I wish it wasn't a Lady Vol that said this....

[triaddukefan]

UCONN and Duke both have front courts. I would also put Notre Dame ahead of them, and possibly Maryland. Cal (depending on Brandon's health), KY, Stanford, potentially UNC are a few others that should be pretty good.

Second, the statement is so over-the-top absurd that it deserves mockery. I expect the Duke team to say they think they can hang with UConn. Nothing wrong with that statement. I'd smile at the enthusiasm if she had said that, with Russell, they were on the top frontcourt in the country.

That isn't what was said. She said, about a front-court that hasn't played one second, that they are hands down the best frontcout.

It would be like a Boneyarder saying "Hands down, the Boneyard is the best wbb forum in the country" Oh wait, that's not a good analogy because it is true.

Let's try again.

It would be like Miley Cyrus saying she was Hands down, the most respected pop start in the country.

Not to be arrogant, but I'm hands down the best non-UCONN fan poster who happens to live in the piedmont triad area of NC

 

[Kevin G]

...but she is and she did.

The Lady Vols don't need her to be a star right away. [Mercedes] Russell just has to fill a role on what junior forward Cierra Burdick calls "hands down... the best frontcourt in the country."

Tennessee returns 6-2 sophomore Bashaara Graves, last season's Southeastern Conference newcomer of the year. The Lady Vols also bring back 6-3 junior Isabelle Harrison, who averaged 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game last season. Burdick and sophomores Jasmine Jones and Nia Moore give Tennessee five returning players who are at least 6-2.

Now Tennessee adds Russell, only the sixth player 6-5 or taller to suit up for the Lady Vols.

Mizzes Dolson, Stewart, Tuck, and Stokes, you know, the ones that won the National Championship in April, beg to differ.

Linky

I'm not trying to start a UConn-LV thing here, just found the comment odd coming from from, well, anyone.

Agree that adding Russell looks great on paper. Everyone looks good on paper with that kind of rating out of HS, but we all know it's what you do on the court that matters. I will formulate an opinion of this "hands down...the best frontcourt in the country" at the end of the season.

 

[connboy77]

that's the difference..nobody really cares what a says (maybe Miley would) except us losers spending time on message boards..this is a young player with confidence in her team and the upcoming season..I love to see that... versus a bunch of chatter from front-running fans...

You seem like a very bitter individual. We on The Boneyard tell it like it is. The fact is UCONN has by far the best front line women's basketball and its not close.

 

[ciarlante]

Geno will likely not win a championship with Houston's talent but I do expect he will get more from that talent than any other coach. Remember he built UCONN from a program that was non-existent. He has had those teams where the team was talented by other teams and built the tradition one win at a time. As his coaching staff has had transitions over the years UCONN has never dropped a beat.

That is why I think Geno is a great coach and UCONN is/was fun to follow...but the chest thumping at the top of the mountain from the brethren gets a little old..and you would be a little naive (notice I didn't say stupid, silly, ignorant, or other terms used towards me) if you didn't think the majority of woman's bball fans were rooting for the UD UCONN match up and would be overwhelmingly rooting for UD..(just as there was a lot of people rooting for anyone to beat Baylor and Griner's antics)...it's a little lonely at the top..everybody roots for the underdog..but a champion with humility (including their fan base) gets a lot more respect..

 

[Icebear]

A fanbase is not a team. It roots for its team with unabashed love. A fanbase is not responsible for the humility of the team (and UCONN is always humble as a team you don't see them making comments like Burdick's) and celebrates even the team's humility with passion, zealousness and exhuberence. If not, don't bother to be a fan.

 

[stwainfan]

For our Lady Vol fans, the point is that she said it was "hands down" the best front court in the country.

We are all willing to chalk that up to preseason bravado. Nothing wrong with that.

It doesn't matter how Russell is the highest ranked recruit since Parker or that Lockwood thinks they are really good. They are not in the neighborhood of Uconn's front line.

It may be bravado. I think we can all agree the this front court can be one of the best. Here soon we will see how good. The potential is certainly there.

 

[doggydaddy]

That is why I think Geno is a great coach and UCONN is/was fun to follow...but the chest thumping at the top of the mountain from the brethren gets a little old..and you would be a little naive (notice I didn't say stupid, silly, ignorant, or other terms used towards me) if you didn't think the majority of woman's bball fans were rooting for the UD UCONN match up and would be overwhelmingly rooting for UD..(just as there was a lot of people rooting for anyone to beat Baylor and Griner's antics)...it's a little lonely at the top..everybody roots for the underdog..but a champion with humility (including their fan base) gets a lot more respect..

Guess what. The players won. Not us. They have humility. Great kids. Easy to root for.

