Congrats to ND

[oldude]

Lauren Cox is 6’4”, and very, very good.

Yes, that’s who I was referring to as Baylor’s “skilled” big, with Brown the “other” big.

 

[BobbyJ]

I have a thesis on this: what wins National Championships is not only size but skilled size. Look at the recent national champions. Stewie's Huskies, Wilson's Gamecocks, Shepard's Irish and now either Cox's Lady Bears or a repeat for the Irish.

What's the commonality between Stewie, Wilson, Shepard, and Cox? They're all 6'3+. They all can score inside, score outside, rebound, and pass.

So that's the kind of player you need to recruit. The problem is that there is an incredibly small number of people with those qualifications. Maybe one per recruiting class.

That's why Delle Donne was a #1 recruit, Stewie was a #1 recruit, Wilson was a #1 recruit, Cox was a #1 recruit, and Shepard was a #3 recruit.

And you can't control where these kids grow up. Wilson, Cox, and Shepard (initially) all chose to stay close to home and those homes where nowhere near Connecticut.

The good news for UConn is that ONO has the potential to be this kind of player by the time she graduates. She has the physical ability and a great coaching staff.

I've always thought about this because prior to last year's national championship Irish fans would bemoan a perceived inability for ND to recruit post players. After all, the one national championship the Irish had won featured Ruth Riley, right? As if it were that simple to just find another Ruth Riley...

ND got to Final Fours with 6'3 Achonwa and 6'1 Braker. UConn got to a final four with 6'1 Collier and 5'11 Williams in the post. You can still be really, really good if you have to sacrifice size for skill. I think it's harder to do it the other way around. It doesn't work to just recruit 6'6 stiffs.

Good points and I especially agree about ONO. Her awareness, confidence, and understanding of the offense has improved exponentially since the start of the season. She already had the athleticism and natural aggressiveness and will be a load next year. Given their roster, she will rarely come off the floor next season except of course for any foul trouble.

 

[triaddukefan]

They earned this one.

You're much more gracious that I. If for example.... Duke would have lost to UNC..cheat in the Final 4..... I would be out in the streets fighting anything wearing light blue

 

[Magy Cannon]

I did not mean to disparage anyone with injuries; and if if anyone took what I said personally, I apologize.

That being said, not every UConn fan there had a debilitating injury -- not by a long shot. Yes, there were seniors there, but also a lot of families with little kids, high-school-age kids, retirees on the young side -- every age group was well represented. I know because I was there and I saw it.

And as far as being rude for standing as part of a custom, sorry, that one won't hold water. First of all, more times than not, it's only for a very short time that you are standing. Second, at other games, I have been asked about standing by fans of opposite teams, and when I politely explain the custom, they are understanding and let it go. Third - and perhaps most important - while "those around you may be supporters of another team," while they have a perfect right to cheer in good sportsmanship for their team, so do I. I personally thought that the 300-pound drunk Notre Dame fan with the teased up-do that sat in front of me, screaming at the very top of her lungs at every good Notre Dame play, was a lot ruder than the standing custom could ever possibly be construed to be.

If you stood in front of me I would not be able to see the tipoff or any of the game until you sat down. It would be cruel of you to do that to me or anyone else who does not stand.

Last year at the final four, a ND fan had a big cat in the hat type hat. It blocked the view of about 3 people. One person, after politely pointing out that we could not see, and being ignored, contacted an usher who instructed the man to remove the hat. That's what it took. It's cruel to block others' view. Please reconsider your attitude.

 

[Longtime fan]

It was one hell of a game. Wait til next year...

Why? What do you expect will happen next year? With our current roster, we have no chance of a championship run.

 

[NewCorn]

Why? What do you expect will happen next year? With our current roster, we have no chance of a championship run.

Brooklyn Dodgers!

 

[oldude]

Why? What do you expect will happen next year? With our current roster, we have no chance of a championship run.

I guess 2 HS POY’s, the top pg in her class and a 6’5” Center that was the top player in her class before she lost her jr year to injury, under the greatest coaching staff in the history of WBB could never possibly make a championship run, even when just about every other top team will lose key players to graduation. No chance at all...

