A Thoughtful Defense of Shaughnessy's Position

[CajunHusky]

A Commanding Officer on my third ship started off all meetings with his department heads with an admonition: if all you have to offer is No then don't say anything at all. Someone should have told Shaugnessy the same thing.

Shaugnessy was wrong on several levels. Telling a colleague at dinner he won't be watching is one thing. But he used the bully pulpit to slam a sport he does not cover, and to marginalize a group of young women athletes who worked very hard for many years toattain a skill level among the best that ever was.

To me his comments sound more like a simmering resentment over Title IX

 

[GoUconn7961]

A Commanding Officer on my third ship started off all meetings with his department heads with an admonition: if all you have to offer is No then don't say anything at all. Someone should have told Shaugnessy the same thing.

Shaugnessy was wrong on several levels. Telling a colleague at dinner he won't be watching is one thing. But he used the bully pulpit to slam a sport he does not cover, and to marginalize a group of young women athletes who worked very hard for many years toattain a skill level among the best that ever was.

To me his comments sound more like a simmering resentment over Title IX

I couldn't agree more..

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Damn straight.

It is up to the other programs to raise themselves up to UConn's level. Yes, the bar is high but that is where it should be. And it can be done.

This is exactly the sort of thing Kennedy talked about when he set us on the path to the moon in the early sixties, a journey that would be substantial, consequential, historic. History isn't made by those who master the easy, the inconsequential. It's made by those who do hard things. And the greater the difficulty the more historic the accomplishment. How many of you have ever heard anybody say, "I'm so proud of myself, while the team was getting ready for the season, I took a nap."

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I continue to say Shaugnessy's comments are nothingsville.

Want real jerky stuff, read this:

http://sports.cbslocal.com/2016/03/30/geno-auriemma-connecticut-coach-needs-new-challenge/

 

[CCinCT]

I continue to say Shaugnessy's comments are nothingsville.

Want real jerky stuff, read this:

http://sports.cbslocal.com/2016/03/30/geno-auriemma-connecticut-coach-needs-new-challenge/

Figures - another Boston bozo

 

[Biff]

I continue to say Shaugnessy's comments are nothingsville.

Want real jerky stuff, read this:

http://sports.cbslocal.com/2016/03/30/geno-auriemma-connecticut-coach-needs-new-challenge/

Why did you make me read that?

 

[easttexastrash]

I am pretty certain that his opinion would be the same regardless of which university is the one dominating. He really should leave out UCONN's name and state that any sport that has a champion that beats its opponent so often and with such dominance is bad for the sport as a whole. I suspect that if Serena won every match 6-2, 6-0 that we would hear the same thing about women's tennis. And if that were the case I suspect that some people would quit watching due to the lack of suspense.

I do understand the point that he is trying to make but I think he is doing a really poor job of doing it as he is placing the blame on UCONN.

As far as being bad for the sport, look at the US Men's National Team. We sent our best out into the world and dominated and now the world is playing better ball. The same can be said for the US Women's National team making the world catch up in order to compete.

 

[EricLA]

Another perspective:

When asked Tuesday, Washington coach Mike Neighbors had this to say about UConn and its dominance:

“What they’re doing right now is incredibly hard, and the fact that we’re not celebrating it like John Wooden’s success was celebrated back in the ‘60s — we’re calling him the greatest coach to ever live; the greatest thing to ever happen. … I don’t think it’s terrible for the game. I think we should be celebrating it.”

UW coach Mike Neighbors says UConn women’s success should be celebrated, Seattle Times

Amen John Wooden. To any of the people who think it would be good if UCONN lost the NC, I ask "why"? Ask yourself some questions.

If UCONN loses, is there anything positive for WCBB that comes out of it? Does the game become more popular? Do more people decide to tune in? Do more athletic departments start earmarking more $$ for WCBB? There are a hundred questions similar to that and all of them have the same answer - "NO".

The ONLY reason UCONN losing would be good for anything is it would be good for the fans who don't like UCONN. That is it. UCONN's success is great for the game, and it's been proven over and over and over. Viewership is up, interest in WCBB is up, publicity on ESPN is up, and anyone who actually wants to watch great technical basketball that is fluid and beautiful to watch needs to tune in.

And let me just say that any "fan" on here who thinks UCONN losing the NC would be good for the game is simply not a UCONN fan. To quote Jack...

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I continue to say Shaugnessy's comments are nothingsville.

Want real jerky stuff, read this:

http://sports.cbslocal.com/2016/03/30/geno-auriemma-connecticut-coach-needs-new-challenge/

"When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer."