You don't like us? Then why are you here?

Uconn has 3 AA's, a sophomore considered one of the most talented in the country, and a coaching staff considered the best in the country. Those are facts.

Good for Burdick for being so confident. I'm curious why you aren't offended by her arrogance.

 

[doggydaddy]

It may be bravado. I think we can all agree the this front court can be one of the best. Here soon we will see how good. The potential is certainly there.

They will be one of the best. No one said they weren't.

Just not hands down THE best.

 

[Icebear]

It may be bravado. I think we can all agree the this front court can be one of the best. Here soon we will see how good. The potential is certainly there.

I definitely consider it one of the Top 5.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

.the arrogance of the UCONN faithful..does it ever end? Everybody knows how good UCONN is but do you really have to challenge every statement made by anybody at anytime and say..but we are better and won the championship..na na na... the young player should think they are the best if she is a competitor..UCONN might be a little easier to root for if they didn't follow their mantra of "if you don't toot your own horn someone else will use it as a spittoon" .. I tell you one thing UCONN isn't the best at..that is humility and it starts from the short guy from Philly and expands endlessly among the brethren

This is a UCONN fan site. Deal with it.

 

[ciarlante]

Guess what. The players won. Not us. They have humility. Great kids. Easy to root for.

You don't like us? Then why are you here?

Uconn has 3 AA's, a sophomore considered one of the most talented in the country, and a coaching staff considered the best in the country. Those are facts.

Good for Burdick for being so confident. I'm curious why you aren't offended by her arrogance.

Agree about the kids.. no I don't dislike you all..but the message is becoming strong and clear that only kool aid drinkers are welcome on the board...I'm not offended by her "arrogance".. I'll call it confidence..because she is a young competitor putting in a lot of work and is setting some lofty goals..good for her..not surprising I haven't seen Stewie or Dolson or the others responding by saying..no we are the best...no need to..and shows a little class (and Geno would probably tell them to zip it up..)

 

[meyers7]

Not to be arrogant, but I'm hands down the best non-UCONN fan poster who happens to live in the piedmont triad area of NC

Agreed.

 

[doggydaddy]

Agree about the kids.. no I don't dislike you all..but the message is becoming strong and clear that only kool aid drinkers are welcome on the board...I'm not offended by her "arrogance".. I'll call it confidence..because she is a young competitor putting in a lot of work and is setting some lofty goals..good for her..not surprising I haven't seen Stewie or Dolson or the others responding by saying..no we are the best...no need to..and shows a little class (and Geno would probably tell them to zip it up..)

How is the message clear that only Kool aid drinkers are welcome? That is just a lie.

And I don't have a problem with Burdick's comments or the posters that disagree with it.

Who do you root for?

 

[ciarlante]

How is the message clear that only Kool aid drinkers are welcome? That is just a lie.

And I don't have a problem with Burdick's comments or the posters that disagree with it.

Who do you root for?

I am a fan of the woman's game. I love watching good competition. Honestly I respect UCONN a ton (who couldn't) but as a fan tend to pull for underdogs but it not like I'm an I hate UCONN fan. Two of my favorite players are Stewart (who I was around for a couple years..I'll leave it at that) and Hartley. I wasn't a Baylor or Griner fan but like watching Simms.. if that makes sense. I'm getting to the point where I know a lot of kids who are/will be playing for a lot of teams so I root for them all personally. If I had to say maybe the Virginia Cavaliers would be my favorite team..ouch I know!

 

[HuskyNan]

How is the message clear that only Kool aid drinkers are welcome? That is just a lie.

And I don't have a problem with Burdick's comments or the posters that disagree with it.

Who do you root for?

Why are people bothering to respond to this poster? If he doesn't like the Boneyard, there are plenty of other boards out there.

As for the poster, one more "" reference and you're leaving permanently. I find it rather ironic that someone so condescending is barking at us for arrogance.

 

[msf22b]

Why are people bothering to respond to this poster?

Nan

You ask why posters are responding?

I think he's touched a nerve…perhaps uncovered a tad of doubt lingering under the surface as it should be in all team sports situ's.

Suppose things didn't quite go the way we expect this season or any season. The Yanks with Ruth and Gehrig didn't win every year.

Suppose this good size front line of UTenn is indeed with the addition of Russell our equal; we all know that Graves exceeded expectations.

Suppose, suppose, suppose…all very unlikely, a monster crap shoot

Still, for most honest folks, there is always some lingering doubt, some insecurity.
That makes Geno's accomplishments all the more the legends of yore. He pulls the rabbit out of the hat season after season.

But there were the Notre Dame debacles last season…

We should welcome contrarians.

