Will UCONN go undefeated in 2013-14?

[Kibitzer]

1. I like our chances.

2. As I reminded TonyC the other day, UConn will never be quite as good as they are right now and right her on this board.

 

[Icebear]

9 startable players?
Banks and Chong are unknowns. And it's more than a stretch to say Stokes is startable.

But the best top 5 hands down.
If they stay injury free, a loss would surprise me.

I'll grant you Chong but yes, I consider Banks very much a startable player based on her performance pre-injury last year. I, also, expect Chong to be capable of high quality minutes by mid season.

BTW, when I said startable I meant players very capable of being a starter in many/most programs right now, such as, Cat observed of Stokes. Not that they would be starting at UCONN.

 

[UConnCat]

The game at Duke is the only game I see as a possible upset. How will this team react in front of the Cameron crowd? Faris completely neutralized Gray in last year's game and I think Gray's size and strength will present some match-up problems for UConn.

Still, I watched some of the U-19 championship game and Stewart is the most unique player in WCBB and the only "stretch 4" in the women's game. She shot 14-24 (58%) on 3s in the U-19s and made 64% of her 3s in the NCAAs. I also expect her to be a tougher match-up in the lane this season. If Stewart weren't enough to try to stop, KML is only the best perimeter shooter in the game, though I think Stewart will challenge her on the best % of 3s made. KML expanded her game in the WUGs, showing a defensive and rebounding toughness that will make UConn that much tougher to score on. Hartley looked to be on top of her game and from all reports Stef is healthy. Although Moriah didn't shoot well at the U-19s, her A/TO was better than 3:1 and she was a pest on defense.

Banks, Stokes and Chong off the bench. Yikes.

 

[msf22b]

I'm in there with Vowelguy.

If one was to express reticence with regard the likelihood of an undefeated season one could start with Stokes and Banks. The former still has to prove that she can perform at a high level and the latter's return from injury is always a question, at least in the first season back (think Ms. Greene). Interestingly, if I was to pick a star from "guy's" three, I would pick Chong.

But that leaves only seven top performers. One injury and the six remaining is too few, no matter how good (I hedge here, the little birdie in my ear says the top six can still defeat the world).

Who can give them a game: Not Duke, even with all their talent. I figure Jeff will figure out a way for his kids to get their three's off this time and we all saw what happened when they could. The front-court of UTenn is formidable, I really like Bashaara (don't you? Great kid) and with Russell? But their backcourt…Oy Veh. Overrated Massengale and chucker Simmons.
Still, they may be formidable. And let's not forget the self-coached bunch of urchins at North Carolina. Capable;e of surprising the world? Perhaps.

I see one loss, two tops and the National Championship.

 

[svetbird]

I do not want to be negative but remember 2001. Nothing is guaranteed if KML and Stewie go down (god forbid) it is possible we have the same kind of season

 

[msf22b]

Banks, Stokes and Chong off the bench. Yikes.

Need One more Cat…Morgan? Yikes +

 

[Icebear]

I do not want to be negative but remember 2001. Nothing is guaranteed if KML and Stewie go down (god forbid) it is possible we have the same kind of season

It is about injuries and little else.

 

[Sonny44]

No...........We will not go undefeated. Just trying to be realistic. We will lose 3 or 4 games during the season ; Win the Conference ; Win our Conference Tournament ; Get a 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA ( Just because its the AAC Conference and not the BE) ; And make it to the FF.

Too many things have to go perfectly right for us to go undefeated. We have to be healthy throughout the season. And that doesn't happen too often. We are coming off some injuries to Stef and Banks. There ae some good teams on the schedule and we are short-handed in bodies .

We have excellent talent , and excellent coaching. But its a long season and everything would have to fall into place perfectly to go undefeated.

What have you been smoking?
Barring 2 significant injuries which are impossible to predict, no one can compete with us. Did you miss the NCAA's?

 

[Sonny44]

What I like best about our teams is that they very rarely lose a game that they should have one. The last time they did [that I remember] was that loss against St. John's 2 years ago. Ugh, that was devastating.

