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Post by magic on Apr 15, 2024 15:41:49 GMT -5
Well, common sense dictates that BEERS is a sure starter because of her experience and numbers. She's also got 2 yers left. Unlike some fans , I am not afraid of scaring players with competition. I also think SS can easily slide into SF from PF very easily. I don't see a problem with Beers and Jana sharing time and even all four Jana, Beers , SS and Ice mixing and matching and all getting plenty of time. Geno's system allows for players moving around. Generally agree, but ... -Raegan is the only classic center in this group. Most importantly, she offers quality play on both offense and defense - which we need. Hope she does join. -Ice is a 4 who has the strength and ability to play Center. Played there a fair bit this past season, but was most comfortable at high post PF. Her offense is good and improved a lot defensively this year. -Jana is more of a four (despite her size), and will need to get stronger to compete with top teams at center. She theoretically could play on the wing as well. Her offense was outstanding vs international competition ... inside and outside, even has the ability to beat defenders with a dribble and blow by, too. Her defense has considerable room for growth, but she has the tools to get there if she is willing to work at it ... Surely the staff will push same. She may have some frustration with the upgrade to the competition and getting back into form after her major injury, but she could be an AA in the making We will see if it ever happens, but it would be fun to see those three together on occasion ... with say PB and AF. -Sarah is suited to PF and Wing, I think she'll be given audition minutes at each to find a path to make her successful early. She has a complete set of tools. Is already the best passer in this group. Good (not great) defensively, mostly because she is smart and anticipates well. She is the best outside shooter in this group by a substantial margin as well. Good hands, legit guard skills, and wicked upside. -Add Aubrey, Ayanna, and a suite of guards with wing skills ... Caroline, Paige, Azzi, Qadence, Morgan ... and we have a very deep and flexible team up front. - Guard depth, too ... Paige and KK at PG ... Azzi, Ash, Allie and most of the wings listed above can play at least a little shooting guard, too. Doomed, for sure. I remember seeing that Jana was a guard originally and then grew alot . So until she actually starts practicing with the team, who knows what skills she actually has. But, my guess is Geno has already formulated his game plan. I'm thinking there will be a lot of interchangeable players at many positions. I just want everyone to be healthy so we can have fun watching things develop.
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Post by doggydaddy on Apr 15, 2024 16:38:59 GMT -5
See my post in the portal thread. I'm having a nagging feeling that Reagan will commit to Colorado. Of course, I thought Paige wouldn't start her freshman year and was convinced Sarah was going first to South Carolina and then to Duke.... You are something else. Is there ever a negative thought you don’t share?
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Post by bulkey on Apr 15, 2024 16:52:07 GMT -5
See my post in the portal thread. I'm having a nagging feeling that Reagan will commit to Colorado. Of course, I thought Paige wouldn't start her freshman year and was convinced Sarah was going first to South Carolina and then to Duke.... You are something else. Is there ever a negative thought you don’t share? :-) I'm an historian. Just trying to be realistic and tease out the evidence. Vonleh suddenly portals while Beers, who plays the same position and comes from Colorado, is considering where to commit. As thin and uncertain as it is, it's something to weigh. If Geno wants another big, he's got to be weighing factors of relative availability too. It's a crazy month and the best coaches are the flexible ones. Rather than Beers or nothing (because everyone assumes Iriafen is staying in California), how about Vonleh? Given what's already on the team, UConn doesn't absolutely need to add the best big. It may just want to add another excellent big as part of the rotation.
