Talent trumps coaching but when combined...you get 12 National Titles

[DefenseBB]

In the General Board thread, I posted an analysis of HG rankings on the current AP top 19 schools. For this board, the interpretation is UConn has an unbelievable amount of talent that can be quantified. We have 10 players ranked in the top 20 of their class. If Blanca and Jana had been US or Canadian, I think both would also have been Top 20.

Excerpted is UConn data:
Roster 15 players
International 3 players
Not Ranked (NR) 3 players
Average ranking of the 12 ranked players is 14.0
Ranked within the top 20 of their HS class is 10 of them.
Transfers is 2, which is the second lowest number of all 18 teams (Vanderbilt has 1 transfer)

I do think this is one of the most talented teams that Geno/CD have ever had so depending on the season result, I will probably do that full assessment.

Geno not only gets the talent, he is able to achieve with it. And to be fair, so is Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey. Others still have some "proving" to do-ahem "Cori Close", "Lindsay Gottlieb", "Kara Lawson", "Courney Banghart".

Truly mind boggling when you think of this year and all the years that we have been fortunate to witness.

 

[FanSince17]

I've only been a crazy fan since 17. (Darn- Gabby, Pheesa, Kia, KLS)
When did Geno win when he didn't have the best talent? When did he lose when he had the best talent? When did anyone win when they didn't have the best talent?
John Wooden- same questions. 1965- Gail Goodrich, Walt Hazzard, Keith Erickson. Was that the 1st "small lineup". Famous zone press with Erickson at 6'5" on the back line. Wicks and Rowe?

 

[DefenseBB]

1991 in his first final four, he had very little national talent
1995 he had some talent but not a top 10 squad talent
2001 He had unbelievable talent but injuries took their toll
2011 was Maya Moore's senior season and they were 36-1 before the loss in the National Semi-final game loss against an ND squad we beaten 3 previous times (2 regular season, 1 BET).

 

[Centerstream]

I've only been a crazy fan since 17. (Darn- Gabby, Pheesa, Kia, KLS)
When did Geno win when he didn't have the best talent? When did he lose when he had the best talent? When did anyone win when they didn't have the best talent?
John Wooden- same questions. 1965- Gail Goodrich, Walt Hazzard, Keith Erickson. Was that the 1st "small lineup". Famous zone press with Erickson at 6'5" on the back line. Wicks and Rowe?

2017! UConn was undefeated going into the Final Four and had already beaten the eventual NCs.
And possibly 2018!
There, I said it.

 

[ucmiami2]

2013 also stands out as a not the best talent year - Griner and co were the heavy favorites before the Louisville game, and ND had already beaten them three times.

Both 2003, 2004 and 2025 were also likely not the most talented rosters.

And, yeah - that 2001 team was probably the most talented ever with Sveta, Shea, the TASS class as juniors, plus DT. 5 Olympians - Shea and Sveta injuries derailed them.

 

[Zanzman]

1991 in his first final four, he had very little national talent
1995 he had some talent but not a top 10 squad talent
2001 He had unbelievable talent but injuries took their toll
2011 was Maya Moore's senior season and they were 36-1 before the loss in the National Semi-final game loss against an ND squad we beaten 3 previous times (2 regular season, 1 BET).

Just curious how highly rated was Kerry Bascom coning out of high school

 

[uconnfan68]

Just curious how highly rated was Kerry Bascom coning out of high school

Not high enough based on her career. She's the main reason I have watched since 1991. She played like we did on the playground.

 

[DefenseBB]

There might have been some "underground rankings" but nothing from a known national ranking perspective. That Final Four listing had Tennessee, Stanford and Virginia in it. All nationally known teams (Geno had worked for Debbie Ryan) and upstart UConn. Kerry was a great what we now call a "mid-major" player and worthy of all the UConn accolades she's earned as the first great star we had.

As Rebecca Lobo has stated, that team made her notice UConn and take the call from Geno. The rest is history as they say.

 

[FanSince17]

2017! UConn was undefeated going into the Final Four and had already beaten the eventual NCs.
And possibly 2018!
There, I said it.

2013 also stands out as a not the best talent year - Griner and co were the heavy favorites before the Louisville game, and ND had already beaten them three times.

Both 2003, 2004 and 2025 were also likely not the most talented rosters.

And, yeah - that 2001 team was probably the most talented ever with Sveta, Shea, the TASS class as juniors, plus DT. 5 Olympians - Shea and Sveta injuries derailed them.

There might have been some "underground rankings" but nothing from a known national ranking perspective. That Final Four listing had Tennessee, Stanford and Virginia in it. All nationally known teams (Geno had worked for Debbie Ryan) and upstart UConn. Kerry was a great what we now call a "mid-major" player and worthy of all the UConn accolades she's earned as the first great star we had.

As Rebecca Lobo has stated, that team made her notice UConn and take the call from Geno. The rest is history as they say.

Somebody should write a documentary about UConn 1991-1995.

 

[YKCornelius]

There might have been some "underground rankings" but nothing from a known national ranking perspective. That Final Four listing had Tennessee, Stanford and Virginia in it. All nationally known teams (Geno had worked for Debbie Ryan) and upstart UConn. Kerry was a great what we now call a "mid-major" player and worthy of all the UConn accolades she's earned as the first great star we had.

As Rebecca Lobo has stated, that team made her notice UConn and take the call from Geno. The rest is history as they say.

What/who are you talking about with regards to "underground rankings"?

Kerry Bascom was touted as a HS All-American (Parade Magazine) and her decision to join UConn in Geno's third year accelerated the program's ascent. A "mid-major" player??? She was a WCBA/Kodak First Team All-American her senior year, for goodness sakes!

 

[hoophuskee]

I've only been a crazy fan since 17. (Darn- Gabby, Pheesa, Kia, KLS)
When did Geno win when he didn't have the best talent?

In terms of titles, I didn't follow 1995 team but I suspect that was more "unit" vs having the best talent.

The 2003 team and 2004 team in which Geno had made the infamous comment "We have Diana and you don't."

And the freshmen-led Stewart team in 2013. Baylor was considered the best.

A shame these past years UCONN couldn't be even close to being healthy vs the great SoCar teams. That happens too frequently in hoop.

 

[BobbyJ]

Just curious how highly rated was Kerry Bascom coning out of high school

There were no rankings in 1987 like now however, she was selected as a Parade AA which was highest honors back then. Most major programs at the time offered her because she was playing for a very good AAU team during the summers where the coaches were able to see her play. I saw her play several times for her Epping NH HS team. Her school's enrollment was only about 200 at that time but she was easily a top 50 talent in the country. She was big, tough, and could really score inside and out. Go to 24:10 in this video and see what Auriemma thought of Bascom as a clutch player.

 

[Zanzman]

There were no rankings in 1987 like now however, she was selected as a Parade AA which was highest honors back then. Most major programs at the time offered her because she was playing for a very good AAU team during the summers where the coaches were able to see her play. I saw her play several times for her Epping NH HS team. Her school's enrollment was only about 200 at that time but she was easily a top 50 talent in the country. She was big, tough, and could really score inside and out. Go to 24:10 in this video and see what Auriemma thought of Bascom as a clutch player.

Thanks

 

[BobbyJ]

There might have been some "underground rankings" but nothing from a known national ranking perspective. That Final Four listing had Tennessee, Stanford and Virginia in it. All nationally known teams (Geno had worked for Debbie Ryan) and upstart UConn. Kerry was a great what we now call a "mid-major" player and worthy of all the UConn accolades she's earned as the first great star we had.

As Rebecca Lobo has stated, that team made her notice UConn and take the call from Geno. The rest is history as they say.

Bascom was no mid major player. She was a 3 time Big East POY and at the time the BE was one of the top 3 conferences in the country along with the SEC and the ACC. And of course a 1st team Kodak AA as a senior. Auriemma considers her the best clutch scorer he's ever had. See the video in post #12 at the 24:10 mark.

