ESPN - top title contenders and other stuff

[Vowelguy]

sl

so I guess most agree with my feeling that Voepel
has not exact been objective when it comes to
Uconn

how was "most" determined?

 

[triaddukefan]

Cancel your appointment, @triaddukefan. Voepel says it's only going to be SEC teams in the final four.

Am I allowed to say To Hell with the $EC (except for Vandy) on this board?

 

[Zonepress]

how was "most" determined?

by those who replied to my posy

 

[Bone Dog]

If we're really doing absurd speculation, I think it's worth considering the sequence of rosters.

• This season we're looking at a core of Azzi Sarah Serah with a solid supporting cast. I think this makes them the obvious pre-season favorites to win it all
• The following season we're looking at a core of Sarah and Blanca with seniors Ash and KK and juniors Jana, Morgan Allie and Kayleigh. We don't know who will step up from this group which suggests Sarah will have to do the heavy lifting
• In Sarah's senior season, her senior partners will be Jana Morgan Allie and Kayleigh plus juniors Blanca Gandy and Kelis who may all be AA level or turn out not to be up to the task.

When I look at this sequence, what I see is a team with an excellent chance at repeating once, and a steadily diminishing chance with each successive season.

 

[Skeets]

If we're really doing absurd speculation, I think it's worth considering the sequence of rosters.

• This season we're looking at a core of Azzi Sarah Serah with a solid supporting cast. I think this makes them the obvious pre-season favorites to win it all
• The following season we're looking at a core of Sarah and Blanca with seniors Ash and KK and juniors Jana, Morgan Allie and Kayleigh. We don't know who will step up from this group which suggests Sarah will have to do the heavy lifting
• In Sarah's senior season, her senior partners will be Jana Morgan Allie and Kayleigh plus juniors Blanca Gandy and Kelis who may all be AA level or turn out not to be up to the task.

When I look at this sequence, what I see is a team with an excellent chance at repeating once, and a steadily diminishing chance with each successive season.

Mr. Dog, doesn't it always look like that 2 or 3 years out? Who knows what the future holds. I see UConn being very competitive well into the future. (ha, you don't need a crystal ball to see that.)

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

Voepel can't write about UConn without throwing some shade. "What could go wrong" is the usual theme every year. This year it's Geno retiring.

What problems does SCar have to overcome? Nothing.



Notice that there is no doubt about Watkins' return to 100%. When it was Fudd or Bueckers their return to 100% was always in doubt. But that's Voepel, who still pines for his orange goddess.

Watkins just announced she is sitting out this year.

 

[Bigboote]

Whelp. Already wrong on SCar. Ashlynn Watkins announced she will not play this coming year

Well that stinks, but isn't at all unexpected. She's a lot of fun to watch Does she have two years of eligibility left?

 

[visitingcock]

Well that stinks, but isn't at all unexpected. She's a lot of fun to watch Does she have two years of eligibility left?

Unsure, she has Omer for sure. Maybe two her injury was in the first game of 2025. No ruling on that year

 

[Bald Husky]

Oh, ESPN just doesn't get it. I will not go into detail since we all know who we are.
We have 2 of the big three coming back, many guards fighting for minutes, two important players coming off injury, Jana will be a problem for some teams next year, great recruiting class coming in, two transfers that will play many minutes and will be very impactful. So, with this great team coming back they rank us #2. Totally disrespectful for our program, and to really take the cake, South Carolina, the team that they rank #1 was beaten by us twice last year, by 23 and 29 points. These people are really stupid, or they really hate UConn.

 

[hoophuskee]

maybe it’s me but it seems Vopel has some kind of anti uconn Bias
the line about GA poss retiring has no basis in fact
as he has stated many times he has a contract
and has said he needs coaching more than the players
need him i’m paraphrasing
picked against uconn i believe in both final four games
all of this really means nothing lol but interested
if others feel the same

Can't cite all the incidents but I rarely read ESPN mostly becuase of the combo that many posters on here (UCONN fans and non-UCONN alike) know more imo about UCONN and/or basketball overall than quite a few ESPN writers/analysts. Also, I beleive MV hates/dislkes UCONN overall.. But here are some points to consider. Though nothing here is "evidence." Just opnion.

1---You can google by making a comment that MV was very hurt by South Carolina losing to UCONN in the finals. TBH I didn't read the quote but AI indcated that MV was hurt by it. I saw it one time but then it went away so I can't porvide the link but oddly while AI indicated MV was hurt by the loss the article it cited was from Andrea Adeison and there was no mention of MV being hurt. This sems like an AI error. But somehow I think I can recall he was. But below is another that AI implies MV expressed sadness that SOuth Carolina didn't win it's Overview.

Google Search

2---- In Feb 2025 he writes the below articale that SOuth Carolina is now the premiere #1 team. Not one mention of UCONN's unreal injuries. I can't understnd how that is possible for someone that is supposedly a follower of wcbb.

Seven steps to building a dynasty: Dawn Staley, A'ja Wilson and the rise of South Carolina

Three NCAA titles. A perfect season. Here are the moments that paved the way for South Carolina to become the dynasty of women's college basketball.

www.espn.com

3---- I can't find any of the past articles so I'm not certain regarding how criticial he was of the Olympics selections that MV was not happy one bit. But I do believe he was critical with either Geno's selection of the many UCONN players, and/or how he treated Parker, and/or how when Dawn took over that there were some or 1 specific UCONN selection(s) made over a player like Nneka. Oddly I think it was Collier. There were some accusations made by the media that Geno influenced Dawn and/or the Committee to take a player or others that were uconn over others. I believe MV was outspoken with either 1 or all 3 above - I could be mistaken though but I don't think so.

 

[Cuango]

If we're really doing absurd speculation, I think it's worth considering the sequence of rosters.

• This season we're looking at a core of Azzi Sarah Serah with a solid supporting cast. I think this makes them the obvious pre-season favorites to win it all
• The following season we're looking at a core of Sarah and Blanca with seniors Ash and KK and juniors Jana, Morgan Allie and Kayleigh. We don't know who will step up from this group which suggests Sarah will have to do the heavy lifting
• In Sarah's senior season, her senior partners will be Jana Morgan Allie and Kayleigh plus juniors Blanca Gandy and Kelis who may all be AA level or turn out not to be up to the task.

When I look at this sequence, what I see is a team with an excellent chance at repeating once, and a steadily diminishing chance with each successive season.

Seems like you forgot we will presumably be adding more talent in each of those years. Isn’t there a chance we will get a few more good players over these next three to four years? I have heard we stand a pretty good chance of getting Olivia Vukosa, I believe we are recruiting Addison Bjorn, Jacy Abii, Jerzy Robinson, and that’s just next year! Obviously, we don’t know who we will get but I’m pretty sure we will continue to get good to great players for at least a few more years! Yes, next year we will (knock wood) be a juggernaut, but we’ve dealt with player loss before and won. I don’t think a lot of people are going to be betting that UConn won’t be a threat to win it all in 2027 and 2028.

 

[Bone Dog]

Seems like you forgot we will presumably be adding more talent in each of those years. Isn’t there a chance we will get a few more good players over these next three to four years? I have heard we stand a pretty good chance of getting Olivia Vukosa, I believe we are recruiting Addison Bjorn, Jacy Abii, Jerzy Robinson, and that’s just next year! Obviously, we don’t know who we will get but I’m pretty sure we will continue to get good to great players for at least a few more years! Yes, next year we will (knock wood) be a juggernaut, but we’ve dealt with player loss before and won. I don’t think a lot of people are going to be betting that UConn won’t be a threat to win it all in 2027 and 2028.

