Toughest Championship Run

[TWG236]

Which one of their 12 National Champions was the hardest challenge for our illustrious women’s team. To help determine this, I took the brackets UConn faced during their six game runs. I used the tournament seeding (1-16) of each opponent and added the totals seeding of each 6 game opponents. So, the lowest total number should help indicate the hardest tournament run of each of our 12 championships. I realize that this doesn’t take into account the quality of any particular team UConn faced in a tournament’s games.

2025: UCONN #2 seed: 15, 10, 3, 1, 1 & 1= 31

1995: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 3, 2 & 1 = 34

2003: UCONN #1 seed: 16 9, 5, 2, 2 & 1 = 35

2000: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 5, 3, 2 & 1 = 36

2010: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 3, 4 & 1 = 36

2013: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 2, 1 & 5 = 36

2002: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 4, 7, 1 & 1 = 38

2015: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 5, 7, 1 & 1 = 38

2016: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 5, 2, 2 & 4 = 38

2009: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 6, 2 & 3= 39

2004: UCONN #2 seed: 15, 7, 11, 1, 7 & 1= 42

2014: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 12, 3, 2 & 1= 43

Based on this system, it shows that last year’s team faced the toughest challenge to win their National Championship.

 

[Zarathustra]

Which one of their 12 National Champions was the hardest challenge for our illustrious women’s team. To help determine this, I took the brackets UConn faced during their six game runs. I used the tournament seeding (1-16) of each opponent and added the totals seeding of each 6 game opponents. So, the lowest total number should help indicate the hardest tournament run of each of our 12 championships. I realize that this doesn’t take into account the quality of any particular team UConn faced in a tournament’s games.

2025: UCONN #2 seed: 15, 10, 3, 1, 1 & 1= 31

1995: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 3, 2 & 1 = 34

2003: UCONN #1 seed: 16 9, 5, 2, 2 & 1 = 35

2000: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 5, 3, 2 & 1 = 36

2010: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 3, 4 & 1 = 36

2013: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 2, 1 & 5 = 36

2002: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 4, 7, 1 & 1 = 38

2015: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 5, 7, 1 & 1 = 38

2016: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 5, 2, 2 & 4 = 38

2009: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 6, 2 & 3= 39

2004: UCONN #2 seed: 15, 7, 11, 1, 7 & 1= 42

2014: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 12, 3, 2 & 1= 43

Based on this system, it shows that last year’s team faced the toughest challenge to win their National Championship.

The tough passage of last year may be replicated
again this year. A slightly different sequence, but
I see it, the last foe standing will be UCLA. This,
my friend, would be a "THRILLER"!

 

[uconnfan68]

The tough passage of last year may be replicated
again this year. A slightly different sequence, but
I see it, the last foe standing will be UCLA. This,
my friend, would be a "THRILLER"!

Only way to face 3 #1s is as a #2. I don’t think we’ll be a #2 this year, but I didn’t think Belichek wouldn’t be first round HOF either.

 

[Phil]

We made it to the championship as a 2 seed one other time, in 2004 and faced 2 number ones. Last year is the only time we had to take on three number ones

 

[DefenseBB]

This is nice work by @TWG236 and I would add that in 2024-25 there is significantly a deeper pool of talent in the game that more teams seeded 1-4 (by region which is what the stat is showing) have on their rosters than occurred even 10 years ago, let alone way back in 1995.

 

[ucmiami2]

I think probably the toughest FF was 2003 where they trailed TX late in the semi before winning by 2 and then beat TN by 5.

Last year their 'toughest' game was in the E8 that ended as a 14 point win after giving up most of their lead in a bad 3rd Q.

By the time you get to the E8, you can throw the seedings out the window. The teams that are playing still are on a roll. 2013 when Baylor/Griner should have made the FF, Uconn won by an aggregate 51 at the FF, last year it was an aggregate 57 - cakewalks!

 

[Cuango]

Only way to face 3 #1s is as a #2. I don’t think we’ll be a #2 this year, but I didn’t think Belichek wouldn’t be first round HOF either.

Travesty!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Which one of their 12 National Champions was the hardest challenge for our illustrious women’s team. To help determine this, I took the brackets UConn faced during their six game runs. I used the tournament seeding (1-16) of each opponent and added the totals seeding of each 6 game opponents. So, the lowest total number should help indicate the hardest tournament run of each of our 12 championships. I realize that this doesn’t take into account the quality of any particular team UConn faced in a tournament’s games.

