****************************************************
Even my daughter (mother to Logan and Barrett) is looking for my Blog!!!
GO UCONN!!!!!
***********************************************
It's another season, my friends, and it's decision time for me. Do I blog for hours a day? Do I only do game reports? Or just sit back and watch the games?
I received many emails, texts, messages, etc asking me when I would start. Nice of compliments. Yeah, I have an ego and it feels good to be wanted!!!!
So, here I am again. I can't promise every day, but I can tell you I will do my best to bring you all the info I can find out there on our beloved UConn Huskies! And of course some of my own opinions!
Phil is back with his great Philosophy and David already sent me some numbers!!!
So, off we go!
***********************************************
There are several ways to watch:
***********************************************
Game Preview
UConn takes on Southern Connecticut State University in their one and only exhibition game.
Gotta love their coach Katie Lynch. Her team will probably be on the wrong end of a blowout, but she is looking at this game as a learning experience. Good for her and her team. I hope they bring a lot of intensity to the game.
“Just having the opportunity and the experience for our student-athletes to be in that type of atmosphere. We’re able to compete against future WNBA Draft picks, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to be in that type of atmosphere, and even for me as a coach to be in that type of arena, looking up at those banners and just being a part of that.”
The Owls were 17-11 last season and have a lot of players back and some players from the transfer portal.
Hope Fox is a 5-foot-8 sophomore from Indiana, where she played on All-Star teams with UConn’s Ayanna Patterson, Katie Williamson is a 6-1 junior from Ireland, Ashley Evans is a 6-3 transfer from Lafayette last season and looks more comfortable in Lynch’s system, are among the players to watch.
Julie Bonilla, from Waterford, is a new transfer from Marist and Makenzie Helms, a guard from East Haven, played two years at Nebraska and two for Quinnipiac and is now at Southern for her extra COVID year.
It won't be close but I know I'll be turning in. Finally some game action!!
***********************************************
First I'll say thank you and so long to Lou Lopez Sénéchal and Dorka Juhasz. Two transfers that made us think they were there for four years. It was a tough season with injuries but those two players made it possible to do as well as they did. On to their pro careers and we couldn't be more proud.
Although UConn only lost two players from last years roster, they gain a bunch of talent between a terrific freshman class and two key players coming back from a lost season to injury.
European Highlights
5'10" Guard
Ashlynn Shade
No. 15-ranked recruit by ESPN in Class of 2023 ... 2023 McDonald's All-American ... 2022 Indiana Girls Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year ... led Noblesville High School to the Class 4A state championship in 2022 ... totaled 1,698 points, 606 rebounds, 282 assists and 314 steals in three seasons at Noblesville ... attended La Lumiere for her senior season, averaging 24 points and nine rebounds.
I just love Shade's game. She brings a strong and tough presence to the guard position. In constant motion, she is like the everyready bunny! She has worked hard on her outside shot and it showed in the HS Allstar games. But her bread and butter is posting up opposing guard for her deadly turnaround jumper. She really reminds me of Indiana's Grace Berger.
And that smile!!!!!
6' Guard
Qadence Samuels
No. 41-ranked recruit by ESPN in Class of 2023 ... led Bishop McNamara to a first place finish in the WCAC as a senior in 2022-23 ... averaged 17.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals as a junior in 2021-22 as Bishop McNamara made the WCAC tournament championship game ... helped Bishop McNamara to the WCAC title in 2020.
Because of players not ready for minutes in the Eurpoean tour, Q (yes, I will be calling her that) got plenty of minutes and even started a game or two. And she did well. Her three point shot is deadly and at 6' is a big guard. I'm sure she will slide over to the 3 spot as well.
Kamorea "KK" Arnold
Won gold at the 2022 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Americas U16 Championship ... averaged 5.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game at FIBA Americas ... named to the 2023 USA Women's Nike Hoop Summit Team.
ESPN's No. 6-ranked recruit in Class of 2023 ... 2023 McDonald's and Jordan Brand Classic All-American ... three-time AP Wisconsin State Player of the Year ... two-time Wisconsin Girls Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year ... totaled 2,458 career points, 765 rebounds, 695 assists, 415 steals and eight career triple-doubles at Germantown ... 2021 MaxPreps Wisconsin Girls Basketball Player of the Year ... 2021 MaxPreps Second-Team All-America ... led Germantown to the 2021 Division 1 state championship.
What can I say about KK that hasn't been said before. So many articles on her. Geno can't say enough about her. She is a defensive wiz, a terrific driver to the basket and an improving outside shot. She has a really good feel for the game. She won't start this year but will replace Nika in the starting lineup next season and beyond.
6'5" Center
Jana El Alfy
Joined UConn in January of 2023.
Member of Egyptian National Team program since 2021 ... led the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup with 21.4 points per game and was fourth in the tournament with 11.0 rebounds per game ... at the 2022 U18 African Championship, El Alfy led the tournament with 24.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, leading Egypt to silver ... also competed at the 2021 FIBA U16 African Championship and the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup.
First UConn player from Egypt ... played for Al Ahly Sporting Club ... participated in the NBA Academy Women’s Program since 2019.
Sadly, Jana tore her Achillies tendon in the FIBA U19 World Cup. She was amazing in that tournament and had UConn fans salavating at the thought of her manning the middle. She was just amazing. Alas, it was not meant to be and we will all have to wait until next season to see her terrific skills. We will see her as the head cheerleader on the bench!
Two key players are returning from injury after missing all of last season. It's hard not to imagine how much better last year's team would have been with these two players available.
6'4" Center/Forward
Isunah "Ice" Brady
Won gold at the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship ... averaged 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the tournament.
No. 5-ranked recruit by ESPN ... 2022 McDonald's, Jordan Brand and SLAM All-American ... 2022 MaxPreps California All-State Third Team selection ... 2021 San Diego Sports Association Player of the Year ... averaged 20.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks as a senior.
It was a real bummer when word got out last summer that Ice had dislocated her knee cap (nasty injury) and would miss her freshman season. Back now as a redshirt freshman, Ice has shown in summer workouts that she brings a lot to the table for the Huskies. I have her as 6'4". Her dad said that and I'm sticking to it. While not a "Super Size" center, she has plenty of game to man the middle. She has range out to the three point line and can finish with either hand. A wide body, she will carve out space in the middle. And UConn will need her there plenty of minutes.
6' guard
Paige Bueckers
- 2022 NCAA Tournament Final Four All-Tournament Team
- 2022 NCAA Tournament Bridgeport Region Most Outstanding Player
- 2021 Wooden Award winner
- 2021 Naismith Trophy winner
- 2021 AP Player of the Year
- 2021 USBWA Player and Freshman of the Year
- 2021 WBCA, AP and USBWA First Team All-American
- 2021 WBCA Freshman of the Year
- 2021 Final Four All-Tournament Team
- 2021 NCAA Tournament River Walk Region Most Outstanding Player
- 2021 BIG EAST Player and Freshman of the Year
- 2021 BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player
- 2021 All-BIG EAST First Team
- 2021 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team
- 2021 espnW Player and Freshman of the Year
Quite the list of accomplishemts, right? It just blows me away that someome could do that much in only 1 1/2 years of playing. So what can she do as an encore? I'm guessing plenty!
It's like the introduction to "the 6 million dollar man" if anyone remembers that show. She is bigger, stronger, faster, qucker, smarter, and very motivated. To be the best player in the countrry? Nope. She just wants to win a championship at UConn. Aren't we lucky!! Here are some highlights just to remind you of what we were missing!!
5'9" Guard
Ines Bettencourt
Last season she appeared in 25 games with one start ... averaged 1.4 points and 1.2 assists per game ... had four points, four rebounds and two assists vs. DePaul (1/23) ... notched four points and three assists at Seton Hall (1/17) ... set personal best with seven points at Xavier (1/5) ... made first career start at Maryland (12/11) ... scored six points vs. Providence (12/2) ... made collegiate debut vs. Northeastern (11/10).
Portugal Basketball: Was the second-youngest player on the roster at the 2023 U20 European Championship ... ranked second on the team with 9.7 points and 3.3 assists per game ... represented Portugal at the 2022 FIBA U18 Women's European Championship, Division B ... led Portugal and ranked fourth in the tournament with 14.4 points per game and added 4.6 steals, 3.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game ... named to the All-Star Five.
With all the injuries last season Ines was a god-send at the guard position. A last minute recruit, she basically won the Princeton game. She really worked on her body in the off season. Bigger and stronger, she will be a big part of the bottom part of the rotation. With Bueckers back and the addition of KK her minutes will be limited but I expect she will play really well when she does enter the game.
6'6" Center
Amari DeBerry
Last season appeared in 26 games ... totaled 58 points, 43 rebounds, 20 assists and 18 blocks on the season ... had four points and three rebounds vs. Vermont (3/18) ... notched four points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks vs. DePaul (1/23) ... set career highs with 13 points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes at Seton Hall (1/17) ... went 5-for-8 from the field and 2-for-2 from three vs. the Pirates ... notched four points vs. Seton Hall (12/21) ... had four points and two steals vs. Princeton (12/8) ... had five points at Notre Dame (12/4) ... posted six points and seven rebounds vs. Providence (12/2) ... tallied six points in season opener vs. Northeastern (11/10).
Amari is still recovering from her off season back surgery. It was clear she was suffering with her back all last year. Unlike many other UConn fans, I really believe she will help UConn in the middle this year. It might be only 10 MPG, but it will be effective minutes.
6'2" Forward
Ayanna Patterson
As a freshman she appeared in 30 games ... totaled 65 points and 67 rebounds ... had six points and three rebounds vs. Vermont (3/18) ... grabbed four rebounds and added two assists and a block at DePaul (2/25) ... notched five rebounds at Georgetown (2/11) ... posted six points and six rebounds vs. DePaul (1/23) ... had three points and four rebounds at Xavier (1/5) ... tallied nine points at Butler (1/3) ... set personal best with 10 points at Maryland (12/11) ... had four points and three rebounds at Notre Dame (12/4) ... dished out personal-best four assists and added three points and two blocks vs. Providence (12/2) ... had four points and three rebounds vs. Iowa (11/27) ... notched six points vs. Duke (11/25) ... posted five points and seven rebounds in collegiate debut vs. Northeastern (11/10).
No. 4-ranked recruit by ESPN … No. 1 wing in the 2022 senior class … 2022 McDonald's, Jordan Brand and SLAM All-American … averaged 25.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a senior at Homestead High … 2022 Indiana Miss Basketball … ABC21 2020-21 Girls Basketball Player of the Year … 2020-21 Outside the Huddle Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Another player that played through injuries. Patterson had off season back surgery and is still recovering. It's expected she will be ready for the season opener. Ayanna is an amazing athlete and in spite of her bad back she had some spectacular moments. UConn can really use her size in the paint and I'm hoping when finally healthy she can become a regular part of the rotation.
Caroline Ducharme
- 2022 All-BIG EAST Second Team
- 2022 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team
Last year she appeared in 23 games with five starts ... averaged 7.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game ... scored in double digits in 10 games ... scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds vs. Baylor (3/20) ... notched 12 points and five rebounds vs. Vermont (3/18) ... posted 14 points vs. Xavier (2/27) ... had 10 points vs. Creighton (2/15) ... notched season-high 19 points and added seven rebounds vs. Marquette (12/31) ... had 11 points and eight rebounds at Creighton (2/15) ... tallied 16 points and five rebounds vs. Seton Hall (12/21) ... had 13 points adn seven rebounds at Maryland (12/11) ... notched 10 points, five rebounds and four assists vs. Providence (12/2) ... notched 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals vs. Iowa (11/27).