 

[UcMiami]

Shaughnessy says it all when he say 'I don't watch women's basketball. I know its great athletes and everything, but to my it isn't pleasing.' That's fine, but then Uconn isn't killing it for you, women playing basketball is killing it for you, regardless of skill level or the level of the competition. If Uconn had won that game 96 - 95 you still would have continued flipping channels until you found a real sport like a Texas Hold'em Tournament or WWA wrestling. So, go ahead and be honest with you fans and say - 'why do women play a sport in shorts and jerseys - it isn't pleasing on the eye, like those ones where they play in tiny bikinis or dang that one where they play football in underwear - now that is real 'competition' if you get my meaning! Wink wink!'

 

[Sluconn Husky]

So, go ahead and be honest with you fans and say - 'why do women play a sport in shorts and jerseys - it isn't pleasing on the eye, like those ones where they play in tiny bikinis or dang that one where they play football in underwear - now that is real 'competition' if you get my meaning! Wink wink!'

LOL wut

I don't think Shaughnessy is watching bikini-clad women too often.

 

[UcMiami]

LOL wut

I don't think Shaughnessy is watching bikini-clad women too often.

Probably not, but he did use the term 'Pleasing to my eye' which is a weird way to say i don't like a sport. I dislike men's college basketball, but I never say 'because it isn't pleasing to my eye' The choice of words is too close to the bozo who suggested the WNBA wear short shorts to increase viewership - and he is a professional writer, so he is used to 'choosing words'.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Probably not, but he did use the term 'Pleasing to my eye' which is a weird way to say i don't like a sport. I dislike men's college basketball, but I never say 'because it isn't pleasing to my eye' The choice of words is too close to the bozo who suggested the WNBA wear short shorts to increase viewership - and he is a professional writer, so he is used to 'choosing words'.

Let's be honest though, how many comments do we get around here from those watching non-UConn games about how ugly they are and that we are spoiled to be able to watch the Huskies? Not that the men's game is perfect, but the women's can be hard to watch if you aren't viewing some of the better teams. And even some of the better ones can play ugly at times. Now, this is a point in UConn's favor, but Shaugnessey doesn't want to watch their high-quality play if it destroys teams in the process.

All that said, I don't know why the tweet even had to be mentioned at the conference, but these days everyone has to get a response to someone else's opinion.

 

[chrissaran]

Again it has nothing to do with UConn but the failure of the other programs to raise the level of their game.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I actually have little problem with his comments..... focused on fact that people enjoy competition, and winning by 40 is not fulfilling for him....

That is OK.

And I subscribe to Geno's comment.... "then don't watch"

 

[HuskyNan]

Figures - another Boston bozo

An incorrect bozo that has failed to do any research for his article. Geno coached his son's AAU team for years so, yes, he has coached men. The guy needs to STFU before he spews any more ignorance. I'm temped to disable the URL to keep that nimrod from getting any more hits to his article.

 

[CL82]

An incorrect bozo that has failed to do any research for his article. Geno coached his son's AAU team for years so, yes, he has coached men. The guy needs to STFU before he spews any more ignorance. I'm temped to disable the URL to keep that nimrod from getting any more hits to his article.

Look at you getting all spunky....

 

[BRS24]

I think Geno would go nuts trying to coach young men, with no guarantee that they stay more than one year, or that have not had anything but 100s of AAU games under belts but no real BB coaching.

 

[HopJim]

Having lived in the Boston area for many years, Shaughnessy tends to write stories just to get personal press. He has written the same piece every year of so for over 10 years that I am aware of. Best to treat him like a crying baby-assuming nothing is actually wrong, leave him alone and eventually he quiets down.

 

[Beemer]

We should all do ourselves a favor and stay away from the Boston media when they start writing/talking about women's college basketball. They know spit about it as they make so abundantly clear every year.

 

[Carnac]

I'm done with all of this Shaughnessy crap. As a UConn fan, I could not care less what he thinks about UConn, whether he watches any of their games or not, or what his opinion is on anything concerning the UConn women's basketball program. Who knows (or cares) if he watches or not? ESPN is the only entity that may care. UConn gets their money from the networks whether he watches or not.

He's an outsider. I wonder what makes Shaughnessy so vain, that he thinks anyone cares about him or any of his takes or opinions. You'd be hard presses to find one single UConn fan that cares what he thinks about UConn, or WCBB. UConn Nation likes the huskies. We back them 100%. We're very protective of our brand, and our girls.

We don't want, need or seek his approval to root for our players. We watch the entire game no matter what the score is, and WE enjoy it. At no time did I get bored during the Mississippi State game. I loved it. If UConn is blowing somebody out, I'm OK with that, especially this time of the season. If a team blew UConn out, nobody would feel sorry for them.

