably a lot especially during the first part of the season. If Gabby starts in KML's place, we could make up some what we lose on the offensive end with improved defense and rebounding. I don't expect KLS to replace KML right off the bat but she was a great 3 point shooter in HS and won numerous player of the year awards. KLS' chance of duplicating much of what KML brought to the team by the end of the year is viable. Napheesa Collier, what can I say. She has been very impressive playing in international competition and at the All Star games against the best domestic high school players. She seems to be the most UConn ready of the freshman. She has the demeanor of Nurse only even more talented. Great rebounder, efficient fg shooter, 80% foul shooter, tough one on one defender, she does it all. (and like Gabby, she also ran track in HS).
I didn't include Butler in the starting lineup, though I think she is the best prepared, because I just have a hunch that Geno will want more stability coming off the bench. If Butler starts we have Gabby, Saniya, Ekmark and the freshman as subs. It's just my feeling that Geno will have one of Stewie, Tuck or Butler coming in off the bench. And that means Butler.

Surely, if South Carolina was an example of anything this year it was the wrong headedness of not starting your best 5 IF you have balance. It will be fascinating watching the development of the squad next fall. Gabby was the sub-big this year and may be again next year. I hope Butler starts before too deep into the season.

 

[rvwsleep]

Barring injury, how the freshman perform will not make a difference in all but a few regular season games and the last few games in the NCAA playoffs.
The question will be can they perform under the brightest of lights ? KML scored 7 consecutive points in the championship game with the game on the line.
That's a lot to ask from a freshman. Though if any freshman can do it, it's KLS and NC.

 

[Buzzyboy]

The optimistic view is that with additional growth by Stewie, Mo and Tuck, the addition of a Dolson clone in Butler, the outside shooting of KLS to replace K's shooting, the amazing skill set of Collier and hard working Boykin, not to mention Gaby, Kia, Chong and Ekmark who we all expect to be better next season, should make UConn even better than this last season. A lot of things can happen that can change it (injuries, lack of chemistry, slow transition to the college game by the fr., etc) but as things are looking so far, the optimism seems justified.

I hear lack of chemistry but it's hard for me to think that it could suddenly change that radically from the wonderful harmony that this team had. Since the incoming girls all appear to have all the ingredients that Geno likes regarding attitude and selflessness, how could they possibly mess up the chemistry? I could understand their integration into the team, the ability for them to understand all the nuances of Geno's offensive and defensive schemes and find the overall rhythm of their teammates but chemistry suggests differences in their ability to interact successfully emotionally, doesn't it?

 

[Buzzyboy]

Optimism is great, but when you make those two statements I gotta back off a bit. Way too soon for comparisons to the amazing Stefanie Dolson. Probably a bit unfair to Natalie also. KML left as the most prolific 3-point shooter in the history of the NCAA. Lou should be good, but REPLACE Kaleena's shooting? Possible but unlikely. Neither of these guys needs to be as great as those past players to make a significant impact on next year's team and I'm optimistic that they will do that much.

I don't expect Butler to be the Stef of her senior year but I do expect her to be damn good. She was the rookie of the year in her freshman year, even though it wasn't as good a league at that time as it was in Stef's freshman year. I don't think that anyone would have ever thought Stef was going to be a SPECIAL PLAYER in the aftermath of her freshman year. Her stats weren't anywhere near Butlers and Butler has been said to have exactly the same type work ethic that Stef had and she's had a year of tutelage under a wonderful staff with weight training that's special and she's also had the chance to practice against some amazing players, namely Breanna and Kiah and Morgan and KML. I'm inclined to think doing so more than compensates for who Stef played against in the early part of her UConn career. KLS is certainly going to have more quickness and mobility than KML had and I feel that she might have a bit more of a midrange game of the KML FRESHMAN version so what's not to like? Inevitably I'd be stunned if her defense didn't exceed KML's because of that quickness. Her basketball IQ is said to be special, as was KML's so that appears to be a draw. When we get a player like Collier who has been compared by people here to Maya and to Morgan for her well rounded game and athleticism, what's not to like. The development of our returning ladies should be taken into account, as well, shouldn't it? Don't you feel that our freshman girls won't be better heading into their sophomore years? Nothing wrong with some optimism, I don't think!

 

[UcMiami]

Buzzboy - chemistry is a fickle thing and you can never guarantee its continuity. They have done studies about the key member in a dynamic group and found that key person is as likely to be a bit player as one of the primary leaders. Their presence just provides the oil to ease the interactions of the most dynamic members of the group. Who knows, perhaps TLaw is that person on the team, or perhaps Kiah was - a player content to do only what the team really needed from her and leave the glory to others.

Now I expect the chemistry to be fine next year - just saying it is not impossible for it be an issue.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Barring injury, how the freshman perform will not make a difference in all but a few regular season games and the last few games in the NCAA playoffs.
The question will be can they perform under the brightest of lights ? KML scored 7 consecutive points in the championship game with the game on the line.
That's a lot to ask from a freshman. Though if any freshman can do it, it's KLS and NC.

