Preseason Coaches' Poll - UConn #1

[southbendcane]

Well, we do have NCAA Women Basketball Tournament, and UConn does play the top teams in the country, Isn't it ???

Yes they do. And they have the luxury of playing anyone that is willing to play them. It probably doesn't affect the women as much as the other teams from the university. So if your a U Conn fan in more then just women's basketball it's probably even more important to you to be in a Power 5 Conference. Id like to see them in one. Especially the ACC. Id love to see the men and womens basketball games and i go to a lot of volleyball, baseball ,hockey and softball games so it be fun to see them play the Irish. Maybe the football team can even up the record as well.

 

[MilfordHusky]

First, I'm surprised. I thought we would be 3rd or 4th, behind ND, Baylor, and maybe SC.

Second, I bet Geno is unhappy. He lost a motivating tool.

Third, this is the coaches poll. They know. This shows the respect that they have for Geno and the program.

 

[Carnac]

This thought process befuddles me. If Lebron James had left Cleveland would you still have said that the Cavs must be rated the #1 team in the NBA to start the season simply because they won the title last year?

It would depend on if you were a Cavelier fan or not.
As I said, I completely understand your position. Neither of these teams have won anything yet. The LeBron reference has nothing to do with what we're talking about. Baylor lost a game last year that they were supposed to win. Win some games first, then we can have further dialogue on Baylor being #1. I'm from Missouri.

 

[southbendcane]

Despite your opinion, playing behind the top 3 draft picks isn't evidence of incompetence. Try looking at the Irish players who played behind Mabrey & Cable, 2 players who went undrafted. And as far as unproven players, try Patberg, Young and Boley. Notre dame does nothing this year without their contributions and their experience is literally zero, but reading the ND board you would think they are on the short list for the Wooden Award. Finally, didn't Notre Dame make the FF 3 years ago with a freshman pg?

No one is saying these things cant and dont happen that you speak of. Im just saying there are a few question marks that need to be taken into consideration with your team where usually there isn't . All teams hype their players up. We are high on Young and Boley just like you are high on Danger with good reason. I just think there are to many things to over come for them to run the table. Will see what happens.

 

[southbendcane]

I honestly think Baylor might be the best team . Last year we knew U Conn would win it all. This year those same 4 #1 seeds are in my opinion the 4 best teams . Only this time its a crap shoot.

 

[easttexastrash]

It would depend on if you were a Cavelier fan or not.
As I said, I completely understand your position. Neither of these teams have won anything yet. The LeBron reference has nothing to do with what we're talking about. Baylor lost a game last year that they were supposed to win. Win some games first, then we can have further dialogue on Baylor being #1. I'm from Missouri.

Thank goodness the UCONN /Baylor game takes place in a few weeks. Whichever team loses will be removed from the #1 debate for the majority of the season.

 

[easttexastrash]

I honestly think Baylor might be the best team . Last year we knew U Conn would win it all. This year those same 4 #1 seeds are in my opinion the 4 best teams . Only this time its a crap shoot.

I think Baylor has the talent to be #1 but they have yet to prove anything.

 

[JordyG]

Why does everyone seem to be trying to find some crazy reason they would pick UCONN #1? I think it is interesting that the coaches have more confidence in the quality of UCONN this year than many of the fans on this board do.

It's actually a belief in Geno and coaches and their ability to get the most out of their players. If this was an end of year prediction I'd agree. But this team is going to have growing pains.

 

[stwainfan]

Based on what Tenn should be in the top 5 ?
Tenn cannot be better than last year, and they lost 14 games last years.

Yes I know the team had some struggles. But made a good run at the end of the year.

 

[JordyG]

Thank goodness the UCONN /Baylor game takes place in a few weeks. Whichever team loses will be removed from the #1 debate for the majority of the season.

Well certainly for Baylor who typically won't play another significant team until 7 games later and then after that 12 games after. By Oklahoma at the end of January they could well be 23-0. It's a good thing they play Texas twice. Of all the top 5 teams they will typically be the least tested by the time Dallas rolls around. Whereas Texas will be well hardened.

 

[easttexastrash]

Well certainly for Baylor who typically won't play another significant team until 7 games later and then after that 12 games after. By Oklahoma at the end of January they could well be 23-0. It's a good thing they play Texas twice. Of all the top 5 teams they will typically be the least tested by the time Dallas rolls around. Whereas Texas will be well hardened.

