Is UConn the #2 now?

[diggerfoot]

#2 overall means no Baylor until the Championship game. Hopefully, it puts Notre Dame on the other side as well, as #4 or #5. Goodness, IMO

However, those two losses to Louiville and Baylor, regardless of where played, are disturbing. We are inclined to see anomalies in games we lose, while ignoring them same in games we win (CW vs. ND, and CD vs. Baylor 2 years ago) the coaching staff was unable to make corrections, and the team was unable to rise to the occasion. We are attaching our hopes to favorable locations (Albany) and matchups. I'm still not optimistic.

It seems I may have almost an opposite view as you, though maybe I am just misinterpreting. I understand the sentiment that no loss is a good one but, in reality, there is more potential to learn something needs to be fixed from a loss than a win, at least for a particular opponent. There is also a little extra motivation, should there be a rematch.

Notre Dame, on paper, is the best team in the field, but they remind me of the 2001 UConn team. Without injuries, addition by subtraction, both Notre Dame 19 and UConn 01 have/had chemistry issues. To me this was symbolized in the handshake line when AO dissed Auriemma, to be followed by Shepherd making amends. Also, there is danger when one player (Young) is recognized by everyone, including fans and WNBA scouts, as the straw that stirs the drink but another player is treated by the media as such. Notre Dame has not been able to play to its potential throughout a whole season, I do not believe they will be able to play up to their potential for all six games of the NCAA tournament.

However, I do think they can and will play up to their potential if they match up with UConn again. The only thing I wish for in the bracketology is for Notre Dame not to be in the same region as UConn. If they end up in a different region, chances are UConn will never have to play them. Meanwhile, I like UConn's chances against the rest of the field, either because they have not played recently (Oregon), or they have and I think UConn has gained more from their previous meeting (Baylor and Louisville).

 

[Golden Husky]

It seems to me that UConn is just as likely to drop down as move up in the rankings/seedings. For example, if both UConn and Louisville win out, won't the Cardinals, with two losses just like the Huskies and a head-to-head advantage, jump ahead of UConn by virtue of quality wins against teams such as Notre Dame and/or Miami in the ACC Tournament?

Of course, teams such as Louisville, Notre Dame, Oregon and even Baylor probably have a greater chance of losing another game before the NCAA Tournament than UConn does so almost any scenario seems possible.

How's that for straddling the fence?

 

[oldude]

It seems to me that UConn is just as likely to drop down as move up in the rankings/seedings. For example, if both UConn and Louisville win out, won't the Cardinals, with two losses just like the Huskies and a head-to-head advantage, jump ahead of UConn by virtue of quality wins against teams such as Notre Dame and/or Miami in the ACC Tournament?

Of course, teams such as Louisville, Notre Dame, Oregon and even Baylor probably have a greater chance of losing another game before the NCAA Tournament than UConn does so almost any scenario seems possible.

How's that for straddling the fence?

One more loss among the top teams is a certainty. Either Louisville or ND will lose in the ACC tournament.

 

[donalddoowop]

Megan has been mostly solid for UConn this year, and she’s really upped her 3-pt shooting to now lead the team at 42%. If there is one area where I would like to see Megan improve, it would be to reduce the number of mental errors she commits. She’s usually good for 3-4 careless passes or defensive breakdowns each game. If she gets that down to 1-2, I’m fine with her play this year.

Next year is another story. After Lou & Pheesa graduate, Megan will need to consistently play great each and every game.

I may not be right but I ( I'm never wrong) believe Megan is biding her time and just trying to be a good complimentary player right now. Either in the NCAA's or next season, I believe she will start to take over games the way I believe she is capable of doing.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

FWIW... back to the question addressed in the title of the thread... Massey has UCONN as #2 today, with Baylor still #1... not that it will play out that way in seedings or the polls.

 

[DeeHusky]

Yes, she is one of the better players, like 4th best player, as the stats show. As a sophomore with 2 AA’s and a soon to be AA as upperclassmen on her team, you’ve lost me on what you point is. Where do you think she should rank?

I personally think she should be a go-to type player. I guess it’s just my love for wings and their do it all type of play. They can shoot, rebound, bring the ball up the court, isolate, take over a game. You might think I’m out of my mind to believe that she can be the best player on the floor, but thats just my opinion and I believe she’s not playing to her full potential. As far as being an underclassmen, great players don’t have to wait around for upperclassmen. By the way, I’m not bashing her at all, she’s my favorite player on the team this year. I just think she could do more.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

FWIW... back to the question addressed in the title of the thread... Massey has UCONN as #2 today, with Baylor still #1... not that it will play out that way in seedings or the polls.

And... add FWIW, UCONN is
#2 in Coaches Poll today.

 

[HopJim]

Megan has been mostly solid for UConn this year, and she’s really upped her 3-pt shooting to now lead the team at 42%. If there is one area where I would like to see Megan improve, it would be to reduce the number of mental errors she commits. She’s usually good for 3-4 careless passes or defensive breakdowns each game. If she gets that down to 1-2, I’m fine with her play this year.

