ESPN's Way Too Early Rankings -- UConn moves up! | Page 2 | The Boneyard

ESPN's Way Too Early Rankings -- UConn moves up!

Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
6,962
Reaction Score
27,463
The only benefit of being #3 instead of, say #10, is that at that level a team at #10 only moves up if #1-#9 lose. And some of those 9 don't play a meaningful game till after Christmas. None of the major polls should vote until mid-December, when they have some actual evidence.
 
Joined
Nov 8, 2018
Messages
1,550
Reaction Score
5,365
Maybe saw Chennedy Carter play in 2019 Pan American Games. She was not impressive imho.
Chennedy is a great player, I do not see any rational to drop Texas A&M based upon Pan American Games. I still believe they will be an top 5 ball club this year.
 

bballnut90

LV Adherent. Topic Crafter
Joined
Dec 19, 2011
Messages
7,388
Reaction Score
32,987
Biggest movers from Apr. 22 to today:
  • UConn up from 7 to 3.
  • Louisville up from 14 to 8.
  • TAMU down from 5 to 10 (not sure why?).
  • UCLA up from 16 to 12.
  • NC State up from 25 to 15 (what changed?).
  • Michigan State down from 13 to 25.
  • Syracuse down from 10 to UR.

How he had Oregon State and Maryland over UCONN at any point is baffling IMO. UCONN has played in 12 straight Final Fours and has three double digit scorers returning while Maryland lost at home in the 2nd round (which MANY people predicted would happen), yet you think Maryland is going to sky up to be a better team than the Huskies? Or Oregon State who just was not a very good team last year is going to somehow become better than UCONN? Not buying it. Oregon/Baylor/UCONN are locked in as 1/2/3 in my opinion. Don't see a solid argument for another team to challenge them for a top 3 preseason ranking.
 

bballnut90

LV Adherent. Topic Crafter
Joined
Dec 19, 2011
Messages
7,388
Reaction Score
32,987
Chennedy is a great player, I do not see any rational to drop Texas A&M based upon Pan American Games. I still believe they will be an top 5 ball club this year.

I think it comes down to Carter's ability to play in a team setting for TAMU. She has a lot of flaws that I don't see disappearing. If you look at her numbers, she takes 20+ shots per game at a low clip (40.3% from the floor) and had a negative A/TO ratio. In conference play, she still took 20+ shots while shooting 38.9% and had a 45/61 A/TO ratio. They have several other capable offensive options but it can't be the Chennedy show if they want to be a legitimate Final Four contender. Put a good defender on her and you can easily win. Blair has seemingly given her the green light up to this point but she needs to get others involved and make better decisions if they'll be a top 5 team.
 

nwhoopfan

hopeless West Coast homer
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
30,370
Reaction Score
58,070
Or Oregon State who just was not a very good team last year

Have to disagree with that. They didn't finish the season well. It's a long season. They finished 3rd in the Pac 12, one of the two best conferences in the country. It's really hard to reconcile finishing just behind Oregon and Stanford and ahead of UCLA and everybody else with "just was not a very good team last year."
 

bballnut90

LV Adherent. Topic Crafter
Joined
Dec 19, 2011
Messages
7,388
Reaction Score
32,987
Have to disagree with that. They didn't finish the season well. It's a long season. They finished 3rd in the Pac 12, one of the two best conferences in the country. It's really hard to reconcile finishing just behind Oregon and Stanford and ahead of UCLA and everybody else with "just was not a very good team last year."

They weren't bad but they were a massive step below UCONN and any of the elite 8 schools. Last year they lost to 2-15 Washington in the Pac 12 tournament and nearly lost at home to Boise State in the first round of the NCAAs. To have them ranked ahead of UCONN is a joke.
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
1,577
Reaction Score
4,222
I think it comes down to Carter's ability to play in a team setting for TAMU. She has a lot of flaws that I don't see disappearing. If you look at her numbers, she takes 20+ shots per game at a low clip (40.3% from the floor) and had a negative A/TO ratio. In conference play, she still took 20+ shots while shooting 38.9% and had a 45/61 A/TO ratio. They have several other capable offensive options but it can't be the Chennedy show if they want to be a legitimate Final Four contender. Put a good defender on her and you can easily win. Blair has seemingly given her the green light up to this point but she needs to get others involved and make better decisions if they'll be a top 5 team.
Agreed. That #10 spot is a good place for them, whether or not they rise or fall depends on Carter. They have several players who can put up big numbers and I saw that last year. She is clearly a capable guard that can see the floor and distribute, she just doesn’t like to pass the ball. She will literally only give the ball up sometimes because there’s two players on her and she can’t get the shot off. Every shot is not your shot. They really are capable of being a final four team, but if it’s the Carter show I don’t see it happening. She’s gotta pass the ball to keep the defense honest, if you’re always going to shoot, all they have to do is guard you...switch it up sometimes.
 