 

[Phil]

I agree..my point is not that UCONN should encourage players to go elsewhere but to say that a player can never be great unless they go to UCONN..if someone wants to come fine..but if they don't their choice should be embraced with anticipation that maybe folks will see some competitive games in the future!..instead of putting them in the irrelevant box...

I agree that when some go overboard, and say they cannot be great elsewhere, they have gone too far. That wasn't the original subject though.

 

[HuskyNan]

Nan

You ask why posters are responding?

I think he's touched a nerve…perhaps uncovered a tad of doubt lingering under the surface as it should be in all team sports situ's.

Suppose things didn't quite go the way we expect this season or any season. The Yanks with Ruth and Gehrig didn't win every year.

Suppose this good size front line of UTenn is indeed with the addition of Russell our equal; we all know that Graves exceeded expectations.

Suppose, suppose, suppose…all very unlikely, a monster crap shoot

Still, for most honest folks, there is always some lingering doubt, some insecurity.
That makes Geno's accomplishments all the more the legends of yore. He pulls the rabbit out of the hat season after season.

But there were the Notre Dame debacles last season…

We should welcome contrarians.

I have no problem with contrarians - the board has several who manage to get their point across without insulting not only the "'yarders" (this is an insult from the sewer pit known as the ESPN board) but UConn fans in general. The contrarians here usually speak out to stimulate conversation; this guy just wanted to insult us.

 

[Phil]

UCONN and Duke both have front courts. I would also put Notre Dame ahead of them, and possibly Maryland. Cal (depending on Brandon's health), KY, Stanford, potentially UNC are a few others that should be pretty good.







Not to be arrogant, but I'm hands down the best non-UCONN fan poster who happens to live in the piedmont triad area of NC

I can't argue with that (although I was concerned you were going to say you were the best Duke fan, but luckily you added the location qualifier. I'm pretty sure Crazy Cam lives elsewhere.

 

[Icebear]

I have no problem with contrarians - the board has several who manage to get their point across without managing to insult not only the "'yarders" (this is an insult from the sewer pit known as the ESPN board) but UConn fans in general. The contrarians here usually speak out to stimulate conversation; this guy just wanted to insult us.

Actually, it began long ago on The Summitt and was dragged to the ESPN board.

 

[machusky67]

that's the difference..nobody really cares what a Boneyarder says (maybe Miley would) except us losers spending time on message boards..this is a young player with confidence in her team and the upcoming season..I love to see that... versus a bunch of chatter from front-running fans...

If you don' like what we say than there's an easy solution.....don't visit our board?.....

 

[wallman]

Triad, you arrogant $, how dare you say such a thing, jk!

If Geno was switched to coaching some of those other top teams mentioned, I think they would have won some NCs also

 

[Wonkster]

.the arrogance of the UCONN faithful..does it ever end? Everybody knows how good UCONN is but do you really have to challenge every statement made by anybody at anytime and say..but we are better and won the championship..na na na... the young player should think they are the best if she is a competitor..UCONN might be a little easier to root for if they didn't follow their mantra of "if you don't toot your own horn someone else will use it as a spittoon" .. I tell you one thing UCONN isn't the best at..that is humility and it starts from the short guy from Philly and expands endlessly among the brethren

Hey, Dipstick - this is a UConn message board. The "arrogance" of Tennessee includes such Southern hospitality as shutting out everybody but Tennessee fans from even viewing the Summitt.

You seem singularly unaware of the luxury you enjoy by being allowed to participate in the best women's board on the 'Net.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

except that Philly has a reason to be miserable and have crappy sportsmanship because they never win anything! It just seems to me that the UCONN fans/program doesn't need to speak much about how good they are..all they have to do is smile and point to the record books...but when someone else is trying to do something or starts having a little success what is the point in trying to squash everything (I know this is just a message board) before it even gets a chance..the best thing for UCONN and the womans game would be not to have a perennial dynasty but to have a highly competitive and fun to watch NCAA woman's basketball product..right now it isn't and the powers that be are trying to correct it..not saying that UCONN should lay down so that others can catch up but a true fan of the game would welcome more competition and establishing a good product..it has to be more than UCONN - Tenn or UCONN- ND, or UCONN-whoever...anybody getting bored watching Alabama win by 50 every week?

Dynasties are better for a sport (and most products for that matter) than the blandness that would result from hyper-competitiveness. Nothing would do more to ruin WBB than season after season of triple-overtime "thrillers" where every team ends up with a .500 record. Geno is one of those few individuals who transcends his sport. The dynasty he's built is his value. It is what will grow the sport because it presents a bar against which others can measure themselves. .500 isn't a bar. It isn't even a goal except for a brief moment when a program is rising from the cellar. When fans gather to discuss men's college basketball, they still talk about John Wooden...and they always will. Excellence sells, mediocrity, not so much.

