Predictions this season - total losses and how far in NCAA's?

[JonathanXIV]

I chose undefeated. When you have a go to POY in Paige and you add Azzi a player who many have said is better then Paige well thats 2 go to players and although Azzi hasnt played a game yet with UConn I feel it will be the Paige and Azzi show and they will be tuff to stop. The weakness's we had as a team last year have been filled. We have a really good bench and depth at every position. Its gonna be really hard to stop UConn this year because of the depth. Barring injuries we could very well have a season where we beat every team by double digits.

I am shocked, shocked, that Tonyc predicts UConn to go undefeated.

 

[jabstep]

i'm getting nauseous seeing this fantasy repeated so often people will start believing it ... no such creature exists in this universe ... a really quick talented offensive basketball player can only be stopped by being outwitted, out-lucked, or by a team ... a talented player isn't gonna consistently be outfoxed one-on-one and i doubt we'll ever find a 'stopper' who can cast quick hex on her, so we'd best plan on the team slowing the really quick guard, or guards, down. .... cause it's the only way it will be done, other than counting on her just getting a case the 'uconn yips' that will take her out before tip-off

Stanford used a defense of 3 bigs playing a zone in the paint when MacDonald drove to the hoop they surrounded her so no layups. So yes I agree with you that help defense can slow down a really talented player and if that player doesn't have the corresponding shooters to hit shots when open you can stop that player. MacDonald did do a very good job on Paige by sticking like glue to her around all of the screens so a great individual defender can slow down a talented offensive player. Don't get too nauseous it's not good for your health.

 

[PacoSwede]

Stanford used a defense of 3 bigs playing a zone in the paint when MacDonald drove to the hoop they surrounded her so no layups. So yes I agree with you that help defense can slow down a really talented player and if that player doesn't have the corresponding shooters to hit shots when open you can stop that player. MacDonald did do a very good job on Paige by sticking like glue to her around all of the screens so a great individual defender can slow down a talented offensive player. Don't get too nauseous it's not good for your health.

great as paige is, don't know if i'd slot her as 'really quick' ...
anyway, aari wasn't the sole reason for her 'slowed down' performance (she wasn't superwoman again). her teammates provided lots of assistance.

BTW, check out aari's stats in games prior to v. uconn (not outstanding) ... which 'defensive stopper' slowed her; or was she just 'off'; or did the team defense foil her? so perhaps she simply 'caught fire' v. uconn and the lack of a uconn 'defensive specialist' was not our downfall.

 

[bballnut90]

I think UCONN is the favorite but the field is a lot more talented and deeper than it was during during Moore/Stewart years. There's more returning talent coming back compared to most other seasons and many strong programs. I think UCONN is the preseason title favorite but I'll be surprised if anyone goes undefeated.