You have got to be kidding me

[JordyG]

You mean townson Rutgers , Tennesseee *Giggles* then Oregon State?

I kinda like the way you think.

 

[gophers1995]

Are you really that upset over a 2 seed? Geez uconn fans are really spoiled.

 

[Plebe]

I didn’t call you stupid, I called you wrong. Which you are.

This is not rocket science.

There is one single team on UConn’s schedule that did not come from a power conference. UConn plays more road games than home games - I can guarantee that’s not the case for UL or Notre Dame.

And they played three one seeds on the road....show me the tough road games Louisville played out of conference.

You can’t. They didn’t have one.

No, I am not wrong. I have my facts correct, and you do not.

You not only got your facts wrong but you then disregarded the correction. Again, you failed to account for UConn's games vs. Seton Hall and Saint Louis. So please, whatever else you continue to say, do not repeat the objective falsehood that UConn only played "one single team" not from a power conference.

But that is beside the larger point, which is that opponents' conference affiliation per se is irrelevant to schedule strength. I repeat: Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Oklahoma were not good teams this year, by any measure. To pretend that they represent an asset to UConn's schedule is delusional.

 

[j66kicker]

Are you really that upset over a 2 seed? Geez uconn fans are really spoiled.

And we like it that way!

 

[CMC'72]

The harder and unfair the battle...

...the greater the victory.

end of story.

 

[Engineer90]

No, I am not wrong. I have my facts correct, and you do not.

You not only got your facts wrong but you then disregarded the correction. Again, you failed to account for UConn's games vs. Seton Hall and Saint Louis. So please, whatever else you continue to say, do not repeat the objective falsehood that UConn only played "one single team" not from a power conference.

But that is beside the larger point, which is that opponents' conference affiliation per se is irrelevant to schedule strength. I repeat: Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Oklahoma were not good teams this year, by any measure. To pretend that they represent an asset to UConn's schedule is delusional.

Nope, you are indeed wrong. UConn's overall SOS is 12. That includes the weak AAC games so their nonconference SOS is even higher. And that matters even less than how many Top 10 teams they played and where they played them. You are more than wrong.
But the real issue isn't the seed. The real issue is that we have to face ND in the semis again. Get ready to be shafted by the refs again! But the "good" sportsmanlike UConn fans will just say that we had a bad game again. Funny how that always coincides with ND not getting called for fouls. Yep, the fouls won't get called and our girls will stop driving and UConn superfans will get the chicken and egg reversed again.

 

[Plebe]

Nope, you are indeed wrong. UConn's overall SOS is 12. That includes the weak AAC games so their nonconference SOS is even higher. And that matters even less than how many Top 10 teams they played and where they played them. You are more than wrong.
But the real issue isn't the seed. The real issue is that we have to face ND in the semis again. Get ready to be shafted by the refs again! But the "good" sportsmanlike UConn fans will just say that we had a bad game again. Funny how that always coincides with ND not getting called for fouls. Yep, the fouls won't get called and our girls will stop driving and UConn superfans will get the chicken and egg reversed again.

You are using Massey's SOS. The committee's team sheets show UConn's overall SOS as #30.
Feel free to download the team sheets yourself: NCAA RPI Archive - Home

Since you already know exactly how all the games will go, no need for you to watch, then.

 

[Jmsdawg]

If the committee firmly believed that Louisville was above UConn, geographically they get placed in Albany. The committee could have put Mississippi State in Albany as a 2 and shipped UConn out west. That would’ve ticked people off. I truly believe Uconn was the #4 overall team and the committee dropped them to #5 for geography. I am ok with that. If they kept us as a one with Louisville going out west we’d be facing Mississippi state. We avoid having Mississippi state as our 2 seed, stay close to home, and play the one seed I feel we match up best with. The number two designation more so highlights the emphasis on geography over everything else.

Time to cross our fingers and root for Stanford and Oregon St to help make things easier.

Do not agree UConn was the #4 overall team, IMHO UCONN was the #2 overall team. I do not understand how the committee thought ND, Louisville, or MSST deserved a #1 seed over UConn but I still feel UCONN has a great shot at the N.C. Wishing you guys the best and hope to see you in the championship game!

