Not Yet!

[Skeets]

I think that until the reigning national champions lose, they retain the number one spot. Texas proved that they were the number two team in the country by beating the number two team. South Carolina deserves to drop a spot. Texas has not proven that they are the best team in the country...they have only proven that South Carolina at this point in the season does not deserve to be the number two team in the country. To take the number one ranking away from UConn at this point in the season would be like cutting someone off at the knees. UConn has been crushing everybody withewidfgbIf Texas, or anybody else wants the number one ranking, they need to go through UConn. It would not surprise me if South Carolina drops to number 3 and UCLA drops to number 4. The new rankings according to the AP poll are: UConn, Texas, South Carolina, and UCLA (as it should be) GO HUSKIES!!!

I have said his in numerous threads, even when UConn did not win the NC. The king of the mountain is the king of the mountain until someone proves they are not.

 

[RedStickHusky]

I have said his in numerous threads, even when UConn did not win the NC. The king of the mountain is the king of the mountain until someone proves they are not.

You could say it in every thread for the rest of time. It would still be an opinion.

 

[BobbyJ]

Of course last year, preseason, summer play, etc all goes into the ratings. Unequivocally UConn women are the best team in the NCAA until proven otherwise. Nothing else matters. To put anybody else at #1 is an affront to the sport. It’s like a boxing belt. You have it until somebody takes it from you.

Seriously? None of that has anything to do with how a team is playing this season. Last year was last year, not this year.

 

[BBallF]

I'd argue that the Big Three are Azzi, Sarah, and by committee. (The high-three last night were Allie, Sarah, and Ashlynn.) There will be many good-scoring games among Serah, KK, Ashlynn, Allie, Kayleigh, and Blanca. I don't discount most of the others, but those I named have been getting most of the playing time, and we don't know the availability of Morgan and Ice.

The question is whether a 3rd leg by committee is better than a consistent single third player. I would argue not. Last year it was actually a Big 4 later in the year because once KC found her 3 ball, we were no longer defensible as a team. That is the optimum situation.

I think the real hope was that Serah or Blanca will become that 3rd player, but so far Allie's emergence has been a very pleasant surprise. I did not think she could defend well last year at all and many of us were saying that her playing time would be limited because of it but that aspect of her game has improved greatly as has her floor game.

Can anyone take Paige's place in the Big 3? Not possible I would argue since she was the most versatile player women's basketball has ever seen. Nevertheless, we still need some degree of partial replacement and although I think there is merit in the by committee approach, I worry about its effectiveness against top tier teams who double Sarah. We saw the Michigan game. When they double or triple Sarah and If Azzi is off or in foul trouble who you gonna call?

It's still early and as we know, the magic starts in late February every year. Let's see what it becomes.

 

[Cuango]

I think your analysis is very good. A couple of reactions: I think we are all giving the " greatness" handle to Blanca far too soon. She is athletic and talented, no doubt. But she is also more "lost than found." Whether it is quick foul trouble, turnovers, offensive fouls ( mainly charges), she is still far removed from reliablity. True, we are only 6 games into the season, but she has only shown sparks of turning the corner to being that third unstoppable force. Not sure Serah Williams is the upgrade you describe. Not yet. She doesn't seem to perform well at all , under the basket, when challenged. I tend to agree with you about Ice Brady and Morgan. And , personally, I think Ice is ( potentially) better than either Williams or Jana. Morgan will have a tough time earning playing time, because I don't see her returning until late January at best. Too bad. As for Texas, they are for real. And they have another top rated wing joining them next season....one of the best High School players in the country.

That is true and I won’t deny I was hoping Bjorn would choose UConn. She is going to be a huge addition to that Texas team. However, we have two pretty sporty additions coming in ourselves! Plus, assuming Morgan gets fully healthy you could say we’ll have three. I figure a healthy Morgan and Bjorn are pretty close to a wash and Olivia & Jovana add up to a pretty nice package that very few teams can match. Then, there is still a possibility that we may completely befuddle the staff by adding yet another Sara to the mix! Anyway, I think it’s fair to say that next year’s roster is still going to be pretty special!

