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

[hoopsfan22]

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.

Right, because UConn never went undefeated in its conference schedule until they joined the AAC.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

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!

Unfortunately I can't argue with any of this. Maryland did have that brilliant two year run in 2013/14 and 2014/15 when they went to consecutive Final Fours. Probably Brenda's best coaching job. They do have 4 seniors who can play (Charles, Jones, Watson and Vujacic) so they don't have to rely on freshmen as much as South Carolina or Ohio State. If they don't make it to at least the Elite 8, people are start calling out for Brenda's job.

 

[bballnut90]

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.

UCONN was very far ahead of Maryland last year. The gap lessens but not to the point where Maryland is going to overtake ND. Coaching is everything at the collegiate level. Even with the loss of two stars, they return three All American candidates from a 35-3 team that was a legitimate contender to win it all. Maryland returns everyone from an underwhelming team. I'd take Geno and his short bench over Brenda with everyone coming back until proven otherwise.

 

[LoTrader]

Wrong. Name them.



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.

Sabrina I/UO., Kianna Williams/Stanford, Mikayla Pivec/OSU, Destiny Slocum/OSU, Tyasha Harris/South Carolina, Taylor Mikesell/Maryland, Tiana Mangakahia/Syracuse, Aari McDonald/Arizona....

I could go on.

 

[bballnut90]

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.

Results usually carry forward, especially with returning players and coaching staff. Oregon State's offensive chemistry was not good a year ago and ended on a very poor note...what changes that this upcoming year? UCONN obviously loses their 2 stars but they were an elite team a year ago and bring back three double digit scorers. Geno has suffered much greater loses over the past 12 years and has always found a way to get back to the Final Four. Until he fails to accomplish this, anyone not putting UCONN as preseason top 4 is making an uneducated choice IMO.

 

[UConnCat]

Sabrina I/UO., Kianna Williams/Stanford, Mikayla Pivec/OSU, Destiny Slocum/OSU, Tyasha Harris/South Carolina, Taylor Mikesell/Maryland, Tiana Mangakahia/Syracuse, Aari McDonald/Arizona....

I could go on.

You referenced "superstars in the making" and then you mention Ionescu? LOL Yeah, she's already there.

As for the others, not even close.

 

[bballnut90]

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.

If their highlight was losing by 10 to ND in a preseason tournament, I think that speaks for itself. I'm actually pretty high on Oregon State this upcoming season, but they have zero business being considered at the same level as UCONN at this point.

 

[oldude]

Sabrina I/UO., Kianna Williams/Stanford, Mikayla Pivec/OSU, Destiny Slocum/OSU, Tyasha Harris/South Carolina, Taylor Mikesell/Maryland, Tiana Mangakahia/Syracuse, Aari McDonald/Arizona....

I could go on.

The true test of a great player is how they perform on the biggest stage in March. Other than Ionescu, there is not another guard on your list who played better than Christyn in the Big Dance this past year.

The other players you mention are all good, but you can mark this down and throw it back at me if I’m wrong. So long as she stays healthy, Christyn will be an AA this season.

 

[LoTrader]

Results usually carry forward, especially with returning players and coaching staff. Oregon State's offensive chemistry was not good a year ago and ended on a very poor note...what changes that this upcoming year? UCONN obviously loses their 2 stars but they were an elite team a year ago and bring back three double digit scorers. Geno has suffered much greater loses over the past 12 years and has always found a way to get back to the Final Four. Until he fails to accomplish this, anyone not putting UCONN as preseason top 4 is making an uneducated choice IMO.

Results carry forward to a point...you are totally underestimating the loss of Collier and Samuelson. Regarding OSU, experience is formidable among Mikayla Pivec, Destiny Slocum, Aleah Goodman, Kat Tudor, and Taya Corosdale. However, the big change will be productive post play, which is what was missing last year. By the time OSU gets to PAC-12 conference play, OSU will have a plethora of post talent on display.

 

[LoTrader]

The true test of a great player is how they perform on the biggest stage in March. Other than Ionescu, there is not another guard on your list who played better than Christyn in the Big Dance this past year.

The other players you mention are all good, but you can mark this down and throw it back at me if I’m wrong. So long as she stays healthy, Christyn will be an AA this season.

I don't doubt CW will be an AA, sometime in her career at UCONN. I respectfully disagree with your statement about another guard who played better than CW. Without Mikayla Pivec in post season, OSU would have lost quite a few games in the regular season, as well as in the 1st and 2nd round of the NCAA. CW played well in NCAA tournament, but I don't think she played any better than Pivec, Kianna Williams, & Tiana. I didn't see Maryland or South Carolina games in the NCAA Tournament, but did see some of the Pan American Trials, and Harris & Mikesell were fantastic. CW is solid, but she isn't DT, and she isn't going to carry UCONN on her own to a FF. She is going to need much help from her teammates for UCONN to get to FF.