SimpleDawg

Dan Mullen, Dak Prescott, and Vic Schaefer fan
Joined
Nov 11, 2018
Messages
1,250
Reaction Score
2,064
Texas A&M has everyone back, but until proven otherwise - I think they'll still live in the shadows of SC and Mississippi State - the former because their all-star talent might prove to be too much, and the latter because of the sheer number of men they have/and can rotate around. I see them as a tier below.
 

nwhoopfan

hopeless West Coast homer
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
30,370
Reaction Score
58,070
They weren't bad but they were a massive step below UCONN and any of the elite 8 schools. Last year they lost to 2-15 Washington in the Pac 12 tournament and nearly lost at home to Boise State in the first round of the NCAAs. To have them ranked ahead of UCONN is a joke.

I already said they finished poorly. Look at the season on the whole. They had Notre Dame on the ropes til a 4 minute stretch of the 4th quarter. Beat...ahem...the 2nd place team from the SEC. Played Oregon tough in Eugene and beat them in Corvallis. I think Notre Dame and Oregon qualify as 2 of the elite 8 schools from last year and they clearly weren't "a massive step below" them.
 
Joined
Aug 21, 2015
Messages
4,155
Reaction Score
15,866
How he had Oregon State and Maryland over UCONN at any point is baffling IMO. UCONN has played in 12 straight Final Fours and has three double digit scorers returning while Maryland lost at home in the 2nd round (which MANY people predicted would happen), yet you think Maryland is going to sky up to be a better team than the Huskies? Or Oregon State who just was not a very good team last year is going to somehow become better than UCONN? Not buying it. Oregon/Baylor/UCONN are locked in as 1/2/3 in my opinion. Don't see a solid argument for another team to challenge them for a top 3 preseason ranking.
This makes no sense to me. UConn lost two players that was drafted high in the first round while Maryland lost one non-drafted player. Maryland had the 3rd best recruiting class with two top 20 players and UConn had one All American. Granted Maryland lost TWO second round home games, one where they were ranked the 3rd best team in the country. The inability to play well in the NCAA is probably do more to poor coaching than actually talent. If Westbrook does not get her waiver, I'm taking Maryland over UConn.
 
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Messages
2,213
Reaction Score
6,952
UCONN has history on its side for sure. If Westbrook is not available in the 2019-20 season, I cannot see UCONN ahead of Stanford, Oregon, Baylor. I don't see the talent that replaces Collier & Samulson. I also believe UCONN could be beaten by a number of other teams including Texas A&M, & more PAC-12 teams. With the addition of Westbrook in the upcoming season, I do see UCONN as a top 5 team.
 
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Messages
2,213
Reaction Score
6,952
They weren't bad but they were a massive step below UCONN and any of the elite 8 schools. Last year they lost to 2-15 Washington in the Pac 12 tournament and nearly lost at home to Boise State in the first round of the NCAAs. To have them ranked ahead of UCONN is a joke.
That was last year. UCONN's roster doesn't replace the experience and extreme talent of Collier and Samulson (even with Westbrook). Oregon State will be improved from last year, and if Kat Tudor is back, will surely compete for the PAC-12 title.
 

oldude

bamboo lover
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
17,228
Reaction Score
153,995
Chennedy is a great player, I do not see any rational to drop Texas A&M based upon Pan American Games. I still believe they will be an top 5 ball club this year.
For A&M to be a top 5 team, they pretty much have to be the top team in the SEC and I really don’t see that happening this season. The Aggies will almost certainly be looking up at your Bulldogs, and likely several other conference teams by the end of the season.
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
1,577
Reaction Score
4,222
This makes no sense to me. UConn lost two players that was drafted high in the first round while Maryland lost one non-drafted player. Maryland had the 3rd best recruiting class with two top 20 players and UConn had one All American. Granted Maryland lost TWO second round home games, one where they were ranked the 3rd best team in the country. The inability to play well in the NCAA is probably do more to poor coaching than actually talent. If Westbrook does not get her waiver, I'm taking Maryland over UConn.
Even without Westbrook, Maryland can’t beat UConn. I’m sorry they just don’t have what it takes to beat UConn. They need a coach to get them over the hump. Now I’m a fan of certain players at Maryland, but I’m not a fan of Maryland over UConn; let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
1,577
Reaction Score
4,222
For A&M to be a top 5 team, they pretty much have to be the top team in the SEC and I really don’t see that happening this season. The Aggies will almost certainly be looking up at your Bulldogs, and likely several other conference teams by the end of the season.
They definitely are a top team in the SEC and may even be the team to beat in that conference if Blair can coach his team like he did for the 2011 championship.
 

oldude

bamboo lover
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
17,228
Reaction Score
153,995
That was last year. UCONN's roster doesn't replace the experience and extreme talent of Collier and Samulson (even with Westbrook). Oregon State will be improved from last year, and if Kat Tudor is back, will surely compete for the PAC-12 title.
Yes, UConn will never be able to replace the extreme talent of Pheesa & Lou, and UConn will never be able to replace the defensive brilliance of Gabby & Kia, and UConn will never be able to replace the Big 3....and yet, somehow, some way, the Huskies continue to make it back to the FF every year. :cool:

In response, please review my OP in the thread titled: The Sophomore Leap is Coming!
 
