Undefeated, Ranked Number One, A lock For the NC and......

[donalddoowop]

blowing the competition away. This is a thread directed at the over enthusiastic Boneyard fan. The team the title describes is not the 2025/26 UConn women's basketball team. It refers to the 2025 Nebraska team. They were so good that they lost only one set until near the end of the season and no matches. National media was touting them as a lock for the national championship. They were one of the best teams I had ever seen, and I have been watching women's volleyball for years. However, they were defeated in the National Regionals by a team I had heard little about during the season. Nebraska fans were shocked and terribly disappointed. I believe that team went on to win the NC. So, to those of you who think the current UConn team can't lose, it would be safer to adjust your expectations just a little. My opinion is, they will win the NC if, there are no injuries to key players and, they eliminate the periods of going scoreless for four to five minutes. If they keep getting contributions from the bench like they have, it will be hard to beat them. But remember, there are other very good teams out there who are capable of beating UConn. I hope that does not happen. Just my opinion.

 

[DefenseBB]

Well, as the saying goes "on any given day..." but I would qualify that I too watched a lot of volleyball this year and did think Nebraska was a lock BUT I also felt that the depth of the top teams in VB was better than the depth in the current WCBB programs.

Yes, UCLA, SC and Texas will all present problems if we have an off night and they are scorching, but in general, where UConn differs than Nebraska is the experience of the players who won it last year (which Nebraska has not won with this group, so I think they played tight in the Final four), the coaching staff who have been through this before with a target on our backs (this was the first year for this experienced coach with Nebraska so she hasn't navigated that before).

I think it is an interesting item to mention but not necessarily one to dwell on.

Name the opponent and I think we have an answer to how we match up due to our unbelievable depth. Want big? We got Serah, Jana, Blanca and Sarah. Want quick? We got KK, Blanca, Azzi, Sarah, Serah, Ash and Kayleigh. Want shooters? We got Azzi, Sarah, Allie, Blanca and Ash. Want lock down defense? We got Azzi, KK, Sarah, Kayleigh and Blanca. Want scoring? We got Sarah, Azzi, Blanca, Allie, Ash and a rotating pick your poison of KK, Kayleigh or Serah on any given night.

So I am not really worried.

 

[Cuango]

“Ain’t never been a horse that couldn’t be rode & ain’t never been a cowboy who couldn’t be throwed!”

Wise words from donalddoowop in his post. Yes, we have a tremendously talented team, imo certainly among the most talented ever here at UConn! However, there are at least 4-7 teams that could, on a given night, crush our dream of #13. Do I think any of them could beat a heathy UConn over a seven game series? No, but we are playing one game against any of these teams and we just have to look back at our own history to see that anything can happen in basketball. All we can do is hope for a healthy team the rest of the way. Even then, as donald reminds us, there are no guarantees.

Hoever, there is another quote that might be relevant here:

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s how the smart money bets.”
-Damon Runyon

 

[HuskyNan]

If you don’t like the way a particular fan posts, put them on Ignore.

There is no wrong way to be a fan. Those of you who are enthusiastic about the team and want to express that in terms others are trying to stifle - don’t let them intimidate you, just keep on posting. I have talked to scores of fans over the decades who’ve told me they’re afraid to post because of the Posting Police. I’m here to tell you that your opinions are no less valid than anyone else’s and for you to do you. You have my support

 

[DefenseBB]

If you don’t like the way a particular fan posts, put them on Ignore.

There is no wrong way to be a fan. Those of you who are enthusiastic about the team and want to express that in terms others are trying to stifle - don’t let them intimidate you, just keep on posting. I have talked to scores of fans over the decades who’ve told me they’re afraid to post because of the Posting Police. I’m here to tell you that your opinions are no less valid than anyone else’s and for you to do you. You have my support

I was not upset at all with @donalddoowop post but did point out why I thought there were differences between the Nebraska Volleyball program and the UConn Basketball program given that I follow both pretty intently. I keep rereading this post and am not sure what I typed that offended.

Absolutely, UConn will have to be wary and not have occur to them what occurred to Nebraska but given the experience of the UConn players and the program with their coaches, I think we are ok.

 

[boontonbomber]

If I am right Nebraska 2024-2025 records is 12-21 overall and 8-10 Big Ten.
And national media was touting them as a lock for the national championship with 12-21 record?

And Nebraska as #10 seed lost to #8 seed Louisville 58-63 at 2024-2025 final first round. I also heard of Louisville many many times than Nebraska in my life.
This is no where near any of the UConn records unless there is a Nebraska team in the moon.

Nebraska 2024-25 record:

https://www.google.com/search?q=202...APCBwcwLjQu MS4xyAcWgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

2025 Division I Women's Basketball Official Bracket | NCAA.com

The official 2025 College Women's Basketball Bracket for Division I. Includes a printable bracket and links to buy NCAA championship tickets.

www.ncaa.com

Volleyball

 

[mhshuskies]

“Ain’t never been a horse that couldn’t be rode & ain’t never been a cowboy who couldn’t be throwed!”

