Coach Mulkey criticizes ESPN, and talks UConn

[easttexastrash]

I do not follow Baylor as closely as I do 4 or 5 of the other top teams, so I may be wrong..... but if I am right in my knowledge that Kim has been ducking UConn in the Stewart years.... and now, all of a sudden, she is a marketing purist and upset that Baylor did not get fair billing?

Just from the standpoint that if you scratch my back (avoid ducking teams you think you will lose to), I will scratch yours (ya we will put your games on liberally)..... it makes sense to me.... although i am sure this is not the reason Baylor was not on last night.

Since when is it ESPN's responsibility to punish Kim for not playing UCONN? THEY have a responsibility to put games on the air when the top teams are playing. She also mentioned the OSU vs. SC game not being on ESPN, not just Baylor. So we had #2/4 playing #9 and #4 playing #7 and neither game is on any of the ESPN networks? Come on, ESPN, you can do better.

Who else should Baylor be punished for not playing? Or is it just UCONN?

 

[HuskyNan]

"Until somebody beats them their the champs"..always did like Coach Mulkey.

Actually, the Huskies will always be the 2015-2016 National Champion, even if/when they lose.

 

[easttexastrash]

Actually, the Huskies will always be the 2015-2016 National Champion, even if/when they lose.

Wow...when did the implement that rule?

 

[UcMiami]

I actually think the criticism of ESPN is out of line - this is a network that has carried the load for WCBB and done a pretty good job with it. They are struggling financially and producing their own broadcasts is expensive, but they have created a high quality streaming platform and are harnessing their connections and contracts to provide a ton of WCBB games nationally using other companies productions in a very cost effective way. And the reason that a lot of those other companies are producing this product is because of the market that ESPN helped to create for the sport.

So the Baylor Uconn game is available nationally on SNY (with really high quality production values), a network that is included in most extended sports packages, and for those who do not buy the extended sports package and live outside of the tri-state area it is available to most cable network subscribers on a high quality streaming package. That combination covers a huge swath of the US and pretty much everyone that has access to ESPN broadcast channels.

Baylor prof - you should be able to either access the streaming yourself or find a friend or sports bar that has access if you want to watch rather than listen.

Yesterday ESPN broadcast two high quality women's games between four ranked teams as the lead-off to their college season. On Thursday night they are providing streaming access to 13 WCBB games, tomorrow they are providing access to 21 games, today 6 games, and yesterday they provided access to 13 games live that you can access in replay today. That is impressive - yeah there are more men's games available, but this is light years ahead of where we were just a few years ago.

ESPN is an easy whipping boy for all sorts of reasons and they deserve some of that - but they are leading the way for WCBB and have been since the 1990s. They have provided a lot of the impetus for better quality OOC games, being instrumental in nudging teams that might have been reluctant otherwise.

(And Kim herself turned down games ESPN was keen to sponsor because she didn't like the idea of playing quality OOC in the middle of her conference schedule. That is her prerogative, but then the complaints ring a little hollow.)

 

[BigBird]

If Baylor uses its height "advantage" as poorly as their cousins from Austin did versus Stanford, I'd think the Huskies will be in good shape. Bad shot selection, errant passes, sloppy or non-extant defense, and uninspired rebounding can make a team play a lot shorter than they are listed to be in the program.

Texas looked like the same team that took that massive tourney beatdown from UConn in 2014. Baylor needs to show up better, much better, than Texas did. And I suspect they just might.

 

[BobbyJ]

Y'know, Jordy, there's no reason that UConn can't choose to go big. If Geno started Butler (6'5), Irwin (6'2), Collier (6'1), Lou (6'3), and probably Nurse to run the point, the team would be tall enough. Against FSU, Coach must have believed that he could run the 'Noles into the ground. Fact is, the Huskies did NOT "adjust quickly" at all. They rarely visited the area under the basket during the entire game. Passes to the interior were disrupted by FSU and resulted in (yipes!) 17 turnovers. Collier scored largely on put-backs of missed shots. Gabby effectively took herself out of the game, and how she'll fare against the Big Bad Bears is
questionable. Geno typically likes to use a core of players in every game, especially late in the season. But there's no reason not to experiment at this point IMHO.

Agreed. Outside of Williams who was floating the perimeter when she was in the game left UConn with nobody but Collier that knows how to post up and seal a defender.

 

[easttexastrash]

Disrespect? no absolutely not. I think maybe I didn't express my opinion the best way. I think she was just hyping it all up. she wants to be on record having beaten "the best of the best" and so on. I do think there is mutual respect between the two programs but Kim is a showgirl (I don't mean the Vegas type) she wants a big show for her bears to upset the huskies. Idk just how I took those comments she made

Knowing Mulkey, I think it was truly out of respect. She is a competitor and is very good at giving credit to other teams where it is due. Notice she said "and will be the champions until someone knocks 'em off." I think she meant that UCONN is the best team until another program proves that they can beat UCONN when it counts. And isn't that what everyone on the board has always said?

What is she supposed to say? "UCONN lost the big three so they don't worry me too much"? She gave the answer that every coach should give, which is to say that UCONN has the type of program where players get better and better every time they get on the court.

I think she has some valid points but I also see the point of posters who say that ESPN is not looking at Baylor more because Baylor has not provided much incentive to have been on national TV the last couple of years. I hope Baylor and UCONN get to play again next year in Waco and I hope the game will get national exposure.

I suspect that getting out of the Elite Eight would help grow Baylor basketball more that more nationally televised games will.

 

[cbraarj]

Y'know, Jordy, there's no reason that UConn can't choose to go big. If Geno started Butler (6'5), Irwin (6'2), Collier (6'1), Lou (6'3), and probably Nurse to run the point, the team would be tall enough. Against FSU, Coach must have believed that he could run the 'Noles into the ground. Fact is, the Huskies did NOT "adjust quickly" at all. They rarely visited the area under the basket during the entire game. Passes to the interior were disrupted by FSU and resulted in (yipes!) 17 turnovers. Collier scored largely on put-backs of missed shots. Gabby effectively took herself out of the game, and how she'll fare against the Big Bad Bears is
questionable. Geno typically likes to use a core of players in every game, especially late in the season. But there's no reason not to experiment at this point IMHO.

Huskies out scored them by at least 10 in the paint. Also Irwin didnt play for a reason and I dont think it was an injury. Collier has that nice fade away turn around jumper with a soft touch. NB plays soft but she played a decent game last night. She needs a mean streak in her because a talented big will eat her up.

 

[cbraarj]

Knowing Mulkey, I think it was truly out of respect. She is a competitor and is very good at giving credit to other teams where it is due. Notice she said "and will be the champions until someone knocks 'em off." I think she meant that UCONN is the best team until another program proves that they can beat UCONN when it counts. And isn't that what everyone on the board has always said?

What is she supposed to say? "UCONN lost the big three so they don't worry me too much"? She gave the answer that every coach should give, which is to say that UCONN has the type of program where players get better and better every time they get on the court.

I think she has some valid points but I also see the point of posters who say that ESPN is not looking at Baylor more because Baylor has not provided much incentive to have been on national TV the last couple of years. Hopefully Baylor and UCONN get to play again next year in Waco and hopefully that game will get national exposure.

I suspect that getting out of the Elite Eight would help grow Baylor basketball more that more nationally televised games will.

ETT, IMO it was a great interview with everything

 

[easttexastrash]

Maybe if Kim had scheduled a few more competitive opponents in the last few years, and given ESPN something worthwhile to put on the air they wouldn't have forgotten Baylor this year.

Very valid point. I agree that Kim is partly responsible for this situation she is complaining about. And as a Baylor fan it has been very frustrating not getting to see this team play more quality opponents until this season. I'm really hoping that we get a match-up with Ohio State next month in the Florida tourney. Playing Texas at Texas and Tennessee in Knoxville will be valuable experience for the team.

 

[HoopsFan21]

ESPN is a business after all. Perhaps they show things based on what is going to get them the biggest bang for the buck? That's what I would do if I were running a business. Or, maybe ESPN just doesn't like Baylor? They did go pretty hard on the school during College Game Day last weekend.

