Who starts?

I hate it. But I like you.

Gabriel
Poffenbarger
McLean
DeBerry
Ducharme

That's probably the better guessing game. Limiting this to game 1, I think Edwards first but then Dorka rather than Azzi. Dorka has 3 years under her belt and knows the game really well. Geno may well need her more than Azzi this season, and will work Azzi in more slowly. (Of course, I so very brilliantly predicted Paige wouldn't start the first several games of last season....)

But wow, think about Dorka and Aaliyah playing together from the very tip off. What an uptempo team. A perfect compliment to Paige, Nika, and Christyn.....They'd run any team into the hardwood....And Evina wouldn't mind giving up some minutes.....

Paige.

I was going to stop there and proclaim success.  Because things get murkier after that.

Christyn.  Senior. Started since she was a Frosh.  Can score inside or out.

Liv.  After being on her case, Geno will give her a chance to prove she deserves the spot.

Aaliyah.  This year she won't be surprised to play an important role.

ummmmm...  Muddier still.  

Nika at first.  Azzi or Dorka later.  Although lots of changes are possible later on.

If the coaches believe they can press effectively, this team may be ideal.  

Don't mess with the Croatian. Team 2? HAH!

Our starting line-up last year barely beat Tenn (Paige's injured heroics), South Carolina (Boston missed an easy put-back allowing more Paige heroics), and Baylor (questionable last call). And lost to Arkansas and Arizona. It was a dog fight against all the best teams (and we didn't get to play Stanford).

This year, South Carolina has materially improved as well. Meanwhile, Duke and North Carolina have fabulous coaches and a lot of young talent.

In spring training, every MLB team looks like it will go undefeated right through the World Series. 

You wouldn't be alone, Geno has a habit of proving almost everyone (everyone except CD) wrong.

Let’s answer this question
Is Azzi so good,a la Paige, that she HAS to start from
day 1 or the majority of her freshmen year??!! Do we know this?!

That Day in the Life of Geno article casually stated that Paige and Azzi were the two best players by a mile with no substantiation for the second half of that duo.  Is Fudd even playing freely post injuries (the big knee and the little ankle)? 

Here's what we know from recruiting discussions and available film.  She shoots the lights out - better than Paige in that category.  Her passing is exceptional for a two and above average for a PG (which she will likely never play at UCONN).  She has a pile of moves to break free and can get a shot off against anyone.  The former ESPN ratings guys said that as a HS Sophomore, she was the best player in HS and would start on any WCBB team in the country back then.  That's a pretty good start.  Even stepping back from the hyperbole a bit, she played up and started for Team USA, and likely would have again but for her injury.  She knows how to play with other strong players, including Paige.  There are going to be a lot of open looks for AF whenever she gets onto the floor.  There is simply too much talent to leave anyone alone.  If she drains them consistently, Nika, Paige, Evina, Liv, and others will find her and it will be hard to chase her off the floor except after the buzzer sounds or the score is so lopsided as to cause embarrassment.

It would be shocking to have two consecutive top recruits be starters the whole season at UCONN.  Even more so given the gobs of talent on offer even deep on the bench.  Not because we're short and have to put someone in there, but because she's legitimately better than the other options.  Then there is the question about what the team needs most.  When Kia started as a freshman, the team desperately needed a guard who could defend the dribble drive.  Nurse filled that need perfectly.  But with this team, there are starter-quality players and there is lineup flexibility all over the place.  So, if our latest heroine does break into and hold as a starter all season, it'll be very, very good news for us fans.

DT didn't start till the injuries hit, and wouldn't have started if everyone remained healthy. Hell of a 6th person coming off the bench though.

This thread exposes a flaw in my fandom: other than the will Paige start debate I have never mustered any interest in the Who Will Start debate. I wish I would have a deep interest, but I don't.

I keep thinking it’s important for Nika to start at PG. I feel like we need a pure point to run the show and distribute to our many other weapons. Additionally I think Nika deserves it, she really proved herself. The issue is when you give Nika the nod it forces some really good talent to the bench.

Playing out the exercise out
Nika at point
Paige is a lock at 2 which I think is her best position.

Now comes the problem. Who’s 3,4, and 5.

I want Edward’s starting BUT I’m not sure Edward’s at 4 and ONO at 5 is out most prolific lineup. If we need to go big then you can add C Williams at 3 and go that direction.

That leaves you with Azzi on bench ( ok she’s a frosh and can work her way in the staring line up ) Evina who clearly if healthy deserves a starting spot.

If we go small and lethal
Nika
Paige
Williams
Evina or Azzi
Edward’s
Bench - ONO, Azzi or E, Aubrey, Dorka, Poff and so on.

It’s impossible to really answer this, we have no idea if anyone will make a huge leap or come out of no where.
I’m very low on ONO and high on Nika. I also would have a quick hook with Christyn and if E is right I’d play her.
Well
See.

Good problems to have

Christyn always poses a question mark, I guess. But she played outstanding ball down the stretch. And she does two things essential. Except for Paige, she goes to the hoop the best, and she was fantastic at being on the receiving end of Paige's outlet passes. And second, she is now the best defender on the team (maybe Aaliyah gives her competition, but plays a different position). Geno absolutely needs a defensive stopper on the perimeter, and that's Christyn.