Joined
Aug 21, 2015
Messages
4,155
Reaction Score
15,866
Even without Westbrook, Maryland can’t beat UConn. I’m sorry they just don’t have what it takes to beat UConn. They need a coach to get them over the hump. Now I’m a fan of certain players at Maryland, but I’m not a fan of Maryland over UConn; let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.
I think you're wrong. I wish they would have played this season instead of next season. Maryland has a complete 5 player starting lineup. Without Westbrook, UConn have 4 good starters and questions on the 5th. And heaven forbid ONO gets into foul trouble. With Westbrook it would be no contest. UConn easily. Without Westbrook, Maryland could take them. Too bad we can't find out for sure.
 

oldude

bamboo lover
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
17,228
Reaction Score
153,995
I think you're wrong. I wish they would have played this season instead of next season. Maryland has a complete 5 player starting lineup. Without Westbrook, UConn have 4 good starters and questions on the 5th. And heaven forbid ONO gets into foul trouble. With Westbrook it would be no contest. UConn easily. Without Westbrook, Maryland could take them. Too bad we can't find out for sure.
MD certainly has talent, but it’s hard to envision Brenda ever beating Geno head to head, with or without Westbrook. Last season, the Terps were outplayed in the Big10 conference tournament by a less talented Iowa team that just wanted it more and then were shocked at home in the 2nd round of the Big Dance by a 22-13 UCLA team.
 
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Messages
2,213
Reaction Score
6,952
I think you're wrong. I wish they would have played this season instead of next season. Maryland has a complete 5 player starting lineup. Without Westbrook, UConn have 4 good starters and questions on the 5th. And heaven forbid ONO gets into foul trouble. With Westbrook it would be no contest. UConn easily. Without Westbrook, Maryland could take them. Too bad we can't find out for sure.
I have to agree, that UCONN without Westbrook, is not as formidable as UCONN teams of the past. CW is a superstar in the making, but not there yet. CW is one of many superstars in the making in the NCAA WBB landscape. There are a number of guards across the country who are as talented as CW. What UCONN has that most teams don't have is Superstar coaching staff. Geno & CD will take UCONN along way, no doubt, but without Westbrook in the lineup, and without Collier & Samulson, UCONN is not the powerhouse of the past.
 

oldude

bamboo lover
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
17,228
Reaction Score
153,995
I have to agree, that UCONN without Westbrook, is not as formidable as UCONN teams of the past. CW is a superstar in the making, but not there yet. CW is one of many superstars in the making in the NCAA WBB landscape. There are a number of guards across the country who are as talented as CW. What UCONN has that most teams don't have is Superstar coaching staff. Geno & CD will take UCONN along way, no doubt, but without Westbrook in the lineup, and without Collier & Samulson, UCONN is not the powerhouse of the past.
I guess that’s your position and you’re sticking with it. I’m really looking forward to the post game discussion on February 4.
 

UConnCat

Wise Woman
Joined
Aug 23, 2011
Messages
13,920
Reaction Score
87,209
CW is one of many superstars in the making in the NCAA WBB landscape. There are a number of guards across the country who are as talented as CW.

Wrong. Name them.

UCONN is not the powerhouse of the past.

I don't believe anyone is arguing that. This season's team doesn't have to be a "powerhouse of the past" to make the final four. Last year's team wasn't a powerhouse team of the past and made the final four.

Next season will see the return of the powerhouse of the past.
 
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Messages
621
Reaction Score
1,620
It's never "too early" to read about our Huskies. They have jumped from #7 to #3.... 1 and 2 remain the same, and rightfully so. (Oregon, Baylor). And there is still the matter of Westbrook....
"The most important part of the Huskies' season could come before it starts. The NCAA has yet to rule on the immediate eligibility of Tennessee transfer Evina Westbrook. UConn was initially confident that the Lady Vols' co-leading scorer from last season would be allowed to play right away, but a recent tightening of the transfer rules by the NCAA has made that decision less clear. "
Thanks. To me, Uconn shall prove better than 3, the good news is Depaul, Fla St, Arkansas all moving up to the top 10 (or near). The bad news is Westbrook is left in LIMBO and I'm sure to her and Geno it is more like Hell.
Holding the eligibility for her is near criminal--they NOW know whether she will be ready to go this season --so why the mystery and angst?
So the word is out... guess UCONN won't "sneak up" on the rest of NCAA WBB. ;);):cool:
On any given year regardless of UConn Ranking---any team that does not take a Geno led UConn seriously will pay the price.
 

Online statistics

Members online
176
Guests online
1,639
Total visitors
1,815

Forum statistics

Threads
159,575
Messages
4,196,314
Members
10,066
Latest member
bardira


.
Top Bottom