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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.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. "
UConn, Louisville, NC State up in Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25
Oregon and Baylor remain 1-2, but UConn jumped four spots to No. 3. Stanford and Oregon State helped give the Pac-12 three of the top six teams.www.espn.com
On any given year regardless of UConn Ranking---any team that does not take a Geno led UConn seriously will pay the price.So the word is out... guess UCONN won't "sneak up" on the rest of NCAA WBB.
Golly gee whiz--when is that game, it's not on MY schedule. Is it in College Station or Storrs?? Hurry, I may miss it.
Actually it’s a kettle of Ducks vs a kettle of beavers. I sort of feel that if UConn takes care of the top team in the nation at Gampel, that will put an end to any further discussion from Eugene, Corvallis, College Park, South Bend or Knoxville about UConn being less formidable, not being a powerhouse, etc.
Are you reading that as 97 to 1 against? I prefer (paranoid me) to think is affirmative in nature. How can they leave a kid dangling/hanging in the breeze like this--isn't there a law against cruel and unusual punishment---oops for the NCAA this isn't unusual...So you’re saying there’s a chance...
I resent the SOUTHERN REFERENCE----i LIVED IN NORWALK (SOUTHERN CT). THERE IS NOTHING GOOD about the old boyz in the NCAA. I read somewhere that next year GENO is starting an AACN and will do everything backwards from the NCAA it will be a relief.
Jonathan---I'm not a fan of the MD coach in BB in Academics yes---however, I grit my teeth each time Uconn plays them it is nearly always a tough contest to the last minuets. Tough good games. Uconn usually wins but that does not mean ti wasn't or won't be a battle.
I thought this was very funny too.
I think as a Maryland fan you are super hyped by the recruiting class (similar to South Carolina fans)that you feel like your team is better than what they are in reality. Good recruiting classes doesn’t always means win; these freshmen have to adjust to college basketball. I’m excited for you guys as well, I love Owusu. You’re in over your head when it comes to UConn. Maryland is another program like Duke, Texas, Tennessee, and others in my opinion. They get loads of talent and never capitalize on it. Frese also likes to play cupcake schedules so she’s never battle tested to win in the post season. Outside of her 2006 championship and recruiting success I’m not impressed by Frese’s coaching ability. I will say that I’m impressed by the rebounding that she gets out of her team, wish we could’ve had that last year. Ultimately, Frese can’t beat Geno. Just can’t!
PAC-12 is easily best women’s basketball conference, top to bottom. Second tier teams routinely give conference’s top teams a battle. Last year Colorado, ranked early but dropping out of rankings after being hit with injuries, nearly beat Stanford with CU’s best player out with injury. As great as UConn is, it would probably never go undefeated in conference play if it were in the Pac-12.
Well said. I was going to post something similar. Every year it's the same headline: how will UConn replace what it has lost? Since The Big Three left, all this "depleted" program has done is go 107-5 (.955), with three of those five losses coming in the national semi-final game (two of which were lost on buzzer beater prayer shots) with the other two losses coming on the road to the #3 and #7 teams, two undefeated regular seasons, zero losses at home, set a 111-game winning streak, three conference regular season and tournament titles, all while graduating a couple players to the pros every year. I may be going out on a limb here, but I think UConn will be fine this year.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.
In response, please review my OP in the thread titled: The Sophomore Leap is Coming!
