Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2023-24

[brassie]

Chances that Westbrook comes back for her final season?

I think Geno probably wants her out. He’ll never admit it, but bringing her to Storrs was mostly just a fun slap in the face to Tennessee for him. Guarantee you. (Yes I believe he’s that petty) She doesn’t fit his system and never will. His words say one thing and his actions say another. He’s tried to move her around and keep her on the court but she just isn’t that athletic or that tough. She’s supposed to be a captain and she got benched in arguably their biggest game of the season.

Tried to have her play the 4 and that was an absolute joke lol. She ended up on the bench in favor of a bunch of Freshman. With the addition of Poffenbarger, Ducharme, Fudd, and DeBerry I don’t see her playing time increasing. Pretty clear he likes Muhl at the point and Bueckers at the 2 or switching back and forth. Don’t see that changing the next four seasons. Nika’s the best perimeter defender they have so she’ll be getting more and more time. She was a big reason they won yesterday.

My bet: Evina leaves and goes to play professionally in Europe for a season or two. Much like Diamond DeShields except I don’t think we’ll ever see Evina in the W. She has no WNBA stock from what I can gather. She’s slow and inconsistent with a bad knee.

Your comments make no sense. If Auriemma didn't trust her why did he put her in when the game was on the line? I guess haters gotta' hate no matter what.

 

[Bballnut1952]

I think ONO and Williams are complementary players at the highest level but they're very talented so they are going to have to some big moments in important games somewhere along the line.

What is scary for the rest of us is that they might well be replaced by better offensive players down the line.

South Carolina should get better with the incoming class. It's going to need to get better to keep up.

South Carolina has a fantastic class in 2021. I'm really looking forward to more amazing match ups.

To me, these two teams will be the cream of the crop. With Rutgers.....ahh....nevermind.

 

[PointGuard]

So far Williams, Nurse and Dangerfield have not really overwhelmed in the WNBA. Basically it turns out they are just good but not great players.

The Lynx might disagree with you

 

[Bballnut1952]

Your comments make no sense. If Auriemma didn't trust her why did he put her in when the game was on the line? I guess haters gotta' hate no matter what.

She played 24 minutes and really struggled offensively for sure. Her worst game of the season. But he had her in there in crunch time. That says something.

 

[PointGuard]

Lol

 

[creekdipper]

Staley should have just pointed out that the difference in the game was Conn's amazing free throw defense.

 

[1reVOLver]

Cribbed from the boneyard--- 6 of SC's 8 road games this year, including 5 they won, used the Nike ball.

 

[Mr. Doo Wop]

They definitely were and the ref was right there and didn't call anything

I was surprised no fouls were called on those put backs, especially seeing how the game had been called.

 

[mlindsay]

I agree with you on Brea in HS she put the ball on the floor and got to the basket, As for Dawn recruiting the only think i can say is she is loading up like Geno. But you are correct they need to find a shooter but if you ask me they have one in Destiny Littleton.

Yes she is their shooter but I think she also isn't in the greatest shape and her knee injuries haven't helped her imo

 

[NeedOrange]

I haven't really seen a signature Makurat game, so I don't know that her absence really impacts them much. I think Muhl makes them better.

I'm scared of what I hear about Ducharme. Seems like a great fit for what Geno likes to do.

Anna shot 43% 3 last year and is a skilled passer. At 6'2" and strong she is also a help on the boards. She has been hampered physically all year and we just pray for her to get well. Muhl is a pistol. She led her Croatian pro league with 8.5 assists per game. She still plays European defense which translates to fouls here but she is learning to stay on the floor. IF you like Caroline, you have to like Saylor. She and Caroline appear to be clones. She missed the AAU circuit because of surgery, then her high school season was pushed back to Jan 15 so she has dropped in the rankings. Long strong defenders who have unlimited range. Both are point guards for their high school offenses while playing the post on defense. We're excited to get the two of them plus DeBerry.

 

[mlindsay]

Ducharme seems like another KLS type player. A tall guard that can shoot from anywhere, but she looks like she plays better defense.

