Losing at Baylor would be the best thing to happen to UConn

[SVCBeercats]

I'll put it out there. I think if UConn enters the tourney undefeated for 3 straight years (!), there will be unbelievable extra pressure on all the players. Losing a regular season game will be a sigh of relief for the players (& Geno). Also, a loss at Baylor wont change their ranking much if at all. At Baylor, seems to be the best candidate. Of course, you dont want to intentionally lose, but maybe if Geno plays his bench more minutes...

So the teams of the last three years are more susceptible to pressure than the six undefeated national champions? You perceive this team and the previous two years as mentally weaker than true champions?

 

[SVCBeercats]

That was Bill Russell, the greatest winner of all time.

Actually it was Lombardi.

 

[CocoHusky]

Actually it was Lombardi.

Lombardi was paraphrasing Knute Rockne:
"Show me a good and gracious loser and I'll show you a failure."

 

[intlzncster]

I'll put it out there. I think if UConn enters the tourney undefeated for 3 straight years (!), there will be unbelievable extra pressure on all the players. Losing a regular season game will be a sigh of relief for the players (& Geno). Also, a loss at Baylor wont change their ranking much if at all. At Baylor, seems to be the best candidate. Of course, you dont want to intentionally lose, but maybe if Geno plays his bench more minutes...

Mind boggling take. Be undefeated, and the play better when it counts.

Can't imagine wanting to lose. If you don't like the pressure, don't come to UCONN. Heck, don't even play.

 

[Charliebball]

[Geno Auriemma Says UConn Losing Wouldn't Be The Worst Thing For The Huskies
https://www.courant.com/hc-kelli-stacy-editorial-20180601-staff.html


Geno Auriemma won’t mind seeing his team lose.
Not often, not enough to cause sufficient worry, but once or twice.
He wants his players to have a reason to pause, look around and realize they need to regroup. Then, he wants them to execute.
“Fifteen or 20 years ago there was only one thought in my mind: We need to win every single game to prove that we’re great,” Auriemma said. “That’s all I thought about. ‘We need to go undefeated to prove that we’re great because great teams don’t lose.’ The last couple years I’d go into every big game on ESPN going ‘Man, I hope today’s the day we get our ass kicked,” just so that we can feel what it feels like to have to regroup a little bit.

 

[TitleTown]

I hate this matchup for UConn. Coming off an extended break, playing on the road, with virtually no bench, against a team with a ton of size. This game really scares me as a UConn fan.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Losing is never a good thing. That's such a loser's mentality. If losing was a good thing why doesn't UConn do it more often? Oh, right.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I hate this matchup for UConn. Coming off an extended break, playing on the road, with virtually no bench, against a team with a ton of size. This game really scares me as a UConn fan.

I'm pretty bearish on this one.

 

[FanHam]

I'm hep to the sentiment that it's good to relieve the pressure of being undefeated. However, this team has already been defeated - in certain quarters of games - and that's enough. I don't have the numbers at hand, but they've lost a few key quarters against good teams, so they know they can be bested. Most importantly, however, they know they are indefatigable and have overcome all their deficits and imposed their will on all comers thus far in the season. I say more power to them. Keep it up. This team is a unique collection of five superb basketball players skilled in all aspects of the game (hey, the defense has been there when it counted) and they play in a beautiful, slashing, elegant style. When they're hitting on all cylinders they are a brutal ballet. Lose? Hah!

 

[hoopsfan22]

I hate this matchup for UConn. Coming off an extended break, playing on the road, with virtually no bench, against a team with a ton of size. This game really scares me as a UConn fan.

Seems like only UConn plays in games coming off of finals and long breaks. They need to fix that.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I get it now. This thread is sort of a reverse mojo hex, right? Must be, because as a straight forward proposition it is a dead bang loser. It reminds me of a laugh from a modern classic:

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

Geno & Staff will have used rust remover before game day. And, perhaps most interesting thing is the "murderers row" () of top WBB teams Baylor has played thus far. yes, ASU is an interesting team, but NOT top 15 , and SCarolina prob NOT deserving of the #18 ranking when Baylor played them. True, can't coach 6'7", BUT CAN Coach Team Work, Cohesive Offense & Defense, and a champion attitude.

Go Huskies!!!

 

[da60]

Baylor can get ready against Rio Grande........Geno will prob have team heavily scrimmage, hopefully against some of the men he uses.
Uconn should be very ready to go against the big. Hopefully, Olivia will get some go and show us something.

 

[j66kicker]

Baylor should be ready to host UConn on Thursday Jan 3. UConn will enter that game rested, but possibly needing to shake off some rust of their own. Baylor has all of the advantages in their favor. Playing at home, they start a LARGE experienced (senior) 6'7" post player, they'll have a sold out arena, and they just played a game 48 hrs ago, so they should be ready to take it to the Huskies from the tip. No excuse for them not to win this one.........right?

View attachment 37799

You mean other than the excuse that they're playing the #1 team in the country who is going to come into Waco and kick their butts?

 

[MSUFan2003]

This team knows they are not infallible. A close game is just as good as losing a game if you are trying to figure out your weaknesses. I think UConn will win the game.

 

[TitleTown]

Seems like only UConn plays in games coming off of finals and long breaks. They need to fix that.

It certainly seems like UConn plays against some good teams coming off finals. A lot of other schools schedule games against mid majors coming off a long break.