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Post by doggydaddy on Apr 15, 2024 17:15:37 GMT -5
You are something else. Is there ever a negative thought you don’t share? :-) I'm a historian. Just trying to be realistic and tease out the evidence. Vonleh suddenly portals while Beers, who plays the same position and comes from Colorado, is considering where to commit. As thin and uncertain as it is, it's something to weigh. “ I'm having a nagging feeling that Reagan will commit to Colorado.” You just called it thin and uncertain. So hey does that give you that nagging feeling. As a historian, shouldn’t you just lay out the facts. You have one fact about Colorado. Their center entered the portal. In your words “suddenly”. A team that played worse and worse as the season went on. For UConn 7 players and two coaches “suddenly” started following her on social media. A team that made the final four after enduring several injuries. Does she want to win or go to a lower top 25 team? My nagging feeling trips your nagging feeling. We will find out soon enough
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Post by bulkey on Apr 15, 2024 17:23:26 GMT -5
:-) I'm a historian. Just trying to be realistic and tease out the evidence. Vonleh suddenly portals while Beers, who plays the same position and comes from Colorado, is considering where to commit. As thin and uncertain as it is, it's something to weigh. “ I'm having a nagging feeling that Reagan will commit to Colorado.” You just called it thin and uncertain. So hey does that give you that nagging feeling. As a historian, shouldn’t you just lay out the facts. You have one fact about Colorado. Their center entered the portal. In your words “suddenly”. A team that played worse and worse as the season went on. For UConn 7 players and two coaches “suddenly” started following her on social media. A team that made the final four after enduring several injuries. Does she want to win or go to a lower top 25 team? My nagging feeling trips your nagging feeling. We will find out soon enough I very much hope you're right and that I'm wrong. But what you lay out aren't material facts. 1. That UConn players are following her says nothing about her own intentions. It just says that UConn very much wants her. 2. We don't have any idea whether she wants to go to a top contender or not. Look at what VanSlooten just did. Surely, she could have gone to a more competitive program if she had wanted to. These are facts: Beers comes from Colorado and the position player there, who is very good, suddenly, within the last few hrs, portals. That allows for an inference. Nothing more, nothing less. Meanwhile, Vonleh is now also in play and deserves consideration, just in case....
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Post by doggydaddy on Apr 15, 2024 17:30:30 GMT -5
“ I'm having a nagging feeling that Reagan will commit to Colorado.” You just called it thin and uncertain. So hey does that give you that nagging feeling. As a historian, shouldn’t you just lay out the facts. You have one fact about Colorado. Their center entered the portal. In your words “suddenly”. A team that played worse and worse as the season went on. For UConn 7 players and two coaches “suddenly” started following her on social media. A team that made the final four after enduring several injuries. Does she want to win or go to a lower top 25 team? My nagging feeling trips your nagging feeling. We will find out soon enough I very much hope you're right and that I'm wrong. But what you lay out aren't material facts. 1. That UConn players are following her says nothing about her own intentions. It just says that UConn very much wants her. 2. We don't have any idea whether she wants to go to a top contender or not. Look at what VanSlooten just did. Surely, she could have gone to a more competitive program if she had wanted to. These are facts: Beers comes from Colorado and the position player there, who is very good, suddenly, within the last few hrs, portals. That allows for an inference. Nothing more, nothing less. Meanwhile, Vonleh is now also in play and deserves consideration, just in case.... Sigh…..
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Post by magic on Apr 15, 2024 17:51:03 GMT -5
I think we have to be patient , like we were with SS. I have no idea what tha ectual procedure is, but after contact there is surely some conversation and hopefull swaying. Then there is coaching staff discussions and probably a visit. I'll remain optimistic.
