ESPN - top title contenders and other stuff

[jcoton56]

50 pounds of fluff in a five pound bag.

 

[Bigpetunia]

Of course, anything we say about an upcoming season in July amounts to little more than pure speculation, especially considering that injury bugs and happenstance are so outside the realm of predictability. In short, your guess is every bit as good as mine. For me, however, looking at ’25-’26 as realistically as I can, I not only predict a repeat Husky championship, I think it’s been a long time since, yeah, I’ll say it, the possibility of an undefeated season has also loomed so large.

Much discussion has been understandably focused on the loss of Paige on the one hand, and on the return of some of the stalwarts on the other. I, for example, believe that Sarah Strong is going to emerge as the most dominant single force in the country. But, here on The Boneyard, we rarely mention our premier returning player, and the ultimate secret to Geno’s success: team defense! In tournament games last year, the Huskies’ opponents, including three #1 seeds, were unable to climb out of the 50’s in scoring, AVERAGING 54! Paige contributed to that effort, but that player was solid whether Paige was on the floor or not. A team doesn’t win many games averaging points in the mid-50’s range, and The Huskies absolutely have the personnel and the depth of fresh legs to repeat that achievement!

 

[oldhusky]

I think the opinion that our odds are better this year than a couple of years down the road is probably a sound one, with a very important caveat, namely based on what we know now. Will Uconn add significant talent with new recruits? Of course we always have plenty of good complimentary players of near WNBA level, the question is how many truly elite stars we will have.

Last year we had three that were healthy when we needed them, two of them arguably as good as anyone in the country. Combine that with good solid complimentary players and for sure you are a contender. This year we lose a superstar, add a player near star status in Serah, and one freshmen in Blanca who might in time be a real star, or at least at this stage seems to have that high a potential ceiling.

After this year, we lose Azzi and Serah, and if Blanca is just good not great, Sarah is the only big time star we know for sure for the next couple of years. If we pick up a few good not great recruits and/or transfers, that doesn't move the needle much, or make our chances as good as last year, or this season.

Will we be a contender even if we don't add a big time star over the next couple of years? Sure along with several other teams, but the talent among the top three players on paper is tough to match for last year's team or this one. I don't see see many prospects over the next couple of years that I would view as likely big time stars, maybe on the Big O.

Blanca could be a key. She seems to have star upside, but with much uncertainty as well. If she is the real deal, then Sarah would have a second star to play with her last two years, and maybe another recruit or transfer could make it three, but on paper and from a probability standpoint, this year the odds are likely to be better than the next two, but regardless we should be a major contender.

 

[Urshurak]

All I got out of this article was calling ESPN journalism, and journalism n genral, "Sloppy" is being kind......

HIs articles aren't even worth reading. At all. Complete waste of time.

 

[MooseJaw]

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.

Agree, and would throw in that Mr. in the know on SC, didn't even know that Watkins will not be playing this coming season. So much for his insight.

 

[CL82]

I not only predict a repeat Husky championship, I think it’s been a long time since, yeah, I’ll say it, the possibility of an undefeated season has also loomed so large.

 

[Geew1992]

Agree, and would throw in that Mr. in the know on SC, didn't even know that Watkins will not be playing this coming season. So much for his insight.

Pretty sure this story was written before the Watkins story came out. Also, he wrote the ESPN article about Watkins.

 

[MooseJaw]

Pretty sure this story was written before the Watkins story came out. Also, he wrote the ESPN article about Watkins.

My point being that Mr. in the know all about SC, did not have a clue about Watkins. Did he do his job, 0r just assume what he put into print. Until proven to the contrary I'll go with, he assumed and fell om his face.

 

[Vowelguy]

The persecution complex on this board is staggering.

 

[Alydar]

The persecution complex on this board is staggering.

It isn't persecution. It's the double standard. Sports coverage has always been unbalanced since most of the writers worked for newspapers that covered local teams. So everyone in every city got a glowing forecast of the upcoming season and no one cared because only fans read those stories. When a national media outlet slants their coverage fans from all over the country read it.

