Can UConn win its next 16 games? | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Can UConn win its next 16 games?

j66kicker said:
you think THEY are gonna settle? NC is the ONLY destination
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I think talk of a national title for next year's team is way too much, and I bet even Geno would scoff at the notion. Not that that isn't the GOAL for every season, but expectation? Rather they be allowed to play with limited expectations and just develop. After all, basically the same team in '17 plus the freshmen.
 
Geno would indeed scoff at the notion of a NC caliber team, at least as of now. We'll see what he says in October. From comments the returning players have made, they are conceding nothing.

I agree that the OOC schedule is loaded, but I think only a couple of road games are problematic. Yes, winning the next 16 looks very tough. But suppose for a minute that we do. How discouraging would that be to the other teams? :D:D
 
MilfordHusky said:
Geno would indeed scoff at the notion of a NC caliber team, at least as of now. We'll see what he says in October. From comments the returning players have made, they are conceding nothing.

I agree that the OOC schedule is loaded, but I think only a couple of road games are problematic. Yes, winning the next 16 looks very tough. But suppose for a minute that we do. How discouraging would that be to the other teams? :D:D
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Hey Milford - I heard what you just said and I get where you are coming from. Geno would absolutely scoff at the notion that the team was a NC caliber in October. He would never, ever say it because the team would not be where Geno knows they have to be--It's only October-- Remember! Most reasonable people recognize that the OOC is loaded! Geno did not have those 5 cell phones for nothing. The first call was from Baylor and then the other top 15 schools in the nation, (who just recruited 97 of the top 100 players), starting calling to schedule or to remind Geno that they were looking forward to UConn's game. They all had a sheet eating grin!
Anyway, I see 3 to 4 close losses. I see top 8-10 in the polls. I see an elite 8 in the NCAA. However, as you say, "suppose for a minute that UConn keeps winning early. That would be downright cruel and very discouraging if UConn actually did that. Miracles do happen.
When UConn is in the elite 8 then the gloves come off. As all the nervous nellies before the final 4 games said repeatedly---- Anything can happen! I agree. This year 3 new teams broke through in their own unique way. AT a minimum, I see UConn just like those 3 other final 4 teams. There is a chance and anything can happen. House money at that point.
Sounds reasonable to me, but what do I know!
 
Carnac said:
UConn will not be nearly as dominant as they were this year. Next year will be a rebuilding one. That is the perception around the country. Some believe that's why Kim Mulkey (Baylor) waited until next season to put UConn on their schedule. She wanted no part of what UConn was handing out this year.
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In all fairness, she wanted no part of any other top 10 team, other than Texas.
 
chrissaran said:
Notre Dame does not have everyone coming back. Madison Cable, Michaela Mabrey aand Hannah Huffman graduate. For USF it's Courtney Williams, Alisia Jenkins and Sherry Stringfield. Baylor loses Nya Johnson.
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Notre Dame loses a couple of key players, but they have some super talent coming in that will more than offset what they lose.

I believe that Niya Johnson proved to be a liability against most of the better teams due to her unwillingness to shoot the ball. I think Jones will move over to the point and with Wallace, Chou and Prince on the wings and Davis and probably Brown playing the 4 and 5 spots Baylor will be a better offensive team. Wallace, Chou and Prince are all good shooters and Wallace is a very good passer. I am hoping to see the same out of Chou, and hopefully Landrum. Baylor also has Alexandria Gulley, who Kim was very high on before she was injured in HS. What little I saw of her last season gave me hope that when healthy she will be a valuable contributor at the PG position.

Baylor should go deep 9 - 10 with Jones, Wallace, Chou, Prince, Cohen, Davis, Brown, Mompremier, Cox and Cave.. If Cohen can come back ready to knock down the 15 footer she will add a lot of value next season as she is very athletic at 6-2 and is a good defender and rebounder. It may be hard for Gulley or Landrum to get much time at PG with Jones running the show but hopefully they get enough playing time to be ready for the season after.
 