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Post by swash on Apr 15, 2024 18:08:27 GMT -5
“ I'm having a nagging feeling that Reagan will commit to Colorado.” You just called it thin and uncertain. So hey does that give you that nagging feeling. As a historian, shouldn’t you just lay out the facts. You have one fact about Colorado. Their center entered the portal. In your words “suddenly”. A team that played worse and worse as the season went on. For UConn 7 players and two coaches “suddenly” started following her on social media. A team that made the final four after enduring several injuries. Does she want to win or go to a lower top 25 team? My nagging feeling trips your nagging feeling. We will find out soon enough I very much hope you're right and that I'm wrong. But what you lay out aren't material facts. 1. That UConn players are following her says nothing about her own intentions. It just says that UConn very much wants her. 2. We don't have any idea whether she wants to go to a top contender or not. Look at what VanSlooten just did. Surely, she could have gone to a more competitive program if she had wanted to. These are facts: Beers comes from Colorado and the position player there, who is very good, suddenly, within the last few hrs, portals. That allows for an inference. Nothing more, nothing less. Meanwhile, Vonleh is now also in play and deserves consideration, just in case.... Not convinced Vonleh is the answer. I only want someone who is a pretty sure-fire starter, and I don't think she's that at UConn. My impression is that Vonleh is pretty good in transition, but doesn't bring much defensive presence, and may not be an actual center. Undersized ... 6'3" and that may be counting high shoes and a big hairdo. I think Ice will be better in 2024/2025. I don't see her stopping Jana or Ice in practice. So, we're balancing more experience vs Athleticism (Ayanna) in the open court for minutes when others rest. If I were advising her, I wouldn't suggest stepping into that shark tank. Only the Shadow knows what lurks in recruits' hearts. But I am wondering if the announcement out of Stanford might have pumped the breaks on RB (Not stopped the dialog, just prevented an immediate announcement), and gave her pause to consider alternatives in case of fire. Colorado seems like that kind of move.
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Post by mulliganspa on Apr 15, 2024 18:19:38 GMT -5
I have had an extended Happy Hour today so I apologize in advance for any buffoonery below. One thing good about retirement….Happy Hours can start and end any time you want them to.
I hate this whole Portal thing. It’s a disaster in multiple ways. It already has driven coaches to retire early. It is anti-parity which ultimately hurts the sport. Programs are nearly decimated as top players bolt looking for a team that may get them noticed and to the Final 4. Portal players beget Portal players. It forces players who committed to a school but will now be bench players to go elsewhere for playing time. The whole thing stinks. And we are very close to a situation where 2/3 All American caliber players get together, transfer to the same school and steal a NC. It’s turning our great sport into a circus. 5th year players already with their degrees…beaming in for a year. Do they even bother to unpack? Do they stay at Motel 6? And now I’m so worked about it, I’m continuing Happy Hour till I can’t remember why I wrote this. .
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Post by doggydaddy on Apr 15, 2024 18:29:58 GMT -5
“ And we are very close to a situation where 2/3 All American caliber players get together, transfer to the same school and steal a NC.”
Like LSU…..wait, they didn’t win the NC this year.
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BJ42
Purebred Husky
Posts: 450
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Post by BJ42 on Apr 15, 2024 20:24:41 GMT -5
“ I'm having a nagging feeling that Reagan will commit to Colorado.” You just called it thin and uncertain. So hey does that give you that nagging feeling. As a historian, shouldn’t you just lay out the facts. You have one fact about Colorado. Their center entered the portal. In your words “suddenly”. A team that played worse and worse as the season went on. For UConn 7 players and two coaches “suddenly” started following her on social media. A team that made the final four after enduring several injuries. Does she want to win or go to a lower top 25 team? My nagging feeling trips your nagging feeling. We will find out soon enough I very much hope you're right and that I'm wrong. But what you lay out aren't material facts. 1. That UConn players are following her says nothing about her own intentions. It just says that UConn very much wants her. 2. We don't have any idea whether she wants to go to a top contender or not. Look at what VanSlooten just did. Surely, she could have gone to a more competitive program if she had wanted to. These are facts: Beers comes from Colorado and the position player there, who is very good, suddenly, within the last few hrs, portals. That allows for an inference. Nothing more, nothing less. Meanwhile, Vonleh is now also in play and deserves consideration, just in case.... If Beers had wanted to be a home state savior, play at Colorado, and build that program up she could have done that two years ago. That position was wide open then. She didn't want to so why would she want to now?
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Post by doggydaddy on Apr 15, 2024 20:51:02 GMT -5
I very much hope you're right and that I'm wrong. But what you lay out aren't material facts. 1. That UConn players are following her says nothing about her own intentions. It just says that UConn very much wants her. 2. We don't have any idea whether she wants to go to a top contender or not. Look at what VanSlooten just did. Surely, she could have gone to a more competitive program if she had wanted to. These are facts: Beers comes from Colorado and the position player there, who is very good, suddenly, within the last few hrs, portals. That allows for an inference. Nothing more, nothing less. Meanwhile, Vonleh is now also in play and deserves consideration, just in case.... If Beers had wanted to be a home state savior, play at Colorado, and build that program up she could have done that two years ago. That position was wide open then. She didn't want to so why would she want to now? Yeah but…..I have this nagging feeling……
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Post by vtcwbuff on Apr 15, 2024 20:59:18 GMT -5
I have had an extended Happy Hour today so I apologize in advance for any buffoonery below. One thing good about retirement….Happy Hours can start and end any time you want them to. I hate this whole Portal thing. It’s a disaster in multiple ways. It already has driven coaches to retire early. It is anti-parity which ultimately hurts the sport. Programs are nearly decimated as top players bolt looking for a team that may get them noticed and to the Final 4. Portal players beget Portal players. It forces players who committed to a school but will now be bench players to go elsewhere for playing time. The whole thing stinks. And we are very close to a situation where 2/3 All American caliber players get together, transfer to the same school and steal a NC. It’s turning our great sport into a circus. 5th year players already with their degrees…beaming in for a year. Do they even bother to unpack? Do they stay at Motel 6? And now I’m so worked about it, I’m continuing Happy Hour till I can’t remember why I wrote this. . I have two clocks one in the living room and one in the dining room. The one in the living room is set to GMT +1. While it may not be 5 o'clock everywhere it is here whenever we want.
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Post by bulkey on Apr 16, 2024 1:25:19 GMT -5
I very much hope you're right and that I'm wrong. But what you lay out aren't material facts. 1. That UConn players are following her says nothing about her own intentions. It just says that UConn very much wants her. 2. We don't have any idea whether she wants to go to a top contender or not. Look at what VanSlooten just did. Surely, she could have gone to a more competitive program if she had wanted to. These are facts: Beers comes from Colorado and the position player there, who is very good, suddenly, within the last few hrs, portals. That allows for an inference. Nothing more, nothing less. Meanwhile, Vonleh is now also in play and deserves consideration, just in case.... If Beers had wanted to be a home state savior, play at Colorado, and build that program up she could have done that two years ago. That position was wide open then. She didn't want to so why would she want to now? Good point! Wish EDD had thought that way , too. 🥹
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Post by bulkey on Apr 17, 2024 0:01:50 GMT -5
Not convinced Vonleh is the answer. I only want someone who is a pretty sure-fire starter, and I don't think she's that at UConn. My impression is that Vonleh is pretty good in transition, but doesn't bring much defensive presence, and may not be an actual center. Undersized ... 6'3" and that may be counting high shoes and a big hairdo. I think Ice will be better in 2024/2025. I don't see her stopping Jana or Ice in practice. So, we're balancing more experience vs Athleticism (Ayanna) in the open court for minutes when others rest. If I were advising her, I wouldn't suggest stepping into that shark tank. Only the Shadow knows what lurks in recruits' hearts. But I am wondering if the announcement out of Stanford might have pumped the breaks on RB (Not stopped the dialog, just prevented an immediate announcement), and gave her pause to consider alternatives in case of fire. Colorado seems like that kind of move. In this crazy scramble of musical chairs, precise fit and complementary skills are sometimes an unattainable goal--for both player or program. 1. Pretty much everyone seems to think UConn could/should use one of its 2 (now that Emily Rodriguez is off the board) available scholarships for another big. 2. So far, there have been a number of excellent-to-great bigs (either 5's or 4/5's): Grace VanSklooten--now off the board Kiki Iriafen: Everyone seems to think she will stay in California: at the very least nothing is connecting her to UConn. Reagan Beers Aaronette Vonleh Below those who might get competitive minutes is Boston University's 6'4" Caitlin Weimar (strong performance against very weak teams: 18.7 pts & 10.6 ribbies/game; league's defensive and offensive PoY). Although almost her dobbelganger, she's definitely not Amari: she likes the physicality in the paint and could give UConn spot minutes. She'd be a one-year rental, a transition to Gandy M-M, who comes in the following year. She'd be what we all had hoped Amari would be and probably more. Obviously, from its own social media UConn wants Beers. UConn fans would do backflips if she committed, since she'd be the clincher at the high post. But what happens if she doesn't want UConn? Vonleh and even Weimar aren't perfect fits, but they'd give UConn more depth and flexibility: in varying ways and degrees, the team would get stronger.
