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The New Dynasties

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baggerbob said:
Moriah is the one of the freshmen who worry me , defense will always be a problem being small, and she doesn't shoot very well, 2 things needed in playing for UConn. Out of necessity you might see Bria, KML, Morgan, Breanna, Stef starting at the beginning next year until Banks gets back. Those 2 things were basically the reasons she didn't play much in the final four.
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Height is only part of the equation on defense - her quickness brings an element that really can't be taught. Actually, she was better offensively than I expected - she hit a few 3's at key times, and was fearless, yet prudent in attacking the rim. I think the main reason she didn't play much in the final four was "freshman mistakes", which is to say, playing too fast, too wound up, which led to being a little out of control and not recognizing things naturally.

I have no idea which, if any, prior UConn player her career will parallel, but, I think Moriah had a solid freshman campaign. When BB was injured, she stepped up and contributed in a solid supporting role..and, on a mighty big stage, and a national championship team. Not too shabby.
 
speedoo said:
And both Duke and U NC have liabilities for coaches.. There is no other dynasty on the horizon.
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I agree about UNC- she has gotten all kinds of talent. Re Duke, I like her and I thought she would get them over the hump. I am surprised about Duke. And they have loads of talent like we do, and really have underachieved. Sylvia H has the chance to have a Michigan Mens Fab 5 for Four full years. If she can figure out how to allow and/or mold this team to be great- they could become that Maryland team that won it in 2006 I think???? Tolliver was a soph or frosh? and most of the starters were both Freshman or sophomores---and they just clicked and they were awesome. That was the year Renee M almost got us to Boston to the NC- Charde H missed the 4-6 ft shot at the end of the regionals in Bridgeport. But Maryland was young, loose, and alittle cocky and really played basketball. Not sure if Sylvia is up to it- but we will see? they should be awesome though!
 
Geno-ista said:
I agree about UNC- she has gotten all kinds of talent. Re Duke, I like her and I thought she would get them over the hump. I am surprised about Duke. And they have loads of talent like we do, and really have underachieved. Sylvia H has the chance to have a Michigan Mens Fab 5 for Four full years. If she can figure out how to allow and/or mold this team to be great- they could become that Maryland team that won it in 2006 I think???? Tolliver was a soph or frosh? and most of the starters were both Freshman or sophomores---and they just clicked and they were awesome. That was the year Renee M almost got us to Boston to the NC- Charde H missed the 4-6 ft shot at the end of the regionals in Bridgeport. But Maryland was young, loose, and alittle cocky and really played basketball. Not sure if Sylvia is up to it- but we will see? they should be awesome though!
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Yes and then Maryland failed to get back with all those freshman and sophomores, so I see it as more of a fluke than a plan.
 
baggerbob said:
Moriah is the one of the freshmen who worry me , defense will always be a problem being small, and she doesn't shoot very well, 2 things needed in playing for UConn. Out of necessity you might see Bria, KML, Morgan, Breanna, Stef starting at the beginning next year until Banks gets back. Those 2 things were basically the reasons she didn't play much in the final four.
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I actually think MoJeff's defensive was her most impressive skill this year. Her speed and quick reflexes are a nightmare for opposing guards, and while she is short her jumping ability is great - loved watching her sky for rebounds - and she had some very impressive blocks.
I think her shot will come round - she was good in HS and now that she is more confident in her overall game I think the she will be more relaxed in taking her open shots. Her speed to the basket and understanding of when to go there were on display at the end of the season.
So - I am not worried about her. I think she will be much better at the start of next year than she was at the start of this year, and with more playing time and a better understanding of the system she will improve a lot.
 
chrissaran said:
All anybody seems to know about Saniya Chong is her scoring ability. Imagine a point guard, taller than Moriah or Bria, with an incredible handle, full court vision that makes you wonder how she sees her teammates to make the passes she does, and a deadly outside shot. Did I mention she can take it to the rack? Don't be surprised to see her as the starting point guard by the end of the year. Did I mention that she's tough on D, rebounds and blocks shots?
Saniya does all that. UConn will have an even higher octane offense than last year. We'll miss you Kelly, Caroline and Heather. However, "The future's so bright I gotta wear shades".
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Without some injuries I would be shocked beyond belief (shocked I say) if Chong was the starting PG anytime next year. As much as some people are underestimating Chong (hopefully), you are underestimating Jefferson.

