Here is the reality:
This is a very different kind of UConn team. Six of Geno's seven championship teams included the NPOY for that season, and the only one that didn't (2000) was so freaking loaded as to not even be worth mentioning as an exception.
This team doesn't start a single player ranked higher than #10 in her high school class (according to HoopGurlz, anyway), and that kid is playing on one leg. KML was ranked #1, but it's going to take some time for her settle into being a clutch player. Geno is using her like he did Sales, Ralph, and Taurasi (before the injuries forced hm to start her).
In short, this is a team of what would typically be (admittedly very, very good) complemenary pieces without the superstar for them to complement. EDD would have been that player. You can't blame Geno for not getting the impact recruits of 2009 (he tried wth Skylar, and there was no way Griner was leaving Texas), and 2010 was a relatively weak class. So here we are.
And where we are, by the way, is pretty good, Saturday's loss notwithstanding. I do not expect UConn to win an NC this season. I didn't before this past weekend; I thought a F4 finish would be a fantastic result for this team. If they do win it all, it will be a remarkable run.
Next season, we have to hope Bria and KML develop a little more killer instinct at the end of games. Bria is getting there, and I wouldn't be surprised if she was all the way there next season. KML will get there too. Just a matter of when. Kiah will continue progressing. Stef will have a summer to exorcise whatever mental blocks she's dealing with, plus she'll play alongside additional interior threats (such as Breanna). Breanna will be a complementary piece as a freshman, but she'll be an exceptional one. Tuck and Moriah are legit as well. Kelly will be Kelly, and that's a good thing. Caroline and Heather will have their roles. Banks may take the next step in her progression as well. In short, there will be a lot of different types of bodies Geno can throw at any different situation. But the key will be the team developing an indentity of who takes and makes big shots if and when games get tight (which won't happen very frequently).
And UConn will be the overwhelming favorite in 2014.
So no, the sky isn't falling. A good number of UConn and LV fans have a tendency to act as if WCBB exists for the sole purpose of having something for their teams to be national champions of. Doesn't work that way. Shouldn't work that way. It won't be that long, folks.
