Best WCBB season in a while?

[alexrgct]

I don't know about everyone else on the BY, but this season has been excellent so far. UConn is chasing history, ND and South Carolina are playing very good ball, and we've gotten great performances out of Baylor and Texas. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other strong squads out there: UMD, Ohio State, Stanford (for the brand and coaching more than anything), Louisville, USF (sure, why not?), and on and on.

It's possible the NCAA Tourney goes as predicted and all #1 seeds make the Final Four, and it's possible no one stops UConn from winning 11 NCs and 75 games in a row. Meanwhile, there certainly is no parity in WCBB- not at this point yet. However, it feels to me simply as if there is a plethora of likable teams in the pool..and for UConn, living up to its lofty standards and leveraging its stunning depth is all that's needed for the Huskies to tread water this winter/spring...

 

[sarals24]

Plus the slow, painful demise of Tennessee is just a thing of beauty. Reading their fan boards before and after games is the best entertainment. The highs before each game...the lows after each loss...the steady drumbeat to FIRE HOLLY....the posts regarding DD as a savior before the season to seeing her for what she rightfully is halfway through the season...getting upset that Doris Burke pointed out that there are no recruits coming in next year...

It's the best kind of soap opera. And yes, I am aware that this could be us in five years. I am just going to cancel my Internet if that happens.

 

[Orangutan]

Plus the slow, painful demise of Tennessee is just a thing of beauty. Reading their fan boards before and after games is the best entertainment. The highs before each game...the lows after each loss...the steady drumbeat to FIRE HOLLY....the posts regarding DD as a savior before the season to seeing her for what she rightfully is halfway through the season...getting upset that Doris Burke pointed out that there are no recruits coming in next year...

It's the best kind of soap opera. And yes, I am aware that this could be us in five years. I am just going to cancel my Internet if that happens.

I legitimately laughed out loud when I read that part. It does seem like the best recourse for a Tennessee fan at present.

As to the original post, it certainly is an intriguing season. After UConn, there's no clear hierarchy among ND, So. Car., Baylor (the probably #1 seeds at this juncture). Maryland is right in that group as well. Ohio State is a total wild card. Louisville is coming on strong. The PAC-12 is hyper-competitive but might not have any elite teams. Or maybe they're all pretty good and just making each other look bad. Certainly, there are a lot of questions that I'm excited to see answered as the season goes on. So I guess that makes it a good season for me.

 

[SCGamecock]

I agree, pretty good season so far. Best season? Yea if you're a UCONN fan...

Next year is probably going to be one of the best and most competitive years.. I can already see the storylines:

1. Will UCONN continue to reign supreme in a post-Stewart/post-Jefferson era?
2. With Stewart gone, will Notre Dame finally take down the Huskies on their way to a title?
3. With elite new additions added to a great front court, will South Carolina finally take that next step and win a title?
4. After adding the number 1 recruit in the nation, is Baylor ready to rule WCBB once more?
5. After signing the nations best class, can the Terps find a way to get back to final four?
6. With players a year older and wiser, can Tennessee mature into a team reminiscent of its former self?
7. With one of the nations most impressive backcourts, can the Buckeyes quickly get their new additions up to speed..

And the list goes on and on... so yes, this year is fun... but next year will be a BLAST.

 

[Jim R]

I don't know about everyone else on the BY, but this season has been excellent so far. UConn is chasing history, ND and South Carolina are playing very good ball, and we've gotten great performances out of Baylor and Texas. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other strong squads out there: UMD, Ohio State, Stanford (for the brand and coaching more than anything), Louisville, USF (sure, why not?), and on and on.

It's possible the NCAA Tourney goes as predicted and all #1 seeds make the Final Four, and it's possible no one stops UConn from winning 11 NCs and 75 games in a row. Meanwhile, there certainly is no parity in WCBB- not at this point yet. However, it feels to me simply as if there is a plethora of likable teams in the pool..and for UConn, living up to its lofty standards and leveraging its stunning depth is all that's needed for the Huskies to tread water this winter/spring...

