45:07 is what excites me about the coming year

[msf22b]

I wish I was inciteful enough to precisely express my thoughts this evening
but I think something can be discerned from the two young ladies making hay
in Queens, the last few weeks..

There is something about their combination of skill and desire on display here
Fearlessness, aggression, problem solving. preparation, talent. And yes, wonderful coaching.

That has been a general character of our program...somehow one or more of those attributes
have been more prevalent in our opposition in major games of late...

I don't expect it to be an issue this season. The right combination of skill and desire is at hand.

And I expect that the lessons being taught in my hometown...Flushing NY, are being carefully considered in all
corners in which woman compete.

MSF
far away in Spanish Wells, Bahamas

 

[Alydar]

Generally the opponent has to play out of their minds and UConn has to have a really off day to have a shot. Given a large enough sample size David will eventually beat Goliath. We play Arizona 100 times we win that game probably 95 times. Same for Arkansas. The better team was UConn - just not on those days.

On the mens side UConn's last title came when they were a 7 seed going into the tournament. They were 9 pt underdogs in their first title win against Duke.

I think there is a lot more talent playing wcbb today than 25 years ago.

 

[Stymie]

To put it simply and somewhat bluntly:
Coach Geno puts them in a position to grab the brass ring.
The players need to grab it with both hands and rip it from their opponent.
They haven’t done that in the past several years.
Maybe it was for lack of talent or experience, but it was in their reach.
I will never attribute it to lack of effort.
Or coaching....

 

[LoboDays]

Let’s agree to disagree on this.

Fair enough.

 

[Alydar]

Threads like this one with many posts wouldn’t exist if the past 4 seasons were considered great successes. Let’s be real here. UCONN recruits, practices and prepares with one goal in mind. The NC. Those who try to convince themselves that getting to the semifinal and losing is a success for this program are not being honest with themselves.

And anyone who considers losing in the final four as a failed season needs to reassess. Geno says all sorts of things for effect and suggesting that anything less than a title is a failed season is one of his whoppers.

To me every season is a success. UConn usually plays 36-40 games a year and 35-38 are beautiful things to watch.
On a trip to Maui we took the trip to Hanna, a small town on the west coast. Hanna itself is nothing special. A quiet hideaway. Hanna is the destination but the point of doing it was the journey, not the destination. The ride is a series of spectacular views (and a few terrifying moments for someone with a fear of heights). I don't have a problem with the players feeling like they failed but as a fan I take my joy from the journey. Year after year after year UConn provides me and their fans with so many spectacular views that it's easy to begin to take them for granted. And that is what I read into this thread.

 

[JoePgh]

Threads like this one with many posts wouldn’t exist if the past 4 seasons were considered great successes. Let’s be real here. UCONN recruits, practices and prepares with one goal in mind. The NC. Those who try to convince themselves that getting to the semifinal and losing is a success for this program are not being honest with themselves.

You still haven't responded to the question that I posed earlier, and that others have posed in similar discussions on The Boneyard:

If getting to 12 or 13 consecutive Final Fours, including all of those since the Stewie class graduated, is a failure, then what WCBB coach has been successful since 2016? Is there some other coach that has a better record in those years? Or are you saying that all 300+ WCBB coaches have failed in that time period, including Schaeffer / McGraw / Adia Barnes -- who got victories over UConn in one or two of those four years but failed to make the Final Four in other years? That is also true of Vandeveer at Stanford, who won the NC last year but did not make the Final Four in other years.

I'm not sure how you could watch Arizona play and describe them as not particularly physical. Height isn't everything, they had several players who were very muscular and strong.

I will admit that I don't follow Arizona on a regular basis and in fact never saw them play except in the two Final Four games last season, but I did watch the UConn - Arizona game again recently, and I did not get an impression of unusual physicality in that game -- certainly not in comparison to the UConn - Baylor game in the Elite Eight.

Statistically, looking at the box score of the AZ game, UConn got 6 offensive rebounds to 4 for AZ -- which is usually a rough indication of who is being more physical in the paint. AZ did get 2 more total rebounds than UConn (36 vs. 34), but of course UConn missed more shots (and took more shots) than AZ. In fact, UConn had the same number of total made field goals as AZ, and AZ had only two more 3-point makes. The real difference was at the free throw line, where AZ was 22-for-31 and UConn was 14-for-20.

To me, that does not paint a picture of UConn being physically pushed around and dominated by the Wildcats, as was suggested in BostonBay's post to which I was responding.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I will admit that I don't follow Arizona on a regular basis and in fact never saw them play except in the two Final Four games last season, but I did watch the UConn - Arizona game again recently, and I did not get an impression of unusual physicality in that game -- certainly not in comparison to the UConn - Baylor game in the Elite Eight.

