Shea on UConn

[oldude]

I watched some of the Vandy-Bama game as well as some of the LSU-TN game yesterday. The conventional wisdom on the BY has been that UConn would be better off facing Vandy in the Elite 8 than LSU.

After watching a really sloppy LSU/TN game and yet another systematic masterpiece by Shea’s Commodores, I have changed my position. I now believe that LSU would collapse under UConn’s pressure defense. At the same time, Vandy looks more formidable every time I watch them, to the point that they are absolutely capable of upsetting UCLA should they meet.

UConn may well run into Shea and Vandy in the NCAA tournament. I would just as soon see that matchup between teacher and pupil in the national championship.

 

[Vancat]

I would rather we don't run into them at all. Shea knows the magic pixie dust recipe.

 

[meyers7]

No, not really. It's a remake of The Emperor Has No Clothes. Sad really. For all the slings and arrows cast our way, the Vols deserve better.

No, no they don't. They deserve much, much worse.

Posts like this make me sick to my stomach. And I got a big freaking stomach.

 

[BBallF]

I think people may be a little too quick to give up on Kim Caldwell. I don’t care for Tenn. but I’m thinking she is a good coach but doesn’t have the right players yet. She is relying on a lot of portal players that imo have not (and may never) bought into her system. I think when she gets more of her own recruits (she is getting #2 Oliviyah Edwards next year) and is a tad more thoughtful in her portal choices, she may still have the chops to bring that program back to, if not the gory days of Pat Summit, at least to a level where they are competitive in the SEC! She’s got a tough row to hoe with Dawn, Kim, Vic, and Shea as her competition but I wouldn’t give up on her yet! First, she needs to get competitive with Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, then maybe she can start thinking about the big dogs.

She doesn't have her own team yet. It used to be a 3-4 year process but now with the transfer portal and $ the game has changed. She wants to run a full court pressing line substitution type of game and you need a lot of deep talent for that. Her principal defect on the offensive end this year has been the absence an AA caliber scorer from the perimeter and an inside consistent scorer.

 

[Woof]

Blue chip kids don't come to UConn because of UConn. They come to play for Geno and to play in his
program. When Geno retires it won't be his program any more, and all the banners hanging from the rafters
will be Geno's banners, not the new coach's.

We have an existence proof that you are wrong. It is called the Duke men's team. Cooper Flagg said he wanted to play for Duke for as long as he could remember. We are the Duke of the women's game.

 

[BobbyJ]

We have an existence proof that you are wrong. It is called the Duke men's team. Cooper Flagg said he wanted to play for Duke for as long as he could remember. We are the Duke of the women's game.

How does one kid wanting to play at Duke apply to all kids wanting to play at UConn and not for Auriemma? That makes no sense. And with only 5 NCs, I would say Duke wants to be the UConn of the men’s game, not the other way around.

 

[YSRFrisbee]

I just finished watching this ENTIRE video and my love and respect for Shea is 100 fold. When Geno and CD finally retire, a new era will begin and we as UCONN fans will need to understand that what happened during their time will never be replicated in WBB history. So my hope is that we get a coach that values people over winning and we'd be so fortunate to get someone like Shea. The program and future would be in great hands with someone like her!

How Vanderbilt became a Top-5 Team

 

[Skeets]

We have an existence proof that you are wrong. It is called the Duke men's team. Cooper Flagg said he wanted to play for Duke for as long as he could remember. We are the Duke of the women's game.

It's probably:

1. the head coach and his staff
2. The name "UConn" being synonymous with national champion ships
3. the vibrant atmosphere of Storrs which undoubtably attracts the best international players 😊

 

[huskyd]

Morgan Valley's record as a head coach (University of Hartford) was 4-37. Looking at it from the outside, I sense that her comfort level and skillset fits well at the assistant coach level but probably not above that.

There will be many high level candidates who will throw their hats in the ring when the UConn job opens up, and I don't think that the powers that be at UConn should feel limited to only those with a UConn connection.

Find an obscure Italian high school boys coach: that's the recipe.

 

[drweo]

Wow....

 

[broooce]

The sky is falling, oh no!