 

[Puppy Love]

In terms of titles, I didn't follow 1995 team but I suspect that was more "unit" vs having the best talent.

The 1995 team had Lobo (NPOY, AA, Honda Award in 1995), Rizzotti (first team AA, 1996 NPOY, Honda winner), Wolters (1997 AP Player of the Year, first team AA), Sales (2 time AA). The starting lineup was absolutely stacked. It lacked depth, but was not lacking in talent.

 

[DefenseBB]

What/who are you talking about with regards to "underground rankings"?

Kerry Bascom was touted as a HS All-American (Parade Magazine) and her decision to join UConn in Geno's third year accelerated the program's ascent. A "mid-major" player??? She was a WCBA/Kodak First Team All-American her senior year, for goodness sakes!

Prior to her committing and playing for UConn, she was NOT well known nor recruited by the elite programs at that time. Her fantastic career elevated UConn AND absolutely got her noticed and on the collegiate awards list by her senior year. While Parade AA lists for boys in particular were published (yearly), girls lists were not. Eventually Parade added girls but again it was yearly so ongoing assessments like we now get to see and had started in the 90s were not around when Kerry was in HS. Don’t confuse her end of collegiate career and notoriety after the 1991 FF run with the pre 1991 run. Kerry was a star for the Big East but the Big East was a lesser league for women back then AND you know this so don’t try to play that card…

 

[bballnut90]

2013 also stands out as a not the best talent year - Griner and co were the heavy favorites before the Louisville game, and ND had already beaten them three times.

Both 2003, 2004 and 2025 were also likely not the most talented rosters.

And, yeah - that 2001 team was probably the most talented ever with Sveta, Shea, the TASS class as juniors, plus DT. 5 Olympians - Shea and Sveta injuries derailed them.

2013 was stacked. They had 6 players who'd earn All American honors in college, 8 future WNBA players and the roster was loaded in terms of HS rankings.

2025 was also stacked. 3 former HS #1 recruits (Paige, Fudd, Strong), several other former top 10 recruits (Brady, Ziebell, Arnold) and a couple of other highly touted players (Cheli and Shade) and another future WNBA player in Chen.

2001 was one of the most stacked teams of all time on paper. All the players mentioned plus Kelly Schumacher and Kennitra Johnson who was very good (and Maria Conlon who lit up the Final Four). Overall the team chemistry just wasn't as good as 2000 or 2002 though, even prior to injury. They got blown out by Notre Dame early in the year and lost to Tennessee mid season as well. Both of those programs had stacked rosters as well that season.

 

[BobbyJ]

Prior to her committing and playing for UConn, she was NOT well known nor recruited by the elite programs at that time. Her fantastic career elevated UConn AND absolutely got her noticed and on the collegiate awards list by her senior year. While Parade AA lists for boys in particular were published (yearly), girls lists were not. Eventually Parade added girls but again it was yearly so ongoing assessments like we now get to see and had started in the 90s were not around when Kerry was in HS. Don’t confuse her end of collegiate career and notoriety after the 1991 FF run with the pre 1991 run. Kerry was a star for the Big East but the Big East was a lesser league for women back then AND you know this so don’t try to play that card…

The BE was one of the top 3 women’s conferences in the country at that time along with the SEC and ACC.

 

[BBallF]

I've only been a crazy fan since 17. (Darn- Gabby, Pheesa, Kia, KLS)
When did Geno win when he didn't have the best talent? When did he lose when he had the best talent? When did anyone win when they didn't have the best talent?
John Wooden- same questions. 1965- Gail Goodrich, Walt Hazzard, Keith Erickson. Was that the 1st "small lineup". Famous zone press with Erickson at 6'5" on the back line. Wicks and Rowe?