That's a relief. Now I can not worry about winning a championship and watch everyone else fight it out.

 

[SCspur]

1 Baylor
2 ND
3 S.C
4 Texas
5 Tenn
6 Uconn
7 Maryland
8 Louisville

It wont finish this way but.[/QUOT

Tenn in the top 5??? Might I ask why? Top 15 for sure but idk about too 5 or even top 10.

 

[triaddukefan]

Based on what Tenn should be in the top 5 ?
Tenn cannot be better than last year, and they lost 14 games last years.

Think he/she meant Tenn should be in the top 5 of the SEC

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

I dont think Uconn should be #1, and i also think that Tenn should be in the top 5.

It's a little early for April Fools jokes.

 

[Kaizen]

Think he/she meant Tenn should be in the top 5 of the SEC

LOL, yes agree.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I'm one who "liked" a post about UConn staying #1 from last year, so I just want to explain - if there was a compelling reason that they shouldn't be in that position, fine, but on the whole UConn has remained UConn. They may not be favored by everyone to win the NC (as they have been some years) but is there really many folks who know the game that don't think they are a strong fave for the Final Four?

As to voters and conspiracy theories, please. And I doubt that all coaches "hate" Geno. Many probably don't much like him in some ways, but I'm pretty sure they all respect him. I think "hate" and "respect" are mutually exclusive.

 

[uconnever]

The More i think about it, I can understand everyone's surprise, but I watched a lot of their games and considering how each team has changed, I believe they should be top 5 and will prove it. Of those top 7 teams I think there are only 3 that I can't see them beating. The other 3, I think is a toss up. I also think they have enough talent that if they figure it out....who knows. I definitely see them in the final four. Wait! Is Cooper playing this year? If not then I see them top 10ish and will challenge South Carolina in SEC. Also maybe an elite 8 run in them. I am not the biggest Diamond fan but I just don't think her and Mercedes are gonna have another terrible year. They are too good and I saw it in them last year.

 

[Bestiarius]

Holly talked today in media day. That the feel for this team is different than later years.

To sorta channel Mike Tyson: Everyone's optimistic until they get punched in the mouth.

 

[Kaizen]

I always thought the Coaches Poll is more accurate than the Associated Press Poll.
Am I right?

 

[stwainfan]

To sorta channel Mike Tyson: Everyone's optimistic until they get punched in the mouth.

A few comments from today.
On Mercedes Russell and her confidence level)
"I think last year was truly Mercedes' freshman year, because (during) her freshman year her feet were bad and she could not run up and down the court. I think she has gotten stronger and more confident. When you are her size; she has developed strength and she has practiced hard to get to the level where she wants to be. I think her confidence has gotten better. I will tell you this, she is a point guard trapped inside of a post's body. She knows the game and had a great high school coach, but she knows the game. You could tell her one thing and she could go and tell everyone else where to go and what they need to do. The knowledge is there and the reps for her have been important. I think for her just working this summer on her game and coming back she has been very positive from a leadership standpoint and how hard she is working and playing on the basketball court."

(On people who stood out in the offseason)
"If you went player by player, you would see the most improvement from Jaime Nared. Jaime dedicated herself to getting better both offensively and defensively, so when you get better you have to get in the gym and work and Jaime got in the gym and worked. There are some kids that had to take time off because of nagging injuries and I get that, but Jaime I thought really dedicated herself to getting in the gym. You also seeJordan Reynolds, her body has changed, her percentage of fat has gone down and that just doesn't happen. She has put in the time, she is quicker and she has put in the work. If you keep going down the line; you look at Diamond and think that she did not have as a productive year as we all thought she should have because we are putting her up here. She was coming off a massive injury and I tell everyone that when Diamond's game turned around is when she got healthy. Some of little factors for that has made a big difference."

 

[VA Huskie]

I think Baylor has the talent to be #1 but they have yet to prove anything.

Agree they have the overall talent. Biggest issue, by far, will be their ability to replace last years PG.

 

[easttexastrash]

Agree they have the overall talent. Biggest issue, by far, will be their ability to replace last years PG.

