No Concerns

[NycUcWbbFan]

The Big East is very weak. UConn is NOT getting ready for March by playing any of those teams. If the game was even remotely competitive, it's because UConn played poorly or just shot poorly. Period.

Maybe Geno and CD are just unicorns in preparing their teams for the NCAAT? (Source: SRSCB):

• The SRS statistic is on every team/ conference page.

Despite UConn’s conference affiliation? (Source: SRSCB Big East Conference Index).

• Check out the Big East’s SRS for UConn’s championship years.

The Big East has always been one of the stronger conferences (out of 31 conferences), ranked from as high as 2/3 to as low as 10 (1 time). It is typically in the Top 5/6/7 of conferences by SRS every year. Source

• Being in the Big East may be beneficial.

 

[hoophuskee]

What it really comes down to is UCONN doesn't have a very tough, interesting schedule this year.

I
I guess it comes down to as a fan how much does the schedule matter to each person. For me, if I'm going to spend 2 hours of my day watching a game, I want to be entertained. Geno's style imo fits the exact way his teams need to play and the style he employs is just fun to watch which is why I became such a fan. .I think it's why many became such a fan. And over the years imo his use of the bench has been spot on too. For me this means play fastbreak basketball whether you have 5 or 10. I love watching explosive offense and fastbreak basketball. As a result, for example a post was made on this thread that the game was in some manner boring/unattackable. And it's a post you liked as well I believe. For me this game and the last that you and some others complained in some manner about were fast paced basketball. I loved it.

I say this in fun - so take it that way- I feel sorry for some of you that can't appreciate fast paced basketball regardless of the opponent. Did you know that the pace of play which I checked was 81.4 with providence and 79.2 with Villanova? The 81% which you and other seem to think so bad (wehther boring or poor play in your view) in some manner this past game is deemed as rare in the wcbb world. And the pace in the Nova game only gets ranked between 1% and 2% of the time- closer to 1%.

I guess we just have different views of our enjoyment to watch. This game imo was extremely fun to watch. Their pace was incredible. No top 10 team has achieved that pace in a single game and only 3 or 4 achieved higher than 79.2. .I guess I have much more enjoyment of the team than caring as much as you and some others do of the opponenet.

 

[meyers7]

I
I guess it comes down to as a fan how much does the schedule matter to each person. For me, if I'm going to spend 2 hours of my day watching a game, I want to be entertained. Geno's style imo fits the exact way his teams need to play and the style he employs is just fun to watch which is why I became such a fan. .I think it's why many became such a fan. And over the years imo his use of the bench has been spot on too. For me this means play fastbreak basketball whether you have 5 or 10. I love watching explosive offense and fastbreak basketball. As a result, for example a post was made on this thread that the game was in some manner boring/unattackable. And it's a post you liked as well I believe. For me this game and the last that you and some others complained in some manner about were fast paced basketball. I loved it.

I say this in fun - so take it that way- I feel sorry for some of you that can't appreciate fast paced basketball regardless of the opponent. Did you know that the pace of play which I checked was 81.4 with providence and 79.2 with Villanova? The 81% which you and other seem to think so bad (wehther boring or poor play in your view) in some manner this past game is deemed as rare in the wcbb world. And the pace in the Nova game only gets ranked between 1% and 2% of the time- closer to 1%.

I guess we just have different views of our enjoyment to watch. This game imo was extremely fun to watch. Their pace was incredible. No top 10 team has achieved that pace in a single game and only 3 or 4 achieved higher than 79.2. .I guess I have much more enjoyment of the team than caring as much as you and some others do of the opponenet.

Not sure why you're trying to explain this to me. I enjoy watching UCONN blow teams out. Good teams, bad teams, whatever. BUT I would rather see them blow out a S. Carolina, Texas, a top ranked team, than blow out a not ranked team. It's more fun.

