Who Could (Possibly) Defeat UConn in the Tournament?

[hoophuskee]

We have been so spoiled over the last three years that when the team does not play up to expectations we as fans get worried. All of the challengers this year have shown problems with consistency. There are times when Maryland, Ohio State, and Notre Dame have looked unbeatable, but none of those teams have put together four quarters of excellent basketball in a single game from what I have seen. If they do, yes they can win a game against UConn if the Huskies have a quarter like the first quarter against Tulane. Of those teams, Notre Dame is the most concerning to me because they are the most consistent team I have seen with the exception of the Huskies, but there is no guarantee that ND will make it to the Final Four. I think Maryland and Ohio State can match up very well with ND when they are playing well. I have not seen Baylor or Louisville play much so I don't know what they bring to the table but certainly based on their records they could pose challenges as well.

Can you imagine the pressure the players must be under knowing that everyone thinks the results of the NCAA tournament are a foregone conclusion? By the time the tournament rolls around I personally would be so concerned about laying an egg and having to deal with all the second guessing and recriminations that would follow that I would be tight as a drum. Performing under that kind of stress would be a real challenge for me.

To their very real credit, Geno, Stewie, Mo, Morgan and company have managed that stress and play even better as they get deeper into the post season over the past three years. It is an amazing feat. Hopefully they can do it one more time.

While there may be no guarantee- imo they are a near lock to make it because THEY ARE so consistent. IMO a team like Ohio State isn't.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Can you imagine the pressure the players must be under knowing that everyone thinks the results of the NCAA tournament are a foregone conclusion? By the time the tournament rolls around I personally would be so concerned about laying an egg and having to deal with all the second guessing and recriminations that would follow that I would be tight as a drum. Performing under that kind of stress would be a real challenge for me.

I worry a little about KLS in this regard. Maybe she'll pull a Stewie and do great in the NCAAs.

 

[Fiftyish]

I worry a little about KLS in this regard. Maybe she'll pull a Stewie and do great in the NCAAs.

Or she could pull a DT as a freshman in the big dance. In either case the team is not dependent upon KLS's performance.

 

[mhshuskies]

per Chiney, no one can keep Stewie from getting her fourth

 

[Huskies Rule]

Another interesting thing. If KLS continues to shoot as she has, this is essentially the same 5 as last year. Except Lou plays better defense, and the bench is stronger. Just sayin".

As well as Gabby and Napheesa play coming off the bench (and I would miss them a lot), as a one-time hypothetical I would take a Kia Stokes bench over them. We currently lack size down low which might (or might not) be problematic. Stokes would singlehandedly eliminate any post-player size mismatches we would face inside. I know she was offensively challenged, but unless you wanna play Stewie in the post, we have nobody who can do what Kia did so well. Just sayin'.

 

[JordyG]

As well as Gabby and Napheesa play coming off the bench (and I would miss them a lot), as a one-time hypothetical I would take a Kia Stokes bench over them. We currently lack size down low which might (or might not) be problematic. Stokes would singlehandedly eliminate any post-player size mismatches we would face inside. I know she was offensively challenged, but unless you wanna play Stewie in the post, we have nobody who can do what Kia did so well. Just sayin'.

Stokes as a junior and senior. Let's see these two as juniors and seniors, then get back to me. I personally see both of them on future AA lists. I guess we're both just sayin".

 

[CocoHusky]

per Chiney, no one can keep Stewie from getting her fourth

Then Chiney is only one full year behind Diana who predicted the same about this time last year.