UConn to open with Stanford | Page 2 | The Boneyard

UConn to open with Stanford

Wbbfan1 said:
Tara has the whole off season to come up with a Game Plan to Beat UConn. She's extremely good at doing that. Stanford is a much tougher opponent then what Ohio State would have been. The one advantage that UConn will have is Stanford won't know how Geno plans to use Azura' Stevens.
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That's the only advantage we will have? How about bringing back 4 starters from last year's team? How about bringing back 3 All Americans from last year's team? How about the fact that UCONN has one of the best recruiting classes in the nation coming in including the #1 player, and another top 10-15 player? How about the fact that Stanford lost their #1 and 3 scorers from last year, while UCONN "only" lost 1 starter, who was not relied on for scoring (don't get me wrong - Chong was terrific!)? How about the fact that the team is on their way to Italy to bond, and to play a bunch of games and iron out very early preseason chemistry issues while acclimating all the newbies?

I think UCONN has many advantages over Stanford, and I don't think the game will be close, no matter what game plan Tara comes up with... I get that historically Stanford has been a tough matchup, but this UCONN team may be as talented and deep as any team we've ever had. I wholeheartedly support fans' feelings of angst and/or worry about games next season and I know that in no way will my post change that, but I do want to point out that we will be phenomenally talented, incredibly deep, and have the best coaching staff in the game.
 
ericsandiego said:
That's the only advantage we will have? How about bringing back 4 starters from last year's team? How about bringing back 3 All Americans from last year's team? How about the fact that UCONN has one of the best recruiting classes in the nation coming in including the #1 player, and another top 10-15 player? How about the fact that Stanford lost their #1 and 3 scorers from last year, while UCONN "only" lost 1 starter, who was not relied on for scoring (don't get me wrong - Chong was terrific!)? How about the fact that the team is on their way to Italy to bond, and to play a bunch of games and iron out very early preseason chemistry issues while acclimating all the newbies?

I think UCONN has many advantages over Stanford, and I don't think the game will be close, no matter what game plan Tara comes up with... I get that historically Stanford has been a tough matchup, but this UCONN team may be as talented and deep as any team we've ever had. I wholeheartedly support fans' feelings of angst and/or worry about games next season and I know that in no way will my post change that, but I do want to point out that we will be phenomenally talented, incredibly deep, and have the best coaching staff in the game.
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Well said but I would have much preferred an early tussle against a less masterful coach............exhibition games mean very little, despite all of this talent, we won't know exactly what this year's team is like until they face up against a legit opponent like Stanford..........I always assume a UConn victory but I simply have no idea if it will be a blowout or a nail biter and that's because historically Stanford can look awful or play way over their heads................
 
Charliebball said:
Well said but I would have much preferred an early tussle against a less masterful coach..exhibition games mean very little, despite all of this talent, we won't know exactly what this year's team is like until they face up against a legit opponent like Stanford.....I always assume a UConn victory but I simply have no idea if it will be a blowout or a nail biter and that's because historically Stanford can look awful or play way over their heads......
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I think Stanford will be more of a challenge later in the season than this early, as they are not returning 4 starters and 3 All Americans and instead need to figure out a new lineup, likely including sophomores and maybe freshmen.
 
ericsandiego said:
That's the only advantage we will have? How about bringing back 4 starters from last year's team? How about bringing back 3 All Americans from last year's team? How about the fact that UCONN has one of the best recruiting classes in the nation coming in including the #1 player, and another top 10-15 player? How about the fact that Stanford lost their #1 and 3 scorers from last year, while UCONN "only" lost 1 starter, who was not relied on for scoring (don't get me wrong - Chong was terrific!)? How about the fact that the team is on their way to Italy to bond, and to play a bunch of games and iron out very early preseason chemistry issues while acclimating all the newbies?

I think UCONN has many advantages over Stanford, and I don't think the game will be close, no matter what game plan Tara comes up with... I get that historically Stanford has been a tough matchup, but this UCONN team may be as talented and deep as any team we've ever had. I wholeheartedly support fans' feelings of angst and/or worry about games next season and I know that in no way will my post change that, but I do want to point out that we will be phenomenally talented, incredibly deep, and have the best coaching staff in the game.
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Doesn't UConn have a pretty good coach too?
 
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trb123 said:
Currently Geno trails Tara by 21 wins in the race to 1099.
After this game he will hopefully trail by 20 wins.
This should be a powerful incentive for all pro-Geno forces to change the schedule.
Kudos to Stanford for accepting the change.
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I'm not at all sure that Geno will catch Tara. I'm okay with it though.