Geno is here for a few more years at least. He'll keep recruiting as well as he has but we all know the landscape has changed: there are many more competitive programs with terrific coaches since his first NC. Girls' sports have grown exponentially so there are far more talented ball players than ever. NIL is changing the fundamentals of recruiting, giving an edge to the colleges with the most money. An in this "Amazon" generation (the company, not the mythical women's warrior society) of instant gratification many recruited players really don't want to sit on the bench at all and want to play as freshmen.

The exceptions are those who see UConn as their best way to build and enhance their skill set so that they have a better chance to become a professional player, and that this is more important criteria. UConn's coaching staff's results speak for themselves. Still in the end UConn is not for everyone and this will never change.

Let's not forget that the success of the UConn men's team and its five NC's are across three different coaches in 25 years. Another example is Alabama or Ohio State football - both have had great coaches and when they retired (e.g. Bear Bryant or Woody Hayes) they had a few seasons in the wilderness but the universities have had the wherewithal to hire the right coaches and continue to invest in their programs where they got back to the mountaintop with coaches like Nick Saban, Urban Meyer and Ryan Day. They all had to follow is such big footsteps.

Fully agree that we're the beneficiaries of an era that will likely never be replicated - like John Wooden's accomplishments at UCLA. But money talks (contracts, endorsements, etc.), investments in great facilities and rabid fan bases count for something. And that will attract top candidates and I'm sure a coach like Shea Ralph will at least listen and seriously consider such an opportunity if and when it presents itself. UConn's administration has to do its part with "making her an offer that she can't refuse" to lure her, and if not Shea then another top coach who will relish the challenge. Shea is doing great at Vandy and despite her success the fan base just isn't there yet (they're averaging less than 4000 per game at Memorial Arena, high of 9000+ for Florida game). If attendance doesn't grow, then this could be a key factor to lure Shea back to CT, IMO (UConn is 3rd in average home attendance after South Carolina and Iowa).

Today's elementary and middle school girls will continue to grow up and want to play at UConn just like Cooper Flagg always wanted to play at Duke. Flagg's not playing for Mike Krzyzewski but I'm sure his love for Duke originated with that coach. Our rosters have been filled with players who dreamed of playing at UConn and other colleges have women who similarly dreamed of that but weren't recruited by us.

I'm very confident that UConn WBB will survive just fine. Please enjoy the years we have with Geno and we'll all deal with change when it happens.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

No, no they don't. They deserve much, much worse.

Posts like this make me sick to my stomach. And I got a big freaking stomach.

Against my better judgment I am going to explicate my opinion that makes you so sick. Believe me, I have lived threw all the Tennessee fan spew directed at Geno and anything and everything UConn. I love when they do poorly and I love when we lick 'um. Why our team went down there and lost last year was beyond me. Was that loss what really woke them up?

But laying aside the twisted nature of their vitriol and just looking at them from outside the walls of our rivalry, it could be said that their lack of true sportsmanship has been repaid by a karma so dark as to defy belief. They've had payback in spades.

Now, of course karma has nothing to do with it. Tennessees ADs have had everything to do with it. From the one who supposedly honored Summit's request to have the bag of cliches Holly Warlick succeed her and keep her far too long, to the one or two who decided unproven coaches were the way to go in reviving one of the greatest programs ever. Tennessee rolls in money but chose to get all cheap on the womens' basketball program. Much as I dislike the antics of a number of those red necks, I do think the fans deserve considerably more from the Athletic Department.

Besides, I really revile Dawn Staley and don't like her having a free ride in the SEC. Yeah, we have Vic Shaefer to try to worry her and the Gold Lamme jacket ....

 

[Bone Dog]

Let's give it a rest. There's a lot more to talk about with Shea than who will succeed Geno. In the worst case scenario, that UConn flounders for a few years, we can always watch a lot more Vandy games... because Shea. She's building something great in Nashville. More power to her. She deserves celebrating, and I for one will enjoy watching her teams for years to come.

But I doubt very much that UConn will flounder. It's more than just one guy. It's an entire culture, and whoever succeeds will have to figure out how to sustain that culture.

 

[Woof]

How does one kid wanting to play at Duke apply to all kids wanting to play at UConn and not for Auriemma? That makes no sense. And with only 5 NCs, I would say Duke wants to be the UConn of the men’s game, not the other way around.

