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Post by bulkey on Apr 6, 2024 15:24:48 GMT -5
cause it's never too soon to start an argument.
Assumptions:
1. No one portals in or out: there's a portal thread for that if folks want to discuss. But it's pure speculation. Our current roster is fact as of today.
2. Emely Rodriguez turns down the offer: there's no room at the inn.
Therefore, this is the group that shows up in October and starts the first game.
KK-point
Azzi-2, unless she's not quite ready and then Ashlynn until Azzi is ready for full competition.
Page at the 3
Aubrey at the 4 if she's ready (though could well be Jana or Sarah) and Aubrey as 6th man. Aubrey's a couple of months behind Azzi fromt the surgery, so wouldn't be surprised if she's not up to full speed until conference play. So, maybe Jana gets the 4 nod.
Ice at the 5 (She is our high post for the next 3 years, unless G G-M matures quickly and Ice moves over her senior year to the 4, with Jana at the 3, Sarah at the 2. But if so, we won't play any games that year because all other programs will refuse to schedule UConn. Ice will get great: better even than Stef. She and Jana might alternate here, but Ice gets the start and Jana playing the 4 will be absolutely unguardable.)
Who else:
Allie at the 2; but she needs a bit more work at the D-1 level.
Morgan at the 2-3. She's D-1 ready
Q at the 2-3: who knows what her sophomore leap will look like? lots of potential.
Ayanna: 3-4. Gotta see what she can do now that she's finally healthy.
For her sake, not rating Caroline: let her come along at her pace.
let's assume Ines and Amari stay. Geno is clearly signaling that they don't get competitive time, so let's keep them below the line though it's not impossible that Ines gets a bit quicker and steadier and gets some time behind KK even in competitive minutes. Certainly, she knows the offense.
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Post by vtcwbuff on Apr 6, 2024 15:59:16 GMT -5
"Emely Rodriguez turns down the offer: there's no room at the inn." I suspect that there will be room at the inn. A good manager always has a couple of hold backs.
Although I'm not sure if anyone would take it based on the rooms already occupied. Whatever the line up will be, Auriemma will have options that he hasn't had in years. He could even adjust the line up based on the opponent, not on who isn't hurting.
The obvious starting 4 -
Bueckers Fudd Arnold Brady
Who's #5? A healthy Griffin or a big El Alfi
First in? Strong
Next up? Shade Zeibell
Ducharme if healthy
At least 2 players portal. One might retire.
A wealth of riches that will knock the cocks off their roost.
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Post by doggydaddy on Apr 6, 2024 16:08:52 GMT -5
Are we talking if the players are all 100% and bring to the table all they have shown when at their best?
Paige at the point.
Azzi at the two.
Ducharme at the three.
Strong at the four.
Brady at the five.
Make the hockey line change move....
KK at the point.
Shade at the two.
Griffin at the three.
Patterson at the four.
El Alfy at the five
Who's left that could see regular minutes?
Q at the 2/3
Ziebell at the 2
Cheli at the 1/2/3/4
Ok...this is just a ridiculous amount of talent.
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Post by bulkey on Apr 6, 2024 17:11:24 GMT -5
You identify a really important decision Geno has to make, DD.
Whether to put Paige back at point or keep KK, who is going to be the point for the following 2 years. Both make a great deal of sense. And if it is really a line change, then fine.
But Geno hasn't done line changes, so there's that.
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Post by doggydaddy on Apr 6, 2024 17:22:22 GMT -5
You identify a really important decision Geno has to make, DD. Whether to put Paige back at point or keep KK, who is going to be the point for the following 2 years. Both make a great deal of sense. And if it is really a line change, then fine. But Geno hasn't done line changes, so there's that. He won't. I was just showing players that could start. It's some amazing depth. |
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Post by paigefan on Apr 6, 2024 17:47:56 GMT -5
Are we talking if the players are all 100% and bring to the table all they have shown when at their best? Paige at the point. Azzi at the two. Ducharme at the three. Strong at the four. Brady at the five. I wonder if it would make sense to replace Ducharme with KK for defensive purposes. Paige would likely move more into a lead guard role on offense, but would not be asked to do too much on defense. |
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Post by huskyharper on Apr 6, 2024 18:21:09 GMT -5
Line Changes? who doesn't remember 2001, when Geno could and occasionally DID do line changes. Until FATE and Injury took away Sveta and Shea? Who doesn't remember having the two best teams in the country sitting on the UCONN side of the floor?
Geno himself said that they didn't handle the injuries well then. I think that experience helped him and CD (and Jamelle) handle this hellhole of injuries these last couple of years.
