This is not a criticism, but Daniel has absolutely no self-doubt; I find the amount of confidence that he has in himself and his opinion to be somewhat unnerving.
I am a big UConn fan, and I certainly loved what Paige Bueckers has done at both the collegiate and high school level; however, I do not think that it is an unquestionable, absolute truth to state that she had the best freshman season of last year (see Caitlin Clark) much less the history of women’s basketball. There is much room for reasonable debate on this question.
A lot of UConn fans seem to focus only on UConn. In their eyes, no other program has elite coaching and no other teams are as good as UConn. When you UConn loses (which is not often), it is due to bad luck or the UConn players beating themselves. The opposing team is never given any credit.
Every game prediction that I have ever heard from Daniel is one in which he states that UConn will easily win by 50 points. Every comment about another coach is one which paints the coach as being far inferior to Geno.
Geno is obviously a legend and a great coach, but he makes his fair share of mistakes (see his use of Azura Stevens and his reluctance to give his bench regular season playing time until the last few minutes of a game in which UConn is leading by 20+ points), and he has been outcoached in certain in-game situations. He is absolutely a genius, but he is human.
I really hope that this year, Geno will get all of his players some needed real game experience. The more experience that the kids get early on, the more likely they will be viable options later in the season if the shortened rotation is not clicking.
Daniel, as much as I love your informative work, you have this one wrong regarding Nika getting playing time due her defense as Azzi and Caroline are “both shooters”
During the U-19 Tournament in Hungary which featured some of the best players in the world especially The US, Spain and Australia, Cori Close, the head coach assigned Azzi, not more established Caitlin Clark or Diamond Johnson, to defend the other team’s best guard.
In the Final, Cori gave Azzi, one assignment, stop Jude Melbourne, the Aussie’s best offensive weapon who could play and start on most DI schools.
Azzi shut down Melbourne so effectively that one of the commentators noted that Melbourne finally took a shot when she realized that Azzi wasn’t on the court.
Azzi is going to get lots of playing time, probably start because of her abilities on both sides of the court not just because she is the best 3 point shooter on the team along with Paige and Caroline.
I agree that Fudd is a better defender than most freshmen but the U19 isn't comparable to elite level D1 programs. It will take some time for Fudd to shine as a defender. What really impresses me about Fudd is that she could rest on being one of the best scorers in a long time but that she isn't satisfied. Too many great shooters leave after 4 years and never become more than a great scorer. Both Bueckers and Fudd are obsessed with getting better in all phases.
This is not a criticism, but Daniel has absolutely no self-doubt; I find the amount of confidence that he has in himself and his opinion to be somewhat unnerving.
I am a big UConn fan, and I certainly loved what Paige Bueckers has done at both the collegiate and high school level; however, I do not think that it is an unquestionable, absolute truth to state that she had the best freshman season of last year (see Caitlin Clark) much less the history of women’s basketball. There is much room for reasonable debate on this question.
A lot of UConn fans seem to focus only on UConn. In their eyes, no other program has elite coaching and no other teams are as good as UConn. When you UConn loses (which is not often), it is due to bad luck or the UConn players beating themselves. The opposing team is never given any credit.
Every game prediction that I have ever heard from Daniel is one in which he states that UConn will easily win by 50 points. Every comment about another coach is one which paints the coach as being far inferior to Geno.
Geno is obviously a legend and a great coach, but he makes his fair share of mistakes (see his use of Azura Stevens and his reluctance to give his bench regular season playing time until the last few minutes of a game in which UConn is leading by 20+ points), and he has been outcoached in certain in-game situations. He is absolutely a genius, but he is human.
I really hope that this year, Geno will get all of his players some needed real game experience. The more experience that the kids get early on, the more likely they will be viable options later in the season if the shortened rotation is not clicking.
Daniel, as much as I love your informative work, you have this one wrong regarding Nika getting playing time due her defense as Azzi and Caroline are “both shooters”
During the U-19 Tournament in Hungary which featured some of the best players in the world especially The US, Spain and Australia, Cori Close, the head coach assigned Azzi, not more established Caitlin Clark or Diamond Johnson, to defend the other team’s best guard.
In the Final, Cori gave Azzi, one assignment, stop Jude Melbourne, the Aussie’s best offensive weapon who could play and start on most DI schools.
Azzi shut down Melbourne so effectively that one of the commentators noted that Melbourne finally took a shot when she realized that Azzi wasn’t on the court.
Azzi is going to get lots of playing time, probably start because of her abilities on both sides of the court not just because she is the best 3 point shooter on the team along with Paige and Caroline.
I agree that Fudd is a better defender than most freshmen but the U19 isn't comparable to elite level D1 programs. It will take some time for Fudd to shine as a defender. What really impresses me about Fudd is that she could rest on being one of the best scorers in a long time but that she isn't satisfied. Too many great shooters leave after 4 years and never become more than a great scorer. Both Bueckers and Fudd are obsessed with getting better in all phases.
Hey Linkster - are you still on Rebkell?
Yes. Not much going on in the college basketball topics and I don't follow the pros.
I don't post there anymore but just look in on occasion.
Totally agree as Azzi was great handling defense on elite player.