UcMiami
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We have a couple of threads going about pre game and post game interviews and whether players and coaches said exactly the right things and paid enough homage to Uconn and our wonderful team and coaches. I just wanted a thread to express congratulations and respect for two teams facing insurmountable odds on our home court.
Robert Morris University and their retiring coach came to Storrs with absolute joy and enthusiasm, and respect for the game and their opponent. They knew they had no chance, but played well and fought to the end. They recognized that their effort would be measured in tiny victories - a steal, a made shot, a well executed offensive set and they had many of those moments in an overwhelming onslaught by a vastly superior team. They faltered but never faded, and they regrouped in the locker room and continued to play with heart. It was a clean game and they never allowed the score to dictate their worth as players or a team. Congratulations to a good coach and a good TEAM who in closing made an impassioned appeal to respect all women's basketball players that we all would do well to heed.
Duquesne came to Storrs on a mission to play two games in their first ever trip to the NCAAs and they came out and smacked a more highly regarded Seton Hall team in their first game - playing with confidence and energy. They have a brash young coach who is building something pretty good quite quickly in a decent league from very meager beginnings. He seems to have a good handle on the game, a recognition of weaknesses and strengths, and a very strong bond with his players. He is perhaps not as affable as Jose at USF but is going a similar route of foreign recruiting to compete against more attractive schools with better traditions. His team came out and withstood Uconn for a quarter and a half, something that a lot of 'better' teams have been unable to do. They got steals and made Uconn look confused and uncoordinated for 15 minutes - realistically that is all the talent and experience gap would have allowed, and more than most expected. They too played hard and clean to the final whistle. They are an interesting team and he is an interesting coach - I expect them to be back in the NCAAs regularly and to make a little noise.
Respect the game and respect the opponent.
Congratulations to both teams, and I hope you both enjoyed your visit and learned from the experience.
Robert Morris University and their retiring coach came to Storrs with absolute joy and enthusiasm, and respect for the game and their opponent. They knew they had no chance, but played well and fought to the end. They recognized that their effort would be measured in tiny victories - a steal, a made shot, a well executed offensive set and they had many of those moments in an overwhelming onslaught by a vastly superior team. They faltered but never faded, and they regrouped in the locker room and continued to play with heart. It was a clean game and they never allowed the score to dictate their worth as players or a team. Congratulations to a good coach and a good TEAM who in closing made an impassioned appeal to respect all women's basketball players that we all would do well to heed.
Duquesne came to Storrs on a mission to play two games in their first ever trip to the NCAAs and they came out and smacked a more highly regarded Seton Hall team in their first game - playing with confidence and energy. They have a brash young coach who is building something pretty good quite quickly in a decent league from very meager beginnings. He seems to have a good handle on the game, a recognition of weaknesses and strengths, and a very strong bond with his players. He is perhaps not as affable as Jose at USF but is going a similar route of foreign recruiting to compete against more attractive schools with better traditions. His team came out and withstood Uconn for a quarter and a half, something that a lot of 'better' teams have been unable to do. They got steals and made Uconn look confused and uncoordinated for 15 minutes - realistically that is all the talent and experience gap would have allowed, and more than most expected. They too played hard and clean to the final whistle. They are an interesting team and he is an interesting coach - I expect them to be back in the NCAAs regularly and to make a little noise.
Respect the game and respect the opponent.
Congratulations to both teams, and I hope you both enjoyed your visit and learned from the experience.