 

[fomalhaut]

We'll get the odd point from K9, Ash as well. 104 yesterday with a high scorer of 16; we can live with that.

Like the 1960's Celtics.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

The Big 3 right now is Azzi, Sarah and Allie as of last night. If the third part of the equation becomes a combination of Allie/Blanca/Serah that would work also. We need a consistent third scorer, defender and floor player to have a third leg and we may not get exactly that but something close to it from a combination of other players.

After seeing so much growth in just 7 games, we should be thinking Big FOUR instead of Big three. It is Azzi & Sarah plus any TWO, any given night.

If the opposition tries to double Azzi, and/or Sarah, others will light them up. The amazing defense will continue to feed the offense, and the half-court offense is seemlngly adjusting to the zone defenses, after the learning opportunity offered by Michigan (without a loss).

The "scouting report" that the opposition uses may not be helpful as Geno, CD & Company WILL make adjustments for the 3rd quarter that nullifies it, and the starters will still be fresh for the 4th quarter plus whichever Huskie(s) is(are) hot...

In the words of the Roman General, Gluteus Maximus Decimus Meridius (use your best Russell Crowe voice 😎 🔥😎), "Are you NOT entertained?"

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Not much in this thread is arguable, but I will play devil's advocate on the topic of rankings. With wins over #2 and #3, I'd have no problem seeing Texas voted #1; I don't think they're the best and I don't think they'll be there at the end of the season but to steal a line from the 2023 Purdue men's team, they have an argument for best "body of work" at this point.

Good point in that 10 AP voters and 3 coaches voted for Texas, and only a tally of 13 (AP) and 27 (coaches) separate UConn from Texas.

Right now, the majority of voters may be thinking UConn is #1 until they are beaten, as it was for South Carolina last year as the defending National Champions.

Here's to UConn being ranked #1 for the next 4 years!!! (using the same logic, on. this snowed in day...) 🔥 🔥 😍 🔥 🔥

Go Huskies!!!

 

[Aluminny69]

No mention of Kaitlyn Chen? Where is the love? She was a steady, intelligent, point guard. Rarely turned the ball over. I'm not sure she has been replaced yet. She was a perfect fit last year. And WNBA ready. You may name others who may have the potential of Chen, but nobdy is playing at her level yet. So, don't minimize the loss of Princeton educated Kaitlyn Chen.

 

[Bigboote]

The question is whether a 3rd leg by committee is better than a consistent single third player. I would argue not. Last year it was actually a Big 4 later in the year because once KC found her 3 ball, we were no longer defensible as a team. That is the optimum situation.
. . .

Just for fun, I looked at the box scores so far and tallied up how many times each player has been among the top three scoring. The results:

Strong 7
Fudd 5
Heckel 2
Quinonez 2
Shade 2
Arnold 1
Williams 1
Ziebell 1

So at this point it's very much by committee. I don't think either is really better, I'm just looking at what's been happening.

 

[WiseWillie]

You could say it in every thread for the rest of time. It would still be an opinion.

Agree 100% but opinions are what makes up at least 85% of this forum. (Disclaimer: That is my opinion.) However, opinions are exactly what makes the Boneyard so great. How boring to only deal in facts. Come on. Get opinionated and relish the give and take of the Boneyard. It's no different than tuning into Sports Center or any of the daily/weekly sports talk shows with their opinions even though probably better supported.

Bottom line: We are all loyal, dedicated fans who want only the best for the Huskies even when it's a completely unsupported opinion. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Agree 100% but opinions are what makes up at least 85% of this forum. (Disclaimer: That is my opinion.) However, opinions are exactly what makes the Boneyard so great. How boring to only deal in facts. Come on. Get opinionated and relish the give and take of the Boneyard. It's no different than tuning into Sports Center or any of the daily/weekly sports talk shows with their opinions even though probably better supported.

Bottom line: We are all loyal, dedicated fans who want only the best for the Huskies even when it's a completely unsupported opinion. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

All true and I apologize. I was frustrated with another poster on this thread insisting that "of course" their opinion was right and that to think otherwise was an "affront to the sport". Again, that wasn't you and you didn't deserve my response.