 

[UcMiami]

Very valid point. I agree that Kim is partly responsible for this situation she is complaining about. And as a Baylor fan it has been very frustrating not getting to see this team play more quality opponents until this season. I'm really hoping that we get a match-up with Ohio State next month in the Florida tourney. Playing Texas at Texas and Tennessee in Knoxville will be valuable experience for the team.

She really did cut down on the quality of the OOC when Sims graduated and I have seen a number of laments over on the Baylor board about some of the 'dreadful' home competition. But she has really started to kick the quality up several notches starting I think two years ago. It was unfortunate that the Big12 as a whole seems to go through a drop in quality at the same time she had cut the OOC - with the resurgence at TX it appears both OOC and conference are going to be really good.

The other issue with Baylor getting the national exposure is most of the national broadcasters like to have quality games in Jan and Feb and she has been reluctant to schedule a big OOC game during the conference schedule. I remember I think twice with the Uconn/Baylor games ESPN or CBS wanted to schedule it as their big mid-winter game and she wasn't interested.

 

[UcMiami]

Knowing Mulkey, I think it was truly out of respect. She is a competitor and is very good at giving credit to other teams where it is due. Notice she said "and will be the champions until someone knocks 'em off." I think she meant that UCONN is the best team until another program proves that they can beat UCONN when it counts. And isn't that what everyone on the board has always said?

What is she supposed to say? "UCONN lost the big three so they don't worry me too much"? She gave the answer that every coach should give, which is to say that UCONN has the type of program where players get better and better every time they get on the court.

I think she has some valid points but I also see the point of posters who say that ESPN is not looking at Baylor more because Baylor has not provided much incentive to have been on national TV the last couple of years. I hope Baylor and UCONN get to play again next year in Waco and I hope the game will get national exposure.

I suspect that getting out of the Elite Eight would help grow Baylor basketball more that more nationally televised games will.

Yup - I think the respect is serious and the interview was very complementary with no 'ulterior motive' - and I think Geno returns the respect as well. Kim is one of the good-uns.

 

[SCGamecock]

I understand Mulkey's point, but she's also misinformed when it comes to SC vs. OSU. I can't speak for Baylor vs. UCLA... not sure why ESPN didn't at least pick that game up for ESPN3..

ESPN didn't have the rights to broadcast the SC v. OSU game. The only way they could've was if the Big Ten Network surrendered their Tier 1 rights to ESPN allowing them to broadcast that game..... and why would they do that when they could potentially make money off of that game... the Big Ten Network had Tier 1 rights because that game was being played at Ohio State. The SEC Network (ESPN) would've had those rights (and they did, last year) if the game were being played at South Carolina.

So the Big Ten Network played it smart.... they didn't even make the game available for broadcast.. instead, they offered the game to be livestreamed digitally through their premium streaming channel, knowing that most SC fans don't have the Big Ten Network (why would they?) and in order for them to watch their beloved WBB team they would have to purchase either a $9.95 or $14.95 monthly pass just for that one game. Really smart by them.

So this really isn't ESPN's fault at all. Blame every athletic conference in America having a TV Network and dissecting the market a thousand times over. Again, Mulkey's frustrations are valid... ESPN does play favorites at time.. but in this case, her anger is misguided.

For a further example of this... last year's SC v. OSU game was broadcasted via the SECN+ digital channel... but even if you had ESPN you could watch via ESPN3/WatchESPN.... that's because the SECNetwork is 50% owned by ESPN.. meaning they had Tier 1 rights to offer that game to all of their customers.

And as far as I am aware.. ESPN did pick up the Baylor vs. UCONN game... ESPN has a partnership with SNY to broadcast UCONN games on ESPN3 in areas that don't have SNY.. so maybe she's mad that the game won't be on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU... but the game will be on a ESPN service.. ESPN3 to be exact.

 

[Monte]

Exactly as I've said from the start. Most teams are going to pound UConn inside on offense and pack the paint on defense. But watching this first game it's apparent to me that this team is smart enough to adjust quickly. We'll see how the season goes. About Baylor this week on ESPN? Hell yeah. An egregious and apparently intentional error. Here and on this, Ms. Mulkey, preach on. And her comments about The UConn are obvious, correct and appreciated.

At least 50% of rebounding is: Position+boxing out. Uconn did not do this so well(especially in the first half) at FS.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Since when is it ESPN's responsibility to punish Kim for not playing UCONN? THEY have a responsibility to put games on the air when the top teams are playing. She also mentioned the OSU vs. SC game not being on ESPN, not just Baylor. So we had #2/4 playing #9 and #4 playing #7 and neither game is on any of the ESPN networks? Come on, ESPN, you can do better.

Who else should Baylor be punished for not playing? Or is it just UCONN?

Ya said i do not know Baylor's total situation and thus argument may be out of line and i know not comparing apples to apples....

Just the same.... I will hold true to suggestion that Kim could have cued up a game or 2 in past 4 years for ESPN.... I knew she did not want to schedule UConn... do not know about other programs.... would like to see her want to schedule an ESPN worthy game.... not just "cover me when I have got a really good team"....

 

[easttexastrash]

ESPN is a business after all. Perhaps they show things based on what is going to get them the biggest bang for the buck? That's what I would do if I were running a business. Or, maybe ESPN just doesn't like Baylor? They did go pretty hard on the school during College Game Day last weekend.

Most Baylor fans believe that ESPN is absolutely anti-Baylor. And I think Kim wants to get the women's basketball team, which is the shining star in the athletic department, on display to bring some positive attention to Baylor, which she kind of said in her presser.

A couple of seasons with quality opponents will change the perception of weak scheduling and world order will be restored.

Now, having said that, I want to say that any Baylor fan I have ever talked to respects what Geno does with the program. As was pointed out by the standing O Geno got the last time that he walked into the arena, Baylor fans respect UCONN and Geno immensely.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Most Baylor fans believe that ESPN is absolutely anti-Baylor. And I think Kim wants to get the women's basketball team, which is the shining star in the athletic department, on display to bring some positive attention to Baylor, which she kind of said in her presser.

A couple of seasons with quality opponents will change the perception of weak scheduling and world order will be restored.

Now, having said that, I want to say that any Baylor fan I have ever talked to respects what Geno does with the program. As was pointed out by the standing O Geno got the last time that he walked into the arena, Baylor fans respect UCONN and Geno immensely.

Yeah I got that feeling from what she said too, and the way ESPN was talking about Baylor last weekend immediately came to mind and probably everyone at Baylor has by now heard the commentary.

 

[tomcat]

My opinion of Mulkey went up considerably after watching this video.

 

[hoophuskee]

Y'know, Jordy, there's no reason that UConn can't choose to go big. If Geno started Butler (6'5), Irwin (6'2), Collier (6'1), Lou (6'3), and probably Nurse to run the point, the team would be tall enough. Against FSU, Coach must have believed that he could run the 'Noles into the ground. Fact is, the Huskies did NOT "adjust quickly" at all. They rarely visited the area under the basket during the entire game. Passes to the interior were disrupted by FSU and resulted in (yipes!) 17 turnovers. Collier scored largely on put-backs of missed shots. Gabby effectively took herself out of the game, and how she'll fare against the Big Bad Bears is
questionable. Geno typically likes to use a core of players in every game, especially late in the season. But there's no reason not to experiment at this point IMHO.

1--- I hope that isn't the lineup you mentioned. I hope our outside shooting can force them to play more of our game. We are playing at home.

2-- No way are you correct about Collier. No way. She had one offensive rebound. Collier scored in variety of ways.

 

[Woof 101]

Disrespect? no absolutely not. I think maybe I didn't express my opinion the best way. I think she was just hyping it all up. she wants to be on record having beaten "the best of the best" and so on. I do think there is mutual respect between the two programs but Kim is a showgirl (I don't mean the Vegas type) she wants a big show for her bears to upset the huskies. Idk just how I took those comments she made

Great comment here, your only problem is back tracking by saying Kim is a showgirl and then saying not the Vegas type. The latter perfectly describes her costumes and stiletto heels on the side lines as a basketball coach.

 

[UConner]

I understand Mulkey's point, but she's also misinformed when it comes to SC vs. OSU. I can't speak for Baylor vs. UCLA... not sure why ESPN didn't at least pick that game up for ESPN3..

