Sarah Strong is a Husky! (Part 2)

[tower1]

Flashback to the 3x3 trial camp in the summer of 2022:

WOW, She is better than i thought !!!

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

Hmmmmm.....ESPN's final class rankings didn't allow Sarah to push UConn to #1. USC keeps the spot with UConn #2. I thought for sure they would go #1. I guess USC's large number of well respected recruits was the decider.

2024 women's college basketball recruiting rankings: Final top 25 classes

We break down the final top 25 recruiting classes in women's basketball this season.

www.espn.com

 

[BRS24]

For those concerned about her not playing in some late season games -

 

[yhun89]

For those concerned about her not playing in some late season games -

Now that she’s been selected to the FIBA American team, I pray she doesn’t end up like Jana did…

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Now that she’s been selected to the FIBA American team, I pray she doesn’t end up like Jana did…

Why even put this in the universe??

Luckily this Fiba is only 5 days so won’t be 9 games in 11 days or whatever madness it was last year.

 

[JellyBean]

For those concerned about her not playing in some late season games -

Pretty nice. But much like folks are giving Caitlin Clark static for not "succeeding" at the professional level, Sarah, like any freshmen, will go through a growth process. I am sure she will do well at the college level.

 

[Bone Dog]

There's probably even more pressure on the freshman class next year because this year's fit in almost immediately without much adjustment.

I’m sure you’re right about this. But I also think there was a ton of adjustment for KK Q and Ice. And they may not be done adjusting. Ash is a special player who saw how to find a place for herself soonest among them. But your sentiment seems right to me. The new freshman have had the bar set pretty high for them.

 

[CL82]

I’m sure you’re right about this. But I also think there was a ton of adjustment for KK Q and Ice. And they may not be done adjusting. Ash is a special player who saw how to find a place for herself soonest among them. But your sentiment seems right to me. The new freshman have had the bar set pretty high for them.

I'm a big believer that it's best, a fan perspective, to expect the freshman not to contribute it all. if they do it's a great surprise, like this year.

It's a big jump from high school to college. Kids figure it out at their own pace.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

I’m sure you’re right about this. But I also think there was a ton of adjustment for KK Q and Ice. And they may not be done adjusting. Ash is a special player who saw how to find a place for herself soonest among them. But your sentiment seems right to me. The new freshman have had the bar set pretty high for them.

I think they meant the freshman class a whole, not just Uconns freshman class.

 

[yhun89]

I’m sure you’re right about this. But I also think there was a ton of adjustment for KK Q and Ice. And they may not be done adjusting. Ash is a special player who saw how to find a place for herself soonest among them. But your sentiment seems right to me. The new freshman have had the bar set pretty high for them.

Oh I meant the entire class lol. People like Watkins and Hidalgo and Williams and such.

 

[oldhusky]

I'm a big believer that it's best, a fan perspective, to expect the freshman not to contribute it all. if they do it's a great surprise, like this year.

It's a big jump from high school to college. Kids figure it out at their own pace.

It is clearly ideal to not need them immediately, and bring them along slowly in most cases. Last year that plan got high-jacked by injuries and we had to play them. This year the roster suggests we can do that with the perimeter freshmen, Allie and Morgan, but upfront we pretty much need to start Sarah and Jana from the start. There are no healthy options that have performed at a high level (at least yet), although we could go small ball, and ultimately Aubrey gives us a top option at the 4 when she returns.

 

[CL82]

It is clearly ideal to not need them immediately, and bring them along slowly in most cases. Last year that plan got high-jacked by injuries and we had to play them. This year the roster suggests we can do that with the perimeter freshmen, Allie and Morgan, but upfront we pretty much need to start Sarah and Jana from the start. There are no healthy options that have performed at a high level (at least yet), although we could go small ball, and ultimately Aubrey gives us a top option at the 4 when she returns.

It's certainly possible. My mindset is always, whatever she gives she gives. I find that to be a healthier approach, at least for me.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

Opportunity is the mother of invention.

The same opportunity where several freshmen started or played key minutes happened several times in UConn’s history:

• The TASSK class (no box scores): 1998-99
• Ann Strother class: 2002-03
• Breanna Stewart class: 2013-14
• KK Arnold class: 2023-24

Sarah, Morgan and Jana along with Kaitlyn will play key minutes prior to the return of the walking wounded (Azzi, Aubrey, Ayanna and Caroline).

The peculiarities of the necessarily tough UConn front loaded OOC schedule necessitate that UConn’s incomers (JMASK) have to perform well fast. Having 10-player practices and unleashing a running game a la 1999-2000 will give the trial by fire development of the young team.