Another player that had to deal with injuries last year, I'm not sure she is quite ready for the physical play she will see once the games start. Last year she had concussion issues all season, although UConn never said it was a concussion. When she is right, she is instant offense off the bench. Geno related to us that Caroline was 8-9 from beyond the three point line in one of their scrimmages. If she can stay on the court, she will be a double digit scorer. Fingers crossed.
6'1" Guard/Forward
Aubrey Griffin
- 2023 All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
- 2020 American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team
Last season she returned to action after missing the previous season, appearing in 35 games with 30 starts ... set career highs in nearly every stat, including 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, 44 assists and 50 steals ... scored in double digits 21 times .. had four double-doubles ... grabbed 12 rebounds vs. Baylor (3/20) ... scored 11 points and added seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in the BIG EAST Tournament vs. Marquette (3/5) ... notched 11 rebounds vs. Georgetown (3/4) ... scored 14 points and had nine rebounds and three steals at DePaul (2/25) ... had 18 points, including 8-for-8 on free throws, and four assists at Georgetown (2/11) ... scored 17 points vs. South Carolina (2/5) ... tallied 19 points vs. Villanova (1/29) ... notched 18 points and 11 rebounds vs. DePaul (1/23) ... posted 17 points and seven rebounds vs. Butler (1/21) ... tallied 22 points and eight rebounds (1/17) ... notched 19 points and nine rebounds at Xavier (1/5) ... had 15 points and seven rebounds at Butler (1/3) ... posted 13 points and seven rebounds vs. Seton Hall (12/21) ... notched 12 points and season-high 15 rebounds at Maryland (12/11) ... set career high with 29 points and added 10 rebounds vs. Princeton (12/8) ... tied Rebecca Lobo's UConn single-game record, going 11-for-11 from the field vs. the Tigers ... posted 18 points and 10 rebounds vs. Providence (12/2) ... scored 10 points vs. Iowa (11/27) ... notched 16 points and set career high with six steals vs. NC State (11/20) ... had 14 points vs. Texas (11/14) ... started season with 13 points, five rebounds and two steals vs. Northeastern (11/10).
Aubrey played great last year. And she started 30 games. That was great to see. While she still needs to improve her long range shooting, the rest of her game is still top notch. Maybe co-DPOY would have been nice with Nika but that doesn't detract from the chaos she creates for the opponent. The highlight video below is one of my favorites. Aubrey is just so explosive. Her athletisim just blows me away.
Nika Muhl
- 2023 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
- 2023 All-BIG EAST Second Team
- 2022 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
- Set the UConn single-season assists record in 2022-23 (284 assists)
- Set the UConn single-game assist record (15, vs. NC State, Nov. 20, 2022), passing classmate Paige Bueckers
Nika started and played in 36 games ... stepped up as UConn's primary point guard, setting both the UConn single-game and single-season assist records ... dished out double-digits assists in 12 games ... scoring in double digits in 10 games ... set career high with 7.1 points per game ... led team and set UConn record with 284 assists ... tied for team lead with 50 steals ... had 10 assists vs. Baylor (3/20) ... notched 10 assists vs. Vermont (3/18) ... posted 11 points and 10 assists vs. Marquette (3/5) ... scored 13 points and had eight assists at DePaul (2/25) ... had 13 points vs. St. John's (2/21) ... tallied 14 points and nine assists at Providence (2/1) ... dished out 14 assists and added seven points and four steals at Tennessee (1/26) ... had 10 assists and eight rebounds vs. DePaul (1/23) ... tallied 13 assists at Seton Hall (1/17) ... notched 16 points and 11 assists vs. Seton Hall (12/21) for first career double-double ... had 12 assists vs. Florida State (12/18) ... had four straight games with double-digit assists vs. NC State (11/20), Duke (11/25), Iowa (11/27) and Providence (12/2) ... set UConn single-game assist record with 15 vs. NC State (11/20).
Her stats speak for themselves. A true "pass first" point guard, Nika was the glue that held last years fragile team togehter. She wsasn't perfect, but she played harder than anyone else on the team and motivated everyone. She was a better three point shooter than people give her credit for and also showed she could get to the basket if they did come out to guard her. However, it wasn't her nature to shoot so her scoring numbers were way down. That's ok with a lot of scorers on the team as the case will be this season. Word is she has been working hard on improving her outside shooting. I've share the video below before. It's a great compliation of her ability to score when she does look to shoot. And the second video shows her great court vision.
Azzi Fudd
- 2022 NCAA Tournament Bridgeport All-Region Team
- 2022 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team
She only appeared in 15 games with 10 starts ... averaged 15.1 points per game ... scored in double digits in 11 games ... had 14 points vs. Ohio State (3/25) ... notched 22 points vs. Baylor (3/20) ... tallied 11 points vs. Villanova (3/6) ... had 10 points and four assists vs. Georgetown (3/4) ... tallied 14 points at St. John's (1/11) ... notched 16 points vs. Providence (12/2) ... posted 24 points, four assists and three rebounds vs. Iowa (11/27) ... had 14 points vs. Duke (11/25) ... scored 32 points vs. NC State (11/20 ... tied Diana Taurasi for the most points by a UConn player vs. a top-5 opponent with 32 points vs. Texas (11/14) ... notched 26 points, six steals and four assists in the season opener vs. Northeastern (11/10).
Another case of what could have been. Injured twice withine a few games, she just wsn't able to showcase her skills. Oh, she had her moments but other than a few games, she haven't seen the full Fudd. This year could be different. She is coming into this season 100% both mentally and physically. I'd look for great things from her. Her three point shot is as good as it gets. I'd bet on a 50-40-90 year. Maybe better.
6'3" Forward
Aaliyah Edwards
- 2023 AP Third Team All-American
- 2023 USBWA Third Team All-American
- 2023 BIG EAST Most Improved Player
- 2023 BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player
- 2023 All-BIG EAST First Team
- 2023 WBCA All-Region
- 2022 Phil Knight Legacy Most Valuable Player
- 2022 BIG EAST All-Tournament Team
- 2021 BIG EAST Sixth-Woman of the Year
- 2021 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team
She started all 37 games ... led the Huskies with 16.6 points per game ... averaged career-high 9.0 rebounds per game ... two-time BIG EAST Player of the Week (11/28, 1/30) ... scored in double digits 32 times ... had 14 double-doubles ... scored 19 points vs. Baylor (3/20) ... notched career-high 28 points seven rebounds, five assists and four steals vs. Vermont (3/18) ... tallied 19 points and 15 rebounds in the BIG EAST Tournament finals vs. Villanova (3/6) ... had 20 points and 12 rebounds vs. Marquette (3/5) ... notched 19 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks vs. Georgetown (3/4) ... scored 19 points vs. Xavier (2/27) ... tallied 16 points at DePaul (2/25) ... had 14 points, 10 rebounds and four assists vs. St. John's (2/21) ... posted 13 points and 14 rebounds at Villanova (2/18) ... scored 25 points vs. South Carolina (2/5) ... had 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists at Tennessee (1/26) ... notched 23 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 76.9 percent vs. DePaul (1/23) ... scored 20 points vs. Butler (1/21) ... posted 21 points and 11 rebounds at Seton Hall (1/17) ... had 17 points and 11 rebounds vs. Georgetown (1/15) ... scored 20 points and added nine rebounds at Butler (1/3) ... had 23 points and career-high 20 rebounds at Creighton (12/28), becoming the first UConn player since Maya Moore with a 20-point, 20-rebound game ... notched 23 points vs. Seton Hall (12/21) ... posted 26 points and shot 70.6 percent (12-17) vs. Florida State (12/18) ... notched 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists at Maryland (12/11) ... had 14 points and 10 rebounds vs. Providence (12/2) ... tallied 20 points, 13 rebounds and six assists vs. Iowa (11/27) ... notched 17 points and 11 rebounds vs. Duke (11/25) ... posted 20 points and 12 rebounds vs. NC State (11/20) ... started the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds vs. Northeastern (11/10).
Talk about consistency. Aaliyah was just a rock for last years team. Through it all, all the injuries, Edwards was there. So what to expect this year? More of the same......and even more. She has taken her range out to the three point line and is even stronger. She is a 1st team AA in my mind. Just watch. Can she average a double double? Only if she gets enough minutes.
***********************************************************
SEASON PREVIEW
Well, that was exhausting. Lots of searches and cutting and pasting. I hope you found that information on the players interesting.
Last year was a big disappointment in how they finished. That Ohio State game was brutal. The team looked totally off. Did the injuries catch up to them? Maybe. But that is in the past. It's time for the future.
Once again the Huskies have put together another tough OOC schedule. Starting early with a game at North Carolina State on November 12th, at home on November 16th against No. 14 Maryland, November 24, against No. 4 UCLA in the Cayman Islands, at No. 3 Texas on December 3rd.
A week later UConn is home with back to back games on December 10th and December 16th against No. 16 North Carolina and No. 17 Louisville.
Finally on January 27th they play No. 10 Notre Dame at home and finish their OOC scheuld with a game against No. 6 South Caroina on February 11 on the road.
That's 7 games against Top 17 teams. The Big East seems to be down this year so the tough OOC schedule is necessary.
Tough schedule but this version of UConn is up for it. More talent in years. A team that has only one thing in mind, winning the title. So many things to look forward to.
Well, here is the big question. You can say for sure that Bueckers, Fudd and Edwards will be there. No doubt about it. And based on Geno's own words, he will start Nika as the point guard.
That fifth spot is where all the questions begin. Logic tells us that it's between Griffin, Ducharme and Brady. All are great choices. Ducharme gives you another three point threat and solid reboundings. Brady gives you size and a high low presence. However I believe it will be Griffin that starts. Against 95% of the teams, Griffin can play as a 4 while Edwards covers the post on defense. And Edwards started 30 games last year.
We will find out soon enough.
Or Final Analysis!
It's hard to be exact when you haven't seen these players on the court as a team. The European Tour was missing a few players, especiial Paige.
However, you can make a few guesses on how this team will do.
You can count on an improvement on three point shooting percentage. With Paige back, and a healthy Caroline and Azzi, an improved Nika, you can bet the team will shoot better than the 35.7% from last season. I'm guessing 40%+. Maybe the best in the country.
They may have 5+ double digit scorers of players get enough minutes. Bueckers, Fudd, Ducharme, Griffin, Edwards and if she plays enough, KK. So much talent.
With so many ball handlers I look for an improved assist to turnover ratio. Last year was 1.15. Not good for a UConn team. I'd guess closer to 1.5 this year.
Defend, defend, defend and then run, run run. We are going to see one of the best running teams that UConn has had in years. And that feeds off of the defense. I look for a lot of pressure both full court and in the half court.
Rebounding could be a weakness for this team. But a sleeper in the rotation to help with that is Patterson.
Will Geno have a regular rotation of 8-9 or even 10 players? It's possible. He's done it before.
What will be nice this season is that with 13 players available the "bottom of the bench" will get plenty of minutes in the fourth quarter and with plenty of talent, keep the lead expanding in blowouts. No more switching channels (not that I do that) in the fourth quarter.
Overall, a great team and there is a good possibility to run the table. Wouldn't that be amazing??
**************************************************
Monday Starts the regular season!!!
#10 Notre Dame at #6 South Carolina
A great game to start the season although no star PG Olivia Miles for Notre Dame and no word on when she will be available. Their freshman PG Hidalgo will have to grow up quickly. South Carolina is starting 5 new players. And they are still No. 6. Great job by Dawn putting this team together and shows the depth of her recruiting and portal work.
No home court advantage for either team. It's a tough one to pick but I like South Carolina in this one.
Another good game but Ohio State (insert middle finger here) is too tough for USA.