Statistically, looking at the box score of the AZ game, UConn got 6 offensive rebounds to 4 for AZ -- which is usually a rough indication of who is being more physical in the paint. AZ did get 2 more total rebounds than UConn (36 vs. 34), but of course UConn missed more shots (and took more shots) than AZ. In fact, UConn had the same number of total made field goals as AZ, and AZ had only two more 3-point makes. The real difference was at the free throw line, where AZ was 22-for-31 and UConn was 14-for-20.

To me, that does not paint a picture of UConn being physically pushed around and dominated by the Wildcats, as was suggested in BostonBay's post to which I was responding.

Statistics can paint a picture, but not always tell the whole story. Watching Arizona quite a bit during the season, I would say they played an aggressive, physical style of defense. Most of the teams in the Pac 12 do. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Skeets]

And anyone who considers losing in the final four as a failed season needs to reassess. Geno says all sorts of things for effect and suggesting that anything less than a title is a failed season is one of his whoppers.

To me every season is a success. UConn usually plays 36-40 games a year and 35-38 are beautiful things to watch.
On a trip to Maui we took the trip to Hanna, a small town on the west coast. Hanna itself is nothing special. A quiet hideaway. Hanna is the destination but the point of doing it was the journey, not the destination. The ride is a series of spectacular views (and a few terrifying moments for someone with a fear of heights). I don't have a problem with the players feeling like they failed but as a fan I take my joy from the journey. Year after year after year UConn provides me and their fans with so many spectacular views that it's easy to begin to take them for granted. And that is what I read into this thread.

People ask me "how can you watch UCONN WBB blowout after blowout"? The answer is simple, I watch it because it's a beautiful thing.

 

[Bald Husky]

Oldude reflects the opinion of just about every WBB fan in America, that getting to the Final4 is a huge success for that program. Well, UConn isn't any program, and since they have made it 13 consecutive times, the goal has to be higher than most of these other programs. Getting to the Final4 for us is almost like others just making the tournament. We are the victims of our own success, we expect to get there, and once we get there we expect to win, so not going all the way is a disappointment. Yes, we are proud of this program, and we are lucky to have a team and coach that thrive for the ultimate goal, so maybe we are frustrated by not achieving our goal last year, and the year before, etc.

There is nothing wrong with our expectations, because I know Geno has the same although he may not publicly say that. We are so used to winning that anything less seems empty, and unfortunately the last few years I have ended the WBB season, well, empty. We are the most successful program in history, we are proud of that, but as I already said, we are the victim of our own success.

 

[Jim R]

Oldude reflects the opinion of just about every WBB fan in America, that getting to the Final4 is a huge success for that program. Well, UConn isn't any program, and since they have made it 13 consecutive times, the goal has to be higher than most of these other programs. Getting to the Final4 for us is almost like others just making the tournament. We are the victims of our own success, we expect to get there, and once we get there we expect to win, so not going all the way is a disappointment. Yes, we are proud of this program, and we are lucky to have a team and coach that thrive for the ultimate goal, so maybe we are frustrated by not achieving our goal last year, and the year before, etc.

There is nothing wrong with our expectations, because I know Geno has the same although he may not publicly say that. We are so used to winning that anything less seems empty, and unfortunately the last few years I have ended the WBB season, well, empty. We are the most successful program in history, we are proud of that, but as I already said, we are the victim of our own success.

Chris, how did you manage to hijack Bald Huskie's account?

 

[hoophuskee]

Oldude reflects the opinion of just about every WBB fan in America, that getting to the Final4 is a huge success for that program. Well, UConn isn't any program, and since they have made it 13 consecutive times, the goal has to be higher than most of these other programs. Getting to the Final4 for us is almost like others just making the tournament.

No--- it doesn't. It's "a goal" but shouldn't be "THE only goal."

The other teams have scholarship players and great coaching too.

When UCONN loses at last minute Stephens who leaves quicker than expected and Charli Collier who decides not to come at last minute due to horrific storm in her area - those issues hurt the program. Even during their championships one team usually gives them a battle- all basketball takes is one player. Just one to have an enormous impact. Sometimes these issues can't be overcome. And just because they wear the UCONN uniform it doesn't automatically turn them into "Wonder Woman."

 

[PacoSwede]

To put it simply and somewhat bluntly:
Coach Geno puts them in a position to grab the brass ring.
The players need to grab it with both hands and rip it from their opponent.
They haven’t done that in the past several years.
Maybe it was for lack of talent or experience, but it was in their reach.
I will never attribute it to lack of effort.
Or coaching....

remember, two of those outcomes in overtimes came on last-minute baskets ... so attribute them simply to fate. it was just the way things were meant to be for unknowable reasons. no point in placing 'blame'

 

[hoopsfan22]

remember, two of those outcomes in overtimes came on last-minute baskets ... so attribute them simply to fate. it was just the way things were meant to be for unknowable reasons. no point in placing 'blame'

But the team put themselves in that position where a last minute basket mattered. What is it Geno always says one play doesn't decide a game or something like that?