I'm not disturbed by it at all. It's not a complex. It's simply commenting. I've been pointing out ESPN's (in particular M. Voepel's) bias for years. I'm posting to those who don't have the historical perspective I have had.

 

[eastmill]

What's a YER? Does it have horns? Does it go to UConn? A pet peeve of mine illiteracy on line.

Add a comma

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Add a comma

Some commas are optional. Some morning I wake up British. It's a short terrifying time.

 

[Zonepress]

The persecution complex on this board is staggering.

lol have to agree with you on that
The idea that ESPN with somehow have an anti-uconn bias it’s really silly
that being said, I had started the conversation about Voepel and wondering if others thought he had some animus regarding Uconn
A number of others seem to share that feeling and gave some up pervasive evidence of it
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think any writer for any publication might not always be objective
And I think Vopel may be that way re Uconn

 

[Vowelguy]

A number of others seem to share that feeling and gave some up pervasive evidence of it
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think any writer for any publication might not always be objective
And I think Vopel may be that way re Uconn

A number of people think the earth is flat. Doesnt make it true.

 

[cwh20]

Voepel’s UConn comments are questionable for sure. Not crazy out of line but certainly not the popular take either. He’s the anti UConn guy. Someone has to be. Clicks are needed and all the ESPN writers can’t be saying the same thing. So he’s going to be angling toward and emphasizing the downsides to the team and be light on the positives. Geno may retire, Paige is gone, etc. For the other contenders he may be stating all the positives and omitting some negatives. It’s all a strategy for readers interest and he may actually believe what he writes too but whatever. Take a breath and realize it doesn’t matter too much. Games will be played and a champion crowned this next season. UConn is seemingly in the drivers seat to me (they’re Sarah Strong!) but we’ll see.

 

[Zonepress]

A number of people think the earth is flat. Doesnt make it true.

really
this is a forum for OPINIONS !!
if your goal is just to be a contrarian, I think you’ve succeeded

 

[DefenseBB]

Already scheduled an appointment to get a Duke WBB 2026 Final 4 tattoo.

That’s great! Make sure you give them the correct spelling-UCONN

 

[DefenseBB]

really
this is a forum for OPINIONS !!
if your goal is just to be a contrarian, I think you’ve succeeded

You have an opinion that you gave us and that many debunk as pure folly. ESPN did not show any bias in this article and Jana, while showing improvement does not warrant any specific mention. I would say Blanca deserved a mention as a top freshman possibility, the AA potential is a bridge too far for me but I do agree she’s extremely talented and will contribute mightily this year.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

You have an opinion that you gave us and that many debunk as pure folly. ESPN did not show any bias in this article and Jana, while showing improvement does not warrant any specific mention. I would say Blanca deserved a mention as a top freshman possibility, the AA potential is a bridge too far for me but I do agree she’s extremely talented and will contribute mightily this year.

And your so-called debunking are merely contrary opinions because the underlying bias alleged — whether certain specific cited episodes constitute bias — is non-adjucatable by law or fact because it is based on people’s perceptions or feelings.

Certain things are adjucatable. Whether the earth is round or flat. Whether or not a law affecting a suspect class survives strict scrutiny. Whether or not Charlie Crème is biased in his prognostications of the NCAAT committee’s work (note: he is not).

And there are the specific cited episodes of slanted coverage. It is impossible to prove 100% bias (mens rea, editorial discretion) but it is also impossible to disprove that people’s feelings or perceptions are not genuinely held.

In the end, it’s all a tempest in a teacup. But it is people’s tempests and teacups, which fans are allowed to have and the Board is the place to express them.

It’s ok to express exasperation. But what is not ok are people feeling that they are thought police gatekeepers on something that is not adjucatable.

