[chimera]

I have no one to root for.  I don't like watching SC play all that much.  I guess I want to see VTech win the next game over TN because it would be a change.  I guess I will root for close, well played games and lots of upsets.

[chimera]

I have no one to root for.  I don't like watching SC play all that much.  I guess I want to see VTech win the next game over TN because it would be a change.  I guess I will root for close, well played games and lots of upsets.

[yvonne]

I signed in just to say it's good to see Team ESPN go down. I'd like to see Tennessee win. Wouldn't this be the first Final Four by a coach other than its HOF coach?

[yvonne]

I signed in just to say it's good to see Team ESPN go down. I'd like to see Tennessee win. Wouldn't this be the first Final Four by a coach other than its HOF coach?

[WBB fan]

Complete joy in watching UConn lose. Credit to McGuff and their style / team identity as it’s so hard to play against. UConn is gonna have 30 turnovers by the end.

Ohio State and Maryland have both had loads of transfers in recent years and both having success in postseason.

Ohio State wins. Stanford footnote:  A graphic said the last team to beat UConn in the sweet sixteen was Stanford in 2005. ... Yes, Candice Wiggins' freshman year: https://gostanford.com/news/2005/3/27/208089604.aspx

BTW, UConn has at least two transfers who were of major importance this year, Juhasz and Lopez Senschal (not sure of either spelling).

Juhasz (yep, spelling is correct) was a grad transfer from OSU! Wonder how she feels about losing to her former teammates?  Senechal also 5th year transfer. I don't feel as negative about grad transfers as I do about the others. 

And yes, that's right that the last sweet sixteen lost for UConn was against Stanford in 2005, in Kansas City. (I had it as in 2007 above, that's wrong. 2005 is right.) I still remember the excitement being at the game, and the sense of the future with Candice Wiggins on the team.

[WBB fan]

Complete joy in watching UConn lose. Credit to McGuff and their style / team identity as it’s so hard to play against. UConn is gonna have 30 turnovers by the end.

Ohio State and Maryland have both had loads of transfers in recent years and both having success in postseason.

Ohio State wins. Stanford footnote:  A graphic said the last team to beat UConn in the sweet sixteen was Stanford in 2005. ... Yes, Candice Wiggins' freshman year: https://gostanford.com/news/2005/3/27/208089604.aspx

BTW, UConn has at least two transfers who were of major importance this year, Juhasz and Lopez Senschal (not sure of either spelling).

Juhasz (yep, spelling is correct) was a grad transfer from OSU! Wonder how she feels about losing to her former teammates?  Senechal also 5th year transfer. I don't feel as negative about grad transfers as I do about the others. 

And yes, that's right that the last sweet sixteen lost for UConn was against Stanford in 2005, in Kansas City. (I had it as in 2007 above, that's wrong. 2005 is right.) I still remember the excitement being at the game, and the sense of the future with Candice Wiggins on the team.

[81alum]

Gone are the old days when every #1 seed made it to the final four, almost every year.  I think unlimited transfers have shattered predictability.

[81alum]

Gone are the old days when every #1 seed made it to the final four, almost every year.  I think unlimited transfers have shattered predictability.

[CompSci87]

Unlimited transfers plus so many players with an extra COVID year. Maybe things will get better for Stanford when we aren't facing teams that have loaded up on 5th and 6th year players who transferred in.

[CompSci87]

Unlimited transfers plus so many players with an extra COVID year. Maybe things will get better for Stanford when we aren't facing teams that have loaded up on 5th and 6th year players who transferred in.

[BosCard]

Agree that it is not intrinsic to the system.  Jones drove to the basket a lot this year; she was not yanked even when she threw up a crazy circus shot or lost the ball on the way to the hoop.  If we had a guard with her athleticism, I think we would have seen her given more opportunities to drive.

On another note, UCLA might be kept under 40.  Kiki Rice and Londyn Jones are a combined 2/10 with 7 combined points.

BC

South Carolina and UConn are far, far superior to what Stanford showed toward the end of the regular season and post-season. It's not even close. The speed and smoothness of their offenses make ours look stuck in the mud. It's amazing that even without Buechler, UConn may play for the Nati.