The point though that we're (at least me and a couple people on here) discussing is UCONN did NOT blow out Nova. UCONN played rather poorly (as compared to how they can and have played) and that made for a more "competitive" game. This made some people very happy. Not me. I'd much prefer a blow out. Especially of a non-ranked BE team.

I love watching UCONN play well.....but against Nova, they didn't play very well. (again comparatively)

 

[meyers7]

We’ve lost the point of this discussion. You made it sound like a UConn win is inevitable against certain teams. I disagree. If the Huskies are sick or injured, disrespectful to the opponent by not playing to their ability, or simply outplayed, they can lose to anyone.

And @oldude , it doesn’t matter if Azzi didn’t play or if Sarah was a freshman, if UConn was playing to their ability they should have beaten anyone. But they didn’t. We don’t know why because it was a secret scrimmage but lose they did

That's my point. UCONN didn't play well against Nova. Sooooo, people shouldn't be so happy about having a "competitive" game.

Having a "competitive" game against a S. Carolina or UCLA (top ranked team) = good

Having a "competitive" game against Nova (a not ranked BE team) because UCONN played poorly = bad

 

[meyers7]

And Geno was thrilled. He had something to hold over them for months.

That, sure for Geno. But us fans are not Geno.

 

[hoophuskee]

Not sure why you're trying to explain this to me. I enjoy watching UCONN blow teams out. Good teams, bad teams, whatever. BUT I would rather see them blow out a S. Carolina, Texas, a top ranked team, than blow out a not ranked team. It's more fun.

The point though that we're (at least me and a couple people on here) discussing is UCONN did NOT blow out Nova. UCONN played rather poorly (as compared to how they can and have played) and that made for a more "competitive" game. This made some people very happy. Not me. I'd much prefer a blow out. Especially of a non-ranked BE team.

I love watching UCONN play well.....but against Nova, they didn't play very well. (again comparatively)

I'm sorry I goofed. In the Prov Thread someone (don’t want to name) said game was "tough to watch." I thought you provided "A like." I goofed. My bad.

It's all about preferences. And if that's your preference great which is mine too. And I didn’t know if it's the same for you I can have a preference but still like very, very, very much a secondary preference. Ergo the fast pace being brought back unlike the Marquette game. With that fast pace being as it was and Nova shooting way over-their-head-- it was a fun game. The point is yeah I am happy and people are okay to be happy too. The opponent was Nova. That was the game I was watching. Not UC vs SoCar.

And with Blanca getting back and Sarah having a good game - that made it much more understandable as the stats of pace of play show that Marquette was unusual while pace of play picked up considerably vs Nova. Which I found out was among overall the best this year from top 10 teams. Gotta love it. Why wouldn't people be happy about this? Sarah being back to unreal efficiency vs Nova is an example.

In fact it was no accident that Geno cited that the team finally missed Blanca after the Marq game. Seven of the 9 core players played for a title team last year (regardless if some weren't core), one transfer played for an E8 team, and Geno is citing that his team missed a freshman. That's a pretty big thing, isn't it?

Also, there has been some pretty wierd unwarranted paranoia going around such as some post which I can no longer find that someone has suggested that Sarah has hit the soph wall. Unless context is provided that she's been sick and if so her wall is still pretty spectacular.

,

 

[Skeets]

Someone please explain to me the calculus on how the quality of who UConn has to play says anything about the quality of the UConn team? I say it says jack.

 

[hoophuskee]

That, sure for Geno. But us fans are not Geno.

As a result some of us fans don't make a big deal over a 2 game stretch in which they don't play as well but they still win. And stil enjoy the wins, and at least one of the games if not both.

 

[meyers7]

As a result some of us fans don't make a big deal over a 2 game stretch in which they don't play as well but they still win. And stil enjoy the wins, and at least one of the games if not both.

Well the point (of this whole conversation, that I'm involved in) was some fans DID make a big deal about UCONN having a "competitive" game. And were happy about it.