If everything plays out as a lot of people think, there may not be a need to have KLS or anyone else score 7 consecutive points in the championship game because the game WON'T BE ON THE LINE. Do you think that you might have the returning roster improving with their seasoning? Wouldn't that mean that maybe you'd get more performance from them that would contribute to better results on the court. Breanna was hurt for 2/3 of the championship game, Morgan had a very subpar game for her and the only freshman that gave any contribution was Nurse. Wouldn't you expect more contributions from them next year? KLS has played beyond her years for a top flight program so I think she may someone who will perform in key moments and Collier is a WINNER in every way so yes, I'm optimistic!

 

[rvwsleep]

Surely, if South Carolina was an example of anything this year it was the wrong headedness of not starting your best 5 IF you have balance. It will be fascinating watching the development of the squad next fall. Gabby was the sub-big this year and may be again next year. I hope Butler starts before too deep into the season.

I'm not sure if you're making my case for me or not. You threw in the qualifying "IF" which makes room for my argument about having some balance (re: experience) on the bench. I thought that USCe should have played Wilson and Coates more but that's a from a basketball fan's viewpoint.
Let's examine the USCe loss to ND a little closer.
Wilson played 24 minutes, Coates 28, starting center Ibiam 4 and starting forward Dozier 11 minutes. So combined the 2 starters in question played a total of 15 minutes. It hardly seems, despite the fact that they started the game, that Ibiam and Dozier took any minutes away from Wilson and Coates. Did you expect Wilson and Coates to play 32+ minutes each ? I think Dawn Staley knows how much she could get out of each of her players better than you or I can.
BTW. Even if Butler doesn't start she will probably play close to starter minutes, IMO.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Good post.

I don't agree, I think it's a GREAT post and it's mirrored a lot of what I've said for awhile. The KML versus KLS think is spot on as is what we may expect from Butler unless Geno's buddies in the Big East are a bunch of idiots and can't judge talent at all. Beyond that, things we've heard from the staff regarding Butler seem to back up the fact that she's a pretty skilled kid who will be an asset, to say the least. You'll never get someone on the defensive end that I think could do the things that Kiah did but she should be pretty decent and provide more on the offensive side.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I'm not sure if you're making my case for me or not. You threw in the qualifying "IF" which makes room for my argument about having some balance (re: experience) on the bench. I thought that USCe should have played Wilson and Coates more but that's a from a basketball fan's viewpoint.
Let's examine the USCe loss to ND a little closer.
Wilson played 24 minutes, Coates 28, starting center Ibiam 4 and starting forward Dozier 11 minutes. So combined the 2 starters in question played a total of 15 minutes. It hardly seems, despite the fact that they started the game, that Ibiam and Dozier took any minutes away from Wilson and Coates. Did you expect Wilson and Coates to play 32+ minutes each ? I think Dawn Staley knows how much she could get out of each of her players better than you or I can.
BTW. Even if Butler doesn't start she will probably play close to starter minutes, IMO.

I think sometimes you want to start your best because you want to step on your opponents right out of the gate and not maybe put your team in a deficit situation at the start of a game. Sometimes overcoming a lead can take it's toll on a team's psyche.

 

[rvwsleep]

If everything plays out as as a lot of people think, there may not be a need to have KLS or anyone else score 7 consecutive points in the championship game because the game WON'T BE ON THE LINE.
Do you think that you might have the returning roster improving with their seasoning? Wouldn't that mean that maybe you'd get more performance from them that would contribute to better results on the court. Breanna was hurt for 2/3 of the championship game, Morgan had a very subpar game for her and the only freshman that gave any contribution was Nurse. Wouldn't you expect more contributions from them next year? KLS has played beyond her years for a top flight program so I think she may someone who will perform in key moments and Collier is a WINNER in every way so yes, I'm optimistic!

I understand optimism but there's only room for 1 Tony C. Those same people who think "If everything plays out as as a lot of people think, there may not be a need to have KLS or anyone else score 7 consecutive points in the championship game because the game WON'T BE ON THE LINE." are the people who were predicting a 30 point win against ND and didn't think that we would need KML's 7 consecutive points to break open that game.
It's a matter of degree. I'm also optimistic about next season's team. It's just that my feet are also on the ground.

 

[hoophuskee]

That leaves us with Natalie Butler. I think she will be huge (pun intended) for us this year. The addition of a more traditional post presence allows Geno to use Stewart's tremendously broad skill set to great advantage. I think Natalie is the "x" factor on next year's team. I suspect she will be a very pleasant surprise to the casual fan.

I think Stewie gets damned if she do damned if she don't. I thought this past year she was special -- as usual. But when she is taking outside shots some say "why isn't she inside?" When she is inside some say "Look how bad she is getting beaten up."

As an old man I know if me or my friends get knocked to the ground we might break something. These 20 year olds bounce up. IMO Stewie's broad skill was used all season and was an enormous advantage. She just wasn't as efficient from 3pt shooting as she may become in he sr season. But it was "used" and versatility was on display and it was a great advantage. Butler will clog the lane to an extent so she had better lean to pass -- which I expect 100% she will. I expect Stewie and Tuck to shoot better from outside this year thus we may see her knock down more outside shots -- but I don't think this past year or next year we'll show any more of an appreciable "broad skill set."

 

[Geno-ista]

Nobody loves/loved KML more than me- nobody! Having said that. We return 4 phenomenal starters, all of which can make three's! 2 solid bench players, a 6'5" seasoned player with a yr under her belt with us! 3 new thorobreds, one of which is our next KML! We couldn't be in much better shape ever with what we have going on next season- this is as good as it ever gets- imho!