 

[hoopsfan22]

I guess 2 HS POY’s, the top pg in her class and a 6’5” Center that was the top player in her class before she lost her jr year to injury, under the greatest coaching staff in the history of WBB could never possibly make a championship run, even when just about every other top team will lose key players to graduation. No chance at all...

Lots of doom and gloom for next season. Sure we are losing two of the best to have ever played here, but everyone is overlooking what we are gaining, and I'm not talking about new players. ONO, CW, and Megan will be better next year. Megan will make another incremental jump, and the sophomore leap is coming for CW and ONO. We will still have one of the best PGs in the country. Remember when the big three left everyone thought it was going to be a down year with no final four, and what happened? Two sophomores stepped up to help back fill the loss of talent from the season before, and the team went on to extend its undefeated streak to 111 games. I expect two sophomores to step up and do the same next year.

 

[oldude]

Lots of doom and gloom for next season. Sure we are losing two of the best to have ever played here, but everyone is overlooking what we are gaining, and I'm not talking about new players. ONO, CW, and Megan will be better next year. Megan will make another incremental jump, and the sophomore leap is coming for CW and ONO. We will still have one of the best PGs in the country. Remember when the big three left everyone thought it was going to be a down year with no final four, and what happened? Two sophomores stepped up to help back fill the loss of talent from the season before, and the team went on to extend its undefeated streak to 111 games. I expect two sophomores to step up and do the same next year.

I’ll go beyond that. Christyn will be a first team AA next season, and a matchup nightmare for everyone she faces. She has barely scratched the surface this season of just how good a player she will be.

 

[Engineer90]

If you stood in front of me I would not be able to see the tipoff or any of the game until you sat down. It would be cruel of you to do that to me or anyone else who does not stand.

Last year at the final four, a ND fan had a big cat in the hat type hat. It blocked the view of about 3 people. One person, after politely pointing out that we could not see, and being ignored, contacted an usher who instructed the man to remove the hat. That's what it took. It's cruel to block others' view. Please reconsider your attitude.

"Anyone"? Are you really suggesting that thousands of fans stop a tradition because a few are disabled? If you politely explain your situation to the person in front of you, the vast majority would understand and sit for you. You are part of the few so you need to be the one to request consideration. It isn't encumbant on the many to try and figure out if they are inconveniencing one of the few.

 

[Magy Cannon]

"Anyone"? Are you really suggesting that thousands of fans stop a tradition because a few are disabled? If you politely explain your situation to the person in front of you, the vast majority would understand and sit for you. You are part of the few so you need to be the one to request consideration. It isn't encumbant on the many to try and figure out if they are inconveniencing one of the few.

Who said anything about changing a tradition? Or not politely asking the person ahead of you if s/he would be willing to sit?

My point is at a tournament one should be kind to those sitting near her/him. And, anywhere, one should be considerate of others.

 

[Charliebball]

Notre Dame will continue to have size...

Cosgrove, 6'4"...freshman
Vaughn, 6'3", sophomore
Patterson, 6'2", sophomore

Natilija Marshall...6'5"...2020 recruit is being recruited by Notre Dame, UConn and everybody else...she will be an elite player near the rim...she will help some team make a title run.

none of those three come close to Turner or Shepard in the skill department................it will be interesting to see how much playing time Sam Brunelle gets early on in the season........

 

[Engineer90]

Who said anything about changing a tradition? Or not politely asking the person ahead of you if s/he would be willing to sit?

You said that people in front of ANYONE that is sitting should sit. What if the crowd is evenly divided? Should most UConn fans in attendance give up the tradition?

You also didn't add "if asked" and you didn't provide for cases where, maybe, the person behind the UConn fan is a fan of an opponent. I can tell you that I sat in front of Duke fans at the preseason NIT in MSG several years ago. Crowd was divided. We stood. They got snippy. I didn't sit. We were sitting in a section on the floor. They called over security. I reiterated that it was within my rights to stand. The security guy agreed but was polite. I said I would sit after the first made basket. He said ok. The Duke fans started making snide comments about UConn. I explained that my UConn degree got me accepted to MIT for grad school. They shut up.

You have to be careful with words like anyone or everyone or always or never.