Our (my) counter-point was it was only "competitive" because UCONN didn't play all that well (relatively to what they have/can). And there is no reason to be happy about that.

 

[meyers7]

Someone please explain to me the calculus on how the quality of who UConn has to play says anything about the quality of the UConn team? I say it says jack.

Well probably just the unknown. We know IF we play well we can easily beat most mid ranked to unranked teams easily.

What we don't know is how we'll do against the top teams, like top 5 or so. Because we haven't played anyone ranked that high. The highest ranked team we've played is #8 Michigan. And we did not easily beat them.

Soooo, if we played a higher quality schedule (like a couple 2-5 ranked teams), we'd probably have a better idea of where/what this team really is.

And who knows, playing tougher competition, might make the team better???

 

[maple]

What we don't know is how we'll do against the top teams, like top 5 or so. Because we haven't played anyone ranked that high. The highest ranked team we've played is #8 Michigan. And we did not easily beat them.

But we also played Michigan in the early part of the season. Does that mean anything? I don't know. Maybe.

 

[ConnecticutBB]

Ì

I guess Villanova didn’t get the memo because the team I saw last night, would have beaten (or at least been competitive) with a whole lot of teams ranked above them! Are we supposed to beat them? Yes, and we did!

Azzi, of course was very good, but I was most proud of Sarah, who once again showed her ability to step up when the team really needs her even when she may still be a little off! That (and) Azzi, gives me a real sense of security going forward. Great to see Blanca back as well! KK looks to be bothered by her finger? Hoping that will resolve itself soon. I was also very happy to see Allie hit that three when she did! That will pay dividends later on. Ash was really good and made some good shots along with her usual work on defense.

I think people are being a bit hysterical over two relatively (for us) close games, both double digit wins I might add, that happened to coincide with our best player and best reserve being either unavailable or under the weather. These games, imo were actually a good thing as they put our team under a bit of pressure and gave our players a small taste of what may come later. I am optimistic but I certainly don’t anticipate UCLA or SC
simply rolling over for us like they did last year!

 

[Scot-e]

I think South Carolina is loaded and hungry. I've not seen the level of ferocity from uconn this season.

I have watched every SC game this year (wife went to SC) and SC does not have a higher “level of ferocity”. The difference is the level of completion they play- that’s is all. If we had the same schedule this would not even be a debate.

 

[oldude]

Well probably just the unknown. We know IF we play well we can easily beat most mid ranked to unranked teams easily.

What we don't know is how we'll do against the top teams, like top 5 or so. Because we haven't played anyone ranked that high. The highest ranked team we've played is #8 Michigan. And we did not easily beat them.

Soooo, if we played a higher quality schedule (like a couple 2-5 ranked teams), we'd probably have a better idea of where/what this team really is.

And who knows, playing tougher competition, might make the team better???

While we fans may not know how UConn will do against top 5 teams, be assured that after 30+ years Geno has a pretty damned good idea. It starts with putting his players through countless tests in practice, rolling out various lineups in games to see which ones are effective in different situations and then narrowing his lineup options for the Big Dance.

In addition, Geno and his assistant coaches are the best in the business at breaking down and analyzing every opponent they will face during the Big Dance, developing a detailed game plan and implementing that plan.

One final element is the team’s ability to execute the game plan as well as Geno’s ability to make in game tactical decisions in close games. I’ll cite just one such decision last season, during the Elite 8 game vs a surprisingly tough USC team, playing without their injured star.

Azzi was having a miserable shooting game. She had not hit a shot during the first 3 qtrs, and the game was still in doubt. During a timeout, Geno called an elevator screen with Sarah & Aubrey closing the doors and Azzi getting a 3-pt shot from 5 feet beyond the top of the arc. It was a play I had not remembered seeing all season from UConn.

Azzi buried the shot, then hit another, then got to the basket on a backdoor cut and the game was essentially over. I am not worried about who UConn didn’t play this season. What I am certain of is that if you ask Vic, Dawn, Cori, Kim or Shea which team they are most worried about in the Big Dance, they would all give you the same answer.

