A Thoughtful Defense of Shaughnessy's Position

[Sluconn Husky]

1--- If you are okay with disagreeing then what's the problem you are having? Why exaggerate and call it "mountain out of mohill?"

It has gotten national media coverage. National. Don't think it's an exaggeration to say it's been blown out of proportion.

Dan is a HOF writer. Shouldn't we expect more from him? So if we agree that should, then why again did you bring up this other guy that no one cares about?

Sounds like it's not about the comment but about the person to you. The other guy's comments were far closer to offensive, imo. And I don't really expect anything from Shaugnessey. Don't care about him. If he feels UConn's dominance ruins it for him and he doesn't want to watch, so be it. His loss.

3-- ANd I'm sorry -- NO-- we BOTH don't KNOW. I think your opinion on this is wrong and I think you are exaggerating points and twisting Dan's points.

...

Per below- Dan has specifally mentioned UCONN. He said UCONN is killing the sport. The link below he is singling out UCONN. No OTHER TEAM.

UConn has won 5 of the last 7 titles with perhaps another coming soon, 122 of 123 games by double digits, has three winning streaks of over 70 games, five undefeated seasons, and the top 6 scoring differentials in WCBB history. No other team has done or is doing what UConn is and I'm surprised you are kinda acting otherwise. Notre Dame's done some nice things but has one title.

You seem to be assuming his comment is personal about the program. Why would he have anything against the program? Occam's razor would suggest he'd have the same beef if UConn's domination came at Georgetown or Nebraska.

 

[hoophuskee]

It has gotten national media coverage. National. Don't think it's an exaggeration to say it's been blown out of proportion.



Sounds like it's not about the comment but about the person to you. The other guy's comments were far closer to offensive, imo. And I don't really expect anything from Shaugnessey. Don't care about him. If he feels UConn's dominance ruins it for him and he doesn't want to watch, so be it. His loss.





UConn has won 5 of the last 7 titles with perhaps another coming soon, 122 of 123 games by double digits, has three winning streaks of over 70 games, five undefeated seasons, and the top 6 scoring differentials in WCBB history. No other team has done or is doing what UConn is and I'm surprised you are kinda acting otherwise. Notre Dame's done some nice things but has one title.

You seem to be assuming his comment is personal about the program. Why would he have anything against the program? Occam's razor would suggest he'd have the same beef if UConn's domination came at Georgetown or Nebraska.

1-- I do believe you ARE exaggerating - calling it "A Mountain of a Mohill" - this issue IS debatable. Unlike the ESPN guy you provided a link to, his points were so idiotic that there is no national debate. People have agreed with Dan and others have taken the opposite point. You have two sides that disagree and they are media-types. How are they supposed to express themselves if they disagree? Crawl under a rock? If both have valid points, then let's hear them.

2-- I agree with you about Dan. But did you listen to the last game which Doris spoke? She asked the play-by-play announcer his opinion. He fence-straddled the issue because "he has so much respect for Dan," blah blah blah. I still don't get why you say this is nothingness and a mountain of a mohill if other media people agree with Dan while many other media people don't. Along with as you indicate Dan makes good points- and it seems you think the other side has good points too. So how is this all -- "nothing?" And do you think UCONN is killing the sport? From your reply it sounds like you don't.

3-- There is a little discussion about the guy that is offensive because it is so obvious that he is, so there is nothing to debate. Who comes to his defense? Other Tenn fans? Because people agree with Dan and he is a HOF writer there is more national conflict on the subject. It is MORE THAN just Dan's loss of not appreciating domination regarding those of us that disagree with him. And on a public/national stage some of us like that there are other public media people attacking his opinion/ sticking up for our POV. That's a good thing.

4-- Telling me what UCONN has done is nice -- but you missed my point. And I think you are missing the overall point of why many of us have such an issue with Dan. You mention that Dan just doesn't like dominance - end of story. Dan has elaborated on his comments of which I gave you link/ specifics comments he said. It's your choice to ignore the comments and give me UCONN's data. I choose NOT to ignore them and want other national media people to call Dan out. He specifically said he doesn't want to watch games he knows who will win. He specifically said UCONN is killing the game. I asked you about Notre Dame. You gave me UCONN's data. That isn't the same. Don't we know many, many. many, many. many, mnay, mnay, many, many times Notre Dame is going to win before the opening tip? If it is just ONE TEAM that is killing the sport -- then his comment is MORE THAN "I don't like to know before the start who is going to win." So is Notre Dame also killing the sport too- or as Dan likes to think he is the voice of the rank-and-file fan, and that the sport is more about being fun if you don't know who is going to win the championship.