---

I'd bet that: 

1. South Carolina's and UConn's daily practices look a lot different than ours do;
2. the head coaches get on and push their starters a lot more than Tara or Kate Paye do; 
3. the players are much better conditioned than ours were.

Well this post about the greatness of UConn’s offense did not age well.  Against a good defense they turned the ball over 25 times.

[BosCard]

Agree that it is not intrinsic to the system.  Jones drove to the basket a lot this year; she was not yanked even when she threw up a crazy circus shot or lost the ball on the way to the hoop.  If we had a guard with her athleticism, I think we would have seen her given more opportunities to drive.

On another note, UCLA might be kept under 40.  Kiki Rice and Londyn Jones are a combined 2/10 with 7 combined points.

BC

South Carolina and UConn are far, far superior to what Stanford showed toward the end of the regular season and post-season. It's not even close. The speed and smoothness of their offenses make ours look stuck in the mud. It's amazing that even without Buechler, UConn may play for the Nati.

---

I'd bet that: 

1. South Carolina's and UConn's daily practices look a lot different than ours do;
2. the head coaches get on and push their starters a lot more than Tara or Kate Paye do; 
3. the players are much better conditioned than ours were.

Well this post about the greatness of UConn’s offense did not age well.  Against a good defense they turned the ball over 25 times.

[Card10Fan]

Agree that it is not intrinsic to the system.  Jones drove to the basket a lot this year; she was not yanked even when she threw up a crazy circus shot or lost the ball on the way to the hoop.  If we had a guard with her athleticism, I think we would have seen her given more opportunities to drive.

On another note, UCLA might be kept under 40.  Kiki Rice and Londyn Jones are a combined 2/10 with 7 combined points.

BC

South Carolina and UConn are far, far superior to what Stanford showed toward the end of the regular season and post-season. It's not even close. The speed and smoothness of their offenses make ours look stuck in the mud. It's amazing that even without Buechler, UConn may play for the Nati.

---

I'd bet that: 

1. South Carolina's and UConn's daily practices look a lot different than ours do;
2. the head coaches get on and push their starters a lot more than Tara or Kate Paye do; 
3. the players are much better conditioned than ours were.

Well this post about the greatness of UConn’s offense did not age well.  Against a good defense they turned the ball over 25 times.

UConn is an elite offensive team no question. They shot almost 50% for the game. This was a bad matchup for them and the turnovers hurt them. We would have probably had 40 turnovers in a game like this. I almost think Ohio State should be favored regardless of who they play next.

[Card10Fan]

Agree that it is not intrinsic to the system.  Jones drove to the basket a lot this year; she was not yanked even when she threw up a crazy circus shot or lost the ball on the way to the hoop.  If we had a guard with her athleticism, I think we would have seen her given more opportunities to drive.

On another note, UCLA might be kept under 40.  Kiki Rice and Londyn Jones are a combined 2/10 with 7 combined points.

BC

South Carolina and UConn are far, far superior to what Stanford showed toward the end of the regular season and post-season. It's not even close. The speed and smoothness of their offenses make ours look stuck in the mud. It's amazing that even without Buechler, UConn may play for the Nati.

---

I'd bet that: 

1. South Carolina's and UConn's daily practices look a lot different than ours do;
2. the head coaches get on and push their starters a lot more than Tara or Kate Paye do; 
3. the players are much better conditioned than ours were.

Well this post about the greatness of UConn’s offense did not age well.  Against a good defense they turned the ball over 25 times.

UConn is an elite offensive team no question. They shot almost 50% for the game. This was a bad matchup for them and the turnovers hurt them. We would have probably had 40 turnovers in a game like this. I almost think Ohio State should be favored regardless of who they play next.

[mbdude]

Ohio st tough, physical defense that Stanford saw more than  a few times from other teams,  Lots of teams going that way

[mbdude]

Ohio st tough, physical defense that Stanford saw more than  a few times from other teams,  Lots of teams going that way

[MV72018]

Agree that it is not intrinsic to the system.  Jones drove to the basket a lot this year; she was not yanked even when she threw up a crazy circus shot or lost the ball on the way to the hoop.  If we had a guard with her athleticism, I think we would have seen her given more opportunities to drive.