 

[Rowdy831]

Defensively they look better than last season. The biggest improvement in the starting 5 is KK and Azzi and Sarah are both really playing great basketball at both ends of the floor. Kayleigh and Sereh have been less than expected so far but both are very good defenders and will grow within the system.

Surprises so far. Well I am surprised at how well Allie moves and defends off the ball. I am also seeing a lot of confidence in her shooting which last year was understandably missing. The other player who I think will be a player at some point in the future is Fisher. She looks and plays way taller than she is and with Blanca on the floor they are a long team.

 

[Bone Dog]

I’m not at all worried about the other contenders. Maybe I should be. I noted in the USF thread that I rewatched the game this morning and was struck by how great the discrepancy of the pace was in the first half. Not all the shots fell, but the speed differential was extreme. USF really was not competitive in the first half. They seemed to be stuck in mud. This was not true of last season. We were good but not this good in December. And we’re only going to get better.

Their coach commented postgame that they’d already played against teams like UCLA and this game was just another level of overwhelming. Last season, Cori said something similar in a sideline interview, that her players were simply not prepared to run with UConn.

There are some great teams this season, but they mainly depend on the heroics of a few stars. Michigan gave it their all to threaten us in the second half, largely on the back of Syla Swords and Olivia Olson. They are great players. And our girls are great, but the team doesn’t depend on heroic plays. As Geno often says, he wants his players to do what they already do well, do what got them to UConn.

There may come a game or two that require heroics, but I suspect in most games we’ll simply move the ball so quickly that ordinary plays will be overwhelming. Consider Sarah’s interior bounce pass to Ash. She had a defender between her and the rim and she could probably have overpowered her, but she spotted Ash cutting through the lane and bounced her a pass like it was nothing. Subtle pass, easy layup, ordinary play.

 

[Skeets]

All true and I apologize. I was frustrated with another poster on this thread insisting that "of course" their opinion was right and that to think otherwise was an "affront to the sport". Again, that wasn't you and you didn't deserve my response.

That other poster was me, or at least that's who you responded to. I never said my opinion was right or that anything was an "affront to the sport". No need to clutter this thread, your apology is accepted in advance.

 

[huskyd]

I originally posted this in the Game 7 Analysis thread, but I thought it deserved its own thread because there is plenty to discuss regarding this subject. Bone Dog already responded to this post, so I will bring over his response; unfortunately, it will be under my name; however, I will give credit to him for the post.

I was reading some posts following the Texas sweep of both UCLA and South Carolina in an early-season tournament. Of course, since Texas beat the number 2 and the number 3 ranked teams, the posters are wondering if Texas should be ranked number one. That was a head scratcher for me. As long as UConn stays undefeated, there is no way they should relinquish the number one spot. What I got out of the conversation was two different things: 1. South Carolina and UCLA are not as good as they were last year. 2. Texas is for real. The remaining question: Even without Paige, is UConn better than it was last year? My answer is, not yet! I believe that as the season goes on, and I believe we may be playing this season without the services of Ice Brady and/or Morgan Cheli, UConn will be better than last year's version of the Huskies.

However, looking back at last year, the big three were Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Sarah Strong. This year's version of the Huskies has Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Blanca Quinones. The loss of Paige is monumental but not insurmountable. Is Azzi Fudd better than last year? Yes, check that box. Is Azzi Fudd as good as Paige was last year? Not yet! Is Sarah Strong better than last year's version of herself? Absolutely! Check that box for sure. Is Blanca Quinones as good as Azzi was last year? Not yet...but the sky is the limit with Blanca, and by the end of the year, I believe we will be checking that box too. But our big three have help this year: Serah Williams is better than Jana was last year, and we still have Jana coming off the bench; this year's version of KK is better than last year's version. Our remaining bench players, Ashlynn, Ayanna, Gandy, Kelis, Kayleigh, and Allie, offer us more depth than last year. Depth is important to keep our starters freshwhich helps them to perform optimally in the postseason.

So, the short answer is, yes, UConn is better this year than last year and will continue to get better.

​

And just dropped to #2 in this week's rankings. What a crock.

 

[WiseWillie]

And just dropped to #2 in this week's rankings. What a crock.

Whose rankings?

 

[GoUconn7961]

TX is most certainly a good team. I’m not sure they can run with UConn. From what I’ve seen so far, I think UConn also has a slight defensive edge.

 

[Yorkeez4]

A question I have had for years - in the polls is one suppose to vote for the team with the best body of work or the team the voter thinks is the best team in the land. I always thought the latter is the right approach but history indicates that a loss requires voters to punish a team no matter the circumstances,

 

[Cuango]

TX is most certainly a good team. I’m not sure they can run with UConn. From what I’ve seen so far, I think UConn also has a slight defensive edge.

Texas is a very good team and one that is certainly a favorite for the Final Four. They are tremendous defensively and Booker is just fabulous! However, the thing that changes them from a Final Four favorite to a real threat to win the title is if Rory Harmon is making her shots. If she shoots a high percentage as she did in their recent win over UCLA, Texas becomes a real problem! Yes, I’m aware they are a problem anyway but when she shoots 9/15 they go from very good to great. I agree that we have a big edge offensively and a smaller one on defense but Harmon can be a real difference maker for that team. They become very scary if she starts shooting like Paige!

That is one of the many reasons I am soooo grateful to have KK on our team. KK has improved in essentially every way this season, passing, leadership, running the team on the floor, she seems more confident with her shot, assists to turnovers, all of which has rendered her even more valuable to this team. However, the single thing that makes her an absolute weapon for this team is her on ball defense! She is what makes me confident that if Harmon were to have another night like she did against UCLA, we would have the exact answer needed.

It must be very comforting for Geno to have a defensive dynamo like KK! (Hopefully, she is passing on as much as she can to Kelis, who looks to have the type of speed needed to be a fearsome defender!)

 

[Boreifs]

W

I originally posted this in the Game 7 Analysis thread, but I thought it deserved its own thread because there is plenty to discuss regarding this subject. Bone Dog already responded to this post, so I will bring over his response; unfortunately, it will be under my name; however, I will give credit to him for the post.

I was reading some posts following the Texas sweep of both UCLA and South Carolina in an early-season tournament. Of course, since Texas beat the number 2 and the number 3 ranked teams, the posters are wondering if Texas should be ranked number one. That was a head scratcher for me. As long as UConn stays undefeated, there is no way they should relinquish the number one spot. What I got out of the conversation was two different things: 1. South Carolina and UCLA are not as good as they were last year. 2. Texas is for real. The remaining question: Even without Paige, is UConn better than it was last year? My answer is, not yet! I believe that as the season goes on, and I believe we may be playing this season without the services of Ice Brady and/or Morgan Cheli, UConn will be better than last year's version of the Huskies.

However, looking back at last year, the big three were Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Sarah Strong. This year's version of the Huskies has Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Blanca Quinones. The loss of Paige is monumental but not insurmountable. Is Azzi Fudd better than last year? Yes, check that box. Is Azzi Fudd as good as Paige was last year? Not yet! Is Sarah Strong better than last year's version of herself? Absolutely! Check that box for sure. Is Blanca Quinones as good as Azzi was last year? Not yet...but the sky is the limit with Blanca, and by the end of the year, I believe we will be checking that box too. But our big three have help this year: Serah Williams is better than Jana was last year, and we still have Jana coming off the bench; this year's version of KK is better than last year's version. Our remaining bench players, Ashlynn, Ayanna, Gandy, Kelis, Kayleigh, and Allie, offer us more depth than last year. Depth is important to keep our starters freshwhich helps them to perform optimally in the postseason.

So, the short answer is, yes, UConn is better this year than last year and will continue to get better.

​

Why did you include in your bench comment three players who play the last five minutes of blowouts? Right now, for competitive games, our bench is Blanca, Kaleigh and Allie, with Jana an option if there is foul trouble. If anybody from 11-15 ends up playing meaningful minutes, the team is in trouble.