Of the 3 other likely #1 seeds, which is the best matchup for UCONN?

[Cuango]

Texas and LSU are the two teams I fear most. SC and UCLA are also obvious threats but in Vic and Kim I see two coaches who have “seen the varmint” and who excel at getting their teams ready for big games.
We all sneer at Kim’s laughable schedules but her teams very rarely are found wanting when they do have to step up in class! As for Vic, he is not to be messed with either. Dawn is a great coach but has lost a lot of shine in my eyes after her embarrassing performance in last year’s title game. She is still scary though. Finally, we come to the coach that is clearly on a lower tier than the other three. Cori Close is what I would call a “journeyman” coach. She is not imo likely to be the reason her team beats one of the other Big Five. She is a good recruiter and currently happens to have one of the very top rosters in women’s basketball and is thereby certainly a threat to be respected as her team is big, experienced, and hungry but again, the threat comes from her roster, not her coaching acumen.

 

[Stagnant]

I think South Carolina is the best matchup. They aren’t as good as last year imo. They rely on fast break points and UConn won’t give those up.

Worst matchup is UCLA. All seniors. Basically all first round draft picks. Someone like Jaquez looks way better this year than she looked in the final four game last year. They added Kneepkens. I think they are extremely dangerous. I hope someone beats UCLA for us in the tournament.

Edit: someone mentioned LSU. And I agree. I think LSU is a pretty big threat.

And I don’t want Duke as a 4 or 5 seed in the UConn region either. And I don’t want Ole Miss as a 4 or 5 seed either lol

 

[dcheng021]

I think UCLA is the scariest and Texas is the best matchup. Hot three point shooting (see Syla Swords) combined with an off shooting night is what could get UCONN. Texas doesn’t really shoot the three ball much so it’s hard to envision how they keep up, especially if we open up an early lead. UCLA has balance and both inside and outside threats. Their team is mostly seniors so they will be playing with the desperation of a team with one last chance to get a championship for their seniors, and they will definitely remember the brutal final four game against us from last year and be looking for revenge. I will be hoping that another team knocks them out of the tourney.

 

[Gael]

I interpret "best matchup for UConn" to mean the easiest matchup.

From easiest to hardest, I'd currently guess:

• Texas: Yes, they are tall, very good rebounding, and have the "Secretary of Defense" as their coach. But they are one of the poorest 3pt shooting teams in the country, 318th in 3pters made and 134th in 3pt%. If the UConn press can be somewhat effective and if Texas's low post height can be reasonably denied good positions and entry passes, I don't think Texas has the ability to out-fast-break, or out-early-offense, or out-3pt-shoot UConn.
• South Carolina: They are always scary. They have athletes and scorers at every position, as good a defense as Texas, and much better 3pt shooting than Texas.
• UCLA: Arguably has the best and most balanced seven-player rotation of offensive players in the country. However, UConn has better team offense and defense. Nevertheless, statistically, UCLA is right behind UConn in FG%, 3pt%, APG, and has the second best Rebound Rate in the country after LSU—all in a much tougher conference than the Big East.

LSU would also be very tough, but they are not likely to be in UConn's bracket.

 

[Tonyc]

Im not sure any team can hang with UConn. Against Tenn everybody stepped it up. After halftime UConn did not look like they feared Tenn. They looked Tenn right in the face and stepped it up another level. Instead of feeding Sarah and Azzi they took it upon themselves to make plays and shoot fearlessly. Tenn hung in there however UConn continued to punch back until Tenn could no longer keep up. UConn was turbo charged and continued to step on the petal and overrun Tenn. UConn lacks nothing. In many of the analysis you all point out weaknesses in the other top teams. UConn can shoot the trey. UConn is quick. UConn has 2 superstars with another emerging in Blanca. UConn has a lock down, intimidating defense. UConn has very good ballhandlers who can play like guards. The separation between UConn and everybody is overwhelming. Tenn played at a very high level in the first half and UConn helped that by making many unforced turnovers. In the second half they didnt and won by 30.

 

[HopJim]

I think UCLA is the scariest and Texas is the best matchup. Hot three point shooting (see Syla Swords) combined with an off shooting night is what could get UCONN. Texas doesn’t really shoot the three ball much so it’s hard to envision how they keep up, especially if we open up an early lead. UCLA has balance and both inside and outside threats. Their team is mostly seniors so they will be playing with the desperation of a team with one last chance to get a championship for their seniors, and they will definitely remember the brutal final four game against us from last year and be looking for revenge. I will be hoping that another team knocks them out of the tourney.

Mixed thoughts on UCLA. Last year, their inside game seemed to hurt them. While they were making 2's, UConn was hammerig 3's. Eventually, UCLA got far enought behind that they had to abandon their inside game and got out of sync. Appears that they have more talent this year but still follow the same system.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Looking ahead to March, all of these match ups depend upon one event. Blanca's development in the last few games. Can she stabilize as a positive impact player or will she have the lapses in judgement that make us howl (some in laughter, some in agony, but all in amazement.) Will She become the third scorer and second rebounder we need to dominate? Will she be the defender to frustrate the opposition or the defender to frustrate Geno? This is a great team without a great Blanca, but she has the ability to elevate the final four to a final for gone conclusion. My opinion: my belief in great coaches, great teammates, and her desire to achieve make the question of match ups a moot point. Just line 'em up and knock 'em down!

 

[Tonyc]

Blanca is turbo charged. I am looking forward to her exploding and taking over games. She is not Sarah or Azzi but has the athlectism and quickness that can take over a game. Think about this. We beat #15 by 30 without Blanca. UConn against Tenn saw no fear when the game got close. Everybody else stepped up and didnt hesitate and didnt look for Azzi or Sarah. They had the confidence to do it themselves. They are maturing and they are growing. They truly play team ball covering for each other on defense and looking for each other on offense. UConn is playing very confident. Blanca is growing into a monster that can take over a game. All this at the right time.

 

[packwrap]

No jinx here, Huskies could lose to each if we play poorly, but...

UCLA still slow like last year. They do, however, have solid inside and outside game.

Texas can't shoot, but they are fast and physical everywhere.

SC for me still the biggest threat. The injuries have allowed Edwards and Okot lots of minutes to develop. Backcourt of Johnson, Johnson, and Latson very good with perfect balance, ie not getting in each other's way.

Not surprisingly, this is SC's highest ever scoring team.

I rank them 1-SC, 2-TX and picked UCLA as best matchup.

SEC still has everything to play for, so SC and TX still have work to do.