Women’s team performance next season, or any season, has no effect on national “respect” for the men’s program.
I'll grant you victory in an argument that I did not see
@ctchamps making.
UConn's basketball teams finished with #1 and #3 rankings.
If the logic offered in justifying the AP awarding of Kelvin Sampson as MBB Coach of the Year were applied to WBB voting, Geno would have presented a better case than Kelvin.
Danny winning the NBWA coaching award trued up with Dawn Staley's. This board isn't organized around passionate consideration of both teams, but "Where does UConn stand?" remains an animated conversation.
Just as MBB is aiming for a three-peat, WBB is aiming for a 12th national championship, which would exceed John Wooden's 11 at UCLA, and I do not believe would ever be exceeded. Geno Auriemma has already surpassed K in total victories, and with Tara VanderVeer's retirement he is likely in November to become the all-time winningest college basketball coach. I do not imagine that will ever be exceeded.
Two different sports? Yes
The same two sports? Yes
The women won't move the needle regarding the men for men who are inattentive, indifferent, or hostile to any linked consideration. That alone neither validates nor invalidates either point of view regarding UConn basketball universally.
In my opinion, "both/and" for the win.