Most Impressive Run Yet

[Deadrody]

Just took a look at the numbers and the teams UConn beat on the way to the title this year is the most impressive yet. The detractors can say whatever they want, but if you line up the 6 teams UConn beat in 1999, 2004, 2011, and 2014, THIS is the best group yet. Just using a quick look at KenPom.com and the Sagarin Ratings, St. Joes, Villanova, Iowa State, Michigan State, Florida, and Kentucky were:

KenPom.com - 46, 14, 21, 9, 3, and 11

Sagarin - 47, 10, 16, 5, 3, and 8

Massey Ratings Composite - 42, 7, 13, 9, 1, and 12

Beating the all time greatest team in history, Duke '99 is the most impressive singular win, but they've never run a gauntlet like that before.

There is really no question about it, UConn EARNED this championship, moreso than any other.

 

[Kitaman]

When it started you looked at Wichita State's path you felt like it was impossible.

How did we ever overlook our path, which was much more imposing?

Florida (#1)
Michigan State (experts Championship pick)
Villanova (lost #1 seed in the final week)
St. Joes and Iowa St (both favored to move on beating us) were certainly very good teams

Oh and uk, well fab 6 freshman and also favored.

When you look at our run, not one game were we favored to win. That is more impressive than the 11 team folks, as that team was Conference Tourney Champs.

Can't be said enough what this team accomplished in 3 weeks.

 

[pj]

I was expecting you to say 50 miles with FIVE cell phones.

 

[patrick]

Probably not our best team but definitely the hardest path!

Imo 99 was the best run for two reasons
1. It was our first!
2. We beat a very very good puke team!

 

[uchusky]

Has any champion ever been a Vegas dog in the rounds of 32, 16, 8, 4, and 2 like we were? I'm guessing that's a first.

 

[Deadrody]

The last run that was similar would be Arizona when they beat 3 #1 seeds. I would bet they were underdogs in each of those games, at least.

And before that, obviously Villanova in 1985.

 

[Deadrody]

Probably not our best team but definitely the hardest path!

Imo 99 was the best run for two reasons
1. It was our first!
2. We beat a very very good puke team!

Its really hard to say now. I remember reading some analysis back in 1999 about what teams were likely to make the final four, using a "future pro" accounting. Future NBA players counted as 1 and then guys that could play in the then-CBA or in Europe counted for 1/2.

This team easily has 2 no doubt NBA players - Shabazz and Daniels.

Guys that could play - Boatright, Giffey, Brimah, and Nolan. And that's without considering how good Brimah will likely be before he's done.

That's not 2004 level talent, but matches up with 1999. They only had one sure-fire NBA guy in Rip, and then Moore, KEA, Jake, KFree, and maybe Saunders / Mouring. Four total, same as this year.

The 2004 team, though, wow. Full NBA draftees - Gordon, Okafor, Armstrong, Boone, Villanueva - D-league / Europe - Taliek, Rashad, Denham. Heck, Marcus Williams couldn't get off the bench and he was another guy drafted, though his defense couldn't hack it. Total of 7 1/2

The 2011 team was no slouch either. NBA - Kemba, Lamb, and Shabazz (Roscoe?) D-league - Oriakhi, Giffey, Okwandu(?) - total of 5 1/2

 

[Scoe]

Aren't we the lowest seed to win it all since 85 Nova.

 

[djct1999]

the way this team played defense and shot free throws, even if the tournament was another 3 weeks and we had to play every 1 seed, we weren't losing!!!!! just an amazing team effort that gets better each passing day.

 

[Obrero]

Have to agree. This was the toughest path. Michigan State, Florida, Kentucky in succession? Wow. It would have been awfully cool if they'd taken out Louisville in the national championship game, though.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Its really hard to say now. I remember reading some analysis back in 1999 about what teams were likely to make the final four, using a "future pro" accounting. Future NBA players counted as 1 and then guys that could play in the then-CBA or in Europe counted for 1/2.

This team easily has 2 no doubt NBA players - Shabazz and Daniels.

Guys that could play - Boatright, Giffey, Brimah, and Nolan. And that's without considering how good Brimah will likely be before he's done.

That's not 2004 level talent, but matches up with 1999. They only had one sure-fire NBA guy in Rip, and then Moore, KEA, Jake, KFree, and maybe Saunders / Mouring. Four total, same as this year.

The 2004 team, though, wow. Full NBA draftees - Gordon, Okafor, Armstrong, Boone, Villanueva - D-league / Europe - Taliek, Rashad, Denham. Heck, Marcus Williams couldn't get off the bench and he was another guy drafted, though his defense couldn't hack it. Total of 7 1/2

The 2011 team was no slouch either. NBA - Kemba, Lamb, and Shabazz (Roscoe?) D-league - Oriakhi, Giffey, Okwandu(?) - total of 5 1/2

The 2012 team
Had AD,lamb.Bazz, Roscoe,Oriakhi,Boat,Giffey, and DD.
They were under 500 in Big a East and lost in round 1
That was the most under achieving team in UConn history.