 

[river rat]

If UConn and Louisville are the 4th and 5th ranked team by the committee, shouldn't the winner play #1 Baylor ???

 

[Plebe]

If UConn and Louisville are the 4th and 5th ranked team by the committee, shouldn't the winner play #1 Baylor ???

Louisville was overall #3, UConn #5.

 

[Engineer90]

You are using Massey's SOS. The committee's team sheets show UConn's overall SOS as #30.
Feel free to download the team sheets yourself: NCAA RPI Archive - Home

Since you already know exactly how all the games will go, no need for you to watch, then.

The RPI is based on 3rd grade math and 3rd grade logic. You have been using it to support your claim that UConn had a weak nonconference schedule. If you meant to imply that it is why the NCAA viewed their noncon schedule so low but that you disagreed, you failed. Anyone that uses the RPI to argue anything is arguing at a 3rd grade level. The Massey ratings are far closer to the truth and the truth is that UConn got shafted. To argue otherwise is wrong, period. At least Baylor will deny ND another undeserved championship.

 

[Plebe]

The RPI is based on 3rd grade math and 3rd grade logic. You have been using it to support your claim that UConn had a weak nonconference schedule. If you meant to imply that it is why the NCAA viewed their noncon schedule so low but that you disagreed, you failed. Anyone that uses the RPI to argue anything is arguing at a 3rd grade level. The Massey ratings are far closer to the truth and the truth is that UConn got shafted. To argue otherwise is wrong, period. At least Baylor will deny ND another undeserved championship.

It doesn't matter if you or I think Massey is a better tool than RPI. What matters is which one the committee uses, which for now is the RPI, not Massey.

The crudeness of the RPI didn't prevent UConn from having the #1 nonconference SOS the previous 3 years running. And the year before that, UConn had the #6 NC SOS and even (gasp) suffered a loss at Stanford, and was still awarded the overall #1 seed by the committee.

By no means was it clear this year that UConn had one of the best 4 resumes in the country. They had a case for it, but to go into full-blown victim-complex mode is unwarranted.

 

[socal613ws]

reminder that this conference is ruining Uconn program unfortunately.

 

[mbr33ct]

Sorted by strength of schedule

Here's a revised SOS. If there's any beef it should be against Miss St RPI and SOS.

 

[willingtonfan]

Isn’t the alternative the one seed in Albany?

No not really—what they do is give the overall #1 the 1 seed at the closest regional. Then the #2 gets the closest of the remaining three etc. so with four #1’s in the eastern or central time zone the fourth #1 gets the short straw and is shipped out west. Which under the “UConn is the fourth #1” hypothesis would be UConn.

Which would leave a lot of fans of UConn upset for a different reason—the committee knows the geographical distribution of ticket sales and I’ll bet a fair plurality of Albany ticket sales (as high as 40%) are to people whose zip code starts with 06. They do have to think about getting attendance at the regionals and having UConn play in Albany, even as the 2 seed, helps maximize attendance there.

Now if this were next year (when the closest regionals to us are Greenville SC and Fort Wayne IN) they might have given us the last one seed since geography then would not be a factor or at least less of one.

So after some thought I think the setup is actually okay. Would I prefer to have UConn as the 1 seed? Sure. But until the regional final it doesn’t matter much. (As the highest two seed the S curve would assign our bracket the lowest 3 seed.) And as Geno said all that means is we change to road jerseys in the regional final assuming everything goes according to seeding. It also might mean that we don’t have four blowout victories and then lose in the national semifinal — there’s an old saw that you can’t win it all without a close hard fought victory before the final four.

