Afraid of Competition?

[Carnac]

My favorite season is 2012-13, Stewie’s freshman season. ND seemingly had UConn’s number, beating the Huskies 3 times in BE play. Baylor and Britney Griner handed UConn a 4th loss. Going into the Big Dance, none of the pundits expected UConn to win. But Stewie became superwoman, UConn surprised ND in the semifinals, got a little help from Jeff Walz and Louisville with their upset over Baylor and the Huskies went on to win an unexpected championship. The absolute best wins are the ones you’re not supposed to win.

For sure!!

 

[fireford]

Yes, great post. I believe most people got accustomed to Uconn getting the top 5-6 players and running away with it once the cupboard was full of talent. Well it is full, but it also is for SC, Stanford and others and there is always the team that gets hot in the tournament like AZ. Still one of the co-teams to beat and will just have to work a little harder to win it than some of our great teams of the past did when the competition wasn't as steep.

 

[BRS24]

I have always enjoyed the wit and wisdom of the BY. But I must say in recent days I am perplexed by some BY’ers who appear to be afraid of tougher competition from teams like SC, Stanford, MD and others, who are loading up already talented rosters with top recruiting classes as well as talented transfers.

An overwhelmingly dominant UConn team is in fact bad for WBB. Great competition between great teams and coaches, like we will see over the next few seasons will be absolutely great for WBB. I am certain that neither Geno or his players are afraid of that challenge.

There is no reason for UConn fans to be afraid, but rather, we should all embrace the competition ahead. We will all witness some epic games. Personally, I will still put my money on UConn and the short Italian guy.

I would rather the team lose 2-4 games to top teams, and use it as a coaching opportunity, and be ready for the tourneyy

 

[CocoHusky]

There’s also the counting of missed layups.
As I posted last month, other fans bases think we’re nuts for obsessing over this stuff

We are nuts and spoiled and entitled and unaccepting a failure (insert your own adjectives). We are also at times delusional in thinking that we that us fans have an impact the game as it is played on the court. "BY’ers who appear to be afraid of tougher competition" was the stated opinion. I didn't even realize that BYers were competing.

 

[HuskyNan]

"BY’ers who appear to be afraid of tougher competition" was the stated opinion. I didn't even realize that BYers were competing.

To be fair, the OP was commenting on how fans are fretting over So Carolina’s strong roster and how hard it would be to win. I don’t believe this thread was about players fearing strong opponents but the fans.

 

[nuna23]

I hope uconn will play vs SC Louisville ucla Stanford Maryland it's gonna be fun win or lose we don't care...but cause the big east weakness...

 

[Gus Mahler]

On paper, I think UConn, South Carolina, and Stanford have the most talent and are the best teams. Maybe Maryland is next. When I look at the first 3, I see parity--parity at the top. There are other very good teams out there, though Baylor and Louisville, for example, lost key players. Geno welcomes the competition, of course. I would prefer that we have the most talent and dominate everyone, but that is not the case and we will have some competition, especially from the top 5-10. Whether we win the championship or not, I think these are clear: we will have an excellent team; we will be immensely fun to watch; we will still dominate the Big East; we should be a favorite for the Final Four; we should win well over 30 games; and multiple players will garner post-season recognition. Sounds like an exciting season to me!

I wonder how many All-America candidates will emerge. And who.

 

[Cuango]

Many UConn fans seem to believe that all the best players should always go to UConn. There was a time when this seemed to be true. Those fans want the best players so that UConn could continue to dominate WCBB like they have done in the past. They seem to believe that their chances of winning the NCAA Championship is tied to having a loaded roster. Well if Geno is the best coach in WCBB why does he need the best players in college basketball to win the Nattie?

Last I looked, recruiting was a major part of every coaching job. What a silly argument! Maybe you should ask Federer to use a wooden racket, after all, if he’s really such a great player, why should he use high tech equipment? Let’s ask Lebron to play in converse canvas shoes, Tom Brady to use the old leather helmets. The point is that Geno didn’t always have the best players, he earned the respect that allows him to acquire all these great players by being a great coach. He didn’t suddenly have the best players! He showed that he was a great coach first and the rest all flowed from that. I’m reasonably sure all the athletes referenced above would all still be among the very best even with old, low tech equipment. But only if everyone played with old stuff as well. The truth is, our chances of winning are tied to having a loaded roster! How is that an indictment of Geno’s coaching abilities when it is through his excellence as a coach that he is able to build a “loaded roster”? I suggest you look up the famous quote by Damon Runyon, “The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet!

 

[OviedoFLHusky]

Oldude, that was a very well-written post.

