Dawn Staley's Unhappiness With The Media

[oldude]

Well, if UConn were a #1 seed that year it’s no guarantee they’d get Greenville, especially if SC is also a #1 but even without it.. It’s still not guaranteed. A strong Tennessee, Louisville etc. would get that regional before UConn.

UConn would be a plane ride away from Greenville, and any of those other regionals... so it’s only fair that the NCAA committee does what they do to every other team and send the Huskies to Alaska because.. wait for it... “it doesn’t matter, you’re a plane ride away”..

The last time UConn had to get on a plane for a regional was in 2014 when they were sent to Lincoln, Nebraska. Attendance was great with 7-8,000 fans showing up for each session to watch the Huskies beat BYU & TX A&M.

That was the year that both UConn & ND were undefeated. ND ended up in the East and UConn was sent to Lincoln. That was also the year that Geno & MM got into their little kerfuffle when MM dissed Stewie at the POY award ceremony right before the championship game.

UConn beat ND 79-58.

 

[sharris952]

Stewie then, Durr this year. Muffet seems to have a habit of dissing POY in her conference.

 

[SCGamecock]

Stewie then, Durr this year. Muffet seems to have a habit of dissing POY in her conference.

I was SO happy to see Walz confront her on that.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Look I’m sorry that SC’s fan base, which is clearly among the best in WBB, doesn’t have a nearby regional tournament that they can drive to to watch their beloved Gamecocks. But it still comes down to earning it by winning

So here's my point about winning. If Dawn and SC can reach the level close to UConn, to the point where surrounding cities like Greensboro, Charleston, Greenville, etc. can count on the Gamecocks being the #1 seed in the Region year after year, and showing up with 10-15,000 fans, SC fans would not have to fly to Stockton, CA or Albany, NY for the regional tournament.

I know that's a heavy lift, but that's what it takes to control your team's destiny.

The reason South Carolina hasn't had regional sites is not because our cities didn't care to bid on them. South Carolina, the state of, has been banned from hosting NCAA events, until recently, for something like 20 years.

As soon as that ban was lifted, Greenville and Columbia and perhaps Charleston, I don't know for sure, began bidding on the NCAA tournament sties. Greenville had a men's regional, will have the SEC WBB tournament several times, and will host a women's regional soon. Columbia is getting the NCAA Men next season.

If the NCAA doesn't think that South Carolina fans will sell more tickets than most any other fan base (of course I exclude UConn -- as always you are superior) that's the NCAAs error. Certainly the 2500 people that showed up to watch Notre Dame in Lexington that time couldn't have been all that impressive to them. But hey, it's their tournament and it was too much trouble for Muffett to go to Texas or out west then it's understandable. USC will go where they tell them.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Oh boo hoo for Dawn. If they had a better year they’d have a better placement. Period.

That said, they have great opportunities coming up. Greensboro, NC in 2019 and Greenville, SC in 2020. But heads up to Miss Pissy Pants: if a team from the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic has a better year and are higher seeded they will have first dibs on those slots.

2020 is especially interesting since there’s no regional in the Northeast. So a certain team we love will have to go SOMEWHERE. Wouldn’t that be a kick in her pants? (Calling it now: Notre Dame/Ft. Wayne...Oregon/Portland...Baylor/Dallas...UConn/Greenville. Warm up the whining...)

Also. Anyone want to break it to Dawn that the Olympics are in Tokyo: i.e. not in driving distance for the U.S. fans? Wahhhhhh! Not fair!

Future Dates & Sites

Factually incorrect. We had a better season last season and were sent to California.

 

[DefenseBB]

We had about 6000 fans at the Regional Final in Greensboro; I was disappointed in the turnout though it isn't something I can control. How many would go to Lexington? I don't know; probably a few thousand. Kentucky is not an area where we have a lot of alumni. We have a lot in the tri-state area and Atlanta as far as outside SC. If there were more available tickets, I think we'd have a good crowd in Albany.

cockhrnleghrn-I don't mean to call you out but the attendance for the two games in Greensboro were 6,286 and 6,364 and at those games were North Carolina, Florida State and Arizona State so I find it highly unlikely that SC had 6,000 of those fans there as NC is a mere 56 miles from there and FSU would have traveled as well. The stadium hold 21,500 for basketball so even if you were 2/3's of the crowd, that's still a poor showing considering the teams participating.

There are two main points for all to consider reading this:
1. Teams don't travel as well as fans think they do once you get outside of a 4-5 hour drive. Heck, Greensboro from Chapel Hill is 56 miles, Columbia 183 miles and Tallahassee 560 miles.
2. WCBB attendance is solely tied to the school's radius except for the Final Four.

The NCAA needs to rethink it's strategy and go back to school venues like it did in 2014 for schools to host. Again, don't give me the "neutral court argument" as:
a) all the other NCAA sports play their rounds on campus venues at the lower seeded team until the final round (s)-think Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Field Hockey
b) the sport of WCBB is not a national phenomenon despite our efforts here. It is regional, based on those teams success.