PhillyCoach said:
Hey Milford - I heard what you just said and I get where you are coming from. Geno would absolutely scoff at the notion that the team was a NC caliber in October. He would never, ever say it because the team would not be where Geno knows they have to be--It's only October-- Remember! Most reasonable people recognize that the OOC is loaded! Geno did not have those 5 cell phones for nothing. The first call was from Baylor and then the other top 15 schools in the nation, (who just recruited 97 of the top 100 players), starting calling to schedule or to remind Geno that they were looking forward to UConn's game. They all had a sheet eating grin!
Anyway, I see 3 to 4 close losses. I see top 8-10 in the polls. I see an elite 8 in the NCAA. However, as you say, "suppose for a minute that UConn keeps winning early. That would be downright cruel and very discouraging if UConn actually did that. Miracles do happen.
When UConn is in the elite 8 then the gloves come off. As all the nervous nellies before the final 4 games said repeatedly---- Anything can happen! I agree. This year 3 new teams broke through in their own unique way. AT a minimum, I see UConn just like those 3 other final 4 teams. There is a chance and anything can happen. House money at that point.
Sounds reasonable to me, but what do I know!
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PhillyCoach - Allow me to chime in here..........

1. The returning players conceding nothing next season makes me a bit more optimistic heading into next season. I like that kind of posture and grit, and I expected as much.

2. No team ever goes into a season trying to go "undefeated". They vow to play every game as hard as they can, leave everything out on the floor, and win as many games as they can, one game at a time.

3. As we all know, all good things must come to an end, it always does. I do however expect UConn to remain a defensive nightmare for most teams. I expect one or two players to really step up and assert themselves next season. Said players should emerge by the Christmas break.

4. With the departure of the three amigos, instead of UConn winning its games by a margin of 30-50 points, their MOV will be reduced to 8-18 points. I expect that margin to increase as the season goes on, especially once conference play begins. By the way, USF loss their two best players (Williams & Jenkins) to graduation also.

5. UConn will be challenged by the top 10 teams on their non-conference schedule. THAT'S when we'll find out how this team stands up to top tier competition. I think the huskies will be better than most people think. Their defense will remain stellar, and I don't look for their per game scoring average to decrease by more than 14 points a game.

6. Most of UConn's shots were taken by the BIG 3. Other players will now assume that roll. Kia, Lou, Napheesa and Gabby will all get more shots per game than ever before. UConn will not be the big bad wolf it has been the last four years, but I think they will be better than a lot of people are projecting them to be.

7. Your loss projection for the year is reasonable, as is you round projection in the NCAA tournament. UConn will be playing with house money in the tournament because no one will be picking them to win anything. But as you say anything can happen. Remember, there's always a dark horse that emerges in the tournament. You never know who its going to be until they go to the whip.
 
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easttexastrash said:
Notre Dame loses a couple of key players, but they have some super talent coming in that will more than offset what they lose.

I believe that Niya Johnson proved to be a liability against most of the better teams due to her unwillingness to shoot the ball. I think Jones will move over to the point and with Wallace, Chou and Prince on the wings and Davis and probably Brown playing the 4 and 5 spots Baylor will be a better offensive team. Wallace, Chou and Prince are all good shooters and Wallace is a very good passer. I am hoping to see the same out of Chou, and hopefully Landrum. Baylor also has Alexandria Gulley, who Kim was very high on before she was injured in HS. What little I saw of her last season gave me hope that when healthy she will be a valuable contributor at the PG position.

Baylor should go deep 9 - 10 with Jones, Wallace, Chou, Prince, Cohen, Davis, Brown, Mompremier, Cox and Cave.. If Cohen can come back ready to knock down the 15 footer she will add a lot of value next season as she is very athletic at 6-2 and is a good defender and rebounder. It may be hard for Gulley or Landrum to get much time at PG with Jones running the show but hopefully they get enough playing time to be ready for the season after.
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I fully expect Baylor to be a top 3-5 team next season.
 
RSVikes...
<<...I'm betting on our coaching staff to get the experienced members of the team to jell with the new blood to outwork everyone else as they've done in the past....>>
***********************************
We can't deny many of the last few teams explicitly stating they came to UConn to win NCs.
This, however, slightly overshadows that ALL of Geno's recruits have expressed coming to Storrs to grow into the BEST basketball players that they could be. (... and along the way.. evolve into the best individuals they can)
They ALL come knowing the drill...
"We like your skills as players. You all come with talents & credentials. If you devote yourselves, we believe, together, we can achieve your ultimate goal. You are promised no guarantee of playing time. You are assured of enough time and sweat in practice to establish your role in the Team-scheme. You have no lock on any particular position... The Team will need you (and use your newly developed skills) to play where (and when) you'll be most successful for the Team."

