The Elite College Women's Basketball Programs from 2015 to 2018

[JonathanXIV]

Geno has not won without Stewie or other transcendent player, therefore it must be the players.

In my opinion, UConn has had three "transcendent" players - Diana, Maya, Stewie. That's 9 championships. What about the other 2? Flukes?

 

[j66kicker]

In my opinion, UConn has had three "transcendent" players - Diana, Maya, Stewie. That's 9 championships. What about the other 2? Flukes?

Well, the 1995 NC team had Lobo, Wolters and Rizzotti - the 1995, 1996, and 1997 NPOYs. Plus Sales. Maybe none were individually 'transcendent' (????). But this was no fluke.

 

[CocoHusky]

In my opinion, UConn has had three "transcendent" players - Diana, Maya, Stewie. That's 9 championships. What about the other 2? Flukes?

Clearly not.
I could revise the statement like this: Geno has not won a championship this century without Stewie or other transcendent player, therefore it must be the players.
But that would stray further away from the points we are both trying to make. My point is this: Geno is the best coach EVER, who has coached some of the best players EVER. The two things go hand in hand.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think any team that lost 3 games over a 4-year span (none in regulation) is elite.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Well, the 1995 NC team had Lobo, Wolters and Rizzotti - the 1995, 1996, and 1997 NPOYs. Plus Sales. Maybe none were individually 'transcendent' (????). But this was no fluke.

I was responding to the statement that UConn only wins when they have "transcendent" players. Of course the 1995 and 2000 champions had very good or great players. But name me a championship team without at least one great player.

 

[CocoHusky]

I was responding to the statement that UConn only wins when they have "transcendent" players. Of course the 1995 and 2000 champions had very good or great players. But name me a championship team without at least one great player.

Texas A&M 2011.

 

[triaddukefan]

I was responding to the statement that UConn only wins when they have "transcendent" players. Of course the 1995 and 2000 champions had very good or great players. But name me a championship team without at least one great player.

Maryland 2006, TAMU 2011, ND 2018

 

[IWearShoes]

What exactly is a transcendent player? This probably needs to be consistent in everyone's minds to flesh out the ideas here.

Transcendent in describing humans usually means surpassing the ordinary or being exceptional. Do we mean transcendent in UConn history, WCBB history or WBB history overall? Is a 1st team AA a transcendent player (5 to 8 or so a year)? Just thought it might help to be clear.

 

[CocoHusky]

Maryland 2006, TAMU 2011, ND 2018

I wouldn't include MD from 2006. That Team had 4 players that played in the WNBA Cyrstal Langhorne, Laura Harper, Kristi Tolliver & Marissa Coleman. and another Shay Doron who made a pretty good living playing overseas.
2018 ND team will have at least 2 high WNBA draft picks in Shepard and Arike.

 

[triaddukefan]

I wouldn't include MD from 2006. That Team had 4 players that played in the WNBA Cyrstal Langhorne, Laura Harper, Kristi Tolliver & Marissa Coleman. and another Shay Doron who made a pretty good living playing overseas.
2018 ND team will have at least 2 high WNBA draft picks in Shepard and Arike.

Meh.... Very good.... yeah..... but none of them were great

 

[CocoHusky]

Meh.... Very good.... yeah..... but none of them were great

View attachment 37387

I am go out on a limb here and say your are still salty about a certain OT loss in the championship game when a "not so great" freshmen player hit a stepback jumper to deflate your favorite team.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Meh.... Very good.... yeah..... but none of them were great

Of course you're not bitter at all considering who they beat for the Title, right?

 

[triaddukefan]

I am go out on a limb here and say your are still salty about a certain OT loss in the championship game when a "not so great" freshmen player hit a stepback jumper to deflate your favorite team.

Of course you're not bitter at all considering who they beat for the Title, right?

I'll be bitter until they bury me 6 feet under. And since you mentioned it... Im mad right now

 

[IWearShoes]

Texas A&M 2011.

Danielle Adams averaged 22 a game, was 1st team AA, scored 30 in NCAA finals. WNBA All Star first year. Not much of a pro career because of her obvious physical limitations, but an excellent college player.

But I agree that TAMU team probably had the least pro level talent of any NC team in many years.

