Another UConn-ND Final?

[Fightin Choke]

I think because of Maryland's poor OOC schedule, (They are only 2-3 against top 50 teams this season.) they will be the overall 8th or 9th best team so they will be in UConn's bracket. I think South Carolina will be playing a team like ASU or Oregon State in the Elite 8. Notre Dame will be playing either Texas or Ohio State in the Elite 8.

While they are supposed to use the S-curve (merit-based) to place the 1-seeds, they use the G-curve (geography-based) to place the lower seeds (lower meaning anything below 1-seeds). Thus Maryland would probably be sent to Bridgeport if they are ranked anywhere from 5th to 9th (or possibly lower) on the S-curve. In other words, Maryland doesn't have to be 8th (the lowest 2-seed) or 9th (the highest 3-seed) ranked team to be matched up with UConn. Instead, their proximity to Bridgeport seals their fate (along with no other teams ranked 5th-12th being very close to Bridgeport).

 

[HGN]

I too do not want to see ND in the FF or in the NC game...........Especially in Indianapolis. But I recognize they certainly have been playing well and pulling out games all over the ACC. And MM has done a good coaching job I guess and maybe should be mentioned for COY Honors.......But would someone please tell me why our own Geno is not mentioned more for COY when he has won far more games , and far more NC's , than anyone else out there?

I just don't understand it.

 

[HGN]

I too do not want to see ND in the FF or in the NC game...........Especially in Indianapolis. But I recognize they certainly have been playing well and pulling out games all over the ACC. And MM has done a good coaching job I guess and maybe should be mentioned for COY Honors.......But would someone please tell me why our own Geno is not mentioned more for COY when he has won far more games , and far more NC's , than anyone else out there? It has been proven that just having talent doesn't automatically win games. Coaching that talent is a key element. And Geno is a master at his craft.

I just don't understand it.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I too do not want to see ND in the FF or in the NC game......Especially in Indianapolis. But I recognize they certainly have been playing well and pulling out games all over the ACC. And MM has done a good coaching job I guess and maybe should be mentioned for COY Honors..But would someone please tell me why our own Geno is not mentioned more for COY when he has won far more games , and far more NC's , than anyone else out there?

I just don't understand it.

UConn has won 25 games this season while ND has won 24, presumably playing in a better conference (to what degree is debatable). How does one extra win equate to "far more games" in consideration for COY?

 

[UcMiami]

Obviously, I want to win the national championship, but don't most of us wish there were more upsets in the women's tournament like in the men's tournament? I just wish there was more depth of talent in the women's game to allow that to happen.

Until the WNBA starts taking undergrads or more players decide to opt for European play over their 3rd/4th year of college, you will never get the type of NCAA tournament for the women that you get for the men - the upsets come because you get a lot of games pitting great young talent against well coached and more experienced teams. Stewart and Moriah don't win their freshman and sophomore years if KML, Stef, and Bria have already left for the pro ranks, and they don't win their junior year if they are already playing pro ball.

 

[GoUconn7961]

The only game where I was really worried about the outcome? Maryland. I think they played us the closest all season so far. I'm not sure why no one mentions them unless they've really headed off a cliff during the regular season.

 

[rugbymate]

I too do not want to see ND in the FF or in the NC game......Especially in Indianapolis. But I recognize they certainly have been playing well and pulling out games all over the ACC. And MM has done a good coaching job I guess and maybe should be mentioned for COY Honors..But would someone please tell me why our own Geno is not mentioned more for COY when he has won far more games , and far more NC's , than anyone else out there?

I just don't understand it.

Interesting question...my take on it is usually the COY award goes to someone who has exceeded expectations. When one is expected to win the NC like GENO does seemingly every year , its difficult to exceed expectations. In some ways Geno gets penalized for outstanding recruiting , which is part of a coaches job, in terms of COY recognition. Not fair but a small price to pay for winning NCs.

 

[HGN]

Interesting question...my take on it is usually the COY award goes to someone who has exceeded expectations. When one is expected to win the NC like GENO does seemingly every year , its difficult to exceed expectations. In some ways Geno gets penalized for outstanding recruiting , which is part of a coaches job, in terms of COY recognition. Not fair but a small price to pay for winning NCs.

