[QUOTE="meyers7, post: 1265148, member: 343. However not really really good like UCONN. They'll still be a step above.
Well sure, anybody on any given day. But were talking about likelihood here. I think UCONN will be a better team and less likely to be beaten next year than this year, even with the improvements in other teams.
Ok, but that really doesn't have anything to do with next year? Yea, they'll be better next year, we've already established that. But they are still not going to close the gap on UCONN. IMO. And even if they do, I think next years team with Stewart and Jefferson as Sr's (better leadership than this year - nothing against KML and Stokes, they are just not great leaders) there will be less chance of a dip in UCONN that some team can take advantage of (i.e. Stanford game).
Disagree. This year is their chance. It's not a good one, and I doubt they will be able to beat UCONN, but next year the chance goes down. For the reasons I have stated. While other teams will improve, their chance of beating UCONN goes down.[/QUOTE]
Next year and this year's teams are a step above. The Stanford game is done. It's an anomaly. Might next year's team go undefeated? Sure. But from this point forward no one has a shot to beat this year's team other than a smidgen of Notre Dame. Next year Notre Dame, USC and Tennessee will be those smidgens. This year there is only one. USC and Baylor and Maryalnd whoever else- they aren't going to beat us no matter how close the score. Only ND has the smidgen this year. When you go against other great teams - there is a higher risk of the opponent playing out of their minds no matter how good UCONN is.
That's why player's like Turner and Wilson will become more of a threat next year. Freshmen can talk all they want and pretend like the pressure isn't that big of deal but we've seen Maya and DT wilt a little/a bit etc under it when a lot was expected as a frosh thus I expect whoever emerges between Wilson and Turner will be elated enough to be in the title game even though they won't admit it. This year imo will be a learning experience for them and next year they will play better despite not being as good as UCONN. There will be less mental mistakes. Better preparation etc. It's why we hear so often that many players get a huge jump from their frosh to soph years. That doesn't mean just vs. "the sisters of the poor."
As for USC - more of the offense will go towards Wilson. More offense goes to Wilson - that means a better offense. Mitchell will be better. Another year of maturity for Coates-- and Tina Roy is a fine player. Then the other guards has Cueavas who should get a nice soph jump, and Sessions will be a senior I expect she'llebe more solid and they get a highly rated pg recruit - her rating is 98. I know eric and I were some that said USC wouldn't be the toughest opponent this year - and I has said since day 1 USC can't beat us. Lobo said the same thing. It's their offense - a player like Welch is really good but can't impact us. That's why we're such an enormous favorite to win it all.
And I know there is the talk that there was no Turner vs ND. Well ND was fortunate that both Stewie and MoJeff didn't play well at all. At least not close to their capabilities. Is that going to happen again? So who is more trustworthy in a possible title matchup - Stewie and MoJeff playing well or Turner playing well? So I'll quote what you posted a simple comment I agree with - which imo applies a lot to these next 6 games - the statement you made was more for next year--
Well sure, anybody on any given day. But were talking about likelihood here
All likelihood this year - UCONN is winning it all. And with only one smidgen threat- next year there is at least 3.