One advantage OS has is that they've already exceeded the whole world's expectations. They know regardless of the outcome they've had a successful season. That should remove some pressure. We, on the other hand would experience a colossal failure if we lose. Also, they can see themselves in the David vs. Goliath role and pretend that everyone wants to see them topple UCONN. So the pressure is on us.
No problem, our gals don't get caught up in hype. We block out everything and focus on business as usual because of the great coaching by Geno et.al.[/Q
Sonny44, There is a lot of truth in your comments. Oregon State has exceeded everyone's expectations for them this year, and are therefore playing today with house money. Louisville played Baylor several years ago with that same mind-set, and shocked the world, as they took down Brittany Griner, Oddesy Sims and the mighty Baylor Bears (the defending national champions) by 1 point. Unfortunately for them, they then ran smack dab into a UConn buzz saw that was was hungry, full of resolve, eager to win a championship, and reestablish themselves as the dominate program in WCBB. Louisville caught a 35 point smack down in the process.
Don't look for that to happen today. Remember, UConn will be playing the same way they've been playing all year, against themselves. UConn is a well oiled machine that has been finely tuned to run at optimum efficiency. And they plan to do it for 40 minutes unless Oregon State is unable to keep up, and the game is decided much sooner. One more thing that many onlookers are failing to realize. A lot of folks are assuming that Oregon State is going to play the same type of game that they played to beat Baylor. Note:
1. They only scored
60 points in that game. That's not going to be enough to beat UConn. Everybody knows that, including them. They're problem is that they are going to have to generate more offense against a team whose defense is much better that Baylor's.
2. Oregon State can just as easily stink up the arena today with a performance similar to that in games that they lost this year. There are no guarantees that they are going to come out, and play their best game of the year today. All of their shots could fall early, or there could be a lid on the basket. We won't know until the game starts.
3. They have not played UConn this year. Remember what the Duquesne players said after the game. They were in denial pregame, but were very transparent in their post-game interview session. They admitted that they weren't ready for the quickness and intensity that UConn brought into the game. I remember one player said "UConn must have scouted us pretty good, because they were blowing up our plays right from the start".
Geno likes to set the tone for the game in the first 5 minutes of the game. It's not unusual for the Huskies to jump out to a double digit lead in the first 5 minutes. Teams know that if you get down to UConn early, its almost impossible to recover, because UConn just keeps pouring it on (just ask the players from
Robert Morris - UConn put up 41 against them in the 1st quarter).
If one of the
BIG 3 is hot at the start, its going to be a long day for their opponents, because that player will get the ball open and often. Remember what Geno said: "in order for us to lose, the other team will have to play their A+ game, and we'll have to help them". Odds are UConn didn't wake up feeling benevolent today. Don't look for any upsets today, at least not in the first game. Go Huskies.
I just wish the game was on so I could see what we are facing....