ESPN didn't have the rights to broadcast the SC v. OSU game. The only way they could've was if the Big Ten Network surrendered their Tier 1 rights to ESPN allowing them to broadcast that game..... and why would they do that when they could potentially make money off of that game... the Big Ten Network had Tier 1 rights because that game was being played at Ohio State. The SEC Network (ESPN) would've had those rights (and they did, last year) if the game were being played at South Carolina.

So the Big Ten Network played it smart.... they didn't even make the game available for broadcast.. instead, they offered the game to be livestreamed digitally through their premium streaming channel, knowing that most SC fans don't have the Big Ten Network (why would they?) and in order for them to watch their beloved WBB team they would have to purchase either a $9.95 or $14.95 monthly pass just for that one game. Really smart by them.

So this really isn't ESPN's fault at all. Blame every athletic conference in America having a TV Network and dissecting the market a thousand times over. Again, Mulkey's frustrations are valid... ESPN does play favorites at time.. but in this case, her anger is misguided.

For a further example of this... last year's SC v. OSU game was broadcasted via the SECN+ digital channel... but even if you had ESPN you could watch via ESPN3/WatchESPN.... that's because the SECNetwork is 50% owned by ESPN.. meaning they had Tier 1 rights to offer that game to all of their customers.

And as far as I am aware.. ESPN did pick up the Baylor vs. UCONN game... ESPN has a partnership with SNY to broadcast UCONN games on ESPN3 in areas that don't have SNY.. so maybe she's mad that the game won't be on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU... but the game will be on a ESPN service.. ESPN3 to be exact.

Thanks for the insight. Great post

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Not to argue--but this argumentative--I've moaned for years about the lack of "spreading the news" about Women's College Basketball. In each college town, with a very good team, I talk them up loudly mostly to young women. Few have any idea of what I speak. Columbia SC last year--not one woman I spoke to knew USC had a top team or any Wbb team.
ESPN's object is to make money--if a WCBB team makes money for them--I hardly think they'd exclude them.
Women--young women--need to broadcast the news. Us old male 's don't make a dent.

To make any womens sports catch on with the public--apparently it must start in the grass roots.
How do you propose to fix it/?

Even though USC has led the country in attendance the last 2 years, it's not because of student attendance. I went to WBB games throughout college and in the %$$#$^ years since then, but then my mom raised me to be a feminist so I've always been a big supporter of women's sports. I think it's a shame that college women don't give better support to women's athletics.

 

[Florida Fan]

When B

Knowing Mulkey, I think it was truly out of respect. She is a competitor and is very good at giving credit to other teams where it is due. Notice she said "and will be the champions until someone knocks 'em off." I think she meant that UCONN is the best team until another program proves that they can beat UCONN when it counts. And isn't that what everyone on the board has always said?

What is she supposed to say? "UCONN lost the big three so they don't worry me too much"? She gave the answer that every coach should give, which is to say that UCONN has the type of program where players get better and better every time they get on the court.

I think she has some valid points but I also see the point of posters who say that ESPN is not looking at Baylor more because Baylor has not provided much incentive to have been on national TV the last couple of years. I hope Baylor and UCONN get to play again next year in Waco and I hope the game will get national exposure.

I suspect that getting out of the Elite Eight would help grow Baylor basketball more that more nationally televised games will.

In 2013, a loaded Baylor team was cruising toward an uncontested 40-0 season. Then Louisville pulled off the upset of all upsets, and it was funk time in Waco. Some people blamed the refs, others the coach. This year may be their best team ever, so if Baylor beats Uconn it certainly won't be the miracle heard round the world. The Huskies are vulnerable at a level fans haven't witnessed in a decade so Mulkey should tone down the rhetoric. Geno has taken the pressure from his young team, telling the country that his work in progress will be severely tested, perhaps losing a bunch of games before the kids find their rhythm. But they sure scrapped last night.

 

[Alydar]

ESPN picks the games it wants to show. It's contract is for showing X number of UConn games. So maybe they figured that games in Dec will be a better attraction. My guess is that they were picking one of the two game UConn plays this week and wanted to show the game in which their "streak" ends. I could almost hear the disappointment in one of the announcer's voices as the last shot hit the front iron.

