There is almost no way this team should lose

[Paesano]

Anything is possible but the probability, given the gap between UConn and the next best team, is, or SHOULD BE, exceeding low. The gap in the Sagarin ratings between UConn and the next best team is about the same as the gap between the #1 rated team on the men's side and the 112th rated team!!!! There is almost no chance of the 112th rated team beating the #1 rated team on the men's side, barring a miracle.

Now, when UConn plays ND in the final four, and you know damn well they will play each other, ND will believe they can win. And, sadly, they can. But the reason stinks. IF ND plays their "A" game and UConn plays their "D" game, the game can be close. But UConn really should still win. The wildcard that makes it possible, where it is nearly impossible on the men's side (still talking 1 vs. 112 here), is the refs. Maybe it is because the refs are just that bad or maybe it is because of biases but the reality is that the refs have played too big a part in determining the national champion in the past and probably will again. That stinks. For the record, I think it is a combination of bias and incompetence. I think there are several refs in the women's game who still hate Geno and male coaches in general. And I will come right out and say that I think the refs are what cost UConn the game last year at Stanford. Again, Stanford played their best game of the year and our girls didn't but the gap between those two teams was huge and the refs were the extra boost they needed to tilt the result in their favor. That's my opinion.

 

[CL82]

No, no, no..

We are doomed. Doomed, I say. DOOOOOMED!

Quit messing with the mojo!

 

[bags27]

. And, sadly, they can. But the reason stinks. IF ND plays their "A" game and UConn plays their "D" game, the game can be close. But UConn really should still win.

Aside from the mojo issue, this is, IMHO and with all due respect, positively looney. Notre Dame is extremely well coached, talented, and mentally tough. I agree that, right now (barring injuries to either team), on a neutral court UConn should be favored by 12-15 points. But the difference between a 12 point win and a 3 point loss is some early foul trouble on a key player and a couple of missed--or made--3s. Jeez, I hope we're at most only that much better than the 2nd best team; otherwise, what's the point of the game?

 

[hoophuskee]

Anything is possible but the probability, given the gap between UConn and the next best team, is, or SHOULD BE, exceeding low. The gap in the Sagarin ratings between UConn and the next best team is about the same as the gap between the #1 rated team on the men's side and the 112th rated team!!!! There is almost no chance of the 112th rated team beating the #1 rated team on the men's side, barring a miracle.

Now, when UConn plays ND in the final four, and you know damn well they will play each other, ND will believe they can win. And, sadly, they can. But the reason stinks. IF ND plays their "A" game and UConn plays their "D" game, the game can be close. But UConn really should still win. The wildcard that makes it possible, where it is nearly impossible on the men's side (still talking 1 vs. 112 here), is the refs. Maybe it is because the refs are just that bad or maybe it is because of biases but the reality is that the refs have played too big a part in determining the national champion in the past and probably will again. That stinks. For the record, I think it is a combination of bias and incompetence. I think there are several refs in the women's game who still hate Geno and male coaches in general. And I will come right out and say that I think the refs are what cost UConn the game last year at Stanford. Again, Stanford played their best game of the year and our girls didn't but the gap between those two teams was huge and the refs were the extra boost they needed to tilt the result in their favor. That's my opinion.

I agree with what was said about this year and the refs. There is a certain level of incompetence. Thus - I don't agree "a" vs "D." The 112th team in men's hoop isn't used to winning that much. A team like ND and SC are used to winning a lot and the UCONN team is not pros nor is it a best of 7. If an amateur hockey team can beat the greatest team in the world made or pros/grown men, then teams that for example that are 2/3/4 - can knock off number 1.

 

[Roundball fan]

What is Geno great at, aside from everything. He has his team ready for the big games. They are not afraid of the limelight, they thrive on it. Any one can lose, bad defense, off night shooting or injuries can happen. I am not a betting man but if I was I would bet the house on our girls winning it all. UConn where dreams really do come true.