Wise words from donalddoowop in his post. Yes, we have a tremendously talented team, imo certainly among the most talented ever here at UConn! However, there are at least 4-7 teams that could, on a given night, crush our dream of #13. Do I think any of them could beat a heathy UConn over a seven game series? No, but we are playing one game against any of these teams and we just have to look back at our own history to see that anything can happen in basketball. All we can do is hope for a healthy team the rest of the way. Even then, as donald reminds us, there are no guarantees.

Hoever, there is another quote that might be relevant here:

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s how the smart money bets.”
-Damon Runyon

4-7, no way! Maybe 1 or 2, long shot for a third.

 

[Kaizen]

Volleyball

Thanks,
I finally read in the 5th paragraph said, women's volleyball

 

[boontonbomber]

It will take a team which plays strong defense, like Tenn. did for one half, to challenge UConn. Who plays tough defense? Texas? LSU at times in the past has, as has South Carolina. But don't think anyone is close to UConn defensively this season. And since defense is what wins championships, UConn is a lock.

 

[BobbyJ]

blowing the competition away. This is a thread directed at the over enthusiastic Boneyard fan. The team the title describes is not the 2025/26 UConn women's basketball team. It refers to the 2025 Nebraska team. They were so good that they lost only one set until near the end of the season and no matches. National media was touting them as a lock for the national championship. They were one of the best teams I had ever seen, and I have been watching women's volleyball for years. However, they were defeated in the National Regionals by a team I had heard little about during the season. Nebraska fans were shocked and terribly disappointed. I believe that team went on to win the NC. So, to those of you who think the current UConn team can't lose, it would be safer to adjust your expectations just a little. My opinion is, they will win the NC if, there are no injuries to key players and, they eliminate the periods of going scoreless for four to five minutes. If they keep getting contributions from the bench like they have, it will be hard to beat them. But remember, there are other very good teams out there who are capable of beating UConn. I hope that does not happen. Just my opinion.

I actually happen to agree with your general point. Every team trying to win a NC is obviously going to have obstacles. Once they get to the later rounds (the E8 on) it may be that one of the main obstacles/concerns for UConn is not so much what the opponent does. It may come down to what UConn is unable to do. I'll just say that aside from the obvious points and assists, the absence and confidence/attitude of P. Bueckers might turn out to be a difficult one to overcome.

 

[pvdoggy]

However, they were defeated in the National Regionals by a team I had heard little about during the season. Nebraska fans were shocked and terribly disappointed. I believe that team went on to win the NC.

This is not going to happen in women basketball where a team you have heard little about during the season will go on to win the NC.

 

[ucmiami2]

The OP is a good reminder that ___ happens in single elimination tournaments that you can't explain, and Uconn has been on the good and bad side of that numerous times including seeing undefeated teams bow out, but also seeing 'tough roads' suddenly become cake walks to NCs. Louisville twice (3 seed/5 seed) and 4 seed Syracuse being against us in a Final being prime examples.

 

[Next 12]

If you don’t like the way a particular fan posts, put them on Ignore.

There is no wrong way to be a fan. Those of you who are enthusiastic about the team and want to express that in terms others are trying to stifle - don’t let them intimidate you, just keep on posting. I have talked to scores of fans over the decades who’ve told me they’re afraid to post because of the Posting Police. I’m here to tell you that your opinions are no less valid than anyone else’s and for you to do you. You have my support

Thank you HuskyNan. I have always posted what I felt about Uconn and the Players. I am not a statistic guy ,BUT , I'm an optimist that only sees good in my team .I'm sure Geno will jump on what ever annoys him from the players as he is the professional coach and architect of the WHOLE Uconn philosophy instead of amateurs. My thoughts from last year was Uconn was going to be undefeated and win NO13. It has never wavered Uconn has a destiny to fill and the players are the architects of that destiny. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

I was not upset at all with @donalddoowop post but did point out why I thought there were differences between the Nebraska Volleyball program and the UConn Basketball program given that I follow both pretty intently. I keep rereading this post and am not sure what I typed that offended.

Absolutely, UConn will have to be wary and not have occur to them what occurred to Nebraska but given the experience of the UConn players and the program with their coaches, I think we are ok.

My comment wasn’t directed to you. I didn’t see any problem with your post

 

[msf22b]

blowing the competition away. This is a thread directed at the over enthusiastic Boneyard fan.
----------------------------------
I think Nan would agree…never been me...
But there is something about this team...
Starting with Last year’s South Carolina smash up
and continuing through the NCAA's
Surely, this team…even w/o Paige
has learned that it is possible through relentless, concentrated, excellent BB.
That it is possible to tear the heart out of your opponents and destroy their will.

I have never seen that before on a day to day basis.
and not through over-physicality…having no part, nor overwhelming height...
Something different: relentless defense and a daily commitment to Auriemma style beautiful offensive BB.

I see it, admire it, and fully expect a new dynasty…and look ahead at the two UConn ready guards coming in next season

The beat goes on.