 

[da60]

It's just the middle of the season. I repeat that we need support from our 'bigs'...Olivia being important, even as a raw freshman, Touly, hopefully can get in there and give some solid minutes and Kyla seems capable giving some tough inside play. If some of above is accomplished, KLS, Pheesha, and the "quicks" should do their amazing things....looking forward!








1

 

[BackBay]

I will be proven right...The "extra" pressure is now off UConn and they will not be "expected" to win a NC. Extra motivation for the players. UConn will win the NC as a result of this game.

 

[Jlong231]

I will be proven right...The "extra" pressure is now off UConn and they will not be "expected" to win a NC. Extra motivation for the players. UConn will win the NC as a result of this game.

Maybe your right lol, the last two seasons they went into the tournament undefeated, with an expectations to win it all, this year maybe a lost would be good for them, the pressure should be off, a ton of people aren’t going to expect them to win, hopefully they play with even more motivation.

 

[BackBay]

Maybe your right lol, the last two seasons they went into the tournament undefeated, with an expectations to win it all, this year maybe a lost would be good for them, the pressure should be off, a ton of people aren’t going to expect them to win, hopefully they play with even more motivation.

Its already started. The post-game ESPN announcers basically saying winning a NC would be huge challenge for this team, this team is not as talented to past teams, etc. The expectations pressure is definitely off now, and UConn can use the "underdog" card as motivation.

After tonight, its pretty clear Baylor is the better team. But, in the tourney, anyone could beat anyone. So, any mental motivation will help. Still, I hope UConn doesnt have to play this Baylor team again - a very bad matchup!!

 

[j66kicker]

Its already started. The post-game ESPN announcers basically saying winning a NC would be huge challenge for this team, this team is not as talented to past teams, etc. The expectations pressure is definitely off now, and UConn can use the "underdog" card as motivation.

After tonight, its pretty clear Baylor is the better team. But, in the tourney, anyone could beat anyone. So, any mental motivation will help. Still, I hope UConn doesnt have to play this Baylor team again - a very bad matchup!!

Andy Landers said that. For once I agree with him. He also said UConn has been able to win the last 4-5-6 years without a true back-to-the-basket player, but now the good teams all have one and you need one to win. That would also appear to be true. At least if "win" means "win all the time."

 

[uconnfan68]

Andy Landers said that. For once I agree with him. He also said UConn has been able to win the last 4-5-6 years without a true back-to-the-basket player, but now the good teams all have one and you need one to win. That would also appear to be true. At least if "win" means "win all the time."

The biggest issue for me is that it looked like we played 3 on 5 most of the night. Mostly on offense, but a few times on defense too. Just got beat by a much bigger team.

 

[Ozimoto]

I guess we are going to get our answer to the OP's question.

 

[JonathanXIV]

I will be proven right...The "extra" pressure is now off UConn and they will not be "expected" to win a NC. Extra motivation for the players. UConn will win the NC as a result of this game.

Stop. One has nothing to do with the other. If UConn wins the NC it won't be because they played poorly against Baylor. It will be because they played really well in the Final Four.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Its already started. The post-game ESPN announcers basically saying winning a NC would be huge challenge for this team, this team is not as talented to past teams, etc. The expectations pressure is definitely off now, and UConn can use the "underdog" card as motivation.

After tonight, its pretty clear Baylor is the better team. But, in the tourney, anyone could beat anyone. So, any mental motivation will help. Still, I hope UConn doesnt have to play this Baylor team again - a very bad matchup!!

Funny, this is a completely different take than after the Notre Dame game. Amazing how both fans and "experts" can over react after one game. Baylor was the better team tonight. Not convinced that they are "clearly the better team."

 

[DallasBUFan]

Funny, this is a completely different take than after the Notre Dame game. Amazing how both fans and "experts" can over react after one game. Baylor was the better team tonight. Not convinced that they are "clearly the better team."

I think it all comes down to this is basketball and anyone can win on any given night. Baylor had recently faced defeat and didn't like it. They stuck to their game plan and it worked out for them. Shots weren't falling easily for them, but poor UConn couldn't buy a basket. The better team that day was Baylor. Any team can be the better on that given day. What this proved was ANYONE has a chance to win it all this year. UConn didn't have the luck on their side and Baylor used their strengths against them. Baylor's success was found on the defensive end. That was one of the lowest fouling games for them this year. Both teams still have growing to do, but I wouldn't wanna face either come march.

 

[CL82]

I'll put it out there. I think if UConn enters the tourney undefeated for 3 straight years (!), there will be unbelievable extra pressure on all the players. Losing a regular season game will be a sigh of relief for the players (& Geno). Also, a loss at Baylor wont change their ranking much if at all. At Baylor, seems to be the best candidate. Of course, you dont want to intentionally lose, but maybe if Geno plays his bench more minutes...

On the men's board, this post and starting this thread would be grounds for a hanging. Just sayin.

 

[GoDawgs4]

From a State alum/fan, Hats off to UCONN for not losing a regular season game in over four years. Incredible. Certainly it was going to happen at some point.

The pressure of staying undefeated weighs on a team and they can start playing tentatively with a not to lose mentality versus a win at all cost attitude.

So overall this bodes well for the Huskies. You never want to lose but in the present day winning them all is virtually impossible. Too many other really good teams in the mix nowadays. That is good for WCBB.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Never good to lose. Sometimes a loss points out weaknesses that need correcting but with a mature team like UCONN, they already know strengthens and weaknesses.

Well, we shall see how your theory works.

 

[tower1]

Do you still think loosing is the best thing ? What a joke !