Bitter ending to the season for most top teams

[bballnut90]

I know only one team finishes the season with a win, but this year most teams ended on a more sour note than usual:

South Carolina - blown out in title game again, none of their stars played well

UCONN - worst game of the year by their stars, ugly look for Geno in the handshake line/post game press conference

Texas - Madison Booker's worst game of her career in the Final Four

Vanderbilt - Mikayla Blakes having one of the worst games of her career in the Sweet 16 loss

Michigan + TCU both got clobbered in the Elite 8 and weren't competitive.

LSU lost on a buzzer beater.

Louisville got blown out in the Sweet 16. Probably wished they were more competitive.

Ohio State was blown out at home in the 2nd round.

Iowa lost in the 2nd round at home to a 10 seed.


I'd say of the teams seeded 1-3, only Duke (and obviously UCLA) will be the teams to finish the year on a positive note where they probably don't have a lot of regrets. Very different note from last season where most teams finished the year by playing their hearts out and putting up a big fight in their final game.

 

[Stagnant]

Other than Duke, Notre Dame, UCLA, TCU, and Michigan. I would think most teams are unsatisfied with how the season ended.

And that’s probably the norm.

 

[Centerstream]

Just to be picky, two other teams ended their season with wins, Columbia and Marshall. Certainly something to bring into their next season?

 

[WBBTakeover]

I'd say of the teams seeded 1-3, only Duke (and obviously UCLA) will be the teams to finish the year on a positive note where they probably don't have a lot of regrets.

I don't know about that, chief! 19 points scored in the second half after taking an 8-point lead into the half. That's going to sting even if it happened to the eventual champs.

 

[Aluminny69]

Twice in a row for Dawn Staley. A dubious record.

 

[Ladeeeeda]

I don't know about that, chief! 19 points scored in the second half after taking an 8-point lead into the half. That's going to sting even if it happened to the eventual champs.

I may have agreed prior to the Final Four, but
after watching what UCLA did to SC and Texas, I think the Blue Devils are pretty satisfied

 

[cancontent]

Other than Duke, Notre Dame, UCLA, TCU, and Michigan. I would think most teams are unsatisfied with how the season ended.

And that’s probably the norm.

If Michigan is considered not to be an unsatisfied team, I would disagree. Considering what they said prior to the Texas game and the end result, that's going to sit in their craw for a while. Sure an Elite 8 for this roster is an excellent result, but based on the tone and the words of their star players, they expected more out of themselves and will carry that into next season.

 

[ucbart]

I know only one team finishes the season with a win, but this year most teams ended on a more sour note than usual:

South Carolina - blown out in title game again, none of their stars played well

UCONN - worst game of the year by their stars, ugly look for Geno in the handshake line/post game press conference

Texas - Madison Booker's worst game of her career in the Final Four

Vanderbilt - Mikayla Blakes having one of the worst games of her career in the Sweet 16 loss

Michigan + TCU both got clobbered in the Elite 8 and weren't competitive.

LSU lost on a buzzer beater.

Louisville got blown out in the Sweet 16. Probably wished they were more competitive.

Ohio State was blown out at home in the 2nd round.

Iowa lost in the 2nd round at home to a 10 seed.


I'd say of the teams seeded 1-3, only Duke (and obviously UCLA) will be the teams to finish the year on a positive note where they probably don't have a lot of regrets. Very different note from last season where most teams finished the year by playing their hearts out and putting up a big fight in their final game.

Odd, you left out Tennessee who has had the MOST bitter ending. Your entire roster left and your best recruit in years asked out of her NLI.

 

[visitingcock]

Odd, you left out Tennessee who has had the MOST bitter ending. Your entire roster left and your best recruit in years asked out of her NLI.

Not odd considering that this thread is about “top teams.” Though UT made the tournament, I don’t think anyone considers them a top team. Legendary program perhaps; but not a top team

 

[Phil]

Twice in a row for Dawn Staley. A dubious record.

View attachment 119350

On one hand that sounds like a pretty troubling stat, can only happen if you managed to play in back to back championship games which is an achievement. How many teams, not named Auburn have done that and lost?

 

[Ladeeeeda]

On one hand that sounds like a pretty troubling stat, can only happen if you managed to play in back to back championship games which is an achievement. How many teams, not named Auburn have done that and lost?

Tenn did in '03 and '04.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Twice in a row for Dawn Staley. A dubious record.

View attachment 119350

Would it be better to not make it to the championship game?

Because I would prefer this to not making it there at all. I'm sure most coaches would agree that a blowout in the NC game beats losing in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Not sure Stanford is a "top team" anymore but I would definitely say we are tops for "bitter ending..."

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I didn't enjoy getting blown out but it hasn't really lingered.

 

[jdote33]

Semi related, I kind of think some teams overachieved. Despite their record and regular season dominance, I thought UConn overachieved this year and that losing in the final 4 isn't as brutal as it feels. I feel like the lack of a third scorer kinda came true tho Ash Shade had a good game. Similarly South Carolina should be proud making another championship game arguably two starters down. I think Duke and Notre Dame have to be pleased with an elite 8 appearance considering some of the losses they had this season. I think even tcu and texas should be a bit content. Back to back deep title runs, starting to establish each program as serious contenders.

I think LSU is a team that can be a bit disappointed. Oklahoma shouldn't be disappointed but 2 years of Beers didn't truly elevate the program. I feel like at this point I should run through the full 25. Only other team that comes to mind is unc who I feel should be happy. They got some young players good experience, and made it back to the second weekend.