alexrgct
RIP, Alex
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 10,091
- Reaction Score
- 15,648
...other than the national championship game against ND, of course. Clearly, a game like that wins hands down as the most satisfying game of this past season. However, let's spend a little time remembering some other great elements of the season. Let me briefly recap some games for you, and you can vote as to which was the most satisfying. Deal?
Vs. Stanford, 11/11/13, W76-57
OK, this game wasn't expected to be close- not after what had happened in Maples December 2012. Why would a game at Gampel be competitive? Additionally, the game had the awful injury to KML early in the second half and, unbeknownst to us, an injury to Morgan Tuck. Nevertheless, there was a lot to like. Bria showed beyond a shadow of a doubt he was back to AA form, Saniya made her presence felt with some big shots, Tuck contributed with a couple of nice threes, and Kiah came up huge off the bench (10 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks). The game we figured UConn would win handily ended up being a 19-point blowout.
@ Maryland, 11/15/13, w72-55
UConn's season schedule featured an early three-game gauntlet of ranked opponents: Stanford, Maryland, and Penn State. A 3-0 result in this gauntlet figured to give us even more confidence that an NC would be a distinct possibility. Maryland appeared to be a fine team, and its appearance in the Final Four only proved that. Meanwhile, this was UConn's first game without KML or Morgan, plus the game was on the road. No worries. Stewie had her first big game of many in 2013-14 and delivered what was already a vintage performance, and UConn withstood a big game from Alyssa Thomas, ultimately coasting to a 17-point victory. After the Stanford and Maryland games, UConn had gone two for three already with respect to the guantlet and had already looked great doing so.
@Duke 12/17/13, W83-61
By this point, UConn had gone undefeated but hadn't faced a tough opponent since Penn State. Now, UConn had to play its annual game against Duke, then ranked #2, on the road. Well, UConn just ground Duke out, leaving very little room for suspense in much of the game at all. Stewie delivered another great game (24 points and 11 boards), and KML just delivered. Back from injury, Kaleena nailed seven three-pointers. Moriah just generally had an excellent game as well, earning herself an embrace from Geno at the game's conclusion. In short, you could have a gauntlet or you could have long layoffs, but in any case, UConn was prepared to kick your butt.
vs. Louisville 3/10/14 for the AAC title, W72-52
Throughout the 2013-14 season, Louisville seemed to be a strong team...and UConn ended up having to play the Cardinals three times in 29 days. The third and final time was for the inaugural AAC title. By this point, UConn had defeated Louisville handily twice, with victories by 17 and 20 points. The third time proved no different, with UConn jumping all over Louisville. It started 8-0 and ended with another 20-point win. Everyone except Moriah had double figures, and Mo had nine herself. Stewie had been making a strong case for NPOY, an award she lobbied for to the tune of yet another 20-point game. After what UConn had done to Rutgers in the AAC semis and to Louisville in the finals, the prevailing question was, "If UConn can play like that, how does anyone stop them in the NCAA Tourney?" Well, no one stopped them, so this game proved prescient.
vs, Stanford, 4/6/14 in the national semis, W75-56
Even though the first matchup with Stanford had been a 19-point win, UConn still figured to face a tough test. Stanford may have been a #2 seed, but they still were favored to make the Final Four. The Huskies proved up to the task, winning by the same 19-point margin. UConn overcame an early six-point deficit and took a four point lead into halftime. This slim lead would prove more than enough, as UConn dominated the second half. Ultimately, the final margin of victory was identical to the first game against these two teams. It was a marvelous group effort by UConn, with all starters getting double figures (and Kiah scoring nine points as well). UConn won the national semis, got revenge for 2008, and was more than ready to face Notre Dame two days later. Satisfying enough?
So go ahead and vote! which was your most satisfying game of the season besides the NC game?
Vs. Stanford, 11/11/13, W76-57
OK, this game wasn't expected to be close- not after what had happened in Maples December 2012. Why would a game at Gampel be competitive? Additionally, the game had the awful injury to KML early in the second half and, unbeknownst to us, an injury to Morgan Tuck. Nevertheless, there was a lot to like. Bria showed beyond a shadow of a doubt he was back to AA form, Saniya made her presence felt with some big shots, Tuck contributed with a couple of nice threes, and Kiah came up huge off the bench (10 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks). The game we figured UConn would win handily ended up being a 19-point blowout.
@ Maryland, 11/15/13, w72-55
UConn's season schedule featured an early three-game gauntlet of ranked opponents: Stanford, Maryland, and Penn State. A 3-0 result in this gauntlet figured to give us even more confidence that an NC would be a distinct possibility. Maryland appeared to be a fine team, and its appearance in the Final Four only proved that. Meanwhile, this was UConn's first game without KML or Morgan, plus the game was on the road. No worries. Stewie had her first big game of many in 2013-14 and delivered what was already a vintage performance, and UConn withstood a big game from Alyssa Thomas, ultimately coasting to a 17-point victory. After the Stanford and Maryland games, UConn had gone two for three already with respect to the guantlet and had already looked great doing so.
@Duke 12/17/13, W83-61
By this point, UConn had gone undefeated but hadn't faced a tough opponent since Penn State. Now, UConn had to play its annual game against Duke, then ranked #2, on the road. Well, UConn just ground Duke out, leaving very little room for suspense in much of the game at all. Stewie delivered another great game (24 points and 11 boards), and KML just delivered. Back from injury, Kaleena nailed seven three-pointers. Moriah just generally had an excellent game as well, earning herself an embrace from Geno at the game's conclusion. In short, you could have a gauntlet or you could have long layoffs, but in any case, UConn was prepared to kick your butt.
vs. Louisville 3/10/14 for the AAC title, W72-52
Throughout the 2013-14 season, Louisville seemed to be a strong team...and UConn ended up having to play the Cardinals three times in 29 days. The third and final time was for the inaugural AAC title. By this point, UConn had defeated Louisville handily twice, with victories by 17 and 20 points. The third time proved no different, with UConn jumping all over Louisville. It started 8-0 and ended with another 20-point win. Everyone except Moriah had double figures, and Mo had nine herself. Stewie had been making a strong case for NPOY, an award she lobbied for to the tune of yet another 20-point game. After what UConn had done to Rutgers in the AAC semis and to Louisville in the finals, the prevailing question was, "If UConn can play like that, how does anyone stop them in the NCAA Tourney?" Well, no one stopped them, so this game proved prescient.
vs, Stanford, 4/6/14 in the national semis, W75-56
Even though the first matchup with Stanford had been a 19-point win, UConn still figured to face a tough test. Stanford may have been a #2 seed, but they still were favored to make the Final Four. The Huskies proved up to the task, winning by the same 19-point margin. UConn overcame an early six-point deficit and took a four point lead into halftime. This slim lead would prove more than enough, as UConn dominated the second half. Ultimately, the final margin of victory was identical to the first game against these two teams. It was a marvelous group effort by UConn, with all starters getting double figures (and Kiah scoring nine points as well). UConn won the national semis, got revenge for 2008, and was more than ready to face Notre Dame two days later. Satisfying enough?
So go ahead and vote! which was your most satisfying game of the season besides the NC game?
Last edited:
