Uconn South Carolina Series Over

[RockyMTblue2]

Losing a big game against a top opponent and replacing with two garbage Big East games probably won't help SOS. It's going to start getting tougher to get a #1 seed as a non-power conference team.

Yeah, well how'd that work out this year? I love that our girls mowed down 3 #1 seeds. I wonder when the annual rumors of UConn being picked up by a P5 conference begin to fly. We need that very badly.

 

[JellyBean]

I am not going to lose my mind over this series not continuing for the time being. Probably a logical reason why there is a pause on this series. With that being said, this opens up a slot for both programs to add an up-and-coming program to their schedule. No biggie. I wish Coach Staley all the best and I am sure we will see each other in the NCAA tournament at some point.

 

[Cuango]

SC did not want to play OOC games during the conference schedule , which is entirely reasonable. I’m sure UConn would also love to have a Bye as well. Why must everything end up being a conspiracy theory??? It is really getting old.

Come on! Now that UConn is no longer kneecapped by multiple injuries, and having had a taste of what happens when UConn has a fully healthy roster, Dawn has decided that playing a non conference game during conference season (which she has loved doing for the last twelve years) is not in her teams best interest.
I knew this was going to happen when she completely lost her mind in the NC beatdown. No surprise here at all. It is sad though, as it will deprive the Women’s Basketball audience of a rare marquee game between the two preeminent programs in the sport. Not a good look for Dawn, that’s for sure.

I’m pretty sure everyone knows it wasn’t Geno who canceled this series. If timing were the issue, which it apparently was not all those years when they were beating up on a crippled UConn squad, I have no doubts that Geno would have been willing to move the game to another date. I find myself sad on the one hand and enormously amused on the other that my prediction during the NC has come to pass. Well, well, what are you going to do? Kim? I doubt it. Vic? Maybe. Cori Close? Nah. Banghart? ? Lawson? ? Little Sisters of the Poor? Yes!

 

[hoopsfan22]

Come on! Now that UConn is no longer kneecapped by multiple injuries, and having had a taste of what happens when UConn has a fully healthy roster, Dawn has decided that playing a non conference game during conference season (which she has loved doing for the last twelve years) is not in her teams best interest.
I knew this was going to happen when she completely lost her mind in the NC beatdown. No surprise here at all. It is sad though, as it will deprive the Women’s Basketball audience of a rare marquee game between the two preeminent programs in the sport. Not a good look for Dawn, that’s for sure.

I’m pretty sure everyone knows it wasn’t Geno who canceled this series. If timing were the issue, which it apparently was not all those years when they were beating up on a crippled UConn squad, I have no doubts that Geno would have been willing to move the game to another date. I find myself sad on the one hand and enormously amused on the other that my prediction during the NC has come to pass. Well, well, what are you going to do? Kim? I doubt it. Vic? Maybe. Cori Close? Nah. Banghart? ? Lawson? ? Little Sisters of the Poor? Yes!

South Carolina plays in the SEC. It's a loaded conference for WCBB. Playing us doesn't gain anything. Win the SEC regular season or tourney and you automatically get a #1 seed. What does South Carolina get out of playing UConn?

 

[broooce]

When the SC series first started they were essentially nobody in the SEC. In 2007-08 they were a .500 club in that first game and sub-.500 the second year (Dawn's first). Then when the series resumed in 2014-15 SC was well on its way to becoming a national power, perhaps dominating the SEC back then like UConn dominated AAC or Big East. One can conclude that the UConn series has in no small way helped elevate SC, their brand and their standing in the SEC.

Kinda like Tennessee helped elevate UConn back in the day. As others have said, these rivalries, whether long or short-lived has, can and will continue to elevate women's college basketball.

Maybe it's time for UConn to choose another program or two to help elevate over the next decade. I'd vote that one school should be Vanderbilt - help them elevate to the top of the SEC and give SC and Texas a run for their money. Shea deserves that opportunity and challenge.

 

[hoopsfan22]

When the SC series first started they were essentially nobody in the SEC. In 2007-08 they were a .500 club in that first game and sub-.500 the second year (Dawn's first). Then when the series resumed in 2014-15 SC was well on its way to becoming a national power, perhaps dominating the SEC back then like UConn dominated AAC or Big East. One can conclude that the UConn series has in no small way helped elevate SC, their brand and their standing in the SEC.

Kinda like Tennessee helped elevate UConn back in the day. As others have said, these rivalries, whether long or short-lived has, can and will continue to elevate women's college basketball.

Maybe it's time for UConn to choose another program or two to help elevate over the next decade. I'd vote that one school should be Vanderbilt - help them elevate to the top of the SEC and give SC and Texas a run for their money. Shea deserves that opportunity and challenge.

Geno has said he will gladly play Vanderbilt when Shea asks.

 

[broooce]

Geno has said he will gladly play Vanderbilt when Shea asks.

Now that SC is out, she might be calling.....

 

[ochoopsfan]

The conference sucks. "HELL NO - we want LESS games."

As I have said for many years, UConn needs a tougher conference.
Eric and I finally agree!!

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

South Carolina plays in the SEC. It's a loaded conference for WCBB. Playing us doesn't gain anything. Win the SEC regular season or tourney and you automatically get a #1 seed. What does South Carolina get out of playing UConn?

Terrible loss, doesn't matter who's to blame. Once again points out what a sad situation it is for UConn (women) to be in the Big East.

Both statements above belie an unexamined mystical archaic presumption that was true during Pat Summit’s early glory days. That the SEC was the top of the heap in WCBB.

As of now, Geno and CD’s little WCBB program in the sleepy town of Storrs who are/were playing in the little bush leagues of the Big East/ AAC have as many titles (12) as the big mystical SEC. Source.

One statement above is a tad patronizing and the other one is cringingly obsequious.

UConn will be fine with the ending of this series as it was fine with the previous ending of the TN series.

I agree with EricLA and Cuango that if it were solely up to Geno, the series will continue at a more mutually convenient time. But for this, and conference affiliation, it is really solely not up to Geno. Nevertheless, Geno and CD are the winningest WCBB coaches of all time.

A lot of people give Mulkey flak for avoiding certain losses in OOC games. At least she is transparent and consistent about it. It is sad to see all those high-minding “we’ll play anybody for the good of the sport” types become Mulkey types when UConn is (perhaps) emerging as “bad for basketball” again.

WCBB as a sport still needs nurturing. OOC games are “meaningless” games (per Geno) for the NCAAT, except for the risk of being seeded a shade lower. Some coaches (e.g. Jeff Waltz) don’t mind the trade-off as it is good for the sport and a learning experience for their players.

It is what it is.

 

[Hayven]

Someone took Geno’s statue comment a lil too seriously

 

[boontonbomber]

Both statements above belie an unexamined mystical archaic presumption that was true during Pat Summit’s early glory days. That the SEC was the top of the heap in WCBB.

As of now, Geno and CD’s little WCBB program in the sleepy town of Storrs who are/were playing in the little bush leagues of the Big East/ AAC have as many titles (12) as the big mystical SEC. Source.

One statement above is a tad patronizing and the other one is cringingly obsequious.

UConn will be fine with the ending of this series as it was fine with the previous ending of the TN series.

I agree with EricLA and Cuango that if it were solely up to Geno, the series will continue at a more mutually convenient time. But for this, and conference affiliation, it is really solely not up to Geno. Nevertheless, Geno and CD are the winningest WCBB coaches of all time.

A lot of people give Mulkey flak for avoiding certain losses in OOC games. At least she is transparent and consistent about it. It is sad to see all those high-minding “we’ll play anybody for the good of the sport” types become Mulkey types when UConn is (perhaps) emerging as “bad for basketball” again.

WCBB as a sport still needs nurturing. OOC games are “meaningless” games (per Geno) for the NCAAT, except for the risk of being seeded a shade lower. Some coaches (e.g. Jeff Waltz) don’t mind the trade-off as it is good for the sport and a learning experience for their players.

