The Athletic Power Ranking: Expected UCONN to struggle? No so fast!

[SVCBeercats]

Expected UConn to struggle? Not so fast. Women's college basketball power rankings

How far does Texas fall in Sabreena Merchant's top 25 rankings?

theathletic.com

(Azzi Fudd) "shooting 70 percent on 2s and 38 percent on 3s while averaging 30 points per game. Those are video-game numbers."

"UConn still has some ballhandling issues, even if Nika Mühl’s playmaking has been a real highlight so far, and the post defense could use some work."

Ranking:

1. South Carolina
2. UConn
3. Stanford
4. Iowa State
5. Indiana
6. Ohio State
7. Notre Dame
8. Louisville
9. Iowa
10. NC State
11. North Carolina
12. Virginia Tech
13. LSU
14. Maryland
15. Creighton
16. Utah
17. Oregon
18. Arizona
19. Baylor
20. Oklahoma
21. Texas
22. Tennessee
23. Michigan
24. Villanova
25. UCLA

Lurkers: Duke, Gonzaga, South Dakota State, Marquette

 

[Next 12]

Uconn is in it's familiar spot, second or first. I'll settle for second now and correct the standing later in the year.GO HUSKIES!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

The Athletic posts a power ranking not a poll

 

[TheGOAT23]

Expected UConn to struggle? Not so fast. Women's college basketball power rankings

How far does Texas fall in Sabreena Merchant's top 25 rankings?

theathletic.com

(Azzi Fudd) "shooting 70 percent on 2s and 38 percent on 3s while averaging 30 points per game. Those are video-game numbers."

"UConn still has some ballhandling issues, even if Nika Mühl’s playmaking has been a real highlight so far, and the post defense could use some work."

Ranking:

1. South Carolina
2. UConn
3. Stanford
4. Iowa State
5. Indiana
6. Ohio State
7. Notre Dame
8. Louisville
9. Iowa
10. NC State
11. North Carolina
12. Virginia Tech
13. LSU
14. Maryland
15. Creighton
16. Utah
17. Oregon
18. Arizona
19. Baylor
20. Oklahoma
21. Texas
22. Tennessee
23. Michigan
24. Villanova
25. UCLA

Lurkers: Duke, Gonzaga, South Dakota State, Marquette

I agree that ball handling needs to improve and the post defense needs to get better. They’re not going to be perfect, but the “D” in the post needs to give some more resistance. Chalk it up to injuries being a part of it, but they’re not complaining. Aaliyah is not even at her peak yet and when she does get there, watch out.

 

[Bajan Best]

For our post defense to get better, it would mean our Rookie needs alot more playing time, she has all the natural skills to bring that necessary impact in the post, Both Dorka and Aaliyah have been with us long enough now for us to know what you see, is what you get. they are just not aggressive enough/react fast enough to the ball.. yes they can get us to the final four perhaps with team defense but for us to dominate in the paint at both ends we are going to need our rookie to be playing with confidence and just beating the opposition to the 50 /50 balls, like she already is.. beating them to the position in the paint , using her vertical jumping and strength to garner rebounds, start the fast break with good outlet passes and sprinting down the court for an easy layup or a dunk... Her development is so key right now to make this team unstoppable...

 

[Millenial23]

only 38% on 3 pointers? what a slacker

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I find them pretty objective. They all come to the season with a mind set of UConn being down with Paige out for the year; then they go find what they want to support their mind set.

 

[DefenseBB]

We have ball handling issues? Who knew.....

 

[CL82]

For those expecting a down year from the Huskies, it doesn’t look like it yet.

 

[Littlemin]

For our post defense to get better, it would mean our Rookie needs alot more playing time, she has all the natural skills to bring that necessary impact in the post, Both Dorka and Aaliyah have been with us long enough now for us to know what you see, is what you get. they are just not aggressive enough/react fast enough to the ball.. yes they can get us to the final four perhaps with team defense but for us to dominate in the paint at both ends we are going to need our rookie to be playing with confidence and just beating the opposition to the 50 /50 balls, like she already is.. beating them to the position in the paint , using her vertical jumping and strength to garner rebounds, start the fast break with good outlet passes and sprinting down the court for an easy layup or a dunk... Her development is so key right now to make this team unstoppable...

I was very impressed with Patterson’s court demeanor, if you will, against NC State; yes she got fouls but none of the “bull in a china shop” type. If I remember correctly 2 of her 3 were quite possibly of the “play on” variety. She seemed much calmer, much more under control; for me the first signs of her getting into the “just play” mode.

 

[TeamFirst!]

We don't have a strong post defense compared to Stanford or SC but it's pretty good overall. The turnovers still are needing to be cleaned up if we are a top team. I don't think our defense is as good as it was at the end of last year even and probably never will be this year. All that said, our offense is terrific and we can beat anyone if we shoot well. If we can continue to get out on the break it sure would help also ( insert Aubrey here as key ). The bottom line is they are probably not NC but on any given night we can beat anyone. Get into the FF and roll the dice.

 

[Alydar]

I was very impressed with Patterson’s court demeanor, if you will, against NC State; yes she got fouls but none of the “bull in a china shop” type. If I remember correctly 2 of her 3 were quite possibly of the “play on” variety. She seemed much calmer, much more under control; for me the first signs of her getting into the “just play” mode.

It's hard to fault a freshman playing 2 top 10 teams in her 2nd and third games. I've seen more confused freshman than Patterson. As long as her work ethic stays where it is it's just a matter of giving her a chance to learn. The fact that Geno puts her in as part of the rotation says he likes her work. He can live with the fouls as long as Griffin is playing Ms. all-world.