So much hand-wringing!

[Swish It 88]

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.

They didn't make the Elite 8 in 2023. They only won 2 games in the Tournament.

View attachment 119960

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

 

[boontonbomber]

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.

Agree about the focus, and that may have begun with the coaches.

 

[Centerstream]

They didn't make the Elite 8 in 2023. They only won 2 games in the Tournament.

Good pickup but the point that HuskyNan was making about 2023 is still valid.

 

[CL82]

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, 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.

I felt much the same about the the men's lost to Michigan which, in my opinion was a worse officiated game. In the end, Michigan took advantage of the way the game was being called. I can argue about how the game was officiated, but I can't fault either Michigan or South Carolina for using that to their advantage. We will get another bite at the apple soon enough.

 

[Galaxyshooter]

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, 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.

And the church aid said AMEN!!!!...Why are you people panicking? Geno has been here before, and I trust him. Carolina has a lot of talent but so do we but Carolina is really going to miss the heart and soul and glue, or old reliable, in the same way we missed Paige, and that's the departure of Raven Johnson, a true floor general and coach on the floor to run what the coaches demand..she won 2 chips at SC and Dawn kept her over the super athletic and human highlight MiLaysia fulwiley..the coaches know they'er doing and we'er acting like priveledge spoil rottren kids..for a long time Uconn was the hunter chasing the elites (Tennesee, Stanford) maybe it's good to be the hunted for a change to get the competitive fires burning and stop thing everything is automatic because we'er Uconn...a painful loss can be a powerful reminder

 

[uconnever]

we will have a very good year, final four good, and anything can happen, you can only play five players at a time, but our guards are limited defensively. KK is outstanding defensively, but Ash and Ally don't have the required foot speed to get it done. They have high basketball IQ's which will help, but in the end, it's not enough. I love our team and want them to succeed, but to me it's as obvious as it's been in a long time, that we don't have enough on the perimeter. We are rock solid everywhere else. We will have trouble with Jazzy, Makeer and JuJu because if we give help, those teams have players at every position that can hurt us, to me, this has not always been the case in the past. South Carolina and USC are built how we always are, where there aren't any holes. I remeber there being some great teams in years past not named Uconn, but not like these two coming this year. Anything can happen in one game, but it will be very difficult i think because we lack that 2/3 elite defender. I also think that Ash and Ally MAY have a hard time scoring on those teams as well. This im less certain of, it's mostly defense. They get blown by a lot by elite guards because they lack foot speed. Blanca may be able to do it, but she i think is a little too big and can't keep up with a quick guard either. Just what I saw from her this year. 99 percent of the guards she can, but not the best of the best, which is not saying anything bad, she's more of a 3/4, i trust her against anyone at those positions. Jovana doesnt look like she will be able to either from what I've seen. I don't like it, but logically, who guards Jazzy, JuJu, and Saniyah Hall on the perimeter. KK will stop who she's on, but the other two, hopefully they won't all be on the court together. They also have two really good bigs so Sarah and Blanca and the big O will have their hands full and won't be able to help much. Its a problem. I dont like it at all and I hope im wrong, but to me it's obvious that they along with South Carolina will be a cut above the rest.

 

[Dogdude]

As regards to last season's end, you can say what you want about the refs, but the video of Raven leaning all over Sarah was interesting..sure the refs reeked, but what was a larger, stronger Sarah doing letting Raven lean on her and push her around? We got beat because we folded when pushed. We didn't push back.

Leading into this year, both teams are different, and it's way to early to predict. Trying to pick apart individual players to figure who has what advantage based on last season is pointless, there's plenty of room for individual improvement for all members of the team, and if they all improve just a little, it'll be final four worthy again.

 

[Aluminny69]

Bottom Line question is this: Do you consider this season 25-26 successful? Only one loss, but kind of an important loss.

 

[Pharos]

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, 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.