On another note, UCLA might be kept under 40.  Kiki Rice and Londyn Jones are a combined 2/10 with 7 combined points.

BC

South Carolina and UConn are far, far superior to what Stanford showed toward the end of the regular season and post-season. It's not even close. The speed and smoothness of their offenses make ours look stuck in the mud. It's amazing that even without Buechler, UConn may play for the Nati.

---

I'd bet that: 

1. South Carolina's and UConn's daily practices look a lot different than ours do;
2. the head coaches get on and push their starters a lot more than Tara or Kate Paye do; 
3. the players are much better conditioned than ours were.

Well this post about the greatness of UConn’s offense did not age well.  Against a good defense they turned the ball over 25 times.

UConn is an elite offensive team no question. They shot almost 50% for the game. This was a bad matchup for them and the turnovers hurt them. We would have probably had 40 turnovers in a game like this. I almost think Ohio State should be favored regardless of who they play next.

Clearly, OSU -- first time I've watched them play -- is a potent team. Would have demolished the Cardinal. 40 turnovers seems about right. OSU vs. South Carolina would make for a great national championship game. Might be an epic battle. The Cardinal is being left in the dust as many teams are getting really athletic. That OSU press is amazing.

[MV72018]

Agree that it is not intrinsic to the system.  Jones drove to the basket a lot this year; she was not yanked even when she threw up a crazy circus shot or lost the ball on the way to the hoop.  If we had a guard with her athleticism, I think we would have seen her given more opportunities to drive.

On another note, UCLA might be kept under 40.  Kiki Rice and Londyn Jones are a combined 2/10 with 7 combined points.

BC

South Carolina and UConn are far, far superior to what Stanford showed toward the end of the regular season and post-season. It's not even close. The speed and smoothness of their offenses make ours look stuck in the mud. It's amazing that even without Buechler, UConn may play for the Nati.

---

I'd bet that: 

1. South Carolina's and UConn's daily practices look a lot different than ours do;
2. the head coaches get on and push their starters a lot more than Tara or Kate Paye do; 
3. the players are much better conditioned than ours were.

Well this post about the greatness of UConn’s offense did not age well.  Against a good defense they turned the ball over 25 times.

UConn is an elite offensive team no question. They shot almost 50% for the game. This was a bad matchup for them and the turnovers hurt them. We would have probably had 40 turnovers in a game like this. I almost think Ohio State should be favored regardless of who they play next.

Clearly, OSU -- first time I've watched them play -- is a potent team. Would have demolished the Cardinal. 40 turnovers seems about right. OSU vs. South Carolina would make for a great national championship game. Might be an epic battle. The Cardinal is being left in the dust as many teams are getting really athletic. That OSU press is amazing.

[Maple Leaf]

Agree that it is not intrinsic to the system.  Jones drove to the basket a lot this year; she was not yanked even when she threw up a crazy circus shot or lost the ball on the way to the hoop.  If we had a guard with her athleticism, I think we would have seen her given more opportunities to drive.

On another note, UCLA might be kept under 40.  Kiki Rice and Londyn Jones are a combined 2/10 with 7 combined points.

BC

South Carolina and UConn are far, far superior to what Stanford showed toward the end of the regular season and post-season. It's not even close. The speed and smoothness of their offenses make ours look stuck in the mud. It's amazing that even without Buechler, UConn may play for the Nati.

---

I'd bet that: 

1. South Carolina's and UConn's daily practices look a lot different than ours do;
2. the head coaches get on and push their starters a lot more than Tara or Kate Paye do; 
3. the players are much better conditioned than ours were.

Well this post about the greatness of UConn’s offense did not age well.  Against a good defense they turned the ball over 25 times.

UConn has the same problem with Arizona two years ago in the final four.

