Who can pose a threat to UCONN next season?

[bballnut90]

Going into next season one thing is clear: UCONN looks far superior to everyone else in the nation. With the exception being 2000-01, whenever Geno has had significantly more talent than anyone else in the nation, UCONN has rolled through undefeated season after undefeated season. Even with losing 2 All-Americans, UCONN still has the top player in the nation, and arguably the 2nd best in the nation (Stewart/Loyd/KML are the only returning players who have made the 1st or 2nd AP All America team.) Add in UCONN's best point guard since Sue Bird, Kiah Stokes, a slew of freshmen/Banks/Tuck and you have a very heavy favorite for next season

That said, there are some teams that should be very good next year. I personally do not think anyone will be able to compete with UCONN next season, but if there is a team, my guess is it'd be one of the following:

Notre Dame-they have a lot of talent coming back. Loyd is sensation, Reimer will make big strides in the post, Turner is top recruit, and Mabrey/Cable are strong contributors. Additionally, despite how this board feels about her, McGraw is one of the best coaches in the nation. Notre Dame will be a good team again.

South Carolina-they'll have an incredibly deep and imposing front line. The question is, can they play consistent defense, can they get perimeter production and can they make the leap from being a Sweet 16 caliber team to being a championship caliber one? With all of their talent, I'd guess they are one year away from being a true title contender but I wouldn't count them out.

Tennessee-I think losing Simmons could do wonders for Tennessee. I'd look for improved ball movement and production in the post and more balanced scoring. Talent hasn't been the issue at Tennessee, it has been their ability to run an offense and develop on court chemistry. Not sure if either of these issues will be fixed, but I think without Simmons both should improve. Side note--this is nothing against Simmons as a person or personality wise, she seems very well liked by her teammates and is a likable person)

All of this is assuming that Notre Dame/Tennessee/USC develops great team chemistry in addition to their talent. Outside of those 3 teams, I just don't see anyone else having the talent to stay close with UCONN. There are some nice teams (Texas A&M, Texas, Duke, North Carolina, etc) but I don't think these teams have the talent or depth to compete even if they have great chemistry and do overperform. All of this said, I still don't see anyone who can give UCONN a good fight so my vote is no one.

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[01Neaggrad02]

I am going to go out on a limb and say.... themselves... over confidence.... I hope they never have it happen... but when you win all the time you expect to win.. and then bad things could happen

 

[rocky rococo]

Diamond leaving UNC certainly put the whammy on what I had expected to be the top competition.

 

[DaddyChoc]

 

[Suebird10fan]

S Carolina is a year away. ND or no one as far as I can tell.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

1. Tenn
2. ND
3. SC
All three could possibly be a threat...ND lost two very good players but Muffet's coaching abilities and Brianna Turner who imo should have been the #1 player in the country makes me put them at #2

I'm not quite sold on SC just yet but with Wilson, White, and Cuevas coming in to go along with Ms. Coates (who could possibly be one of the best centers in the country next year) and Tiffany Mitchell, they could raise some he**....not only in the SEC but Nationally...one thing that disappointed me so much about the SEC...is the lack of ability to win the BIG games against non-conference opponents...most years we'll get the most teams in the tourny then flounder. *That's only cause we beat up on each other tho* ...anyhow next season I expect UCONN to make it to the NC game unblemished yet again...now the NC game...I expect diff lol

 

[Icebear]

Tennessee needs to learn how to get beyond the Elite Eight to the FF first.

 

[blkkirk]

At the end of the year it will be Notre Dame as our biggest challenger. Coaching, believing, mindset, and having consistently been in the hunt makes them a formidable opponent once again.

 

[alexrgct]

I just don't see anyone as a significant threat to UConn- not at this point, anyway. The talent level and depth should be an improvement over last season's UConn team, which only went 40-0 and unchallenged for a national championship.

South Carolina should be improved, but I don't think a marginal #1 seed that only makes the regional semis can make the huge jump to vying for the NC. Sure, UConn did exactly that between 1999 and 2000, but when UNC and Tennessee are clearly better than you, you're a long ways off. Yes, A'ja Wilson is a big pickup, but unless she's difference maker Breanna Stewart was as a frosh, she'll play like a freshman against UConn. Notre Dame, meanwhile, should have a very good team with Turner, Lloyd, Maybrey, and Reimer. However, UConn contained that team very well last season, so unless they really take it UConn in South Bend in the regular season, I'll believe ND is a threat when I see it. Turner will develop into a big-time difference-maker, though. Tennessee did well to win the SEC tourney last season, but unless Mercedes Russell makes a sophomore leap, I don't see it. The LVs, were, like South Carolina, a marginal #1 seed that lost in the regional semis. They've never quite had the pieces- a number of good players, but not great ones. You can't lose to teams like Vandy and challenge a team like UConn.

