After an epic performance against South Carolina in her biggest game to date at UConn, Freshman Paige Bueckers gave a Senior like performance at the Postgame interview that could serve as a recruiting ad for the program. Why am I not surprised?
An Alabama football fan since Bear Bryant days (relevance later), I and my younger daughter became UConn fans during Stewie's junior year. During her senior year we drove to Storrs for the Notre Dame game, did the Geno restaurant lunch and walked to Gampel hoping to catch shoot-around and practice. Doors were locked, and daughter became in need of a ladies room with none in sight. Doors opened and Stewie and Tuck walked out. She asked for directions to a ladies room, and both walked her to one inside Gampel. Since then, both of us will walk over glass for them.
The following year's undersized team - on and off the court - is my favorite, and arguably Geno and CD's best coaching performance during my fandom. I'll go to my grave believing Saniya was fouled in the last few seconds by Miss. State, and have no doubt they would have again dismantled Asia Wilson and South Carolina for the championship. Afterwards a gracious Geno made no complaints a la Wilson vs Nike balls, congratulated Miss. State, and complimented their players - especially Morgan William!
This past football season I was captivated by the Alabama football team, its cast of players who gave up turning pro to return for a final run, and ofcourse by Heisman winner Devonte Smith. Actually the truly electric Jalen Waddle was my pick before his unfortunate injury. After winning the trophy Smith gave a wonderfully modest speech, distributing credit to his teammates, coaching staff, school, family etc. That's who I compare Paige to, both on and off the court!
Geno's program is to WCBB what Nick Saban's is to college football. Both recruit and attract their own type of players who are attracted to and thrive on the challenges their programs provide. When both have special players, they are extraordinarily special. Certainly other teams have had them, Sabrina comes to mind. But both programs consistently attract and produce them like none of their competitors. That's how I see Paige Bueckers, the current freshman class, and am looking excitedly forward to next year's class.
An Alabama football fan since Bear Bryant days (relevance later), I and my younger daughter became UConn fans during Stewie's junior year. During her senior year we drove to Storrs for the Notre Dame game, did the Geno restaurant lunch and walked to Gampel hoping to catch shoot-around and practice. Doors were locked, and daughter became in need of a ladies room with none in sight. Doors opened and Stewie and Tuck walked out. She asked for directions to a ladies room, and both walked her to one inside Gampel. Since then, both of us will walk over glass for them.
The following year's undersized team - on and off the court - is my favorite, and arguably Geno and CD's best coaching performance during my fandom. I'll go to my grave believing Saniya was fouled in the last few seconds by Miss. State, and have no doubt they would have again dismantled Asia Wilson and South Carolina for the championship. Afterwards a gracious Geno made no complaints a la Wilson vs Nike balls, congratulated Miss. State, and complimented their players - especially Morgan William!
This past football season I was captivated by the Alabama football team, its cast of players who gave up turning pro to return for a final run, and ofcourse by Heisman winner Devonte Smith. Actually the truly electric Jalen Waddle was my pick before his unfortunate injury. After winning the trophy Smith gave a wonderfully modest speech, distributing credit to his teammates, coaching staff, school, family etc. That's who I compare Paige to, both on and off the court!
Geno's program is to WCBB what Nick Saban's is to college football. Both recruit and attract their own type of players who are attracted to and thrive on the challenges their programs provide. When both have special players, they are extraordinarily special. Certainly other teams have had them, Sabrina comes to mind. But both programs consistently attract and produce them like none of their competitors. That's how I see Paige Bueckers, the current freshman class, and am looking excitedly forward to next year's class.