 

[Plebe]

In 2013, a loaded Baylor team was cruising toward an uncontested 40-0 season. Then Louisville pulled off the upset of all upsets, and it was funk time in Waco. Some people blamed the refs, others the coach. This year may be their best team ever, so if Baylor beats Uconn it certainly won't be the miracle heard round the world. The Huskies are vulnerable at a level fans haven't witnessed in a decade so Mulkey should tone down the rhetoric. Geno has taken the pressure from his young team, telling the country that his work in progress will be severely tested, perhaps losing a bunch of games before the kids find their rhythm. But they sure scrapped last night.

Minor correction: The 2012-13 Baylor team also lost an early nonconference game against Stanford, and finished the season 34-2.

 

[donalddoowop]

Y'know, Jordy, there's no reason that UConn can't choose to go big. If Geno started Butler (6'5), Irwin (6'2), Collier (6'1), Lou (6'3), and probably Nurse to run the point, the team would be tall enough. Against FSU, Coach must have believed that he could run the 'Noles into the ground. Fact is, the Huskies did NOT "adjust quickly" at all. They rarely visited the area under the basket during the entire game. Passes to the interior were disrupted by FSU and resulted in (yipes!) 17 turnovers. Collier scored largely on put-backs of missed shots. Gabby effectively took herself out of the game, and how she'll fare against the Big Bad Bears is
questionable. Geno typically likes to use a core of players in every game, especially late in the season. But there's no reason not to experiment at this point IMHO.

I don't know what game you were watching but Collier did not score mostly on put-backs of missed shots. She scored on jump shots, lay-ups free throws.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Even though USC has led the country in attendance the last 2 years, it's not because of student attendance. I went to WBB games throughout college and in the %$$#$^ years since then, but then my mom raised me to be a feminist so I've always been a big supporter of women's sports. I think it's a shame that college women don't give better support to women's athletics.

You are right of course. My mom, nor did I with my girls, did not raise me as a feminist (i'm a guy)--her message was equality---she was intelligent and my model for women.
The media is not responsible for broadcasting Women sports--they ARE responsible to not inhibit it.
Geno is loud, brash, he is both loved and hated--he goes far and wide to do anything to spread the word of Womens College Basketball--the whole business of MEDIA knows Geno Auriemma and Uconn BB. Thats great for the game.

 

[huskeynut]

At least 50% of rebounding is: Position+boxing out. Uconn did not do this so well(especially in the first half) at FS.

Not only position (reading the shot) and boxing out, but desire.

As to Baylor pounding it inside, pressure the Baylor guards and disrupt their flow. Make it real difficult to make an entrance pass. Stay in the passing lanes. Baylor's height can be neutralized to a big degree.

Geno knows this stuff.

 

[CajunHusky]

As several people mentioned, this all seems to licensing issues.

Almost all the games I watch I now use WatchESPN. WatchESPN has agreements with most sports channels like SNY, Big 10, SEC etc to make available their programming on ESPN3 as long as the user subscribes to that sports channel with broadcast rights. The TV I use is in my living room with a nice wood burning insert (ummm toasty). But I don't have a cable hookup so I use a ROKU to go to WatchESPN. I use my cable credentials on the WatchESPN app so I get anything I pay for on cable. Not everything listed on ESPN3 I can watch because some of these sports channels simply aren't available on Charter in Connecticut.

The UConn - FSU game was on ESPN2 and listed as an ACC on ESPN game so I am pretty sure there is some contractual deal that mandated that game rather than some other game (Does ESPN have some deal for the Big 12 on ESPN?)

We all know that SNY has rights to broadcast UConn games that they won in a bidding process over CPTV. Kim alluded to that when she said the Baylor UConn game is a SNY game and ESPN does not have rights to broadcast it on ESPN, ESPN2. Note ESPN does have an agreement to provide the feed on ESPN3 (WatchESPN). Whether or not they get to watch the game in Waco TX I don't know since I am pretty certain not a lot of people there are going to subscribe to SNY, or even if it is available on their cable provider.

But of course this does not assuage the feeling that no matter the fact that Baylor has been a Top10 program for many years they just aren't getting the national broadcast games.