I really don't want to see 3,750 people in a 20,000 seat Rupp Arena for the Lexington regional nor 3,500 fans in KC. What energy there is just gets sucked up by the empty space.

 

[DefenseBB]

Factually incorrect. We had a better season last season and were sent to California.

Hold on, just where exactly did you want to get sent last year considering the venues were Stockton, Bridgeport, Lexington and Oklahoma City? As I recall you were the 4th #1 seed behind ND, Baylor and UConn. Hence that is why you went to Stockton. ND went to Lex, Baylor to OKC. That was rationale by the NCAA.

I think you nailed it that if the state of SC will host, then your situation improves dramatically, provided the team stays relevant.

 

[southie]

Okay, let's get back to Dawn

She may say that she's disappointed for her SC fans not being able to drive to a nearby regional site to watch the Gamecocks play in person, but let's be real. She wants the "homecourt" advantage which would be present if a couple thousand SC fans were in the stands. She's just being very careful with her words.

 

[jaundicedeye]

Okay, let's get back to Dawn

She may say that she's disappointed for her SC fans not being able to drive to a nearby regional site to watch the Gamecocks play in person, but let's be real. She wants the "homecourt" advantage which would be present if a couple thousand SC fans were in the stands. She's just being very careful with her words.

Agreed. That is it, plain and simple.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Hold on, just where exactly did you want to get sent last year considering the venues were Stockton, Bridgeport, Lexington and Oklahoma City? As I recall you were the 4th #1 seed behind ND, Baylor and UConn. Hence that is why you went to Stockton. ND went to Lex, Baylor to OKC. That was rationale by the NCAA.

I think you nailed it that if the state of SC will host, then your situation improves dramatically, provided the team stays relevant.

You said have a better season and USC would be placed close to home. USC has had several better seasons where it was not placed in the closest regional.

Maybe we should focus all our efforts on being the best #2 seed instead of going for the #1 seed? Now that's a clever plan that would definitely get the job done.

Reality is that the NCAA does not actually seed the way you keep insisting. It has lots of other things it is trying to accomplish only one of which, maybe?, is the S Curve.

I'm not really that upset about being sent to Albany. Truth be told, I'm only mildly irritated that it has happened 4/5 years. I do think it would be nice if the people who have been attending and busing to games with Dawn from the beginning could have an opportunity to go see their team play in a regional. And for a lot of those people, a plane ticket and three days in a hotel is not feasible. I think that's who Dawn is concerned about and I think that's genuine. She more than anyone I've seen has personally built a relationship with the fans who came out.

 

[SCGamecock]

Okay, let's get back to Dawn

She may say that she's disappointed for her SC fans not being able to drive to a nearby regional site to watch the Gamecocks play in person, but let's be real. She wants the "homecourt" advantage which would be present if a couple thousand SC fans were in the stands. She's just being very careful with her words.

Wait.... what?

So you’re telling me that teams/coaches lobbying for the regional nearest their campus is all about establishing some semblance of a home court advantage thereby hopefully improving your team’s chance to win and advance?

WOW! Really?

*mind explodes*

I thought it was about trying to get the regional with the best barbecue or whiskey!

 

[southie]

Wait.... what?

So you’re telling me that teams/coaches lobbying for the regional nearest their campus is all about establishing some semblance of a home court advantage thereby hopefully improving your team’s chance to win and advance?

WOW! Really?

*mind explodes*

I thought it was about trying to get the regional with the best barbecue or whiskey!

Wait . . . what ?

Dawn can't just come out and say what she means every time she gets in front of a microphone? She needs to own it. Quit saying she's disappointed for the SC fans; she is disappointed for her team not getting a homecourt advantage in the regionals that a handful of teams have enjoyed over the last few years.

 

[SCGamecock]

Wait . . . what ?

Dawn can't just come out and say what she means every time she gets in front of a microphone? She needs to own it. Quit saying she's disappointed for the SC fans; she is disappointed for her team not getting a homecourt advantage in the regionals that a handful of teams have enjoyed over the last few years.

That is exactly what’s she’s saying.

Anytime a coach makes a complaint like this to the NCAA it’s about getting THEIR fans to the game to establish a home court advantage. This is not a secret or some big breaking reveal. I can’t recall a coach ever coming out and saying what you insist on Dawn saying verbatim. I have no idea why you place Dawn on this pedestal of transparency and would expect her to be different than the rest of the coaching league.. but here we are. You. Dawn. And your feelings. Again.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

 

[southie]

That is exactly what’s she’s saying.

Anytime a coach makes a complaint like this to the NCAA it’s about getting THEIR fans to the game to establish a home court advantage. This is not a secret or some big breaking reveal. I can’t recall a coach ever coming out and saying what you insist on Dawn saying verbatim. I have no idea why you place Dawn on this pedestal of transparency and would expect her to be different than the rest of the coaching league.. but here we are. You. Dawn. And your feelings. Again.