Rank Name Years Wins Losses Pct. Teams (Seasons)
1 Pat Summitt 38 1098 208 .841 Tennessee (1974–2012)

2 Tara VanDerveer 38 1012 231 .814 Idaho (1978–80), Ohio State (1980–85), Stanford (1985–95, 1996-)

3 Geno Auriemma 32 991 135 .880 Connecticut (1985-)

4 Sylvia Hatchell 42 990 374 .726 Francis Marion (1975–86), North Carolina (1986-)

6 C. Vivian Stringer 46 977 390 .715 Cheyney (1971–83), Iowa (1983–95), Rutgers (1995-)

11 Muffet McGraw 35 853 268 .761 Lehigh (1982–87), Notre Dame (1987–)

Milestones that Geno will likely reach include
  • 1000 wins (9 away)
  • Passing Summitt (97 wins away)
  • 90% (.900) winning percentage. (.020 away)
 
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Alydar said:
Since it's being played on the court that will host the Final Four I'm tempted to say yes. :D

It will be a neutral site game.
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Ok thanks.
 
ericsandiego said:
I said that in my last line. "I do want to point out that we will be phenomenally talented, incredibly deep, and have the best coaching staff in the game"... ;)
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I'm not getting on you, neighbor, but so much of the thread has been about Tara and the amount of time she'll have to prepare. Geno will have that time, too. I probably should have placed my reply elsewhere but I'm new to the site and still finding my way.
 
CL82 said:
I'm not at all sure that Geno will catch Tara. I'm okay with it though.

Rank Name Years Wins Losses Pct. Teams (Seasons)
1 Pat Summitt ** 38 1098 208 .841 Tennessee (1974–2012)

2 Tara VanDerveer ** 38 1012 231 .814 Idaho (1978–80), Ohio State (1980–85), Stanford (1985–95, 1996-)

3 Geno Auriemma ** 32 991 135 .880 Connecticut (1985-)

4 Sylvia Hatchell ** 42 990 374 .726 Francis Marion (1975–86), North Carolina (1986-)

5 Barbara Stevens * 40 983 274 .782 Clark (MA) (1977–83), Massachusetts (1983–86), Bentley (1986-)

6 C. Vivian Stringer ** 46 977 390 .715 Cheyney (1971–83), Iowa (1983–95), Rutgers (1995-)

8 Jim Foster * 39 886 334 .726 Saint Joseph's (1978–91), Vanderbilt (1991–2002), Ohio State (2002–13), Chattanooga (2013-)

11 Muffet McGraw ** 35 853 268 .761 Lehigh (1982–87), Notre Dame (1987–)

Milestones that Geno will likely reach include
  • 1000 wins (9 way)
  • Passing Summitt (97 wins away)
  • 90% (.900) winning percentage. (.020 away)
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I'm absolutely sure that Tara will never catch Geno in the stat that matters most, National Championships. Geno leads 11-2 and no one on the Stanford roster was even born the last time The Cardinal won the national title.
 
ericsandiego said:
That's the only advantage we will have? How about bringing back 4 starters from last year's team? How about bringing back 3 All Americans from last year's team? How about the fact that UCONN has one of the best recruiting classes in the nation coming in including the #1 player, and another top 10-15 player? How about the fact that Stanford lost their #1 and 3 scorers from last year, while UCONN "only" lost 1 starter, who was not relied on for scoring (don't get me wrong - Chong was terrific!)? How about the fact that the team is on their way to Italy to bond, and to play a bunch of games and iron out very early preseason chemistry issues while acclimating all the newbies?

I think UCONN has many advantages over Stanford, and I don't think the game will be close, no matter what game plan Tara comes up with... I get that historically Stanford has been a tough matchup, but this UCONN team may be as talented and deep as any team we've ever had. I wholeheartedly support fans' feelings of angst and/or worry about games next season and I know that in no way will my post change that, but I do want to point out that we will be phenomenally talented, incredibly deep, and have the best coaching staff in the game.
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Eric---I detest "nit-pickers", yet here I go picking a nit: "incredibly deep", at guard, wing, etc; how is Uconn in tall post depth (that lacking of a true big post last season was a killer).
I'm not being a true NIT I may appear--I'm asking, you and others with expertise in the uses of players--
First I should say: I think, while real pro writers here say Azura will not play center, I cannot allow my self to think this can be so, since Uconn's need is in that position.
So, Eric--learn me! Durn me, show me the way!!
 
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UConnCat said:
With the Texas game on Jan 15, South Carolina on Feb 1 and Louisville on Feb 12, that's 3 non-conference games after Jan 1 and during the AAC schedule. This is probably the first time that's happened since Maya played. Back then UConn regularly played 2-3 non-conference games during its Big East schedule. This is great news and will help the team prepare for March and help fans get through the AAC schedule.

Feb 1 is a Thursday, BTW. The Jan 15 and Feb 12 games will be Big Monday games on one of the ESPN channels.
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It will break up the monotony of playing in the AAC. Let's face it, there's not much to look forward to once conference play begins. There's 3 (dates) games you can circle on your calendar for the new year.
 