 

[MooseJaw]

I think Nika’s starting position is hers to lose.
Her tenacity and attitude is something not readily identifiable in a box score-but she brings it each and every time I’ve seen her play.

I agree with your premise, the job is hers to lose. She may be the starter for the entire year, does that mean she is the best player to be our 1? I think that we all know that she wasn't that player last year and it's a stretch to think she will be this season. Nika is a pit bull defensively, I love watching her quick hands and aggressive mind set. Consider for example Azzi takes the majority of time instead of Nika, she scores in the mid teens and we give up 4-5 more points per game we have a sizable plus in offensive fire power. Of the returning players Nika missed the most games with injury, a one year occurrence or is she injury prone? Time will tell on the injury front as well as whether she shows progress as a more complete offensive player.
What we don't know, will any of our freshmen come in let their play demand that they be on the floor like Paige and AE did this past season. I hope we have 2-3 freshmen who come in shine, putting the burden on Geno's shoulders to figure out the best 5 to start, the best subs and the best rotations. I know most of us fell in love with Nika last season, I did as well, I want her to be that player. will she be that player, maybe. I know I will be a Nika fan if she starts or comes off the bench, it only matters that Geno plays the players that give us the best chance to win.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Agree, but physical is contagious and doesn’t start or end down low, many examples of small tough players. Calvin Murphy and Norm Van Lier from my era of ball come to mind immediately.

Attitude can be adjusted in the weight room. The strength coach was brought back to be that "Fire Starter" and I believe we will see the ability to match physicality, an dish out more than we are taking this year.

With all the rehab going on, I hope the teammates are joining them to have 'tude exhancement sessions, and take out frustrations on the weight stacks with purpose in the next six weeks...

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Oldude reflects the opinion of just about every WBB fan in America, that getting to the Final4 is a huge success for that program. Well, UConn isn't any program, and since they have made it 13 consecutive times, the goal has to be higher than most of these other programs. Getting to the Final4 for us is almost like others just making the tournament. We are the victims of our own success, we expect to get there, and once we get there we expect to win, so not going all the way is a disappointment. Yes, we are proud of this program, and we are lucky to have a team and coach that thrive for the ultimate goal, so maybe we are frustrated by not achieving our goal last year, and the year before, etc.

There is nothing wrong with our expectations, because I know Geno has the same although he may not publicly say that. We are so used to winning that anything less seems empty, and unfortunately the last few years I have ended the WBB season, well, empty. We are the most successful program in history, we are proud of that, but as I already said, we are the victim of our own success.

I just hope unfulfilled expectations do not drive Geno out of Storrs, like John Wooden had happen to him at UCLA in the '70's....

In addition to seeing the beautiful basketball played by the UCONN women, I appreciate what Geno has to say at the end of games, and sometimes at the halftime break when is completely wound up!

 

[Littlemin]

Attitude can be adjusted in the weight room. The strength coach was brought back to be that "Fire Starter" and I believe we will see the ability to match physicality, an dish out more than we are taking this year.

With all the rehab going on, I hope the teammates are joining them to have 'tude exhancement sessions, and take out frustrations on the weight stacks with purpose in the next six weeks...

We will see; Uconn did not lose to Arizona because of their weight room “physicality” but rather because of the lack of respect for the opponent and the moment. You don’t find that in a weight room.

 

[hoophuskee]

We will see; Uconn did not lose to Arizona because of their weight room “physicality” but rather because of the lack of respect for the opponent and the moment. You don’t find that in a weight room.

I don't agree with the bold at all. Teams that get onto the Final Four get there for a reason. They are very, very good/ playing very, very well. They got beat by a better team on a given day.

 

[Littlemin]

I don't agree with the bold at all. Teams that get onto the Final Four get there for a reason. They are very, very good/ playing very, very well. They got beat by a better team on a given day.

Well, I will give the players assessment that they took Arizona (and so the FF) lightly over your opinion. A tournament as you advance comes down to THAT game, that day, not what you did to get there. Yes, they got beat by a better team that day but in a sense they got beat before they ever took the floor if you will.

 

[hoophuskee]

Well, I will give the players assessment that they took Arizona (and so the FF) lightly over your opinion. A tournament as you advance comes down to THAT game, that day, not what you did to get there. Yes, they got beat by a better team that day but in a sense they got beat before they ever took the floor if you will.

