The Desire to Aspire to be the Best

[Tonyc]

We've all talked about how much players at UConn are developed. Well with this bunch it seems to be contagious and I blame that on internal competition. All the great players we have are competeing againest each other and learning from each other. Its part of their attitude. When you look at KML who is filling the stat sheet, and BB who is improved so much its mind boggleing, and Stefs mental attitude to commit to getting fit and having the "want to" to become a great player. Some of my friends are coaches in NY and NYC and they are amazed at how much Stef has improved. I remember when Stef commited to UConn she was a little slow. Fans were concerned about her being to slow. I mentioned she had the skills, and better skills then Tina did when she was a freshman. Well look at Stef now.


Geno and CD have created an enviornment for players to succeed. That is something that is very hard to do and I would expect that every kid recruited by UConn from here on out will have to have the right attitude and desire to play at this level. This isnt some Womens College BB program, this is UConn Womens BB. If a kid isnt totally committed to the system then I dont think they will be part of this tradition. What this team dosnt need is someone going through the motions only slowing the learning curve down, and disrupting practice because the coaches have to stop practice to reinforce what is suppose to be done. This is a very very special bunch and it will get better and those who commit to UConn will get better only if they aspire to what has been build here. If you have goals and dreams you never get tired of winning. There is always another carrot for you to reach for. Winning is an attitude...unfortunately so is losing.


Alot of UConns success is helped by the freshman and the height advantage with Stef Kiah and Breanna. They have helped to change the game and bring a whole new and different aspect to the game. In one word "Intimadation." They are the main reason our shooting percentage is so high. Not only do we get shots closer in, but they draw attention leaving teammates open for a shot.

Now looking at our freshman class this year and seeing how our soph and jr classes have developed can you imagine where the underclassman could be next season?

This is special and were excited because we see more then winning. We see more then blowouts. We see the development of a team that that has a growing confidence and a commitment to win and is creating a whole new meaning to Number 1.

 

[msf22b]

A real good thing to do next year is too play a schedule devoid of more than 1 or 2 cupcakes. Show the world.

 

[doggydaddy]

A real good thing to do next year is too play a schedule devoid of more than 1 or 2 cupcakes. Show the world.

Having the top SOS by the end of the season is not good enough?

 

[msf22b]

Actually Doggy, maybe not. There won't be any point at all against playing teams totaly unable to compete.
And a problem w our current roster (and next year's ) is that everyone is a player. Who do you put in to keep the score down? Hire a walk-on squad to come in at the first media t/o of the 2nd half?
(Is there even a JV?)

 

[doggydaddy]

Actually Doggy, maybe not. There won't be any point at all against playing teams totaly unable to compete.
And a problem w our current roster (and next year's ) is that everyone is a player. Who do you put in to keep the score down? Hire a walk-on squad to come in at the first media t/o of the 2nd half?
(Is there even a JV?)

UConn has been beating teams every year by 40+ points. What are you saying will be different going forward? That they will beat more teams by that amount? That the amount will be 50+?

Are you suggesting UConn drop teams? Which ones? And replace them with who?

 

[Buzzyboy]

A real good thing to do next year is too play a schedule devoid of more than 1 or 2 cupcakes. Show the world.

I think UConn teams have a tendency to make a lot of teams LOOK like Cupcakes when in fact, they are pretty darn good college basketball teams. There aren't many teams nearly as talented and I dare say, probably next to none that are as well coached. That combination has proven deadly over the last 20 years in Storrs, CT.

 

[msf22b]

My point is that the tendency to overwhelm overmatched teams may be so over the top with this group that the only way for there to be any competition at all is to basically schedule only the top 20, OOC.

 

[pap49cba]

My point is that the tendency to overwhelm overmatched teams may be so over the top with this group that the only way for there to be any competition at all is to basically schedule only the top 20, OOC.

Well, at least one Top 20 (aTm) already has declined.

 

[PacoSwede]

My point is that the tendency to overwhelm overmatched teams may be so over the top with this group that the only way for there to be any competition at all is to basically schedule only the top 20, OOC.

They pretty consistently overwhelm the top 20, too. Not UConn's fault, but it ain't great for generating interest in the sport among spectators.

Also, keep in mind that not all top teams are eager to play UConn. Read somewhere that Blair had chance to play Huskies in Maggie Dixon next year and declined.