Boneyarders seem to have forgotten that UConn has gone up against some great teams since the 1995 National Championship milestone. For example (apologies to any I have omitted):

• The "Meek"-led teams and the Candace Parker teams of Tennessee
• The Notre Dame teams with Ruth Riley, Niele Ivey, Alicia Ratay, Kayla McBride, Natalie Achonwa, and Skylar Diggins
• Baylor's Brittney Griner and Odyssey Sims
• Maryland with Laura Harper, Kristi Tolliver, Alyssa Thomas, and Crystal Langhorne
• The Duke team that beat UConn in the 2006 NCAA tournament
• The Stanford teams that have snapped several of UConn's winning streaks

SC's team-building is no different. But I daresay that the present UConn players are no more afraid of next year's competition than beloved past Huskies were.

So why should we be?!? Go Huskies!!

 

[MilfordHusky]

I wonder how many All-America candidates will emerge. And who.

Good question! ESPN/Creme has Paige at #3, Christyn at #11, and Azzi at #23.

I have Paige at #1. She won't be worse next year!!

I think Squeaks was underrated based on her play the last half of the season. If she is focused and aggressive, combining her newfound defense and attacking the basket, she can be top 5.

Azzi can be really, really good. I've had the fortune of seeing her in person. If you liked Paige's shooting and Clark's shooting, you'll love Azzi's shooting. Plus she does a lot more than score.

Evina is an excellent all-around player. I hope she is healthy enough.

Then there's the physically dominant player I affectionately call Thor. Liya was one of the tops in the nation in shooting percentage, tough on the boards, and a solid defender. Don't ignore Thor!

 

[chrissaran]

What Maryland needs is to learn to play defense.

 

[oldude]

Good question! ESPN/Creme has Paige at #3, Christyn at #11, and Azzi at #23.

I have Paige at #1. She won't be worse next year!!

I think Squeaks was underrated based on her play the last half of the season. If she is focused and aggressive, combining her newfound defense and attacking the basket, she can be top 5.

Azzi can be really, really good. I've had the fortune of seeing her in person. If you liked Paige's shooting and Clark's shooting, you'll love Azzi's shooting. Plus she does a lot more than score.

Evina is an excellent all-around player. I hope she is healthy enough.

Then there's the physically dominant player I affectionately call Thor. Liya was one of the tops in the nation in shooting percentage, tough on the boards, and a solid defender. Don't ignore Thor!

View attachment 67198

I really like your nickname for Aaliyah. When she’s thundering down the wing on a fast break you can almost envision her swinging Mjolnir in her right hand.

 

[Biff]

Good question! ESPN/Creme has Paige at #3, Christyn at #11, and Azzi at #23.

I have Paige at #1. She won't be worse next year!!

I think Squeaks was underrated based on her play the last half of the season. If she is focused and aggressive, combining her newfound defense and attacking the basket, she can be top 5.

Azzi can be really, really good. I've had the fortune of seeing her in person. If you liked Paige's shooting and Clark's shooting, you'll love Azzi's shooting. Plus she does a lot more than score.

Evina is an excellent all-around player. I hope she is healthy enough.

Then there's the physically dominant player I affectionately call Thor. Liya was one of the tops in the nation in shooting percentage, tough on the boards, and a solid defender. Don't ignore Thor!

 

[Sluconn Husky]

To be fair, the OP was commenting on how fans are fretting over So Carolina’s strong roster and how hard it would be to win. I don’t believe this thread was about players fearing strong opponents but the fans.

The boards of other top programs also fret when teams like UConn pick up players like Bueckers and Fudd. Even Patterson brought out some of that angst. Not sure why this is breaking news.

 

[CocoHusky]

The boards of other top programs also fret when teams like UConn pick up players like Bueckers and Fudd. Even Patterson brought out some of that angst. Not sure why this is breaking news.

It breaking news because some BY are determine to lower the bar and are well content to only make it to a FF, don't think that "our girls" can handle competition-=no transfers in, and are OK losing tournaments games where UCONN WBB is favored by double digits. Some are even now suggesting that it is OK to lose two or three games per year. I suggesting it is not and that Louisville, ND or MD WBB is probably more in line with these low expectations.

 

[hoophuskee]

They seem to believe that their chances of winning the NCAA Championship is tied to having a loaded roster. Well if Geno is the best coach in WCBB why does he need the best players in college basketball to win the Nattie?

Not sure what "loaded" means in terms of your post. Overall the word "loaded roster" is subjective and also dependent upon the opposition having a "loaded" roster too. Is a roster "loaded" if you don't have adequate post support or guard support etc?

Should Bird and Magic have won more titles? Maybe. But the problem was that they were competing against "other loaded rosters." i.e. competing against each other and the great Philly team. In other words - suppose another team has a roster that's "more loaded" than yours?

As for the fans, we're all doing harmless speculation. Unless are you driving towards something else? But what fan wants to see any weakness on their team?

