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Message: [QUOTE="Carnac, post: 2588459, member: 5798"] I agree completely with Tonyc's comments above. We all saw the MS game. We all know what happened. IF UConn plays a NORMAL game, they win by double digits. I'm not going to name names, but a couple of players either did not show up, or they showed up small. Bottom line..........as hard as he tried, Geno did not have his girls ready to play. I refuse to believe that the 60 pt. win over MS the year before, did not play a role in the team's over confidence and bravado going into that game. Theoretically, a team does not get 60 points better in a single season. UConn was not prepared for the pressure and hard nose play that MS brought to the table. UConn could not get going. They were not able to make that early first quarter "run" that they usually make that puts their opposition on its heels, and has them playing catch up the rest of the game. UConn played from behind the entire first half, being down 8 points, 36-28 at the half. UConn out scores MS by 8 in the 3rd qtr, and plays them even in the 4th. We all know what happened in OT. UConn missed a lot of easy bunnies, layups and free throws. [U]IF[/U] they make just 1 of those missed shots in regulation, they win. It was a "perfect storm" for the Bulldogs that day. UConn played a sub-par C+ game at best, while MS state brought their "A" game. The fact that Geno got no help from his bench (a transfer, 3 freshmen and a walk-on) didn't help. Crystal (who was still playing like a freshman) played 17 mins, Butler played 6. Together they produced a grand total of 1 point. Schaefer used 5 players from his bench (allowing his starters to get several blows, which allowed them to remain relatively fresh) that produced 12 points. BIG difference. No one expects this scenario to manifest itself a second time. This time Geno has a bench (Stevens, Walker and Irwin), and UConn will enter the game WITHOUT the macho bravado demeanor they did last year. Let's not forget, as bad as UConn played that day, the game still came down to the last shot. UConn will be ready for a rematch if it occurs this year. If it does, it will be in the championship game, because they will be on opposite sides of the bracket. IMO, UConn has a much better team this year. The quality (and depth) of this year's bench is better. You're not going to beat him twice using the same tactics. I like UConn in a rematch against MS. I fully expect Geno to keep his record in tact of not ever losing a championship game. [/QUOTE]

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