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

[huskie joe]

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?

It takes more than just great players to win a NC, just look at the Duke men. Every year their team is loaded with high school all american's and they have a great coach and they have just won (2) NC's since 1992. So your statement is incorrect.
2001 and 2010

 

[Icebear]

That clam logic always gets me, Philster.

 

[Icebear]

It takes more than just great players to win a NC, just look at the Duke men. Every year their team is loaded with high school all american's and they have a great coach and they have just won (2) NC's since 1992. So your statement is incorrect.
2001 and 2010

Duke has never won a NC unless you think this was the men's board.

 

[ciarlante]

It takes more than just great players to win a NC, just look at the Duke men. Every year their team is loaded with high school all american's and they have a great coach and they have just won (2) NC's since 1992. So your statement is incorrect.
2001 and 2010

That's because their is a broader/deeper depth of talent in the mens game and there is more competition/parity..Selection of All American's is very political, both in the men and womens game, but it is a lot easier to win with a stacked AA team on the womens side..just look at mid majors like Richmond, Butler, and Mason getting to the final four on the mens side..not going to happen on the womens side yet.. so I assume you are saying Coach K isn't a great coach?...hummmm..no need to bring up my previous points..

 

[RockyMTblue2]

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 clam 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.

Subtle. Nuanced. And look who liked it! making it priceless.

 

[Alydar]

That's because their is a broader/deeper depth of talent in the mens game and there is more competition/parity..Selection of All American's is very political, both in the men and womens game, but it is a lot easier to win with a stacked AA team on the womens side..just look at mid majors like Richmond, Butler, and Mason getting to the final four on the mens side..not going to happen on the womens side yet.. so I assume you are saying Coach K isn't a great coach?...hummmm..no need to bring up my previous points..

Hey, there are 2 mid majors this year in wcbb who were in the FF last year and there is a shot at 2 making it again this year so your comment is technically incorrect.

I do agree with you that it would be better to just not comment on what I think was an ill-advised public comment on Burdick's part. Better to save it as a text file and hopefully post it again in mid-April with a smiley face.

But I also can understand the reaction here. Arrogance? A small but vocal cadre of LV fans has ridiculed and insulted the UConn program, it's coaches, it's players and it's fans for almost 2 decades. The level of bitterness has been reduced on the UConn side due, IMO, to the succcesses of the program over the last 5 years coupled with the lack thereof on the other side. The level of venom on the other side has also reduced, but only because some of the worst "haters" there folded their tents after the BtB undefeated seasons. At least here the reactions are to statements from the actual program. On the other side they react with indignation if ESPN says anything positive about UConn.

I am a daily reader of the Summitt and trust me, classlessness is alive and well there. It's just that they are in a locked ward now.

And I love it all. I don't have to moderate it so I just sit back and enjoy. But then I am a Yankee fan in CT and grew up in the Eastern part of the state with a bunch of Red Sox fans who, in my youth, thought the Sox were the superior team even after landing in the American league cellar year after year.

 

[huskie joe]

Yes icebear I know this is Uconn womens site. I was just trying to compare the talent that coach K recruits every year and has (2) chamionships since 1992, probably not a good comparison. So how about this comparison. Do you think that Geno would have won a NC with the talent that the Duke women have had recently? It's not just talent as a true basketball fan knows. It's coaching, chemistry, mental toughness and of course unfortunate injuries. Ciarlante who ever said coach K was not a good coach? He has (4) championships!

 

[Icebear]

Yes icebear I know this is Uconn womens site. I was just trying to compare the talent that coach K recruits every year and has (2) chamionships since 1992, probably not a good comparison. So how about this comparison. Do you think that Geno would have won a NC with the talent that the Duke women have had recently? It's not just talent as a true basketball fan knows. It's coaching, chemistry, mental toughness and of course unfortunate injuries. Ciarlante who ever said coach K was not a good coach? He has (4) championships!

It just wasn't clear the you were speaking about the Duke men and your name is relatively unfamiliar. We have had people misplace posts before. It is relatively easy to do.