"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."
"often-used strategy" - True enough. With long benches it can be done. With a 5-foul limit it can be done.
"every offensive possession" - Again, true. That's what was infuriating.
"daring the refs" - uh huh. And they won't because "refs shouldn't determine the outcome..."
"not new" - True. "or a dirty one" - well, yes it is. It is dirty. It "games" the rules and enforcement, maybe, but it is seriously disrespectful to the game's spirit.
1) nothing's going to change. 2) Changes that would affect things: a) shorter benches, and b) 4 fouls and you're out.

 

[Steelerone]

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, 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.

i sometimes have to laugh when think of the old adage, "Careful of what you wish for =

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, 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.

i sometime have to laugh when i think of the old adage - Be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it. Years ago people were constantly complaining that not enough schools were prioritizing women's basketball, that Uconn had no competition. Well, guess what, things have changed and for the better.

 

[hoophuskee]

i sometimes have to laugh when think of the old adage, "Careful of what you wish for =

i sometime have to laugh when i think of the old adage - Be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it. Years ago people were constantly complaining that not enough schools were prioritizing women's basketball, that Uconn had no competition. Well, guess what, things have changed and for the better.

62/51/48/44 is "better?"

 

[ctfjr]

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.

patronizing much?

 

[mainerhuski]

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"

You can only play 5 at a time.

 

[mainerhuski]

Bottom Line question is this: Do you consider this season 25-26 successful? Only one loss, but kind of an important loss.

Thinking that ending the season tied as the third best D1 team in the nation is not a successful result is wacko! A bit of perspective may be helpful, and appreciation to the players, coaches and all staff! ❤️ 🐺

 

[uconnfan68]

Sorry, South Carolina simply outplayed UConn. Very difficult to beat a good team when your 2 best players don't show up. I'm still wondering what happened to them.

The refs allowed much more physicality than normal. I watched a bit of SC vs Louisville earlier in year, and SC wasn’t overly physical then.

 

[Cuango]

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, 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.

Well said!

 

[Pharos]

"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."
"often-used strategy" - True enough. With long benches it can be done. With a 5-foul limit it can be done.
"every offensive possession" - Again, true. That's what was infuriating.
"daring the refs" - uh huh. And they won't because "refs shouldn't determine the outcome..."
"not new" - True. "or a dirty one" - well, yes it is. It is dirty. It "games" the rules and enforcement, maybe, but it is seriously disrespectful to the game's spirit.
1) nothing's going to change. 2) Changes that would affect things: a) shorter benches, and b) 4 fouls and you're out.

 

[Zarathustra]

I
IMO nan - it's what I said on an older post on another thread- there are a lot of old timers on here that are more comfortable watching conventional basketball. I can recall in 2024-2025 season many on here suggesting/implying and agree with those that said Jana needs to get the ball and more touches in the low post that year. It's how many of us old timers grew up. So, when the perimeter game struggles there is an eventual point of view to go back with what you grew up with. So, even while Geno had a meltdown in such a manner complaining how bad the officiating was, those that love or believe in big time old school pound it down low basketball, it's something that is extremely hard to shake.

Secondly, you have the crowd that it's title or bust. .Asa result, any loss means something urgent must be done to fix it.

For me, I'm an old timer and I grew up much more of a fan with smaller centers like Willis Reed and Dave Cowens. And both teams played fast pace basketball. So when posters want to slow the game down and play grind-basketball, I'd get bored with it. I became a UCONN women's fan because thankfully Geno doesn't coach that way. Hopefully he won't get pushed into this due to refs officiating influencing very physical play, or someday his eventual successor either. So I defend his style and I see he keeps getting terrific recruiting classes imo because he doesn't back-away from how he wants to coach (and these superstar top recruits usually all want to play in a running game a lot.). As I result, I remain bias in his style and won't watch what I feel was an absolute disgraceful job by the NCAA and the Refs with those 62/51/48/44 scores in which all 4 teams were also terrific offensive teams before the matchups too. How is it possible with so much talent to score so little? I can't remain a basketball fan with that type of putrid offense. Heck, when I was growing up, 3 of the 4 scores weren’t even half-time scores when I watched the NBA. And yet supposedly the women's game is improving? 62/51/48/44 is disgraceful. I just want to reiterate that I'm bias too, therefore I defend Geno a lot because I beleive in his style and its why we get the recruits we do because they want to play for that style. A side note: I Wish we were in a power conference.

