South Carolina Postgame Thread[merged thread] | Page 9 | The Boneyard

South Carolina Postgame Thread[merged thread]

housekeys said:
Lot of opinions and views, but the box score tells the real story.

1) Both teams made 22 field goals. Shooting percentages, (UConn - 40.7%, SC -36.7%). Hmmm? Taken alone, this is not indicative of the score and outcome. UConn should have had a better outcome, but...

2) Offensive rebounds (UConn - 6, SC - 21). This typically indicates extra FG attempts at the basket, so SC should have about 15 more FG attempts. And ...

3) Turnovers (UConn -15, SC -14) also typically indicates extra FG attempts. This stat is basically even.

4) Yet, FG attempts where nearly even (UConn - 54, SC - 60). How come? Where did the expected 15 more FG from the offensive rebounds mentioned in 1), go? If UConn had 54, SC should have 69 or more. What gives?

5) The answer: Free throws attempts (UConn - 4, SC - 26). Most of the offensive rebounds manifested themselves (not necessarily resulted) in fouls against UConn and FT attempts for SC. The FT's made (UConn - 1, SC - 17) is basically the margin of victory. SC was called for some fouls at the end, which was "window dressing" by the officials. Too little, too late and of no relevance to the game.

The above results question the legitimacy of a some of the narratives and opinions thrown around. For example:
  • "Amazing defense by SC. Best in history". True, but UConn's defense was equal if not better. Note that 3) shows that both defenses caused the same number of turnovers. Good defense also implies missed shots, but UConn shot better as indicated by 1). Defense was even.
  • "Officiating was not a factor". As shown in 5) it was a factor. Apparently, not only did UConn allow SC to outrebound them on the offensive glass, but they eventually fouled. The officials rewarded SC aggressiveness and penalized UConn's lack of aggressiveness.
  • "SC clearly the better team". The only thing SC was clearly better at was in 2) offensive rebounds and 5) getting officials to call fouls on UConn, while somehow not getting called for fouls themselves. Peculiar, because 1) and 3) indicate both teams played equally tough defense.
There you have it. SC aggressiveness was rewarded. UConn was not aggressive enough. The officials called the game this way and it favored SC. They capitalized on what was given and won the game. Credit to SC.

My conclusion and opinion is that SC deserved the win and they where the better team this night with these officials. But, I do not buy some of the narratives being thrown about. Specifically, they are not "clearly" the better team and not 16 point better than UConn. The Vegas spread is probably more realistic (4points or so favoring SC).

Considering UConn's health issues, it is amazing what UConn accomplished. Bravo to both teams, but, especially UConn.
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Gotta agree, I posted also the difference was rebounds and foul shots!
Its always easy to blame the refs, but in a championship game a 2 to 1 advantage in fouls called is an embarrassment, and explains why SC had a 22 shot advantage at the foul line! Amazed UCONN only lost by 15!
 
Everybody knows deep down that GA royally screwed this up for us.

He should have had our secret weapon down low and we would be cutting down the nets. Nika would have done an hell of a job boxing out Boston and the entire SC Team....well it would have given us a hell of a good laugh anyway!:p
 
browns said:
Well I was just happy when they made the FF esp. after that epic game against NCState..then beat Stanford to stop their back to back..Clearly SC was the better team and sorry Paige but Henderson was the best guard out there tonight. SC showed why they are the best defense in the nation and Henderson I thought was the key each game we've played them the last few years.I really feel bad for CW and Liv..they've both taken a lot of abuse for 4 years and it's tough to go out the way they did but I for one will miss them
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I have not always agreed with your posts, but I agree with this one. As a longterm reader of the BY and a poster this year, I want to thank you for taking the time to share your opinions. One of the best parts of the BY is reading comments that challenge my own.

Living in Europe, I had to watch the game in the middle of the night and take the morning off from work. A few thoughts before heading back to the grind.

As in the game against Arizona last year, the rest of the UConn team did not play well enough to take pressure off Paige, and she had to take some really difficult shots. If Paige had played on SC, she might have been the best guard last night. Grateful that she gave her all despite still recovering from major surgery.

