Thank you Uconn women. This years journey was amazing. Sorry about Ohio, but I can name 4 other season games that you could have lost but won on sheer guts with so few available to play from the full roster. Have a great summer all and LouConn and Dorka, you two will be sorely missed.
Barring any injuries and/or transfers, interested in other takes on a potential line up taking the floor in 2023-24 based on current roster plus "the commits":
Starting 5: Bueckers, Fudd, Griffin, Edwards, El Alfy
Off the bench: Muhl as backup at point to Bueckers, others depending on what needed most at the time (scoring? rebounding?) Ducharme, Brady or Samuels for Griffin, one of the commits (Shade or Arnold possibly Ducharme?) for Fudd, Patterson or Brady for Edwards or El Alfy. That leaves DeBerry and Bettencourt. It would be fantastic if DeBerry who has the height and could be a fill-in for El Alfy realizes what she needs in the off season to step up her game (a full menu of footwork, how to stop fouling, and more) Maybe she will surprise us all. That may be hoping for too much. As far as Bettencourt, it's up to her to decide if she is content in being the fourth one off the bench at the guard position.
Realizing a lot can happen between now and November especially with injuries, based on what this roster is now, let's have your input.
Ayanna's high school record certainly shows that we haven't seen much of what she could and should be producing. Not sure what the issue is but coaching staff would be first to admit she didn't reach her potential based on her past accolades. When she came off the bench she filled in for either Edwards or Juhasz and always looked uncomfortable in the post (where she was an extremely productive foul machine). Maybe she would be better at the wing position. She definitely struggled with just layups and we haven't seen her shooting ability from the 12-17' foot range. In any event, her scoring will need to increase 100%.
Will be interesting to see who gets the nod for starting center. Both possibilities are unknown. And past records like in Ayanna's case sometimes don't pan out in a competitive Division I atmosphere where there are other players as big and as - if not more -skilled.
See Muhl as willing to be a valuable backup at point or other guard position off the bench - and with any possibility of re-injury (don't even want to think about it) to Bueckers she will be once again take on being the enthusiastic driving force at point.
Aubrey did not participate in senior night, indicating that she will return. Her back, however, may remain an issue ( hope not ). I agree with your point re: Amari , but your comment about Ayanna is confusing. What showed you that she was “ way too talented “ to be on the bench? You are blaming Geno for not seeing that talent, and therefore recommending that she transfer? As for Ines, it is difficult to imagine that she can earn meaningful court time next year ( Paige plus KK etc ), but she earned some good minutes this year that were unexpected. I say she stays one more year ( UCONN coaching etc) and perhaps then moves on, if she has no chance of playing time .
2. getting them into good practices (assuming check)
3. giving them time in games to both know they're contributing and getting experience
I'm a lifetime Husky fan - I hope for the best every year - but every year Geno keeps his starters in games even when UConn's up 20, 30 even 40 - in the 2nd half.
Not ready for next year yet. Still in awe of what the Uconn women accomplished this year. So, LouConn, I hope you get a big, well deserved, high paying WNBA contract. Thanks for literally saving our season...not to diminish all the very hard work of all your team mates. You will live in the hearts of Uconn women supporters forever..... Your new name LouConn is fixed too, for all time
On Patterson, remember when Geno was out - and C.D. started to substitute liberally (compared w/Geno) Amari, Ayanna and Ines? By the time Geno returned (I think after 3 games) these bench players looked 100% better than they had all year. And that was just with 3 games worth of activity.
Agreed that CD's calm, caring and more in-control coaching approach got better results in the handful of games given to her than the extremes Geno sometimes showed. His intensity, including in early season training, likely contributed to injuries. How many top teams had the streak of severe injuries we've seen these past two years? Nurture, don't batter; listen, don't holler all the time. Be proud of what you've earned these past decades.
Unless there are changes over the off-season with the addition of an experienced, battle-tested post player (good luck) and anything is possible - UConn WBB in 2023-24 so far looks like it will have a heavy guard/wing orientation. Expected emphasis on speed and ball handling agility? Rebounding?
He does tend to do so. However, Patterson was often inserted before pure “ garbage time,” and her performance never varied ( almost never ). She would battle for a rebound, commit a foul and lose possession. Where is the skill set you think will blossom elsewhere? We all know she was a big deal in HS.
Thank you Uconn women. This years journey was amazing. Sorry about Ohio, but I can name 4 other season games that you could have lost but won on sheer guts with so few available to play from the full roster. Have a great summer all and LouConn and Dorka, you two will be sorely missed.
Dan - we luv ya. So (take this with a grain of salt) - as I'm not very oracular these days:
1. Amari should transfer - she'll see few minutes for the rest of her career
2. Ayanna definitely should transfer - way too talented to be sitting on the bench for 3 more years
3. I'd bet $1 that Ines transfers (I'm a cheap s-o-b) - Geno let her talent rot on the bench this year
4. I'd be surprised if anyone else transfers
5. (did I miss this)... what's happening with Aubrey?
