Can UConn women's basketball earn No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament? ESPN's bracketologist weighs in

[hoopsfan22]

All these predictions seem predicated on the fact that we are going to get the best out of Fudd and Ducharme. Based on the way they looked in that Nova game, that's a big ask. UConn blew them out mostly because Nova couldn't shoot at all even with a ton of good looks. This team needs to play much better to make the FF.

We need January Lou and November Azzi to make a deep run.

 

[The deacon]

We need January Lou and November Azzi to make a deep run.

All these predictions seem predicated on the fact that we are going to get the best out of Fudd and Ducharme. Based on the way they looked in that Nova game, that's a big ask. UConn blew them out mostly because Nova couldn't shoot at all even with a ton of good looks. This team needs to play much better to make the FF.

I agree with you both, and will add a point I believe has not been noted on this thread. Yes, the Huskies are playing well and have tons of talent... however, the main reason they made the Final Four last season and the season before will be sequestered well down along the bench, wishing her feeble leg hadn't given out again last summer.

This UConn team is plenty good enough to get to the Final Four, maybe even win its 12th title, but some one or two of this group of players will have to be the one(s) who carry the team, a la Paige, when the real pressure is on. I can't wait to see whom that will be!

 

[hoopsnloops32]

All these predictions seem predicated on the fact that we are going to get the best out of Fudd and Ducharme. Based on the way they looked in that Nova game, that's a big ask. UConn blew them out mostly because Nova couldn't shoot at all even with a ton of good looks. This team needs to play much better to make the FF.

I don’t think so actually. I think others players have stepped up and improved enough to not need November Azzi. The team is much better even with a rusty Azzi. If she only plays marginally better than she did in the BET I think we are the second best team in the country.

 

[VA Huskie]

“Nothing” is quite generous. VTech is 100 miles past Nothing and Nowhere.

In our home we just call it Tech. Our grandson graduated from there a couple of years ago. And, to nitpick a bit, it’s 94 miles to Lynchburg and 84 to Lexington (a really cute area).. but I get your point… there is nothing in Blacksburg .

 

[hoopsnloops32]

I agree with you both, and will add a point I believe has not been noted on this thread. Yes, the Huskies are playing well and have tons of talent... however, the main reason they made the Final Four last season and the season before will be sequestered well down along the bench, wishing her feeble leg hadn't given out again last summer.

This UConn team is plenty good enough to get to the Final Four, maybe even win its 12th title, but some one or two of this group of players will have to be the one(s) who carry the team, a la Paige, when the real pressure is on. I can't wait to see whom that will be!

That’s also because the supporting characters around PAige were substantially weaker than this years team. I went back and watched a few games from last year and we were weaker at the 2-5 positions and by a pretty wide margin compared to this year. And while Nika isn’t Paige, what she is able to provide defensively, emotionally, and in terms of pushing the ball definitely makes the gap closer than you’d think.

I think people severely underestimate how good this UConn team is, even without a fully up to speed Azzi and Ducharme.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

We need January Lou and November Azzi to make a deep run.

I don’t think so. The BET version of this team can make a deep run. A January Lou And November Azzi version of this team is needed to make a run with no games closer than 10 points.

 

[hoopsfan22]

That’s also because the supporting characters around PAige were substantially weaker than this years team. I went back and watched a few games from last year and we were weaker at the 2-5 positions and by a pretty wide margin compared to this year. And while Nika isn’t Paige, what she is able to provide defensively, emotionally, and in terms of pushing the ball definitely makes the gap closer than you’d think.

I think people severely underestimate how good this UConn team is, even without a fully up to speed Azzi and Ducharme.

The difference between last year and this year's team is we added Lou and lost 3 WNBA players plus Paige. I wouldn't say last year's team was substantially weaker.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

The difference between last year and this year's team is we added Lou and lost 3 WNBA players plus Paige. I wouldn't say last year's team was substantially weaker.

Go back and watch if you don’t believe me. The growth of Nika, Aaliyah, Azzi, Aubrey, and Dorka make them better than 3 of the four we lost. They also play with much higher intensity and attention to detail.