Baylor will be stronger offensively and defensively with Alexis Jones at the PG position. Johnson was especially an offensive liability due to her limited range and her reluctance to shoot. Report from practice is that Jones is running the team like an AA, but time will tell, as we all know that practice and game situations are entirely different animals.

Look for 6-7 center Kalani Brown to take a major step forward this season. She has dropped about 20 pounds and is reported to be the clear favorite to start at center this year.

 

[easttexastrash]

I always thought the Coaches Poll is more accurate than the Associated Press Poll.
Am I right?

I always thought the Boneyard poll is the most accurate.

 

[triaddukefan]

Baylor will be stronger offensively and defensively with Alexis Jones at the PG position. Johnson was especially an offensive liability due to her limited range and her reluctance to shoot. Report from practice is that Jones is running the team like an AA, but time will tell, as we all know that practice and game situations are entirely different animals.

Look for 6-7 center Kalani Brown to take a major step forward this season. She has dropped about 20 pounds and is reported to be the clear favorite to start at center this year.

Its funny to me that people forget or doubt Jones ability to run the point. She led Duke down the stretch and was the ACC tournament MVP as a freshman after Gray went down with injury. Always thought she would be a better PG than the girl yall had playing last year. There isnt a PG in college i'd take over her this season.

 

[easttexastrash]

Its funny to me that people forget or doubt Jones ability to run the point. She led Duke down the stretch and was the ACC tournament MVP as a freshman after Gray went down with injury. Always thought she would be a better PG than the girl yall had playing last year. There isnt a PG in college i'd take over her this season.

I agree completely. I wish that Kim had put her at the PG position earlier last season. She is going to have an eye-opening season and will be a candidate for POY.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Its funny to me that people forget or doubt Jones ability to run the point. She led Duke down the stretch and was the ACC tournament MVP as a freshman after Gray went down with injury. Always thought she would be a better PG than the girl yall had playing last year. There isnt a PG in college i'd take over her this season.

I always thought highly of Alexis and thought early on that she might be comparable to Moriah, considering their high school rankings. After watching Moriah for 4 years, I'd say that the only PG I've seen on the same level is 4-time Gold Medalist Sue Bird.

 

[Carnac]

Thank goodness the UCONN /Baylor game takes place in a few weeks. Whichever team loses will be removed from the #1 debate for the majority of the season.

I concur 100%. All of this conjecture before a single game is played is nothing but speculation. Who the top 10 teams are should be decided between the lines, not in a poll, or in a chat room. The cream will quickly rise to the top once the season begins. It always does.

 

[willtalk]

In respect to The coaches picking UConn # 1, and the rational for doing so, given by a couple of earlier posters are, in fact, two separate issues. The rational given was that the previous # 1 team should be # 1 until someone beats them. This is nonsensical and not the reason that I believe the coaches used. It might have played a small part in an ' all things being equal " tie breaker sort of way. They more than likely felt that even though the losses pushed Uconn down quite a bit, it still left them in at a reasonable enough position to compete for the Championship. So being that no other team appeared to be obviously better than the all the rest of the contenders, it was not unreasonable, considering Geno and his systems past successes, to just leave Uconn at the top. But it certainly wasn't purely because they finished last season at the top.

The idea that the top team should remain at the top until someone beats them is usually the standard used once the season is in full swing. I don't know of any instant when any rating system in any sport has ever used that criteria to begin a season.

 

[Topdawg]

This thought process befuddles me. If Lebron James had left Cleveland would you still have said that the Cavs must be rated the #1 team in the NBA to start the season simply because they won the title last year?

I would. Otherwise you are making relative judgements on many teams that have also not demonstrated their ability to be deserving of a top ranking. I would start a season with the way the rankings ended the last season.

 

[cbraarj]

Yes they do. And they have the luxury of playing anyone that is willing to play them. It probably doesn't affect the women as much as the other teams from the university. So if your a U Conn fan in more then just women's basketball it's probably even more important to you to be in a Power 5 Conference. Id like to see them in one. Especially the ACC. Id love to see the men and womens basketball games and i go to a lot of volleyball, baseball ,hockey and softball games so it be fun to see them play the Irish. Maybe the football tea5m can even up the record as well.

Power 5 Conferences became Power 5 for 1 reason only Division 1 College Football!!! Not one of the other sports had anything to do with it or Uconn would be in one already !!!