|
|
Post by doggydaddy on Oct 5, 2015 13:41:11 GMT -5
Silly thread on TOB. Not forgotten.
In fact, she is the answer in the middle.
Too bad most won't get to read this. They might learn something.
DoggyDaddy's Den |
|
|
|
Post by rockymtblue2 on Oct 5, 2015 14:41:21 GMT -5
Nice research dd. I hope she's VG. If she is, this will be an epic Husky season. I agree. She starts.
|
|
|
|
Post by semper on Oct 5, 2015 20:05:52 GMT -5
Yes, what I like about her starting (and why I have long thought she would) is what this will do not only for Tuck, but also for Stewie. There will not be so much pressure on her constantly. If Butler can put her back to the basket and cause some damage on the boards, and finish her shots, this team is going to be even more incredible that it looks already. I'm thinking Dolson...
Thanks for the fine report, DD. I think lots of people on TOB will read your blog, and hopefully some of them (not all of them!) will migrate over here.
|
|
|
|
Post by doggydaddy on Oct 5, 2015 22:04:39 GMT -5
Yes, what I like about her starting (and why I have long thought she would) is what this will do not only for Tuck, but also for Stewie. There will not be so much pressure on her constantly. If Butler can put her back to the basket and cause some damage on the boards, and finish her shots, this team is going to be even more incredible that it looks already. I'm thinking Dolson... Thanks for the fine report, DD. I think lots of people on TOB will read your blog, and hopefully some of them (not all of them!) will migrate over here. They can't read what they don't know about. |
|
|
|
Post by semper on Oct 6, 2015 6:24:42 GMT -5
I think lots know about the blog and read it. How many hits are you getting?
|
|
|
|
Post by davidinnaples on Oct 6, 2015 8:34:03 GMT -5
Two years ago, Georgetown and UConn played two common opponents, Penn State & California. How did Butler play against those two teams compared to Stef Dolson?  Penn State - Butler had 9 rebounds, 12 points - Dolson had 11 rebounds, 3 points California - Butler had 15 rebounds, 16 points - Dolson had 11 rebounds, 8 points I'm not saying Butler is better than Dolson in any way. In fact, I hope Butler will reach Stef's level some day, after lots of hard work. But the posters who discount Butler's play, as a freshman, need to explain how she matched or beat Dolson's numbers against common opponents. I can hear it now...how many minutes did each play, home or away, Stewie stole all the points, the lighting was bad, the dog ate my homework....:rolleyes: Bottom line = Geno likes her, the trainer says she is working like a dog & you can't teach 6'5".... Go Huskies..!! |
|
|
|
Post by meyers7 on Oct 6, 2015 9:23:42 GMT -5
My money is still on Williams to start. But I'm fine with being wrong.
|
|
|
|
Post by davidinnaples on Oct 6, 2015 9:44:27 GMT -5
My money is still on Williams to start. But I'm fine with being wrong. Bet ya a beer...  |
|
|
|
Post by linkster on Oct 6, 2015 12:59:19 GMT -5
There are a lot of good reasons why Geno would want to start Butler but that doesn't mean it's going to happen. I've thought about who that 5th starter is going to be and have changed my mind several times. I think Butler would be the first choice but so much of the decision will be based on things we have no way of knowing that I won't make any prediction.
Some posters seem to think that Butler is coming in to this season in better shape than Dolson was when she started as a freshman. Maybe that is true. She may also have as good a skill set. But what no one talks about is that Dolson was a part of this lineup:
32 Heather Buck 6-3 .
30 Lorin Dixon 5-4 .
31 Stefanie Dolson 6-5 .
5 Caroline Doty 5-10 .
12 Lauren Engeln 5-11 .
34 Kelly Faris 5-11
14 Bria Hartley 5-7
3 Tiffany Hayes 5-10
25 Michala Johnson 6-3
23 Maya Moore 6-0
Dolson's competition was Heather Buck and Michaela Johnson, and Johnson wasn't recovered from knee surgery. Butler has Stewart, Tuck & Williams ahead of her as front line players, all of whom are leaps and bounds better than the players Dolson competed with for floor time. And that's without even mentioning the 3 freshmen. I'd go as far as to say that Dolson would not have started if this was her freshman year.
All this doesn't mean I don't think Butler will be an anchor in the paint for the next 3 years. Her transfer has been huge for the program.
|
|
|
|
Post by rvwsleep on Oct 6, 2015 13:32:18 GMT -5
Geno traditionally doesn't start freshman. Even KML, who led the team in scoring her freshman year and was 4th in minutes played, only started one game (as was pointed out to me on tob). Even Maya didn't start her freshman year until an injury opened up a spot for her. So, with that precedent set, it appears that it's between Butler and Williams. I agree with Meyers 7 on this, he's on a hot streak (Arsenal has climbed into 2nd place). Gabby will be the 5th starter. Also, they are playing Ohio St who will probably go with a 3 guard lineup to start the game. It just seems that Gabby is the better fit for this game.
