So tired of this "unbeaten" talk

[Blakeon18]

Well...not to "overstate" a point but Geno is simply wrong.

I recall that last year several players including Paige said that their loss to
LadyVol was the turning point in the season...a good turning point.

I would bet big bucks that Michigan learned more from their loss to UConn a few days ago than in all
of their wins that were routs. Get used to losing....not good.

But obviously you can learn from a loss or a win. If a coach and player alike look at a loss as
teaching them nothing, that is up to them....and not a good thing.

 

[JellyBean]

Any team can, as we say now "Get Got". Just a matter of which team is performing at a high level that day. UConn just has to execute at their best and go from there. They are the hunted and have a huge target on their backs. I am sure we will get ever teams best effort.

 

[Bone Dog]

Better parity in D1 than in a few years. This could be a really fun season to watch.

 

[SVCBeercats]

I found a story today from something called "FanSided" that predicted when each of the big WCBB teams would lose their first game. It all sounded reasonable until they came to UConn, where they said "never."

UCONN women have gone undefeated in 6 times out of 39 full seasons. That is 15%. Called long odds. With whom did they do it? (HH – Husky of Honor)

• 1994-95 Jennier Rizzotti (HH), Carla Berube, Pam Webber, Jamelle Elliot, Nykesha Sales (HH), Rebecca Lobo (HH), Kara Wolters (HH)
• 2001-02 Diana Taurasi (HH), Sue Bird (HH), Maria Conlon, Asjha Jones, Ashley Battle, Swin Cash (HH), Tamika Williams
• 2008-09 Tina Charles (HH), Maya Moore (HH), Rene Montgomery (HH), Caroline Doty, Kalana Greene, Tiffany Hayes, Kaili McLaren
• 2009-2010 Tina Charles (HH), Maya Moore (HH), Kelly Faris, Caroline Doty, Kalana Greene, Tiffany Hayes, Kaili McLaren
• 2013-14 Stefanie Dolson (HH), Bria Hartley (HH), Moriah Jefferson (HH), Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (HH), Breanna Stewart (HH), Kiah Stokes, Morgan Tuck (HH)
• 2015-16 Breanna Stewart (HH), Morgan Tuck (HH), Moriah Jefferson (HH), Napheesa Collier (HH), Kia Nurse, Kiah Stokes, Gabby Williams (HH), Katie Lou Samualson (HH)
  
  How does this season's team stack up with UCONN's undefeated teams?
  2025-26 Sarah Strong (HH), Azzi Fudd (HH), Ashlynn Shade, KK Arnold, Serah Williams, Blanca Quiñonez, Jana El Alfy, Kayliegh Heckel, Allie Ziebell, Ice Brady
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

[Urshurak]

Texas beats South Carolina with a Harmon shot. She only scored 6 points but had 9 assists.

 

[Blakeon18]

Next poll? Texas goes to #2...with some votes for #1?
Does Michigan jump past South Carolina ?

 

[rford53]

Next poll? Texas goes to #2...with some votes for #1?
Does Michigan jump past South Carolina ?

Best guess
#1 UConn
#2 Texas
#3 South Carolina
#4 UCLA
#5 LSU
#6 Michigan

 

[oldude]

Best guess
#1 UConn
#2 Texas
#3 South Carolina
#4 UCLA
#5 LSU
#6 Michigan

The top 3 for sure. There may be some shuffling around after that, although LSU is 5-0 against a complete diet of cupcakes and hasn’t played anyone of note.

 

[HopJim]

Thanksgiving all!!!! After watching Texas beat UCLA, I think they will be the team we will play in the finals. Why, because Vic Shafer is a fantastic Coach. I think, besides Geno and Dawn, he is right up there. He preaches defense first and they play it very well. UClA made a charge at them but Texas held them off. Harmon hit two of those drives to the hoop and then fade away with a very high arc. Just like she did against UConn a couple of years ago. We couldn't stop her and neither could UCLA

Predict that Shafer will spring a creative zone defense that UConn has never seen or practiced for.

 

[ERWUC65]

Predict that Shafer will spring a creative zone defense that UConn has never seen or practiced for.

