Do you think ND would want to play Uconn for NC?

[Tonyc]

I think that any school would be so thrilled to win the championship that except for perhaps one circumstance, they would not attach an asterisk, mental or otherwise, to the accomplishment. I, for one, certainly don't diminish UConn's championship from last year just because Baylor wasn't the opponent. Baylor fans won't necessarily agree with this but their team lost fair and square last year. Their team was whole - no significant injuries that changed who they put on the floor. Notwithstanding the impact of referring in the Louisville game, I think almost everyone agrees that Mulkey was outcoached that night and that was the biggest factor in the upset. Coaching, good or bad, is just part of the game and is why I consider Baylor's loss fair and square.

The one possible exception is if a team has significant injuries so late in the season that they don't have time to adjust. I'm thinking UConn without Shea and Svetlana. I know that injuries are part of the game, just like bad coaching, but for me, this is a different kind of obstacle.

Last seasons game LVille and Tenn and LVille and Baylor showed me one thing. Many WCBB teams have to guard the perimeter. Most dont. Tenn never does. KM should've played to stop the trey with Griner underneath. She didn't and Baylor lost because of it.

 

[VAUConnFan]

I think that any school would be so thrilled to win the championship that except for perhaps one circumstance, they would not attach an asterisk, mental or otherwise, to the accomplishment. I, for one, certainly don't diminish UConn's championship from last year just because Baylor wasn't the opponent. Baylor fans won't necessarily agree with this but their team lost fair and square last year. Their team was whole - no significant injuries that changed who they put on the floor. Notwithstanding the impact of referring in the Louisville game, I think almost everyone agrees that Mulkey was outcoached that night and that was the biggest factor in the upset. Coaching, good or bad, is just part of the game and is why I consider Baylor's loss fair and square.

The one possible exception is if a team has significant injuries so late in the season that they don't have time to adjust. I'm thinking UConn without Shea and Svetlana. I know that injuries are part of the game, just like bad coaching, but for me, this is a different kind of obstacle.

Almost everyone does not include me. Louisville won that game because they shot lights out; 64% from the three point line and there were 16 of them. For those who pitch their tents in the time and a half camp, that's like shooting 96% from two; An almost perfect offensive night. There is not a coach in the world, not a team in the world that can overcome such a level of proficiency. Yet, Baylor almost pulled it off. Villanova 1985, Baylor 2013. That's why the games are played.

 

[doggydaddy]

Almost everyone does not include me. Louisville won that game because they shot lights out; 64% from the three point line and there were 16 of them. For those who pitch their tents in the time and a half camp, that's like shooting 96% from two; An almost perfect offensive night. There is not a coach in the world, not a team in the world that can overcome such a level of proficiency. Yet, Baylor almost pulled it off. Villanova 1985, Baylor 2013. That's why the games are played.

Defend the three better. She didn't adjust her defense to do that.

 

[cabbie191]

Almost everyone does not include me. Louisville won that game because they shot lights out; 64% from the three point line and there were 16 of them. For those who pitch their tents in the time and a half camp, that's like shooting 96% from two; An almost perfect offensive night. There is not a coach in the world, not a team in the world that can overcome such a level of proficiency. Yet, Baylor almost pulled it off. Villanova 1985, Baylor 2013. That's why the games are played.

I understand your point, and absolutely agree with your last sentence. But I wonder this: If Louisville players were in that type of "zone of accuracy" and had been playing UConn instead Baylor, would they have had the same incredible results? My sense is that they wouldn't hav, because I think once Auriemma realized how hot the Cards were, he would have changed up the defensive alignment to disrupt the 3-point shooting. Yes, they shot lights out, but Mulkey's failure to adjust is what permitted that to happen to the degree it did. (Upon edit - I see I could have shortened this to "Just like DD says! Simultaneous posts!)

 

[VAUConnFan]

Defend the three better. She didn't adjust her defense to do that.

I understand your point, and absolutely agree with your last sentence. But I wonder this: If Louisville players were in that type of "zone of accuracy" and had been playing UConn instead Baylor, would they have had the same incredible results? My sense is that they wouldn't hav, because I think once Auriemma realized how hot the Cards were, he would have changed up the defensive alignment to disrupt the 3-point shooting. Yes, they shot lights out, but Mulkey's failure to adjust is what permitted that to happen to the degree it did. (Upon edit - I see I could have shortened this to "Just like DD says! Simultaneous posts!)

