The Revenge Factor

[Tonyc]

I expect everybody to go off in this game. A complete massacre. Arkansas will try to slow it down and play tuff defense but I have some expectations and they are:

Dorka Edwards and Liv will take it to the hoop and I dont see them being stopped.
Christyn will explode and have a huge game.
Paige will do her thing and get everybody especially Azzi and Caroline involved
Evina will calm things down and put up some really good numbers.
Nika will bring the thunder and lighting

Everybody will play in this game. I think UConn will be unstoppable and I dont think Arkansas has the players to stop UConn. We all are dreaming about how much potential this group has and it will show up on Sunday. Yeah there will some hiccups and that is expected but we have the horses to run over alot of good teams and we will see some of that on Sunday.

 

[hoopsfan22]

Older, wiser, kinder, gentler Geno doesn't throw balls at kids in practice or seek revenge.

 

[Veteran]

Tony is exactly right. Revenge is the main course on the breakfast, lunch and dinner menu for UConn this entire season. And the team looks hungry and ready to eat. Arkansas should probably just plan to be on a diet Sunday.

 

[MD#12Fan]

Lest we not forget that the loss to Arkansas spurred on the UConn team to pull together to the excellent performances that were to come. Not sure I would feel so in need of retribution toward Arkansas if I was in that room. Let's blame Dungy for driving past us 25 times in the game? Not so much. Maybe UConn even has positive thoughts regarding Arkansas. Mississippi State, Notre Dame, totally different story.

 

[eebmg]

A revenge mentality can be counter productive with players overamped. I think the mindset should be healthy respect for a program and opposing coach who has seen much of your team already and may have something to say.

 

[uconnever]

It will be revenge and it definitely will be a blowout of at least 25 points

 

[Inthepaint]

Not sure that Geno and the Huskies are concerned with payback, revenge, or sending messages. Not right now, anyway.
At this juncture, at the start of a new season, with a revamped rotation and a number of returnees post-surgical the focus will be on establishing a consistant offense . defensive assignments and rotation and seeing who gives the biggest bang for the buck starting vs coming off the bench.
Don't get me wrong, nobody, including myself, will weep if we win by 40 (except in Fayetteville) or put the game on ice by halftime.
The Ft. Hays game was a giggle. UCONN will be pushing a bit harder on Sunday to find out what combo and timing is going to propel us through the regular season and position us for the best showing in March/April.
If an example is to be made and a message needs to be sent, I would think Atlantis would be the time and place. If a seed of doubt can be planted in the psyches of S.Carolina, Oregon and, why not, USF, then a strong showing there will work wonders.
Let's just look for a good game, no injuries and a "W".
Besides, as the Klingons say, "Revenge is a dish best served cold". December, January and February will suffice to put together a pattern of dominance that will make people nervous.

 

[LoboDays]

An over-matched, unranked opponent. If a “revenge factor” is needed to make this game a laugher, something ain’t right in Storryland.

 

[daggittydog]

Like most BYers I want a chain saw brought to a massacre; however, I hope the women play with clear thought and rely on skill and team work

 

[Dokey]

Revenge is motivation for lesser teams. That was then, this now. Arkansas isn’t the same team. The motivation for UConn, in this and every game, is to prove and improve.

 

[jchusky]

unless Dungee comesback to suit up for this game it's not a revenge game. She the one that killed Uconn

 

[MD#12Fan]

A revenge mentality can be counter productive with players overamped. I think the mindset should be healthy respect for a program and opposing coach who has seen much of your team already and may have something to say.

Overstated! Sorry!
Not hating is one thing, gushing with respect for a slightly above average program is another. Arkansas is oozing with resources. Geno squeezed blood from a turnip for a decade at UConn before pay-dirt.
Even last year, I think Arkansas would have been top 5 in the WNBA for average age. (just kidding)
It was what it was. (Where's Dennis Green?) Keep it moving! Nobody cares! Are we supposed to worry about their coach "having something to say about it"? Ugh, sorry.

 

[Vowelguy]

Geno doesn’t believe in revenge games.
Remember when Villanova ended UConns winning streak in the 2003 BET? Everyone said UConn wanted revenge.

1) UConn lost the next Villanova game
2) Geno said the idea of revenge was dumb

Execution wins, not revenge.

 

[MD#12Fan]

I guess what I'm hearing is that players perform better if they leave their emotions at the door. Not sure I agree with that. I guess the premise is that emotions lead to mistakes. I guess that means players are more effective if they are automatons.
Is there a happy-medium between revengeful, out-of-control and robot? How about focused, controlled emotion?
To me that sounds like the optimum attitude.

 

[eebmg]

I guess what I'm hearing is that players perform better if they leave their emotions at the door. Not sure I agree with that. I guess the premise is that emotions lead to mistakes. I guess that means players are more effective if they are automatons.
Is there a happy-medium between revengeful, out-of-control and robot? How about focused, controlled emotion?
To me that sounds like the optimum attitude.

Yes but I think that attitude should be consistent for all teams. I understand that some teams may boil the blood more like TN, SCar, ND and I suppose AZ now but that should be simmering in the background during the preparations and game. Let the fans do the revenge stuff.

 

[MD#12Fan]

Yes but I think that attitude should be consistent for all teams. I understand that some teams may boil the blood more like TN, SCar, ND and I suppose AZ now but that should be simmering in the background during the preparations and game. Let the fans do the revenge stuff.

Nice post!
I get your "fair and balanced" approach.
I may have to sell my Staples stock. No more bulletin boards in locker rooms!

 

[Bigboote]

A revenge mentality can be counter productive with players overamped. I think the mindset should be healthy respect for a program and opposing coach who has seen much of your team already and may have something to say.

I don't see it as revenge against Arkansas, but revenge on doubters. More like redemption.

I agree with you that they should approach this game just as they would any other game, and I think Geno drills that into his players' heads as well as any coach.

 

[DefenseBB]

I expect everybody to go off in this game. A complete massacre. Arkansas will try to slow it down and play tuff defense but I have some expectations and they are:

Dorka Edwards and Liv will take it to the hoop and I dont see them being stopped.
Christyn will explode and have a huge game.
Paige will do her thing and get everybody especially Azzi and Caroline involved
Evina will calm things down and put up some really good numbers.
Nika will bring the thunder and lighting

Everybody will play in this game. I think UConn will be unstoppable and I dont think Arkansas has the players to stop UConn. We all are dreaming about how much potential this group has and it will show up on Sunday. Yeah there will some hiccups and that is expected but we have the horses to run over alot of good teams and we will see some of that on Sunday.

Wait, what? My fine colleague and friend, I must politely disagree here- it's like you have never seen a Mike Neighbors coached team, he will NOT slow it down at all. His UW Huskies and his Arkansas tenure is solely about offense. He's more offensive than any French Parisian is to any foreigner! The simple fact is he will try to out gun UConn but given his young squad and the away crowd, he will come up woefully short . All other comments are spot on.

 

[huskeynut]

Can't be revenge. Neither team is the same as last year.

UConn comes out and does what needs to be done - throw the first punch (figuratively) and keep them down. Take away any chance for Arkansas to make it a game.

 

[uconnever]

An over-matched, unranked opponent. If a “revenge factor” is needed to make this game a laugher, something ain’t right in Storryland.

No one said it was needed, it’s gonna be a blowout no matter what. For me, if Arkansas beat me last year, I wanna embarrass them the next time I play them. And the same with Arizona, if we play them again I want to embarrass them also. It’s just the competitor in me. Not sure what a lot of people’s mentality is on here, but there is no way I’m ever too good to wanna destroy a team that beat me the last time I played them. I played in high school and that’s just the way I was then and how I am in sports. It’s not happening again, don’t even think about it, is the message I wanna send to the players that were there then, the new ones and definitely the coaching staff.

 

[jchusky]

No one said it was needed, it’s gonna be a blowout no matter what. For me, if Arkansas beat me last year, I wanna embarrass them the next time I play them. And the same with Arizona, if we play them again I want to embarrass them also. It’s just the competitor in me. Not sure what a lot of people’s mentality is on here, but there is no way I’m ever too good to wanna destroy a team that beat me the last time I played them. I played in high school and that’s just the way I was then and how I am in sports. It’s not happening again, don’t even think about it, is the message I wanna send to the players that were there then, the new ones and definitely the coaching staff.

you're not though, Dungee is gone, Aari is gone, it's completely different teams. Move on

 

[MD#12Fan]

No one said it was needed, it’s gonna be a blowout no matter what. For me, if Arkansas beat me last year, I wanna embarrass them the next time I play them. And the same with Arizona, if we play them again I want to embarrass them also. It’s just the competitor in me. Not sure what a lot of people’s mentality is on here, but there is no way I’m ever too good to wanna destroy a team that beat me the last time I played them. I played in high school and that’s just the way I was then and how I am in sports. It’s not happening again, don’t even think about it, is the message I wanna send to the players that were there then, the new ones and definitely the coaching staff.

The question I want to explore is whether that helped you or not in those rematches. You have some data to report.
Anyone out there have someone at the country club who beats you, even though you may be the better player. Do you go for that par 5 in two when you may not do that otherwise if it wasn't him/her against you? Do you try to ram in that tricky 20 foot downhill putt, when you should just lag it down there and tap in the next one?
Or does it give one strength and focus that may not be present all the time?

 

[DefenseBB]

you're not though, Dungee is gone, Aari is gone, it's completely different teams. Move on

What are you talking about? @uconnever said "the message I wanna send to the players that were there then, the new ones and definitely the coaching staff" which implies those that are STILL THERE.

Yeesh, I am all for correcting inaccurate data or facts but this is clearly an opinion and one that I completely agree with! Based on what I am seeing on the current Ark-Pine Bluff game is UConnever will get their wish.

 

[ochoopsfan]

“Revenge is a dish best served cold.”

 

[Alydar]

I watched some of the Tarlton game. Names have changes somewhat but their game is the same, guards shooting 3's and driving the lane. It may be a blowout but if they hit 3's they can stay in the game. UConn has historically been beaten by 3 pt shooting either an entire game or right at the end. Dayton is a great example even though their hot 3pt shooting ended at the half.

Arkansas was a different road team than at home. UConn might win by 20+ but I expect that Ark will hit enough 3's to start at least 3 threads here complaining about UConn's poor perimeter defense.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Not sure revenge has a role with regards to Arkansas, That loss last year actually propelled the team for the 2nd half. UConn was a much better team after that loss...until the national semi-finals.

 

[Heytherego]

They will absolutely want to get some sort of revenge, whether Dungee is on the team or not. If you are a mostly winning team and you lose to an opponent (especially one you maybe shouldn’t have), best believe next time they play they aren’t going to forget that loss. Even if it’s a completely different team, they’re going to want to get some payback. Even if it did help them to become a better team and taught them something. No one likes losing. It won’t be an over emotional thing, they will execute the game plan and take care of business.

Do I think the aspect of revenge is really going to change the outcome of the game? No, but don’t but I bet the players are ready to blow this team out. You don’t forget games like that.

Has no one in this group played organized team sports??? Not even being rude, but if you’ve ever played HS or college sports, you know that there are some feelings of getting back at a team that beat you. Even if you can’t outright say that it’s revenge, they’ll be looking to take this team down hard.

 

[MD#12Fan]

I watched some of the Tarlton game. Names have changes somewhat but their game is the same, guards shooting 3's and driving the lane. It may be a blowout but if they hit 3's they can stay in the game. UConn has historically been beaten by 3 pt shooting either an entire game or right at the end. Dayton is a great example even though their hot 3pt shooting ended at the half.

Arkansas was a different road team than at home. UConn might win by 20+ but I expect that Ark will hit enough 3's to start at least 3 threads here complaining about UConn's poor perimeter defense.

Devil's Advocate: It's not the 3-point shooting that gets UConn per se it's the dribble penetration that results in a 3-point shot that's the killer. They just played an entire quirky year in the BE. The whole league- raining 3's. DePaul? Few in the conference could break UConn down off the dribble, so they could easily control the 3-point line. I remember the little player from Seton Hall having some success against UConn (they didn't have enough shooters besides Hunter).
I might argue that the most fundamentally sound defensive teams (UConn) can struggle the most against "dribble drive- kick", because they actually slide over to stop the penetration, leaving open shooters when they can't closeout. An actual legit strategy against it, is to NOT slide over, to just stay attached to your man, thus not leaving shooters open. (Ha Ha Looked like UConn actually did that, as much as Dungee got off)

 

[jchusky]

What are you talking about? @uconnever said "the message I wanna send to the players that were there then, the new ones and definitely the coaching staff" which implies those that are STILL THERE.

Yeesh, I am all for correcting inaccurate data or facts but this is clearly an opinion and one that I completely agree with! Based on what I am seeing on the current Ark-Pine Bluff game is UConnever will get their wish.

sorry don't see it that way. Arkansas didn't even have to schedule Uconn, they did it cause covid cancellations. I would actually send a thank you if I was Uconn because that game brought out the best in UConn to finish the season. Obviously I don't know what Geno feels, but if I had to guess I'm sure he gave a thank you to Mike Neighbors for scheduling a game that he didn't have to.

 

[uconnever]

The question I want to explore is whether that helped you or not in those rematches. You have some data to report.
Anyone out there have someone at the country club who beats you, even though you may be the better player. Do you go for that par 5 in two when you may not do that otherwise if it wasn't him/her against you? Do you try to ram in that tricky 20 foot downhill putt, when you should just lag it down there and tap in the next one?
Or does it give one strength and focus that may not be present all the time?

It can definitely go either way, physically or mentally it can affect you positively or negatively. If your a fierce competitor, when you see those jerseys with Arkansas on them, it should give you a kick in the ass only because of what happened last year. They want to beat everyone and they usually do, so you remember the few loses that much more. They don’t have to admit that and it’s usually not the UConn way, but I expect a nearly flawless game.