Who will stay within 20 points of UCONN this season?

[jsloanjr]

After spending Friday night at Gampel, I was thinking of what team will play this UCONN within 20 points at the final buzzer? No ND this regular season, maybe Duke at Duke, Stanford at Gampel? NOT within 30 points.....Penn State at BJC?...Maybe the 1st half, Baylor at Baylor......same thing in the 1st half.......IMHO, injuries are the only possible issue for this team like all elite teams.

I am very interested in who might stay within 20 points this season.

 

[pinotbear]

*ahem*


MOJO!

 

[Tonyc]

My only concern is lack of competition in the second half of the season. Entering the NCAAs UConn will have to easy 1st round games. They may be a little off in the Regionals maybe not because of the lack of competition in the first half of the season but they wont loose. They are just too good. . They still have Baylor, LVille twice and RU in the second half of the schedule and I hope that surffices.

JSloanjr I agree with you. UConn will overwhelm opponets this season. UConn is in a different league then the rest of WCBB. I don't think there is a team that can come closer then 20 pts and most games will be over before half time allowing the walkons plenty of playtime. When the walkons enter the court it will be like the mercy rule in kids softball.

If we meet, ND will not be able to keep up with UConn this season. The past two seasons ND lived at the foul line against UConn. That wont happen this season. The biggest reason is Diggins is not there. She was a smart player and knew how to draw fouls.

This post may seem a bit harsh but it will be the truth. When you go to the NCAAs with 3 freshman and a couple of sophs who got a lot of playtime and dominate teams like Maryland Kentucky ND and Louisville the way UConn did and come back the following season with that experience and almost your entire team back this is what you can expect especially when you have Geno at the helm.

IMO if Wilson verbals to UConn I would expect a flow of top recruits to follow her. Maybe even some who have verballed elsewhere would have a change of heart. UConn is where most of the best AAU players want to play and don't want to sit. I think the NCAAs this past season has shown that. UConn is the face of WCBB. Some kids will want to stay close to home to play and that's fine. Some will want to play for UConn but feel that wont have a chance to play or earn a starting position and that's ok too for them. But for those who want it, for those who want it all, for those who accept the challenge... their dreams will be met at UConn. Opposing coaches will tell kids they will start, tell kids they will be stars tell kids what they wanna hear. At UConn none of that matters because every game will put them on TV, every year UConn is looking at championships, every year UConns goal is to win a NC not wish their way with a lot of "if's" to make the elite 8 or FF. At UConn there is nothing to sell, at UConn everybody knows what to expect. At UConn it is expected and that's the difference. IMO the reason many kids don't come to UConn is because theyre intimidated and hesitate about being able to play and perform at UConns level, and opposing coaches can take advantage of that and get them to sign with them. Its more of putting some of those kids in a comfort zone.

So when somebody writes they don't think UConn is number 1, or they say they have better players, or they say theyre going to do this or that. Remember every kid, every player, every coach and every announcer when asked to put it all on the line and bet against UConn will hesitate with intimidation because deep down inside they know there is only one UConn and to beat them well that's pretty intimidating in itself.

 

[meyers7]

ahem*


MOJO!

I agree, we've got to be careful.

On the other hand this year looks like it's gonna be AWESOME.

 

[msf22b]

To answer the question:

I think if Louisville has one of their inspired and awesome
Baylor type games, they just might stay within 20.

 

[jsloanjr]

I am looking for 2 early season games, Maryland at College Park and Penn State at BJC in State College. Both teams will try to sell out the buildings to see the National Champs and UCONN loves playing inthese type games.......UCONN is too deep and too mentally tough to fall short of the season goals. Does Geno move Bria to the 2 and insert MOJO in the starting PG......or does she bring too big a spark off the bench? 20 dayys untiul the 1st game.......Genoo said 2 weeks is all he needs to get this team ready......OMG!!!

 

[EricLA]

I think several teams will keep the score "close-ish" and under 20 points. First, Geno never looks to run up the score, unless it was that game against Syracuse where he left Maya in the game for 38 minutes and she scored like 40 points. To me this means that If UCONN pushes a lead against top teams like Maryland or PSU up to 15+, he will start rotating other players in giving Kiah, Morgan, Brianna, and even Saniya a chance to see what they can do against really good competition. Saniya (newbie), and possibly Brianna (coming back from injury), may end up a bit overwhelmed and Geno does not like to put kids into situations where they could fail, but I'm betting he gives them a shot.