#20 Colorado vs #1 LSU
Well, how about that. Not a cupcake to start the season. I'm not impressed with Colorado so this game won't be close. But wouldn't an upset be sweet???
**************************************************
Straight from the Dog
We are patiently waiting to here about the two remaining players on UConn's 2024 recruiting list, No. 1 Sarah Strong a 6'2" forward and No. 19 Ariana Roberson a 6'4" post. While I'm confident that UConn will snag these two terrific players, you just neven know. And I lied about waiting patiently.
In the meantime, UConn does have commitments from the No. 4 player 5'10" sharpshooter Allie Ziebell and No. 18 Morgan Cheli a 6'2" guard.
Stay tuned!!!
_________________________________________________
The Cupcake express has started for LSU. Yes, the first two games have been exhibitions but many of their other OOC games are against similar level teams. Hey, they do start with a game against No. 20 Colorado.
In their 121-36 win over Loyola (N.O) it looks like they used their future starting lineup. A very talented team.
But small
5'10" No. 4 Flau'jae Johnson
6'3" No. 10 Angel Reese
5'6" No. 11 Hailey Van Lith
6' No. 12 Mikaylah Williams
6'1" No. 24 Aneesah Morrow
5'10" No. 4 Flau'jae Johnson
6'3" No. 10 Angel Reese
5'6" No. 11 Hailey Van Lith
6' No. 12 Mikaylah Williams
6'1" No. 24 Aneesah Morrow
Those are ESPN HS ranking numbers.
How does this possible lineup for UConn match up?
5'10" Flau'jae Johnson vs 5'11" Fudd
6'3" Angel Reese 6'3" Edwards
5'6" Hailey Van Lith 5'11" Muhl
6' Mikaylah Williams 6 Bueckers
6'1" Aneesah Morrow 6'1" Griffin
It would be a great game but I'd take UConn every time.
How does this possible lineup for UConn match up?
5'10" Flau'jae Johnson vs 5'11" Fudd
6'3" Angel Reese 6'3" Edwards
5'6" Hailey Van Lith 5'11" Muhl
6' Mikaylah Williams 6 Bueckers
6'1" Aneesah Morrow 6'1" Griffin
It would be a great game but I'd take UConn every time.
Sounds like LSU plans on playing Van Lith at the PG. At 5'6", she will struggle defensively. And as she was a shooting guard her time at Louisville. It’s just not an easy transition. Shooters look to score not pass and it’s a tough thought process to change. It leads to indecision and bad passes and poor shot selection. A friend of mine had a couple of good questions about it.
- Can she put them into a position to score easily?
- Can she disguise the "plan" enough that opponents won't shift to stop said plan before it develops?
She better learn fast.
*******************************************************
Preseason Awards
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) have now completed the watch lists for five awards:
- Nancy Lieberman award (Point Guard)
- Ann Meyers Drysdale award (Shooting guard)
- Lisa Leslie award (Center)
- Katrina McClain award (Power Forward)
- Cheryl Miller award (Small forward)
There are twenty nominees category for a total of one hundred nominees.
Interesting to note that the big twelve dominates the list of top players. While SEC fans are always convinced they are the greatest conference, I think most knowledgeable basketball fans view the Pac 12 as the top conference, and after that it gets a little muddier with decent and competing arguments for the B12, Big Ten, ACC and SEC. The Big East is the top dog in the century for national championships but even the most ardent beauties fans would agree the depth of quality in the Big East isn't the same as the P5.
It will come as no surprise that the P5 dominates the overall list, and the P5 along with the Big East combined for 92% of the nominees. Six other conferences get at least one nominee with the West Coast coming in at three.
Some basketball observers feel that the P5 gets the lion share of the attention and sometimes teams and other conferences get short shrift.
While I tried to care about teams outside the P5 and Big East, I may be guilty of this bias as well — and wonder if others feel that eight of the one hundred nominees being outside the P5 and Big East is a fair reflection of the distribution of quality players?
