Did you happen to notice Geno seated on the bench smiling during the 4th quarter. He didn't appear to be too upset about the final score. I had checked the game times of the two teams before the 3rd game and when I saw him smile, I remembered his words, "I don't coach for November, I coach for March". "THE" tournament is the center of everything UConn.
The future right now is Vanderbilt. Stanford level academics, UConn level coaching, and world class facilities all in the greatest town in the South.
You do realize how silly the narrative you're pushing sounds. Yes Geno is coaching for March but you don't think Tara, Dawn or every other elite programs aren't as well. SC was a one shot away from what could have been a shot at their 2nd title, Dawn and her team have made it clear what their goal is on numerous occasions.
You lost us at “Gino”
Of course your right. I did not disparage any other coach. It reflects Geno's attitude towards losses as he endeavors to educate the fan base. Don't get worked up over losses. They are part of the game. And as UConn fans we realize that. this whole thread is from posters who either have a short memory or don't understand Geno and UConn. Listen in 2012-13 UConn lost to Notre Dame here and there and in the Big East final. In the final four we beat them and won the Natty. Losses in the regular season are ok, wins in the regular season are fine. March, it all revolves around March. Early losses are good for UConn. We don't try to lose but it's upon the teaching and attitude changes that come from losses that build national championships.
Dawn coaches that way regardless of if it is a tournament or not. She goes out of her way to get players minutes although sometimes it messes up flow and chemistry. In the game against Elon, SC was outscored in the 2nd quarter because she wanted to get her younger players in the game to gain more experience.
The only year A'ja had enough talent around her to beat UCONN was her Junior year. SC lost by 11 at UCONN. Her senior year the talent level dropped significantly. It was even worse the year after she left. Then we got the number #1 recruiting class to go along with a few good players that did not transfer out. We are now 2-1 against UCONN and the two wins were not even close. The talent level is now equal and we will see how it turns out over the next few years.
I thought the SC game was an excellent loss. It was early in the season and provided valuable information for future practices/games. Although Geno likes to win, I suspect he also enjoys the problem solving when play breaks down.
Usually adjustments after Half time are done by better coaching and adjusting to what the other team is throwing at you. Uconn did not adjust and seemed lost in that fourth quarter. That's when the coaching should make a difference. And making the right substitutions.
Old Russian proverb: Talent and Size will out. Meaning they will win every time. If out coaching means she got Boston and Geno didn't--maybe. I won't take the "Uconn kids were tired after 3 games in 3 days and the tough uSF game. This is the staff that condition players to run 40 minutes every day.
South Carolina played a wonderful game against UConn and deserved to win. Right now they are ahead of us in their overall team refinement..... we will get better I am sure.
It wasn't that many years ago all the talking heads were saying that Muffet "had Geno's number" after winning six of eight games between the two. Of course that was when UConn and ND were playing 4 times a year so it was only a two year sample. "Got his number" didn't last and ND is hardly in the national conversation anymore. So anointed successor or flash in the pan? Maybe we should wait just a tad longer before declaring anyone anything.
One player is not going to do that. UCONN had a full slate of great players and one great players against many great players is not something that will propel you......nice try though.
Can't argue that statement.
She swept the POY awards and was the #1 pick in the WNBA draft. Her final collegiate game was an elite 8 game against UConn and SC lost by 29 points. That’s ridiculous.
I never made any declarations. I pointed out facts and said let us see how it turns out.
Did she commit to USC or SC ?
A'ja had about 30 points in that game. She was going up against a team that was loaded with McDonald's All American. Getting to the elite 8 was the ceiling for that particular team. No one expected that team to beat UCONN.
Neither
