Carnac
That venerable sage from the west
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2015
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I'm glad this attention has been brought to women's college basketball. Let's get get all the the hate, finger pointing and animosity out in the open. Allow me to reiterate some observations and takes that have already been shared by others:
1. When "whiners" get on a roll, they can't stop. Whaaa, whaa, whaa. Some folks can't see the forest for the trees. Is the glass half empty, or half full? Perspective, that's what we're talking about here.
Its easier to blame UConn for all of the other Division 1 WCBB team's failure to raise their program up to UConn's level, than to blame the other programs collectively/individually. Many think its easy to do what UConn has done recently. Nine straight trips to the final four for UConn. Its not easy. Just ask Notre Dame, South Carolina or Maryland (last year's final four teams). NONE of them were able to make it back THIS year, and UConn did not have anything to do with their derailment.
2. Why is UConn expected to apologize for their success? Why has UConn been designated to be the savior of WCBB? Geno said "If you're tired of us winning, beat us". That's simple enough.
I have never seen another sports program/franchise at any level, in any sport, be accused of being "too good" for their sport, and thus be accused a detriment to it. That's ludicrous.
3. Is it getting the best players every year (which is not the case, but that's what UConn is accused of), or is it coaching that makes UConn so good year in, and year out?
NOTE: UConn has not had the #1 recruiting class since 2012. Last year, UCLA had the #1 recruiting class. So what happened to them? If having the best talent is the benchmark for winning championships, why didn't they win it all last year? Maryland has the #1 class for 2016. Will they be the #1 ranked team to begin the season this fall? Will they be picked to win the NC next year?
4. Another poster mentioned a very poignant point today. He said some of these programs need to fire some of these lazy, ineffective coaches that are not improving their programs. They're not good recruiters, nor are good teachers. In addition, many of the colleges and universities need to upgrade their facilities, and allocate more revenue to their women's basketball programs. You can't fund a Pinto, and expect to out run a Corvette. Yes Geno does get good players, but not always. UConn has ONE player in the 2016 ESPN HoopGurlz top 100 recruiting rankings coming in next year.
What people outside of the UConn program don't realize is, that he is a master teacher of the nuances of the game. He teaches them why the game must be played a certain way to become dominate, and successful on a regular basis. He teaches the "how" AND the "why". Geno recruits players that will fit into his program, and will flourish in its operation. Girls that are willing to sacrifice their personal stats and potential individual accolades for the betterment of the team. Girls that will sell out 100% to be part of that program. Girls that want to be molded and shaped into the best possible player they can be.
5. Instead of pointing the finger at UConn, and trying to blame them for their dominance, why not resolve to improve YOUR program to challenge them? UConn set the bar, raise to their level, instead of expecting them to come down to yours. Moriah Jefferson said it best: "its a race, and I'm not slowing down". That sounds just like Mo doesn't it?
6. Its got to be the coaching and the uncompromising standards of the program. The only thing that has been a constant at UConn since 1995 (UConn's first National championship), is Geno and Chris Daley. The players come and go, yet UConn continues to win. Coaches are a vain lot. They hate to admit being out coached. Its bad for their ego, and their reputation. What other explanation is there? NO ONE coaches or runs their practices like Geno. NO ONE!!! He has developed a formula that is successful, and he's stuck with it. His players know that, and buy in to it.
7. It starts every year on the first day of official practice. The goal is set. The goal is to win a national championship. Every team has the same goal you say. The difference is at UConn, they EXPECT to win that year's championship, then go about doing it everyday during the season until its done. At other programs, they hope to win a championship. They hope to be good enough. They hope they can compete. They hope to make the tournament. They hope to get a good seed, and not be in UConn's bracket.
8. I'd like to hear just 1 coach of a major women's basketball program step up and publicly state that he/she does not blame UConn for their success. That they (WCBB as a whole) have not lived up to (or attained) the standards that UConn has set, and that starting RIGHT NOW, they are going to begin to do everything they can to close the gap. Be it recruit better players and become better teachers, or perhaps conduct their practices differently, maybe similar to Geno's. Personally accept the responsibility and the challenge to raise the level of their team's play and execution, starting today.
Not whine and complain like Brenda Frese, suggesting that she would like Geno to dial it back some. After all, its not her fault, its his.