Just a few thoughts from someone who thinks about this stuff—

 

[rjp172]

I cant believe it but looking back I guess I can expect it. UConn lost the past two seasons in the NCAA's. Saniya driving the lane get knocked and no call and if she had gone to the line for 2 and made one the game is pretty much over. Then last season UConn outscores ND from the field and looses when ND goes to the line 20 times more and wins in OT. No w this. You have got to be kidding me. To top it off Tenn makes the tourney with a loosing record in their conference and they dug up all kinds of excuses to put them in????????? Give somebody else a chance. You can tell Im pissed. Please excuse the language. This is a slap in the face for the team that has put the new WCBB on the map. Just like a few years ago when Penn St was a one seed and DT and UConn blew them out we are sucker punched again. I am not happy at all. This is a disgrace to a team and a coaching staff that has set the bar at another level. With 3 AA's playing and two top HS POY and with only 2 losses and with a better SOS then one other 1 seed UConn of all teams is ranked 2. I need to be put on the NCAA selection committee. Not only me but we need to get some other people on there. UConn of all teams deserves and has earned a one seed. You know what it wont matter. UConn barring injuries and foul trouble will win the regionals . I would like to say barring foul trouble on both sides meaning to many fouls called on UConn and no calls on their opponents. I saw it last season and its become a novelty against ND over the years. Lets have a level playing field. Ive said enough for today. I am not happy when my team gets slapped in the face. Be Fair.

2 AA's.

 

[eebmg]

Geno must be livid knowing that the selection committee comprised of these irrelevant school administrators are deciding that his team's resume doesn't match their inconsistent criteria for a #1 seed:
Rhonda Lundin Bennett Committee chair senior woman administrator, University of Nevada, Reno
Ceal Barry, deputy athletics director, University of Colorado, Boulder
Ken Bothof, director of athletics, Northern Kentucky University
DeJuena Chizer, senior associate athletics director/SWA, University of Houston
Leslie Claybrook, assistant commissioner, Southeastern Conference
Nina King, senior deputy director of athletics, Duke University
Tamica Smith Jones, director of athletics, University of California, Riverside
Teresa Phillips, director of athletics, Tennessee State University
Deborah Richardson, senior associate commissioner, Atlantic 10 Conference
Diane C. Turnham, senior associate athletics director, Middle Tennessee State University

Two from TN. That explains alot.

 

[eebmg]

I am outraged for Towson. I mean, what a slap in the face to the Colonial conference.

In his presser, Geno was asked about Towson; Geno asked if we ever played them. Geno was told once (about 6-8 yrs ago); Geno without delay asks if we won?

 

[Engineer90]

It doesn't matter if you or I think Massey is a better tool than RPI. What matters is which one the committee uses, which for now is the RPI, not Massey.

The crudeness of the RPI didn't prevent UConn from having the #1 nonconference SOS the previous 3 years running. And the year before that, UConn had the #6 NC SOS and even (gasp) suffered a loss at Stanford, and was still awarded the overall #1 seed by the committee.

By no means was it clear this year that UConn had one of the best 4 resumes in the country. They had a case for it, but to go into full-blown victim-complex mode is unwarranted.

If your opinion doesn't matter, why are you arguing that UConn has a weak schedule? Why not let people be upset?

 

[HuskylnSC]

I cant believe it but looking back I guess I can expect it. UConn lost the past two seasons in the NCAA's. Saniya driving the lane get knocked and no call and if she had gone to the line for 2 and made one the game is pretty much over. Then last season UConn outscores ND from the field and looses when ND goes to the line 20 times more and wins in OT. No w this. You have got to be kidding me. To top it off Tenn makes the tourney with a loosing record in their conference and they dug up all kinds of excuses to put them in????????? Give somebody else a chance. You can tell Im pissed. Please excuse the language. This is a slap in the face for the team that has put the new WCBB on the map. Just like a few years ago when Penn St was a one seed and DT and UConn blew them out we are sucker punched again. I am not happy at all. This is a disgrace to a team and a coaching staff that has set the bar at another level. With 3 AA's playing and two top HS POY and with only 2 losses and with a better SOS then one other 1 seed UConn of all teams is ranked 2. I need to be put on the NCAA selection committee. Not only me but we need to get some other people on there. UConn of all teams deserves and has earned a one seed. You know what it wont matter. UConn barring injuries and foul trouble will win the regionals . I would like to say barring foul trouble on both sides meaning to many fouls called on UConn and no calls on their opponents. I saw it last season and its become a novelty against ND over the years. Lets have a level playing field. Ive said enough for today. I am not happy when my team gets slapped in the face. Be Fair.

