Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Bronx23, post: 2659826, member: 8501"] Great description! I pretty much no longer watch either pro or college basketball any more because I usually don't appreciate the style of play. I do and for quite a few years watch U Conn women's basketball for all the reasons you describe. I grew up being a fan of the two Knick championship teams and it's fairly similar, to how they played. Willis Reed while an excellent player wasn't a super star and was only a 6'9"center. Even when Earl the Pearl Monroe, one of the best and flashiest players of his time, joined Walt Frazier in their backcourt and most thought they couldn't play without at least two balls, the ball moved from player to player around the court. Yes they had usually 7-8 very good players but they beat the Lakers who had Alcindor, West and Baylor, three of the greatest players of all time. Having excellent players doesn't guarantee championship or sometimes even Elite Eight appearances. Texas is just one example of how many AA and so far nada. MM has 6 very good players, but don't think any or maybe more than 1-2 star like players and look where they are and usually seem to be! Then there is Geno, CD and the coaching staff who only recruits players who want to be part of championship teams and must sacrifice many things to get them to where they are - 11 straight final four appearances. Reaching this level once or twice is pretty impressive but do to it year after year, which over an 11 year time frame means 3-4 cycles of players. To get a KLS, MW, CW to choose U Conn speaks volumes. I'm sure there are such examples in the men's game, but men's style and egos, usually get in the way. I'm sure part of MW struggles this year, and even CD's last year has to do with going from being one of the top players in the whole country, and being admired and pampered, and always excelling. Then coming to U Conn at best being either the fifth starter (KLS) or sixth / seventh player is a startling reality. Except for the very few stars as discussed here many, many times, the light and growth usually takes until the sophomore year. It's telling that KLS was essentially the 5th starter on Stewie, Mariah & Tucks team and is now a two time AA. CD has made enormous progress this her 2nd season and might become an AA candidate in her 3rd and / or fourth year. Time will tell how MW continues to grow and develop. And all the growth and development only happens after a phenomenal amount of physical and emotional work. All of this and so many other things contribute to their ongoing seemingly easy success. Another example would be Kelly Graves a very, very good coach who has brought in excellent players and more coming, but still hasn't reached a FF. Sabrina Ionescu who I have a repeatedly thought of as one of the great guards of all time struggled mightily in the Elite Eught game to reach the FF. PRESSURE!!! Even the all time great DT had a horrible game as a freshman that at least partially cost that loaded team a NC. What I'm trying to say, in way too many words, is how darn hard it is for even great players and teams to translate greatness, into playing selfless team ball and then into winning very big games. I believe strongly that the psychological and emotional part of the game as well as previous success, plays a huge part in more success. MM & ND won over Oregon for those reasons. While I do and can often go on and on, U Conn maybe the best program, one of the best teams to ever play in any team sports BUT they must win their 12th NC next week, or the gap will close more, as they wouldn't have won two years in a row. I fully expect they will win, maybe even comfortably and continue this dynasty. Bronx23 [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach