UConn is in great hands for next season

[bballnut90]

If you think that your stats mean a lot, fine but what there was was a massive distinction between the type recruits the Vols and the Irish (and UConn) were getting. Pat Summit was getting the cream of the crop due to her "legendary" aura and it was that massive advantage in talented players that contributed to the disparity you mentioned. Inevitably that advantage was dwindling when more and more recruits realized that there were other quality programs available to them and Geno was a key element in that. Once UConn broke this aura of invincibility, it was easier to see that Pat wasn't this mystical coach and more programs have been able to get those type players, evening the playing field substantially. Pat was a really good defensive coach but her teams have never been nearly as good on the offensive end. Obviously she has had many talented players with great offensive skills but her offenses have always liked imagination. How many titles less would have Pat had if Notre Dame had gotten anywhere the talent level Pat had over the vast majority of her time in Tennessee and how many more would Muffet have had. We'll never know but I'm inclined to think it would be radically different than the numbers you noted. I feel Pat's numbers would have suffered dramatically.

Pat won the majority of her titles after UCONN became a major player in recruiting. Pat was a heck of a recruiter her entire time at Tennesse--even in her last year as a coach she hauled in two top 5 kids in 2011 and Isabelle Harrison. Had she stayed, there's a good chance she lands DeShields, Davis doesn't leave and she still brings in Russell giving her the top 3 recruits in 2013. Can you think of a championship that Geno won where he didn't have the most talented team in the country? The only one I think you can make an argument for is 2003, which still featured DT and the #1 freshman class in the nation. Every other title, Geno has had at least one-two HS POYs and several other top 5 recruits. There is a reason why the best programs land the best recruits. You can't claim recruiting is why Pat was so successful while for Geno it was his superior coaching ability. Two way street.

Muffett is an outstanding coach. Since landing Diggins, she has been able to bring in other top players, develop them, and turn Notre Dame into a national power. If she was landing this many talented kids from the early 90s until 2009, I think both Pat and Geno would have fewer titles. She is a great coach and has made Notre Dame into a consistent top 2-3 team for the last 5 years. No one else has done that in 20+ years outside of Pat and Geno. While what she has been doing has been great, Pat did this for 30+ years. She beat Notre Dame head to head 20 times in a row, won over 1000 games and has 8 championships to her credit, with 5 of them coming in the "UCONN era." Yes she has landed top recruits, but she landed top recruits because she built consistently great teams that were fixtures in the final four and consistent title threats year in and year out. Muffett has made ND a steady title threat for 5 years. Once she wins a few more and has Notre Dame as a top 5 fixture for 10-15+ years, then I'll reconsider this argument.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

No argument that Muffett has had a great run recently, but I've lost a lot of respect for her with all the whining and BS! Just shut up and coach, you don't demand respect from your peers, you earn respect from your peers! A lot of ND's success over UCONN previous to the last year & a 1/2 IMHO was UCONN lack of belief by the players they could win! Giving ND way too much credit! Once they shook that off they kicked ND's butt! The refs had a major hand in this by dominating the foul calls ND's way especially in the lane, that has evened out and UCONN's present mind-set is ND is an inferior team to them and they'll kick them all over the court! ND has 1 great player, Loyd and 1 good player, Turner, everyone else is average talent especially in the front line! Which will only get bigger with the addition of next years freshmen class! The bottom line is Geno & his great staff coaches rings around the Muffett and her staff! It's like Muffett's dueling without any bullets in her gun!

 

[NewCorn]

Oh I really want to focus on this year and sprinting through the finish line..... we should have what it takes. let's hope we play our best ball when it counts..... as is our custom.....

Yes, looking at next year..... we do lose a lot.... and thank you Kiah and KML for all your contributions..... I too feel good about who is coming in. Collier, Boykin, Samuelson, and Butler. come to think of it the coaching staff will have their hands full..... with 4 newbies.... but Natalie has been practicing all year this year so she knows the drill and has a year of Big East competition under her bely.

Handicapping the rest of the field..... I really like (after us of course) ND, USC, and Texas, because of roster as well as the commensurate coaching, and Tenn, so long as Mercedes can run on her repaired feet, and Diamond and Holly work well together.

I'm delighted to hear that Natalie is looking good. but I do hope she gets rid of that belly before next season. Lol.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I'm delighted to hear that Natalie is looking good. but I do hope she gets rid of that belly before next season. Lol.

Hah! I remember in Dec 2010 when we lost at Stanford, CD told then freshman Dolson, "I need you to be a beast in the weight room".... and the rest is history..... Natalie will be in shape.....

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

At the USF/Senior Day Game when teams lined up for National Anthem, I thought Natalie looked great! That was the thinnest I had seen her either on TV or in person! All reports are she's lost in the 25 to 30lbs. range and working her butt off both on the practice court and in the weight-room!

 

[OldAlum]

I think NewCorn was talking about the typo...

 

[NewCorn]

I think NewCorn was talking about the typo...

Yes, thanks. Hopefully Natalie has that year of Big East competition under her belt rather than under her belly.

 

[Icebear]

Yes, thanks. Hopefully Natalie has that year of Big East competition under her belt rather than under her belly.

Why do you make such a comment? I haven't heard of any such issues with Natalie. Seems like an unnecessary comment
.

 

[NewCorn]

Why do you make such a comment? I haven't heard of any such issues with Natalie. Seems like an unnecessary comment
.

Sorry I confused you, Icebear. I didn't make my original comment is quite the right place. I was trying to make a joke about a typ0 by an earlier poster who said, "...under her bely," instead of under her belt. I know, I'll never be a standup comedian.