I share the bias. (BTW...Who else out there remembers Willis Reed coming onto
the floor and scoring that basket? I remember watching it as if it were
yesterday. Dramatic and Powerful....) GO HUSKIES.

 

[Skeets]

Throwing together a new bunch of players every year is a whole lot different that a team playing together for many years.

Plus, taking the wrong kid out of the portal can wreck the chemistry of the entire team. Geno knows this and he's very careful. Consider that not every kid in the portal is a "good" kid.

 

[Skeets]

Sorry, South Carolina simply outplayed UConn. Very difficult to beat a good team when your 2 best players don't show up. I'm still wondering what happened to them.

Sadly, you are spot on.

 

[browns]

Sorry, South Carolina simply outplayed UConn. Very difficult to beat a good team when your 2 best players don't show up. I'm still wondering what happened to them.

Sarah did not have a good shooting game no doubt but she did have a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.She was not her NPOY self but I wouldn't say she didn't show up..Azzi on the other hand....

 

[GetReal2day]

Plus, taking the wrong kid out of the portal can wreck the chemistry of the entire team. Geno knows this and he's very careful. Consider that not every kid in the portal is a "good" kid.

I wonder if Geno’s outburst turned off some recruits. Will we find out is there were targets that turned UConn down? We certainly lost ground as other teams improved with the portal and signings

 

[Bone Dog]

That's true to a certain extent but as you probably know from your own experience playing, it's very hard to have the right focus when you are getting beat up.

Of course I know that. I had hoped it would be seen to be implicit in my first post on athleticism. And it’s explicit in Nan’s original post which I also nodded to. I was cautious about making that thought even more explicit in my reply merely because I think it’s time to move on from our collective gripes about that game’s officiating.

 

[HuskyNan]

I wonder if Geno’s outburst turned off some recruits. Will we find out is there were targets that turned UConn down? We certainly lost ground as other teams improved with the portal and signings

I think recruits saw a coach that stood up for his team when they were being fouled and not getting the calls

 

[visitingcock]

patronizing much?

No. Honesty.

I wonder if Geno’s outburst turned off some recruits. Will we find out is there were targets that turned UConn down? We certainly lost ground as other teams improved with the portal and signings

i sincerely doubt it. Two primo coaches are old school A+ type personalities that run coach-controlled programs. Both send players to the next level because their players listen to them. Explosions occur from time to time among such coaches. Those who can accept strong coaches will continue to want that coaches. Those that want lesser coaching control will seek other programs,

Portal? I don’t think GENO Saw in that would improve his program/system.

 

[cgshuskie]

Husky Nan got it right about the semi-final game between Uconn and South Carolina. The officiating was
very, very subpar. Dawn instructed her kids to foul Uconn and dared the officials to call all of the fouls. That
tactic is the bottom line. It is an unfair strategy!!!! Enough said? The NCAA should do a better job of instructing
the officials on how to call championship games. What the officials did in the Uconn/S.Carolina game is simply
not fair. Geno's eruption is the least he could have done. I'm glad someone [Husky Nan] had the nerve to come
out and say the truth. I believe that in a properly officiated game Uconn would have had a better chance of winning.
The tournament should be fair!!!!!

 

[cleobel60]

Sarah did not have a good shooting game no doubt but she did have a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.She was not her NPOY self but I wouldn't say she didn't show up..Azzi on the other hand....

Sarah & Azzi showed up, but the rest of the team didn't. The reason is because nobody else could shoot well enough to stop SC from overloading their defense on Sarah and Azzi. SC was very physical and Dawn knew that UCONN had no Paige replacement that could make baskets on a consistent basis. Dawn gambled and won. We had no strong shooting guards. SC defense focused entirely on stopping SS & Azzi. It worked. Next year's team will have even more difficulty because both Paige & Azzi left a void. Allie has potential but lacks foot speed to move quickly and get open shots & is a defensive liability. I am puzzled as to why Ash seems to have lost her shooting touch this year. She is so good otherwise. If she gets her shooting accuracy it would help Blanca, SS, big time. We are so good defensively, but we need good shooters too. Blanca & Sarah can't win by themselves. The 2025 team had it all.