She continues to be the ONLY one whining about this. Maybe I missed it, but let me know who else has whined so loudly this week. Last year, perhaps it was Brenda. Any others I may have missed?

 

[GoUconn7961]

Honestly I have never seen Dawn happy about anything.
I've never seen her smile.
I'm assuming she smiled after they won the NC last season, but I didn't watch the game so I'm not sure.

 

[SCGamecock]

She continues to be the ONLY one whining about this. Maybe I missed it, but let me know who else has whined so loudly this week. Last year, perhaps it was Brenda. Any others I may have missed?

There are always others. Dawn is just the most visible. And it’s not like Dawn is sending her PR team out to bait interviews to dump on the NCAA. The media is asking Dawn these questions and she’s answering honestly. Her opinion is valued and respected so expect to hear her continuing to advocate (whine) for her teams.. whether it’s the SC Gamecocks or Team USA. If she sees an imbalance she’s going to whine. Whining has gotten her incredibly far. I have no problem with a coach advocating for their players or program as long as it doesn’t negatively reflect on another program or it’s players.

 

[cbraarj]

Stewie then, Durr this year. Muffet seems to have a habit of dissing POY in her conference.

Stewie was for NPOY!

 

[MSGRET]

The last time UConn had to get on a plane for a regional was in 2014 when they were sent to Lincoln, Nebraska. Attendance was great with 7-8,000 fans showing up for each session to watch the Huskies beat BYU & TX A&M.

That was the year that both UConn & ND were undefeated. ND ended up in the East and UConn was sent to Lincoln. That was also the year that Geno & MM got into their little kerfuffle when MM dissed Stewie at the POY award ceremony right before the championship game.

UConn beat ND 79-58.

Justice was served and it shut up MM and loved it when Stewie walked away with the MOP.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Honestly I have never seen Dawn happy about anything.
I've never seen her smile.
I'm assuming she smiled after they won the NC last season, but I didn't watch the game so I'm not sure.

She's maybe smiling here? happy at least, yeah?

 

[DaddyChoc]

I was SO happy to see Walz confront her on that.

I need to see the video... do you know where to send me?

 

[HoopsFan21]

Stewie was for NPOY!

Can you imagine arguing against Stewie getting NPOY? One of the best basketball players on earth, but Muffet thinks her player is better. It made me wonder how much crack Muffet smokes and should she check into rehab?

 

[oldude]

Can you imagine arguing against Stewie getting NPOY? One of the best basketball players on earth, but Muffet thinks her player is better. It made me wonder how much crack Muffet smokes and should she check into rehab?

I actually think MM’s reaction was a very honest one. What made it wrong was that she expressed it publicly, when she should have kept it to herself.

 

[mbr33ct]

She's maybe smiling here? happy at least, yeah?

View attachment 29411

Lol, and even with that smile last year, I bet she's not smiling as much this year considering Miss ST (ESPN) is stealing all the lime light from South Car's NC win.

 

[GoUconn7961]

She's maybe smiling here? happy at least, yeah?

View attachment 29411

Like I said - I've never seen her smile or be happy about anything. I didn't watch the NC game so thanks for this! I'm glad she got to exercise those smile muscles!

 

[oldude]

Like I said - I've never seen her smile or be happy about anything. I didn't watch the NC game so thanks for this! I'm glad she got to exercise those smile muscles!

If you haven’t seen the video of Dawn watching her beloved Eagles win the Super Bowl, you missed her genuine and joyful celebration.

 

[GoUconn7961]

If you haven’t seen the video of Dawn watching her beloved Eagles win the Super Bowl, you missed her genuine and joyful celebration.

I'm not fan of Dawn (as you can tell) but I never begrudge anyone their happiness. Their NC was earned and I'm glad her Eagles won too.

 

[SCGamecock]

I need to see the video... do you know where to send me?

It was during the handshake at the end of the Louisville/ND ACC tournament game. I believe the game is still on WatchESPN.. just forward to the end. It’s a quick exchange but you can see Walz tell her something while Muffet looks bewildered. Then, right after during a post game interview you can see Walz getting a little passionate while discussing Durr’s deserved accolades.

There may even be a few clips online if you google search it.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

In 2013 Stewie played 7 minutes against Baylor. Uconn lost by about 9. The way Stewie was playing in the NCAA.Uconn would have won the rematch.

If 6 (76-70) is about 9, then you are correct!

 

[DaddyChoc]

It was during the handshake at the end of the Louisville/ND ACC tournament game. I believe the game is still on WatchESPN.. just forward to the end. It’s a quick exchange but you can see Walz tell her something while Muffet looks bewildered. Then, right after during a post game interview you can see Walz getting a little passionate while discussing Durr’s deserved accolades.

There may even be a few clips online if you google search it.

damn that was a great ending... Durr free throws and O'wale with her 3pters including the one at the buzzer. Jeff checked Muffet, she was soooo shocked she had to come back too bad they cut away. Thanks for leading me to the ESPN app. the picture is sooooooooo crisp. I love it!