The committee is a joke

[eebmg]

I normally do not partake in the annual committee-bashing ritual.

But I will say, having seen a number of these committee chairs interviewed over the years, the interview with Gawlik on the selection show ranks among the least impressive I've ever seen.

Yes.
She looked like she is in witness protection.

 

[Plebe]

Yes.
She looked like she is in witness protection.

I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and surmise that she'd had no sleep for 3 straight nights and was hopped up on caffeine and No-Doz. And then when they turned in the bracket, she was hitting the happy hour hard when they were like, "Hey Terry, don't forget you have to do this ESPN interview..."

 

[LETTERL]

I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and surmise that she'd had no sleep for 3 straight nights and was hopped up on caffeine and No-Doz. And then when they turned in the bracket, she was hitting the happy hour hard when they were like, "Hey Terry, don't forget you have to do this ESPN interview..."

LOL! I was sort of disappointed that she answered exactly ONE question from Maria Taylor and then POOF...she was gone. Almost like she knew the Committee had turned in a stinky, controversial bracket and didn't want to deal with any hard questions. But she did say that after some time off, the members will spread out and go to the sites...so if anyone's attending the tourney sites, corner the nearest Committee member nearest you and ask them what you (and all of us) want to know!

 

[uconnever]

So, you're saying you'd swap places with South Carolina and allow them to play in Bridgeport while UConn flies across the country to play in Stockton, CA? You can't have it both ways.

YES!

 

[uconnever]

Exactly. Poor UConn. "Nobody respects us"...

South Carolina fans can't drive an hour to see their team play if they make it past the first two rounds. SC has played in California 3 of the last 6 tournaments, and last year we played in South Dakota.

South-Da-freaking-Kota.

Stop whining. Yes, it sucks but keep winning. I'm upset that we're going out west again, but SC is a 1-seed. We control our destiny to the Final Four.. just keep winning.

If anything.. Mike sounds like he's afraid of Maryland.

Easiest bracket by far and probably the worst one seed.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and surmise that she'd had no sleep for 3 straight nights and was hopped up on caffeine and No-Doz. And then when they turned in the bracket, she was hitting the happy hour hard when they were like, "Hey Terry, don't forget you have to do this ESPN interview..."

Is it really that difficult for the committee to pick 64 teams and figure out where to put them in the bracket? I mean it's not exactly rocket science or something that should require staying up for three nights with no sleep. I would have thought by now someone would have created a computer program with algorithms to properly place the teams more consistently than a committee.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

2 teams in our path listed as better than their seed....Syracuse and Maryland. Could also add West Virginia after what they did in their tournament.

Bridgeport listed by all 3 as having the most talent (and not just because UConn is there).

OK... I get it that Syracuse and MD...and maybe WV are listed as "better than their seed"... but seriously, Syracuse in Gampel...I like our chances in that 2nd round game. And, MD, WVU better than seed...we won't play both, maybe not either if Duke comes out on top. only have to play One of the three... Just sayin'....... Go Huskies!

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

They are saving that for next year- Albany.

I thought that the regional in Albany a few years back was GREAT! No parking issues, good restaurants with specials, nice people...a very enjoyable experience. Far better than Bridgeport, IMO.

Of course, the Dayton Band was there in all their glory. That added to the experience four-fold.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

It may be unfair based on the simple premise of seeding, but methinks if anything it shows the strength of UConn. The committee knows no one is watching this tourney outside of every single CUonn game play maybe 2 or three other matchups. Also, with the growing narrative that this much success is bad for the sport, they are just trying to set up the goliath for a fight that may finally cause him to break a sweat, because people will tune in for that. Who cares, let them, all it will do is further highlight the dominance of this program, it doesnt matter who you put in front of us, they will be decimated like every other.

UConn got screwed. Will they win the NC? Maybe. But the path to the NC game should have been a lot easier. The committee is a total joke. No rhyme or reason to it. I think UConn got the most difficult grouping, followed by Baylor. But the other side of the tournament was pretty easy for their #1's.

Weird and unfair. As Coach Geno says, UConn has its work cut out for it.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

He is building a mindset to his team that nothing is being given to us, and we have to fight every game to earn it.

It started in a huddle in the very first game of the year: "This is how it's going to be...."

 

[HuskyNan]

OK... I get it that Syracuse and MD...and maybe WV are listed as "better than their seed"... but seriously, Syracuse in Gampel...I like our chances in that 2nd round game. And, MD, WVU better than seed...we won't play both, maybe not either if Duke comes out on top. only have to play One of the three... Just sayin'.. Go Huskies!

The last time Syracuse beat UConn was in 1996 by a score of 62-59. The game was in Syracuse, in that cavern they call an arena. The last time WVU beat UConn was 1982. Maryland, for all its scariness, has never beaten the Huskies.

 

[ochoopsfan]

The biggest joke is picking Stockton as a location for one of the regionals.
According to what I can find, there is only one airline that services Stockton Airport. It is Allegiant Airlines. They only have flights to Stockton from Vegas, Phoenix and San Diego.
This is also a positive note if you are flying Allegiant---To purchase tickets at the Allegiant ticket counter, agents are available ONLY one hour after each scheduled departure and ONLY on the days when there is a scheduled flight.
The next closest cities to fly to are:

60 minutes to Sacramento
85 minutes to San Francisco
75 minutes to San Jose and Oakland.
The above are with no traffic.
Stockton formerly was known as the Foreclosure Capital of the USA.
What the heck was the appeal? Why not Portland? Seattle, Sacramento, San Diego, etc.

 

[Husky pride]

Probably won't happen, but how about this scenario, Duke beats UConn to reach the FF and shows Azurá that she should not have transferred

And as Uconn fans, the reason we would want to consider that scenario is??????

 

[itsasport]

Feel sorry for the teams stuck in UConn"s bracket- where no team in the country wants to be. Remember ND's complaints about that?

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

The biggest joke is picking Stockton as a location for one of the regionals.
According to what I can find, there is only one airline that services Stockton Airport. It is Allegiant Airlines. They only have flights to Stockton from Vegas, Phoenix and San Diego.
This is also a positive note if you are flying Allegiant---To purchase tickets at the Allegiant ticket counter, agents are available ONLY one hour after each scheduled departure and ONLY on the days when there is a scheduled flight.
The next closest cities to fly to are:

60 minutes to Sacramento
85 minutes to San Francisco
75 minutes to San Jose and Oakland.
The above are with no traffic.
Stockton formerly was known as the Foreclosure Capital of the USA.
What the heck was the appeal? Why not Portland? Seattle, Sacramento, San Diego, etc.

The committee really had nothing much to do with Where the Regionals are...that's a competitive bid kind of thing with the NCAA (I believe)... Locations (cities/venues/etc) submit their bids and someone/group in NCAA makes the selections, smaller version of Superbowl venue selection process or even Olympic Games selection... Can't blame this on the committee...just sayin'

 

[Oldbones]

As if he doesn't say that every year. Everybody's all cocky until there's some competition. I'm just surprised Auriemma didn't break down weeping and say he's considering forfeiting.

The great Frank Leahy, whose 107-13-9 or .864 record at Notre Dame compares with Geno's at UCONN, was quoted just before a 40-plus-point victory over Navy as saying "Frankly, those Navy boys scare me to death." No bulletin board material for Frank.

 

[ochoopsfan]

The committee really had nothing much to do with Where the Regionals are...that's a competitive bid kind of thing with the NCAA (I believe)... Locations (cities/venues/etc) submit their bids and someone/group in NCAA makes the selections, smaller version of Superbowl venue selection process or even Olympic Games selection... Can't blame this on the committee...just sayin'

I know but I didnt want to start a new topic for this. So instead of the "team" selection committee, it was the "site bid group" who decided on this.

 

[GoUconn7961]

My feeling on all of it (which I hope the team feels as well) is:

Bring. It. On.

 

[FfldCountyC]

I don't know if I am more stunned or appalled by this talk of UConn being screwed. We are supposed to be the best team of WCBB right now. We also have the first 4 games (hopefully) at home. To become a champion, you should want to beat the best. Can you imagine the reaction from Geno or this board if the team reacted like this? Its NCAA tourney time. There are no easy games, assumptions, etc. Time to play like the 11-time champs we are and play in pursuit of perfection, regardless of the opponent. This is UConn, let's act like it. No fear, just play to win.

 

[tonehill68]

"We got our work cut out for us"- Geno on facebook live about the bracket.

Said Maryland, UCLA, and Syracuse all score a lot of points

Said we would have to beat 3 top 5 teams to win the title which has never happened.

Shame there were upsets last year because we need them to happen this year.

Funny Geno seems to agree with us whiners.

Just because Geno said these statements means he agrees with you or the "whiners". Just about everyone who follows the Connecticut ladies knows that he motivates by any means necessary. Those statements are motivation tactics, to remind his ladies that they haven't won anything yet.

He needed to remind his team that Maryland, UCLA and Syracuse can all score a lot of points. Or that his team would have to beat 3 top 5 teams to win it all. (They can/will be the first). Again it's to motivate and keep his team grounded. They will be fine. Man, if Geno and he ladies really thought like how some people on the board feel, they will be in trouble.

