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Elsewhere on our Board, posters are offering conjecture about a possible undefeated season (again) for 2013-14. While I am generally not a big fan of such talk, I can understand it, because, as we all know, the possibility certainly looms in the realm of the credible.
Suppose, however, entering the season, fresh on the heels of losing a prized recruit to Duke, we were still ranked #1, but there were no fewer than ten or twelve (or more) legitimate programs out there, each not only very good, but potential powerhouses, as Duke is beginning to look, on paper anyway. Suppose each of these programs, spread all over the country geographically, had a totally legitimate shot at the Final Four, and even a championship. Suppose we had intersectional games scheduled in the regular season against most of these teams. Suppose each of their arenas posed a living hell for our women in which to play, just as Gampel is for them. Suppose that every game between these powerhouses played to packed crowds. Suppose we made the Final Four ourselves, but only after fighting our way to, say, a 30-5 record.
Would you enter the upcoming season, as a fan, more excited than you are at the reasonable prospect of an undefeated year? And, if we should then successfully emerge with Title #9, would you feel better for having accomplished it that way? I certainly would, and, for the sake of the game we love, I think we all should root for such a contingency. C'mon parity!
Suppose, however, entering the season, fresh on the heels of losing a prized recruit to Duke, we were still ranked #1, but there were no fewer than ten or twelve (or more) legitimate programs out there, each not only very good, but potential powerhouses, as Duke is beginning to look, on paper anyway. Suppose each of these programs, spread all over the country geographically, had a totally legitimate shot at the Final Four, and even a championship. Suppose we had intersectional games scheduled in the regular season against most of these teams. Suppose each of their arenas posed a living hell for our women in which to play, just as Gampel is for them. Suppose that every game between these powerhouses played to packed crowds. Suppose we made the Final Four ourselves, but only after fighting our way to, say, a 30-5 record.
Would you enter the upcoming season, as a fan, more excited than you are at the reasonable prospect of an undefeated year? And, if we should then successfully emerge with Title #9, would you feel better for having accomplished it that way? I certainly would, and, for the sake of the game we love, I think we all should root for such a contingency. C'mon parity!