I didn’t forget. We just don’t know anything about who will arrive in subsequent seasons. The main constant is Sarah and everyone else will revolve around her. She will do what Paige did and get the best out of everyone. As for your second point, I’m pretty sure UConn has been a threat to win it all every season since 1995.

 

[DEpup]

I just find it the same continued disrespect and wishful thinking on their part. They just love to hate Geno and the team by association gets drawn in.

I mean come on. The Natty MOP plus Strong coming back, a new Serah coming in, a hungry for minutes supporting cast, and really good freshman plus Heckel arriving. Any other team would be ranked #1 to start the season. Oh and they beat the 2 leading contenders by 20+ on the way to the Natty. Mic drop.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

“Consensus top 10 according to our staff, listed in order of odds to win the championship at ESPN BET.”

The article has the above disclaimer, though the disclaimer is a distinction without a difference &1 or worse, “consciousness of guilt” evidence of sanctioned clickbait-maximizing trolling at UConn’s expense.

&1 ESPN BET is a third-party administered site. ESPN chose to use the betting futures on the site instead of disclosing the actual order of their Top 10 and following their precedent on preseason rankings of defending national champions who return most of their roster. Such editorial decision creates plausible deniability on charges of sanctioned clickbait-maximizing trolling.

 

[HopJim]

If we're really doing absurd speculation, I think it's worth considering the sequence of rosters.

• This season we're looking at a core of Azzi Sarah Serah with a solid supporting cast. I think this makes them the obvious pre-season favorites to win it all
• The following season we're looking at a core of Sarah and Blanca with seniors Ash and KK and juniors Jana, Morgan Allie and Kayleigh. We don't know who will step up from this group which suggests Sarah will have to do the heavy lifting
• In Sarah's senior season, her senior partners will be Jana Morgan Allie and Kayleigh plus juniors Blanca Gandy and Kelis who may all be AA level or turn out not to be up to the task.

When I look at this sequence, what I see is a team with an excellent chance at repeating once, and a steadily diminishing chance with each successive season.

Predicting the Ice Brady will play a more active role this year. Seems like she was fighting some lingering injuries this past year but suspect that she will come in this year stronger and with more confidence. My pick for an under the radar surprise.

 

[BBallF]

Maybe, still I like Alexa's commentary better:

View attachment 110798

The key game before the NCAA will be Tennessee. After that, the Final Four.

 

[CL82]

The key game before the NCAA will be Tennessee. After that, the Final Four.

An awful lot of things have to go perfectly for this to happen, but this year's team is an intriguing, compilation of athleticism, talent and experience... plus a bunch of new pieces with incredible promise. I'm excited about it. We are still doomed, but I am excited about it.

 

[BBallF]

An awful lot of things have to go perfectly for this to happen, but this year's team is an intriguing, compilation of athleticism, talent and experience... plus a bunch of new pieces within incredible promise. I'm excited about it. We are still doomed, but I am excited about it.

I'm going to Barclay's on December 20th to see Louisville-Tn and UCONN v. Iowa. I will share my thoughts on the Lady Vols.

 

[Geew1992]

ESPN hates UConn, Vopel works for ESPN, draw your own conclusions.
“Let’s see, UConn just laid waste to the 2025 Final Four, absolutely humiliated the big dog that’s been dominating women’s basketball for the past eight years, has the best player to come out of high school for years, a truly dominant 6’2” player who has the skills to play all five positions, got the best frontcourt player in the portal, who just coincidentally fixes their only potential weakness.”

“This as their 6’5” wunderkind from Egypt finally broke out in the Final Four and began to show signs of fulfilling the expectation most had for her before her achilles injury two years ago and their #4 raked forward Ayanna Patterson looks to be finally healthy. Caroline Ducharme may actually be able to play! They added a very good point guard from the portal as well, in Kaleigh Heckel (who just showed her worth in helping the USA U19 team dominate the world once again as they once again brought home the gold medal.) They have a finally healthy Azzi Fudd who was a dominant force in their romp to a championship, winning the MOP of the FF who looks to be in the best shape of her career and absolutely driven to go out with another title!”

