POLL: OK, let's vote on the most impressive Geno accomplishment

[alexrgct]

A week ago (or something like that), I started a thread on the most imposing/unassailable/impressive/etc. of Geno Auriemma's accomplishments as HC of uConn WBB. This time, I whittled the laundry list down to "only" four accomplishments and made them selectable options in a poll. Here are the choices:

• Winning streaks: UConn has four of the five longest winning streaks in WCBB history: 90 (2008-2010), 75 and counting (2014-2016), 70 (2001-2003), and 47 (2013 NCAA tourney to second game of 2014-15 season). The only entrant in the top five not involving UConn is #4: 54 in a row by La Tech 1980-82.
• six perfect seasons: UConn went 35-0 in 1994-95, 39-0 in 2001-02, 39-0 in 2008-09, 39-0 in 2009-10, 40-0 in 2013-14, and 38-0 in 2015-16. Everyone else has combined for five perfect seasons: Immaculata 1973, La Tech 1981, Texas 1986, Tennessee 1998, Baylor 2012.
• Nine Final Fours in a row: this is *still* an active streak. From 2008-2016, UConn made the national semis. The closest streak is five, authored by Notre Dame (2011-15), Stanford (2008-12), LSU (2004-08), UConn (2000-04), and *maybe* someone else as well.
• One NC in a row (1995, 2000), two in a row (2009-2010), three in a row (2002-2004), and four in a row (2013-2016). Tennessee is the closest with one in a row (1987,1989,1991), two in a row (2007 and 2008), and three in a row (1996,1997, 1998).

So,what say you? What is the most impressive accomplishment Geno has managed, and under what criteria in your view?

 

[JSB60]

Eleven.

 

[bags27]

SomethingS else.

• Like having a fantastic graduation rate
• Like teaching brilliant fundamental basketball
• Like being a terrific ambassador for the game, domestically and internationally
• Like speaking out on important rule changes
• Like being a passionate supporter of his alum players
• Like speaking out on social issues and for social justice and tolerance
• Like being the single most important personality at his university, the one person everyone in the state of CT associates with the University.
• And most importantly for me and for all the above, being one of the best teachers of lessons and life I've ever seen. Playing 4 years for Geno means getting one of the finest college degrees attainable.

 

[alexrgct]

Eleven.

Which he got by winning one standalone NC twice, along with two, three, and four consecutive.

 

[CocoHusky]

His record in National Championship games against HOF coaches (Pat, Tara, Muffet).

 

[meyers7]

Hmmmm, all good. Maybe 11-0 in NC games.

 

[f1f1ferrari]

Six Championships in the last Eight years is pretty damn impressive if you ask me.

 

[reno tony]

CD

 

[Vowelguy]

11 total championships

 

[BigBird]

On court: The eleven.

Off court: Everything Bags said, plus Geno's unique sense of humor.

 

[dtbtbtb]

For me it's the 11-0 in finals which is the most impressive. It was done against teams that were supposed to be better than UConn (TN 2003, ND 2012), or not...with players missing due to injuries, against other powerhouses, etc...UConn always came better prepared, executed better and won!

 

[alexrgct]

11 total championships

Yep- the *only* reason I'd argue against 11 total is how he accrued those 11. To get four straight, three straight, two straight, and "one straight" (twice)- I just don't see that remotely happening again. Otherwise, 11 total is three (and counting, perhaps) more than second place. I just see 1/2/3/4 in a row as mind-boggling, wheres Pat was pretty close to 11 overall. She had five defeats in NCAA finals (and five in national semis), so she had pretty short bridge between eight and 11. Meanwhile, she was an entire four-pete away from 1/2/3/4 in a row.

 

[bags27]

On court: The eleven.
Off court: Everything Bags said, plus Geno's unique sense of humor.

Right: the humor!!

And not only that, but his astonishing social intelligence, where he can talk off the cuff in complete paragraphs, with the most emotionally sincere and convincing sense of what's right and wrong. As someone who thinks of himself as a pretty good teacher/lecturer, I'm always astounded by how structured, eloquent, and heartfelt are Geno's public presentations.

 

[pacific 44]

If you take the four consecutive ncaa championships and add to it the olympic and world success in basketball during this particular four year run of extreme accomplishment then it becomes even more unbelievable.All of his assistants had to put in extra duty to recruit new talent in his absence.Kudos to them for their respective involvements in pursuing the wonderful players that continue to arrive at the basketball capital of the world.

 

[johnnyc]

11 - 0

 

[BigBird]

Right: the humor!!

And not only that, but his astonishing social intelligence, where he can talk off the cuff in complete paragraphs, with the most emotionally sincere and convincing sense of what's right and wrong. As someone who thinks of himself as a pretty good teacher/lecturer, I'm always astounded by how structured, eloquent, and heartfelt are Geno's public presentations.

Yes. We are spot on alike in that view. Standing before a class of twenty or more diverse people and trying to make sense for each of them is challenging. And in it's special way, it's fun. I loved it for forty years. Geno's remarks about retirement ring true to me. It's a simple question: "What could I do other than this that would bring me so much satisfaction and happiness?"

