Fudd reinjured her knee, she hasn't been out 10 weeks straight. Both will have been in rehab and conditioning for weeks before they start playing again. Azzi was back in game shape in mid-January- while she will have to build up her stamina again, Caroline has been practicing with limited contact for weeks now, meaning she is probably pretty close to game shape since her injury isn't leg based.
80 some points is horrible?
You could say the same for Stanford though. Betts, Demetre, and Emma-Nnopu are all playing at much higher level than they were earlier in the year. Even Jump has improved her game significantly.
Yes which is scary. They shot horribly
I don't think UCONN would make it. I honestly think SC played the worse game they have played all season and still won. I think that is a scary thought. And although the score says 4 point difference that game was really in hand at the 2 min mark. As composed I think 10 teams have a shot to beat Uconn. I only see one team giving SC a shot and that is Stanford.
One of the great things of this board is that posters are entitled to their opinion even why it is wrong
. I obviously disagree with you as I think even though UConn tired at the end they still showed they belonged in that game and could have won it with a couple breaks. Instead of dropping a dislike I'll just disagree.
the only thing Betts’s game has in common right now with Cardoso is that they’re both 6’7 .
I'm hoping for a rematch in Greenville region finals, but I'd take the title game too. Means we don't have to play Stanford or LSU.
The fact Betts hasn't gotten much playing time has short changed many from having a chance to see what she's capable of. There's a reason why she was a starter for USA's U19 squad in 2021 over several incoming freshman bigs, including DeBerry. Betts may be able to do more against Cardoso than some may assume.
Hopefully Geno would keep his composure better, because if he didn't like the way that game was called inside, he sure isn't going to like the way it's officiated on a neutral court.One of the great things of this board is that posters are entitled to their opinion even why it is wrong
In the early rounds of the NCAA tourney last season S.C. was beating their opponents to a literal pulp. NC was the only team to give them a quasi test, including Uconn in the final tbh. The Uconn game was over after the first qtr.
I don't think SC played horribly, although I think we have played better. What I do think though is that the UConn game really helped SC tighten up their defense playing against 2 talented bigs before we played LSU. There were some noticeable adjustments during the LSU game. That's why Dawn likes to play great teams. You don't really learn much playing horrible teams. I know some don't give Dawn a whole lot of credit for being a great in game coach, but I think she's really become one of the best.
UConn didn't even have their best player or their 6th best player in the game. To think "lucky bounces" outweighs Fudd and CD returning is absurd.
Betts is effective at her height, and has some skills. But imo she is way less athletic than Cardoso. I’m not saying Betts is a stiff, not the case, but a big difference in agility and athleticism imho.
If I’m not mistaken, SC has the #1 3 point shooting % defense in the nation. It does not matter who they play, this late in the season the stats don’t lie.
UConn also shooting less than 30% from three in February. Doesn’t matter who they play, this short handed the stats don’t lie.
I don’t think we are disagreeing. I may not have expressed my initial reservation about Stanford clearly enough.
Man I swear I remember seeing one or two early tourney games where SC was just throwing up bricks in the first half. I remember thinking that I couldn’t see how they could beat Stanford playing like that. I even commented in the chat about it.
Well done mate. Well done
That's my take too, but some folks don't believe me. I'm not selling out, I'm just a realist calling it as I see it. There was a time when other schools DID NOT want to be in UConn's bracket for the tournament because they knew there was no way they could make it out of the regional bracket to the final four. Now it's South Carolina's bracket they don't want to be in. IMHO, this championship is South Carolina's to lose. They're BIG, deep, experienced, and very confident. Next year (when we have ALL of our players back healthy), it will be our turn once again to be the elephant in the room.
Can contend with? Unquestionably. I don't think any reasonable person can dispute that.