Wicks and Rowe were 2 years post Alcindor and certainly not small ball. Wicks was 6'8" and Rowe was 6'7". Steve Patterson was the 6'9" center on the 1971 team. As for the Goodrich-Hazard backcourt and their 2-2-1 full court zone press- very small ball and maybe the best pressing team ever.

 

[BBallF]

In terms of titles, I didn't follow 1995 team but I suspect that was more "unit" vs having the best talent.

The 2003 team and 2004 team in which Geno had made the infamous comment "We have Diana and you don't."

And the freshmen-led Stewart team in 2013. Baylor was considered the best.

A shame these past years UCONN couldn't be even close to being healthy vs the great SoCar teams. That happens too frequently in hoop.

The injuries just seemed to be happening to us every year. We were all holding our breath last year and waiting for the other shoe to drop. Instead we got a team that set the record for largest combined margin of victory in the Final Four. As for 2003-2004 team you are on point. We had one of the greatest college players ever if not the greatest but not much more except that Diana elevated everyone. It was very Jordanesque.

 

[bballnut90]

I've only been a crazy fan since 17. (Darn- Gabby, Pheesa, Kia, KLS)
When did Geno win when he didn't have the best talent? When did he lose when he had the best talent? When did anyone win when they didn't have the best talent?

I'll take a stab at these:

When did he win when he didn't have the best talent: arguably 2003 and 2004. People underrate DT's supporting cast though, both of those teams had 4-5 future WNBA players on the roster. Tennessee probably had the best team on paper in 2003, Duke in 2004 though.

When did he lose when he had the best talent?

Most years he has had the best talent when you look at HS rankings. Notable years when it looked like they had championship caliber teams but didn't pull through are:
-2001, as noted, they were incredibly stacked on paper. I'm still of the belief that Notre Dame had the best overall team that season though.

-2008 they were the #1 team entering the NCAA tournament and had Moore/Charles/Montgomery. Most thought we were headed to a Tennessee/UCONN battle but UCONN was upset in the Final Four.

-2011 they also were the #1 or #2 team entering the tournament and had Maya Moore as a senior. They were upset by a motivated Notre Dame team who had lost to UCONN 3x that year.

-2017, probably the best UCONN team to not win IMO. Team chemistry was incredibly strong and they just looked head and shoulders better than the field most of the year. The loss to Mississippi State is still one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history and I think if they replayed the tournament 10 more times, UCONN wins it 8 or 9x.

-2018, pretty much a carbon copy of 2017 but I thought the 2017 team was a more cohesive unit. The rest of the field was better in 2018, too. The top 4 teams that season were all on very even playing fields, as evidenced by the 3 buzzer beater games in the Final Four.

When did anyone win when they didn't have the best talent?
Going way back, some examples are:

-2005 Baylor, they were somewhat of a Cinderall champion. Most felt LSU or Tennessee was the strong favorite to win going into the tournament. Baylor upset LSU in the semis and Tennessee choked away a 16 point lead in the semifinals, leading to Baylor blowing out Michigan State that season. Baylor returned their best player and several key pieces the following year and only made the Sweet 16.

-2006 Maryland, Duke and Tennessee looked to stacked on paper going into the season. North Carolina emerged as a title favorite going into the tournament, but Maryland was very good and a great dark horse champion that year. Maryland returned everyone the following season and lost in the 2nd round.

-2011 Texas A&M, they lost to Baylor 3x earlier in the year. Most thought Baylor, UCONN and Stanford were the 3 clear best teams in the country that year and it was a surprise to everyone that we saw Notre Dame play Texas A&M for the championship.

-2017 South Carolina, they had a lot of talent on paper but UCONN badly outplayed them head to head and looked like the clear better team that season. As a result Dawn didn't get a lot of respect for her 2017 championship until her program became a more consistent dominant force in the 2020s.

-2023 LSU, no one thought of them as a real title contender despite a 35-2 final record. They were destroyed by South Carolina earlier in the year and had faced a cream puff schedule in a weak SEC to give them a sterling record. If they ran the tournament 10 more times I don't think LSU wins any of them.