 

[meyers7]

While we fans may not know how UConn will do against top 5 teams, be assured that after 30+ years Geno has a pretty damned good idea. It starts with putting his players through countless tests in practice, rolling out various lineups in games to see which ones are effective in different situations and then narrowing his lineup options for the Big Dance.

In addition, Geno and his assistant coaches are the best in the business at breaking down and analyzing every opponent they will face during the Big Dance, developing a detailed game plan and implementing that plan.

One final element is the team’s ability to execute the game plan as well as Geno’s ability to make in game tactical decisions in close games. I’ll cite just one such decision last season, during the Elite 8 game vs a surprisingly tough USC team, playing without their injured star.

Azzi was having a miserable shooting game. She had not hit a shot during the first 3 qtrs, and the game was still in doubt. During a timeout, Geno called an elevator screen with Sarah & Aubrey closing the doors and Azzi getting a 3-pt shot from 5 feet beyond the top of the arc. It was a play I had not remembered seeing all season from UConn.

Azzi buried the shot, then hit another, then got to the basket on a backdoor cut and the game was essentially over. I am not worried about who UConn didn’t play this season. What I am certain of is that if you ask Vic, Dawn, Cori, Kim or Shea which team they are most worried about in the Big Dance, they would all give you the same answer.

Yeah, Geno knows. BUT....what does he know?

Some years he knows if we play well.....we win easily. Other years, he knows we have to play really well and we should be ok. Other years he knows we have to play really well and get a couple breaks or we're in trouble.

 

[victor64]

While we fans may not know how UConn will do against top 5 teams, be assured that after 30+ years Geno has a pretty damned good idea. It starts with putting his players through countless tests in practice, rolling out various lineups in games to see which ones are effective in different situations and then narrowing his lineup options for the Big Dance.

In addition, Geno and his assistant coaches are the best in the business at breaking down and analyzing every opponent they will face during the Big Dance, developing a detailed game plan and implementing that plan.

One final element is the team’s ability to execute the game plan as well as Geno’s ability to make in game tactical decisions in close games. I’ll cite just one such decision last season, during the Elite 8 game vs a surprisingly tough USC team, playing without their injured star.

Azzi was having a miserable shooting game. She had not hit a shot during the first 3 qtrs, and the game was still in doubt. During a timeout, Geno called an elevator screen with Sarah & Aubrey closing the doors and Azzi getting a 3-pt shot from 5 feet beyond the top of the arc. It was a play I had not remembered seeing all season from UConn.

Azzi buried the shot, then hit another, then got to the basket on a backdoor cut and the game was essentially over. I am not worried about who UConn didn’t play this season. What I am certain of is that if you ask Vic, Dawn, Cori, Kim or Shea which team they are most worried about in the Big Dance, they would all give you the same answer.

I honestly think UCLA is more talented this year than UConn. However, Geno made Cori and Dawn look silly in the Final Four last year. I suspect Cori and Dawn will get more of the same this year.

 

[oldude]

I honestly think UCLA is more talented this year than UConn. However, Geno made Cori and Dawn look silly in the Final Four last year. I suspect Cori and Dawn will get more of the same this year.

My take on UCLA is that they are more experienced and bigger. This is their best chance to win a national championship after which they lose a bunch of players to graduation.

On the other hand, Cori Close is just not a big game coach imo, and she’s certainly not up to matching wits with the Master. In addition, UConn is far more athletic and the Huskies pressure will give the Bruins nightmares.

SC lost several key players. But in Okot & Edwards they have a formidable frontcourt duo. If the Huskies face the Gamecocks, I think it will be a battle. But again, the edge goes to Geno & UConn imo.

 

[oldude]

Yeah, Geno knows. BUT....what does he know?

Some years he knows if we play well.....we win easily. Other years, he knows we have to play really well and we should be ok. Other years he knows we have to play really well and get a couple breaks or we're in trouble.

