[81alum]

One other discussion point -- the upsets and parity. I just listened to Adia Barnes comments about West Coast kids staying on the west coast rather than all going to UConn plus kids recruiting their friends to play together (which reminds me of Miles and Citron at Notre Dame). I also wonder if the fact that there were fewer OOC games played due to CoVid cancellations may have decreased the accuracy of some comparisons/assessments. Thoughts on these or other contributing factors? Of course, there's always TV and the Bueckers-Clark hype.

I think all of those are factors.

I would add also that there is not a lot of experience playing in the NCAA tournament in front of raucous crowds.  It is a different experience than the last two years and some teams may react well and others poorly.  

On the other hand, one undeniable advantage that we have is the recent experience of winning at the highest level in very close games.  We are unlikely to fold, give up, or become intimidated as we might had our team not had the experience of last year.  Let's hope we can put four good quarters together for 5 games in a row.

[81alum]

One other discussion point -- the upsets and parity. I just listened to Adia Barnes comments about West Coast kids staying on the west coast rather than all going to UConn plus kids recruiting their friends to play together (which reminds me of Miles and Citron at Notre Dame). I also wonder if the fact that there were fewer OOC games played due to CoVid cancellations may have decreased the accuracy of some comparisons/assessments. Thoughts on these or other contributing factors? Of course, there's always TV and the Bueckers-Clark hype.

I think all of those are factors.

I would add also that there is not a lot of experience playing in the NCAA tournament in front of raucous crowds.  It is a different experience than the last two years and some teams may react well and others poorly.  

On the other hand, one undeniable advantage that we have is the recent experience of winning at the highest level in very close games.  We are unlikely to fold, give up, or become intimidated as we might had our team not had the experience of last year.  Let's hope we can put four good quarters together for 5 games in a row.