Geno used 8 different starting line ups last year. Changes were due mostly to minor injuries. Kelly Faris was the only player to start all 39 games. She and Doty (32 starts) are gone so starting spots are available. Stewie started only 14 games, and in fact was the perfect 6th man kib described. IMO Geno will start her all the time if healthy. She just creates too many problems for other defenses. KML and Stef each started 38 of 39 games and only sat when sick or injured. There is the starting front line. Tuck could start on every other team in the country and Geno may use her as a "spot" starter 10-15 times in place of KML, Stewie or Stef. Most likely against weaker teams or if someone has a minor injury. Stokes is still a bit of an unknown. She is the heir apparent to Stef, so look for the staff to use her a lot, test her progress. Maybe as a starter on occasion, but not in big games. Still, Geno has 5 options for 3 positions and the match ups are nightmares for opponents.
Faris and Doty were guards, so that is where spots are available. When healthy, Hartley was a starter until the NCAA tournament. IMO she came off the bench as a "spark plug" and so Doty could start. She should start every game if healthy, and she certainly looked 100% this summer in Russia. Banks is still not 100% and Chong is a Freshman, so MoJeff starts if healthy. Once Banks is completely back to form, she could spot start for either Hartley or MoJeff at 1 0r 2. Geno has four guards, three of whom can play either 1 or 2 spots, that provides real flexibility.
While he has not done it much in the past, Geno may even use different starters for the 2nd half. Especially if up by 20-30 pts vs weaker teams. One thing for sure, pretty much any 5 on the floor gives UConn an awesome lineup. Go Huskies..!!
