Girls lose :(

[Glastonhusky]

Massive travel!

Also, Katie Lou Samuelson ended up with the ball in her hands for what should be an easy shot for her at the end of OT after the "buzzer beater". She got the shot off in time but looked like her focus was gone. She already accepted they lost the game.

I thought the same thing, she had a good look but just kind of flipped it up like she thought the game was over.

 

[StunningSteve]

AAC effect?

Play tough teams early on, but have essentially no competition 2/3 of the season.

You can add ACC, SEC, B1G, etc effect...

Because all of their teams would be getting blown out during the season too.

There isn't a conference that would challenge the girls night in and night out. The Womens game doesn't have that much depth

 

[ASweet3781]

You can add ACC, SEC, B1G, etc effect...

Because all of their teams would be getting blown out during the season too.

There isn't a conference that would challenge the girls night in and night out. The Womens game doesn't have that much depth

I don't think you truly realize how awful the AAC is in women's basketball. They had a game where they came out terrible at SMU and had a 4 point lead because SMU is so bad. A solid Power 5 school would have put them in more of a hole. Cincinnati was the 4th best team in the league and they just fired their coach. It's not the only reason they lost but it's a factor.

 

[BugsyCT]

Hmm. Maybe we should try to get UConn into a P5 conference then.

 

[the Q]

Ya and I think he was more mad at KLS for taking the extra step and dribble she could have dumped off a step early and avoided it.

He lost it at the Stevens one, and not so much bc it was a terrible call but bc it was the second straight and it seemed like she definitely flopped...good play but I think you can tell she used that tiny shoulder dip as means to FLY backwards and sell it, which the ref bought for the second straight time.

They were both awful calls. The only reason there was any contact on the kLS one was that the Nd defender was out of bounds already.

Impossible to be a charge when you are out of bounds.

 

[the Q]

Refs are trained not to call that travel. The distinction when she controls the ball is hard to judge, so they let it slide.

Better than kembas full 5 steps in the backcourt last year, lol

Espn has hid it now (shocking) but there’s a 2009 video where Bobby knight shows officials missing 5 step travels on Blake griffin and Tyler hasborough 3 feet from the basket. This isn’t a new development. And it’s patheitc. If they can’t call it, these aren’t really the best refs.

 

[ctchamps]

Is it fair to question Geno's situational coaching and team's poise in an actual close game when it matters?

He's the greatest women's coach of all time, and is great at building a monster and throttling inferior teams. But how about when it's a 3 point game with 5 minutes left against a team that can somewhat keep up with them? He has continuously been outcoached by Muffet in close, big games.

I think it's also fair to say that UConn doesn't get much experience in grind-it-out games where ND has more experience with close games.

I'm also taking the abysmal refereeing out of this for now.

Totally fair to question anyone. Heck I question God why he created so many loonies who come to this forum. Big mistake creating so many!

On a side note if we determine Geno has done things wrong or has weaknesses what does that say about the rest of the coaching fraternity?

I'd say Geno has evolved over time. He used to be a far greater in game micro manager than recently. Players like Rebecca Lobo have stated that he's not the same intense coach they had.

I think the lesson is that every strategy has a strength and weakness. Blowing out teams increases the chance players develop confidence (different than guarantees) but it doesn't prepare the players when there is adversity (tight game). The first NC for UConn follows this argument. Duke was blowing out teams all season in 98-99. They had no experience for a tight game.

It's still preferable than losing. Losing increases the odds that players lose confidence and each additional loss probably knocks down confidence in greater increments for most people.

I guess the ideal situation would be to have a loss or two because undefeated seasons ends up putting more pressure on individuals not to screw up. A smattering of tight games to give starting players end of game scenarios instead of sitting on the bench would be beneficial. But the majority of games should emphasize perfection hence blow outs. Gene's biggest bugaboo is getting the women's game to be more competitive. He recognizes that it's not only good for the game and fans, it's important in the development of his players. That's why he schedules a top five schedule every year. Perhaps he should play his second tier players the first half and put in his starters in the second half if he can't find opponents to give him competition. That would almost guarantee a tight game at the end.