 

[Wally East]

Definitely 11-0.

UNC women's soccer's Anson Dorrance has twice as many titles but he's also lots 3 times in the title game. And just for the sake of straight comparison, when he'd won his 11th, he was 11-1 in title games.

 

[Carnac]

A week ago (or something like that), I started a thread on the most imposing/unassailable/impressive/etc. of Geno Auriemma's accomplishments as HC of uConn WBB. This time, I whittled the laundry list down to "only" four accomplishments and made them selectable options in a poll. Here are the choices:

• Winning streaks: UConn has four of the five longest winning streaks in WCBB history: 90 (2008-2010), 75 and counting (2014-2016), 70 (2001-2003), and 47 (2013 NCAA tourney to second game of 2014-15 season). The only entrant in the top five not involving UConn is #4: 54 in a row by La Tech 1980-82.
• six perfect seasons: UConn went 35-0 in 1994-95, 39-0 in 2001-02, 39-0 in 2008-09, 39-0 in 2009-10, 40-0 in 2013-14, and 38-0 in 2015-16. Everyone else has combined for five perfect seasons: Immaculata 1973, La Tech 1981, Texas 1986, Tennessee 1998, Baylor 2012.
• Nine Final Fours in a row: this is *still* an active streak. From 2008-2016, UConn made the national semis. The closest streak is five, authored by Notre Dame (2011-15), Stanford (2008-12), LSU (2004-08), UConn (2000-04), and *maybe* someone else as well.
• One NC in a row (1995, 2000), two in a row (2009-2010), three in a row (2002-2004), and four in a row (2013-2016). Tennessee is the closest with one in a row (1987,1989,1991), two in a row (2007 and 2008), and three in a row (1996,1997, 1998).

So,what say you? What is the most impressive accomplishment Geno has managed, and under what criteria in your view?

To me, the most impressive accomplishment that Geno & CD have done, is turn a floundering door mat WCBB program into the winningest program in the country.

Establishing multiple winning streaks, national championships and a plethora of All-America award winning athletes along the way, is the legacy they will leave behind.

 

[Shorty Dee]

UConn winning 4 in a row, is amazing . Geno is a Great coach.....he has won 11 National Championships at UConn and won gold in 2 Olympics.

 

[BroadwayVa]

SomethingS else.

• Like having a fantastic graduation rate
• Like teaching brilliant fundamental basketball
• Like being a terrific ambassador for the game, domestically and internationally
• Like speaking out on important rule changes
• Like being a passionate supporter of his alum players
• Like speaking out on social issues and for social justice and tolerance
• Like being the single most important personality at his university, the one person everyone in the state of CT associates with the University.
• And most importantly for me and for all the above, being one of the best teachers of lessons and life I've ever seen. Playing 4 years for Geno means getting one of the finest college degrees attainable.

I say his greatest accomplishment is being alive---if not for it then none of the rest would have happened.
We Uconn fans (men and women) are blessed to have had the opportunity to see this--life blossom from an obscure assistant coach at uVa --to an Olympic winner, umpteen consecutive final 4's, more umpteen 30 plus wins per year,
Big East and AAC conference champion multiple years in a row, then all that you have listed Bags.

Geno has had many women in his life but none more important to him or us than; his wife, his mom, Christine--you could add to a lessor extent Shea and Marissa--maybe Sue, Dt, Maya, Stewie

 

[BroadwayVa]

To me, the most impressive accomplishment that Geno & CD have done, is turn a floundering door mat WCBB program into the winningest program in the country.

Establishing multiple winning streaks, national championships and a plethora of All-America award winning athletes along the way, is the legacy they will leave behind.

Will this dynasty ever be repeated again/?
I usually say -never say never--but to repeat this becomes harder and harder as the level of competition, and athletic young women grow larger.

 

[BroadwayVa]

SomethingS else.

• Like having a fantastic graduation rate
• Like teaching brilliant fundamental basketball
• Like being a terrific ambassador for the game, domestically and internationally
• Like speaking out on important rule changes
• Like being a passionate supporter of his alum players
• Like speaking out on social issues and for social justice and tolerance
• Like being the single most important personality at his university, the one person everyone in the state of CT associates with the University.
• And most importantly for me and for all the above, being one of the best teachers of lessons and life I've ever seen. Playing 4 years for Geno means getting one of the finest college degrees attainable.

your "most important item" Geno has to be integral in getting it done---but Christine Dailey wrote many of the classroom plans.

 

[Replicant]

All of the above!

 

[HopJim]

Another thought: Making it out of Norristown Pa to becoming one of the great basketball coaches of all time. My wife grew up near Geno, went to high school with him, and understands the challenges he overcame. While some UConn fans are not fully familiar with is bio, family came from Italy, lived in relatively poor area, Geno went to Norristown elementary school without full grasp of English, etc. While few can equal his professional accomplishments, VERY FEW can match his personal growth and what he overcame.

 

[CBear01]

His wine and restaurants ? ? ?