 

[Charliebball]

Lots of doom and gloom for next season. Sure we are losing two of the best to have ever played here, but everyone is overlooking what we are gaining, and I'm not talking about new players. ONO, CW, and Megan will be better next year. Megan will make another incremental jump, and the sophomore leap is coming for CW and ONO. We will still have one of the best PGs in the country. Remember when the big three left everyone thought it was going to be a down year with no final four, and what happened? Two sophomores stepped up to help back fill the loss of talent from the season before, and the team went on to extend its undefeated streak to 111 games. I expect two sophomores to step up and do the same next year.

I agree with much of your premise but even if Geno manages to grab some front court size with a graduate transfer/Euro player or two, UConn will be somewhat challenged on the boards and in their half court defense next season..............it's just going to be really difficult to replace Collier's rebounding/shot blocking and KLS's defensive work at the three point line never mind their offensive talents.........

 

[Magy Cannon]

You said that people in front of ANYONE that is sitting should sit. What if the crowd is evenly divided? Should most UConn fans in attendance give up the tradition?

You also didn't add "if asked" and you didn't provide for cases where, maybe, the person behind the UConn fan is a fan of an opponent. I can tell you that I sat in front of Duke fans at the preseason NIT in MSG several years ago. Crowd was divided. We stood. They got snippy. I didn't sit. We were sitting in a section on the floor. They called over security. I reiterated that it was within my rights to stand. The security guy agreed but was polite. I said I would sit after the first made basket. He said ok. The Duke fans started making snide comments about UConn. I explained that my UConn degree got me accepted to MIT for grad school. They shut up.

You have to be careful with words like anyone or everyone or always or never.

"It is horribly rude to block the view of those behind you, whether it is big hair, big hats, or standing when those behind you are seated. It is a kindness to be considerate of your fellow basketball fans. Especially at a tournament. Those around you may be supporters of another team."

What I wrote is above. Do you see the word "anyone"?

I will not waste my fellow posters time replying to any more remarks on this post. If you choose to block the view of Duke fans, or others, that is your decision. I expect the majority of posters on this board choose to be considerate of others.

 

[Engineer90]

It would be cruel of you to do that to me or ANYONE else who does not stand.

 

[Zanzman]

Hardest part to accept is our the game has caught up with our beloved Lady Huskies. While overall it is great for the sport, I feel like a spoiled who's parent's decided to cut him off.

UConn huskies not lady huskies

 

[OviedoFLHusky]

If you stood in front of me I would not be able to see the tipoff or any of the game until you sat down. It would be cruel of you to do that to me or anyone else who does not stand.

Last year at the final four, a ND fan had a big cat in the hat type hat. It blocked the view of about 3 people. One person, after politely pointing out that we could not see, and being ignored, contacted an usher who instructed the man to remove the hat. That's what it took. It's cruel to block others' view. Please reconsider your attitude.

I have zero desire to argue with anyone about this.

Please return to the original point of this thread: to congratulate Notre Dame on their victory.

Thank you and Peace.

 

[ricky]

It came down to defense and rebounds. ND did not allow UConn to score and UConn allowed ND to score. Sometimes you really need to chase down a rebound. They won't all just fall into your hands.

 

[Atleast5char]

UConn did not lose this game because of poor shooting, although they did miss a number of makeable shots. The Huskies actually outshot the Irish 43% to 39%. UConn did not lose the game because of turnovers either, committing only 7 to ND’s 9.

UConn was -17 on the boards. The Huskies lack of size finally caught up with them. Geno understood the problem all too well when he sat Crystal down for Liv. That created a new problem of offensive execution, so he put Crystal back in the game. Under the circumstances, losing the rebounding battle by 17, it’s a small miracle that UConn hung in there as long as they did.

UConn has some outstanding talent returning next year. Christyn will eventually be a better player than either Ogunbowle or Durr. With Paige and maybe Azzi coming in behind her, the Huskies could have a series of outstanding guards capable of taking over games.

With all that talent, UConn just has to do a better job recruiting Bigs. They missed on Wilson, Cox and others over the past few years. Either one of those players probably changes the outcome of the last few tournaments. Losing out on Boston this year continues the unfortunate trend with Bigs.

