So this means we are paired opposite Baylor in the semis right?

[Sakibomb25]

While I would be ecstatic if Stanford were to receive a No. 3 seed, I do think UConn shouldn't be penalized for their losses to Notre Dame. For whatever reason, UConn's offense just goes away, especially at the critical junctures of the game. And I know Notre Dame plays tough defense, but I'm surprised UConn hasn't figured it out by now.

I just hope if ND and UConn meet again this year, it won't be a blowout... I've come to enjoy these nailbaiters. It's good for the game.

 

[meganmatthews]

I think he means it's best to lose in the Elite 8 because Baylor will kill us. As frustrated as I am it's not like we haven't had a shot against Baylor or ND when we've played.

It's still the dumbest post of the night. The only difference is now it's dumb and explained.

 

[Wally East]

It's good for the game.

I sure hope so and I keep trying to make myself feel better with this.

It's not really helping much.

 

[Sakibomb25]

It's still the dumbest post of the night. The only difference is now it's dumb and explained.

I agree. Think about it. Ten years from now, no one is going to remember that Baylor *may* have killed UConn in the Final Four (except for those UConn fans that is...). All anyone will remember is that UConn got to the Final Four. It's always better to have reached the Final Four than get beaten in the Elite Eight. Always.

 

[jplotinus]

The committee does NOT want a UCONN/ND final. As much as I respect you guys and feel for the fact that your lineup limits you (ie. no bona fide point), ESPN does not want to warm over as much soup as it would have to to pit you two again (and honestly, I don't thin ESPN wants to put Geno in the uncomfortable spot of having to play someone in the Final he simply can't seem to get around this year.

The committee also knows our loss to Stanford was an aberration of a game--early, Hawaii, no Sims, so that's a wash.

That said, BU vs. Stanford (or whoever comes out of that region and I'm not convinced it will be Stanford) on one side and you and ND on the other. ESPN will be able to promote Baylor vs. EITHER ND or UCONN (if we can avoid slipping up against a dark horse out of the west or another nightmare loss to TAM in elite 8 in OKC.

You are going to HAVE to play ND one more time in New Orleans. And I know you'd love the revenge to come in the title game, but I think the committee wants to see Baylor in the final vs. the winner of your last rematch because that would give the nation the genuine two best teams in the nation.

So get ready to be a #3 seed vs. ND #2 with the West regional rep being the #4.

I think you are spot on. Playing someone other than ND, even big bad Baylor, would be doing UCONN a favor. UCONN is vexed by ND right now. The hardest road for UCONN is through ND. The easiest way for Baylor is to eliminate one or the other of UCONN or ND so that overall, and deservedly so, Baylor doesn't have to face both.

I could see an argument for a UCONN v Baylor semi based on the rather large number of losses UCONN has. I mean 4 losses? But all were against either #1 or 2 and all were by close margins, some distressingly close. So, chances are, UCONN gets the overall #3 and Stanford the 4.

 

[Wonkster]

Better to go out in round of 8

Better Notre Dame go out in the first round a la Tennessee and Ball State.

 

[Wonkster]

I think you over estimate Baylor's appeal to the masses...

The masses? The masses? Here I thought Lenin and Trotsky were both dead.

Did Trotsky survive the surgery after the doctors extracted the pickaxe from his brain?

 

[baylorprof]

172,

As a guest on an opponent's board I have no disrespect for your comments, but I'm not overestimating anything. ESPN want's the "now", and that's us, for at least one more year. ESPN can get a bigger TV audience because you've been the dominant national team for a decade. ESPN wants Griner because she is Griner (and that negative stuff you mentioned is disappointing baggage for Brittney, but ESPN will never bring it up unless some incident happens in the tourney; like most posters on this board, it's unfortunately unforgettable, but it's yesterday's news and time to move on). And to most national fans the name of "Diggins" and "Muffet" are brief memories of a game they may have seen over the past 4 years on ESPN, but they basically are NON-ISSUES to the national viewing public.

I'll respectfully disagree and assume the anti-Griner thing is just having a harder time getting out of your system than others. And then, I'll state "OUT" on this one and you can have the last responsee.

See you in New Orleans IN THE FINALS

 

[easttexastrash]

I think you over estimate Baylor's appeal to the masses. Fact is that both UConn and ND spend more time on national tv compared to Baylor. Blame Fox sports for that. UConn is the most recognizable team in the country by name and Diggins is one of the two most popular players. ESPN is chomping at the bit to have that again. If they have to broadcast women's basketball that's a ratings getter they want. Griner, Sims and Baylor bring attention but its not always for the best reasons and some of that is brought on by themselves. The committee no more wants Baylor in the final then any of the other three #1 seed. In fact Baylor winning may be very "ho hum" to them. I personally think they are closer to wanting to see an upset than a Baylor win.

