RockyMTblue2
Don't Look Up!
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 24,003
- Reaction Score
- 109,753
At Mohegan Sun. ESPN got its way.
At Mohegan Sun. ESPN got its way.

In the Hays ESPN article, Some legal gimmickry justifying UConn able to schedule up to 27 games.
A UConn spokesperson said that because the program had been approved to schedule 29 games and a two-game multiteam event before the new COVID-related reductions, it was told that it needed to reduce its original schedule by four games, also per the Division I Council ruling and superseding the 23/25 maximums. That means UConn could, in theory, still schedule an additional nonconference game that would push its schedule to 27 games.

Definitely brings the clarity of muddy water to the whole scheduling limit issue.In the Hays ESPN article, Some legal gimmickry justifying UConn able to schedule up to 27 games.
A UConn spokesperson said that because the program had been approved to schedule 29 games and a two-game multiteam event before the new COVID-related reductions, it was told that it needed to reduce its original schedule by four games, also per the Division I Council ruling and superseding the 23/25 maximums. That means UConn could, in theory, still schedule an additional nonconference game that would push its schedule to 27 games.
Does anyone find it so odd that ESPN is doing this since our conference is now under a contract with Fox? I would've thought they wouldn't want anything to do with us.
The Big East has been with Fox for several years now. UConn's conference didn't switch networks; UConn is just switching conferences. Not seeing how that should trigger a boycott from ESPN.Does anyone find it so odd that ESPN is doing this since our conference is now under a contract with Fox? I would've thought they wouldn't want anything to do with us.
Definitely brings the clarity of muddy water to the whole scheduling limit issue.
So the 23/25 maximums are still in effect overall but in UConn's case are superseded because UConn had previously received some kind of special approval from the NCAA to schedule 29 plus an MTE? Which, IIRC, would have been 2 games over the previous limit of 27+MTE or 29 total.
I'm curious as to how UConn was able to secure this special approval.
Ha careful, Maria Cornelius will think you're serious and prepare another 50-page complaint package.How was UConn able to secure this special approval? Why Geno used forged Notre Dame stationary.
No doubt replete with accusations of Stewie and Sue (just to change things up) giving Azzi Fudd a ride to McDonalds on the way to tour of the Mark Twain house.Ha careful, Maria Cornelius will think you're serious and prepare another 50-page complaint package.
ESPN's way too early rankings have us at #4 and LV at #5. CBS has us at #2 and LV at #8. Should be a game of two of the 2020-21 wbb titans and both have really dynamic freshman point guards - the good guys have Paige Bueckers and LV has Hailey Von Lith. Should be a great match up.Can anyone speak to the issue as to whether or not this will be a competitive game. And where will the advantages and disadvantages will be for UConn. This may be premature but some of you folks who live for detail may see things on paper better than others.
My best guess at this (given that both teams bring in a lot of freshmen) is that UConn has the post advantage given ONO produces at least as well as she did last year—unless Louisville’s Elizabeth Dixon steps up BIG this year. She’s capable of it from looking at her freshman year at Georgia Tech, but didn’t really seem to find her footing last year behind Shook. I don’t know much about the other post players for Louisville so I can’t speak on that, but if Griffin gets some time at the 4/5 I’m sure UConn will be forcing the opposing big to guard her off the bounce from the ft line area. If Edwards and/or Gabriel can give even just a few meaningful minutes (rebounds, screens, scoring would be great but no expected, etc.) UConn has a real advantage in my mind. Dana Evans will likely be Louisville’s leading scorer and possibly their best/go-to player—again unless someone else steps up (my guess for other potentially good/great players this year: Dixon, Balogun, Hailey Van Lith, or Kianna Smith). Overall, though, UConn probably has the guard advantage, too, with any combo of Williams, Westbrook, and Makurat. Add in Bueckers (if lives up to the hype of courseCan anyone speak to the issue as to whether or not this will be a competitive game. And where will the advantages and disadvantages will be for UConn. This may be premature but some of you folks who live for detail may see things on paper better than others.
) and possibly Griffin on perimeter defense and I just can’t imagine UConn losing that battle. UConn has more experience in ONO and Williams plus Westbrook joining as an upperclassman. Makurat and Griffin have a good introductory year under their belts and are no doubt primed for a breakout season. Louisville has more question marks when it comes to experience since they bring in so many players that are either freshman or that redshirted a year ago. Evans, Balogun, and Dixon will likely be the key leaders/returners from a year ago and Hailey Van Lith will likely get a good amount of playing time. Overall I expect it to be a fairly competitive game at least in the beginning since it will still be extremely early in the season given the late start. I would think UConn has the advantage overall, but then again this is a UConn board and I am a UConn fan first. Hopefully it’s at least similarly competitive to the 2011-2014 seasons.The 11 PM NBC Local News sports reporter stated that UConn WCBB had finalized its OOC schedule, though all of the dates are not determined. As I recall the broadcast (about 30 minutes ago), they said:
Quinnipiac @ Mohegan Sun 11/28
Miss St @ Mohegan Sun (I presume this is contingent on both UConn and the Bulldogs winning their prior game)
Louisville @ Mohegan Sun 12/4
Other games settled but with dates TBD:
@ Baylor
@ Tennessee
South Carolina at home
That is a heck of an OOC schedule for this unusual year, in my opinion.
Both Paige and Hailey Van Lith played for Jeff Walz on the USA team so he is familiar with what both can bring. Paige seemed to play more and in crucial situations. From what I saw and IMHO Page is the more complete player and Hailey Van Lith is more of a scorer and volume shooter as once the ball got into her hands you know a shot was coming.
I don't disagree at all with your statements and I believe both will do well in WBB. I do feel that Hailey Van Lith tended to get out of control too much and forced too many shots. As a scorer she reminded me of Arike (scorer wise not personality). The last play you mentioned was indeed a classic and performed well. As the younger players on the team both did well and are different types of players. I, personally, prefer the one we got as I prefer that style of play.I thought it was cool that both of them started at guard along with Boston, Howard and Hillmon-Baker, all a year or 2 ahead of the guards. And when the game was on the line in the final Walz picked the 2 babies to run a lob play. Bueckers was the MVP and well deserved but Hailey Van Lith was also impressive and that's why I don't see either having much trouble adjusting to college ball.
I don't disagree at all with your statements and I believe both will do well in WBB. I do feel that Hailey Van Lith tended to get out of control too much and forced too many shots. As a scorer she reminded me of Arike (scorer wise not personality). The last play you mentioned was indeed a classic and performed well. As the younger players on the team both did well and are different types of players. I, personally, prefer the one we got as I prefer that style of play.
I saw the opposite watching the U17 Game versus Australia. The exact opposite everything said here , just my OP.Both Paige and Hailey Van Lith played for Jeff Walz on the USA team so he is familiar with what both can bring. Paige seemed to play more and in crucial situations. From what I saw and IMHO Page is the more complete player and Hailey Van Lith is more of a scorer and volume shooter as once the ball got into her hands you know a shot was coming.