Second, I agree that UCONN rolled through the NCAA's and beat everyone by a ton. But Maryland gets 3 (and I think they are all potential starting types) kids back from injuries. I think that game is closer. UCONN will roll against teams that rely on offensive rebounding to score points.

Traditionally Duke has been unable to score against UCONN. Duke's jump shooters have been horrible when they played UCONN. BUT last year they were within 3 at halftime and I think this Duke team is even better. If McCallie can figure out how to get her kids to hit mid range jumpers, it will be a close game. Grey vs. Jefferson should be very entertaining. If UCONN faces ND, I would expect a close game. Baylor will be a blowout, though. So will L'ville.

I do think there are several teams out there who will be able to play UCONN even for a period of time, maybe even 25-30 minutes, but as almost always happens, there's a 4 minute stretch where UCONN outscores another team by 6-10 points, and you have 2 of those and it's game over.

Lastly, I am not concerned at all about mojo. But I do think some are over estimating UCONN's dominance this year. On any given night, a good team can catch fire and make a game close, or even spring the upset. Just look at the UCONN-SJU game a few years back, or the Baylor-L'ville game last year. I'm sure folks on her can think of others. Now maybe I am wrong and UCONN will roll 20+ every game this season. Frankly, I'd love that to happen as I would rather see that than a bunch of nail biter games for UCONN. Let the rest of WCBB have the close games!!!

 

[Kibitzer]

I think it would be wise for everyBoneyarder to obtain a copy of that game vs. St. John's (yes, THAT one) and view it occasionally.

A reminder. happens.

 

[Biff]

I think it would be wise for every Boneyarder to obtain a copy of that game vs. St. John's (yes, THAT one) and view it occasionally.

A reminder. happens.

Not required for every Boneyarder....just a selected few.

 

[msf22b]

Not required for every Boneyarder....just a selected few.

Like very,very, very much

 

[Wonkster]

MOJO!

You mean TEAM MOJEFF?
She's good, all by herself, but to stay within 20 points of UConn you've got to let her pick 4 other players from Division I wcbb teams.

 

[reno tony]

The only problem I see with teams staying within 20 points is the UCONN bench players that will be playing at the end of the game will probably be Banks, Tuck, Stokes, Chong and who knows. Since I expect they will try to impress Geno for some starting time, I don't expect the opponents to make much of a dent in those 30 point leads the bench will probably get.

My prediction after looking over the schedule, checking prior match ups, analysing the statistical data, taking into consideration the heights and weights of UCONN players and their opponents and most importantly.... considering all I have read on the Boneyard, will be that UCONN will win their regular season games by an average of 33.3 points. My predictions for the tournaments will come later in the season.

 

[Wonkster]

... My prediction after looking over the schedule, checking prior match ups, analysing the statistical data, taking into consideration the heights and weights of UCONN players and their opponents and most importantly.... considering all I have read on the Boneyard, will be that UCONN will win their regular season games by an average of 33.3 points. My predictions for the tournaments will come later in the season.

Shouldn't you change your Boneyard moniker from Reno Tony to Las Vegas Tony?

 

[jsloanjr]

Plus, is there another WCBB team that will be on National TV more or equal to UCONN...What a huge recruiting tool....By December 22nd, we will know how good this team is this season..........Stanford, Maryland, PSU, Ohio State, Cal, Duke.........All before the end of the year........

 

[wbfree]

After spending Friday night at Gampel, I was thinking of what team will play this UCONN within 20 points at the final buzzer? No ND this regular season, maybe Duke at Duke, Stanford at Gampel? NOT within 30 points.....Penn State at BJC?...Maybe the 1st half, Baylor at Baylor......same thing in the 1st half.......IMHO, injuries are the only possible issue for this team like all elite teams.

I am very interested in who might stay within 20 points this season.

Kinda of a pompous post. Let's play some games first.