 

[Bigboote]

2017! UConn was undefeated going into the Final Four and had already beaten the eventual NCs.
And possibly 2018!
There, I said it.

2017 had seven players who made WNBA teams including two rookies of the year. Saniya and Crystal were the only ones who didn't stick in the league for several years. Dangerfield was rookie of the year, and Chong was Parade national player of the year in high school, so both were highly regarded. So, yeah, that was a seriously talented team.

 

[Gael]

In terms of titles, I didn't follow 1995 team but I suspect that was more "unit" vs having the best talent.

The 1995 team had Lobo (NPOY, AA, Honda Award in 1995), Rizzotti (first team AA, 1996 NPOY, Honda winner), Wolters (1997 AP Player of the Year, first team AA), Sales (2 time AA). The starting lineup was absolutely stacked. It lacked depth, but was not lacking in talent.

Exactly what I was going to say about the terrific and undefeated 1995 team. The starters also included Jamelle Elliott, who was the second UConn player to have more than 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career, and she's still seventh on the career rebounding list.

In addition, the 1995 team was the second highest scoring team in UConn history, averaging 89.5 points per game. (The 1999 team averaged 91.2.)

 

[hoophuskee]

Exactly what I was going to say about the terrific and undefeated 1995 team. The starters also included Jamelle Elliott, who was the second UConn player to have more than 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career, and she's still seventh on the career rebounding list.

In addition, the 1995 team was the second highest scoring team in UConn history, averaging 89.5 points per game. (The 1999 team averaged 91.2.)

I'll defer to you and puppylove. I was thinking that Jen and kara were not "most talented" but more grit players that won POY honor not as much for being "most talented." The teams were just so good. . In part they didn't win the next 2 yaers vs the talented Tennessee. Might it have been forr example that Tenn was more talanted the 2 yaers they won? Though Kara's sr year the Shea Ralph iinjury was a killer. You'vee seen them more than I have. I yield. 😀

 

[YKCornelius]

Prior to her committing and playing for UConn, she was NOT well known nor recruited by the elite programs at that time. Her fantastic career elevated UConn AND absolutely got her noticed and on the collegiate awards list by her senior year. While Parade AA lists for boys in particular were published (yearly), girls lists were not. Eventually Parade added girls but again it was yearly so ongoing assessments like we now get to see and had started in the 90s were not around when Kerry was in HS. Don’t confuse her end of collegiate career and notoriety after the 1991 FF run with the pre 1991 run. Kerry was a star for the Big East but the Big East was a lesser league for women back then AND you know this so don’t try to play that card…

DefenseBB, what you wrote is simply incorrect on multiple fronts. Annual Parade High School All Americans for girls basketball started in the 1970s. 1977 was the first year they were published, and then every year thereafter. The girls Parade All American lists were annual lists, just like the boys. Bascom was a Parade HS All-American in 1987. These are historical facts.

As other posters pointed out, the Old Big East was one of the top leagues in the country for women's basketball in the 1980s and early 1990s when they had just nine teams. If you don't accept my word on that, go back and take a look at the teams in the women's college basketball poll that started in 1976 by Mel Greenberg of the Philadelphia Inquirer and was subsequently taken over by the Associated Press.

Recruitment of girl high school basketball players in the 1980s and early 1990s was largely shaped and driven by the schools' adherence to Title IX legislation and NCAA regulations. Suffice to say very few schools went outside of their geographic network of high school coaches to "recruit" star players. But when they did, it was to target elite talent - as identified in "Miss (insert state) Basketball" awards and national publications like Parade.

Your characterization of Kerry Bascom's renown and of the level of play in the Old Big East is grossly uninformed. I suspect your history of women's college basketball is likewise, as evidenced by your allusion to "underground rankings" that you still haven't explained.

Bottom line: Kerry Bascom was on the national radar in high school and throughout her college career. Geno was fortunate to have signed her. Every UConn WBB player and fan since has been a beneficiary of Kerry's recruitment.