Duke's gonna be really good

[CamrnCrz1974]

Positives from the game for Duke:

1) We shut down UConn's back door cuts and passes. That is a Geno trademark, and I don't recall there being more than one in the game.

2) This was the first UConn game under Coach P where I thought we could win, expected to win, and thought we had a chance in the second half.

 

[Jonathan Husky]

Personally, I think that JPM is a solid coach but with a very different system than GG. She is just now starting to achieve the success I expect from her.

What Duke is doing is showing that defense can win gamesin the ACC even without outstanding offense but last night we just beat them at that game. We do that to many teams.

I agree Ice. JPM emphasizes defense much more than GG and Duke is a better defensive team. What I don't understand is Duke's inability to make shots regardless of the coach. For the past eight years I have followed them they have been a lousy shooting team.

 

[HuskyNan]

I think in the 2004 game that we lost 68-67, the lead was nearly 20. Not sure if it was over 20.

Good memory - UConn's biggest lead was exactly 20. It felt bigger because the Huskies dominated for much of the game.

 

[magic]

I'm not talking about this year, although it wouldn't be a shock to see them sneak into the final four, assuming they are lucky to get in Stanford's bracket.

But next year and especially the year after, Duke is going to be very, very tough to beat, at least for any team outside of Storrs. They've got two superstars in the making in Gray and Williams. They start a freshman and four sophomores right now and they're pretty good. They're playing without Henson and Wells. Henson didn't put up good numbers but everyone seems to think she has great potential. And Wells was putting up some outstanding numbers (4.0 Assists per game, 3.6 Steals and only 1.4 Turnovers!!!). And to top it off they bring in the Hoopgurlz number 3 recruit next year, Alexis Jones.

Next year Duke should be the third best team in the country. Two years from now there will be three tiers: UConn, who barring very serious injury or transfer problems, will be light years ahead of anyone but Duke. Duke, who, same caveats, will be way ahead of every team except for UConn. And every one else. Assuming the series continues for two more years, the game in Durham this time 2014 should be a doozy.

I think Duke is a little overrated personally. Huskies did not face guard Gray last night. The shots she got were open looks. EW really did not impress me that much. Steph started game scoring, and I thought Kiah outplayed her. I do not see Duke getting to a regional final.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

I agree Ice. JPM emphasizes defense much more than GG and Duke is a better defensive team. What I don't understand is Duke's inability to make shots regardless of the coach. For the past eight years I have followed them they have been a lousy shooting team.

Two of those years involved two great shooting Duke teams...2005-2006 and 2006-2007.

 

[Ctpaul0825]

I don't see it, Duke has recruited talent year in and year out, they need a coach worthy of the players.

 

[alexrgct]

I have to agree with Icebear about Coach P. She is a solid coach and I think she has done a great job in particular his year with a team who starts 4 sops and 1 frosh. As a fan of another team, one of the things that I find interesting about some of the Boneyarders is that they seem to think that the only coach in the game today who can coach a team to the national championship is Geno. Yes he is the best coach in WCBB, but there are others with solid credentials and teams that can win it all. Coach P brought her 2005 Michigan State team to the championship game and Kim Mulkey won that 2005 championship without B. Griner. I don't think Duke will win it all this year either, but that doesn't mean they aren't a good team or aren't well coached. They are young and have a lot of room to improve.

Pretty sure no one thinks this.

Now, the argument that Geno is the only coach in the game today that can consistently put his team, year in and year out, into a position to win a national championship...that's a belief that may be widely held. And with Pat's future uncertain, it might be true. To the extent that history is a predictor of the future, it definitely has merit. Other coaches may put their program into "perennial powerhouse" status going forward, but none, even Kim or Tara, have done so as of yet.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Good memory - UConn's biggest lead was exactly 20. It felt bigger because the Huskies dominated for much of the game.

We had it totally under control. Until our ballhandling went to hell as a result of players being blinded by those funky one-time-is-too-many uniforms.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Will the game be replayed? I was mad I missed it due to my grandsons party, well I am with him all the time JK!

Nope. Unlike the Olympic matches, this one is in the books and final.

 

[rington]

I think Duke is a little overrated personally. Huskies did not face guard Gray last night. The shots she got were open looks. EW really did not impress me that much. Steph started game scoring, and I thought Kiah outplayed her. I do not see Duke getting to a regional final.

 

[rington]

aside from the top 4 teams, I don't see that duke is over-rated. Maybe KY, but that will be decided in time.

 

[alexrgct]

Will the game be replayed? I was mad I missed it due to my grandsons party, well I am with him all the time JK!

It's available online via ESPN3

 

[triaddukefan]

Obviously I concur In my opinion our future is brighter then any team not named UCONN. Its easy to look ahead to next year with the additions of Alexis Jones and Amber Henson..... and hopefully the reinstatement of Chloe Wells. Yet Im still upbeat about the rest of THIS season. I still expect for us to win the regular season and ACC tourney... and hopefully get a #2 seed in the Raleigh region. I would LOVE to get a rematch with ND in the regional final. (If only to gander a look at my current favorite assistant coach... Niele Ivey )

By the way ... chin up TriadDukeFan

A disappointing loss... but certainly not devasting like the ones last year. There were some good signs for our team moving forward this year. They played better than I expected defensively..... and they fought and battled all the way through. Plus.... the players seemed angry at the end of the game.... thats always a plus. They thought they had a legit shot for the win..... not sure if last years team felt that way.

I got a bit of grief at work from some co-workers.... but they realize that their isnt any shame in losing to UCONN by only 16 points. Plus... if they really want to get to trash talking..... Ill remind them of the beatdown that UNC received a few weeks ago up in Storrs. That will shut them up for sure