 

[Paesano]

Aside from the mojo issue, this is, IMHO and with all due respect, positively looney. Notre Dame is extremely well coached, talented, and mentally tough. I agree that, right now (barring injuries to either team), on a neutral court UConn should be favored by 12-15 points. But the difference between a 12 point win and a 3 point loss is some early foul trouble on a key player and a couple of missed--or made--3s. Jeez, I hope we're at most only that much better than the 2nd best team; otherwise, what's the point of the game?

"Early foul trouble on a key player"

You might call that a circumstance. I often see horrific reffing as the reason. Our players are extremely well drilled at defending without fouling. If Stewie or Moriah get in early foul trouble, my money is on the refs as the reason and not them suddenly pkaying stupid or any mysterious bad luck.

Sorry, just not a big fan of the refs on the women's side. Don't trust them.

 

[Paesano]

No, no, no..

We are doomed. Doomed, I say. DOOOOOMED!

Quit messing with the mojo!


View attachment 12006

I was VERY careful to say that we can lose, even though we shouldn't. Just talking probabilities here...no predictions.

 

[Bigpetunia]

The good thing about sports is that no team is 100% invulnerable to loss, even this one. But putting the blame for a potential loss on the refs, and doing it in advance of such a contingency, just like blaming the refs in retrospect, constitutes the classic (and unrelentingly tiresome) losers' lament... something in which ND fans typically indulge, unworthy of us. The refs did not cost the Huskies the game at Stanford anywhere near as much as miscues did, and some clutch play by The Cardinal!

 

[CocoHusky]

Anything is possible but the probability, given the gap between UConn and the next best team, is, or SHOULD BE, exceeding low. The gap in the Sagarin ratings between UConn and the next best team is about the same as the gap between the #1 rated team on the men's side and the 112th rated team!!!! There is almost no chance of the 112th rated team beating the #1 rated team on the men's side, barring a miracle.

Now, when UConn plays ND in the final four, and you know damn well they will play each other, ND will believe they can win. And, sadly, they can. But the reason stinks. IF ND plays their "A" game and UConn plays their "D" game, the game can be close. But UConn really should still win. The wildcard that makes it possible, where it is nearly impossible on the men's side (still talking 1 vs. 112 here), is the refs. Maybe it is because the refs are just that bad or maybe it is because of biases but the reality is that the refs have played too big a part in determining the national champion in the past and probably will again. That stinks. For the record, I think it is a combination of bias and incompetence. I think there are several refs in the women's game who still hate Geno and male coaches in general. And I will come right out and say that I think the refs are what cost UConn the game last year at Stanford. Again, Stanford played their best game of the year and our girls didn't but the gap between those two teams was huge and the refs were the extra boost they needed to tilt the result in their favor. That's my opinion.

I disagree with your opinion. I'm not sure anyone knows what a UCONN "d" game looks like. Referees are EQUALLY incompetent for all teams. Equal incompetence removes the possibility of bias because the same refs I hear UCONN fans complain about are the same ones that ND & SC & TN complain about.

 

[ctfjr]

Aside from the mojo issue, this is, IMHO and with all due respect, positively looney. Notre Dame is extremely well coached, talented, and mentally tough. I agree that, right now (barring injuries to either team), on a neutral court UConn should be favored by 12-15 points. But the difference between a 12 point win and a 3 point loss is some early foul trouble on a key player and a couple of missed--or made--3s. Jeez, I hope we're at most only that much better than the 2nd best team; otherwise, what's the point of the game?

I agree with you bags. Laying it on the ref's is truly loser's talk.

 

[Blueballer]

I agree with you bags. Laying it on the ref's is truly loser's talk.

OK, but that being said you really hope to not be in a really close game and be at the mercy of a bad call, no call or phantom call.

 

[hoophuskee]

The good thing about sports is that no team is 100% invulnerable to loss, even this one. But putting the blame for a potential loss on the refs, and doing it in advance of such a contingency, just like blaming the refs in retrospect, constitutes the classic (and unrelentingly tiresome) losers' lament... something in which ND fans typically indulge, unworthy of us. The refs did not cost the Huskies the game at Stanford anywhere near as much as miscues did, and some clutch play by The Cardinal!

