A brief Geno-Wooden side-by-side

[alexrgct]

We all know that Geno sees John Wooden as an inspiration for a coach (like Geno) aspiring to historical greatness. The specter of Wooden hangs over UConn when Geno surpasses some of his accomplishments. First, UConn wins 89 games in a row. Just a few months later, Geno gets his 12th Final Four appearance. The record for F4s belongs to Pat, not JW, but it's still a significant threshold to have equalled. In JW's time, it was easier for the men to make a national semi, so there could be no deriding of the women's game vis a vis the men's on this score.

And now, Geno's got 10 NCs to his credit, equal to JW. He was floored on camera until he could fully appreciate how significant that is...or that indeed he'd done it at all.

So, what else can Geno do that JW already has? I can fathom exactly three things:

1. Seven consecutive national championships. Yep, JW did it from 1967 to 1973. UConn has three in a row right now with a good shot to get to four in 2016. I'm not ready to call an NC in 2017 yet, but we will have a Husky incarnation good enough to contend that season, if nothing else. And then all of a sudden, Geno is in spitting distance of a streak that was NOT bad for the sport in its time. And it wouldn't be bad for WBB either.

2. Nine consecutive Final Fours. Wooden did it from 1967 to 1975. From 2008 through 2015, UConn sits right at eight in a row. I never say winning the region is a foregone conclusion, but it'd be surprising if UConn didn't win its bracket in 2016. In 2017? Time will tell, but it wouldn't be a shock to see another Wooden Record fall.

3. JW lived a full 99 years before passing away. And to the 61-year old whippersnapper whose competitive edge ought to put JW's age upon passing in his sights: maybe you quit smoking if you haven't already???

Yes, some interesting times ahead, times that will firm up the legacies for two men who are already unequivocally men for the ages...

 

[Sonny44]

Geno smokes? Maybe like a certain politician he never inhaled.

 

[alexrgct]

Geno smokes? Maybe like a certain politician he never inhaled.

Yes- from a notorious Deadspin article.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Geno has 5 perfect seasons to JW's 4. Geno is 10-0 in championship games, not sure if JW equals that or not.

I don't know what either's winning percentage in tournament games is but Geno must be at least close if not ahead.

 

[willtalk]

I think it makes no sense to compare the two. Two different coaches at different times in different circumstances. People should leave it at that. There is some similarity since both dominated their respective sports. I don't think you can or should compare the two in respect to records. Wooden's coaching while focused on basketball was founded on a philosophic foundation that transcended the game. He rightly saw basketball as a microcosm of life. Interestingly enough basketball reflects and is a mirror of american society as no other sport. This should be no surprise because basketball is a purely american invention. If you do not understand what I am referring too then you also wouldn't understand what made Wooden unique as a coach.

 

[alexrgct]

I think it makes no sense to compare the two. Two different coaches at different times in different circumstances. People should leave it at that. There is some similarity since both dominated their respective sports. I don't think you can or should compare the two in respect to records. Wooden's coaching while focused on basketball was founded on a philosophic foundation that transcended the game. He rightly saw basketball as a microcosm of life. Interestingly enough basketball reflects and is a mirror of american society as no other sport. This should be no surprise because basketball is a purely american invention. If you do not understand what I am referring too then you also wouldn't understand what made Wooden unique as a coach.

probably should chill out with the pedantic response to what was obviously tongue in cheek.

 

[HGN]

Geno smokes? Maybe like a certain politician he never inhaled.

Winning is a good habit to have.......Smoking is not. So I hope he stops so that he can catch JW and surpass the 99yrs of age.

 

[willtalk]

probably should chill out with the pedantic response to what was obviously tongue in cheek.

It didn't appear tongue in cheek to me. I have seen too many posts comparing the records that Uconn set with the ones that exist in Men's College basketball. I never understood the need to compare or contrast coaches or players of different era's let alone different venue's like men's and women's college basketball. Even in the same venue different era's create different conditions that each individual is operating under. I for one have quit following the Men's pro and college game and basically follow the women's game in both arena's. I just prefer that style of play for a variety of reasons. However, due to parity issues, trying to compare winning streaks and final four appearances for the two in respect to evaluation of the level of the coaches makes no sense. Perhaps this is a reaction to the disrespect that is shown to WCBB by the fans of the Men's game. One shouldn't let the actions and perspective of stupid people dictate a counter reaction from ourselves. There are many differences between the women's and men's game and I for one am glad of it. I for one am saddened when the women's fans feel they have to compete with the men in various aspects to the game- even in area's of records and streaks. WCBB and it's fans shouldn't feel they have to prove anything to anyone.

Even comparing streaks and final four appearances in the same gender grouping will vary because of era. It would be an unfair to compare the beginnings of WCBB with the different level of parity that exists today. The more parity level achieved the harder it becomes to sting together streaks both in wins and final four appearances. The more talent, both in players and coaches, there is to go around the more parity. The skill level is increasing at a hyper rate in WCBB. They game is changing constantly. It should never feel it has to catch up and become like the mens game. It will never be the men's game, rather it will take it's own course and that's how it should be.

 

[billnaples]

As near as I can recall from all of the articles and sound bites I have never heard anything from Auriemma that he had equaled or surpassed any of Wooden's accomplishments. That has always been a media creation. GA has consistently said his record should be ranked within the WCBB game, nor more no less. Men's game vs. women, 60's/70's vs. 90's/present, should be enough to separate the records.

