UCONN vs. SC post game thread (merged) | Page 9 | The Boneyard

UCONN vs. SC post game thread (merged)

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jonathan14 said:
I think this was an instance in which there was so much interest in the game that it spawned several different posts in the different forums. There was discussion of the game on the General Women's Basketball Forum and several congratulatory posts from many of our Gamecock friends and regulars. Here are a few of the many:

Visitingcock "The Empire strikes Back. Congrats to the Huskies That was a butt whipping!"

Gamecockfan77 "What a whipping. Congrats."

GamecockFam "Congrats UConn! You guys handed us our worst loss in probably 5 years. Sometimes it be like that... :oops:"
Expand ...
Thanks for the information on the numerous Gamecock fans that hang around the BY. I have met a number of SC WBB fans over the years, and I can honestly say that they are among the nicest people you could ever meet at a basketball game.
 
oldude said:
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.
Expand ...

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.
 
I admire Geno’s coaching. All of it, and not just basketball, but life! Even in the post game press conference. Where he recognizes that Sarah’s strengths and natural basketball skills, are just not the same, easily derived smooth flowing skills when it comes to her public speaking. And let’s face it, that is a skill that you can assign many, many $$$ to later on in her life.

Geno mentioned once before that Sarah’s mother really wants her to be better at speaking. And, what do you know, as a question is asked of Azzi, and while she is answering there is the coach setting the microphone up for Sarah, whispering to her, coaching her, knowing full well that she is going to be asked a question.

He’s got her back!
 
.-.
Vowelguy said:
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.
Expand ...
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.
 
Vowelguy said:
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.
Expand ...
Yes. UConn needs to finish out the regular season and win the BET and they'll be a #2 seed. Which #2 seed remains to be seen. They'll be capable of beating any of the #1 seeds but certainly match up better against some more than others.
 
SCNCHuskie said:
I was fortunate to attend today’s South Carolina game, and somewhat unfortunate to attend the game in Knoxville. My seats were in row one in Knoxville and in row one of the second level in Columbia. For anyone that has not been fortunate enough to be this close to the action during a big game it is a completely different feel than what you see on television. There are several things that struck me about these games. I had a better view with the Tennessee game, but a decent view for the SC game.

  • It was interesting just how ferocious Ash is with defensive intensity and in things like going for a 50-50 rebounds. Her “aw shucks”Midwestern personality does not translate in person when she is locked in a defensive stance and stalking her opponent.
  • I always picture Azzi with the big smile and the jovial personality, but on the court she has a locked in laser focus that should translate to taking over games in clutch situations.
  • With Paige, it seems like the game actually slows down when the ball is in her hands. in Knoxville when the team was being pressed, and it seemed chaotic and things looked out of control, as soon as the ball hit Paige‘s hands, it seemed as if everything moved slower, and there was no panic whatsoever.
  • Sarah was unusual to me as she seemed the same when I watch the games on television as in person. She is very poised and in control and doesn’t seem to move very fast even when she’s moving pretty fast.
  • In person, KK is blazing fast and lightning quick This is something everybody knows, but until you see it close up, you don’t realize just how fast she is.
  • Jana seemed like two different people in the two games, although in both cases, she made some minor mistakes. Today in Columbia she made several moves, and she had a presence, that made me feel very optimistic about the rest of the season.
  • KC is still one of my favorite players, although I don’t have any significant observations.
  • Glad to see Aubrey back on the court and moving well, she seems to be getting better each game.
  • Caroline worked really good during warm-ups.
  • I don’t believe Allie touched the rim on any shot during the warm-ups.

All in all, I saw two slightly different teams although obviously the Knoxville game just came down to missing a plethora of uncontested shots. The team I saw today dismantled a pretty good South Carolina team and gives me some pretty good hope for the upcoming tournament.
Expand ...
Ash definitely has some of that "midwestern nice" going on. And great observation on Azzi. For some reason, I noticed her expression in today's game, and yup, she was locked in, all business, and it didn't change the whole game.

For Jana, it's 100% a confidence thing. Each game shows a little bit more, and a few days ago, she said, I'm not where I want to be, but I'm getting there, and that's a good thing to recognize, and Geno called her out today with some props.
 
oldude said:
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.
Expand ...

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.
 
oldude said:
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.
Expand ...
Rankings have zero to do with seeding. Nothing at all.
 
.-.
HuskyNan said:
Rankings have zero to do with seeding. Nothing at all.
Expand ...
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.
 
HuskyNan said:
Rankings have zero to do with seeding. Nothing at all.
Expand ...
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.
 
oldude said:
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.
Expand ...
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
.-.
Rowdy831 said:
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.
Expand ...
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.
 
Last edited:
Rowdy831 said:
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.
Expand ...
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)?
 
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.
 
.-.
Rowdy831 said:
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.
Expand ...
I greatly appreciate your right to be misinformed.
 
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.
 
jaydee602 said:
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.
Expand ...
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.
 
DEFCONN1 said:
That’s exactly the way Paige loves to play.
Expand ...
That's great when everyone is shooting well but when they aren't Geno wants Paige to take over..of course she didn't shoot well yesterday.. Did you see Geno yelling at her when she passed up a wide open 3 then drove an traveled
 
Vowelguy said:
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.
Expand ...
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.
 
.-.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Forum statistics

Threads
168,076
Messages
4,552,243
Members
10,435
Latest member
DukeBlue


Top Bottom