Imo this team would beat last years team by double digits, even with Paige playing last season. Either the whole is greater than the sum of its parts or last years parts were slightly overrated.

 

[jfan]

We don't need a #1 seed. Right now, we are the second best #2, with teams we know we can beat in the tournament, and if we win the region, we can't play SC until the NC game. If they make us the fourth #1, we will be in Seattle and will face SC in the final four semis if we win the region. IMHO, we are better off where Creme has placed us and will have an easier road to the FF. The toughest game would be against Indiana who I think is a great ream, but one that we can beat.

Agree with you 100%. Big 10 Conference is always overrated.

 

[HuskyNan]

The difference between last year and this year's team is we added Lou and lost 3 WNBA players plus Paige. I wouldn't say last year's team was substantially weaker.

The team didn’t have Dorka after NC State last year. Dorka, Lou, Azzi, Aubrey, and Aaliyah will surely be WNBA players possibly Nika, too

 

[Bone Dog]

This UConn team is plenty good enough to get to the Final Four, maybe even win its 12th title, but some one or two of this group of players will have to be the one(s) who carry the team, a la Paige, when the real pressure is on. I can't wait to see whom that will be!

It may be a mistake to look for another Atlas to put the team on her shoulders the way Paige did. Nika runs a different sort of ship. It will be a team effort.

The growth of Nika, Aaliyah, Azzi, Aubrey, and Dorka make them better than 3 of the four we lost.

I agree and disagree on this. If we compare the second half of each season, it looks like a wash to me. Dorka and Liv were a potent pair and it really hurt to lose one of them before the final four. Evina and Christyn brought a heady play we sometimes lack this year. They could have scoring dry spells, but Evina especially was a natural leader. Nika has taken over much of this responsibility from Momma E, thank goodness.

I’ve watched a lot of last years game again in the last week and it was a Shakespearean tragedy then, too. The Georgia Tech game was a catastrophe. The UCLA game was a near miss to an inferior team. The Oregon game was a low point. But they pulled themselves together as the injury storm eased up and thumped Tennessee decisively, led by Azzi Evina and Nika, and Liv had a huge game, and Aaliyah had her first really good game that day. It was followed immediately by a loss to Villanova who played their best game of the year. From that point on, they played UConn bball, and when Paige returned it was like they turned on the afterburners all the way to the NC game.

I hope we can do as well this year.

 

[Rowdy831]

I don’t believe you should be able to lose in your conference tournament and still secure a 1 seed. My four #1’s:

• SC
• Iowa
• VA Tech
• UConn

If you aren't an overwhelming number 1 going into the Conference Tournament then I would agree for the majority of cases. If you are a 5th ranked or 6th ranked team going in and lose in the first couple rounds of your CT then I really don't see how you even have an argument. I really don't see how Stanford has a chance as a 1 other than they need them to push attendance in the West Region.

 

[Rowdy831]

power 5's will always get the benefit of the doubt, and they lost a game they shoulda won in OT to South Carolina. Pretty clear they are a 1 s

I agree with you both, and will add a point I believe has not been noted on this thread. Yes, the Huskies are playing well and have tons of talent... however, the main reason they made the Final Four last season and the season before will be sequestered well down along the bench, wishing her feeble leg hadn't given out again last summer.

This UConn team is plenty good enough to get to the Final Four, maybe even win its 12th title, but some one or two of this group of players will have to be the one(s) who carry the team, a la Paige, when the real pressure is on. I can't wait to see whom that will be!

I think this UCONN team is a better team than the one that went to the FF last year. Losing Paige was a huge blow but other than Paige they are better at every position over last year if Azzi and Caroline can play at their usual level. The biggest difference to me is AE the way she is playing compared to Liv as she played last tournament. This isn't a knock on Liv but AE has really elevated her game and Lou is way more consistent as a scorer than they had last year.

 

[Carnac]

From Yahoo sports View attachment 84956View attachment 84957

And if we see them again, we're going to need Zia to have a similar outing as last time. We lost last year because Destanni Henderson had a "career" day against us of 26 points. [box score] We can't have that.