“Aside from all the stars on the roster there are also a number of second and third year players who would likely be the star on most other teams!” “Their freshman class has great potential, with one 6’2” wing being touted as a potential top ten player if she had played here!” “Good Grief!” (Thinking, thinking, thinking…..) “Oh yeah! That’s the ticket!” “Over all this sunshine and rainbows looms the grim possibility that 71 year old Geno Auriemma, the architect of this generational roster, may decide to hang it up!“

(After all, he is 71, with the one of the best rosters he’s ever had, defending champions, with a roster that (on paper) has no weaknesses, with a player who could turn out to be the best he’s ever coached, just signed an extension and appears to be very upbeat and excited over this team’s potential.) We’re doomed!

I’ve asked this so many time but yet, ever got an answer. How does espn hate uconn??

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

I’ve asked this so many time but yet, ever got an answer. How does espn hate uconn??

You’ve been heavy on the “dislike” button, as is your wont, but not actually reading the thread.

 

[Bone Dog]

One more thought about realistic contenders: All ten of the teams ESPN listed have a shot at the NC. Yes, some of them would require a lot to break their way, but this is not unheard of in recent history. A few examples:

• Stanford and Arizona both had a path cleared for them to the finals 5 seasons ago.
• LSU and Iowa also benefitted from upsets that cleared a path to the finals 3 seasons ago.
• Iowa was also an unlikely finals team 2 seasons ago.

Only SC was a compelling favorite for the NC 4 seasons and 2 seasons ago and actually won it.

And of course UConn was counted out as late as mid-February last season. And other than South Dakota St upsetting OK St, they benefitted from no breaks in their path and even ended up facing three #1s on their path to the NC. That is the less common result.

 

[BBallF]

An awful lot of things have to go perfectly for this to happen, but this year's team is an intriguing, compilation of athleticism, talent and experience... plus a bunch of new pieces with incredible promise. I'm excited about it. We are still doomed, but I am excited about it.

Don't underestimate depth. It was a tremendous factor last year and this year we really have it at every position.

 

[CL82]

Don't underestimate depth. It was a tremendous factor last year and this year we really have it at every position.

I don't. It's a tremendous asset, but, as we've seen in the past, sometimes depth can be fleeting. It's really hard to win national championships. We won a lot of them, but don't underestimate just how hard it actually is. There's a degree of preparation, but there's also a degree of serendipity.

 

[Cuango]

I didn’t forget. We just don’t know anything about who will arrive in subsequent seasons. The main constant is Sarah and everyone else will revolve around her. She will do what Paige did and get the best out of everyone. As for your second point, I’m pretty sure UConn has been a threat to win it all every season since 1995.

Yes, we do’t know who but I think it’s safe to say we will get some good players to add to the mix. As for your second point, I suppose I must concede that it is at least possible (OK, maybe probable) that after this season we may be slightly less of a favorite in the following years.

 

[MSGRET]

Oh, ESPN just doesn't get it. I will not go into detail since we all know who we are.
We have 2 of the big three coming back, many guards fighting for minutes, two important players coming off injury, Jana will be a problem for some teams next year, great recruiting class coming in, two transfers that will play many minutes and will be very impactful. So, with this great team coming back they rank us #2. Totally disrespectful for our program, and to really take the cake, South Carolina, the team that they rank #1 was beaten by us twice last year, by 23 and 29 points. These people are really stupid, or they really hate UConn.

In both of those games the three players we lost from graduation had the following. At South Carolina they combined for 24 points, 13 assists, 15 rebounds and 2 steals. While in the NC game they had 19 points, 7 assists, 9 rebounds and 1 steal.

I believe that there will be very little drop off from next years team considering who we coming back and the ones that transferred in. This is not even counting the 3 Freshman that are going to be coming in.