So with our nemesis retiring, who becomes our #1 Rival?

[Dillon77]

Hmmm. I voted for ND and Niele....what did you expect on the day she was introduced as head coach?

I'm going to take a slightly different tack on this:
- Give Niele a season or three to get the Irish back up to the gear speed which which she'll need to challenge UConn again. But, I feel good she'll be able to do this.
- In the Big East, I also have faith in another ND alum giving UConn some battles over the years --- that would be Megan Duffy and Marquette. I think Megan is the real deal and with a few more recruiting classes she'll get the Warriors even stronger. If she can get some top-ranked players, watch out.
- Nationally, South Carolina. Lot of talent there and Dawn knows what to do with it. I think Baylor is going to miss Ms. Cox a lot more than one would think.

 

[DefenseBB]

Don't you have to be on the schedule every year to be a rival? I changed my vote to other. Providence. The Battle of Route 44.

Triad is right on the first point that the "rival" has to be on the schedule "virtually every year" and that is why I listed the schools I did, with the exception of Texas. Notre Dame is on the schedule until 2024 I think. SC is also scheduled thru 2022 I think. Stanford was but has since stopped. Baylor has intermittently appeared and I am not sure of the next few years. Louisville has also appeared periodically and maybe with DePaul being on our conference schedule, Geno can add Jeff (remember though, the BE will have a 20 game conference schedule). Texas is curious as while Vic was building his brand at MSU, he did not challenge the team with a good OOC. As one of the Top 4 paid coaches and a "supposed" beacon for WCBB, he needs to promote the game and the soft OOC played while at MSU needs to be called out when he plays the various directional schools vs. other P5 stalwarts.

 

[garddog]

I was kinda curious why Tenn/Harper was not in the poll. She seemed to try and get the rivalry restarted last season and pick up where Pat left off.
Personally I don't see Vic as a rival based on his MSU experience, they only have that one fluke win against UConn.

Pretty sure MSU vs UConn is tied ar 1 - 1.

 

[DefenseBB]

Pretty sure MSU vs UConn is tied ar 1 - 1.

Does the phrase "relevant sample size" mean anything to you? Parsing data on small samples does not demonstrate anything. Ironically, as I noted above, Vic did not schedule UConn but was part of the NCAA draw in the tournament for those 2 meetings. Will he actually be a "Keystone" member like Pat, Geno, MM and Tara were/are to promote the game by playing other top teams. Until he does, he's suspect and not an elite coach.

 

[garddog]

Does the phrase "relevant sample size" mean anything to you? Parsing data on small samples does not demonstrate anything. Ironically, as I noted above, Vic did not schedule UConn but was part of the NCAA draw in the tournament for those 2 meetings. Will he actually be a "Keystone" member like Pat, Geno, MM and Tara were/are to promote the game by playing other top teams. Until he does, he's suspect and not an elite coach.

Did not mention Vic. Was replying to centerstreams snark.

 

[Centerstream]

Pretty sure MSU vs UConn is tied ar 1 - 1.

Why do you consider my post as "snarky"?
I was voicing my opinion on Vic (MSU) not being a rival.