Every year brings a different squad... a different mix.
Does 2016-2017 promise anything? It only promises a schedule... It offers one game at a time for an entire season. The only assurance we have, (based on experience), is that the March team will be better honed than the First Night game.

In Geno we trust. In CD we trust. In devotion we trust.
In Team we believe.
 
vowelguy said:
Dont forget that Tuck was in some sense the QB of the defense, constantly vocal.
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That's true. One thing we must remember about the UConn women's program. Its a steady progression. I vividly remember Bria Hartley pulling Mo aside and mentoring her about something during a game.
When Bria left, she passed the baton to Mo. Batons (rolls) get passed down from player to player. Tuck probably mentored someone to take over her QB duties. if not, someone will pick it up and run with it. If they need a little help at first, the coaches will help them. Someone will assume Tuck's "team leader" roll. Remember, "Big Momma Stef" had it before her.
 
I don't think we can win the next 16 to break the 90 game win streak.....There will be losses.......We don't have the depth of talent and everybody is going to be hunting the Huskies. UConn will get everyone's 'A' game every night out.

But in the end , by March , the Huskies will be a force.
 

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Jimbo said:
I hope I'm wrong, but I think it's extremely unlikely. Next year's nonconference schedule is ridiculous. Among the opponents: current AP #2 Notre Dame, #3 South Carolina, #4 Baylor, #5 Maryland, #7 Texas, #9 Ohio State, #17 Florida State, and #20 DePaul.

My early read on next season is that the chase for the national championship will probably be as wide open as it's been in a long, long time. I'm hopeful that Geno can turn UConn into a team that will be among the group of teams in the championship picture come March. But even if he ends up doing that, I don't think it will happen without the team enduring some serious growing pains first, which means I don't expect them to emerge from that nonconference gauntlet unscathed.
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I've rarely been so thrilled to be proven wrong. :) Constantly amazed by this team and coaching staff. Congratulations to all of them on #91…and counting! :cool:
 
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MilfordHusky said:
Geno would indeed scoff at the notion of a NC caliber team, at least as of now. We'll see what he says in October. From comments the returning players have made, they are conceding nothing.

I agree that the OOC schedule is loaded, but I think only a couple of road games are problematic. Yes, winning the next 16 looks very tough. But suppose for a minute that we do. How discouraging would that be to the other teams? :D:D
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:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Very impressive Milford. Sue said today(don't tell anyone else) that they just might run the table if they get by South Carolina.
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I don't want to mess with the mojo, because we have South Carolina and up to 3 good teams in March/April, including Baylor, Maryland, and Notre Dame, but I'm thinking that Lou and Pheesa may not lose. Geno has already said they won't lose next season or the one after that. :)
 
Well, now we know. Yes, they can win 16. And we also know they are the best team this year in wcbb. But for fear of offending mojo, I won't say that. :rolleyes: They could lose; the best team does not always win. The best team did not win that Stanford game in 2014. But if you bet against them, make sure it's monopoly money.

So let's renew the question. Can Uconn win the NEXT 16 games? I say, "Yes"!
 
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It was interesting to go back in time, to read our comments. Most of us were spot on in our assessments and observations about the team's short term future.
As close as most of us were, none of us saw the team undefeated at this point in the season. Too many variables and unknowns then. All of us were being optimistic as well as realistic in our observations.
 
Linart said:
Pardon the smug smile on my face but here's an article from April 2016 with the headline "UConn Women's Basketball Dynasty is Over"

One of the Most Dominant Runs in Sports History Is Almost Over
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Muffet thought there would be at least a hiatus, but the Core Four have been clutch, like the Yankees' group. With Azura, Batouly, Megan, et al. coming in, I am reminded of Yogi's statement that "It ain't over 'til it's over." The future looks good for another 3-5 years, at least.
 
mntncougar said:
I don't know when I've ever seen someone be so totally wrong.
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I actually disagree - I think it was a pretty solid review/preview and the only thing he was really off base about was Geno retiring. He underestimated perhaps the drive of Gabby, Lou, and Napheesa, but its not as if most others didn't as well, including their coach. And while we are still all high from 91, an NC is not a given with a match up against any one of the ranked teams we have beaten.
 