Just stating what can happen. In Stef Dolson's frosh year- in game 4 vs ND she got two quick fouls I believe and picked up a 3rd early- UCONN only had one center. What ND complains about is irrelevant to how I see it. I am the most important observer. No reason for me to beat myself up and apologize for it. I think my observations are right. OFC they can be wrong just pointing out that many opinions - everyone that makes them - thinks they are right.

Therefore, the touch fouls (if that. If I recall that 3rd one was a joke.) which sent Dolson to the bench forced UCONN to play small for much longer peirods of time than they wanted and forced Dolson upon entering to play softer than she wanted which exposed a weakness . UCONN did not have a backup center. That's a reason. If you think the calls whether one, or to or three were unjustified then why can't you say the refs cost us the game? You may call it "loser's lament" I call it "a reason why we lost."

But I agree with you, from what I remember we got beat by poor play vs Stanford. Though - a distant memory.

 

[Striper69]

"There is almost no way this team should lose"


Famous last words...


or "What was it that Laettner said?"

 

[Woof 101]

Anything is possible but the probability, given the gap between UConn and the next best team, is, or SHOULD BE, exceeding low. The gap in the Sagarin ratings between UConn and the next best team is about the same as the gap between the #1 rated team on the men's side and the 112th rated team!!!! There is almost no chance of the 112th rated team beating the #1 rated team on the men's side, barring a miracle.

Now, when UConn plays ND in the final four, and you know damn well they will play each other, ND will believe they can win. And, sadly, they can. But the reason stinks. IF ND plays their "A" game and UConn plays their "D" game, the game can be close. But UConn really should still win. The wildcard that makes it possible, where it is nearly impossible on the men's side (still talking 1 vs. 112 here), is the refs. Maybe it is because the refs are just that bad or maybe it is because of biases but the reality is that the refs have played too big a part in determining the national champion in the past and probably will again. That stinks. For the record, I think it is a combination of bias and incompetence. I think there are several refs in the women's game who still hate Geno and male coaches in general. And I will come right out and say that I think the refs are what cost UConn the game last year at Stanford. Again, Stanford played their best game of the year and our girls didn't but the gap between those two teams was huge and the refs were the extra boost they needed to tilt the result in their favor. That's my opinion.

Geno had a different opinion of which I agree, that's my opinion.
http://espn.go.com/ncw/recap?gameId=400590356
"We didn't just lose to a team that doesn't have any good players," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "Sometimes, because of who we are, the biggest story is that we lost, not that Stanford played great and won, and that would be unfortunate. That would be a disservice to Stanford, but that's the reality, that's the world that we're in. ... We lost to a really good team, a better team than people would probably give them credit for."
It should also be noted that both teams had the same number of personal fouls which the home team usually gets favored.

No bashing you here Paesano but if the ladies loose a game here or there it is not the officials. Not saying they never make a mistake but they are human just like the players. Actually they deserve praise to be able to do what they do in such a hostile environment. And ......if they do, Geno is on it as in the SC game 18,000 strong and loud. Call on #3 Tuck by official #33 Katie Lou had actually committed the foul as seen on TV. Officials had to look at video, how Geno saw this or just took a gamble I will never know. The proper overturn of the call kept Tuck out of foul trouble.
Trust in Geno and realize your team may lose a game every 40/50/60 games or so and if they do it is not the fault of the officials. They are simply contrary to popular belief human...

 

[hoophuskee]

Geno had a different opinion of which I agree, that's my opinion.
http://espn.go.com/ncw/recap?gameId=400590356
"We didn't just lose to a team that doesn't have any good players," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "Sometimes, because of who we are, the biggest story is that we lost, not that Stanford played great and won, and that would be unfortunate. That would be a disservice to Stanford, but that's the reality, that's the world that we're in. ... We lost to a really good team, a better team than people would probably give them credit for."
It should also be noted that both teams had the same number of personal fouls which the home team usually gets favored.

