Is Sunday's UConn-Tennessee game a must-win for the Huskies?

[Hayven]

A win is needed to secure a 2 seed and increase the chances to being sent to the closest regional. The teams need this win to remind themselves of how good they are as well. They have not been playing well against decent or lackluster teams recently.
And most importantly, the team needs to win because a loss would close the BY for a few days

 

[Vowelguy]

I disagree. If by "going far" you mean winning the championship,

This is UConn. Is there any other goal?

 

[bballnut90]

It's a huge game for both teams. Tennessee is struggling and needs to right the ship, this would be a big way to do it. If they lose badly, it's a big sign that the wheels are spiraling off considering their play as of late. They could right the ship but usually the better teams come back strong after a bad loss and it'd be a major indication that Tennessee isn't as strong as they appeared to be.

For UCONN this would give them a significant win and locks in a top 3 seed. Losing to Tennessee puts them on the bubble of the 3/4 line IMO, and the route to a Final Four is drastically different being a 3 vs. a 4 in the NCAA tournament.

 

[Alydar]

"Must win" is a totally overused phrase. Unless losing ends your season it isn't a must win.

 

[Carnac]

Let me throw my two cents in here. Is this a “must win”, no. UConn will still make the tournament. Anything can happen after that. Our team should adopt the collective mindset that every game from this point forward is a must win, and play with that level of urgency. Their play in the session will take care of itself. Make it a team goal to run the table the rest of the way.

Tennessee lost by 25 to unranked Florida last night. They’re not on a roll, and can be had. They are the highest ranked (#7) team we will play before the dance. Not only will this be UConn's last test, it's an opportunity to get in sync and adjust to the level of play they’ll see in March.

A win against Tennesse would be a huge morale booster that this team could really use, given the trials, distractions and disruptions they’ve endured this season.

 

[Tonyc]

The Problem if UConn isnt in Bridgeport is many UConn fans have already purchased tickets and wont be able to watch them up close???????

 

[nan linds]

Sunday’s game is a must win for Tennessee, which is not going to happen.
B&C

What is B&C ?

 

[CocoHusky]

It's a huge game for both teams. Tennessee is struggling and needs to right the ship, this would be a big way to do it. If they lose badly, it's a big sign that the wheels are spiraling off considering their play as of late. They could right the ship but usually the better teams come back strong after a bad loss and it'd be a major indication that Tennessee isn't as strong as they appeared to be.

For UCONN this would give them a significant win and locks in a top 3 seed. Losing to Tennessee puts them on the bubble of the 3/4 line IMO, and the route to a Final Four is drastically different being a 3 vs. a 4 in the NCAA tournament.

As the article points out TN has remaining games with Missouri (only team to beat SC), South Carolina (#1) and LSU (#15) before the SEC tournament which represents three opportunities to right the ship not necessarily by winning but just by play well. The SEC tournament itself also affords TN yet another opportunity to right the ship by making a deep run.
Besides Sunday's game UCONN has no other opportunities because they are expected to run the BE table of both regular season and tournament. A slip up by UCONN against TN or any of the teams remaining on the BE schedule may not only cost UCONN a seat in the Bridgeport region, it may also cost them an opportunity to host the the first two games at home= Top 16 seating.

 

[Veteran]

No. The only must win for UConn is the last game of the season. As it is every year.

 

[Vowelguy]

The Problem if UConn isnt in Bridgeport is many UConn fans have already purchased tickets and wont be able to watch them up close???????

Yeah so?
You bought tickets to the NCAA regional, teams to be determined.

 

[bballnut90]

As the article points out TN has remaining games with Missouri (only team to beat SC), South Carolina (#1) and LSU (#15) before the SEC tournament which represents three opportunities to right the ship not necessarily by winning but just by play well. The SEC tournament itself also affords TN yet another opportunity to right the ship by making a deep run.
Besides Sunday's game UCONN has no other opportunities because they are expected to run the BE table of both regular season and tournament. A slip up by UCONN against TN or any of the teams remaining on the BE schedule may not only cost UCONN a seat in the Bridgeport region, it may also cost them an opportunity to host the the first two games at home= Top 16 seating.

Agree the game is more important for UCONN in terms of NCAA seeding, but I think this is also crucial game considering the state of things in Knoxville right now. Tennessee needs a big showing for their own confidence/mentality. Rivalry aside, 2 weeks ago this didn't seem like a huge game for Tennessee but a lot has changed since then.

 

[JavaMan]

MOTIVATION:

 

[oldhusky]

I agree with this:

"UConn's best chance of staying closer to home in the tournament rests with being better than the No. 3 seed where it was slotted in the reveal. That is why, in contrast to what nearly anyone would have predicted at the start of the season, Sunday's game means more to UConn than it does Tennessee."

Is Sunday's UConn-Tennessee game a must-win for the Huskies?