Does anyone recall the adjustments Coach Auriemma made in the third round game against Georgetown back in 2011?

 

[HoopsFan21]

Does anyone recall the adjustments Coach Auriemma made in the third round game against Georgetown back in 2011?

You mean besides waiting for Sugar's arms to get tired from jacking up 35 shots from 25 feet out?

 

[UConnCat]

Does anyone recall the adjustments Coach Auriemma made in the third round game against Georgetown back in 2011?

Why not just tell us?

I was at the game and recall that he put Lorin Dixon in and she played great. I recall G'town made more 3s than normal, but most of those were in the 1st half so I'm thinking Geno made some kind of adjustment. What else?

 

[Buzzyboy]

This is such a condescending thread. Believe me I have no love for that friggin leprechaun but it seems downright haughty to start a thread like this.

My guess is there are over 300 div 1 bb teams that would love to be playing for a NCAA Championship against us - even though 98% of them know they have no shot at beating us. ND on the other hand does have some hope (in their minds anyway)

I think what you're saying is completely off of what the thread is about. Of course, 300+ teams would love to play UConn for the national championship but only because it would mean they won 5 tournament games and would get a lot of national exposure. How many of those 300+ teams would prefer to BE IN the national championship game but playing someone they actually had a reasonable chance to beat. That is the premise of the original poster. Notre Dame would love to play Appalachian State for the national championship because the level of certainty that they would win the title is extraordinarily high. No one WANTS to have to BEAT UCONN to win the title.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Getting back to Notre Dame, people forget that in the semi-finals last year, UConn beat Notre Dame by more points than they lost the three previous games during the year. It was more a case of UConn losing those previous games rather than Notre Dame beating the Huskies three times last year. I've seldom seen a UConn make so many silly mistakes to allow an opposing team to stay in the hunt and eventually beat them like they did with Notre Dame. You would almost think that there was a fix in because the mistakes and turnovers had nothing to do with stellar Notre Dame defense. Obviously UConn got rid of the demons and knocked the heck out of the Irish to move into the championship game against Louisville. I'm thinking Skylar must have missed a payment to her Witch doctor which allowed the Huskies to play their normal game. If we had had the Breanna Stewart that played that semi-final game playing the previous three games, people would be talking about UConn OWNING the Irish.

 

[msf22b]

Hongster, your English is better but your arrogant posting isn't.

Glad that you edited it DD
A little like the pot calling the kettle….

 

[Hongster]

I can't believe there're snobs every where and even in a WCB forum.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I posted this elsewhere on this site but it fits here also!
ND won those 1st 3 games last season because UCONN "mentally" gave ND way too much credit and threw away each of those games late! When they just came out and played their usual offensive and defensive game, they blew ND's doors in the FF semi's by 18 points!
Without the diva ND is a better team, but the way for UCONN to beat ND is with their big girls! ND only has Achonwa as a great big girl while UCONN has Stewie, Stef, KML, & Stokes! The talented guards on both teams are a wash, but UCONN will dominate inside! If and when they meet, UCONN can & will win by 20+ points!
ND has not seen a defense like UCONN's all season! It's easy to talk a great game than play a great game!
I would like to see CT play whistle to whistle with their suffocating defense and grind ND down offensively and humiliate ND! Maybe then Muffett will shut-up her scheduling and "owning" UCONN recent comments BS!

 

[Hongster]

ND has not seen a defense like UCONN's all season! It's easy to talk a great game than play a great game!
I would like to see CT play whistle to whistle with their suffocating defense and grind ND down offensively and humiliate ND! Maybe then Muffett will shut-up her scheduling and "owning" UCONN recent comments BS!

You nailed it right on the head.
Maybe Muffett is a better person than I thought, but her recent japing at Geno and Uconn has gotten me all wound up.
I think Geno has this game planed out just like you said if we shall meet. And actually, I'd love to see them in the final so the game can be played and let the game do all the talking for us.