Next year is another story. After Lou & Pheesa graduate, Megan will need to consistently play great each and every game.

Agree that Megan has been solid and would add she has been one of the key scorers at important times in both the UCF and South Carolina games. I sometimes forget that she is playing out of position at power forward. Wonder if her stats would be different if she had 1-2 solid bigs as teammates. With ONO plus a transfer/international addition next year, we may see.

 

[oldude]

Agree that Megan has been solid and would add she has been one of the key scorers at important times in both the UCF and South Carolina games. I sometimes forget that she is playing out of position at power forward. Wonder if her stats would be different if she had 1-2 solid bigs as teammates. With ONO plus a transfer/international addition next year, we may see.

Yes, Megan should be a wing in college. Unfortunately, she is playing the Gabby Williams forward spot.

 

[bbballfan23]

I guess I’m the only one that thinks Megan is doing as well as could possibly be expected. Slow, not great handles, below average finisher & passer but her numbers have been good! We can’t expect much more from her.

 

[DeeHusky]

#1 Girl in the Country Megan Walker Drops an Easy 30 in Only 3 Quarters!
I don’t see this same confidence and some of the plays she made in this video. While this is high school and you can’t compare the two, surely if you did it in high school, you can do it two years older. She just plays timid at times to me, that’s all I’m saying. Can’t wait for her to break out the shell.

 

[Golden Husky]

One more loss among the top teams is a certainty. Either Louisville or ND will lose in the ACC tournament.

Yes, of course. I imagine UConn would profit more from a Louisville loss.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

If I recall, in the harrowing trip to find help, most of the Donner (9 of 11) men died but none of the (5) women.

Yeah, the women were excluded from the short straw be eaten thingie.

 

[UcMiami]

I don’t know why anyone here would want UConn to be #1. They are better as the hunters than they hunted this year.

And for my money I still say UConn is #4.

I don’t know how you can drop Oregon after losing to a top 10 hated rival on the road.

But no one had trouble dropping Uconn after losing to two top 5 hated rivals on the road earlier.

It is the nature of rankings at the top end of the pack. None of the top 6 teams play that many games they should lose or even be very challenged in so the results of those few games take on much larger significance. When was the last time a Uconn team lost to a team outside the top 5? Probably Stanford back in 2014. When has any of the other top 10 teams lost to a team outside the top 10 - this year! (Baylor technically last calendar year.)

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I guess I’m the only one that thinks Megan is doing as well as could possibly be expected. Slow, not great handles, below average finisher & passer but her numbers have been good! We can’t expect much more from her.

Apparently you are not alone. There are 2 of you.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

But no one had trouble dropping Uconn after losing to two top 5 hated rivals on the road earlier.

It is the nature of rankings at the top end of the pack. None of the top 6 teams play that many games they should lose or even be very challenged in so the results of those few games take on much larger significance. When was the last time a Uconn team lost to a team outside the top 5? Probably Stanford back in 2014. When has any of the other top 10 teams lost to a team outside the top 10 - this year! (Baylor technically last calendar year.)

The AAC effect?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Rating IMO at this point are only great for bragging rights. The real ranking begins in the NCAA NC run. Then, according to past Geno's words, the luck of the draw has much to do with winning the FF or the NC so those last 6 games ranking is important----not much else.
This year more than most--Uconn is vulnerable in nearly any game but I'm riding the SC game high to the end.

I loved the snarky Geno walking away from Lobo when she asked him about how he felt when she knew his position very well. She new it would make good theater. You, Geno and I are on the same page.

 

[triaddukefan]

But no one had trouble dropping Uconn after losing to two top 5 hated rivals on the road earlier.

It is the nature of rankings at the top end of the pack. None of the top 6 teams play that many games they should lose or even be very challenged in so the results of those few games take on much larger significance. When was the last time a Uconn team lost to a team outside the top 5? Probably Stanford back in 2014. When has any of the other top 10 teams lost to a team outside the top 10 - this year! (Baylor technically last calendar year.)

You can't compare UConn baylor.. Or UConn Louisville to the Civil War. That's a blood rival.

 

[oldude]

When was the last time a Uconn team lost to a team outside the top 5? Probably Stanford back in 2014. When has any of the other top 10 teams lost to a team outside the top 10 - this year! (Baylor technically last calendar year.)

In answer to your question. Stanford was the last team outside the top 5 that UConn lost to in 2014. Specifically, the Cardinal were #6.

 

[j66kicker]

And... add FWIW, UCONN is
#2 in Coaches Poll today.

2018-19 Women's College Basketball Rankings for Week 16 | ESPN

1. Baylor
2. UConn
3. Oregon
4/5. Louisville
4/5. Notre Dame
6. Miss. State

 

[UcMiami]

But does anyone really think the Big12 or Big10 or SEC represent significant challenges? Maryland and Iowa are sort of in the top ten by default, as any Big12 team other than Baylor is in the top 25 and any SEC team other than MsSt in the top 25. The only P5s serious competition are the Pac12 and ACC and I suspect the Pac12 might be a little illusory.