Tony, we don't get points for history. A terrible SOS and a 1-2 record with teams ranked above us in SOS determined we didn't earn it. We are a 2 and that's that

 

[veryolddog]

Wow! What a discussion. Lots of anger here. Like Geno says, it is what it is so we, UConn, are going to getter done. The past is the past. Anyone here can change it? Didn't think so. Learn some lessons, perhaps. For the last 10 years, UConn has been he top dog. No pun intended. There is envy and, hate to say this, hate. The destruction of the best by a new best or group of bests is sensationally exciting and good sports reporting and TV viewership. One fellow mentioned that UConn helped to get attention to Women's basketball. I tend to agree with that thesis as it supports the points that I have listed. In three weeks, it won't matter was is said here.

 

[connie]

I cant believe it but looking back I guess I can expect it. UConn lost the past two seasons in the NCAA's. Saniya driving the lane get knocked and no call and if she had gone to the line for 2 and made one the game is pretty much over. Then last season UConn outscores ND from the field and looses when ND goes to the line 20 times more and wins in OT. No w this. You have got to be kidding me. To top it off Tenn makes the tourney with a loosing record in their conference and they dug up all kinds of excuses to put them in????????? Give somebody else a chance. You can tell Im pissed. Please excuse the language. This is a slap in the face for the team that has put the new WCBB on the map. Just like a few years ago when Penn St was a one seed and DT and UConn blew them out we are sucker punched again. I am not happy at all. This is a disgrace to a team and a coaching staff that has set the bar at another level. With 3 AA's playing and two top HS POY and with only 2 losses and with a better SOS then one other 1 seed UConn of all teams is ranked 2. I need to be put on the NCAA selection committee. Not only me but we need to get some other people on there. UConn of all teams deserves and has earned a one seed. You know what it wont matter. UConn barring injuries and foul trouble will win the regionals . I would like to say barring foul trouble on both sides meaning to many fouls called on UConn and no calls on their opponents. I saw it last season and its become a novelty against ND over the years. Lets have a level playing field. Ive said enough for today. I am not happy when my team gets slapped in the face. Be Fair.

Apparently, not from Nebraska.

Relax, pal. There are many evils in the world. This is not one of them.

 

[oldude]

I will take a bizarre and somewhat contrarian position here. The Committee & ESPN actually want UConn in the FF. They also want 2 marquee matchups: Baylor vs MS St & UConn vs ND. They can’t give UConn the overall #1 seed and a potential matchup with the easiest Elite 8 opponent, Iowa. If UConn had won at least one of their two road losses, it might have been a different story.

The problem was what to do with MS St. If UConn is the last 1 seed, then MS St, a bad matchup for the Huskies, is the 2 seed in Albany. If MS St wins, they potentially still get MS St vs Baylor, but no ND - UConn. If UConn wins, then we have an even worse matchup for the Huskies in the semifinals vs Baylor.

By sending MS St out west where they have a chance to beat an Oregon team that’s shown some vulnerability in the last month, they setup the potential matchups they and ESPN want in the FF, and they send Louisville to Albany, where they will be an underdog, assuming they get by a Scott Rueck coached OR St.

As a reminder, the last time Jeff Walz brought in a heavily favored Louisville team to the Albany Regional, the Cardinals lost to mid-major Dayton.

 

[hoopsfan22]

I don't think the selection committee had any real motive here other than what they said: your conference sucks be happy with your two seed and playing close to home. The same thing would happen to any other mid-major school.

 

[MainefanSC]

Tony, we don't get points for history. A terrible SOS and a 1-2 record with teams ranked above us in SOS determined we didn't earn it. We are a 2 and that's that

The only school that gets points for history is UT. I recall saying Tenn would be there, just because they are Tenn.

 

[eebmg]

I think there were multiple incremental issues that knocked us off the 1 line with most being verbalized by the committee chair

1) We did not play as well or as convincingly down the stretch. We were down to hobbled USF in the 4Q.