 

[hoophuskee]

lol have to agree with you on that
The idea that ESPN with somehow have an anti-uconn bias it’s really silly
that being said, I had started the conversation about Voepel and wondering if others thought he had some animus regarding Uconn
A number of others seem to share that feeling and gave some up pervasive evidence of it
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think any writer for any publication might not always be objective
And I think Vopel may be that way re Uconn

I agree with you. In regard to something like this – stick to what you believe. For example some posters probably believed right from the beginning UCONN was going to win. While others may not have believed until last minutes.

For me, I find it “staggering” that people don’t believe to some degree that MV dislikes UCONN. MV “is allowed” to be a human being. And human beings can have biases. Or are they only bias if they approve of UCONN?

Anyhow for me, I’ve often disagreed with the poster that spoke of “staggering.” I can’t help it- I know what I believe and I’m near certain MV popped off at UCONN and/or Geno in general during the Collier vs Nneka, and/or Geno vs Parker, and/or so many UCONN players like Jones making it.

Also, when I was 9 years old I noticed the difference in my favorite team when the MVP the prior year helped them win a championship to the next year they got beat in semis in which while he played he was nowhere near his former self. I can tell that as a kid. So, this isn’t “questionable, ”imo it’s out of line because if I could see it at 9 years old, MV didn’t even make a 1 sentence mention of it in his article.

Then add in the point I made about him being possibly sad. AI picked up on it, but I seem to recall it. I realize for others this isn’t proof but for me it sort of is and it’s within the context o the other things. Plus this is something I’m more apt to remember. Because many years ago – whne the UCONN men won their 1st title by beating Duke 77-74, I believe his name was Mike Vaccarro wrote an article in some manner stating how sad he was or the game was that Duke didn’t win. Coming from New York and Duke being so dominant overall those many years, and UCONN winning once – I was amazed. I ended up sending him an email – he never replied. But it just shows writers and analysts can have preferences too. Do we really think Muffet and Monica McNutt wanted UCONN to win? SO, we’re to believe that MV is above it all? Don’t we think Rebecca wanted UCONN to win?

 

[Bone Dog]

Blanca! Blanca! Blanca! Blanca! Blanca!

 

[Molisanos]

Blanca! Blanca! Blanca! Blanca! Blanca!

What happened?

 

[Tonyc]

We have to go to players in Azzi and Sarah. They will draw much of the attention of opposing defenses. However last season we had Paige to and it was difficult for defenses to guard all three. This season we have a very good post presence with many who will contribute. We have depth that can score. Let me say this. Blanca will be a major star. It will take some time for her to adjust but she will be a major star this season. One of the advantages for our schedule which many have mentioned is a little weak is that Geno will be able to play more players without the fret of losing most games. UConn is back and a very powerful and overwhelming team.

Getting back to Azzi and Sarah drawing alot of attention from opposing defenses. Blanca will draw alot of attention and is athletic enough to be tuff to stop. She has been compared to Napheesa. She will be able to exploit her talent because of the attention her teammates will receive.

The key is staying healthy. We are loaded almost beyond belief. I believe most teams have become weaker then they were last season due to transfers and graduation. UConn lost Paige however they kept their nucleus which on defense was suffocating. UConn is bigger and more athletic this coming season and their defense will gobble up most opponents just like they did last season. Most teams dont have 2 AAs. Most teams dont have 3 go to players.

Now imagine Caroline and Yana coming back and being close to what they were? Imagine our height athleticism and defense. Imagine the balance and competition amongst our team. This is the motivation that will run this team. There arent many teams that have what UConn has. UConn may be a stronger team then last season. Just a side note. The connection between Christ the King and UConn is very solid and you know who is at CTK and graduating this season. Geno may not be retiring for quite some time. Im am confident that UConn and Geno have a plan in place for when he decides to step down. There are too many players in AAU and around the world that want to play for Geno. The future is bright and this coming season could be one of the most dominate seasons UConn has had.

 

[oldude]

I cannot think of another team that lost the NPOY, one of the best players and leaders in the history of the program, and was, or will be better the following season…..with the exception of UConn this coming season.

 

[Bone Dog]

What happened?

Nothing. I was just channeling all the excitement around the prospect of Blanca’s contributions to the team. Sorry for the confusion.