Re the addendum - I know this thread has wandered back and forth across the road, but I believe there was a questioning of the statement that "UConn would be better" next year, not that "it would struggle to win a NC" next year.
So: how would we define better, considering the players (for and against) will change?
Good question: what's the operational definition of "better"? Well, UConn was 40-0 in 2013-14. Its three closest games were by deficits of 11, 15, and 17 (twice). There were three WBCA AAs, two top-seven overall WNBA draft picks, a DPOY winner, an NPOY winner, and a partridge in a pear tree. So, that's all a measurable bar.
I think UConn can go 39-0. If we're going to South Bend, I think UConn will have a game with an MOV below 15. I do think the average MOV of 34 (from last season) can be surpassed. I predict at least WBCA AAs (Stewie, KML, Moriah), possibly more if everyone is healthy. I predict Stewie will vie for DPOY and NPOY. Finally, I anticipate KML will be drafted #1 overall, and Kiah will be drafted somewhere.
Given that, all the girls have to do is get the partridge in a pear tree, and that 2014-15 team will be the greatest UConn WBB team of all time.