We might get 'The Game' again?

[Geno-ista]

As an outsider, I always was a huge fan of the rivalry, because it involved the two titan programs and two legendary coaches (the only two coaches in women's college basketball that have national name recognition among those who do not follow women's basketball or women's sports at all).

Before this year, I said that the push for the rivalry to be renewed would have to come from Tennessee. Over the past five years, UConn has had a great rivalry with Notre Dame and compelling rivalries and games with Stanford and Baylor. All of them have made multiple Final Four appearances during this stretch. Tennessee has not made a Final Four since Candace Parker graduated.

Now, however, with the Big East having been raided, the Catholic schools forming their own league, and programs like Louisville (two recent Final Four appearances), Rutgers (2007 Final Four, legendary coach, though program has fallen on hard times), and Notre Dame (three recent Final Four appearances) leaving for other BCS conferences, UConn does not have the same opportunities for nationally televised games against *conference* rivals. This means that in order to maintain these games (Notre Dame, Louisville, and/or Rutgers), they would have to be part of the non-conference schedule.

UConn, like Tennessee, will always have cache. It is a legendary program with a legendary coach. Adding Tennessee to the schedule would do amazing things in terms of publicity for the two programs, the rivalry, and the sport itself, but also for UConn's RPI, given what Tennessee has returning for next year and with the additions of the stud recruits in 2013, who will be there for the next four years. It would also help Tennessee, as far as getting the Tennessee back into the national title conversation (discussion of national title contenders), from which the program has been conspicuously absent the past few years.

Let me clear about what I mean as far as RPI, so as not to offend anyone. I think we can all agree that the new conference is not going to thave the same RPI as the Big East. There aren't the powerhouses that have either re-emerged or developed (specifically Notre Dame and Louisville, as both have made multiple Final Fours since the UConn-Tennessee rivalry ended). Having a really strong non-conference schedule could be needed to balance out what I anticipate to be (and what many here think) the lower conference RPI of the new legaue. It could be the difference between having the best #1 seed and the most favorable geographic region and a lesser #1 seed. Or it could mean being the 4th #1 seed and the top #2 seed. Then again, with the way UConn has been recruiting, it may not matter!!! But it is a *possibility.

I have not checked to see if UConn is playing Baylor next year. If the two programs are continuing the series, there will be a dropoff in terms of Griner having graduated (and a total of six players, including four starters). It will not be at the same level as it has been. Could be a top 15 program; could be top 25. Too early to say; will depend on how the younger players develop and how much Sims balances her role as a scorer and a playmaker for others.

Under Joanne P. McCallie, the Duke-UConn series always looks good...on paper. Duke has made four straight Elite Eight appearances under Coach P...and has been blown out in four of those games, while socring 48 points in the one close game. Duke has been blown out by UConn in every matchup in McCallie's tenure. Duke is 0-6 against UConn, having scored between 40 and 49 points in five of the six losses (in the sixth loss, Duke scored 51 points). UConn has scored between 74 and 87 points in five of the six meetings, notwithstanding Coach P's well-earned reputation for defense. Duke was ranked in the top six for the last four meetings between the teams, yet were subjected to multiple blowouts. That game will look good on paper (and most certainly will boost UConn's RPI), but it is not really a rivalry game (or even a game worth watching) when the closest game was 16 points and five of the six losses were by 25 points or more.
Stanford will has been consistently good, but especially in the last 5-6 years. As long as the program still brings in top recruits, it will remain as a good rival for UConn (and a good game on the schedule).

While other schools have great 2014 recruiting classes (e.g., UCLA, Texas, etc.), those players will take time to develop. It might be two years before we discuss those programs as Elite Eight contenders.

To me, as an outside (non-UConn fan/grad, non-Tennessee fan/grad) observer, I think the game would be great for the sport. I also think there are a lot of benefits for both UConn and Tennessee. Tennessee has had some good recruiting classes as of late, with some very talented younger players in the post (e.g., Graves, Russell). While Simmons is going to be a senior, there are other, younger guards and wings who will emerge. There are a lot of pieces already in place for the making of a good game between two national title contenders. It is certainly a game I would like to see.

I realize it is different reading comments from an oustider, who did not live with being a fan of a particular school and having to process how the rivalry ended, including rumors, innuendo, and/or accusations of improper conduct. I might feel differently if those had been levied against *my* school/coach. Again, I hope I do not offend anyone with my opinions or candid observations.

This was an excellent analysis- really well thought out!

 

[uconnell]

I am embarressed to say that I was reading the Summitt at the time and the filth was spewed on that board toward Geno,Chris and even Nan was disgusting. Not to mention some of our board members. NO way we ever play them again.
If you were not reading that board at that time you will never understand our feelings toward them.

 

[pap49cba]

Wasn't the SEC league office also involved in the whole charade?

 

[Bayareahusky]

Tonyc - Love love LOVE what you said..... my sentiments precisely..... Although the game always had been good to elevate the status of WCBB, the game ....if played now..... would be a whisper of what it had been......

Your comments are SO spot on..... UT, and specifically PHS, put UC and its WCBB program flush on the chopping block and took a FULL SWING! You r rite, no mercy!..... Looking back, it is funny they came up empty, also funny that PHS best buddy Bruce Pearl was proven to be way outside of PHS morality platform, but nothing is funny when considering where UT tried to put our program.

 

[Phil]

My recollection, which may be faulty, is that the SEC office was involved because of some bureaucratic rules, specifically, that schools individually should not be filing complaints with the NCAA, but going through their conference. So it should not be concluded that the SEC agreed with the complaints, or even wanted to file the complaint, but did so only because that was the specified process.

 

[Icebear]

My recollection, which may be faulty, is that the SEC office was involved because of some bureaucratic rules, specifically, that schools individually should not be filing complaints with the NCAA, but going through their conference. So it should not be concluded that the SEC agreed with the complaints, or even wanted to file the complaint, but did so only because that was the specified process.

My memory is like yours, Phil. I believe it was SOP for the SEC.

 

[pap49cba]

My memory is like yours, Phil. I believe it was SOP for the SEC.

But it might in part explain why Geno hasn't gone out of his way to schedule SEC teams.

 

[Icebear]

But it might in part explain why Geno hasn't gone out of his way to schedule SEC teams.

Yes, indeed.