 

[WestCoastFan]

As near as I can recall from all of the articles and sound bites I have never heard anything from Auriemma that he had equaled or surpassed any of Wooden's accomplishments. That has always been a media creation. GA has consistently said his record should be ranked within the WCBB game, nor more no less. Men's game vs. women, 60's/70's vs. 90's/present, should be enough to separate the records.

Well said. How would Wooden do coaching these past 15-20 years, where the talent level is much deeper and the "1 and Done" environment prevails? My prediction is his head might explode. How about Geno in the 60's, when society looked at women's college sports as a novelty? Interesting topic of conversation though.

 

[PhillyCoach]

I think it makes no sense to compare the two. Two different coaches at different times in different circumstances. People should leave it at that. There is some similarity since both dominated their respective sports. I don't think you can or should compare the two in respect to records. Wooden's coaching while focused on basketball was founded on a philosophic foundation that transcended the game. He rightly saw basketball as a microcosm of life. Interestingly enough basketball reflects and is a mirror of american society as no other sport. This should be no surprise because basketball is a purely american invention. If you do not understand what I am referring too then you also wouldn't understand what made Wooden unique as a coach.

probably should chill out with the pedantic response to what was obviously tongue in cheek.

I have to agree with alexrgct on this one. I have medical problems. My niece just had a brain operation. People are cutting off heads around the world. Philadelphia School District is struggling mightily. In contrast, I have true enjoyment and stimulation conversing on the BY. I try to get away from heavy/real conflict in the world and sit peaceably at my computer anticipating the coming season. Comparing Babe Ruth to Barry Bonds is interesting to many of us. Could Joe Louis really compete with today's heavyweights? Could Serena beat Mo Connelly or Steffi Graff on a regular basis? There has always been comparisons between an earlier era and today---and there will always be more comparisons. It is fun, stimulating, insightful, and a pleasure for many.

Geno knows where he is and what Wooden has done. This has nothing to do with Geno or anyone's ego. This is a spectators game. Anyone who has played sports or coached sports knows this game. Willtalk--you seem to be a nice guy. If this comparison makes no sense to you then please don't make any. Others have a good time speculating and throwing the BS at times. I love women's basketball and all sports in general (& assume most BY's do too.) They don't want to hurt or denigrate anyone. Willtalk - have another ice tea and enjoy the summer breeze cause fall is coming.

 

[willtalk]

As near as I can recall from all of the articles and sound bites I have never heard anything from Auriemma that he had equaled or surpassed any of Wooden's accomplishments. That has always been a media creation. GA has consistently said his record should be ranked within the WCBB game, nor more no less. Men's game vs. women, 60's/70's vs. 90's/present, should be enough to separate the records.

This is very true. Both coaches respect each other and what they each have accomplished. Wooden always defended the Womens. Game unlike many others. I would also agree with West Coast fan about Wooden's head exploding if he had to coach todays game. I suspect that is why he admires the womens game of today. In fact he might prefer coaching in the womens ranks if he had a choice. But Woodens era had it's advantages and disadvantages in respect to difficulty as well. While the NCAA's were more sparse, you had to win your conference or you were not even included in the playoff. It was always one and done. Poor USC during the Wooden era often had the second best team in the country but they never made it too the NCAA's. Philly Coach- I always realized it had nothing to do with Geno's ego but was as bill naples posted is a media creation. I just don't like to see WCBB fans get suckered into the hype of feeling they have to defend the game by competing with the Men/s game. While some aspects will never measure up, other aspects of the game are actually superior.

I am sorry and apologize for my misinterpretation of the intent of this thread. Geno, in my opinion appears at this time to be the best WCBB coach of all time. I also have great respect for John Wooden as a coach and as a person. Whether he is the best, I am not sure. But he is a philosopher who understands the game and coaching in depth. In that he seems unique. I suppose I reacted in that vain. Also because some people in the past have found it easier to raise up a favorite by tearing down someone else in comparison. In the end our personal opinions can not really make anyone better or worse than they actually are.

 

[UcMiami]

Willtalk and PhillyCoach - both eloquently written posts!
I personally do enjoy comparing across gender and time in various sports, and comparing between sports. (We just had a thread about 'greatest female athlete of all time' regardless of sport for example that I found enjoyable - and no one was really putting down any of the nominees by arguing for someone else.)
Not that long ago we had two golfers dominating their respective genders' competitions and the comparisons were rampant with no one denigrating either competitor or the competition. Within a single sport, the skills required of men and women are very comparable, while the strength of the male body is unquestionably greater and might in some ways skew the balance of importance of those various skills a bit. The strength of competition may also skew the level of dominance across the genders - but that is also a very real factor over even short periods of time within a single gender/single sport.
As time comparisons extend to decades, rules changes, equipment changes, training, nutrition, financial resources, and medical advances are huge factors as well within single gender single sport comparisons.

Comparing the Babe to any modern era players is full of comparative adjustments. Comparing Wooden to Coach K the same, or Steelers dynasty to Patriots, or Lewis to Ali. It really is no different than comparing Annika to Tiger, or Laver to Court, or Geno to Wooden or Anson to Geno.