 

[magic]

UConn is the best team. You shouldn't be worried about the rest of us scrubs.

Everyone has to understand that this is a TV TOURNAMENT. As I've stated before, this will be the most competitive tournament ever, by far. To me, any great coach would worry more about " who " is in their bracket. You focus on the game in front of you. I was very surpised by Dawn 's reaction to SC being sent to Stockton. IMO, both the Lexington, and Oklahoma regions have considerably more difficult paths. And, if you are going to end your statement stating how many obstacles your team has overcome this season, why plant a negative mind set to begin with ?

 

[Dillon77]

if I were Duke, i'd be far more concerned about Oregon than UConn. I think Oregon has what it takes to beat Duke in Durham.

I think Oregon has a possibility to make a serious run up that side of the bracket. They played awfully well in the PAC12 tourney and Ionescu strikes me as ready to having a coming-out party, along with Ruthie Hebard.

 

[CMC'72]

once again UCONN gets screwed!!

Mike...

For the good of the women's game, for the good of UCONN's game. and for the anti-ho-hummers, the UCONN faithful...

I thank the Committee for giving UCONN the hardest possible schedule to the championship. (Drop the mike) (not you, Mike).

Why?

Viewers, new and old, are coming this year. Big time.

What do we need for the good of the game?

What do we need for the good of UCONN?

These hordes of viewers attracted by the hype must not see:

UCONN run over any easy teams.

Or those viewers will say:

1. Sure, none of the other teams are any good.

2. Very few of the other teams are any good.

3. The 11 championships are worthless.

4. That women's championship is worthless

5. UCONN's streak is worthless.

6. As we said, BORING! Why watch at all.

The committee must have planned for this issue.

And after all, don't we UCONN fans value a great game against a real competitor, more than the cham... uh, err...

Well we do love a great game!

Just my take.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

The biggest joke is picking Stockton as a location for one of the regionals.
According to what I can find, there is only one airline that services Stockton Airport. It is Allegiant Airlines. They only have flights to Stockton from Vegas, Phoenix and San Diego.
This is also a positive note if you are flying Allegiant---To purchase tickets at the Allegiant ticket counter, agents are available ONLY one hour after each scheduled departure and ONLY on the days when there is a scheduled flight.
The next closest cities to fly to are:

60 minutes to Sacramento
85 minutes to San Francisco
75 minutes to San Jose and Oakland.
The above are with no traffic.
Stockton formerly was known as the Foreclosure Capital of the USA.
What the heck was the appeal? Why not Portland? Seattle, Sacramento, San Diego, etc.

I'm flying into and staying in SF; it's 80 miles away. Stockton is as bad a location as Sioux Falls.

 

[Vowelguy]

once again UCONN gets screwed!!

Again?
Please educate us on all these other times UConn has been screwed by the committee.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

A few (random) points...

1) For those attacking Charlie Creme for not being completely accurate in his bracketology, remember this thread. The Committee goes against its own rules at times, whether it be seeding, placement, geography, etc. He is not perfect, but Creme is VERY knowledgeable about the rules. It is not exactly fair to expect Creme to predict when and how the Committee will sway from its own rules/guidelines.

2) Maryland was always going to be a #3 seed, based on the early projections/Committee "first looks." Had Maryland been able to defeat Ohio State three times, it might have been a #2 (MD split the regular season meetings, then played Purdue instead of OSU in the B10 final). But even as a #2, it likely would have been the lowest seeded #2, meaning a date in Bridgeport.

3) Intentional or not, the committee has a twisted sense of humor. Lexi Brown transferred from Maryland to Duke, and the teams could meet in the Sweet 16. Azura Stevens transferred from Duke to UConn, and the teams could meet in the Elite Eight.

4) The last time UConn lost to a team in the NCAA Tournament in the State of Connecticut? At the time the game was played, Crystal Dangerfield was seven years old, Twitter did not even exist, Marisa Moseley had not started her coaching career, and Geno Auriemma "only" had five national titles. Safe to say that no matter who the opponent is, attempting to defeat UConn is an incredibly daunting task...doing so in CT would require a miracle.

 

[Kevin G]

Let us not forgot that we are playing "home" games all the way until the FF. No other team has that advantage that I am aware of.

 

[ctdad]

Let us not forgot that we are playing "home" games all the way until the FF. No other team has that advantage that I am aware of.

Kentucky would not have to leave Lexington at all, as they are slated to host all four potential games.

 

[Biff]

"The committee is a joke"

 

[1-of-the-6]

Crystal Dangerfield was seven years old...

Ok, so with Dangerfield now being eleven, that would make it 2013...