73

[Baroloboy]

73 is the combined number of points Uconn gave up in the first half of the 3 games (elite eight, semifinals and finals) against USC, UCLA and South Carolina--all number 1 seeds. Yes defense does win games but it also wins championships.

 

[BBallF]

Absurd statistic. Says it all.

 

[Bone Dog]

I like the average margin of victory throughout the tournament: 36

 

[BBallF]

I like the average margin of victory throughout the tournament: 36

Not bad either.

 

[Bone Dog]

Not bad either.

I think that one puts this team among the greatest teams ever. Only one or two of Stewie’s team exceeded that.

 

[Skeets]

73 is the combined number of points Uconn gave up in the first half of the 3 games (elite eight, semifinals and finals) against USC, UCLA and South Carolina--all number 1 seeds. Yes defense does win games but it also wins championships.

I have a hard time wrapping my head around that factoid. You should put it in Nan's unbreakable records thread.

 

[topogigio]

There was definitely a switch that was flicked after the Tennessee loss during the regular season. The defensive intensity just kept ramping up right through the BE tournament and continued to the final four.

 

[my2cents]

I think the avg. "Bone-Yarder", in discussing starters, playing time, etc. ; totally under plays how Geno values defense.
We pretty much shut everyone down. It's our DNA.

 

[Urshurak]

My wife and I have been discussing this. It’s like a switch went off during halftime against Oklahoma. Pure domination after that. So incredible to watch. I know there is a thread about re-watching it, but we have watched the UCLA game and the Final against SC probably 4 times!

 

[rugbymate]

i can’t remember ever watching a women’s basketball team (pro or college) that played switching defense so effortlessly. The team was not just well trained but had total confidence in each other.

 

[Skeets]

i can’t remember ever watching a women’s basketball team (pro or college) that played switching defense so effortlessly. The team was not just well trained but had total confidence in each other.

What gets me is that UConn women's switching defense is a thing of beauty while the UConn men look all jumbled. Dan Hurley should do a mind-meld with Geno.

 

[Glenn]

The defense improved tremendously during the year. It was not that good in the beginning and was a big factor in our loss to ND, for example.

 

[Cuango]

73 is the combined number of points Uconn gave up in the first half of the 3 games (elite eight, semifinals and finals) against USC, UCLA and South Carolina--all number 1 seeds. Yes defense does win games but it also wins championships.

I remember posting several years ago that I felt we had suffered a slight decline in our overall defensive ability/posture/intensity . We were still very good, among the top in the nation but somehow it just seemed that we had slipped a little. This was purely my own feeling and was not based on statistical evidence. I’m happy to report that feeling has gone away completely. As was said above, most people point to UConn’s admittedly spectacular offense as the source of their success but Geno has always said that defense is the foundation of everything. We were truly dominant defensively last season, especially after the Tennessee game. I believe we could actually be even better (defensively) next season with the addition of Serah and the added effect of being defending National Champions!

 

[Bone Dog]

I remember posting several years ago that I felt we had suffered a slight decline in our overall defensive ability/posture/intensity . We were still very good, among the top in the nation but somehow it just seemed that we had slipped a little. This was purely my own feeling and was not based on statistical evidence. I’m happy to report that feeling has gone away completely. As was said above, most people point to UConn’s admittedly spectacular offense as the source of their success but Geno has always said that defense is the foundation of everything. We were truly dominant defensively last season, especially after the Tennessee game. I believe we could actually be even better (defensively) next season with the addition of Serah and the added effect of being defending National Champions!

I really share this sentiment. Defense has always been a hallmark. But this season, Geno was able to return the team to the pinnacle of defensive achievement. Rebecca observed a few times in the tournament how they'd sustained their defensive intensity through the 4th quarter, while most teams can't sustain it beyond the first half.

 

[Alydar]

I think that one puts this team among the greatest teams ever. Only one or two of Stewie’s team exceeded that.

One of the best NCAA Tournament teams ever for sure. Considering that 3 starters were playing their first years at UConn it is unbelievable that they developed the level of chemistry they achieved on the court by March.

 

[ctfjr]

In one of my hobbies, ham radio, 73 means best wishes - and they were!

 

[BBallF]

I think that one puts this team among the greatest teams ever. Only one or two of Stewie’s team exceeded that.

That's a very good new thread. Was 2025 the greatest ever at UCONN? You can make an argument for it.

 

[JellyBean]

Pretty darn impressive! The defense stepped up big time when it mattered the most.

 

[Inthepaint]

I think the avg. "Bone-Yarder", in discussing starters, playing time, etc. ; totally under plays how Geno values defense.
We pretty much shut everyone down. It's our DNA.

How many times, during halftime interviews , has Geno said “ defense leads to offense”?
You’d think by now we’d believe him

 

[tchalla1]

I think that one puts this team among the greatest teams ever. Only one or two of Stewie’s team exceeded that.

I agree. And I think the case can be made that this year's team had stiffer competition than any previous UConn team...