I expect to see improvement from KML (healthy and had a terrific NCAA tournament), Breanna (just getting better and better and already was the best player in WCBB), Kiah (finished her season VERY strong), and Tuck (she'll be healthy this time around). Throw in the possibility of either Chong or Banks giving UConn more AND four very good freshmen coming in, and I expect this team will be better over last season. That should be a scary proposition for everyone else. Plus, they have a pretty decent head coach as well...

 

[Icebear]

UCONN's, ND's, and Stanford's biggest advantage is being at the FF repeatedly. UCONN's greatest is winning NCs repeatedly. There is great value in having been there and done it before.

 

[Drumguy]

[QUOTE="alexrgct"[ Throw in the possibility of either Chong or Banks giving UConn more AND four very good freshmen coming in, and I expect this team will be better over last season. That should be a scary proposition for everyone else. Plus, they have a pretty decent head coach as well...[/QUOTE]
Someone else posted above the same thing. I agree with all the points about the other teams, but losing 2 senior all Americans, no matter what talent is coming in, makes me doubtful this team will be better than last years. Still head and shoulders above the other teams but I don't think you replace sd and bh very easily.

 

[alexrgct]

You don't replace Kelly Faris very easily, if at all...and UConn missed her so much the Huskies went 40-0 in the ensuing season.
Oh, BTW, Moriah Jefferson will also probably be better next season too. There's so much improvement going on that the losses of Stef and Bria, which are significant, are surmountable.

 

[msf22b]

You don't replace Kelly Faris very easily, if at all...and UConn missed her so much the Huskies went 40-0 in the ensuing season.
Oh, BTW, Moriah Jefferson will also probably be better next season too. There's so much improvement going on that the losses of Stef and Bria, which are significant, are surmountable.

True, Alex

Five minutes into the season, the D was overwhelming
the rebounding awesome, the O crisper
And I don't recall a single poster complaining
that we'd be so much better, if only we had Kelly back.

 

[meyers7]

They all are a threat, it's just how much of a threat. I wouldn't say a lot. TN probably has the horses, but I don't know if they have the coaching to get the most out of them. ND has some very good players, but somewhat young (like a year away from being really good). Have to see how they develop. SC is too young just yet to me.

But there is not a lot out there after that. So those 4 are probably the best bets to make the FF. (They won't all make it, cause something always happens, but their the best bets.)

I think it is UCONN's to lose again this year. It's possible, but not probable.

 

[meyers7]

You don't replace Kelly Faris very easily, if at all...and UConn missed her so much the Huskies went 40-0 in the ensuing season.
Oh, BTW, Moriah Jefferson will also probably be better next season too. There's so much improvement going on that the losses of Stef and Bria, which are significant, are surmountable.

Replacing 2 AA is a much bigger task than replacing Faris.

But, UCONN was so far out in front of everyone, even a bit of a drop off still leaves them above "everyone". And I think this coming years "everyone" will not be as good as last years.

 

[sarals24]

I think ND will be good again, and I think Texas A&M will probably be a top 5 (at least top 10) team...they lose Gilbert but they have really good guards and Gary Blair always has them playing tough. Wouldn't be surprised to see them challenge for the SEC title.

 

[sarals24]

I think ND will be good again, and I think Texas A&M will probably be a top 5 (at least top 10) team...they lose Gilbert but they have really good guards and Gary Blair always has them playing tough. Wouldn't be surprised to see them challenge for the SEC title.

 

[Sonny44]

At the end of the year it will be Notre Dame as our biggest challenger. Coaching, believing, mindset, and having consistently been in the hunt makes them a formidable opponent once again.

Probably, but we have shown that we can shut down Lloyd and Maybrey. Nobody plays defense like we do.

 

[Sonny44]

I just don't see anyone as a significant threat to UConn- not at this point, anyway. The talent level and depth should be an improvement over last season's UConn team, which only went 40-0 and unchallenged for a national championship.

South Carolina should be improved, but I don't think a marginal #1 seed that only makes the regional semis can make the huge jump to vying for the NC. Sure, UConn did exactly that between 1999 and 2000, but when UNC and Tennessee are clearly better than you, you're a long ways off. Yes, A'ja Wilson is a big pickup, but unless she's difference maker Breanna Stewart was as a frosh, she'll play like a freshman against UConn. Notre Dame, meanwhile, should have a very good team with Turner, Lloyd, Maybrey, and Reimer. However, UConn contained that team very well last season, so unless they really take it UConn in South Bend in the regular season, I'll believe ND is a threat when I see it. Turner will develop into a big-time difference-maker, though. Tennessee did well to win the SEC tourney last season, but unless Mercedes Russell makes a sophomore leap, I don't see it. The LVs, were, like South Carolina, a marginal #1 seed that lost in the regional semis. They've never quite had the pieces- a number of good players, but not great ones. You can't lose to teams like Vandy and challenge a team like UConn.

