Either this is all too good to be true, or...

[alexrgct]

...the only thing I'd do if I were Geno is ensure this season isn't treated like a coronation.

The Huskies have beaten three reputable opponents by 40, 42, and 44 points. The freshmen are starting to emerge. Butler is returning early, and Chong is playing. Stewie, Mo, and Morgan look every bit like themselves. Courtney is beginning to look like who we've hoped she would be. This is all happening exactly as hoped.

The only thing I don't want to see more of is how the narrative of 2015-16 continues to be about Stewie winning four. Obviously, it's a topic of conversation, but mojo dictates Geno keeps his kids focused on winning games. The season is won or lost in March/April. In the interim, this is incarnation of the Uconn Huskies may just be Geno's greatest gift...

 

[JavaMan]

...The Huskies have beaten three reputable opponents by 40, 42, and 44 points. The freshmen are starting to emerge. Butler is returning early, and Chong is playing. Stewie, Mo, and Morgan look every bit like themselves. Courtney is beginning to look like who we've hoped she would be. This is all happening exactly as hoped....

"This is all happening exactly as hoped..." for us that is. For Geno, CD, Shea, and Marissa, it's all happening exactly as planned.

 

[msf22b]

it's pretty mind-boggling
But the next week or two will afford more clarity.

 

[Kaizen]

I know UConn is good this year.
But honestly I was not expecting such good .....

 

[j66kicker]

I know UConn is good this year.
But honestly I was not expecting such good .....

Connie Yori after the game: "We have played nothing even remotely in the vicinity, in the same galaxy as the competition level we saw today....There is a reason they are as good as they are. They obviously have great players but they have great detail and discipline as well. Not every talented team has those things, and that is what sets them apart."

 

[MilfordHusky]

This was the year that the other teams were supposed to be more talented, improve, and close the gap. It looks as if UConn has widened the gap.

We are only as good as our last game. We've had some lapses and stretches of mediocre play, but over 40 minutes, we have been 40 points better than decent competition. We'll see what happens at Chattanooga, but there may be only 4-5 teams that can come within 25 of us. I'm really, really liking the way we look.

Lou says that she and Napheesa have to help out Stewie this year, learn all they can from her, and carry the torch next year. I don't expect a seamless transition into next season, but if it is, look out WCBB!

 

[Geno-ista]

I can't figure out why everyone or so many on this board are so shocked by how great this team is. We returned 4 starters and 5 of our top 7 from last year's Nat Championship team. Everyone forgets just how much better most players are than the year prior. Bigger, stronger & smarter. We returned the best point guard in the country and one of the best big's to ever play in college. And everyone else returning had huge hearts, were disciplined, and we knew most of our younger role players would make the next leap. It was more obvious after watching Kia Nurse over the summer. we bring in a prolific freshman class. And this is without Butler stepping on the court. This team is already maybe the best team we've ever had.
The ball movement is spectacular and the defense is phenomenal. Almost Every person on the floor can score from almost anywhere on the court. Ours or Geno's primary goal this year, in my opinion, is to get our freshmen and returning team to the point they'll need to be to start next year's season. Without Stewie especially and Messiah, as good as next year's team will be, and they'll be really good, they will be susceptible to a loss or two. There is no way they can lose this year. It's almost embarrassing how dominant they are. And we've seen some dominant teams.

 

[huskeynut]

Connie Yori after the game: "We have played nothing even remotely in the vicinity, in the same galaxy as the competition level we saw today....There is a reason they are as good as they are. They obviously have great players but they have great detail and discipline as well. Not every talented team has those things, and that is what sets them apart."

Connie's quote pretty much sums it up. This UCONN team will out work, out hustle, out pass, out score and defend ever team they play. You cannot recreate the 40 minutes of pressure UCONN puts on you.

Again it is Geno & company's attention to detail, the littel things that set this team apart from the rest of the field.

Just wait until we get into the routine of games and practices to see how this team performs. It's scary what they may accomplish.

 

[Carnac]

Connie's quote pretty much sums it up. This UCONN team will out work, out hustle, out pass, out score and defend ever team they play. You cannot recreate the 40 minutes of pressure UCONN puts on you.

Again it is Geno & company's attention to detail, the littel things that set this team apart from the rest of the field.

Just wait until we get into the routine of games and practices to see how this team performs. It's scary what they may accomplish.