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Post by semper on Apr 17, 2024 4:19:03 GMT -5
Beers is who we want, that's pretty clear. I hope we don't pick up another guard.
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Post by magic on Apr 17, 2024 6:42:05 GMT -5
To me , I would find it inexplicable if the most storied program in wcbb history cannot sign a big from the portal.
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Post by bulkey on Apr 17, 2024 7:13:38 GMT -5
To me , I would find it inexplicable if the most storied program in wcbb history cannot sign a big from the portal. I don’t feel similarly. UConn already has good bigs and any portaler is going to have to weigh playing time.
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Post by swash on Apr 17, 2024 8:53:30 GMT -5
To me , I would find it inexplicable if the most storied program in wcbb history cannot sign a big from the portal. Of course they could grab any one of maybe a dozen 6'4" or taller players in 24 hours. But they can absolutely afford to be picky ... and they should Without a Portal injection: =>They will still be very strong at 1, 2, and three next season. =>The Four slot has a mix of already proven and high-ceiling players - Aubrey, Caroline, Qadence, Sarah, Ice, Jana, Ayanna, and possibly Morgan ... not to mention a certain incumbent All American who we suspect will take on "other duties as assigned." =>Center is exciting in possibility, but unproven with Ice and Jana, who are both flexible fours with size, strength, and tools to open the doors to playing the five So, the only portal bigs under consideration would be candidates who can make an immediate impact. Others have opined otherwise, but I maintain there are only two who meet that selective criteria, both of which are "Do not contact", meaning that the staff must wait to hear from them. One of those two has never given any indication of interest in UConn. The other has been mostly quiet, but we see that the entire program began following her on social media. One last note is that I expect Geno will not move at the speed of light here. He will assess the player(s) and the fit and encourage her (they) to do the same. Give the process a little time. Any player that would select a destination purely on speed is probably not a fit in Storrs anyway.
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Post by bulkey on Apr 17, 2024 9:03:18 GMT -5
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Post by chicagogg on Apr 17, 2024 9:08:22 GMT -5
Still not counting my Beers, until they are properly Storred....
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Post by swash on Apr 17, 2024 9:15:41 GMT -5
Still not counting my Beers, until they are properly Storred.... Nicely done!
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Post by bulkey on Apr 17, 2024 14:36:40 GMT -5
Shoot! I sold Weimar to the wrong crowd....
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Post by bulkey on Apr 19, 2024 10:38:02 GMT -5
The more I look at her work, the more impressed I am with her. Really happy that a below-the-radar player has earned the chance to prove she can excel at a higher level.
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Post by bulkey on Apr 19, 2024 10:48:01 GMT -5
Looking for any hint--any!--of what's going on with Reagan Beers and I'm seeing a lot of twittering about UConn fans not wanting her because she's politically conservative (which, I gather, she is). I have not seen a single Husky fan on any board or social medium commenting about her--or any player's--politics. Is this disinformation by other fans?
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