Not taking anying away from Vic, agree he is a good coach and they came back after a run by SC, but they have no inside game, just continual penetration by the guards. Actually, it seemed more that SC was too dependent on Joyce Edwards, going up when she was in and falling back when she was on the bench (3 fouls). Also Akot fouled out with just under 2 min to go, leaving the paint open for TX.

 

[VaConnFan11]

With the schedule, UConn should be undefeated going into the tournament. The "tough" games are at home. The USC game could pose a problem. You never know how traveling 3 time zones will affect you.

 

[Ron and Vida]

Predict that Shafer will spring a creative zone defense that UConn has never seen or practiced for.

I think you’re right. Shafer has the two ingredients that have consistently plagued UCONN over the years: a pesky unstoppable guard and a strong zone defense

 

[uconnfan68]

Predict that Shafer will spring a creative zone defense that UConn has never seen or practiced for.

That won't happen.

 

[Tonyc]

UConns outside shooting will come around. UConns players are too good for it not too. Serah and Jana will become more comfortable as the season moves forward. Right now Sarah and Azzi can carry Uconn and after watching the games the past 2 days there is no doubt in my mind, we have the 2 best players in WCBB and it aint close. UConns potential is they can become a monster team before the end of the season. The key is stay healthy and get our injured especially Ice healthy. Why Ice? First she needs to get healthy and then up do speed and she will be a huge asset down low and from 15 ft

 

[FanSince17]

The top 3 for sure. There may be some shuffling around after that, although LSU is 5-0 against a complete diet of cupcakes and hasn’t played anyone of note.

I’m looking forward to Tennessee-UCLA, Sunday at 4:30 after UConn game.
For me, UCLA is a fun case study. Are they bitten by “big-man-itis”? They moved so much more smoothly with Betts out. Players notice that stuff. I played in HS with a real big. I played for an iconic HS coach in DC. He would yell at us if our first emphasis wasn’t to get the ball to “Steve”. Heck, kids want to be players themselves.
Sorry, with Tennessee’s pace, is UCLA better without Betts. With the Big Ten better this year, could the UCLANS take a bit of a swoon?

 

[Bone Dog]

I’m looking forward to Tennessee-UCLA, Sunday at 4:30 after UConn game.
For me, UCLA is a fun case study. Are they bitten by “big-man-itis”? They moved so much more smoothly with Betts out. Players notice that stuff. I played in HS with a real big. I played for an iconic HS coach in DC. He would yell at us if our first emphasis wasn’t to get the ball to “Steve”. Heck, kids want to be players themselves.
Sorry, with Tennessee’s pace, is UCLA better without Betts. With the Big Ten better this year, could the UCLANS take a bit of a swoon?

I’m looking forward to this game too. And for the same reason. “Big-itis” is real and UCLA has a particularly bad case of it. It’s not just that Lauren dominates the paint, but that she also contributes to a slow pace. I know she has been working very hard on getting down the court quickly and is better at this than she’s ever been. But it’s not enough, because her very presence pushes the Bruins into a sedentary half court set more often than not. The return of her sister will not ameliorate this problem. It’s entirely on Rice Leger-Walker Kneepkens and Jaquez to address this and, other than Kneepkens this is not a dynamic scoring lineup. Starting Dugalic may help merely because it will force the rest of them to work harder to create their shots.

 

[Ironman23]

I ignore all the talk/ posts about going undefeated.

If you ignore all the undefeated posts, why did you read and make a statement about this? Sorry, I'm just a smart Alec and had to write something. 😁

 

[Cornell Lt]

I don't buy into the going undefeated narrative. I do think there will a loss or two during this season. My only hope is that loss #2, if there is one, isn't in the NCAA tournament

 

[Rowdy831]

UConn has won national titles in the past while going undefeated so that pressue won't add to the load UConn already carries. They play a tough schedule and could lose but either way the goal remains the same, win the last game.

