Enjoy These Days

[MSSportsGuy]

I've made a couple of random posts but new to this board overall. I am a UT Lady Vols fan and have been for several years now. I've read Pat's books, celebrated the victories, and been disappointed at some of the loses. However, I never felt the need to disparage or demean UConn. I saw the UConn program move past UT in the 2000s and felt sad for UT, but no animosity towards Geno or the program he built.

Until this season, I felt the 2002 TASS force plus Taurasi team was the best I saw. UConn has had some dominant teams since then, but the 2002 squad had a magic about them. This season, this squad has exceeded that team in so many ways. Stewart is easily one of the greatest of all time, Jefferson is pushing Sue Bird for greatest UConn PG, Tuck is a gamer, and the other parts play their roles to perfection most games. After the dismantling of SC last night, I cannot say I've seen a more dominant squad in the time I've watched the sport. The 1998 LVs will always be special to me, and the 02 UConn team was what greatness was all about, but this year's team is beyond both.

Enjoy these times UConn fans. I make no predictions about what will come down the road, but it will be tough to pull off another 4 year run like this one. There is no reason to compare, contrast, analyze other teams, or take pleasure in struggles of other programs. You are the gold standard once again for 2016. Watch with pleasure, respect the product on the floor, and keep these games as great memories. I hope you all appreciate what is happening with your squad and university.

 

[CL82]

Great post. I agree with you that nothing this good can go on forever and we should enjoy every minute of it.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I appreciate the fact that this year is our pinnacle. Perhaps last year was it. Reality will definitely set in next October when there's no Stewie or Mo, and of course other fan favorites part of this run like Hartley, Dolson, and KML are long gone.

 

[Hongster]

Well said! the best ever observation from LV fan. Thank you and you have nailed it! Enjoy the ride because you'd never know what's gonna happen tomorrow.

This team is the best of all time. Stewie is the GOAT and yes Mojeff has just passed Sue Bird for the best ever PG, her lightening quick is second to none!!!!!!!

I can't comprehend BB life without them.

 

[GiladKatzDeli]

I think it's only a matter of time before UT rights the ship. The team has too much talent to be playing the way they are. I'm not sure if it'll just take time or a new coach, but that program has too much tradition and fan support to be barely cracking the top 25. Of course, I'm still holding out hope for an annual UConn-Tenn matchup! I can't imagine a wbb fan not tuning in for that one.

 

[baggerbob]

Enjoy Stewie, Mo, and Tuck's last run together, we may never see their like again as team-mates.

 

[Blakeon18]

Sportsguy: assuming you are a perfectly rational and wonderful soul [!], what is your take on Holly?
When her contract is up, do they do a new deal? Might she be politely dumped before the contract is up?
Do they let her contract run its' course and then look elsewhere?

How does the presence of Pat influence this issue...if at all?

 

[connboy77]

I appreciate the fact that this year is our pinnacle. Perhaps last year was it. Reality will definitely set in next October when there's no Stewie or Mo, and of course other fan favorites part of this run like Hartley, Dolson, and KML are long gone.

I can't understand why you are so negative all the time. I'll predict right now that UCONN even without Morgan will be top five. I foresee great things for Kia, Gabby, Katie Lou, Collier, and freshman Crystal Dangerfield. Also Natlie Butler will be much improved as will a healthy Chong. I also see two freshmen(Bent and Irwin) that may surprise a lot of people. I don't know about you, but I will enjoy watching my Huskies next year just like this year. Let the beat go on!

 

[iamcbs]

I'm a firm believer in "living in the moment" and enjoying the day what I don't get is all this doom and gloom about next season. Sure some all-time great players will be gone, but isn't that always the case at UConn? The magic of Geno and CD, along with Shea and Marissa, is that they make new all-time greats. Stewie, Tuck and MoJet weren't all-time greats their freshman year, in point of fact most fans didn't believe MoJet could play at this level her freshman year. Kia Nurse is star, Gabulous didn't get that nickname for nothing, Lou and Napheesa will make the sophomore leap, Natalie Butler will be better, she sat out for a year-and-a-half, Saniya will perform, Courtney will be a junior and finally get her shot, I promise she won't disappoint. The incoming freshman will contribute and Geno and CD will still be on the bench so what will be different? They won't have Stewie, MoJet and most probably Morgan(there are only so many games left in those knees, it's time to go) There was a time when they didn't have Rebecca, Pam, Sveta, DT3, Sue, Jamelle, Nykesha, Pam, Kalana, Maya, Tina, Renee, Stef, Bria, KML, Kelly, Tiffany, Caroline, Jen, Carla and all the rest. They've done relatively well after those departures and they'll be okay next year.

 

[Sonny44]

I don't think it's doom and gloom, just reality. We're going to lose some and we don't like that. Spoiled you know.

 

[PhillyCoach]

I can't understand why you are so negative all the time. I'll predict right now that UCONN even without Morgan will be top five. I foresee great things for Kia, Gabby, Katie Lou, Collier, and freshman Crystal Dangerfield. Also Natlie Butler will be much improved as will a healthy Chong. I also see two freshmen(Bent and Irwin) that may surprise a lot of people. I don't know about you, but I will enjoy watching my Huskies next year just like this year. Let the beat go on!