[Maple Leaf]

Agree that it is not intrinsic to the system.  Jones drove to the basket a lot this year; she was not yanked even when she threw up a crazy circus shot or lost the ball on the way to the hoop.  If we had a guard with her athleticism, I think we would have seen her given more opportunities to drive.

On another note, UCLA might be kept under 40.  Kiki Rice and Londyn Jones are a combined 2/10 with 7 combined points.

BC

South Carolina and UConn are far, far superior to what Stanford showed toward the end of the regular season and post-season. It's not even close. The speed and smoothness of their offenses make ours look stuck in the mud. It's amazing that even without Buechler, UConn may play for the Nati.

---

I'd bet that: 

1. South Carolina's and UConn's daily practices look a lot different than ours do;
2. the head coaches get on and push their starters a lot more than Tara or Kate Paye do; 
3. the players are much better conditioned than ours were.

Well this post about the greatness of UConn’s offense did not age well.  Against a good defense they turned the ball over 25 times.

UConn has the same problem with Arizona two years ago in the final four.

[chimera]

OSU is a very good team but let's not get carried away.  They've been hot lately.  I know 40 is an exaggeration (or I sure hope it was intended that way).  Just because UConn had 20-odd turnovers doesn't mean if we played them we have 40.  

The tournament is essentially unfair in that it is one and done so one bad game or one game where the other team plays out of their minds and a team that wins 9 out of 10 match-ups against that opponent is out.  That's the beauty and the pain of it all.  Extrapolating from one game is generally not super useful.

PS. I would not bet our players are worse conditioned that other teams. We have a great S & C coach so why would that be true?

I am trying to understand how it can be that our coaches are both too quick to get on players and pull them when they mess up and do not push the starters enough. I can get with the idea that our coaches played the starters too much sometimes, but that they go easy on the players? Eh, seems off to me.

[chimera]

OSU is a very good team but let's not get carried away.  They've been hot lately.  I know 40 is an exaggeration (or I sure hope it was intended that way).  Just because UConn had 20-odd turnovers doesn't mean if we played them we have 40.  

The tournament is essentially unfair in that it is one and done so one bad game or one game where the other team plays out of their minds and a team that wins 9 out of 10 match-ups against that opponent is out.  That's the beauty and the pain of it all.  Extrapolating from one game is generally not super useful.

PS. I would not bet our players are worse conditioned that other teams. We have a great S & C coach so why would that be true?

I am trying to understand how it can be that our coaches are both too quick to get on players and pull them when they mess up and do not push the starters enough. I can get with the idea that our coaches played the starters too much sometimes, but that they go easy on the players? Eh, seems off to me.

[old spanish trail]

Card 10 and MV, what the heck are you talking about? OSU would demolish the card by 40? UConn would take our lunch? Get a grip. Miss was a bad match up for us and we didn't play all that well. The threes that dropped vs us didn't yesterday just as they hadn't most of the season. But, we drew the short straw.

Remember, we took SC to overtime and arguably should have won. OSU is good and they played a terrific game. Sometimes you do that. They were somewhat inconsistent during the season but did well today. We would beat UConn also, I think.

The team that surprises me is Va Tech. Had never seen them play and didn't know what to expect. They have an excellent pg from Australia and a pretty good big. They will beat Tenn easily, a team that we would beat by at least 10. Them's the breaks.

[old spanish trail]

Card 10 and MV, what the heck are you talking about? OSU would demolish the card by 40? UConn would take our lunch? Get a grip. Miss was a bad match up for us and we didn't play all that well. The threes that dropped vs us didn't yesterday just as they hadn't most of the season. But, we drew the short straw.

Remember, we took SC to overtime and arguably should have won. OSU is good and they played a terrific game. Sometimes you do that. They were somewhat inconsistent during the season but did well today. We would beat UConn also, I think.

The team that surprises me is Va Tech. Had never seen them play and didn't know what to expect. They have an excellent pg from Australia and a pretty good big. They will beat Tenn easily, a team that we would beat by at least 10. Them's the breaks.

[chimera]

Card 10 and MV, what the heck are you talking about? OSU would demolish the card by 40? UConn would take our lunch. Get a grip. Miss was a bad match up for us and we didn't play all that well. The threes that dropped vs us didn't yesterday just as they hadn't most of the season. But, we drew the short straw.

