When did the UConn "dynasty" start?

[DobbsRover2]

Encountering a 1997 Tournament article in the Daily News about a big and undefeated Husky team's lumbering passage through a season and early Tourney games, I was kind of surprised to see that UConn was already being called a dynasty after one NC, and that a connected old-girl network of opposing coaches including CViv, her Iowa coaching replacement Angie Lee and assorted others (though ex-Rutgers coach Theresa Grentz whose Illinois team the Huskies had just beaten thanks to inspired play by Ber-uuuuuu-be had no bad words for Geno and just complained about her team's bunnies that refused to hop in the basket, probably waiting for Easter).

The article states:

The oversized players and their outspoken coach have become the sport's most invasive dynasty. "In a way, we're like the underdog because everybody wants to see us lose," Wolters said. "Day in and day out, that's the way it is. We always need to elevate our game.

So UConn's dynasty appears to have started before Duke's, at least in the minds of some writers.

What do you think? When did the dynasty get certified?

 

[VAUConnFan]

I would say that it was certified when they returned to the Final Four the year after the previous year's NPOY Rebecca Lobo graduated.

 

[Aluminny69]

The day UConn hired Geno to coach the Women's basketball team......

 

[Bill In Georgia]

The day UConn hired Geno to coach the Women's basketball team.

Correct ..the day he walked in the gym, is the "beginning" ... without GA there is ZERO!!!

 

[DobbsRover2]

Maybe, but if UConn fans had started talking about a "dynasty" back in the fall of 1985, the level of snickerage would have been voluminous in comparison to Duke's later claims. There is a difference between tracing a tradition back to its source, and having it officially recognized as certifiably existing. Would any UConn fan be comfortable with talking about that powerful certified UConn dynasty of 1985? Seems kind of far-fetched to call a 12-15 team a dynasty.

An NC and one connected FF as certification of a dynasty would allow Texas fans and -- if a gap year is allowed -- Purdue, Baylor, and Old Dominion fans talk about a dynasty in addition to a pretty certified group of UConn, UTenn, Louisiana Tech, USC, and Stanford (2 NCs and 1 FF in 3 years). With two NCs and an FF spread over 8 years, Baylor might have a case for a dynasty.

 

[xHunt3r]

IMO 2000 is the start... From 2000 to 2014 UConn went to 12 Final Fours and won the Championship 8 times.

 

[Wally East]

Agree with the 2000 assessment.

If Shea hadn't been injured in 1997 and UConn won, I'd say 1995.

 

[mr006]

Agree with the 2000 assessment.

If Shea hadn't been injured in 1997 and UConn won, I'd say 1995.

Alas, she was, and between Tenn's three-peat (c) and the (ugh) Iowa State game in 1999, hard to agree with the article calling them a "dynasty" then. So easy to be crowning the next big thing - kinda like the media always waiting for the next Beatles.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Alas, she was, and between Tenn's three-peat (c) and the (ugh) Iowa State game in 1999, hard to agree with the article calling them a "dynasty" then. So easy to be crowning the next big thing - kinda like the media always waiting for the next Beatles.

You mean you missed the Rutles? Didn't groove to 'Cheese and Onions?'

Too bad. You were probably just wrapped up in the Huskies.