Notre Dame/UConn women

[champs99and04]

I'm far from a big women's basketball fan, but I'm semi-excited for this game tonight. For those of you who have watched either of these two teams on a regular basis this year, can you explain why UConn is 2.5 point favorites? I understand the teams are evenly matched, but you'd think it would be Notre Dame by 2.5 given they beat UConn three times this year, twice on their home court. Also, is this the default national championship game, or does the California/Louisville winner have a chance? And I understand Skylar Diggins might not be popular among UConn fans, but she's not hard on the eyes.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Tough to beat a team 4 times. Even harder when the first three games could have gone either way and came down to the last play. I agree that ND should be favored, but I expect UCONN to win tonight.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Well, the line is -2.5 because there's been a lot more action on us than on ND. Also, you could argue we've looked better than ND over the last two weeks.

Neither Cal nor Louisville has a chance. ND and UConn both beat UL handily during the season. Cal is better, but has struggled against mediocre teams to even get to the Final Four. This season was about 3 or 4 teams that were head and shoulders above everyone else. Although, as UL demonstrated against Baylor, anything is possible.

 

[CTGirl15]

UConn has looked like the best team these last two weeks. All of the team is finally (mostly) healthy; the freshman are light years better than a month ago, and everyone is finally clicking. No team has ever beaten another 4 times in one season and the three games already this season came down to the final possession. UConn has not played their best against Notre Dame, and still only lost by a couple of points in all three games. UConn is the underdog and the pressure is on Notre Dame and Skylar Diggins to win this game.

UConn has what it takes to win this game, but Notre Dame is in their head and has been able to make the winning plays. No matter what the outcome is, I will not be surprised; I think this comes down to the final minute and final possession, and I think it's UConn's turn to finally take down Notre Dame.

But, it's a toss-up, I don't think either team is a favorite here, these two teams know each other so well, it's gonna be a nail biter to the very end.

 

[TopDog18]

I'm far from a big women's basketball fan, but I'm semi-excited for this game tonight. For those of you who have watched either of these two teams on a regular basis this year, can you explain why UConn is 2.5 point favorites? I understand the teams are evenly matched, but you'd think it would be Notre Dame by 2.5 given they beat UConn three times this year, twice on their home court. Also, is this the default national championship game, or does the California/Louisville winner have a chance? And I understand Skylar Diggins might not be popular among UConn fans, but she's not hard on the eyes.

A spread has more do with than what Vegas believes the point difference will be between the two teams. Just because UConn is -2.5 does not mean Vegas believes they will win by 2-3 points. Vegas wants to even out the action as best they can, for they don't get burned either way.

For instance, when UConn played UK in the Final Four 2 years ago, UK was -2.5. Even though UConn was the lower seed, one of the hottest teams in the country (9 game winning streak), absolutley destoryed them earlier in the season, and overall the better team. Vegas was probably aware of other factors such as UK's huge following, and national brand (even more-so than UCon). They wanted to even out actions and entice other gambles who woud have gone with UK +1 but since the spread was at UK -2.5, decided to go with UConn. This ultimately evens out that actions and why you see the spread for the Super Bower move up and down so much when it is first released.

Anyways, lets go UConn girls!

 

[tzznandrew]

All three games were close, and UConn should have won at least two of them.

Also, UConn has looked absurdly good so far in this tournament, and I think people are betting on that continuing.

 

[champs99and04]

A spread has more do with than what Vegas belives the point difference will be between the two teams. Just becuase UConn is -2.5 does not mean Vegas belives they will win by 2-3 points. Vegas wants to even out the action as best they can, for they don't get burned either way.

For instance, when UConn played UK in the Final Four 2 years ago, UK was -2.5. Even though UConn was the lower seed, one of the hottest teams in the country (9 game winning streak), absolutley destoryed them earlier in the season, and overall the better team. Vegas was probably aware of other factors such as UK's huge following, and national brand (even more-so than UCon). They wanted to even out actions and entice other gambles who woud have gone with UK +1 but since the spread was at UK -2.5, decided to go with UConn. This utlimately evens out that actions and why you see the spread for the Super Bower move up and down so much when it is first released.

Anyways, lets go UConn girls!

I understand, but Vegas certainly has some input on the spreads too. They generally have more information at their disposal than the general public, and they'll often use that to their benefit in order to maximize profit. Things like offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, past trends, etc, are generally accounted for, which is why I'm curious. I'd be willing to bet that at a spread of UConn -2.5, the general public is betting hard on Notre Dame, which could leave Vegas vunlerable if they win. Your point on the fan bases is certainly valid, and I bet that has something to do with it, however, you'd think there are a lot of people who will be watching women's basketball for the first time this season tonight, I can pretty much guarantee they'll be putting their money on the Irish.

 

[bobbygt]

I'm excited and nervous about this game.

I feel like all three games this year have been so torturous for uconn fans that you should either be heavily drunk right now or you're just gonna watch Madmen tonight, to save you from watching something like that a fourth time.

Frankly, I'm a little tired of this Uconn is playing the best in the country right now stuff. Uconn plays lights out against everyone all the time-except Notre Dame (and Baylor).

Granted, I'm just trying to be contrarian to make me feel better in case the worst happens-again.

Let's go huskies!

 

[patrick]

I Hate but respect skylar!


Let's Go Huskyets!!!!

 

[Scoe]

I would say this is the championship game but Louisville is a different team right now they have played against Uconn and ND. I do think Geno/Muffett which ever one moves one will come up with a game plan to beat Louisville but if Lville keeps it close in the 2nd half its dangerous.

 

[aceboon]

this is some bad, bad basketball being played

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Gotta love the fundamentals though.

 

[patrick]

this is some bad, bad basketball being played

Sloppy is the word your looking for!

 

[champs99and04]

this is some bad, bad basketball being played

Seems to have picked up a bit over the past few minutes, but yeah, that was an absolutely brutal stretch. I think both teams went scoreless from the 16 minute mark to the 11 minute mark. And what is Notre Dame's coach wearing? yikes.

 

[bobbygt]

Nice 3 pointer for Hartley!

 

[aceboon]

Seems to have picked up a bit over the past few minutes, but yeah, that was an absolutely brutal stretch. I think both teams went scoreless from the 16 minute mark to the 11 minute mark. And what is Notre Dame's coach wearing? yikes.

Yea its been much better the past few minutes, a flow actually being established

 

[3uconn]

Very nice end to the half! Future husky Rodney Purvis is watching and impressed!
@rpurvis_0: Breanna Stewart killinggggggggg !!!

 

[patrick]

Great last 4 minutes! Good teams know how to finish the half's!!

 

[RayRay19]

great run to end the game!!

 

[UCFBfan]

As long as someone beats Louisville either tomorrow in the MBB Champ or Tues in the WBB Champ. I want UConn to hold onto the title of the only program to win the men's and women's basketball championship in the same season for a long time. Louisville has a shot to do that now that the women won tonight. How sweet would it be if UConn knocked off Louisville Tuesday night to prevent this? Great first half but this season has shown us that this game is far, far from over.

 

[Dove]

Notre DAme us right where they want us

 

[Dove]

Breanna Stewart is a monster!

 

[bobbygt]

Bria Hartley is killing them on these 2 and 3 on 1's. She just never passes the ball.

 

[patrick]

Just saw ward in the background!

 

[aceboon]

I don't watch alot of games but I have yet to ever see a game in which Hartley has played well