 

[bballnut90]

Results carry forward to a point...you are totally underestimating the loss of Collier and Samuelson. Regarding OSU, experience is formidable among Mikayla Pivec, Destiny Slocum, Aleah Goodman, Kat Tudor, and Taya Corosdale. However, the big change will be productive post play, which is what was missing last year. By the time OSU gets to PAC-12 conference play, OSU will have a plethora of post talent on display.

Oregon State has post players...but can any of them play at a high level?

And Geno has survived the following:
1. Lost Maya Moore from a 36-2 F4 team, went on to make Final Four again

2. Lost Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck from 38-0 team, went on to go 36-1 the next year

3. Lost Williams, Stevens, and Nurse from 36-1 team, went on to go 35-3 the next year

4. Lost Hartley and Dolson from 40-0 team, went on to go 38-1 the next year.

Collier and Samuelson were great players, but Geno has lost great talent and still cruised to Final Fours. UCONN will still be UCONN.

 

[oldude]

Results carry forward to a point...you are totally underestimating the loss of Collier and Samuelson. Regarding OSU, experience is formidable among Mikayla Pivec, Destiny Slocum, Aleah Goodman, Kat Tudor, and Taya Corosdale. However, the big change will be productive post play, which is what was missing last year. By the time OSU gets to PAC-12 conference play, OSU will have a plethora of post talent on display.

You’re beating this one to death. The loss of Pheesa & Lou is in no way more profound than the graduation of Stewie, Mo & Tuck in 2016. At that time, UConn had far greater questions: No size, little depth and not much experience. End result = 36-1 & OT loss in the FF.

 

[bballnut90]

I don't doubt CW will be an AA, sometime in her career at UCONN. I respectfully disagree with your statement about another guard who played better than CW. Without Mikayla Pivec in post season, OSU would have lost quite a few games in the regular season, as well as in the 1st and 2nd round of the NCAA. CW played well in NCAA tournament, but I don't think she played any better than Pivec, Kianna Williams, & Tiana. I didn't see Maryland or South Carolina games in the NCAA Tournament, but did see some of the Pan American Trials, and Harris & Mikesell were fantastic. CW is solid, but she isn't DT, and she isn't going to carry UCONN on her own to a FF. She is going to need much help from her teammates for UCONN to get to FF.

Fortunately for her she has two other returning double digit scorers back and another former top 5 post player on the roster. She has much proven help already.

Players at UCONN are also notorious for elevating their play their sophomore seasons as they take on larger roles and have a better understanding of expectations laid out for them. For a quick reference, each of Stewart, Tuck, Jefferson, KLS, Collier, Hartley, KML, Walker, Dangerfield and Moore among others made massive jumps in their quality of play from freshman to sophomore season. No reason to expect Williams and ONO wont follow suit.

 

[oldude]

I don't doubt CW will be an AA, sometime in her career at UCONN. I respectfully disagree with your statement about another guard who played better than CW. Without Mikayla Pivec in post season, OSU would have lost quite a few games in the regular season, as well as in the 1st and 2nd round of the NCAA. CW played well in NCAA tournament, but I don't think she played any better than Pivec, Kianna Williams, & Tiana. I didn't see Maryland or South Carolina games in the NCAA Tournament, but did see some of the Pan American Trials, and Harris & Mikesell were fantastic. CW is solid, but she isn't DT, and she isn't going to carry UCONN on her own to a FF. She is going to need much help from her teammates for UCONN to get to FF.

We are going to have to agree to disagree. Yes, Christyn is not DT, who shot 1/15 in her first FF as a freshman. As I pointed out in another thread, Christyn was UConn’s 2nd leading scorer over 5 tournament games, hitting double figures in all of them, with a stat line for the tournament of 17.4 ppg, 49%/44%/79%, 3.4 rpg, 3 apg, 2.1 a/to.

 

[newfrontier]

But the Feb 3 game is against Oregon, not Oregon State. That's a whole different kettle of fish.

Really? Oregon State a whole different kettle of fish? Last I checked Oregon State is pretty good too
and they have beaten Ionescu led teams 4 of 6 times.

 

[UConnCat]

Really? Oregon State a whole different kettle of fish? Last I checked Oregon State is pretty good too
and they have beaten Ionescu led teams 4 of 6 times.

Yes, really.

 

[newfrontier]

Yes, really.

We shall see in a few months.

 

[WestsideWaltz]

Oregon's chances took a hit with the younger Sabally's injury. Time will also tell if Moore's transfer was a good thing or not.

 

[LoTrader]

I appreciate that the UCONN Faithful are open to reading/hearing what others around the country believe about the next season of NCAA Division 1 WCBB Teams/Players. I mean no disrespect to UCONN fans, team members, etc. I am looking forward to another interesting season, and, wish it was November already.

 

[newfrontier]

Or Oregon State who just was not a very good team last year..."