Azzi didn’t have a great game last night, but she was sick, and she still stepped up and tried to play anyway. A real champion. Some people have complained she didn’t turn out to be the next Paige, but she doesn’t need to be Paige because she is Azzi, and she’s going to be an even better Azzi next year. She has the best shot in WCBB. She’s going to be scary good next year.

Some people are disappointed that Caroline and Nika didn’t play a lot at the end of the season. But that’s going to change next season. With CW and E gone, they’ll be on the court a lot. I think Nika has the talent to drive toward the basket, and if she works on that, she’ll be more than a defensive pest and an occasional 3 point shooter. Caroline has just scratched the surface of her immense talent.

Given that Amari played only garbage minutes this year, she showed a lot of poise last night. I truly believe with more game time she’ll be great. Looking forward to seeing Amari on the court with Dorka next year. Thank you, Dorka, for choosing to come back! I hope next season will be a breakout year for Piath.

I’m going to really miss CW, Liv, and Evina. Without them UConn would never had made the championship game. And they’re great people as well. Hope to see them in the WNBA.

Finally, and I know I’m in the minority here, I think UConn was capable of beating SC this year. Just maybe not last night. Henderson has been struggling recently, but last night she had the game of her life. But that’s sports. As Geno said, it’s not who is the best team. It’s who is the best team for 40 minutes of a game. Very hopeful for next year. And because I live in a country where no one has heard of UConn WBB, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for this incredible team and program with you.

Bye for now.
 
I wish people would stop blaming the refs. South Carolina was the much quicker team. Quicker teams draw more fouls. Dawn has done a really good job with recruiting fast and quick players. Those are things you can't teach. The other parts of the game you can teach and she has done a good job with that as well.

To me, the difference in the game was Paige basically taking the 1st & 3rd quarters off. Sometimes team players need to become selfish early in the game, instead of waiting until the end.

Everyone is pointing to the rebounds and fouls as being the biggest issues of the game, but to me it was the turnovers at critical times of the game. There were 2 opportunities in the 3rd quarter UConn had a chance to cut the lead to 3 or 4 points and didn't even get a shot off and South Carolina scored 4 straight points and got the lead back to 10. Little things add up to big things.
 
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Slipperman said:
i had a feeling they weren't up to it. there's a very troubling trend going on. either they aren't getting good enough players or not the right mix of players (i'm still scratching my head over last years 10-point loss to Arizona (seriously?)). UConn used to be S Carolina where they were the team to beat and when they played a tough/better team, they would at least keep the game close. now they get pummeled. something is missing and has been for a while so hopefully Geno can right the ship.

6 yrs now.. wow!
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As UConn fans, we've been incredibly lucky since 1995, with all the successes, all the NCs, all the highly rated players, etc. However, the false expectation that we should win the NC every year has gotta go. There are so many things that go into winning a NC, and there are usually a few teams that can make a run for it, and then performance, timing, injuries, matchups, and luck will all play a part. "Righting the ship" and "6 yrs now" is a very narrow focused perspective that doesn't give any other teams credit as to what they accomplish.

Imagine being teams that have many of the parts necessary to compete in the tourney, and they only gets there once every six years? Do they need to right the ship? Some of these teams are incredibly happy with what they accomplish.

Yesterday's game would have been close, assuming UConn was as healthy as it could be, as some of the players weren't at 100%. Geno knew that luck would play a part. So, bash the players and coaches if you must, however after everything that has happened this season, I'll take this group, faults and all.
 
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Littlemin said:
Fudd shot 20-55 for the entire tournament, 36%; 13-32 from 3, 40%. She had 2 assists and 9 TOs for the tournament.

Bueckers shot 39-71, 55%; 5-16 from 3, 31%, but 3-14. She had 17 assists and 14 TOs.

Williams shot 21-76, 28%; 7-32 from 3, 22%. She had 11 assists and 4 TOs.

Westbrook shot 13-36, 36%; 6-19, 32% from 3. She had 8 assists and 8 TOs.

So combined, the guards with the bulk of the minutes shot 93-238, 39% overall; 31-99, 31% from 3; with 38 assists and 35 TOs.