No bashing you here Paesano but if the ladies loose a game here or there it is not the officials. Not saying they never make a mistake but they are human just like the players. Actually they deserve praise to be able to do what they do in such a hostile environment. And .if they do, Geno is on it as in the SC game 18,000 strong and loud. Call on #3 Tuck by official #33 Katie Lou had actually committed the foul as seen on TV. Officials had to look at video, how Geno saw this or just took a gamble I will never know. The proper overturn of the call kept Tuck out of foul trouble.
Trust in Geno and realize your team may lose a game every 40/50/60 games or so and if they do it is not the fault of the officials. They are simply contrary to popular belief human...

I loved your post. But just one small thing- just because refs are human doesn't mean they can't blow a game. And just because UCONN wins 60 in a row it doesn't mean the "human" refs can't blow the 61st game.

 

[Paesano]

Geno had a different opinion of which I agree, that's my opinion.
http://espn.go.com/ncw/recap?gameId=400590356
"We didn't just lose to a team that doesn't have any good players," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "Sometimes, because of who we are, the biggest story is that we lost, not that Stanford played great and won, and that would be unfortunate. That would be a disservice to Stanford, but that's the reality, that's the world that we're in. ... We lost to a really good team, a better team than people would probably give them credit for."
It should also be noted that both teams had the same number of personal fouls which the home team usually gets favored.

No bashing you here Paesano but if the ladies loose a game here or there it is not the officials. Not saying they never make a mistake but they are human just like the players. Actually they deserve praise to be able to do what they do in such a hostile environment. And .if they do, Geno is on it as in the SC game 18,000 strong and loud. Call on #3 Tuck by official #33 Katie Lou had actually committed the foul as seen on TV. Officials had to look at video, how Geno saw this or just took a gamble I will never know. The proper overturn of the call kept Tuck out of foul trouble.
Trust in Geno and realize your team may lose a game every 40/50/60 games or so and if they do it is not the fault of the officials. They are simply contrary to popular belief human...

Hey, I am not saying every loss has been due to the refs. Sometimes you just don't play well enough. And that becomes more probable as your talent advantage decreases. What I am saying is that the differential this year is HUGE so the probability of not playing well enough is extremely small. And while we have lost games in the past due to simply not playing well enough, can anyone honestly say we have never lost a game due to the refs? I can think of several. Those games bother me. They bother me A LOT when I think that it might have been due to bias as much as incompetence. I will be brutally honest. I think bias has bitten us several times over the years and I get very concerned when I see certain female refs calling our games. I get VERY concerned when I see those refs and we are playing Stanford, ND or, when Pat was coaching, Tennessee. I get less concerned if the other coach is, say, Jeff Waltz or pretty much any other male coach in the game.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

The refs in WBB, including the WNBA, all stink! Incompetence rules in the women's game!
This past week in games across the country refs made calls that were unbelievable.
If the refs call touch fouls 80' from the basket how can they make it a no-call when a player lowers her shoulder and runs over the defender in the lane? Someone fouled someone there!
There are moving screens on every play in WBB and it is rare when one is called! In the BE ND vs UCONN final 3 minutes left in the game, Dolson was called for a moving screen, the 1st moving screen called in that game and Stef's 4th foul! There were at least 20 moving screens by both teams why wait till that moment to call the 1st and it changed the game?
Same thing with the carry/palming call. It's done all the time and never called. Then late in a close game a ref pulls it out and makes that call!
Baylor vs TN Regional finals tied score 1.5 seconds left in the game on a no call under the basket, a foul is called TN hits FT's and wins!
TN vs Rutgers close game Rutgers up by 1 I think, clock runs out but malfunctions and game should have ended and foul is called vs Rutgers. TN wins!
There are refs that don't like certain coaches and pay back always comes!

