Double-digit victories

[wire chief]

Remember the fun we had back in the day of "Tina's team" which went undefeated? That caused many a post about comparing that team to the 2002 undefeated squad. Some said the difference was that 2002 only had an 8 point victory over Virginia Tech, so it was not the better team, since Tina's squad had only double-digit victories.

My question: Will our team today win all games by 10 or more? Or how 'bout a record 15 or more?

What say ye?

 

[Phil]

Remember the fun we had back in the day of "Tina's team" which went undefeated? That caused many a post about comparing that team to the 2002 undefeated squad. Some said the difference was that 2002 only had an 8 point victory over Virginia Tech, so it was not the better team, since Tina's squad had only double-digit victories.

My question: Will our team today win all games by 10 or more? Or how 'bout a record 15 or more?

What say ye?

I say beware the mojo.

 

[Icebear]

Always, always respect the mojo.

 

[wire chief]

Whassa matter. We always make predictions.

 

[msf22b]

I'm in. Like our chances for undefeated and 10+

 

[Tonyc]

The amazin thing about this team is theyre beating teams with 2 star players on the bench. When KML and MTuck get back they will be almost unbeatable. Here is the difference. Geno has to call off the dogs with this team not to over kill them. How many more points could they score if everybody was healthy and played hard every minute without calling off the press and without stopping the break????? Something to think about. Healthy this team is unbeatable.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I agree with Tony--did I just say that?!--if this team is healthy, it is unbeatable.

I think all double-digit victories are possible, but there are some tough games to play, especially at Duke. The margin is secondary, the victory is paramount.

The 2009 team included some pretty good players in addition to Tina. Renee was a 2x AA and Naismith winner. And Maya was a 4x AA, 3 time Wade winner, and record holder of 150 wins.

 

[Phil]

Whassa matter. We always make predictions.

Exactly.

And I predict that messing with the mojo will have undesirable consequences.

 

[Phil]

I agree with Tony--did I just say that?!-

A sign of the apocalypse.

 

[EricSD]

I see nothing wrong with discussing the chances of UCONN winning every game by 5, 10, 15, 20, or whatever. There's a difference between arrogance ("No way does UCONN lose a single game this year by less than 15"), and confidence ("If this team gets KML and Morgan back at 100%, and there are no other injuries, there's no reason they shouldn't win every game this season by more than 10 PPG").

Mojo is a superstitious concept that is not reality. However, there's nothing wrong with respecting it. I just don't see the point in fearing it.

Merriam Webster defines mojo as " a power that may seem magical and that allows someone to be very effective, successful, etc."

While we may see our team as "magical", the reality is it's filled with incredibly talented, smart, and gifted players who are 100% committed to the team first concept and who strive to work together maximizing the strengths of the team while masking the weaknesses. And they are all fantastic kids to boot.

 

[rford53]

I see nothing wrong with discussing the chances of UCONN winning every game by 5, 10, 15, 20, or whatever. There's a difference between arrogance ("No way does UCONN lose a single game this year by less than 15"), and confidence ("If this team gets KML and Morgan back at 100%, and there are no other injuries, there's no reason they shouldn't win every game this season by more than 10 PPG").

Mojo is a superstitious concept that is not reality. However, there's nothing wrong with respecting it. I just don't see the point in fearing it.

Merriam Webster defines mojo as " a power that may seem magical and that allows someone to be very effective, successful, etc."

While we may see our team as "magical", the reality is it's filled with incredibly talented, smart, and gifted players who are 100% committed to the team first concept and who strive to work together maximizing the strengths of the team while masking the weaknesses. And they are all fantastic kids to boot.

100% correct. However I know many people project their own superstitions onto whatever happens to be in the discussion. If I were a betting man, I'd bet most of the house they will go undefeated AND win every game by at least 15 points- additional injuries as the only real proviso on the bet......

 

[Suebird10fan]

On a related note I was comparing 1995, 2002, 2009, 2010 on MoV vs. top 25 opponents (ranking at the time).