I expect to see improvement from KML (healthy and had a terrific NCAA tournament), Breanna (just getting better and better and already was the best player in WCBB), Kiah (finished her season VERY strong), and Tuck (she'll be healthy this time around). Throw in the possibility of either Chong or Banks giving UConn more AND four very good freshmen coming in, and I expect this team will be better over last season. That should be a scary proposition for everyone else. Plus, they have a pretty decent head coach as well...

I think that if Banks comes back with an attitude (last chance), she could be a serious factor.

 

[Sonny44]

I think ND will be good again, and I think Texas A&M will probably be a top 5 (at least top 10) team...they lose Gilbert but they have really good guards and Gary Blair always has them playing tough. Wouldn't be surprised to see them challenge for the SEC title.

The only game I really didn't enjoy this year was against Texas A&M. Just something about the way they played us made me uncomfortable to the end and not that satisfied after.

 

[dtbtbtb]

I don't know how anyone can think that UConn this coming season will be better than the 40-0 and not challenged team. It's more than just losing 2 AA...It's about working together as one on defense and offense where every player knows where to be and understands where the help is coming from etc. Last year’s team had only 1 freshmen to teach and everyone else was a returning player from a NC team. This season’s team will need to teach 4 new players the UConn way and few of the returning players will have somewhat changed roles or with something to prove (Kiah to a starting center, Banks returning to her a key player function, Tuck returning from major injuries, Chong showing a real jump from a somewhat disappointing season).
I do believe the UConn is the best team as we have Stewie, KML and MoJeff and no one else does and as was mentioned our coach is ok too

 

[huskeynut]

First, we are still the team to beat. So yes, we are the favorite again.

As to replacing Bria and Stef - you do not replace two AA's. We didn't replace Kelly either. Yet we still went 40 - 0!

Geno is a master of using the talents available to form a formidable team both on offense and defense. The principals of the "motion offense" or "Philly offense" or whatever tag you wish, remain the same. Each player has the option to pass to one of four teammates, dribble or shoot. How each of the freshman learn and adapt will tell the level of success for the team. I expect another Final Four appearance.

On defense nothing will change. Man - to - man, in your face defense is a Uconn trademark. May we see the zone with Stewie, Kiah and Morgan on the frontline - probably. But the principals of playing good to excellent defense do not change either. And we still have two great shot blockers to intimidate our opponents.

For our challengers - ND will be there. Muffet, despite her comments, is a very good coach. ND will be prepared. SC - they took a big step this year but not yet. NC - without Diamond I don't see them as a legit challenger. Tennessee - they have the players to compete but not the coaching to get them to the promised land. Too much one - on - one play to win it all. A & M - I would not sell them short. Gary Blair is a very good coach and gets the most out of his players. They play good D and they rebound.

 

[Orangutan]

They all are a threat, it's just how much of a threat. I wouldn't say a lot. TN probably has the horses, but I don't know if they have the coaching to get the most out of them. ND has some very good players, but somewhat young (like a year away from being really good). Have to see how they develop. SC is too young just yet to me.

But there is not a lot out there after that. So those 4 are probably the best bets to make the FF. (They won't all make it, cause something always happens, but their the best bets.)

I think it is UCONN's to lose again this year. It's possible, but not probable.

Took most of the words out of my mouth. Or off my keyboard, anyway. All of them are threats. ND was a threat last year...they just got neutralized very easily.

I think ND and SC are both a year away from their peak. Players like Reimer, Turner, and Westbeld need seasoning. Loyd is great but she will not have enough support to challenge UConn. But ND graduate just two backups, so this is a two year cycle for this team.

SC probably needs a year for A'ja to figure it out...but if I recall correctly their only seniors are a couple of the posts and they are stacked with bigs with Coates, White, and Wilson (even if Wilson wants to play 3, I'm sure she can play 4 for the greater good, if needed).

So...biggest threat...maybe Tenessee if Russell makes the leap. I expect UConn to go undefeated again, though.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I like our chances. As to whether we are better next year than this year, I think it's possible. Stewie and Moriah will be even better. Kaleena will be healthier and on a mission as a senior. Kiah will be really good and also on a mission. If both Morgan and Gabby are at 100% by January 1, no one will touch us. Morgan is an AA caliber player, and Gabby is unstoppable. I expect Kia Nurse to be outstanding and Sadie, Brianna, and Saniya to contribute.

Who gives us the most competition? I think it's the Flopping Irish again. They will miss two talented and tough kids, but Jewell Loyd is fabulous, and Turner could be outstanding early on. They are well coached and mentally tough, though their days of beating UConn--just as with Rutgers--are in the past.

Depending on where Diamond lands, the balance of power could shift, at least among those competing for second place, in the following years.