- Joined
- Nov 19, 2016
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction Score
- 328
I did too.I voted for "Who starts in game 1?" I don't think Azzi will be quite ready.
I did too.I voted for "Who starts in game 1?" I don't think Azzi will be quite ready.
Chen played 3 (outstanding) years using the UConn system under Carla. Not a problem.My picks were Paige, KK, Ashlynn, Jana, and Sara.
KK and Ashlynn were great as freshmen and will undoubtedly be that much better next season. Paige is a no brainer, obviously. If Jana and Sara are as good as advertised then there’s no doubt there either.
Azzi, Aubrey, and CD are great, but haven’t played in a while and I worry about their health and how their injuries might impact their game.
Chen has experience but she hasn’t played at UConn and I am reluctant to say she should start at PG when we have Paige. I want someone who knows the system inside and out to be the floor general. Maybe if Chen plays out of position and her role is more of a scorer then I can see her starting, but I see her as more of a 6 or 7th man off the bench right now.
As for the others … I’m not sure. I think all of them have a case to be 6 or 7th man off the bench, if not starters.
Assuming everyone stays healthy we may be able to field a team like SCar this past season where it was even from top to bottom. Really my biggest concern is seeing a drop off from starters to bench players when rotating during a game.
Bone Dog- - -Jana was practicing the last month of the season, although limited but still on the court!
Of all our walking wounded she might have the best shot of being ready Nov.1st!
I like the sound of that. I am really looking forward to seeing what Jana can do in husky blue.Brionna Jones of the Sun is expected to be ready for the season opener. That's a recovery time for the Achilles tendon injury of about 11.5 months. That should put Jana at July/early August.
And her teammate Alyssa Thomas recovered in nine months to play all of the 2023 WNBA season, and to play at a very high level, with mucho minutes in most games.Brionna Jones of the Sun is expected to be ready for the season opener. That's a recovery time for the Achilles tendon injury of about 11.5 months. That should put Jana at July/early August.
I don’t consider it the same as actually playing at UConn.Chen played 3 (outstanding) years using the UConn system under Carla. Not a problem.
Geno is no longer using PB as a point guard. My guess is that the early months will be PB Chen Jana Sara and Azzi to try and get Sarah and Jana used to the system, especially because they’re the most important with our limited frontcourt. Minutes between Allie, Morgan, Q, Caroline and others probably operate like Dawn’s team, switch every 5 minutes or so to avoid exhaustion and avoid injuries.November opening day: Paige KK Ash Ice Jana [they know the system or are the only big, and are healthy]
December: Paige Azzi KK Sara Jana
January: Paige Azzi KK Ice Sara [in case Jana needs some time to work on her defense]
February: Paige Kaitlyn Azzi Sara Jana [the lineup that will carry them to the tournament]
March: Paige Azzi Allie Sara Jana [the lineup that starts in the tournament]
Of course, if all goes well, the starters [other than Paige] won't play much more than 20 mins/g, and so this distinction won't be quite as important as it has been recently. There should be plenty of minutes for KK Kaitlyn Ash Q Morgan Ayanna Ice Caroline and Aubrey.
You seem to be converting a “who starts?” thread into a “substitution pattern” thread. I love those too, and agree with many of your predictions. I am especially eager to see how Morgan fits into Geno’s schemes.Geno is no longer using PB as a point guard. My guess is that the early months will be PB Chen Jana Sara and Azzi to try and get Sarah and Jana used to the system, especially because they’re the most important with our limited frontcourt. Minutes between Allie, Morgan, Q, Caroline and others probably operate like Dawn’s team, switch every 5 minutes or so to avoid exhaustion and avoid injuries.
It can operate like SC did: One starting lineup, but every other switch off is just as talented.
Switch wise:
Chen-> KK
Paige->Ash->Caroline->Q
Azzi->Ash-> Allie
Sarah->Aubrey->Ice->Morgan->Ayanna (if healthy)
Jana-> Ice
Morgan's tough, because she's a PG who is built like a forward. She can play 1-4, so she really could switch for anybody but the SG's because she's not as consistent with her shot. So technically she could switch with Chen; her handles are solid.
