I'm rewatching her post-game presser vs SC. Night and day vs. TN's Caldwell in how she talked about her team and staff after that embarrassing loss, how that was a learning experience for all of them, and how their goals for this season are still achievable. Classy coach. Happy for Shea and her program.
Surprised? I think shocked would be a better word. Surely you jest...
I'm just waiting to see what kind of miracle Vic can pull off to transform "the softest team I've had" into a bunch of wild animals to get him off the hook for "allowing it" to become that.
I was astonished to see the attendance (or lack thereof). This should be an embarrassment to the school. Their sports teams have been an embarrassment to the Athletics world for some time and they seem to all get together at the same time but no one showing up.
Harmon wasn't up to the task. Texas chipped into the lead mainly at the beginning of the fourth quarter when they scored the first eight points. That occurred with Harmon on the bench which may be a little bit of a coincidence but it doesn't help her resume. I hadn't noticed the Carlton didn't get much playing time until I checked the box score. She's been effective in prior games so I don't know whether she just had an off day, was under the weather or something else.
I love Mikayla Blakes, but the idea that her offensive numbers are simply better than Sarah Strong’s depends on what you value. Blakes definitely scores more points per game and carries a bigger offensive load for her team. But when you look beyond raw scoring, Strong is much more efficient. She scores more points per shot, shoots a significantly higher percentage overall, and turns the ball over far less often. That means Strong gets more out of each possession and wastes fewer opportunities. She also creates for teammates while keeping her assist-to-turnover numbers strong. Blakes is an elite, high-volume scorer, but the evidence shows that Strong produces offense more efficiently and cleanly. So while Blakes has bigger scoring totals, it’s not accurate to say her overall offensive statistics are just better.
I think undefeated UConn could be the #3 overall seed if South Carolina and UCLA win out.
It was a broken Missouri team. No post player.
Vandy doesn't have many local fans. They are a private school that has prioritized out of state admissions for a half-century with a sadsack athletic program. They've never tried to claim Nashville, and all of the transplants brought other loyalties with them. Other sports fandoms too.
Does MOV matter at all in these? I don’t believe it does, UCONN beat almost all of these teams by 25+ where a lot of the UCLA games were more competitive.
As if teams want to hand UCONN any more motivation.
I think MOV is part of the NET if I am not mistaken. And that is supposed to be a metric the committee uses.
Interesting thought but I really think the addition of unrated spark plug Aubrey Galvan and the swagger she brings each night to be "Robin" to Blakes "Batman" is the key factor here. Blakes is pretty much unstoppable against most teams. Add in the fact Texas is still an offensively challenged team who can't shoot 3's and you can see why Vandy is a distant second to SC. Match ups matter and for the most part Vandy matches up well with everyone except SC in the SEC.
I think you mean the selection committee. The other teams who make the tournament have nothing to do with who gets the overall number one seed.
Yes. But the teams bear any consequences. I almost want to see what would happen. 🤣
Agreed. Sarah strong does not play the fourth quarter in virtually all of the big east games and yet She probably leads in all major player win metrics. Blake’s is good but no one and I mean no one is a three level scorer, defender and rebounder as Sarah strong. Prove me wrong guys
Stagnant you make valid points. But the eye test is important as well. I also believe and I am very very biased on this but let’s say all the major contenders (say top 12 teams, you decide) are told they are in the elite 8 and they had to choose between the choices of UCLA, Texas, SC, LSU, Vanderbilt, Louisville on an opponent to play to get to final four, I would find it hard pressed anyone of the top teams would put UCOnN as a team they would want to face. Everyone knows UConn when healthy is another kind of animal in the big dance.
True, but I doubt a decision by the selection committee will provide UConn anymore motivation than they already have to win a second title in consecutive years.
I’ll point out that Blakes didn’t play long minutes the first half of the year going up against weaker competition. Her stats are notably better when she’s facing much better competition. She’s also leading a team that was preseason #19 to a #4 ranking and potential #1 seed in the tournament.
For the record, YTD Sarah averages 27.1 mpg while Blakes averages 34.1 mpg, basically 25% more. Even against ranked OOC teams Sarah didn’t play all that many minutes because UConn typically had the game in hand by the 4th qtr.
I appreciate your passion and reasoning on the subject. Unfortunately your off base in my opinion. Minus a monumental upset, UConn will be the #1 overall seed. You can bank on it.