Handicapping the Final Four

[msf22b]

VAMike's points are interesting but I think the effect points the other way. I suspect the potential of tightness, perhaps even desperation in Notre Dame's play, especially if the refs whistle a charge or two on their celebrated guards.
Interesting, only a few weeks ago, I was promoting ND's toughness and unity. It's still there but perhaps has not developed further (the loss to UCONN undoubtedly was a blow to their confidence) while we all understand and are astonished at the seeming "make-over" of the Husky mentality in the interim. The likelihood of a UCONN solid win on Sunday is a reasonable prognostication

 

[asuwish]

I totally disagree with some of your points.

Yes, no first team AA, but UConn had 5 double digit scorers in the last 2 games. Who do you shut down? Easier to shut down 1 player (although none of these teams is just one player).

Shortest bench? ND had only Achowa in their rotation. Looked like only a 6 player rotation for them. Stanford has only Greenfield and La Rocque off of their bench and they contribute only 6 points total. Baylor had only Condrey and Pope off their bench and they played only 19 minutes and scored 2 points between them. All 4 final four teams play 6-7 at the most.

Leadership? UConn starts 1 senior, 2 juniors. Baylor starts a soph in Sims to lead them. ND is very senior, but they've beaten them already. And Stanford? They start a freshman and 2 sophs. I don't see this as an issue at all or an advantage for any of the teams other than maybe ND.

Then you must disagree with Geno as well who has said Uconn doesn't have a go to player in crunch time like the others do. Yes, having multiple scorers is great (we are here for a reason), but at crunch time who do you draw the play up for that you count on? Last year we had Maya, Baylor has Griner, we don't have that 1 player who can dominate and take over a game. Our bench is not the shortest, but really only 2 players, a third if Brianna gets in and they are ALL freshman and nobody knows what they will give you (remember DT's freshman final four when she couldn't buy a hoop in the second half). Geno said before the season he didn't think they would win it this year but may not lose a game the next 2. Looking at the other teams I think they are the least likely to win it. Having said this they are playing with house money and will not go down easily. Any of these teams can put together 2 great games in a row and take this.

 

[Icebear]

Then you must disagree with Geno as well who has said Uconn doesn't have a go to player in crunch time like the others do. Yes, having multiple scorers is great (we are here for a reason), but at crunch time who do you draw the play up for that you count on? Last year we had Maya, Baylor has Griner, we don't have that 1 player who can dominate and take over a game. Our bench is not the shortest, but really only 2 players, a third if Brianna gets in and they are ALL freshman and nobody knows what they will give you (remember DT's freshman final four when she couldn't buy a hoop in the second half). Geno said before the season he didn't think they would win it this year but may not lose a game the next 2. Looking at the other teams I think they are the least likely to win it. Having said this they are playing with house money and will not go down easily. Any of these teams can put together 2 great games in a row and take this.

It is easy. You send Kelly long and have Tiff hit with "da Bomb!"

 

[doggydaddy]

Then you must disagree with Geno as well who has said Uconn doesn't have a go to player in crunch time like the others do. Yes, having multiple scorers is great (we are here for a reason), but at crunch time who do you draw the play up for that you count on? Last year we had Maya, Baylor has Griner, we don't have that 1 player who can dominate and take over a game. Our bench is not the shortest, but really only 2 players, a third if Brianna gets in and they are ALL freshman and nobody knows what they will give you (remember DT's freshman final four when she couldn't buy a hoop in the second half). Geno said before the season he didn't think they would win it this year but may not lose a game the next 2. Looking at the other teams I think they are the least likely to win it. Having said this they are playing with house money and will not go down easily. Any of these teams can put together 2 great games in a row and take this.

You said "They are the only team without a first team All-American (translation - prime time very hard to defend with 1 player, go to player)"

I've seen several players step up at crunch time. Harley, Hayes, Lewis. No, we don't have a Griner, but you can still win with several players there to do what needs to be done. You really think that Hartley is THAT much worse than Sims or Diggins? UConn doesn't need ONE player to do it, they have several options. It's a double edges sword as well. IF that ONE player gets shut down, then what? I prefer a team of possible go to players.

You said " the shortest bench (depth)"

It's not true. They are as short as any of the teams in numbers. But with Lewis and Stokes, they have the best bench. THE BEST of the 4 teams left.

When Geno said what he did about the teams chances, he said that before the last 7 games. I doubt he has the same opinion now.

 

[easttexastrash]

If Baylor were to win, I am not sure which team I would prefer to face. ND has so much experience but UCONN has Geno. He knows how to get a team ready to win a championship.

ND was a bit flat in the BET championship game. They did not come out with the fire that I expected to see, but I can't imagine that would happen a second time.

 

[Sonny44]

Then you must disagree with Geno as well who has said Uconn doesn't have a go to player in crunch time like the others do. Yes, having multiple scorers is great (we are here for a reason), but at crunch time who do you draw the play up for that you count on? Last year we had Maya, Baylor has Griner, we don't have that 1 player who can dominate and take over a game. Our bench is not the shortest, but really only 2 players, a third if Brianna gets in and they are ALL freshman and nobody knows what they will give you (remember DT's freshman final four when she couldn't buy a hoop in the second half). Geno said before the season he didn't think they would win it this year but may not lose a game the next 2. Looking at the other teams I think they are the least likely to win it. Having said this they are playing with house money and will not go down easily. Any of these teams can put together 2 great games in a row and take this.

It's not like we don't have a star. It's just that we don't know who it's going to be on any given night.