UCONN vs. SC post game thread (merged)

[Vowelguy]

All the top teams have 5-7 games left to play, and upsets happen. As I indicated, had USC lost to Washington tonight, UConn would have jumped by them in the rankings. So let’s wait and see what happens before we declare UConn’s ceiling as a #2 seed.

1) You don't know that
2) But they didnt lose
3) Believe whatever you want. I'm just saying it is highly highly unlikely.

 

[HuskyNan]

All the top teams have 5-7 games left to play, and upsets happen. As I indicated, had USC lost to Washington tonight, UConn would have jumped by them in the rankings. So let’s wait and see what happens before we declare UConn’s ceiling as a #2 seed.

Rankings have zero to do with seeding. Nothing at all.

 

[Woof 101]

UConn was in the final 4 last year. We never left the "big girls club". Today's game makes that obvious.

Bada bing bada boom !!!!

High Lights and if duplicate pardon me:

No pardon just respect required.

 

[oldude]

Rankings have zero to do with seeding. Nothing at all.

Rankings are a proxy for seedings as they reflect games played, won and lost against various levels of competition. UConn’s statement win, on the road at SC was the biggest stunner in WBB this season. On its own, it doesn’t get UConn a #1 seed. But it sure does get the Huskies back in the conversation.

All I’m saying is that there are still games to be played, won and lost. If others want to count the Huskies out for a #1 seed, that’s their business. But I will continue to insist that it’s premature to do so.

 

[jaydee602]

Rankings have zero to do with seeding. Nothing at all.

Exactly!
The seeding committee takes strength of schedule as a primary factor. They focus on NET & RPI.
AP rankings are more arbitrary with team records as a priority.

 

[Rowdy831]

The TN loss knocked UConn down to 7. The win over SC, coupled with LSU’s loss to TX will move UConn up to 5. As I said before, there’s still a lot of basketball to be played. Tonight, USC almost lost to unranked Washington, which would have vaulted UConn to #4.

I expect UConn to win all the remaining games on their schedule including the conference tournament. The teams ahead of UConn all face tough games in conference along with conference tournament games where anything can happen.

UConn still has a very good chance of being a #1 seed during the Big Dance.

There is absolutely ZERO chance that South Carolina is above UConn tomorrow. South Carolina didn't lose to UConn they got stomped. South Carolina didn't lose to UConn at Storrs, they got stomped at home. Any person who puts South Carolina above UConn in the ranking should lose their credentials.

 

[JellyBean]

What a game!! I rewatching the game now and what a game! The play of Ashlynn and KK was a huge spark for the team in that 1st quarter. Knocking down big shots here and there. Stepping up big time! Well done, KK and Ashlynn. I was happy for Azzi. She needed a game like this for her confidence. I love that she did not give up and started passing up shots. This was her game.

Great win, UConn!! A much-needed win for the confidence.

 

[Bone Dog]

I don't care about the rankings, and the seedings matter to some extent for UConn's chances at an NC. What I did see today is:

• Texas looked very beatable even as they defeated LSU in a very ragged game by both teams -- and it wasn't ragged because of great defense. It was sloppy play.
• Same for LSU
• USC also looked very beatable in a ragged game against a team they should have beat by 20. Good defense by USC, but the offense was incoherent for long stretches, and it wasn't because Washington forced it on them.
• And now we know that SC is beatable.

That leaves ND and UCLA as mountains to climb for UConn. These are tough opponents the girls have yet to show they can defeat.

 

[JoePgh]

There is absolutely ZERO chance that South Carolina is above UConn tomorrow. South Carolina didn't lose to UConn they got stomped. South Carolina didn't lose to UConn at Storrs, they got stomped at home. Any person who puts South Carolina above UConn in the ranking should lose their credentials.

Looking at the season as a whole, both UConn and South Carolina have three losses:

1. UConn's losses are to Notre Dame, Southern Cal, and Tennessee.
2. South Carolina's losses are to UCLA, Texas, and UConn.

I think most objective observers would say that UConn's loss to Tennessee was more of a "bad loss" than any of South Carolina's losses, so that might be a reason to say that South Carolina has a "better" record. On the other hand, UConn didn't lose AT HOME to anyone by 29 points or anything close to that (biggest adverse MOV was 11 to Notre Dame, and that was on the road), so that would be an argument to say that UConn has the "better" record.

 

[oldude]

There is absolutely ZERO chance that South Carolina is above UConn tomorrow. South Carolina didn't lose to UConn they got stomped. South Carolina didn't lose to UConn at Storrs, they got stomped at home. Any person who puts South Carolina above UConn in the ranking should lose their credentials.

Yes, I agree. I’m not sure if you are agreeing with me or you’re confusing my reference to USC (Southern Cal) being ahead of UConn with SC (South Carolina)?

 

[uconnbill]

Best win since the Final 8 from last year.