2) Our conference is a mess

3) Lou may not be 100%.

4) Not verbalized and painful but we did not do any favors with the games we played against Baylor and Lousiville. The scores were closer than the discrepency in play.

Even so, we got as good a draw as we could reasonably expect and I am very happy.

If you want to ignore the signs and feel we got shafted, fine but I would rather know what our team really is and how we can improve when it counts.


On the very positive side, our freshman (especially ONO) has earned the respect of our staff and players, it seems that Lou is on track (physically at least) and probably has the greatest chip (or middle finger) on her shoulder. etc

It will be fun.

 

[Oldbones]

Hold up. Everyone knows Saniya was not fouled. It was a DUMB play on her part.

There are many SF/NY Giants fans that are upset that Bobby Richardson had Stretch McCovey so perfectly defended for the final out of the 1962 World Series. If he plays McCovey straightaway, the Giants win......

 

['nuff sed]

I'm fine with this

for a NC, most likely they'll have to beat the 2 teams they lost to and ND

That's the way is should be.

Also IMO, Louisville carrying a 1 tag puts more pressure on them, and in a building that will be as close to a Husky home crowd as you get in any other venue this year.

I disagree with most of the matchup worries posted here regarding the bigs with the exception of Baylor, I still think Cox is a problem.

My matchup concerns are with teams with the guards who can break the defense, and our own perimeter defense.

As far as SOS goes, its a crap shoot when you make out the schedule, you're making these schedules years in advance. This was a rebuild year for SC, USF should have been stronger, and who they heck knows whats going on with Cal and Okla.

Plus we always have the "homecoming" road games for the seniors, which I think is overall for the good -- I mean when does St. Louis get a gate like they got.

We don't duck anyone ever, go out of our way to get the highest SOS we can, and spread the "wealth" with teams that draw no one. --- so no bitching from me on SOS, it is what it is and generally on average YoY its fine.

Just beat the team that's in front of you.

 

[Oldbones]

I don't care a whit. UConn is going to have to beat these teams anyway. To me seeding doesn't matter, although I so relish a chance to beat Louisville after that regular season debacle.

"No trait is more justified than revenge in the right time and place." Meir Kahane

The Time: March 31, 2019

The Place: Albany, New York.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I think there were multiple incremental issues that knocked us off the 1 line with most being verbalized by the committee chair

1) We did not play as well or as convincingly down the stretch. We were down to hobbled USF in the 4Q.

2) Our conference is a mess

3) Lou may not be 100%.

4) Not verbalized and painful but we did not do any favors with the games we played against Baylor and Lousiville. The scores were closer than the discrepency in play.

Even so, we got as good a draw as we could reasonably expect and I am very happy.

If you want to ignore the signs and feel we got shafted, fine but I would rather know what our team really is and how we can improve when it counts.


On the very positive side, our freshman (especially ONO) has earned the respect of our staff and players, it seems that Lou is on track (physically at least) and probably has the greatest chip (or middle finger) on her shoulder. etc

It will be fun.

It is both the case that our resume was not that impressive and the logic used to relegate us to a #2 seed is disturbing.

- Yes, we only went 1-2 against other contenders and weren't all that competitive in the games we lost (never got closer than 6 points in the 4th quarter against Baylor, nor closer than 5 in the 4th quarter against Louisville).
- We also didn't have that many good wins against second tier opponents. Our OOC was stronger on paper going into the year than it turned out to be -- a lot of those second tier teams turned out to be frauds, though we almost lost to abysmal Oklahoma.
- The conference was at its usual weakness, and we looked bad in a number of those games despite winning.

That said, our only losses are to #1 seeds, on the road. The "eye test" has frankly never been a consideration, and for the committee to invoke how we looked down the stretch -- which also has never been a consideration -- is disingenuous. They also finally admitted, through an accidental slip of the tongue, that they evaluate "strength of conference" and not just strength of schedule.

They're giving license to downgrade UConn on account of the AAC. There's a long way to go for this program to fade to the level of a Louisiana Tech or Old Dominion, but if you're looking for a first step, this is it.