Not sure I wouldn't add Makurat to the list of UConn players that will see their PT go down even more next year. We talked about Westbrook and Williams already. I'd add Makurat and McLean (and Poffenberger too) to that list. UConn will have a nice problem to have, but it's doubtful that Geno keeps all of these players happy.

Mir may definitely want to reconsider where she is playing because she definitely wont see a lot of time if she stays there, I wouldn't be surprised if she transfer to Maryland (or another DMV area team)

 

[VolBall09]

Your comments make no sense. If Auriemma didn't trust her why did he put her in when the game was on the line? I guess haters gotta' hate no matter what.

Sure do. And I’ll always hate UCONN.

Soooo...what’s your point?

At no point did I say he didn’t trust her. I essentially said I feel like he doesn’t think she’s very good. And based on how he played her in their biggest game of the year that seems to have some truth behind it. You don’t sit someone for an entire half in your biggest game of the season if you are confident in their abilities.

 

[Volfan2012]

The dreaded Nike Ball get it away from us!!!!!!!!

 

[Amb3096]

Mir may definitely want to reconsider where she is playing because she definitely wont see a lot of time if she stays there, I wouldn't be surprised if she transfer to Maryland (or another DMV area team)

I could see her being dead last on the rotation. Ducharme, Fudd, Williams, Westbrook, Makurat and Poffenberger are better options on offense at the 2 or 3 and good enough on defense. Griffin if they want to go big for defense/rebounding. Edwards, DeBerry and Griffin are better on offense/defense at the 4. I don't see a scenario where she's playing more than 5 min/game. Seems like a waste of talent to languish on UConn's very deep bench.

 

[VolBall09]

I could see her being dead last on the rotation. Ducharme, Fudd, Williams, Westbrook, Makurat and Poffenberger are better options on offense at the 2 or 3 and good enough on defense. Griffin if they want to go big for defense/rebounding. Edwards, DeBerry and Griffin are better on offense/defense at the 4. I don't see a scenario where she's playing more than 5 min/game. Seems like a waste of talent to languish on UConn's very deep bench.

Also depends on who stays. Like we were discussing earlier. I could easily see Westbrook, Williams and Makurat moving on. Westbrook and Williams as transfers. McLean looks like she could become a Swin Cash type player. She’s got the body type and athleticism to become a great slasher and get to the basket.

Makurat may decide to stay in Europe and rehab and just play over there. She’s had a tough year and with COVID I think we will see a lot of international students stay home. A little worried about this scenario with Marta. If it continues to be difficult to travel internationally a lot of international players may opt to return to their countries and play for fear of being stuck here. Hopefully that gets better as more people are vaccinated/immune.

 

[Amb3096]

Also depends on who stays. Like we were discussing earlier. I could easily see Westbrook, Williams and Makurat moving on. Westbrook and Williams as transfers. McLean looks like she could become a Swin Cash type player. She’s got the body type and athleticism to become a great slasher and get to the basket.

Makurat may decide to stay in Europe and rehab and just play over there. She’s had a tough year and with COVID I think we will see a lot of international students stay home. A little worried about this scenario with Marta. If it continues to be difficult to travel internationally a lot of international players may opt to return to their countries and play for fear of being stuck here. Hopefully that gets better as more people are vaccinated/immune.

McLean strikes me as a dollar store Gabby Williams. A way undersized post without a consistent jump shot, but without Gabby's court vision, passing skills and laser-quick first step. That's not to say that she wouldn't be a nice pickup for another team, but she would have a hard time carving a role for herself on a deep and extremely talented UConn team even if they had some transfers (unless it's more than 2).

I'm hoping COVID situation is better by next season that there isn't issues with traveling internationally. Actually, I'm hoping it's better in 2 months so I can actually take my planned vacation!

 

[mlindsay]

I could see her being dead last on the rotation. Ducharme, Fudd, Williams, Westbrook, Makurat and Poffenberger are better options on offense at the 2 or 3 and good enough on defense. Griffin if they want to go big for defense/rebounding. Edwards, DeBerry and Griffin are better on offense/defense at the 4. I don't see a scenario where she's playing more than 5 min/game. Seems like a waste of talent to languish on UConn's very deep bench.

definitely a waste of talent just sitting there! Was shocked she even chose to play after watching her play for years. She has a lot of talent but for the system they run, I just didn't see her as a fit there.

