Sarah Strong article from Mike Anthony

[YKCornelius]

I’m in the camp of those who favor that 2000-01 team. A lot of HoF members on that squad. Didn’t win an NC because of injuries, and this links them in my mind to the Paige teams that were similarly jinxed by injury. They were also mainly small-ball squads, which has a familiar ring to it. They also differed from Paige’s latest entrant in having better scoring distribution with 6 who averaged double figures (if I round up from 9.7 in a couple cases), instead of relying so heavily on a Big Three. The 2001-2 team was pretty good too, and won the NC, but without Svet and Shea. Sigh.

BD, the 2000-2001 team was the best UConn team ever?? Nah. I am in the camp that says a three loss UConn team - including a blowout at the Joyce Center when everyone was healthy and a loss at Tennessee who was playing without Catchings - doesn't pass the sanity check for "Best Team Ever". Doesn't even make my Top Ten.

The 2000-2001 team had a ton of talent, especially before Svet and Shea went down. But to quote Geno, "There is a misperception out there that the most talent equals the best team. That is not true."

 

[FanSince17]

BD, the 2000-2001 team was the best UConn team ever?? Nah. I am in the camp that says a three loss UConn team - including a blowout at the Joyce Center when everyone was healthy and a loss at Tennessee who was playing without Catchings - doesn't pass the sanity check for "Best Team Ever". Doesn't even make my Top Ten.

The 2000-2001 team had a ton of talent, especially before Svet and Shea went down. But to quote Geno, "There is a misperception out there that the most talent equals the best team. That is not true."

Great job! The games are played on the court, not on paper.
I think, in a crazy way, it’s hard to be a UConn fan, because we’re always looking ahead to the next team, next year. The tedious posts last year, as the team was finding its way, highlighting the prospects for the team this year.
I am gripping the feeling of last year, as the team figured it out down the stretch. I don’t want to let go of it. 9 more days, right?
Maybe change the question to, have the Husky’s ever had a team more connected than 2024-2025? I remember this play against SC: UConn had just gone up by 29, and Paige and KK were setting a trap in the backcourt. I think SC called in TO.
In my mind, that was perfection! It wasn’t hectic, it didn’t seem over-the-top, it was just natural. Wow!

 

[Bone Dog]

BD, the 2000-2001 team was the best UConn team ever?? Nah. I am in the camp that says a three loss UConn team - including a blowout at the Joyce Center when everyone was healthy and a loss at Tennessee who was playing without Catchings - doesn't pass the sanity check for "Best Team Ever". Doesn't even make my Top Ten.

The 2000-2001 team had a ton of talent, especially before Svet and Shea went down. But to quote Geno, "There is a misperception out there that the most talent equals the best team. That is not true."

I’m with you, @YKCornelius but you’re changing the rules mid contest. By that logic, this most recent team is the best of them all. Not because of some stat, or some number of losses, or being undefeated (which may well just be a measure of the competition), but because they came together as an incredibly tight lineup after the Tennessee game and stomped everyone in their path. They were the best team even though there were better post players on previous teams, or better managers, or assistant coaches, etc. This team could take a punch (so to speak) and then hit back harder than anyone could expect.

I felt more satisfaction watching this team march through March and April than I have with any other team.

 

[Alydar]

I felt more satisfaction watching this team march through March and April than I have with any other team.

Perfect.

With three starters playing in their first UConn games, November and December didn't discourage those fans who saw the immense level of talent and the hard work. The level they reached exceeded my expectations.

I would say that the 2025 team put on a show for the ages in the NCAA's. As good or better than any other ever.

 

[YKCornelius]

I’m with you, @YKCornelius but you’re changing the rules mid contest. By that logic, this most recent team is the best of them all. Not because of some stat, or some number of losses, or being undefeated (which may well just be a measure of the competition), but because they came together as an incredibly tight lineup after the Tennessee game and stomped everyone in their path. They were the best team even though there were better post players on previous teams, or better managers, or assistant coaches, etc. This team could take a punch (so to speak) and then hit back harder than anyone could expect.

I felt more satisfaction watching this team march through March and April than I have with any other team.

BD, I'm not "changing the rules" at all, just commenting on your comment favoring 2000-01 as the "Best Team Ever", and adding in a quote from GA made during that season acknowledging the team's talent.

What "logic" do you think I am presenting, and how does anything I said connect with this past year's team?

The Best UConn Team Ever discussion should be - in my opinion - constrained to the teams that went undefeated and won National Championships.

I must say your statement that "being undefeated may well just be a measure of competition" is simply baffling. The program has had three undefeated seasons where every victory was by double digits. As far as competition, in one of those seasons (2013-14) the Huskies defeated fifteen ranked opponents (eight being in the Top Ten) while in the other two (2015-16 and 2008-09), they defeated thirteen (five in the Top Ten) and eleven ranked opponents (six in the Top Ten) respectively.

In 2009-10 the Huskies also went undefeated beating all opponents by double digits save Stanford in the NC game. That team defeated seventeen ranked opponents, ten of which were in the Top Ten. The 2001-02 undefeated team beat twelve ranked opponents (six in Top Ten) and the first undefeated UConn team (1994-95) beat seven ranked teams (four in Top Ten).

The Most Talented UConn Team Ever is a separate debate, and one that is not constrained to National Champions IMO.

All this being said, we are of like minds regarding your last sentence! A gloriously satisfying season in all regards!

 

[Bone Dog]

I must say your statement that "being undefeated may well just be a measure of competition" is simply baffling. The program has had three undefeated seasons where every victory was by double digits.

It can’t really be baffling, can it? It’s a perfectly reasonable question. What’s more, the evidence you offer to the contrary is less than compelling, as you must surely realize. The double digit victories precisely suggest that the games weren’t all that competitive. And the appeal to rankings is surely not best evidence if we suspect that parity in D1 is greater now than it used to be. All that remains is to appeal to the sort of evidence you’ve ruled out of court, namely an assessment of talent.

Of course, I agree with you that these were all great teams… even if you have a special definition of ‘greatest.’ And what could be more pleasant than arguing about greatests? Especially if it allows us to engage in lots of hairsplitting!

 

[FanSince17]

Thanks for the discussion! Best UConn team ever.
Lots of variables, many of which are intangible. (I’m a MS Science teacher and I stayed at a Holiday Inn)
I agree that team record can be misleading. It depends on competition, of course, which also has a million variables.
If you have to be unbeaten, then it’s assumed that the team has to hit the ground running in September and October. Isn’t the key mark to be great the first week of April. (last year case in point)
If it’s about talent, how is that measured? If talent is the key, the NBA All-Star game would be at least watchable. Or the Yankees would win every year. (Exaggeration of course)
If it was only about talent and record, I contend that Geno would have gotten bored with it all years ago. (2016?)
Analogy alert: the perfect pot of chili or beef stew or clam chowder (NE). Perfect mix of perfect ingredients with perfect equipment over perfect heat. 2024-2025! Can’t wait to see if it can be topped this year!