This feels like a rhetorical argument. So here’s my answer. Geno knows what he knows….,,

 

[hoophuskee]

Well the point (of this whole conversation, that I'm involved in) was some fans DID make a big deal about UCONN having a "competitive" game. And were happy about it.

Our (my) counter-point was it was only "competitive" because UCONN didn't play all that well (relatively to what they have/can). And there is no reason to be happy about that.

IMO you've made it a big deal over very little. I'll stop there.

 

[Bigboote]

. . . The Big East may not be preparing UConn to win but you can be sure that Geno is.

Bingo! Geno has said something to the effect, "It's not up to us to play down to the opponents' level." It's not up to the Big East to prepare UConn for the dance, it's up to Geno and staff and players to prepare.

 

[meyers7]

IMO you've made it a big deal over very little. I'll stop there.

It weren't me.

 

[meyers7]

This feels like a rhetorical argument. So here’s my answer. Geno knows what he knows….,,

Yeah, kinda the point of this little side conversation. Geno knows, but we don't.

It would be fun knowing (or at least having some reference). But just not the way it worked this year. Oh well.

 

[oldude]

Yeah, kinda the point of this little side conversation. Geno knows, but we don't.

It would be fun knowing (or at least having some reference). But just not the way it worked this year. Oh well.

We can always speculate on what Geno knows. In this instance I am reasonably certain that Geno knows he has a team that’s capable of winning it all this season.

 

[maple]

My take on UCLA is that they are more experienced and bigger. This is their best chance to win a national championship after which they lose a bunch of players to graduation.

On the other hand, Cori Close is just not a big game coach imo, and she’s certainly not up to matching wits with the Master. In addition, UConn is far more athletic and the Huskies pressure will give the Bruins nightmares.

Close and Gottlieb always strike me as coaches who are "good enough" to bring talent to their team and get them pretty far, and even win some big games, but they lack the ability to take that next step.

 

[YKCornelius]

Well probably just the unknown. We know IF we play well we can easily beat most mid ranked to unranked teams easily.

What we don't know is how we'll do against the top teams, like top 5 or so. Because we haven't played anyone ranked that high. The highest ranked team we've played is #8 Michigan. And we did not easily beat them.

Soooo, if we played a higher quality schedule (like a couple 2-5 ranked teams), we'd probably have a better idea of where/what this team really is.

And who knows, playing tougher competition, might make the team better???

What a bunch of nonsense. First, please replace the "we" with "I, meyers7". Simply put, I do not share your Doubting Thomas position of "I gotta see wins against the Top Five teams" to know how well UConn can play against them this year.

Having followed this program from the first year Geno and CD stepped in and took the reins, I can say without a doubt that I know we will do well against the "top 5 or so" teams out there. Just like I know "if we play well we can easily beat most mid-ranked to unranked teams". Just like I know that if any of the Top 16 seeded teams in our bracket get crazy hot and their entire team plays out of their minds (like Syla Swords did against us in Q4 this year) they can beat us even if we are playing well.

I know this from watching the Huskies play and evaluating the development of individual players, as well as the integration of players with each other in various rotations that Geno and staff put out on the floor this season. I know this from watching 1000+ WCBB games since the 1970s.

I do not need the Huskies to have played any of the top five teams this year to know this.

This year's team is special. With 11 games left, they are on course to be in future Boneyard debates on where they rank in the pantheon of great UConn teams. Will they win a National Championship? I believe so, but maybe not - a lot can still happen, especially in the Elite Eight and Final Four.

Are you of the opinion that if the Huskies do not win the NC it is due to them not playing well? Or, are you embracing the inverse corollary to that: the only way the Huskies win the NC is by playing well against the Top 5? I would disagree with either posture.

I suspect this will be a helluva NCAA tournament. I am hoping that Huskies continue to play like they did throughout last year's tournament. No reason to think they won't.

Go UConn!