So much hand-wringing!

[HuskyNan]

I don’t usually like to write (or read) marathon posts but please bear with me while I venture into @Tonyc ’s territory for a minute

Sometimes fans here get into a kind of downwards spiral of doubt. South Carolina signed terrific players from the portal – and good for them – but that doesn’t mean the Huskies are doomed. More about South Carolina later.

I would just like to remind everyone that in 2023, Geno took a team of 7 players – one point guard, two shooting guards (one, Lou, basically playing on one leg), and four forwards to the Elite 8, where a lack of experienced ball-handlers combined with a non-existent bench and a season’s worth of mental fatigue finally caught up to them.

In 2024, Geno took another injury-plagued team that lost Azzi, Aubrey, and Caroline during the season to the Final Four. He ended up playing primarily four freshmen (Ice, KK, Ash, Q), junior Paige, and seniors Aaliyah and Nika. Amari and Ines played mostly in end of game situations. Only 6 played in the Final Four game – KK, Ash, Ice, Paige, Aaliyah, and Nika. It was a 2 point loss to Caitlyn Clark & Co.

I dunno, seems like this guy Geno knows what he’s doing.

Regarding the South Carolina game that seems to be distressing to many people; Dawn went into the game with the often-used strategy of fouling UConn on every offensive possession, daring the refs to call them all. It’s not a new strategy or a dirty one but it is the reason Geno went ballistic during and at the end of the game. (I still maintain his motives were right, the timing was wrong). UCLA was the beneficiary of his outburst because in a fairly called game, UCLA was shown to be the better team. I think if the UConn-So Carolina game was called the same way, the outcome would have been different but, obviously, we’ll never know.

Anywho, UConn’s loss to So Carolina didn’t prove anything except that Dawn is a knowledgeable and experienced coach that tried a strategy that paid off. It said nothing about South Carolina’s superiority as a team over UConn. Let’s compare the teams.

Seems to me both teams have some outstanding, known talents and several promising young players. Both are essentially new teams that Geno and Dawn will have to work to mold into cohesive squads. I totally respect South Carolina but I don’t fear them. We have Sarah and Geno and they don’t.

 

[visitingcock]

I don’t usually like to write (or read) marathon posts but please bear with me while I venture into @Tonyc ’s territory for a minute

Sometimes fans here get into a kind of downwards spiral of doubt. South Carolina signed terrific players from the portal – and good for them – but that doesn’t mean the Huskies are doomed. More about South Carolina later.

I would just like to remind everyone that in 2023, Geno took a team of 7 players – one point guard, two shooting guards (one, Lou, basically playing on one leg), and four forwards to the Elite 8, where a lack of experienced ball-handlers combined with a non-existent bench and a season’s worth of mental fatigue finally caught up to them.

In 2024, Geno took another injury-plagued team that lost Azzi, Aubrey, and Caroline during the season to the Final Four. He ended up playing primarily four freshmen (Ice, KK, Ash, Q), junior Paige, and seniors Aaliyah and Nika. Amari and Ines played mostly in end of game situations. Only 6 played in the Final Four game – KK, Ash, Ice, Paige, Aaliyah, and Nika. It was a 2 point loss to Caitlyn Clark & Co.

I dunno, seems like this guy Geno knows what he’s doing.

Regarding the South Carolina game that seems to be distressing to many people; Dawn went into the game with the often-used strategy of fouling UConn on every offensive possession, daring the refs to call them all. It’s not a new strategy or a dirty one but it is the reason Geno went ballistic during and at the end of the game. (I still maintain his motives were right, the timing was wrong). UCLA was the beneficiary of his outburst because in a fairly called game, UCLA was shown to be the better team. I think if the UConn-So Carolina game was called the same way, the outcome would have been different but, obviously, we’ll never know.

Anywho, UConn’s loss to So Carolina didn’t prove anything except that Dawn is a knowledgeable and experienced coach that tried a strategy that paid off. It said nothing about South Carolina’s superiority as a team over UConn. Let’s compare the teams.

View attachment 119960

Seems to me both teams have some outstanding and known talents and several promising young players. Both are essentially new teams that both Geno and Dawn will have to work to mold into cohesive squads. I totally respect South Carolina but I don’t fear them. We have Sarah and Geno and they don’t.