 

[mike099]

Would Westbrook or Williams transfer as noted in a previous post? I would think they would stay if UConn does not win the NC this year, because they will probably win it next year.

 

[Amb3096]

Would Westbrook or Williams transfer as noted in a previous post? I would think they would stay if UConn does not win the NC this year, because they will probably win it next year.

Are they basketball players or cheerleaders? Williams wouldn't get much consideration as a WNBA draft pick if she's playing 15 min/game.

I've resigned myself to the fact that UConn will win the next 3 starting next season, and possibly even beginning this season.

 

[VolBall09]

Would Westbrook or Williams transfer as noted in a previous post? I would think they would stay if UConn does not win the NC this year, because they will probably win it next year.

I’m not sold that they are a shoe-in to win it. I still think Stanford has the most talented team. They have (talented) size where UCONN does not. Also played through a lot of adversity this season not being able to play at home until just recently. Lots of Freshman and sophomores got great experience. Suspect we will see Stanford, Oregon and South Carolina, Baylor and a couple others all looking championship ready in a year or two. I believe the gap between UCONN and everyone else has closed significantly. Don’t see them busting it wide open again like they did during the Stewart years.

Geno has had more transfers the last few season as well. Part of the reason they are a bit thin in some spots this year. They would have had Gordon, AEH and Coombs who would have helped them quite a bit. I’m probably forgetting someone else. His system works much better when he has veteran players running it.

 

[ttharp]

I think Paige will win no less than two titles at UConn. Before last night’s game, I honestly thought she was being over-hyped. I thought people were speaking more to her potential for greatness than her actual body of work, being that UConn is in a weak conference. Didn’t think it was fair to other players that deserve to be in the spotlight as well (aka Iowa’s freshman guard).

That being said, I think she’s quickly becoming one of those players for Geno where he can say, “we’re most likely going to win because we have Paige and you don’t.” Maybe I’m wrong. I remember him saying that about Diana. That was the case with Pat and Candace as well.

 

[Bballnut1952]

Sure do. And I’ll always hate UCONN.

Soooo...what’s your point?

At no point did I say he didn’t trust her. I essentially said I feel like he doesn’t think she’s very good. And based on how he played her in their biggest game of the year that seems to have some truth behind it. You don’t sit someone for an entire half in your biggest game of the season if you are confident in their abilities.

Actually, you do if she is having that bad a game. A smart coach has her take a seat and go with what is working.

It's one game. She is averaging 30 MPG.

 

[Darth_Vol]

I’m not sold that they are a shoe-in to win it. I still think Stanford has the most talented team. They have (talented) size where UCONN does not. Also played through a lot of adversity this season not being able to play at home until just recently. Lots of Freshman and sophomores got great experience. Suspect we will see Stanford, Oregon and South Carolina, Baylor and a couple others all looking championship ready in a year or two.

All fine programs. The problem is, none of them have Big Stage Paige...

 

[VolBall09]

All fine programs. The problem is, none of them have Big Stage Paige...

Yep I think she’s great. She’s gonna need some help though. I’m not that impressed with the rest of the team currently. Her back has got to be hurtin today from carrying all of them last night.

 

[creekdipper]

I've resigned myself to the fact that UConn will win the next 3 starting next season, and possibly even beginning this season.

Quite early to annoint Conn.

Unless I missed something, they've only played five ranked teams (one twice) and only one Top 10 team. The other five ranked games came against teams ranked from 15 to 25. They lost to Arky by letting one player go off on them, struggled mightily to beat us after trailing all game, and had to go into overtime to beat a SC team playing stupifyingly badly. SC just gave away thst game in a lot of categories (including coaching decisions).

Conn could win it, but it won't be because they dominate the tournament. As for the next few years, lots of things can go wrong with those plans. Ask Dangerfield for her take.