Bupkis, let's put that's Baby to Rest

[msf22b]

I had a sneaking suspicion this was a lesson we would learn:

That the oft-noted, politically correct principal of the game of basketball, that a cupcake schedule impairs your ability to compete at a high level:

was put to rest and buried by a spirited and confident Maryland team this evening.

Whatever else we learned tonight...that was the punch-line.

 

[Teacherdeb]

Yes, but after "consuming" numerous "cupcakes" the players get a sugar high that fuels them for one game. The question is, can they continue to play as they did? So it may be premature to put that baby to rest.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Not sure you're clear on the concept of "politically correct" but...

are you suggesting that all those other teams that have dined on cupcakes are as prepared as the Terps or are the Terps the exception to the rule>

 

[msf22b]

Not sure you're clear on the concept of "politically correct" but...

are you suggesting that all those other teams that have dined on cupcakes are as prepared as the Terps or are the Terps the exception to the rule>

Oh, sorry, there I go, pre-digesting again.

My point is : dining on cupcakes may very well have no deleterious effect on your ability to compete on the big stage.

Is that better? Clear at least?

 

[intlzncster]

Didn't UCONN win by 10?

 

[JS]

My point is : dining on cupcakes may very well have no deleterious effect on your ability to compete on the big stage.

Better yet, a diet of such cuisine won't necessarily have a deleterious effect on your ability to compete in a particular game, provided the right people are able to rise to that occasion and some other things go right.

A menu featuring cupcakes of every flavor may enable one team to point all season (to date) toward a single game and do an unusual amount of specific prep, which I suspect was the case here. ("We know what to expect.")

Ms. Frese wanted to go onto the big MSG/national TV stage with a gaudy record and confidence born of success, then put up a high profile good fight against #1. In that she succeeded, to the extent you can call a double digit loss a success.

That won't be possible deep in the tournament, when you start getting hit game after game by tough opponents, and it's an advantage to be used to it - - experienced with different looks and styles, all of which are strong, and able to figure out how to adapt and prevail in those situations.

If these teams meet then, I expect UConn to win more decisively. We've seen the regular season v. tourney difference with Geno's teams many times before.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Maryland may play more "tough opponents" going forward (havent looked at their schedule but I'd think they are in a better conference, could be wrong)... besides the UConn/SCar game

 

[DaddyChoc]

Maryland ran into one of those tough opponents I guess

 

[jcoton56]

Ms Freese ought to teach her girls to chew before they swallow, otherwise they may choke. Or perhaps they are a bit less ready than she thought.

 

[Topdawg]

Brenda demonstrated that her team could play a competitive game against the top team in the country. Her team did not fare as well against OSU - perhaps a game Maryland should have won. They have good data now to figure out what to do to make the final four. Let us see if they do.

 

[HuskyNan]

Ms Freese ought to teach her girls to chew before they swallow, otherwise they may choke. Or perhaps they are a bit less ready than she thought.

Basketball is a game of match-ups. Maryland didn't match up well with Ohio State; Ohio State didn't match up well with UConn.

 

[PhillyCoach]

Basketball is a game of match-ups. Maryland didn't match up well with Ohio State; Ohio State didn't match up well with UConn.

Yes Nann I agree. This revelation is also another of the many reasons why UConn is so good. Geno recruits intelligent players who are versatile. He teaches an offense that needs intelligent players to make constant decisions based on differing opponents. UConn has recruits and they are trained from day one to -- make changes where necessary. The player has to think their way through the game. (Of course, halftime brings Geno's specific moves to help with those changes.)
If the inside match-up is bad then UConn has the skills to change tactics/strategies. Same with an outside game going poorly. You clearly give the evidence of this premise when you state that Maryland did not match up well. How come they did not change? Ergo, they are not practicing that method or system. Same with Ohio State, etc.! Only Notre Dame is in the same mode as UConn. They are recruited and trained to be versatile. NO bigs--well lets go with 4 guards.
I totally agree with the match-up theory. It seems only a rare view don't worry about match-ups--cause they can adapt.

 

[intlzncster]

Basketball is a game of match-ups. Maryland didn't match up well with Ohio State; Ohio State didn't match up well with UConn.

And, as has been shown and proven a million times, the transitive property does not hold in basketball (sports). One day you're hot, another you're not.