I hate it when teams that are not very good finish ranked in the top 10 in the Nation. Gets me furious.

 

[DeeHusky]

I don't doubt CW will be an AA, sometime in her career at UCONN. I respectfully disagree with your statement about another guard who played better than CW. Without Mikayla Pivec in post season, OSU would have lost quite a few games in the regular season, as well as in the 1st and 2nd round of the NCAA. CW played well in NCAA tournament, but I don't think she played any better than Pivec, Kianna Williams, & Tiana. I didn't see Maryland or South Carolina games in the NCAA Tournament, but did see some of the Pan American Trials, and Harris & Mikesell were fantastic. CW is solid, but she isn't DT, and she isn't going to carry UCONN on her own to a FF. She is going to need much help from her teammates for UCONN to get to FF.

[ ]. Christyn is better than and played better than all of those you named in the tournament last year. I don’t think any of those girls are equally talented nor athletic as Williams especially Ty Harris and Taylor Mikesell.



There will NEVER, EVER be another DT. She doesn’t need to be DT, she will be herself. Her teammates will help her get to where she needs to go like ALL UConn teams do. Even DT needed help from Jessica Moore, Ashley Battle, Barbara Turner, Ann Stother, Maria Conlon. Dee carried a heavy load, but she did NOT win on her own.


One more thing, there will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER be another Diana Lorena Taurasi. NEVER!

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Has Geno ever coached a team with a decided lack of height? I think the UConn fans are underestimating the impact their lack of height may have on the season. Especially if Westbrook doesn't get her waiver.

 

[bballnut90]

Has Geno ever coached a team with a decided lack of height? I think the UConn fans are underestimating the impact their lack of height may have on the season. Especially if Westbrook doesn't get her waiver.

2016-17 where their posts were 5-11 Gabby Williams and 6-1 Collier. They went 36-1 and it required a near miracle from Mississippi State to pull off the upset. UCONN this upcoming season will have a frontcourt of 6-4 ONO and 6-1 Megan Walker. They lack depth upfront but they aren't small.

 

[mbr33ct]

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.

To answer your question, go back one year when UConn "lost" three players to graduation/draft. #4 Gabby Williams, #6 Azura Stevens and #10 Kia Nurse. I'm sure people were saying the same thing as you currently saying before the start of last season...how did UConn do last year?. If Westbrook does not get a waiver, I would like to take that bet.

 

[mbr33ct]

Has Geno ever coached a team with a decided lack of height? I think the UConn fans are underestimating the impact their lack of height may have on the season. Especially if Westbrook doesn't get her waiver.

Reading the UConn side of this forum, all I keep reading about is that UConn needs "bigs". I would have to assume, Geno has been dealing with this "decided lack of height" for years but here they are, year after year always in the top 4 or so. By the way, last I checked Westbrook is not a "big", even if she does get her waiver, Geno will still have to deal with the "lack of height" thing.

 

[oldude]

Has Geno ever coached a team with a decided lack of height? I think the UConn fans are underestimating the impact their lack of height may have on the season. Especially if Westbrook doesn't get her waiver.

Surely this is a rhetorical question? Uhm...2016-17. The Huskies had a 5’11” Center and a 6’1” PF. That team went 36-1 with victories over SC twin towers (Coates & Wilson) as well as a Baylor team with 4 players 6’4” or greater (Brown, Mompremier, Cave & Cox).

 

[Jmsdawg]

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.

You see a different Chennedy than I. I have seen her get hot and nobody can guard her. The major flaw in her game IMO is she gets flustered too easy and when that occurs she is a detriment to the team. However, when she is on, it is pure basketball!

 

[JonathanXIV]

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.

Never? Do you recall UConn going undefeated playing in the former Big East, with the likes of ND and Rutgers, not to mention their out of conference schedule including Tennessee (when they were good)?

 

[mbr33ct]

2016-17 where their posts were 5-11 Gabby Williams and 6-1 Collier. They went 36-1 and it required a near miracle from Mississippi State to pull off the upset. UCONN this upcoming season will have a frontcourt of 6-4 ONO and 6-1 Megan Walker. They lack depth upfront but they aren't small.

If I may just add, UConn also has Evelyn Adebayo 6"-1" (Grad transfer), Batouly Camara 6'-2" (I wish for a healthy year), two freshmen guards in Anna Makurat 6'-1" and Aubrey Griffin 6'-1". IMO, I'm not worried as much as others with the lack of bigs on this team.

 

[oldude]

Reading the UConn side of this forum, all I keep reading about is that UConn needs "bigs". I would have to assume, Geno has been dealing with this "decided lack of height" for years but here they are, year after year always in the top 4 or so. By the way, last I checked Westbrook is not a "big", even if she does get her waiver, Geno will still have to deal with the "lack of height" thing.

Other than having one of the most athletic 6’5” players in the country, I guess UConn will have to deal with a “lack of height.”