Well then if it is about titles only, then didn't Notre Dame give us a good run last year? And you also thought this year. So his statements - just hand them the trophy - are full of crap, aren't they? Two years prior Natalie from ND got hurt. Undefeated teams squaring off and coaches publicly at war with another on a National Stage. Prior to that ND took it to UCONN four out of the past 5. UCONN won by a lot but there was no Natalie. The teams were undefeated - BATTLE of the Titans who hated one another!! The SPORT was WONDERFUL at that moment before the Natalie injury - was it not? And UCONN won't be dominant next year, will they? SO why shouldn't a national sports writer be called out for his idiotic comments especially when you have other idiots agreeing with him? His reasoning/logic is so wrong. It is more than just he doesn't like dominance. It's the attack of the SCHOOL and the GAME.

5-- This is just another example of the many ways you and I look at things -- we disagree often. You say/imply I am taking this a bit personal yet you seem to ignore the questions I gave you about Notre Dame. Why should Notre Dame be ignored when the same applies that before opening tip - Dan should know that many, many. many, many many times Notre Dame is going to win? Why would he single out UCONN and only UCONN? Why would he ignore the close games Notre Dame gives UCONN? Why is he ignoring next year where it may very well be wide open? Why are all these unanswered questions characterized as me taking it personal? Only one team can be dominant? All the other wcbb games are boring at the moment they play because maybe at some point in the future they might face UCONN? Oregon State vs Baylor was boring because the next week they have to face UCONN? Last year's game ND vs USC was boring because the next game they would have to face UCONN? And this guy is a supposedly HOF sportswriter?
Thee is NOTHING thoughtful as this thread 1st indicates with his POV -- other than he doesn't like domination.

 

[ME Husky Fan]

Someone posted a video on Twitter about the topic and it featured some footage with Shaunnessey, Brenda Frese & MD, etc. She came off as a huge whiner too. Wish I could find it..

Did you ever come across that footage you were looking for? I watched one this morning with Frese and Dano and Frese did come off as a whiner.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

1-- I do believe you ARE exaggerating - calling it "A Mountain of a Mohill" - this issue IS debatable.

I think this whole thing has been exaggerated but not on my end. Way too much emotion being put into a twitter comment that's a version of what many have said they've felt for years.

I choose NOT to ignore them and want other national media people to call Dan out. He specifically said he doesn't want to watch games he knows who will win. He specifically said UCONN is killing the game. I asked you about Notre Dame. You gave me UCONN's data. That isn't the same. Don't we know many, many. many, many. many, mnay, mnay, many, many times Notre Dame is going to win before the opening tip?

What do you want Shaugnessey to do? Change his opinion? Pretend to change his opinion and apologize? And while we may know ND is the favorite in the vast majority of regular season games they play--something he probably wouldn't be thrilled with either--it's still not the same as winning 10 titles in 20 years.

And UCONN won't be dominant next year, will they?

No, UConn is unlikely to be dominant next year but he doesn't know that. He has a general impression based on the end results and the amazing things UConn does. He's not an expert of the game which is another reason I shrug off his comments.

Why would he single out UCONN and only UCONN?

They haven't won a game by less than double digits in more than three years. They've lost 12 games in 8 years overall. Who else was he going to point out as a "sure thing" to win the title?

All the other wcbb games are boring at the moment they play because maybe at some point in the future they might face UCONN?

Thee is NOTHING thoughtful as this thread 1st indicates with his POV -- other than he doesn't like domination.

His comments indicate he's only referring to the NCAA tourney and its eventual winner. And yes, he clearly does not like domination to the point that he thinks the end champion is all but a given. Had he simply said that rather than use the "killing the sport" line I think fewer people would've been rankled.

 

[UcMiami]

What I would like him to do is just say plainly 'I don't like women's basketball. Doesn't matter if it is a blow out or a very tight game, does't matter if it is college, WNBA, or the Olympics, I'm not watching it because I don't like it. Doesn't matter if my daughter or niece or grand-daughter decides to play, I'm not watching.'
He has said that, but mixed up in a lot of justifications and obfuscations.

 

[UConn79]

Shaughnessy's 15 minutes of fame are long over. Let's put this to rest and get back to the business at hand, winning number 11.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

What I would like him to do is just say plainly 'I don't like women's basketball. Doesn't matter if it is a blow out or a very tight game, does't matter if it is college, WNBA, or the Olympics, I'm not watching it because I don't like it. Doesn't matter if my daughter or niece or grand-daughter decides to play, I'm not watching.'
He has said that, but mixed up in a lot of justifications and obfuscations.

The puke has a very vested interest in keeping sports male dominated. I thoroughly agree with Geno that a guy who never watched the game tweeting his rancor says a lot about the tweeter.