I am an unabashed Muhl fan, her stats are mediocre at best but the team just played better with her on the court, especially at the start of games. She was the spark plug of energy that brought intensity and took the fight to the other team from the start. Uconn had great play and great chemistry going into the tournament with Auriemma acknowledging that several times publicly, lauding the depth of the team. For whatever reason, he decided to change that, altering Muhl and Ducharme‘s roles significantly and changing the persona of Uconn at the start of games. Obviously, I felt and feel it was a very poor decision, don’t fix what ain’t broken.
It has become somewhat of a pattern for Uconn to eventually lose to a team with comparable talent but a willingness to take the game to Uconn. SC was clearly, the better, more aggressive team, as was Arizona last year. For those complaining about the refs, the more aggressive team, the team that takes the fight to the opponent almost always gets the bulk of the calls, it has been that way forever.
Anyway, Uconn fans can again take solace in the war cry of the old Brooklyn Dodger fans, “wait ‘til next year.”
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Oh my, you are obsessed. Maybe our guards shooting was affected because nobody has to guard Muhl, and helps everywhere else???
 
oldude said:
Some thoughts on the South Carolina game:
  • We have come to the end of one of the most challenging seasons in anyone’s memory. While the UConn Huskies fell short of their ultimate goal, there is so much to celebrate about this team. Playing shorthanded for much of the season, through 11 different starting lineups, UConn persevered, surviving an incredibly difficult gantlet during the NCAA Tournament to make it to their 12th national championship game.
  • Even tonight, against an overpowering SC team, UConn played shorthanded. Whether having Dorka and Aubrey available would have made much of a difference, who knows? But just like your mom’s chicken soup, “It couldn’t hurt.”
  • Credit the South Carolina Gamecocks for earning their 2nd national championship in convincing fashion. SC has earned the right, on the court this year, to display a national championship banner at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC.
  • Some UConn fans will criticize Husky players and coaches about the game tonight, and some of those criticisms may be justified. However, many criticisms will simply be the emotional response to the disappointment that we all feel when our beloved Huskies come up short of our hopes and expectations. I will remind everyone that as bad as we all may feel about UConn’s loss, the players feel infinitely worse.
  • I want to express my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to our departing seniors: Christyn, Liv & Evina, whose dedication, hard work and sacrifice for UConn WBB was extraordinary. I wish each of them great success in the WNBA or wherever their paths in life may lead them. They will always be in our hearts.
  • How I love UConn WBB! I will be following their every move in the offseason, impatiently counting the days until Dorka, Aubrey, Paige, Aaliyah, Nika, Piath, Azzi, Caroline, Amari, Ice & Ayanna lace up their sneakers, trying once again to chase down a 12th banner. GO HUSKIES!!!
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Congratluatuions to the Seniors Paige was terrific, twq touch Freshmen Caroline and Amerri (De Berry Was a Lady) fantastic game for both, Evina the giant killer, Edwards the terror of posts,
I'm terribly sad for the Uconn Ladies but pleased with their effort.
Congratulations South Caroline--7 or 8 talented kids determined to win. Boston is large in many ways she is a difference maker and our kids played her well.
Ono, disappointed me in the first half and won my admiration in the second, thank you Miss Olivia for a your Uconn Career--you will be missed in many ways.
Chrystn (sp) Williams from North Little Rock Arkansas gave us every thing she had and everything Carolina allowed. Personally, you game me joy in watching you. You'll be a great pro. Thank you for 4 wonderful years of your life.
Evina, a Vol from Tenn She is the transfer that proved the rules are to be broken. You made watching you a pleasure. You, like Paige and Caroline is a clutch player. You deliver when the going is toughest. You shall be missed
Dorka, I hope you heal well, return next year. Your experience is needed.
To the Boneyard and UC Fans--bless and keep you in this off season thank Nan and the Mods and you Fans for an enjoyable season. It has been a great pleasure talking Uconn with you.
 
