Sarah Strong is already the best player in America. What comes next could be bigger

[BRS24]

Gift link

“Sometimes we do forget she's a sophomore,” Auriemma said after UConn’s Final Four loss to South Carolina, a game in which Strong, like most Huskies, struggled offensively, shooting 4-for-16. “She's carried a huge load for this team. An awful lot falls on her. Tonight she'll be the first to tell you that she is not proud of how her game went. A lot of shots that you've seen her make for two years, so easily, didn't go in. She still got her 12 rebounds, did all the things she normally does, and played 40 minutes. I don't think Sarah Strong needs me to put any fire or motivation or anything into her. We'll be back here next year. She'll make sure of that.”​

 

[oldude]

There are two ways to respond to disappointment. You can shrink from the challenge or you can steel yourself to it, working harder than ever to overcome that same challenge the next time you face it.

Paige and Azzi are gone to the W. Next year’s UConn team will be “Sarah’s team.” I expect her to be on a mission from day 1 to redeem her and her team’s performance in this past season’s national semifinal game. It’ll be something to behold.

 

[trisailin]

I expect her to be on a mission from day 1 to redeem her and her team’s performance in this past season’s national semifinal game. It’ll be something to behold.

I'm not sure that is how Sarah works. I think what motivates her is to be the best Sarah Strong she can be every game. What is in the past is in the past - only focus on what is ahead. Only work to be the best you can be. Learn from the past but do not let it affect you. (As an aside, I think you can see from her demeanor on the court that she's not letting the past affect the future.)

 

[oldude]

I'm not sure that is how Sarah works. I think what motivates her is to be the best Sarah Strong she can be every game. What is in the past is in the past - only focus on what is ahead. Only work to be the best you can be. Learn from the past but do not let it affect you. (As an aside, I think you can see from her demeanor on the court that she's not letting the past affect the future.)

I might have agreed with you until I saw the video of her ripping her jersey in frustration during the SC game. That one very “un-Sarah like” act showed me something I had not seen in her before. Beneath her calm exterior is an intense passion that I believe will be channeled into her effort during this offseason, her performance next season and her continued growth as a leader. I’m not suggesting that we’ll see Sarah turn into Paige with her fist pumping, yelling celebrations. But then again, I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out.

 

[uconnfan68]

I might have agreed with you until I saw the video of her ripping her jersey in frustration during the SC game. That one very “un-Sarah like” act showed me something I had not seen in her before. Beneath her calm exterior is an intense passion that I believe will be channeled into her effort during this offseason, her performance next season and her continued growth as a leader. I’m not suggesting that we’ll see Sarah turn into Paige with her fist pumping, yelling celebrations. But then again, I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out.

She definitely became more vocal as the season went on. That will carry over.

 

[BBallF]

I'm not sure that is how Sarah works. I think what motivates her is to be the best Sarah Strong she can be every game. What is in the past is in the past - only focus on what is ahead. Only work to be the best you can be. Learn from the past but do not let it affect you. (As an aside, I think you can see from her demeanor on the court that she's not letting the past affect the future.)

I don't agree. While she does show almost sublime equanimity on the surface, that loss against SC is not an "Oh well, we lost" moment. It will be with her and the rest of the team all summer. You can't be as good as she is, and as dominating in a game as she can be, and not play with your heart.

No one, except perhaps a saint, is not affected by the past and especially past failures. In fact, many of the greatest achievers point to failures as the motivation for their success. I think you are going to see a better Sarah, a pissed off Kayleigh, and a more physical KK, Ash, Blanca and Jana. By more physical I don't mean SC style but simply stronger, faster, more athletic. We don't need to foul to win.