Tonight they will "break" UCLA's record of 88 consecutive wins set by the men's team (The Walton Gang) between 1971 and 1974. NBC News did a segment about it tonight, and the UConn coach was complaining that they weren't getting the respect they deserved because they are a women's team beating a men's record.
I find the notion that they are breaking UCLA's record total nonsense--apples and oranges.
And I think any high school boys team ranked in USA Today's national top 25 would demolish the UConn girls. There's probably a hundred or maybe hundreds of high school boys teams that could beat them. Just no comparison in physical athletic ability. Not to mention size and strength.
I don't think that they think that they should be compared to men, or want to be. Obviously, men are better at basketball. What's impressive is not losing over such a long period of time, playing everyone and anyone possible in their sport.
What I don't understand is why their record cannot be considered in its own right...and not only when compared to men.
It's insulting to UCLA to compare them. The talent pool for women's ball is about 2 inches deep and UCONN gets about 99% of it.
Does UCONN pay the players like the boosters at UCLA did, that attracted all talent.
/oops
women play basketball?
Give credit where credit is due - 89-0 is impressive as hell. They may be females, but they are certainly athletes. They have played a ton of ranked teams during the streak as well. There are so many ways to have an off day, a "trap" game, a loss of concentration, but it hasn't happened. Kudos to the organization and the kids that have bought into it - that kind of consistency is admirable in either gender.
love how many times a game in women's college basketball that you see a missed shot hit the floor before anyone rebounds it. Most of the time three or four players swarm to it like kids playing pee wee soccer.
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on December 21, 2010, 08:37:01 PM
Give credit where credit is due - 89-0 is impressive as hell. They may be females, but they are certainly athletes. They have played a ton of ranked teams during the streak as well. There are so many ways to have an off day, a "trap" game, a loss of concentration, but it hasn't happened. Kudos to the organization and the kids that have bought into it - that kind of consistency is admirable in either gender.
every word of this is true. I still don't care. It's of zero interest to me.
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on December 21, 2010, 08:37:01 PM
Give credit where credit is due - 89-0 is impressive as hell. They may be females, but they are certainly athletes. They have played a ton of ranked teams during the streak as well. There are so many ways to have an off day, a "trap" game, a loss of concentration, but it hasn't happened. Kudos to the organization and the kids that have bought into it - that kind of consistency is admirable in either gender.
I do not have a single dispute with this, but until they stop comparing themselves to men, they will not stand on their own.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 21, 2010, 09:09:17 PM
I do not have a single dispute with this, but until they stop comparing themselves to men, they will not stand on their own.
Same way I feel. 89-0 is great. To compare it to what UCLA did is just wrong. The talent pool is so much smaller that the streaks are not comparable. No different than women's tennis, golf, etc. On any given night, there are 50 to 100 men's teams that can knock off the top men's basketball team. On that same any given night scenario, there are 5 or 10 women's teams that can do the same because the talent level drops off so quickly after you get through the first tier of teams.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on December 21, 2010, 10:29:22 PM
Same way I feel. 89-0 is great. To compare it to what UCLA did is just wrong. The talent pool is so much smaller that the streaks are not comparable. No different than women's tennis, golf, etc. On any given night, there are 50 to 100 men's teams that can knock off the top men's basketball team. On that same any given night scenario, there are 5 or 10 women's teams that can do the same because the talent level drops off so quickly after you get through the first tier of teams.
But to UConn's credit, they play those teams. This year they have 7 ranked teams on their schedule that are non-conference opponents, including #2 Baylor, #3 Duke, #8 Stanford, and #10 North Carolina. Last year they played 5 ranked teams in non-con games. The talent level may drop off, but this team goes out of their way to play the teams that have a chance to knock them off as often as they can. It's a different era, but outside of tournament and conference play, I only noted one top 25 team in
this breakdown (http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_16898177) of UCLA's streak, that being #6 Ohio State on Dec. 30, 1971. So in that regard, you're right, comparing UConn to UCLA is wrong. UConn sought out the teams that had a chance to beat them, while UCLA did not.
Whatever you think of this UConn team, and while they certainly couldn't compete on the court with UCLA or any of the NCAA men's teams, their accomplishment is one of legend. In the NCAAs, especially these days, you don't just compete against who's on your schedule. You compete against who's on your schedule in conference and against who you choose in non-con. UConn chooses the best, and I'm happy to give them respect for that. Teams have to compete on the playing field they are placed upon. UConn does that, and still goes out of their way to make the road even more difficult. Their accomplishment is among the greatest in NCAA history, for any sport or any gender, and deserves the recognition it's getting.