"...living up to its lofty standards and leveraging its stunning depth is all that's needed for the Huskies"...would agree. Gene should have them in tournament mode come March, and that mindset alone, is sometimes, the difference. Not too many surprises thus far. Figured it would take time for Walsh to get his team in gear, and wouldn't be surprised to see them in the Final Four. Dawn's formula for success reminds me of Summit's team - good athleticism, and lots of height, and , although she's had the advantage of studying his methods on the USA National team, don't think their offensive game is there yet. Against better coached teams, on a neutral court, dumping it into the bigs just won't work. Yes, watching the season unfold is enjoyable, and just as last year's game did, our Feb 8 match-up with USC should clarify where things stand. All four #1 seeds in the FF? Don't expect that this year, especially with teams like Ohio State, Louisville, and Miss. State, who may have just enough court time together come March, to make some noise.

 

[Jim R]

"...living up to its lofty standards and leveraging its stunning depth is all that's needed for the Huskies"...would agree. Gene should have them in tournament mode come March, and that mindset alone, is sometimes, the difference. Not too many surprises thus far. Figured it would take time for Walsh to get his team in gear, and wouldn't be surprised to see them in the Final Four. Dawn's formula for success reminds me of Summit's team - good athleticism, and lots of height, and , although she's had the advantage of studying his methods on the USA National team, don't think their offensive game is there yet. Against better coached teams, on a neutral court, dumping it into the bigs just won't work. Yes, watching the season unfold is enjoyable, and just as last year's game did, our Feb 8 match-up with USC should clarify where things stand. All four #1 seeds in the FF? Don't expect that this year, especially with teams like Ohio State, Louisville, and Miss. State, who may have just enough court time together come March, to make some noise.

Of course, that should have read, "Geno should have them in tournament mode come March..."

 

[TerpWomenFan]

I agree, pretty good season so far. Best season? Yea if you're a UCONN fan...

Next year is probably going to be one of the best and most competitive years.. I can already see the storylines:

1. Will UCONN continue to reign supreme in a post-Stewart/post-Jefferson era?
2. With Stewart gone, will Notre Dame finally take down the Huskies on their way to a title?
3. With elite new additions added to a great front court, will South Carolina finally take that next step and win a title?
4. After adding the number 1 recruit in the nation, is Baylor ready to rule WCBB once more?
5. After signing the nations best class, can the Terps find a way to get back to final four?
6. With players a year older and wiser, can Tennessee mature into a team reminiscent of its former self?
7. With one of the nations most impressive backcourts, can the Buckeyes quickly get their new additions up to speed..

And the list goes on and on... so yes, this year is fun... but next year will be a BLAST.

This is very well said.

 

[bballnut90]

I don't know about everyone else on the BY, but this season has been excellent so far. UConn is chasing history, ND and South Carolina are playing very good ball, and we've gotten great performances out of Baylor and Texas. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other strong squads out there: UMD, Ohio State, Stanford (for the brand and coaching more than anything), Louisville, USF (sure, why not?), and on and on.

It's possible the NCAA Tourney goes as predicted and all #1 seeds make the Final Four, and it's possible no one stops UConn from winning 11 NCs and 75 games in a row. Meanwhile, there certainly is no parity in WCBB- not at this point yet. However, it feels to me simply as if there is a plethora of likable teams in the pool..and for UConn, living up to its lofty standards and leveraging its stunning depth is all that's needed for the Huskies to tread water this winter/spring...

It's more competitive than it was the last two seasons (UCONN has actually had competitive games from teams other than just Notre Dame), but the championship is still a virtual lock for Connecticut so I can't get into it as much as I was into seasons like 2013, 2011 and 2003-2008 where there was a lot more parity and balance of power. That said, I've really enjoyed watching teams like Baylor, OSU, Maryland, Ohio State, ND and South Carolina this year. I think there is more parity across the nation excluding Connecticut. As a non-Huskie fan, I can't wait for next year to watch truly loaded teams like South Carolina, UCONN, Notre Dame and Baylor to duke it out.