All of the UConn haters would trip over themselves coming out of the woodwork laughing and cheering while trying to get their jabs in because UConn lost a game (clowns).
I want my team to win. I've never gotten tired of seeing UConn win games. It doesn't get old to me. I really hope Shaughnessy takes Geno's response to heart, and runs with it:" DON'T WATCH"!!

We don't need you. You bring nothing of value to the program or its fans. UConn is not going to modify their style of play to suit you. In closing, I'm going to borrow a phrase used by Donald Trump on his recently canceled TV show. Shaughnessy....................................................YOU'RE FIRED!!!!!

 

[hoophuskee]

I agree that it would be great for women's basketball in general, if another team won the national championship (although I would probably go into a deep depression if that were to happen, because oh I really want this for the seniors).
However, it would be great IF AND ONLY IF the winning team beat UCONN, and UCONN didn't beat themselves. In other words, if another team rose to UCONN's level and beat them? I would congratulate them and take a lot of consolation in the fact that the sport had evolved to that point. And I would need a whole lot of consolation.

No - imo it wouldn't do a darn thing if UCONN lost this year. This isn't UCLA vs NC STATE - Bill Walton vs David Thompson. Or Mich State vs Indiana.

If UCONN were to lose vs any of these teams - it would just beat the drum of those that say - "They were never that good anyways."

 

[hoophuskee]

We can certainly agree to disagree on these things, but do you really believe that it wouldn't be good for the sport if we lose Sunday or Tuesday?

I proudly fly a UConn flag in front of my house, wear a UConn sweatshirt most days at work, and have a UConn hat that sits atop my cubicle here in Ann Arbor in the middle of Michigan Wolverine territory. I will be devastated if we lose and will absolutely hate the gloating that will show up on other team boards.

But I also accept the fact that if we do lose, that would be a good thing for WCBB. Just as I also think that the bar Geno and company have set for the rest of the schools is also a great thing.

I am stunned you could possibly think UCONN losing to a tam like Oregon State that walks the ball up the court and plays slow down methodical basketball will attract today's fan. You think their is a National Consensus to want to play half-court basketball without ELECTRIC athletic athletes?

Your mentioning of Geno imo is way off-base. I don't believe he means "one-hit wonders" winning a title vs a team that is CHASING HISTORY. There is context imo what he said and not a broad overall statement which you are making it out to be.

 

[hoophuskee]

I continue to say Shaugnessy's comments are nothingsville.

Want real jerky stuff, read this:

http://sports.cbslocal.com/2016/03/30/geno-auriemma-connecticut-coach-needs-new-challenge/

I don't agree. He supposed to be a PROFESSIONAL. How is what he tweeted professional? He doesn't even follow sport. From what I understand ratings are up when UCONN is on also. Regardless, suppose you think his opinion is wrong? It's okay for him to come out in a public forum and downplay the sport and everyone including media, fans and coaches are supposed to take it without a response?

If I wer somewhere in which someone bashed this sport - I would speak up and disagree. What's wrong with Doris Burke and many others speaking up against Dan?

On a "lighter note" but in terms of "nothingsville" You DO understand though - that you are also on a UCONN WOMEN"S BASKETBALL BOARD. And many of us (and you) are "fans" (abbreviation of "fanatics."). Not all fans are the same so not a bash on you or others who care les about the comment. But in ANY sport including one, when a public figure who doesn't even watch/like the sport we love not only trash it BUT TRASH our team (UCONN is killing the sport.), you CAN understand harsh reply from MANY UCONN's fan that disagree with him will look to post about the subject, right?

And Dan could have backed off - but he didn't. And others agree with him. So you don't understand why many are attacking him or them in a similar manner in which he attacked the sport/UCONN? Regardless of "it wasn't meant to attack UCONN" -- but "UCONN is killing the sport" -- is what it is. If he didn't mean it - apologize for the comment and walk away. If he doesn't then why not debate? Many of think he is WRONG that UONN is NOT killing the sport.

 

[hoophuskee]

I actually have little problem with his comments..... focused on fact that people enjoy competition, and winning by 40 is not fulfilling for him....

That is OK.

And I subscribe to Geno's comment.... "then don't watch"

Do you agree with him that UCONN is killing the sport? Did you think last year it was a foregone conclusion that UCONN would win vs ND? What happens if one were to disagree with his comment that UCONN is killing the sport? And secondly, many of us UCONN fans - have a very healthy respect fro ND. What happens if you disagree with him that UCONN does get threatened and very soon will be threatened again thus UCONN isn't killing the sport? Aren't these things I just mentioned pretty obvious that a 10 year old can figure out? Shouldn't he know better that UCONN does get threatened? Shouldn't he know better that UCONN is NOT killing the sport?