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IMHO many of us posters came up with a loss of two-- not so much from saying we have less talent and depth--but observing 6-8 teams loaded with talented returning starters (more than UConn), gaining elite transfers who were becoming eligible, and recruiting 24 out of the top 25 players in the country (we got CD, the super 8 teams got many of the rest.)
Simply put, IMO, we over estimated the productivity and effectiveness of these 8 loaded teams. Those elite 8 teams did not come through and UConn as a team over compensated to our surprise--even Geno was surprised.
This just solidifies Geno's bottom line----the 5 top AA recruits playing for a certain school will not beat the BEST TEAM.
 
ericsandiego said:
I doubt it. If Morgan came back maybe. But too many land mines in the first part of the year. I forget who we play but Stanford, Baylor, SC, ND and Maryland?
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Well I was flat out wrong. The team put the finishing touch on surpassing the previous record, held by several former UCONN classes. This streak has extended over 3 seasons but we wouldn't be talking about it if not for the tremendous play of the current team, in a year that many thought would be a "rebuilding" year, and a "season to finally get UCONN"... So incredibly impressed!!
 
ericsandiego said:
Well I was flat out wrong. The team put the finishing touch on surpassing the previous record, held by several former UCONN classes. This streak has extended over 3 seasons but we wouldn't be talking about it if not for the tremendous play of the current team, in a year that many thought would be a "rebuilding" year, and a "season to finally get UCONN"... So incredibly impressed!!
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The likelihood of what this team has accomplished to this point, was just not fathomable for any of us back in June. PhillyCoach nailed it saying:
"many of us posters came up with a loss of two-- not so much from saying we have less talent and depth--but observing 6-8 teams loaded with talented returning starters (more than UConn), gaining elite transfers who were becoming eligible, and recruiting 24 out of the top 25 players in the country (we got CD, the super 8 teams got many of the rest.) Simply put, IMO, we over estimated the productivity and effectiveness of these 8 loaded teams. Those elite 8 teams did not come through and UConn as a team over compensated to our surprise".

We over estimated the competition (and their anticipated success), and under estimated our girls. The odds of them going 16-0 to begin the season, was just not reasonable to a rationally thinking and informed fan. The odds were just too great to fathom and run like this. Surely one or two of the Goliaths on the OOC schedule would prevail. They had the size, experience and depth to overcome any resistance UConn could mount. After all, UConn lost its 3 best players. If you remember last year, we would get glimpses of next year's team when Geno would clear the bench in garbage time, and usually it didn't look promising. So, based on that (the eye test), what were we to think? The core of their team now is unproven. Several posters said that THIS YEAR, Geno would have to do some of his finest coaching, they were right, and he has.

Remember the old Nike commercial in the 90's with Michael Jordan and Spike Lee?...."It's gotta be the shoes"!! Thinking along those lines: It's gotta be the system, because the players keep coming and going through that revolving door. I'd really like to see them run the table right on through to next season.
Just think of what the critics/naysayers would say if THAT happened. You think one or two of them would say how bad for WCBB a 5th consecutive national championship for UConn is. How "unfair" to the rest of WCBB it is.

To me, it would just drive home the fact that Geno has figured it out, and the other coaches have not. Let's hope the "haters" have reason to express those thoughts and opinions after the season. For now, it's on to Tulsa, go Huskies.
 
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I was scrolling through in the hope that I had replied in this post. Unfortunately I didn't reply to this post but I did to others that were along the same lines. I know that I didn't automatically predict an unbeaten season but was stunned by the talk of a number of losses this year. I thought that most every team in the country was going to lose some talented players to graduation though obviously our three losses were big, big ones. I seem to remember that a loss or two was "possible" but wasn't necessarily something that would happen and in retrospect, I'm pretty happy with my mindset from then. We do have Geno and Chris and had some talented kids with one year's experience behind them though I felt that Napheesa underachieved last year. KLS had started off slowly and was surprisingly not shooting well in the early part of last year but then turned a corner and was playing at a high level by the end of the year and improving appreciably on the defensive end. Gabby was showing some skills and confidence though her shooting was still needing work. Kia's steady leadership and good defense were givens and I thought Butler could be a big factor. Anyway, we are playing some wonderful ball and the team has gelled wonderfully though we could use a bit more depth and a key injury could be really bad news.
 
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