Brianna Turner Verbals to Notre Dame

[msf22b]

The 3 losses to UConn this season were a direct result of inexperienced freshman and injuries. You saw what happened to ND in the FF when UConn was healthy. As great as ND was the past 4 seasons UConn won 2 NC an ND won none.[/quote]
__________________________________

Let's not forget the three losses the previous year.
Muffit should get a boatload of credit for taking her seriously undermanned team and masking all issues until the final 4. Having over-achieved against us for two seasons, they finally underperformed, panicked, or were harried by the staff's brilliant defensive schemes and Stewie's offensive and defensive domination (or possibly a bit of all 4). The've been undersized for a long time w/o ill effect until then…

As an asside to my above and below arguements, having watched the game three times this week, we had lot's of standout moments and contributions. Bria's 3 and pull-up, Morgan's all-around game, Kelly's D and rebounding, MoJeff's harrying of Sky, KLM's huge 3 from left field during a cold spell in the 2nd and that drive and one, Steff's all-around toughness and solid D…Did I forget anyone? It certainly wasn't a one man game like some of Maya's for example.

Muffit's brilliance as confidence builder and strategist is very close to the level at UConn.
I am delighted that some of the best recruits recognize this and are choosing the Irish. Hard to see any real competition except them unless the North Carolina kids take over the program.

Lloyd is super talented and probably a bit better than Jefferson…Easttexastrasch​

It has been my season-long view that our frosh were partially hidden from view by Geno and only let loose in the NCAA's.​

I expect that their contributions in future season's will amaze. Stewie, of course, but Mo and Morgan continue to be seriously underrated…Wait, the best is yet to come.​

 

[ASweet3781]

And let's face it, Muffett is a great coach and the three wins over UCONN after the loss of three top players only made her look even better.

The 2014 season will be very interesting if UCONN doesn't land a top big. Turner will have the physical talent to match up with Stewart, Tuck and Reimer could be a fairly equal match-up and Lloyd is super talented and probably a bit better than Jefferson.

I love how fans come to our board and pump up other teams at our players expense.

Seems to me we have about 20 years of evidence to show that it's OTHER teams that should worry about US.

I love how you say Jewel Loyd is super talented while also saying Turner as a frosh will be able to match up with an experienced upperclassmen Stewart. Gee awfully rosey scenario there favoring ND.

Let me rewrite that for you from our perspective. No one in this last tournament was more "super talented" than Breanna Stewart. That would include your girl down in Waco who led a team (or failed to lead?) that choked big time and I mean big time due to arrogance. Perhaps instead of pretending to be Phi Slamma Jamma and throwing down slam dunks on an overmatched FSU team they should have been practicing their perimeter D and basic scouting report follow (IE. Don't leave Slaughter open for 3). How did Louisville and Notre Dame match up against Stewart? Not too well I recall. Curious what you have seen from Brianna Turner who has yet to play a minute of college bball that suggests she will match up with Stewart in her 3rd year as a freshman.

Oh yeah I know you love to come here and remind us all the time over such pleasantries as "Muffett had three wins over you guys...". As if we didn't know that. She also like you guys failed to win the game that counted. So kindly take those 3 wins and...well never mind.

 

[Bayareahusky]

ASweet - Ditto your thoughts, thanks. I think everyone, in general, gets too sexed up about the new flow of recruits coming in for that particular year, and blindly anoints them the new worldbeaters of WCBB...... That just does not happen..... People who are counting on Mercedes Russell and Brianna Turner refacing the trajectory of WCBB are sadly mistaken...... Diamond as well..... remember when that crowd commited to UNC last year,.... all of a sudden UNC is in the driver's seat to wil it all in '14.....

These players may develop well, and give Muffet a lot of credit for her coaching skills..... but barring injury on our side this coming year, I don't see an equal.

 

[UcMiami]

Just in response to the last two - I really enjoy when other team's fans come in and provide an outside view of WCBB and they seldom talk smack here. And we all fall in love with the newest toy and sometimes lose perspective on the proven vets on our team and others. Prime example is KML who sometimes seems to be forgotten in the joy over last year's freshman class. Stewie, Morgan, and MoJeff are going to be great fun to watch for the next three years, and I expect great things from Chong as well, but ... this team will go only as far as Stef and Bria and KML carry them next year and 2014-15 rests on KML's capable shoulders.
So ... please don't be too quick to take umbrage at our guest posters. Not ever comment praising other teams and players is meant to be a hit on the Uconn players/team.
And yes - agree that MoJeff and Morgan were kept somewhat under wraps. Geno does not like starting freshman because of the added pressure it puts on them during their transition to college and because he knows you can't depend on their consistency. (See Stewie through the year) Sometimes he has no choice, and occasionally a freshman demands it based on skill AND speed at assimilating the system.

 

[doggydaddy]

Just in response to the last two - I really enjoy when other team's fans come in and provide an outside view of WCBB and they seldom talk smack here. And we all fall in love with the newest toy and sometimes lose perspective on the proven vets on our team and others. Prime example is KML who sometimes seems to be forgotten in the joy over last year's freshman class. Stewie, Morgan, and MoJeff are going to be great fun to watch for the next three years, and I expect great things from Chong as well, but ... this team will go only as far as Stef and Bria and KML carry them next year and 2014-15 rests on KML's capable shoulders.
So ... please don't be too quick to take umbrage at our guest posters. Not ever comment praising other teams and players is meant to be a hit on the Uconn players/team.
And yes - agree that MoJeff and Morgan were kept somewhat under wraps. Geno does not like starting freshman because of the added pressure it puts on them during their transition to college and because he knows you can't depend on their consistency. (See Stewie through the year) Sometimes he has no choice, and occasionally a freshman demands it based on skill AND speed at assimilating the system.

We should treat their opinions that we disagree with like we treat fellow Uconn fans opinions when we disagree.....with distant and disgust.

Seriously, we should treat the long time visiting fans as part of the family. And feel free to disagree.

ETT likes to poke at the Uconn fans with his comments about players. He can take the return fire without your protection.

 

[UcMiami]

We should treat their opinions that we disagree with like we treat fellow Uconn fans opinions when we disagree.....with distant and disgust.

Seriously, we should treat the long time visiting fans as part of the family. And feel free to disagree.

ETT likes to poke at the Uconn fans with his comments about players. He can take the return fire without your protection.

I alway try to maintain a good 10 foot distance from all poster I disagree with!
And yes I agree, but I just think a few people react with a slightly quick trigger, but who am I to complain?!

 

[easttexastrash]

For the record, I have praised Stewart over and over and over on this board and gone as far as to say that she may be one of the best players in WCBB history. So get off the "we're being disrespected" bit. My admiration for Stewart is well established with the regulars on the BY women's board. I'm not sure how often the two complainers visit this board but obviously not enough to know how often I praise almost all phases of the UCONN program.

Saying that Turner has the "physical talent" to match up with Stewart is true, IMO. That doesn't mean that I think she has equal basketball talent. But Turner has been described as winning the genetic lottery and I do think that she will have the athletic abilities to match up with Stewart. But Stewart is in her own category when it comes to basketball abilities...she has it all.

Jefferson may end up as a better player than Lloyd but at this point Lloyd has an advantage, IMO. But we know that Geno develops players better than any other player.

To say that Notre Dame may match up with UCONN is not a stretch. Muffett is an excellent coach and is going to have the most talent she has ever had.

 

[easttexastrash]

These players may develop well, and give Muffet a lot of credit for her coaching skills..... but barring injury on our side this coming year, I don't see an equal.

For the record, my reference was to 2014-15 when Turner arrives and after UCONN loses Dolson. I agree that in the 2013 UCONN will steamroll over everyone with little resistance.

 

[easttexastrash]

I love how fans come to our board and pump up other teams at our players expense.

Seems to me we have about 20 years of evidence to show that it's OTHER teams that should worry about US.

I love how you say Jewel Loyd is super talented while also saying Turner as a frosh will be able to match up with an experienced upperclassmen Stewart. Gee awfully rosey scenario there favoring ND.

Let me rewrite that for you from our perspective. No one in this last tournament was more "super talented" than Breanna Stewart. That would include your girl down in Waco who led a team (or failed to lead?) that choked big time and I mean big time due to arrogance. Perhaps instead of pretending to be Phi Slamma Jamma and throwing down slam dunks on an overmatched FSU team they should have been practicing their perimeter D and basic scouting report follow (IE. Don't leave Slaughter open for 3). How did Louisville and Notre Dame match up against Stewart? Not too well I recall. Curious what you have seen from Brianna Turner who has yet to play a minute of college bball that suggests she will match up with Stewart in her 3rd year as a freshman.