This is the team I thought it is when everyone is healthy

 

[uconn_nyc]

That was the prettiest play all game long!

Agree! I’ve watched at least 10 times

 

[hoy-ah!]

You could see the team's focus pre-tip on the player's faces. Finally a complete game. The offense and defense flowed. Nothing rushed, no bad plays, forced passes. Composure. Crazy to be playing in front of 18K raucous fans and go up by 23 at halftime! ABC halftime crew got it right on analyses - spacing and pacing on offense, and ball pressure/help defense. (Unlike UTenn though, SCar did not send numbers crashing the offensive glass.)

Paige has to control/command the offense as primary PG. She just sees the game and looks to get everyone involved, as witnessed by the halftime lead with her and Azzi not shooting well. Great team win. Move forward knowing you can play at this level AND improve.

 

[PacoSwede]

Best win since the Final 8 from last year.

This is the team I thought it is when everyone is healthy

everyone is NOT healthy, and it would be nice see the full team in action.

 

[ERWUC65]

There is absolutely ZERO chance that South Carolina is above UConn tomorrow. South Carolina didn't lose to UConn they got stomped. South Carolina didn't lose to UConn at Storrs, they got stomped at home. Any person who puts South Carolina above UConn in the ranking should lose their credentials.

I greatly appreciate your right to be misinformed.

 

[uconnbill]

everyone is NOT healthy, and it would be nice see the full team in action.

true but the healthiest of the top players on the team. I know we have a couple still missing.

 

[Rb335]

I think for us Uconn fans, we’ve been speaking of the potential of this team. It’s been frustrating to collapse in big games, or simply come up short. We were losing some credibility in this perceived potential.

Today, the team showed that potential for the first time, on a huge stage. I think it proves that at our best, we can compete with anybody. South Carolina isn’t as dominant this year, evidenced by 2 prior losses. But this win should give us confidence that come March, we play to our potential, and we can beat anybody.

 

[fomalhaut]

Exactly!
The seeding committee takes strength of schedule as a primary factor. They focus on NET & RPI.
AP rankings are more arbitrary with team records as a priority.

I thought that they had completely abandoned RPI in favor of NET rankings and other factors. Considering Connecticut was second in the NET rankings behind South Carolina before Sunday's game, they should still be in the hunt for a 1 seed.

 

[Skeets]

No it really doesnt. The committee evaluates teams on their entire resume, not just the final weeks. And with 80% of games played, the results are mostly baked. The top teams are not going to get downgraded for losing to another top team, and UConn has no remaining tough matchups that would significantly enhance its resume. Even with a loss today, UConn was probably still a 2 seed.

Look at the quad 1 records. TX has 11 wins, SC has 10, UCLA/USC both have 8. UConn has 4.

That's because UConn has the great misfortune to be in the BE. It says absolutely nothing about the quality of UConn basketball.

I mostly agree with the "entire resume" except I think a hot team (or a team in the toilet) will get a second look by the committee. Also end of season injuries will have a devastating impact on the seeding, "entire resume" be damned.

 

[BBallF]

Somehow we are talking about seedings and rankings instead of something far more important- Geno's classic, annual team metamorphosis. That was a new team out there. We did what we did with everyone playing the way they are capable of playing, except for Paige having an off offensive night but being 3 rebounds short of a triple double and having a great floor game. Just think what that means for us when she gets back into the mid 20s consistently in points.

 

[HuskyNan]

Somehow we are talking about seedings and rankings instead of something far more important- Geno's classic, annual team metamorphosis. That was a new team out there. We did what we did with everyone playing the way they are capable of playing, except for Paige having an off offensive night but being 3 rebounds short of a triple double and having a great floor game. Just think what that means for us when she gets back into the mid 20s consistently in points.

Exactly right. My apologies for contributing to the thread drift.

 

[JBK]

I kinda lost the fact that we were up 22 points at half without contributions offensively from Paige and Azzi. Azzi 3Q closed any thought of a comeback but the entire team contributed. We will only get stronger with Morgan and Ice getting healthy and Aubrey getting her confidence back.

 

[JBK]

I don't care about the rankings, and the seedings matter to some extent for UConn's chances at an NC. What I did see today is:

• Texas looked very beatable even as they defeated LSU in a very ragged game by both teams -- and it wasn't ragged because of great defense. It was sloppy play.
• Same for LSU
• USC also looked very beatable in a ragged game against a team they should have beat by 20. Good defense by USC, but the offense was incoherent for long stretches, and it wasn't because Washington forced it on them.
• And now we know that SC is beatable.

That leaves ND and UCLA as mountains to climb for UConn. These are tough opponents the girls have yet to show they can defeat.

Did Azzi play in the Notre Dame game ? I forget

 

[JBK]

If we get the Azzi from the last week driving and shooting pull ups. It will be hard for anyone to beat us.
She takes a lot of pressure off Paige —