 

[BBallF]

I
IMO nan - it's what I said on an older post on another thread- there are a lot of old timers on here that are more comfortable watching conventional basketball. I can recall in 2024-2025 season many on here suggesting/implying and agree with those that said Jana needs to get the ball and more touches in the low post that year. It's how many of us old timers grew up. So, when the perimeter game struggles there is an eventual point of view to go back with what you grew up with. So, even while Geno had a meltdown in such a manner complaining how bad the officiating was, those that love or believe in big time old school pound it down low basketball, it's something that is extremely hard to shake.

Secondly, you have the crowd that it's title or bust. .Asa result, any loss means something urgent must be done to fix it.

For me, I'm an old timer and I grew up much more of a fan with smaller centers like Willis Reed and Dave Cowens. And both teams played fast pace basketball. So when posters want to slow the game down and play grind-basketball, I'd get bored with it. I became a UCONN women's fan because thankfully Geno doesn't coach that way. Hopefully he won't get pushed into this due to refs officiating influencing very physical play, or someday his eventual successor either. So I defend his style and I see he keeps getting terrific recruiting classes imo because he doesn't back-away from how he wants to coach (and these superstar top recruits usually all want to play in a running game a lot.). As I result, I remain bias in his style and won't watch what I feel was an absolute disgraceful job by the NCAA and the Refs with those 62/51/48/44 scores in which all 4 teams were also terrific offensive teams before the matchups too. How is it possible with so much talent to score so little? I can't remain a basketball fan with that type of putrid offense. Heck, when I was growing up, 3 of the 4 scores weren’t even half-time scores when I watched the NBA. And yet supposedly the women's game is improving? 62/51/48/44 is disgraceful. I just want to reiterate that I'm bias too, therefore I defend Geno a lot because I beleive in his style and its why we get the recruits we do because they want to play for that style. A side note: I Wish we were in a power conference.

Wonderful post. I would add this though- I think with our OOC schedule this year with all these games away, you will be getting the benefit of a power conference. The BE games and tourney will actually be a welcome respite. Also, with only 12 players, those kinds of games will be necessary. I think we are going to be a very gritty and focused team on a mission. I like to think this will be 2002 all over again in terms of attitude. Geno said that when practice began that season everyone had that "I'm ready to take it back right now" look on their faces.

 

[BBallF]

Very good analysis--I agree with your key points.... Yes, Dawn as usual, did goad the refs into allowing grabbing, pushing and arm-barring. As you said, not illegal but ... But even with that, UConn has no one to blame but itself, Azzi inexplicably and continuously missed wide open shots and so did Sarah. To be fair to Azzi and Sarah however, I guess I shouldn't expect them to be highly proficient in MMA. when their desired sport is WBB...

Our loss was not due to lockdown defense--we simply just had an off-night, a very off night. I didn't see any of SC's lockdown defense against UCLA...

Both teams have very talented rosters for next season--neither team is shaking in their boots at the other...

Sorry I have to disagree. All of that was illegal if legal means playing by the rules of the game. As I said before, if you are pushed, pulled, grabbed, shoved, elbowed and restrained all night, your shooting and performance tends to suffer. We will never know what our loss was really due to. We would beat them regularly in a fair game in my view but that didn't happen and that was the intended, premeditated game plan.

 

[JRRRJ]

Sorry, South Carolina simply outplayed UConn. Very difficult to beat a good team when your 2 best players don't show up. I'm still wondering what happened to them.

South Carolina did not out "play" UConn. They purposely ignored the rules that define what play in basketball is supposed to be in order to gain advantage, hoping the penalties they received for that wouldn't out-balance the advantage they gained. They won their bet, but they didn't play basketball as it is defined by the rules.

"Break the rules on purpose" is good coaching? What lesson is being taught? Winning is everything? An honest test of skill versus skill is meaningless?