POLL: let's talk about further milestones for Geno

[alexrgct]

At this point, Geno has left a legacy that seems staggering. Within 10 years, he took a little program in the cow town of Storrs and turned it into a national champion. Now, he's turned it into as premier a dynasty as you'll ever see. Given that, what does the 60-year-old Geno Auriemma have left to acoomplish?

I can see three things that are out there for him:

1. A longer winning streak than UConn's 90-game record

Could it be? Is it even fathomable? Well, UConn's streak stands at 46 now, even more than Baylor most recently had. UConn is destined to be the preseason #1 team, just as they were in 2013-14, and overwhelming favorites to three-peat. Yes, a blemished record and another national championship in 2015 would be fine by me, but an unblemished record is at least a possibility, isn't it? 39-0 in 2014-15 would get UConn to 85 in a row. In fact, it is fathomable. Geno may not have it in the bag, certainly, but it could happen.

2. 11 national championships

As you well know, Geno now has nine, and John Wooden had 10. Certainly, getting to 89 in a row back in 2010 seemed significant because it was a UCLA record being broken, men's program notwithstanding. And indeed, UConn getting to 10 or 11 championships is reminiscent of UCLA's run, i.e., a continuum of great players coming to Westwood and maintaining the dominance of the Bruins. UConn is a clear favorite to get to #10 next year, but 11? It's hard to imagine being "only" one more away. Breanna Stewart comes with two questions: one, could she get to four NCs in her career, and two, does the extraordinary UConn continuum of greatness end with her? Who is there going to be after her?

3. 1,099 victories

Geno is now at 879 total wins. He'll get to 900 by the middle of next season. He'd have 1,000 by the end of his current contract term. And then in 2018, he'd need to have three more seasons to get 1,099, one more than Pat Summitt's 1,098.

This record it absolutely a significant milestone, and it just comes down to how long Geno will coach. If he can keep pumping out 30+ win seasons seven times, he'll be right there.

So, what do you think?

I've got a poll below. What's most likely of the three milestones above? Which do you think would mean the most to him? And are there any other achievements that you think would motivate Geno from here on out?

What an amazing coach and career we've witnessed in any event.

 

[Adios]

I would have to say him winning at least another 2 NCs is almost a guarantee.

 

[meyers7]

Don't know if he'll coach much more than about 5 years. Getting the most wins may not be possible. Don't think he would care that much about it anyway. The streak, anything can happen to mess that up. (although I think they could have a shot at it)

But winning a couple more NC's over the next 5 years. With a healthy triumvirate of Stewart, KML and Jefferson next year and then hopefully, Stewart, Jefferson (as Seniors) and Tuck the year after. He's got as good a shot as any of grabbing a couple more NC's.

 

[NickyNewark]

I would have to say him winning at least another 2 NCs is almost a guarantee.

Agree....

 

[UcMiami]

Don't know if he'll coach much more than about 5 years. Getting the most wins may not be possible. Don't think he would care that much about it anyway. The streak, anything can happen to mess that up. (although I think they could have a shot at it)

But winning a couple more NC's over the next 5 years. With a healthy triumvirate of Stewart, KML and Jefferson next year and then hopefully, Stewart, Jefferson (as Seniors) and Tuck the year after. He's got as good a shot as any of grabbing a couple more NC's.

I think if he gets to say 1070 wins he may just sign a one year extension and go for it.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I think he has about 5 years left. He'll be 65, of retirement age, and won't have much left to accomplish. He loves what he does, but has other interests too. I think he wants to enjoy himself, and I don't think he cares about these records as much as we do.

However, in those 5 years, provided we keep recruiting at a high level, we should win another championship in the Stewie era, and then probably one more after that. I think 11 is the most likely number of championships that Geno will end up with.

91 wins is going to be hard. Obviously, it will have to come here, with another undefeated season and a stumble-free start to the next one. I think next year's team is a virtual lock for the Final Four and will be a championship contender, but I don't necessarily see undefeated.

I don't think Geno sticks around long enough for the all-time win record. He's going to rack up probably 37 wins a year for the next 5 years, ~185 total, and finish in the mid-1000's. I think he respects Pat and the sport enough to not get greedy and chase records just for the sake of chasing records.

 

[Suebird10fan]

I picked 11 championships, but 91 consecutive wins is not far behind.

I'd say the odds of 91 wins in a row is better than 50/50. A lot better than that if Wilson comes to Storrs but a bit better than 50/50 even without her.

Odds of 11 rings is also better than 50/50. But if he retires after his current contract, I wouldn't put it much higher than the odds of 91 in a row. If he signs another contract though, odds obviously go up.

 

[Bestiarius]

The easiest to attain would be the 1,099 victories. It will just take persistence. Next easiest would be 11 NCs. A 91 game streak would be most difficult, but he's got a good head start right now. This is one poll that should have an "all of the above" choice.

 

[AllAmerRedHeads]

131 in a row wins by Wayland Baptist College (Flying Queens) in the 1950s

11 National AAU Women's National Championships by Nashville Business College Coach, John Head (coach of one of the greatest women players ever, Nera White).

I think both are possible.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think the 1,099 goal is fundamentally different from the other 2. He's averaging 35 wins per season, and more in recent years. That would take about 6 years. If he's still healthy and interested, it takes persistence.

The win streak and 2 more championships require luck and can be derailed by one bad or fluky game. I'm concerned about our depth among bigs going forward. It's conceivable that Stewie runs the table for 78 or so more. If we get A'ja, I think it happens. If we get to 91, that means we have a 10th championship. If Stewie doesn't get 2 more, we need great recruiting in the post-Stewie years to win more titles. Who are those players. And will we get them?