 

[msf22b]

I think he doesn't want to get embarresed again on National TV.
But his kids are good (by any standards but ours)...and they'll develop.

 

[meyers7]

I think he doesn't want to get embarresed again on National TV.
But his kids are good (by any standards but ours)...and they'll develop.

I think they will make some noise in the SEC.

 

[RadyLady]

I have heard said that these "cupcakes" come to play UConn for the opportunity, the experience, and seeing how such a high caliber team works and performs together. It is a total teaching opportunity. They play their hearts out, some of them, and I find mysef cheering for them as well. The experience is mostly good and UConn is paid $$ for this. Why would we stop it?

It is also a great opportunity for UConn to shake off any rust, and to run plays and play combinations on the floor to see how they work.

It is win-win, and I think it wrong to stop with these games.

I had some difficulty with Blairs presser...he was really, really down on his team. He has 7 freshmen for the love of Mike, and he blasted them and the rest of them showering them in his disappointment.

hey man - you wanted to do well on National TV. I'll bet they did, too. Having a national championship under your belt can create some pressure for the teams that follow. Yet - they were up against the #2 team in the nation and the buzz around this #2 team was some incredible stuff pre game. I am sure you are disappointed, and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say they were as well. 7 freshman. Some of them are pretty impressive and did some good things.

It also sounds as though you have some discpline problems on the team (tape over earrings? in a post game presser?). Was this the time and place for this discussion? Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, some (listeners) are not going to be bothered by this part of his rant, but I was really flummoxed at the timing......wow

Well....there's my rant for the day....anyone wanna go out for coffee?

 

[msf22b]

Rady: Are you perhaps making my point with Blair?

He knows better than anyone just how good our bunch will be and sees no point in complete humiliation on Nat TV, next season...and I agree with you, some of his kids are impressive and his team will be fine.

For the first time in my limited memory..again this is a possibility only.
That our play will be so extraordinary that cupcake opponents will be neither fun for them nor of any conceivable value for us.

 

[ChicagoGG]

"For the first time in my limited memory..again this is a possibility only.
That our play will be so extraordinary that cupcake opponents will be neither fun for them nor of any conceivable value for us.[/quote]


You are a perplexing fellow. Many OOC schools WON'T play UConn, and yet Geno manages to schedule a pretty interesting group...this year only CofC, Oakland and Oregon are not fairly well regarded. And he does believe in giving a shot to programs who are trying to grow and are willing to take us on.Who are the cupcakes otherwise? Not UHart, Maryland, Duke, Penn State, Baylor, or aTm.

Just who should we be playing other than conference games? UConn can only go to one of the Holiday Jams every couple of years.

Should we just send the practice squad out on the floor? Or maybe schedule the XL between the blue squad and the white squad?

If you could explain yourself, it would be helpful....otherwise

 

[RadyLady]

Rady: Are you perhaps making my point with Blair?

He knows better than anyone just how good our bunch will be and sees no point in complete humiliation on Nat TV, next season...and I agree with you, some of his kids are impressive and his team will be fine.

For the first time in my limited memory..again this is a possibility only.
That our play will be so extraordinary that cupcake opponents will be neither fun for them nor of any conceivable value for us.

No I am not. I was very clear with my points on why we schedule these (hate to use this term) weaker teams and I was very clear why they allow themselves to be scheduled.

Back in the day.....and even currently, UConn ran clinics instead of games...the precision with which those teams ran was such that they were virtually unstoppable, and boy it was fun to watch. No one could stop us and about every game was won by 30 or more points.

Other teams watched and some learned. Some coaches actually requested to attend practices so they could learn from Geno. We became the team to beat, and teams tried, especially Stamford and Notre Dame who studied and studied UConn to learn weakness and plan strategies to get that win.

The best draws the best, and also the best draws the ones who want to get better. I cannot remember a time when I didn't want to work with someone who was better than I was, be it at music, at sports, or anything because I knew that I would elevate my game to try to compete and win.

So you play everyone and use each game as a teaching tool in a variety of ways to work towards the ultimate goal on March.