 

[hoophuskee]

The refs in WBB, including the WNBA, all stink! Incompetence rules in the women's game!
This past week in games across the country refs made calls that were unbelievable.
If the refs call touch fouls 80' from the basket how can they make it a no-call when a player lowers her shoulder and runs over the defender in the lane? Someone fouled someone there!
There are moving screens on every play in WBB and it is rare when one is called! In the BE ND vs UCONN final 3 minutes left in the game, Dolson was called for a moving screen, the 1st moving screen called in that game and Stef's 4th foul! There were at least 20 moving screens by both teams why wait till that moment to call the 1st and it changed the game?
Same thing with the carry/palming call. It's done all the time and never called. Then late in a close game a ref pulls it out and makes that call!
Baylor vs TN Regional finals tied score 1.5 seconds left in the game on a no call under the basket, a foul is called TN hits FT's and wins!
TN vs Rutgers close game Rutgers up by 1 I think, clock runs out but malfunctions and game should have ended and foul is called vs Rutgers. TN wins!
There are refs that don't like certain coaches and pay back always comes!

I don't know about refs not liking UCONN or not liking male coaches etc. I don't think so but regarding that . . . whatever. However the point in bold is one I often bring up. But it WAS an incompetent male ref that made that unbelievable call. She was "moving" but that play was sooooooooooo minor- there were several successive calls late in that particular game. That game - overall the refs cost us. I agree with that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dougie]

Geno had a different opinion of which I agree, that's my opinion.
http://espn.go.com/ncw/recap?gameId=400590356
"We didn't just lose to a team that doesn't have any good players," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. "Sometimes, because of who we are, the biggest story is that we lost, not that Stanford played great and won, and that would be unfortunate. That would be a disservice to Stanford, but that's the reality, that's the world that we're in. ... We lost to a really good team, a better team than people would probably give them credit for."
It should also be noted that both teams had the same number of personal fouls which the home team usually gets favored.

No bashing you here Paesano but if the ladies loose a game here or there it is not the officials. Not saying they never make a mistake but they are human just like the players. Actually they deserve praise to be able to do what they do in such a hostile environment. And .if they do, Geno is on it as in the SC game 18,000 strong and loud. Call on #3 Tuck by official #33 Katie Lou had actually committed the foul as seen on TV. Officials had to look at video, how Geno saw this or just took a gamble I will never know. The proper overturn of the call kept Tuck out of foul trouble.
Trust in Geno and realize your team may lose a game every 40/50/60 games or so and if they do it is not the fault of the officials. They are simply contrary to popular belief human...

Great post. We lost to Stanford because they played a great game and we broke down. I remember being disappointed and frustrated at the end of that game but I posted at a later date that I felt that the loss to Stanford was the best thing that could have happened to us. I think that it became a great teaching moment for Geno and was a huge motivational factor for the team for the rest of the year.

Regarding referees. Generally speaking, referees don't win or lose games. Yes, a blown call at a critical moment can have a big impact and even determine the outcome of a game. But I'm amazed how that more often referees get it right than get it wrong. Plus I love the human dimension that referees bring to a game. Just watch an NBA or NFL game where we, as fans, have the luxury of watching a replay 12 times and still aren't sure as to the right call. Games are played at tremendous speeds and calls are often made while an official is running. Their line of vision on a play is often obscured. Even on replays it's often hard to tell whose hand a ball goes off or whether a player got to the spot first to pick up a charge. The fans of both teams will see the play through a different lens and be screaming at their TVs that the officials got it wrong.

Give me one more second before I get off my soapbox. In basketsball, how many times does a player drop a pass, throw one into the stands, miss a critical free throw, double dribble or travel on a critical play? And yet we somehow expect referees to be infallible. Players are human and so are refs. Imagine if every play of a game was determined by an instant replay. Sports would become way too sanitized. Sure, some refs are better than others but I'm tired of conspiracy theories. So let's not blame our loss to Stanford on the referees.

 

[HuskyNan]

No, no, no..

We are doomed. Doomed, I say. DOOOOOMED!

Quit messing with the mojo!


View attachment 12006

Prophetic, no?

 

[hoophuskee]

Great post. We lost to Stanford because they played a great game and we broke down. I remember being disappointed and frustrated at the end of that game but I posted at a later date that I felt that the loss to Stanford was the best thing that could have happened to us. I think that it became a great teaching moment for Geno and was a huge motivational factor for the team for the rest of the year.

Regarding referees. Generally speaking, referees don't win or lose games. Yes, a blown call at a critical moment can have a big impact and even determine the outcome of a game. But I'm amazed how that more often referees get it right than get it wrong. Plus I love the human dimension that referees bring to a game. Just watch an NBA or NFL game where we, as fans, have the luxury of watching a replay 12 times and still aren't sure as to the right call. Games are played at tremendous speeds and calls are often made while an official is running. Their line of vision on a play is often obscured. Even on replays it's often hard to tell whose hand a ball goes off or whether a player got to the spot first to pick up a charge. The fans of both teams will see the play through a different lens and be screaming at their TVs that the officials got it wrong.

Give me one more second before I get off my soapbox. In basketsball, how many times does a player drop a pass, throw one into the stands, miss a critical free throw, double dribble or travel on a critical play? And yet we somehow expect referees to be infallible. Players are human and so are refs. Imagine if every play of a game was determined by an instant replay. Sports would become way too sanitized. Sure, some refs are better than others but I'm tired of conspiracy theories. So let's not blame our loss to Stanford on the referees.

IMO you have this all wrong. The expectation is totally irrelevant. Them getting 99% of the calls right is irrelevant. Are you trying to say if the following happens it matters what the other 39:40 was? ND has the ball down by one they drive in the lane miss the shot with 3 seconds left but they call a foul on UCONN. Replay shows the player was never touched but can't be overturned. ND hits the 2 free throws. UConn throws a length of the court pass to Stewie who in one motion passes to Tuck who hits a shot at the buzzer. The same ref calls a walk on Tuck. Replay shows she didn't walk but refs don't overturn the call. The refs didn't cost UCONN the game? Is that what you are trying to say?

IMO - there are critical moments in a game. Just because you may like the excitement of refs not being infallible doesn't mean the call didn't cost the team the game. IMO the refs aren't infallible - therefore they can cost another team the game if they make a blunderous call or two at a critical moment.

 

[bags27]

Great post. We lost to Stanford because they played a great game and we broke down.

I remember thinking over and over how much we missed Dolson: too many Cardinals drove to the basket and there was no Stephanie to render a body blow!

 

[chrissaran]

Notre Dame can beat UConn straight up, no A game D game. Notre Dame has the shooters, and with Turner healthy the size, to beat UConn. That to me would be the best championship game as it has been for the last two years.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Notre Dame can beat UConn straight up, no A game D game. Notre Dame has the shooters, and with Turner healthy the size, to beat UConn. That to me would be the best championship game as it has been for the last two years.

chrissaran- - - -We must agree to disagree!
The last time UCONN vs ND at ND UCONN won by 10 to 15 points. Turner was hurt so they started the younger Mabrey and she and some teammates went off for 13 threes and UCONN still won by double digits. When MoJeff was put on Mabrey the younger in the 2nd 1/2 Mabrey had 0 or 2 points and was frustrated!
If they meet in the FF with Turner now back ND has to bench one of the 3 point shooters, so less fire power.
Turner most likely will cover Tuck, which ND F/C's will cover Stewart, KLS, Gabby, Butler, & Collier? UCONN BIGS will destroy ND BIGS! Turner alone cannot score enough points to swing the game to ND!
MoJeff, Nurse, Chong, & KLS when she switches to SG can more than match the Mabreys, Cable or any other G ND can throw out there.
Since the ND & Fitch games where they went nuts from the 3 point line, UCONN has tightened up it's defense and holds opponents to about 3 to 4--- 3's and 45 ppg.
If both teams are healthy in this FF match-up UCONN will win by 25+ points!

 

[ricky]

The Temple game was the strongest example of officiating bias I have ever seen. Tonya should not feel good to rely on the no call as part of her teams defense. Tuck was taken completely out of the by this. Temple fouled her every attempted shot. The refs know how to call fouls because they called them on UConn very often.