|
|
|
|
Post by davidinnaples on Oct 6, 2015 13:57:06 GMT -5
Geno traditionally doesn't start freshman. Even KML, who led the team in scoring her freshman year and was 4th in minutes played, only started one game (as was pointed out to me on tob). Even Maya didn't start her freshman year until an injury opened up a spot for her. So, with that precedent set, it appears that it's between Butler and Williams. I agree with Meyers 7 on this, he's on a hot streak (Arsenal has climbed into 2nd place). Gabby will be the 5th starter. Also, they are playing Ohio St who will probably go with a 3 guard lineup to start the game. It just seems that Gabby is the better fit for this game. rv... You and the other posters who feel Gabby will be the 5th starter may be 100% correct. Her athleticism and energy may earn her that starting spot..! Personally, I lean toward Butler, but I'm on record as saying starting either one and then bringing the other off the bench would be e qually effective & a great change of pace. One minor point of disagreement is Geno not starting Butler because the first game is against guard oriented Ohio State. He may smile and think, "How are they going to cover 6'5" Butler, 6'4" Stewie and 6'2" Tuck?" Ohio State has one 6'3' starter and the rest are 5'9" or shorter. (Yes, I know they are fast.)
Can't wait to find out..!!
Go Huskies..!!
|
|
|
|
Post by linkster on Oct 6, 2015 15:51:52 GMT -5
The concept of fielding players to fill the positions of 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 may not apply to this team. A team needs to put 5 players on the court who can rebound, handle the ball, score both inside and outside and play defense.For most teams this means a couple of paint players, a swing player and a couple of ball handlers. UConn is in the enviable position to have multiple players who can fill 2 or more of those roles. There are many combinations that UConn's coaches can put on the floor that at least on paper can fill all those roles. While it's tempting to look at a player's individual skills and physical tools, how they meld with the other 4 players on the court is more the issue when it comes to starting.
I don't think the coaches have decided anything yet about starters. I remember Geno relating a story from maybe 10 years ago when one of the starters was injured and the replacement played so well that when the injured player returned to practice Geno wasn't sure who should start. He let the players decide by saying at the start of practice, "starters on the court". I don't remember which of the two players stayed on the sidelines but one of them did and that solved the problem.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2015 19:36:44 GMT -5
It has been my humble opinion that Butler will start. I love Gabby and her 'microwave' offense and game-changing energy, but NB saves wear 'n' tear on Stewie and Tuck while bringing her own presence at both ends. That said, I will not be surprised to see platoon-type substitutions.
|
|
|
|
Post by semper on Oct 7, 2015 7:07:33 GMT -5
Gabby is amazing off the bench, the incredible 6th man, so probably she has that role. She could win an award for that!
|
|
|
|
Post by meyers7 on Oct 7, 2015 7:26:58 GMT -5
My money is still on Williams to start. But I'm fine with being wrong. Bet ya a beer... Sure, why not. You got Butler, I got Williams? |
|
|
|
Post by meyers7 on Oct 7, 2015 7:31:16 GMT -5
The concept of fielding players to fill the positions of 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 may not apply to this team. A team needs to put 5 players on the court who can rebound, handle the ball, score both inside and outside and play defense.For most teams this means a couple of paint players, a swing player and a couple of ball handlers. UConn is in the enviable position to have multiple players who can fill 2 or more of those roles. There are many combinations that UConn's coaches can put on the floor that at least on paper can fill all those roles. While it's tempting to look at a player's individual skills and physical tools, how they meld with the other 4 players on the court is more the issue when it comes to starting. I don't think the coaches have decided anything yet about starters. I remember Geno relating a story from maybe 10 years ago when one of the starters was injured and the replacement played so well that when the injured player returned to practice Geno wasn't sure who should start. He let the players decide by saying at the start of practice, "starters on the court". I don't remember which of the two players stayed on the sidelines but one of them did and that solved the problem. IIRC, it was between Cash and Jones. Cash ran on out with the starters. Problem solved. |
|
|
|
Post by meyers7 on Oct 7, 2015 7:32:25 GMT -5
Geno traditionally doesn't start freshman. Even KML, who led the team in scoring her freshman year and was 4th in minutes played, only started one game (as was pointed out to me on tob). Even Maya didn't start her freshman year until an injury opened up a spot for her. So, with that precedent set, it appears that it's between Butler and Williams. I agree with Meyers 7 on this, he's on a hot streak (Arsenal has climbed into 2nd place). Gabby will be the 5th starter. Also, they are playing Ohio St who will probably go with a 3 guard lineup to start the game. It just seems that Gabby is the better fit for this game. Just pay no attention to that Champion's League stuff.  |
|
|
|
Post by rockymtblue2 on Oct 7, 2015 10:46:12 GMT -5
I am a believer in the Butler starting thing. Gabby has not demonstrated that she can start. As athletic as she is I wonder if she could keep that high level playing starter minutes. She was used in the role she had last year because her ball handling and shooting were suspect/not up to par. Do I exhibit a double standard? Perhaps - belief vs opinion based on play. Geno has 3 years with Butler and the pay back if she "fits" is huge.
|
|
|
|
Post by chicagogg on Oct 7, 2015 11:20:45 GMT -5
the clock is ticking toward the season, and then we will see! And not that I am counting, but First night is coming in to view...only 8 more days!!
|
|