I'm not suggesting that any team UConn that plays will quit or throw in the towel, but its hard to believe you can still beat UConn when you look up at the scoreboard, and you're down 20 + points........and you're still in the first half. This is especially true if this is the first time you've experienced this phenomena this season.

Coaches can say whatever they want during their halftime speech. When a team has their foot on your throat and shows no sign of letting up, it's hard to take the floor the second half with any degree of optimism.

 

[donalddoowop]

I can't figure out why everyone or so many on this board are so shocked by how great this team is. We returned 4 starters and 5 of our top 7 from last year's Nat Championship team. Everyone forgets just how much better most players are than the year prior. Bigger, stronger & smarter. We returned the best point guard in the country and one of the best big's to ever play in college. And everyone else returning had huge hearts, were disciplined, and we knew most of our younger role players would make the next leap. It was more obvious after watching Kia Nurse over the summer. we bring in a prolific freshman class. And this is without Butler stepping on the court. This team is already maybe the best team we've ever had.
The ball movement is spectacular and the defense is phenomenal. Almost Every person on the floor can score from almost anywhere on the court. Ours or Geno's primary goal this year, in my opinion, is to get our freshmen and returning team to the point they'll need to be to start next year's season. Without Stewie especially and Messiah, as good as next year's team will be, and they'll be really good, they will be susceptible to a loss or two. There is no way they can lose this year. It's almost embarrassing how dominant they are. And we've seen some dominant teams.

No one thought Kentucky's men's 1966 team could lose, especially the NCAA championship game to Texas Western. The same with UCLA's team with Bill Walton(his senior year), Ohio State's 1962 team, Georgetown's 1985 team, and Notre Dame's 2013 women's team. They ALL lost and did not win the national championship. There is always a way a team could lose. If the outside shots are not falling against the better teams, UCONN may struggle to score.

 

[ballhawk]

On this year's team if the outside shots are not falling the inside shots will. This team will not lose.

 

[Icebear]

The most obvious thing about this team that amazes is that whoever Geno's substitutes into the game there is no stagnation in the offense. Against good competition things simply do not bog down and there is no standing around waiting for someone to take initiative. Yesterday there were more subs in double figures than starters. Simply amazing.

 

[chrissaran]

Sorry, Geno-ista but no team is perfect. They could lose this year. However, Geno, CD, Shea and Marissa will be there to make sure they don't get over confident.

 

[HoopsFan21]

The most obvious thing about this team that amazes is that whoever Geno's substitutes into the game there is no stagnation in the offense. Against good competition things simply do not bog down and there is no standing around waiting for someone to take initiative. Yesterday there were more subs in double figures than starters. Simply amazing.

Yeah it seems like this year every single player from starter to bench to freshman is in sync and knows what they are running and where they are supposed to be. I can't recall the last time this was the case - at least this early in the season. Perhaps never. We'll see what happens when DJB and Butler are integrated into the rotation, but so far there is zero drop off when Geno subs, and he has subbed very liberally in these first few games using many different combinations as he often does early on. At this point it almost seems pointless to name starters because the subbing has been fast and furious, and to me, seamless in terms of the result on the court. As I said pre-season, this very well might be the best and deepest team ever and it's probably the pinnacle of the Geno era.

 

[huskyd]

You guys (gals?) do a great job of summarizing what is so good about UConn. I, too, expect this team to go undefeated not only because they'll be better than any opponent but because they're probably the best team the Huskies have ever sent out on the court. But, aside from wins and losses, Geno speaks repeatedly about what he values: just enjoying the moment, savoring the talent of this team, storing up memories against the day he hangs up his whistle. He knows this is very special.

 

[winlots]

I can't figure out why everyone or so many on this board are so shocked by how great this team is. We returned 4 starters and 5 of our top 7 from last year's Nat Championship team. Everyone forgets just how much better most players are than the year prior. Bigger, stronger & smarter. We returned the best point guard in the country and one of the best big's to ever play in college. And everyone else returning had huge hearts, were disciplined, and we knew most of our younger role players would make the next leap. It was more obvious after watching Kia Nurse over the summer. we bring in a prolific freshman class. And this is without Butler stepping on the court. This team is already maybe the best team we've ever had.
The ball movement is spectacular and the defense is phenomenal. Almost Every person on the floor can score from almost anywhere on the court. Ours or Geno's primary goal this year, in my opinion, is to get our freshmen and returning team to the point they'll need to be to start next year's season. Without Stewie especially and Messiah, as good as next year's team will be, and they'll be really good, they will be susceptible to a loss or two. There is no way they can lose this year. It's almost embarrassing how dominant they are. And we've seen some dominant teams.