 

[CocoHusky]

I hope uconn will play vs SC Louisville ucla Stanford Maryland it's gonna be fun win or lose we don't care...but cause the big east weakness...

If you don't care if we win or lose when UCONN plays SC, Louisville, UCLA, Stanford, Maryland why play at all? Maybe we shouldn't keep score.

 

[Bigboote]

What Maryland needs is to learn to play defense.

At the time, I thought Brenda was wise to take a team of offensively minded players and run with it. Now I'm not so sure, and I think she should listen to something Geno's said many times: If we play great defense the offense will take care of itself.

I'm with all the others who have said, we've been clamoring for parity, and I'm glad there are so many good teams out there. I still think it's UConn, then a few teams, then everyone else. But not by so much as it was a week or two ago.

 

[AYusef]

I have always enjoyed the wit and wisdom of the BY. But I must say in recent days I am perplexed by some BY’ers who appear to be afraid of tougher competition from teams like SC, Stanford, MD and others, who are loading up already talented rosters with top recruiting classes as well as talented transfers.

A few years back Geno made significant changes to his recruiting strategy seeking commitments from top HS players earlier, returning to the overseas market for talented European players and bringing in key transfers. As a result, UConn will field perhaps the deepest and most talented roster in their history next year.

Other teams are not required to simply cede national championships to UConn. Dawn is the national team coach and a fierce competitor who’s been so close to a second national championship that she can taste it. She’s proven herself to be a relentless recruiter in the past few years and she will go after any player she believes will help SC win a championship.

Tara has also upped her recruiting efforts. Always a great coach, she has built a versatile and deep roster that finally got Stanford back to the promised land after a 29 year absence, and there is every indication that the Cardinal will challenge for additional championships for many years to come.

Brenda too is anxious to return MD to the championship podium. She has put together an enormously talented team of top recruits and transfers, all of whom will be back next year seeking redemption for their early exit from this year’s tournament.

In the years to come we can expect Kim to build another powerhouse at LSU, Kelly Graves to continue his efforts to bring a championship to Oregon and Vic Schaefer’s TX team to take over the dominance of the Big 12 in recruiting rich TX as a springboard to a national championship run.

An overwhelmingly dominant UConn team is in fact bad for WBB. Great competition between great teams and coaches, like we will see over the next few seasons will be absolutely great for WBB. I am certain that neither Geno or his players are afraid of that challenge.

There is no reason for UConn fans to be afraid, but rather, we should all embrace the competition ahead. We will all witness some epic games. Personally, I will still put my money on UConn and the short Italian guy.

Absolutely... if Azzi is the player we thought she was UConn is still the team to beat.

 

[Reypl21]

I haven't read through every comment so I apologize in advance if this steps on amy toes. The way UConn plays is beautiful, and its absolutely the peak of what basketball should be (Geno teaches that aspect). Teams are catching up nowadays, and so are the coaching styles. Every dog has their day. I see this thread and I'm glad the fans are so animated, because that's what's make WBB so fun. I believe the players are making it better.

Go whoever you want,
I hope the womens game continues to grow!!!

 

[Buzzyboy]

I really like your nickname for Aaliyah. When she’s thundering down the wing on a fast break you can almost envision her swinging Mjolnir in her right hand.

I know Azzi is coming in as a freshman but I can't imagine her being rated lower than Williams .... her shooting skills far, far exceed the soon to be senior and everything about her suggests that she's more consistent than is Christyn who has moments where she plays extraordinarily well and then more than a bit haphazardly .... something you wouldn't expect from a seasoned player

 

[Bald Husky]

We have to schedule the best teams possible. Reading other forums, these fans are obsessed with us, forever shouting that we are a down program, on our way out. These are programs that have had limited success, or even worse, no success in the last 5-10 years. If we are on our way out, why are they still talking about us, why do they even mention us? Why, because at times they troll us, and listen to us. We are so spoiled for being , not only the best, but the best there ever was.
It doesn't matter who they have, or who coaches them, or what conference they play in. WE are the best ever, and we need to set them straight. WE are NOT going away, WE are NOT slowing down, and WE are NOT afraid of anyone. Lets schedule everyone who thinks that they can replace us, lets beat them all. I know Stanford is good, South Carolina and Baylor too. There are other upstarts out there who want to challenge. Well, here we are, come get us. WE are NOT afraid of anyone, so lets do it. Bring them on, come dance with the devil, you know where to find us. ( Didn't sleep much last night)

 

[huskeynut]

A reminder to all - scheduling is a two way street. Both schools have to agree. That has not always been the case with top ranked opponents.

 

[Bald Husky]

A reminder to all - scheduling is a two way street. Both schools have to agree. That has not always been the case with top ranked opponents.