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Post by semper on Apr 7, 2024 7:30:37 GMT -5
Well, I'm going to let injuries play a roll in my pick (Ducharme comes off for limited minutes), given that there will be a significant player coming off the bench in every position. For starting, I'm going to say:
Paige at point
Azzi at the two
Griffin at the three
Strong at the four
El Alfy at the five
Second team:
KK at point
Shade at the two
CD at the three
AP at the four
Ice at the five
then lots of other great subs...especally the two other freshmen, who will see LOTS of time, and will crack team two right away if the older guys don't practice well. Oh, oh oh when is october coming!!
Let's keep this thread stored or going as it will be so interesting to update as pressers etc. come out. I've always wanted to do that! And let's keep our focus on next year if we can, as it is going to be a Wowzer.
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Post by larrylegend on Apr 7, 2024 7:34:52 GMT -5
I sincerely hope i am wrong, but IMHO its unrealistic to expect any kind of contribution from Ducharme. Again I really hope she makes some kind of magical recovery but realistically its not in the cards.
If Deberry were to finally decide to move on, there’s another scholarship that could free up.
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Post by semper on Apr 7, 2024 7:39:20 GMT -5
Could Ziebell play the three? Just wondering. If so I'd put her on my second team at the three. I don't want to bump Shade off my team 2.
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Post by doggydaddy on Apr 7, 2024 7:54:33 GMT -5
I sincerely hope i am wrong, but IMHO its unrealistic to expect any kind of contribution from Ducharme. Again I really hope she makes some kind of magical recovery but realistically its not in the cards. If Deberry were to finally decide to move on, there’s another scholarship that could free up. Players recover. They really do. It’s not magical. It just takes time. I totally disagree that’s it’s unrealistic that she will contribute. As most know, I am always optimistic and this situation is no different. Ducharme is planning on playing. I’ll go with her opinion. |
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Post by bulkey on Apr 7, 2024 8:34:58 GMT -5
Could Ziebell play the three? Just wondering. If so I'd put her on my second team at the three. I don't want to bump Shade off my team 2. Don't see her as a 3 on a team like UConn. Just not athletic enough. Allie has an unreal shooting eye and is quick, but not fast nor "springy." She might get some minutes at the 3 if the other groupings, 1 & 2 and 4 & 5, configure in certain ways, but I doubt she'd get many competitive minutes at that position. |
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Post by grrrrr on Apr 7, 2024 9:34:01 GMT -5
cause it's never too soon to start an argument. Assumptions: 1. No one portals in or out: there's a portal thread for that if folks want to discuss. But it's pure speculation. Our current roster is fact as of today. 2. Emely Rodriguez turns down the offer: there's no room at the inn. Therefore, this is the group that shows up in October and starts the first game .KK-point Azzi-2, unless she's not quite ready and then Ashlynn until Azzi is ready for full competition. Page at the 3 Aubrey at the 4 if she's ready (though could well be Jana or Sarah) and Aubrey as 6th man. Aubrey's a couple of months behind Azzi fromt the surgery, so wouldn't be surprised if she's not up to full speed until conference play. So, maybe Jana gets the 4 nod. Ice at the 5 (She is our high post for the next 3 years, unless G G-M matures quickly and Ice moves over her senior year to the 4, with Jana at the 3, Sarah at the 2. But if so, we won't play any games that year because all other programs will refuse to schedule UConn. Ice will get great: better even than Stef. She and Jana might alternate here, but Ice gets the start and Jana playing the 4 will be absolutely unguardable.) Who else: Allie at the 2; but she needs a bit more work at the D-1 level. Morgan at the 2-3. She's D-1 ready Q at the 2-3: who knows what her sophomore leap will look like? lots of potential. Ayanna: 3-4. Gotta see what she can do now that she's finally healthy. For her sake, not rating Caroline: let her come along at her pace. let's assume Ines and Amari stay. Geno is clearly signaling that they don't get competitive time, so let's keep them below the line though it's not impossible that Ines gets a bit quicker and steadier and gets some time behind KK even in competitive minutes. Certainly, she knows the offense. What, us argue about lineups? BRING IT. |
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Post by grrrrr on Apr 7, 2024 9:49:32 GMT -5
I sincerely hope i am wrong, but IMHO its unrealistic to expect any kind of contribution from Ducharme. Again I really hope she makes some kind of magical recovery but realistically its not in the cards. If Deberry were to finally decide to move on, there’s another scholarship that could free up. Players recover. They really do. It’s not magical. It just takes time. I totally disagree that’s it’s unrealistic that she will contribute. As most know, I am always optimistic and this situation is no different. Ducharme is planning on playing. I’ll go with her opinion. The one glimmer of hope that I've seen about Caroline being able to get back on the court is that they keep mentioning her neck. Their is medical evidence pointing to a correlation between the strength of neck muscles and concussions. Maybe they figured something out to protect her, but in any case her long term health is the only thing that matters. |
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