GENO: Agree almost word for word. Often the case where your posts are concerned. But I do question the "no way we can lose this year." You might well be right, but that's a limb onto which I can't climb . So much can go awry.
Do certainly share your surprise at how some Yarders seemed surprised at the team's performance. My imperfect recall is that there were quite a few of us saying before the season that, barring injuries, this surely would be as good as any team we've eve rhad.....and could well be the deepest ever to boot. Keep your great posts coming. Merry Christmas to you.....seems we're getting an early start thanks to "Our Girls."

 

[winlots]

You guys (gals?) do a great job of summarizing what is so good about UConn. I, too, expect this team to go undefeated not only because they'll be better than any opponent but because they're probably the best team the Huskies have ever sent out on the court. But, aside from wins and losses, Geno speaks repeatedly about what he values: just enjoying the moment, savoring the talent of this team, storing up memories against the day he hangs up his whistle. He knows this is very special.

HD: really like your last two sentences here. Sweet.

 

[Jronp]

Sure they could lose...but...this team has no weaknesses. And I don't think we realize how big Butler's impact will be. She solidifies the only issue that they could possibly have. Which is height down low. Plus...their defense will become better with Butler. Freeing up Stewie to play forwards on defense and more on the wing and the perimeter.

 

[Bgillon]

Let's enjoy this season one game at a time and not crown our team yet.

 

[Geno-ista]

No one thought Kentucky's men's 1966 team could lose, especially the NCAA championship game to Texas Western. The same with UCLA's team with Bill Walton(his senior year), Ohio State's 1962 team, Georgetown's 1985 team, and Notre Dame's 2013 women's team. They ALL lost and did not win the national championship. There is always a way a team could lose. If the outside shots are not falling against the better teams, UCONN may struggle to score.

Anything is possible- that's for sure. I could have left that line out of the post. Even though it would be monumental. Great upsets do happen. I stand by the rest of the post!

 

[Geno-ista]

The most obvious thing about this team that amazes is that whoever Geno's substitutes into the game there is no stagnation in the offense. Against good competition things simply do not bog down and there is no standing around waiting for someone to take initiative. Yesterday there were more subs in double figures than starters. Simply amazing.

Icebear- that's the nail on the head. Katie Lou, Collier, Chong and Ekmark- even in March of years past, we've rarely flowed more than six and occasionally 7 deep.
They have looked like a machine for 40 minutes.

 

[Geno-ista]

Sorry, Geno-ista but no team is perfect. They could lose this year. However, Geno, CD, Shea and Marissa will be there to make sure they don't get over confident.

They could lose- and the Governor may reduce our taxes- but one is as likely as the other-
I guess if Stewie got in bad foul trouble very early, we could be pressured for longer than normal.
Pretty soon, if Butler is what we think she may be- our defense should still be stifling, even w out Stewie.

 

[Buzzyboy]

No one thought Kentucky's men's 1966 team could lose, especially the NCAA championship game to Texas Western. The same with UCLA's team with Bill Walton(his senior year), Ohio State's 1962 team, Georgetown's 1985 team, and Notre Dame's 2013 women's team. They ALL lost and did not win the national championship. There is always a way a team could lose. If the outside shots are not falling against the better teams, UCONN may struggle to score.

There is no comparison between those teams because they didn't totally dominate their peers which can't be said about the Huskies. There were many games where they won by single digits. How often has that happened for us???

 

[Geno-ista]

It occurred to me- 2-3 scorers have a bad shooting night. But they don't forget how to play defense. Stewie in early bad foul trouble is the only way we ge

There is no comparison between those teams because they didn't totally dominate their peers which can't be said about the Huskies. There were many games where they won by single digits. How often has that happened for us???

that is 100 % accurate and well said-

 

[winlots]

Sure they could lose...but...this team has no weaknesses. And I don't think we realize how big Butler's impact will be. She solidifies the only issue that they could possibly have. Which is height down low. Plus...their defense will become better with Butler. Freeing up Stewie to play forwards on defense and more on the wing and the perimeter.

JRON: You are right that a number of us felt that the expectations were set too high on Butler. But I recall that a number of us were predicting that her impact would be very substantial. Who knows how this injury will play out on the court in this game of both bodily contact and ball impact on your hands. If that proves not to be an issue, I think her Frosh performance for the Hoyas was plenty impressive and bodes very, very well for her, for us as fans, and for our team. l.