 

[huskie joe]

Icebear, I do post but not on on a regular basis because my job keeps me pretty busy. Honestly I enjoy reading all of the posts and before I go to Jim Fuller or Rich Elliot columns/sites I come to the boneyard, all of you are amazing with your insite and knowledge of the game. I have been a huge fan since the 1995 championship team. I can't wait for the season to begin. I just pray we stay healthy!!!

 

[AndyCT]

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.

Dynasties are good for sports. Certainly it is better when teams have some chance of beating a perennial power (and I think the sport has achieved that), but what would WCBB be like if winning and losing were reduced to a random event between two essentially identical teams? Too much parity leads to mediocrity – not necessarily in the players or teams but in the sport itself. Dynasties are a result of excellence and they push the sport to higher levels in defending or ending them.

Certainly for a team that is defending its dynasty, the thrill is in taking the best shot of every challenger and still coming out on top, something we’ve all experienced as UConn fans with the two longest unbeaten streaks in the sport, and more undefeated nation championships than all other program combined. And yet on the other side is the thrill of knocking off our program – Notre Dame’s three wins over Connecticut last year meant that they were “even better than UConn.” On the Duke board they still talk occasionally about Jessica Foley’s shot in 2004. And Stanford has risen to the occasion in ending the winning streaks of the last two undefeated national champions. Likewise, even if Tennessee weren’t the defending champion at the time, UConn’s two victories over Tennessee in 1995 validated their championship by beating the program by which all others were measured at the time not once, but twice. The chance to break a dynasty pushes teams to their highest levels.

We may actually have an almost ideal parity in WCBB right now. UConn has been the one singularly dominant program over the last twenty years, but others have been able to rise up and challenge (and beat) them, often for stretches at a time – Notre Dame and Baylor, Oklahoma and Duke and Tennessee and Stanford among others. We have a sport where a very few programs dominate from year to year – but many (and far more than was the case twenty, or even ten years ago) programs have developed to the point where year to year they can challenge those top programs and even have a legitimate shot at an upset – and not a major upset at that. That’s really what we should want.

 

[Icebear]

Very well said, Andy.

 

[jsloanjr]

Good luck Vols............Lets see how they do by the end of December............The Vols have a poor schedule outside at UNC, at Stanford and home with Texas before Jan 1st....The rest are pay day games........

 

[Tonyc]

The LVs should have a great record this season. The SEC isn't what it used to be. UNC is young, Stanford should be competitive, Texas could be competitive. Where are the top teams like ND Duke MD? IMO they're not on the schedule so Tenn can get a 1 or 2 seed and all that is because the FF is in Nashville Tenn. JMO folks but if the coaches had confidence in this LV team and really believed the front line was tops they would have scheduled more top teams. This OOC schedule looks like a mid major if that. Yeah lets schedule a couple of top teams with big names to help our SOS and lets schedule those teams we know we can most likely beat. JMO

 

[meyers7]

I have no problem with contrarians

Obviously, I'm still here.

not only the "'yarders" (this is an insult from the sewer pit known as the ESPN board)

I kinda like that moniker. I think we should embrace it.

 

[doggydaddy]

The LVs should have a great record this season. The SEC isn't what it used to be. UNC is young, Stanford should be competitive, Texas could be competitive. Where are the top teams like ND Duke MD? IMO they're not on the schedule so Tenn can get a 1 or 2 seed and all that is because the FF is in Nashville Tenn. JMO folks but if the coaches had confidence in this LV team and really believed the front line was tops they would have scheduled more top teams. This OOC schedule looks like a mid major if that. Yeah lets schedule a couple of top teams with big names to help our SOS and lets schedule those teams we know we can most likely beat. JMO

Tennessee plays ND. Should be a great game.

 

[meyers7]

.my intent wasn't to insult anyone .

Really?

the arrogance of the UCONN faithful..does it ever end?

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

Interesting approach to not intending to insult anyone. I wonder what you would say if you did intend to insult someone?

 

[meyers7]

Duke has never won a NC unless you think this was the men's board.

