Muffet on UConn's dominance

[Orangutan]

I felt that Brianna's decision (??) to tough it out was a bad one. She should have pulled Tuck - I know she had played too deep into the season not to have it count (now people will correct me I'm sure; red shirting is too arcane for a casual fan like me ). She just looked like half of herself all season. The rehab is going to be an absolute bear, but I wish her all the best with the surgery and the recovery.

Well, since you are expecting it, I will correct you. The injury did come early enough in the season that she could have taken a redshirt.

There's more on the injury here: Brianna Turner impacts game in multiple ways for Notre Dame

The short version is that the coaches were ready to shut her down, but the doctors had no objection to her playing through it, so Bri (with her parents' support) decided she wanted to keep playing.

Playing through it will definitely slow down her development. Had she got the surgery immediately, she would be almost healed by now and could spend the summer on skill development. But given that a certain captain who is now a Spartan ultimately decided to leave the team, I'm very grateful she stuck it out. ND made it work for a few games without her, but not having her for the rest of the season would have been a big problem.

 

[OldAlum]

How can I see the video?

 

[Orangutan]

How can I see the video?

Of the clapping incident? - Tout

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Well, since you are expecting it, I will correct you. The injury did come early enough in the season that she could have taken a redshirt.

There's more on the injury here: Brianna Turner impacts game in multiple ways for Notre Dame

The short version is that the coaches were ready to shut her down, but the doctors had no objection to her playing through it, so Bri (with her parents' support) decided she wanted to keep playing.

Playing through it will definitely slow down her development. Had she got the surgery immediately, she would be almost healed by now and could spend the summer on skill development. But given that a certain captain who is now a Spartan ultimately decided to leave the team, I'm very grateful she stuck it out. ND made it work for a few games without her, but not having her for the rest of the season would have been a big problem.

I really thought she had played too many games, but knowing you are always swinging (very, very slowly) through the branches, I knew you would have the answer. But, however grateful in a short sighted fan sort of way you are, you are also right that it was a bad call for her. Maybe ND gets a couple of recruits off of this failed year, but she's just gotten slowed down. Orangues don't lie.

 

[Dillon77]

“They have been an amazing team,” McGraw said, exuding her best political correctness. “Tennessee probably did something similar (three straight titles, 1996-98). I don’t remember anyone calling that bad for the game (back then)."

I don't know why the writer had to put that "political correctness" thing in. With the exception of the one season, Muffet has always been gracious towards UConn. I have met the woman and she truly is a nice person. I think the tension a couple years ago was that she was tired of having her team mostly ignored while UConn got all the press.

Tourney upsets, UConn's dominance impact women's hoops landscape, South Bend Tribune

It is unfortunate wording. The author, Al Lesar, is a multi-sport columnist for the SB Tribune and is prone to such hyperbole on multiple occasions and various sports.

As for Brianna Turner, she did have successful surgery on the shoulder and has got the 4 to 6 month window. What that means in terms of activity, we'll see, but very glad to see she got that taken care of. Ali Patberg's recovery from the ACL injury is progressing and all are hoping for doctor's ok in late summer, from what I last read.

As an ND fan, I'm grateful for her perseverance in playing through the season, which is probably something not soon (ever) forgotten by her teammates going forward. Here's to a smooth, steady and strong recovery.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Of the clapping incident? - Tout

What strikes me most from this side angle video of the ceremony is what a dump they shoved everybody into for this pretty important occasion for WCBB. Looked better in the politically correct official video. I'll like Stewie's #1 selection ceremony in the WNBA draft much better, while reveling in Mo's and Morgan's picks too.

ESPN2 at 7 Eastern.

 

[CL82]

Of the clapping incident? - Tout

I hadn't seen this. It's the entire coaching staff, not just Muffet, with their hands at their sides sitting perfectly still. Interesting.

Yes the ND players are clapping, tepidly, but they are clapping.