I remind you of the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome. Isn't that what these coaches are doing?
1. When "whiners" get on a roll, they can't stop. Whaaa, whaa, whaa. Some folks can't see the forest for the trees. Is the glass half empty, or half full? Perspective, that's what we're talking about here.
Its easier to blame UConn for all of the other Division 1 WCBB team's failure to raise their program up to UConn's level, than to blame the other programs collectively/individually. Many think its easy to do what UConn has done recently. Nine straight trips to the final four for UConn. Its not easy. Just ask Notre Dame, South Carolina or Maryland (last year's final four teams). NONE of them were able to make it back THIS year, and UConn did not have anything to do with their derailment.
2. Why is UConn expected to apologize for their success? Why has UConn been designated to be the savior of WCBB? Geno said "If you're tired of us winning, beat us". That's simple enough.
I have never seen another sports program/franchise at any level, in any sport, be accused of being "too good" for their sport, and thus be accused a detriment to it. That's ludicrous.
3. Is it getting the best players every year (which is not the case, but that's what UConn is accused of), or is it coaching that makes UConn so good year in, and year out?
NOTE: UConn has not had the #1 recruiting class since 2012. Last year, UCLA had the #1 recruiting class. So what happened to them? If having the best talent is the benchmark for winning championships, why didn't they win it all last year? Maryland has the #1 class for 2016. Will they be the #1 ranked team to begin the season this fall? Will they be picked to win the NC next year?
4. Another poster mentioned a very poignant point today. He said some of these programs need to fire some of these lazy, ineffective coaches that are not improving their programs. They're not good recruiters, nor are good teachers. In addition, many of the colleges and universities need to upgrade their facilities, and allocate more revenue to their women's basketball programs. You can't fund a Pinto, and expect to out run a Corvette. Yes Geno does get good players, but not always. UConn has ONE player in the 2016 ESPN HoopGurlz top 100 recruiting rankings coming in next year.
What people outside of the UConn program don't realize is, that he is a master teacher of the nuances of the game. He teaches them why the game must be played a certain way to become dominate, and successful on a regular basis. He teaches the "how" AND the "why". Geno recruits players that will fit into his program, and will flourish in its operation. Girls that are willing to sacrifice their personal stats and potential individual accolades for the betterment of the team. Girls that will sell out 100% to be part of that program. Girls that want to be molded and shaped into the best possible player they can be.
5. Instead of pointing the finger at UConn, and trying to blame them for their dominance, why not resolve to improve YOUR program to challenge them? UConn set the bar, raise to their level, instead of expecting them to come down to yours. Moriah Jefferson said it best: "its a race, and I'm not slowing down". That sounds just like Mo doesn't it?
6. Its got to be the coaching and the uncompromising standards of the program. The only thing that has been a constant at UConn since 1995 (UConn's first National championship), is Geno and Chris Daley. The players come and go, yet UConn continues to win. Coaches are a vain lot. They hate to admit being out coached. Its bad for their ego, and their reputation. What other explanation is there? NO ONE coaches or runs their practices like Geno. NO ONE!!! He has developed a formula that is successful, and he's stuck with it. His players know that, and buy in to it.
7. It starts every year on the first day of official practice. The goal is set. The goal is to win a national championship. Every team has the same goal you say. The difference is at UConn, they EXPECT to win that year's championship, then go about doing it everyday during the season until its done. At other programs, they hope to win a championship. They hope to be good enough. They hope they can compete. They hope to make the tournament. They hope to get a good seed, and not be in UConn's bracket.
8. I'd like to hear just 1 coach of a major women's basketball program step up and publicly state that he/she does not blame UConn for their success. That they (WCBB as a whole) have not lived up to (or attained) the standards that UConn has set, and that starting RIGHT NOW, they are going to begin to do everything they can to close the gap. Be it recruit better players and become better teachers, or perhaps conduct their practices differently, maybe similar to Geno's. Personally accept the responsibility and the challenge to raise the level of their team's play and execution, starting today.
Not whine and complain like Brenda Frese, suggesting that she would like Geno to dial it back some. After all, its not her fault, its his.
I remind you of the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome. Isn't that what these coaches are doing?
I wish I had thought of that one.