Brew, agree that they play those teams. I'm just of the opinion that "on any given day" happens much much less at the women's level in most sports than at the men's level because the talent pools are so much narrower. This is why the upsets (historically) of lower level seeds in the women's tournament don't compare to the men's tournament. Sure, they happen on occasion, but not with the same regularity. The score differentials are also so much larger in the women's game because the talent levels are so compounded with the top 5 to 10 teams.
Growing up as a UConn fan both men and women (season tickets to both), I find it impossible to compare the two. I also think that the team, and Geno, don't really want to compare themselves to UCLA, but the media (ESPN) needs something to talk about, so this gives them at least 3 or 4 days of topics to cover. I was even at the game against Ohio State on Sunday in which they tied the record, and although I didn't want them to taint the record at all, it was a special environment in MSG, because there was a streak at stake. However, like I said, it is impossible to compare the two sports; doing so would be like comparing a college football streak to the NFL. As has been said over and over this week, apples and oranges.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on December 21, 2010, 11:07:29 PM
Brew, agree that they play those teams. I'm just of the opinion that "on any given day" happens much much less at the women's level in most sports than at the men's level because the talent pools are so much narrower. This is why the upsets (historically) of lower level seeds in the women's tournament don't compare to the men's tournament. Sure, they happen on occasion, but not with the same regularity. The score differentials are also so much larger in the women's game because the talent levels are so compounded with the top 5 to 10 teams.
Well, I'd say that's why the big upsets in the women's tournament are more notable than in the men's. Hell, over there a 10-7 upset is comparable to a 14-3 in the men's game. It simply doesn't happen. I fully realize that it's not the same, but I also feel that it merits a comparable level of respect. I'm not saying the men's game is the same as the women's game, it's not. But I respect Michael Jordan in a similar way to how I respect Walter Payton. Different sports, different accomplishments, but both were the best that ever existed at what they did. UConn is undoubtedly the best women's basketball team ever, and one of the most dominant teams in team sports ever. For that reason, it's fair to mention them alongside the likes of UCLA, the Russell/Auerbach Celtics, the 1970s Steelers, and the USA Women's Softball team. Not the same sports or gender, but comparable in terms of dominance over their respective sport.
Impressive. Nowhere near as impressive as UCLA but impressive.
Who cares about Chick basketball, except the liberal press and some chicks.
Now, women's golf, softball or tennis is really something we should devote lots of chat to. After all, we must remain PC.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on December 21, 2010, 11:07:29 PM
Brew, agree that they play those teams. I'm just of the opinion that "on any given day" happens much much less at the women's level in most sports than at the men's level because the talent pools are so much narrower. This is why the upsets (historically) of lower level seeds in the women's tournament don't compare to the men's tournament. Sure, they happen on occasion, but not with the same regularity. The score differentials are also so much larger in the women's game because the talent levels are so compounded with the top 5 to 10 teams.
And until recently, the top seeds in the tournament were able to play a lot of the early round games at home (on campus).
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 21, 2010, 09:09:17 PM
I do not have a single dispute with this, but until they stop comparing themselves to men, they will not stand on their own.
I think the comparisons are being made by the media covering the team (ESPN), not by the team itself. Although, with as little attention as I have paid to it, I could be wrong.
And the media do it in an attempt to get more people to care and to have something to fill 3 minutes on Sportscenter and probably drive traffic to their website to have people to vote in some stupid poll about which accomplishment is greater.
ATL, google up some quotes by coach Geno and you'll see how much he cares about this. It's honestly kind of pathetic.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 22, 2010, 08:05:01 AM
ATL, google up some quotes by coach Geno and you'll see how much he cares about this. It's honestly kind of pathetic.
ok. Obviously I am not following this particular story line. My bad. And you are right...it is pathetic...I guess he's got an inferiority complex.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 22, 2010, 08:05:01 AM
ATL, google up some quotes by coach Geno and you'll see how much he cares about this. It's honestly kind of pathetic.
He went on PTI and said it was foolish to compare to the men's record, but then after the game has a shirt on that says 89...
ESPN is really trying to shove this UConn story down our throats. I'd have to guess that most sports fans don't care one bit. I am a really big sports fan, and I couldn't name one player that played on UConn's team during this stretch.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on December 22, 2010, 08:26:35 AM
ok. Obviously I am not following this particular story line. My bad. And you are right...it is pathetic...I guess he's got an inferiority complex.
If you'd been coaching women's basketball for 25 years, wouldn't you be a little bitter too?
I like how Geno is handling this. They did not break UCLA record. UCLA is on the men's side.