Blond D. said:
Geno's or rather UCONN's Achillie's heel has always been small quick guards. Thats how we lost several final four games. But we did a great job with what we had and I am so proud of our team and heart broken for them.
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It seemed we weren't prepared, as if we didn't know SC was a strong rebounding team. How is that possible? But I didn't realize Ono was limited as much as she was by her groin injury, Azzi being sick was a blow, it would have been great to have Dorka healthy and playing & Aubrey too. Some players were hesitant to drive to basket, when brief as they were, opportunities to drive & maybe get foul shots did occur- very fast reacting defense by SC- Liv's injury comes to mind. SC is a really strong squad, I'd say they are one of the best teams I've ever seen, which makes it a mystery how they still lost a couple of times during the season. I disagreed with some of the game time strategies including playing times for various players, but I did like how how hard we tried. If we played them again and if everyone was healthy including Audrey, we'd be much more competitive. But, multiple players would have to be-taught how to box out and stay between their opponent and the basket, that really was shocking to see. I hope that incoming players Brady and Patterson will start to generate some needed toughness, both on offense and with defense & rebounding. We play pretty but man, we got thrashed at the start yesterday. We were spent by 4th quarter, the injuries took their toll, too exhausted and SC lead expanded again from 6 points to final outcome.
 
BRS24 said:
As UConn fans, we've been incredibly lucky since 1995, with all the successes, all the NCs, all the highly rated players, etc. However, the false expectation that we should win the NC every year has gotta go. There are so many things that go into winning a NC, and there are usually a few teams that can make a run for it, and then performance, timing, injuries, matchups, and luck will all play a part. "Righting the ship" and "6 yrs now" is a very narrow focused perspective that doesn't give any other teams credit as to what they accomplish.

Imagine being teams that have many of the parts necessary to compete in the tourney, and they only gets there once every six years? Do they need to right the ship? Some of these teams are incredibly happy with what they accomplish.

Yesterday's game would have been close, assuming UConn was as healthy as it could be, as some of the players weren't at 100%. Geno knew that luck would play a part. So, bash the players and coaches if you must, however after everything that has happened this season, I'll take this group, faults and all.
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Sorry fella, no faults on these wonderful in every way ladies. If there was a fault it was with us the Fans expecting the wounded to perform like professionals every minute in every game.
We, I include me, hold these kids high in expectations.
We MUST hold them higher with every loss, they need us to be adults then.
No knock on your comment just my love of these kids is showing.
 
LoboDays said:
I’m disappointed in their performance but not upset with the loss. This is the first loss in the recent FF losses where we were beaten by a better team. For the sake of our departing seniors, I hope the WNBA scouts decided to watch the Grammys.
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Lobodays---I was there too-
On the Pro's looking for players. They found probably six including ONO and CW.
In games there are 2 teams both working to score more and STOP the other team from Scoring. Carolina has been together a long time and healthy all season. Both of which tend to make good team much better.
I looked at the Carolina roster and wondered how Paige, OnO and CW could dent them--and they did.
The come back fell short. Carolina has fallen short when Uconn beat them--that's the game. Geno didn't fail---If any asked 3 months ago would Uconn be in the FF never mine NC--90 percent of us (except TonyC) would have said IMPOSSIBLE. Look at where they ended, these kids and Geno made playing in the NC possible.
I'm proud of each down to the end of the bench for what they could not should not but did accomplish playing in the NC. Thanks Geno, Thanks you wonderful ladies and you have CLASS.
 
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I must say, I enjoy all the “new posters” that show up on the UConn WBB forum around this time of year. It’s like the azaleas blooming in my yard in early springtime. :)

But I have to comment that for some of the Johnny-come-lately’s, showing up to dump trash on this forum before departing for obscurity the rest of the year is truly bad form.
 
nickp91 said:
This setback might be exactly what Paige, Azzi, and Caroline need to take their games to the next level next season
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Look at what last year's loss by South Carolina did for its returning players. Especially Boston. She acknowledged being frustrated at seeing the networks showing that clip of her in tears right after the final buzzer over and over.
 