It is what it is.

What is?

 

[RitzLuce1]

This was decided a few years ago, I don't think either had plan to renew the series and I don't think it's less political or relational and more of a result of the NCAA seedings. South Carolina and UConn playing really didn't do much for either as it relates to seeding for the tournament. It nearly knocked SC off the 1 line and just solidified UConn at the 2 which they were already projected.

I think teams will begin to start question tough out of conference match-ups because the NCAA tournament is the big show and they do not use NET rankings as much as they purport. Strength of Schedule is beginning to matter less and less. Although the game will have eyeballs, the two teams don't have to prove anything anymore. South Carolina has series with USC and UConn has Notre Dame.

First off, UConn has Notre Dame? Last I checked there has been no announcement that series has been renewed either.

It didn't do much for them playing each other? Insanity. South Carolina took beatings from UConn for years and used it to become a multi championship winning program. This UConn group going into Columbia and winning the way they did catapulted them to the national championship. And the 2 best programs playing each other helps the sport. Kinda shocked this needs to be said.

 

[RitzLuce1]

Come on! Now that UConn is no longer kneecapped by multiple injuries, and having had a taste of what happens when UConn has a fully healthy roster, Dawn has decided that playing a non conference game during conference season (which she has loved doing for the last twelve years) is not in her teams best interest.
I knew this was going to happen when she completely lost her mind in the NC beatdown. No surprise here at all. It is sad though, as it will deprive the Women’s Basketball audience of a rare marquee game between the two preeminent programs in the sport. Not a good look for Dawn, that’s for sure.

I’m pretty sure everyone knows it wasn’t Geno who canceled this series. If timing were the issue, which it apparently was not all those years when they were beating up on a crippled UConn squad, I have no doubts that Geno would have been willing to move the game to another date. I find myself sad on the one hand and enormously amused on the other that my prediction during the NC has come to pass. Well, well, what are you going to do? Kim? I doubt it. Vic? Maybe. Cori Close? Nah. Banghart? ? Lawson? ? Little Sisters of the Poor? Yes!

You hit the nail. I guess we will find out more. Interesting to see that some of our fans continue to insist Staley's motives are always so pure when once upon a time she blamed a loss to us on the size of a basketball.

 

[Husk.IE 12]

All I can say is that if these two teams meet again in the FF, I am not sure that I would want my kids thinking about whether or not they could get blown out again like last season. It would be far preferable to play the Huskies in CT in February and battle them through a tough game, win or lose.

Unless we blew them out AGAIN in that Feb game, which would leave them wondering if they could get blown out again, like in Feb, should both teams meet again in the F4.

 

[ABCDFE]

Im not losing any sleep over this. UCONN will find another program or two to elevate because there are enough good programs out. What’s important is Geno likes to find high end completion against different styles to prepare for the tournament.

 

[Cuango]

South Carolina plays in the SEC. It's a loaded conference for WCBB. Playing us doesn't gain anything. Win the SEC regular season or tourney and you automatically get a #1 seed. What does South Carolina get out of playing UConn?

Well, they must have gotten something for 12 years! Now that the worm has turned they suddenly are no longer getting anything out of it? Funny how that works.

 

[bballnut90]

Both programs are fine and will be great without the game. Stinks that WBB loses one of its marquee matchups that drew in a lot of eyes and always sells out.

 

[Bald Husky]

Wasn’t it just last year that Dawn was complaining that she had a hard time getting teams to play them? Hmmmm

 

[oldude]

I will say this to those on the BY that believe games against Big East opponents don’t prepare UConn for the competition the Huskies will face in the Big Dance. This past season, UConn played SC on Feb 16, followed by 7 straight BE games before their 1st game in the BIg Dance over a month later. For the record Ark St was not as good as most BE teams and SD St was probably as good as some of the top BE teams not named UConn.