Oh yeah I know you love to come here and remind us all the time over such pleasantries as "Muffett had three wins over you guys...". As if we didn't know that. She also like you guys failed to win the game that counted. So kindly take those 3 wins and...well never mind.

You are tremendously defensive to be a fan of the winningest program in WCBB history. The mere suggestion that another team may match up with UCONN is upsetting to you?

I said that Lloyd is tremendously talented and is "probably a BIT better than Jefferson" and that is upsetting to you? She was a bit better than Jefferson last year. That may not be the case in years to come but she was the better player last year. And Jefferson is a tremendous talent, just not proven yet to be on the same level as Lloyd.

 

[Rb335]

This is a great get for ND. Turner, Reimer and Lloyd with Allen will be a promising group of 4. I think ND should expect to be getting many more top recruits in the years to come as Muffet has established herself and her program in the top few programs. However, a side note. Although Muffet did coach her team to something like 7 of 8 wins against UCONN, it is still clear that Geno is the better coach, he got his team the NC that ND couldn't get in back to back NCAA finals appearances. Interesting.

 

[Tonyc]

Lloyd is a was a great player this season with Diggins handling the point, as were the rest of her teammates. Lets see what happens without Diggins. If the statement which was infured that Diggins is what makes them go then without Diggins somebody needs to become that leader. Many fans including me didn't think ND would be as good as they were last season with all they lost. They were and many thought it was Diggins who made them that good. Well shes gone so lets see how that plays out and if somebody else steps up into the leadership role for ND.

 

[msf22b]

Muffit finds a way to confound, darn good coach.
But match the Husky's in the next few…Nah!

 

[easttexastrash]

Lloyd is a was a great player this season with Diggins handling the point, as were the rest of her teammates. Lets see what happens without Diggins. If the statement which was infured that Diggins is what makes them go then without Diggins somebody needs to become that leader. Many fans including me didn't think ND would be as good as they were last season with all they lost. They were and many thought it was Diggins who made them that good. Well shes gone so lets see how that plays out and if somebody else steps up into the leadership role for ND.

Should be interesting to see. Diggins will no doubt be a big loss but Lloyd will have that first year under her belt and should only get better. The thing I like about her is that she can create her own shot and mix it up inside against bigger players, as well.

 

[easttexastrash]

This is a great get for ND. Turner, Reimer and Lloyd with Allen will be a promising group of 4. I think ND should expect to be getting many more top recruits in the years to come as Muffet has established herself and her program in the top few programs. However, a side note. Although Muffet did coach her team to something like 7 of 8 wins against UCONN, it is still clear that Geno is the better coach, he got his team the NC that ND couldn't get in back to back NCAA finals appearances. Interesting.

Didn't ND have two wins against UCONN in the FF before this year? Or was it just one?

 

[ASweet3781]

You are tremendously defensive to be a fan of the winningest program in WCBB history. The mere suggestion that another team may match up with UCONN is upsetting to you?

I said that Lloyd is tremendously talented and is "probably a BIT better than Jefferson" and that is upsetting to you? She was a bit better than Jefferson last year. That may not be the case in years to come but she was the better player last year. And Jefferson is a tremendous talent, just not proven yet to be on the same level as Lloyd.

Believe me it's not just the Loyd/Jefferson comment that annoyed me.

You come to a UConn board and suggest that Loyd is quite a bit better than Jefferson all but writing off any chance that Jefferson who made tremendous improvement as the year went on will continue to improve. Jefferson was not asked to do nearly as much as Loyd needed to do for their 2 teams to be successful. Loyd had no choice but to start and was needed to score for ND to be successful this year. Kudos to her for doing that. I could have said last season that many different guards were "quite a bit better" than Brianna Banks too. 1 year later up until her ACL those guards were no longer "quite a bit better" than Banks. Teams change. Roles change. Players change. It is way too early to say who will be "quite a bit better" in the 2014-2015 season no? Interesting in your analysis of the 2015 season you don't even mention the player who maybe the best player on UConn. Kaleena Mosqueda Lewis. I would say UConn would have the edge over ND with her and Stewie as a senior/junior tandem. Wouldn't you?