 

[Sonny44]

Possibly Maryland.

 

[triaddukefan]

Duke won't stay within 20 points of UCONN, im hopeful to stay within 30pts. I still plan to go to the game anyway, if only to see Ms Moseley in person

 

[EricLA]

Duke won't stay within 20 points of UCONN, im hopeful to stay within 30pts. I still plan to go to the game anyway, if only to see Ms Moseley in person

Don't sell your team short. You don't have a great track record recently against UCONN. When we ran away with the game last year it was partly due to Duke chucking up bricks while UCONN continued to score at the other end. I think McCallie got to see first hand what happens when you have "scorers" who can put the ball in the basket vs. athletes who are prone to scoring struggles like Duke was that game.

I really do think Duke and ND are the #2 and 3 teams in the nation and it will be a great gauge of how good UCONN is at that point to see how they do vs. Duke. I actually wish we played ND during the regular season this year, but I know a lot of UCONN fans are sick of them.

 

[Zorro]

I will be surprised if there are more than a few games, if any, in which the Huskies are not up by 20+ at the half. With our guards, Stewie, and the 10-second rule, most of our games are going to be the slaughter of the innocents, at least until Geno calls off the press.

 

[HuskeySlim]

Nice thread with well thought out opinions by all.

We are the # 1 pick by most of the experts, and we should be after winning it all last year. We didn't just win it all last year, but we steamrolled the competition. The ND and Louisville games were both practically over before the 2nd half started. You still have to tip it off each game, and anything can happen. We all saw Louisville beat a Baylor team that was supposed to take the title without breaking a sweat! Not many folks saw that coming. We have got to get up for every game because every team wants to be the one to beat the vaunted UCONN ladies.

Man, we do have the opportunity to be something very special. Remember back in the day when Geno said we will win the game because we have Diana, and they don't ! Well, this year we have the best WCBB player in the country, Breanna Stewart, oh, we also have Kaleena, Stef, Bria, and all the other young ladies, and coaches that make this program the best in all WCBB !

 

[Tonyc]

Nice thread with well thought out opinions by all.

We are the # 1 pick by most of the experts, and we should be after winning it all last year. We didn't just win it all last year, but we steamrolled the competition. The ND and Louisville games were both practically over before the 2nd half started. You still have to tip it off each game, and anything can happen. We all saw Louisville beat a Baylor team that was supposed to take the title without breaking a sweat! Not many folks saw that coming. We have got to get up for every game because every team wants to be the one to beat the vaunted UCONN ladies.

Man, we do have the opportunity to be something very special. Remember back in the day when Geno said we will win the game because we have Diana, and they don't ! Well, this year we have the best WCBB player in the country, Breanna Stewart, oh, we also have Kaleena, Stef, Bria, and all the other young ladies, and coaches that make this program the best in all WCBB !

Nice post. What I see in WCBB and why Baylor lost to LVille and why Tenn lost to Ball St. Refusal to play perimeter defense. LVille's run was all about taking the treys and they were hitting them. Now opponets know to play perimeter defense against LVille. The problem against UConn. You have to have both perimeter defense and inside defense. The upsets this season will be imo teams not expected to win who can play defense and hit perimeter shots.

 

[tomcat]

I believe MD will be closer than many think, especially early in the season. Penn State will not be a runaway, nor will Louisville. either.

 

[reno tony]

Kinda of a pompous post. Let's play some games first.

Not quite as pompous as you might think. I only went back four years but starting in 2012/2013 and going backwards, UCONN has won all games by 32, 29, 25 and 35 so there won't be many teams, if any, staying within 20 points. I might have the order incorrect, but I hope all of you understand my point.

 

[jsloanjr]

What is Pompous about stating the facts and your opinion.........Enjoy the season and lets review in early January to see how UCONN is doing and how they did against all these top 10 teams............Good Luck to all the teams and please stay healthy.....THis might be the deepest 7 or 8 teams in years.......

 

[Coler]

Rutgers at the RAC. It was a 20 point win for UConn last year there...and I firmly believe that we're going to be a much improved team this year(hoping top 25) so perhaps we'll keep it close at home.

Just wish we didn't have to play you guys twice.