 

[SallyH]

I'm with the bear, only injuries can stop this team. I think BB was coming into her own before blowing out her knee. Let's turn the tables, who has the defensive chops to stop us?

 

[Tonyc]

If 100% healthy. There isn't a team that can come within double digets of UConn this season. Maybe not 20 pts. The only way this team doesn't score over 100 pts a game is if Geno calls off the dogs or UConn has a poor game. Think about this. Morgan Tuck who should be an AA this season is coming off the bench . UConn has 5 players who can put up 20 pts at any time and a couple who can put up over 30. The combo of Dolsen KML Stewart and Tuck can not be matched on any team, maybe not even an all star team. Bria MoJeff and BB will be fearless. This is the most powerful team Geno has ever had. Defensively they can destroy and man handle any team they face. It is so tuff to get inside on them because of their height. Stokes is a force that will emerge this season. I don't think there has ever been a team in WCBB that is so dominate at every position on Both sides of the ball as this years UConn team.

I talked a lot last season about being 100%. We were in late March and April. This season we are more mature and experienced. This is going to be a fun ride. Duke MD ND and UNC have a lot of talent. UConn has a lot of game. There is a big difference. Injury free and healthy, we don't lose at least for 2 years. If Wilson comes that might extend the win streak. Most games will be over at the half. Stewart KML and Dolsen will outscore most team just by themselves. Its all about defense and when you had UConns athletic height it shouldn't be close. Did I miss anything .

 

[svetbird]

It is about injuries and little else.

Absolutely! This was my point. Everyone thought that team (actually my fav all time UCONN team) was going undefeated and was the best team ever assembled. injuries killed it. I am scared to predict any team being undefeated after what happened to them.

 

[baggerbob]

Not only injuries but bad officials, anytime Breanna, and KML get in foul trouble at the same time UConn is not invincible, shouldn't happen, but a couple bad calls could change a game. By the way the 1st France game, Breanna had to play at the end with 4 fouls, it made a difference.

 

[Suebird10fan]

I voted "no", here's my reasoning. It's a young and thin team. If everything goes right, there's certainly the talent there to win every game, but much of the leadership and punch is going to need to come from the sophs and juniors. There's an element of unreliability there when you have to count on underclassmen. There's also no room for any major injuries, and there are 4 players coming back from different stages and types of being hurt. They all need to heal well for the team to perform on the level being suggested here--and nobody else can get hurt. I remember Shea and Svet, I remember Mel and KG, there's no way a team with only nine scholarship players could take two season-ending injuries and do anything more than play out the numbers.

Not in the least bit true.

Suppose KML and Kiah have season-ending injuries, just to take an example. Here is how you fill 200 minutes with the rest of the team:
C: Stef 35, Breanna 5
PF: Breanna 33, Morgan 7
SF: Morgan 25, Banks 15
SG: Bria 22, Banks 8, Soniya 10
PG: Moriah 28, Bria 12

What team in the country would be favored to beat that? (correct answer: none) How many would come even close? (correct answer: 2 or 3 at most)

You could quibble and point out that this is a three-guard lineup when Banks is at the 3. Or that the team would be vulnerable to foul trouble. But, what team in the country could lose two players to season ending injuries and NOT be vulnerable to foul trouble?

And you can do the same with almost any combination of two players. As far as I can see the only combination of injuries that would make life really difficult would be: KML and Breanna (even UConn would have trouble losing the top two players in the country), Moriah and Bria, Stef and Kiah. Stef and Breanna, Kiah and Breanna. (That's 5 out of 36 combinations btw)

This is not a thin team by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Suebird10fan]

9 startable players?
Banks and Chong are unknowns. And it's more than a stretch to say Stokes is startable.

But the best top 5 hands down.
If they stay injury free, a loss would surprise me.

Banks and Stokes would start for all but maybe five or six teams in the country. Yes, Chong is an unknown. Wouldn't surprise me if she was startable. But it wouldn't surprise me if she wasn't good enough to get any meaningful minutes at all.

 

[Suebird10fan]

Banks and Stokes would start for all but maybe five or six teams in the country. Yes, Chong is an unknown. Wouldn't surprise me if she was startable. But it wouldn't surprise me if she wasn't good enough to get any meaningful minutes at all.

VG, just realized you were referring to Banks' injury. Fair enough. I stand by my comment on Stokes.

 

[Fightin Choke]

Not in the least bit true.

Suppose KML and Kiah have season-ending injuries, just to take an example. Here is how you fill 200 minutes with the rest of the team:
C: Stef 35, Breanna 5
PF: Breanna 33, Morgan 7
SF: Morgan 25, Banks 15
SG: Bria 22, Banks 8, Soniya 10
PG: Moriah 28, Bria 12

What team in the country would be favored to beat that? (correct answer: none) How many would come even close? (correct answer: 2 or 3 at most)

You could quibble and point out that this is a three-guard lineup when Banks is at the 3. Or that the team would be vulnerable to foul trouble. But, what team in the country could lose two players to season ending injuries and NOT be vulnerable to foul trouble?

And you can do the same with almost any combination of two players. As far as I can see the only combination of injuries that would make life really difficult would be: KML and Breanna (even UConn would have trouble losing the top two players in the country), Moriah and Bria, Stef and Kiah. Stef and Breanna, Kiah and Breanna. (That's 5 out of 36 combinations btw)

This is not a thin team by any stretch of the imagination.

I wouldn't ever call the team thin but there is a shortage of bodies. Your projected minutes (assuming a hypothetical loss of 2 players to season-ending injuries) predicts a lot of minutes for a lot of players, which would put additional wear-and-tear on the healthy teammates. 38 minutes for Breanna and 35 for Stef would scare me a bit. Stef had a bad wheel last year in only averaging 27 mpg. But losing 2 players to season-ending injuries is still a pretty unlikely (though certainly not unheard of) event.

 

[Suebird10fan]

All-American caliber players routinely play those sort of minutes. Diggins averaged 39 in the four games against UConn (not including OTs). Griner and EDD frequently logged 40.

Also, remember these are not the minutes they would average. They are the minutes they would play in the competitive games, of which there will be relatively few.

I wouldn't ever call the team thin but there is a shortage of bodies. Your projected minutes (assuming a hypothetical loss of 2 players to season-ending injuries) predicts a lot of minutes for a lot of players, which would put additional wear-and-tear on the healthy teammates. 38 minutes for Breanna and 35 for Stef would scare me a bit. Stef had a bad wheel last year in only averaging 27 mpg. But losing 2 players to season-ending injuries is still a pretty unlikely (though certainly not unheard of) event.

 

[doggydaddy]

I really wish everyone would just stop posting about injuries. Until someone gets hurt they are healthy.

 

[doggydaddy]

I'm in there with Vowelguy.

If one was to express reticence with regard the likelihood of an undefeated season one could start with Stokes and Banks. The former still has to prove that she can perform at a high level and the latter's return from injury is always a question, at least in the first season back (think Ms. Greene). Interestingly, if I was to pick a star from "guy's" three, I would pick Chong.

But that leaves only seven top performers. One injury and the six remaining is too few, no matter how good (I hedge here, the little birdie in my ear says the top six can still defeat the world).

I figure Jeff will figure out a way for his kids to get their three's off this time and we all saw what happened.

Stokes has shown she can perform at a high level. She just has to do it more often.

Greene had a very good year her fort year back from injury. Not great but very good. I would expect more from Banks. She had a very straight forward injury and surgery. Greene had a very complicated injury and surgery. I look at it differently. I expect her to perform at her former level until I see differently.

Jeff will figure out how to get three pointers off against Uconn? Wanna bet?

 

[UConnCat]

Jeff will figure out how to get three pointers off against Uconn? Wanna bet?

Louisville had no trouble getting three pointers off -- the Cards shot 23; they had trouble making them.

Jeff better figure out how to stop UConn from making three-pointers; UConn shot 13-26.

 

[doggydaddy]

Louisville had no trouble getting three pointers off -- the Cards shot 23; they had trouble making them.

Jeff better figure out how to stop UConn from making three-pointers; UConn shot 13-26.

Yeah, I should have said GOOD three pointers.

 

[Vowelguy]

Banks and Stokes would start for all but maybe five or six teams in the country.

Other teams are irrelevant. We are UConn.
Geno has given no indication that he trusts Stokes, as evidence by her playing time. Based on that, she's not 'startable'.

 

[Geno-ista]

For us to lose a game next year- a lot of things have to go wrong for us- and at the same time, on the same night, more things have to go right for the other team. Our swarming defense, height and athleticism defensively makes us extremely difficult to beat. When Stokes is in, what we lose on offense we almost gain at the other end. Everyone on the court, except for Kiah is a real scoring threat. Platooning 8-9 players, fresh legs, playing in this conference could make it easier to mange minutes to keep foot and shin stress injuries to a minimum. The 5 UC girls we watched this summer had a real swagger. Add Steph, Stokes, Banks when she is ready and with all the talent on the floor, Chong could have an easier time adjusting. We have only 4 ball handlers- with Banks recovering, Chong will need to step it up early I think in case of back court injuries. We certainly could lose a game, but we are more like the Renee, Tina, Maya , Kalena team and earlier great teams. This is a Perfect Storm. A young cocky and super athletic talented No Carolina could be dangerous , and a semi final vs a talented Tenn in Tenn could become interesting also. Texas A & M will be good- they were real young and a different team at the end of the season. They lost Bone at center but still have Gilbert.

 

[Icebear]

Well said, DD, in UCONN game planning who and where 3s are tolerated is important. It greatly reduces shooting %s. The result is the inverse or Dailey principle where the opponent shooting 15% is suddenly transformed into KMLmhitting her first three shots.

 

[Tonyc]

We have a tremendous scoring team from every position and even coming off the bench. Who can stop UConns scoring and it will have to be done on one? You cant double Stef at 6'5, Breanna at 6'4 and KML all at once. What team has the defense to stop us? NONE. If we have a poor shooting night what team will shoot better against our defense? None. I give you if Breanna and KML are out for the season UConn wont go undefeated but what are the chances of that happening? Come on. Your fishing for excuses why UConn wont go undefeated. What team can score over 80 pts against UConn. NONE. What team can keep UConn from scoring 80 pts NONE. The only other way UConn could lose this season is if they forfeit and that has about as much of a chance of happening as two major season ending injuries. Some of you think Duke or MD can beat us. Really. We blew and have blown them out time and time again. Yes they are both talented and so are we, so they cant out talent us. They don't play better defense then us and we've proved that. I don't see any threats this season not even close threats. Teams will be playing against UConn trying to keep the game under 10 pts. That would be an accomplishment. I don't want to hear about Baylor last season either. That was a lousy coaching job against Lville. Not coming out and guarding LVilles shooters when you have Griner underneath was taking LVille for granted. You don't take opponets for granted.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

We have a tremendous scoring team from every position and even coming off the bench. Who can stop UConns scoring and it will have to be done on one? You cant double Stef at 6'5, Breanna at 6'4 and KML all at once. What team has the defense to stop us? NONE. If we have a poor shooting night what team will shoot better against our defense? None. I give you if Breanna and KML are out for the season UConn wont go undefeated but what are the chances of that happening? Come on. Your fishing for excuses why UConn wont go undefeated. What team can score over 80 pts against UConn. NONE. What team can keep UConn from scoring 80 pts NONE. The only other way UConn could lose this season is if they forfeit and that has about as much of a chance of happening as two major season ending injuries. Some of you think Duke or MD can beat us. Really. We blew and have blown them out time and time again. Yes they are both talented and so are we, so they cant out talent us. They don't play better defense then us and we've proved that. I don't see any threats this season not even close threats. Teams will be playing against UConn trying to keep the game under 10 pts. That would be an accomplishment. I don't want to hear about Baylor last season either. That was a lousy coaching job against Lville. Not coming out and guarding LVilles shooters when you have Griner underneath was taking LVille for granted. You don't take opponets for granted.

Should be followed by a Cronkitetism..."And that is the way it is"...

Thanks Tony, for the summer fun.

 

[tonehill68]

No...........We will not go undefeated. Just trying to be realistic. We will lose 3 or 4 games during the season ; Win the Conference ; Win our Conference Tournament ; Get a 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA ( Just because its the AAC Conference and not the BE) ; And make it to the FF.

Too many things have to go perfectly right for us to go undefeated. We have to be healthy throughout the season. And that doesn't happen too often. We are coming off some injuries to Stef and Banks. There ae some good teams on the schedule and we are short-handed in bodies .

We have excellent talent , and excellent coaching. But its a long season and everything would have to fall into place perfectly to go undefeated.

HGN, I have to respectfully disagree with you on a couple of things.

1. We will not lose 3 or 4 games. (The teams we lost to last year lost a lot of production of their team. Granted ND lost only Diggins but she was a great leader and ND will miss that) I don't see anyone on the schedule that would cause us to lose 3/4 games.

2. We will not be any lower than a 1 seed despite the conference. I cannot see 4 teams better than UCONN to put them in a 2 seed.

I do agree that things have to fall UCONN's way in order to have the perfect season. I also believe that an undefeated season will happen due to the fact that there aren't too many teams that will challenge these ladies. I can see Duke but their offense is too inconsistent and we'll have to see how Gray does after that awful injury. I can see Maryland, but I want to see how all of their ladies comes back from their injuries and if someone can step up to help Thomas. Tennessee may be a year or two away. I want to see what Russell does first before I crown them a threat. ND will be there but we're not playing them (unless its the tourney). The only team that will beat UCONN is UCONN jmo.

 

[tonehill68]

We have a tremendous scoring team from every position and even coming off the bench. Who can stop UConns scoring and it will have to be done on one? You cant double Stef at 6'5, Breanna at 6'4 and KML all at once. What team has the defense to stop us? NONE. If we have a poor shooting night what team will shoot better against our defense? None. I give you if Breanna and KML are out for the season UConn wont go undefeated but what are the chances of that happening? Come on. Your fishing for excuses why UConn wont go undefeated. What team can score over 80 pts against UConn. NONE. What team can keep UConn from scoring 80 pts NONE. The only other way UConn could lose this season is if they forfeit and that has about as much of a chance of happening as two major season ending injuries. Some of you think Duke or MD can beat us. Really. We blew and have blown them out time and time again. Yes they are both talented and so are we, so they cant out talent us. They don't play better defense then us and we've proved that. I don't see any threats this season not even close threats. Teams will be playing against UConn trying to keep the game under 10 pts. That would be an accomplishment. I don't want to hear about Baylor last season either. That was a lousy coaching job against Lville. Not coming out and guarding LVilles shooters when you have Griner underneath was taking LVille for granted. You don't take opponets for granted.

I'm loving this post....

 

[meyers7]

If 100% healthy. There isn't a team that can come within double digets of UConn this season. Maybe not 20 pts. The only way this team doesn't score over 100 pts a game is if Geno calls off the dogs or UConn has a poor game. Think about this. Morgan Tuck who should be an AA this season is coming off the bench . UConn has 5 players who can put up 20 pts at any time and a couple who can put up over 30. The combo of Dolsen KML Stewart and Tuck can not be matched on any team, maybe not even an all star team. Bria MoJeff and BB will be fearless. This is the most powerful team Geno has ever had. Defensively they can destroy and man handle any team they face. It is so tuff to get inside on them because of their height. Stokes is a force that will emerge this season. I don't think there has ever been a team in WCBB that is so dominate at every position on Both sides of the ball as this years UConn team.

I talked a lot last season about being 100%. We were in late March and April. This season we are more mature and experienced. This is going to be a fun ride. Duke MD ND and UNC have a lot of talent. UConn has a lot of game. There is a big difference. Injury free and healthy, we don't lose at least for 2 years. If Wilson comes that might extend the win streak. Most games will be over at the half. Stewart KML and Dolsen will outscore most team just by themselves. Its all about defense and when you had UConns athletic height it shouldn't be close. Did I miss anything .

Yes, Hartley. (which just reinforces your points )