I am going to say it. I believe that UConn has surpassed expectations. At the beginning of the season I figured UConn for 4 to 5 losses. I figured that UConn was a definite elite 8 team with an outside shot at gettting into the Final Four.
With the loss of Maya Moore...you had to figure this team would have a down year, ie., the loss of DT and the loss of Candace Parker for UT are examples of what can happen when a marquee player of the magnitude of DT, Parker or MM graduates from a program. I won't say we didn't skip a beat because we did have a few hiccups. The one that stands out in my mind was we should never have lost that St. Johns game....but on the other hand, it may have been a blessing in disguise.
At any rate, here we are going to Denver faced with Either of these four scenarios in route to an 8th Championship. 1. Playing a revenge seeking ND for the fourth time and evening out the year by going 2 and 2 with them and then facing an even more improved Baylor for the 2nd time who beat us the first time around on their home floor. 2. Playing a revenge seeking ND for the fourth time and evening out the year by going 2 and 2 with them and then facing a vastly improved Stanford for the 2nd time who we beat on our home floor. 3. We beat ND for the 2nd time out of four and lose to Baylor or Stanford in the final. 4. Or, God forbid we lose to ND after facing them for the 2nd year in a row for a fourth time.
Number 1 and 2 would be incredible achievements and would definitely put us in the over-achievement category. With this team far exceeding most peoples expectations and pulling off something extremely special that would have both Geno and the rest of his staff euphorically and pleasantly surprised at the will power and heart displayed by this team.
Number 3, would be almost as surprising as ND is loaded with experience with 2 starting 5th year seniors, All American Skylar Diggins, emerging star Kayla McBride and incredibly durable and efficient Natalie Novosel. I would still consider this scenario to be an over-achievement for this year's version of the Huskies. I would also have to wonder why Geno wasn't considered for the the coach of the year as achieving this following the graduation of Maya Moore is an incredible accomplishment.
Number 4 would be disappointing, however, when put in the context of pre-season expectations how can anyone not appreciate what this team has accomplished? They have gotten to their 4th final four in a row, their 10th in 13 years...and they gave themselves a chance for another national championship. Not to mention we will have a whole team of players who have had final four experience to go along with what could arguably be the best recruiting class ever at UConn. Sure, I am sure that everyone will think I am being sacrilegious for putting this class up there with TASS...but think about it Breanna Steward #1 (6'4" can play all five positions); Moriah Jefferson #2 (point guard of the likes we have never had at UConn) and Morgan Tuck #15, if anybody can believe that? (6'2" power forward who can shoot the three as she won the 3 point shooting contest at the McDonald's All America game). All I can say is a loss to ND in the first game would be disappointing but in the long run it would probably turn out to be motivation throughout all of next year.
Now, there is also this Tiffany is playing like she doesn't want her next game to be her last...when all the Huskies are on the same page and firing on all cylinders there isn't a team in the WCBB who can stay with us...(I can honestly say that hasn't happened all season...can you point to a game when all our players were hitting their shots? I would say no...So, we are due).
GO HUSKIES...WOOF!