It just wasn't clear the you were speaking about the Duke men

He/she did say "look at the Duke men". Seems pretty clear to me. Reading comprehension ice, reading comprehension. Heck ice, you copied his post.

 

[stwainfan]

Tennessee plays ND. Should be a great game.

I am looking forward to that game.

 

[meyers7]

Hey, there are 2 mid majors this year in wcbb who were in the FF last year and there is a shot at 2 making it again this year so your comment is technically incorrect.

 

[doggydaddy]

I am looking forward to that game.

You are looking forward to every Tennessee game. But thanks for sharing.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

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.

Ah, DD, in your last line you out the essential contradiction of this poster's line of insulting prattle.

 

[ciarlante]

Really?




Interesting approach to not intending to insult anyone. I wonder what you would say if you did intend to insult someone?

I guess using the term arrogant applied to a group could be considered insulting to some individuals of the group..I apologize..but it's a lot different than being individually called stupid and ignorant..their is a sense of arrogance in all champions which is fine..that is where the humility comes in..

 

[ciarlante]

This guy looks like he had one to many belts..plus the final four last year was UConn, ND, Cal, and Louisville.. maybe the UCONN faithful think anybody but ND who beat them is a mid major? In fact if you look at the sweet 16 the only mid major was DE and Elena..the clear crowd favorite...even to some UCONN fans.. Another example of drinking message board kool aid.. don't believe me? here is the bracket.. http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/basketball-women/d1

 

[ciarlante]

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.

It's been mixed but for those that welcome a different opinion and civil discourse..Thank You.. I agree what Burdick said probably wasn't well received by the coaches..that's why I thought it should not be inflamed..One of the things I really like about UCONN and Geno is that they don't let up.. I agree the ultimate disrespect to an opponent in my opinion..keep knocking them down..just lift them up afterwards and continue to respect your opponent who is preparing for the next match...

 

[doggydaddy]

It's been mixed but for those that welcome a different opinion and civil discourse..Thank You.. I agree what Burdick said probably wasn't well received by the coaches..that's why I thought it should not be inflamed..One of the things I really like about UCONN and Geno is that they don't let up.. I agree the ultimate disrespect to an opponent in my opinion..keep knocking them down..just lift them up afterwards and continue to respect your opponent who is preparing for the next match...

Again, the team needs to stay humble. Fans don't.

 

[UConnCat]

This guy looks like he had one to many belts..plus the final four last year was UConn, ND, Cal, and Louisville.. maybe the UCONN faithful think anybody but ND who beat them is a mid major? In fact if you look at the sweet 16 the only mid major was DE and Elena..the clear crowd favorite...even to some UCONN fans.. Another example of drinking message board kool aid.. don't believe me? here is the bracket.. http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/basketball-women/d1

Who said that? There is plenty to discuss without making stuff up. Are you now just trying to pick a fight with the fans on this board?

 

[meyers7]

maybe the UCONN faithful think anybody but ND who beat them is a mid major?

Nope. That kinda flew right over your head.

UCONN and Louisville are the mid majors. Living in the AAC now.

 

[doggydaddy]

Nope. That kinda flew right over your head.

UCONN and Louisville are the mid majors. Living in the AAC now.

It's hard not to call him a dummy for not getting that....but he seems to be a sensitive sort, so I won't.

 

[ciarlante]

OK..so UCONN and Louisville are now mid majors in your mind..gotcha.. .. so who is trying to pick fights/split hairs here? and I would remember that the fans in some way represent their University..so don't drag your team/players down with the arrogant holier than thou attitudes..it only takes a few bad apples...the majority of the fans I'm sure appreciate their team and their success the right way..without always belittling their opponents..Kudos to the ones who post and act in that manner

 

[UConnCat]

OK..so UCONN and Louisville are now mid majors in your mind..gotcha.. .. so who is trying to pick fights/split hairs here? and I would remember that the fans in some way represent their University..so don't drag your team/players down with the arrogant holier than thou attitudes..it only takes a few bad apples...the majority of the fans I'm sure appreciate their team and their success the right way..without always belittling their opponents..Kudos to the ones who post and act in that manner

✓ Humorless