Of course even this strategy poses a problem. It rewards players who don't perform well in practice. And that would have an adverse impact on his players who do push themselves hard in practice. Given Geno's overwhelming success I think he should stick to his game plan and not listen to us wanna be coaches.

 

[intlzncster]

Conspiracy theory: do you think this was done to change the narrative around how UConn is bad for women’s basketball? The better game would have been MSU against UConn but another 1 seed taking out UConn shows more parity, not dominance of one team... and if the officiating was an issue. Just a thought.

The refs in teh women's game are not savvy enough to pull this off. Even if blatant.

 

[intlzncster]

He's the greatest women's coach of all time, and is great at building a monster and throttling inferior teams. But how about when it's a 3 point game with 5 minutes left against a team that can somewhat keep up with them? I think it's also fair to say that UConn doesn't get much experience in grind-it-out games where ND has more experience with close games.

I think this is probably the most likely reason. If you are not tested semi regularly, it's tough to develop that crunch time instinct.

Some people are being myopic though. Geno ain't perfect, but people saying he can't win close games because of his OT record in Semi Finals are completely ignoring all the times UCONN has won close games that haven't gone into OT, including in the semis. That's a huge selection bias.

For this particular team, I think it had to due more with the fact is they have a ton of talent, but no one who can carry a team on their shoulders in difficult moments. Someone you can go to over and over.

Their toughest kid, Nurse, is not well suited to taking the ball one on one regularly, so that limits her taking over games when everyone else is scuffling.

 

[the Q]

The refs in teh women's game are not savvy enough to pull this off. Even if blatant.

But they can let teams get away with a ton of physical play like they have with miss st last year and Nd this year.

Shepard and McCowan last year both should’ve. Been on the bench the entire 4th quarter and ot.

 

[CL82]

I happened to see the 4th quarter and OT.

Geno was in full Cronin mode. Freaking out so badly up 5 that Daley was holding him back was a pretty bad sign. They certainly seemed to play to his level of tightness late.

That was a horrific call. He was right to bitch about it.

CD holding back Geno isn't anything new. Do a image search and will will find a ton over the years.

 

[CL82]

Is it fair to question Geno's situational coaching and team's poise in an actual close game when it matters?

He's the greatest women's coach of all time, and is great at building a monster and throttling inferior teams. But how about when it's a 3 point game with 5 minutes left against a team that can somewhat keep up with them? He has continuously been outcoached by Muffet in close, big games.

I think it's also fair to say that UConn doesn't get much experience in grind-it-out games where ND has more experience with close games.

I'm also taking the abysmal refereeing out of this for now.

That's one way to look at it, Geno can't win close games. Another is that when Geno does lose it isn't by much. I think the latter is a more accurate description.

McGraw is a HOF coach who understands Geno's approach. She cut down on the passing lanes and forced UConn players to create for themselves. Geno is good at forcing the ball to the opposing player who he wants to try and make shots. Sometimes it hurts him. In this case a ND soph went off for 32 points. Muffet had her ready. MM deserves her COY award.

Losing in overtime, by a basket, in the final four is a pretty good season by any standard, even UConn's. I'm not so spoiled by success that I consider less than that.

 

[Hankster]

What would happen if they *gasp* lose two games in a season?

Well actually, if I was Geno I would pray to lose a game during the season. This unbeaten season has gotten no where last year and present. All for naught. How are people going to remember. UConn loses in the Final 4. So, the men's and women hit brick walls. Remember when the men and women won NCAA Championships together, not once, but twice. So we have the men can't make the playoff and the girls choke at the play offs. I like this team, sad very sad.

 

[Hankster]

That's one way to look at it, Geno can't win close games. Another is that when Geno does lose it isn't by much. I think the latter is a more accurate description.

McGraw is a HOF coach who understands Geno's approach. She cut down on the passing lanes and forced UConn players to create for themselves. Geno is good at forcing the ball to the opposing player who he wants to try and make shots. Sometimes it hurts him. In this case a ND soph went off for 32 points. Muffet had her ready. MM deserves her COY award.

Losing in overtime, by a basket, in the final four is a pretty good season by any standard, even UConn's. I'm not so spoiled by success that I consider less than that.

It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't happen two years in a row. Same scenario, same shot and wasn't it Gabby who was guarding the shooter last year as well as last
night?