Thanks for the link.

 

[baylorprof]

Could be mistaken, but in my recall, current NCAA rules have bypassed allowing for certain number of games played before a redshirt season can be declared. In most NCAA D1 sports ONE appearance (other than designated preseason scrimmages that don't count on your record) is all it takes to count for a year of participation. Me thinks the "how many games allowed before a redshirt is allowed" is an outdated concept.

Maybe I need to go back to reading theology.

 

[reno tony]

Of the clapping incident? - Tout

Much ado about nothing...again.

 

[HuskyNan]

I hadn't seen this. It's the entire coaching staff, not just Muffet, with their hands at their sides sitting perfectly still. Interesting.

Muffet & Matt McGraw were not clapping nor was Beth Cunningham but Niele Ivey was. I see Carol Owens in the back but you can't see if she's clapping.

Muffet had a bad month out of a 30 year friendship with Geno and then only because she wanted her players and team to get the recognition she thought they deserved. He's moved along - can't we put this behind us?

 

[CL82]

Muffet & Matt McGraw were not clapping nor was Beth Cunningham but Niele Ivey was. I see Carol Owens in the back but you can't see if she's clapping.

Muffet had a bad month. Can't we put this behind us?

Um, really? It's like you don't know us at all...

That said, I don't have any particular animus toward Muffet. Still, is was a pretty classless move, even if done for a rec league tournament MVP announcement never mind national POY.

 

[UcMiami]

Muffet & Matt McGraw were not clapping nor was Beth Cunningham but Niele Ivey was. I see Carol Owens in the back but you can't see if she's clapping.

Muffet had a bad month out of a 30 year friendship with Geno and then only because she wanted her players and team to get the recognition she thought they deserved. He's moved along - can't we put this behind us?

Didn't immediately recognize you with the new avatar!

 

[intlzncster]

I don't like the woman. Don't care if she's nice. I need someone to hate and she's it. Once Pat stepped down, there was a void in my soul. Muffet quickly filled that void.

 

[huskyd]

“They have been an amazing team,” McGraw said, exuding her best political correctness. “Tennessee probably did something similar (three straight titles, 1996-98). I don’t remember anyone calling that bad for the game (back then)."

I don't know why the writer had to put that "political correctness" thing in. With the exception of the one season, Muffet has always been gracious towards UConn. I have met the woman and she truly is a nice person. I think the tension a couple years ago was that she was tired of having her team mostly ignored while UConn got all the press.

Tourney upsets, UConn's dominance impact women's hoops landscape, South Bend Tribune

This line set me off: "Remove coach Geno Auriemma’s personality from the equation . . ." This was NOT a Muffet quotation; it was written by the author of the piece as a prelude to asking McGraw whether or not UConn's dominance this year was good/bad for the game. It's a continuous source of amazement to me that so many allegedly knowledgeable people have not discovered that Geno's personality is EXACTLY what CANNOT be "removed from the equation." It's Auriemma's persona that is reflected in the great UConn teams. The Huskies are what Geno makes them as an extension of his personality. When that personality departs the scene, we'll see just how much it mattered (if we can't now).

 

[Beemer]

"Then, there’s UConn. Remove coach Geno Auriemma’s personality from the equation, then tussle with the debate: Is a dynasty a positive or a negative for the perception of the game? Some say it detracts from interest in the game, others argue it raises the competitive bar."

You know, I kind of like coach's personality. If you ask me Geno has been pretty mellow as of late.

He's mellowed a lot in 20 years. Most people do as they get older.

 

[bags27]

Like the new Avatar, Nan! But my fav still is your fantastic Meryl Streep/Devil Wears Prada one. Shows who's really in control of our crazy gang.

 

[HuskyNan]

Like the new Avatar, Nan! But my fav still is your fantastic Meryl Streep/Devil Wears Prada one. Shows who's really in control of our crazy gang.

Everyone seems to have a favorite. I broke Replicant's heart when I removed the Pris avatar. C'est la vie!

 

[alexrgct]

WOW: I must say, almost every post in this thread gets likes.

I'm posting in here now; brother(s) (and sisters), can y'all spare a like???

 

[UConnNick]

For me it is forgotten. Because I used to like Muffett a lot. Now I have respect for her and no longer feel like a fan that really, really dislikes her. That moment when she went off on Geno - couldn't believe it. And her team is going to be awesome next couple of years- has been recently last several years too. I just don't know though what you mean by "unintentional." I realize they made up and great for them for that. But I don't see how the comments per the links can be considered "unintentional." Sure sounded "intentional" to me by her throwing barbs at Geno. There was another one too that I can't find in which Muffett sort of mocked Geno in comparison to Pat Summitt. -- I just found it. It is 3rd link. IMO these are NOT unintentional. Unless I'm missing your meaning. I seem to recall they met another time after finals and Muffett "sort of" acknowledged she may have gotten carried away. I think that's it. But I was one of the BYers you refer to. Not no more.

Irish's McGraw: No civility with 'bully' UConn

UConn, Notre Dame rivalry gets chippy heading into title game

Voepel: Coaches' war of words won't have any bearing on title clash

They were upset because McBride, who got a whopping 2 out of 30 votes and finished in fourth place, wasn't selected as POY over Stewart? Really? That's my laugh for the day.

So what was supposed to happen? McBride was supposedly worthy of leap frogging three other players to claim the title? That gives new meaning to the word nonsense.

Typical Golden Domer (or perhaps Homer) arrogance.

 

[HuskyNan]

They were upset because McBride, who got a whopping 2 out of 30 votes and finished in fourth place, wasn't selected as POY over Stewart? Really? That's my laugh for the day.

So what was supposed to happen? McBride was supposedly worthy of leap frogging three other players to claim the title? That gives new meaning to the word nonsense.

Typical Golden Domer (or perhaps Homer) arrogance.

Didn't Geno say, "We have Diana and no one else does"? How about "The Player of the Year should be the best player on the best team" (said after Diana didn't win one of the POY awards). Arrogance isn't confined to one team - or fan base. Coaches like their players the best and think they are the best, and rightfully so.

 

[CL82]

e.

Typical Golden Domer (or perhaps Homer) arrogance.

Golden Homer? Lol, oh I'm definitely using that somewhere down the road.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Muffet & Matt McGraw were not clapping nor was Beth Cunningham but Niele Ivey was. I see Carol Owens in the back but you can't see if she's clapping.

Muffet had a bad month out of a 30 year friendship with Geno and then only because she wanted her players and team to get the recognition she thought they deserved. He's moved along - can't we put this behind us?

Until she apologizes I will not play them!

 

[OldAlum]

I understand a coach thinking their player should win an award.
I will never understand a coach quite publically not clapping for the player that won. It can be the oh-so polite golf clap and very brief. But to obviously not clap at all is totally classless.
The stuff between her and Geno? Eh, I can get past some sniping. But not clapping for a player was very poor sportsmanship. Fortunately, I don't think Stewie cared much if at all!

 

[UConnNick]

Didn't Geno say, "We have Diana and no one else does"? How about "The Player of the Year should be the best player on the best team" (said after Diana didn't win one of the POY awards). Arrogance isn't confined to one team - or fan base. Coaches like their players the best and think they are the best, and rightfully so.

The difference is when Geno says that stuff it's almost always true.

I never said Geno isn't arrogant, same as many former and present members of the UCONN women's BB team, coaching staff and fanbase probably are, including myself. How can we not be with the unparalleled record of this program?

Thinking McBride deserved to be voted MOP over three other players she was behind is just plain arrogant with no basis in fact, only because you think the entire world is against you. Maybe if they had won the national title that idea would have had some merit, but otherwise? None at all.