While people are talking about how wide open the top ten rankings are and how great that is for the sport, the reality seems to me to be more the general mediocrity of the sport this year and the general weakness rather than a raising of the standards.

 

[UConnNick]

I agree Kim's team have a habit of loosing focus at the most inopportune moments. Tht loss may come in the tournament which would be fine with me.

I like Kim, but I live for those moments when she throws some piece of her game day apparel into the third row.

 

[oldude]

But does anyone really think the Big12 or Big10 or SEC represent significant challenges? Maryland and Iowa are sort of in the top ten by default, as any Big12 team other than Baylor is in the top 25 and any SEC team other than MsSt in the top 25. The only P5s serious competition are the Pac12 and ACC and I suspect the Pac12 might be a little illusory.

While people are talking about how wide open the top ten rankings are and how great that is for the sport, the reality seems to me to be more the general mediocrity of the sport this year and the general weakness rather than a raising of the standards.

I’ll give the SEC a little more credit as a league, particularly with SC trending upward, but your comments on the Big 10 & 12 are spot on.

 

[MSGRET]

Lou did a little dishing of her own against UCF. As did Megan and Chrystin.

@huskeynut loved it when Lou had the hard foul and the UCF player started ragging her, she just looked at her pointed up and said "Scoreboard" that was just priceless.

 

[oldude]

@huskeynut loved it when Lou had the hard foul and the UCF player started ragging her, she just looked at her pointed up and said "Scoreboard" that was just priceless.

I really thought Lou could have pretty easily blocked that shot without fouling, but she appeared intent on doling out a little payback. I’m OK with that....

 

[Dokey]

Remember Oregon lost one of their best players to a 2nd quarter injury and were playing on road to packed house. They will still be No. 1 in Portland.

 

[huskeynut]

I really thought Lou could have pretty easily blocked that shot without fouling, but she appeared intent on doling out a little payback. I’m OK with that....

I liked the drive with Lou's shoulder going into the face of a UCF player, I beleive it was Wright, and said player being deposited on the floor!

Also enjoy Squeaks steal, breakaway and fending off a UCF defender trying to come over her back.

 

[Dokey]

Expect Lou to be fired up the rest of the way. This is same player who went 10 for 10 from beyond the arc. Teams have watched UConn design offense around getting ball to Pheesa in paint. Look for a switch of strategy in tourney if they have to go against teams with bigger girls at post with Lou, Crystal and Megan raining 3 pointers as opponents gang up on Pheesa.

 

[donalddoowop]

I guess I’m the only one that thinks Megan is doing as well as could possibly be expected. Slow, not great handles, below average finisher & passer but her numbers have been good! We can’t expect much more from her.

Why not? We're going to get more from her.

 

[BroadwayVa]

It seems I may have almost an opposite view as you, though maybe I am just misinterpreting. I understand the sentiment that no loss is a good one but, in reality, there is more potential to learn something needs to be fixed from a loss than a win, at least for a particular opponent. There is also a little extra motivation, should there be a rematch.

Notre Dame, on paper, is the best team in the field, but they remind me of the 2001 UConn team. Without injuries, addition by subtraction, both Notre Dame 19 and UConn 01 have/had chemistry issues. To me this was symbolized in the handshake line when AO dissed Auriemma, to be followed by Shepherd making amends. Also, there is danger when one player (Young) is recognized by everyone, including fans and WNBA scouts, as the straw that stirs the drink but another player is treated by the media as such. Notre Dame has not been able to play to its potential throughout a whole season, I do not believe they will be able to play up to their potential for all six games of the NCAA tournament.I
However, I do think they can and will play up to their potential if they match up with UConn again. The only thing I wish for in the bracketology is for Notre Dame not to be in the same region as UConn. If they end up in a different region, chances are UConn will never have to play them. Meanwhile, I like UConn's chances against the rest of the field, either because they have not played recently (Oregon), or they have and I think UConn has gained more from their previous meeting (Baylor and Louisville).

I Agree with @veryOldog--No loss is a good one. If you have to lose to teach your players anything--you have the wrong players. Uconn has never required a sledge hammer to get their attention. (a ballpeen?).
A player like A.O. would never ever be on a Uconn team. Attitude. Her energy, determination, shooting skills are wonderful, attitude?? I will never ever sell ND short. Too often, they crawled out from the ashes of predicted badness. Muffet is a class A coach, a class A plus recruiter, that is why when Geno et al beat her I'm very happy.
Both Baylor and Louisville taught Geno a lesson he knew--a shorter talented team has to make every 3 point shot to win from a tall talented team. Daaa! With Louisville the lesson learned was to not play a hot shooting team at home when you are in a shooting slump. Should Uconn meet Louisville on a neutral court (and out of the slump) Uconn will prevail. Should they meet Baylor again--don't.