 

[AndyCT]

A fanbase is not a team. It roots for its team with unabashed love. A fanbase is not responsible for the humility of the team (and UCONN is always humble as a team you don't see them making comments like Burdick's) and celebrates even the team's humility with passion, zealousness and exhuberence. If not, don't bother to be a fan.

Asked what different players brought to the Detroit Shock, who finished last in the WNBA in 2002 and as champs in 2003, Swin Cash said, "I'm from Connecticut where they taught us humility."

 

[Tonyc]

Geno is a great coach..his record speaks for himself..recruiting has definitely been in his favor over the years..but I think there are several, if not most of them, coaches that push and strive for greatness..or at least try to get the most on and off the court from his players..it's insulting to insinuate that other college coaches don't..but let's not make any mistake..there are no great coaches without great players...lets swap him with the Houston coach..which team do you think would win more games or NCs?

Great coaches attract great players. Geno has done that. If Geno were to go to Houston I would bet he could turn that program around and make it successful given the administration supported him, like they do at UConn. Why do you think he has had offers from other mens and womens teams and he didn't leave? Why start over again. Geno gets the players he does because of what he's done.

 

[Bestiarius]

ciarlante - I don't recall anyone here telling you to go away or attacking you as a person. The opposition you are experiencing is focused on what you are saying.

The hands down statement by Burdick probably wasn't appreciated by the Tennessee staff. First, they didn't back up what Burdick said. Second, they understand that kind of statement by a player just motivates the opposition. You can be sure it will be posted on opponents locker room bulletin boards.

Geno and his players have no control over what is said here. Feel free to root for whomever you wish, but I doubt if UConn is going to go easy on any opponent. Going easy on an opponent is an insult, as it implies the opponent is deserving of pity. It appears that many opponents are raising their level of play and may at some point challenge UConn's supremancy. I believe UConn welcomes that competition.

By the way, I enjoy watching Alabama football. It's something UConn can aspire to.

 

[huskeynut]

Burdick shows some youthful bravado! Well good for her. You want a confident player on the court.

But as we all know, athletics is littered with the big "P" = potential. Time will tell. Does Tennessee have potential - yes. But now they have to prove it on the court - the only place that matters.

ciarlante - there are many very, very good coaches but few great coaches. Geno is one of the great coaches. He does get his players to play at a level above the rest. If you observe, there is a relationship that Geno has with his players that few can match. I do think Jeff Walz is another who has the type of relationship with his players that get them to play above the rest.

And one more point. We are Fans. Derived from the word fanatic! Enough said.

 

[ciarlante]

Dynasties are better for a sport (and most products for that matter) than the blandness that would result from hyper-competitiveness. Nothing would do more to ruin WBB than season after season of triple-overtime "thrillers" where every team ends up with a .500 record. Geno is one of those few individuals who transcends his sport. The dynasty he's built is his value. It is what will grow the sport because it presents a bar against which others can measure themselves. .500 isn't a bar. It isn't even a goal except for a brief moment when a program is rising from the cellar. When fans gather to discuss men's college basketball, they still talk about John Wooden...and they always will. Excellence sells, mediocrity, not so much.

I think the attraction is when David knocks off Goliath..that's why I also like the Villanova Wildcats! both the men and women's history..and when ND beat mighty UCLA on the mens side..nobody is shooting for a .500 record, that wouldn't be trying to reach the bar UCONN set..I like the triple overtime thrillers..especially in the tournaments..and getting to the point where the top 20 or even the top 10 mean something versus the top 2-3 with a major drop off thereafter would not be bad for the game..my intent wasn't to insult anyone or insinuate UCONN should not want to keep kicking the crap out of everyone.. it's up to the other teams to catch up..I just don't see the point in pee peeing on other teams/players/coaches, etc. when you are the top and all they are trying to do is rise to the bar UCONN established..

 

[Phil]

If you don' like what we say than there's an easy solution.....don't visit our board?.....

I'm going to differ with you a bit, although I understand the sentiment.

I want fans of other teams to read this place. I want them to contribute. I'm fine if they want to disagree with what is said. It is easy for people in a bubble chamber to persuade themselves that they are right...it is useful to get outside opinion to keep from going off the deep end. In fact, I am convinced that the residents of a site I won't name have gone of the deep end, largely because they drove away anyone who dared to disagree, and so now they say stupid things and everyone else nods in agreement. I don't want this place ever to become like that.

However, there's disagreement, when backed up by calm logic, and then there's ...other stuff. We have some visitors form other schools who contribute, and occasionally challenge us. That's healthy. We also have some visitors who try to stir things up, making claims with little to back it up, and those visitors don't usually last.