Than at the same time you suggest that Turner as a frosh would be able to physically match up with Stewart as a junior, an utterly absurd statement. I respect other peoples opinions but I don't particularly care for analysis that biased.

Let me go to the Baylor board and start my posts with..."Don't forget, remember the time Baylor suffered the most humiliating upset in NCAA history against Louisville..." or "Remember when Gary Blair beat you with everything on the line in 2011.." and see if I don't irritate a few folks. Pardon me if I suspect many there would be "defensive" if I was that kind of guest on your board.

 

[Phil]

Didn't ND have two wins against UCONN in the FF before this year? Or was it just one?

Actually, it was three. 2011, 2011, and 2012. I was at each one.

 

[easttexastrash]

Actually, it was three. 2011, 2011, and 2012. I was at each one.

Darn, that 2011 game must have been doubly painful.

 

[Tonyc]

Darn, that 2011 game must have been doubly painful.

It was painful but we don't have to worry about that anymore, because moving forward we are almost unbeatable and its because of discipline and defense. In a couple of years when Turner is a soph junior or senior ND might be able to beat UConn again but for the next 2 years it wont happen.

The problem Geno will have is clearing the bench late in the game, calling off the pressure defense, going into a zone and trying not to embarrass their opponets. I see 50+pt wins this season. I don't see a team coming within double digets of UConn this season either.
This team may be better then the Tina Renee Maya Kalana team.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Oh ETT can say what he must.... that is OK..... some of his commentary is pretty good..... but here at UC, we have no apologies to anyone..... Baylor should have made the requisite adjustments with LVille..... should have won that game despite the 3 pt shooting..... better defense would have negated those 3 pt statistics...... despite their cries of "FOUL!", Baylor should be thankful for the benefit of calls/non-calls in that game..... no technical on Mulkey after Walz getting a technical for less grievous histrionics.... and I never have detected, after many viewings, a foul on the Odyssey drive to the basket with a few seconds left...... LVille was deserving..... and wow, saw that profanity that was postgame rant by Destiny Williams I think..... I want to hope it wasn't in fact true..... cause it was brutally profane...... anyway, ETT is innocuous enuf, I think, and UConn rocks yes it rocks...... Oh, and about ND, maybe they will gel..... Muffet I think is a very good coach...... wonder if their strategy in the next couple of years will be "drive to the basket and get to the line"..... it served them well during the good streak they had with us.

 

[meyers7]

Other than Griner and Sims.... what elite Texas players have stayed in state in the past 5-7 years ??

In 2012, Courtney Williams and Jordan Jones went to Texas A&M. They were McD/WBCA AA's. Guess it depends on your definition of "elite".

 

[meyers7]

Wow 2014/2015 season already. (did we win the 2013/2014?? did I miss it?)

However, I'm still liking a core of KML (Sr), Stewart, Tuck, Jefferson (Jr)
over
Loyd (Jr), Reimer, Allen (So), Turner (Fr).

Then add in Banks, Stokes (Sr), Chong (So) and as of now Ekmark, Edwards, Williams (Fr)
vs
Wright, Cable (Sr), Mabrey (Jr), Nelson (So) yea that's pretty much it.

Heck even 2015/2016 with Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson as seniors. That's pretty formidable right there. A couple even role players and you have a great team.

 

[meyers7]

Wait till Chong gets acclimated. She'll surpass Mo Jeff like she was standing still. Her skill level is off the charts. She has the size advantage, shooting advantage and rebounding advantage over Mo Jeff. Just wait and see. Also, her court vision is incredible.

While I would love that to happen, I certainly don't expect it. And would be shocked if it were to happen. Jefferson was not the highest rated PG to come out of HS in years for nothing. I fully expect her to be an AA at some point in her career. Remember if Stewart (a DT/Moore level player) had not been in her class, Jefferson would have been pretty much a consensus NPOY.

If Chong ends up better than Jefferson, that would be very nice indeed.