In many posts on this and the General Board, I think many UConn and other posters are selling UConn short on the talent level. I think UConn is the equal to USC and U$C in terms of talent.

We might have an advantage in terms of athleticism . Y’all might have the edge in skill. Both have excellent coaches. It is likely that both will return to the Final Four and, if we meet, the outcome may be determined on factors that may be different from our first meeting this year.

 

[Centerstream]

I for one goes ballistic whenever I read posts from fans that I think you are responding to. Heck, one was afraid that the game was going to leave Geno behind, mainly due to UConn not getting anyone from the portal this offseason. We are one year removed from a National Championship and have what, been to the Final Four 16 out of the last 17?
So thank you @HuskyNan for keeping us on track of this ride that is the UConn Women's Basketball team!!!! I really, really enjoyed opening the Boneyard today and reading your post!!! ❤️

 

[BobbyJ]

I don’t usually like to write (or read) marathon posts but please bear with me while I venture into @Tonyc ’s territory for a minute

Sometimes fans here get into a kind of downwards spiral of doubt. South Carolina signed terrific players from the portal – and good for them – but that doesn’t mean the Huskies are doomed. More about South Carolina later.

I would just like to remind everyone that in 2023, Geno took a team of 7 players – one point guard, two shooting guards (one, Lou, basically playing on one leg), and four forwards to the Elite 8, where a lack of experienced ball-handlers combined with a non-existent bench and a season’s worth of mental fatigue finally caught up to them.

In 2024, Geno took another injury-plagued team that lost Azzi, Aubrey, and Caroline during the season to the Final Four. He ended up playing primarily four freshmen (Ice, KK, Ash, Q), junior Paige, and seniors Aaliyah and Nika. Amari and Ines played mostly in end of game situations. Only 6 played in the Final Four game – KK, Ash, Ice, Paige, Aaliyah, and Nika. It was a 2 point loss to Caitlyn Clark & Co.

I dunno, seems like this guy Geno knows what he’s doing.

Regarding the South Carolina game that seems to be distressing to many people; Dawn went into the game with the often-used strategy of fouling UConn on every offensive possession, daring the refs to call them all. It’s not a new strategy or a dirty one but it is the reason Geno went ballistic during and at the end of the game. (I still maintain his motives were right, the timing was wrong). UCLA was the beneficiary of his outburst because in a fairly called game, UCLA was shown to be the better team. I think if the UConn-So Carolina game was called the same way, the outcome would have been different but, obviously, we’ll never know.

Anywho, UConn’s loss to So Carolina didn’t prove anything except that Dawn is a knowledgeable and experienced coach that tried a strategy that paid off. It said nothing about South Carolina’s superiority as a team over UConn. Let’s compare the teams.

View attachment 119960

Seems to me both teams have some outstanding and known talents and several promising young players. Both are essentially new teams that both Geno and Dawn will have to work to mold into cohesive squads. I totally respect South Carolina but I don’t fear them. We have Sarah and Geno and they don’t.

Pretty much all of your points are correct and as is usually the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. However, you didn't come close to entering Tonyc territory. Any day he'll be back to tell everyone that the NCAA should just call off the 26-27 season because UConn will be unbeatable again. Until they're not. 😉

 

[Bone Dog]

In many posts on this and the General Board, I think many UConn and other posters are selling UConn short on the talent level. I think UConn is the equal to USC and U$C in terms of talent.

We might have an advantage in terms of athleticism . Y’all might have the edge in skill. Both have excellent coaches. It is likely that both will return to the Final Four and, if we meet, the outcome may be determined on factors that may be different from our first meeting this year.

I appreciate your post and largely agree. However, I continue to think (and say) that 'athleticism' is an incoherent term to use to describe top level basketball. Last season, SC was not quicker or stronger than UConn as a team -- those are the usual things folks people think of as athleticism. What SC was in that game was more focused -- and mental focus is often overlooked as a form of athleticism. Exactly how SC was able to disrupt UConn's focus is a separate discussion. In the previous season, UConn only won it all because of excellent mental focus.

