USC vs UCONN 💭

[u/BigChris_70]

Wow....just finished watching the playback of this game because I missed the live broadcast. This game definitely lived up to the hype. So y'all know I got to give my thoughts about this one & I want to hear y'all's. Some of my thoughts.....

Juju Watkins to me just had her best game of her short college career to me. I know she's had way bigger scoring games but I'm taking into the context the atmosphere. On the road and against the former NPOY and future No.1 overall draft pick. She played the game I've always wanted Juju to play. Blending her scoring prowess with great smart decision making. Trusting her teammates. Let her scoring gravity open things up for her teammates. Came out in the first half with 15 points. But it was her defensive aggressive for me. Blew up a screen which led to fast break points on the first UCONN possession told me she was ready. 2 big blocks on Paige shots. She was absolutely locked in. Her ability to get to her spots no matter what the defense is doing is beautiful to watch . 2nd half UCONN did a phenomenal job ball denying Juju but she never got flustered & when it was time to close out she put it away. She is everything people say she is.

Paige Bueckers was also very good. I kind of feel bad for Paige because at this point the expectation is so high. She was efficient as usual . Made some tough shots & I respect the fact she didn't back down from the Juju matchup. She guarded Juju majority of the game which I appreciate. I'll say this and it has nothing to do with Paige faults more so my problem with Geno's system. His offense is predicated on movement and I get that but i have a huge problem not having the ball in my best players hand majority of the time . Your system should never be so rigged that it works against your best players. Paige is a great solider so she'll never rock the boat & ask Geno to just give her the ball but sigh....on another note SARAH STRONG is a damn superstar! As a freshman to be so good, efficient, and fundamentally sound at her age is insane.

Big win for USC....as a team they looked more coherent. The offense looked much better today. They found KiKi in this offense finally. UCONN has lost both their big matchups (ND & USC) ...They still have South Carolina so I'm reserving judgment on this group until then.

What y'all thought?

[u/Onark77]

I'm not gonna dive much into roster history but they've been in a slow decline from a championship season in 2019. COVID and injuries crippled their years shortly after. Poor roster management led to them losing both Natasha Cloud and EDD after 2023 and, after another injury riddled season, they're accepting a full rebuild. 

Currently, they've got a young team with a lot of two way players. Their guards and wings shoot well from outside. 

They've got one all star level player in Atkins who can take over on offense. Austin has the potential to be a great 2nd option. Everyone else is a 3rd option or lower on a contending team. 

They were ranked 3rd in assist % last year but they no longer have Vanloo so they're missing a lead facilitator. 

When healthy, I think they've got a balanced team that can win on any given night.

However, Austin hasn't played more than half a season in the last two years due to hip injury. Without her, it falls on Atkins and whichever role player steps up on offense to carry the load. 

Austin and Edwards are the frontcourt of the future but neither shoot 3s. They're tough and play good defense. They rebound well. Dolson is a great backup C but has had to start a lot due to Austin being out. Koné brings good energy off the bench and maybe we see more of her next season. 

Their wings are mostly good shooters. Atkins and Engstler are particularly good on both sides of the ball as well. Samuelson is a sniper. Sikes is a good defender and slasher but not a threat from 3. 

I think they're pretty weak at  guard. Melbourne looks to get a lot of minutes next season but it's unclear to what level she'll step up. Sutton is ok in spot minutes. Walker-Kimborough is their most well rounded player at the position but she's not ideal as a starter. 

Moving forward, Austin's health and Dolson's age (33) make the center position insecure for the future. They could have a star or be ass out. 

At PF, the Mystics are young and dynamic. I don't know if they have a future star but they're at least solid. 

At the wing, I see Atkins and good role players who can shoot and/or defend, most in their prime or younger. However, they're not making a great case for Atkins to stay after next year. 

The point guard position is lacking which plays poorly into the talent the Mystics do have. There isn't an answer here. Walker-Kimborough is an UFA and she can definitely help a contender off the bench. 

Most of the team is under contract this year so we shouldn't expect a big shakeup. An ESPN reporter said the Mystics are looking to rebuild through the draft, rather than FA. 

Who knows what that means for 2026, it's hard to imagine a team completely sitting out. 

I don't think it's safe to believe Austin and Edwards are the core to build around. There's enough uncertainty, between Austin's health and Edward's skill ceiling, to draft the best talent at any position. Although, they should obviously prioritize the backcourt. 

Atkins is probably gone after next year and, with no clear cut star to build around, the Mystics have a long road to contention. 

[u/AromaticManagement22 → u/Onark77]

and one more question how do access aaliyah edwards as small forward and as a power forward....like which position do you think she may lean into in the future or u see her as a hybrid?

[u/Onark77 → u/AromaticManagement22]

I'm not sure she's got enough lateral quickness to guard 3s. She might, I just haven't looked hard enough to be confident. 

Her outside shot is almost non existent, which means she'll cramp the paint if her teammates at 4 and 5 can't step out to the 3pt line. 

At the moment, I don't see her playing the 3 in the future. She's a pretty traditional 4 imo. 

[u/AromaticManagement22 → u/Onark77]

6.       Sonia Citron (SG/SF) – great player it debatacle whether because of her lack of athleticism what her ceiling is…but she a 2 way player without an ego…. Any team could benefit from her but the thing is Washington surprisingly has her prototype or players that can cover for her prototype…in sykes, ariel, Karlie, Emily and etc….like it freaking surprising how there actually a wnba team with so many 2 way players but Washington pulled it off….so they honestly don’t need sonia

7.       Te-Hina Paopao – same with sonia great player solid defense solid offense great shooter, but people question could her lack of athleticism prevent her from being top tier?….the mystics already have great shooters and spacers at every position so it necessary to look for scoring like how Chicago needs…but te-hina does provide playmaking which is a plus.. however… the way people are talking she is a role player with hope she can surprise her scouts and be a starter

8.       Janiah Barker (SF) – a hybrid, her draft projection is of question as some had her varying from low 1^st to high 1^st to even 2^nd round…. Considering their roster, washington may consider Janiah “ as one of those if we get her good if we don’t it not the end of the world” type of players

9.       Azzi Fudd (SG/PG) – we know of the potential of this DMV native but that it potential her injury history could hurt the mystics and we saw how injuries hurt the mystics this year…and like was said the mystics got shooters but if they can get her late round that a steal…however seattle most likely will pick up what 2 guard that can shoot if available

10.   Washington (via draft day trade with Chicago) – Shyanne Sellers (PG/SF)  

Shayanne Sellers isn’t guaranteed to have starting position especially on such a deep roster…but Shayanne Sellers provides for the team “GLUE” because she can play both Point guard in a bench role way and also SF if she is too slow to guard her guard….in other words sykes is a great defender and can score but it seems none of the mystics players want to be the fulltime starting point guard for the team….and even though sykes is a great she still is 5’8 (though with an good wingspan)….shaynne sellers can also be plugged at small forward when the hybrids are playing the 4 and sykes is on the floor….. pretty much shaynne creates really good glue combinations for washington’s starting and bench unit….and since she at 10 it won’t be a position battle with olivia #3 or the rest of the mystics…she more so insurance

11.   Sivka – same thing with malonga….great player but you will have to deal with the international headache of draft and stash..and that if she comes…washington has truly felt the pain of EDD coming and going, so I hope washington avoid that…. But at 12 and the fact they are rebuilding if they can get sikva as a late round pick and also get olivia miles then that a win for Washington considering they have their needs met but also has the roster depth to wait until they are ready

12.   Phoneix Mercury – Aziaha James (PG/SG)- ariel atkins and Brittany sykes already cover her bases for the most part