Oh yea and some Timbuk3 for ya:

 
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baggerbob said:
Moriah is the one of the freshmen who worry me , defense will always be a problem being small, and she doesn't shoot very well, 2 things needed in playing for UConn. Out of necessity you might see Bria, KML, Morgan, Breanna, Stef starting at the beginning next year until Banks gets back. Those 2 things were basically the reasons she didn't play much in the final four.
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Gonna have to completely disagree with you. It's Jefferson's team to run now and will be for the next 3 years (barring injuries - knock on wood). She wasn't the highest rated PG (ever I believe) coming out of HS for nothing.

Don't worry, be happy. We got Jefferson for 3 more years. :D
 
If Saniya is the starting PG by year's end, UConn has a problem. Not a knock on Saniya, but Moriah Jefferson is the most elite PG prospect in more than a decade. She also was a ridiculous passer and a good shooter in high school. People have way too high expectations of freshman PGs, especially in Geno's system.
 
Artifact said:
Before our head's get too big, least we forget, thank you Louisville for helping us in more ways than one, to win our 8th N.C.
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That is a fact---the road was much easier. Just goes to show and to Geno's points that it is very difficult to win every day/night. Baylor went down on Easter i think, and it was a noon or very early game I believe. It took them to the 2nd half to get untracked- and it was a little too late. What a shame!
 
UcMiami said:
Yes and then Maryland failed to get back with all those freshman and sophomores, so I see it as more of a fluke than a plan.
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You know- not to beat a dead horse- UcMiami- but when there is enough talent and the right amount of effert and cockiness- it could come together quickly. You know how Geno says alot that coaches lose more games than they actually win? Hatchel may find the right pulse
 
speedoo said:
And both Duke and U NC have liabilities for coaches.. There is no other dynasty on the horizon.
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Since Diamond seems to have bee instrumental in persuading all the other frosh to go to UNC it will be interesting to see if the team will be Sylvia's or Diamond's or somewhere in between.
 
elzorrogris said:
Since Diamond seems to have bee instrumental in persuading all the other frosh to go to UNC it will be interesting to see if the team will be Sylvia's or Diamond's or somewhere in between.
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Diamond seems like an intelligent player who wants to win. I feel quite certain that she is a team player and will respect the coaching staff. I haven't heard any reports that she is anything other than a good teammate and respectful of the coaching staff in USA basketball.

However, having a player on the floor that is an extension of the coaching staff is a very valuable asset, and she seems like she can also be that type of player.
 
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Geno-ista said:
You know- not to beat a dead horse- UcMiami- but when there is enough talent and the right amount of effert and cockiness- it could come together quickly. You know how Geno says alot that coaches lose more games than they actually win? Hatchel may find the right pulse
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Agree - was just pointing out really that the expectations for the following years at Maryland were very very high, and for whatever reason were not fulfilled - as Geno says - what he does may look easy, but it is very very hard.
 
easttexastrash said:
Diamond seems like an intelligent player who wants to win. I feel quite certain that she is a team player and will respect the coaching staff. I haven't heard any reports that she is anything other than a good teammate and respectful of the coaching staff in USA basketball.

However, having a player on the floor that is an extension of the coaching staff is a very valuable asset, and she seems like she can also be that type of player.
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Agree - but it is always a crap shoot when blending a lot of very talented freshman. TN had a monster class that never achieve good chemistry. Rutgers had a monster class that disintegrated into nothing with transfers and under-performances based on expectations. Baylor had a monster class that reached the promise land once, which is all anyone can ask. TN has been and Uconn continues to be blessed with teams that made it multiple times, but even for them, their history shows many players that never made it.
 
UcMiami said:
Agree - was just pointing out really that the expectations for the following years at Maryland were very very high, and for whatever reason were not fulfilled - as Geno says - what he does may look easy, but it is very very hard.
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Again- that was really a glowing example of just how it can all fall apart- and they had a returning core of great players for 3-4 yrs, and that one NC was it. Coaching, no matter what the talent, is so critical to keep it together. Gary Blair is another one that can coach- his teams are always so much better by the end of the year than at the beginning. He has a young group with alot of talent and they will be dangerous for the next 2-3 yrs!
 
UcMiami said:
Agree - but it is always a crap shoot when blending a lot of very talented freshman. TN had a monster class that never achieve good chemistry. Rutgers had a monster class that disintegrated into nothing with transfers and under-performances based on expectations. Baylor had a monster class that reached the promise land once, which is all anyone can ask. TN has been and Uconn continues to be blessed with teams that made it multiple times, but even for them, their history shows many players that never made it.
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That is a great point UC Miami that people that don't really follow our sport don't realize- TN, Duke, Baylor, UCLA, Cal, N Dame, NC, Stamford, and there are more have been getting similar share of the best top rated recruits, but they don't go to the final four every year. It really does unfortunately get taken for granted by people that don't follow it close enough- even in CT. I am totally convinced that our talent is not 20-30 pts better than the really good teams we beat handily this yr, Louisville, ND at the end, Md, Penn State, Kentucky, A & M early. I talked with many coaches at the Big East Tmt as I sit right under the hoop next to all the teams and coaches. And everyone I talked to said the biggest difference is the type of player we are able to attract with high basketball IQ's, that while we are moving right into the fine points of how to become a great team---they are teaching things that are the basics first. N. Dame is one of the few teams recently that was like looking in a mirrror to the way we play basketball - all the time. It was painstaking and fun at the same time! I'm going to miss the wars with them.
 
easttexastrash said:
Diamond seems like an intelligent player who wants to win. I feel quite certain that she is a team player and will respect the coaching staff. I haven't heard any reports that she is anything other than a good teammate and respectful of the coaching staff in USA basketball.

However, having a player on the floor that is an extension of the coaching staff is a very valuable asset, and she seems like she can also be that type of player.
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I don't doubt it for a minute--- she is supposedly super talented. I will be surprised if they don't become dangerous quickly.
 
elzorrogris said:
Since Diamond seems to have bee instrumental in persuading all the other frosh to go to UNC it will be interesting to see if the team will be Sylvia's or Diamond's or somewhere in between.
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great point- that will be interesting to see how that unfolds---I love this group!
 
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vtcwbuff said:
Individual "star" players have gone to many teams but how many of those teams not named UConn or UTenn can claim a NC aince 1995?
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Purdue, ND, Baylor, Maryland, and Texas A&M. So: five.
 
I think this Tennessee team added some key players. With Russell, Tucker, and having Carter back can push this team to championship level.
 
Wally East said:
Purdue, ND, Baylor, Maryland, and Texas A&M. So: five.
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The interesting part of that is that not all of those teams, even when they had a centerpiece player, didn't necessarily have a centerpiece recruit. Danielle Adams was JUCO transfer, Ruth Riley was not (I believe) a super blue chip recruit, not sure about Sophia Young. Stephanie White was a Gatorade NPOY, Coleman and Tolliver were both highly regarded but not sure if super-blues.
 
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alexrgct said:
The interesting part of that is that not all of those teams, even when they had a centerpiece player, didn't necessarily have a centerpiece recruit. Danielle Adams was JUCO transfer, Ruth Riley was not (I believe) a super blue chip recruit, not sure about Sophia Young. Stephanie White was a Gatorade NPOY, Coleman and Tolliver were both highly regarded but not sure if super-blues.
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Coleman and Toliver were top ten recruits. Riley was very highly regarded.
 
alexrgct said:
The interesting part of that is that not all of those teams, even when they had a centerpiece player, didn't necessarily have a centerpiece recruit. Danielle Adams was JUCO transfer, Ruth Riley was not (I believe) a super blue chip recruit, not sure about Sophia Young. Stephanie White was a Gatorade NPOY, Coleman and Tolliver were both highly regarded but not sure if super-blues.
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So Young was one of those kids who didn't pick up a basketball until she was about 14, so she was very underrated due to inexperience.
 
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