Hey connboy - I agree with you about next year. Here is my reasoning for top 10 easy and top 5 (a good chance)----Look at Notre Dame this year! Without Turner or Reimer, ND gave UConn a tough game. Think about it. One of the greatest UConn teams of all time and ND plays us tough. With what players? Mabrey1, 5"10 Cable (who is playing well, but can be controlled), Wesbeld (average), some solid frosh (but are frosh) and Huffman and other deep bench players. How did ND do it? The same qualities that UConn has-- Team defense, great coaching, motion offense, outside scoring, BBIQ, determination, and more.
So, UConn will have all those qualities next year and they will have 7 players that are better than this year's ND top seven (remember Turner & Reimer did not play.) If Tuck is back then UConn will be top 5. ND has proven that THE SYSTEM can put the team into position to win against anyone.

 

[Dove]

Enjoy these times UConn fans.

Uh, okay.

 

[CocoHusky]

"Those three? I appreciate them more and more every day," Auriemma said. "Sometimes I start to blink and look out there and realize next year they're not going to be out there. Then I really appreciate them."

 

[JordyG]

I've made a couple of random posts but new to this board overall. I am a UT Lady Vols fan and have been for several years now. I've read Pat's books, celebrated the victories, and been disappointed at some of the loses. However, I never felt the need to disparage or demean UConn. I saw the UConn program move past UT in the 2000s and felt sad for UT, but no animosity towards Geno or the program he built.

Until this season, I felt the 2002 TASS force plus Taurasi team was the best I saw. UConn has had some dominant teams since then, but the 2002 squad had a magic about them. This season, this squad has exceeded that team in so many ways. Stewart is easily one of the greatest of all time, Jefferson is pushing Sue Bird for greatest UConn PG, Tuck is a gamer, and the other parts play their roles to perfection most games. After the dismantling of SC last night, I cannot say I've seen a more dominant squad in the time I've watched the sport. The 1998 LVs will always be special to me, and the 02 UConn team was what greatness was all about, but this year's team is beyond both.

Enjoy these times UConn fans. I make no predictions about what will come down the road, but it will be tough to pull off another 4 year run like this one. There is no reason to compare, contrast, analyze other teams, or take pleasure in struggles of other programs. You are the gold standard once again for 2016. Watch with pleasure, respect the product on the floor, and keep these games as great memories. I hope you all appreciate what is happening with your squad and university.

Thanks. Well thought out, well said. I not so contrarily am a UCONN fan that finds no pleasure in watching the slow decline of the Lady Vols. I see how that rivalry propelled WBB to new heights which ultimately made the WNBA possible. I see how WBB has plateaued at best and how we need great rivalries to keep WBB in the public's eye. I don't know about other Huskie fans, but I miss those days. I again would love to see (perhaps without Holly) UT once again vie with UCONN for a championship.

Yes and I too think we UCONN fans should savor these last days of this great team. Whether this is UCONN women's GOAT or not the greatness of the big three cannot be denied. Although down the road another team may win 5 in a row a single graduating team can only match what this team seeks to accomplish. Go Women's Basketball.

 

[ballhawk]

I think you really captured the greatness of this team. Enjoy the season. There will be other good and very good UConn teams but this team is special. A game between a Stewie and Mo who will not lose vs. a DT who would not lose would be hard to predict but I would take this year's team. Stewie, in my opinion, has raised her game to such a level that she is the GOAT.

 

[MilfordHusky]

"Those three? I appreciate them more and more every day," Auriemma said. "Sometimes I start to blink and look out there and realize next year they're not going to be out there. Then I really appreciate them."

When Maya was leaving, CD joked about the first practice the next year. Geno would come out, ask where Maya was, be told that she was gone, and go back to hide in his office. We had some bumps, especially against Notre Dame, in the next 2 years, but Kelly kept up the intensity, Bria and Stef blossomed into All-Americans, Kaleena became the greatest 3-point shooter ever, and the 2012 recruiting class gave us Stewie, Moriah, and Morgan. So things have looked bleak (relatively speaking) in the past. Let's see where Kia, Gabby, Lou, Napheesa, Crystal, et al. can take us. And if we add Megan Walker and a couple of first-rate blue chippers, maybe another very long winning streak is possible.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Players like Maya, DT, Stewie are rare talents. There is no one coming to UConn like that, nor do I see a recruit out there that is like that, at least not yet. Those are the types of players that elevate a program to that level we've enjoyed near continuously since the Maya/TC years.

 

[huskeynut]

First of all - can we enjoy this season? Getting a little tired of this stuff with next year.

Second - we've heard the doom and gloom before. There is always the next one who will step up and lead. Geno and company know how this is done, how to mold a competative team and be winners. They know how to recruit and fill the voids.

We have a great group of very talented young ladies who are very talented, very competitive and understand how to win.

OK - off my soap box!

 

[Blueballer]

Amen to the title of this thread. These are "The Good Old days" and have been for some time. Don't take it for granted.

And congrats to your thread
MSSportsGuy
and to you a few of you other guys too in this thread - it's nice to see boneyarders with more "likes" than "posts"! Not easy to do.

GO UCONN

 

[mag 7]

Great idea - enjoy the game that UConn is playing now. They are a pleasure to watch and we will all miss our seniors. And I love it that they keep winning! I was never a women's basketball fan (and still am not in terms of 90% of the teams out there) but in watching UConn Huskies play it is hard to not be pulled in by the beauty of their teamwork and the fact that they leave it all out on the floor whether they are playing USC, ND or anybody else. Even if they are not top 10 (which I find very, very hard to believe) they are going to play basketball in a way that basketball should be played. I would say that "I can't wait" but I can. I am enjoying this season too much.