 

[ERWUC65]

UConns outside shooting will come around. UConns players are too good for it not too. Serah and Jana will become more comfortable as the season moves forward. Right now Sarah and Azzi can carry Uconn and after watching the games the past 2 days there is no doubt in my mind, we have the 2 best players in WCBB and it aint close. UConns potential is they can become a monster team before the end of the season. The key is stay healthy and get our injured especially Ice healthy. Why Ice? First she needs to get healthy and then up do speed and she will be a huge asset down low and from 15 ft

Regarding outside 3pt shooting: players with smooth, quick releases - Azzi, Sarah, Blanca. Players that have to set and release - Ash and Allie. Not sure about Carol and Morgan.

 

[Gael]

UCONN women have gone undefeated in 6 times out of 39 full seasons. That is 15%. Called long odds. With whom did they do it? (HH – Husky of Honor)

• 1994-95 Jennier Rizzotti (HH), Carla Berube, Pam Webber, Jamelle Elliot, Nykesha Sales (HH), Rebecca Lobo (HH), Kara Wolters (HH)
• 2001-02 Diana Taurasi (HH), Sue Bird (HH), Maria Conlon, Asjha Jones, Ashley Battle, Swin Cash (HH), Tamika Williams
• 2008-09 Tina Charles (HH), Maya Moore (HH), Rene Montgomery (HH), Caroline Doty, Kalana Greene, Tiffany Hayes, Kaili McLaren
• 2009-2010 Tina Charles (HH), Maya Moore (HH), Kelly Faris, Caroline Doty, Kalana Greene, Tiffany Hayes, Kaili McLaren
• 2013-14 Stefanie Dolson (HH), Bria Hartley (HH), Moriah Jefferson (HH), Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (HH), Breanna Stewart (HH), Kiah Stokes, Morgan Tuck (HH)
• 2015-16 Breanna Stewart (HH), Morgan Tuck (HH), Moriah Jefferson (HH), Napheesa Collier (HH), Kia Nurse, Kiah Stokes, Gabby Williams (HH), Katie Lou Samualson (HH)
  
  How does this season's team stack up with UCONN's undefeated teams?
  2025-26 Sarah Strong (HH), Azzi Fudd (HH), Ashlynn Shade, KK Arnold, Serah Williams, Blanca Quiñonez, Jana El Alfy, Kayliegh Heckel, Allie Ziebell, Ice Brady
  
  
  
  
  

Excellent historical analysis, SVB.

Re this season's team, Sarah has already earned HH credentials via making last season's 10-member Coaches’ All-America team. Azzi hasn't yet qualified for HH, but she has a good shot this season if she keeps her scoring up close to 20 PPG and UConn's rating stays in 1-seed-land. Blanca is a speculative HH possibility over the longer term.

A similar analysis could be done with players who have won NPOY awards. Every UConn undefeated team—indeed, every UConn NC team—has had at least one player who eventually won at least one NPOY award. The 1994-95 team leads the pack with three NPOYs: Lobo, Rizzotti and Wolters.

 

[BBallF]

I found a story today from something called "FanSided" that predicted when each of the big WCBB teams would lose their first game. It all sounded reasonable until they came to UConn, where they said "never." Now, don't get me wrong: I hope for a UConn win every time, and it is possible the team will go undefeated into the NCAAs. But here's the thing: In the NCAAAs they will have to play against the big dogs (UCLA, South Carolina, maybe Iowa), and absolutely none of those games will be an easy win. What's more, all this talk is incredibly bad mojo.

In other words, keep this up and "we're doooooomed!!"

Happy Thanksgiving to BYers and their families. Looking forward to the Sunday game and then (in person) seeing them play USF.

We are playing Iowa in the regular season on December 20th in Brooklyn. I will be there.

 

[Skeets]

Predict that Shafer will spring a creative zone defense that UConn has never seen or practiced for.

Every coach on UConn's schedule should throw some kind of zone at UConn. Breaking a zone is perhaps UConn's most glaring weakness. Geno, please fix this.

 

[huskyd]

It is tiresome, and I imagine Geno isn’t crazy about it either.

It's only "tiresome" if you have something better to do. Thousands apparently do not. Of course, you can read posts w/out commenting.

 

[Bone Dog]

It's only "tiresome" if you have something better to do. Thousands apparently do not. Of course, you can read posts w/out commenting.

… or not read them at all.