How about adding the 2009/2010 Team to the comparison:
Asjha Jones and Evina Westbrook and Kalena Greene
Swin Cash and Olivia Nelson Ododa and Tina Charles
Diana Taurisi and Paige Bueckers and Maya Moore
Sue Bird and Christyn Williams and Tiffany Hayes
Tamika Williams and Anna Makurat and Caroline Doty
Ashley Battle and Aubrey Griffin and Kaili McLaren
Jessica Moore and Aailyah Edwards and Heather Buck
Maria Conlon and Mir McLean and Lorin Dixon
Ashley Valley and Nika Muhl and Kelly Farris
Stacey Marron and Piath Gabriel and Meghan Gardler
Morgan Valley and Autumn Chassion and Meghan Gardler
I don't think it's fair at all to compare this squad to two undefeated teams that were loaded with returning talent and overwhelming title favorites from day 1.
The biggest difference between 2002/2010 and 2021 is proven experience. 2002 started 4 seniors and Taurasi, all of whom played major roles on their 2001 Final Four team and all 4 seniors were big contributors as freshmen and as sophomores on the 2000 title team. It was a very experienced bunch who had played a lot of minutes alongside each other, had already won a title, and UCONN also had far more talent than any other program in the country that year with one of the best senior classes ever graduating in 2001. That team was set up for success from day 1.
2010 had more proven experience than 2021 does. They returned 4 of 5 starters from an undefeated team, and brought back Doty who was starting before an ACL injury. Moore was cut and dry the best player in the country as a sophomore and returned as the best player in the country as a junior. Charles stepped up after being an All American as a junior and took home several POY accolades that year too. The team was thoroughly dominant all season and never challenged aside from a funky title game.
2021 returns 3 starters who were options #3-5 in 2019-20, which was a weaker version of UCONN that was unlikely to make the Final Four had there been a tournament. They added in a potential game changer in Bueckers, who has looked quite good against weaker teams early but has been turnover prone and hasn't played against decent competition yet. I think most feel she'll be a legendary player, but time will tell if she achieves greatness as a freshman or not. Edwards is another frosh who looks great in limited minutes, but again, we haven't seen her face decent competition. Same for ONO/Williams in regards to how improved they are. Putting up big numbers against Creighton and Xavier is great, but it's not an indication of how they'll play against a team like Baylor. Westbrook is a high profile transfer who has played a quieter role than a lot of fans expected but there's a lot of season left to be played. Griffin appears to be a likely contributor this year, and I don't see Gabriel/Muhl/McLean being rotation players against quality opponents.
It's really difficult to compare this roster to two of UCONN's best ever when none of the current kids have come close to accomplishing what the rosters in 2002 and 2010 had already accomplished before the season started.
This feels like more of a transition year rather than an insanely dominant UCONN team. It's not to say they can't win a title or even go undefeated, but players are figuring each other out on the court rather than having a ton of cohesive chemistry right from the get go. IMO, more accurate teams to compare this group of Huskies to would be the 2007 team and 2013. 2007 graduated their 2 best players from 2006, but brought in the #1 recruit who was excellent as a freshman. Lots of players were playing in new roles that year and thrived. UCONN earned a #1 seed but ultimately was upset by LSU and Sylvia Fowles in the Elite 8. 2013 also had solid returning talent with players who were able to take on larger roles, and they had an impactful freshman class that ultimately was able to thrive and win a title together. It is hard to say where this team falls in line considering we don't have much to gauge this team on so far outside of 4 blowouts. And also, this whole season feels like a wild card IMO with so many games being canceled/postponed and there just isn't a lot of flow or cohesion amongst most teams early on.
