A Lesson from the Men

[diggerfoot]

In the championship game the men outrebounded the infamous rebounders of Kentucky. Kentucky got 42% of possible OR for the season, only 28% against our post-challenged line-up. And make no mistake, there were plays in that game that revealed both height and particularly muscle definitely favored Kentucky.

We won (and outrebounded) because of greater experience, chemistry and coaching.

Of course, the women's team has provided a similar lesson, particularly 2002 when our tallest post was 6'2", a far cry from our own 6'7" post in Wolters or the 6'5" posts of Tennessee at the time .... or, for that matter, a subpar (for us) 2007 UConn team with 6'4" Charles on it. It's just that our men provide a more recent lesson that experience, chemistry and coaching, along with the superior talent that UConn recruits, will be the deciding factors in winning future NCs.

 

[Scotter]

Of course the UConn Women's used to regularly show that a team could get out rebounded even by a lot and still win including in at least 3 national championship games.

 

[diggerfoot]

Of course the UConn Women's used to regularly show that a team could get out rebounded even by a lot and still win including in at least 3 national championship games.

Scotter: good point. BTW, my assessment of the incoming recruits (posted somewhere, can't keep track) is virtually the same as yours.
John: see Scotter's point.

 

[UcMiami]

All you need to do is look at the MD/ND semi-final - a motivated shorter team took apart a taller more experienced and strong rebounding team. The margin in that game was an even more astonishing 50-21.

 

[msf22b]

All you need to do is look at the MD/ND semi-final - a motivated shorter team took apart a taller more experienced and strong rebounding team. The margin in that game was an even more astonishing 50-21.

So UC, what's your explanation for the rebounding collapse of ND in the finals.

 

[alexrgct]

The national champion men's team showed us two things:

1. When the deficit is six points and the opponent misses 11 FTs, you've got a good chance to win.

2. When you never trail in a game, shockingly, you have a very good chance to win.

 

[Cheddie]

Great rebounders don't need to be the tallest people on court. Bazz lead the men this year in rebounding. Dennis Rodman was one of the best rebounders in NBA history at 6'7". Charles Barkley averaged nearly 12 rebounds over his NBA career, despite being only about 6'5". Desire, positioning and a sense of how the ball will come off the rim or backboard all matter.

 

[rocky rococo]

I was taught at a very young age that rebounding is about effort and anticipation, establishing position early and holding it, putting your butt in somebody's gut and grabbing the ball with two hands.

 

[Geno-ista]

The national champion men's team showed us two things:

1. When the deficit is six points and the opponent misses 11 FTs, you've got a good chance to win.

2. When you never trail in a game, shockingly, you have a very good chance to win.

Especially if you don't trail at the end!!! Great points!!!

 

[Geno-ista]

I was taught at a very young age that rebounding is about effort and anticipation, establishing position early and holding it, putting your butt in somebody's gut and grabbing the ball with two hands.

Kelly Farris!!! even Tiffany Hayes was a good rebounder as I remember.