Thoughts

As far as seeding is concerned, it makes a big difference. Regardless of how we are playing and how ready we are by tournament time, this game is the only one left on the schedule that could bump us up a few notches. If we lose this game and win every other one on the schedule, we cannot expect to be much higher in the ratings, maybe a little but not much.

Even if everything is clicking by tournament time, a bad seeding makes a difference. Whatever chance we would have had as a number 1 seed, the odds are less with a bad seed to win the tournament. Could we overcome it? Sure if we are playing great then, but as a 3 or 4 seed we may face competition in the sweet sixteen or elite 8 that might have been more like final 4 competition for a number 1 seed.

It is what it is, there is nothing we can do about it, the only statement game left is Tennessee, and we probably won't have everyone back. Geno and the players can try to be as ready as they can be for the tournament, that they can control, but regaining a 1 or maybe even a 2 seed is probably out of their control if they lose on Sunday.

 

[MooseJaw]

Put aside what a win means heading into tourney time. This team needs that win mostly for their own mental health. Yes, Tn has been on a recent roller coaster as has our Huskys. If we don't think that this game means a lot, we are fooling ourselves. Two teams fighting for a boost going into the drive for the big dance. Either will take a huge mental boost from winning this game. I want this boost for the Huskys. I want the LV's to scratch their heads wondering how a wounded UCONN team steamrolled them with so much on the line.
Would a loss be the death knell for either team, I don't think so, but it would be a big indicator that the losing team just doesn't have the tools to go to the final four. Put aside whether Paige comes back or not, this game has wide ranged implications toward the mental health of our team.

 

[Bigboote]

Of course it's a must-win. If UConn loses to Tennessee I'll

 

[Alydar]

I've watched Tenn's last 3 games. Green's stats are meager but since she has been out of the lineup there is confusion everywhere and Key has no backup and is as foul prone as Edwards. Against Fla they were forced into a zone in the second half to protect Key. Someone that only saw those three games would say they have work to do to even make the tournament at this point.

 

[Conndog]

We lost the first 17 minutes by 12, won the last 23 minutes by 32....

Wasn't the first quarter deficit cut to only 2 points by the half? Well, maybe dominate is too strong a word for 2nd quarter, but they did outscore Creighton by 7 in that quarter, by 11 in 3rd quarter, and by 11 again in the 4th quarter. It was domination for sure.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Wasn't the first quarter deficit cut to only 2 points by the half? Well, maybe dominate is too strong a word for 2nd quarter, but they did outscore Creighton by 7 in that quarter, by 11 in 3rd quarter, and by 11 again in the 4th quarter. It was domination for sure.

Cretin was up 12 with 3 to go in the first half - their biggest lead. We cut it to two in the last three minutes. And yes, total domination once they found the 'on' switch.

 

[Skeets]

MOTIVATION:

UConn needs to punch something orange.

 

[Paul1969]

Yes! if we wanna be in Bridgeport we have to win out now@!

 

[Topdawg]

Assuming the team wants to achieve the goals set every season…

From here on, UCONN needs to win every game. The team needs to achieve a high and consistent level of play. Our defense has been good for the most part. Coverage of the 3 point line needs to get tighter.

Greater movement of players and the ball will be needed for our shooters to get open and take more shots. It appears we have too many stops and starts with the current sets. Better to take shots than turn the ball over.

I am looking forward to seeing our team at their best!

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Anyone figure out if this is a MUST WIN yet... we have all been on the edge of our seats since this thread was created.

 

[JBK]

The only “must” for UConn is getting Paige back and her being at a high level.
This team has no shot of going far without her, and almost anything is possible with her (at 90+ %).

I think Azzi could be an amazing boost even if Paige does not get back in time -
If used appropriately

 

[jchusky]

The Problem if UConn isnt in Bridgeport is many UConn fans have already purchased tickets and wont be able to watch them up close???????

wouldn't this be the same as a 49ers fan buying sb tickets in Santa Clara, why would one person assume that they would get to the SB if the games have not happened. There are also people that bought final 4 tickets from Minnesota because Paige is on Uconn team and they were a "lock for a final 4 spot'. As so happens the season has unfolded and she might not even play in the final 4 if Uconn gets there due to injuries. Committee does their job based on merits not on location, even if it means that it's an empty arena.

 

[Vowelguy]

I disagree. If by "going far" you mean winning the championship, yes it would be difficult without Paige.

The team is very inconsistent. Yes they could get on a roll and possibly get to a final 4. But they also could lose in the 2nd round.
Consider the Creighton game -- if a team comes out that hot from 3 in a tourney game? It really ramps up the pressure in a way that doesnt exist in a regular season game. Not to mention that the tourney is typically geared towards teams with strong backcourts.

Still a month to go, so hopefully all the players can start to hit at the right time.