Good point............Penalized for being good at his job.

 

[HGN]

UConn has won 25 games this season while ND has won 24, presumably playing in a better conference (to what degree is debatable). How does one extra win equate to "far more games" in consideration for COY?

Yes , UConn has won 25 , and ND has played 25............And that one game they lost was to UConn.

 

[Bigpetunia]

Simply as an addendum to my original post on this thread, especially as it pertains to the out-sized influence of great coaching on the women's game in particular, I'd like to offer the following opinion:

Just as reports of the decline and demise of ND's extraordinary level of success in the aftermath of crucial personnel losses proved to be both premature and false, predictions of UConn's precipitous drop in future stature following the upcoming brutal losses to graduation will prove to be equally specious.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Yes , UConn has won 25 , and ND has played 25..And that one game they lost was to UConn.

So that one game decides COY? ND lost a guard to an ACL, granted she was a freshman so who knows what impact she would have had, but they lost Reimer, and also Turner at times, have had to rely heavily on two other freshmen, and Muffet has ND playing the second best basketball behind UConn in a tougher conference. If I had to choose between Geno or Muffet, absent a better choice, I'd pick Muffet right now.

 

[CocoHusky]

I'd MUCH rather see Turner in there if we meet them again; does anyone think she (Turner) is better in the post than Wilson or Coates? I didn't think so. We'd shut her down, which would put ND off balance, and we'd win by 20, IMO.

Turner is a significantly better post than Coates and slightly better than Wilson IMO.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Simply as an addendum to my original post on this thread, especially as it pertains to the out-sized influence of great coaching on the women's game in particular, I'd like to offer the following opinion:

Just as reports of the decline and demise of ND's extraordinary level of success in the aftermath of crucial personnel losses proved to be both premature and false, predictions of UConn's precipitous drop in future stature following the upcoming brutal losses to graduation will prove to be equally specious.

ND does have a couple advantages over us. One is conference, and the other is UConn will never be in the same league as ND academically. The one thing that keeps UConn at the top of the pile is Geno.

 

[easttexastrash]

How can it be another UCONN vs ND title game when Creme has you guys playing Baylor in the semis?

 

[CocoHusky]

How can it be another UCONN vs ND title game when Creme has you guys playing Baylor in the semis?

Ahh.. look what you done started!

 

[easttexastrash]

If the top 4 ranked teams retain their current rankings, Notre Dame and South Carolina will be on the same side of the bracket, meaning they will face each other in the semi-final round of the final four. If you recall, SC was only a rebound away from beating ND last year. An "air-ball" put back won it for the Irish by 1. If SC rebounds that missed shot, they send ND home, and play for the championship 2 days later.

I expect all of the 1 seeds to meet in Indiana in April. UConn can beat Baylor (no consistent outside shooting) in the other semi final game. Baylor's two bigs are freshmen, and may not be ready to perform in late post season play on a stage of this grandeur. It won't be easy, but Baylor will fall. I can't say who will emerge from the other side of the bracket; it's too close to call. Like last year, it may come down to the last shot. Sometimes the fate of these games rest in the hands of the players.

Baylor is not going to kill you with the 3-ball on most nights, mostly because they choose not to shoot the 3 very often due to the heavy emphasis on points in the paint. However, thinking that Wallace, Jones and Prince cannot light you up from three point range could hold a big surprise for you. They all have a very nice stroke from behind the arc and are more than capable shooters. Prince's numbers were affected by her knee injury, but have no doubt that she has deep range.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Baylor is not going to kill you with the 3-ball on most nights, mostly because they choose not to shoot the 3 very often due to the heavy emphasis on points in the paint. However, thinking that Wallace, Jones and Prince cannot light you up from three point range could hold a big surprise for you. They all have a very nice stroke from behind the arc and are more than capable shooters. Prince's numbers were affected by her knee injury, but have no doubt that she has deep range.

UConn is out scoring opponents 1000-464 in the paint this year. If a team wants to play in the paint I like our chances.