Carnac said:
Look at what last year's loss by South Carolina did for its returning players. Especially Boston. She acknowledged being frustrated at seeing the networks showing that clip of her in tears right after the final buzzer over and over.
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Boston improved so much. Fitness and skill wise. Painful losses tend to do that to the best players.
 
oldude said:
I must say, I enjoy all the “new posters” that show up on the UConn WBB forum around this time of year. It’s like the azaleas blooming in my yard in early springtime. :)

But I have to comment that for some of the Johnny-come-lately’s, showing up to dump trash on this forum before departing for obscurity the rest of the year is truly bad form.
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I like your form and forum.
I looked at Caroline all year. They are a terrific team. Uconn damaged as they have been--Forgive me @Tonyc, I hoped but didn't expect a win.
No bigger Basketball could have been played. Uconn stymied Carolina's bigs and very talented kids. If we were Stanford last night the score would have been a 30 point differential and Stanford is an excellent, but not as tough as Uconn, Team
 
Carnac said:
Look at what last year's loss by South Carolina did for its returning players. Especially Boston. She acknowledged being frustrated at seeing the networks showing that clip of her in tears right after the final buzzer over and over.
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You've been a great friend of Uconn and I hope me. I enjoyed comments like this; factual and prove-able. I hope you keep giving us the pre-game data with important post game comments. Thanks. Like @oldude your love of the game and Uconn kids is evident, thanks.
 
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CTGirl15 said:
First, I'm so proud of this team. They made it to the national title game and just ran into an unstoppable South Carolina team. Add in a sick Azzi and a career night from Henderson and UConn had a tough uphill climb. Having Dorka and a 100% Azzi may have made this game closer, but I think this SC team was always going to win this game. Congratulations to Dawn and South Carolina, they were absolutely the best team this year.

That 1Q was brutal. UConn looked like they were scared to get into foul trouble and it just backfired completely. Unfortunately, our starters did not match up well with South Carolina. We played best with Evina and Caroline in but we had dug too deep of a hole by the time they made their runs, and, as par for the course this year, Evina ended up hurt too.

I wish we could have sent off Evina, Christyn, and Liv with a National Title, but it was just not meant to be. Just want tot say "Thank You" to these seniors for what they've done for this school.
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I agree with you about the early foul trouble defense. South Carolina has so much depth at the bigs with Cardosa and Amihere ready to come in if the South Carolina Bigs get into foul trouble. It allowed them to play with physical abandon. Paxton in particular and Boston could be called for over the back fouls on many occassions but they were not. For example Liv was called for over the back from the ref in back of her. Forget the foul ranting and back to why South Carolina can play with abandon is DEPTH I was amazed that Amari got a few minutes in the first half. I would have loved to see Paith rumble with them.
Lets face it we have had trouble with other teams bigs for 7 years since Stewie left.
South Carolina is an obstacle and they are big. Thank God Dorka is coming back. We added to players 6'2" I don't think it is enough without Amari and Paith getting time on the court next year.
 
Through great adversity this Husky team showed tremendous pluck and grit. They couldn't bring it home, but earned a place among the great Husky teams.
 
SLY63 said:
At the risk of opening up a can of worms, I really believe it would benefit the team for Geno to get his bench (Amari) more playing time during the season in prep for times like last night.
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100% with you, I really don't see why against teams like Xavier and Butler Amari could not have played 20 minutes, those games were over at half by a convincible margin.
 
Littlemin said:
Fudd shot 20-55 for the entire tournament, 36%; 13-32 from 3, 40%. She had 2 assists and 9 TOs for the tournament.

Bueckers shot 39-71, 55%; 5-16 from 3, 31%, but 3-14. She had 17 assists and 14 TOs.

Williams shot 21-76, 28%; 7-32 from 3, 22%. She had 11 assists and 4 TOs.

Westbrook shot 13-36, 36%; 6-19, 32% from 3. She had 8 assists and 8 TOs.

So combined, the guards with the bulk of the minutes shot 93-238, 39% overall; 31-99, 31% from 3; with 38 assists and 35 TOs.