ESPN wants Baylor in both the semis and the final. When Baylor went to West Virginia they had the biggest turnout of the season...men or women. BG brings in viewers like no other.

 

[UConnChapette]

After feeling angry, frustrated, sad, confused, and any other emotional state you can imagine after the game last night I fell asleep with a sense of hopelessness for the NCAAs. But when I woke up this morning one of my first thoughts was that nd should enjoy this championship because they won't win the big prize in April. In fact, I have a feeling they won't make the final four. Can't explain it. I just feel it isn't going to happen. But, maybe it is just my anger/envy/hate for all things nd trying to make me feel better..

 

[Alum86]

We will lose to ND if we are the 3 no 1.
We will beat Baylor if we are the 4 no. 1.
Count on it. amd yeah Nan, most men's BB and FB fans watch women's hoop without the passion of 80 year old nursing home residents.
There are 4 or 5 real programs for womens hoop. It is a joke really. I want the Huskies to win of course. But c'mon, we all know the final 4 before it starts.

 

[meyers7]

We will lose to ND if we are the 3 no 1.
We will beat Baylor if we are the 4 no. 1.
Count on it. amd yeah Nan, most men's BB and FB fans watch women's hoop without the passion of 80 year old nursing home residents.
There are 4 or 5 real programs for womens hoop. It is a joke really. I want the Huskies to win of course. But c'mon, we all know the final 4 before it starts.

Really? Because last year was the first time all 4 #1 seeds made it to the final four this century.

 

[msf22b]

Really? Because last year was the first time all 4 #1 seeds made it to the final four this century.

Should happen again, methinks, but then...really a lot of permutations where the wheels come off for any of the teams, even us. Suppose Elena has a couple of insane games, Texas A&M is peaking, LSU found something, Tennessee, no, not Tennessee.

 

[Wally East]

Really? Because last year was the first time all 4 #1 seeds made it to the final four this century.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. No shattering pre-conceived notions with facts. I mean, come on. Facts? When what he says just feels so true?

 

[meyers7]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. No shattering pre-conceived notions with facts. I mean, come on. Facts? When what he says just feels so true?

I know, facts, WTH?

 

[Icebear]

It is reckless and irresponsible to use facts on The Boneyard. It's not fair because both sides don't get their own.

 

[OneTrickPony]

It is reckless and irresponsible to use facts on The Boneyard. It's not fair because both sides don't get their own.

Since when...?

 

[Sonny44]

Just my 2 cents, but I think we are still the #3 seed, and besides, the committee would like to see another high-drama, nailbiting ND/UCONN rematch in the FF if possible.

I think it will be Baylor and Stanford on the other side of the bracket. We shall see.

I think we are far better off as a 4 seed. I think we have a better chance against Baylor than ND.

 

[Icebear]

Give us games against all the best and let us earn the title so there can be no questions.

 

[Jim]

Give us games against all the best and let us earn the title so there can be no questions.

You have to BEAT the best to BE the best. ND then BU vs. BU then ND -- no difference.

 

[HuskyNan]

172,

As a guest on an opponent's board I have no disrespect for your comments, but I'm not overestimating anything. ESPN want's the "now", and that's us, for at least one more year. ESPN can get a bigger TV audience because you've been the dominant national team for a decade. ESPN wants Griner because she is Griner (and that negative stuff you mentioned is disappointing baggage for Brittney, but ESPN will never bring it up unless some incident happens in the tourney; like most posters on this board, it's unfortunately unforgettable, but it's yesterday's news and time to move on). And to most national fans the name of "Diggins" and "Muffet" are brief memories of a game they may have seen over the past 4 years on ESPN, but they basically are NON-ISSUES to the national viewing public.

I'll respectfully disagree and assume the anti-Griner thing is just having a harder time getting out of your system than others. And then, I'll state "OUT" on this one and you can have the last responsee.

See you in New Orleans IN THE FINALS

Just for clarity - rjp172 is a Notre Dame fan, not a UConn fan.

 

[Alexmia]

Ice I agree, if you really want this years National Championship to mean something then we need to go through both ND and Baylor and win both games in the final 4 then we can honestly lay claim to being the best team in WBB in 2013. Let's go lady's we are sure you can do it.

 

[easttexastrash]

Baylor needs to beat Stanford and then UCONN or ND, just as UCONN needs to beat ND and Baylor.

I pray that all teams make it through the tournament healthy so that everyone gets to put forth their best at the most important time of the year. Everyone has had a chance to work out the kinks by now...time to show what you got!