 

[bags27]

On another thread, I estimated there are about 4200 D-1 WCBB games/year (I multiplied the number of teams times 25 [low estimate of games/season] and divided by 2 [it takes 2 teams to play). The point is, you can't watch any of the 4200 games, because you think you know who's going to win the last one of these?

 

[hoophuskee]

I think this whole thing has been exaggerated but not on my end. Way too much emotion being put into a twitter comment that's a version of what many have said they've felt for years.

What do you want Shaugnessey to do? Change his opinion? Pretend to change his opinion and apologize? And while we may know ND is the favorite in the vast majority of regular season games they play--something he probably wouldn't be thrilled with either--it's still not the same as winning 10 titles in 20 years.

No, UConn is unlikely to be dominant next year but he doesn't know that. He has a general impression based on the end results and the amazing things UConn does. He's not an expert of the game which is another reason I shrug off his comments.

They haven't won a game by less than double digits in more than three years. They've lost 12 games in 8 years overall. Who else was he going to point out as a "sure thing" to win the title?

His comments indicate he's only referring to the NCAA tourney and its eventual winner. And yes, he clearly does not like domination to the point that he thinks the end champion is all but a given. Had he simply said that rather than use the "killing the sport" line I think fewer people would've been rankled.

There is emotion because the issue isn’t about “nothing” as you proclaimed in one of your earlier posts. I guess we are just going to have to agree to disagree. So many people are in on the discussion because it is FAR from nothing and imo that is why you’re Mountain out of a Mohill comment is an exaggeration.

Why is it “all about Dan?” You said earlier to me when someone challenges his comment “Who said you weren't free to disagree?” Many are disagreeing with him and as you’ve already posted to me that anyone has a right to disagree with him, right? You just brought up irrelevant facts like “it’s getting emotional.” So what? We both agree that both sides have a right to express their opinion, correct? Well Dan said in so many words WCBB stinks and UCONN is killing the sport. Why can’t we hear from many in wcbb that disagree? As you said to me “Who said you weren't free to disagree?” Dan attacked THE GAME. Are you trying to stifle the many that are a part of the women’s game that differ from his pov? Why should they be shut out from hearing their pov expressed?

When you speak of "what Dan’s supposed to be doing?" Really? Is your answer that he needs to be going on talk shows and giving interviews while continuing to go after UCONN and WCBB? He is CHOOSING to do this. He can decline. If he continues to say stupid stuff, why can’t there continually be a counter? As I said above, is it all about Dan? He threw the first stone and continues to throw them.

And again I disagree with how you look at things. You politely accused me of taking things too personal from all of Dan’s comments. I pointed back to you the many times Dan singled out UCONN and asked you why did he not also include Notre Dame. So now your reply to me is “probably Dan does not like them too,” --- but then you come back at me at UCONN again - ignoring the Notre Dame point in which he has continually said NOTHING? You avoided my question just to comeback at UCONN. So singling out UCONN from an experienced HOF writer guy like Dan, I’m supposed to take it just because you do? Nah. If you wat to - that's your perogative. I liek it when Dan is challenged. And the UCONN team is supposed to take it? The people that disagree with him are supposed to take it? Let’s not turn the other cheek, instead let's hold the idiot accountable for his logic so maybe next time other idiots with a National voice won’t go out and say some things that are so ignorant that it gets many that disagree in an uproar.

You’re right I agree with you he is not an expert of the game. But he is a HOF NATIONAL sportswriter and as YOU have mentioned many others have agreed with him. So why is he still fighting this? HE is a HOF sportswriter. Yet he is talking about (and continues to talk about) UCONN killing the game of which the game he knows little of? If you know he is wrong and keeps up saying stupid stuff in which he gets such national exposure, shouldn’t it be countered on a National Level as a counter? To defend wcbb from complete idiots of the game, imo that subject is much more than “nothingness” as you call it.

And as you mention when you say “His comments indicate he's only referring to the NCAA tourney and its eventual winner,” imo you have twisted his comments. He specifically said he doesn’t like to know who is going to win before the game starts. Where are you coming up with that his comments ONLY are referring to NCAA’s? That’s what I mean about you are over-exagerrating. Here is what he said from the link:

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/15090810/geno-auriemma-offers-no-apologies-connecticut-huskies-dominance

"For women's college basketball, it's probably good to have a goal and have a great team, but for the rank-and-file sports fans, it's not good to have a team that just kills everyone, every game, every week, every year."

He says every game every week every year. Where does it say NCAA? Are you trying to imply that regular season he is okay with blowouts? He has told us that when he watches he doesn’t want to know who will win before the start. How is that interpreted to only NCAA’s? This is an experienced writer. His JOB is specifically dependent upon the words he uses. The phrases he uses. You seem to want to excuse many of his words and phrases and re-write them into your own– yet he doesn’t seem to want to do what your re-write when elaborates on other talk shows etc.