It is only one example and I never implied that he, alone, was the only example. There have been many. The Boozer twins are the latest example. Duke's recruiting never misfired after coach K left.

Shea will be able to recruit even better at UConn. This desire to think that the program you root for, sucks, and no one will want this job nor will any kid want to play here is insane. We have had major success with both the men and women. We have had THREE coaches win championships on the men's side. Hurley turned down the Lakers. To think that there is nothing special about UConn versus Vandy is crazy.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

I suspect that some UConn fans, intoxicated with Geno's success, may have some serious sobering up to do
when the man finally decides to hang it up.

I'm not suggesting that a post-Geno UConn will necessarily sink to the irrelevance of a post-Barmore LaTech.
I'm guessing it may be more like a post-Summit Tennessee or a post-Wooden UCLA.

 

[Majic Hands]

I just hope I’m still alive when Geno & Chris D retires.

I have no expectation for the program to continue as it has under the current coaching staff. It will be different. Seriously doubt it will be what it is now or has been. If that was possible it would be happening in other universities already.

Shea is a part of the UConn WBB dynasty as a player and coach. That’s history. Job well done!

She is now the head coach for a big institution with awesome facilities. In one of the strongest leagues in the ncaa Wbb. Don’t think anyone in a Vandy forum is crying because they are is such a week conference. Just- Say-N

I think her team has improved substantially every year that she’s been there. Is this the first year that all her players are her recruits? Or was that last year?

Let’s see how competitive they are over the next few years. The more competitive they become the more choices Shea will have in offering scholarships.

Will we get to see the students team challenge the teachers team for championships? Fun to think about. Two teams fighting it out and I’m happy with whoever wins 😎👍

 

[CL82]

I would be hard pressed to describe Storrs, CT as the middle of nowhere. There are approximately 600,000 people living within a 25 mile radius of Storrs.

And about 27 million who live within 125 mile radius.

 

[Next 12]

And about 27 million who live within 125 mile radius.
View attachment 117642

Well done and thanks for the work put in to obtain the information. NO QUESTION about it, Uconn is the CAPITAL of women's basketball, FOREVER!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!

 

[FanSince17]

I suspect that some UConn fans, intoxicated with Geno's success, may have some serious sobering up to do
when the man finally decides to hang it up.

I'm not suggesting that a post-Geno UConn will necessarily sink to the irrelevance of a post-Barmore LaTech.
I'm guessing it may be more like a post-Summit Tennessee or a post-Wooden UCLA.

The model is post-Coach K / Jon Scheyer. Keep it in the family. They're the ones that know what it all means. They've lived it.

 

[uconnfan68]

The sky is falling, oh no!

Geno is here for a few more years at least. He'll keep recruiting as well as he has but we all know the landscape has changed: there are many more competitive programs with terrific coaches since his first NC. Girls' sports have grown exponentially so there are far more talented ball players than ever. NIL is changing the fundamentals of recruiting, giving an edge to the colleges with the most money. An in this "Amazon" generation (the company, not the mythical women's warrior society) of instant gratification many recruited players really don't want to sit on the bench at all and want to play as freshmen.

The exceptions are those who see UConn as their best way to build and enhance their skill set so that they have a better chance to become a professional player, and that this is more important criteria. UConn's coaching staff's results speak for themselves. Still in the end UConn is not for everyone and this will never change.

Let's not forget that the success of the UConn men's team and its five NC's are across three different coaches in 25 years. Another example is Alabama or Ohio State football - both have had great coaches and when they retired (e.g. Bear Bryant or Woody Hayes) they had a few seasons in the wilderness but the universities have had the wherewithal to hire the right coaches and continue to invest in their programs where they got back to the mountaintop with coaches like Nick Saban, Urban Meyer and Ryan Day. They all had to follow is such big footsteps.

