UConn and LSU

[YKCornelius]

While we will never fully know what Geno's and KIm's relationship is and what drove the scheduling of this game, curious why LSU is changing its tactics of scheduling cupcakes, an approach Geno strongly disagrees with. Of all the Top 10 teams he could play, I would not have thought LSU was not a team he would show any support for.

HopJim, your last sentence confuses me. Could you repeat your thought but say it differently, please and thank you?

FWIW, I am keenly curious also. Not just why both programs agreed to the game, but why Nashville? Is this a counter move to the four team tournament in Vegas? Bring in USC and another headline team as well, maybe?

 

[Jim]

Geno generally schedules OOC for three reasons: (1) schedule ranked teams to improve the team's strength of schedule (given the rest of the Big East's usually lower rankings), (2) play games in geographic areas so recruits can see the UConn brand near them, and (3) play games close to home towns of existing players so that their friends and families can more easily see them play. If UConn is to play LSU in Nashville, I suspect that this would be part of some multi-team tournament hosted by Shea's Vanderbilt team and such a game would accomplish (1) and (2) above.

 

[oldude]

Geno generally schedules OOC for three reasons: (1) schedule ranked teams to improve the team's strength of schedule (given the rest of the Big East's usually lower rankings), (2) play games in geographic areas so recruits can see the UConn brand near them, and (3) play games close to home towns of existing players so that their friends and families can more easily see them play. If UConn is to play LSU in Nashville, I suspect that this would be part of some multi-team tournament hosted by Shea's Vanderbilt team and such a game would accomplish (1) and (2) above.

One additional reason is $$$. UConn OOC games against ranked teams typically end up on national broadcast networks which pay considerably more than local or regional coverage.

 

[DEpup]

I agree. This game will be played because it will be profitable to both teams.

 

[Bigboote]

One additional reason is $$$. UConn OOC games against ranked teams typically end up on national broadcast networks which pay considerably more than local or regional coverage.

That's a good point. We don't know when this game is yet (AFAIK). Maybe as some have speculated it's Thanksgiving weekend instead of a destination tournament. Geno's said that for cost reasons, those may be a thing of the past, and so scheduling something with reduced costs and a large payout would be a way to compensate.

 

[ConnMotors]

Why Nashville?

Maybe they can make it a double header tournament and have Vanderbilt play Michigan or Southern California. But it needs to be a Big 10 team.

 

[mainerhuski]

That's a good point. We don't know when this game is yet (AFAIK). Maybe as some have speculated it's Thanksgiving weekend instead of a destination tournament. Geno's said that for cost reasons, those may be a thing of the past, and so scheduling something with reduced costs and a large payout would be a way to compensate.

It seems that at least one player ends up 🤕 or sick at every destination tournament, so maybe just as well.

 

[WBBZen]

I listened to the whole segment, and Rebecca said it was set up by ESPN, like the Baylor Texas game that was played in Fort Worth this season. So, I'm thinking it's a one off like that

 

[hart2hart]

Just curious, how many on LSU will be graduated?
We have Azzi and Caroline. Did I miss anyone? A plus for us is Olivia will be playing for our wonderful team.

 

[oldude]

Just curious, how many on LSU will be graduated?
We have Azzi and Caroline. Did I miss anyone? A plus for us is Olivia will be playing for our wonderful team.

They lose 2 starters: Joyner and Johnson, and 2 others who don’t play much. They still have a number of very talented players including Williams & Fulwiley and Kim will undoubtedly hit the transfer portal hard.

As for UConn, we also lose Serah, Ice & maybe Ayanna.

 

[JellyBean]

This is pretty awesome news. Two great coaches leading two great programs. This is just great for the continued growth of the game.

 

[Zanzman]

They lose 2 starters: Joyner and Johnson, and 2 others who don’t play much. They still have a number of very talented players including Williams & Fulwiley and Kim will undoubtedly hit the transfer portal hard.

As for UConn, we also lose Serah, Ice & maybe Ayanna.

Doesn’t Ice have a red shirt year still

 

[oldude]

Doesn’t Ice have a red shirt year still

Both Ice & Ayanna have red shirt options. But last season, Aubrey still had a potential redshirt year and didn’t use it. It would have been her sixth.

I think it comes down to whether or not a player wants to spend another year in college as a grad student after graduation, and what that year means in terms of basketball. I also think that both Ice and Ayanna will sit down with Geno after the season to discuss all their options.

If either player comes back, I don’t see a lot of PT. Do they want to go to another school where they could potentially start. Then there’s the injury issue. Both have dealt with multiple injuries in their college careers. While Ayanna appears to be reasonably healthy at present, Ice’s knee issues appear to be chronic.

 

[cancontent]

Maybe they can make it a double header tournament and have Vanderbilt play Michigan or Southern California. But it needs to be a Big 10 team.

Not following your logic here, considering Vanderbilt and Michigan play tomorrow in New Jersey. Could you please clarify?

 

[DefenseBB]

Both Ice & Ayanna have red shirt options. But last season, Aubrey still had a potential redshirt year and didn’t use it. It would have been her sixth.

I think it comes down to whether or not a player wants to spend another year in college as a grad student after graduation, and what that year means in terms of basketball. I also think that both Ice and Ayanna will sit down with Geno after the season to discuss all their options.

If either player comes back, I don’t see a lot of PT. Do they want to go to another school where they could potentially start. Then there’s the injury issue. Both have dealt with multiple injuries in their college careers. While Ayanna appears to be reasonably healthy at present, Ice’s knee issues appear to be chronic.

Actually, Aubrey had 6 years. She graduated HS in 2019 and was one of two fall enrollees along with Anna Makurat. Aubrey play 33 games 2019-20; 29 games 2020-21; injured in all 2021-22; 35 games 2022-23; 14 games in 2023-24; 16 games 2024-25.

I know time seems to fly by…

 

[cancontent]

 

[choochoo]

Why Nashville?

ever been to Nashville ? if you had you would understand why !

 

[Dugway]

In this interview, he does not come right out and explicitly say that LSU is playing us (and vice versa) because of the money, but that seems to be exactly what he is saying. In this day in age of NIL and having to pay players, the national exposure and the money is how these games come to be. In years past, some coaches might have wanted to duck these games, however in modern times the Athletic Director says, "how much money?" and low and behold irrelevant of the coaches' desires ...