Dan Shaughnessy dissed UConn in The Globe. . .

[Gus Mahler]

Ha ha step back a tick? I dunno . . . I thought it was a nice little literary effect.
We're losing one of the greatest women's college players ever, and arguably the greatest point guard to ever play at UConn. Really? I didn't realize. Where have I been?

I think people are in for a rude awakening next season when the starting line up is Kia, Chong, KLS, Gabby, Butler There is no way Collier is not a starter next year, and she's going to be a star. instead of Mo, Kia, KLS, Stewie, Tuck. That's a grand canyon sized difference in talent.

Relating to the Geno Auriemma Project, Part 1: When Geno is talking to the team before the first practice is he going to say "Well, we can't win the national championship this year, so let's just take a year off and let the rest of the country attack us"?

I think if the rest of the country thinks Geno is going to roll over and play dead, they're the ones in for the rude awakening.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Relating to the Geno Auriemma Project, Part 1: When Geno is talking to the team before the first practice is he going to say "Well, we can't win the national championship this year, so let's just take a year off and let the rest of the country attack us"?

I think if the rest of the country thinks Geno is going to roll over and play dead, they're the ones in for the rude awakening.

I think Geno reverts to a more traditional line up next year with a true center, just because he actually has one in Butler. That's why I left Collier out of the starting line up. You know who is getting the two guard spots, and you know KLS isn't going back to the bench, so really there's one spot up for grabs in my mind, and how do you not give it to Gabulous?

 

[cohenzone]

UCLA during its 88 game streak wo by an average of just under 25 points, a real rout withhout a shot clock. They has very few close calls and many blow-outs. They excited the hoops world during their streak and throughout the 12 years of dominance.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I think Geno reverts to a more traditional line up next year with a true center, just because he actually has one in Butler. That's why I left Collier out of the starting line up. You know who is getting the two guard spots, and you know KLS isn't going back to the bench, so really there's one spot up for grabs in my mind, and how do you not give it to Gabulous?

I agree with you in that my first instinct is to start Butler, assuming no Tuck. I like having a big center in a traditional lineup. But even with Butler at the 5, I would start Collier over Gabby--I think Phee is the better all around basketball player. But I could also see a three forward lineup where both Gabby and Phee start and Butler doesn't.

And although I'm a big supporter of Chong, I could also see Nurse at the 1 and Lou at the 2 with Gabby at the 3, Phee at the 4, and Butler at the 5.

It's fun to think about.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Last year - someone posted the she and husband or it was husband and wife watched Kentucky squeak out a victory over Texas A&M in double OT. The person went on to explain that the game was so exciting. I had watched a couple of minutes in that game and wished I could have gotten those minutes back. In this classic the end of regulation score was an awesome offensive explosion score of 53-53. These two beautiful offensive juggernauts shot a combined 41-133 from the floor. And their wizardry didn't stop there. The supreme passing of 20 assists total for the game vs 50 minutes of play. One team shot an amazing 53% from the ft line. I was in awe of this wonderful beauty on display by the number 1 team vs mighty Texas AM.

The person that loved the game response was - it was great to watch a close game. For anyone that enjoys watching such inept garbage have at it. No thanks for me thank you. The best part of both team's offense was to brick a shot and get an offense rebound. -- No thanks.

SEC basketball at its finest. Those games are just so hard to watch, and that is supposedly the best WCBB league.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

While he says "not UCONN's fault." he does say "UCONN is bad for the game." Dwight Howard never complained about Van Gundy to his face but did tell management that he lost the team. Barmore is telling everyone that "UCONN is BAD for the game" regardless whose "fault" it is. Whose fault it is - is irrrelevant. It's despicable that Barmore would make this claim. Only in women's basketball I guess can a team who plays so brilliantly in their own sport can they bee deemed bad for the game..

But he said their dominance is bad for the game, not them. He said in the same interview that had LTech been as dominant over such a long span that would've been seen as bad for the game too. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with him; it's all opinion anyway. No real way to measure such a thing.

 

[Alydar]

. That's a grand canyon sized difference in talent.

Yes it is but try comparing next year's Notre Dame starters to UConn's starters this year. In fact do it with any 2017 starters. There is a canyon between them as well.