Fully agree that we're the beneficiaries of an era that will likely never be replicated - like John Wooden's accomplishments at UCLA. But money talks (contracts, endorsements, etc.), investments in great facilities and rabid fan bases count for something. And that will attract top candidates and I'm sure a coach like Shea Ralph will at least listen and seriously consider such an opportunity if and when it presents itself. UConn's administration has to do its part with "making her an offer that she can't refuse" to lure her, and if not Shea then another top coach who will relish the challenge. Shea is doing great at Vandy and despite her success the fan base just isn't there yet (they're averaging less than 4000 per game at Memorial Arena, high of 9000+ for Florida game). If attendance doesn't grow, then this could be a key factor to lure Shea back to CT, IMO (UConn is 3rd in average home attendance after South Carolina and Iowa).

Today's elementary and middle school girls will continue to grow up and want to play at UConn just like Cooper Flagg always wanted to play at Duke. Flagg's not playing for Mike Krzyzewski but I'm sure his love for Duke originated with that coach. Our rosters have been filled with players who dreamed of playing at UConn and other colleges have women who similarly dreamed of that but weren't recruited by us.

I'm very confident that UConn WBB will survive just fine. Please enjoy the years we have with Geno and we'll all deal with change when it happens.

6 in 26 sounds better.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

The model is post-Coach K / Jon Scheyer. Keep it in the family. They're the ones that know what it all means. They've lived it.

The model worked well for the Duke men. Alas, it worked less well for the Tennessee women.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Eric- there are some serious concerns about your comments that I don’t think your doing to be a naysayer but here are my counter arguments:
1. Shea has not lived in NC since 1998.
2. Last I had heard, her mother moved to be near her and her grand-daughter.
3. Her husband is from Warwick RI with his family still there.
4. Yes, Vandy has aspirations to be an elite program BUT UConn IS AN ELITE program
5. Fear of failing is not something Shea has ever been worried or concerned about

To me, she is the only option as a potential successor (apologies to Carla, Jamelle or anyone else) but I am not the one making any decisions. It certainly would make me want to Continue to be an active ticket holder and donator to the program if it was Shea.

You don't leave Coaching a program that is in a Power 2 conference to go to a team that is (currently) in the Big East. Now if UConn somehow manages to earn an invite to the ACC or B12 before Geno retires................... well now that is a different story. Even that would still be a long shot.

 

[Gael]

A Shea multi-hypothetical:

Geno retires after winning the NC this season. Shea takes the UConn job and brings Blakes (a junior) and Galvan (a soph) with her. These two players, in addition to UConn's returnees and incoming frosh, propel Shea's UConn team to NCs in 2027 and 2028.

This gives Shea a historically unmatched, supernova beginning as the replacement coach for a legend, propelling herself into instant legend status and preserving all the momentum of UConn as the best program in the galaxy.

 

[Skeets]

A Shea multi-hypothetical:

Geno retires after winning the NC this season. Shea takes the UConn job and brings Blakes (a junior) and Galvan (a soph) with her. These two players, in addition to UConn's returnees and incoming frosh, propel Shea's UConn team to NCs in 2027 and 2028.

This gives Shea a historically unmatched, supernova beginning as the replacement coach for a legend, propelling herself into instant legend status and preserving all the momentum of UConn as the best program in the galaxy.

Well, I like that. Just 1 problem, I don't think Geno is retiring any time soon. Other than that, it's fun to dream.

 

[Bald Husky]

I think people may be a little too quick to give up on Kim Caldwell. I don’t care for Tenn. but I’m thinking she is a good coach but doesn’t have the right players yet. She is relying on a lot of portal players that imo have not (and may never) bought into her system. I think when she gets more of her own recruits (she is getting #2 Oliviyah Edwards next year) and is a tad more thoughtful in her portal choices, she may still have the chops to bring that program back to, if not the gory days of Pat Summit, at least to a level where they are competitive in the SEC! She’s got a tough row to hoe with Dawn, Kim, Vic, and Shea as her competition but I wouldn’t give up on her yet! First, she needs to get competitive with Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, then maybe she can start thinking about the big dogs.

I believe only 3 or 4 players are not hers. The rest she recruited from high school or taken from the portal, so if the players don't fit her system than the fault lies with her. Her system does not work against the top teams, does not work with good players, but will work against teams with average or below average players. Very good players will not go there to play a system where the best players play less than 25 minutes. She has to change or she will be gone.