Hey guys, how about a who starts thread?

Geno likes a core. I think he will have a starting group that is fairly consistent with a little room to tweak or work around minor injuries. Don't expect a hockey line change, though he has the personnel to do it this year. I think Dorka is a big key. If she's great, we'll usually see Liv, Aaliyah, and her up front. Aubrey will scrap for minutes, too. If DJ is merely good, he'll play four guards ... a lot. Paige, Christyn, Evina, and Azzi will all be tough to sit. Nika and Caroline are a notch back, with more talent left.

SCar and Stanford have quality size. UCONN rarely changes the starting lineup based on the opponent, but the brain trust may consider it this year.

Of course we don't hate you for posting this question. Now tell us what you think.

Geno is huge on loyalty and continuity. Same starting five as last year until it's obvious there needs to be changes. The difference from last year is that substitions will come earlier and more often.

Dorka is a mystery as for now, so we can't count on her starting. She'll be great off the bench, though, and means we don't have to sweat bullets over Liv's foul troubles. I agree with Bulkey that Geno rarely sits his previously consist starters, and that others will earn their time, case by case basis. I think at the beginning of the season we'll see Paige, Evina, CW, Liv and Aaliyah, but there will be many more subs in during the second half than we have seen for a long time. Then, depending on how things go in practice and who the opponent is, there may be changes earlier to the starting lineup, but it is hard for Geno to take a player out of the starting lineup when she has been in it for a good amount of time. If he does shake things up with starters, that will mean that Dorka and Azzi have been blow away brilliant in practice. I think that Nika won't be a starter, though, and she was sometimes last year. She will be a spark off the bench, for sure. He's got to get his bigs in good shape and experienced for the big games and the FF. We can win our conference with a 4-guard lineup, but we probably won't be killing SCar and Stanford with 4 guards.

Geno--like any good teacher or parent--believes in "natural consequences." It's essential for learning that one sees why their actions have resulted in consequences.

The same five players returned to UConn with the expectation (maybe for some, less of an expectation but still an expectation) of starting. For Geno to replace one of the starters, he'll want that starter to appreciate why the replacement is a better fit for the team. That happens when it's obvious in a game (Kia outplaying Saniya in the Stanford loss at the beginning of 2014/15) and/or a series of practices, in which the starter seems to be getting less floor time with the other starters and begins to hear/see Geno's reasoning.

This all takes a bit of time and maybe even a couple of early losses.

Of course, I was sure last season that Paige wouldn't start for a bit. So, based on my proven judgment the starters this November will be: Piath, Aubrey, Mir, Saylor, and CD4.

Does anyone deny that minutes are determined from practice?

First practice is about 3 weeks away.

1. Paige
2. Christyn
3. Evina
4. Olivia
5. Azzi or Aaliyah (depends on whether Geno wants size or shooting at the start)

I would go with Aaliyah as we don't tend to shoot well at the start and need rebounds. BUT, if Azzi is as good as advertised, she will get a ton of PT. I think Aubry and Nika will also get plenty of PT. If Caroline can stay in front of the better guards and still hit her shots, she will play too. If anyone else gets significant PT outside of blowouts, we have a problem. Those are nine names. When was the last time Geno went nine deep? The fact that Geno took Dorka is a sign of his confidence in Amari. I hope she uses this year to learn and get in shape because she will be needed in the future.

He took Dorka because he is not confident in Amari's ability to contribute immediately. Neither will get significant minutes unless Olivia gets injured physically or mentally. Dorka is an insurance policy.

I don't get the enthusiasm for Aubrey. She's an awesome athlete but to date has been a less than mediocre scorer. Good for rebounds but if anyone is going to get plenty of time they should be a scorer.

This seems like a very real possibility.  4 guards and Liv, with E playing the four-spot on defense.  This lineup worked very well late last year except for against Baylor, whose best player, Nalyssa Smith, was/is an outstanding power forward.  This puts three natural PGs on the floor at once, and Bueckers plays wing.

If they go with 2 bigs, either Aaliyah or Dorka starts and Nika gets added to the subs-with-significant-minutes group.  I think if Juhasz can earn that starting slot, that'll be the five.  This probably moves Evina to the Point and keeps Bueckers at the three, although those two toggled those roles a lot last season.  I think Geno likes Edwards coming in off the bench to bring energy and grit.

However, Fudd could force her way into that top lineup as well, bumping either Muhl (4 guards) or Westbrook (if Dorka shines as above).  That four-guard setup would see PB back to the PG spot and move AF to the three.  If Azzi and Dorka both stand out, then Paige again gets the lead guard slot, Christyn at the two, Azzi on the wing, with Dorka and Liv.  I think that is a less likely, but not crazy.  

I disagree. Last year she averaged 6+ ppg in only 16 mpg off the bench. She shot over 50% and she was a very effective defender.  I think she gets more minutes this year.

No way Dorka starts. She isn't that good. This team is loaded with superstars.