I am an unabashed Muhl fan, her stats are mediocre at best but the team just played better with her on the court, especially at the start of games. She was the spark plug of energy that brought intensity and took the fight to the other team from the start. Uconn had great play and great chemistry going into the tournament with Auriemma acknowledging that several times publicly, lauding the depth of the team. For whatever reason, he decided to change that, altering Muhl and Ducharme‘s roles significantly and changing the persona of Uconn at the start of games. Obviously, I felt and feel it was a very poor decision, don’t fix what ain’t broken.
It has become somewhat of a pattern for Uconn to eventually lose to a team with comparable talent but a willingness to take the game to Uconn. SC was clearly, the better, more aggressive team, as was Arizona last year. For those complaining about the refs, the more aggressive team, the team that takes the fight to the opponent almost always gets the bulk of the calls, it has been that way forever.
Anyway, Uconn fans can again take solace in the war cry of the old Brooklyn Dodger fans, “wait ‘til next year.”
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Wait until next year didn't work for my wife's families favorite team -dem-bums, and it not a Uconn slogan. We don't expect them to be in the NC's EVERY year. Long time, realistic, caring Uconn fans know the impossible is possible but we don't expect it. The NC is a great bragging tool but not really important. to Uconn fans.
For us who have seen our lady team go from obscurity to top of the heap each win is gift from Geno. No he isn't God, he has refused the job--it has too many problems to be solved. Geno is just a man who does his job the best he can and that is 98 percent of the time great. Us really old women and men have seen it all--and then we saw more this year. Our emotions and caring for the team grows and grows. I hate to say this--it;s usually misunderstood but Uconn Fan don't need NC's or FF or Elite 8 because the pleasure is the TEAM and how they play the game.
 
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I don't care how good you are, when you give up 2 or more shooting chances per possession because you can't/won't box out & rebound you are going to lose. SC just killed UConn on the boards from beginning to end. I thought UConn's forwards were too timid underneath. It's too bad Jamelle Elliott couldn't suit up, she'd have shown the UConn posts how it is done.
 
fomalhaut said:
Considering Connecticut's injury/illness problems all year (continuing even into this game with Nelson-Ododa and Westbrook and Fudd), it was a miracle they even made it this year and even made a game of it at times (I had visions of a miracle rally when they cut it to 6 late); particularly playing against a strong team which had very few injury issues this year. There's no question South Carolina outplayed them tonight.

However, if this is the best refereeing we can expect in a national championship game, the NCAA has a big problem. 21 fouls to 11 against a much more physical team is ludicrous, and Boston got away with (among others) a walk where she took two steps from a stationary postion (thereC
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Yes, Carolina got away with much and Boston more. However, I only see things through Uconn glasses. So, my bias is only for Uconn. I did see the walk, and screamed at the refs but 1500 miles away, I don't think they heard. I do remember DT in her Uconn hay day got things overlooked and I thought then it what top players got. Life isn't fair--Top Talent gets breaks--Uconn and even Carolina accept the good breaks because there are so many bad ones.
 
JordyG said:
What's to say? The best team won tonight. These young women of SC are some really good kids. They earned their victory with strong play inside and outside. SC fans have a right to crow, at least until next year. I'm proud of the way the UConn ladies pushed through a difficult and trying year. Injuries, illnesses to the team, the coach, and the practice squad. Hell, even their bus broke down. But Dawn should rightly be proud of what she's done down there in Carolina. They're an elite program with an elite coach who is also an elite recruiter. See you next year Dawn, you're a beast, and it's all good for WCBB. As we old Dodger fans used to say, what 'til next year!
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Dawn is, indeed, a fabulous recruiter. She's brought in two future WNBA Hall of Fame post players in A'ja Wilson and Boston. Hard to believe that she's only won two NC's with those overpowering posts. And that doesn't include all the other talent.

The WCBB world has indeed tilted its axis. Staley has changed who plays where, and who plays for a championship,
 
South Carolina was the better team. Their point guard had a game and we could not matchup in the front court. Could Dorka have helped? Maybe but their domination on the boards was a team thing. We were late to loose balls or long rebounds as well. UConn did not play the best we could but everyone left it out there and no one can say that this team did not take it as far as they possible talent wise. This ending just lights the fire for next year for the returning players. The fact Gampel was sold out for a watch party was a real positive on a frustrating night. On to next year!
 
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