Most of the time Geno talks about the team or any one player he is usually try to challenge them. It's easy to become a spectator instead of a teammate for the freshmen. Williams, Collier & Samuelson will have to take over the bulk of the scoring load next year and IMO that is why he's been on their asses this season.

 

[Bayareahusky]

This sort of cry accentuates how strong our program is..... it is the other teams' responsibility to measure up, not for us to dumb down

 

[bags27]

. . . today. He described the UCLA 88-game win streak as "a thing of beauty," but UConn's dominance as "boring."

Sad thing about print journalism today is that it's so little bought or followed that columnists need to stir things up to get readers. He was a teenager during UCLA's great run and, living on the East Coast, he probably saw at most a couple of games a year on TV. What does he really know?

 

[ThisJustIn]

This is old hat for Danny-boy-o... From the Women's Hoops Blog

Thursday, March 18, 2010
Mike DiMauro suggest that "Readers missed the point," and then sorta defends Danny-boy's column by writing:

Dan's reasoning was a swing and miss. But he raised a point that is hard to argue: That most of the nation doesn't care about the women's tournament. Perhaps that's hard to fathom in Connecticut. Travel with the Huskies, though, and you'll discover he's right.​

And yet Shaughnessy has been identified as a misogynist by some in the women's basketball intelligentsia. Their moral outrage is as myopic as Shaughnessy's rationale.​

Umm, Mikey, I think YOU missed the point.

Sure, there's often a knee jerk reaction to columns that criticize women's basketball because they're often not actually critiquing. but mocking what they don't know. And, as in Danny-boy's case, his opinion drew a lot of criticism from "the women's basketball intelligentsia" (can I get a t-shirt that says that?) because not only was he saying he disliked something he didn't know, but he was spouting "facts" that were drop dead wrong -- and a reflection of so much of the crap that clue-free misogynists throw at the women's game.

So, Mikey, we'll stop alienating "potential fans who haven't yet discovered why the women's game is worthwhile by being whiny, proprietary foofs" when writers who profess to be professionals stop being fact-free idiots.

Because it's those writers who, by continuing to add to reams and pixels of bullcrap that is written against the women's game, that are misinforming and turning away "potential fans who haven't yet discovered why the women's game is worthwhile."

Hey, there's plenty to poke at in the women's game. And I promise, I'll be the first one to forgive a "Lady Husky" reference or a "Pat Sumit" (maybe) error if the content reflects a level of thoughtful analysis.

When Danny-boy writes it, send along a link, wontcha Mikey?

 

[hoophuskee]

But he said their dominance is bad for the game, not them. He said in the same interview that had LTech been as dominant over such a long span that would've been seen as bad for the game too. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with him; it's all opinion anyway. No real way to measure such a thing.

1-- No real way to measure such a thing. -- You're right. So why does he say it if he really doesn't know?

2-- He said in the same interview that had LTech been as dominant over such a long span that would've been seen as bad for the game too. I know he said it, but he is full of it imo. Now that he is so honest and willing to share his thoughts, do you think he would have said them at the time if he were dominating? If their center freshmen next year Cox is like Stewie, and they start crushing everyone, then build from there, do we think he'll say the same thing after several years of dominance (I wonder what Kim would have to say about his complaining?)? And what other sport do opposing coaches admonish another team's current greatness as being bad for their game?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

You're right. So why does he say it if he really doesn't know?

I assume because that's what he thinks. If you asked to to try and quantify it I'm sure he couldn't. Probably just a belief on his part, and he's obviously not alone in that belief.

Now that he is so honest and willing to share his thoughts, do you think he would have said them at the time if he were dominating?

About his own team at the time he was living it? Not likely. Perspectives differ depending on if one if the subject of them or not. If you're a coach you want your team to win every year. If you're not you want every tourney to be up for grabs.

 

[Kibitzer]

@ThisJustIn. Please be reminded of two things about my little kerfuffle with Danny-boy:

1. In the excerpt I cited (within a long blog, "Let's Lighten Up on Hanley..."), he gave no indication that he had actually seen UConn play. Just a mention of being bored when watching scores posted on tv.

2. As another poster noted, little Danny was probably very young when UCLA was dominant, yet he described their streak as "a thing of beauty."
To which I say: ​

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

1-- No real way to measure such a thing. -- You're right. So why does he say it if he really doesn't know?