Well I won't take a player's emotional response to a loss as anything more than that - emotion. There is no way a team with senior leadership like what CWill is trying to establish will she ever admit that they got beat by a "better team" that was ranked lower them to the degree AZ was. And if you can't admit that - then you make the type of comment she made.

To further that, there are some player(s) that didn't perform well. Whether it be both in E8 and FF or just the FF etc. She is not going to call those players out. Instead, as a leader, she is going to make a cliche comment that "we" all have to do better. That's a safe comment all of her teammates can buy into without being brutal on specific teammates. - Which is fine - but it's no more than that. She is not going to call out individual players for playing poorly whether they were "ready or not."

And in regard to getting beat before they took the court; I'm not buying that either. They got beat by the better team that evening during the game - not before.

 

[Littlemin]

Well I won't take a player's emotional response to a loss as anything more than that - emotion. There is no way a team with senior leadership like what CWill is trying to establish will she ever admit that they got beat by a "better team" that was ranked lower them to the degree AZ was. And if you can't admit that - then you make the type of comment she made.

To further that, there are some player(s) that didn't perform well. Whether it be both in E8 and FF or just the FF etc. She is not going to call those players out. Instead, as a leader, she is going to make a cliche comment that "we" all have to do better. That's a safe comment all of her teammates can buy into without being brutal on specific teammates. - Which is fine - but it's no more than that. She is not going to call out individual players for playing poorly whether they were "ready or not."

And in regard to getting beat before they took the court; I'm not buying that either. They got beat by the better team that evening during the game - not before.

We just disagree; I don’t fill in blanks as to why people say things to suit my narrative, I think Williams comments were measured and truthful, not emotional, you don’t.

 

[hoophuskee]

We just disagree; I don’t fill in blanks as to why people say things to suit my narrative, I think Williams comments were measured and truthful, not emotional, you don’t.

Well --you are misrepresenting my post - but okay. I'll stop. We'll just agree to disagree.

 

[Cornell Lt]

If UConn had 5 players with the same attitude, toughness and grit as Aaliyah they would be dominate. It's very difficult to manufacture those attributes in a player, you either have it or you don't. Those that talk about getting it will never have it, those that have it will never talk about it.

 

[CL82]

And anyone who considers losing in the final four as a failed season needs to reassess. Geno says all sorts of things for effect and suggesting that anything less than a title is a failed season is one of his whoppers.

To me every season is a success. UConn usually plays 36-40 games a year and 35-38 are beautiful things to watch.
On a trip to Maui we took the trip to Hanna, a small town on the west coast. Hanna itself is nothing special. A quiet hideaway. Hanna is the destination but the point of doing it was the journey, not the destination. The ride is a series of spectacular views (and a few terrifying moments for someone with a fear of heights). I don't have a problem with the players feeling like they failed but as a fan I take my joy from the journey. Year after year after year UConn provides me and their fans with so many spectacular views that it's easy to begin to take them for granted. And that is what I read into this thread.

There is a great video or CD talking about how a fan came up to her and talked about how a trip to the final four was "a solid season." CD was like "the final four was only solid?"

 

[Alydar]

People ask me "how can you watch UCONN WBB blowout after blowout"? The answer is simple, I watch it because it's a beautiful thing.

Same reason people loved watching Tiger Woods destroy his competition.

 

[#12in21]

If as many have suggested, the starting five at the beginning of the season are the three seniors (Williams, Westbrook and Ododa), Paige and Aaliyah just think about the second unit that could come in as a wholesale swap. Nika, Azzi, Caroline, Aubrey and Dorka. Instant offense and harassing defense. The opponent may welcome the break in intensity when the first unit returns to the floor!

 

[Wbbfan1]

We have heard the current year seniors say similar thoughts the previous three years. Is this the year, they back up the talk? We need more consistent play from the three seniors when the team plays the Elite teams. If its the underclassmen that lead the team, it will be more difficult to win the National Championship.

 

[Jim R]

We have heard the current year seniors say similar thoughts the previous three years. Is this the year, they back up the talk? We need more consistent play from the three seniors when the team plays the Elite teams. If its the underclassmen that lead the team, it will be more difficult to win the National Championship.

Can't disagree that it may be more difficult. But, leadership is earned...period. "Say similar thoughts"....yes, talk is just that...and cheap. We'll see what this team is made up, as they say, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." Any competitor acknowledges, that performing in crunch time separates the few from the many. Believe we've got more than a couple that will be leading this year, both upper and lower classman - expect that to show up big time. And, from where I sit - we finally have a couple of "bangers" down low, which we haven't had in years - Aaliyah year 2 & Dorka - and should help provide the "muscle" that championships are made of. While the Huskies may operate like a well oiled machine, it never hurts to have some muscle (power) under the hood!