Baylor back on the schedule next year?

[watanabe]

I'm sure the fans here will be a fun-loving bunch after UConn loses a game or two next season.

maybe, but that's how you build a champion team. If we want five in a row, next year we need to be forged in fire.

 

[Geno-ista]

Not only did Geno get a stand O, it lasted for a loooong time. I am not sure that I have ever seen the Baylor fans react like that. The fans knew that greatness was in the building and reacted accordingly. I was there and it was quite a moment.

ET - the only reason I/we heard that was Jeff Van Gundy or the other announcer that mentioned it prior to the start of the Nat Televised game. He also said that after Geno's entrance and stdg O, that there was a second one when Kim and he met to shake hands on the court. If that is true- that is really the cool and warms my heart. Even Muffet still gets a big ovation, as do all the big name coaches who play us at home. It's common place here. Jeff Van Gundy also commented right after that Geno deserved a standing ovation for the practice he witnessed the day before. Van Gundy said he's seen every great coaches run practice and drills. He said he's never seen a better practice than Geno's. Precision, no wasted seconds, focus- he said it was amazing!

 

[HoopsFan21]

With Baylor back on the schedule next season, Jim Fuller reports that UConn's non-conference schedule for next season is shaping up to look like this:

Home

South Carolina
Baylor
Texas
Ohio State
Depaul
Chattanooga

Away

Notre Dame
Maryland
Florida State
Kansas State
LSU
Nebraska

I don't care how weak the AAC is; that non-conference schedule is ridiculous. Jim Fuller reports that one additional opponent will be added, a perennial NCAA tournament team according to Jim. Recall that the AAC reduced the number of conference games from 18 to 16 starting next season so the non-conference schedule will include 13 games.

Geno's comments:

"There is a line from here to Chicago for people waiting to play us in non-conference games starting next year," Auriemma said with a laugh. "We understand that and I am sure we will take our lumps for a little bit. We played them all before we got Stewie so we might as well play them now."

"If we have one returning All-American next year or none, the schedule is going to be brutal and I think it should be. I think our home schedule should be the same way and the road schedule with the really young team that we are going to have is going to be really difficult. We are way past the stage of what our record is. What we are trying to accomplish is to get our team ready to win a national championship. What our record is going into the NCAA tournament is irrelevant, we are way past winning streaks. We have already been there, done that. Playing games that you God forbid might lose shouldn't be a don't do that. There are a lot of schools that schedule not to lose and that is not who we are."

Probably drop a couple of those, maybe more. No more Stewie, no more Mo, possibly no Tuck means a starting five of Chong, Kia, KLS, Collier, and Butler. Still a very good lineup, but not otherworldly like we've enjoyed the past several years.

 

[j66kicker]

Probably drop a couple of those, maybe more. No more Stewie, no more Mo, possibly no Tuck means a starting five of Chong, Kia, KLS, Collier, and Butler. Still a very good lineup, but not otherworldly like we've enjoyed the past several years.

I like that lineup - maybe with Danger starting instead of Chong, at least midway through the season if not before. And if Tuck stays, add in Gabby, and you have yourself a serious NC contender if not favorite. I think KLS is gonna be off the charts good by next year.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

According to Adamec, Dayton might get added to the schedule as well.

 

[HoopsFan21]

According to Adamec, Dayton might get added to the schedule as well.

Of course we will still hear "but they play in the AAC!" Some people are absolutely obsessed with their conference.

 

[cabbie191]

Nothing like good fried catfish. MMMMM

Fried cod and haddock come a close second!

 

[cabbie191]

I don't care how weak the AAC is; that non-conference schedule is ridiculous. Jim Fuller reports that one additional opponent will be added, a perennial NCAA tournament team according to Jim.

MEMO TO KATHY AURIEMMA: Every night as Geno is drifting off to sleep, please whisper in his ear "Michigan State, Michgan State"

 

[cabbie191]

Yeah, what's with DePaul losing to 3-7 Loyola of Chicago?#%&@#???

Cross town rivalry games are almost always up for grabs.

 

[Carnac]

With Baylor back on the schedule next season, Jim Fuller reports that UConn's non-conference schedule for next season is shaping up to look like this:

Home

South Carolina
Baylor
Texas
Ohio State
Depaul
Chattanooga

Away

Notre Dame
Maryland
Florida State
Kansas State
LSU
Nebraska

I don't care how weak the AAC is; that non-conference schedule is ridiculous. Jim Fuller reports that one additional opponent will be added, a perennial NCAA tournament team according to Jim. Recall that the AAC reduced the number of conference games from 18 to 16 starting next season so the non-conference schedule will include 13 games.

Geno's comments:

"There is a line from here to Chicago for people waiting to play us in non-conference games starting next year," Auriemma said with a laugh. "We understand that and I am sure we will take our lumps for a little bit. We played them all before we got Stewie so we might as well play them now."

"If we have one returning All-American next year or none, the schedule is going to be brutal and I think it should be. I think our home schedule should be the same way and the road schedule with the really young team that we are going to have is going to be really difficult. We are way past the stage of what our record is. What we are trying to accomplish is to get our team ready to win a national championship. What our record is going into the NCAA tournament is irrelevant, we are way past winning streaks. We have already been there, done that. Playing games that you God forbid might lose shouldn't be a don't do that. There are a lot of schools that schedule not to lose and that is not who we are."

If this is in fact UConn's OOC schedule for next year, I don't want to hear about how weak their AAC conference is. They will play as many ranked teams as anyone!!
NOBODY in the country will have a more difficult OOC schedule than this. No one can say Geno is dodging top ranked teams!! I still think Geno will come up with a quality "big" (to back up Natalie) BEFORE the start of next season.

 

[hjoerring]

1-7 Oral Roberts! Should be real edge of the seat stuff.

She would be out of a job if she said no to OR! The connection is clear. Not sure what the Uconn equiv. would be- Hartford? (Geno would not be in any trouble, but he would have squandered a little social capital.

 

[HuskyNan]

Baylor is not going to beat UCONN this year, even if we played them 10 times before the tournament starts. No need to send the young girls to UCONN to be embarrassed and break their spirit. The alternative is to slowly build their confidence and gel as a team so that they "believe" when the tourney starts.

Colgate didn't look embarrassed when it lost to UConn. The players looked energized and enthusiastic to play UConn and the coach raved about the chance to measure her team against the best. Elon didn't look embarrassed to lose to So. Carolina. It competed, hard, all game and believed it itself.

Those two teams have heart - and guts - and they're playing with lightly-recruited players. Baylor's got a group of much better players, elite athletes, who should get mad when they lose, not disappointed or embarrassed. They should hit the gym and vow to mow down the next opponent. If the Baylor players wilt when they lose to a Top 10 team, well, all the cupcakes in the world won't make it a contender.