Barring any injuries and/or transfers, interested in other takes on a potential line up taking the floor in 2023-24 based on current roster plus "the commits":
Starting 5: Bueckers, Fudd, Griffin, Edwards, El Alfy
Off the bench: Muhl as backup at point to Bueckers, others depending on what needed most at the time (scoring? rebounding?) Ducharme, Brady or Samuels for Griffin, one of the commits (Shade or Arnold possibly Ducharme?) for Fudd, Patterson or Brady for Edwards or El Alfy. That leaves DeBerry and Bettencourt. It would be fantastic if DeBerry who has the height and could be a fill-in for El Alfy realizes what she needs in the off season to step up her game (a full menu of footwork, how to stop fouling, and more) Maybe she will surprise us all. That may be hoping for too much. As far as Bettencourt, it's up to her to decide if she is content in being the fourth one off the bench at the guard position.
Realizing a lot can happen between now and November especially with injuries, based on what this roster is now, let's have your input.
1. I agree that Griffin should be in your starting 5 - but is she coming back?
2. I don't know bupkis about El Alfy - Ayanna should get more minutes to prove that this: https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ayanna-patterson/12457 - was no fluke
3. Will Nika be willing to be a backup? What about Paige, Azzi, Nika, Edwards & <pickem-center>?
4. Ice Brady is 6'4" - maybe she's a starting center
It's been a horrible year for my favorite sports team - (2032/24) they're due.
Ayanna's high school record certainly shows that we haven't seen much of what she could and should be producing. Not sure what the issue is but coaching staff would be first to admit she didn't reach her potential based on her past accolades. When she came off the bench she filled in for either Edwards or Juhasz and always looked uncomfortable in the post (where she was an extremely productive foul machine). Maybe she would be better at the wing position. She definitely struggled with just layups and we haven't seen her shooting ability from the 12-17' foot range. In any event, her scoring will need to increase 100%.
Will be interesting to see who gets the nod for starting center. Both possibilities are unknown. And past records like in Ayanna's case sometimes don't pan out in a competitive Division I atmosphere where there are other players as big and as - if not more -skilled.
See Muhl as willing to be a valuable backup at point or other guard position off the bench - and with any possibility of re-injury (don't even want to think about it) to Bueckers she will be once again take on being the enthusiastic driving force at point.
Aubrey did not participate in senior night, indicating that she will return. Her back, however, may remain an issue ( hope not ). I agree with your point re: Amari , but your comment about Ayanna is confusing. What showed you that she was “ way too talented “ to be on the bench? You are blaming Geno for not seeing that talent, and therefore recommending that she transfer? As for Ines, it is difficult to imagine that she can earn meaningful court time next year ( Paige plus KK etc ), but she earned some good minutes this year that were unexpected. I say she stays one more year ( UCONN coaching etc) and perhaps then moves on, if she has no chance of playing time .
Coaches develop their bench by:
1. getting good players (check)
2. getting them into good practices (assuming check)
3. giving them time in games to both know they're contributing and getting experience
I'm a lifetime Husky fan - I hope for the best every year - but every year Geno keeps his starters in games even when UConn's up 20, 30 even 40 - in the 2nd half.
Not ready for next year yet. Still in awe of what the Uconn women accomplished this year. So, LouConn, I hope you get a big, well deserved, high paying WNBA contract. Thanks for literally saving our season...not to diminish all the very hard work of all your team mates. You will live in the hearts of Uconn women supporters forever..... Your new name LouConn is fixed too, for all time
Great points (all of your'n - as we say in NC)
On Patterson, remember when Geno was out - and C.D. started to substitute liberally (compared w/Geno) Amari, Ayanna and Ines? By the time Geno returned (I think after 3 games) these bench players looked 100% better than they had all year. And that was just with 3 games worth of activity.
Agreed that CD's calm, caring and more in-control coaching approach got better results in the handful of games given to her than the extremes Geno sometimes showed. His intensity, including in early season training, likely contributed to injuries. How many top teams had the streak of severe injuries we've seen these past two years? Nurture, don't batter; listen, don't holler all the time. Be proud of what you've earned these past decades.
Unless there are changes over the off-season with the addition of an experienced, battle-tested post player (good luck) and anything is possible - UConn WBB in 2023-24 so far looks like it will have a heavy guard/wing orientation. Expected emphasis on speed and ball handling agility? Rebounding?
He does tend to do so. However, Patterson was often inserted before pure “ garbage time,” and her performance never varied ( almost never ). She would battle for a rebound, commit a foul and lose possession. Where is the skill set you think will blossom elsewhere? We all know she was a big deal in HS.
Love to hear Aubrey is coming back . Does anyone know why she would not come back? injury? draft? This young women has game