I was doing this quickly, so I can't guarantee the results. But, here's what I came up with:

1995--19 pt margin vs. ranked opponents
2002--21
2009--28 (HOLY COW!!!)
2010--26

I would say our 18 point avg margin against three top 15 programs without KML and Tuck (and two out of three games on the road) compares reasonably well with what those teams accomplished.

Have to say that I was blown away by the average 28 point margin vs. ranked opponents by the 2009 team.

 

[Striper69]

Always, always respect the mojo.

+1

 

[Sonny44]

Remember the fun we had back in the day of "Tina's team" which went undefeated? That caused many a post about comparing that team to the 2002 undefeated squad. Some said the difference was that 2002 only had an 8 point victory over Virginia Tech, so it was not the better team, since Tina's squad had only double-digit victories.

My question: Will our team today win all games by 10 or more? Or how 'bout a record 15 or more?

What say ye?

I'll try to answer the question.
YES!

 

[wire chief]

After Duke we are still on target for wins by 15+...likely tested when we meet Notre Dame & Tenn in the Final Four. Ho-Ho-Ho such a record will that be.

 

[Icebear]

Another down year in WCBB.

 

[alexrgct]

If Moriah Jefferson keeps emerging, the Mo-Bria-KML-Stewie-Stef lineup, when 100%, represents just too many weapons. As it was, the "too many weapons" issue seemed too much for Duke last night, Given that, it's not far-fetched to think double-digit victories are a real possibility. I see a game at Yum! Center as a distinct possibility to be closer than it should be. And of course, there's always the "everyone loses their collective minds for a stretch" scenario like NC game 2010 against Stanford.

 

[VolFan]

I don't believe any team is ever invincible, but there is no denying UConn has a chance to be one of the great all time teams this season. That said, I think the other top teams besides Duke may pose more of a challenge to UConn as the season goes on for a couple reasons:
1. It's easier to prep for a team once there is a lot of film to look at rather than just focusing on yourself and tipping off. Obviously one thing to be learned is not to play zone (!!!!!!!) against you with the three point shooting prowess on that team.

2. And this is jut a possibility so don't thrash me for it. As the season goes on an UConn players continue to play such a high octane level of minutes, they could get gassed.

3. Obviously anything can happen any game. No win is ever guaranteed: That's why we watch sports. Best of luck on your season, however I truly hope you lose to the Lady Vols in the NC game.

 

[Suebird10fan]

If healthy I think we have a 50/50 shot. Chances for 40-0 if we're healthy are very, very high.

 

[Suebird10fan]

2. And this is jut a possibility so don't thrash me for it. As the season goes on an UConn players continue to play such a high octane level of minutes, they could get gassed.

I love having other teams fans on the board and I'm truly glad to see the Vols back in the mix.

However you are off base on this one point. Given the number of blowouts on tap, the high octane minutes will be very much the exception, not the rule. Assuming of course we stay healthy.

Hopefully that doesn't count as thrashing!

 

[doggydaddy]

I don't believe any team is ever invincible, but there is no denying UConn has a chance to be one of the great all time teams this season. That said, I think the other top teams besides Duke may pose more of a challenge to UConn as the season goes on for a couple reasons:
1. It's easier to prep for a team once there is a lot of film to look at rather than just focusing on yourself and tipping off. Obviously one thing to be learned is not to play zone (!!!!!!!) against you with the three point shooting prowess on that team.

2. And this is jut a possibility so don't thrash me for it. As the season goes on an UConn players continue to play such a high octane level of minutes, they could get gassed.

3. Obviously anything can happen any game. No win is ever guaranteed: That's why we watch sports. Best of luck on your season, however I truly hope you lose to the Lady Vols in the NC game.

1. Duke had over a week to prepare for Uconn. More time than any NCAA tourney game. Every game is on TV, so there was plenty of film. Please play man-to-man. Your head will be spinning watching the back door plays.