Aubrey can also be KK's switch, she brings the same defense and energy that she does. This just means Chen has to be at point, or Paige takes over.
Other things to note is with 3+ sharpshooters, floor spacing is viable as a strategy. Throw any combo of Allie/Azzi/Ash out there with Paige, Jana and Sarah, and the defense must spread out. No more triple teams on Paige. This leaves either a SG, Paige, or the forwards open.
Whoops. Got off track.You seem to be converting a “who starts?” thread into a “substitution pattern” thread. I love those too, and agree with many of your predictions. I am especially eager to see how Morgan fits into Geno’s schemes.
It happens, to me as much as to anyone. Don’t sweat it. Still, it’s a nice post.Whoops. Got off track.
It probably is what he actually does. But he claims to prioritize the next cohort over the seniors. I suppose some sort of compromise has to sort itself out in his mind each year.This is Kaitlyn’s only season with UConn and Geno typically gives his seniors with next-level aspirations the platform to be noticed.
Crystal didn’t start until her Junior year. Saniyah (Senior) started in Crystal’s first year. Kia (Senior) started in Crystal’s second year.It probably is what he actually does. But he claims to prioritize the next cohort over the seniors. I suppose some sort of compromise has to sort itself out in his mind each year.
Azzi maybe, she’s had more time to rest than Aubrey. I wouldnt even count on Caroline, given how she couldn’t stay in the stadiums unless she had earplugs in even at the end of the season. I’m guessing she’s a permanent cheerleader, or she gets 5 minutes off the bench when they REALLY need her.I don't see Azzi, Aubrey, and maybe Caroline ready to play in early season!
They will be wrapped in bubble wrap early like Paige was in June, July, August, September and October giving her the maximum recovery time she needed!
When they do come back they'll be going all out!
NO restrictions!
AT is just built different. I can't even imagine being her teammate complaining about sitting out for an injury and getting that look from AT. Yikes! It better be a serious injury.And her teammate Alyssa Thomas recovered in nine months to play all of the 2023 WNBA season, and to play at a very high level, with mucho minutes in most games.
Conspicuously absent from your line ups are Ashlynn and Q.November-December (Front-Loaded Tougher Out-of-Conference Schedule):
January-March (BE season play before the full return of Azzi):
- Kaitlyn, KK, Paige, Sarah, Jana
- 5+4+ running game (a la TASSK first year) to start.
- Half-court offense (2023 offense, Stewie offense but with more mobile bigs) introduced and perfected within period.
After Azzi’s Full Return:
- Regular: Kaitlyn, KK, Paige, Sarah, Jana
- Big Lineup: Kaitlyn, Paige, Sarah, Ice, Jana
- 5+4+
Kaitlyn and KK will have similar minutes with game-by-game variations due to who is performing well in a given game. This is Kaitlyn’s only season with UConn and Geno typically gives his seniors with next-level aspirations the platform to be noticed.
- Regular: Kaitlyn, Azzi, Paige, Sarah, Jana
- Big Lineup: Paige, Azzi, Sarah, Ice, Jana
- 5+4+
Geno will play different schemes and pace with this roster, with smooth transitions. Smooth transitions was a potential concern with adding Raegan.
This isn’t accurate. Dangerfield started every game she played in 2017-18 (her sophomore year) and so did Nurse. The starting lineup that season was Dangerfield, Nurse, Samuelson, Williams, Collier.Crystal didn’t start until her Junior year. Saniyah (Senior) started in Crystal’s first year. Kia (Senior) started in Crystal’s second year.
There have been exceptions to this Senior rule such as Kiah Stokes (same class as KML) and Aubrey Griffin (6th year senior), who are already known commodities in the UConn system that have found their best lane coming off the bench.
Note to self, verify first impressions from memory:This isn’t accurate. Dangerfield started every game she played in 2017-18 (her sophomore year) and so did Nurse. The starting lineup that season was Dangerfield, Nurse, Samuelson, Williams, Collier.
As it was a starting 5 thread, I didn’t address Ash and Q. I did jot down (5)+4+ as shorthand for rotations that Geno will employ to maximize use of this really talented lineup which rivals that of TASSK’s second year.Conspicuously absent from your line ups are Ashlynn and Q.