Remember, we took SC to overtime and arguably should have won. OSU is good and they played a terrific game. Sometimes you do that. They were somewhat inconsistent during the season but did well today.

The team that surprises me is Va Tech. Had never seen them play and didn't know what to expect. They have an excellent pg from Australia and a pretty good big. They will beat Tenn easily, a team that we would beat by at least 10. Them's the breaks.

I am enjoying VaTech and their pg.  I can root for them from here on out. Edited to add that I just zinxed them. TN is pressing and catching up fast. I guess I can root for Iowa and Clark with the sweet passes and looooong threes?

[chimera]

Card 10 and MV, what the heck are you talking about? OSU would demolish the card by 40? UConn would take our lunch. Get a grip. Miss was a bad match up for us and we didn't play all that well. The threes that dropped vs us didn't yesterday just as they hadn't most of the season. But, we drew the short straw.

Remember, we took SC to overtime and arguably should have won. OSU is good and they played a terrific game. Sometimes you do that. They were somewhat inconsistent during the season but did well today.

The team that surprises me is Va Tech. Had never seen them play and didn't know what to expect. They have an excellent pg from Australia and a pretty good big. They will beat Tenn easily, a team that we would beat by at least 10. Them's the breaks.

I am enjoying VaTech and their pg.  I can root for them from here on out. Edited to add that I just zinxed them. TN is pressing and catching up fast. I guess I can root for Iowa and Clark with the sweet passes and looooong threes?

[81alum]

I cannot cheer for any McGuff team.  I thought the way he left Washington was slimy.  (He took the Ohio State job three weeks after signing a long-term extension with Washington.)  But he will always have a soft spot in the heart of any Stanford fan, as the coach of the team that allowed us to do this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Je0ludNqA

[81alum]

I cannot cheer for any McGuff team.  I thought the way he left Washington was slimy.  (He took the Ohio State job three weeks after signing a long-term extension with Washington.)  But he will always have a soft spot in the heart of any Stanford fan, as the coach of the team that allowed us to do this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Je0ludNqA

[WBB fan]

I find the comments re good, not good match ups interesting. Seems to me that a great team will prevail no matter who they are playing, both a matter of coaches and players adjusting as needed. And that's what the greats do  if some team is truly a "bad match up," that says you have a major weakness.

[WBB fan]

I find the comments re good, not good match ups interesting. Seems to me that a great team will prevail no matter who they are playing, both a matter of coaches and players adjusting as needed. And that's what the greats do  if some team is truly a "bad match up," that says you have a major weakness.

[crackpot]

Really enjoying the possibility that Dawn wins three championships since 2016 and Geno wins zero.

[crackpot]

Really enjoying the possibility that Dawn wins three championships since 2016 and Geno wins zero.

[BostonCard]

I find the comments re good, not good match ups interesting. Seems to me that a great team will prevail no matter who they are playing, both a matter of coaches and players adjusting as needed. And that's what the greats do  if some team is truly a "bad match up," that says you have a major weakness.

That suggests that every team in the nation, bar South Carolina has a “major weakness”.  The truth is that every team, even South Carolina, has strengths and weaknesses, but that even things that ought to be a strength, can sometimes abandon you. Think of a three point shooting team on a night they just aren’t going in, or a team with dominant posts, who just struggle on a day (eg, Jane Appel in that game against Xavier, above).

In the words of Mark Knoffler, “sometimes you’re the windshield; sometimes you’re the bug.”

BC

[BostonCard]

I find the comments re good, not good match ups interesting. Seems to me that a great team will prevail no matter who they are playing, both a matter of coaches and players adjusting as needed. And that's what the greats do  if some team is truly a "bad match up," that says you have a major weakness.

That suggests that every team in the nation, bar South Carolina has a “major weakness”.  The truth is that every team, even South Carolina, has strengths and weaknesses, but that even things that ought to be a strength, can sometimes abandon you. Think of a three point shooting team on a night they just aren’t going in, or a team with dominant posts, who just struggle on a day (eg, Jane Appel in that game against Xavier, above).

