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Message: [QUOTE="oldhusky, post: 4529917, member: 9844"] The game against South Carolina helped to firm up those beliefs. They know they were competitive with the best team in the land while still very short-handed, so they know beating them is doable. I remember my reaction when we found out Paige was lost for the season. In my mind we went from a co-favorite to the next tier of contenders, still with a puncher's chance along with a bunch of other teams, but a clear notch down from SC and Stanford. At that point a solid goal seemed to be snatching one of the last two number 1 seeds, but that was assuming reasonable health for everyone else. Then I learn Ice is also out for the season, Dorka, Azzi and Caroline miss major time, we have trouble putting 7 players on the court, and are forced to frequently use two (Amari and Ines) that would not normally be in the rotation for important games. At that point I was hoping we could hang on until the key players returned, and maybe still manage one of the last two number 2 seeds,, but figuring a few of the second tier contenders would pass us. Now having survived many shorthanded games, with a starting 5 that includes three anticipated backups, we are still not healthy but are right there competing for a 1 seed, with the potential to be higher than even Stanford with a #2 ranking overall now possible, and having just gone toe to toe with the best. Instead of starting off as a contender that might have a chance if everything goes right, we have become perhaps the best challenger to South Carolina and right there, when it seems everything has gone wrong from an injury standpoint. Doing so they have shown their character, and earned a belief that they can beat anybody, and Geno's trust and admiration enroute. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach