Where does the opener rank in UConn history?

[DobbsRover2]

This year's opener was definitely my favorite in recent memory, though I'm generally so desperate for the season to finally begin that even a game against UNC-Asheville or Portland St. (rated worst in nation last year) would have been nirvana with a big helping of teen spirit. But where does it rate in UConn history?

• Margin of Victory. At 46 points you might have thought it was one of the biggest opening routs in UConn history, but actually it only comes in at #12. In recent times the first game has tended to be against fairly puffy teams, and overall UConn has twice hit the 80 point MOV, the first in 1995-96 and again in 2010-11. The have exceeded the 46-point mark 9 times during openers in the 2000s.
• Total Points. This year's team at least gets into the UConn top 10 with its 100 points, as past teams have scored more than 100 eight times. The biggest total came against poor Holy Cross in a 117-37 game in 2010-11.
• Ranked Opponents. Here is where this year's game stands out. The last time UConn played an opener against a ranked team was back in 2000-01, and this year was the first time in four ever that it happened on the road. UConn is 3-1 in these games, with an 83-81 loss to #4 Louisiana Tech in their first opener as a reigning champ, then a 104-74 win over #3 Duke in 1998-99, a 99-70 win over #3 Georgia in 2000-01, and then this year's 100-56 win over #6 Ohio State. So the 44-point MOV is by far the biggest over a ranked team.
• All-time Winning Percentage. The 20th straight opening win helped Geno edge his winning percentage closer to his overall winning percentage of 87.3%, as he is now at 87.1% on a 27-4 record, with the four losses coming back in the past millennium to US International, San Diego State, California, and Louisiana Tech. His first opener was a 73-67 win over Iona in 1985-86. Overall UConn is 33-9 in openers, so it is one stat that the school actually had a winning record in at 6-5 before Geno came on board.

 

[Gus Mahler]

This year's opener was definitely my favorite in recent memory, though I'm generally so desperate for the season to finally begin that even a game against UNC-Asheville or Portland St. (rated worst in nation last year) would have been nirvana with a big helping of teen spirit. But where does it rate in UConn history?

• Margin of Victory. At 46 points you might have thought it was one of the biggest opening routs in UConn history, but actually it only comes in at #12. In recent times the first game has tended to be against fairly puffy teams, and overall UConn has twice hit the 80 point MOV, the first in 1995-96 and again in 2010-11. The have exceeded the 46-point mark 9 times during openers in the 2000s.
• Total Points. This year's team at least gets into the UConn top 10 with its 100 points, as past teams have scored more than 100 eight times. The biggest total came against poor Holy Cross in a 117-37 game in 2010-11.
• Ranked Opponents. Here is where this year's game stands out. The last time UConn played an opener against a ranked team was back in 2000-01, and this year was the first time in four ever that it happened on the road. UConn is 3-1 in these games, with an 83-81 loss to #4 Louisiana Tech in their first opener as a reigning champ, then a 104-74 win over #3 Duke in 1998-99, a 99-70 win over #3 Georgia in 2000-01, and then this year's 100-56 win over #6 Ohio State. So the 44-point MOV is by far the biggest over a ranked team.
• All-time Winning Percentage. The 20th straight opening win helped Geno edge his winning percentage closer to his overall winning percentage of 87.3%, as he is now at 87.1% on a 27-4 record, with the four losses coming back in the past millennium to US International, San Diego State, California, and Louisiana Tech. His first opener was a 73-67 win over Iona in 1985-86. Overall UConn is 33-9 in openers, so it is one stat that the school actually had a winning record in at 6-5 before Geno came on board.

Thanks, Dobbs, for your exhaustive and interesting research.

 

[HGN]

Now that we have won our very First game of the season...................Let's all hope we can win our very Last game of the season. And I will take Victory by any margin.

 

[Huskies Rule]

Good stuff, DR2.

But I'd prefer ranking the greatest "closing" games, that's the most fun. I'd have to say the 2000 closing game victory (71-52) against Tennessee was my favorite. Oh, and also the 2003 closing game victory (73-68) against Tennessee. Oh,oh, and I can't forget the 2004 closing game victory (70-61) against, oh yeah, Tennessee.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Good stuff, DR2.

But I'd prefer ranking the greatest "closing" games, that's the most fun. I'd have to say the 2000 closing game victory (71-52) against Tennessee was my favorite. Oh, and also the 2003 closing game victory (73-68) against Tennessee. Oh,oh, and I can't forget the 2004 closing game victory (70-61) against, oh yeah, Tennessee.

So um, seems like there's a common theme with those closers. What about 1994-95? I can't say rewatching it is the highest quality experience, at least with the version I've seen, but I'll still volunteer it as one of the best.

 

[Huskies Rule]

So um, seems like there's a common theme with those closers. What about 1994-95? I can't say rewatching it is the highest quality experience, at least with the version I've seen, but I'll still volunteer it as one of the best.

You?? One of them?? Oh, the humanity!

 

[Zorro]

I think it is a draw between this year and the Ga game, which was the first Husky game I ever saw in person.

 

[winlots]

DR2 - nice, interesting. Appreciated here.