As to Blair - I was pretty clear that I was shocked at his presser for a number of reasons. It seems to me that there is trouble in Aggie-land, the kind of which is best left in the locker rooms. I am guessing that he is having discpline problems, and that translates to the play of the game as well, for if the kids aren't listening and following team rules, then likely they are not following him on the floor either. [NOTE THAT THIS IS ALL SPECULATION GLEENED FROM YESTERDAYS PRESSER]. I heard him state a great deal of disappointment and embarassment, and the blame was being thrown on the players. There was nothing positive said, and that really bothered me. As to him not playing UConn, well, that's him. I suspect that on any other day, he might respond otherwise assuming that whatever issues he is having with the kids is resolved.

 

[meyers7]

It also sounds as though you have some discpline problems on the team (tape over earrings? in a post game presser?). Was this the time and place for this discussion? Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, some (listeners) are not going to be bothered by this part of his rant, but I was really flummoxed at the timing......wow

Didn't hear his presser, but I saw that when she tried to sub in early in the game. I could tell she was in big trouble. He sat her down and she didn't get in until very late in the game. She should have known better.

 

[RadyLady]

It's in this thread from yesterday.

 

[semper]

The BE is really getting weak, and this is a real problem in my view. Joining the ACC would be terrific.

 

[msf22b]

Chicago/Rady
You guys are certainly correct w the facts, there certainly isn't much chaff this season. I'm afraid I just got to the the left of Tony in my enthusiasm for the type of BB I have not seen (consistently) for a coupla generations.
My enthusiasm for this program is that it does show up here, of late during the Ms Moore period.

But now, there are so many possible moving parts that coach and staff have the possibility of creating the type of juggernaut not seen in the history of the woman's game.

I am reminded of the great men's teams of yore that played super intellegent, unselfish, brilliant, tough, and above all elegent BB.
Boston in the mid-50's: Cousy, Sharman,Luscutoff, Heinsohn, Ramsey, Russell
and
New York of the 70's Frazier, Barnett, Monroe, Bradley DeBusschere, Reed (with Phil Jackson on the bench, taking it all in).

It is a potential "our girls" may reach, making competition of no consequence.

So, I went off in a semi-irrational rant of my own.

mea culpa.

 

[wire chief]

I have heard said that these "cupcakes" come to play UConn for the opportunity, the experience, and seeing how such a high caliber team works and performs together. It is a total teaching opportunity. They play their hearts out, some of them, and I find mysef cheering for them as well. The experience is mostly good and UConn is paid $$ for this. Why would we stop it?

It is also a great opportunity for UConn to shake off any rust, and to run plays and play combinations on the floor to see how they work.

It is win-win, and I think it wrong to stop with these games.

I had some difficulty with Blairs presser...he was really, really down on his team. He has 7 freshmen for the love of Mike, and he blasted them and the rest of them showering them in his disappointment.

hey man - you wanted to do well on National TV. I'll bet they did, too. Having a national championship under your belt can create some pressure for the teams that follow. Yet - they were up against the #2 team in the nation and the buzz around this #2 team was some incredible stuff pre game. I am sure you are disappointed, and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say they were as well. 7 freshman. Some of them are pretty impressive and did some good things.

It also sounds as though you have some discpline problems on the team (tape over earrings? in a post game presser?). Was this the time and place for this discussion? Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, some (listeners) are not going to be bothered by this part of his rant, but I was really flummoxed at the timing......wow

Well....there's my rant for the day....anyone wanna go out for coffee?

Coach Blair should familiarize himself with the wisdom of Sue Semaru of Florida State a few years back. "They sure make you play ugly,"
was her response to a UConn beat down. Good players simply can't be good, or good enough, vs. what Geno has built.
Gary, don't blame the team.

 

[doggydaddy]

our play will be so extraordinary that cupcake opponents will be neither fun for them nor of any conceivable value for us.

This team is good and next year as well. But "so extraordinary"?

The games against teams that are ranked 100+ are what they are. And you either find them fun or you don't. Beating them by 40 or by 60 really makes a difference to you?

There is always value in playing another team.

And I was just looking at this years schedule. It's really good. But it doesn't matter.

Ranked teams that games should be close - 1 Stanford, 3 Baylor, 4 Duke

Ranked teams that games will be 20+ point wins - 6 PSU, 10 Maryland, 14 Purdue, 16 A&M.

Non-cupcake teams that will be 40+ point wins- Marist, Uof H, Wake

Cupcake teams will be 50+ point wins - Oregon, Colgate, Oakland, CofC