UConn. How does one program get that far ahead of everybody else?.....

[thekimmer]

Not only are they going for a 4-peat, the closest championship game out of the last 3 was a 10 point win last year. They literally destroy almost everybody on their schedule. I know this is not unprecedented with UCLA winning like 7 straight in the 60s & 70s, but how does one program get that much separation from everybody else and does such a thing hurt the sport any?

 

[121Josey]

but how does one program get that much separation from everybody else and does such a thing hurt the sport any?

Jimmie Johnson wonders the same thing.

 

[Shmuley]

"So what's the problem?" Signed Saban.

 

[TBone.sixpack]

I find it obnoxious.

 

[mount lefroy]

Not only are they going for a 4-peat, the closest championship game out of the last 3 was a 10 point win last year. They literally destroy almost everybody on their schedule. I know this is not unprecedented with UCLA winning like 7 straight in the 60s & 70s, but how does one program get that much separation from everybody else and does such a thing hurt the sport any?

The coach. Players are a byproduct. Its always been the coach.

 

[Bulldogg31]

Pat Summit was the only coach who could sorta keep up. When she retired UConn just ran off and left everyone.

 

[99jc]

UCONN's dominant run ends this year with that Kevin Mchale Clone Brianna Stewart

Leaving and those other 2 senior players graduating next year will be a season that will have them losing a few games. They do have some talent coming back but when I watched them play this season and those 3 were out of the game they were very beatable! Having said that.... We will be lucky to stay within 25 points when we play them.

 

[RocketDawg]

Leaving and those other 2 senior players graduating next year will be a season that will have them losing a few games. They do have some talent coming back but when I watched them play this season and those 3 were out of the game they were very beatable! Having said that.... We will be lucky to stay within 25 points when we play them.

They'll find others to replace them. They're sorta like Alabama, but a lot moreso ... every good female player wants to go to UConn. Alabama football can get almost all they want, but there's a lot more competition with the other big schools.

 

[rynodawg]

There are two women's college sports where height directly translates into success, basketball and volleyball. Both end up with elite teams that no one else can compete with. Penn State has seen similar runs of dominance in volleyball, a few years ago they went a whole season without losing a single set.

I think there are just a limited number of 6'6" athletic female recruits each year, and they all want to attend the elite school. No amount of luck, turnovers, or anything else can overcome the size advantage.

 

[13thEagle]

There are two women's college sports where height directly translates into success, basketball and volleyball. Both end up with elite teams that no one else can compete with. Penn State has seen similar runs of dominance in volleyball, a few years ago they went a whole season without losing a single set.

I think there are just a limited number of 6'6" athletic female recruits each year, and they all want to attend the elite school. No amount of luck, turnovers, or anything else can overcome the size advantage.

About 10 years ago, we had a girl down here in Hattiesburg who was 6 5 and of the "fairer" complexion. Naturally she was very well sought after out of a new orleans high school. She had offers from all the big named programs including the lady vols. She signed with purdue and didnt like being that far away from home. She ended up at usm because we had 2 other girls who played aau ball with her. She was on the squad the year we beat u guys in the wnit on a last second shot.

We knew the girl very well because my wife was assigned as her local mentor. I was talking once with her about her recruitment and she mentioned getting a call from uconn. The call pretty much went like this. Geno called her, his assts had seen her play several times in the summer. He offered her and asked for a commit. Stephanie asked if she could visit the campus to see if she liked it. Geno's response was, I dont have time for all that. We would like to have you if you can commit to us now. If not we are moving on.

I think only Wooden and Bryant could pull something like that off.

 

[thekimmer]

That sounds kind of dangerous to me.....

We knew the girl very well because my wife was assigned as her local mentor. I was talking once with her about her recruitment and she mentioned getting a call from uconn. The call pretty much went like this. Geno called her, his assts had seen her play several times in the summer. He offered her and asked for a commit. Stephanie asked if she could visit the campus to see if she liked it. Geno's response was, I dont have time for all that. We would like to have you if you can commit to us now. If not we are moving on.
.

Not doubting your story at all but that's not just arrogant its really risky on Geno's part. An official visit is just as much for the the program as it is for the prospect. What happens if she says yes when put on the spot but then hates it there or doesn't mesh with the coaching staff and transfers out after a year? What if the player is a head case or problem child and affects team chemistry? Any of that can happen anyway but if you spend a weekend with em you at least have a chance to pick up on such things.

 

[johnson86-1]

Not doubting your story at all but that's not just arrogant its really risky on Geno's part. An official visit is just as much for the the program as it is for the prospect. What happens if she says yes when put on the spot but then hates it there or doesn't mesh with the coaching staff and transfers out after a year? What if the player is a head case or problem child and affects team chemistry? Any of that can happen anyway but if you spend a weekend with em you at least have a chance to pick up on such things.

I'm sure for his more important prospects, he did that, and I'm sure he gets enough of his top prospects that he can afford to process anybody that doesn't work out.

Still weird to take that approach unless you're up against a deadline.

 

[The Peeper]

Ask SMU

 

[HueFreeze]

In a roundaway handling it like that helped him, because 1) he knew if she didn't want to commit right then she more than likely just wanted the experience. 2) he was actually right as she went to purdue and ended up back in-state.

I mean he only needs 3-5 kids a year... he probably feels like the only ones that will make it are the ones that just are dying to be there.

 

[615dawg]

I'm not sure that's not a bad approach to recruiting if you are as dominant as they are.

Here's 8 players we want. All are ranked in the top 10. Start with the top three. If they say no, move down. They end up with 3 of the top 5 players in the country every year.

 

[MSUDC11]

Dillingham and William are going to get tossed around like rag dolls on Saturday. Happens most games anyway, but I can only imagine what it's going to be like we play a team made up of Wonder Woman and her Amazon warrior sisters.

Definitely going to take some bumps and bruises. Thank goodness they're probably the two toughest athletes we have on campus, male or female.

What blows my mind is how much better they are than the other Top 5 teams, too. It's not just the middle of the pack. South Carolina played them at home in front of 18,000 fans in Columbia and it was never close. SC is 33-1, mind you.

 

[mount lefroy]

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