2-- He said in the same interview that had LTech been as dominant over such a long span that would've been seen as bad for the game too. I know he said it, but he is full of it imo. Now that he is so honest and willing to share his thoughts, do you think he would have said them at the time if he were dominating? If their center freshmen next year Cox is like Stewie, and they start crushing everyone, then build from there, do we think he'll say the same thing after several years of dominance (I wonder what Kim would have to say about his complaining?)? And what other sport do opposing coaches admonish another team's current greatness as being bad for their game?

First - he is long retired. He is no longer an opposing coach. Second - someone asked him, for the article. They interviewed him and asked his opinions.

And Third - Did you read the whole thing - he is so very complimentary about UConn his comments could be put in the UConn media guide. Except for the fact that - in his opinion - UConn's dominance isn't good for the game.

One can always find disrespect, and I accept you folks who are UConn fans are hyper sensitive, but I don't see any disrespect in Leon's quotes. The object of the OP - that is disrespectful both to UConn and the game.

 

[noirwestern]

Ha ha step back a tick? We're losing one of the greatest women's college players ever, and arguably the greatest point guard to ever play at UConn. I think people are in for a rude awakening next season when the starting line up is Kia, Chong, KLS, Gabby, Butler instead of Mo, Kia, KLS, Stewie, Tuck. That's a grand canyon sized difference in talent.

I suspect some of us are in for a very pleasant surprise. Others? Not so much. But you go on and think and feel however you like. I seriously doubt anyone in Storrs will take it personally.

 

[Blueballer]

. . . today. He described the UCLA 88-game win streak as "a thing of beauty," but UConn's dominance as "boring."

So I posted a smackdown rebuttal that concluded with my suggestion to Dan that he avoid going to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, cuz he would surely find the Rembrandts to be "boring as hell."

Made my day!

That's typical. Just another guy who doesn't give a hoot about women's basketball. And you can be sure if it weren't for UCONN and their so called "boring" acheivements he would have ZERO to say about women's basketball at ALL. I'm with Geno, back in Wooden's day Men's college basketball was great but now it's a disaster except for the NCAA tourney.

 

[uconnever]

noTuck next year.....no final four. maybe not even with her.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Watching UConn play against their AAC opponents often puts me in mind (very roughly)
of watching the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals.

No one went to those games to see who was going to win. You KNEW who was going to
win. You went to watch the 'trotters do their thing.

And if you watch those Husky games you will see our girls playing a very attractive and
entertaining brand of basketball. That may not be enough for non-UConn fans, but it
shouldn't be boring for them if they like beautiful basketball.

 

[hoophuskee]

First - he is long retired. He is no longer an opposing coach. Second - someone asked him, for the article. They interviewed him and asked his opinions.

And Third - Did you read the whole thing - he is so very complimentary about UConn his comments could be put in the UConn media guide. Except for the fact that - in his opinion - UConn's dominance isn't good for the game.

One can always find disrespect, and I accept you folks who are UConn fans are hyper sensitive, but I don't see any disrespect in Leon's quotes. The object of the OP - that is disrespectful both to UConn and the game.

1--- When did he leave as an assistant coach at Baylor? My question to slu still applies. I remember slu and I talking we both spoke glowingly of Cox. He once said she plays a bit like Stewie. SO I asked him if she ends up dominating like Stewie and Kim has several successive years after, does he think Leon will say the same thing that he is now saying about UCONN? I asked him how he thinks Kim would react to that.

2-- Are you serious about yoru 2nd question? I don't know why it is relevant that someone asked him-- that we should just excuse his answer. Shouldn't he beheld accountable for it? How does that make it okay for him to say "UCONN's dominance is bad for the game?" How does that excuse him from making that comment? You mean someone could say awful things about anything and it would all be okay just because they were asked?

3-- I read the whole article but I'll ask you what I asked slu. Do you follow the NBA? Dwight Howard was complimentary- he put his arm around Stan Van Gundy's shoulder. All-the-while Stan told everyone moments before that Dwight wanted him fired and once Stan left him there - all Dwight could do is imply that he didn't. Later we found he did. That is talking two sides out of your mouth, right?

