UConn Has A Lot Going For It This Season (Part 2)

By On 2012/10/19 · 7 Comments

As we were saying about this potentially great UConn women’s team, it appears the Huskies have the swag to raise another championship flag….

Paint

Once Maya Moore graduated, UConn’s opponents felt free to pummel Dolson in the post. She has the black and blues to show for it, which is partly why she decided to muscle up this summer. Problem was, UConn didn’t have anyone tough enough to watch Dolson’s back; Stokes was too inexperienced, Heather Buck too limited.

Stewart and Tuck have arrived. If someone wants to devote two or three posts to bump Dolson, they better prepare for the outcome.

Chemistry

Much has been said about the roster’s veteran corps; two grad students (Doty and Buck), a senior (Faris) and two juniors (Hartley and Dolson).

But remember, the freshmen have already had the chance to play extensively on USA Basketball teams with Hartley, Dolson and Mosqueda-Lewis. No introductions and little indoctrination are needed.

Talent

Although this is generally taken for granted at UConn, it does not always work out the way the coaching staff plans, as best reflected in the transfer of 60 percent of the junior class (Lauren Engeln, Samarie Walker and Michala Johnson).

But look at it this way this year: If you project who may contend for the 2016 Summer Olympic team, is it unwise to think Hartley, Mosqueda-Lewis, Stewart and Tuck would all have a legitimate shot?

Scoring

The Huskies traditionally have not had trouble scoring points in the last 20 years. But look at last year’s scores, especially in the postseason when they scored 80 or more just twice in the seven games of the Big East and NCAAs.

Of course, you don’t need to score a lot if your defense is strong, as UConn’s always is. But what are opposing defenses going to do this year if Stewart, Dolson, Hartley, Tuck and Mosqueda-Lewis are all on the floor at the same time?

Tradition

When all else fails, UConn has proven there is strength in the uniform. Auriemma has won 804 games in 27 years (86.2 percent). His teams have won 19 regular-season conference titles, 18 tournament titles, played in 13 Final Fours, won seven national titles, fielded 14 first-team All-Americans, 12 Olympians and seven national players of the year.

 

 

 

 
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7 Responses to UConn Has A Lot Going For It This Season (Part 2)

  1. MaryAnne Hartley says:
    2012/10/19 at 12:58 pm

    John what’s wrong with Jefferson–highly rated coming in. Is it just the groin pull or have you seen something that lets her out of three Great Frosh. Even Geno included her in his dissertation one hour speak about his team and the BE.
    Part one and Two John were great and what we were hoping for out of the BE Media Day. But Doyles Videos were excellent too.

  2. TexasBogger says:
    2012/10/19 at 3:01 pm

    I too am wallowing in Huskie euphoria but I have circled Dec. 3rd on my calendar as the first true test of all that has been written so far. If Uconn soundly defeats a very good Maryland team then we can surely prepare for the national final matchup against the big girl from Waco. This season is going to be far from routine.

  3. John Framingham says:
    2012/10/20 at 9:36 am

    Texas (hook em horns)–I thought that I was the last to use too (as in also), thank you.
    I think UConn Women have a few “tests” Maryland, ND, Baylor, Duke (rated number 1 in ACC). Don’t kill me but I don’t think this young group (Stewart, Jefferson, Tuck) have the experience to give Baylor a real battle. KML, Faris, Dolson, Banks, Stokes along with Doty and Buck can and will give Baylor a hard time and could win. But don’t put this one in the “W” column just yet.

  4. HarryH says:
    2012/10/20 at 10:53 am

    I’m sure Dolson’s new weight and conditioning will help but she still, as of last year, still needs to learn how to rebound and play defense. Clueless and in a fog would both describe her when called upon to do those tasks.
    I hope the new Stephanie will resulting in being able to rebound and play defense and tough opponents will challenge this.

  5. Chic Little says:
    2012/10/20 at 1:12 pm

    Harry H—I guess we were watch two different teams. No Dolson isn’t the rebounder Tina was as a Senior. But as a soph she wasn’t a rebounder either or a scorer.
    I don’t know if UConn ever had a Big girl who could score from so many positions as Dolson. Too many people look at Big Girls (Women) and decide they aren’t mobile, quick, can’t jump, can’t score outside–that a myth and Dolson disproves the myth.
    Do I sound like I like Dolson–wrong!! I LOVE everything about this BIG WOMAN and expect great success by UConn because of her. I am defensive of ALL UConn players. They are the best and deserve respect for their talent and hard work.

    • Harry H says:
      2012/10/22 at 8:33 am

      Well the season will tell if Dolson does more that stand around with the big grin on her face while opponents move past her or rebound around her. I certainly hope it is all changed but she’ll have to prove it. Actually, Tina couldn’t shoot until she was a junior/senior but she could do the rest.
      I’m glad you think Dolson is so great and I hope she proves it this year. At the moment she is, in my opinion, not close to the top 5 big girls who have played at UCONN – not even close.
      Dolson hasn’t been mobile, quick and can’t jump. She has a good outside shot and potential.
      We’ll see soon.

  6. Chic Little says:
    2012/10/22 at 8:48 pm

    Harry–Big Girls–Kelly Shumacher (Shoey), Lobo, Wolters,
    In ONE game Shoey snagged 8 or 9 blocks–but wasn’t much the rest of her career. Lobo and Wolters were great for their time–not the talented competition in their games.
    Big Rig–only in clean up time, The girl from Okla Geno had to kick her tail to go against Riley and for 3 years couldn’t contend with Riley (Riley was only good in her Senior year).
    So if this is the group you are comparing Dolson with–Steff wins hands down. Dolson may not be quick but none of the above, except Shoey, were. Dolson hits the 3 ft hook, 5 ft jumper, 17 ft three ball, foul line (like 88 percent) with consistent averages.
    I’m a UConn nut–I watch the games of last year all summer long. If you did you’d see how really really good Dolson was. No she is not the rebounder Tina was–really great rebounders (and Tina is one)bring it to an art form. Dolson may never be a GREAT rebounder–but now she has Kelly, Tuck, Stewart, KML all very decent rebounders to pick up the slack. Dolson is so much more than what you saw in her Frosh year –she’s a beautiful, svelt, caring, talented Woman who has worked hard to be everything Geno and Christine and us Fans want from her. Last year she beat the big girl on other teams ups and down the floor, she was conditioned. She is without a doubt the nicest, most fun loving girl on the UConn team she’s a pleasure to be around. Give her the benefit of any doubt. She’s earned that much.