 

[uconnfan68]

It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't happen two years in a row. Same scenario, same shot and wasn't it Gabby who was guarding the shooter last year as well as last
night?

Gabby last year, Collier last night.

 

[housekeys]

Well actually, if I was Geno I would pray to lose a game during the season.

There is a sure fire way to achieve it and it does not involve prayer. All he had to do was use his bench a lot more. In critical situations, even. The problem with that is, you risk the starters losing their edge, their mojo, continuity, etc. UConn starters, when they are on, are truly masterful and a joy to watch and Geno has said people pay to see the best product he has to offer, so there is that. Whatever he does, I am 100% all in with Geno. He has been a godsend to this University and he is human coaching humans, not robots. So you are right, there is a ton of pressure on these players, and Geno, and more realistic expectations would help.

 

[CL82]

I feel bad for the seniors. Gabby and Kia are great competitors who have had great careers. Both are slated to be top 10 WNBA picks. I'm sure going out the same way (FF OT loss on last second shot) has to sting.

 

[CL82]

It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't happen two years in a row. Same scenario, same shot and wasn't it Gabby who was guarding the shooter last year as well as last
night?

Gabby last year, Collier last night.

Nope 68 is right. Collier did give her a lot of cushion though. Gabby missed a short bank shot that would have won it at the end of regulation.

 

[the Q]

Nope 68 is right. Collier did give her a lot of cushion though. Gabby missed a short bank shot that would have won it at the end of regulation.

I love gabby but that was a roscoe smith shot. Absolutely no need to rush that. Take her to the hoop and go to the finals.

 

[CL82]

I love gabby but that was a roscoe smith shot. Absolutely no need to rush that. Take her to the hoop and go to the finals.

Disagree. She had an open look and easy back. Sometimes they just don't go in.

 

[BugsyCT]

Disagree. She had an open look and easy back. Sometimes they just don't go in.

And if it had gone in it would have been a great comeback win for UConn and nobody would be griping about weak conferences today.

 

[the Q]

Disagree. She had an open look and easy back. Sometimes they just don't go in.

She threw it up there like she had no time left. Square up and make a move, she had time. She acted like she had .5 second left, not 3.2.

 

[Mr. French]

Gabby last year, Collier last night.

It was Kemba on McGhee-esque.

Not that Collier is that bad or defended it that poorly, but it was definitely like “uh oh, she’s goin and I don’t think Collier can hang with her.”

 

[KemBaller]

ND looked like the better team the last 5 minutes and during OT. They had a couple girls that could get good shots pretty much whenever they wanted at the end of the game. UConn generally had much more trouble getting quality shots.

 

[CL82]

She threw it up there like she had no time left. Square up and make a move, she had time. She acted like she had .5 second left, not 3.2.

Mmm, that’s tough. Easy to say after the fact. Definitely different from going full Roscoe.

 

[gtcam]

Yeah someone is really going to beat Notre Dame on GOOD FRIDAY???????????????????????
UConn has a real difficult time in tight games - nature of being so dominant throughout the year

 

[whaler11]

Sadly a good number of them won’t be around period.

And the meltdown is being led by some of the same people who have meltdowns here.

There are some differences when it comes to fan bases but most fan bases are similar. I’m sure the football posters look at the men’s forum and compare their resume with ours and laugh at our inability to deal with our situation.

Not for nothing but at a normal school those are the same people.

 

[whaler11]

That was a horrific call. He was right to bitch about it.

CD holding back Geno isn't anything new. Do a image search and will will find a ton over the years.

He was tight as a drum and his team played like it. The pressure of always winning does seem to be getting to him a bit.

It can’t be much fun when 165-2 or whatever they have been is treated like this.

 

[the Q]

Mmm, that’s tough. Easy to say after the fact. Definitely different from going full Roscoe.

Watch how quickly she threw it up. Especially since there was no one under the basket so there was zero rebound opportunity

 

[the Q]

It was Kemba on McGhee-esque.

Not that Collier is that bad or defended it that poorly, but it was definitely like “uh oh, she’s goin and I don’t think Collier can hang with her.”

Not really. It was a Hail Mary prayer.

Kemba was a fantastic move to get a wide open look.