[BostonCard]

Stanford has now ended three of the six longest winning streaks in WBB:

* UConn's 90 game winning streak four years ago (the record)
* Uconn's 47 game winning streak tonight (fourth longest)
* Baylor's 42 game winning streak two years ago (sixth longest)

Over the last 10 seasons, UConn is 0-5 in overtime.  I guess they just don't expect to ever get there, and don't know what to do if they can't just shock and awe a team to submission.

BC

[BostonCard]

Stanford has now ended three of the six longest winning streaks in WBB:

* UConn's 90 game winning streak four years ago (the record)
* Uconn's 47 game winning streak tonight (fourth longest)
* Baylor's 42 game winning streak two years ago (sixth longest)

Over the last 10 seasons, UConn is 0-5 in overtime.  I guess they just don't expect to ever get there, and don't know what to do if they can't just shock and awe a team to submission.

BC

[81alum]

Over the last 10 seasons, UConn is 0-5 in overtime.  I guess they just don't expect to ever get there, and don't know what to do if they can't just shock and awe a team to submission.

I think you are correct. This year's UConn is not at all used to close, competitive games and I think they melted down.  This will make them a better team this year.  Unlike what Tara and others have said, I hope we DON'T play them again this year because if we do it will be under less favorable circumstances.  I'd rather keep surprising people.

[81alum]

Over the last 10 seasons, UConn is 0-5 in overtime.  I guess they just don't expect to ever get there, and don't know what to do if they can't just shock and awe a team to submission.

I think you are correct. This year's UConn is not at all used to close, competitive games and I think they melted down.  This will make them a better team this year.  Unlike what Tara and others have said, I hope we DON'T play them again this year because if we do it will be under less favorable circumstances.  I'd rather keep surprising people.

[Jskass]

good point, 81! We're at our best when people underestimate us, and they won't anymore.

[Jskass]

good point, 81! We're at our best when people underestimate us, and they won't anymore.

[Viking_Guy]

Beyond the OT record, UConn is 2-9 in games decided by 9 points or less in the last 4 years.  Unlike some of the posters I've been reading, I don't think that's an indictment of Auriemma as a coach.  However, I do remember being extremely glad when UConn called their last timeout with more than a minute left in overtime.  The Huskies are just not used to "close and late" situations, and the last two plays (driving for a layup in the last 7 seconds of the clock down 3, then the last inbounds play) showed it.  Was anyone else kinda hoping that Karlie would miss the second FT so that UConn couldn't set up?  Post-hoc their breakdown was glorious, but I was concerned when she missed the first FT about a long home-run play for KML or Stewart.

The other thing is Stewart.  She is a great player, but she's a "stretch 4"; my comparison would be a Dirk Nowitski.  Not a true post player.  It showed last night, with the 3-second calls, but more with her not reading the double and triple-teams and passing effectively OUT of the post.  The number of times she got the ball and Orrange or another guard flashed across in front of her to double without a backside cut or pass to the opposite corner was critical.  UConn really missed Dolson, and hasn't developed Stokes or Tuck into an effective post presence offensively.

That said, Stanford may have some problems against teams with a strong physical post presence - as in Texas' 6'5" Kelsey Lang and 6'4" Lilley Vander Zee, not to mention a very physical forward in 6'1" Nneka Enemkpali. Luckily, their true post star, 6'7" Imani McGee-Stafford, is out indefinitely with a stress fracture right now.

Still basking in the result,

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Beyond the OT record, UConn is 2-9 in games decided by 9 points or less in the last 4 years.  Unlike some of the posters I've been reading, I don't think that's an indictment of Auriemma as a coach.  However, I do remember being extremely glad when UConn called their last timeout with more than a minute left in overtime.  The Huskies are just not used to "close and late" situations, and the last two plays (driving for a layup in the last 7 seconds of the clock down 3, then the last inbounds play) showed it.  Was anyone else kinda hoping that Karlie would miss the second FT so that UConn couldn't set up?  Post-hoc their breakdown was glorious, but I was concerned when she missed the first FT about a long home-run play for KML or Stewart.

The other thing is Stewart.  She is a great player, but she's a "stretch 4"; my comparison would be a Dirk Nowitski.  Not a true post player.  It showed last night, with the 3-second calls, but more with her not reading the double and triple-teams and passing effectively OUT of the post.  The number of times she got the ball and Orrange or another guard flashed across in front of her to double without a backside cut or pass to the opposite corner was critical.  UConn really missed Dolson, and hasn't developed Stokes or Tuck into an effective post presence offensively.

That said, Stanford may have some problems against teams with a strong physical post presence - as in Texas' 6'5" Kelsey Lang and 6'4" Lilley Vander Zee, not to mention a very physical forward in 6'1" Nneka Enemkpali. Luckily, their true post star, 6'7" Imani McGee-Stafford, is out indefinitely with a stress fracture right now.

Still basking in the result,

VG

[CTcard]

Stanford has now ended three of the six longest winning streaks in WBB:

* UConn's 90 game winning streak four years ago (the record)
* Uconn's 47 game winning streak tonight (fourth longest)
* Baylor's 42 game winning streak two years ago (sixth longest)

Very nice, but I guess I'd rather have Stanford on the list rather than being the one ending the streaks.

[CTcard]

Stanford has now ended three of the six longest winning streaks in WBB:

* UConn's 90 game winning streak four years ago (the record)
* Uconn's 47 game winning streak tonight (fourth longest)
* Baylor's 42 game winning streak two years ago (sixth longest)

Very nice, but I guess I'd rather have Stanford on the list rather than being the one ending the streaks.

[BostonCard]

I agree, and the shocking stat is not that Geno has a poor record in close games, but that UConn has had only 11 games they haven't won by over 9 points in four years.  The best way to not have any close losses is to blow out your opponents, and UConn is pretty good at that.  There is an element of unpredictability to close games that cannot be controlled, and although preparation and coaching does make a difference, the difference between UConn winning in regulation and Stanford winning in overtime was a lovely shot by Amber Orrange.  If that doesn't fall, we aren't having this conversation.

BC

[BostonCard]

I agree, and the shocking stat is not that Geno has a poor record in close games, but that UConn has had only 11 games they haven't won by over 9 points in four years.  The best way to not have any close losses is to blow out your opponents, and UConn is pretty good at that.  There is an element of unpredictability to close games that cannot be controlled, and although preparation and coaching does make a difference, the difference between UConn winning in regulation and Stanford winning in overtime was a lovely shot by Amber Orrange.  If that doesn't fall, we aren't having this conversation.

BC

[Viking_Guy]

BC--

I can think of one they lost by more than 9 points.  4 years ago, as a matter of fact <grin>.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

BC--

I can think of one they lost by more than 9 points.  4 years ago, as a matter of fact <grin>.

VG