How is Barmore's comments any different? Because you say-so? I guess it's not your team so you are okay with him offering an opinion that UCONN/ their dominance is bad for the game. What other sport - do they have a past supreme coach like Barmore- does this supreme coach go public and tell the audience another team's super play is bad for that sport WHILE THE DOMINANCE IS ONGOING? Find me some other quotes from some other sports and I can probably change my mind. IMO if you are fair about this, his comments are uncalled for. Can his comments be measured? Then why slam another team? There was no call for him to do so. Him saying nice things doesn't take away the bad thing he said about UCONN in relation to the sport. That IS talking two sides out of your mouth.

 

[geneticrex]

The UCONN Women are the best thing that ever happened to the sport and anyone that says different can say it to my face.

If they dare.

 

[hoophuskee]

I assume because that's what he thinks. If you asked to to try and quantify it I'm sure he couldn't. Probably just a belief on his part, and he's obviously not alone in that belief.



About his own team at the time he was living it? Not likely. Perspectives differ depending on if one if the subject of them or not. If you're a coach you want your team to win every year. If you're not you want every tourney to be up for grabs.

Thanks slu. I am not is at you, just overall with my disgust for Leon and people like him - as we see Danny-boy make his comments and ofc imo the transparent mikey feels in an obilgatory manner to take pot shots at UCONN fans. IMO his "wanting to be different" is so transparent.

Anyhow, Leon - I'm sure nice mature man. If he can't prove something, why would he feel a need to denigrate a team in which if he were in their shoes, he wouldn't want to hear the unproven crap he is now spouting? Secondly, what good is his comment to the game?

 

[vtcwbuff]

Watching UConn play against their AAC opponents often puts me in mind (very roughly)
of watching the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals.

No one went to those games to see who was going to win. You KNEW who was going to
win. You went to watch the 'trotters do their thing.

And if you watch those Husky games you will see our girls playing a very attractive and
entertaining brand of basketball. That may not be enough for non-UConn fans, but it
shouldn't be boring for them if they like beautiful basketball.

Exactly. I went to see them once and watched them a couple of times on TV. After that, their predictable schtick was old hat and kind of boring. As far as UConn dominance being bad for the game - I guess it depends on your perspective. If you are a fan it's awesome but if you are not a UConn fan it's probably pretty discouraging. IMO for the sport to grow there needs to be more competition among the top teams.

I also wonder why so many UConn fans are so thin skinned.

 

[HuskyNan]

If you go to Shaughnessy's Twitter page you can get into the article. Here's the part that relates to UConn:

■ It’s unfair to punish greatness, but does anyone think Connecticut’s dominance in women’s basketball is good for the sport? I admit I loved it when Lew Alcindor dominated at UCLA, and Bill Walton’s 88-game win streak with the Bruins was a thing of beauty.

UConn feels different. The Huskies are never threatened. Every time I see a score crawl, they are beating somebody by 40, sometimes ranked teams. Last Monday, they went to South Carolina and easily handled the No. 2 Gamecocks. Every great high school girl wants to play for Geno Auriemma. Boring.

(A note on posting copyrighted material - the law prohibits reproducing copyrighted material in its entirety without permission from the copyright holder. However, fair use of a portion of the material is allowed. Meaning, you can copy and paste an illustrative portion of copyrighted articles here but not the entire article.)

 

[UcMiami]

What people fail to remember about the UCLA streak and period of dominance was its context and the popularity of mens college ball at that time. It was nothing like it is now, and it really wasn't until the ND win that things started to change and the men's game really took off. It is like Geno says, UCLA winning wasn't a story, UCLA losing was a huge story - man bites dog kind of news!

 

[EricLA]

UConn feels different. The Huskies are never threatened. Every time I see a score crawl, they are beating somebody by 40, sometimes ranked teams. Last Monday, they went to South Carolina and easily handled the No. 2 Gamecocks. Every great high school girl wants to play for Geno Auriemma. Boring.

Well unfortunately for UCONN fans, that's not true. We missed out on Lauren Cox, A'ja Wilson, Brianna Turner, LaJanna Drummer, Asia Durr, Joyner Holmes, Sabrina Ionescu, Tori McCoy, and if you read the tea leaves, it's less than 50-50 that we land Walker. And that's just in the past 3 years. If UCONN did land Wilson, Durr, Holmes/Cox, Ionescu, in addition to what we have, it would be insane the talent. Next year I'd say we are one of the favorites, but it's highly possible we won't win the NC. So no, Dan, every great high school girl does not want to play for Geno...