2. High octane level of minutes? You mean playing hard all the time? It's just what they do. Number of minutes? With only a few tough games left before the tourney, the minutes will be fine. Gassed? You've been watching Tennessee too long. Uconn doesn't get gassed. Period.

3. Really? You post in a thread about how dominant Uconn will be and you post that you want them to lose to Tennessee. What a troll.

 

[rford53]

I don't believe any team is ever invincible, but there is no denying UConn has a chance to be one of the great all time teams this season. That said, I think the other top teams besides Duke may pose more of a challenge to UConn as the season goes on for a couple reasons:
1. It's easier to prep for a team once there is a lot of film to look at rather than just focusing on yourself and tipping off. Obviously one thing to be learned is not to play zone (!!!!!!!) against you with the three point shooting prowess on that team.

2. And this is jut a possibility so don't thrash me for it. As the season goes on an UConn players continue to play such a high octane level of minutes, they could get gassed.

3. Obviously anything can happen any game. No win is ever guaranteed: That's why we watch sports. Best of luck on your season, however I truly hope you lose to the Lady Vols in the NC game.

In my opinion, the Lady Vols will have the most crucial game of the year when they face Stanford. If they lose it sets in motion a scenario where in order to get to Nashville the Lady Vols will have to go through Notre Dame, Stanford or Louisville on their home court, or worst case if they are the last #2 seed in the tournament, face UConn in Lincoln. Winning all of their remaining games, including the SEC title, may still not prevent the above scenario to put the Lady Vols in a near impossible road to travel.

 

[Tenspro2002]

1. Duke had over a week to prepare for Uconn. More time than any NCAA tourney game. Every game is on TV, so there was plenty of film. Please play man-to-man. Your head will be spinning watching the back door plays.

2. High octane level of minutes? You mean playing hard all the time? It's just what they do. Number of minutes? With only a few tough games left before the tourney, the minutes will be fine. Gassed? You've been watching Tennessee too long. Uconn doesn't get gassed. Period.

3. Really? You post in a thread about how dominant Uconn will be and you post that you want them to lose to Tennessee. What a troll.

I agree with the content of your points 1 and 2, but come on, you can't honestly blame someone named "VolFan" for expressing that they want to see Tennessee beat us in the championship game.

 

[Icebear]

I agree with the content of your points 1 and 2, but come on, you can't honestly blame someone named "VolFan" for expressing that they want to see Tennessee beat us in the championship game.

There are other better places to express that sentiment.

 

[doggydaddy]

I agree with the content of your points 1 and 2, but come on, you can't honestly blame someone named "VolFan" for expressing that they want to see Tennessee beat us in the championship game.

Blame them? No. But doesn't that go without saying . I mean, I didn't think they would want Uconn to win that game.

And on this board and in this thread? A little rude.

 

[UConnCat]

1. Duke had over a week to prepare for Uconn. More time than any NCAA tourney game. Every game is on TV, so there was plenty of film. Please play man-to-man. Your head will be spinning watching the back door plays.

2. High octane level of minutes? You mean playing hard all the time? It's just what they do. Number of minutes? With only a few tough games left before the tourney, the minutes will be fine. Gassed? You've been watching Tennessee too long. Uconn doesn't get gassed. Period.

Most coaches will tell you that watching UConn on tape is nothing like actually playing them. This group of Tenn players has no idea what it's like.

I remember two years ago when Kentucky's coach talked about wearing out UConn and its short rotation. After the game he said it was UConn that wore out the deeper Kentucky team. Remember what Pat's friend Sally Jenkins wrote after last year's championship game:

Even their bodies look superior; they are leaner, and more cut, their biceps and triceps pop, and their calves bulge. Their passes are crisper, their screens are bigger, and their pace is more intense. They are quicker to every loose ball. There is not a single idle moment by any player, on any part of the floor, never a lazy foot or a low hand. They never, ever take a play off and they never get tired. Anyone who wants to beat them needs to start by planting a spy in their training room.