Yesterday, Coach Geno Auriemma announced that redshirt sophomore transfer Natalie Butler is out, likely until Christmas, recovering from surgery on her thumb.
THIS IS VERY BAD AND TERRIBLE EVERYONE. WE ARE SO SCREWED.
As you may or may not have heard in hysterical corners of the internet, Natalie Butler is the only true center UConn has. The Big East Freshman of the Year during her only season at Georgetown was supposed to step into the much-needed role of center on a team desperate for stability at the 4/5. Morgan Tuck, who also has experienced health issues will have to carry the center load entirely. WHO WILL BACK UP MORGAN TUCK, GUYS???
De’Janae Boykin, the freshman forward, played only six games as a high school senior due to a wrist injury. Supposedly she’s been practicing and she was fantastic as a junior, but she has barely played basketball in the last year and who knows what we’ll be getting there. SHE IS NOT RELIABLE.
While, of course, Breanna Stewart can play the 4, because she’s Breanna Stewart and she can do anything on a basketball court, she isn’t really a post player, and should be playing facing the basket. Tuck also has a nice shot, which isn’t much use when you’re stranded underneath the basket.
And other teams have centers, guys. Other teams have REALLY GOOD centers, and if we face them with no one down low WE COULD LOSE AND OUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOUR-PEAT HOPES WILL BE OVER.
Do you know who Ruth Hamblin is? Because I do. She is the returning Pac-12 player of the year at Oregon State. (Yes, Oregon State. Yes, I’m sure.) Oregon State, which won the Pac-12 regular season title and went 26-4 last season, was picked to win the league for the first time since the coaches started doing a poll. So what I’m saying is they’re better than Stanford, and we could face them in the tourney. They have a 6’6 senior center who is apparently the best center in the country. Last season, she averaged 12.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, while also blocking 122 shots. HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY DEFEND AGAINST THAT???
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but without Butler, I just don’t see how this team can compete against the best teams in the country. The national championship dream is over. It has died. We’re doomed.
Ha, just kidding. The team is still loaded with talent, has the best player and coach in the country, and brings in three five-star recruits. It’ll all be fine.