 

[Carnac]

Baylor is not going to kill you with the 3-ball on most nights, mostly because they choose not to shoot the 3 very often due to the heavy emphasis on points in the paint. However, thinking that Wallace, Jones and Prince cannot light you up from three point range could hold a big surprise for you. They all have a very nice stroke from behind the arc and are more than capable shooters. Prince's numbers were affected by her knee injury, but have no doubt that she has deep range.

So.....bottom line it, what are you saying?

 

[ME Husky Fan]

If Lloyd came back and Reimer didn't put herself in the position she did then Cable would have the back seat role as she did in year's past, so with these two voids it actually begged for someone to step up and to her credit Cable did just that. Presuming they meet again, if UCONN can limit those ally-oops to Turner down low, it's s no-brainer. The younger Mabrey had the game of her short career against UCONN earlier and doubtful she can repeat, especially if Geno puts Mo on her, when she gets in the game. Ogunbowale is awesome in the open court but I think plays way too much out of the style Muffet wants to play most. Huffman - what a poster kid for someone with little to no talent, but what grit and determination. She gives anyone who has just a little bit of talent the dream they can play D1 ball..She reminds me of street basketball and someone you just want to slap side the head to get her off your back. I don't think Allen can put this team on her back as Lloyd could and did at times.

 

[easttexastrash]

So.....bottom line it, what are you saying?

I'm saying that Baylor is much more capable from three point range than you are giving them credit for, shooting a very respectable 37.2% from behind the arc. Like Kim has said, "we can shoot the 3, we just don't have to."

What will more likely be Baylor's downfall is free throw shooting (65%).

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

As MHS said above Stewie and MoJeff and Tuck won't let the Championship get away!
Someone was saying, if UCONN stays healthy & makes the FF, Stewart, MoJeff, & Tuck will play above anything they've ever done before. Take their best game ever and triple it!
Chances are good that UCONN/ND/SoCar/ & Baylor (if brackets are right) will be in the FF.
UCONN'll be like junk yard dogs ripping the meat apart, you'll see the greatest performances ever in FF history!
They'll be so zoned-in on the wins in semi's & finals that any of the other 3 FF teams will lose by 40+ points!
UCONN 2015-2016 will go down as the greatest WCBB team of all time!

By the way, HoopFan21- - - -ND has only one BIG that's any good, Turner. UCONN kills ND inside!

 

[easttexastrash]

As MHS said above Stewie and MoJeff and Tuck won't let the Championship get away!
Someone was saying, if UCONN stays healthy & makes the FF, Stewart, MoJeff, & Tuck will play above anything they've ever done before. Take their best game ever and triple it!
Chances are good that UCONN/ND/SoCar/ & Baylor (if brackets are right) will be in the FF.
UCONN'll be like junk yard dogs ripping the meat apart, you'll see the greatest performances ever in FF history!
They'll be so zoned-in on the wins in semi's & finals that any of the other 3 FF teams will lose by 40+ points!
UCONN 2015-2016 will go down as the greatest WCBB team of all time!

I applaud your enthusiasm. Well done!

 

[Carnac]

As MHS said above Stewie and MoJeff and Tuck won't let the Championship get away!
Someone was saying, if UCONN stays healthy & makes the FF, Stewart, MoJeff, & Tuck will play above anything they've ever done before. Take their best game ever and triple it!
Chances are good that UCONN/ND/SoCar/ & Baylor (if brackets are right) will be in the FF.
UCONN'll be like junk yard dogs ripping the meat apart, you'll see the greatest performances ever in FF history!
They'll be so zoned-in on the wins in semi's & finals that any of the other 3 FF teams will lose by 40+ points!
UCONN 2015-2016 will go down as the greatest WCBB team of all time!

By the way, HoopFan21- - - -ND has only one BIG that's any good, Turner. UCONN kills ND inside!

Hey RSHERMVIKES, Pour me a TALL glass of whatever it is you're drinking!!

 

[Ozimoto]

I think both Maryland and Ohio State could be dangerous teams. Their problems this year can be traced to inconsistency. It is all going to depend on which team shows up on which night.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Maryland and ND shoot 42 and 41% from 3 respectively - much better than UConn. I think there is one kid from Maryland shooting at a better clip from 3 than KML could ever dream of. Winning the championship is far from a foregone conclusion. UConn beat ND and Maryland by 10 and South Carolina by 12. Hardly blowouts.