Geno: "The next two years could be something really special"

[UConnCat]

Jim Fuller writes about Geno saying why he's not interested in coaching Team USA in 2016:

"There are too many factors that go into it, too many variables," Auriemma said. "The way I feel right now is I want to spent the next four years working with the group of players that I have right now because we have a chance, especially in the next two years with Bria (Hartley) and Stefanie (Dolson) being juniors I think these next two years could be something really special. Not that we havenb't had some really speciual teams before but I want to spend all my time and energy worried about that and make that as good as it can be. It would be pretty hard to top London."

http://elmcitytoeaglevillenhr.blogspot.com/

 

[Aluminny69]

There is one giant roadblock - Britney Griner, and a strong supporting cast. If UConn beats everyone except Baylor, would that be considered special?

If UConn can beat Baylor in the Finals, that definitely would be very special.

 

[OneTrickPony]

There is one giant roadblock - Britney Griner, and a strong supporting cast. If UConn beats everyone except Baylor, would that be considered special?

If UConn can beat Baylor in the Finals, that definitely would be very special.

The UCONN-Baylor games will be games for the ages...both teams are going to be very special!

 

[Drumguy]

The UCONN-Baylor games will be games for the ages...both teams are going to be very special!

Stef and Morgan contain BG and BS goes off for a lot of points, Kelly contains OS, it's doable and we're about the only team that can imho.

 

[UConnCat]

Fascinating insight by David Siegel (DishnSwish) via twitter from today's press gathering:

Got the sense talking to @genoauriemma that in some ways he feels @Breezyyy14 @bigmommastef have gotten short changed by his USA commitments

 

[OneTrickPony]

Stef and Morgan contain BG and BS goes off for a lot of points, Kelly contains OS, it's doable and we're about the only team that can imho.

Between Steph, Breanna and Morgan...if they listen to their coach and space themselves...the ball will be moving so fast Griner will be frozen in the paint. I like our 3-point shooters if she sits and I like our post presence if she moves. Too many ball handlers and too many excellent passers for Odyssey to play her game if we play ours.

 

[CL82]

Don't forget the secret anti-Griner weapon we have sitting on the bench - Heather Buck!

 

[wire chief]

Stef and Morgan contain BG and BS goes off for a lot of points, Kelly contains OS, it's doable and we're about the only team that can imho.

So far it's our local big girl who does the best job on BG, let's keep her in the mix.

 

[ladybears4eva]

I think if Mulkey and Baylor win the national championship again, she would be a good candidate for the Coaching job at Rio 2016.

As of right now, she herself is an Olympian gold medalist, multiple Coach of the Year Awards, won National Championships as a player (2), Assnt Coach (2), Head Coach (2),... not too bad of a resume.

 

[pinotbear]

I think if Mulkey and Baylor win the national championship again, she would be a good candidate for the Coaching job at Rio 2016.

As of right now, she herself is an Olympian gold medalist, multiple Coach of the Year Awards, won National Championships as a player (2), Assnt Coach (2), Head Coach (2),... not too bad of a resume.

No, not bad at all. What I don't know - perhaps you do - is if KM has done any USA basketball work. It seems like that's also on the resume "punch list". If she hasn't yet, perhaps if she has the chance to work with the 2014 team? But, aside from that, you are correct: her body of work is impressive.

 

[doggydaddy]

I think if Mulkey and Baylor win the national championship again, she would be a good candidate for the Coaching job at Rio 2016.

As of right now, she herself is an Olympian gold medalist, multiple Coach of the Year Awards, won National Championships as a player (2), Assnt Coach (2), Head Coach (2),... not too bad of a resume.

I'd love to see Mulky take the job. A great choice.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think if Mulkey and Baylor win the national championship again, she would be a good candidate for the Coaching job at Rio 2016.

As of right now, she herself is an Olympian gold medalist, multiple Coach of the Year Awards, won National Championships as a player (2), Assnt Coach (2), Head Coach (2),... not too bad of a resume.

Kim would be fabulous at the Macarena!

 

[Scotter]

Not a great choice when she has as far as I know zero international experience.

I'd love to see Mulky take the job. A great choice.

 

[cferraro04]

This is going to be an interesting match-up....

Brittany Griner 6'8" SR vs Stefanie Dolson 6'5" JR
Brooklyn Pope 6'1" SR vs Breanna Stewart 6'4" FR
Sune Akbuke 6'4" SO vs Kiah Stokes 6'3" SO
Kristina Higgins 6'5" FR vs Heather Buck 6'3" RS SR
Mariah Chandler 6'2" RS JR vs Morgan Tuck 6'2" FR
Jordan Madden 6'0" SR vs Kelly Faris 5'11" SR
Alexis Prince 6'1" FR vs Caroline Doty 5'10" RS SR
Niya Johnson 5'8" FR vs Moriah Jefferson 5'7" FR
Odyssey Simms 5'9" JR vs Bria Hartley 5'9" (no way 5' 7") JR
Makenzie Robertson 5'10" JR vs Brianna Banks 5'9" SO

Chardonae Fugua 6'0" FR

 

[VAMike23]

Kim would be fabulous at the Macarena!

But what would the Brazilians think of her wardrobe..?

 

[Icebear]

This is going to be an interesting match-up....

Brittany Griner 6'8" SR vs Stefanie Dolson 6'5" JR
Brooklyn Pope 6'1" SR vs Breanna Stewart 6'4" FR
Sune Akbuke 6'4" SO vs Kiah Stokes 6'3" SO
Kristina Higgins 6'5" FR vs Heather Buck 6'3" RS SR
Kimetria Hayden 6'0" SR vs Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 6'0" SO
Jordan Madden 6'0" SR vs Kelly Faris 5'11" SR
Alexis Prince 6'1" FR vs Caroline Doty 5'10" RS SR
Niya Johnson 5'8" FR vs Moriah Jefferson 5'7" FR
Odyssey Simms 5'9" JR vs Bria Hartley 5'9" (no way 5' 7") JR

Mariah Chandler 6'2" RS JR
Chardonae Fugua 6'0" FR
Makenzie Robertson 5'10" JR

You forgot Morgan Tuck and Brianna Banks.