So if UWSP wins 89 in a row do they break UCLA record? No, UWSP is D3
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/12/22/bernstein-womens-basketball-sucks/
Bernstein sums up my thoughts.
I consider Women's NCAA DI College Basketball a completly different sport than Men's NCAA DI College Basketball.
Comparing it the streak to Men's Basketball is like comparing it to Women's Water Polo. They are two different sports. Why don't they say it is the longest streak in all of college sports? Is there a Lacrosse team out there that won 90 in a row?
Also Geno is an asshat.
The final four minutes of the 1974 UCLA-Notre Dame game on TVS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLfCdIU3dC4
Quote from: groove on December 22, 2010, 10:10:21 AM
The final four minutes of the 1974 UCLA-Notre Dame game on TVS.
I watched that game in Schroeder Hall as a freshman. UCLA really pissed away #89.
This sums up most of my thoughts:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/14471824/uconn-streak-is-telling-and-not-in-a-good-way
Quote from: Aughnanure on December 22, 2010, 11:13:02 AM
This sums up most of my thoughts:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/14471824/uconn-streak-is-telling-and-not-in-a-good-way
That article was so stupidly off-base. I mean blaming the players for going to UCONN because they want to win national championships? That writer is a chump.
Quote from: reinko on December 22, 2010, 11:37:23 AM
That article was so stupidly off-base. I mean blaming the players for going to UCONN because they want to win national championships? That writer is a chump.
He was interviewed by the local ESPN Radio 1410 here in Connecticut yesterday. He kind of admitted he's just not a fan of any women's sports. He didn't understand why women would want to go to UConn to play when they could be the focal point at any other school. He also indicated that he had to admit he was from Mississippi........
Quote from: reinko on December 22, 2010, 11:37:23 AM
That article was so stupidly off-base. I mean blaming the players for going to UCONN because they want to win national championships? That writer is a chump.
I agree with you 100%. Last I checked basketball (regardless of the players' gender) is a team sport. There is nothing wrong with these athletes wanting to be on a perennially great team. If you go by this guys logic, Rob Frozena is taking the easy way out because instead of going to some DIII school where he could be their stud and "compete," he has a limited roll on a team that is respected nationally. This isn't a perfect comparison, but i think you get my point. These UCONN women shouldn't be criticized for being a piece (no matter how big or small) of something great instead of going to another school where their individual contribution would stand out more.
Quote from: w0bbie on December 22, 2010, 11:54:19 AM
I agree with you 100%. Last I checked basketball (regardless of the players' gender) is a team sport. There is nothing wrong with these athletes wanting to be on a perennially great team. If you go by this guys logic, Rob Frozena is taking the easy way out because instead of going to some DIII school where he could be their stud and "compete," he has a limited roll on a team that is respected nationally. This isn't a perfect comparison, but i think you get my point. These UCONN women shouldn't be criticized for being a piece (no matter how big or small) of something great instead of going to another school where their individual contribution would stand out more.
I believe the point he was trying to make (that he did a very poor job of) was that sports society condemned LeBron for "taking the easy way out" and signing with the Heat, but no one seems to care that the best of the best women's HS players all do essentially the same thing when they go to UConn. I don't think he meant that players should go to other schools so that they can stand out individually. He was suggesting that they go to other schools to try to take down Goliath instead of simply joining Goliath's team. I'm not saying I agree with that, but my guess is that's what he was trying say...or maybe I'm giving him too much credit.
My biggest problem with this whole streak issue was Geno implying that anyone who doesn't care about women's basketball is sexist. That's just not true. I mean, I don't care about soccer but that doesn't make me a homophobe.
I am far more impressed by D3- Rutgers Camden....
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2010/D3.pdf
or
Praire View in Football
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/DI/2010/2010Collegiate.pdf
Young women basketball players go to UConn because they have a large, rabid fan base. You'd never see a crowd at a UConn women's game that looked like the Marquette-MVSU crowd last night, even though 90% of the games they play are at least that big a mismatch. The state PBS channel shows just about all of their games on live TV. I do not watch them play, because the combination of lack of athleticism and lack of competition renders their games unwatchable. But that's just me.
Of course I also agree it's apples and oranges when compared to men's basketball. Forget the top 25 high school boys teams in the country, the UConn women would lose to all the top 25 HS boys teams in Connecticut. High school aged boys are just too much bigger, stronger and quicker than college age women.
It is still a tremendous accomplishment. They play everyone they can and aren't afraid to go on the road to do it.
Tennessee??
Quote from: mu-rara on December 22, 2010, 12:53:42 PM
Tennessee??