 

[cferraro04]

One thing jumps out at me in your comparison. South Carolina is big and long. 13 players 6'0 or over. to UConn's 7 players.

South Carolina: 6'7", 6'5", 6'3", 6'3", 6'3", 6'3", 6'2", 6'2". 6'1", 6'1", 6'0", 6'0", 6'0"
UConn: 6'5", 6'5", 6'4", 6'2", 6'2", 6'2", 6'0"

 

[HuskyNan]

One thing jumps out at me in your comparison. South Carolina is big and long. 13 players 6'0 or over. to UConn's 7 players.

South Carolina: 6'7", 6'5", 6'3", 6'3", 6'3", 6'3", 6'2", 6'2". 6'1", 6'1", 6'0", 6'0", 6'0"
UConn: 6'5", 6'5", 6'4", 6'2", 6'2", 6'2", 6'0"

Fortunately, teams can only have 5 players on the court at one time. And my money is on 6-2 Sarah or 6-2 Blanca over any big girl.

Also, their 6-7 player is long but very lean. Jana, Gandy, or Olivia could probably body her up effectively

 

[Centerstream]

I appreciate your post and largely agree. However, I continue to think (and say) that 'athleticism' is an incoherent term to use to describe top level basketball. Last season, SC was not quicker or stronger than UConn as a team -- those are the usual things folks people think of as athleticism. What SC was in that game was more focused -- and mental focus is often overlooked as a form of athleticism. Exactly how SC was able to disrupt UConn's focus is a separate discussion. In the previous season, UConn only won it all because of excellent mental focus.

I believe Nan's reasoning on what happened to UConn against SoCar in the Final Four.

 

[Zonepress]

very happy that you posted this
How anyone could be concerned about the level of talent on
26-27 team is beyond puzzling
You have the national player of the year, the potentially number one WNBA draft choice for 2029
Two guards who have been four years starters and played on a national championship team
By at least one publication the national high school player of the year
And two other players who were rotational players
the team will be one of the favorites to win the championship
next year and imho could be a more balanced and potentially better team than this past year
Completely agree with you regarding how the game was officiated what would also point out that the tactics that South Carolina used were definitely more effective against the type of offense that uconn runs that based on ball movement and screening
All that being said, the team had the lead at halftime and a real chance to win the game in the fourth quarter

 

[#1Genofan]

I just saw a video with the headline how South Caroline "has the NCAA title 'sowed up.'" I'm glad to hand this title over to them, as I do feel it added pressure to UConn this year to hear people say they were a lock to win the title. Let South Carolina have that next year and UConn can simply go about getting better week to week and getting ready for whatever might happen in the tournament.

 

[huskeynut]

It gets depressing at time reading some of the posts. Some of these posts I no longer read.

I attribute these posts to those who have a different vision, first as a reaction to the semi loss, and as to what UConn should look like and how they should play. I get it, this a forum and posters have their opinions and express them. I also find it interesting that many posts completely ignore Olivia and Jovanna. Olivia is legit center. Notice I didn't say post. From the vids of Jovanna, she is going to be a contributor.

Just a reminder, Geno has 12 national championships. Nobody else is close!

Yea, we lost in there semis to SC. Probably the worst game of the season. SC's defense had a lot to do with it. UConn players were "mugged" continually by SC. The refs swallowed their whistles. It happens.

Geno didn't take anyone from the portal. I'm fine with that. Geno is very selective on who he recruits and that includes those in the portal. It's more than just basketball talent he considered. UConn still has a lot of talent to make a run to the final four.

 

[Bone Dog]

I believe Nan's reasoning on what happened to UConn against SoCar in the Final Four.

I didn't disagree. You missed my point. Nan offered an explanation of why we lost focus -- excessive fouling -- I merely pointed out that mental focus was what we lacked in that game, which is the overlooked aspect of athleticism. I'd also say that lack of focus was beginning to become apparent in several games leading up to the tournament.

 

[VaConnFan11]

If Watkins and Kitts are fully recovered from their injuries, South Carolina will be very difficult to beat.

 

[hoopsfan22]

If Watkins and Kitts are fully recovered from their injuries, South Carolina will be very difficult to beat.

As will USC with three #1 recruits which I don't think we've seen since maybe some UConn teams of the past decade.