I expect Liv will be very good, but she needs some help. UConn needs another Big or two who can play next year and beyond. Geno needs to aggressively pursue grad transfers, international players and HS 2020 recruits who can play up front.

If you look back to UConn’s 11 championships, most of them involved one or more dominant Bigs: Rebecca, Kara, Asa, Swin, Tamika, Tina, Steph, Tuck & Stewie.

Good points, but simple math (and Geno in post game interview) tells you the missed shots would've meant a UConn win had they been made.

 

[oldude]

Good points, but simple math (and Geno in post game interview) tells you the missed shots would've meant a UConn win had they been made.

Over the years, UConn has had some bad shooting games and still come out on top. I don’t think there’s been a single game in the last 30 years that UConn has been -17 on the boards.

 

[ABCDFE]

Over the years, UConn has had some bad shooting games and still come out on top. I don’t think there’s been a single game in the last 30 years that UConn has been -17 on the boards.

This year defense and rebounding. When you have a bad night shooting if your defense and rebounding is strong you are in the game

 

[oldude]

This year defense and rebounding. When you have a bad night shooting if your defense and rebounding is strong you are in the game

My point exactly.

 

[mbr33ct]

Good points, but simple math (and Geno in post game interview) tells you the missed shots would've meant a UConn win had they been made.

The difference in this game was at the free throw line...6-9 (UConn) to 14-16 (ND)

 

[Reypl21]

The difference in this game was at the free throw line...6-9 (UConn) to 14-16 (ND)

I agree, in that ND won the game at the line. They had a one point lead, but UConn had to foul. And they made most of their free throws. ND made 7-8 free throws in the closing minute. That means that for the other 39 minutes they were also 7-8. I hope you aren't implying ND flopped or got special treatment on fouls, because they didn't.

 

[oldude]

The difference in this game was at the free throw line...6-9 (UConn) to 14-16 (ND)

I agree, in that ND won the game at the line. They had a one point lead, but UConn had to foul. And they made most of their free throws. ND made 7-8 free throws in the closing minute. That means that for the other 39 minutes they were also 7-8. I hope you aren't implying ND flopped or got special treatment on fouls, because they didn't.

Respectfully, all too often we look at scoring as the determining factor in the outcome of a game. IMO, -17 on the boards was the single most important factor in the outcome of the game. When has UConn WBB ever been out rebounded by 17? As I said in another post, it was a small miracle that UConn hung around so long in a game they were -17 off the boards.

 

[mbr33ct]

Respectfully, all too often we look at scoring as the determining factor in the outcome of a game. IMO, -17 on the boards was the single most important factor in the outcome of the game. When has UConn WBB ever been out rebounded by 17? As I said in another post, it was a small miracle that UConn hung around so long in a game they were -17 off the boards.

Even though the -17 boards difference, I do not believe they were the deciding factor in the game, one of few perhaps. Went through the Play-by-Play of game and concentrated on ND's Offensive rebounds, two possessions/sequences (one in the 2nd and one in the 4th...see below) a total of 9 offensive boards in which ND came away with 5 total points. (By the way, box score says 22 OREB for ND, in play-by-play I counted 20, long season for these tired eyes). As we also mentioned earlier, I/you do not believe UConn shot "poorly" at 42.5% (31-73) to ND's 39% (30-77). IMO, there was not a single reason UConn lost, in total play both teams played even up, UConn was not the only team missing "easy" layups/jumpers, as the two offensive rebounds sequences pointed out.

 

[mbr33ct]

I agree, in that ND won the game at the line. They had a one point lead, but UConn had to foul. And they made most of their free throws. ND made 7-8 free throws in the closing minute. That means that for the other 39 minutes they were also 7-8. I hope you aren't implying ND flopped or got special treatment on fouls, because they didn't.

Was not even thinking of that, I just looked at box score. I believe in general the game was called even on both sides.

 

[Robin]

The box score is misleading because

Was not even thinking of that, I just looked at box score. I believe in general the game was called even on both sides.

The box score is misleading because about half of ND'S free throws came in the last few minutes of the game, some because UCONN had to foul.

 

[Engineer90]

You know what isn't misleading? 9 FT attempts. People need to start to understand that HOW the game is called is as importance as the foul differential.