 

[HGN]

Congrats to Turner and they've got Reimer too. Good get for ND. Now UConn may have some competition in the FF in a few years. Many of you are concerned that ND is going to win a NC. I'm not concerned. Most likely they will have to go thorough UConn and if they do that wont happen for a few years yet. For the next 2 years UConn should walk right through another NC unless we have to many key injuries. If we get Wilson we may be looking at a lot more NCs. Don't forget it takes a couple of seasons for bigs to develop. Breanna is the exception. Many kids will be looking at UConn in their future. The AAU circuit already knows UConn and what they've done. After this coming April when Geno and UConn break the record of 8 wins more kids are gonna want to come to UConn. Understand UConn is attracting a lot of top AAU players. Right now we're loaded. Bria and Stef graduate this season so more kids coming up will find it attractive to play at UConn and travel and win Championships. We are Number 1 and will remain number 1 because of what Geno has built over the past 20 years. Its going to take a lot for other coaches to catch up to him especially when he has a 20 year lead.

TonyC, I agree with you. But I will add that there is plenty of room for newcomers on the UConn roster for guards and bigs. With Bria and Stef graduating next year and Stokes , Banks , and KML the following year, there's playing time to be had. Also , it seems that Geno doesn't build a roster just for the current season. He seems to build a sustainable roster for going forward. He plans 2-3 years ahead. I think the 2014 Class is key for UConn going forward and maintaining its competitive edge. With the likes of Gabby , Courtney , and Sadie onboard its a good start. But adding Wilson , Calhoun , and Westbeld could propel 2014 into the stratosphere.

 

[triaddukefan]

In 2012, Courtney Williams and Jordan Jones went to Texas A&M. They were McD/WBCA AA's. Guess it depends on your definition of "elite".

They wouldnt fall into my definition of elite.

While I would love that to happen, I certainly don't expect it. And would be shocked if it were to happen. Jefferson was not the highest rated PG to come out of HS in years for nothing. I fully expect her to be an AA at some point in her career. Remember if Stewart (a DT/Moore level player) had not been in her class, Jefferson would have been pretty much a consensus NPOY.

If Chong ends up better than Jefferson, that would be very nice indeed.

I would disagree.... while Jefferson may or may not have been the 2nd best player in the 2012 class... I just cant see the national groups awarding a home school player as the consensus NPOY.

 

[Tonyc]

I doubt ND is promising Turner a starting position, she just knows her chances of earning one is better there.

Calhoun knows her chances of beating out Madison Cable, are much better than beating out KML, or Ekmark. We will see what her priorities are.

I have to differ with you on Calhoun. UConn has plenty of room for Sierra. Sierra will be a wing along with Ekmark. Chong Williams and Edwards are guards. All we need now is Wilson and Westbeld and another big or 2 in one of the two following classes. UConns roster is not full of AAs. UConns roster has room for Sierra a a couple of more recruits. Duke is loaded with AAs. ND just picked up Turner Reimer and I forgot the others. The perfect place for Sierra right now is UConn. She will play because of the short roster and she will be developed with a NC group of players, plus UConn is in her backyard and her family can come watch her and her brother play.

 

[meyers7]

They wouldnt fall into my definition of elite.

So I guess it begs the question, what would your definition be?

I would disagree.... while Jefferson may or may not have been the 2nd best player in the 2012 class... I just cant see the national groups awarding a home school player as the consensus NPOY.

I suppose you could argue the awarding part, and we would never know. However, there is not much argument with her being ranked #2, mainly because she was.

 

[meyers7]

I have to differ with you on Calhoun. UConn has plenty of room for Sierra. Sierra will be a wing along with Ekmark. Chong Williams and Edwards are guards. All we need now is Wilson and Westbeld and another big or 2 in one of the two following classes. UConns roster is not full of AAs. UConns roster has room for Sierra a a couple of more recruits. Duke is loaded with AAs. ND just picked up Turner Reimer and I forgot the others. The perfect place for Sierra right now is UConn. She will play because of the short roster and she will be developed with a NC group of players, plus UConn is in her backyard and her family can come watch her and her brother play.

Sounds good to me Tony, hope it sounds good to Calhoun.

 

[Tonyc]

Sounds good to me Tony, hope it sounds good to Calhoun.

I think it already does. Lets just wait and see. Its a tuff decision but imo there is so much more that UConn can offer and for those kids looking to play UConns roster is short and that means to me a lot of playtime for everybody. The reason Why? We are so good for the next couple of years Geno has the luxary of playing everybody every game, because I don't think we can lose. To talented, to good, and hey we're UConn.