EricLA
Cronus
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2011
- Messages
- 15,010
- Reaction Score
- 81,774
First, I want to say it was great running into (and meeting for the first time) several BY'ers. Saw @MilfordHusky , @DavidinNaples , @HuskyNan , @dannykuconn , @Tonyc and probably a few others. Hopefully will see more on Monday...
I also want to throw out a peeve for just a second. Let me say that this was one of the MOST enjoyable games I've watched UCONN play in many years, notwithstanding NC games, and the final margin of victory was 60 points (and it could have been 80). This was against a top 15 team, but BFD. It was an absolutely gorgeous and devastating display of UCONN basketball at it's very best.
But I want to ask - aside from the stakes being higher, why are "some" people so "up" on this game after being so "down" on some of the UCONN blowouts in the AAC? I don't want to belabor the point, but I strongly disagree with anyone who "hated" the blowouts in the AAC games. It was the last season to see Stewie, Moriah, and probably Morgan. IMHO, anyone who didn't like those games needs to reexamine what it means to be a UCONN fan and why the rest of us appreciate this team so much. They play magnificent basketball and I have 100% enjoyed every second they were on the court, no matter how severe the blowout.
On to the game(s). Yes there was a 2nd game after UCONN. But for those watching on TV, what we witnessed in the 1st half was probably the greatest explosion of near-perfect basketball in the the history of the game. I will say that for the first 2 minutes, UCONN's defense looked a tiny bit out of synch, as Miss got several wide open shots that they just missed, but...
Teams in the SEC are scoring challenged. Most teams in the rest of WCBB are scoring challenged. They simply have a hard time putting the ball in the basket. Given that I've not seen Stewie live this year before this game, I am of the opinion that I've never seen her play such a complete and dominating game. She was absolutely everywhere - on offense AND defense, and while she didn't score 40, she could have. Just sensational.
I think she's the greatest college player ever. Some may argue that there are others, and several of them are UCONN players, but there is no one who can do as much as she can do, and do it as well as she can do it. I hope UCONN fans realize and appreciate how remarkable she is, and how remarkable the last 4 years have been, because it's likely most of us will never see it again in our lifetimes.
The rest of the team was just sensational too. Moriah was awesome on defense. Morgan looked more mobile that I've ever seen. Kia is a beast on defense, and has really learned to channel her aggression on offense. Lou - I believe she'll be vying for NPOY next year. And Napheesa and Gabby both looked terrific. The future is going to be very fun for UCONN fans.
In spite of the huge blowout, the place was packed to the gills, and the fans were VERY loud and very appreciative of the great display of basketball they saw. You can tell UCONN fans are knowledgeable - not only appreciating specific plays, but also as players would come out - appreciating the great work they did on the court. It was a joy to watch and a joy to be there.
Texas and UCLA - umm... an exciting game - hard fought, but so sloppy and messy and disjointed - it made my eyes hurt at times. Without sounding overly confident, neither team showed anything that even slightly made me worried. It was fun watching those two teams tho, especially to compare to UCONN...\
Last thing - oddly noted - was that when Texas comes out at the start of the game and at halftime, they run NO drills. In fact, the entire team just stands around the FT like area and one or 2 players shoots FT's for about 5 minutes. I've never seen anything like it. Oh, and the outfits on the cheerleaders look like they are from the 80's. Blech.
I also want to throw out a peeve for just a second. Let me say that this was one of the MOST enjoyable games I've watched UCONN play in many years, notwithstanding NC games, and the final margin of victory was 60 points (and it could have been 80). This was against a top 15 team, but BFD. It was an absolutely gorgeous and devastating display of UCONN basketball at it's very best.
But I want to ask - aside from the stakes being higher, why are "some" people so "up" on this game after being so "down" on some of the UCONN blowouts in the AAC? I don't want to belabor the point, but I strongly disagree with anyone who "hated" the blowouts in the AAC games. It was the last season to see Stewie, Moriah, and probably Morgan. IMHO, anyone who didn't like those games needs to reexamine what it means to be a UCONN fan and why the rest of us appreciate this team so much. They play magnificent basketball and I have 100% enjoyed every second they were on the court, no matter how severe the blowout.
On to the game(s). Yes there was a 2nd game after UCONN. But for those watching on TV, what we witnessed in the 1st half was probably the greatest explosion of near-perfect basketball in the the history of the game. I will say that for the first 2 minutes, UCONN's defense looked a tiny bit out of synch, as Miss got several wide open shots that they just missed, but...
Teams in the SEC are scoring challenged. Most teams in the rest of WCBB are scoring challenged. They simply have a hard time putting the ball in the basket. Given that I've not seen Stewie live this year before this game, I am of the opinion that I've never seen her play such a complete and dominating game. She was absolutely everywhere - on offense AND defense, and while she didn't score 40, she could have. Just sensational.
I think she's the greatest college player ever. Some may argue that there are others, and several of them are UCONN players, but there is no one who can do as much as she can do, and do it as well as she can do it. I hope UCONN fans realize and appreciate how remarkable she is, and how remarkable the last 4 years have been, because it's likely most of us will never see it again in our lifetimes.
The rest of the team was just sensational too. Moriah was awesome on defense. Morgan looked more mobile that I've ever seen. Kia is a beast on defense, and has really learned to channel her aggression on offense. Lou - I believe she'll be vying for NPOY next year. And Napheesa and Gabby both looked terrific. The future is going to be very fun for UCONN fans.
In spite of the huge blowout, the place was packed to the gills, and the fans were VERY loud and very appreciative of the great display of basketball they saw. You can tell UCONN fans are knowledgeable - not only appreciating specific plays, but also as players would come out - appreciating the great work they did on the court. It was a joy to watch and a joy to be there.
Texas and UCLA - umm... an exciting game - hard fought, but so sloppy and messy and disjointed - it made my eyes hurt at times. Without sounding overly confident, neither team showed anything that even slightly made me worried. It was fun watching those two teams tho, especially to compare to UCONN...\
Last thing - oddly noted - was that when Texas comes out at the start of the game and at halftime, they run NO drills. In fact, the entire team just stands around the FT like area and one or 2 players shoots FT's for about 5 minutes. I've never seen anything like it. Oh, and the outfits on the cheerleaders look like they are from the 80's. Blech.
because they are so competitive, but give me a Uconn blow out any day. I liked the comment from the announcers about going to a broadway show - you know the story, you know the music, you aren't there for the drama, you are there for the performance. And you certainly are hoping you get to see the regular cast and not the understudies who may or may not hit the right notes and remember the lines! (Yeah, I did just praise a certain game commentator who comported herself with a moment of intelligence.)
