Here We Go Again - UConn Too Good

[easttexastrash]

Honestly, a lot of you need to work on your reading comprehension. The article basically does challange other teams to step up.

ND has done that to some extent, with 4 straight final fours and three title game apperances, but until they can recruit a couple of bigger players sizewise, they are going to continue to play second fiddle. It's not a coincidence that ND's only title came when they had a legitimate center in Ruth Riley; they haven't had that since, even with their recent success.

The scary thing is not the gap between UConn and the rest of WBB, it's that there's a gap between UConn and ND, and then another gap to everyone else.

How big will the gap between UCONN and everybody else be next season without Dolson and Hartley? Those are some pretty big shoes to fill.

If UNC indeed signs Wilson, the gap may be much more narrow than anticipated.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

BTW, it seemed this year that, based on the tournament as a whole, the depth of quality over all wasn't that bad. A lot of competitive games. If the only thing that keeps fans interested is the potential to win an NC, then there is big problem if the measure is going to be the top team or the top 10-15 teams. - - - While unsuccessful coaches are being replaced somewhat more often than in the past, to me places like Georgia and Villanova, that have retained modestly successful coaches for decades in high level conferences shows either the difference in attitudes in college AD and presidents' offices between men's and women's hoops where you'd wsee 3 mens's coaches in the same time period,, or the resignation to the fact that they probably can't do any better with a replacement.

A lot of talented teams in the NCAA's and also at the top of the WNIT as well, as the final four their were bubble NCAA teams. As a fan of WBB in general, I enjoyed the competitiveness of a lot of games.

As to Georgia and Villanova - I think Georgia doubts they could do much better with a replacement - after a certain level (and Andy is certainly there) you can play around and get a new coach, but it is almost certainly a shot in the dark, unless you think one of the other top coaches wants to come. You only have to look at the eggs laid by some big name hires to know it is risky and unpredictable. Villanova on the other hand, which has a certain level of success, probably doesn't feel a need to do better.

In fact, for most schools not in the power conferences, I don't think challenging nationally is on their agenda (often, on men's or women's side). However, success in your conference is a big deal, just getting to the NCAA's an accomplishment, and having any quantity of fans unlikely. That is the reality of women's basketball.

 

[cohenzone]

How big will the gap between UCONN and everybody else be next season without Dolson and Hartley? Those are some pretty big shoes to fill.

If UNC indeed signs Wilson, the gap may be much more narrow than anticipated.

The gap isn't always huge between UConn and a few other top teams from time to time. In a given year, UConn might be a top 5 team, but no better. But they hardly ever sink lower than that. Without the 2 you mentioned, UConn will be different. As dominant? We'll see. I suspect most teams will not be that delighted to see Stokes staring at them from the middle. If Tuck comes back healthy and up to form, the front line will easily be the best in the game. You'll have 3 returning AAs with a ton of experience - KML is obviously AA quality), and if Banks is totally healthy, a kid who would be a big piece of a puzzle at many schools. That's without considering improvement by Chong, who was scarcely a total flop this year, and whatever contribution comes from the newcomers. Looking at the competition, UNC is the school that has the most coming back without any critical departures, even if Wilson goes elsewhere. I wouldn't dismiss Wilson, she's undoubtedly very good but she didn't fly off he screen in the McD's game. Could be just one of those all-star game things.

 

[cohenzone]

A lot of talented teams in the NCAA's and also at the top of the WNIT as well, as the final four their were bubble NCAA teams. As a fan of WBB in general, I enjoyed the competitiveness of a lot of games.

As to Georgia and Villanova - I think Georgia doubts they could do much better with a replacement - after a certain level (and Andy is certainly there) you can play around and get a new coach, but it is almost certainly a shot in the dark, unless you think one of the other top coaches wants to come. You only have to look at the eggs laid by some big name hires to know it is risky and unpredictable. Villanova on the other hand, which has a certain level of success, probably doesn't feel a need to do better.

.

Agree, but it is a sign of the lack of depth in the coaching ranks.

 

[Vowelguy]

The answer is coaches stepping up to the plate and demanding excellence.

Geno has done it. Geno has opened his practices to other coaches. What he does is no secret. He treats his players as athletes, plain and simple.

"What he does is no secret."
Yeah, what Lebron does is no secret either. Can you play like him?

Few know Geno's coaching philosophy better than Jamelle & Tonya. How much success have they had? He is a unique talent, not easily copied.

 

[Vowelguy]

I wasn't a WCBB fan at the time, but was there all this hand wringing when Tennessee was winning their 8 championships? Were they bad for the game?

Tenn did not dominate the way UConn has. (Other than in 98.)
UConn doesn't just win; they have been waxing the floor with teams on a regular basis. That's bad for TV and fan interest.

 

[j66kicker]

"What he does is no secret."
Yeah, what Lebron does is no secret either. Can you play like him?

Few know Geno's coaching philosophy better than Jamelle & Tonya. How much success have they had? He is a unique talent, not easily copied.

Not saying Janelle & Tonya could coach Geno's players as well as he has, but his prodigies are not at schools than can get the talent he is able to get - yet anyway.

 

[formerlurker]

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-b...four-2014-pros-cons-another-connecticut-title

Where is the competition for UConn?

 

[formerlurker]

 

[RockyMTblue2]

She sole that move from Geno!