In the words of Mark Knoffler, “sometimes you’re the windshield; sometimes you’re the bug.”

BC

[Card10Fan]

I find the comments re good, not good match ups interesting. Seems to me that a great team will prevail no matter who they are playing, both a matter of coaches and players adjusting as needed. And that's what the greats do  if some team is truly a "bad match up," that says you have a major weakness.

South Carolina is the only great team this year. Lots of other good teams though. Pretty remarkable what they’ve accomplished. Going undefeated so far and the way they’ve won is through their own style and identity -primarily defense and rebounding. If they win it all, I won’t be mad because they are certainly deserving. 

What will SC next year look like? Who will the projected top 5 teams be next season?

[Card10Fan]

I find the comments re good, not good match ups interesting. Seems to me that a great team will prevail no matter who they are playing, both a matter of coaches and players adjusting as needed. And that's what the greats do  if some team is truly a "bad match up," that says you have a major weakness.

South Carolina is the only great team this year. Lots of other good teams though. Pretty remarkable what they’ve accomplished. Going undefeated so far and the way they’ve won is through their own style and identity -primarily defense and rebounding. If they win it all, I won’t be mad because they are certainly deserving. 

What will SC next year look like? Who will the projected top 5 teams be next season?

[Jskass]

Still in Seattle and have to admit was pleased to see UConn lose, though that meant cheering for the OSU. Pleasant surprise is VaTech. Team  gels really well. Nice people too - staying at their hotel and just conversed w various parents. Amoore PG was stupendous and Kitley no slouch! And unfazed by TN when they got aggressive and crossed the line (find the video of their player 4 punching VT number 13 - refs asleep).

Here is the video - makes me wish Missy had been there to go to the monitor as this is ejection worthy: 
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35949945

[Jskass]

Still in Seattle and have to admit was pleased to see UConn lose, though that meant cheering for the OSU. Pleasant surprise is VaTech. Team  gels really well. Nice people too - staying at their hotel and just conversed w various parents. Amoore PG was stupendous and Kitley no slouch! And unfazed by TN when they got aggressive and crossed the line (find the video of their player 4 punching VT number 13 - refs asleep).

Here is the video - makes me wish Missy had been there to go to the monitor as this is ejection worthy: 
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35949945

[Baez87]

Still in Seattle and have to admit was pleased to see UConn lose, though that meant cheering for the OSU. Pleasant surprise is VaTech. Team  gels really well. Nice people too - staying at their hotel and just conversed w various parents. Amoore PG was stupendous and Kitley no slouch! And unfazed by TN when they got aggressive and crossed the line (find the video of their player 4 punching VT number 13 - refs asleep).

Here is the video - makes me wish Missy had been there to go to the monitor as this is ejection worthy: 
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35949945

Thanks for sharing this clip. I’m not sure that this egregious infraction of basketball rules and of human decency is punishable now that the game is over and the team of the offending party is probably on its way home, but this needs to be dealt with in some manner. I’ve never seem someone mugged quite like lhis in a basketball game. Walker, #4, needs to stand accountable for this act, even to the extent of someone pressing charges against her. Just horrible!

[Baez87]

Still in Seattle and have to admit was pleased to see UConn lose, though that meant cheering for the OSU. Pleasant surprise is VaTech. Team  gels really well. Nice people too - staying at their hotel and just conversed w various parents. Amoore PG was stupendous and Kitley no slouch! And unfazed by TN when they got aggressive and crossed the line (find the video of their player 4 punching VT number 13 - refs asleep).

Here is the video - makes me wish Missy had been there to go to the monitor as this is ejection worthy: 
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35949945

Thanks for sharing this clip. I’m not sure that this egregious infraction of basketball rules and of human decency is punishable now that the game is over and the team of the offending party is probably on its way home, but this needs to be dealt with in some manner. I’ve never seem someone mugged quite like lhis in a basketball game. Walker, #4, needs to stand accountable for this act, even to the extent of someone pressing charges against her. Just horrible!