 

[oldude]

I really don't see how Stanford has a chance as a 1 other than they need them to push attendance in the West Region.

So send Stanford to Seattle as a #2 seed. That’s what they did last year with UConn to Bridgeport as a #2 seed.

 

[shiverz45]

UConn will either be the #2 or #3 overall seed to match them up with Indiana. The 4th overall seed will be determined by factors such as matchups and location, because a number of teams have a case for that 4th seed.

 

[Bald Husky]

So send Stanford to Seattle as a #2 seed. That’s what they did last year with UConn to Bridgeport as a #2 seed.

Not quite, Stanford is 835 miles from Seattle and UConn is a 4 iron from Bridgeport. Nice try @oldude LOL

 

[oldude]

Not quite, Stanford is 835 miles from Seattle and UConn is a 4 iron from Bridgeport. Nice try @oldude LOL

You must really flush your irons..

But my post was simply responding to another post suggesting that the NCAA wanted Stanford to be a #1 seed so they could put them in the “West Region” which is in Seattle this year. I was making the point that Stanford could still end up in the West Region as a #2 seed, just as UConn ended up in the East Region as a #2 seed last year. I wasn’t really talking about the mileage involved.

 

[From France]

# 2 or 7 is the same, you'll have to win 4 games to go to the Final Four and keep the record for straight appearances alive.
We won't be number 1, the only thing is to avoid being # 8

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

Poor Charlie.... he will hate it if UConn gets a number one.
Here's his latest:
In the final top-16 reveal, the NCAA committee leaned toward recent success over full body of work -- even though that hasn't been what the committee has prioritized in the past. This week, a nagging feeling has lingered that the trend will continue. So as we head into Selection Sunday, Iowa has been elevated to the fourth No. 1 seed, dropping Stanford to the 2-line. The Cardinal have a better overall résumé than Iowa, but the image of the Hawkeyes beating Indiana on a buzzer-beater in the regular-season finale then blowing out Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament title game might prove too much to ignore for this committee. Stanford losing in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals opened the door; the committee will push Iowa through it. UConn also slides up the 2-line and to No. 5 overall. Deciphering the paper-thin differences among the Huskies, Hawkeyes and Cardinal looms as the committee's most difficult task.

 

[Bone Dog]

Charlie’s latest bracket sees Iowa as 1 seed on the grounds of recent play meriting it, lol. But at least he concedes (in his last line) that it will be tough for the committee to choose among Iowa UConn and Stanford for that last 1 seed.

Women's Bracketology: Big wins for BYU, Arizona State push them right to the bubble

Two teams making the most of Champ Week? BYU and Arizona State, which now both sit just beyond the 68.

www.espn.com

 

[UCBaller2012]

Lol after all this time now he thinks UConn is in the running for a one seed. Make it make sense, Charlie

 

[darrell]

Charlie’s latest bracket sees Iowa as 1 seed on the grounds of recent play meriting it, lol. But at least he concedes (in his last line) that it will be tough for the committee to choose among Iowa UConn and Stanford for that last 1 seed.

Women's Bracketology: Big wins for BYU, Arizona State push them right to the bubble

Two teams making the most of Champ Week? BYU and Arizona State, which now both sit just beyond the 68.

www.espn.com

I’d take this region in a heartbeat. UConn’s beaten Texas, Duke decisively and Iowa (without Dorka).

 

[Twolf]

Charlie’s latest bracket sees Iowa as 1 seed on the grounds of recent play meriting it, lol. But at least he concedes (in his last line) that it will be tough for the committee to choose among Iowa UConn and Stanford for that last 1 seed.