UConn wants to play Tennessee but Pat Summit refuses to play UConn anymore because she's bitter that all the top recruits lately have choose UConn over Tennessee. She's accused Geno of cheating, etc. There's a ton of info out there UConn - Tennessee women's BB rivalry.
I am a fan of women's basketball and it is a remarkable achievement. It in no way diminishes what UCLA did. Well done, ladies. Congrats, Geno.
Quote from: reinko on December 22, 2010, 11:37:23 AM
That article was so stupidly off-base. I mean blaming the players for going to UCONN because they want to win national championships? That writer is a chump.
I believe the point of the article was that of the 89 games, hardly any have been actually competitive...and to me that diminishes the accomplishment. When you destroy other top 5 teams every time, to me that diminishes it....and at no point, except for one game against Baylor, has there even been the semblance of a competitive interesting basketball game. I think it makes women's college basketball look bad when every final score is by 25+ points, and not just for UConn games, but nearly all the women's games. But please, take only the last part of it to criticize. I didnt mean to imply I agreed with the assessment that the player's are to blame for choosing UConn, but that the utter lack of competition is an issue in the sport.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on December 22, 2010, 01:08:17 PM
UConn wants to play Tennessee but Pat Summit refuses to play UConn anymore because she's bitter that all the top recruits lately have choose UConn over Tennessee. She's accused Geno of cheating, etc. There's a ton of info out there UConn - Tennessee women's BB rivalry.
I know about the Geno / Pat deal. With so few quality teams in Women's hoop, not playing one of them certainly diminishes the streak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ienobaWDOjM
enough said about the talent pool in women's basketball
Quote from: mupanther on December 22, 2010, 08:43:45 AM
I like how Geno is handling this. They did not break UCLA record. UCLA is on the men's side.
So if UWSP wins 89 in a row do they break UCLA record? No, UWSP is D3
So it's like Wisconsin-Madison fans blindly believing that what Bo Ryan did at Platteville in terms of wins and national championships should mean more than a footnote at the D1 level because their sports information department tells them so?
Quote from: Eye on December 22, 2010, 05:35:43 PM
So it's like Wisconsin-Madison fans blindly believing that what Bo Ryan did at Platteville in terms of wins and national championships should mean more than a footnote at the D1 level because their sports information department tells them so?
THIS
+89
Quote from: tower912 on December 22, 2010, 01:20:51 PM
I am a fan of women's basketball and it is a remarkable achievement. It in no way diminishes what UCLA did. Well done, ladies. Congrats, Geno.
. . . . yes.... but maybe it's time for UCONN to lose :)
So, i'm sure you've all been waiting on tenterhooks for me to make a comment (right??) but frankly, you all probably could guess;
Actually, i'd love to see some high school (boys) team play UCONN women; frankly, my alma mater would be crushed! but rightfully so we can't really compare those two streaks at all due to the gender factor (yes, even I will admit that). And i would DEFINITELY agree that there are about 10-15 schools (being generous) that gobble up 90% of the talented female ballers, and UCONN & UT probably get the lion's share of those...
i can't blame those girls; if there were more parity @ women's programs across the board, this wouldn't really happen, but there isn't, so it does. Frankly Geno makes me crazy, but what can you do. It still happens at the men's level, for sure anyway; as in, when players like Jon Scheyer from IL head to Duke.. sure the illini have a historic team, but frankly Duke is Duke, & so if that suits the player better, that's how it goes.
I'm sure the other side of the coin is that unlike men's basketball, the percentage of women that go on to play professionally is nearly negligible. So does it behoove girls to hone bball skills in prep sports in hopes of accruing scholarship offers to elite programs with the hope, however distant, of playing post-college?? of course not, and as most seem more than tickled to point out, women are just not as athletic/tall/built as men, and of course there's just less interest in women's sports in general (partly because of said lack of athleticism) and not helped by the fact that, let's face it, unlike those in figure skating, cheerleading, golf & tennis, women in basketball aren't exactly known for their looks...
That's my two cents, thanks for reading, and go MU basketball!! we <3 Terri Mitchell :)
I'd like to announce I just won my 90th game of basketball in a row on Wii breaking the great Geno's record. You all just hate my record because it's me defeating women.
Streak ends tonight.
called it
Quote from: TallTitan34 on December 25, 2010, 06:37:34 AM
I'd like to announce I just won my 90th game of basketball in a row on Wii breaking the great Geno's record. You all just hate my record because it's me defeating women.
You must have a 4 year old....90 games of Wii by 6:30 on Christmas morning.
Quote from: mu-rara on December 31, 2010, 11:49:50 AM
You must have a 4 year old....90 games of Wii by 6:30 on Christmas morning.
TT, that would be news to me! don't hold out on us ;)