- Nancy Lieberman award (Point Guard)
- Ann Meyers Drysdale award (Shooting guard)
- Lisa Leslie award (Center)
- Katrina McClain award (Power Forward)
- Cheryl Miller award (Small forward)
There are twenty nominees category for a total of one hundred nominees.
By Conference
21 Big 12
17 Pac12
16 Big 10
15 ACC
15 SEC
8 Big East
3 West Coast
1 A10
1 American
1 IVY
1 Mid-America
1 Mountain West
Interesting to note that the big twelve dominates the list of top players. While SEC fans are always convinced they are the greatest conference, I think most knowledgeable basketball fans view the Pac 12 as the top conference, and after that it gets a little muddier with decent and competing arguments for the B12, Big Ten, ACC and SEC. The Big East is the top dog in the century for national championships but even the most ardent beauties fans would agree the depth of quality in the Big East isn't the same as the P5.
It will come as no surprise that the P5 dominates the overall list, and the P5 along with the Big East combined for 92% of the nominees. Six other conferences get at least one nominee with the West Coast coming in at three.
Some basketball observers feel that the P5 gets the lion share of the attention and sometimes teams and other conferences get short shrift.
While I tried to care about teams outside the P5 and Big East, I may be guilty of this bias as well — and wonder if others feel that eight of the one hundred nominees being outside the P5 and Big East is a fair reflection of the distribution of quality players?
Distribution of nominees by class:
0 Freshman
9 Sophomore
20 Junior
32 Senior
10 Senior +
29 Graduate
The fact that there are zero freshman on this list is blazingly obvious. The year hasn't even started and while there may be some highly touted freshman to watch, it's a bit early to be putting them on these watchlists. As the season goes on, they will adjust the lists. IIRC, they will cut the number down to ten, but new entries may appear especially freshman who have a particularly strong year.
It's also hardly surprising that there are more upperclassman than sophomores.
More on this later
********************************************************
By David in Naples
Aaliyah Edwards led the Huskies in scoring last season with 615 points. Combined with her previous two years of scoring, Liya is now sitting in 44th place all-time at UConn with 1,209 points. How many will she score this season? If Paige and Azzi stay healthy, probably less than the 615 she netted last season.
Scoring 400 this season would give her 1,609 points and possession of 22nd place all-time, just ahead of Swin Cash (1,583). Scoring 500 would put her in 18th place, just ahead of Ann Strother (1,699). If she reaches 600 points, her total of 1,809 points would be good for 16th place, passing Tif Hayes (1,801). Reachable, but difficult.
Congrats to Aaliyah for her efforts on the court & good luck in the 2023-24 season.
Go Liya,,!!
Scoring 400 this season would give her 1,609 points and possession of 22nd place all-time, just ahead of Swin Cash (1,583). Scoring 500 would put her in 18th place, just ahead of Ann Strother (1,699). If she reaches 600 points, her total of 1,809 points would be good for 16th place, passing Tif Hayes (1,801). Reachable, but difficult.
Congrats to Aaliyah for her efforts on the court & good luck in the 2023-24 season.
Go Liya,,!!
Go Huskies..!!
**************************************************
Here is an option for any contributions for my time in putting together this blog.
I'm not requiring the contribution in order to read the blog. It's totally voluntary. And I'm not recommending how much to donate or how often.
Thanks to all my loyal readers!!!
If you don't have Venmo, you can sign up here
or add the app to your iPhone or iPad.
And here is another option that is being pushed by Paige!!
********************************************************
UCONN LINKS
Several links are pay sites. Sorry!
********************************************************
Message Boards
UConn Territory - The best UConn women's message board ever!!!
Vol Nation - Tennessee women's basketball board
ND Nation - Notre Dame women's basketball board
Rebkell - WCBB for everyone that thinks they are smarter than everyone else
UCONN Information
UConn 2023-24 Online Media Guide (still last season)
UConn 2023-2024 Statistics (updated after 1st game)
I'm always open for suggestions. Just please reply to this blog or email me at:
No comments:
Post a Comment