 

[doggydaddy]

Not a great choice when she has as far as I know zero international experience.

It's four years from now. Plenty of time.

 

[doggydaddy]

This is going to be an interesting match-up....

Brittany Griner 6'8" SR vs Stefanie Dolson 6'5" JR
Brooklyn Pope 6'1" SR vs Breanna Stewart 6'4" FR
Sune Akbuke 6'4" SO vs Kiah Stokes 6'3" SO
Kristina Higgins 6'5" FR vs Heather Buck 6'3" RS SR
Kimetria Hayden 6'0" SR vs Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 6'0" SO
Jordan Madden 6'0" SR vs Kelly Faris 5'11" SR
Alexis Prince 6'1" FR vs Caroline Doty 5'10" RS SR
Niya Johnson 5'8" FR vs Moriah Jefferson 5'7" FR
Odyssey Simms 5'9" JR vs Bria Hartley 5'9" (no way 5' 7") JR

Mariah Chandler 6'2" RS JR
Chardonae Fugua 6'0" FR
Makenzie Robertson 5'10" JR

You forgot Banks and Tuck.

 

[cferraro04]

You forgot Banks and Tuck.

This is going to be an interesting match-up....

Brittany Griner 6'8" SR vs Stefanie Dolson 6'5" JR (+1 Baylor)
Brooklyn Pope 6'1" SR vs Breanna Stewart 6'4" FR (+1 UConn)
Sune Akbuke 6'4" SO vs Kiah Stokes 6'3" SO (+1 UConn)
Kristina Higgins 6'5" FR vs Heather Buck 6'3" RS SR (+1 UConn)
Destiny Williams 6'1" RS SR vs Morgan Tuck 6'2" FR (+1 Baylor)
Jordan Madden 6'0" SR vs Kelly Faris 5'11" SR (even)
Alexis Prince 6'1" FR vs Caroline Doty 5'10" RS SR (+1 UConn)
Niya Johnson 5'8" FR vs Moriah Jefferson 5'7" FR (+1 UConn)
Odyssey Simms 5'9" JR vs Bria Hartley 5'9" (no way 5' 7") JR (+1 Baylor)
Makenzie Robertson 5'10" JR vs Brianna Banks 5'9" SO (+1 UConn)

Mariah Chandler 6'2" RS JR









Chardonae Fugua 6'0" FR (+1 Baylor) Total (+2 UConn)

 

[Scotter]

It's not four years. World Championships are in 2 years where the US is actually more likely to lose than in the Olympics because of how the tournament is structured. The US lost in 2006 in the semifinals when they were reminded they weren't invincible. I would be very surprised if at least international experience isn't a high priority on Carol Callan's list.

It's four years from now. Plenty of time.

 

[alexrgct]

I'd like to see Dawn Staley get it, if only because she's given a tremendous amount of herself to Team USA over the years.

 

[cferraro04]

This is going to be an interesting match-up....

Brittany Griner 6'8" SR vs Stefanie Dolson 6'5" JR (+1 Baylor)
Brooklyn Pope 6'1" SR vs Breanna Stewart 6'4" FR (+1 UConn)
Sune Akbuke 6'4" SO vs Kiah Stokes 6'3" SO (+1 UConn)
Kristina Higgins 6'5" FR vs Heather Buck 6'3" RS SR (+1 UConn)
Destiny Williams 6'1" RS SR vs Morgan Tuck 6'2" FR (+1 Baylor)
Jordan Madden 6'0" SR vs Kelly Faris 5'11" SR (even)
Alexis Prince 6'1" FR vs Caroline Doty 5'10" RS SR (+1 UConn)
Niya Johnson 5'8" FR vs Moriah Jefferson 5'7" FR (+1 UConn)
Odyssey Simms 5'9" JR vs Bria Hartley 5'9" (no way 5' 7") JR (+1 Baylor)
Makenzie Robertson 5'10" JR vs Brianna Banks 5'9" SO (+1 UConn)

Mariah Chandler 6'2" RS JR
Chardonae Fugua 6'0" FR (+1 Baylor)

Total (+2 UConn)

 

[UCONNfan1]

But what would the Brazilians think of her wardrobe..?

Their eyes would bleed...

 

[UCONNfan1]

I agree with Geno. The next 2 years really could be something special. I think it will be fortunate for the rest of WCBB that Griner did not make the trek to London - the experience of playing with and against the best in the world would have prepared her even more for the challenges for her team this year.

Teams like UCONN and Baylor will both be better all the way around. Not to minimize the kids who graduated (Hayes for UCONN, Condrey, Fields and Palmer for Baylor), but they both bring back essentially their entire starting lineups (KML for Hayes is essentially a starter for a starter). No other teams in WCBB come close to returning the talent level.

I sure hope the NCAA puts them on separate sides of the bracket so they'd meet potentially in the NC game. That would be something and one of the most anticipated and best NC games in a long time.

 

[Tonyc]

Something to consider when UConn plays Baylor. We have alot of great players with height. Griner can not get in foul trouble so I expect her to intimadate or try to intimadate UConn players. If she gets in foul trouble UConn will run away with it. If the refs protect her UConn will have problems. If the game is called like it should, UConn will win. This season UConn can really slow down Baylor with its defense. This year we will get to the line.