2025: UCONN #2 seed: 15, 10, 3, 1, 1 & 1= 31

1995: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 3, 2 & 1 = 34

2003: UCONN #1 seed: 16 9, 5, 2, 2 & 1 = 35

2000: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 5, 3, 2 & 1 = 36

2010: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 3, 4 & 1 = 36

2013: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 2, 1 & 5 = 36

2002: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 4, 7, 1 & 1 = 38

2015: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 5, 7, 1 & 1 = 38

2016: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 5, 2, 2 & 4 = 38

2009: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 8, 4, 6, 2 & 3= 39

2004: UCONN #2 seed: 15, 7, 11, 1, 7 & 1= 42

2014: UCONN #1 seed: 16, 9, 12, 3, 2 & 1= 43

Based on this system, it shows that last year’s team faced the toughest challenge to win their National Championship.

Not that it wasn't hard, but they bulldozed everyone except USC, which was a 13 point win I believe. Only by Husky standards is 13 points "close". The best part, of course, was making a lot of pundits wrong with their declarations that the championship would be far different than the regular season meeting.

 

[ctfjr]

I think probably the toughest FF was 2003 where they trailed TX late in the semi before winning by 2 and then beat TN by 5.

. . .

This ^^^
I think they were down 8 or 9 in the semi. We were at that FF and it was terrific.

 

[Gael]

I think probably the toughest FF was 2003 where they trailed TX late in the semi before winning by 2 and then beat TN by 5.

I agree . . . 2003.

For the third toughest NCAAT opposition as calculated by @TWG236's numerology, plus the tough FF games recalled by @ucmiami2, plus the quality and inexperience of the UConn team.

In 2002, UConn had graduated four superstars from its NC team into the WNBA draft: Bird (#1), Cash (2), Jones (4), Williams (6).

Geno asked DT before the season how well the team possibly could do with all those losses. DT replied, "We'll be undefeated." They ended up 37-1.

The starting team in the NCAAT was two Jrs (DT, Maria Conlon), one soph (Jessica Moore), and two freshmen (Ann Strother, Barbara Turner). Very inexperienced. Freshman Willnett Crockett played clutch off the bench, making a key shot and pulling down a key o-board in the final minutes to help UConn secure a come-from-behind win over Texas in the semifinal.

 

[1974yankees]

I agree . . . 2003.

For the third toughest NCAAT opposition as calculated by @TWG236's numerology, plus the tough FF games recalled by @ucmiami2, plus the quality and inexperience of the UConn team.

In 2002, UConn had graduated four superstars from its NC team into the WNBA draft: Bird (#1), Cash (2), Jones (4), Williams (6).

Geno asked DT before the season how well the team possibly could do with all those losses. DT replied, "We'll be undefeated." They ended up 37-1.

The starting team in the NCAAT was two Jrs (DT, Maria Conlon), one soph (Jessica Moore), and two freshmen (Ann Strother, Barbara Turner). Very inexperienced. Freshman Willnett Crockett played clutch off the bench, making a key shot and pulling down a key o-board in the final minutes to help UConn secure a come-from-behind win over Texas in the semifinal.

I think the toughest challenge we had was last year because many Uconn fans and probably players just weren't sure.

I can honestly say that I wasn't sure last years team was "championship caliber".....Especially with all the injuries we had the previous 4-5 years.....How many people here can honestly say they believed we were gonna win it all at mid-season or after our loss to Tennessee last year?

I would also say that Diana's last two years were extremely hard. We lost everyone from that 2002 team. Diana essentially took a bunch of role players on her back to win two more championships....

Right now I feel great for real about our chances. We are just too deep. I definitely don't want to get overconfident but I like our chances big time.

I just can't see any team in America beating us this year.

The Maya/Tina/Renee teams and the Stewart/Jefferson teams you just knew we were unstoppable. Even the Bria Hartley/Dolson teams you knew.

That's how I feel with this team.

 

[ucmiami2]

Speaking of final fours, and really they are the two games that make or break a NC season:

Uconn has only trailed at half three times in NC final fours:
1995 final - down 6 to TN, won by 6.
2010 final - down 8 to Stanford won by 6.
2003 semi - down 2 to TX won by 2

Except for those games, the FF two game MOV has been pretty comfortable:
1995 - 33 (27, 6)
2000 - 41 (22,19)
2002 - 35 (23,12)
2003 - 7 (2, 5)
2004 - 18 (9, 9)
2009 - 41 (19,21)
2010 - 26 (20, 6)
2013 - 51 (18,33)
2014 - 40 (19-21)
2015 - 33 (23-10)
2016 - 60 (29-31)
2025 - 57 (34-23)

Red numbers = NCAA records
Blue - our toughest 2 game FF and our lowest two game MOV
Blue + Green - the 6 single digit games out of the 24 FF games in our 12 NCs And the only two 2 game totals under a 20 MOV.

 

[Aluminny69]

Last year, UConn had already defeated SC handily on the way to the NC. But one year, UConn had lost to ND like three times before defeating them in the Finals. Or am I misremembering?

 

[PJCLaw]

Last year, UConn had already defeated SC handily on the way to the NC. But one year, UConn had lost to ND like three times before defeating them in the Finals. Or am I misremembering?

You're correct, it was Stewie's freshman year and three of the 5 losses she suffered at UConn!!

 

[YKCornelius]

I think the toughest challenge we had was last year because many Uconn fans and probably players just weren't sure.

I can honestly say that I wasn't sure last years team was "championship caliber".....Especially with all the injuries we had the previous 4-5 years.....How many people here can honestly say they believed we were gonna win it all at mid-season or after our loss to Tennessee last year?

I would also say that Diana's last two years were extremely hard. We lost everyone from that 2002 team. Diana essentially took a bunch of role players on her back to win two more championships....

Right now I feel great for real about our chances. We are just too deep. I definitely don't want to get overconfident but I like our chances big time.

I just can't see any team in America beating us this year.

The Maya/Tina/Renee teams and the Stewart/Jefferson teams you just knew we were unstoppable. Even the Bria Hartley/Dolson teams you knew.

That's how I feel with this team.

Meh.

I can honestly say that I believed in UConn winning the National Championship after the loss to Tennessee last year. I imagine there were a lot more than me, since there were 36 other prognosticators also picking UConn to end South Carolina's 71 game home winning streak in Columbia just ten days later.

Furthermore, I completely disagree with the notion that "probably" the "players just weren't sure". Seriously? Despite the evidence of their immediate reaction to the Tennessee loss (i.e., post game remarks, 35+ bounce back-wins against Providence and St John's) before the blowout win before 18,000 at Colonial Life Arena? Do you really think Paige wasn't sure they would win the championship?

That said, I completely agree with your thoughts and feelings about the team this year. They are great and fun to watch.

Go Huskies!

 

[TWG236]

Somehow, being ranked as a two seed, made last year’s championship the most satisfying for me. The fact that we blew 3 of the four teams ranked above us out of the water, was unbelievable. But I must admit, DT’s second and third championship’s were a true testament of Diane’s willing us to the trophy. To me, she is and will always be the GOAT.

 

[Skeets]

Somehow, being ranked as a two seed, made last year’s championship the most satisfying for me. The fact that we blew 3 of the four teams ranked above us out of the water, was unbelievable. But I must admit, DT’s second and third championship’s were a true testament of Diane’s willing us to the trophy. To me, she is and will always be the GOAT.

She put the team on her back and carried them to the NC without a senior on the team. That is why she is forever the GOAT.

 

[ucmiami2]

Last year, UConn had already defeated SC handily on the way to the NC. But one year, UConn had lost to ND like three times before defeating them in the Finals. Or am I misremembering?

We had a tough stretch against ND for a few years - 2010 - 2013
In 2010-11 Uconn went 3-0 in conference and conference tournament to run our streak to 11-0 against them, then lost to ND by 9 in the NCAA semifinal.
2011-12 Uconn 0-2 in regular season, won the conference, then lost in the NCAA semis in OT.
2012-13 Uconn 0-3 in conference and conference tourney before beating them by 18 in the NCAA semis returning the 2010-11 experience!

2013 was the last season before the BE blew up, and Uconn, Louisville, and ND all made the FF with Uconn blowing out (33 MOV) Louisville to deny them the double as the men had just won their NC (later vacated for violations.)

I believe that stretch of 1-7 is the single worst stretch against any team in Geno's career - it was a very condensed period because we were playing two games in conference play, always met in the conference tournament, and always met in the semi-finals (thank you tournament committee!) for 4 games each year. The streak ran across three seasons, but only from 4/3/11 to 3/12/13 so 22 days less than two years. And Uconn then had a streak of 7 more wins against ND, before losing twice more in 2018 and 2019 NCAA semis, winning each year in season.

Uconn is 40-16 against ND but ND owns a 5-3 record in the NCAAs with all games occurring in the FF - Uconn has won 3 NCs in those tournaments (2013, 14, and 15) while ND has won 2 (2001, 2018.) All of ND's wins have occurred in the semis (two in OT) while 2 of Uconn's wins were in the finals (2014, 15) The 3-5 record against McGraw is likely Geno's worst NCAA record against any coach with more than 3 meetings in the tournament. (Geno was 4-2 against Pat, 4-1 against Tara, 2-1 against Dawn, 2-0 against Kim Mulkey, 2-0 against CViv)

Again - 8 meetings in the NCAAs with 4 while they were in the same conference and every one of those 4 insured that they would meet in the semis, because the committee always put them on the same side of the bracket!