Thoughts on SC vs UCLA?

[cancontent]

I am not trying to beat a dead horse but I am wondering about something concerning handshake traditions.
I watched the replay of the 2015 NC game where UConn beat the Golden Domers. I also started to watch the replay of yesterday's game.
In the 2015 game, player introductions were done "the old fashioned way", alternating teams. First they announced a ND player who sprinted to half court and then announced the UConn player who went to half court and they shook hands.
After the starting player introductions, they introduced Muffet and Geno, who met and shook hands.
In yesterday's game, they introduced the SoCar starters, then the UCLA starters, then Cori and then Dawn. No greetings of the other team.
When did this tradition change?
My replay of the 2025 NC game doesn't include any pregame festivities so no idea which introductions were used.

Not sure how you would conduct a review as I think you'd have to consider how intros are incorporated into broadcasts as well. For example, Friday night's intros were produced by ESPN. Sunday's intros didn't look to have the same format. How does that translate to what occurs on the court because we don't see everything?

 

[Centerstream]

Not sure how you would conduct a review as I think you'd have to consider how intros are incorporated into broadcasts as well. For example, Friday night's intros were produced by ESPN. Sunday's intros didn't look to have the same format. How does that translate to what occurs on the court because we don't see everything?

But ESPN produces every NCAAT broadcast. And I am only asking about the NC game introductions.

 

[bballnut90]

Just a note: Close said this weekend that she plans to add 5 players from the portal. She has also made a comment that Somto Okafor (the lone signed incoming Freshman) may not be the only incoming freshman.

I, also, am interested in what type of portal class she is looking to add.

I think people are sleeping on UCLA next year. Sienna Betts/Timea Gardiner could be a solid front court duo and I'm guessing they'll land some quality guards from the portal. By the end of the portal period I think they'll be viewed as a top 20 team next year.

 

[cancontent]

But ESPN produces every NCAAT broadcast. And I am only asking about the NC game introductions.

Yes, but the production (e.g. camera angles etc.) could change year to year and you may not see the handshake in them.

 

[BruinGold]

I think people are sleeping on UCLA next year. Sienna Betts/Timea Gardiner could be a solid front court duo and I'm guessing they'll land some quality guards from the portal. By the end of the portal period I think they'll be viewed as a top 20 team next year.

Just for fun, with no transfers, UCLA looks a little like this:

5: Amanda Muse - all defense, very smart (she's an engineering major), probably better as a back-up
4: Sienna Betts - still pretty raw, with a high upside
3/4: Timea Gardner - very versatile early in her career, missed entire season after a year spent essentially as a 3-point specialist on offense and a post on defense (her very poor defense 2 seasons ago was likely because of the injury that necessitated her surgery)
2/3: Lena Bilic - the "hidden" player, with a full skill-set, length, and ability to score
2: Somto Okafor - extremely athletic freshman from Spain
2: Christina Karamouzi - she seems nice, but hasn't shown anything yet

And, as a throw in, Jada Williams was an early commit to UCLA before she was "chased off" by the signing of Kiki Rice.

 

[Centerstream]

Yes, but the production (e.g. camera angles etc.) could change year to year and you may not see the handshake in them.

In watching both games, the camera was focused on the person being introduced. In the 2015 game, each coach approached each other, shook hands and spoke while each one was being introduced. Last night, the camera was on each coach as they were introduced, in their team huddle and neither moved from the huddle. So I have no idea what you you mean.
The NC Pregame introductions have changed sometime since at least 2015.
I will stop wondering about it now.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I didn't watch UCLA that much, but did Sienna Betts not really crack the rotation because she started out the season injured, she just isn't as good as expected, or something else? UCLA really only played 7 players.

She was in the rotation. Averaged 14 minutes/game. Modest stats, but she had her moments, definitely showed potential. Although 6 pts/4 rebounds isn't bad considering how many other big contributors they had.

 

[nwhoopfan]

3/4: Timea Gardner - very versatile early in her career, missed entire season after a year spent essentially as a 3-point specialist on offense and a post on defense (her very poor defense 2 seasons ago was likely because of the injury that necessitated her surgery)

It's a big if, but IF she can go back to the player she was as a soph at Oregon St., she could be huge for them next season.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

That's because Raven has no draft stock. She is a guard who can't shoot. She will be an end of the bench team bouncer for her entire career.

48/40/82

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I think people are sleeping on UCLA next year. Sienna Betts/Timea Gardiner could be a solid front court duo and I'm guessing they'll land some quality guards from the portal. By the end of the portal period I think they'll be viewed as a top 20 team next year.

In the way anyone could theoretically have a great portal season, I guess.

It wouldn't shock me if they did have a great portal season but we just have no idea.

 

[BruinGold]

In the way anyone could theoretically have a great portal season, I guess.

It wouldn't shock me if they did have a great portal season but we just have no idea.

None. If a team gets someone great, complementary players may start lining up. But, if they don't... it could be a long rebuild.

 

[Coburn]

 

[UConnGabby]

Geno Auriemma's greatest legacy is encouraging & teaching coaches & players to improve.

Mississippi State and Vic Schaefer are perfect examples. Lost to UConn by 60 in the 2016 sweet sixteen. Then ended UConn's 111 game win streak in the 2017 semi finals.

Having said that . . . Auriemma's legacy cannot afford another outburst . . . followed by doubling down on it.

 

[triaddukefan]

One humorous (to me) thing about the game is that before the Regional Finals, some Litte C fan suggested that I hope that Duke can make UCLA break a sweat and be more than a speed bump on their way to the Final 4. Duke led at the half .. played them tough midway into the 4th quarter. Meanwhile Little C got crushed like a carton of eggs run over by a Peterbilt 379 on Interstate 77.

 

[husky98]

Did Johnson run over your pet with a car or someone? You seem overly salty.

Raven had a fantastic season and would have improved any college team. We'll see how she does in the W. No reason to knock a kid because they stood up for their teammate or coach, we would expect nothing less of our kids.

 

[Citrusdog]

Happy with outcome.

 

[Bobcat73]

Good grief! How is that a threat? UConn's legacy is already a matter of record.

Anybody who views South Carolina's exceptional performance over the past ten years as a "threat" is suffering from not insignificant insecurity. Sheeesh......

Read on a SC post that Dawn is now the GOAT. Let me know when she gets to 12 NC’s and a 89% winning percentage.