 

[CocoHusky]

Danielle Adams averaged 22 a game, was 1st team AA, scored 30 in NCAA finals. WNBA All Star first year. Not much of a pro career because of her obvious physical limitations, but an excellent college player. But I agree that TAMU team probably had the least pro level talent of any NC team in many years.

She was an excellent player. The criteria though was 'great player".

 

[CocoHusky]

What exactly is a transcendent player? This probably needs to be consistent in everyone's minds to flesh out the ideas here.
Transcendent in describing humans usually means surpassing the ordinary or being exceptional. Do we mean transcendent in UConn history, WCBB history or WBB history overall? Is a 1st team AA a transcendent player (5 to 8 or so a year)? Just thought it might help to be clear.

Let's not use a definition and characterize it like the supreme court once did of pornography-I'll know it when I see it.
I saw "it" in only these players: Cheryl Miller, DT, Candace Parker, Britney Griner, Maya Moore, EDD & Stewie.
Thoughts?

 

[IWearShoes]

She was an excellent player. The criteria though was 'great player".

Let's not use a definition and characterize it like the supreme court once did of pornography-I'll know it when I see it.
I saw "it" in only these players: Cheryl Miller, DT, Candace Parker, Britney Griner, Maya Moore, EDD & Stewie.
Thoughts?

I'd add Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Tamika Catchings. Can go back farther for Nancy Lieberman, Lucy Harris (Mississippi girl) maybe Anne Donovan (RIP).

 

[nwhoopfan]

I saw "it" in only these players: Cheryl Miller, DT, Candace Parker, Britney Griner, Maya Moore, EDD & Stewie.
Thoughts?

I missed out, but it seems that Sheryl Swoopes was fairly spectacular in college. I remember there being a lot of buzz about her the year they won a Championship (huh, googled it, she scored 47 in the Title game--not bad). I did see some of the Tennessee teams (sorry blasphemy) w/ Holdsclaw and Catchings and they were dominant like some UConn teams have been. Another one I missed in college but what about Lisa Leslie? I think both of the Ogwumikes had "it." Although neither won a Title, so maybe that disqualifies them from consideration.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'd add Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Tamika Catchings.

You scooped me by seconds on all 3 of those.

 

[CocoHusky]

I'd add Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Tamika Catchings. Can go back farther for Nancy Lieberman, Lucy Harris (Mississippi girl) maybe Anne Donovan (RIP).

I might be willing to pull Swoopes and Lieberman above the line. Love Catch but no. Harris-I have no idea. Anne Donnovan and Lisa Leslie-both very good but no.

 

[IWearShoes]

You scooped me by seconds on all 3 of those.

Whoops!

Also, Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson, Ann Meyers and probably A'ja although time will solidify that.

 

[IWearShoes]

I might be willing to pull Swoopes and Lieberman above the line. Love Catch but no. Harris-I have no idea. Anne Donnovan and Lisa Leslie-both very good but no.

Leslie and Swoopes are no brainers if you look at their careers. Harris was probably the best player of the 70s. Led little Delta State to 3 titles in the early days of WCBB. Still only female drafted by an NBA team. I think you have to include a player from that UT team. Chose TK for her body of work.

 

[CocoHusky]

Whoops!
Also, Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson, Ann Meyers and probably A'ja although time will solidify that.

Nah.... Think you are heading in the wrong direction with these. A'Ja for example, won 1 NPOY award as a senior. Many real transcendent players were the best player in WCBB as sophomores and remained so until they graduated.

 

[DefenseBB]

Maryland 2006, TAMU 2011, ND 2018

Umm, I know we don't like her (and with good reason) but to say Arike Ogunbowale is not a great player is to denigrate your own knowledge of the game.

Usually championship teams are led by 1 or two great players, however there are teams that embrace the full team concept with separate players taking turns leading the team.

I think the point being made was it's not just coaching and it's not just great players that win championships but a combo of both.

 

[IWearShoes]

Nah.... Think you are heading in the wrong direction with these. A'Ja for example, won 1 NPOY award as a senior. Many real transcendent players were the best player in WCBB as sophomores and remained so until they graduated.

Can't agree with using NPOY as criteria. Plum won it and she is clearly not in A'ja's class but probably deserved for her accomplishments. Candace Parker only won one, but Holdsclaw two.