I am most curious as to how Geno will incorporate actions to take advantage of his team’s wealth of shooters on his 2-3 point guard offense (with a big lineup option). Maybe he can borrow from the men’s team? Kaitlyn and KK will need to improve their 3-point shooting — on Kaitlyn’s to-do list for the next level.

 

[JoePgh]

Opportunity is the mother of invention.

The same opportunity where several freshmen started or played key minutes happened several times in UConn’s history:

• The TASSK class (no box scores): 1998-99
• Ann Strother class: 2002-03
• Breanna Stewart class: 2013-14
• KK Arnold class: 2023-24

Sarah, Morgan and Jana along with Kaitlyn will play key minutes prior to the return of the walking wounded (Azzi, Aubrey, Ayanna and Caroline).

The peculiarities of the necessarily tough UConn front loaded OOC schedule necessitate that UConn’s incomers (JMASK) have to perform well fast. Having 10-player practices and unleashing a running game a la 1999-2000 will give the trial by fire development of the young team.

I am most curious as to how Geno will incorporate actions to take advantage of his team’s wealth of shooters on his 2-3 point guard offense (with a big lineup option). Maybe he can borrow from the men’s team? Kaitlyn and KK will need to improve their 3-point shooting — on Kaitlyn’s to-do list for the next level.

The season of 2013-14 was the sophomore year for the Stewart / Jefferson / Tuck class. They entered in the 2012-13 season.

 

[JellyBean]

They're giving her flack because the expectations were way too high. I think she's been doing above-average for a rookie, besides the high number of TOs. But that's something that hasn't changed since she was a freshman. There's probably even more pressure on the freshman class next year because this year's fit in almost immediately without much adjustment.

Folks just had unrealistic expectations for Caitlin going into the WNBA. I mean you want to have expectations and I am sure Clark has her expectations. But a lot of folks, especially the media, just let things get out of hand. I also think that Clark is doing well and each game getting better. For any player, it takes time to adjust and figure things out.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

The season of 2013-14 was the sophomore year for the Stewart / Jefferson / Tuck class. They entered in the 2012-13 season.

I copied the wrong one 2012-13. Breanna started in 14 games. Moriah and Morgan were key reserves on arguably a (5)+5 rotation, which tightened to (5)+3 in tough games.

The overall point remains. Freshmen classes have contributed significantly in their first season. And it really matters whether or not they are coming to a team with large holes to fill.

 

[Dugway]

Opportunity is the mother of invention.

The same opportunity where several freshmen started or played key minutes happened several times in UConn’s history:

• The TASSK class (no box scores): 1998-99
• Ann Strother class: 2002-03
• Breanna Stewart class: 2013-14
• KK Arnold class: 2023-24

Sarah, Morgan and Jana along with Kaitlyn will play key minutes prior to the return of the walking wounded (Azzi, Aubrey, Ayanna and Caroline).

The peculiarities of the necessarily tough UConn front loaded OOC schedule necessitate that UConn’s incomers (JMASK) have to perform well fast. Having 10-player practices and unleashing a running game a la 1999-2000 will give the trial by fire development of the young team.

I am most curious as to how Geno will incorporate actions to take advantage of his team’s wealth of shooters on his 2-3 point guard offense (with a big lineup option). Maybe he can borrow from the men’s team? Kaitlyn and KK will need to improve their 3-point shooting — on Kaitlyn’s to-do list for the next level.

My recollection is that the class of 2023-24 was the 'Ashlyn Shade' class

 

[Dogstar]

My recollection is that the class of 2023-24 was the 'Ashlyn Shade' class

How abt..the KK and Ashlyn class

 

[Skeets]

My recollection is that the class of 2023-24 was the 'Ashlyn Shade' class

I want to see the kid who pushes Ash out of the starting lineup. Could it happen? Maybe. Could it be a healthy Azzi? Maybe and then again maybe not.

 

[HuskyNan]

Pretty nice. But much like folks are giving Caitlin Clark static for not "succeeding" at the professional level, Sarah, like any freshmen, will go through a growth process. I am sure she will do well at the college level.

Another Caitlin Clark hijack

 

[Alydar]

I want to see the kid who pushes Ash out of the starting lineup. Could it happen? Maybe. Could it be a healthy Azzi? Maybe and then again maybe not.

I won't be shocked to see UConn use a 2 guard lineup to start games. I also think way too much energy is spent naming starters. I don't think Geno will pick the best five players, he will start the best 5 man team and with 8 players who didn't play last year that job isn't going to be easy.

 

[CL82]

Another Caitlin Clark hijack

She occupies a lot of headspace for people, some positive and some negative. I give her credit for that.