Women's Bracketology: Big wins for BYU, Arizona State push them right to the bubble

Two teams making the most of Champ Week? BYU and Arizona State, which now both sit just beyond the 68.

www.espn.com

Cliff notes on all of Charlie’s musings: I use the SWAG method ( scientific wild arse guess) on all my predictions, rankings, and bracketology.
I am positive about one fact however, & that is in less than 24 hours you can throw out rankings, stats, quad one wins, net, Massey, and whatever other metrics you wish to use because every team will be 0-0, and none of those metrics will save you if you don’t survive and advance. One a personal note I would love to see UConn as a 2 seed in Va. Tech’s bracket. I think a 2 seed gives UConn a bit of a chip on their shoulder, and takes a bit of the pressure off of being a #1. Disclaimer, I used Charlie’s methodology on that last sentence. JMO

 

[Carnac]

I disagree. I’d rather face South Carolina with more than one day to prep and rest.

Any team that wins the tournament must at some point go through South Carolina. It would be advantageous to do so as you suggest with 4 days of rest and preparation than just one.

 

[gold2323]

Any team that wins the tournament must at some point go through South Carolina. It would be advantageous to do so as you suggest with 4 days of rest and preparation than just one.

About South Carolina….I agree with this assessment
Why South Carolina women's basketball will — and won't — repeat as NCAA champion in March Madness

 

[DefenseBB]

At half-time of the Iowa State-Texas game, Monica McNutt gave her perspective on who should be the 4th #1 seed and surprisingly when she gave the resume recap, she said it should be UConn as they have the strongest case. I wasn't paying enough attention initially (I mean it was Monica McNutt speaking) so I don't know who was the default #3 1 seed. The resume she touted was so clearly skewed towards UConn as no-brainer #1, I would have thought she was a regular BYer on this forum.

 

[MSGRET]

At half-time of the Iowa State-Texas game, Monica McNutt gave her perspective on who should be the 4th #1 seed and surprisingly when she gave the resume recap, she said it should be UConn as they have the strongest case. I wasn't paying enough attention initially (I mean it was Monica McNutt speaking) so I don't know who was the default #3 1 seed. The resume she touted was so clearly skewed towards UConn as no-brainer #1, I would have thought she was a regular BYer on this forum.

I guess CC is going to have a talk with some higher ups at ESPN on Monica's perspective. It undermines his bracketology wisdom and that she should be more of a "TEAM" player.

 

[oldude]

At half-time of the Iowa State-Texas game, Monica McNutt gave her perspective on who should be the 4th #1 seed and surprisingly when she gave the resume recap, she said it should be UConn as they have the strongest case. I wasn't paying enough attention initially (I mean it was Monica McNutt speaking) so I don't know who was the default #3 1 seed. The resume she touted was so clearly skewed towards UConn as no-brainer #1, I would have thought she was a regular BYer on this forum.

I guess CC is going to have a talk with some higher ups at ESPN on Monica's perspective. It undermines his bracketology wisdom and that she should be more of a "TEAM" player.

McNutt was basically pretty close to Creme who indicated the last #1 spot would come down to Iowa, Stanford & UConn. But what McNutt did was to specifically look at UConn’s superior NET rankings, while also pointing out that Iowa is 9-2 in games vs ranked (quad1) games, Stanford is 6-3 and UConn is 11-3.

 

[FormerCTrez]

If they are smart and want ratings, the committee will ensure that UConn and SC do not meet in the semis of the FF. Now, for that to happen, if they make UConn a #1, they can't be the fourth #1 because that will make the game with them in the semis. If they don't want controversy, they may leave UConn as a #2 and grouped with the overall #2 or 3, meaning we would be grouped with Indiana or Virginia Tech. (that is if the others stay the same as Creme says). So, to avoid SC before the NC game, they cannot be the fourth #1, or the best #2. The best #2 will be in the same region as the fourth #1, thus if we get there, we will play SC in the semis. That is why I would be satisfied if the present bracket doesn't change.

Boneyarders, I may be wrong, but I’m almost positive that both SCar and UCONN have to play and win a few games prior to meeting in the tourney, regardless of the bracket they’re in. Also, a) I won’t ignore the talents of the lesser ranked teams; b) I don't believe the selection committee cares about the fans’ opinions; c) I will cheer for UCONN no matter their seeding.
Let the games begin with all healthy players!