Absolutely true, but if some of these newer higher ranking teams want to play with the big boys, come ask for a home and home. Don't be afraid, I'm sure Geno would oblige.

 

[oldhusky]

Geno does the best he can with scheduling given the conference we are in, but ideally it would be reversed for us. The conference games would be like an extended camp to work out the bugs, get new players acclimated to each other and the system, and then take on the tough OOC opponents to prepare for the tournament near the end. We can't do it that way, wind up with the big challenges early, usually using a shorter roster with the more proven experienced players. The newcomers sometimes have to prove themselves in mop-up minutes in conference, then perhaps part of the rotation, with the hope that when playing against a top team in the tournament they will be ready. It is what it is.

One way a loaded roster can compensate for the timing of the schedule is internally. Liv for example didn't have a true C to go against in practice her first two years. This year she had a good sized and physical PF in Aaliyah, which probably helped some, and a true C in size and athletic ability in Piath. I admit it didn't seem to make much difference but it should have. This upcoming season she will get to go against an all P5 conference big in Dorka, and the top ranked incoming C in her class in Amari. After the early tough OOC games that is where improvement against quality teams and players will come from for all those players, in practice.

As for winning and losing out on top recruits or transfers, Uconn has achieved a level where I am only concerned about a limited number of teams nationally. When we lose one to a good but not great team (like if Cardoso had gone to say Texas) it doesn't hurt much. When that loss is to a team near our level (like SC) it hurts a great deal more. Those kind of decisions change the balance of power at the very top. Recruiting top 10 talents is a high stakes game, your victories are usually big losses to your most feared opponents and visa versa. Sometimes you win, like lately, and some years you lose a key target to your biggest competitors like Boston at SC or Jones at Stanford. So enjoy it while it lasts. The last two recruiting classes and the next one pretty much assure we will be at or very near the top for a few years, but maybe a SC or somebody else will be right there with us.

 

[HopJim]

Surprised anyone would even comment about "being afraid of competition." Most Boneyard fans are very knowledgeable in women's basketball and understand there are multiple teams next year that can win the championship. Each of the top teams have 1-2 holes with UConn missing a dominate defensive guard and offensive center. I personally enjoyed the Stewie teams where every box was checked-defense, offense, height, speed, etc. Would not bother me a bit to have another undefeated season.

 

[Tonyc]

Hey UConn is loaded. Really loaded. Who would your rather have Cardoso or Fudd. I'll take Fudd. We have the best backcourt in WCBB with depth we have 6'5 6'5 6'5 6'4 and we have depth at every position and lets not forget Dorka and Edwards to bigs down low that are stong . Yeah we're really good. Where does all the scoring come from? The perimeter not down low. Bigs tend to get in foul trouble more then perimeter players. I dont think some of you who are abscessed with height see that. UConn is really really good. Top teams are gonna have a tuff time stopping UConns scoring. All the great UConn teams were led by great guards. UConn is there again.

 

[huskiemaniac]

I'd rather have Fudd AND Cardoso. OUR scoring doesn't come from down low because we don't have those types of players, but I expect that to improve with AE's maturation and the addition of DJ. It would have improved further with Cardoso.

But it didn't happen, and I'm quite happy with who we're going to battle with next season. Looking forward to the overall maturation process unfolding on the hardwood and the improvements to be seen.

 

[Waquoit]

I really was stunned by the way this team wasn't ready for the challenge of the Final Four this year. Let's hope they learned from the loss and get the new players up to speed in a hurry. The OP is correct, many fans out there disappointed that the NC isn't just being dropped in the Husky's laps. The one that got me the one that said Cardoso not coming to UConn is "on Geno."

 

[hoophuskee]

I haven't read through every comment so I apologize in advance if this steps on amy toes. The way UConn plays is beautiful, and its absolutely the peak of what basketball should be (Geno teaches that aspect). Teams are catching up nowadays, and so are the coaching styles. Every dog has their day. I see this thread and I'm glad the fans are so animated, because that's what's make WBB so fun. I believe the players are making it better.

Go whoever you want,
I hope the womens game continues to grow!!!

I'm not arguing but I'm not so certain about the part above in bold vs comparing the past.

Looking at the past - with UCONN's 11 championships were led by Lobo/Rizz/Wolters, Bird/Sveta/Shea, Bird/DT/Swin, DT with JM among others (but still an upper-class player in DT), Maya/Monty/Tina, then Stewie with her great teammates. What team in the past 3 has been at this level?

Is it that the others "caught up" or is that UCONN hasn't been as loaded?

Because looking back other than the latter DT years from top to bottom these championship teams were far superior to this year's team and the past 2. And all but the 2 DT years, the titles teams were just better than the teams of 4 and 5 years ago (16-17 and 17-18), and nearly all the title teams had some tough game(s) in order to get by too.