So how did Geno and his staff possibly prepare the Huskies for a gauntlet that included 4 straight powerhouse programs: OK, USC, UCLA & SC? The fact is that the BE is full of smart basketball coaches and players that run really sophisticated actions that force opponents to be well prepared and execute at both ends of the court.

I commented on that fact after attending the BE tournament at the Mohegan Sun. The truth is that many of UConn’s BE opponents gave them much better games than the 2 teams they faced in the FF.

Do you really think that playing a bunch of big, strong SEC or BIG teams in a series of “ugly wrestling matches” better prepares a team to face a small, quick team that spreads the floor, plays relentless defense, moves the ball and shoots lights out? Clearly that wasnt the case for Cory Close or Dawn Staley this past year.

Geno prepares his team for the Big Dance better than any coach on the planet, and he had more answers to roll out against every opponent he faced. That should be the case again this coming season. While I regret that WBB loses if UConn and SC don’t play, the Huskies will be absolutely fine.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

You have to space out these heavyweight contests. That’s a bigger hill to climb for SC than us because of conference foes. I’m sure it’s just temporary.

 

[uconnfan68]

I will say this to those on the BY that believe games against Big East opponents don’t prepare UConn for the competition the Huskies will face in the Big Dance. This past season, UConn played SC on Feb 16, followed by 7 straight BE games before their 1st game in the BIg Dance over a month later. For the record Ark St was not as good as most BE teams and SD St was probably as good as some of the top BE teams not named UConn.

So how did Geno and his staff possibly prepare the Huskies for a gauntlet that included 4 straight powerhouse programs: OK, USC, UCLA & SC? The fact is that the BE is full of smart basketball coaches and players that run really sophisticated actions that force opponents to be well prepared and execute at both ends of the court.

I commented on that fact after attending the BE tournament at the Mohegan Sun. The truth is that many of UConn’s BE opponents gave them much better games than the 2 teams they faced in the FF.

Do you really think that playing a bunch of big, strong SEC or BIG teams in a series of “ugly wrestling matches” better prepares a team to face a small, quick team that spreads the floor, plays relentless defense, moves the ball and shoots lights out? Clearly that wasnt the case for Cory Close or Dawn Staley this past year.

Geno prepares his team for the Big Dance better than any coach on the planet, and he had more answers to roll out against every opponent he faced. That should be the case again this coming season. While I regret that WBB loses if UConn and SC don’t play, the Huskies will be absolutely fine.

It's the athletic level (mostly speed) that they need to face now and then, just to keep their own level up. That's what the BE doesn't have. You're right about the rest though.

 

[meyers7]

I heard a rumor that it was Dawn's personal decision after the NCAA said it was going to levy a hefty fine for each F bomb uttered from the bench. Seriously though, I am major league bummed. It is extremely hard for us to come up with enough high calibre opponents every year. I remember Geno sitting at a fan forum grousing about that and "if only we knew" how many quality opponents just simply would not play us.

You think Geno wouldn't be paying a hefty fine?

 

[oldude]

It's the athletic level (mostly speed) that they need to face now and then, just to keep their own level up. That's what the BE doesn't have. You're right about the rest though.

I respectfully disagree. The BE has plenty of quick athletic teams. What the BE lacks is size. UCLA was big and slow. While SC had a couple of athletic players like Fulwiley, by and large this was one of the slowest SC teams I can remember in a long time.

There was one particular play that stood out to me. Azzi caught a pass in transition on the left wing where she was defended by Sania Feagin, a 6’3” forward who was named to the All-SEC Defensive 1st team. Azzi didn’t even have to pump fake. She put the ball on the floor and blew by Feagin for a layup as if Feagin was caught in quicksand.

 

[rugbymate]

Maybe Geno can schedule the Connecticut Sun….the game might be closer than most people think

 

[Stagnant]

Big east really might be a one bid league next year. And I am so serious about that. This is just a massive blow to UConn’s strength of schedule.

Even the USC Trojans game might not amount to much.