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Tara will spend the next 3 months planning for this game. She will find a way to beat UConn 92-87 in double overtime, then lose 10 of the next 12 games finishing the season 17-12.
 
UConnCat said:
With the Texas game on Jan 15, South Carolina on Feb 1 and Louisville on Feb 12, that's 3 non-conference games after Jan 1 and during the AAC schedule. This is probably the first time that's happened since Maya played. Back then UConn regularly played 2-3 non-conference games during its Big East schedule. This is great news and will help the team prepare for March and help fans get through the AAC schedule.

Feb 1 is a Thursday, BTW. The Jan 15 and Feb 12 games will be Big Monday games on one of the ESPN channels.
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Oh, I see, all of a sudden Geno is willing to play this schedule now that he thinks he can win. ;)
 
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bags27 said:
Not to worry: UConn has never had a tough time with Stanford in the first or second game of the season.:rolleyes:
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Didnt Stanford win in the 2nd game of 2014-15 in OT.
 
cbraarj said:
Didnt Stanford win in the 2nd game of 2014-15 in OT.
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That was then this is NOW.
If we want to go backwards and look at losses---well , ND won 7 of 8 in the 2012/13 era--
But We don't want to go there, do we?? Uconn took care of that with the NC victory over Diggin's ND team.
 
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cbraarj said:
Didnt Stanford win in the 2nd game of 2014-15 in OT.
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I, on the other hand, am a bit peeved at this switch. I wonder what led to the change of schedule? Nothing in the article explains it.

I have had this game circled on my mental calendar since it was announced. Easy driving distance, a PAC team ( for some reason we rarely schedule), and Stanford, who we only ever play in post season. I was so looking forward to this matchup.

Ohio State is an easy drive, there is the B10/ACC matchup that could pair us, and there are connections within the programs that make it an easy game to schedule any time. Any time. Why do it now when the opportunity is there to play a T10 team that you rarely play?

I don't know what has driven the changing of the schedule, but I can tell you as happy as you all are, equal displeasure on our side.

I'm grumpy. I've sent an email asking about it. With Walz out of the country not sure what I will hear, if at all.
 
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Tara can plan and scheme as much as she likes, but UConn has too much firepower and too much depth.
 
I would be more concerned if UConn had won the NC and was coming in feeling invincible. Instead they will be hungry for this one to start erasing some of the sting.
 
BroadwayVa said:
Eric---I detest "nit-pickers", yet here I go picking a nit: "incredibly deep", at guard, wing, etc; how is Uconn in tall post depth (that lacking of a true big post last season was a killer). I'm not being a true NIT I may appear--I'm asking, you and others with expertise in the uses of players--First I should say: I think, while real pro writers here say Azura will not play center, I cannot allow my self to think this can be so, since Uconn's need is in that position.So, Eric--learn me! Durn me, show me the way!!
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LOL! Well, I'm not sure I have the answer but I'll give it a shot...

There are very few teams who have 6'4" or 6'5" TRUE centers - big players who have no shot outside of 3' around the basket (basically layups). UCONN almost ran the tables last year with no post player taller than 6'1". They did it with Gabby and Napheesa patrolling the paint - sometimes 1 on 1, sometimes double teaming. And in spite of that, with virtually no bench depth, they were a hair away from the NC game.

When I talk about depth, I am referring to legit players who Geno could rely on in big games. Last year he basically went 6 deep, 7 if you count Butler. Against Miss State, Butler logged only 6 minutes. Danger logged 17 minutes. This year IMHO he will have 9 legit players who he will be able to rely on in big games - 4 returning stars of Nurse, Pheesa, KLS, and Gabby. Then 4 top level newbies in Azura, Batouly, Megan and Mikayla. And then sophomore leap from Danger. I am not discounting contributions from the other 4 - AEH, Gordon, Bent or Irwin, but unless they come to campus showing something dramatic that we've never seen before, they won't see the court against the likes of SC, Texas, Baylor, ND, Stanford, OSU, etc.

Regardless of who you think starts, we add 2 players 6'2" or taller. I don't know how Geno will deploy his defense, but given that we don't have Charli Collier this year (a true post presence), Geno will have to mix and match. UCONN has traditionally had the best defense of any team in WCBB, and it's something they do literally every year. Without the luxury of a 6'5" true center, as usual, Geno will be the master of getting his team to play the best defense in the nation, and that's not even counting the danger these kids will present for other teams on offense. The talent we have is so superior to every other team out there that even a lesser coach could probably win the NC with that. THAT'S how confident I am of this team.
 
Danger's defense and shot are still issues for me. The ankle was definitely a factor in U 19 though, so I'm cautiously optimistic.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Danger's defense and shot are still issues for me. The ankle was definitely a factor in U 19 though, so I'm cautiously optimistic.
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I agree about Danger's defense and shooting. Defensively, UConn switches on everything and Danger can be a liability because she's just, well, short. Even Geno can't teach height.
 
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