We may have been caught by Surprise

[Zonepress]

To me every game is entertaining. It's part of what being a fan is all about. You chew off your nails, almost have a heart attack, etc. when it's a close game or loss, and sit back and enjoy the team going out and performing well in a blowout.

Honestly, I'm tired of the fickle fans who whine and complain about the blowouts. You want close games and losses, go be a fan of some mid major or middle of the pack team. If you can't find the joy in watching the players light it up in a blowout, and then get to see the reserves, who never see time in big games, come in and give it their all, then you aren't a true UConn fan.

It's the opposite end, but equally annoying as the fans who think every game should be a 20+ point win, even against top 10 teams. The last part of last season was unusual with UConn blowing out both final 4 and NC opponents. Believe it or not, the Juju-less USC team gave UConn the toughest game as we "only" won by 14. And we were down at halftime vs. Oklahoma only to win by 23 in the end.

IMHO people should enjoy every single second of UConn basketball for the next several years because Geno won't be here forever, and neither will the incredible players we have the privilege of enjoying.

Well said

 

[Ozimoto]

I remember that last season many thought pre-season that the Huskies would be a lights out three point shooting team. Didn't really prove to be the case until later in the season. It looks like this season is trending the same way.

 

[HuskyNan]

Folks should research ALL games Syla has played and not cherry pick the handful of underwhelming ones. She is, after all, just starting her sophomore year in college

Kid is amazing and deserves her due. Giving credit to players on other teams doesn’t diminish the appreciation we have for our Huskies.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I was reminded of that old saying, "You're never as good as you think you are and never as bad as you think you are!"

...and the third leg of the sayings triangle [probably the hypotenuse!]: "You are what your record says you are, unless you believe in the system (a.k.a. The Process) BEFORE the post-season tournament begins!" 😎 🔥 😎

Geno, CD & Company have been here before, and it WAS a three point WIN, and NOT a loss! I am hoping the Michigan game does for the Huskies, what the Tennessee game did for last season's edition. Learning CAN take place with a very close win, if the players follow the coaching and embrace the challenges in each play in front of them - whether on defense or on offense.

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I agree. I keep thinking back to what Geno said a few weeks ago, that the one thing he doesn't want to see is for UConn to win a game that then begins to feel like a loss because they didn't win by 30.

Very wise! Thank you for your 1st post & welcome!

The extra wise Geno also said not to over-analyze and make a win feel like a loss. I told many teams that they could learn more in a loss than a win, but a close win can generate just as many lessons and it is easier to avoid being in a funk when you win rather than when you lose a game that you thought you should have won.

The close wins build resiliency, particularly if you come back from a deficit or the team had a large lead collapse but our team kept the opponents from (re)gaining a lead just as our Huskies did on Friday!

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

To me every game is entertaining. It's part of what being a fan is all about. You chew off your nails, almost have a heart attack, etc. when it's a close game or loss, and sit back and enjoy the team going out and performing well in a blowout.

Honestly, I'm tired of the fickle fans who whine and complain about the blowouts. You want close games and losses, go be a fan of some mid major or middle of the pack team. If you can't find the joy in watching the players light it up in a blowout, and then get to see the reserves, who never see time in big games, come in and give it their all, then you aren't a true UConn fan.

It's the opposite end, but equally annoying as the fans who think every game should be a 20+ point win, even against top 10 teams. The last part of last season was unusual with UConn blowing out both final 4 and NC opponents. Believe it or not, the Juju-less USC team gave UConn the toughest game as we "only" won by 14. And we were down at halftime vs. Oklahoma only to win by 23 in the end.

IMHO people should enjoy every single second of UConn basketball for the next several years because Geno won't be here forever, and neither will the incredible players we have the privilege of enjoying.

Completely agree!

The journey is about development of the entire team - both in basketball and life. These women are also full-time students and youngsters whose ages are between 1/4 and 1/3 of many of our ages (many of us are outside those fractions on the tiny side of 1/4).

Enjoy the journey, as each edition of our beloved Huskies is different. Many of the previous "litters" have their names on the "ring of honor" and even more have Championship rings at the NCAA and WNBA level, as well as Olympic and FIBA World medals.

But don't forget the Carolines, Ayana's, Ines's, and those who get their first points of the season in "mop up time" or even in the waning seconds of the NC game. The unselfish nature of our Huskies is to be applauded whether they go undefeated or they do not make the Final Four.

In the words of the wise and ancient philosopher, Woody the Cowboy: "Be HAPPY, Slink!"

Be entertained and enjoy every second (as EricLA said, but stay away from the scythe of Cronus as apparently the youngest can be fiesty)!!!

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Folks should research ALL games Syla has played and not cherry pick the handful of underwhelming ones. She is, after all, just starting her sophomore year in college

Kid is amazing and deserves her due. Giving credit to players on other teams doesn’t diminish the appreciation we have for our Huskies.

View attachment 113552

Greatest performances when the lights are brightest! Kind of like Stewie and Pheesa.

Unrivaled in early 2026 should be amazing, PARTICULARLY if the WNBA does not yet have an approved CBA.

Would not mind if Michigan is the Huskies opponent in the 2026 NC game. It is now a matter of who gets better faster, and then who executes the game plan and then adjusts to what they see best in the moment!

Go Huskies!!!